Method and apparatus for diagnosing and treating neural dysfunction
First Claim
1. A device for use in delivering therapeutic treatment energy to a plurality of nerve locations via a corresponding plurality of probes, each probe including an uninsulated tip portion having a temperature sensor, the device comprising:
- a plurality of electrode outputs;
a user interface for selecting a user-settable temperature associated with any of the electrode outputs;
a feedback circuit coupled to the plurality of electrode outputs and the user interface, the feedback circuit comprising;
at least one set temperature input to receive a user-settable temperature from the user interface; and
a plurality of temperature report inputs to receive temperature information from a corresponding plurality of temperature sensors,wherein the feedback circuit regulates energy delivery to each of the plurality of electrode outputs, so as to simultaneously maintain the user-settable temperature associated with each of the electrode outputs.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for diagnosing and treating neural dysfunction is disclosed. This device has the capability of delivering the therapeutic electrical energy to more than one treatment electrode simultaneously. In another exemplary embodiment, this device can perform EMG testing both before and after the therapeutic energy has been delivered, to assess whether the target nerve was successfully treated. In another embodiment, the device has the capability to record and store sensory stimulation thresholds both before and after treatment is described, which allows the clinician to accurately determine whether the target nerve has been desensitized. Energy control may achieved by simultaneously comparing the tip temperature of each treatment electrode to a set temperature selected by the operator, and regulating the therapeutic energy output to maintain the set temperature. In another embodiment, EMG, stimulation thresholds, and graphs of temperature versus time can be conveniently displayed on a two-dimensional graphics display.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A device for use in delivering therapeutic treatment energy to a plurality of nerve locations via a corresponding plurality of probes, each probe including an uninsulated tip portion having a temperature sensor, the device comprising:
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a plurality of electrode outputs; a user interface for selecting a user-settable temperature associated with any of the electrode outputs; a feedback circuit coupled to the plurality of electrode outputs and the user interface, the feedback circuit comprising; at least one set temperature input to receive a user-settable temperature from the user interface; and a plurality of temperature report inputs to receive temperature information from a corresponding plurality of temperature sensors, wherein the feedback circuit regulates energy delivery to each of the plurality of electrode outputs, so as to simultaneously maintain the user-settable temperature associated with each of the electrode outputs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A device for use in delivering therapeutic treatment energy from an energy source to a plurality of nerve locations via a corresponding plurality of probes, each probe including an uninsulated tip portion having a temperature sensor, the device comprising:
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a plurality of electrode outputs; a user interface for selecting a user-settable temperature associated with any of the electrode outputs; a corresponding plurality of feedback circuits coupled to the plurality of electrode outputs, the energy source, and the user interface, each feedback circuit comprising; a set temperature input to receive the user-settable temperature from the user interface; and a temperature report input to receive temperature information from an associated temperature sensor, wherein the feedback circuits regulate energy delivery from the energy source to each of the plurality of electrode outputs, so as to simultaneously maintain the user-settable temperature associated with each of the electrode outputs. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of performing nerve modification procedures on a plurality of nerves using radio frequency energy, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of probes, each probe comprising an insulated portion and an uninsulated electrode tip portion, and a temperature sensor in the electrode tip portion; monitoring the temperature at each of the plurality of electrode tip portions, using the corresponding plurality of temperature sensors; and individually regulating the energy output to each of the plurality of probes so as to simultaneously maintain a predetermined temperature at each of the plurality of electrode tip portions. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A device for use in delivering therapeutic treatment to a plurality of nerve locations via a corresponding plurality of probes, each probe including an uninsulated tip portion having a temperature sensor, the device comprising:
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an RF input for receiving radio frequency energy; a plurality of electrode outputs operably coupled to the RF input, wherein each of the electrode outputs is separately and individually connectable through an electrical conductor to at least one of the plurality of probes; a user interface for selecting a user-settable temperature associated with any of the electrode outputs; and feedback control circuitry to individually regulate energy delivery from the RF input to each of the plurality of electrode outputs, so as to simultaneously maintain the user-settable temperature associated with each of the electrode outputs. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system for use in delivering therapeutic treatment to a plurality of nerve locations, the system comprising:
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a radio frequency energy source having an RF output; a plurality of separate probes which are not connected to one another, each having an insulated portion and an uninsulated tip portion, the uninsulated tip portion having a temperature sensor, the temperature sensor arranged in the probe so as to provide information regarding temperature of the uninsulated tip portion; a plurality of electrode outputs coupled to the RF output, wherein each of the electrode outputs is adapted to receive temperature information from and provide radio frequency energy to one of the probes; and feedback control circuitry to individually regulate energy delivery from the radio frequency energy source to each of the plurality of probes, so as to simultaneously maintain the temperature reported by the temperature sensor of each of the probes. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification