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, the device configured to selectively produce power at a stimulate frequency in a stimulate mode, and at an RF therapeutic frequency in a therapeutic mode, the device comprising:
- a plurality of electrode outputs, wherein each of the electrode outputs is adapted to receive temperature information from and provide RF energy to one of the probes; and
a mode select interface configured to select from a plurality of settings, wherein,in a stimulate mode setting of the mode select interface, power at a stimulate frequency, which is lower than the RF therapeutic frequency, is selectively coupled to a single one of the plurality of electrode outputs, andin a therapeutic mode setting of the mode select interface, power at an RF frequency is coupled to any of the plurality of 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
21 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, the device configured to selectively produce power at a stimulate frequency in a stimulate mode, and at an RF therapeutic frequency in a therapeutic mode, the device comprising:
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a plurality of electrode outputs, wherein each of the electrode outputs is adapted to receive temperature information from and provide RF energy to one of the probes; and a mode select interface configured to select from a plurality of settings, wherein, in a stimulate mode setting of the mode select interface, power at a stimulate frequency, which is lower than the RF therapeutic frequency, is selectively coupled to a single one of the plurality of electrode outputs, and in a therapeutic mode setting of the mode select interface, power at an RF frequency is coupled to any of the plurality of electrode outputs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for use in delivering therapeutic treatment energy to nerve locations, the system configured to selectively produce power at a stimulate frequency in a stimulate mode, and at an RF therapeutic frequency in a therapeutic mode, the system comprising:
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an RF energy source having an RF output; at least one electrode output adapted to receive temperature information from and provide RF energy to a probe attached thereto; and a user interface providing a mode select interface configured to select from a plurality of settings, wherein, in a stimulate mode setting of the mode select interface, power at a stimulate frequency, which is lower than the RF therapeutic frequency, is selectively coupled to a single one of the at least one electrode output, and in a therapeutic mode setting of the mode select interface, power at an RF frequency is coupled to one or more of the at least one electrode output, and the user interface further providing a sensory stimulation graph for use in the stimulation mode to display a line, the length of which indicates a stimulation sensory threshold and a display for use in the therapeutic mode for actual temperatures reported to the at least one electrode output. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for use in delivering therapeutic treatment energy to nerve locations, the system configured to selectively produce power at a stimulate frequency in a stimulate mode, and at an RF therapeutic frequency in a therapeutic mode, the system comprising:
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an RF energy source having an RF output; at least one electrode output adapted to receive temperature information from and provide RF energy to a probe attached thereto; a log button for use in a stimulation mode activatable to identify a stimulation sensory threshold for saving; and a user interface providing a mode select interface configured to select from a plurality of settings, wherein, in a setting for the stimulate mode, power at a stimulate frequency, which is lower than the RF therapeutic frequency, is selectively coupled to a single one of the at least one electrode output, and in a therapeutic mode setting of the mode select interface, power at an RF frequency is coupled to one or more of the at least one of electrode output, and the user interface further providing a display for the saved stimulation sensory threshold and a display for use in the therapeutic mode for actual temperatures reported to the at least one electrode output. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification