Method and apparatus for diagnosing and treating neural dysfunction

• US 20070032835A1
• Filed: 08/02/2006
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NeuroTherm, Inc. (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated), RF Medical Devices, Inc. (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated), Precision Medical Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: NeuroTherm, Inc. (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rittman, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,574,257 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00434 Neural system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/395 Details of stimulation, e.g. nerve stimulation to elicit EMG response
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4893 Nerves
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/00 Radiation therapy ultrasound therapy A61N7/00; devices or apparatus applicable to both therapy and diagnosis A61B6/00

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.

Claims

1. A device for performing nerve modification procedures on a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:

a device adapted for connection to at least two electrodes, wherein temperature sensors are incorporated into tip portions of said electrode;

a high frequency energy source operatively associated with such device, wherein said energy source can be delivered independently and simultaneously to each said electrode; and

a feedback control circuit configured to regulate energy delivery to each said electrode so as to maintain a user settable temperature at the electrode tip portion.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said electrodes are at least partially electrically insulated over at least part of a shaft of said electrode.

3. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a user interface which allows the user to set to the desired temperature of each or all electrodes.

4. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the said high frequency energy source is also capable of delivering low frequency (1-1000 Hz) stimulation pulses.

5. A device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the said user interface further comprises at least one display configured to display graphic representation of the temperature of each electrode tip, and/or time versus temperature of each of the said electrodes.

6. A device in accordance with claim 5, wherein said user interface can also display EMG signals that are recorded from each of the electrodes.

7. A device in accordance with claim 6, wherein the user interface can also deliver audible representations of the EMG signal.

8. A device in accordance with claim 5, wherein the user interface can also record and display user selectable sensory stimulation thresholds from each of the said electrodes.