US4932936A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for pharmacological control of spasticity
Assignee: University of Minnesota Twin Cities
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Filing: 1988-01-29
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Granted: 1990-06-12
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Expires: 2008-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for pharmacological control of spastic urethral sphincters, particularly in patients with spinal cord injuries, includes a special monopolar electrode/needle (30) adapted for insertion through a cystoscope (46) in electrical isolation therewith but connection with an electromyograph (12) for precise determination of injection sites so that a toxin, such as botulinum A, can be injected directly into skeletal muscle tissue, rather than connective tissue, to denervate and thus relax the sphincter.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis D. Dykstra
- 👤 Abraham A. Sidi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/25; A61B5/279; A61B5/296; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/42; A61M5/427; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for use with an electromyograph and a cystoscope having separate working and visual channels to effect pharmacological treatment and control of a spastic urethral sphincter, comprising: a monopolar electrode/needle adapted for insertion through the working channel of the cystoscope, said needle having opposite distal and proximal ends; the distal end of said monopolar electrode/needle being beveled and sharp; an insulative sheath on said monopolar electrode/needle, except at the distal end thereof, for electrical isolation from the cystoscope; means for connecting said monopolar electrode/needle to the electromyograph to confirm when the distal end of said needle has been inserted into skeletal muscle tissue of the urethral sphincter; and means for selectively injecting botulinum A toxin into the proximal end of said monopolar electrode/needle and directly into the sphincter to denervate and relax the sphincter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for use with an electromyograph and a cystoscope having separate working and visual channels to effect pharmacological treatment and control of a spastic urethral sphincter, comprising: a monopolar electrode/needle adapted for insertion through the working channel of the cystoscope, said needle having opposite distal and proximal ends; the distal end of said monopolar electrode/needle being beveled and sharp; an insulative sheath on said monopolar electrode/needle, except at the distal end thereof, for electrical isolation from the cystoscope; means for connecting said monopolar electrode/needle to the electromyograph to confirm when the distal end of said needle has been inserted into skeletal muscle tissue of the urethral sphincter; and means for selectively injecting botulinum A toxin into the proximal end of said monopolar electrode/needle and directly into the sphincter to denervate and relax the sphincter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said insulative sheath comprises: a first coating of tetrafluoroethylene entirely covering said electrode/needle except at the distal end thereof; and a relatively thicker second coating of tetrafluoroethylene covering the first coating from the proximal end to a point spaced a predetermined distance from the proximal end of said electrode/needle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means connecting said electrode/needle to said electromyograph comprises: a preamplifier having a ground terminal, a reference terminal connected to the patient, and an active terminal; and a lead with one end connected to the electrode/needle and the other end connected to the active terminal of said preamplifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said selective injection means comprises a syringe.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for pharmacological control of a spastic urethral sphincter, comprising the steps of: inserting a cystoscope into the urethra, said cystoscope having a working channel and an optical channel; inserting a monopolar electrode/needle in electrical isolation through the working channel of the cystoscope; connecting the monopolar electrode/needle to an electromyograph to record muscle activity; guiding the monopolar electrode/needle through the cystoscope to selective insertion in a site of skeletal muscle tissue as signified by the response on the electromyograph; and injecting an effective amount of botulinum A into the proximal end of the monopolar electrode/needle and into the site to denervate and relax the sphincter.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for pharmacological control of a spastic urethral sphincter, comprising the steps of: inserting a cystoscope into the urethra, said cystoscope having a working channel and an optical channel; inserting a monopolar electrode/needle in electrical isolation through the working channel of the cystoscope; connecting the monopolar electrode/needle to an electromyograph to record muscle activity; guiding the monopolar electrode/needle through the cystoscope to selective insertion in a site of skeletal muscle tissue as signified by the response on the electromyograph; and injecting an effective amount of botulinum A into the proximal end of the monopolar electrode/needle and into the site to denervate and relax the sphincter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for pharmacological treatment and control of a spastic urethral sphincter, comprising: a cystoscope having separate working and visual channels; a monopolar electrode/needle for insertion through the working channel of said cystoscope, said needle having opposite distal and proximal ends; an insulative sheath on said monopolar electrode/needle for maintaining electrical isolation from said cystoscope, except at the distal tip thereof; an electromyograph for recording muscle activity; means connecting said monopolar electrode/needle to said electromyograph to confirm when the distal end of said needle has been inserted into skeletal muscle tissue of the urethral sphincter; and means for selectively injecting toxin into the proximal end of said monopolar electrode/needle and into the sphincter to denervate and relax the sphincter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for pharmacological treatment and control of a spastic urethral sphincter, comprising: a cystoscope having separate working and visual channels; a monopolar electrode/needle for insertion through the working channel of said cystoscope, said needle having opposite distal and proximal ends; an insulative sheath on said monopolar electrode/needle for maintaining electrical isolation from said cystoscope, except at the distal tip thereof; an electromyograph for recording muscle activity; means connecting said monopolar electrode/needle to said electromyograph to confirm when the distal end of said needle has been inserted into skeletal muscle tissue of the urethral sphincter; and means for selectively injecting toxin into the proximal end of said monopolar electrode/needle and into the sphincter to denervate and relax the sphincter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4207897A
Cited
US4524770A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-11 | 1993-12-11 | 1994-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-11 | 1997-12-11 | 1998-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-11 | 2001-12-11 | 2002-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |