US5284154A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for locating a nerve and for protecting nerves from injury during surgery
Assignee: The Brigham and Women's Hospital Inc
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Filing: 1992-10-23
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Granted: 1994-02-08
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Expires: 2012-10-23
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for locating and identifying the function of specific peripheral nerves. In one embodiment, the present invention takes the form of a nerve stimulator which is used to locate nerves to assist in the administration of regional anesthesia. In another embodiment, the nerve stimulator is used to locate, identify the function of, and guard against the inadvertent cutting of specific nerves during surgical procedures. The apparatus of the present invention includes a stimulus delivery means, a response-detecting means and a means for automatically modulating the magnitude of the stimulus.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen A. Raymond
- 👤 Gary R. Strichartz
- 👤 James H. Philip
- 👤 Daniel B. Raemer
- 👤 Martyn A. Vickers, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/48; A61B5/4887; A61B5/4893; A61B5/05; A61B5/40; A61B5/4029; A61B5/4041; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36014; A61N1/36021; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3401; A61B5/72; A61B5/7203; A61B5/7217
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for locating a nerve, comprising: a surgical instrument for delivering a stimulus to a nerve; a detector for detecting a response of the nerve to a stimulus delivered to the nerve by said surgical instrument; a recorder for recording the intensity of the response of the nerve; means for evaluating the recorded response of the nerve, wherein said recorded response is evaluated against a predetermined criterion; a modulator for automatically modulating the magnitude of a subsequent stimulus delivered to the nerve, wherein the modulator modifies the subsequent stimulus delivered to the nerve based on the recorded response of the nerve to the previously delivered stimulus so as to hold the level of the nerve's response substantially constant at a predetermined value; and an indicator for conveying to the user the proximity of the surgical instrument relative to the nerve.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for locating a nerve, comprising: a surgical instrument for delivering a stimulus to a nerve; a detector for detecting a response of the nerve to a stimulus delivered to the nerve by said surgical instrument; a recorder for recording the intensity of the response of the nerve; means for evaluating the recorded response of the nerve, wherein said recorded response is evaluated against a predetermined criterion; a modulator for automatically modulating the magnitude of a subsequent stimulus delivered to the nerve, wherein the modulator modifies the subsequent stimulus delivered to the nerve based on the recorded response of the nerve to the previously delivered stimulus so as to hold the level of the nerve's response substantially constant at a predetermined value; and an indicator for conveying to the user the proximity of the surgical instrument relative to the nerve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said surgical instrument comprises a needle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said surgical instrument comprises a probe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said detector comprises a pair of electrodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said detector comprises mercury-filled distensible tubing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said detector comprises a Doppler flow head.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said detector comprises an accelerometer transducing muscle movement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said modulator is a computer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said indicator conveys the proximity of said surgical instrument relative to the nerve as a unit of distance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said indicator conveys the proximity of said surgical instrument relative to the nerve in volts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said indicator conveys the proximity of said surgical instrument relative to the nerve as a variable audible tone.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-02-07 | 1997-08-09 | 1998-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-07 | 2001-08-09 | 2002-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-07 | 2005-08-09 | 2006-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |