Patent EP0437063A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5885219A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Interrogation device and method
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1997-10-21
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Granted: 1999-03-23
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Expires: 2017-10-21
Abstract
Abstract An interrogation device is used to locate a nerve within the body. The device uses a piezoelectric crystal to locate a pulsing vessel proximate with the nerve. As the device is guided toward the nerve, it can emit an electric signal to stimulate the nerve. The operator can then watch for any physical reaction from the patient in response to nerve stimulation. As the device closes upon the nerve, pressure is applied with the needle to the vessel, thus compressing the vessel, diminishing the doppler response. Once the surface of the nerve is located, it can be accurately anesthetized.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher Nightengale
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0551; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3401; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36014; A61N1/36021; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1104; A61B5/1106
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
An interrogation device for locating a nerve disposed near a vessel having flowing blood cells, said nerve being in a body, said device comprising: (a) a guide needle that is inserted into the body; (b) ultrasound means located within said guide needle, wherein said ultrasound means indicates the proximity of said vessel having flowing blood cells to said guide needle; and (c) stimulator means located within said guide needle, wherein said stimulator means can emit an electrical signal to stimulate said nerve to determine its location.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
An interrogation device for locating a nerve disposed near a vessel having flowing blood cells, said nerve being in a body, said device comprising: (a) a guide needle that is inserted into the body; (b) ultrasound means located within said guide needle, wherein said ultrasound means indicates the proximity of said vessel having flowing blood cells to said guide needle; and (c) stimulator means located within said guide needle, wherein said stimulator means can emit an electrical signal to stimulate said nerve to determine its location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said ultrasound means comprises: (a) a probe; (b) a piezoelectric crystal contained within said probe and having a first and second surface; (c) a conductive rod attached to said second surface of said crystal; (d) an insulator surrounding said crystal and said rod; and (e) said stimulator means comprises a conductive electrode connected to said first surface of said crystal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said device further comprises a variable current source attached to said conductive electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said conductive rod is hollow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said conductive rod is attached to said piezoelectric crystal by a low impedance conductor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said low impedance conductor is a silver epoxy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said electrode is fixed within said guide needle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said electrode is removable from said guide needle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising: (d) an electrically conductive fluid disposed between said stimulator means and said guide needle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said guide needle has a beveled tip.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising: (d) a syringe; and (e) means to attach said guide needle to said syringe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said guide needle comprises an annulus sized to allow substantially free flow of liquid therethrough.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said stimulator means is fixed within said guide needle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said stimulator means is removable from said guide needle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said stimulator means comprises a monopolar electrode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said stimulator means comprises a bipolar electrode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said ultrasound means is fixed within said guide needle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said ultrasound means is removable from said guide needle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
88 words
An interrogation device for locating a nerve disposed near a vessel having flowing blood cells, said nerve being in a body, said device comprising: (a) a guide needle that is inserted into the body; (b) an ultrasound source located within said guide needle wherein said ultrasound source indicates the proximity of said vessel having flowing blood cells to said guide needle; and (c) a stimulator electrode located within said guide needle, wherein said stimulator electrode can emit an electrical signal to stimulate said nerve to determine its location.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
88 words
An interrogation device for locating a nerve disposed near a vessel having flowing blood cells, said nerve being in a body, said device comprising: (a) a guide needle that is inserted into the body; (b) an ultrasound source located within said guide needle wherein said ultrasound source indicates the proximity of said vessel having flowing blood cells to said guide needle; and (c) a stimulator electrode located within said guide needle, wherein said stimulator electrode can emit an electrical signal to stimulate said nerve to determine its location.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-22 | 2002-09-21 | 2003-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-22 | 2006-09-21 | 2007-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-22 | 2010-09-21 | 2011-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |