US5976094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and methods for assessment of neuromuscular function
Assignee: Neurometrix Inc
•
Filing: 1998-02-12
•
Granted: 1999-11-02
•
Expires: 2018-02-12
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and methods are provided for the assessment of neuromuscular function. Using an apparatus of the invention, stimuli are applied to a nerve that traverses the wrist of an individual. The stimuli are applied at a point that is proximal to the wrist. Stimulation of the nerve causes a muscle innervated by that nerve to respond. The muscle response generates a myoelectric potential, which is detected by an apparatus of the invention at a point that is proximal to the wrist. The delay between stimulation of a nerve and detection of a muscular response to that stimulation is processed to indicate an assessment of neuromuscular function. For example, a sufficient delay between application of stimulus and muscle response may indicate the presence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Inventors
- 👤 Shai N. Gozani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1104; A61B5/1106; A61B5/24; A61B5/316; A61B5/389; A61B5/395; A61B5/40; A61B5/4029; A61B5/4041; A61B2505/00; A61B2505/05; A61B5/05; A61B5/68; A61B5/6801; A61B5/6813; A61B5/6824; A61B5/6825; A61B5/72; A61B5/7203; A61B5/7217; A61B5/7235; A61B5/7239
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An electrode configuration for assessing a physiological function in an arm and a hand of an individual, comprising: (a) a stimulation electrode adapted for applying a stimulus proximal to a wrist of said individual; and (b) a detection electrode in a fixed relationship with respect to said stimulation electrode and adapted for detecting proximal to said wrist a myoelectric potential generated by a muscle in said hand of said individual in response to said stimulus, wherein a physiological function is evaluated in response to said stimulus and said myoelectric potential, and wherein said electrodes are sized and shaped for positioning on an anterior aspect of said arm of said individual proximal to said wrist.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
An electrode configuration for assessing a physiological function in an arm and a hand of an individual, comprising: (a) a stimulation electrode adapted for applying a stimulus proximal to a wrist of said individual; and (b) a detection electrode in a fixed relationship with respect to said stimulation electrode and adapted for detecting proximal to said wrist a myoelectric potential generated by a muscle in said hand of said individual in response to said stimulus, wherein a physiological function is evaluated in response to said stimulus and said myoelectric potential, and wherein said electrodes are sized and shaped for positioning on an anterior aspect of said arm of said individual proximal to said wrist.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The electrode configuration of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of skin underlying said electrode configuration, wherein said physiological function evaluation is adjustable in response to said skin temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electrode configuration of claim 1, further comprising a reference electrode in electrical communication with said detection electrode and producing a reference potential.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The electrode configuration of claim 1, further comprising an electrode housing, wherein said stimulation electrode and said detection electrode are housed in said electrode housing so that a surface of each of said stimulation electrode and said detection electrode contacts skin of said individual underlying said electrode housing when said housing is located on said arm of said individual.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The electrode configuration of claim 4, further comprising an attachment mechanism for securing said electrode housing to said arm of said individual, wherein said electrode housing is adapted for placement on said arm of said individual proximal to said wrist.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The electrode configuration of claim 4, further comprising a second stimulation electrode, said second stimulation electrode being in a fixed relationship with respect to said stimulation electrode and said detection electrode, and being adapted for producing a stimulus and for applying said stimulus proximal to said wrist of said individual.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrode configuration of claim 6, wherein said stimulation electrode and said second stimulation electrode are positioned substantially at a center of said electrode housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The electrode configuration of claim 6, wherein said stimulation electrode and said second stimulation electrode are arranged within said electrode housing such that, when said electrode housing is placed on said anterior aspect of said arm, one of said stimulation electrodes is located immediately proximal to said wrist and the other of said stimulation electrodes is located at a position more proximal from said wrist.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The electrode configuration of claim 4, further comprising a second detection electrode, said second detection electrode being in a fixed relationship with respect to said stimulation electrode and said detection electrode and being adapted for detecting proximal to said wrist a myoelectric potential, whereby said myoelectric potential is generated by a muscle in a hand of said individual in response to said stimulus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
The electrode configuration of claim 9, wherein said detection electrode and said second detection electrode are arranged within said electrode housing such that, when said electrode housing is placed on said anterior aspect of said arm, one of said detection electrodes is located near a medial side of said arm and the other of said detection electrodes is located near a lateral side of said arm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrode configuration of claim 4, wherein said electrode housing comprises a connector adapted for creating an electrical communication between each of said stimulation electrode and said detection electrode with a controller.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrode configuration of claim 4, wherein said electrode housing is disposable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3572322A
Cited
US3886931A
Cited
EP0025222A2
Cited
US4807643A
Cited
US4811742A
Cited
US5080099A
Cited
US5099844A
Cited
US5511553A
Cited
US5050612A
Cited
EP0436121A1
Cited
WO1991016001A1
Cited
US5143081A
Cited
US5131401A
Cited
WO1992003974A1
Cited
US5092344A
Cited
US5203330A
Cited
US5255677A
Cited
US5215100A
Cited
US5466256A
Cited
US5379764A
Cited
US5467768A
Cited
US5327902A
Cited
US5496363A
Cited
US5333618A
Cited
US5560372A
Cited
US5540235A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-01 | 2003-05-03 | 2003-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-01 | 2007-05-03 | 2007-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-01 | 2011-05-03 | 2011-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |