US6139545A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Systems and methods for ablating discrete motor nerve regions
Assignee: VidaDerm
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Filing: 1998-09-09
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Granted: 2000-10-31
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Expires: 2018-09-09
Abstract
Abstract Systems and method ablate motor nerve tissue by inserting an operative element connectable to an ablation energy generator into a defined percutaneous tissue region. The systems and methods apply stimulant energy in the defined percutaneous tissue region to stimulate targeted motor nerve tissue prior to ablation by the operative element. Application of the nerve ablation energy can permanently eliminate the function of a targeted motor nerve branch, to thereby inactivate a selected muscle. The muscle inactivation may, e.g., treat dystonias and other hyperfunction neuromuscular dysfunctions in the face and neck, such as torticollis, blepharospasm, and uncontrolled grimacing. The muscle inactivation may also provide cosmetic results, to eliminate or prevent aesthetically displeasing skin furrows, frowning wrinkles, or neck bands, which can arise from normal muscle contraction or prolonged exposure of the face to the sun.
Inventors
- 👤 David Utley
- 👤 Stuart D Edwards
- 👤 Richard L Goode
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/05; A61B5/053; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/1206; A61B18/1233; A61B18/14; A61B18/1477; A61B5/45; A61B5/4519; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/06; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00434; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A motor nerve tissue ablation system comprising an operative element connectable to an ablation energy generator and adapted to apply ablating energy in a defined percutaneous tissue region to ablate targeted motor nerve tissue, the operative element including at least two spaced apart bi-polar needle electrodes spanning between them the defined tissue region, and a stimulator to apply stimulant energy in the defined percutaneous tissue region to stimulate targeted motor nerve tissue prior to ablation by the operative element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A motor nerve tissue ablation system comprising an operative element connectable to an ablation energy generator and adapted to apply ablating energy in a defined percutaneous tissue region to ablate targeted motor nerve tissue, the operative element including at least two spaced apart bi-polar needle electrodes spanning between them the defined tissue region, and a stimulator to apply stimulant energy in the defined percutaneous tissue region to stimulate targeted motor nerve tissue prior to ablation by the operative element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the stimulator is coupled to the operative element and the stimulant energy is applied through the operative element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the stimulant energy comprises an electrical pulse.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the generator comprises a source of radio frequency energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 4 wherein the stimulant energy is not radio frequency energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 4 wherein the stimulator is coupled to the operative element to apply the stimulant energy through the operative element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 4 wherein the stimulant energy comprises electrical energy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
A facial nerve ablation system comprising an operative element connectable to an ablation energy generator and adapted to apply ablating energy in a defined percutaneous tissue region to ablate a targeted facial nerve branch, the operative element includes at least two spaced apart bi-polar needle electrodes spanning between them the defined percutaneous tissue region, and a stimulator to apply stimulant energy in the defined percutaneous tissue region to stimulate the targeted facial nerve branch prior to ablation by the operative element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
A facial nerve ablation system comprising an operative element connectable to an ablation energy generator and adapted to apply ablating energy in a defined percutaneous tissue region to ablate a targeted facial nerve branch, the operative element includes at least two spaced apart bi-polar needle electrodes spanning between them the defined percutaneous tissue region, and a stimulator to apply stimulant energy in the defined percutaneous tissue region to stimulate the targeted facial nerve branch prior to ablation by the operative element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein the stimulator is coupled to the operative element and the stimulant energy is applied through the operative element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein the stimulant energy comprises an electrical pulse.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein the generator comprises a source of radio frequency energy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 11 wherein the stimulant energy is not radio frequency energy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 11 wherein the stimulator is coupled to the operative element to apply the stimulant energy through the operative element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 11 wherein the stimulant energy comprises electrical energy.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for ablating motor nerve tissue comprising the steps of inserting an operative element connectable to an ablation energy generator into a defined percutaneous tissue region to ablate targeted motor nerve tissue, and applying stimulant energy in the defined percutaneous tissue region to stimulate targeted motor nerve tissue prior to ablation by the operative element.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for ablating motor nerve tissue comprising the steps of inserting an operative element connectable to an ablation energy generator into a defined percutaneous tissue region to ablate targeted motor nerve tissue, and applying stimulant energy in the defined percutaneous tissue region to stimulate targeted motor nerve tissue prior to ablation by the operative element.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for ablating a facial nerve branch comprising the steps of inserting an operative element connectable to an ablation energy generator into a defined percutaneous tissue region to ablate targeted facial nerve branch, and applying stimulant energy in the defined percutaneous tissue region to stimulate the targeted facial nerve branch prior to ablation by the operative element.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for ablating a facial nerve branch comprising the steps of inserting an operative element connectable to an ablation energy generator into a defined percutaneous tissue region to ablate targeted facial nerve branch, and applying stimulant energy in the defined percutaneous tissue region to stimulate the targeted facial nerve branch prior to ablation by the operative element.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for ablating targeted motor nerve tissue comprising the steps of inserting an operative element into a defined percutaneous tissue region, applying to the defined percutaneous tissue region stimulant energy to affect targeted motor nerve tissue, observing a positive result when targeted motor nerve tissue is present in the defined percutaneous tissue region and a negative result when targeted motor nerve tissue is not present in the defined percutaneous tissue region, and when the positive result is observed, applying ablating energy through the operative element to ablate targeted motor nerve tissue.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for ablating targeted motor nerve tissue comprising the steps of inserting an operative element into a defined percutaneous tissue region, applying to the defined percutaneous tissue region stimulant energy to affect targeted motor nerve tissue, observing a positive result when targeted motor nerve tissue is present in the defined percutaneous tissue region and a negative result when targeted motor nerve tissue is not present in the defined percutaneous tissue region, and when the positive result is observed, applying ablating energy through the operative element to ablate targeted motor nerve tissue.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for ablating a targeted facial nerve branch comprising the steps of inserting an operative element into a defined percutaneous tissue region, applying to the defined percutaneous tissue region stimulant energy to affect the targeted facial nerve branch, observing a positive result when targeted facial nerve branch is present in the defined percutaneous tissue region and a negative result when targeted facial nerve branch is not present in the defined percutaneous tissue region, and when the positive result is observed, applying ablating energy through the operative element to ablate the targeted facial nerve branch.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for ablating a targeted facial nerve branch comprising the steps of inserting an operative element into a defined percutaneous tissue region, applying to the defined percutaneous tissue region stimulant energy to affect the targeted facial nerve branch, observing a positive result when targeted facial nerve branch is present in the defined percutaneous tissue region and a negative result when targeted facial nerve branch is not present in the defined percutaneous tissue region, and when the positive result is observed, applying ablating energy through the operative element to ablate the targeted facial nerve branch.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 17 or 18 and further including the step of changing location of the operative element when the negative result is observed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 17 or 18 wherein the stimulant energy is applied through the operative element.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 17 or 18 wherein the ablation energy is radio frequency energy.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 21 wherein the stimulant energy is an electrical pulse.
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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) | 2003-10-31 | 2004-05-01 | 2004-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-31 | 2008-05-01 | 2008-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-31 | 2012-05-01 | 2012-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |