Patent EP0823239A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0823239A2
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Bi-level charge pulse apparatus to facilitate nerve location during peropheral nerve block procedures
Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Co
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Filing: 1997-08-05
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2017-08-05
Abstract
Abstract An electrolocation apparatus is provided for locating a nerve to which anesthesia may be delivered. The apparatus includes a needle assembly having an electrically conductive needle cannula non-conductive tube secured over the needle cannula, and a conductive plating on the tube. The conductors are connected to a stimulator that generates alternating high and low charge pulses with a constant low current level. The high charge pulses generate noticeable muscle twitches immediately after insertion of the needle into .the patient. Muscle twitches responsive to the high charge pulses will peak in magnitude, and muscle twitches responsive to the low charge pulses will become observable as the needle approaches the targeted nerve, and will be indistinguishable from the muscle twitches responsive to the high charge pulses when the needle is in a position for administration of anesthetic.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L. Griffith
- 👤 Robert J. Strowe
- 👤 Johathan C. Newell
- 👤 Peter M. Edic
- 👤 Ralph F. Messina
- 👤 Frederick C. Houghton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/48; A61B5/4887; A61B5/4893; A61B5/05; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36014; A61N1/36021; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0551; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S977/00; Y10S977/84; Y10S977/849; Y10S977/86; Y10S977/864; Y10S977/875
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A self-contained electrolocation apparatus comprising: an electrically conducting needle cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a
hollow bore therethrough; a non-conductive tube having a proximal end, a distal end and an open passageway
therethrough, said tube mounted over said needle cannula so that said distal end of said non-conductive
tube is proximal to said distal end of said needle cannula; a conductive layer having a distal end on said non-conductive tube whereby said needle
cannula and said conductive layer respectively define first and second conductors coaxially
spaced from one another by said non-conductive tube; a grip fixedly attached to said needle cannula for manipulating said apparatus. said grip
comprising an enclosure; and an electrical stimulus generator circuit within said enclosure and electrically
communicative with said first conductor and said second conductor, said stimulus generator
being capable of applying preselected charges to said conductors so that when said needle is
positioned in a patient's tissue, said charges are sufficient to induce a preselected current
between said distal end of said conductive layer and said distal end of said needle cannula
through the patient's tissue, said current being sufficient to induce a twitch response in the
patient.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein a distance between said distal end of said
conductive needle cannula and said distal end of said conductive layer is about 1.0mm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrolocation apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said electroconductive
cannula projects proximally beyond said grip and includes a connector for connecting a
medication delivery device to said bore of said electroconductive needle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrolocation apparatus of Claim 3 wherein said connector further
includes a flexible tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrolocation apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said stimulus generator circuit
includes an on/off switch accessible by a practitioner's finger pressure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrolocation location apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said circuit provides
said preselected charge pulses in preselected repeatable patterns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrolocation apparatus of Claim 6 wherein said preselected patterns
include charge pulses of different currents.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrolocation apparatus of Claim 7 wherein said charge pulses are
controlled by said circuit to comprise preselected constant currents.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrolocation apparatus of Claim 8 wherein said preselected constant
currents are between about 0. 1 milliamps to about 0.8 milliamps.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrolocation apparatus of Claim 6 wherein said preselected patterns
include pulses of different durations.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrolocation apparatus of Claim 10 wherein said durations of said pulses
are between about 100 microseconds and 1,000 microseconds.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrolocation apparatus of Claim 6 wherein said preselected pattern of
charge pulses includes preselected time intervals between said pulses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrolocation apparatus of Claim 12 wherein said preselected time
intervals are between about 0.25 seconds to about 2.0 seconds.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electrolocation apparatus of Claim 6 wherein said circuit further comprises
an indication of said charge pulse.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrolocation apparatus of claim 14 wherein said indication further
comprises a sound audible to a practitioner using said apparatus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrolocation apparatus of claim 14 wherein said indication further
comprises a light emission visible to a practitioner using said apparatus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5284154A
Cited
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