US6325764B1 — Bi-level charge pulse apparatus to facilitate ner…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 203 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 and a distal end, 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; and an electrical stimulus generator circuit within said grip and electrically connected to said first conductor and said second conductor, said stimulus generator being capable of applying a potential across said conductors so that when said needle is positioned in a patient's tissue and said electrical stimulus generator circuit is activated, said potential is sufficient to induce a preselected current thereby providing a charge pulse between said distal end of said conductive layer and said distal end of said needle cannula through the patient's tissue, said charge pulse being sufficient to induce a twitch response in the patient.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 203 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 and a distal end, 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; and an electrical stimulus generator circuit within said grip and electrically connected to said first conductor and said second conductor, said stimulus generator being capable of applying a potential across said conductors so that when said needle is positioned in a patient's tissue and said electrical stimulus generator circuit is activated, said potential is sufficient to induce a preselected current thereby providing a charge pulse between said distal end of said conductive layer and said distal end of said needle cannula through the patient's tissue, said charge pulse being sufficient to induce a twitch response in the patient.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 15 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrical stimulus generator circuit comprises a microprocessor.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 30 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 2 wherein said electrical stimulus generator circuit provides said preselected charge pulses in at least one preselected repeatable pattern in at least one operating mode.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 24 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 3 wherein said electrical stimulus generator circuit provides a plurality of repeatable patterns in a plurality of operating modes.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 33 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 4 wherein said stimulus generator circuit further comprises an input device accessible by a practitioner's finger pressure thereby allowing the practitioner to select one of said operating modes.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 15 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 5 wherein said input device is a momentary contact switch.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 28 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 6 wherein said momentary contact switch allows the practitioner to select sequentially from three preselected patterns of charge pulses and one quiescent mode.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 16 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 7 wherein said preselected patterns include charge pulses of different currents.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 20 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 8 wherein said currents associated with said charge pulses within one preselected pattern are constant.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 20 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 9 wherein said preselected constant currents are between about 0.1 milliamps to about 2 milliamps.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 15 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 10 wherein said preselected patterns include pulses of different durations.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 20 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 11 wherein said durations of said pulses are between about 50 microseconds and 1,000 microseconds.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 20 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 12 wherein said preselected pattern of charge pulses includes preselected time intervals between said pulses.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 20 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 13 wherein said preselected time intervals are between about 0.25 seconds to about 2.0 seconds.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 57 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 2 wherein said stimulus generator circuit includes means for ensuring that said electrolocation apparatus, once used for a procedure, is substantially prevented from being used for more than a preselected time period; and said time period being sufficient for a practitioner to complete one procedure, thereby rendering said electrolocation apparatus substantially single-use.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 61 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 15 wherein said means for ensuring that said electrolocation apparatus once used for a procedure is substantially prevented from being used for more than a preselected total operating time period comprises progrannning said microprocessor to direct said potential to a radiative element after said preselected total operating time has elapsed until said potential is substantially depleted.

Claim 18

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 19

Dependent Claim 14 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 17 wherein said connector further includes a flexible tube.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 19 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stimulus generator circuit further comprises an indicator of said charge pulse.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 24 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 19 wherein said indicator fiurther comprises a transducer to produce a sound audible to the practitioner using said apparatus.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 26 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 19 wherein said indicator further comprises a radiative element to produce a light emission visible to a practitioner using said apparatus.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 15 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stimulus generator circuit further comprises a battery.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 17 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 22 wherein said battery has a maximum potential of about three volts.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 32 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 23 wherein said stimulus generator circuit further comprises a voltage doubler circuit to provide about six volts maximum potential between said first conductor and said second conductor.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 51 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stimulus generator circuit is always operating once powered thereby providing a substantially inherently safe circuit, and further comprises a sleep mode having a minimum power draw so that said apparatus has a shelf life substantially limited by a shelf life of the battery.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 46 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 1 being sealed in a package formed from a material substantially resistant to the passage of microorganisms and exposed to conditions rendering any microorganisms therein substantially non-viable, thereby providing said apparatus in a substantially sterile state until said package is opened.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 265 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 and a distal end, said tube mounted over said electroconductive needle so that said distal end of said non-conductive tube is proximal to said distal end of said needle cannula; a conductive layer 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; and an electrical stimulus generator circuit including a battery within said grip and electrically connected to said first conductor and said second conductor, said stimulus generator circuit including an input device accessible by a practitioner's finger pressure to select an operating mode from a plurality of operating modes of said stimulus generator circuit, said stimulus generator being capable of applying a potential across said conductors sufficient to generate charge pulses, said circuit further including indications visible and audible to a practitioner of said preselected charge pulses, so that when said needle is positioned in a patient's tissue the practitioner can initiate and terminate one of said patterns of charge pulses and is informed of the status of said generator circuit, and wherein said charge pulses are sufficient to induce preselected constant currents between said distal end of said conductive layer and said distal end of said conductive needle through the patient's tissue, said currents being sufficient to induce a twitch response in the patient.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 265 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 and a distal end, said tube mounted over said electroconductive needle so that said distal end of said non-conductive tube is proximal to said distal end of said needle cannula; a conductive layer 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; and an electrical stimulus generator circuit including a battery within said grip and electrically connected to said first conductor and said second conductor, said stimulus generator circuit including an input device accessible by a practitioner's finger pressure to select an operating mode from a plurality of operating modes of said stimulus generator circuit, said stimulus generator being capable of applying a potential across said conductors sufficient to generate charge pulses, said circuit further including indications visible and audible to a practitioner of said preselected charge pulses, so that when said needle is positioned in a patient's tissue the practitioner can initiate and terminate one of said patterns of charge pulses and is informed of the status of said generator circuit, and wherein said charge pulses are sufficient to induce preselected constant currents between said distal end of said conductive layer and said distal end of said conductive needle through the patient's tissue, said currents being sufficient to induce a twitch response in the patient.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 61 words

An electrolocation apparatus comprising: an electrically conducting needle cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a hollow bore therethrough; and an electrical stimulus generator circuit electrically connected to the needle for generating charge pulses of electrical energy alternating between high and low charge pulses, wherein the alternating charge pulses are generated by varying the time duration of the pulses.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 61 words

An electrolocation apparatus comprising: an electrically conducting needle cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a hollow bore therethrough; and an electrical stimulus generator circuit electrically connected to the needle for generating charge pulses of electrical energy alternating between high and low charge pulses, wherein the alternating charge pulses are generated by varying the time duration of the pulses.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 14 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the charge pulses are approximately constant.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 23 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 29 , wherein the time duration of the low charge pulse is between about 95 to 150 microseconds.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 23 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the time duration of the high charge pulse is between about 375 to 600 microseconds.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 62 words

An electrolocation apparatus comprising: an electrically conducting needle cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a hollow bore therethrough; and an electrical stimulus generator circuit electrically connected to the needle for generating charge pulses of electrical energy alternating between high and low charge pulses, wherein the alternating change pulses are generated by varying the current level of the charge pulses.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 62 words

An electrolocation apparatus comprising: an electrically conducting needle cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a hollow bore therethrough; and an electrical stimulus generator circuit electrically connected to the needle for generating charge pulses of electrical energy alternating between high and low charge pulses, wherein the alternating change pulses are generated by varying the current level of the charge pulses.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 20 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the time duration of the charge pulses are approximately the same duration.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 21 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 33 , wherein the low current pulses are less than or equal to about 0.2 mA.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 21 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 34 , wherein the high current pulses are greater than or equal to about 0.5 mA.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 21 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 33 , wherein the pulses are of the same duration and generated at approximately uniform intervals.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 31 words

The electrolocation apparatus of claim 36 , wherein the duration of the pulses is between about 0.1 to 0.2 milliseconds and the pulse intervals are between about 0.25 to 2.0 seconds.

Claim 42

Independent Claim 61 words

A method of locating a nerve comprising the steps of: providing an electrically conducting needle cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a hollow bore therethrough; inserting the needle into a patient and towards the nerve; and alternatively generating charge pulses of electrical energy alternating between high and low charge pulses for stimulating the nerve and generating muscle twitches.

Claim 43

Independent Claim 61 words

A method of locating a nerve comprising the steps of: providing an electrically conducting needle cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a hollow bore therethrough; inserting the needle into a patient and towards the nerve; and alternatively generating charge pulses of electrical energy alternating between high and low charge pulses for stimulating the nerve and generating muscle twitches.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 38 , wherein the alternating charge pulses are generated by varying the time duration of the charge pulses.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 39 , wherein the time duration of the low charge pulse is between about 95 to 150 microseconds.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 40 , wherein the time duration of the high charge pulse is between about 375 to 600 microseconds.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 38 , wherein the alternating charge pulses are generated by varying the current level of the charge pulses.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 42 , wherein the time duration of the charge pulses is approximately the same duration.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 43 , wherein the low current pulses are less than or equal to about 0.2 mA.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 44 , wherein the high current pulses are greater than or equal to about 0.5 mA.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 45 , wherein the pulses are of the same duration and generated at approximately uniform intervals.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 46 , wherein the duration of the pulses is between about 0.1 to 0.2 milliseconds and the pulse intervals is between about 0.25 to 2.0 seconds.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 38 , further comprising the step of moving needle towards a targeted nerve wherein the muscle twitches elicited by the alternating charges become substantially indistinguishable.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2004-12-03	2005-06-04	2005-12-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2008-12-03	2009-06-04	2009-12-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2012-12-03	2013-06-04	2013-12-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Bi-level charge pulse apparatus to facilitate nerve location during peripheral nerve block procedures

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