Apparatus for locating a nerve and for protecting nerves from injury during surgery
US5284154A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 1992 |
| Grant date | Feb 8, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 23, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B17/3401
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for locating and identifying the function of specific peripheral nerves. In one embodiment, the present invention takes the form of a nerve stimulator which is used to locate nerves to assist in the administration of regional anesthesia. In another embodiment, the nerve stimulator is used to locate, identify the function of, and guard against the inadvertent cutting of specific nerves during surgical procedures. The apparatus of the present invention includes a stimulus delivery means, a response-detecting means and a means for automatically modulating the magnitude of the stimulus.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.