Method and apparatus for stimulating a nerve of a patient
US8046082B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 11, 2010 |
| Grant date | Oct 25, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 11, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/3752
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Single-use electrical leads for a nerve stimulator include a status flag element such as a fuse, which is deliberately blown after use of the leads has begun to indicate that the leads are not to be reused. The nerve stimulator has a “test mode” that determines a current value for treatment, and a “therapy mode” that administers treatment with the chosen current value. If the fuse in the electrical leads is blown, then the stimulator assumes that the leads have already been used and does not enter therapy mode. If the fuse in the electrical leads is intact, then the stimulator assumes that the leads are as yet unused, and allows the user to enter either test mode or therapy mode. The fuse is deliberately blown after a particular amount of time spent in therapy mode. After the fuse is blown, the user may still complete the therapy mode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.