Electrically sensing and stimulating system for placement of a nerve stimulator or sensor

An insertion system for placement of an implantable electronic device proximal to a neuro-muscular pathway in living tissue wherein said implantable device may be either a microstimulator or a microsensor having an axial dimension of less than 60 mm and a lateral dimension of less than 6 mm, said system comprising:

• an inner sheath configured for at least partially containing said implantable electronic device and having an outside diameter approximately equal to the diameter of said implantable device;
• an outer sheath surrounding said inner sheath;
• and
• an electrical conductor forming a part of said outer sheath, wherein said electrical conductor is configured for contacting the living tissue and passing an electric current between said implantable electronic device and the living tissue in order to position said outer sheath near a neuro-muscular pathway to facilitate implantation of said implantable electronic device proximate to said neuro-muscular pathway.

A method of placing an implantable electronic device proximal to a neuro-muscular pathway in living tissue, wherein said electronic device may be either a microstimulator or a microsensor having an axial dimension of less than 60 mm and a lateral dimension of less than 6 mm, said method comprising the steps of:

• inserting an inner sheath and an outer sheath, that surrounds said inner sheath, into the patient's body;
• stimulating the neuro-muscular pathway by conducting electricity through said outer sheath in order to confirm the position of said outer sheath relative to the neuro-muscular pathway;
• removing said inner sheath;
• inserting said implantable electronic device through said outer sheath until said implantable electronic device is positioned proximate to the neuromuscular pathway;
• and
• removing said outer sheath.

An insertion system for placement of a implantable microdevice for modifying or affecting a body parameter, via electrodes on the microdevice, when the microdevice is located near a neuro-muscular pathway in living tissue, said system comprising:

• an inner sheath and an outer sheath having a sharpened point, wherein said inner sheath is a hollow tube having an outside diameter that is approximately equal to the outside diameter of said microdevice and which is removably insertable into said outer sheath, wherein said sharpened point of said outer sheath, with said inner sheath inserted therein, is removably insertable into the living tissue;
• said outer sheath comprises a means for conducting an electric signal along its length;
• and wherein
• said outer sheath additionally comprises an outer sheath electrode located on said sharpened point that contacts the living tissue and that is electrically connected to said means for conducting an electric signal between the microdevice and the living tissue, which is suitable for positioning said sharpened point near the nerve.

A method of placing a microdevice proximal to neuro-muscular pathway in living tissue for modifying or affecting a body parameter when it is located near the neuro-muscular pathway, said method comprising the steps of:

• inserting an electrode probe into living tissue to locate a neuromuscular pathway;
• stimulating the neuro-muscular pathway with said electrode probe to verify the location of the electrode probe with respect to the neuro-muscular pathway;
• placing an outer sheath and a inner sheath around said electrode probe;
• positioning said outer sheath and said inner sheath near the neuromuscular pathway;
• removing said electrode probe;
• electrically stimulating the neuro-muscular pathway with said outer sheath to verify the location of said outer sheath with respect to the neuromuscular pathway;
• inserting the microdevice through said outer sheath into the living tissue;
• and
• confirming the location of the microdevice with said outer sheath by electrically stimulating the neuro-muscular pathway before removing said outer sheath.

An insertion system for placement of a microdevice for modifying or affecting a body parameter when the microdevice is located near a neuro-muscular pathway in living tissue, said system comprising:

• an outer sheath having a sharpened point which is expandable to allow said microdevice to be ejected therethrough, wherein said outer sheath is a hollow tube having an inner diameter that is approximately equal to the outside diameter of said microdevice, wherein said outer sheath is removably insertable into the living tissue;
• said outer sheath containing a means for conducting an electrical signal along its length;
• and wherein
• said outer sheath contains an outer sheath electrode, located on said sharpened point, configured for contacting the living tissue and that is electrically connected to said means for conducting an electrical signal, for passing an electrical signal between said microdevice and the tissue, to confirm that said sharpened point is suitably positioned near the neuromuscular pathway.

An implantation tool for placement of a microdevice for modifying or affecting a body parameter when the microdevice is located near a neuro-muscular pathway in living tissue, said tool comprising:

• an outer sheath having a hollow center with an internal diameter slightly larger than the diameter of a microdevice that is to pass through said hollow center, wherein said outer sheath has a sharpened end that is suitable for penetrating living tissue and an aperture that passes through said sharpened end;
• an outer sheath connection means for attaching to said implantation tool;
• a plunger that is removably insertable into said hollow center of said outer sheath;
• a ratcheting lever that is repeatedly movable for causing said plunger to slide in said hollow center in at least one direction along its longitudinal axis;
• and
• means for conducting an electrical signal along said outer sheath to a sheath electrode that is located at said sharpened end.