Systems and methods for detecting intrathecal penetration
AssigneeNevro Corporation
InventorsJon Parker, James R. Thacker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for detecting intrathecal penetration are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment includes detecting a value corresponding to an impedance of an electrical circuit that in turn includes an electrical contact located within the patient, and patient tissue adjacent to the electrical contact. The method further includes comparing the detected value to a predetermined criterion, and, if the detected value meets the predetermined criterion, identifying penetration of the patient's dura based at least in part on the detected value.
Claims38
A method for introducing a patient device, comprising:
- detecting a value corresponding to an impedance of an electrical circuit, the electrical circuit including:
- an electrical contact located within the patient;
- and
- patient tissue adjacent to the electrical contact;
- comparing the detected value to a predetermined criterion;
- and
- if the detected value meets the predetermined criterion, identifying penetration of the patient's dura based at least in part on the detected value.
A method for treating a patient, comprising
- introducing an elongated signal delivery device into the patient, proximate to and external to the dura surrounding the patient's spinal cord, the signal delivery device having an electrical contact coupled to a power source;
- operating the signal delivery device to:
- apply a detection current to the electrical contact via the power source;
- detect an impedance of an electrical circuit that includes the electrical contact and patient tissue adjacent to the electrical contact;
- compare the detected impedance to a predetermined threshold value;
- if the detected impedance is at or below the predetermined threshold value, identify a penetration of the patient's dura based at least in part on the detected impedance and present an indication of the penetration of the patient's dura;
- if the penetration indication is received, relocating the signal delivery based at least in part on the penetration indication;
- and
- delivering a treatment signal to the patient's spinal cord via the signal delivery device at a frequency of from about 3 kHz to about 50 kHz.
A method for making a patient device, comprising:
- connecting an electrical contact to an impedance detector, the electrical contact being carried by an element configured for insertion into a patient;
- connecting the impedance detector to a processor;
- providing the processor with instructions to perform the following operations:
- receive information from the impedance detector corresponding to an impedance of a circuit that includes the electrical contact and patient tissue adjacent to the electrical contact;
- compare the detected impedance to a predetermined criterion;
- and
- if the detected impedance meets the predetermined criterion, provide an indication that the patient's dura has been penetrated;
- and
- selecting the predetermined criterion based at least in part on an impedance of human cerebral spinal fluid.
A patient device, comprising:
- a subdermal element configured for insertion into a patient;
- an electrical contact carried by the subdermal element;
- an impedance detector electrically coupled to the electrical contact;
- and
- a computer-readable medium operatively coupled to the impedance detector, the computer readable medium having instructions that, when executed, perform the following operations:
- receive information from the impedance detector corresponding to an impedance of a circuit that includes the electrical contact and patient tissue adjacent to the electrical contact;
- compare the detected impedance to a predetermined criterion;
- and
- if the detected impedance meets the predetermined criterion, provide an indication that the patient's dura has been penetrated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.