US 2024/0306984 A1 · DEVICES AND METHODS FOR APPLYING STIMULATION IN THE ASSESSMENT OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Abstract

A device applies standardized central and peripheral stimuli to a patient for assessment of consciousness. The device is hand-held and includes a first stimulus element for application of peripheral stimuli to a digit (e.g., a finger or a toe) of the patient and a second stimulus element for application of central stimuli to the patient, enabling practitioners to rapidly switch between peripheral and central stimulus application. The device can generate a standardized electrical stimulus, thermal stimulus, and/or mechanical stimulus for application for improved accuracy when assessing consciousness of the patient by methods such as the Glasgow Coma Scale. In another aspect, the device applies standardized stimuli at an appropriate intensity to elicit a response without causing tissue damage.

Claims41

Dependent claims

A device, comprising:

a housing defining a first body portion and a second body portion, the first body portion and the second body portion collectively defining a receptacle;
wherein the receptacle is configured to capture a digit of a patient therein;
and
wherein the first body portion and the second body portion collectively apply a clamping force to the digit;
a stimulus generator device positioned within the housing and being operable to generate a stimulus based on a set of predetermined stimulation parameters;
and
a first stimulus element in communication with the stimulus generator device and positioned along the receptacle, the first stimulus element being operable to apply the stimulus to the digit.

4 more elements

A device, comprising:

a housing defining a first body portion and a second body portion, the first body portion and the second body portion collectively defining a receptacle;
wherein the first body portion and the second body portion are operable to assume a first closed configuration and a second open configuration;
wherein the receptacle is configured to capture a digit of a patient therein when in the second open configuration;
and
wherein the first body portion and the second body portion collectively apply a clamping force to the digit when in the second open configuration;
a stimulus generator device housed within the housing and configured to generate a central stimulus and a peripheral stimulus based on a set of predetermined stimulation parameters;
a second stimulus element in communication with the stimulus generator device and positioned along the first body portion, the second stimulus element being operable to apply the central stimulus to a surface of the patient when in the first closed configuration;
and
a first stimulus element in communication with the stimulus generator device and positioned along the receptacle, the first stimulus element being operable to apply the peripheral stimulus to the digit when in the second open configuration.

6 more elements

A device, comprising:

a housing defining a first body portion and a second body portion, the first body portion and the second body portion collectively defining a receptacle;
wherein the first body portion and the second body portion are operable to assume a first closed configuration and a second open configuration;
wherein the receptacle is configured to capture a digit of a patient therein when in the second open configuration;
and
wherein the first body portion and the second body portion collectively apply a clamping force to the digit when in the second open configuration;
a first stimulus element in communication and positioned along the receptacle, the first stimulus element being operable to apply a peripheral stimulus to the digit when in the second open configuration;
and
a second stimulus element positioned along the first body portion, the second stimulus element being operable to apply a central stimulus to a surface of the patient when in the first closed configuration.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Devices and methods for applying stimulation in the assessment of consciousness

Life of this patent

Devices and methods for applying stimulation in the assessment of consciousness

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims41