Method for facilitating interface with laryngeal structures
AssigneeMED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
InventorWerner Lindenthaler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A minimally invasive method of introducing an electrode to electrically stimulate one or both vocal cords of a subject includes inserting a hollow needle from outside of the subject's body into a postcricoidal region lateral to a posterior cricoarytenoid muscle and forming an insertion path downwardly towards a cricothyroid joint of the subject. The method also includes introducing the electrode via the hollow needle and positioning the electrode relative to at least one vocal cord muscle of the subject based on the insertion path.
Claims10
A minimally invasive method of introducing an electrode to electrically stimulate one or both vocal cords of a subject, the method comprising:
- inserting a hollow needle from outside of the subject's body into a postcricoidal region lateral to a posterior cricoarytenoid muscle and forming an insertion path downwardly towards a cricothyroid joint of the subject;
- introducing the electrode via the hollow needle;
- and
- positioning the electrode relative to at least one vocal cord muscle of the subject based on the insertion path.
A minimally invasive method of introducing an electrode to electrically stimulate one or both vocal cords of a subject, the method comprising:
- inserting a hollow needle from outside of the subject's body into a postcricoidal region lateral to a posterior cricoarytenoid muscle without exposing muscle or cartilage by surgical dissection and forming an insertion path;
- introducing the electrode via the hollow needle;
- and
- positioning the electrode relative to at least one vocal cord muscle of the subject based on the insertion path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.