# US 8,788,036 B2 · Method for facilitating interface with laryngeal structures

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- Number: US 8,788,036 B2
- Document ID: US8788036B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/892,428
- Filed: 2013-05-13
- Published: 2013-09-19
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2006-08-30
- Assignees: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
- Applicants: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
- Inventors: Werner Lindenthaler
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8788036B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/3468: {for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires (devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069)}
- A61N 1/0517: {Esophageal electrodes}
- A61N 1/0519: {Endotracheal electrodes}
- A61B 10/04: Endoscopic instruments, e.g. catheter-type instruments
- A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/24: for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose (for medical inspection of cavities or tubes in the body A61B1/00); Tongue scrapers
- A61B 2017/003: {Steerable}
- A61B 2017/00991: {Telescopic means}
- A61B 2017/3443: {with means for adjusting the length of a cannula}
- A61B 2018/1475: {Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing}
- A61F 2/20: Larynxes; Tracheae combined with larynxes or for use therewith
- A61N 1/0548: {Oral electrodes}
- A61N 1/3601: {of respiratory organs}
- A61N 1/3611: {Respiration control (stimulating respiratory organs A61N1/3601)}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1, the method further comprising:
percutaneously routing a portion of the electrode through skin to an outside of the subject; and
connecting the electrode to an external stimulator for a certain duration to verify efficacy of the positioning of the electrode relative to the at least one vocal cord muscle.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A method according to claim 2, further comprising:
permanently connecting the electrode inside the subject to a surgically implanted controller when efficacy is shown, or
removing the electrode from the subject when efficacy is not shown.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1, wherein the insertion path ends between a cricoid cartilage and the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the insertion path is in a subperichondral space on a posterior side of a cricoid cartilage.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1, wherein the hollow needle is a curved hollow needle.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1, wherein the hollow needle is a telescopic hollow needle.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1, wherein inserting the hollow needle forms the insertion path downwardly towards the cricothyroid joint of the subject.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1, wherein the insertion path is formed before the hollow needle is inserted.

### Claim 10

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.