Systems and methods for detecting intrathecal penetration
AssigneeNevro Corporation
InventorsJon Parker, James R. Thacker
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims31
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 carried by an elongated flexible lead and located within the patient;
- and
- patient tissue adjacent to the electrical contact;
- comparing the detected value to a predetermined criterion;
- if the detected value meets the predetermined criterion, identifying penetration of the patient's dura based at least in part on the detected value;
- and
- if the detected value does not meet the predetermined criterion, applying a therapeutic signal to the patient's nervous system via the elongated flexible lead.
A method for making a patient device, comprising:
- providing an electrical contact configured to be coupled to an impedance detector and a processor, the electrical contact being carried by an elongated flexible lead configured for implantation in a patient;
- selecting a predetermined criterion based at least in part on an impedance of human cerebral spinal fluid;
- 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 the predetermined criterion;
- if the detected impedance meets the predetermined criterion, provide an indication that the patient's dura has been penetrated;
- and
- if the detected value does not meet the predetermined criterion, apply a therapeutic signal to the patient's nervous system via the elongated flexible lead.
A patient device, comprising:
- an elongated flexible lead configured for implantation in a patient;
- an electrical contact carried by the lead;
- 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;
- if the detected impedance meets the predetermined criterion, provide an indication that the patient's dura has been penetrated;
- and
- if the detected value does not meet the predetermined criterion, apply a therapeutic signal to the patient's nervous system via the elongated flexible lead.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.