Patient monitoring devices and systems
OwnerJill Buckley, Jay L. Shilsinventors
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Abstract
In one embodiment, the invention relates to systems, methods, and apparatus relating to the detection of a neuropathy such as a periopertive neuropathy. In one embodiment, a wristband comprising a plurality of anodes and cathodes is used. The wristband can be a component in a electrode array that includes a plurality of reference or recording electrodes. The electrode array can be configured to stimulate and collect responsive signals from an ulnar, a median, radial and posterior tibial nerve. The simulation and signal collection can be performed on a continuous basis for time periods of interest such as a given perioperative time period using a monitoring device.
Claims22
A processor-based method of detecting a neuropathy in a patient using a nerve monitoring system comprising:
- providing a wristband comprising:
- a first pair of electrodes,
- a second pair of electrodes,
- a third pair of electrodes, and
- an elongate flexible substrate, said first, second, and third electrode pairs disposed in or on the flexible substrate;
- and
- a first electrical lead having an electrode contacting end and a monitoring device contacting end, the electrode contacting end in electrical communication with at least one electrode in the first pair of electrodes, a second electrical lead having an electrode contacting end and a monitoring device contacting end, the electrode contacting end in electrical communication with at least one electrode in the second pair of electrodes, a third electrical lead having an electrode contacting end and a monitoring device contacting end, the electrode contacting end in electrical communication with at least one electrode in the third pair of electrodes;
- placing said wristband over a wrist of said patient such that said first electrode pair is disposed over a first nerve in the wrist, said second electrode pair is disposed over a second nerve in the wrist, and said third electrode pair is disposed over a third nerve in the wrist;
- electrically stimulating the first, second, and third nerves using the first, second and third electrode pairs, and noninvasively monitoring an action potential in each of the first nerve, second nerve, and third nerve passing through the brachial plexus using a reference electrode;
- detecting a deviation relative to a baseline signal with respect to a responsive signal generated by one or more of the first, second, and third nerves following the electric stimulation using a processor and comparator connected to said first, second and third electrode pairs;
- comparing the deviation to a predetermined threshold using a processor and comparator;
- and
- generating an alert indicative of the neuropathy when the deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.