Systems and methods for establishing a nerve block
Inventors
Faltys, Michael A. • Levine, Jacob A. • Simon, Jesse M.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11278718-B2
Publication Date
2022-03-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
A nerve cuff for establishing a nerve block on a nerve can have a cuff body with a channel for receiving a nerve, a reservoir for holding a drug, and an elongate opening slit extending the length of the cuff body that can be opened to provide access to the channel and can be closed to enclose the cuff body around the nerve. The nerve cuff can also include an electrode for detecting and measuring electrical signals generated by the nerve. A controller can be used to control delivery of the drug based on the electrical signals generated by the nerve.
Core Innovation
An implantable nerve cuff and associated nerve blocking device establish a nerve block by enclosing a target nerve in a cuff channel. The cuff includes a cuff body having a channel extending within a length of the cuff body for passage of the nerve, and the nerve blocking device is positioned within the channel and removable from the channel. The device delivers a drug to the nerve within the channel.
The nerve blocking device includes a housing with a reservoir and a pump disposed therein, where the pump transfers the drug from the reservoir to the nerve within the channel. In some configurations, the cuff body includes an elongate opening slit that enables access to the channel, and the slit is opened to insert and/or remove the nerve blocking device and closed to enclose the nerve and/or secure the nerve blocking device in the channel.
The disclosed system uses sensed electrical activity associated with a patient physiological aspect to control drug delivery. A sensor is configured to measure and/or transmit an electrical signal associated with the physiological aspect, and the nerve blocking device delivers the drug in response to receiving the electrical signal transmitted by the sensor. In threshold-based configurations, drug transfer is triggered when the sensed electrical activity meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides three independent claims, each covering a core aspect of establishing a nerve block with a cuff channel, a removable drug-delivering nerve blocking device with a pump and reservoir, and electrical-signal-based drug delivery controlled by a sensor. Across the independent claims, the inventive features focus on cuff-channel placement, removable drug-delivery device structure, and pump-driven drug transfer controlled by sensed electrical activity.
Cuff channel placement and pump-driven drug transfer for nerve block
placing the nerve within a channel of a cuff body; placing a nerve blocking device into the channel proximate the nerve, the nerve blocking device configured to deliver a drug to the nerve, the nerve blocking device comprising a housing with a reservoir and a pump disposed therein; and causing the pump to transfer the drug from the reservoir to the nerve within the channel.
Removably disposed nerve blocking device inside a nerve cuff channel
a cuff body having a channel extending within a length of the cuff body for passage of a nerve; and a nerve blocking device positioned within the channel and removable from the channel, the nerve blocking device including a housing with a reservoir and a pump disposed therein, the pump configured to transfer a drug from the reservoir to the nerve within the channel.
Sensor-transmitted electrical signal controls drug delivery to the nerve
a cuff body having a channel for passage of a nerve; a nerve blocking device removably disposed in the channel of the cuff body, the nerve blocking device including a housing with a reservoir and a pump disposed therein, the pump configured to transfer a drug from the reservoir to the nerve within the channel; and a sensor configured to transmit an electrical signal associated with a physiological aspect of the patient, wherein the nerve blocking device is configured to deliver the drug to the nerve in response to receiving the electrical signal transmitted by the sensor.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage centers on enclosing a nerve in a cuff channel and delivering a drug via a removable nerve blocking device that includes a reservoir and pump. The system claim further requires a sensor that transmits an electrical signal associated with a patient physiological aspect, where the nerve blocking device delivers the drug in response to the received electrical signal.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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