Magazine holding plural electrode-carrying applicators
Inventors
Regan, Shawn V. • Smith, Daniel
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9855416-B1
Publication Date
2018-01-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for inserting a series of subdermal electrodes into the skin of a patient for neurological monitoring includes a magazine with an interior, a first end and an opposing second end. The first end has an opening. A row of applicators are carried in the interior of the magazine, parallel the its major axis. The first applicator presents itself at the opening in the first end and is followed in turn by a subsequent applicator. Each applicator carries an electrode that is ejected from that applicator when an applicator is pressed against the skin of a patient. The magazine has an actuator that advances each applicator in sequence toward the opening of the magazine to expel them one at a time after each ejects its electrode.
Core Innovation
A system is described for inserting a series of subdermal electrodes into the skin of a patient for neurological monitoring. The system includes a magazine with an interior having a major axis and first end and an opposing second end, where the first end has an opening. The magazine carries plural applicators in a row in parallel with the major axis, with each applicator having a previous applicator followed by a subsequent applicator and presenting at the opening of the magazine.
Plural electrodes are releasably carried by corresponding applicators so that each electrode is ejected from its applicator when the applicator is pressed against the skin. An actuator carried by the magazine advances the plural applicators in sequence axially toward the opening to expel the previous applicator through the opening and to present the subsequent applicator.
Each applicator has a dog, and the actuator has a dog-engaging bar movable axially. The dog-engaging bar moves only axially toward the first end of the magazine, and the dog-engaging bar moves radially outward and axially as it is moved toward the second end of the magazine, where the dog-engaging bar is cammed by the dog of each applicator. The magazine includes an axial channel for a lead wire and each applicator includes an electrode retention module with a hole and a plunger with a pin and spring that require a predetermined pressure against skin before electrode ejection.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim coverage is provided by one independent claim, with additional dependent claims narrowing features including a magazine stopper, stepwise increments, mechanical constraints for the stopper, lead-wire routing, and an electrode retention and ejection submechanism. The main inventive features center on the dog-and-dog-engaging-bar camming interaction that drives sequential applicator advancement and electrode expulsion/presentation in a magazine.
Dog and cammed dog-engaging bar for sequential applicator advancement
A system wherein each applicator has a dog and the actuator has a dog-engaging bar movable axially, with the dog-engaging bar moving only axially toward the first end of the magazine and moving radially outward and axially as the dog-engaging bar is moved toward the second end, the dog-engaging bar being cammed by the dog of each applicator.
Magazine with parallel applicators and opening for eject/present sequence
A magazine having an interior with a major axis and first end and opposing second end, with the first end having an opening, and plural applicators carried in the interior in a row and in parallel with the major axis such that a previous applicator presents at the opening while a subsequent applicator is positioned for sequential presentation.
Sequential actuator expelling previous applicator and presenting subsequent applicator
An actuator carried by the magazine advancing the plural applicators in sequence axially toward the opening to expel the previous applicator through the opening and to present the subsequent applicator.
Releasable electrode ejection upon applicator skin pressing
Plural electrodes each releasably carried by a respective applicator so that each electrode is ejected from its applicator when that applicator is pressed against the skin of a patient.
Stopper moving toward first end only and preventing rearward motion
A stopper carried by the magazine that can move toward the first end but not rearward toward the second end, thereby preventing rearward motion during the sequential ejection/presentation.
Incremental stopper movement tied to ejection and presentation
A stopper configured to advance in stepwise increments, ejecting a previous applicator and positioning the first end of a subsequent applicator at the opening in each step.
Stopper constrained by radially-opposing radially-biased feet and catches
A stopper with radially-opposing radially-biased feet held by plural catches in the magazine such that the stopper is constrained to prevent rearward movement as the stopper is pushed axially forward.
Axial lead-wire channel for electrode lead wire routing
A magazine including an axial channel in which each electrode’s lead wire hangs through the channel.
Electrode retention module with hole and plunger pin ejector
Each applicator including an electrode retention module with a hole for releasably carrying an electrode, and a movable plunger with an aligned pin that ejects the electrode when the retention module and pin move.
Across the independent and dependent claim set reflected in the provided content, the central claim coverage emphasizes a sequential insertion system driven by an actuator and a magazine that holds plural parallel applicators. The main inventive focus includes a dog and a dog-engaging bar camming interaction, with additional features narrowing control of a magazine stopper, lead-wire routing via an axial channel, and an electrode retention module combined with a plunger/pin ejection mechanism.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Inserting a series of subdermal electrodes into the skin of a patient for neurological monitoring.
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