Method and apparatus for diagnosing and treating neural dysfunction

摘要

A method and apparatus for diagnosing and treating neural dysfunction is disclosed. This device has the capability of delivering the therapeutic electrical energy to more than one treatment electrode simultaneously. In another exemplary embodiment, this device can perform EMG testing both before and after the therapeutic energy has been delivered, to assess whether the target nerve was successfully treated. In another embodiment, the device has the capability to record and store sensory stimulation thresholds both before and after treatment is described, which allows the clinician to accurately determine whether the target nerve has been desensitized. Energy control may achieved by simultaneously comparing the tip temperature of each treatment electrode to a set temperature selected by the operator, and regulating the therapeutic energy output to maintain the set temperature. In another embodiment, EMG, stimulation thresholds, and graphs of temperature versus time can be conveniently displayed on a two-dimensional graphics display.

主权项

1. A device for use in delivering therapeutic treatment energy to a plurality of nerve locations via a corresponding plurality of probes, the device configured to selectively produce power at an RF therapeutic frequency in a therapeutic mode, and to assess electrophysiological activity of a specified one of the plurality of nerve locations in an EMG mode, the device comprising:
a plurality of electrode outputs, wherein each of the electrode outputs is configured to receive EMG signals from and provide RF energy to one of a plurality of probes; and a mode select user interface operably coupled to the plurality of electrode outputs and configured to enable a user to select from a plurality of settings, wherein,
in an EMG mode setting of the mode select user interface, an EMG measuring circuit is selectively coupled to a single one of the plurality of electrode outputs, andin a therapeutic mode setting of the mode select user interface, power at an RF frequency is coupled to any of the plurality of electrode outputs.