Patent ID: 8870773
Filing Date: 2014-10-28
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
1. A method for guiding a therapy delivery device to a sympathetic nerve chain target of a subject, said method comprising the steps of: (a) selecting a sympathetic nerve chain target; (b) using ultrasound imaging to obtain an ultrasound image of anatomical structures relevant to the sympathetic nerve chain target; (c) determining a pre-determined implantation pathway, prior to inserting an introducer into an insertion point, based on the ultrasound image generated in step (b), the pre-determined implantation pathway defining a trajectory that avoids the relevant anatomical structures and extends between the insertion point on the skin of the subject and a bony spinous target; (d) inserting the introducer into the insertion point; (e) navigating the introducer through the pre-determined implantation pathway until the distal tip is positioned adjacent or proximate to the bony spinous target; and (f) advancing the therapy delivery device through the introducer to the sympathetic nerve chain target; wherein steps (d)-(f) are performed using real-time ultrasound imaging.