Patent ID: 6325764
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: A61B,A61N,Y10S

Abstract:
A self-contained electrolocation apparatus comprising:an electrically conducting needle cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a hollow bore therethrough;a non-conductive tube having a proximal end and a distal end, said tube mounted over said needle cannula so that said distal end of said non-conductive tube is proximal to said distal end of said needle cannula;a conductive layer having a distal end on said non-conductive tube, whereby said needle cannula and said conductive layer respectively define first and second conductors coaxially spaced from one another by said non-conductive tube;a grip fixedly attached to said needle cannula for manipulating said apparatus; andan electrical stimulus generator circuit within said grip and electrically connected to said first conductor and said second conductor, said stimulus generator being capable of applying a potential across said conductors so that when said needle is positioned in a patient's tissue and said electrical stimulus generator circuit is activated, said potential is sufficient to induce a preselected current thereby providing a charge pulse between said distal end of said conductive layer and said distal end of said needle cannula through the patient's tissue, said charge pulse being sufficient to induce a twitch response in the patient.