Patent ID: 7282033

Claim:
A positioning system for cutaneously and noninvasively locating a target nerve or nerve plexus of a subject for the administration of regional anesthesia at the target nerve or nerve plexus, the system comprising a carrier, a bore extending through the carrier, the bore having a proximal end and a most distal end, the carrier having a surface with a continuous smooth contour extending laterally at the most distal end of the bore, the surface being electrically nonconductive, a nerve stimulator needle having a hollow shaft for delivery of regional anesthesia, the needle being carried in the bore, the needle having a sharp tip, the needle tip being at the most distal end of the bore in an operative cutaneous electrode position such that when the surface is pressed against dermal layers of the subject, the sharp tip contacts the dermal layers without invasive penetration, the needle tip being selectively coupled to a current supply for eliciting a neurological response to current flow, the needle tip being locked against movement relative to the carrier when in the operative cutaneous electrode position, whereby transcutaneous current flow from the tip through the subject is assured when the surface is pressed against dermal layers of the subject without invasive penetration of the tip for locating a dermal position proximate the target nerve or nerve plexus and the needle thereafter advanced at the located position beyond the distal end of the bore, through dermal layers and into the subject for subcutaneous location of the target nerve or nerve plexus for the administration of regional anesthesia.