The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 12, 2014
Filed:
Dec. 29, 2011
Benjamin Kao-shing Sun, San Francisco, CA (US);
Michael P. Wallace, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Christopher D. Summa, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
Jeffery L. Bleich, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Benjamin Kao-Shing Sun, San Francisco, CA (US);
Michael P. Wallace, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Christopher D. Summa, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
Jeffery L. Bleich, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Baxano Surgical, Inc., Raleigh, NC (US);
Abstract
Methods for determining if a nerve is nearby a device. The neural stimulation tools described herein are configured to be flexible and low-profile, so that they can be used within body regions that may be tortuous or difficult to reach, such as within a compressed or partially occluded neural foramen. In most cases, these tools described herein are ribbon-shaped and adapted to be manipulated bimanually, applying force to the ends of the devices from separate locations outside of the patient's body. Thus, the distal end region of the device may be configured to couple to the proximal end of a guidewire. One or more surfaces of the devices may include an electrode or multi-polar network of electrodes configured to stimulate only nerves within a predetermined distance of a particular face of the device. Methods of using these devices are described.