US 12,471,832 B2
System and methods for improving diagnostic evoked potential studies for functional assessments of nerves and nerve pathways
Jonathan D. Block, Walnut Creek, CA (US); and Hieu T. Ball, Walnut Creek, CA (US)
Assigned to SidewayStrategies LLC, Walnut Creek, CA (US)
Filed by SidewayStrategies LLC, Walnut Creek, CA (US)
Filed on Feb. 3, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/649,860.
Application 17/649,860 is a continuation of application No. 16/317,221, granted, now 11,272,871, previously published as PCT/US2017/042271, filed on Jul. 14, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/362,523, filed on Jul. 14, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2022/0400999 A1, Dec. 22, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 5/388 (2021.01); A61B 5/00 (2006.01); A61B 5/383 (2021.01); A61N 1/04 (2006.01); A61N 1/05 (2006.01); A61N 1/36 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 5/388 (2021.01) [A61B 5/383 (2021.01); A61B 5/4047 (2013.01); A61B 5/6814 (2013.01); A61B 5/6828 (2013.01); A61B 5/6829 (2013.01); A61N 1/36017 (2013.01); A61B 5/4052 (2013.01); A61B 2562/0209 (2013.01); A61B 2562/046 (2013.01); A61N 1/0456 (2013.01); A61N 1/0476 (2013.01); A61N 1/0502 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a plurality of stimulating electrodes arranged in a grid array configured to be placed on, over, or through skin over an area of a nerve or nerve pathway;
a stimulator configured to control the grid array;
a plurality of recording electrodes; and
one or more processors configured to:
execute a general search mode comprising:
instructing the stimulator to systematically test a plurality of stimulation schemes until a first evoked potential response is detected by the plurality of recording electrodes having a maximum response amplitude, wherein:
each of the plurality of stimulation schemes includes activating and assigning positions and polarity of one or more of the plurality of stimulating electrodes, and
instructing the stimulator to systematically test the plurality of stimulation schemes in the general search mode comprises instructing the stimulator to ramp stimulation intensity during testing each of the plurality of stimulation schemes until at least one of: a maximum stimulation intensity value is reached, or the maximum response amplitude is detected;
execute a focused search mode after executing the general search mode, the focused search mode comprising:
utilizing information from the general search mode, instructing the stimulator to systematically test the plurality of stimulation schemes until a second evoked potential response is detected by the plurality of recording electrodes having the maximum response amplitude and a minimum stimulation intensity, wherein:
instructing the stimulator to systematically test the plurality of stimulation schemes in the focused search mode comprises instructing the stimulator to ramp stimulation intensity during testing each of the plurality of stimulation schemes until the maximum response amplitude is detected;
for each stimulation scheme of the plurality of stimulation schemes, recording a respective stimulation intensity for the stimulation scheme at which the maximum response amplitude is detected;
comparing the respective stimulation intensities of the plurality of stimulation schemes at which the maximum response amplitudes was detected; and
selecting the minimum stimulation intensity at which the maximum response amplitude was detected; and
use the minimum stimulation intensity at which the maximum response amplitude was detected to further stimulate the nerve or nerve pathway.