Apparatus and method for performing nerve conduction studies with localization of evoked responses
An apparatus and method for detecting physiological function, for example, nerve conduction, is described. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a housing including a stimulator shaped to fit a first anatomical site and a detector shaped to fit a second anatomical site. The housing automatically positions the detector substantially adjacent to the second anatomical site when the stimulator is positioned substantially adjacent to the first anatomical site. The detector contains a plurality of individual detection elements, whereby the response evoked by stimulation at the first anatomical site is measured using one or more of these detection elements at the second anatomical location.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 06/269,126, filed Feb. 15, 2001, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/625,502, filed Jul. 26, 2000, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/270,550, filed Mar. 16, 1999 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,386), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/022,990, filed Feb. 12, 1998 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,094), which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/886,861, filed Jul. 1, 1997 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,191), all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to apparatus and methods for the assessment of neuromuscular function. More specifically, this invention relates to apparatus and methods for diagnosing peripheral nerve and muscle diseases based on the assessment of neuromuscular function.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONNeuromuscular diseases, which represent disorders of the peripheral nerves and muscles, are a common and growing health care concern. The most prevalent neuromuscular disorders are carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), low back pain caused by spinal root compression (i.e., radiculopathy), and diabetic neuropathy, which is nerve degeneration associated with diabetes. These conditions affect approximately thirty to forty million individuals each year in the United States alone, and have an associated economic cost greater then $100 billion annually. However, despite their extensive impact on individuals and the health care system, the detection and monitoring of such neuromuscular diseases are based on outdated and inaccurate clinical techniques or rely on expensive referrals to a specialist.
In particular, the effective prevention of neuromuscular dysfunction requires early detection and subsequent action. Even experienced physicians find it difficult to diagnose and stage the severity of neuromuscular dysfunction based on symptoms alone. The only objective way to detect many neuromuscular diseases is to measure the transmission of neural signals. The gold standard approach is a formal nerve conduction study by a clinical neurologist, but this procedure has a number of significant disadvantages. First, it requires a highly trained specialist. As a result, it is expensive and generally requires weeks or months to complete. Second, because they are not readily available, formal nerve conduction studies are generally performed late in the episode of care, thus serving a confirmatory role rather than a diagnostic one.
Thus, there is a need for making accurate and robust nerve conduction measurements available to a wide variety of health care personnel in multiple settings, including the clinic, the office, the field, and the workplace (all of which are sometimes collectively referred to as “point-of-care” settings). However, personnel in these environments generally do not have the neurophysiological and neuroanatomical training to perform such studies. In particular, the correct application of nerve conduction studies requires appropriate placement of electrodes for both stimulation of the nerve and detection of the evoked response from the corresponding nerve or muscle. Therefore, in order to provide effective nerve conduction studies in point-of-care settings, it is necessary to simplify and automate the process of correct electrode placement.
The prior art reveals a number of attempts to simplify the assessment of neuromuscular function, such as in diagnosing CTS, and to make such diagnostic measurements available to non-experts. Rosier (U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,643) describes a portable device for measuring nerve conduction velocity in patients. This instrument, however, does not provide any assistance in the correct placement of stimulation and detection electrodes. On the contrary, a skilled operator with a fairly sophisticated knowledge of nerve and muscle anatomy must ensure correct application of the device. Spitz et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,100) and Lemmen (U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,902) have also attempted to simplify nerve conduction studies. Specifically, they proposed systems that measure nerve conduction parameters between the arm or forearm and the hand, such as would be required for diagnosing CTS. Both systems suffer from several significant disadvantages, however. First, both systems are large, bulky, and constructed from rigid structures that create a supporting fixture for the arm and hand of an adult. This severely limits their portability and increases their cost. Second, these systems are only applicable to specific limbs and are not generally applicable to numerous anatomical sites. Third, these devices require highly trained operators who can make the appropriate adjustments on the apparatus so as to ensure electrode contact with the proper anatomical sites on the arm and hand. In particular, these systems provide no physiological localization of the electrodes, and as a result multiple placements are often required to find the correct electrode location.
There have been some attempts to simplify the process of nerve localization, primarily for the purpose of avoiding nerve damage during surgical procedures. For example, Raymond et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,331) describes a system for locating a nerve by applying a stimulus to a plurality of stimulation sites (such as the cavernosal nerve), recording a response to the stimulation (such as the tumescence response), and modifying the stimulation site according to an algorithm that utilizes the response. Although this invention is useful in its intended application of nerve preservation during surgery, it could not be used to simplify or automate nerve conduction studies because it does not provide means to locate the evoked response, leaving this difficult task to the operator.
The present invention avoids the aforementioned limitations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and method are provided for the substantially automated, rapid, and efficient assessment of neuromuscular function without requiring the involvement of highly trained personnel. The assessment of neuromuscular function is effected by stimulating a nerve, and then measuring the response of a muscle innervated by that nerve. The muscle response is detected by measuring the myoelectric potential generated by the muscle in response to the stimulus.
More particularly, the apparatus and method of the invention assess physiological function in, for example, the lower extremity of an individual by using an electrode to apply a stimulus to a nerve. The stimulus may be, for example, an electrical stimulus or a magnetic stimulus. Other types of stimuli may also be used. A detector, adapted for detecting the myoelectric potential generated by a muscle in response to the stimulus, detects the response of the muscle to the stimulus. An electronic controller then evaluates the physiological function of the nerve. The function is then correlated to the presence or absence of a neuromuscular pathology, such as, for example, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) or lumbosacral radiculopathy.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a sensor including a stimulator electrode and a myoelectric detector. The stimulator electrode is adapted for placement at a first anatomical site substantially adjacent to a nerve, and the myoelectric detector is adapted for placement at a second anatomical site substantially adjacent to a muscle innervated by that nerve. In one embodiment, a semi-flexible connector links the stimulator electrode and myoelectric detector such that the connector automatically positions the myoelectric detector at the second anatomical site when the stimulator electrode is positioned at the first anatomical site, or vice versa.
In one embodiment, the apparatus of the invention further includes a processor for processing at least one signal detected by the myoelectric detector which is characteristic of the second anatomical site.
In a particular embodiment, the physiological function of an individual which is to be assessed by the apparatus of the invention is nerve conduction, such as conduction of the tibial nerve or the peroneal nerve. Thus, in one embodiment, the first anatomical site is a superficial location over the peroneal nerve and the second anatomical site is a superficial location over the extensor digitorum brevis muscle of the foot. Alternatively, the first anatomical site is a superficial location over the tibial nerve and the second anatomical site is a superficial location over the abductor hallucis muscle of the foot. In another embodiment, the sensor of the invention includes a positioning indicator for location over a third anatomical site such as the medial or lateral malleolus of the individual. In one embodiment the superficial location is on the skin of the individual.
In one embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, at least a portion of the body of the sensor is manufactured from a plastic, such as MYLAR. In one embodiment of the invention, the flexible connector is a strip which is rectangular, s-shaped, or any other shape configured to position the myoelectric detector over the second anatomical site when the stimulator electrode is positioned over the first anatomical site. In one embodiment, the connector includes electrical traces for carrying signals to the stimulator electrode, and from the myoelectric detector, to an electronic controller and monitor. In one embodiment, the traces connect the stimulator electrode and the myoelectric detector to the controller. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the myoelectric detector includes an electrode array that includes at least two independent interleaved bipolar recording electrodes. The signals recorded from the recording electrodes include compound muscle action potentials (CMAP's). In one embodiment, the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) is recorded over a motor point. In one embodiment of the invention, the detectable signal includes the weighted sum of the recordings of at least two of the recording electrodes.
The method of the invention relates to the assessment of physiological function using appropriate apparatus. In one form of the invention, a sensor, including a stimulator electrode and a myoelectric detector, attached by a connector, is placed on the skin of the individual overlying the anatomical location to be studied. The stimulator electrode is placed at the first anatomical site. When the stimulator electrode is positioned at the first anatomical site, the myoelectric detector is automatically positioned at the second anatomical site by the construction of the connector.
With the sensor positioned as described above on the skin of the individual, the stimulator electrode applies a stimulus to a nerve (for example, the peroneal nerve or the tibial nerve). A muscle innervated by the nerve (for example, the extensor digitorum brevis muscle of the foot with respect to the peroneal nerve, or the abductor hallucis muscle of the foot with respect to the tibial nerve) responds and thereby generates a myoelectrical potential. The signal generated by the myoelectrical potential is detected by the electrode array of the myoelectric detector and processed by the processor in communication with the myoelectric detector.
The processor processes the signals from the myoelectric detector's electrode array to select which electrode(s) of the electrode array is detecting at least one signal characteristic of the second anatomical site. The electrode selected by the processor as detecting at least one signal characteristic of the second anatomical site is used to perform nerve conduction studies to assess physiological function of the individual. The processor further processes signals from the selected electrode to perform the nerve conduction study. The processed signals are correlated to physiological function of the nerve and muscle.
The invention will be understood further upon consideration of the following drawings, description and claims. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and emphasis instead is generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
A primary objective of the present invention is to measure evoked potentials in peripheral nerves and muscles. The process of acquiring such measurements is commonly described as a nerve conduction study. Typical nerve conduction measurements include nerve impulse propagation latency (distal motor latency, DML, or distal sensory latency, DSL), nerve impulse velocity (conduction velocity, CV), the amplitude of the evoked neural signal (nerve action potential, NAP, amplitude), and the amplitude of the neurally evoked muscle signal (compound muscle action potential, CMAP, amplitude).
The present invention includes a nerve conduction sensor and associated algorithms. Taken together, the invention provides mechanical and electronic localization to perform accurate and reliable nerve conduction studies. Mechanical localization is a process whereby mechanical means facilitate the placement of an evoked response detector in the general vicinity of the nerve segment or muscle to be measured. Subsequently, electronic localization may be utilized to precisely investigate the electrophysiological properties of the region and identify the optimal location at which to measure the evoked response, so as to obtain accurate and reliable measurements. Through utilization of mechanical and electronic localization, the present invention obviates the need for precise electrode placement and knowledge of neuroanatomy. Instead, this knowledge is effectively encapsulated within the mechanical and electronic localization means, thereby allowing an effective nerve conduction study to be performed without requiring the involvement of highly trained personnel.
In general, referring to
An important aspect of the present invention is the connector 20, which connects the stimulator 10 and the detector 15. The connector 20 automatically positions the detector 15 substantially adjacent to the second anatomical site S2 when the stimulator 10 is positioned at the first anatomical site S1, thus mechanically localizing the evoked signal.
Another important aspect of the present invention relates to the properties of the detector 15. In particular, the detector 15 preferably contains an element array 30 (
In a preferred embodiment, the connector 20 is formed from MYLAR. However, other materials such as various plastics may also be used. The particular connector configuration shown in
The stimulator 10 includes at least one stimulation element 35 (
In a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in
Referring still to
The detector array 30 illustrated, for example, in
The stimulator electrode 10 and the bioelectrical detector 15 are formed in the nerve conduction sensor 5 so as to make contact with the skin of the individual when the nerve conduction sensor 5 is in position on the individual. In one embodiment, the nerve conduction sensor 5 may be configured for different sizes (e.g., small, medium and large), for different nerves (e.g., median, ulnar, peroneal, and posterior tibial nerves), for different muscles (e.g., extensor digitorum brevis, adductor hallucis brevis), for right and left anatomical sites, and for various anatomical sites (e.g., ankle, foot, hand, wrist).
Referring to
Referring still to
According to a method of the invention, the positioning indicators 120, 125 and 130 are placed on the skin of the individual at particular anatomical sites, thereby aiding in the placement and orientation of the nerve conduction sensor 5 on the extremity of the individual. The positioning indicators 120, 125 and 130, shown in
As illustrated in
One embodiment of the controller 95 contains two differential amplifiers each of which is connected to two electrodes within the electrode array 30. In one particular embodiment, one differential amplifier is electronically connected to electrodes 70 and 80, through connector 25 and traces 105, and another differential amplifier is electronically connected to electrodes 75 and 85, through connector 25 and traces 105. This configuration thus represents two differential bipolar recordings. Other configurations by which the electrodes 30 are connected to the amplifier have been contemplated and should be considered within the scope of the present invention.
In another aspect, the invention is a method for performing nerve conduction studies. As an illustrative example, motor nerve conduction studies may be performed with the nerve conduction sensor 5. This is accomplished by placing the stimulator electrode 10 of the sensor 5 over the nerve N to be studied, for example the peroneal nerve at the ankle. The connector 20 of the sensor 5 then automatically places the detector 15 substantially adjacent to a muscle M innervated by the nerve N, for example the extensor digitorum brevis muscle on the lateral aspect of the mid foot. After the detector 15 is put in contact with the individual's skin, one or more of the detection electrodes in array 30 are selected, preferably according to an algorithm described below and illustrated in
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic controller 95 (
Another feature of the signal 135 is the maximum rising slope 150 of the signal. This parameter represents the depolarization of the muscle tissue M. The maximum rising slope 150 is particularly important because the signal recorded over the motor point 145 (
Another feature of the signal 135 is the peak-to-peak amplitude 155 of the signal 135. This parameter represents the overall size of the muscle action potential. This is an important characteristic, inasmuch as diseased nerves typically have a lower amplitude 155 than healthy nerves. In addition, signals 135 recorded over the motor point 145 generally have larger peak-to-peak amplitude 155 than those recorded away from the motor point 145.
The aforementioned features of signal 135 should only be considered to be representative of those used to determine nerve conduction and muscle structure. Other features have been contemplated and should be considered within the scope of the present invention.
As mentioned above, the performance of nerve conduction studies with the nerve conduction sensor 5 requires selection of one or more electrodes from array 30 from which the evoked response is measured and nerve conduction parameters; such as the distal motor latency, are determined. In the illustrative example of a motor nerve conduction study, the evoked response must be recorded from the motor point—which is the region of the muscle innervated by the nerve. The objective of the electrode array 30 is to provide means for sampling the evoked response from all or a section of the muscle, and to determine the single electrode or combination of electrodes that best represent the evoked response from the motor point. In the most general case, the evoked response is a weighted sum of one or more electrodes. However, in a preferred embodiment, the single electrode that best represents the motor point response is used.
According to one embodiment of the invention, predetermined signal features (latency, amplitude and slope, respectively) are calculated for each of the two signals S1 and S2 in process steps 165, 170 and 175. In a preferred embodiment, these parameters are independent of the optimal polarity of the signals. In other words, the same parameters are calculated for Si and −Si. Furthermore, these parameters are illustrative and additional parameters may be used. After calculation of the signal features, the algorithm continues with process step 180, in which the latencies (L1 and L2) of the two signals are compared to determine if they are within a predetermined range, σ, of one another. In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined range is between about 0.1 and 0.7 ms, preferably 0.4 ms. If the latency difference is within the predetermined value, then the algorithm continues with process step 185. In this step, a score (f1 and f2) is determined for each signal from the non-latency parameters by creating a linearly weighted sum of these parameters using predetermined coefficients. Subsequently, in process step 190, the scores are compared for equality. If they are equal then the algorithm continues with process step 195. If they are not equal then the algorithm continues with process step 200. If the latency difference is not within the predetermined range as determined in step 180, then the algorithm continues with process step 195. In step 195, a score is determined for each signal based entirely on its corresponding latency. In a preferred embodiment, this score is inversely proportional to the latency such that a shorter latency will yield a higher score. As an example, the following scoring function has been contemplated.
Upon completing the score calculation in process step 195, the algorithm continues with process step 200 in which the scores for the two signals (f1 and f2, regardless of whether calculated in process step 185 or 195) are compared. If the first signal has a greater or equal score to the second signal, then the algorithm continues with process step 205 in which the first signal is chosen for subsequent processing and then the algorithm proceeds to process step 210. If in process step 200, the first signal has a lower score than the second signal, then the algorithm proceeds to process step 215 in which the second signal is chosen for subsequent processing before continuing with process step 210.
In process step 210 the latency of the chosen signal (S1 if from process step 205 and S2 if from process step 215) is calculated for each polarity yielding two latencies, L+ and L−. The algorithm then proceeds to process step 220 where the latencies are compared. If the positive polarity latency (L+) is less than or equal to the negative polarity latency (L−), then the algorithm proceeds to process step 225 where the optimal recording electrode is reported as the positive input to the differential recording. For example, in the embodiment in which the first signal is formed from a differential recording of electrodes 70 and 80, the reported electrode would be electrode 70. If in process step 220, the negative polarity latency (L−) is less than the positive polarity latency (L+), then the algorithm proceeds to process step 230 where the optimal recording electrode is reported as the negative input to the differential recording. For example, in the embodiment in which the first signal is formed from a differential recording of electrodes 70 and 80, the reported electrode would be electrode 80.
In the preferred algorithm shown in
In the illustrative algorithm of
While the present invention has been described in terms of certain exemplary preferred embodiments, it will be readily understood and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that it is not so limited, and that many additions, deletions and modifications to the preferred embodiments may be made within the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus for assessing physiological function in an individual comprising:
- a sensor, said sensor comprising:
- a stimulator shaped to fit a first anatomical site, said stimulator'generating a stimulus whereby application of said stimulus stimulates a nerve at said first anatomical site; and
- a detector shaped to fit a second anatomical site, said detector comprising a plurality of electrodes for detecting a signal generated in response to said stimulus;
- wherein said sensor automatically positions said detector substantially adjacent to said second anatomical site when said stimulator is positioned substantially adjacent to said first anatomical site;
- and further wherein said sensor comprises a processor for processing said at least one signal from said detector to select at least one electrode detecting at least one signal characteristic of said anatomical site.
2. An apparatus for assessing physiological function in an individual comprising:
- a sensor, said sensor comprising:
- a stimulator shaped to fit a first anatomical site, said stimulator generating a stimulus whereby application of said stimulus stimulates a nerve at said first anatomical site; and
- a detector shaped to fit a second anatomical site, said detector comprising a plurality of electrodes for detecting a signal generated in response to said stimulus;
- wherein said sensor comprises a processor for processing said at least one signal from said detector to select at least one electrode detecting at least one signal characteristic of said anatomical site.
3. An apparatus for assessing physiological function in an individual comprising:
- a sensor, said sensor comprising:
- a stimulator shared to fit a first anatomical site, said stimulator generating a stimulus whereby application of said stimulus stimulates a nerve at said first anatomical site; and
- a detector shaped to fit a second anatomical site, said detector comprising a plurality of electrodes for detecting a signal generated in response to said stimulus;
- wherein said sensor automatically positions said detector substantially adjacent to said second anatomical site when said stimulator is positioned substantially adjacent to said first anatomical site.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said sensor is shaped to fit a lower extremity of said individual.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said lower extremity comprises the foot.
6. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a processor, said processor for processing said at least one signal from said detector to select at least one electrode detecting at least one signal characteristic of said anatomical site.
7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said physiological function comprises nerve conduction.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said nerve conduction comprises conduction of the tibial nerve.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said nerve conduction comprises conduction of the peroneal nerve.
10. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said stimulator comprises a shape to fit said first anatomical site, wherein said first anatomical site comprises, a superficial location over the peroneal nerve, and said detector comprises a shape to fit said second anatomical site, wherein said second anatomical site comprises a superficial location over the extensor digitorum brevis muscle of the foot.
11. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said stimulator comprises a shape to fit said first anatomical site, wherein said first anatomical site comprises a superficial location over the tibial nerve, and said detector comprises a shape to fit said second anatomical site, wherein said second anatomical site comprises a superficial location over the abductor hallucis muscle of the foot.
12. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first anatomical site comprises the ankle ipsilateral to said second anatomical site.
13. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a positioning indicator for location over a third anatomical site.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said third anatomical site comprises the malleolus of the ankle joint.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said malleolus is ipsilateral to said second anatomical site.
16. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said detector is physically connected to said stimulator by a semi-flexible connector.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said connector comprises a strip comprising electrical traces for signaling between said detector and said stimulator.
18. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said electrodes comprise an electrode array in communication with a processor.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said electrode array comprises at least two independent interleaved bipolar recording elements.
20. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said signal comprises a compound muscle action potential.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said compound muscle action potential is recorded over a motor point.
22. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the weighted sum of the recordings of at least two electrodes comprises the detectable signal.
23. A method for assessing physiological function in an individual, comprising:
- (a) placing a sensor on an individual, said sensor comprising: a stimulator shaped to fit a first anatomical site, said stimulator generating a stimulus whereby application of said stimulus stimulates a nerve at said first anatomical site; and a detector shaped to fit a second anatomical site, said detector comprising a plurality of electrodes for detecting at least one signal generated in response to said stimulus; wherein said sensor automatically positions said detector substantially adjacent to said second anatomical site when said stimulator is placed substantially adjacent said first anatomical site on the surface of an individual; and
- (b) performing nerve conduction studies with at least one electrode to assess physiological function in an individual.
24. The method of claim 23 further comprising:
- (c) processing said at least one signal generated at said second anatomical site to select at least one electrode detecting said at least one signal characteristic of said second anatomical site;
- (d) selecting at least one electrode in response to said processing according to step (c) from said plurality of electrodes; and
- (e) performing nerve conduction studies of step (b) with said at least one electrode selected in step (d).
25. The method of claim 23 wherein said nerve conduction studies comprise measurement of an F-wave latency.
26. The method of claim 23 wherein said nerve conduction studies comprise measurement of a motor latency.
27. The method of claim 23 wherein said nerve conduction studies comprise measurement of a sensory latency.
28. The method of claim 23 wherein said nerve conduction studies comprise measurement of a sensory amplitude.
29. The method of claim 24 wherein processing further comprises amplitude comparison between a plurality of signals generated at said second anatomical site.
30. The method of claim 24 wherein processing comprises frequency spectrum comparison between a plurality of signals generated at said second anatomical site.
31. The method of claim 23 wherein said at least one signal generated at said second anatomical site comprises peripheral evoked potentials.
32. The method of claim 29 wherein said amplitude comparison comprises maximal peak to peak amplitude.
33. The method of claim 30 wherein said frequency spectrum comparison comprises discrete Fourier transform analysis of said plurality of signals generated at said second anatomical site and comparison of the spectral components.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein said selected electrodes comprise electrodes with more energy at low frequencies.
35. The method of claim 23 wherein said at least one signal generated at said second anatomical site comprises compound muscle action potential.
36. The method of claim 23 wherein said at least one signal generated at said second anatomical site is recorded over a motor point.
37. An apparatus for assessing physiological function in an individual, comprising:
- stimulus means for producing a stimulus and for applying the stimulus at a first anatomical site whereby a nerve is stimulated;
- detecting means comprising a plurality of electrodes for detecting at least one signal characteristic of a second anatomical site generated in response to said stimulus; and
- connecting means for connecting said stimulus means and said detecting means wherein said connecting means automatically position said detecting means substantially adjacent said second anatomical site when said stimulating means are positioned substantially adjacent first anatomical site.
38. The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising:
- processing means for processing said at least one signal from said detecting means.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 8, 2009
Publication Date: Sep 30, 2010
Inventors: Shai N. Gozani (Brookline, MA), Ann Pavlik Meyer (Newton, MA), Xuan Kong (Acton, MA), Martin D. Wells (Needham, MA)
Application Number: 12/653,114
International Classification: A61B 5/05 (20060101);