Apparatus for electrical therapies and testing procedure for electrical therapy
An apparatus for electrical therapies includes at least one electrocatheter, or an electroneedle, and at least one power supply device capable of electrically supplying the electrocatheter or electroneedle with at least one current suitable for carrying out at least one therapy. The apparatus includes at least one system for testing whether at least one desired point of application of the electrocatheter or electroneedle has been reached in the body of a patient. The testing system includes at least one device for emitting an electric testing current with which to electrically supply the electrocatheter or electroneedle before the start of the therapy, and at least one reading device, capable of providing at least one reading of at least one response generated in the patient by the electrostimulation with the electrocatheter or electroneedle through the testing current.
1. Apparatus for electrical therapies comprising at least one electrocatheter ( 10 , 210 , 310 , 410 ), or an electroneedle, and at least one power supply device ( 20 , 120 A, 320 A) capable of electrically supplying the electrocatheter or electroneedle with at least one current suitable for carrying out at least one therapy, the apparatus comprising at least one system ( 90 ) for testing whether at least one desired point of application of the electrocatheter or electroneedle ( 10 , 210 , 310 , 410 ) has been reached in the body of a patient, the testing system comprising at least one device for emitting an electric testing current ( 20 , 120 A, 320 B) with which to electrically supply the electrocatheter ( 10 , 210 , 310 , 410 ) or electroneedle before the start of the therapy, and at least one reading device, configured to provide at least one reading ( 60 ) of at least one response generated in the patient ( 66 ) by the electrostimulation with the electrocatheter ( 10 , 210 , 310 , 410 ) or electroneedle through the testing current.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said testing system comprises a data processing device ( 120 C) capable of relating the testing current and the reading of the response, generating at least one target reached signal, and an all clear signal ( 60 ) for the start of the therapy, when the relationship reaches a predetermined situation.
3. Apparatus according to t claim 1 , wherein the processing device analyses and relates also the time taken by the patient to generate the response to the testing current.
4. Apparatus according claim 1 , wherein at least one parameter of the electric testing current can be modified within a predetermined range of values.
5. Apparatus according claim 1 , further comprising a device for emitting an electric testing current ( 20 , 120 A, 320 B) and the power supply device ( 20 , 120 A, 320 A) capable of electrically supplying the electrocatheter or electroneedle with at least one current suitable for carrying out at least one therapy coincide, whereas the two currents have at least one parameter different from each other.
6. Apparatus according claim 1 , wherein the electrocatheter ( 10 , 210 , 310 , 410 ) or electroneedle comprises at least one penetration device ( 12 ) comprising at least one penetration end ( 33 ) equipped with at least one electrode ( 32 ), the apparatus comprising at least one therapy power supply channel ( 50 , 150 , 250 , 370 , 450 , 550 ) intended to carry the testing current from the power supply device to the electrode and at least one reading channel ( 52 , 152 , 252 , 352 , 452 , 552 ) intended to carry at least one piece of reading information of the at least one reading device ( 20 , 120 B, 320 B).
7. Apparatus according claim 1 , wherein the power supply channels ( 50 , 150 , 250 , 350 , 370 , 450 , 550 ) and the reading channel ( 52 , 152 , 252 , 352 , 452 , 552 ) are distinct from each other.
8. Apparatus according claim 6 , wherein the power supply channels ( 50 , 150 , 250 , 350 , 370 , 450 , 550 ) coincide or partially coincide and in which case one or other is enabled through a switch ( 316 , S).
9. Apparatus according claim 6 , wherein at least two of the channels are physically joined together at a predetermined point ( 16 , 20 , 216 , 316 ) at the penetration device ( 12 ) or separated from it by at least a section of electric cable ( 22 , 23 , 24 ).
10. Apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein said joining point ( 16 , 20 , 216 , 316 ) coincides with a connection and disconnection point that allows a portion of apparatus comprising the penetration device ( 12 ) to be physically separated from the remaining part of the apparatus, so as to be replaced or sanitized for each subsequent operation.
11. Apparatus according claim 1 , wherein the electrocatheter ( 10 , 210 , 310 , 410 ) or electroneedle comprises at least one end ( 33 ) intended to penetrate a patient and to support at least one electrode ( 32 ) intended to come into contact with the nervous system to be stimulated ( 67 ), where said end ( 33 ) extends mainly according to a longitudinal direction (L) and comprises at least one opening ( 36 ) for dispensing fluids such as to dispense the fluid in said direction of longitudinal extension (L).
12. Apparatus according claim 1 , wherein the testing current has at least one of the following characteristics: from 0.01 Volts to 10 Volts, from 1 to 100 mA.
13. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the reading device is configured to be placed in a non-peripheral location on the patient.
14. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one response is selected from a group of muscular, sweating and bio-humoral responses.