Systems and methods for mechanically blocking a nerve

Abstract

Systems and methods for mechanically blocking a nerve are provided. The system may comprise a blocking device configured to selectively compress the nerve. The system may also comprise a feedback mechanism configured to measure a response correlating to whether the nerve is blocked. When the blocking device compresses the nerve, a response from the feedback mechanism is received that correlates to the nerve being blocked or unblocked after a period of time.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for mechanically blocking a nerve comprising:
 a blocking device configured to selectively compress the nerve;   a feedback mechanism configured to measure a response correlating to whether the nerve is blocked;
 a processor; and 
 a memory storing data for processing by the processor, the data, when processed, causes the processor to:
 cause the blocking device to compress the nerve; and 
 receive the response from the feedback mechanism that correlates to the nerve being blocked or unblocked after a period of time. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the nerve is compressed between about 60 mmHg to about 100 mmHg. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the period of time is about one minute. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the memory stores further data for processing by the processor that, when processed, causes the processor to:
 determine if the nerve is blocked based on the response;   cause the blocking device to hold a compression on the nerve; and   cause the blocking device to release the compression on the nerve.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the blocking device comprises one or more pneumatic members forming a cuff configured to surround and compress the nerve. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the blocking device comprises a screw jack configured to move a pressure plate that is configured to activate the pneumatic members. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein when the pressure plate moves in a first direction, the pneumatic members expand radially towards the nerve to induce a compressive force on the nerve and when the pressure plate moves in a second direction, the pneumatic members contract radially away from the nerve to release the compressive force on the nerve. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the blocking device comprises a pressure sensor and the pressure plate comprises one or more safety mechanisms configured to actuate when a pressure on the nerve exceeds a pressure threshold. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more safety mechanisms comprises one or more holes on the pressure plate, wherein actuation of the one or more safety mechanisms causes the one or more holes to open, thereby releasing pressure in the one or more pneumatic members. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the blocking device comprises a shape-memory cuff configured to surround the nerve and to move between a first state and a second state, wherein the shape-memory cuff compresses the nerve when in the first state and releases compression on the nerve when in the second state. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the shape-memory cuff comprises nitinol. 
     
     
         12 . A system for mechanically blocking a nerve comprising:
 a blocking device configured to selectively compress the nerve until the nerve is blocked, the blocking device comprising a cuff configured to surround the nerve and one or more pneumatic members configured to cause the cuff to compress the nerve;   a feedback mechanism configured to measure a response correlating to whether the nerve is blocked;   a processor; and   a memory storing data for processing by the processor, the data, when processed, causes the processor to:
 cause the blocking device to compress the nerve; and 
 receive the response from the feedback mechanism that correlates to the nerve being blocked or unblocked after a period of time. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the feedback mechanism comprises one or more recording electrodes configured to measure a physiological response. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the memory stores further data for processing by the processor that, when processed, causes the processor to:
 determine if the nerve is blocked;   cause the blocking device to hold a compression on the nerve; and   cause the blocking device to release the compression on the nerve.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein determining if the nerve is blocked comprises comparing a peak of an action potential of a nerve without a block to a peak of an action potential when the nerve is compressed. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the blocking device comprises a screw jack configured to move a pressure plate that is configured to activate the pneumatic members. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein when the pressure plate moves in a first direction, the pneumatic members expand radially towards the nerve to induce a compressive force on the nerve and when the pressure plate moves in a second direction, the pneumatic members to contract radially away from the nerve and releases the compressive force on the nerve. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the blocking device comprises a pressure sensor and the pressure plate comprises one or more safety mechanisms configured to actuate when a pressure on the nerve exceeds a pressure threshold. 
     
     
         19 . A system for mechanically blocking a nerve comprising:
 a blocking device configured to selectively compress the nerve until the nerve is blocked, the blocking device comprising a shape-memory cuff configured to move between a first state and a second state, wherein the shape-memory cuff compresses the nerve when in the first state and releases compression on the nerve when in the second state;   a feedback mechanism configured to measure a response correlating to whether the nerve is blocked;   a processor; and   a memory storing data for processing by the processor, the data, when processed, causes the processor to:
 cause the blocking device to compress the nerve; and 
 receive the response from the feedback mechanism that correlates to the nerve being blocked or unblocked after a period of time. 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the shape-memory cuff comprises nitinol.