system and method for identifying a neural pathway associated with chronic pain through nerve stimulation and brainwave monitoring

摘要

? System and method for identifying a neural pathway associated with chronic pain through nerve stimulation and brainwave monitoring? The present invention is a method of identifying and treating a neural pathway associated with chronic pain through nerve stimulation and brainwave monitoring of a mammalian brain that includes positioning a probe to stimulate a target nerve, wherein the target nerve is suspected to be a source of chronic pain; providing a first nerve stimulation from the probe to the target nerve, wherein the first nerve stimulation is sufficient to elicit a chronic brain pain response; and monitoring potential brain-evoked activity as a result of the first nerve stimulation. The method may also include the provision of second and third nerve stimulation to confirm correct identification of the neural pathway and treat chronic pain, respectively. Also described is a system and apparatus for performing a procedure for identifying and treating a nerve that is the source of chronic pain.