1. An external system to detect an implanted lead coupled to an implanted neurostimulation device (INSD), the system comprising:
a handheld probe having electrodes configured to be positioned external to a surface of a patient and proximate to a region of the patient having the implanted lead for an INSD, the electrodes configured to measure a stimulation output from the implanted lead of the INSD, and the electrodes including first and second electrode inputs closely spaced proximate to one another to be moved along skin of the patient while locating the lead;
a controller coupled to the electrodes to receive measured signals from the electrodes, the measured signals representative of the stimulation output of the INSD, the controller processing the measured signals to obtain lead information;
an amplifier that compares the measured signals to obtain a difference signal, the difference signal increasing as the electrodes move closer to a source of the stimulation output; and
a user interface to present the lead information to a user, the lead information indicative of at least one of an operation of the lead and a position of the lead.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the lead information includes at least one of discharge mode, pulse width and frequency for the stimulation output of the INSD.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the lead information includes at least one a presence, signal strength, duration and shape for the stimulation output of the INSD.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the lead information includes at least one electrical occurrence of, and electrical anomalies in, the stimulation output of the INSD.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the lead information includes at least one of i) information to locate the lead in the patient and ii) information to identify improper operation of the lead.
6. A method to detect an implanted lead of an implanted neurostimulation device (INSD), the method comprising:
positioning a handheld probe having electrodes external to a surface of a patient and proximate to a region of the patient having the implanted lead for an INSD;
configuring the electrodes to measure a stimulation output from the implanted lead of the INSD;
receiving measured signals from the electrodes, the measured signals representative of the stimulation output of the INSD;
processing the measured signals to obtain INSD lead information, the processing step at least including comparing the measured signals with an amplifier to obtain a difference signal, the difference signal increasing as the electrodes move closer to a source of the stimulation output; and
presenting the lead information to a user, the lead information indicative of at least one of an operation of the lead and a position of the lead.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the lead information includes at least one of discharge mode, pulse width and frequency for the stimulation output of the INSD.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the lead information includes at least one a presence, signal strength, duration and shape for the stimulation output of the INSD.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the lead information includes at least one electrical occurrence of, and electrical anomalies in, the stimulation output of the INSD.
10. The method of claim 6, wherein the lead information includes at least one of i) information to locate the lead in the patient and ii) information to identify improper operation of the lead.
11. The method of claim 6, wherein the presenting operation includes displaying to the user a graphical representation of the measured stimulation output including a pulse sequence having at least one pulse void therein corresponding to a location in the pulse sequence associated with a failed electrode.
12. The method of claim 6, wherein the presenting operation includes displaying to the user a graphical representation of a measured pulse sequence that includes a blank area in the pulse sequence where a pulse should have been measured, but did not occur due to a faulty electrode.
13. The method of claim 6, wherein the presenting operation includes co-displaying measured and programmed stimulation outputs for comparison by the user to determine where a fault exists.
14. A method to detect an implanted lead of an implanted neurostimulation device (INSD), the method comprising:
positioning a handheld probe having electrodes external to a surface of a patient and proximate to a region of the patient having the implanted lead for an INSD;
configuring the electrodes to measure a stimulation output from the implanted lead of the INSD;
receiving measured signals from the electrodes, the measured signals representative of the stimulation output of the INSD;
processing the measured signals to obtain INSD lead information, the processing step at least including comparing the measured signals with an amplifier to obtain a difference signal, the difference signal increasing as the electrodes move closer to a source of the stimulation output; and
presenting the lead information to a user, the lead information indicative of at least one of an operation of the lead and a position of the lead, the presenting step including at least one of displaying to the user a graphical representation of the measured stimulation output including a pulse sequence having at least one pulse void therein corresponding to a location in the pulse sequence associated with a failed electrode and displaying to the user a graphical representation of a measured pulse sequence that includes a blank area in the pulse sequence where a pulse should have been measured, but did not occur due to a faulty electrode.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the lead information includes at least one of discharge mode, pulse width and frequency for the stimulation output of the INSD.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the lead information includes at least one a presence, signal strength, duration and shape for the stimulation output of the INSD.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the lead information includes at least one electrical occurrence of, and electrical anomalies in, the stimulation output of the INSD.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the presenting operation includes co-displaying measured and programmed stimulation outputs for comparison by the user to determine where a fault exists.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment comprising:
a tool body having a cavity therein defined by a contiguous sidewall having a planar top surface and a bottom wall having at least one aperture, said cavity being adapted for receiving said ventilated platen and for exposing a top surface of said platen;
a tool lid having a shape substantially similar to a planar area of said tool body, said tool lid having an inner surface for mounting said flexible film thereon and a sealing means mounted on said inner surface along a peripheral edge of said lid; and
a hinge means connecting an edge of said tool body to an edge of said tool lid for sealingly engaging the two parts together in a clam-shell configuration with said sealing means on said tool lid engaging said planar top surface of said contiguous sidewall of the tool body and with a vacuum pulled from said at least one aperture in said bottom wall of the tool body such that said flexible film is transferred to and adheres on said top surface of the ventilated platen by an adhesive layer pre-deposited on said flexible film.
2. An apparatus for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment according to claim 1, wherein said tool body and said tool lid both have a circular shape.
3. An apparatus for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment according to claim 1, wherein said ventilated platen being a chamber lid for a plasma process chamber and said flexible film being an arc-resistant film.
4. An apparatus for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment according to claim 1, wherein said sealing means is an O-ring.
5. An apparatus for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment according to claim 1, wherein said ventilated platen having a plurality of vent holes therethrough in fluid communication with said at least one aperture in said bottom wall of the tool body.
6. An apparatus for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment according to claim 1, wherein said tool lid further comprises a handle means on an outer surface to facilitate said transfer of the flexible film from said tool lid to said ventilated platen.
7. An method for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment comprising the steps of:
providing a tool body having a cavity therein defined by a contiguous sidewall having a planar top surface and a bottom wall having at least one aperture;
positioning said ventilated platen in said cavity and exposing a top surface of said platen;
providing a tool lid having a shape substantially similar to a planar area of said tool body;
mounting said flexible film on an inner surface of said tool lid facing said tool body and a sealing means on said inner surface along a peripheral edge of said lid;
connecting a hinge means to an edge of said tool body and an edge of said tool lid for sealingly engaging the two parts together in a clam-shell configuration and engaging said sealing means on said tool lid to said planar top surface of said contiguous sidewall of the tool body; and
withdrawing air from said at least one aperture in said bottom wall of the tool body while engaging said tool lid to said tool body in a clam-shell manner and transferring said flexible film to said ventilated platen by an adhesive layer pre-deposited on said flexible film.
8. A method for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment according to claim 7 further comprising the step of mounting a sealing means of an O-ring on said inner surface along a peripheral edge of said lid.
9. A method for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment according to claim 7 further comprising the step of providing said tool body and said tool lid in a circular shape.
10. A method for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment according to claim 7 further comprising the step of supplying said flexible film in an arc-resistant film.
11. A method for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment according to claim 7 further comprising the step of providing said ventilated platen with a plurality of vent holes for establishing fluid communication with said at least one aperture in said bottom wall of the tool body.
12. A method for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment according to claim 7 further comprising the step of mounting a handle means on an outer surface of said tool lid.
13. A method for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment according to claim 7 further comprising the step of pushing down said tool lid by a handle means mounted thereon to engage said tool body.
14. A method for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment according to claim 7 further comprising the step of engaging said tool lid to said tool body from one edge of the tool body to an opposite edge of said tool body.
15. A method for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment according to claim 7 further comprising the step of coating an adhesive layer on one side of said flexible film.