Apparatus for routing electromyography signals

• US 20030069514A1
• Filed: 04/10/2002
• Published: 04/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fasstech Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fasstech Incorporated
• Inventors: Brody, Lee Richard
• Granted Patent: US 6,965,794 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/546
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]

Abstract

An EMG monitoring system includes a matrix of detection electrode arrays that is positioned on the patient along his or her spine. The arrays are electrically connected through a switching mechanism to EMG amplifiers that are included in conventional monitoring instrumentation. A switch controller operates the switches to provide signals to the EMG amplifiers from selected sets of detection electrode arrays. The controller controls the switches to provide signals simultaneously to each EMG amplifier. If the monitoring instrumentation includes four EMG amplifiers, the matrix of electrode arrays and the switching mechanism may be used to take simultaneous measurements at two different spinal levels. If additional EMG amplifiers are included, simultaneous measurements at additional spinal levels may also be made. The matrix may also include redundant arrays and/or electrodes, such that the clinician can select the sets of electrodes that conform to the size of the patient.

Claims

1. A system for routing electromyography signals to one or more electromyography amplifiers, the system including:

A. a matrix for placement along a spine, the matrix including a plurality of electrodes arranged in arrays;

B. a switching mechanism that electrically connects selected electrode arrays to the amplifiers; and

C. a switch controller that operates the switching mechanism to control the selection of the arrays.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrodes in the matrix are arranged in sets of parallel arrays, with the arrays arranged on either side of the spine when the matrix is in place along the spine.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the matrix is arranged in two adhesive strips that are placed on opposite sides of the spine when the system is in use.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the matrix is housed in a re-usable pad.

5. The system of claim 4 further including a two-sided adhesive sheet that holds the pad in place along the spine when the system is in use.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the adhesive sheet includes holes that correspond to the locations of the electrodes in the matrix.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein the pad further houses the switching mechanism.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the matrix is sized to the relative size of a patient, with the electrodes spaced horizontally and vertically to correspond to the relative size of the patient.

9. The system of claim 2 wherein

the arrays are spaced vertically to correspond to the size of a relatively small patient, and

the switch controller directs the switching mechanism to connect to the amplifiers selected arrays that are spaced vertically to correspond to the size of the patient on which the matrix is arranged.

10. The system of claim 2 wherein

certain or all of the respective arrays further include one or more redundant electrodes that are spaced horizontally to correspond to various sizes of patients, and

the switch controller directs the switching mechanism to connect to the amplifiers, from selected respective arrays, selected electrodes and redundant electrodes that are spaced vertically to correspond to the size of the patient on which the matrix is arranged.

11. The system of claim 2 wherein the switch controller is programmed to select arrays in accordance with various protocols.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the switch controller is further programmed to select arrays in accordance with the size of the patient.

13. A disposable sheet for use with an electromyography system, the sheet including:

A. a plurality of holes that correspond to the positions of all or selected electrodes in a matrix of electrodes; and

B. two-sided adhesive for attaching on one side to the matrix and on a second side to a patient, the adhesive holding the matrix against the patient with the electrodes located in desired positions relative to the patient'"'"'s spine.

14. A system for routing electromyography signals to one or more electromyography amplifiers, the system including:

A. a matrix for placement along a spine, the matrix including a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel arrays;

B. a switching mechanism that electrically connects selected arrays of the electrodes to the amplifiers;

C. a pad for housing the matrix and lines that connect the electrodes and the switching mechanism;

D. a switch controller that operates the switching mechanism to control the selection of the arrays.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the pad further houses the switching mechanism.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the switching mechanism simultaneously electrically connects two or more arrays to the amplifiers.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the arrays arranged on either side of the spine when the matrix is in place along the spine.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein the switch controller is programmed to select arrays in accordance with various protocols.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the switch controller is further programmed to select arrays in accordance with the size of the patient.

20. A method of measuring electromyography signals, the method including the steps of:

A. arranging a matrix of arrays of electrodes along a patient'"'"'s spine;

B. electrically connecting the matrix to a plurality of electromyography amplifiers through a switching mechanism; and

C. supplying to the electromyography amplifiers signals from selected electrodes in selected arrays.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of supplying further includes simultaneously supplying the signals from two or more selected arrays.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of supplying further includes simultaneously supplying the signals from selected electrodes in the respective selected arrays.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of supplying further includes selecting the respective arrays to correspond to the relative size of the patient.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of supplying further includes simultaneously supplying the signals from selected electrodes in the respective arrays, with the electrodes selected to correspond to the relative size of the patient.