Device and method for operating a tool relative to bone tissue and detecting neural elements
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, wherein said tool portion includes an insulated shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising an electrically conductive member with a non-insulated tip, wherein said shaft carries an electrical signal to said tip;
a handle portion, removably and operably coupled to said tool portion, incorporating an operating system for operation of said tool portion; and
a nerve monitoring system connected to said handle portion, wherein said nerve monitoring system is operable to detect a neural element threshold as a function of said electrical signal, and provide a signal to said operating system of said handle portion to change an operative mode of said tool portion upon detection of the neural element threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for providing medical treatment includes a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, a handle portion to operate the tool portion, and a nerve monitoring system to detect neural elements. The tool portion includes an insulated shaft comprised of an electrically conductive member and a non-insulated tip. The shaft carries an electrical signal to the non-insulated tip. The handle portion, which is removably and operably connected to the tool portion, incorporates an operating system to operate the tool portion. Additionally, the nerve monitoring system is linked to the tip and is operable to detect a neural element as a function of a characteristic of the electrical signal on the tip. Upon detection of a neural element, the nerve monitoring system provides a signal to the operating system of the handle portion directing the operating system change an operative mode of the tool portion.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, wherein said tool portion includes an insulated shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising an electrically conductive member with a non-insulated tip, wherein said shaft carries an electrical signal to said tip;
a handle portion, removably and operably coupled to said tool portion, incorporating an operating system for operation of said tool portion; and
a nerve monitoring system connected to said handle portion, wherein said nerve monitoring system is operable to detect a neural element threshold as a function of said electrical signal, and provide a signal to said operating system of said handle portion to change an operative mode of said tool portion upon detection of the neural element threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus, comprising:
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a tool portion configured to operate relative to bone tissue, wherein said tool portion includes an elongated electrically conductive insulated shaft and a non-insulated tip at a distal end of said shaft; and
a handle portion removably and operably coupled to said tool portion, said handle portion including a system for rotating said tool portion about a longitudinal axis of said tool portion, wherein said system is operable to automatically change an operative mode of said tool portion in response to a signal indicating detection of a neural element threshold as a function said electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method, comprising:
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providing a handle portion incorporating an operating system;
connecting a tool portion to said handle portion, wherein said tool portion includes an insulated shaft and non-insulated tip, wherein said operating system is operable to rotate said tool portion about a longitudinal axis thereof;
operably connecting a nerve monitoring system to said tool portion;
providing an electrical signal to said tip;
rotating said tool portion relative to bone tissue;
detecting a neural element threshold as a function of said electrical signal, wherein said detecting is performed by said nerve monitoring system; and
stopping rotation of said tool portion upon detection of the neural element threshold in the bone tissue, wherein said stopping rotation is a result of a signal sent to said operating system in said handle portion from said nerve monitoring system. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A system, comprising:
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a tool portion including an insulated shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and a non-insulated tip;
a handle portion, operably coupled to said tool portion, configured to rotate said tool portion relative to said handle portion; and
a nerve monitoring system electrically coupled to said tool portion to provide an electrical signal to said tip to detect neural elements proximate the tool portion. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification