Electromyography System
First Claim
1. A system for determining structural integrity of a bone within the spine of a patient, the bone having a first aspect and a second aspect, said second aspect separated from said first aspect by a width and located adjacent to a spinal nerve, said system comprising:
- a stimulator configured to generate an electrical stimulus to be applied to said first aspect of said bone;
a monitor configured to electrically monitor a muscle myotome associated with said spinal nerve to detect if a neuro-muscular response greater than a predetermined minimum amplitude occurs in response to the application of said electrical stimulus to said first aspect of said bone;
a processor controlled adjuster configured to automatically increase the magnitude of the electrical stimulus generated by said stimulator in a step-by-step staircase fashion until said neuro-muscular response of greater than a predetermined minimum amplitude is detected; and
a communicator configured to display, in response to said monitor detecting said neuro-mucular response, the magnitude of the electrical stimulus which caused said neuro-muscular response of greater than a predetermined minimum amplitude.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for determining structural integrity of a bone within the spine of a patient, the bone having a first aspect and a second aspect, wherein the second aspect separated from the first aspect by a width and located adjacent to a spinal nerve. The methods involve (a) applying an electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (b) electrically monitoring a muscle myotome associated with the spinal nerve to detect if an onset neuro-muscular response occurs in response to the application of the electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (c) automatically increasing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus to until the onset neuro-muscular response is detected; and (d) communicating to a user via at least one of visual and audible means information representing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus which caused the onset neuro-muscular response.
14 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for determining structural integrity of a bone within the spine of a patient, the bone having a first aspect and a second aspect, said second aspect separated from said first aspect by a width and located adjacent to a spinal nerve, said system comprising:
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a stimulator configured to generate an electrical stimulus to be applied to said first aspect of said bone; a monitor configured to electrically monitor a muscle myotome associated with said spinal nerve to detect if a neuro-muscular response greater than a predetermined minimum amplitude occurs in response to the application of said electrical stimulus to said first aspect of said bone; a processor controlled adjuster configured to automatically increase the magnitude of the electrical stimulus generated by said stimulator in a step-by-step staircase fashion until said neuro-muscular response of greater than a predetermined minimum amplitude is detected; and a communicator configured to display, in response to said monitor detecting said neuro-mucular response, the magnitude of the electrical stimulus which caused said neuro-muscular response of greater than a predetermined minimum amplitude. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification