SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING SURGICAL PROCEDURES AND ASSESSMENTS
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention involves systems and related methods for performing surgical procedures and assessments, including the use of neurophysiology-based monitoring to: (a) determine nerve proximity and nerve direction to surgical instruments employed in accessing a surgical target site; (b) assess the pathology (health or status) of a nerve or nerve root before, during, or after a surgical procedure; and/or (c) assess pedicle integrity before, during or after pedicle screw placement, all in an automated, easy to use, and easy to interpret fashion so as to provide a surgeon-driven system.
19 Citations
31 Claims
-
1. (canceled)
-
2. A method of inserting a spinal implant through a trans-psoas operative corridor to an intervertebral disc of a spine in a patient, the patient having an anterior aspect, a posterior aspect and two lateral aspects, the method comprising:
-
using a control unit operable to provide a stimulation signal and including a graphical user interface to receive user input and to display neuromuscular response information in response to signals from a plurality of sensors mounted on the patient; inserting an elongate stimulation instrument into the patient from one lateral aspect of the two lateral aspects of the patient toward a lateral aspect of the spine, and advancing the elongate stimulation instrument along a lateral, trans-psoas path through bodily tissue toward the lateral aspect of the spine; using the elongate stimulation instrument to deliver the stimulation signal proximate to a distal end of the elongate stimulation instrument while the elongate stimulation instrument is inserted into the lateral, trans-psoas path toward the spine; monitoring the neuromuscular response information displayed by the control unit in response to delivery of the stimulation signal while the elongate stimulation instrument is inserted into the lateral, trans-psoas path toward the spine; advancing the elongate stimulation instrument, based on the using the elongate stimulation instrument and monitoring, along the lateral, trans-psoas path and through a region of a psoas muscle containing lumbosacral plexus nerves while avoiding direct contact with the lumbosacral plexus nerves; sequentially advancing, after advancing the elongate stimulation instrument along the lateral, trans-psoas path, a first sequential dilator and a second sequential dilator along the lateral, trans-psoas path toward the spine, the first sequential dilator having a diameter smaller than that of the second sequential dilator; advancing a working corridor instrument over the second sequential dilator in the lateral, trans-psoas path toward the spine; establishing the trans-psoas operative corridor to the intervertebral disc of the spine using the working corridor instrument, the trans-psoas operative corridor extending along the lateral, trans-psoas path; and delivering a spinal fusion implant through the trans-psoas operative corridor toward the spine. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method of inserting a spinal implant through a trans-psoas operative corridor to an intervertebral disc of a spine in a patient, the patient having an anterior aspect, a posterior aspect and two lateral aspects, the method comprising:
-
inserting an elongate stimulation instrument into the patient from one lateral aspect of the two lateral aspects of the patient toward a lateral aspect of the spine, and advancing the elongate stimulation instrument along a lateral, trans-psoas path through bodily tissue toward the lateral aspect of the spine; delivering, using the elongate stimulation instrument, a stimulation signal proximate to a distal end of the elongate stimulation instrument while the elongate stimulation instrument is inserted into the lateral, trans-psoas path toward the spine; monitoring the neuromuscular response information, in response to signals from a plurality of sensors mounted proximate to selected leg muscles of the patient, subsequent to delivery of the stimulation signal while the elongate stimulation instrument is inserted into the lateral, trans-psoas path toward the spine; advancing the elongate stimulation instrument, based on the monitoring, along the lateral, trans-psoas path and through a region of a psoas muscle containing nerves without impairing the nerves; establishing the trans-psoas operative corridor to the intervertebral disc of the spine using a working corridor instrument; and delivering a spinal fusion implant through the trans-psoas operative corridor toward the spine. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
Specification