Electromyography system
First Claim
1. A system for detecting a defect in a pedicle wall within the spine of a patient, said patient having a spinal nerve lying adjacent to said pedicle, said system comprising:
- a stimulator configured to generate an electrical stimulus to be applied to said pedicle;
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 pedicle;
a processor controlled adjuster configured to automatically adjust the magnitude of the electrical stimulus generated by said stimulator 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-muscular response, the magnitude of the electrical stimulus which caused said neuro-muscular response of greater than a predetermined minimum amplitude.
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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.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system for detecting a defect in a pedicle wall within the spine of a patient, said patient having a spinal nerve lying adjacent to said pedicle, said system comprising:
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a stimulator configured to generate an electrical stimulus to be applied to said pedicle; 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 pedicle; a processor controlled adjuster configured to automatically adjust the magnitude of the electrical stimulus generated by said stimulator 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-muscular 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, 13, 14)
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15. A system for detecting a defect in a pedicle wall within the spine of a patient, said patient having a spinal nerve lying adjacent to said pedicle, said system comprising:
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a stimulator configured to generate an electrical stimulus to be transmitted to said pedicle; a monitor configured to electrically monitor a plurality of leg muscle myotome locations via a plurality of electromyographic (EMG) sensor electrodes coupled to the leg muscle myotomes locations, at least one of the leg muscle myotome locations being associated with said spinal nerve to detect if a neuro-muscular response greater than a predetermined minimum amplitude occurs in response to the transmission of said electrical stimulus to said pedicle; an adjuster configured to automatically adjust the magnitude of the electrical stimulus generated by said stimulator until said neuro-muscular response of a predetermined minimum amplitude is detected; and a communicator configured to display, in response to said monitor detecting said neuro-muscular response, the magnitude of the electrical stimulus which caused said neuro-muscular response of greater than a predetermined minimum amplitude. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification