×

Device and method for operating a tool relative to bone tissue and detecting neural elements

  • US 8,652,140 B2
  • Filed: 01/03/2012
  • Issued: 02/18/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A surgical method, comprising:

  • providing a handle portion incorporating an operating system;

    connecting a tool portion to the handle portion, wherein the tool portion includes an insulated shaft and non-insulated tip, and wherein the handle portion is configured to electrically insulate a user of the tool portion from an electrical signal induced at the tip;

    wherein the operating system is operable to rotate the tool portion about a longitudinal axis thereof;

    operably connecting a nerve monitoring system to the tool portion;

    providing an electrical signal to the tip and into a patient;

    rotating the tool portion relative to bone tissue of the patient;

    detecting a neural element threshold of a neural element of the patient as a function of the electrical signal, wherein the detecting is performed by the nerve monitoring system;

    the detection based on at least one of;

    monitoring a muscle reaction of the patient to the electrical signal interacting with a nerve; and

    a detected increase in electrical current flowing through the tip;

    stopping rotation of the tool portion upon detection of the neural element threshold to protect the neural element of the patient;

    wherein the stopping rotation is a result of a signal sent to the operating system in the handle portion from the nerve monitoring system.

View all claims
  • 0 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×