Minimally invasive nerve monitoring device and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A neural monitoring device, comprising:
- a stimulator configured to provide a stimulus within an intracorporeal treatment area of a subject;
a non-invasive mechanical sensor configured to;
be placed in contact with an external skin surface of the subject and in direct mechanical communication with a muscle of the subject; and
generate an output signal corresponding to a sensed mechanical response of the muscle; and
a processor configured toreceive the output signal from the mechanical sensor;
provide a first indicator if the sensed mechanical response is attributable to a depolarization of a nerve that is caused by the provided stimulus; and
provide a second indicator if the sensed mechanical response is not attributable to the provided stimulus.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A neural monitoring device includes a stimulator configured to provide a stimulus, a mechanical sensor configured to generate an output signal corresponding to a sensed event, and a receiver configured to receive an output signal from the mechanical sensor and determine if the output signal corresponds to the stimulus provided by the stimulator.
-
Citations
26 Claims
-
1. A neural monitoring device, comprising:
-
a stimulator configured to provide a stimulus within an intracorporeal treatment area of a subject; a non-invasive mechanical sensor configured to; be placed in contact with an external skin surface of the subject and in direct mechanical communication with a muscle of the subject; and generate an output signal corresponding to a sensed mechanical response of the muscle; and a processor configured to receive the output signal from the mechanical sensor; provide a first indicator if the sensed mechanical response is attributable to a depolarization of a nerve that is caused by the provided stimulus; and provide a second indicator if the sensed mechanical response is not attributable to the provided stimulus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method, comprising:
-
providing an electrical stimulus to a distal end portion of an elongate stimulator; monitoring a muscle for a mechanical response to the electrical stimulus using a non-invasive mechanical sensor configured to be placed in contact with an external skin surface of a subject; generating an output signal from the mechanical sensor, the output signal corresponding to the monitored mechanical response; and determining, via a processor in communication with the non-invasive mechanical sensor, if the output signal from the mechanical sensor corresponds to a depolarization of a nerve in response to the stimulus provided by the stimulator; providing a first indication to a user, via a display associated with the processor, if it is determined that the output signal from the mechanical sensor corresponds to the depolarization of the nerve in response to the stimulus provided by the stimulator; providing a second indication to the user, via the display, if it is determined that the output signal from the mechanical sensor does not correspond to the depolarization of the nerve in response to the stimulus provided by the stimulator; and wherein the first indication is representative that the distal end portion of the elongate stimulator is proximate to the nerve, and wherein the second indication is representative that it is safe to proceed with a medical procedure. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification