System and method for assessing neural health
First Claim
1. A method of identifying a change in the health of a nerve during a surgical procedure, wherein the nerve extends within an intracorporeal treatment area of a subject and innervates a muscle of the subject, the method comprising:
- determining a sensitivity of the nerve via Mechanomyography periodically throughout the surgical procedure;
providing an indication to a user corresponding to a difference in nerve sensitivity between a first time during the procedure and a second time during the procedure; and
wherein the difference in nerve sensitivity corresponds to the change in the health of a nerve; and
wherein determining the sensitivity of the nerve includes;
providing an electrical stimulus via an electrode disposed on a distal end portion of an elongate medical instrument, the elongate medical instrument being configured to extend within the intracorporeal treatment area; and
receiving a mechanomyography output signal generated by a non-invasive mechanical sensor disposed in mechanical communication with the muscle of the subject, the mechanomyography output signal corresponding to a mechanical movement of the muscle that is induced by the electrical stimulus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of identifying a change in the health of a nerve during a surgical procedure includes determining a sensitivity of the nerve at a first time, determining a sensitivity of the nerve at a second time, and providing an indication to a user corresponding to a change in the sensitivity of the nerve from the first time to the second time. In each instance, the sensitivity of the nerve is determined by providing an electrical stimulus via an electrode disposed on a distal end portion of an elongate medical instrument, and monitoring a magnitude of a mechanical response of a muscle innervated by the nerve.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of identifying a change in the health of a nerve during a surgical procedure, wherein the nerve extends within an intracorporeal treatment area of a subject and innervates a muscle of the subject, the method comprising:
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determining a sensitivity of the nerve via Mechanomyography periodically throughout the surgical procedure; providing an indication to a user corresponding to a difference in nerve sensitivity between a first time during the procedure and a second time during the procedure; and wherein the difference in nerve sensitivity corresponds to the change in the health of a nerve; and wherein determining the sensitivity of the nerve includes; providing an electrical stimulus via an electrode disposed on a distal end portion of an elongate medical instrument, the elongate medical instrument being configured to extend within the intracorporeal treatment area; and receiving a mechanomyography output signal generated by a non-invasive mechanical sensor disposed in mechanical communication with the muscle of the subject, the mechanomyography output signal corresponding to a mechanical movement of the muscle that is induced by the electrical stimulus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of identifying a change in the health of a nerve during a surgical procedure, wherein the nerve extends within an intracorporeal treatment area of a subject and innervates a muscle of the subject, the method comprising:
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determining a sensitivity of the nerve periodically throughout the surgical procedure by; providing an electrical stimulus via an electrode disposed on a distal end portion of an elongate medical instrument configured to extend within the intracorporeal treatment area; monitoring a magnitude of a mechanical response of the muscle, wherein the mechanical response of the muscle is artificially induced by the electrical stimulus; providing an indication to a user corresponding to a difference between the magnitude of the mechanical response at a first time during the surgical procedure and the magnitude of the mechanical response at a second time during the surgical procedure, and wherein the difference is indicative of a change in the health of the nerve; and wherein monitoring the magnitude of the mechanical response includes receiving a mechanomyography output signal generated by a non-invasive mechanical sensor disposed in mechanical communication with the muscle, the mechanomyography output signal corresponding to a mechanical movement of the muscle that is induced by the electrical stimulus. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification