Electromyography system

US8641638B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• NuVasive, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Brian S. Kelleher · San Diego, US
• James F. Marino · Village of La Jolla, US
• Corbett W. Stone · Newtown, US
• Robin H. Vaughn · Escondido, US
• Jeffrey H. Owens · Monkton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 31, 2007
• Grant date: Feb 4, 2014
• Expiry date: Oct 31, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/00039
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

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.