Medtronic Xomed, Inc.

Matthew L Cantwell

David C Hacker

John R Prisco

Kevin Lee McFarlin

Anirudhan Narasimhan

Bryan L Courtney

Wenjeng Li

Amber A Katada

Kevin L Mcfarlin

A monitoring system may include a processor and display system for displaying results from the monitoring. A user may be in a sterile field away from the processor and display system and selected input devices. A controller may be physically connected to the monitoring system from the sterile field to allow the user to control the monitoring system.

System and method for stimulation of nerve tissue

Stimulation and recording electrode assemblies that are particularly useful for Automatic Period Stimulation (APS). Such embodiments are compatible with nerve monitoring systems to provide continuous stimulation of a nerve during surgery. Certain embodiments include an electrode assembly having cuff including a body and two ears extending from the body. Within the body, at least one electrode is supported and connected to a lead wire assembly. The ears can be brought together to enlarge a gap in the body so that the electrode assembly can be fixated around a nerve. Other embodiments include an electrode assembly including first and second needle electrodes that each have a tip. A body is provided to interconnect the needle electrodes and can be manipulated to move the tips either toward or away from one another. Disclosed embodiments provide nerve monitoring and stimulation in cases where the nerve is only partially dissected.

Nerve monitoring and/or stimulation electrode assemblies

Instrument handle

A stimulation electrode assembly configured to be positioned relative to a patient for an operative procedure is disclosed. The stimulation electrode may be a connection or self-contained component to contact a portion of a nerve. The stimulation electrode may provide or receive a signal to and/or from the nerve to assist in testing integrity of the nerve.

System to monitor neural integrity

Remote control module for instruments

A surgical tool including first connecting elements, contacting elements, and conductive elements. The contacting elements are configured to contact nerve tissue of a patient. The conductive elements extend from the connecting elements to the contacting elements. The conductive elements have respective insulative outer layers. The insulative outer layers isolate the conductive elements from each other. The first connecting elements are configured to connect to and receive monophasic stimulation pulses from second connecting elements on a modular stimulation module. The modular stimulation module is configured to connect to the tool and other tools via the second connecting elements. The conductive elements are configured to transfer the monophasic stimulation pulses from the connecting elements to the contacting elements.

System and method for omni-directional bipolar stimulation of nerve tissue of a patient via a surgical tool

Aspects of the disclosure relate to pledget stimulation/recording electrode assemblies that are particularly useful for automatic periodic stimulation. Embodiments are compatible with nerve monitoring systems to provide continuous stimulation of a nerve during surgery. Disclosed embodiments include an electrode assembly having one or more electrodes rotatably supported by and positioned within a pledget substrate. The flexible pledget substrate conforms and fixates to bioelectric tissue to secure the electrode assembly in position, wrapped around the target tissue. In some embodiments, the pledget substrate includes two bodies, each including at least one electrode, the two bodies being selectively separable so that the bodies can be repositioned with respect to one another. The electrode assembly further includes a lead wire assembly including at least one insulating jacket positioned around a wire core. Optionally, the electrode assembly includes an insulating cup interconnecting the electrode and the insulating jacket.

Pledget stimulation and recording electrode assemblies

Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods of conducting an intraoperative procedure including providing an electrode assembly having a pledget substrate having a surface that is hydrophilic, at least one electrode supported by and positioned within the pledget substrate, and a lead wire assembly interconnected to the at least one electrode. Methods can further include creating an incision to access bioelectric tissue of a patient and applying the pledget substrate to the tissue, such as a nerve, for example. The pledget substrate conforms and fixates to the tissue to secure the electrode assembly in position. The electrode is then activated to record bioelectric responses of or stimulate the tissue. In some embodiments, the pledget substrate includes two bodies, each including at least one electrode, the two bodies being selectively separable so that the bodies can be repositioned with respect to one another.

Methods of recording responses of and stimulating bioelectric tissue

An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface, and a tube coating applied to the exterior surface via spraying of a homogeneous solution onto the endotracheal tube or immersion of the endotracheal tube in the homogeneous solution. A conductive electrode is formed on the tube coating. The conductive electrode is configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles.

Growing community of inventors

Orange Park, FL, United States of America

Matthew L Cantwell