Patent ID: 8050769
Filing Date: 2011-11-01
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
1. A surgical system for stimulating nerves and monitoring EMG responses to the nerve simulation, comprising: a control unit configured to receive user input regarding delivery of a stimulation signal and configured to receive neuromuscular response data, the control unit including a color display device and being configured to compute information for output to the color display device, said information being indicative of two or more of: nerve proximity, nerve direction, nerve pathology, stimulation level, EMG response data, pedicle integrity, advance or hold instructions, and instrument in use, wherein the color display device provides an evoked potentials display option that shows the voltage waveforms for a plurality of EMG response channels; a connector module that comprises a plurality of EMG response channels and an electrical connection for at least one nerve stimulation instrument, the connector module having a wire connection to the control unit so that the connector module is positionable apart from the control unit; a plurality of pairs of EMG electrodes connectable to the plurality of EMG response channels of the connector module, the EMG electrodes being mountable proximate to selected leg muscles; a first stimulation instrument comprising a dilator tube and a stimulation element that delivers the stimulation signal proximate to a distal end of the dilator tube when the dilator tube is advanced through tissue in a path toward a spine; and a second stimulation instrument comprising a pedicle probe that delivers the stimulation signal when advanced into a pedicle opening formed in the spine, wherein the pedicle probe comprises a probe tip member and handle with a user-actuatable button to activate the stimulation signal for delivery by the screw test probe.