US2013253296A1PendingUtilityA1

Single and multi-needle electromyographic (emg) recording electrode configurations for intraoperative nerve integrity monitoring

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Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Jan 13, 2009Filed: May 16, 2013Published: Sep 26, 2013
Est. expiryJan 13, 2029(~2.5 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Richard L. Prass
A61B 5/296A61B 5/0492
50
PatentIndex Score
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Claims

Abstract

An electromyographic recording electrode assembly for intraoperative nerve integrity monitoring includes cables enabled for connection to a nerve integrity monitor; an electrode hub connected to the one or more cables; and a needle electrode connected to the electrode hub. The needle electrode extends perpendicularly from an undersurface of the hub, and along a line of insertion into a patient. The needle electrode extends from the electrode hub to a first bend in a first direction, and extends from the first bend in a second direction to an end of the electrode, defining a proximal needle segment from the hub to the first bend, and a terminal needle segment from the first bend to the end of the electrode. The terminal needle segment and at least a portion of the proximal needle segment are insertable into a patient along the line of insertion.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly for intraoperative nerve integrity monitoring, comprising:
 one or more cables enabled for connection directly or indirectly to a nerve integrity monitor;   an electrode hub connected to the one or more cables; and   one or more needle electrodes connected to the electrode hub, each of the one or more needle electrodes extending perpendicularly from an undersurface of the hub, each of the one or more needle electrodes extending along a line of insertion into a patient from the electrode hub to a first bend in a first direction, and extending from the first bend in a second direction to an end of the electrode, defining a proximal needle segment from the hub to the first bend and a terminal needle segment from the first bend to the end of the electrode, wherein the terminal needle segment and at least a portion of the proximal needle segment are insertable into a patient along the line of insertion.   
     
     
         2 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an angle between an undersurface of the electrode hub and the proximal needle segment is approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an angle between the proximal needle segment and the terminal needle segment is approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , the one or more needle electrodes being configured wherein a depth of an initial insertion by the one or more needle electrodes when inserted into a patient's skin is approximately equal to a length of the proximal needle segment. 
     
     
         5 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , the one or more needle electrodes being configured wherein a depth of an initial insertion by the one or more needle electrodes when inserted into a patient's skin is approximately equal to a length of the proximal needle segment or a half a length of the terminal needle segment. 
     
     
         6 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , the assembly being configured wherein an angle of an insertion by the one or more needle electrodes into a patient's skin is approximately equal to 90 degree with respect to the patient's skin. 
     
     
         7 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first bend is a depth guide for guiding a depth of initial insertion. 
     
     
         8 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more needle electrodes and the electrode hub being configured wherein when the one or more needle electrodes are inserted into a patient's skin, the electrode hub is enabled to lay flat on and parallel to the patient's skin surface. 
     
     
         9 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , comprising at least a portion of the proximal segment having a coating comprising polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         10 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an angle between the proximal needle segment and the terminal needle segment is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an angle between the electrode hub and the proximal needle segment is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode hub has at least one concave groove and at least one upper ridge. 
     
     
         13 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more needle electrodes is a ground electrode. 
     
     
         14 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cable hub, the cable hub being configured for attaching one or more electrode leads, the cable hub being configured to interpose the electrode hub and the nerve integrity monitor when the one or more cables are connected to the monitor.   
     
     
         15 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more cables are attachable and removable from the cable hub. 
     
     
         16 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the terminal needle segment is longer than the proximal needle segment. 
     
     
         17 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the cable hub is contoured. 
     
     
         18 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the cable hub is rounded. 
     
     
         19 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more cables are oriented perpendicular to the one or more needle electrodes. 
     
     
         20 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode hub has an indented portion where a user's thumb may be positioned to facilitate insertion of the electrode into a patient's skin. 
     
     
         21 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the cable hub is connected to one or more cables that are attachable to and removable from the patient. 
     
     
         22 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the cable hub serves as an active ground electrode. 
     
     
         23 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a plurality of ground electrodes, the plurality of ground electrodes being consolidated in a single-point connection to the electrode hub.   
     
     
         24 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , the one or more needle electrodes further comprising:
 a stimulator anode electrode;   a ground electrode; and   a connection between the stimulator anode electrode and the ground electrode.   
     
     
         25 . The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more cables are attachable and removable from the electrode hub.

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