Systems and Methods for Performing Neurophysiologic Assesments With Pressure Monitoring

Abstract

Systems and methods for performing neurophysiologic assessments of neural tissue including nerve pathology monitoring which may or may not be augmented by adding the ability to assess or monitor the pressure being exerted upon a nerve or nerve root before, during and / or after retraction.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 490,717, filed Jul. 20, 2006 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 701,305, filed on Jul. 20, 2005, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated by reference into this disclosure as if set forth herein in their entireties.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a system and methods generally aimed at surgery. More particularly, the present invention is directed at a system and related methods for performing neurophysiologic assessments with additional pressure monitoring.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]It has been estimated that somewhere between 50 and 70 million people suffer from chronic back pain in the United States. In most cases, conservative therapies, including, for example, bed rest and physical therapy will succeed in alleviating or at least signi...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Still, a significant number of patients are unaided by conservative therapies alone and undergo spinal surgery before finding relief.

Spine surgery, however, is not without risk.

While generally advantageous in protecting the nerve, it has been observed that such retraction can cause nerve function to become impaired or otherwise pathologic over time due to the retraction.

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