Neural Event Detection via Mechanomyography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional surgical methods lack effective means to detect nerves during minimally invasive procedures, risking nerve injury due to the complexity and precision required in modern surgical techniques.
Innovation Solution
A neural monitoring system using non-invasive mechanical sensors and processors to detect artificially-induced mechanical responses in muscles, allowing for the identification of nerves through mechanomyography signals, which can be generated by applying stimuli and analyzed for frequency components within specific ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional surgical methods are used without nerve detection capabilities, then surgical procedures can be performed with simpler techniques, but the risk of nerve injury increases due to inability to detect nerves during minimally invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary nerve detection system that includes mechanical sensors, processors, and indicators. This intermediary system mediates between the surgeon's actions and the patient's nerves, providing real-time feedback about nerve presence and status without requiring the surgeon to directly visualize or physically contact the nerves, thus preventing nerve injury while maintaining surgical simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical nerve detection methods (such as direct visual inspection or physical probing) with a sophisticated system combining mechanical sensors that detect tissue properties, processors that analyze sensor data, and indicators that provide real-time nerve status feedback. This substitution enables more reliable nerve detection through non-mechanical means while reducing the risk of inadvertent nerve injury
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive surgical techniques are employed with smaller exposures, then patient trauma is reduced, but the ability to visually locate and avoid nerves is diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where the surgical device integrates multiple capabilities: mechanical sensors for detecting nerve presence, processors for analyzing tissue properties, stimulation capabilities for eliciting nerve responses, and indicators for providing real-time feedback. This universal system performs multiple functions (detection, analysis, stimulation, feedback) within a single integrated platform, enabling effective nerve detection despite minimal surgical exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where mechanical sensors continuously monitor tissue properties, processors analyze the data in real-time, and indicators provide immediate feedback to the surgeon about nerve presence and status. This feedback mechanism allows the surgeon to adjust surgical actions based on real-time nerve detection information, enabling safe minimally invasive procedures despite limited visual exposure
3Manufacturing precision
If more complex medical devices are inserted for minimally invasive surgery, then surgical precision is improved, but the risk of nerve injury increases due to device complexity and proximity to nerves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting and identifying nerves before surgical manipulation occurs. The mechanical sensors scan the surgical field in advance, the processors analyze tissue properties to locate nerves, and the system provides feedback about nerve presence before the surgeon proceeds with precise surgical actions. This preliminary detection allows the surgeon to plan and execute precise maneuvers while avoiding nerves, thereby improving surgical precision without increasing nerve injury risk
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides accurate and non-invasive detection of nerves, reducing the risk of injury by indicating the presence of nerves through mechanomyography signals, enabling safer and more precise surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The non-invasive mechanical sensor is configured to be placed in mechanical communication with the muscle and to generate a mechanomyography output signal corresponding to a sensed mechanical movement of the muscle
Implementation Method 2
The mechanical sensor may generally include an accelerometer, a microphone, a strain gauge, or a piezoelectric device
Data Source
AI summary
A neural monitoring system for detecting an artificially-induced mechanical muscle response to a stimulus provided within an intracorporeal treatment area includes a mechanical sensor and a processor in communication with the mechanical sensor. The mechanical sensor is configured to be placed in mechanical communication with the muscle and to generate a mechanomyography output signal corresponding to a sensed mechanical movement of the muscle. The processor is configured to receive the mechanomyography output signal from the mechanical sensor and determine a frequency component of the mechanomyography output signal that has a peak magnitude and to detect the occurrence of an artificially-induced mechanical muscle response therefrom.