System and method for empirical assessment of nerve health during a spinal decompression procedure
Inventors
Nay, David S. • Wybo, Christopher
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12279879-B1
Publication Date
2025-04-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method for assessing nerve health during a spinal decompression procedure includes: accessing a database containing historical patient data; receiving patient data of a target patient; identifying a subset of historical patients with similar pre-operative characteristics; generating an individualized target range for at least one nerve function parameter based on the subset; measuring an actual nerve function parameter of the target patient during the procedure; and displaying a graphical representation of the measured parameter relative to the individualized target range.
Core Innovation
The disclosure provides systems and methods for empirically assessing nerve health during a spinal decompression procedure performed on a target patient. A processor accesses a database containing historical patient data, including pre-operative patient characteristics, intraoperative nerve function parameters obtained during spinal decompression procedures, and post-operative outcomes following spinal decompression procedures. The processor receives patient data of the target patient including pre-operative characteristics, identifies a subset of historical patients with pre-operative characteristics similar to those of the target patient, and generates an individualized target range for at least one nerve function parameter based on the subset of historical patients.
During the spinal decompression procedure, the processor measures at least one actual nerve function parameter by generating electrical stimuli and transmitting the electrical stimuli to an electrode in contact with a nerve of the target patient. A sensor in communication with the processor detects muscle responses evoked by the electrical stimuli, and the processor analyzes the detected muscle responses to determine the at least one actual nerve function parameter. The measured nerve function parameter is displayed on a display device as a graphical representation relative to the individualized target range.
The disclosure further includes embodiments that incorporate historical data to derive statistical risk profiles associated with probabilities of surgical complications. It describes integrating outcomes and patient characteristics into the database and refining individualized target range generation based on updated data and associations with surgical outcomes, optionally including machine learning. Real-time feedback is supported by displaying measured nerve function parameters relative to target ranges, and optionally generating an alert when parameters enter target ranges, including integration with a graphical user interface and imaging integration.
Claims Coverage
The patent provides two independent claims covering an empirically assessing method and a corresponding system. Across the independent claims, the inventive features include database-driven individualized target range generation, electrical stimulation with sensor-detected muscle responses to determine nerve function parameters, and graphical display of measured parameters relative to those target ranges.
Database-driven individualized target range generation for nerve function parameters
Accessing historical patient data, identifying a subset of historical patients with pre-operative characteristics similar to the target patient, and generating an individualized target range for at least one nerve function parameter based on the subset of historical patients.
Electrical stimuli and sensor-detected muscle responses for nerve function measurement
Generating and delivering electrical stimuli to an electrode in contact with a nerve, detecting muscle responses evoked by the electrical stimuli with a sensor, and analyzing the detected muscle responses to determine at least one actual nerve function parameter.
Graphical representation of measured nerve function parameter relative to individualized target range
Displaying a graphical representation of the measured or actual nerve function parameter relative to the individualized target range on a display device.
System implementation with stimulator, mechanical sensor, and processor-controlled stimulation and analysis
Providing a database of historical patient data, a stimulator configured to deliver electrical stimuli to a nerve, a mechanical sensor configured to detect muscle responses evoked by the electrical stimuli, and a processor configured to access historical patient data, identify a subset of similar patients, generate an individualized target range, control the stimulator, analyze sensor signals to determine at least one actual nerve function parameter, and display the parameter relative to the individualized target range.
The independent claims are grounded in three core capabilities: selecting similar historical patients and generating an individualized target range for nerve function parameters, measuring at least one actual nerve function parameter using electrical stimulation and sensor-detected evoked muscle responses, and displaying the measured parameter relative to the individualized target range, with the system claim additionally specifying stimulator, mechanical sensor, and processor components.
Stated Advantages
Displays measured nerve function parameter relative to an individualized target range.
Enables generation of an individualized target range based on historical patients with similar pre-operative characteristics.
Provides an empirical nerve health assessment during a spinal decompression procedure.
Optionally generates a statistical risk profile correlated with probabilities of surgical complications.
Optionally provides an alert when an actual nerve function parameter enters an individualized target range.
Optionally refines individualized target range generation using updated data and machine learning based on associations with surgical outcomes.
Documented Applications
Intraoperative assessment of nerve health and nerve function parameters during a spinal decompression procedure performed on a target patient.
Graphical display of measured nerve function parameter relative to individualized target ranges during the spinal decompression procedure.
Risk assessment tied to probabilities of surgical complications based on statistical risk profiles derived from subsets of historical patients.
Post-operative outcome incorporation by receiving post-operative outcome data, updating the database, and refining individualized target range generation using machine learning (optional).
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