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Publication Number
US-8343065-B2
Publication Date
2013-01-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of detecting an induced muscle response includes monitoring a mechanical parameter of a muscle; computing an amount of muscle jerk from the monitored parameter; comparing the computed muscle jerk to a jerk threshold; and identifying the occurrence of an induced muscle response if the computed muscle jerk exceeds the threshold.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to detecting an induced muscle response by monitoring a mechanomyographic (MMG) response of a muscle using a mechanical sensor in mechanical communication with the muscle. The MMG response is attributable to a depolarization of a nerve innervating the muscle in response to a provided electrical stimulus, and the monitored MMG response is used to derive an acceleration signal for further event detection.
A time derivative of acceleration is computed from the monitored MMG response or from monitored acceleration from a mechanical sensor associated with the sensing device. The computed time derivative of acceleration is compared to a threshold to identify the occurrence of an induced muscle response, and the induced response is identified when the computed time derivative of acceleration exceeds the threshold.
The described system further supports refining detection by comparing acceleration to an acceleration threshold, including a recurring event threshold and a singular event threshold with a specified relationship. The system can provide alerts associated with event detection, such as visual and audible alerts, and can include sensing-device contact detection to support identifying loss of contact.
Claims Coverage
Two independent methods are identified. Both rely on computing a time derivative of acceleration and identifying an induced mechanomyographic muscle response when that derivative exceeds a threshold, with additional inventive features reflected in dependent claim refinements.
Time-derivative-of-acceleration threshold detection from MMG attributable to nerve depolarization
monitoring a mechanomyographic (MMG) response of a muscle using a mechanical sensor in mechanical communication with the muscle, the MMG response being attributable to a depolarization of a nerve innervating the muscle in response to a provided electrical stimulus; computing a time derivative of acceleration from the monitored MMG response; comparing the computed time derivative of acceleration to a threshold; identifying the occurrence of an induced muscle response if the computed time derivative of acceleration exceeds the threshold.
Time-derivative-of-acceleration threshold detection using a sensing device with an electrical stimulus
providing an electrical stimulus; monitoring an acceleration from a mechanical sensor associated with the sensing device; computing a time derivative of acceleration from the monitored acceleration; comparing the computed time derivative of acceleration to a threshold; identifying the occurrence of an induced mechanomyographic (MMG) muscle response if the computed time derivative of acceleration exceeds the threshold, wherein the induced muscle response is in response to the provided electrical stimulus.
Across the independent claims, induced muscle (MMG) responses are detected by computing a time derivative of acceleration derived from MMG or monitored acceleration and identifying the response when the derivative exceeds a threshold. Dependent claim coverage further specifies threshold behavior, alerting, and contact determination.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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