Bipolar nerve stimulation/monitoring cuff

A method of monitoring a selected nerve during spinal surgery, the selected nerve being the nerve exiting a spine at the adjacent a disc or vertebrae to be operated on, said selected nerve comprising an exiting nerve root extending from a spinal cord between adjacent said vertebrae or disc of said spinal column prior to the nerve root entering muscle;

• the method comprising:
• positioning a first electrode in a surgical incision to be proximate the exiting nerve root of said selected nerve to be in electrical communication with said nerve root proximate the spinal column, said first electrode being positioned (a) to be proximate said disc or vertebrae to be operated on (i.e., the surgical target), (b) such that said first electrode does not interfere with access to the surgical target, and (c) such that said first electrode can be disengaged from said exiting nerve root if said electrode is dislodged during a surgical procedure, said first electrode being in electrical communication with a signal monitor;
• positioning a second electrode to be (a) proximate said nerve root or (b) at a scalp, muscle, peripheral nerve, dorsal spine, or abdomen of the patient, said second electrode being in communication with said signal monitor,
• periodically generating an electrical pulse at one of said first and second electrodes and transmitting said electrical pulse to said nerve;
• receiving responding signals from said nerve at the other of said first electrode and second electrode in response to periodically generated electrical pulses;
• and
• monitoring said responding signals at said signal monitor for changes in said responding signal indicative of irritation or potential damage to said selected nerve.