Bipolar nerve stimulation/monitoring cuff

An electrode assembly comprising a body having a base and first and second arms extending from opposite sides of said base;

• said base and said first and second arms being formed from an electrically insulating material;
• the base and first and second arms defining an inner surface of said body;
• said arms each comprising a fixed end adjacent said base and a free end remote from said base;
• said first and second arms and/or said base being flexible such that said electrode assembly is moveable between a relaxed position and an open position, wherein, in said open position, said free ends of said arms define a gap sized to fit over a nerve;
• said body having a largest radial width (RW) measured along an axial plane which passes through said arms and an axial width (W) measured in a plane that is generally perpendicular to said radial width;
• first and second spaced apart grips extending from said body on opposite sides of said base;
• said grips being positioned on said body, such that by urging said grasping arms toward each other, said electrode assembly will be moved from its relaxed position to its open position;
• said grips being sized relative to the body such that the grips do not extend beyond lines tangential to the arms at the largest radial width (RW) of the body;
• at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode positioned on said inner surface of said body, said at least one second electrode being spaced from said at least one first electrode;
• and
• at least one first electrical wire in electrical communication with the at least one first electrode and at least one second electrical wire in electrical communication with said at least one second electrode;
• said electrical wires being adapted to be electrically connected to a signal monitor adapted to generate an electrical pulse and to monitor return signals;
• wherein said electrode assembly is sized and shaped to be received in a surgical incision during a surgery and to be removably positioned about a nerve during said surgery;
• said electrode assembly being shaped, configured, and adapted to maintain said at least one electrode in continuous electrical communication with the nerve throughout the spinal surgery;
• and
• wherein said electrode assembly body is sufficiently flexible such that a nerve surrounded by said electrode assembly body can pop out of said electrode assembly body through said gap if said electrode assembly is dislodged during a surgical procedure.