# US 2013/0253296 A1 · Single and multi-needle electromyographic (emg) recording electrode configurations for intraoperative nerve integrity monitoring > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0253296 A1 - Document ID: US20130253296A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/896,244 - Filed: 2013-05-16 - Published: 2013-09-26 - Earliest claimed: 2009-01-13 - Inventors: Richard L. PRASS - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130253296A1 ## CPC - A61B 5/296: for electromyography [EMG] - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An electromyographic recording electrode assembly for intraoperative nerve integrity monitoring includes cables enabled for connection to a nerve integrity monitor; an electrode hub connected to the one or more cables; and a needle electrode connected to the electrode hub. The needle electrode extends perpendicularly from an undersurface of the hub, and along a line of insertion into a patient. The needle electrode extends from the electrode hub to a first bend in a first direction, and extends from the first bend in a second direction to an end of the electrode, defining a proximal needle segment from the hub to the first bend, and a terminal needle segment from the first bend to the end of the electrode. The terminal needle segment and at least a portion of the proximal needle segment are insertable into a patient along the line of insertion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly for intraoperative nerve integrity monitoring, comprising: one or more cables enabled for connection directly or indirectly to a nerve integrity monitor; an electrode hub connected to the one or more cables; and one or more needle electrodes connected to the electrode hub, each of the one or more needle electrodes extending perpendicularly from an undersurface of the hub, each of the one or more needle electrodes extending along a line of insertion into a patient from the electrode hub to a first bend in a first direction, and extending from the first bend in a second direction to an end of the electrode, defining a proximal needle segment from the hub to the first bend and a terminal needle segment from the first bend to the end of the electrode, wherein the terminal needle segment and at least a portion of the proximal needle segment are insertable into a patient along the line of insertion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein an angle between an undersurface of the electrode hub and the proximal needle segment is approximately 90 degrees. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein an angle between the proximal needle segment and the terminal needle segment is approximately 90 degrees. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, the one or more needle electrodes being configured wherein a depth of an initial insertion by the one or more needle electrodes when inserted into a patient's skin is approximately equal to a length of the proximal needle segment. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, the one or more needle electrodes being configured wherein a depth of an initial insertion by the one or more needle electrodes when inserted into a patient's skin is approximately equal to a length of the proximal needle segment or a half a length of the terminal needle segment. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, the assembly being configured wherein an angle of an insertion by the one or more needle electrodes into a patient's skin is approximately equal to 90 degree with respect to the patient's skin. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the first bend is a depth guide for guiding a depth of initial insertion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more needle electrodes and the electrode hub being configured wherein when the one or more needle electrodes are inserted into a patient's skin, the electrode hub is enabled to lay flat on and parallel to the patient's skin surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, comprising at least a portion of the proximal segment having a coating comprising polytetrafluoroethylene. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein an angle between the proximal needle segment and the terminal needle segment is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein an angle between the electrode hub and the proximal needle segment is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrode hub has at least one concave groove and at least one upper ridge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the one or more needle electrodes is a ground electrode. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a cable hub, the cable hub being configured for attaching one or more electrode leads, the cable hub being configured to interpose the electrode hub and the nerve integrity monitor when the one or more cables are connected to the monitor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 14, wherein the one or more cables are attachable and removable from the cable hub. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the terminal needle segment is longer than the proximal needle segment. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 14, wherein the cable hub is contoured. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 14, wherein the cable hub is rounded. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more cables are oriented perpendicular to the one or more needle electrodes. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrode hub has an indented portion where a user's thumb may be positioned to facilitate insertion of the electrode into a patient's skin. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 14, wherein the cable hub is connected to one or more cables that are attachable to and removable from the patient. ### Claim 22 (depends on 14) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 14, wherein the cable hub serves as an active ground electrode. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, comprising: a plurality of ground electrodes, the plurality of ground electrodes being consolidated in a single-point connection to the electrode hub. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, the one or more needle electrodes further comprising: a stimulator anode electrode; a ground electrode; and a connection between the stimulator anode electrode and the ground electrode. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The electromyographic (EMG) recording electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more cables are attachable and removable from the electrode hub.