System and method for assessing nerve health

A method for assessing adequacy of nerve decompression during a spinal surgical procedure, the method performed by a processor and comprising:

• receiving, by the processor, first sensor data from a mechanomyography sensor, the first sensor data indicative of a response to a first electrical stimulus applied to a compressed nerve prior to a surgical decompression;
• determining, by the processor from the first sensor data, a first stimulation threshold representing a baseline nerve function parameter;
• calculating, by the processor, a first distance value representing a deviation of the first stimulation threshold from a target threshold range, wherein the target threshold range is a probabilistic range of electrical current values that is predictive of a stimulation threshold of the nerve when the nerve is fully decompressed;
• receiving, by the processor, second sensor data from the mechanomyography sensor, the second sensor data indicative of a response to a second electrical stimulus applied to the nerve after the surgical decompression;
• determining, by the processor from the second sensor data, a second stimulation threshold representing a post-decompression nerve function parameter;
• calculating, by the processor, a second distance value representing a deviation of the second stimulation threshold from the target threshold range;
• computing, by the processor, a value representing improvement in nerve function, wherein the value is based on a reduction from the first distance value to the second distance value;
• generating, by the processor for display on a display device, the value to provide real-time feedback regarding adequacy of the nerve decompression;
• and
• generating, by the processor, an alert when the second stimulation threshold falls within the target threshold range.

A method for predicting clinical outcomes following nerve decompression surgery, the method performed by a processor and comprising:

• controlling, by the processor, a stimulator to deliver an electrical stimulus to a decompressed nerve;
• receiving, by the processor, mechanomyography sensor data from an accelerometer-based sensor indicative of a post-decompression stimulation threshold of the decompressed nerve in a subject who has undergone spinal decompression surgery, wherein the post-decompression stimulation threshold represents a minimum electrical current required to evoke a mechanomyography response from a muscle innervated by the nerve;
• accessing, by the processor, a target threshold value indicative of a fully decompressed nerve;
• calculating, by the processor, a value representing an amount by which the post-decompression stimulation threshold exceeds the target threshold value;
• accessing, by the processor, a database comprising historical patient data, the historical patient data comprising:
• nerve function parameters obtained during previous spinal decompression procedures;
• patient attributes from the previous spinal decompression procedures;
• and
• associated patient outcomes from the previous spinal decompression procedures;
• determining, by the processor and based on the database, a statistical relationship between values representing threshold exceedance and clinical outcomes;
• predicting, by the processor, a clinical outcome for the subject based on the calculated value and the statistical relationship;
• and
• generating, by the processor for display, an indication of the predicted clinical outcome and controlling a display device to present the indication of the predicted clinical outcome together with the measured stimulation threshold and the target threshold value.