Self retaining laryngeal surface electrode and method for independent identification of human recurrent laryngeal nerve

Abstract

An electrode for laryngeal electromyography comprises a curved planar insulator formed by an insulating conformational plate covered with insulating polyethylene foam tape with three conductive surface electrode plates mounted in a spaced apart relation such that two surface electrode plates are on the anterior aspect and one on the posterior aspect. Three flexible electrical wires have one end connected to the conductive electrode plates, and the other end adapted for connection to an electrical signal monitor. A steering tab projects outwardly of the conformational plate and is shaped for inclusion with the twisted electrical wires in a tube of heat shrink type electrical insulator material to provide a handle for manual insertion. The two anterior surface electrode plates are of a width and height to cover the human posterior cricoarytenoid muscle and the insulating conformational plate is of a width and height to allow positioning and retention within the human laryngopharynx in the postcricoid space adjacent the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle of the larynx. The single posterior surface electrode plate is positioned in the posterior laryngopharynx facing the spinal column. A signal generating probe is applied to surgically exposed internal tissue in the area surrounding the recurrent laryngeal nerve, whereby contact between the probe and the laryngeal nerve excites the posterior circoarytenoid muscle and the monitor, thereby indicating to the surgeon the exact location of the nerve.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.