Method and apparatus for an automatic setup of a multi-channel nerve integrity monitoring system

Abstract

The invention provides a method and apparatus for connecting multiple electrodes into the receiving or head box portion of the nerve integrity monitor. The invention provides patient connection electrodes, their transmission lines and a manner by which these components may communicate to the main monitoring unit to actuate automatic setup functions and instructions. The “off-line” setup and diagnostic instructions are automatically initiated and annunciated to the main portion of the intraoperative nerve integrity monitor. The setup and diagnostic instructions are then automatically executed. The invention also provides patient connection electrodes with improved resistance to the deleterious effects of spurious electromagnetic artifacts. The invention is particularly applicable for use in monitoring facial electromyograhic (EMG) activity during surgeries in which a facial motor nerve is at risk due to unintentional manipulation, although it will be appreciated that the invention has broader applications and can be used in other neural monitoring procedures.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.