Abstract: Concepts presented herein relate to an interface module that can be electrically coupled to an electrical stimulation generator, a radio frequency generator and an instrument. A selection module is coupled to the interface module and operates in a first mode to deliver electrical stimulation signals from the electrical stimulation generator to the instrument and in a second mode to deliver radio frequency signals from the radio frequency generator to the instrument.

Abstract: Stimulation and recording electrode assemblies that are particularly useful for Automatic Period Stimulation (APS). Such embodiments are compatible with nerve monitoring systems to provide continuous stimulation of a nerve during surgery. Certain embodiments include an electrode assembly having cuff including a body and two ears extending from the body. Within the body, at least one electrode is supported and connected to a lead wire assembly. The ears can be brought together to enlarge a gap in the body so that the electrode assembly can be fixated around a nerve. Other embodiments include an electrode assembly including first and second needle electrodes that each have a tip. A body is provided to interconnect the needle electrodes and can be manipulated to move the tips either toward or away from one another. Disclosed embodiments provide nerve monitoring and stimulation in cases where the nerve is only partially dissected.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface and a first location configured to be positioned at the patient's vocal folds. A first electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially below the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from below the vocal folds. A second electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from above the vocal folds. The first and second electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient.

Abstract: A method of implanting a lead includes inserting a needle through tissue near a chin of a patient and through a tongue of the patient, inserting an introducer through an opening created by the needle, and inserting the lead through the introducer, the lead comprising an elongated member and one or more electrodes in a distal portion of the elongated member such that the one or more electrodes are implantable proximate to one or more motor points of a protrusor muscle within the tongue of the patient, wherein inserting the lead comprises inserting the lead to have a shape of one of a helix, a compound helix, a wave shape, or saw-tooth shape, or to have a loop in the lead.

Abstract: A system for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is described. The system may include a device having a size and shape selected to couple externally to a patient near a jaw of the patient. The device may be configured to receive at least one of a needle or an introducer for insertion into a tongue of the patient for lead placement of a lead for OSA treatment, and guide at least a portion of the at least one of the needle or introducer for insertion into the tongue of the patient.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to pledget stimulation/recording electrode assemblies that are particularly useful for automatic periodic stimulation. Embodiments are compatible with nerve monitoring systems to provide continuous stimulation of a nerve during surgery. Disclosed embodiments include an electrode assembly having one or more electrodes rotatably supported by and positioned within a pledget substrate. The flexible pledget substrate conforms and fixates to bioelectric tissue to secure the electrode assembly in position, wrapped around the target tissue. In some embodiments, the pledget substrate includes two bodies, each including at least one electrode, the two bodies being selectively separable so that the bodies can be repositioned with respect to one another. The electrode assembly further includes a lead wire assembly including at least one insulating jacket positioned around a wire core.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to pledget stimulation/recording electrode assemblies that are particularly useful for automatic periodic stimulation. Embodiments are compatible with nerve monitoring systems to provide continuous stimulation of a nerve during surgery. Disclosed embodiments include an electrode assembly having one or more electrodes rotatably supported by and positioned within a pledget substrate. The flexible pledget substrate conforms and fixates to bioelectric tissue to secure the electrode assembly in position, wrapped around the target tissue. In some embodiments, the pledget substrate includes two bodies, each including at least one electrode, the two bodies being selectively separable so that the bodies can be repositioned with respect to one another. The electrode assembly further includes a lead wire assembly including at least one insulating jacket positioned around a wire core.

Abstract: Stimulation and recording electrode assemblies that are particularly useful for Automatic Period Stimulation (APS). Such embodiments are compatible with nerve monitoring systems to provide continuous stimulation of a nerve during surgery. Certain embodiments include an electrode assembly having cuff including a body and two ears extending from the body. Within the body, at least one electrode is supported and connected to a lead wire assembly. The ears can be brought together to enlarge a gap in the body so that the electrode assembly can be fixated around a nerve. Other embodiments include an electrode assembly including first and second needle electrodes that each have a tip. A body is provided to interconnect the needle electrodes and can be manipulated to move the tips either toward or away from one another. Disclosed embodiments provide nerve monitoring and stimulation in cases where the nerve is only partially dissected.

Abstract: An evoked potential monitoring system including a control unit having stimulator circuitry and a probe assembly coupled to the control unit. The probe assembly includes a stimulus probe and a stimulator handpiece selectively coupled to the stimulus probe. The handpiece includes a handle, control circuitry, and a switch. The control circuitry is electrically coupled to the stimulator circuitry. The switch is electrically coupled to the control circuitry and extends to an exterior portion of the handle. In this regard, movement of the switch remotely controls the stimulator circuitry to continuously increment or decrement a stimulation energy level delivered to the stimulus probe over a series of discrete, incremental steps.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include a bio-electric stimulation probe assembly including a patch including a first aperture and also a guide socket including a grommet and a second aperture. The guide socket is positioned on the patch such that the first and second apertures are aligned. The assembly further includes a guide including a tip that is positioned within and rotatable within the grommet. A probe of the assembly having at least one electrode is interconnected with the guide and extends through the first and second apertures. The guide and guide socket are collectively arranged and configured so that the guide has three degrees of rotational freedom with respect to the grommet thus meaning the probe correspondingly has three degrees of rotational freedom with respect to the grommet. Methods of using stimulation probe assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Stimulation and recording electrode assemblies that are particularly useful for Automatic Period Stimulation (APS). Such embodiments are compatible with nerve monitoring systems to provide continuous stimulation of a nerve during surgery. Certain embodiments include an electrode assembly having cuff including a body and two ears extending from the body. Within the body, at least one electrode is supported and connected to a lead wire assembly. The ears can be brought together to enlarge a gap in the body so that the electrode assembly can be fixated around a nerve. Other embodiments include an electrode assembly including first and second needle electrodes that each have a tip. A body is provided to interconnect the needle electrodes and can be manipulated to move the tips either toward or away from one another. Disclosed embodiments provide nerve monitoring and stimulation in cases where the nerve is only partially dissected.

Abstract: A monitoring system may include a processor and display system for displaying results from the monitoring. A user may be in a sterile field away from the processor and display system and selected input devices. A controller may be physically connected to the monitoring system from the sterile field to allow the user to control the monitoring system.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods of conducting an intraoperative procedure including providing an electrode assembly having a pledget substrate having a surface that is hydrophilic, at least one electrode supported by and positioned within the pledget substrate, and a lead wire assembly interconnected to the at least one electrode. Methods can further include creating an incision to access bioelectric tissue of a patient and applying the pledget substrate to the tissue, such as a nerve, for example. The pledget substrate conforms and fixates to the tissue to secure the electrode assembly in position. The electrode is then activated to record bioelectric responses of or stimulate the tissue. In some embodiments, the pledget substrate includes two bodies, each including at least one electrode, the two bodies being selectively separable so that the bodies can be repositioned with respect to one another.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include a bio-electric stimulation probe assembly including a patch including a first aperture and also a guide socket including a grommet and a second aperture. The guide socket is positioned on the patch such that the first and second apertures are aligned. The assembly further includes a guide including a tip that is positioned within and rotatable within the grommet. A probe of the assembly having at least one electrode is interconnected with the guide and extends through the first and second apertures. The guide and guide socket are collectively arranged and configured so that the guide has three degrees of rotational freedom with respect to the grommet thus meaning the probe correspondingly has three degrees of rotational freedom with respect to the grommet. Methods of using stimulation probe assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Stimulation and recording electrode assemblies that are particularly useful for Automatic Period Stimulation (APS). Such embodiments are compatible with nerve monitoring systems to provide continuous stimulation of a nerve during surgery. Certain embodiments include an electrode assembly having cuff including a body and two ears extending from the body. Within the body, at least one electrode is supported and connected to a lead wire assembly. The ears can be brought together to enlarge a gap in the body so that the electrode assembly can be fixated around a nerve. Other embodiments include an electrode assembly including first and second needle electrodes that each have a tip. A body is provided to interconnect the needle electrodes and can be manipulated to move the tips either toward or away from one another. Disclosed embodiments provide nerve monitoring and stimulation in cases where the nerve is only partially dissected.

Abstract: A method of implanting a lead includes inserting a needle through tissue near a chin of a patient and through a tongue of the patient, inserting an introducer through an opening created by the needle, and inserting the lead through the introducer, the lead comprising an elongated member and one or more electrodes in a distal portion of the elongated member such that the one or more electrodes are implantable proximate to one or more motor points of a protrusor muscle within the tongue of the patient, wherein inserting the lead comprises inserting the lead to have a shape of one of a helix, a compound helix, a wave shape, or saw-tooth shape, or to have a loop in the lead.

Abstract: A stimulation probe includes a proximal end connector and a flexible wire coupled to the end connector. A handle is coupled to the wire and a needle extends from the handle and terminates at a conductive tip.

Abstract: A system includes an endotracheal tube having a plurality of electrodes, wherein the electrodes include at least one stimulating electrode configured to stimulate tissue of a patient and at least one monitoring electrode configured to monitor at least one nerve of a patient. The system includes a nerve integrity monitor device configured to send a stimulation signal to the at least one stimulating electrode to evoke a reflex response, and configured to receive a monitoring signal from the at least one monitoring electrode.

Abstract: A system for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is described. The system may include a device having a size and shape selected to couple externally to a patient near a jaw of the patient. The device may be configured to receive at least one of a needle or an introducer for insertion into a tongue of the patient for lead placement of a lead for OSA treatment, and guide at least a portion of the at least one of the needle or introducer for insertion into the tongue of the patient.

Abstract: A lead for delivering electrical stimulation therapy is described. The lead includes an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis, one or more electrodes disposed at a distal end of the elongated member, a plurality of collars located along the longitudinal axis, and one or more fixation members. At least one of the fixation members is a bow-like member having a first connection point to a first collar of the plurality of collars and a second connection point to a second collar of the plurality of collars. The distal end of the elongated member is configured for insertion in a tongue of a patient such that the one or more electrodes are implanted proximate to one or more motor points of a protrusor muscle within the tongue of the patient and the bow-like member of the one or more fixation members is implanted within tissue of the tongue.