Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing diagnostic evoked potential recordings of a nerve or nerve pathway of interest. A grid array of stimulating electrodes are placed on, over, or through skin in a location beneath which a nerve or nerve pathway is suspected to lie. A stimulator controls the grid array, where each electrode is independently controllable as active or inactive, as a cathode or anode, etc. A plurality of recording electrodes may record Somato-Sensory Evoked Potentials (SSEPs) and/or Transcranial Electrical Motor Evoked Potentials (TCeMEP) in response to activation of the stimulating electrodes. A processor controls stimulating the stimulating electrodes, and receives responses from the recording electrodes, in a general search mode and a focused search mode in order to use a minimum stimulation intensity at which a maximum response amplitude is detected to continually stimulate the nerve or the nerve pathway.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing diagnostic evoked potential recordings of a nerve or nerve pathway of interest. A grid array of stimulating electrodes are placed on, over, or through skin in a location beneath which a nerve or nerve pathway is suspected to lie. A stimulator controls the grid array, where each electrode is independently controllable as active or inactive, as a cathode or anode, etc. A plurality of recording electrodes may record Somato-Sensory Evoked Potentials (SSEPs) and/or Transcranial Electrical Motor Evoked Potentials (TCeMEP) in response to activation of the stimulating electrodes. A processor controls stimulating the stimulating electrodes, and receives responses from the recording electrodes, in a general search mode and a focused search mode in order to use a minimum stimulation intensity at which a maximum response amplitude is detected to continually stimulate the nerve or the nerve pathway.

Abstract: Embodiments can include a nerve mapping and monitoring system that can include a multi-polar stimulation unit, an electrical connector, an instrument having a grid array, where the grid array can comprise a plurality of electrodes, where each of the plurality of electrodes can be configured to be stimulated by the multi-polar stimulation unit, a recording element, where the recording element can be configured to detect a muscle response elicited by the grid array, and a computer, where the computer can be configured to monitor the muscle response elicited by the grid array such that neural structures can be identified and avoided.

Abstract: Embodiments can include a nerve mapping and monitoring system that can include a multi-polar stimulation unit, an electrical connector, an instrument having a grid array, where the grid array can comprise a plurality of electrodes, where each of the plurality of electrodes can be configured to be stimulated by the multi-polar stimulation unit, a recording element, where the recording element can be configured to detect a muscle response elicited by the grid array, and a computer, where the computer can be configured to monitor the muscle response elicited by the grid array such that neural structures can be identified and avoided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing diagnostic evoked potential recordings of a nerve or nerve pathway of interest. A grid array of stimulating electrodes are placed on, over, or through skin in a location beneath which a nerve or nerve pathway is suspected to lie. A stimulator controls the grid array, where each electrode is independently controllable as active or inactive, as a cathode or anode, etc. A plurality of recording electrodes may record Somato-Sensory Evoked Potentials (SSEPs) and/or Transcranial Electrical Motor Evoked Potentials (TCeMEP) in response to activation of the stimulating electrodes. A processor controls stimulating the stimulating electrodes, and receives responses from the recording electrodes, in a general search mode and a focused search mode in order to use a minimum stimulation intensity at which a maximum response amplitude is detected to continually stimulate the nerve or the nerve pathway.

Abstract: Embodiments can include a nerve mapping and monitoring system that can include a multi-polar stimulation unit, an electrical connector, an instrument having a grid array, where the grid array can comprise a plurality of electrodes, where each of the plurality of electrodes can be configured to be stimulated by the multi-polar stimulation unit, a recording element, where the recording element can be configured to detect a muscle response elicited by the grid array, and a computer, where the computer can be configured to monitor the muscle response elicited by the grid array such that neural structures can be identified and avoided.

Abstract: An intervertebral spinal spacer that can include a substantially annular body that can include an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The inner surface of the substantially annular body can define an internal cavity. The annular body can include a plurality of outer apertures and a plurality of inner apertures connected by a plurality of fluid passages that can draw fluid into the internal cavity.

Abstract: Embodiments can include a nerve mapping and monitoring system that can include a multi-polar stimulation unit, an electrical connector, an instrument having a grid array, where the grid array can comprise a plurality of electrodes, where each of the plurality of electrodes can be configured to be stimulated by the multi-polar stimulation unit, a recording element, where the recording element can be configured to detect a muscle response elicited by the grid array, and a computer, where the computer can be configured to monitor the muscle response elicited by the grid array such that neural structures can be identified and avoided.

Abstract: An intervertebral spinal spacer that can include a substantially annular body that can include an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The inner surface of the substantially annular body can define an internal cavity. The annular body can include a plurality of outer apertures and a plurality of inner apertures connected by a plurality of fluid passages that can draw fluid into the internal cavity.

Abstract: An intervertebral spinal spacer that can include a substantially annular body that can include an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The inner surface of the substantially annular body can define an internal cavity. The annular body can include a plurality of outer apertures and a plurality of inner apertures connected by a plurality of fluid passages that can draw fluid into the internal cavity.

Abstract: An intervertebral spinal spacer that can include a substantially annular body that can include an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The inner surface of the substantially annular body can define an internal cavity. The annular body can include a plurality of outer apertures and a plurality of inner apertures connected by a plurality of fluid passages that can draw fluid into the internal cavity.

Abstract: An intervertebral spinal spacer that can include a substantially annular body that can include an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The inner surface of the substantially annular body can define an internal cavity. The annular body can include a plurality of outer apertures and a plurality of inner apertures connected by a plurality of fluid passages that can draw fluid into the internal cavity.

Abstract: Embodiments can include a nerve mapping and monitoring system that can include a multi-polar stimulation unit, an electrical connector, an instrument having a grid array, where the grid array can comprise a plurality of electrodes, where each of the plurality of electrodes can be configured to be stimulated by the multi-polar stimulation unit, a recording element, where the recording element can be configured to detect a muscle response elicited by the grid array, and a computer, where the computer can be configured to monitor the muscle response elicited by the grid array such that neural structures can be identified and avoided.

Abstract: An intervertebral spinal spacer that can include a substantially annular body that can include an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The inner surface of the substantially annular body can define an internal cavity. The annular body can include a plurality of outer apertures and a plurality of inner apertures connected by a plurality of fluid passages that can draw fluid into the internal cavity.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing and monitoring arthritic disease with an inflammatory joint component in a mammal are described. The methods comprise (a) obtaining a sample of powdered cartilage or synovial fluid from the mammal, (b) mixing the sample with powdered cartilage, or protein that is detectably labeled, (c) determining the amount of label released from the powdered cartilage or protein, the amount being indicative of the level of protease activity, and (d) comparing the level to a standard, or to the level obtained from a sample taken at another time point, wherein the level is an indication of the presence or progression of the arthritic disease.