An embedded computer-based intraoperative spinal nerve integrity monitor

The use of intraoperative monitoring (IOM) to determine nerve integrity during surgery is not new. As early as the 1930´s, electrical stimulation of the facial nerve combined with direct observation of the resulting facial twitch was employed to determine facial nerve integrity. A more modern and direct method involves the use of electromyography (EMG) to record the electrical activity of the innervated muscle in response to motor nerve stimulation [1]. Medtronic Xomed has developed an intraoperative nerve monitor for use during spinal surgery that can be particularly useful for nerve proximity and spinal cord integrity monitoring during delicate spinal surgery.