Neuro control – using neuro monitoring data to control networked active instruments

• Main Authors: Dietz Christian, Pfeiffer Jonas H., Dingler Max E., Lüth Tim C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: De Gruyter 2017-09-01
• Series: Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering
• Subjects: neuro control; neuromonitoring; or.net; srtb; real-time network; medical devices; interoperability
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1515/cdbme-2017-0094

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) can be used to monitor the neural integrity and help the surgeon to reduce iatrogenic patient damage. We present a networked digital assistance system based on real-time IONM data. The system automatically reduces the power of active medical ablation instruments when they endanger neural structures. We integrated a nerve monitor into a real-time network of medical devices. In doing so, neurophysiological signals are available to all connected medical devices in real-time. With the IONM data a so-called function module Neuro Control calculates and controls the maximum allowed power for active instruments like an ultrasonic dissector.