An access port or retractor tube provides access through tissue to a surgical site or field, such as at the brain or spine, in a minimally invasive manner. The access port permits a user to clearly view and access the surgical field, including areas medial thereto, in a minimally invasive manner by dilating or separating tissue rather than cutting tissue. Neuro monitoring and neuro navigation are tools essential to neuro surgery to protect vital and eloquent tissues. Combining navigation and monitoring into the access ports/retractor tubes would enable the surgeon to be more precise and efficient during minimally invasive procedures while still being maximally effective in protecting non operative tissues.

Disclosed herein are systems comprising sensor devices that may be affixed to a patient and used to perform clinical measurements such as measurements for calculating a BASMI score. A first sensor device is configured to be successively attached to each of a wrist carrier, an ankle carrier, and a headset carrier. The carriers are attached to, or positioned next to, the relevant portion of the patient's body in order to perform particular measurements relating to generating a BASMI score. As the patient performs the routine of motions associated with a particular BASMI measurement, the sensor device records the measurements and communicates the measurements to a user computing device. A second sensor device is configured to be applied to the patient's torso and an additional measurement of patient flexibility taken and communicated to the user computing device. The user computing device generates a BASMI score from the recorded measurements.

A method and apparatus for safely and reliably accessing a subarachnoid space (SAS) or other target area of a patient is provided in which a tube having at least one lumen with a tissue puncture device therein is inserted into the patient near the tissue. The lumen has a suction port at one end adapted to suction the dura/arachnoid tissue away from the pia mater so that the tissue can be punctured to access the SAS space. The movement of the needle in the lumen is controlled by controlling a magnetic field. Tissue puncture devices for use alone or in connection with the apparatus are also provided.

A method of visualizing spinal nerves includes receiving a 3D image volume depicting a spinal cord and a plurality of spinal nerves. For each spinal nerve, a 2D spinal nerve image is generated by defining a surface within the 3D volume comprising the spinal nerve. The surface is curved such that it passes through the spinal cord while encompassing the spinal nerve. Then, the 2D spinal nerve images are generated based on voxels on the surface included in the 3D volume. A visualization of the 2D spinal images is presented in a graphical user interface that allows each 2D spinal image to be viewed simultaneously.

The invention relates to in vitro method for quantitating the antibodies specific for High mobility group box I (HMGB1) contained in a sample, in particular a serum sample or a cerebrospinal fluid sample obtained from a patient, and the use of this method in the prognostic and/or diagnosis of neurological disorders. These methods are in particular applicable to the monitoring of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of a subject who is known to be infected with HIV and in the prognostic and/or diagnostic of the state of progression of Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or the state of progression toward AIDS, in particular the state of progression or the state of progression toward neurological disorders associated with AIDS. Finally, the invention is also about method to determine the immune deficiency or level of immune activation of a patient, in particular a HIV-infected patient.

An image display control apparatus includes: an image obtaining unit that obtains an image of a backbone region that includes at least a portion of the backbone of a subject; an emphasized display target region specifying unit that specifies an emphasized display target region within the backbone region based on the image; a bone metastasis region specifying unit that specifies an osteolytic metastasis region included in the backbone region; and a display control unit that causes images to be displayed by a display unit. The display control unit displays an osteolytic metastasis region that belongs within the emphasized display target region with a greater degree of emphasis than an osteolytic metastasis region outside the emphasized display target region.

A method of providing a channel in nervous tissue filled with an aqueous gel for implantation of a microelectrode or other medical device lacking sufficient physical stability for direct implantation by insertion, comprises providing an apparatus comprising an oblong rigid pin covered by a dry gel forming agent; locating a target in the tissue; defining a straight insertion path a desired tissue insertion point and the target; aligning the pin with its end foremost with the insertion path; inserting the pin into the tissue to a position near or at the target; allowing sufficient time to pass for a gel to be formed around the pin, withdrawing the pin. Also disclosed is a corresponding channel; a method of implantation of a microelectrode or microprobe into nervous tissue via the channel; a corresponding method of implantation of living cells; a corresponding apparatus for forming the channel.

The invention relates to a system for preventing and/or reducing muscle spasms and improving postural stability in a patient suffering from muscle spasm and postural instability. The system comprises an electrode configured to be positioned to stimulate a target dorsal root ganglion associated with the muscle spasm and postural instability. The system also comprises a pulse generator provided with an output port connectable to the electrode. The pulse generator includes a processor configured to generate an electric stimulation signal at the electrode while connected. Here, the electric stimulation signal stimulates the dorsal root ganglion with an electric pulse while so positioned. Further, the system comprises a user interface configured to set at least one user-specified parameter of the electric pulse.

Assessing therapeutic efficacy of electrical neurostimulation therapy. A neuromodulation device delivers the electrical neurostimulation therapy. Measurement circuitry captures recordings of neural responses evoked by the electrical neurostimulation therapy. A processor processes the recordings of the neural responses in order to obtain a plurality of measures of neural activation in response to a plurality of stimuli delivered over time, and calculates from the plurality of measures of neural activation at least one statistical measure of neural activation. From the at least one statistical measure the processor produces and outputs an indication of therapeutic efficacy.

This disclosure is directed to devices, systems, and techniques for controlling electrical stimulation. In some examples, a system includes a user interface and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to output, for display by the user interface, a message requesting the patient perform a set of actions, receive, from the user interface, user input indicative of a patient response associated with the set of actions, and determine, based on the user input, one or more adjustments to a control policy which controls electrical stimulation delivered by a medical device based on a plurality of evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs) sensed by the medical device.