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Neural Engineering

Neural Engineering - Poster Session E

Poster Z9 - Improving The OR Workflow During Spinal Surgery Using Adaptable Wireless Technology

Saturday, October 26, 2024
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
Location: Exhibit Hall E, F & G

Introduction:  Lumbar fusions are among the most costly procedures for the Medicare system, and facility payments to hospitals for lumbar spine procedures comprise 60% to 75% of total 90-day costs [1]. Electromyography (EMG), an intraoperative monitoring modality, is used during spinal surgeries such as lumbar fusions to provide information on the function of the muscle or the function of the nerve that innervates it [2]. A major challenge is the cumbersome nature of the many wires required for the multitude of leads that are attached to the patient for intraoperative monitoring. This causes issues when navigating around the surgical field or the surrounding area as the bundle obstructs the path of surgeons and rolling equipment. To improve workflow efficiency for surgeons and accessibility of useful technologies, our team has proposed a novel, low-cost wireless device that will significantly reduce the time to incision in the operating room.

Materials and

Methods:  Our team designed a small, 2-part server and receiver device that will be capable of connecting with most existing intraoperative monitoring systems through adapters. The server will connect to the leads of the monitoring system that will be connected to the patient, and the receiver will be connected to the intraoperative monitoring system. Using an onboard display, the device can provide information regarding data transmission status to the user. The intraoperative monitoring station will then be able to receive vital EMG information across the room without the burden of cumbersome wires strewn across the floor.

Results, Conclusions, and Discussions: Server and client codes were written and tested. Preliminary testing of the data transmission capability of our device proved successful, demonstrating the device’s potential effectiveness for transmitting large amounts of intraoperative nerve monitoring data wirelessly. Testing with the display capability showed success in displaying various crucial messages during data transmission. Packaging for the device was also developed, ensuring protection of the onboard electronics and ergonomics for the surgeon user.

Our novel device shows promise in improving the ease and efficiency of spinal surgeries by removing a multitude of wires that create an obstacle in the sterile field. This will be possible without requiring hospitals or surgical centers to purchase new and expensive monitoring systems. By reducing the need for hard wiring during EMG data transmission, surgeons and electrophysiologists will not need to disconnect and reconnect patients from their intraoperative monitoring systems in order to flip patients from supine to prone before surgery. Our device integrates smoothly with the current workflow in the operating room, while eliminating time intensive steps. This will reduce the time before incision in the operating room, increasing procedure efficiency and allowing the surgeon to obtain control over the case more quickly.

Acknowledgements (Optional):  Dr. Andrew Robbins
Dr. Nicholas Sears