Garment to facilitate electrode placement for intraoperative monitoring

Abstract

A garment is provided with an electrode and indicia to facilitate placement of the garment. The indicia is used to orient the garment such that the electrode is placed in precise orientation with respect to a stimulation site to facilitate intraoperative monitoring during surgical procedures.

1 . A garment to facilitate the precise location of surface electrodes adapted to provide a stimulating signal to a nerve to facilitate intraoperative evoked potential monitoring during a surgical procedure comprising:
 a fabric comprising a skin surface and a top surface, the skin surface adapted to be positioned on a portion of the skin on a patient;   at least one electrode adapted to contact the skin of the patient, the at least one electrode positioned on the fabric and arranged such that when placed on the skin of the patient, the at least one electrode is configured to be in proximity to a stimulation site the stimulation site selected from the group of stimulation sites consisting of: a nerve, a muscle, or a combination thereof; and   at least one indicia on the fabric, the at least one indicia on the fabric providing to provide orientation for the fabric such that the at least one electrode is adapted to be orientated in proximity to the stimulation site, wherein the fabric is adapted to be fitted such that any operating room personnel may perform the application   
     
     
         2 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrode is selected from a group of electrodes consisting of: a needle electrode, a surface electrode, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises a plurality of strips. 
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises a garment adapted to be worn by a patient, the garment selected from a group of garments consisting of: a glove, a wrist band, a skull cap, a shirt, a legging, a pair of leggings, a pair of pants, a full body suit, a neck wrap, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises a fabric selected from the group of fabrics consisting of: a gauze, a rubber, a foam, a wrap, a cloth, an elastic stocking, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of strips comprise an adhesive on the skin surface adapted to adhere the plurality of strips to the skin. 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 6 , wherein the adhesive is a conductive adhesive. 
     
     
         8 . A method of placing at least one electrode for intraoperative monitoring of a patient comprising the steps of:
 providing a garment having a skin surface adapted to contact the skin of a patient with at least one electrode on the skin surface;   arranging the garment on the patient such that the at least one electrode is configured to be oriented in proximity to a simulation site the stimulation site being selected from a group of stimulation sites consisting of: a nerve, a muscle, or a combination thereof during an intraoperative monitoring procedure;   performing the intraoperative monitoring procedure; and   removing the garment.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of aligning indicia on the garment with the patient to orient the at least one electrode such that the at least one electrode is configured to be in proximity to a nerve to be stimulated. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of aligning the indicia comprises aligning a wrist, palm, and thumb portion of a glove on a patient. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of aligning the indicia comprises aligning a knee portion of a legging on a patient. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of aligning the indicia comprises aligning a forearm portion of a sleeve on a patient. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of manipulating the garment during the surgical procedure. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of manipulating the garment during the surgical procedure comprises removing portions of the garment during the surgical procedure. 
     
     
         15 . A garment to facilitate the orientation of at least one electrode to stimulate a nerve during a surgical procedure comprising:
 a fabric adapted to be worn by a patient having a skin surface adapted to reside proximate to the skin of a patient and a top surface opposite the skin surface;   a surface electrode arranged on the skin surface of the fabric; and   means for orienting coupled to the top surface the fabric to orient the fabric on the patient such that the surface electrode is configured to be proximate a nerve to be stimulated during the surgical procedure.   
     
     
         16 . The garment of  claim 15  wherein the means for orienting comprises orifices in the fabric adapted to fit at least one body part of the patient. 
     
     
         17 . The garment of  claim 16  wherein the orifice is selected to fit at least one body part selected from the group of body parts consisting of: a wrist, a finger, a thumb, a forearm, an elbow, a shoulder, a bicep, a neck, a head, a face, a leg, a knee, a foot, an ankle, a knuckle; or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The garment of  claim 15  wherein the means for orienting comprises at least one marking on the top surface. 
     
     
         19 . The garment of  claim 16  wherein the means for orienting further comprises at least one marking on the top surface. 
     
     
         20 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the garment comprises additional devices to facilitate a medical procedure.