A method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using a retractor comprising a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis, and further comprising a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In the method, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision.)

A sensor assembly for controlling a prosthetic device may include a displacement sensor, such as a magnetic sensor and a magnet, and/or a force or pressure sensor. The sensor assembly may also comprise an EMG sensor. The sensor assembly may be attached to a prosthetic socket for detection of natural limb movements. Further, the sensor assembly may be calibrated for improved control of the prosthetic by using a displacement measurement derived from the displacement sensor and/or a force or pressure measurement derived from the force or pressure sensor in conjunction with the EMG signal measured by the EMG sensor. The displacement measurement may also be used in conjunction with the EMG signal for improved pattern recognition of the prosthetic device.

A sensor assembly for controlling a prosthetic device may include a displacement sensor, such as a magnetic sensor and a magnet, and/or a force or pressure sensor. The sensor assembly may also comprise an EMG sensor. The sensor assembly may be attached to a prosthetic socket for detection of natural limb movements. Further, the sensor assembly may be calibrated for improved control of the prosthetic by using a displacement measurement derived from the displacement sensor and/or a force or pressure measurement derived from the force or pressure sensor in conjunction with the EMG signal measured by the EMG sensor. The displacement measurement may also be used in conjunction with the EMG signal for improved pattern recognition of the prosthetic device.

A sensor including electrodes, a control module and a physical layer module. The electrodes are configured to (i) attach to a patient, and (ii) receive a first electromyographic signal from the patient. The control module is connected to the electrodes. The control module is configured to (i) detect the first electromyographic signal, and (ii) generate a first voltage signal. The physical layer module is configured to: receive a payload request from a console interface module or a nerve integrity monitoring device; and based on the payload request, (i) upconvert the first voltage signal to a first radio frequency signal, and (ii) wirelessly transmit the first radio frequency signal from the sensor to the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device.

A sensor including electrodes, a control module and a physical layer module. The electrodes are configured to (i) attach to a patient, and (ii) receive a first electromyographic signal from the patient. The control module is connected to the electrodes. The control module is configured to (i) detect the first electromyographic signal, and (ii) generate a first voltage signal. The physical layer module is configured to: receive a payload request from a console interface module or a nerve integrity monitoring device; and based on the payload request, (i) upconvert the first voltage signal to a first radio frequency signal, and (ii) wirelessly transmit the first radio frequency signal from the sensor to the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device.

Methods for evaluating subjects having conditions associated with loss of muscle function (e.g., a motor neuron disease, a neuromuscular disease, or a myopathy) by measuring muscle function (e.g., muscle strength) are disclosed.

Methods for evaluating subjects having conditions associated with loss of muscle function (e.g., a motor neuron disease, a neuromuscular disease, or a myopathy) by measuring muscle function (e.g., muscle strength) are disclosed.

A method, comprising receiving at least one of a signal relating to a first cardiac activity and a signal relating to a first body movement from a patient; triggering at least one of a test of the patient's responsiveness, awareness, a second cardiac activity, a second body movement, a spectral analysis test of the second cardiac activity, and a spectral analysis test of the second body movement, based on at least one of the signal relating to the first cardiac activity and the signal relating to the first body movement; determining an occurrence of an epileptic event based at least in part on said one or more triggered tests; and performing a further action in response to said determination of said occurrence of said epileptic event. Further methods allow classification of epileptic events. Apparatus and systems capable of implementing the method.

A method can include: acquiring via one or more electromyography (EMG) sensors in electrical contact with a patient, one or more electrical signals; mapping the one or more electrical signals to one or more intended movements via an EMG signal classifier; applying the one or more intended movements to a simulated body region; and rendering a movement of the simulated body region using a virtual reality (VR) display device.

A motion data display method and system is provided. The motion data and the reference motion data corresponding to the motion data of the user during moving of the user may be obtained; and the motion data of the user and the reference motion data may be combined with the virtual character, and the comparison between the motion data of the user and the reference motion data is intuitively displayed by using the animation of the virtual character, so that the user may intuitively find a difference between the motion data of the user and the reference motion data by observing the animation of the virtual character, so as to correct the motion during moving and move properly.