The present invention relates to a system and methods generally aimed at surgery. More particularly, the present invention is directed at a system and related methods for performing surgical procedures and assessments involving the use of neurophysiology.

An electrode system include a flowable and cohesive surface contact element comprising a hydrophilic polymer swollen with an electrolyte fluid, the contact element having a Q′ ratio of at least 5 as defined by the equation $Q^{\prime }=\frac{W_W}{W_G}$
wherein W.sub.G is the dry weight of the hydrophilic polymer and W.sub.W is weight of water in the sample after absorption of the electrolyte fluid comprising water and an electrolyte salt. The surface contact element can consist essentially of the hydrophilic polymer swollen by the electrolyte fluid. Another electrode system includes a contact element including a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer matrix. The contact element has a Q′ ratio of at least 5 as defined by the equation $Q^{\prime }=\frac{W_W}{W_G}.$
The contact elements can also have a Q′ ratio of at least 6, at least 7, at least 10 or even at least 11.

An electrode system include a flowable and cohesive surface contact element comprising a hydrophilic polymer swollen with an electrolyte fluid, the contact element having a Q′ ratio of at least 5 as defined by the equation $Q^{\prime }=\frac{W_W}{W_G}$
wherein W.sub.G is the dry weight of the hydrophilic polymer and W.sub.W is weight of water in the sample after absorption of the electrolyte fluid comprising water and an electrolyte salt. The surface contact element can consist essentially of the hydrophilic polymer swollen by the electrolyte fluid. Another electrode system includes a contact element including a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer matrix. The contact element has a Q′ ratio of at least 5 as defined by the equation $Q^{\prime }=\frac{W_W}{W_G}.$
The contact elements can also have a Q′ ratio of at least 6, at least 7, at least 10 or even at least 11.

A system for modulating bladder function is disclosed. A system for evaluating the electrophysiological function of a bladder is disclosed. Methods for performing a controlled surgical procedure on a bladder are disclosed. A system for performing controlled surgical procedures in a minimally invasive manner is disclosed. An implantable device for monitoring and/or performing a neuromodulation procedure on a bladder is disclosed.

A system for modulating bladder function is disclosed. A system for evaluating the electrophysiological function of a bladder is disclosed. Methods for performing a controlled surgical procedure on a bladder are disclosed. A system for performing controlled surgical procedures in a minimally invasive manner is disclosed. An implantable device for monitoring and/or performing a neuromodulation procedure on a bladder is disclosed.

Systems and methods for performing online spike recovery from multi-channel electrophysiological recordings in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment of a method of performing online spike recovery from multi-channel electrophysiological recordings includes: determining a set of waveform templates; continuously obtaining multi-channel electrophysiological recordings using a multi-channel electrode; and automatically performing online spike recovery from the multi-channel electrophysiological recordings using a processing system that performs a method for sparse signal recovery that continuously adjusts a processing buffer size based upon newly obtained multi-channel electrophysiological recordings.

An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

Systems and methods for identifying potential ablation sites using electrical parameter data are provided. A method includes geometrically isolating an arrhythmogenic substrate in a three-dimensional geometry. The method further includes generating a first cumulative map from a first dataset including electrical parameter data for each vertex in the isolated arrhythmogenic substrate, and generating a second cumulative map from a second dataset including additional data for each vertex. The method further includes generating a third cumulative map from the first and second cumulative maps, and displaying the third cumulative map on the three-dimensional geometry to facilitate identifying potential ablation sites.

A method measures a perfusion wave upstroke associated with leg perfusion dynamics, the perfusion wave upstroke including two phases, an initial slow phase and a fast-rising phase, and using prolongation of the slow phase to detect a presence of arterial stenosis and to assess stenosis severity.