NuVasive Pulse System

Pulse Navigation is intended as an intraoperative image-guided localization system in either open or minimally invasive spinal surgical procedures. Instruments and implants tracked by a passive marker sensor system are virtually displayed on a patient's 3D radiographic image data. The system enables computer-assisted navigation for spinal surgical procedures in which the use of stereotactic surgery may be appropriate and where a reference to a rigid anatomical structure can be identified relative to the acquired image of the anatomy. This may include the following spinal implant procedures:
- Pedicle Screw Placement (cervical, thoracic, lumbar)
- Iliosacral screw placement

Pulse Navigation is intended as an intraoperative image-guided localization system in either open or minimally invasive spinal surgical procedures. Instruments and implants tracked by a passive marker sensor system are virtually displayed on a patient's 3D radiographic image data. The system enables computer-assisted navigation for spinal surgical procedures in which the use of stereotactic surgery may be appropriate and where a reference to a rigid anatomical structure can be identified relative to the acquired image of the anatomy. This may include the following spinal implant procedures: - Pedicle Screw Placement (cervical, thoracic, lumbar) - Iliosacral screw placement.

The Pulse System is a medical device consisting of Pulse NVM5, Pulse LessRay, and Pulse Navigation. The Pulse System hardware includes a control unit, as well as accompanying accessory components. The Pulse NVM5 is a medical device that is intended for intraoperative neurological monitoring and status assessment during spinal surgery. The device provides information directly to the surgeon, to help assess a patient's neurological status. The Pulse NVM5 provides this information by electrically stimulating nerves via electrodes located on surgical accessories and monitoring electromyography (EMG), motor evoked potential (MEP) or somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) responses of the muscle groups innervated by the nerves. Moreover, a Twitch Test ('Train of Four') function is utilized to test the ability of the nerve to respond, or contract, following four stimulation pulses to determine the presence of neuromuscular block. Additionally, the Pulse NVM5 System includes a software function that measures spinal parameters and acquires the location of spinal implants (screws, hooks) to assist the surgeon in bending spinal rods (Bendini). Lastly, the Pulse NVM5 provides Remote Access in two pathways, Local Wireless Control and Remote Monitoring. Pulse LessRay is a software application which can be interfaced to a fluoroscope with a video cable. The images produced by the fluoroscope are transmitted to a frame grabber in the computer running LessRay where the images are enhanced and then displayed. When used in connection with the low dose and/or pulse setting on the fluoroscope, the user can improve the quality (clarity, contrast, noise level, and usability) of a noisy (low‐quality) image. Using this system, much of the graininess of low radiation dose images can be eliminated. This allows for greater utility of low dose imaging. LessRay provides the additional feature of being able to interface LessRay with a tracking system in order to aid the C-arm technician in positioning the fluoroscope between the various views of the patient necessary for the intervention. LessRay with Tracking ensures that the fluoroscope is centered over the correct anatomy prior to taking any additional x-ray images.