NIM Nerve Monitoring Systems
Innovative, intraoperative NIM nerve monitoring systems enable surgeons to identify, confirm, and monitor motor nerve function to help reduce the risk of nerve damage during a variety of surgical procedures, including ENT surgery, otolaryngology, and general surgeries.
NIM 3.0 Nerve Monitoring Systems
Since introducing our first nerve monitoring system more than 20 years ago, we’ve continually advanced the technology. Our innovative, intraoperative NIM-Response® 3.0 and NIM-Neuro® 3.0 nerve integrity monitors enable surgeons to identify and confirm motor nerve function and monitor major motor nerves during ENT surgeries, as well as other operations performed by endocrine, general, and peripheral surgeons. The NIM® nerve monitoring systems monitor electromyographic (EMG) activity from multiple muscles during minimally invasive or traditional open surgeries. If there is a change in nerve function, the NIM system may provide visual and audible warnings to alert you. This helps reduce the risk of nerve damage during various surgeries, including ENT and general surgical procedures, improving safety and peace-of-mind for both surgeons and patients.
Our latest NIM systems are easy to use with intuitive, touchscreen software, three simple user modes, and default or customizable settings. Additional benefits include:
- Monitoring during bipolar cautery
- Artifact detection software for reducing noise
- Stim Bur technology that combines stimulation with our Visao® Otologic Drill
- Real-time continuous nerve monitoring with APS™ Electrode*
- Adjustable stimulus levels from the surgical field
- Multiple USB ports for quick and easy patient documentation
The Right Nerve Monitoring System for Your Needs
The NIM-Response 3.0 monitors up to four channels of nerve-muscle combinations at a time and is frequently used in ENT surgery, skull-based, and head and neck procedures. With the NIM-Neuro 3.0, neurotologists and neurosurgeons can monitor up to eight channels of nerve-muscle combinations during complex and delicate surgeries, such as glomus or acoustic tumor removals. Additionally, the microscope overlay for the NIM-Neuro 3.0 helps bring intraoperative nerve monitoring within the surgical field by importing the NIM signal through select high-end microscopes as the surgeon operates.
Ongoing Service and Support
Upon installation of our NIM Nerve Monitoring System, we provide thorough on-site training for you and your staff, as well as ongoing service and training as needed – including a dedicated NIM HelpLine.
* For use with NIM-Response 3.0 and NIM-Neuro 3.0 models only. Limited initial release.
How It Works
When a nerve is stimulated with the probe, the NIM Nerve Monitoring System detects an EMG event and allows you to verify nerve function and integrity.
Our NIM® Nerve Monitoring System is an electromyographic (EMG) monitor for intraoperative use during various surgeries, including ENT and general surgical procedures in which a nerve may be at risk due to unintentional manipulation. NIM nerve monitoring needle or surface electrodes are placed in the appropriate muscle locations in the patient for the procedure being performed. (Color-coded placement guides are included in the NIM software.)
These electrodes are connected to the NIM Nerve Monitoring System, which continuously monitors EMG activity from muscles innervated by the affected nerve. When a particular nerve has been activated or stimulated, the NIM System warns the surgeon and operating room staff, providing both visual alerts on the color touchscreen monitor and audio feedback to help minimize trauma to the nerve.
Surgeons can use monopolar and bipolar stimulating probes and dissection instruments with the NIM Nerve Monitoring System to assist in early nerve identification and confirmation. These tools may be used to locate, identify, and map the particular nerve and branches, as well as verify nerve function and integrity.
By combining sophisticated hardware electronics and intuitive software, our NIM Nerve Monitoring Systems help surgeons perform critical procedures while preserving nerve function and improving patient safety.
Why Nerve Monitoring Is Needed
Nerve Injury During ENT, Head and Neck, and Other Surgeries
Even with a detailed knowledge of anatomy and surgical skill, motor nerves can sometimes be difficult to identify during surgery due to disease, a previous operation, or normal anatomical variations.
Patients can suffer temporary or permanent damage if a nerve is irritated or injured. For example, during skull-based surgery, the facial nerve is commonly exposed and at risk for injury. Since this nerve controls all movements and expressions of the face, damaging this nerve can have devastating physical and emotional results.
Sometimes minor irritation or stretching of the facial nerve can lead to temporary or permanent symptoms of nerve damage, such as facial weakness, numbness, or twitching. Severing the facial nerve, although rare, causes facial paralysis that resembles the effects of a stroke.
Similarly, the recurrent laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus nerve, is one of the nerves at risk during neck dissections, including thyroid surgery. Damaging this nerve can severely affect an individual’s ability to speak, swallow, and aspirate.
Medtronic’s NIM® Nerve Monitoring Systems help surgeons locate and identify the nerve, monitor and control manipulation effects on the nerve, and confirm nerve integrity prior to completing the surgery.
