De Gruyter Open, Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering, 2(3), p. 449-452, 2017
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Abstract Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) can be used to monitor the neural integrity and help the surgeon to reduce iatrogenic patient damage. We present a networked digital assistance system based on real-time IONM data. The system automatically reduces the power of active medical ablation instruments when they endanger neural structures. We integrated a nerve monitor into a real-time network of medical devices. In doing so, neurophysiological signals are available to all connected medical devices in real-time. With the IONM data a so-called function module Neuro Control calculates and controls the maximum allowed power for active instruments like an ultrasonic dissector.