Storyboard for lowering Electrode.

“Okay! We have successfully prepared the patient for the lowering of the electrode. We have the exact coordinates and angles that will help us know where to drill a hole and reach the VIM thalamus. It is incredibly important this is done correctly, or else a blood vessel could be hit that can cause a stroke.” Here, an image of Dr. St. John dressed in a lab coat, with a mask and hair net on, standing in a medical operating room. Text Bubble

“Now, we must find the exact depth to which the electrode must be lowered to stimulate the tremor cells. By lowering a testing electrode into the brain, we can monitor the rate at which cells fire as the electrode is lowered deeper into the brain. The tremor cells fire at a rapid rate and a testing electrode can pick up this feature. First, we must position the electrode for lowering. “ Text Bubble Here, an image of Dr. St. John dressed in a lab coat, with a mask and hair net on, standing in a medical operating room.

“Based on data collected from images taken of the patient’s brain, you must adjust the arc angle of the stereotaxic arc to 106 degrees.” “Tap the Left and Right arrow keys to adjust the arc angle” (this text should be large and bold with a different fond from the text bubble)

“Great job! Now, you must adjust the collar angle to 65.5 degrees.” “Tap the Left and Right arrow keys to adjust the arc angle” (this text should be large and bold with a different font from the text bubble)

Here, the animation Kevin creates regarding the cutting of the scalp and the boring of the hole is inputted, more information of this storyboard will be provided when this animation is available.

“Now we are ready to lower the electrode into the brain. This first electrode to be lowered is going to be used to test the depth to which the electrode needs to be lowered. Notice the chart recorder in the bottom of the screen. The electrode being lowered will be able to sense the rapidly firing tremor cells which will appear as spikes. Once the electrode has been lowered enough to sense these cells, we know we are in the right place. These tremor cells are responsible for the tremoring the patient experiences.”

Notes on Chart Recorder Animation The purpose of this animation is to exemplify the idea that the testing electrode is used to find the exact depth of the electrode since in reality, technology is not precise enough to locate these cells independently without using electrochemistry. This animation will look similar to this image Take a look at the video clip here to get a good idea of what the animation should look like. When the electrode is lowered on Kevin's animation to a reading of around 25 (with units unclear, I looked extensively but cannot come up with what units this in in), there should be a spike reading on the chart recorder as seen in the video below. If this could be created, it would accurately describe the surgery.

“Lower the electrode until a reading is obtained that indicates that the testing electrode has reached the tremor cells. This should be at a reading of 25 according to preliminary mapping.”