Passive Method to Objectively Quantify the Level and Density of a Neural Blockade

Reference#: P01312

A critically important factor in current surgical/medical device design is the market demand for minimally invasive or non-invasive procedures. APL’s invention addresses that market need.

From the issued patent Electromyogram (EMG), temperature, and heart rate measurements, which correlate to the dermatomal level and density of neural blockade, are obtained in a passive manner, i.e., the patient is not stimulated or exposed to any sensor that requires an active conduction in order to make a measurement and no active patient participation or response is required. Measurements obtained provide objective and quantitative indications of epidural blockade with local anesthetics, thus allowing objective real-time assessment of density and level of neural blockade.

Patent Status: U.S. patent(s) 6,002,960 issued. International patents pending.

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