TRAIN-OF-FOUR MEASURING CLIP

• US 20150133824A1
• Filed: 11/11/2014
• Published: 05/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stevens Institute Of Technology
• Original Assignee: Stevens Institute Of Technology
• Inventors: Atlas, Glen, Hazelwood, Vikki, Golomb, Edan, Ripley, Kyle, Smith, Derek, Trinh, Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US14/538,384
• Publication Number:
  US 20150133824A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1106 to assess neuromuscular blockade, e.g. to estimate depth of anaesthesia
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips

Abstract

A monitoring apparatus includes a clip assembly configured to be secured on a patient'"'"'s digit. The clip assembly houses an accelerometer which measures acceleration in three dimensions. A microcontroller is configured to receive acceleration data from the accelerometer representative of the acceleration measured in each of the three dimensions. A processor is configured to analyze the acceleration data and determine and output a train-of-four ratio based the acceleration measured in each of the three dimensions.

Claims

1. A monitoring apparatus comprising:

a clip assembly configured to be secured on a patient'"'"'s digit, the clip assembly housing an accelerometer which measures acceleration in three dimensions;

a microcontroller configured to receive acceleration data from the accelerometer representative of the acceleration measured in each of the three dimensions; and

a processor configured to analyze the acceleration data and determine and output a train-of-four ratio based the acceleration measured in each of the three dimensions.

2. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the microcontroller is configured to filter out unwanted frequencies.

3. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the microcontroller is configured to digitize the acceleration data.

4. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the processor is integral with the microprocessor.

5. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the processor is part of a computing device independent of the microcontroller.

6. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the determined train-of-four ratio is output to and displayed on a display.

7. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the display is selected from one of a monitor, computer screen, tablet and smartphone.

8. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the processor communicates with the display via a wireless transmission.

9. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the processor communicates with the display via a two-way wired or wireless transmission.

10. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the display is a screen integral with the clip assembly.

11. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to compare the measured acceleration data with a baseline value for each of the three dimensions.

12. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the processor is configured to determine a root mean square composite baseline based on the baseline value for each of the three dimensions.

13. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to determine a root mean square composite of the measured acceleration data from the three dimensions and determine a digit twitch has occurred when the composite of the measured acceleration is at a peak compared to the composite baseline.

14. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the clip assembly includes opposed shell members which define a digit opening therebetween and which are biased toward one another to secure the assembly upon a digit positioned within the digit opening.

15. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to continuously determine and output the train-of-four ratio independent of any nerve block stimulation to the patient.

16. A method of monitoring the train-of-four ratio of a patient comprising the steps of:

monitoring acceleration of a digit of the patient utiling an accelerometer which measures acceleration in three dimensions;

transmitting acceleration data from the accelerometer representative of the acceleration monitored in each of the three dimensions;

processing the acceleration data;

determining a train-of-four ratio based the acceleration measured in each of the three dimensions; and

outputting the determined train-of-four ratio on a display.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of to filtering out unwanted frequencies.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of processing the acceleration data includes determining a root mean square composite baseline based on a baseline value for each of the three dimensions and determining a root mean square composite of the monitored acceleration data from the three dimensions.

19. The method according to claim 18 wherein step of determining a train-of-four ratio includes determining that a digit twitch has occurred when the composite of the measured acceleration is at a peak compared to the composite baseline.

20. The method according to claim 16 wherein the acceleration is continuously monitored and the train-of-four ratio is determined and output independent of any nerve block stimulation to the patient.