Method and apparatus for monitoring neuromuscular blockage
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for monitoring neuromuscular blockage in a patient, comprising:
- means for providing electrical stimulation to a peripheral nerve of said patient; and
means for measuring the degree of response evoked in a skeletal muscle of said patient by said electrical stimulation of said peripheral nerve, said measuring means including;
a flexible film of piezoelectric material for generating an electrical signal generally proportional to the degree of deflection thereof;
nonconductive material substantially encapsulating said piezoelectric film;
thin, flexible pad means for supporting said substantially encapsulated piezoelectric film, said pad means having one side secured to said piezoelectric film and another side for application to the skin of the patient; and
means for securing said thin, flexible pad means over the skin of said patient in overlying relationship to said skeletal muscle.
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Abstract
The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for monitoring neuromuscular blockage, and more specifically contemplates the quantitative measurement of movement of the skin of a patient overlying an electrically simulated skeletal muscle as an indicia of such blockage. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention includes a piezoelectric film affixed over the patient'"'"'s skin, the film generating an electric current in proportion to the magnitude of skin movement.
134 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for monitoring neuromuscular blockage in a patient, comprising:
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means for providing electrical stimulation to a peripheral nerve of said patient; and means for measuring the degree of response evoked in a skeletal muscle of said patient by said electrical stimulation of said peripheral nerve, said measuring means including; a flexible film of piezoelectric material for generating an electrical signal generally proportional to the degree of deflection thereof; nonconductive material substantially encapsulating said piezoelectric film; thin, flexible pad means for supporting said substantially encapsulated piezoelectric film, said pad means having one side secured to said piezoelectric film and another side for application to the skin of the patient; and means for securing said thin, flexible pad means over the skin of said patient in overlying relationship to said skeletal muscle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for monitoring neuromuscular blockage in a patient, comprising:
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means for providing electrical stimulation to a peripheral nerve of said patient; and means for measuring the degree of response evoked in a skeletal muscle of said patient by said electrical stimulation of said peripheral nerve, said measuring means including; an electrical power source; flexible strain gauge means in communication with said electrical power source for varying the electrical resistance to power from said power source in response to the degree of deflection of said flexible strain gauge means; nonconductive material encapsulating said flexible strain gauge means; thin, flexible pad means for supporting said flexible strain gauge means, said pad means having one side secured to said strain gauge means and another side for application to the skin of the patient; and means for securing said thin, flexible pad means over the skin of said patient in overlying relationship to said skeletal muscle. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. An apparatus for monitoring neuromuscular blockage in a patient, comprising:
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means for providing electrical stimulation to a peripheral nerve of said patient; and means for measuring the degree of response evoked in a skeletal muscle of said patient by said electrical stimulation of said peripheral nerve, said measuring means including; a flexible, variable capacitor comprising two flexible, substantially parallel, thin conductive members having a flexible dielectric substrate disposed therein; first and second electrical conductors each communicating with one of said members and extending to an electrical power source; thin, flexible pad means for supporting said flexible, variable capacitor, said pad means having one side secured to said variable capacitor and another side for application to the skin of the patient; and means for securing said thin, flexible pad means over the skin of said patient in overlying relationship to said skeletal muscle. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. An apparatus for monitoring neuromuscular blockage in a patient, comprising:
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means for providing electrical simulation to a peripheral nerve of said patient; and means for measuring the degree of response evoked in a skeletal muscle of said patient by said electrical stimulation of said peripheral nerve, said measuring means including; a substantially planar, internally resiliently supported, flexible bladder containing a substantially compressible fluid therein, means in communication with said fluid for sensing pressure or density changes therein and generating a signal generally proportional to the magnitude of said changes; thin, flexible pad means for supporting said flexible, bladder, said pad means having one side secured to said flexible bladder and another side for application to the skin of the patient; and means for securing said thin, flexible pad means over the skin of said patient in overlying relationship to said skeletal muscle. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A method of measuring neuromuscular blockage in a patient, comprising:
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securing a skin movement sensor in direct contact with the skin of said patient overlying a skeletal muscle; measuring background movement of said skin with said skin movement sensor and quantifying said background movement as an electrical parameter; electrically stimulating a peripheral nerve of said patient associated with said skeletal muscle to evoke a response therefrom; measuring movement of said skin subsequent to said electrical nerve stimulation and during said evoked muscle response with said skin movement sensor, and quantifying said skin movement during said evoked skeletal muscle response as an electrical parameter; and subtracting said quantified background movement of said skin from said quantified skin movement measured during said evoked skeletal muscle response. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification