Physiological monitor including an objective pain measurement

• US 6,751,499 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2001
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Algodyne Limited
• Original Assignee: Algodyne Limited
• Inventors: Lewinsky, Reuven, Lange, Daniel H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, Charles
• Assistant Examiner(s): MALLARI, PATRICIA C
• Application Number:
  US09/977,449
• Publication Number:
  US 20020111754A1
• Time in Patent Office: 974 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300-301, 600/481, 600/483, 600/485, 600/500, 600/502, 600/529, 600/544-545, 600/549, 600/557
• US Class Current: 600/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1106 to assess neuromuscular blockade, e.g. to estimate depth of anaesthesia
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4824 Touch or pain perception evaluation A61B5/4821 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/483 by thermal stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses and systems relating to the objective measurement of the subjective perception of pain in a subject are disclosed. In one aspect, a system for objectively measuring a subjective perception of pain by a subject comprises a plurality of electrodes, including a left channel electrode and a right channel electrode. The plurality of electrodes measures electrical activity at a respective plurality of sites on the subject to generate at least two sets of electrical activity measurements. The system further comprises a processor for processing the at least two sets of electrical activity measurements into at least two normalized signals, and comparing the at least two normalized signals to each other to identify the presence of pain in the subject.

Claims

1. A physiological monitor comprising:

a system for objectively measuring a subjective perception of pain wherein said system comprises a subject electrical activity acquisition subsystem.

2. The monitor of claim 1 further comprising a thermometer.

3. The monitor of claim 1 further comprising a pulse meter.

4. The monitor of claim 1 further comprising a blood pressure gauge.

5. The monitor of claim 1 further comprising a respiratory gauge.

6. The monitor of claim 4 further comprising a respiratory gauge.

7. The monitor of claim 4 further comprising a thermometer.

8. The monitor of claim 4 further comprising a pulse meter.

9. A physiological monitor for measuring vital signs of a subject comprising:

(a) a system for objectively measuring a subjective perception of pain comprising a subject electrical activity acquisition subsystem; and

(b) a thermometer.

10. The physiological monitor of claim 9, further comprising a pulse meter.

11. The physiological monitor of claim 10, further comprising a blood pressure gauge.

12. The physiological monitor of claim 11, further comprising a respiratory gauge.

13. A physiological monitor for measuring vital signs of a subject comprising;

(a) a system for objectively measuring a subjective perception of pain; and

(b) a pulse meter.

14. The physiological monitor of claim 13, further comprising a blood pressure gauge.

15. The physiological monitor of claim 14, further comprising a respiratory gauge.

16. A physiological monitor for measuring vital signs of a subject comprising;

(a) a system for objectively measuring a subjective perception of pain; and

(b) a blood pressure gauge.

17. The physiological monitor of claim 16, further comprising a respiratory gauge.

18. A physiological monitor for measuring vital signs of a subject comprising;

(a) a system for objectively measuring a subjective perception of pain; and

(b) a respiratory gauge.