Journal of clinical monitoring and computing
-
J Clin Monit Comput · Feb 2004
Clinical TrialPosttetanic count revisited: are measurements more reliable using the TOF-Watch accelerographic peripheral nerve stimulator?
Measurement of profound neuromuscular block using posttetanic count is among the most subjective measurements made in clinical anesthesia. The TOF-Watch accelerographic peripheral nerve stimulator provides objective measurements of neuromuscular block that may improve our ability to quantitate intense blockade. ⋯ Both monitors were similar in their ability to predict return to TOFC = 1 as a function of PTC measurements. The TOF-Watch monitor is easy to apply even in inexperienced hands. However, the device yielded erroneous data in 23% of patients.
-
The purpose of this paper is to increase awareness of electrode burns that occur in the operating room (OR), to discuss their causes, warning signs, and methods that may reduce their occurrence. Two general sources of electrical burns are described: 1) Excessive radio-frequency current density usually originating from a monopolar electrosurgical unit (ESU) and 2) Direct current (DC) originating from a battery or equipment malfunction. ⋯ Recommendations on prevention and warning signs associated with these burns are presented in addition to procedures to follow if a burn is suspected.
-
Fetal pulse oximetry shares many problems with traditional pulse oximetry, but also poses unique challenges that may compromise accurate SpO2 determination and data availability. The purpose of this review is to characterize the factors that may influence fetal pulse oximetry and their relationship to sensor design. A review of the literature of pulse oximetry identifies the factors that have been shown to influence fetal pulse oximetry performance, as well as other factors from traditional pulse oximetry that may also be expected to have an effect. ⋯ The factors influencing fetal pulse oximetry may be categorized as follows: fetal physiology, tissue characteristics at the monitoring site, sensor-tissue interface, and external influences. Monitoring site selection is of paramount importance in reducing the impact of interfering factors on fetal pulse oximetry performance. Many factors of importance in traditional pulse oximetry have yet to be characterized as far as their potential for interference in fetal pulse oximetry.
-
J Clin Monit Comput · Feb 2004
Performance of a computer system for recording and analysing eye gaze position using an infrared light device.
Our aim is to develop a computer system in order to study the visual scanning and eye fixation during exploration of image. The system uses an infrared device to detect the horizontal and vertical eye movements. In this paper, our interest is concentrated mainly on the calibration procedure. ⋯ The algorithm uses a polynomial model and the optimal correction is obtained by using a mean square error criterion. The paper presents also a method to correct head movements. Experiments show that the proposed approach is fast and accurate for the study of visual perception and recognition processes.
-
J Clin Monit Comput · Feb 2004
Clinical TrialActivation of the external anal and urethral sphincter muscles by repetitive transcranial cortical stimulation during spine surgery.
Clinical utility of high intensity repetitive transcranial electrical stimulation (rTES) to elicit a response in external anal and urethral sphincter muscles was investigated in 23 patients undergoing spine surgery. ⋯ This preliminary study shows that intraoperative MEP monitoring of the external anal and urethral muscles is feasible method in particular in circumstances where bowel and bladder function are at risk of an inadvertent injury due to surgical manipulation.