Other

Patient Comfort, L.l.c.

Henry L Bennett

Bruce Jay Simon

Jeffrey R Cram

An electrode assembly adapted to be attached to the skin over selected facial muscle groups picks up signals to be analyzed by an anesthesia adequacy monitor that measures the level of awareness of a living animal, typically a human being. The electrode assembly also includes a stimulator that stimulates a facial nerve to determine the level of paralysis, or neuro muscular block, of the facial muscles. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the electrode assembly by printing a pattern of electrically conductive material through a silk-screen or an ink type process onto a flexible layer, and then coating the result with a non-conducting adhesive except at points corresponding to sensing points for the desired muscle groups. Finally, a method for using such sensing and stimulating devices is shown in determining and maintaining an appropriate level of patient awareness, muscle paralysis, and analgesia under anesthesia.

Electrode assembly and method for signaling a monitor

The anesthesia adequacy monitor measures the level of consciousness of a patient as distinguished from merely the physical paralysis of the patient. Sensors attached to the patient's face measure the micro-expression the patient is exhibiting which is normally undetectable by even a trained observer. This device amplifies the patient's expression and thereby provides both a quantative and a qualitative measure of the patient's reactions to various stimuli during apparent unconsciousness. A display is provided giving an operator a readily discernable representation of the patient's awareness. An artifact detector further enhances the device's utility by filtering out unwanted anomalies from the monitor's output. During surgery, this device can be used to maintain an adequate level of patient awareness while the patient is under anesthesia. After an event resulting in apparent unconsciousness, this device can provide a measure of the patient's true level of awareness. In this way, patient comfort is maximized and patient recovery time is minimized.

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No. 2, Chatham, NJ, United States of America

Henry L Bennett