Monitoring Propofol in the Blood Stream
“[S]cientists from Switzerland’s EPFL research institute, the Lausanne University Hospital and the Polytechnic University of Turin have developed an experimental “smart pen” device that continuously measures anesthetic levels within a patient’s bloodstream. More specifically, sensors in the tool’s needle – which is inserted into a vein – detect concentrations of the commonly used anesthetic propofol, in the blood serum. Because propofol tends to stick to the tips of needles instead of being completely drawn in, the drug has previously proven difficult to precisely measure within the blood. The new device addresses this issue utilizing artificial intelligence-based algorithms, which compensate for the sticking problem when calculating bloodstream propofol levels. It then transmits that data via Bluetooth, allowing the dosage of any supplemental propofol – if needed – to be adjusted automatically.” MORE
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