ULTRASOUND AND NERVE STIMULATOR GUIDE

区域麻醉(RA)是减少围手术期疼痛和慢性疼痛的有效方法。RA可以为患者提供显著的益处，因为它只需要轻微的镇静就可以伴随区域封锁，从而导致术后并发症的低发生率。尽管有其优点，但只有5%-20%的符合条件的RA患者接受了这项技术。RA患者的选择主要取决于医生对应用该方法的信心。拟议的第一阶段研究旨在开发一种设备，通过在RA期间提供实时反馈来提高医生的信心。麻醉成功与否取决于周围神经阻滞的深部神经定位或丛丛阻滞的神经血管束定位。同时避开周围的重要建筑。由于靶神经靠近主要血管，将结合使用多普勒超声(用于远距离方向)和电神经刺激来提供指导，以确认针的放置。作为第一阶段研究的一部分，将确定超声换能器、电极图案、材料和施工方法的初步设计。第一阶段的成功完成将导致在项目第二阶段期间进行原型开发和测试。拟议的商业应用：RA可能使患者和付款人都受益，因为它的使用促进了快速康复、缩短住院时间和出色的疼痛控制。RA的总费用约为全身麻醉相关费用的1/3。用于引导RA的一次性设备的开发将产生一种商业上可行的产品，它将增加RA的使用，并降低与手术麻醉和术后护理相关的成本。

Regional anesthesia (RA) is a powerful technique to reduce both perioperative and chronic pain. RA can provide significant benefits to patients since it requires only light sedation to accompany the regional blockade and thereby results in a low incidence of postoperative complications. In spite of its advantages, only 5-20% of patients eligible for RA receives this technique. Patient selection for RA depends primarily on a practitioner's confidence in applying the method. The proposed Phase 1 research is meant to develop a device, which will improve physician confidence by providing real-time feedback during RA. The success of the block depends on locating the deeply placed nerves for peripheral nerve blockade or the neurovascular bundle for plexus blockade. while avoiding surrounding vital structures. Since target nerves lie in close proximity to major blood vessels, guidance will be provided using a combination of Doppler ultrasound (for long-range direction) and electrical nerve stimulation for confirmation of needle placement. As part of this Phase I study, preliminary designs for ultrasound transducers, electrode patterns, materials, and construction methods will be identified. Successful completion of Phase I will lead to prototype development and testing during the Phase II portion of the project. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: RA potentially benefits both patients and payers since its use promotes rapid recovery, shortened hospital stays and excellent pain control. The overall cost of RA is about 1/3 of costs associated with general anesthesia. The development of a disposable device for guiding RA will result in a commercially viable product, which will increase the use of RA and decrease the costs associated with surgical anesthesia and post-operative care.