Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston announced that investigators at Massachusetts General and colleagues from Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a computer-controlled anesthesia system that automates the process of monitoring the brain activity and adjusting drug infusion to maintain the brain state in medically induced coma patients.
The team developed algorithms to read and analyze an EEG pattern in real time and determine a target level of brain activity. Based on that target, an automated control device adjusts the flow of anesthesia to achieve the desired brain state.
Although anesthesiologists have had computer-assisted systems for years, no FDA-approved system exists that completely controls anesthesia administration based on continuous monitoring of a patient's brain activity. Further development of the MGH and MIT system to control and maintain the full range of anesthesia states will introduce a powerful new tool to the field, according to the hospital's news release.
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The team developed algorithms to read and analyze an EEG pattern in real time and determine a target level of brain activity. Based on that target, an automated control device adjusts the flow of anesthesia to achieve the desired brain state.
Although anesthesiologists have had computer-assisted systems for years, no FDA-approved system exists that completely controls anesthesia administration based on continuous monitoring of a patient's brain activity. Further development of the MGH and MIT system to control and maintain the full range of anesthesia states will introduce a powerful new tool to the field, according to the hospital's news release.
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