Biomedical Engineering in Epidural Anaesthesia Research
Authors: Vaughan, N., Dubey, V.N., Wee, M.Y.K. and Isaacs, R.
Editors: Andrade, A.O., Pereira, A.A., Naves, E.L.M. and Soares, A.B.
Publisher: InTech
ISBN: 978-953-51-0924-2
DOI: 10.5772/3331
Abstract:The application of engineering techniques into biomedical procedures has proved extremely beneficial in many areas of medicine. A developing area is in epidural analgesia and anaesthesia, a technique employed for the relief of pain in both acute and chronic, and for anaesthesia to enable pain-free surgery. The aim of this chapter is to demonstrate several specific areas of research and how biomedical engineering techniques are used to improve and enhance the experience and training in the epidural procedure. The overall goal is to reduce the risks and subsequent morbidity in patients using advanced technologies to recreate the epidural procedure replicating as far as possible the in-vivo procedure. This would allow anaesthetists to practice the procedure in a safe and controlled environment without risk to patients. This could be achieved by recreating the sensation of the needle passing through the tissues and ligaments and by the generation of forces that match exactly those felt in-vivo.
Source: Manual