A team of researchers from the University of La Laguna has developed a system for providing anesthesia in surgical operations by means of a computer.

Through the system developed at the University of La Laguna is detected the patient’s hypnotic state at any time and provides the most appropriate dose of anesthesia, the academic center reported today in a statement.

Albino Juan Mendez, a researcher at the Anesthesia Control Group at the University of La Laguna, shows that with this system is individualized drug dose infused with the characteristics of each patient.

This group of researchers has developed a software tool, along with the team of anesthesiologists at the Hospital Universitario de Canarias, to facilitate the work of these health professionals.

The research has been published in the journal Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering.

Through sensors and a monitor, the system records the electroencephalogram (EEG) of patient and bispectral index (BIS), a unitless parameter that quantifies the hypnotic state and is related to the level of consciousness.

The bispectral index value between 100 (high alert as possible) and 0 (absence of cortical electrical activity, the more profound state of unconsciousness).

This research focuses on the region of bispectral index for general anesthesia, ie between 40 and 60.

The data are processed on a computer that includes specific control software and can act on the pump that injects the anesthetic to regulate their numbers.

The software is based on algorithms PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) adapter, a feedback control mechanism that automatically calculates the appropriate dosage based on measured and desired values.

To validate the technique the researchers have successfully performed simulations with various models developed by them and in addition the fifteen patients have been tested in volunteers, aged between 30 and 60, the Hospital Universitario de Canarias.

Preliminary results for both operating room and in simulation show that the system provides a satisfactory performance and applicability in the operating room with reasonable expectations of success, Albino said Mendez.

Scientists hope that the method helps to improve operational performance at the time of anesthetic dose and optimize patient recovery times and reduce the costs of interventions.

The study is a commonly used anesthetic, propofol, but could use others, such as isoflurane.

The technique also has application in the regulation of other physiological variables such as blood glucose level, temperature or blood pressure.