EEG-Guided Anesthesia Monitoring for Individualized Dose Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods struggle to deliver the correct dosage of anesthetic drugs like propofol and sevoflurane at the appropriate time during general anesthesia, particularly due to individual variations in brain response, which can lead to transient alpha decreases (TAD) linked to cognitive fragility and deep anesthesia sensitivity.

Innovation Solution

A method using EEG markers and demographic data to assess brain activity, combined with pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic models, to individualize anesthetic drug administration by monitoring alpha wave suppression and adjusting dosage based on EEG-derived biomarkers and mean arterial pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If standard anesthetic dosage protocols are used, then general anesthesia can be maintained, but individual variations in brain response lead to transient alpha decreases and potential deep anesthesia

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanesthesia depth controlVSAvoidindividual brain response variation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by individualizing anesthetic monitoring and dosage adjustment based on each patient's specific EEG alpha wave characteristics. Instead of applying a uniform anesthetic protocol to all patients, the system tailors the monitoring and dosage to the local (individual) brain response patterns of each patient, thereby addressing the adaptability issue while maintaining reliable anesthesia depth control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring EEG alpha wave amplitude in real-time and using this information to adjust anesthetic dosage. The system establishes a feedback loop where the EEG signal provides continuous information about brain response to anesthetics, enabling dynamic dosage adjustment to prevent both deep anesthesia and insufficient anesthesia, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and individual variation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If EEG monitoring is used to detect alpha wave changes, then brain response can be assessed, but the complexity of analyzing EEG signals increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrain activity assessmentVSAvoidEEG signal analysis
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by isolating and focusing specifically on the alpha wave frequency band (8-13 Hz) from the complex EEG signal. Instead of attempting to analyze the entire EEG spectrum, the system extracts only the relevant alpha wave component, thereby maintaining precise brain activity assessment while significantly reducing the complexity of signal analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes by transforming the EEG signal into the frequency domain through spectral analysis, specifically focusing on the power spectral density in the alpha band. This parameter transformation converts the complex time-domain EEG signal into a simplified frequency-domain representation, making the brain activity assessment more precise while reducing analytical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If transient alpha decreases are ignored, then anesthesia administration is simpler, but patients with cognitive fragility may experience deep anesthesia

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanesthetic administrationVSAvoiddeep anesthesia in sensitive patients
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing baseline EEG alpha wave characteristics before administering anesthetics and setting individualized alert thresholds. This preliminary characterization of each patient's normal alpha wave pattern enables the system to detect deviations (transient alpha decreases) that may indicate deep anesthesia in sensitive patients, allowing early intervention before harmful effects occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary anti-action by proactively monitoring for transient alpha decreases and preparing to adjust anesthetic dosage before deep anesthesia occurs. The system continuously compares real-time alpha amplitude against the established baseline and alert thresholds, enabling preventive action to counteract the potential harmful effect of deep anesthesia in cognitively fragile patients before it fully develops.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP4578392A1Monitoring anesthesia
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 ASSISTANCE PUBLIQUE HOPITAUX DE PARIS (APHP)
  • EP4578392A1 patent drawingFigure 1A.~1D.
  • EP4578392A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4578392A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to methods for monitoring anesthesia of a patient and determining the proper dose of the anesthetic drug to administer to maintain a proper state of anesthesia.