Sliding-Window Nociception Indexing for Postoperative Pain Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient monitoring systems fail to accurately quantify a patient's nociception level throughout a surgical procedure, relying on instantaneous data that does not capture the full extent of pain or stress experienced, leading to inadequate pain management post-operatively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that generate a single index quantifying a patient's nociception response over a continuously increasing time period until the end of surgery, combining statistical features of hemodynamic responses from photoplethysmogram and heartbeat interval data, and a second index for real-time assessment, to guide analgesic administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional patient monitoring systems use instantaneous data for nociception assessment, then the measurement is simple and quick, but the accuracy and comprehensiveness of pain quantification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitoring approach by using a fixed-length sliding time window (e.g., 5 minutes) to divide the continuous surgical procedure into discrete assessment intervals. This allows the system to process manageable data segments while maintaining comprehensive pain assessment, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity by breaking down the complex continuous monitoring into simpler discrete segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data collection and processing during the surgical procedure by continuously capturing hemodynamic parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, pulse wave) within defined time windows. This preliminary action prepares the data in advance, allowing accurate nociception quantification without requiring complex real-time processing during critical moments, thus improving measurement precision while managing system complexity.
2Productivity
If patient monitoring uses a fixed time window for data collection, then the processing is simpler and faster, but the ability to capture the full extent of nociception response deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic fixed-length sliding time window that moves continuously through the surgical procedure, adjusting its position while maintaining a consistent duration (e.g., 5 minutes). This dynamic approach allows the system to process data efficiently at each window while collectively capturing the complete nociception response across the entire procedure, thus resolving the contradiction between processing efficiency and information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous monitoring by applying the fixed-length sliding window approach throughout the entire surgical procedure, ensuring that nociception assessment is ongoing without interruption. This continuous action ensures no information is lost while maintaining steady processing efficiency, as the system continuously collects, processes, and updates nociception indices without idle periods or gaps in monitoring.
3Speed
If conventional systems rely on instantaneous nociception data, then the response time for pain assessment is fast, but the reliability of post-operative pain prediction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary nociception assessment during the surgical procedure by analyzing hemodynamic data within defined time windows before the patient leaves the operating room. This preliminary action provides early prediction of post-operative pain levels, allowing timely analgesic intervention while maintaining both fast response time and high reliability through comprehensive pre-operative pain characterization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a dynamic sliding time window that adapts to the surgical procedure timeline, allowing the system to provide continuous nociception assessment at different stages of surgery. This dynamic approach enables fast response time by providing real-time feedback during surgery while improving prediction reliability by accumulating data across multiple time windows that capture the complete nociceptive response pattern.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides a comprehensive understanding of patient nociception levels throughout surgery, enabling more effective pain management by predicting post-operative pain and allowing for timely and efficient administration of analgesics.
Implementation Method 1
The computing device is configured to continuously obtain a hemodynamic response of a patient as photoplethysmogram signal data
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are methods and systems for predicting a post-operative condition that may be experienced by a patient, following a surgical procedure. In one or more embodiments, a method for quantifying a patient response to surgery comprises generating a single index that quantifies a patient condition of a patient using a nociception response of the patient during a surgical procedure, where the nociception response includes a hemodynamic response of the patient detected within a non-fixed length, continuously increasing window of time that increases until conclusion of the surgical procedure.