Breakthrough brain anaesthesia response device recognised by TGA
In Summary
An Australian-first device that can measure changes in brain activity as anaesthesia is delivered to a patient has been certified by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Swinburne University of Technology, in partnership with Cortical Dynamics Ltd, have developed the Brain Anaesthesia Response (BAR) monitor which will enable anaesthetists to measure anaesthetic delivery and make adjustments as necessary during surgical procedures.
Professor David Liley, who worked on the development of the device, said it was a milestone for the medical industry.
“Measuring how unconscious a patient is while they are under anaesthetic is particularly important, because if a patient is not completely unconscious they will remember the surgery, which can be quite a traumatic experience.”
The monitor also has the potential to indicate how pain-free a patient is while under anaesthesia.
Professor Liley said the device could ultimately have large cost-efficiencies for clinics and surgeries around the world.
“The BAR Monitor has the potential to reduce the risks associated with surgical procedures, increase levels of patient care, optimise the use of anaesthetic agents, lower costs through reduced drug usage and in turn create a faster bed turnaround in the theatre and post-operative recovery rooms.”
The device improves on currently used electroencephalogram (EEG) technologies by incorporating the latest advances in the industry’s understanding of how the brain’s rhythmic electrical activity is produced.
“The BAR will work by recording brain electrical activity from three sensors placed on the forehead and the skull just behind one of the ears,” Professor Liley said.
Cortical Dynamics Ltd is a medical device company focused on developing the next generation Brain function monitors by employing the latest theories and technologies to the field.