Optical Sensor Improves Epidural Effectiveness

Aug-19-16 An optical sensor from the team at MIT could enhance the safety and effectiveness of epidurals as well as of a range of medical procedures.

The new system would help eliminate the risk of an epidural needle being placed too deeply or in the incorrect tissue via a sensor embedded in the needle’s tip. The optical sensor uses light to measure molecular shifts, which in turn allows the system to identify different types of tissue.

Whereas typically anesthesiologists must rely on their sense of touch to determine when the needle has reached its mark, judging by the change in tissue density, the sensor system would provide a much more accurate method of needle placement.

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[NEWATLAS.COM]
[NEWS.MIT.EDU]

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