The Relaxometer: a complete and comprehensive computer-controlled neuromuscular transmission measurement system developed for clinical research on muscle relaxants.
The Relaxometer is a computer-controlled system developed for reliable clinical experimental measurements on neuromuscular block. This system is based on an adapted personal computer (Atari 1040 ST) with a monochrome monitor (Atari SM 124), and a microcomputer-driven slave unit (stimulator). There are several stimulation patterns available: single twitch at 0.1 and 1 Hz, single train-of-four, continuous train-of-four every 12 seconds, and tetanic stimulation at 50 Hz for 5 seconds followed by posttetanic count. The system is equipped with a temperature module for continuous monitoring of the skin/muscle temperature and a rechargeable battery to allow uninterrupted measurements if the apparatus is disconnected from the line power. All acquired data, computer-calculated parameters (onset time, duration time, recovery index, train-of-four ratio, tetanic fade, and posttetanic count), and the mechanomyogram are presented on screen continuously, are stored on floppy disk, and can be printed in a well-organized format.
Research Group for Experimental Anesthesiology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
C J
CJ
Rowaan
R H
RH
Vandenbrom
J M
JM
Wierda
D000465:Algorithms; D003199:Computer Systems; D003626:Data Display; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013933:Thumb / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents