Robert E Brolin

US Patent:

57224196, Mar 3, 1998

Filed:

Nov 30, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/347562

Inventors:

John L. Semmlow - New Brunswick NJ
Robert E. Brolin - Morganville NJ

International Classification:

H61B 1505

US Classification:

128733

Abstract:

When human intestine becomes damaged due to insufficient blood perfusion (ischemic disease), the damaged tissue must be surgically removed and the remaining tissue sewn together (end-to-end anastomoses). If nonviable tissue is not removed the result can be fatal while removal of too much bowel can also lead to severe complication. The distinction between viable and nonviable tissue must often hastily be made during urgent operations on critically ill patients. This decision remains a challenge for even the most experienced general surgeon. The system disclosed herein is a medical instrument designed to quantify the survivability of intestine compromised by ischemic disease. This medical instrument evaluates ischemic tissue through the quantification of electrical and contractile activity. The computer-based instrument uses advanced signal processing techniques to remove measurement artifact and physiological variability. It provides the surgeon with immediate information that is useful in predicting long-term bowel viability allowing him to remove (resect) an optimal segment of bowel.