MDoloris Medical Systems is the first worldwide company to be able to provide a reliable, continuous and non-invasive measurement of the autonomic nervous systems (ANS). Measuring the ANS may help clinicians control surgical stress, improve outcomes and reduce the length of stay in the hospital.
From ECG to ANI: heart rate variability computation
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a well-known phenomenon that controls the regulation of the cardiovascular system via the ANS. Analysing HRV oscillations reflects the activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
The Analgesia Nociception Index (ANI) was developed to provide a measure of analgesia requirements allowing for a more specified clinical practice guided for individual patients. ANI is easy to use, easy to interpret, reliable, and continuous. The ANI uses its own dedicated and disposable ECG sensors to detect and interpret the ANI value. The ANI ranges from 0 -100. An ANI range of 50-70 during general anaesthesia relates to adequate analgesia, which means that antinociception is adequate and that the parasympathetic activity is mildly predominant over sympathetic activity.
The NIPE (Newborn Infant Parasympathetic Evaluation Index) has been developed to evaluate and monitor the parasympathetic part of the ANS of neonates to ensure total comfort at this critical age.
Based on the results obtained from the ANI technology in monitoring non-communicating adult patients, further research and development was necessary in order to develop the NIPE index. This technology has been validated for premature infants up to the age of 2 years. The measure is taken from the ECG provided by the multi parametric monitor thereby not requiring individual sensors as seen with the ANI monitor. The level of parasympathetic tone is correlated to the infant’s level of comfort and wellbeing and gives an objective measure, regarded as crucial in this patient group.
