DETECTION OF INTRAVASCULAR INJECTION OF AN ANESTHETIC

摘要

A method in which an anesthesia catheter (10) is inserted into the epidural space of the patient. A blood soluble dye mixed with a local anesthetic is injected through the catheter and into the patient. A transducer clip (41) is positioned on the finger for monitoring the light responsive characteristics of the patient's blood. A transducer signal is fed to a microprocessor (47) for generating real time display for indicating to the anesthesiologist that the dye, and therefore the local anesthetic, is present in the bloodstream.