Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Index to Assess the Severity of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Kenneth G. Proctor and Robert C. Duncan
Problem
Changes in heart rate variability (HRV) are an accepted method of assessing autonomic dysfunction in patients in several pathologic states, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), with and without structural heart disease. Unfortunately, existing HRV-related technologies have only limited application as diagnostic and/or prognostic clinical tools because of low accuracy.
Solution
The invention is a method of predicting pathological medical conditions using an algorithm based on HRV and several other routinely measured physiologic conditions. An index is computed using ECG data in conjunction with one or more parameters such as age, blood pressure, gender and sedation conditions. A correlation study with a Computer Tomography data proves high efficiency of the method in diagnosing TBI patients.
Competitive Advantage
The method provides an algorithm that can be normalized to a simple scale for interpretation by a health care provider, such as an ambulance technician. The technology is an automated triage tool that aids decision making about the severity of trauma.
Applications
(1) The method provides an algorithm that can be normalized to a simple 0-100 scale for interpretation by a health care provider with minimal training.
(2) The method can be easily incorporated into any ECG monitoring device used in hospitals or ambulances.
(3) The method provides a high probability prediction of a pathological medical condition and facilitates a decision of a medical procedure to be performed on a patient.
Patent Status
U.S. patent application No.
US20070276275 A1
entitled "SCREENING METHOD AND SYSTEM TO ESTIMATE THE SEVERITY OF INJURY IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS" was published on November 29, 2007; International patent application counterpart No.
WO2007139866
was published on December 6, 2007.
Licensing Opportunity
We are seeking a commercialization partner with capabilities in product development, sales, and marketing. An exclusive worldwide license is available.
About the Inventors
Kenneth G. Proctor, Ph.D. is a Professor of Surgery and Anesthesiology at the Miller School of Medicine who has trained more than fifty fellows, residents, and graduate students over the past 25 yrs. His research is primarily funded by the Department of Defense. He has published over 120 reviews and manuscripts on subjects related to trauma and critical care.
Robert Duncan, Ph.D. is a tenured Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health. He is a biostatistical consultant to research faculty of the UMMSM and teaches advanced statistical courses. The author and co-author of more than 120 scientific papers, several book chapters, and a statistical text, he has broad-ranging experience analyzing clinical and research data from diverse studies.
Selected References
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Systemic coagulation changes caused by pulmonary artery catheters: laboratory findings and clinical correlation. J Trauma. 2005 Oct;59(4):853-9.
Resuscitation with pressors after traumatic brain injury. J Am Coll Surg. 2005 Oct;201(4):536-45.
Can Near Infrared Spectroscopy identify the severity of shock in trauma patients? J Trauma. 2005 Apr;58(4):806-816.
Modified rapid deployment hemostat bandage terminates bleeding in coagulopathic patients with severe visceral injuries. J Trauma. 2004 Oct;57(4):756-9.
