Monitoring of Needle-placement With Multiple Frequency Bioimpedance Monitoring

A novel algorithm for bioimpedance measurements to detect nerve tissue, and discriminate it from other tissue types has been developed in a porcine model, by analysing a complex impedance dataset based on multiple measurement frequencies. It must now be confirm that the previous results are applicable in humans. Measurements from 24 predefined needle positions will be obtained in 16 of the 32 volunteers that are included in the study (part A). A new algorithm to detect nerve tissue will be developed based on these measurement results. Further impedance algorithms will be developed for other tissue type. The efficacy of the algorithms (sensitivity and specificity) will be evaluated in the 16 following volunteers (part B).