643
LElTERS TO THE EDITOR
bulky, it is particularly sensitive to displacement as the sensor must be directly over the radial artery. We found that when the surgeons leaned against the patient’s arms, the N-CAT sensor may be displaced, rendering it nonfunctional. Thus, although these technologies represent significant advances in blood pressure monitoring, their application in the heart room is impractical. Rafael Ortega, MD Harold Arkofi MD Gilbert Connelly, MD
Department of Anesthesia Boston University School of Medicine Boston, MA REFERENCES 1. Stokes DN, Clutton-Broek T, Patil C, et al: Comparison of invasive and noninvasive measurements of continuous arterial pressure using the Finapres. Br J Anaesth 67:26-35,199l
A Simple “Remote Control”
2. Kemmotsu 0, Ueda M, Otsuka H, et al: Arterial tonometq for noninvasive, continuous bloed pressure monitoring during anesthesia. Anesthesiology 75:333-340,1991
for an Ultrasound
Imaging System
To the Editor:
Given the space limitations in the operating room, where the echocardiographic console may not be at a convenient distance from the patient’s head, we adapted a wooden pointer to change the settings from afar on the Hewlett-Packard (Palo Alto, CA) Ultrasound Imaging Systems (Fig 1). One end is fitted with a modified 5 mL syringe, which serves to turn the circular knobs; the other end is fitted with a soft rubber pencil eraser, which turns the track-ball, adjusts the slide-switches, and can be used to point on the screen without damaging it. It is ironie to resort to such a simple device in order to cape with today’s sophisticated but cluttered workplace. Douglas Keene, MD Rafael Ortega, MD
Boston University Medical Center Boston, MA
Pencil Eraser
Pointer
Modified
5 cc Syringe Barrel
Hewlett-Packard Fig 1.
Stick
Control Knob
Schematic representation
of modiiied pointer stick.
LElTERS TO THE EDITOR
bulky, it is particularly sensitive to displacement as the sensor must be directly over the radial artery. We found that when the surgeons leaned against the patient’s arms, the N-CAT sensor may be displaced, rendering it nonfunctional. Thus, although these technologies represent significant advances in blood pressure monitoring, their application in the heart room is impractical. Rafael Ortega, MD Harold Arkofi MD Gilbert Connelly, MD
Department of Anesthesia Boston University School of Medicine Boston, MA REFERENCES 1. Stokes DN, Clutton-Broek T, Patil C, et al: Comparison of invasive and noninvasive measurements of continuous arterial pressure using the Finapres. Br J Anaesth 67:26-35,199l
A Simple “Remote Control”
2. Kemmotsu 0, Ueda M, Otsuka H, et al: Arterial tonometq for noninvasive, continuous bloed pressure monitoring during anesthesia. Anesthesiology 75:333-340,1991
for an Ultrasound
Imaging System
To the Editor:
Given the space limitations in the operating room, where the echocardiographic console may not be at a convenient distance from the patient’s head, we adapted a wooden pointer to change the settings from afar on the Hewlett-Packard (Palo Alto, CA) Ultrasound Imaging Systems (Fig 1). One end is fitted with a modified 5 mL syringe, which serves to turn the circular knobs; the other end is fitted with a soft rubber pencil eraser, which turns the track-ball, adjusts the slide-switches, and can be used to point on the screen without damaging it. It is ironie to resort to such a simple device in order to cape with today’s sophisticated but cluttered workplace. Douglas Keene, MD Rafael Ortega, MD
Boston University Medical Center Boston, MA
Pencil Eraser
Pointer
Modified
5 cc Syringe Barrel
Hewlett-Packard Fig 1.
Stick
Control Knob
Schematic representation
of modiiied pointer stick.
