Dolorimeter

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Dolorimeter
Purposemeasure pain threshold of an individual

A dolorimeter is an instrument used to measure

pain sensitivity or pain intensity".[1] Dolorimeters apply steady pressure, heat, or electrical stimulation to some area, or move a joint or other body part and determine what level of heat or pressure or electric current or amount of movement produces a sensation of pain
. Sometimes the pressure is applied using a blunt object.

History

In 1940, James D. Hardy, Harold G. Wolff and Helen Goodell of

anaesthetist Henry K. Beecher (1957) expressed skepticism about this method of measuring pain.[6] In 1945, Time reported that Cleveland's Lorand Julius Bela Gluzek had developed a dolorimeter that measured pain in grams.[7] Gluzek stated that his dolorimeter was 97% accurate.[8]

Palpometer

A dolorimeter known as the Sonic Palpometer was developed at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. Patents have been applied for worldwide.[9] The Sonic Palpometer uses ultrasound and computer technology to automate the physician's technique of palpation to determine sensitivity of some part of the patient's body.

The related pressure controlled palpometer (PCP) uses a pressure-sensitive piece of plastic film to determine how much pressure is being applied in palpation. This technique appears to be more reliable than unaided palpation.[10]

Algorimeter and other methods

Techniques using lasers

Svensson et al. (1997) describe the use of a

CO2 laser or a contact thermode to heat the skin and elicit a pain response.[11]

A laser-based dolorimeter called a Dolorimeter Analgesia meter is marketed by IITC Life Sciences.

Techniques using heat lamps

Another pain measurement device uses heat from a 500 watt incandescent heat lamp which is delivered to a small area of skin.

Other dolorimeters

  • Björnström's algesimeter measures sensitivity of the skin to pain.
  • Boas' algesimeter measures sensitivity over the epigastrium.
  • The AlgiScan, used for measuring the analgesia level in patients during anesthesia, quantifies within seconds the reflex papillary dilatation[clarification needed] through an integrated nociceptive stimulator.[clarification needed][12]

Other terms for similar instruments include algesiometer, algesichronometer (which also takes time into consideration), analgesia meter, algometer, algonometer, prick-algesimeter, pressure-algometer.[citation needed]

Dolorimetry for animals

Dolorimetry in animals involves application of pain to various body parts. It is occasionally used as a diagnostic tool, and routinely used in basic pain research and in the testing of

analgetics
.

Tail

Paw

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Stedman's Medical Dictionary 2004 Houghton Mifflin Company
  2. ^ Pain Sensations and Reactions, J. D. Hardy, H. G. Wolff, H. Goodell, Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, 1952.
  3. ^ The Problem of Pain, Time magazine, July 30, 1956.
  4. ^ Displacing the Dolorimeter: The Fate of a Pain Measuring Instrument in the Era of Therapeutic Reform, U. S. 1940s–50s Archived 2006-10-16 at the Wayback Machine, Noémi Tousignant, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Anesthesiology.
  5. ^ The Measurement of Pain: Prototype for the Quantitative Study of Subjective Responses, Henry K. Beecher, Pharmacological Reviews. 9:59–209
  6. ^ Gluzek, L. J. B. "Dolorimetry in medical practice: the quantitative measure of deep sensibility and of pain". Med. rec., N.Y., 1944, 157, 292–294.
  7. ^ "Ouch!". Time. January 1, 1945.
  8. ^ "University of Victoria Palpometer site". Archived from the original on 2007-03-20. Retrieved 2007-01-24.
  9. ^ "Equip Medikey | The key to medical innovation – Medical equipment for anesthesia and effective pain treatments".

References