Methods and apparatus for drug modeling and displaying drug models

Abstract

Drug delivery models, displays, and systems may be configured to provide a clinician with readily intuitive information about the effects of one or more drugs on a subject. Interactive features may be included to provide a subject-specific model of the expected or predicted effects of one or more drugs on the subject. Additionally, interactive features that effect drug delivery to the subject may also be included. Drug delivery models, displays, and systems may be used in teaching, in advance of treatment, during treatment, or following treatment.

1 . A method for delivering anesthesia to a subject, comprising:
 selecting a plurality of anesthetic agents for administration to the subject;   selecting a desired wakeup time;   determining concentrations of the plurality of anesthetic agents, including interactions between anesthetic agents of the plurality, to achieve the desired wakeup time;   determining concentrations of the plurality of anesthetic agents, including interactions between anesthetic agents of the plurality, to minimize a pain awareness of the subject at and after the desired wakeup time; and   administering to the subject concentrations of the plurality of anesthetic agents that will achieve the desired wakeup time and minimize the pain awareness of the subject.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein selecting the plurality of anesthetic agents includes selecting at least one sedative and at least one analgesic. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein selecting the plurality of anesthetic agents includes selecting at least one sedative, at least one short-acting analgesic, and at least one long-acting analgesic. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein administering comprises administering a sedative comprising propofol to the subject. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein administering comprises administering a sedative comprising one or more of sevoflurane, desflurane, isoflurane, and halothane to the subject. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein administering comprises administering at least one analgesic comprising one or more of remifentanil, fentanyl, alfentanil, and sufentanil to the subject. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining concentrations of the plurality of anesthetic agents, including interactions between anesthetic agents of the plurality, to achieve the desired wakeup time comprises determining concentrations of the plurality of anesthetic agents that will minimize the time it takes the subject to wake up after a surgical procedure is complete. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein administering comprises administering to the subject concentrations of the plurality of anesthetic agents that will minimize the pain awareness of the subject following wakeup without delaying wakeup or introducing unintended side effects. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein administering comprises administering to the subject minimal concentrations of the plurality of anesthetic agents that will prevent the subject from feeling pain during and after wakeup. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a healthcare provider with guidance on concentrations of the plurality of anesthetic agents to be administered to the subject by the healthcare provider.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining concentrations includes considering at least one individual characteristic of the subject. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for use in delivering anesthesia to a subject, comprising:
 at least one input element for receiving drug information regarding a plurality of anesthetic agents for administration to the subject;   at least one processing element for receiving the drug information and programmed to:
 determine concentrations of the plurality of anesthetic agents, including interactions between anesthetic agents of the plurality, to achieve an optimal wakeup time for the subject; 
 determine concentrations of the plurality of anesthetic agents, including interactions between anesthetic agents of the plurality, to minimize a pain awareness of the subject at and after the desired wakeup time; and 
 model at least present and future sedative and analgesic effects of determined concentrations of the plurality of anesthetic agents on the subject; and 
   a display for depicting:
 the future sedative and analgesic effects of the determined concentrations; and 
 synergies between the plurality of anesthetic agents. 
   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the display depicts effects of at least one sedative, at least one short-acting analgesic, and at least one long-acting analgesic. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the display depicts effects of a sedative comprising propofol on the subject. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the display depicts effects of a sedative comprising one or more of sevoflurane, desflurane, isoflurane, and halothane on the subject. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the display depicts effects of at least one analgesic comprising one or more of remifentanil, fentanyl, alfentanil, and sufentanil on the subject. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one processing element is programmed to:
 determine concentrations of the plurality of anesthetic agents, including interactions between anesthetic agents of the plurality, that will have a desired sedative effect and minimize the time it takes the subject to wake up after a surgical procedure is complete.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the display is configured to depict the concentrations of the plurality of anesthetic agents that will minimize the time it takes the subject to wake up after a surgical procedure is complete. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one processing element is programmed to:
 determine concentrations of the plurality of anesthetic agents, including interactions between anesthetic agents, that will minimize the pain awareness of the subject for at least thirty minutes following wakeup.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the display is configured to depict the concentrations of the plurality of anesthetic agents that will minimize the pain awareness of the subject. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one input element is configured to receive data regarding at least one event that may provide an indication of the plurality of anesthetic agents on the subject and the at least one processing element is configured to cause the display to show the at least one event at a location that corresponds to a time of the at least one event and concentrations or effects of the plurality of anesthetic agents at that time. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for use in optimizing delivery of anesthesia and analgesia to a subject, comprising:
 at least one input element for receiving drug information regarding a plurality of anesthetic agents, including at least one sedative, at least one short-acting analgesic, and at least one long-acting analgesic, for administration to the subject;   at least one processing element for receiving the drug information and programmed to:
 determine a sedative effect of the plurality of anesthetic agents, including interactions between anesthetic agents of the plurality; and 
 determine an analgesic effect of the plurality of anesthetic agents, including interactions between anesthetic agents of the plurality; and 
   a display for depicting:
 present and future sedative and analgesic effects of the plurality of anesthetic agents; and 
 synergies between the plurality of anesthetic agents. 
   
     
     
         23 . A method for optimizing delivery of anesthesia and analgesia to a subject, comprising:
 administering a plurality of anesthetic agents to the subject, including at least one sedative, at least one short-acting analgesic, and at least one long-acting analgesic;   predicting a wake up time for the subject based on concentrations of the plurality of anesthetic agents, including interactions between anesthetic agents of the plurality, administered to the subject; and   predicting a pain awareness of the subject based on concentrations of the plurality of anesthetic agents, including interactions between anesthetic agents of the plurality, administered to the subject.