Automated UltraSound Software for Identification of Lumbar Vertebral Levels

Automated UltraSound Software for Identification of Lumbar Vertebral Levels in Obstetric Patients

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT02982317

Acronym

AUSSI

Enrollment

Registered

2016-12-05

Start date

2017-01-05

Completion date

2017-06-15

Last updated

2017-11-28

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Anesthesia

Keywords

Neuraxial anesthesia, Obstetrics, Ultrasound

Brief summary

A novel automated ultrasound software system has been developed which identifies for the practitioner the intervertebral spaces in the lumbar area. This study aims to investigate whether this new technology has a greater accuracy of identifying intervertebral spaces that manual palpation.

Detailed description

The use of ultrasound is one of the most accurate ways to identify the correct vertebral level for needle insertion in spinal/epidural anesthetics, however this is not commonly used. A novel automated ultrasound software system has been developed by the UBC Department of Engineering which identifies for the practitioner the intervertebral spaces in the lumbar area. This study aim to investigate whether this new technology has a greater accuracy of identifying intervertebral spaces that manual palpation.

Interventions

PROCEDUREManual palpation identification lumbar spine

PROCEDUREAutomated ultrasound technology identification

This technology involves a standard ultrasound machine and curvilinear probe- what is novel is the software which will be connected to the ultrasound machine

PROCEDURELumbar level identification gold standard ultrasound

Study design

Observational model

COHORT

Time perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

FEMALE

Age

19 Years to 50 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* ASA I or II * ≥ 19 years old * Term pregnancy (≥ 37 weeks gestation age) * Scheduled for elective Cesarean section * Ability to read English in order to understand the consent form

Exclusion criteria

* Patient refusal to participate * BMI ≥ 40 * Scoliosis * Previous lower back surgery or known spinal abnormalities * Inability to palpate bony landmarks in lumbar region * Active labour (cervical dilatation \>5cm) * Allergy to epidural tape, surgical paper tape, or felt pen

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Accuracy of identifying L3/L4 of agreement between the two techniques against the freehand US (control)	Within 1 hour of recuitment

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 14, 2026