Abstract

This study aims to measure the pressure exerted on a Tuohy needle during epidural insertions in the lumbar region. Seventeen epidural insertions have been performed on a porcine cadaver in the lumbar region using the developed system. The range of peak pressures caused by porcine ligamentum flavum was measured between 470-500 mmHg (62.7-66.7 kPa), equivalent to 11.1 – 11.8 Newtons of force on the plunger, beyond this the epidural space caused a loss of pressure. The resulting pressure-time graphs show the changing pressures on the Tuohy needle during insertion from the skin through the ligaments to the epidural space. These measurements will be used to configure a haptic device for epidural simulators.