The use of a digital computer for the on-line real-time assessment of neuromuscular blockade in anaesthetized man.

A computer program written mainly in a high level language (ALGOL), but with the sampling routine and certain calculations written in assembly language (SIR), has been developed to assess neuromuscular blockade in anaesthetized man by means of an Elliott 903 digital computer. The program allows the on-line real-time analysis of a range of variables including twitch height, maximum slope of twitch and twitch pulse widths, peak height of tetanic contraction, end-height of tetanic contraction, the tetanic tension ratio and the percentage tetanic transmission. The program has been used to investigate the pattern of action of neuromuscular blocking drugs and has particular value in the study of the pharmacokinetic action of these drugs.