Dwayne R. Westenskow

Dwayne R. Westenskow, PhD

Languages spoken: English

Academic Information

Departments Emeritus - Anesthesiology

Dwayne Westenskow began his anesthesia research career in 1974 with the development of an oxygen replenishment technique for measuring oxygen consumption. He made the first continuous measurements of oxygen consumption during anesthesia. This technology, enhanced over the next 18 years by fellow researchers and students, became commercially available in Drager’s Oxiconsumeter, Utah Medical’s MGM/two and Neonatal Metabolic Gas Monitors and in NASA’s exercise stress monitor.

In 1977 research turned to applying feedback control in anesthesia. This work demonstrated that automatic controllers perform as well as experts in controlling blood pressure, end-tidal CO2, volatile anesthetic delivery, neuromuscular blockade, fluid resuscitation and differential lung ventilation. The Utah Anesthesia Machine used these feedback controllers to form an anesthesia machine with multiple automatic control features. Drager implemented parts of the controller technology in their anesthesia workstations. They are found in the Physioflex anesthesia machine.

In 1987, working with colleagues from Electrical Engineering, he applied Raman Scattering technology to the monitoring of respiratory gases in anesthesia. This work resulted in Ohmeda’s Rascal Anesthesia/Respiratory Gas Monitors.

In 1989 the research group introduced artificial neural networks to anesthesia. They developed “smart” alarms for the anesthesia breathing circuit, anesthesia machine and ICU ventilator. The group demonstrated that ANNs improve the accuracy of oscillometric blood pressure monitoring and artifact rejection.

In 1994 the research group developed flowmeter technology that enabled breath-to-breath monitoring of carbon dioxide production and noninvasive cardiac output monitoring by CO2 rebreathing. The flowmeter became available in Novametrix’s COSMO plus respiratory monitor, Vent-check and NICO2 noninvasive cardiac output monitor and in PDS’s AccuTrac peak flowmeter, in KORR Medical’s VT-100 ventilation monitor and BioTech’s VT-Plus Ventilator Tester.

Other patient monitors that originated in this research lab include Biosensors International’s SafetyWedge Thermodilution Catheters, Utah Medical’s Bubble TOCO monitor, Vital Signs’ Paragraph neuromuscular monitor, and InnerSpace’s forehead blood pressure monitor.

In 1999 a Bioengineering Research Partnership was formed at the University of Utah to develop new methods of presenting vital patient information to clinicians with the goal of improving patient safety in acute care environments. Our team developed graphical displays for anesthesiologists and other clinical domains. An interdisciplinary partnership of biomedical and computer engineers, information architects, medical researchers, and human factors experts developed three core components of state-of-the-art information displays:
• Applied modeling of patient’s physiology and pharmacology,
• Visualization of model-based and sensor-based patient information under conditions of uncertainty; and
• Human factors-centered evaluation of new medical information displays.
The team integrated these components into real-time patient monitors that have been licensed to GE and DocuSys. FDA approval was obtained and the products are commercially available.

Education History

Doctoral Training University of Utah
 PhD
University of Utah
 ME
Undergraduate Brigham Young University
 BS

Selected Publications

Patent

  1. Dwayne Westenskow (2012). Apparatus and method for non-invasively measuring cardiac ou - HJA120125SW. U.S. Patent No. 8096297. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  2. Westenskow DR, et. al. (2011). Method for reducing the effects of general anestheticsHJA110223SW. U.S. Patent No. 7891356. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  3. Dwayne Westenskow (2010). System for Providing emergency Medical Care with Real-Time Instructions and Associated Methods. U.S. Patent No. 7,774,060. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  4. Westenskow, DR, et.al. (2010). “Anesthesia Drug Monitor” [U-3281]. U.S. Patent No. 7693697. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  5. Westenskow, DR, et.al. (2010). Apparatus for non-invasively measuring cardiac output. U.S. Patent No. 7686012. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  6. Dwayne Westenskow, Jim Agutter, Noah Syroid, David Strayer, R. Albert, Blake, Frank Drews (2010). “Method and Apparatus for Monitoring Dynamic Pulmonary Function Using N-Dimensional Representatives of Critical Functions” [U-3280]. U.S. Patent No. 7,654,966. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  7. Dwayne Westenskow, Jim Agutter, Julio Bermudez, Stefano Foresti, G Ondeck (2009). “Method and Apparatus for Monitoring Dynamic Systems Using N-Dimensional Representations of Critical Functions” [U-2679]
     U.S. Application No. 10/840,835. U.S. Patent No. 7,603,631. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  8. Agutter J., Syroid N., Bermudez JC., Zhang Y., Holmes ME., Drews F., Strayer DL., Albert RW., Westenskow DR. (2008). "Method and Apparatus for Monitoring Dynamic Cardiovascular Function Using N-Dimensional Representations of Critical Functions". U.S. Patent No. US 7,413,546 B2. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  9. Westenskow DR. (2008). Method and Apparatus for Monitoring Dynamic Cardiovascular Function Using N-Dimensional Representations of Critical Functions. U.S. Patent No. U.S. Patent No. 7,413,546. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  10. Westenskow DR (2008). Method for Stimulating and Demonstrating the Gas Exchange During Mandatory or Assisted Ventilation and Apparatus therefore. U.S. Patent No. US 7353825 B2. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  11. Westenskow, Dwayne R. Orr.Joseph A, Syroid, Noah, Snell, Daniel, Agutter, James (2006). System for providing emergency medical care with real -time instructions and associated methods. U.S. Patent No. 20060111749. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  12. Westenskow DR (2006). Patent Award. U.S. Patent No. 7018340. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  13. Westenskow D (2005). Apparatus and method for non-invasively measuring cardiac output. U.S. Patent No. 6,908,438. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  14. Orr, Joseph A. (Park City, UT), Sakata, Derek Jo (Salt Lake City, UT), Westenskow, Dwayne R. (Salt Lake City, UT) (2003). Apparatus and Techniques for Reducing the Effects of General Anesthetics. U.S. Patent No. 10/680,469 . Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  15. Westenskow DR (2003). Apparatus and Method for Non-Invasively Measuring Cardiac Output. U.S. Patent No. 6,648,832. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  16. Westenskow DR (2002). Anesthesia Drug Monitor.
  17. Jaffe MB, Orr JA, Kofoed SA, Westenskow D (2001). Apparatus and method for non-invasively measuring cardiac output. U.S. Patent No. 6,227,196. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  18. Westenskow DR (2000). Method and Apparatus for Monitoring Dynamic systems using an Integrated Graphic Display for the N-Dimensional Representations of Critical Functions.
  19. Westenskow DR (2000). Method and Apparatus for Monitoring Anesthesia Drug Dosages, Concentrations, and Effect Using N-Dimensional Representations of Critical Functions.
  20. Westenskow DR (2000). Method and Apparatus for Monitoring Dynamic Cardiovascular Function Using N-Dimensional Representations of Critical Functions.
  21. Westenskow DR (1999). Endotracheal Tube Splitter. U.S. Patent No. 5,906,593. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  22. Baker PD, Orr J, Westenskow DR, Johnson RW (1996). Method and apparatus for producing thermodilution cardiac output measurements utilizing a neural network. U.S. Patent No. 5,579,778. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  23. Orr JA, Westenskow DR, Silva FH (1995). Ultrasound medical diagnostic device having a coupling medium providing self-adherence to a patient. U.S. Patent No. 5,394,877. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  24. Westenskow DR (1995). Flowmeter Sensor. U.S. Patent No. 5379650. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  25. Baker PD, Orr JA, Westenskow DR, Egbert TP (1994). Method for determining blood pressure utilizing a neural network. U.S. Patent No. 5,339,818. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  26. Westenskow DR (1994). Tubular Structure for Intracorporeal Use Having Means for Controlled Release of Substance on the Exterior Thereof.
  27. Westenskow DR (1994). Method and Apparatus for Determining Blood Pressure Utilizing a Neural Network. U.S. Patent No. 5,339,818. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  28. Westenskow DR (1994). Method and Apparatus for Producing Thermodilution Cardiac Output Measurements Utilizing a Neural Network. U.S. Patent No. 5,579,778. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  29. Silva FH, Westenskow DR, Orr JA (1993). Self-adhering noninvasive intracorporeal movement detector. U.S. Patent No. 5,195,536. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  30. Westenskow DR (1993). Physician Closed-Loop Neuromuscular Blocking Agent System. U.S. Patent No. 5,256,778. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  31. Westenskow DR (1993). Method and Apparatus for Patient Protection Against Vessel Rupture from Balloon-Tipped Catheters. U.S. Patent No. 5,196,017. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  32. Westenskow DR (1993). Blood Pressure Monitoring Technique which Utilizes a Patient's Supraorbital Artery. U.S. Patent No. 5,230,342. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  33. Westenskow DR, Orr JA (1992). Method and apparatus for monitoring neuromuscular blockage. U.S. Patent No. 5,131,401. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  34. Westenskow DR (1991). Method and Apparatus for Patient Protection Against Vessel Rupture from Balloon-Tipped Catheters. U.S. Patent No. 5,007,919. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  35. Westenskow DR, Silva F (1989). Disposable breathing system and components. U.S. Patent No. 4883051. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  36. Westenskow DR (1989). Anesthetic Ventilating Apparatus Having a Breathing Circuit and Control Loops for Anesthetic Components. U.S. Patent No. 55,094,235. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  37. Westenskow DR (1987). Molecular Gas Analysis By Raman Scattering in Intracavity Laser Configuration. U.S. Patent No. 4,648,714. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  38. Westenskow DR (1986). Metabolism Gas Monitoring Apparatus and Method. U.S. Patent No. 4,572,208. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  39. Westenskow DR (1984). Neonatal Oxygen Comsumption Monitor. U.S. Patent No. 4,211,239. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  40. Westenskow DR (1981). Closed-loop Infusion System, Both Method and Apparatus, Based on Real Time Urine Measurement. U.S. Patent No. 4,291,692. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  41. Westenskow DR (1980). Apparatus for Measurement of Expiration Fluids. U.S. Patent No. 4,233,842. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  42. Westenskow DR (1978). Oxygen and Anesthesia Delivery and Monitoring Device. U.S. Patent No. 4,127,121. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.