The PediSedate uses video games to calm children

It’s not entirely brand new but interest in the PediSedate has been resurrected by Technologizer looking at Game Boy oddities as part of a 20th anniversary tribute to Nintendo’s handheld gaming console. The PediSedate is a clever medical gadget consisting of a colorful, toy-like headset that connects to a game console like a Game Boy system or some portable digital music player.

The pediatric sedation headset is designed to distract children, through giving them something that is fun and familiar, so they are calm and comfortable while they are being sedated in preparation for surgery or some other medical procedure.

While the child is listening to music or playing a game, the PediSedate monitors breathing continuously and distributes nitrous oxide, an anesthetic gas. By being in a calm state when sedated, the child has less chance of being traumatized by a stressful medical or dental procedure.

Each headset can be used multiple times each day and includes an anesthesia administration and monitoring system. A pulse-oximeter within the headset monitors oxygenation and a capnometer monitors second-to-second respiratory rate. The anesthetic is then delivered via the snorkel.

Paul Best