// Encyclopedia. Search. Definition of: hybrid computer (1) See hybrid laptop. (2) A digital computer that accepts analog signals, converts them to digital and processes them in digital form. Hybrid computers are used in process control and robotics. See hybrid control system.
Morphine actually has a short half life of 1.5 to 7 hours, except for patients who are renally impaired. (who can feel the drug effects longer than usual). Effects of narcosis and analgesia (loss of sense of pain and not loosing consciousness) can last longer for older patients.
A morphine pump can greatly reduce the amount of morphine that a patient has to take for pain control. If a patient can successfully pass an intrathecal morphine test in a pain clinic, a patient who might normally take 75 milligrams (mg) of morphine by mouth on a daily basis may be able to reduce the amount to 1 mg per day via a pump.