Non-invasive monitoring of intracranial dynamic effects and brain density fluctuations
First Claim
1. A method for non-invasive monitoring density variations of a medium substantially confined within at least a solid boundary comprising:
- a) providing at least two ultrasonic pulses having different frequencies into the medium for transmission therethrough;
b) sensing the at least two ultrasonic pulses after traveling through the medium and providing a receive signal in dependence thereupon;
c) processing the receive signal for determining at least two phase differences between the phases of the at least two sensed ultrasonic pulses and the phases of the at least two provided ultrasonic pulses;
d) determining data indicative of a density variation of the medium based on the at least two phase differences.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for non-invasive monitoring of brain density variations. At least two ultrasonic pulses having different frequencies are provided into the brain for transmission therethrough. The reflected ultrasonic pulses are then sensed and the sensed signal data are then processed for determining at least two phase differences between the phases of the at least two reflected ultrasonic pulses and the phases of the at least two provided ultrasonic pulses. A phase of at least a beat frequency is determined in dependence upon the at least two phase differences. Finally, data indicative of a brain density variation are determined based on the at least two phase differences and the at least a beat frequency. Repeating the process enables continuous monitoring of brain density variations. The method and apparatus for non-invasive monitoring of brain density variations is highly beneficial in clinical settings as well as during emergency and rescue operations by enabling early detection of brain density variations, which are directly related to intracranial pressure (ICP) changes; and provide diagnosis and assessment of head injuries, haemorrhage, stroke and variations of blood flow in the skull due to drug effects, changes in brain temperature and stress.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for non-invasive monitoring density variations of a medium substantially confined within at least a solid boundary comprising:
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a) providing at least two ultrasonic pulses having different frequencies into the medium for transmission therethrough;
b) sensing the at least two ultrasonic pulses after traveling through the medium and providing a receive signal in dependence thereupon;
c) processing the receive signal for determining at least two phase differences between the phases of the at least two sensed ultrasonic pulses and the phases of the at least two provided ultrasonic pulses;
d) determining data indicative of a density variation of the medium based on the at least two phase differences. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for non-invasive monitoring density variations of a medium substantially confined within at least a solid boundary comprising:
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an ultrasonic pulse generator for generating at least two ultrasonic pulses having different frequencies;
a transmitter in signal communication with the ultrasonic pulse generator for coupling the at least two ultrasonic pulses into the medium for transmission therethrough;
at least a sensor for sensing the at least two ultrasonic pulses after traveling through the medium and for providing a receive signal in dependence thereupon;
an analog-to-digital converter in signal communication with the at least a sensor for converting the receive signal into digital receive signal data;
a processor in communication with the ultrasonic pulse generator and the analog-to-digital converter, the processor for;
a) providing at least a control signal to the ultrasonic pulse generator indicative of at least a parameter of the at least two ultrasonic pulses;
b) processing the digital receive signal data for determining at least two phase differences between the phases of the at least two sensed ultrasonic pulses and the phases of the at least two provided ultrasonic pulses; and
,c) determining data indicative of a density variation based on the at least two phase differences and the at least a beat frequency. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus for non-invasive monitoring of brain density variations comprising:
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an ultrasonic pulse generator for generating at least two ultrasonic pulses having different frequencies;
a transmitter in signal communication with the ultrasonic pulse generator for coupling the at least two ultrasonic pulses into the brain for transmission therethrough;
a sensor array probe for sensing the at least two ultrasonic pulses after traveling through the medium and for providing a receive signal in dependence thereupon;
an analog-to-digital converter in signal communication with the sensor array for converting the receive signal into digital receive signal data;
a processor in communication with the ultrasonic pulse generator, the analog-to-digital converter, and the sensor array, the processor for;
a) providing at least a control signal to the ultrasonic pulse generator indicative of at least a parameter of the at least two ultrasonic pulses;
b) performing beam steering for detecting the at least two ultrasonic pulses;
c) processing the digital receive signal data for determining at least two phase differences between the phases of the at least two sensed ultrasonic pulses and the phases of the at least two provided ultrasonic pulses;
d) determining at least a beat frequency phase in dependence upon the at least two phase differences;
e) determining at least a density variation based on the at least two phase differences and the at least a beat frequency; and
,f) repeating the steps a) to e) while varying the frequencies of the at least two ultrasonic pulses. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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Specification