Non-invasive Venous Pressure Measurement
First Claim
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1. A venous pressure measurement apparatus, comprising:
- a probe having a contacting member constructed and arranged to be pressed against skin proximate to a vein;
a load cell mounted on the probe and coupled to the contacting member, the load cell being arranged to measure an amount of force exerted by or on the contacting member; and
a central unit coupled to the load cell, the central unit being adapted to read and record the amount of force measured by the load cell and to convert that measurement to a venous pressure.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for non-invasive measurement of a subject'"'"'s venous pressure, and particularly the subject'"'"'s central venous pressure (CVP). The apparatus comprises a probe with a load cell. The method makes use of a non-invasive medical device or technique, such as an ultrasound system, to visualize the internal jugular (IJ) vein. Once the IJ has been located, the operator pushes on the surface of the neck with the probe until the external pressure is sufficient to collapse the IJ. The load cell within the probe determines the amount of force applied, and the applied force is converted into venous pressure.
29 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A venous pressure measurement apparatus, comprising:
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a probe having a contacting member constructed and arranged to be pressed against skin proximate to a vein;
a load cell mounted on the probe and coupled to the contacting member, the load cell being arranged to measure an amount of force exerted by or on the contacting member; and
a central unit coupled to the load cell, the central unit being adapted to read and record the amount of force measured by the load cell and to convert that measurement to a venous pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A venous pressure measurement system, comprising:
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a medical device constructed and arranged to detect the closure of a vein; and
a venous pressure measurement apparatus, the apparatus including;
a probe having a contacting member constructed and arranged to be pressed against skin proximate to a vein, a load cell mounted on the probe and coupled to the contacting member, the load cell being arranged to measure an amount of force exerted by or on the contacting member, and a central unit coupled to the load cell, the central unit being adapted to read and record the amount of force measured by the load cell and to convert that measurement to a venous pressure. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of measuring a venous pressure, comprising:
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visualizing a vein using a non-invasive medical imaging device;
applying pressure to the skin over the vein using a probe capable of sensing the applied pressure until the medical imaging device indicates that the vein has begun to collapse;
recording an initial collapse pressure when the vein has begun to collapse;
applying pressure to the skin over the vein using the probe device until the medical imaging device indicates that the vein has substantially completely closed;
recording a final close pressure when the vein has substantially completely closed; and
calculating the venous pressure using the difference between the final close pressure and the initial collapse pressure. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification