MANOMETER WITH A BALLOON SEALING THE UPPER END THEREOF AND METHOD OF USING SAME

• US 3,610,230 A
• Filed: 03/20/1967
• Issued: 10/05/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1967
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Harold Willids Andersen
• Original Assignee: Harold Willids Andersen
• Inventors: Andersen, Harold Willids
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US04/624,522
• Time in Patent Office: 1,660 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.05,214,214.21 73/395,401,402
• US Class Current: 600/487
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02152 specially adapted for venous pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/40 using low-level float-valve to cut off media flow from reservoir position detection of a floating member A61M5/1685

Abstract

A manometer for measuring and indicating venous pressure in the human body by observation of the height of a column of liquid in continuous fluid communication with the interior of a vein, combined with means for rapid transfusion or infusion, whenever needed, without interrupting the continuous fluid path between the column and the vein; and the method of using same. A balloon seals the upper end of the manometer and serves as an atmospheric pressure transmitter while isolating the manometer from atmospheric contamination.

Claims

1. A manometer for measuring and indicating venous pressure in the human body comprising, a substantially vertically disposed reservoir, a column of liquid in said reservoir, a conduit adapted to place said column in continuous fluid communication with the interior of a vein, means communicating with said conduit below said reservoir adapted to supply liquid to the vein at controlled rates, means on said reservoir separating the interior of the reservoir from ambient atmosphere while permitting said interior to remain substantially at atmospheric pressure, said separating means beiNg a thin wall elastic balloon mounted on the upper end of said reservoir and projecting upwardly therefrom, said balloon being adapted to permit the liquid column to rise and fall freely and adapted to retain any quantities of said liquid forced out of the reservoir by an increase of fluid pressure and to return said liquid to the reservoir upon a reduction of pressure.

2. A manometer according to claim 1 which includes a support within said balloon.

3. A manometer according to claim 1 which includes a support for the reservoir comprising a board adapted to be attached to a stand or the like and a channel on said board receiving releasably the reservoir, the reservoir being of transparent plastic tubing and being retained in said channel under longitudinal tension.

4. The method of visually indicating the venous pressure in a living body and alternatively infusing liquid into said body, which includes providing a liquid-containing system comprising a reservoir, a liquid source and a hollow bore needle, placing the bore of the needle in communication with a vein of the patient, supplying liquid from said source to the reservoir and the needle, causing the level of liquid in the reservoir to stand at a point indicative of the pressure of blood in said vein, isolating the air in said reservoir above said liquid level from ambient atmosphere, continuing the supply of liquid to said reservoir at a rate sufficient to prevent back flow of blood into said needle bore upon any increase of blood pressure in said vein, said rate being insufficient to raise said level except in response to an increase of said pressure, and alternatively increasing said rate to infuse liquid into said vein while filling said reservoir with liquid under higher pressure, and retaining the liquid isolated from ambient atmosphere and in a position to be returned to pressure-indicating level.