Method and device for the non-invasive measurement of pressure
First Claim
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1. A method of non-invasive detection of pressure within a vessel having an elastic wall portion, comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing a coplanar triangular array of three pressure transducers into contact with the elastic wall portion;
(b) monitoring the pressure detected by said transducers;
(c) advancing said array against said elastic wall portion until the pressure sensed by three monitored transducers is equal; and
(d) generating a first signal indicating the pressure measured by said transducers when the pressure sensed by said three monitoring transducers is equal.
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Abstract
An improved, non-invasive pressure sensing method and device is provided which allows for the measurement of pressure in a vessel having flexible walls or otherwise provided with an external elastic membrane. The disclosed method and device provides for the application of a coplanar array of pressure sensors or transducers against the elastic vessel wall, the internal pressure of the vessel being measured at a point at which at least three of the transducers, arranged in a triangular configuration, measure the same pressure.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of non-invasive detection of pressure within a vessel having an elastic wall portion, comprising the steps of:
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(a) placing a coplanar triangular array of three pressure transducers into contact with the elastic wall portion; (b) monitoring the pressure detected by said transducers; (c) advancing said array against said elastic wall portion until the pressure sensed by three monitored transducers is equal; and (d) generating a first signal indicating the pressure measured by said transducers when the pressure sensed by said three monitoring transducers is equal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A device for non-invasive measurement of pressure within a vessel having an elastic wall portion, comprising:
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(a) three pressure transducers arranged in a coplanar triangular array; (b) means for bringing said array into contact with the elastic wall portion; (c) output means for generating a pressure signal corresponding to the pressure measured by each said pressure transducer; (d) comparison means whereby the signals transmitted from the three pressure transducers are compared; (e) a signal generating means whereby an indication of signal equality from said three pressure transducers can be displayed or transmitted; (f) display means for indicating the pressure measured by said transducers. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A device for non-invasive measurement of pressure within a vessel having an elastic wall, comprising:
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(a) three pressure transducers arranged in a coplanar triangular array; (b) a fourth pressure transducer disposed within said triangular coplanar array; (c) means for bringing said array into contact with the elastic wall portion; (d) output means for generating a pressure signal corresponding to the pressure measured by each of four said pressure transducers; (e) comparison means for determining a condition of equality of said pressure signals from said four pressure transducers; (f) signal generating means for indicating the pressure measured by said transducers when the pressure sensed by said four of said monitoring transducers is equal; and (g) display means for indicating the pressure measured by the said fourth pressure transducer. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A device for non-invasively measuring pressure within a vessel having an elastic wall portion, comprising:
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a rigid flat plate; three pressure transducers, disposed in a triangular array carried on and coplanar with the surface of said plate; means for advancing said array against the surface of said elastic wall portion in a controlled manner; output means for generating a pressure signal corresponding to the pressure measured by each said pressure transducer; comparison means whereby the signals transmitted from said three pressure transducers are compared; control means for repositioning said coplanar array to maintain said condition of equality of said pressure signals; means responsive to said control means for repositioning said coplanar array; means for displaying and recording the value of any said pressure signal; and fixture means for carrying said plate, including housing means for holding said plate in a predetermined position relative to the vessel.
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Specification