Method and apparatus for cardiovascular diagnosis
First Claim
1. A method of determining cardiovascular conditions comprising the steps of:
- removably attaching a sensor to a surface of each of a pair of extremities of a patient for measuring a physical parameter indicative of cardiovascular conditions;
measuring said parameter substantially simultaneously on both extremities while both extremities are in a raised, steady-state condition;
measuring said parameter substantially simultaneously on both extremities while both extremities are in a lowered, steady-state condition;
comparing the measurements obtained in the raised, steady-state condition with the measurements obtained in the lowered, steady-state condition to determine cardiovascular conditions; and
recording the result of said comparing step.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A non-invasive method and apparatus for sensing relative blood conditions in extremities, such as using photoelectric dermachromography to measure differential blood flow and/or pooling between extremities, for the purpose of diagnosing cardiovascular conditions. Reflective colorimeters are employed for performing comparative light reflection rheology (LRR). The resting, steady-state LRR for both the left and right palms are simultaneously measured when both arms are in a raised, steady-state condition, and again when both arms are in a lowered, steady-state condition, thereby providing a repeatable measurement of overall vasomotor tone, the tone of the smooth muscles of the arterial walls. Two portable light gauges are used, each including a plurality of light sources such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged around at least one light detector. Each gauge is removably attachable to the palms of the hands of the patient whose vasomotor tone is to be determined. The gauges are removably attached to the palms so that the hands are movable, and measurements are taken of both hands in a raised, substantially steady-state UP condition, and then again while both hands are in a lowered, substantially steady-state DOWN condition. After a series of these UP and DOWN measurements are taken, the gauges are switched and another series of UP and DOWN measurements with the gauges reversed are taken. Each gauge is independently calibrated by using standardized reference scales.
145 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method of determining cardiovascular conditions comprising the steps of:
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removably attaching a sensor to a surface of each of a pair of extremities of a patient for measuring a physical parameter indicative of cardiovascular conditions; measuring said parameter substantially simultaneously on both extremities while both extremities are in a raised, steady-state condition; measuring said parameter substantially simultaneously on both extremities while both extremities are in a lowered, steady-state condition; comparing the measurements obtained in the raised, steady-state condition with the measurements obtained in the lowered, steady-state condition to determine cardiovascular conditions; and recording the result of said comparing step. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A non-invasive method for determining vasomotor tone comprising the steps of:
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removably attaching a light sensor unit to a surface of each of a pair of extremities of a patient for measuring a light reflection parameter of each of the extremities; measuring the light reflection parameter of the surfaces of the extremities substantially simultaneously on both extremities while both extremities are in a raised, steady-state condition; measuring the light reflection parameter of the surfaces of the extremities substantially simultaneously on both extremities while both extremities are in a lowered, steady-state condition; comparing the light reflection parameter measurements obtained in the raised, steady-state condition with the light reflection parameter measurements obtained in the lowered, steady-state condition to determine vasomotor tone; and recording the determined vasomotor tone. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A non-invasive method of determining cardiovascular conditions comprising the steps of:
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sensing, at a surface of each of a pair of extremities of a patient, a physical parameter indicative of cardiovascular conditions; sensing said parameter substantially simultaneously on both extremities while both extremities are in a raised, steady-state condition; sensing said parameter substantially simultaneously on both extremities while both extremities are in a lowered, steady-state condition; comparing the sensed parameter obtained in the raised, steady-state condition with the sensed parameter obtained in the lowered, steady-state condition to determine cardiovascular conditions; and recording results of said comparing step. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. In an Erdman Therapy method to improve blood flow rates for patients with high vasomotor tone through application of heat, massage, or ultrasound therapies, and to improve blood flow rates for patients with low vasomotor tone through cold applications on spinal muscles or on portions of spinal muscles, the improvement comprising the steps of:
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removably attaching a sensor unit to a surface of each of a pair of extremities of a patient for measuring a physical parameter indicative of cardiovascular conditions; measuring said parameter substantially simultaneously on both extremities while both extremities are in a raised, steady-state condition; measuring said parameter substantially simultaneously on both extremities while both extremities are in a lowered, steady-state condition; comparing the measurements obtained in the raised, steady-state condition with the measurements obtained in the lowered, steady-state condition; and implementing a therapy based on the results of said comparing step. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. In an Erdman Therapy method to improve blood flow rates for patients with high vasomotor tone through application of heat, massage, or ultrasound therapies, and to improve blood flow rates for patients with low vasomotor tone through cold applications on spinal muscles or on portions of spinal muscles, the improvement comprising the steps of:
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sensing, at a surface of each of a pair of extremities of a patient, a physical parameter indicative of cardiovascular condition; sensing said parameter substantially simultaneously on both extremities while both extremities are in a raised, steady-state condition; sensing said parameter substantially simultaneously on both extremities while both extremities are in a lowered, steady-state condition; comparing the sensed parameter obtained in the raised, steady-state condition with the sensed parameter obtained in the lowered, steady-state condition; and implementing a therapy based on results of said comparing step.
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31. A device comprising:
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at least two light sensor units removably attachable to extremities of a patient for measuring a light reflection parameter; controller means for controlling said light sensor units during the performance of light reflection parameter measurements; comparing means for comparing a light reflection parameter measurement made substantially simultaneously on two extremities of a patient while both extremities of a patient are in a raised, steady-state condition with a light reflection parameter measurement made substantially simultaneously on both extremities of a patient while both extremities of a patient are in a lowered, steady-state condition; and indicating means for indicating a result of said comparing step. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification