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Pressure applicator devices particularly useful for non-invasive detection of medical conditions

  • US 6,461,305 B1
  • Filed: 04/28/2000
  • Issued: 10/08/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A device for application to a body part of a patient to determine the physiological condition of the patient, comprising a probe including:

  • a housing defining a compartment closed at one end and open at an opposite end for receiving a distal end of the body part including a terminal-most extremity;

    pressurizing means for applying a static pressure field substantially uniformly around the distal end of the body part, when received in said compartment, including the terminal-most extremity, which static pressure field is of a predetermined magnitude sufficient to substantially prevent distention of venous vasculature, uncontrolled venous backflow, and retrognade shockwave propogation into said distal end, and to partially unload wall tension of, but not to occlude, arteries in said distal end when at heart level or below;

    and a sensor for sending changes in said distal end of the body part related to changes in volume thereof due to changes in instantaneous blood volume related to arterial blood volume therein, wherein said pressurizing means for applying said static pressure substantially uniformly around the distal end of the body part, including the terminal-most extremity, comprises a medium wholly self-contained within said probe.

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