Non-invasive device and method for the diagnosis of pulmonary vascular occlusions

• US 7,083,574 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2003
• Issued: 08/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charlotte Mecklenburg Hospital Authority
• Original Assignee: Charlotte Mecklenburg Hospital Authority
• Inventors: Kline, Jeffrey A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US10/400,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20030167017A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: 600/532, 128/204.23, 422/84, 73/233
• US Class Current: 600/532
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/082 Evaluation by breath analysis, e.g. determination of the chemical composition of exhaled breath A61B5/083, A61B5/091 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/083 Measuring rate of metabolism by using breath test, e.g. measuring rate of oxygen consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0833 Measuring rate of oxygen consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0836 Measuring rate of CO2 production
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/091 Measuring volume of inspired or expired gases, e.g. to determine lung capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/417 the bone marrow
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 5/4585 having a rectifier with controlled elements

Abstract

The invention involves a device and method for ascertaining the functioning of the respiratory system and determining whether a pulmonary embolism is present. The device comprises an apparatus containing sensors for measuring the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations as well as the volume of air inhaled and exhaled by a patient. From this data, a processor computes the ratio of carbon dioxide to oxygen for the volume of expired air and displays the results on a screen. By comparing the results to predetermined normal values, an accurate determination can be made regarding the presence of a pulmonary embolism.

Claims

1. A method for measuring a patient'"'"'s response to resuscitation, comprising the steps of:

providing a device capable of measuring oxygen partial pressure;

supplying a relatively low concentration of inspired oxygen of about 21 to 30 percent;

providing a relatively high concentration of inspired oxygen of about 45 to 50 percent;

calculating the amount of oxygen delivered to the patient for both the lower concentration of inspired oxygen and the higher concentration of inspired oxygen; and

comparing the difference in oxygen delivered between the lower concentration and the high concentration with expected values.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying the comparison of the difference in oxygen delivered between the lower concentration and the high concentration with expected values on a screen.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of visually confirming that resuscitation is adequate when the amount of oxygen delivered to the patient for both the lower concentration of inspired oxygen and the higher concentration of inspired oxygen reach expected values.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the display on said screen of the comparison of the difference in oxygen delivered between the lower concentration and the high concentration with expected values comprises a nomogram.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said expected values comprise data previously recorded from healthy patients of comparable age, body mass, body mass index, and gender.