Method for performing a non-invasive blood gas test

• US 20070218559A1
• Filed: 03/15/2006
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wayne Franco
• Original Assignee: Wayne Franco
• Inventors: Franco, Wayne
• Granted Patent: US 7,291,502 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/68
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/416 the spleen
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/84 involving inorganic compounds or pH

Abstract

A non-invasive blood gas test is carried out by a method that utilizes a venous blood sample together with a pulse oximeter and a plurality of mathematical equations. The method generates the following data points of the blood: (i) the pH level; (ii) the [H+] concentration; (iii) the [HCO₃—] concentration; (iv) the partial pressure of carbon dioxide; and (v) the oxygen saturation level. Mathematical formulas, tables, and chemical equations provide a simple method by which a doctor or other medical professional can easily calculate the blood gas data without the need for an arterial blood sample or specialized machines. Blood gas measurements are obtained from a patient in a faster, safer and less painful manner than tests that require an arterial blood sample. In another embodiment of the present invention, a system for locating a dysfunctional organ in a patient is disclosed.

Claims

1. ) A method for performing a non-invasive blood gas test on a patient, comprising the steps of:

a) measuring the pH level of the patient'"'"'s venous blood;

b) calculating the level of [H+] concentration (represented in mol per liter) in the patient'"'"'s venous blood from extrapolating from the following table;

pH[H+] in nmol/L6.81606.91257.01007.1807.2637.3507.4407.5327.6267.7207.816

c) measuring the level of serum bicarbonate concentration, [HCO₃—

] (in mEq/liter) in the patient'"'"'s venous blood;

d) calculating the partial pressure (in mm Hg) of carbon dioxide in the patient'"'"'s venous blood from the following formula;

PCO₂=[H+]×

( 1/24)×

[HCO₃—

]; and

e) determining the oxygen saturation level (SO₂) of the patient'"'"'s arterial blood by using a pulse oximeter.

5. ) The method as recited by claim 1, wherein said calculating in steps b) and d), respectively, is performed by a hand-held calculator.

6. ) The method as recited by claim 1, wherein said calculating in steps b) and d), respectively, is performed by a computer program.

2. ) A method for performing a non-invasive blood gas test on a patient, comprising the steps of:

a) measuring the pH level of the patient'"'"'s venous blood;

b) calculating the level of [H+] concentration (represented in mol per liter) in the patient'"'"'s venous blood from the following formulas;

pH=−

log₁₀[H+]
[H+]=Antilog₁₀(−

pH)

c) measuring the level of serum bicarbonate concentration, [HCO₃—

] (in mEq/liter) in the patient'"'"'s venous blood;

d) calculating the partial pressure (in mm Hg) of carbon dioxide in the patient'"'"'s venous blood from the following formula;

PCO₂=[H+]×

( 1/24)×

[HCO₃—

], wherein [H+] is represented in nmol/L;

and

e) determining the oxygen saturation level (SO₂) of the patient'"'"'s arterial blood by using a pulse oximeter.

7. ) The method as recited by claim 2, wherein said calculating in steps b) and d), respectively, is performed by a hand-held calculator.

8. ) The method as recited by claim 2, wherein said calculating in steps b) and d), respectively, is performed by a computer program.

3. ) A system for locating a dysfunctional organ in a patient, comprising:

a) means for monitoring the pH level data of the patient'"'"'s venous blood;

b) means for monitoring the patient'"'"'s complete metabolic profile data; and

c) computer programming means for processing said pH level data and said metabolic profile data in order to locate the dysfunctional organ in the patient.

4. ) A process for locating a dysfunctional organ in a patient, comprising the steps of:

a) monitoring the pH level data of the patient'"'"'s venous blood;

b) monitoring the complete metabolic profile data of the patient; and

c) correlating said pH level data and said complete metabolic profile data and using clinical judgment to locate the dysfunctional organ.

9. ) In a first response system adapted for use in a terrorist attack to aid in diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disorders, and acid-base disorders, and to help locate a dysfunctional organ in a patient, the improvement wherein:

a. a non-invasive blood gas test is obtained using a lightweight, portable pH/[HCO₃—

] meter and a hand-held calculator;

b. the patient'"'"'s venous blood pH level data is obtained using the portable pH/[HCO₃—

] meter;

c. the patient'"'"'s complete metabolic profile data is obtained; and

a correlation of said venous blood pH level data with said complete metabolic profile data, is used, together with clinical judgment, in order to locate the dysfunctional organ.