Abstract:
Ischemia in a hollow internal organ can be detected in its incipient stages by obtaining a CO2 sample from within the organ of interest, measuring the partial pressure of CO2 sample, measuring the bicarbonate concentration of an arterial blood sample, and on the basis of these two measurements calculating the pH of the wall of the organ. The value of the pH is an indicator of the onset of ischemia in the organ. The CO2 sample is obtained by a novel catheter (10), multiple embodiments of which are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for determining the vitality or adequacy of oxygenation of the whole body, or a solid internal organ, by the measurement of the pH of venous blood.
Abstract:
A catheter guide wire (20) designed for use in guiding a catheter to a target site along a tortuous vessel path. The guide wire (20) has a relatively long, torqueable proximal wire section (26), a more flexible intermediate section (28), and a most flexible distal end section (30) designed to be advanced across sharp-bend vessel junctions. The intermediate section (28) has greater lubricity than the adjacent proximal and distal sections. The greater frictional coefficient in the distal end segment (30) acts to anchor the end of the wire in a branch vessel, when the guide wire has been advanced across the sharp-bend vessel junction, and the catheter (102) is threaded axially over the wire, while the more lubricious surface (46) of the intermediate section (28) gives reduced sliding friction within the catheter (102) during such advance. The invention also includes a catheter device (100) containing the guide wire and catheter.
Abstract:
In a process for continuous measurement of blood pressure, the mean blood pressure is derived from the measured pulse wave duration. The other blood pressure parameters are obtained by combination with an optoelectrical determination of blood volume density in a typical manner at the ear lobes. An initial individual basic calibration of the blood pressure values is carried out by a conventional method. In addition, a continuous automatic optoelectronic post-calibration is carried out. The measuring sensor is preferably an ear clip (10) and ECG electrodes (16) or a photoelectric sensor. The method can be used to particular advantage in prevention and diagnosis.
Abstract:
An ambulatory apparatus for storing data concerning the functioning of the cardiovascular system comprises a casing (3) carried on the inflatable arm-band (1) itself which contains batteries, a miniaturized motocompressor, valves, a microprocessor and RAM memories. The data supplied by a pressure sensor and a microphone (4) are digitized and compressed so that they can be stored in one or more RAM memories whose contents are then transferred to a computer in a health care centre. Advantageously, the disappearance of the KOROTKOV noises at the end of the increase or decrease in pressure controls the beginning and end of memorization.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method for producing shaped products from granular materials, in particular food products from cereals such as rice, corn, wheat or the like, which are pressure-baked and afterwards expanded in a heatable mold defined in a fixed upper mold and a movable lower mold (punch). Preferably the mold comprises a peripheral mold element which is individually movable. Driving means are provided for actuating the movable punch which are in the form of two aligned, separately controlled hydraulic cylinders of which one cylinder defines a precise expansion and the other cylinder controls the compression in combination with separate end switch means.
Abstract:
In a system of monitoring the blood pressure of a living body for an extended period of time, it is desired to alleviate the pain caused by pressure on the living body. The invention comprises a pulse wave detecting means for detecting pulse waves from the artery of a living body, a blood pressure measuring means for measuring the actual blood pressure of the living body, and a control means which finds a relationship between the pulse waves detected by said pulse wave detecting means and the actual blood pressure measured by the blood pressure measuring means, which determines the blood pressure based on the pulse waves and which continuously displays it on a display unit. From the relationship between the actual blood pressure found by the control means and the pulse waves, therefore, the blood pressure is determined on the basis of the pulse waves and is continuously displayed. Therefore, the blood pressure need not be continuously measured using a cuff, and the pain from which the living body suffers is greatly alleviated.
Abstract:
A clinical whole blood viscometer and a method for obtaining instantaneous whole blood viscosity measurements over a wide range of shear rates with a single blood sample. A conventionally acquired sample of fresh blood (inside 11) is drawn from a patient and directed under pressure in viscous flow so as to deflect a compliant diaphragm (20, 26), then allowing the diaphragm to relax and concurrently measuring the relaxation of said compliant diaphragm continuously so as to determine a profile of viscosity versus shear rate of said sample.
Abstract:
A device for physiological pressure recordal comprises a miniaturized pressure sensor element (1) which is located near the tip (2) of a guide (3), which in turn is inserted into a catheter (4). The guide (3) and the catheter (4) have sealing surfaces (5, 6; 15, 16) which can be brought into contact with each other by axial or rotary motion of the guide (3) in relation to the catheter (4), whereby the sensor element (1) becomes available for calibration from a pressure generator (7) connected to the catheter (4).
Abstract:
A cardiac monitor includes a heartbeat rate meter (4), an alarm such as a loudspeaker (11), and a comparator (8) which operates the alarm when the heart rate is abnormal, in particular on cardiac arrest. To enable the staff to know how long the cardiac arrest has lasted, the alarm comparator also triggers a timer (10). The timer can be reset manually, or automatically after normal heart rhythm has been re-established. A delay device (12) is provided so that the timer can be reset only after a delay following resuscitation of the patient. Consequently, if the patient relapses soon after resuscitation the timer will measure the total time spent in cardiac arrest.
Abstract:
A method of and apparatus for determination of blood pressure continuously and non-invasively. The method comprises sensing the heart beat, preferably via ECG, sensing the associated arterial pulse and measuring the time interval between them. Photoplethysmography is conveniently used for sensing the arterial pulse.