Non-invasive method of determining diastolic intracranial pressure

US6740048B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• William T. Yost · Newport News, US
• John H. Cantrell · Williamsburg, US
• Alan R. Hargens · San Diego, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 25, 2002
• Grant date: May 25, 2004
• Expiry date: Sep 25, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B8/4209
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method is presented for determining diastolic intracranial pressure (ICP) in a patient. A first change in the length of a path across the skull of the patient caused by a known change in ICP is measured and used to determine an elasticity constant for the patient. Next, a second change in the length of the path across the patient's skull occurring between systolic and diastolic portions of the patient's heartbeat is measured. The patient's diastolic ICP is a function of the elasticity constant and the second change.