Non-invasive method of determining absolute intracranial pressure

US6773407B2 · 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 E. Hargens · San Diego, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 25, 2002
• Grant date: Aug 10, 2004
• Expiry date: Dec 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 absolute intracranial pressure (ICP) in a patient. Skull expansion is monitored while changes in ICP are induced. The patient's blood pressure is measured when skull expansion is approximately zero. The measured blood pressure is indicative of a reference ICP value. Subsequently, the method causes a known change in ICP and measures the change in skull expansion associated therewith. The absolute ICP is a function of the reference ICP value, the known change in ICP and its associated change in skull expansion, and a measured change in skull expansion.