Medical manometer with flexible fluid collection tube
OwnerNorman M. Rosenberginventor
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Abstract
A medical manometer replaces the conventional rigid vertical graduated cylinder with a flexible, graduated tube which is sufficiently pliable that it may be bent to drain the fluid collected during use. This flexibility further obviates the need for a stopcock or other type of valve, resulting in a device which is significantly lighter in weight and much more conducive to disposability. The improved manometer is specifically intended for use in measuring cerebro-spinal fluid pressure, in which case the device's simplicity and flexibility increase accuracy in positioning and minimize patient discomfort.
Claims2
A method of measuring spinal fluid pressure comprising the steps of:
- a) inserting a needle into a patient's epidural cavity, the needle being in fluid communication with a first end of a flexible, valveless tube, the flexible, valveless tube having a second end which is open to the air, the tube bearing graduation indicia along at least part of its length and having at least a portion of its circumference in the graduation-bearing region at least translucent,
- b) bending the tube so that a portion of the tube is in a vertical position with the open end pointing generally upward so that spinal fluid enters the tube and rises within it,
- c) reading the spinal pressure indication by visually comparing the level of fluid in the tube with the graduation indicia, and
- d) bending the tube to lower the open end of the tube so that the fluid drains out of the tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.