US 6,146,336 A · Method and device for measuring the intra-cranial pressure in the skull of a test subject

Abstract

In order to detect the intra-cranial pressure in the skull of a test subject it is proposed to attach to the skull at least two electrodes in such a way that they have an electrical contact with the skull. Via a measuring device, the time curve of an electrical resistance and/or of a capacitance between the two electrodes is obtained as an electrical signal (p(t)). An extreme value of the electrical signal, following a blood pressure maximum according to a systole with a substantially uniform delay, is determined as a first amplitude value. A second amplitude value is obtained from the electrical signal (p(t)). This value is accepted at a point where the electrical signal has for the first time after the first amplitude value either a maximum or a turning point. A third amplitude value is obtained from the electrical signal after the second amplitude value. A standardized pressure measurement value is obtained from the amplitude values for further utilization. By means of this type of measurement it is possible to establish the intra-cranial pressure of a test subject in a simple, rapid and cost-effective manner, and to observe it even over lengthy periods, without thereby stressing the test subject.

Claims35

Dependent claims

Method of measuring an intra-cranial pressure (ICP) in the skull of a test subject, comprising the steps:

attaching two electrodes to the skull of the test subject in such a way that the electrodes have an electrical contact with the skull;
obtaining a time curve of an electrical parameter between the two electrodes as an electrical signal (p(t));
determining an extreme value of the electrical signal following a maximum in blood pressure corresponding to a systole with a substantially uniform delay as a first amplitude value (Pmin);
obtaining a second amplitude value (P1) from the electrical signal (p(t)), where this has for the first time after the first amplitude value (Pmin) either a maximum (.P(t)=0) or a turning point (..p(t)=0);
obtaining a third amplitude value (P2) from the electrical signal after the second amplitude value;
obtaining a standardized pressure measurement value from the amplitude values (Pmin, P1, P2) for further utilization.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and device for measuring the intra-cranial pressure in the skull of a test subject

Life of this patent

Method and device for measuring the intra-cranial pressure in the skull of a test subject

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims35