US 8,818,472 B2 · Methods and devices for noninvasive measurement of energy absorbers in blood

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention include devices for use in determining the concentration of a tissue energy absorber (e.g., hemoglobin) in an individual's blood. In particular embodiments, the device includes a photometric device (e.g., a pulse oximeter) and an imaging device (e.g., an ultrasound imaging device or other suitable imaging device), and the device is adapted for: (A) using the photometric device to measure a change in mass of the tissue energy absorber within a particular volume of the individual's blood between a first point in time and a second point in time, the particular volume of blood being blood within a particular portion of at least one vascular structure, the vascular structure comprising at least one of the individual's vessels (e.g., at least one of the individual's arteries); (B) using an ultrasound imaging device to measure a change in interior volume, between the first point in time and the second point in time, of the particular portion of the vascular structure; and (C) using both the measured change in the mass of the tissue energy absorber, and the measured change in interior volume to determine at least an approximate blood total concentration of the tissue energy absorber within the individual's blood.

Claims35

Dependent claims

A method for use in determining a tissue energy absorber concentration in an individual's blood, said method comprising:

(a) using a photometric device to measure a change in mass of said tissue energy absorber within a particular volume of said individual's blood between a first point in time and a second point in time, said particular volume of blood being blood within at least a first particular portion of at least one vascular structure, said vascular structure comprising at least one of said individual's vessels;
(b) using an ultrasound imaging device to measure a change in interior volume, between about said first point in time and about said second point in time, of a second particular portion of said at least one vascular structure, wherein the ultrasound imaging device measures a volume of the second particular portion of the at least one vascular structure by measuring a long-axis cross-sectional area and a short-axis cross-sectional area of the second particular portion of the at least one vascular structure, said second particular portion at least generally corresponding to said first particular portion;
and
(c) using said measured change in said mass of said tissue energy absorber, and said measured change in interior volume to determine at least an approximate blood total concentration of said tissue energy absorber within said individual's blood.

1 more element

A method of determining tissue energy absorber concentration in an individual, said method comprising:

(a) at a first point in time, using a photometric device to measure a first mass of said tissue energy absorber within a first particular volume of said individual's blood, said first particular volume of blood being blood within at least a first particular portion of at least one vascular structure at said first point in time, said vascular structure comprising at least one of said individual's vessels;
(b) at about said first point in time, using an ultrasound imaging device to measure a first interior volume of a second particular portion of said at least one vascular structure, wherein the ultrasound imaging device measures a volume of the second particular portion of the at least one vascular structure by measuring a long-axis cross-sectional area and a short-axis cross-sectional area of the second particular portion of the at least one vascular structure, said second particular portion at least generally corresponding to said first particular portion;
(c) at a second point in time, using said photometric device to measure a second mass of said tissue energy absorber within a second particular volume of said individual's blood, said second particular volume of blood being blood within said at least a first particular portion of said at least one vascular structure at said second point in time;
(d) at about said second point in time, using said ultrasound imaging device to measure a second interior volume of said second particular portion of said at least one vascular structure;
(e) using said first and second mass measurements to determine a change in mass of said tissue energy absorber;
(f) using said first and second interior volume measurements to determine a change in interior volume;
and
(g) using said change in mass of said tissue energy absorber and said change in interior volume to determine at least an approximate blood total concentration of said tissue energy absorber within said individual's blood.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and devices for noninvasive measurement of energy absorbers in blood

Life of this patent

Methods and devices for noninvasive measurement of energy absorbers in blood

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims35