Devices and methods for monitoring cerebral hemodynamic conditions

#Aspects of the present disclosure relate to detection, monitoring and/or analysis of signals characterizing cranial bioimpedance measurements, and the prediction of physiological brain conditions based on such analysis.

#A number of cerebro-hemodynamic characteristics may be clinically useful for diagnosing strokes, trauma, and other conditions that can affect the functioning of the cerebrovascular system. These characteristics may include cerebral blood volume, cerebral blood flow, cerebral perfusion pressure, mean transit time, time to peak, intracranial pressure, and others. Conventional methods for detecting or monitoring these parameters may include physically inserting a probe into the cerebrospinal fluid or into an artery, angiography, computed tomography angiography (CTA), perfusion computed tomography (PCT), transcranial doppler ultrasound (TCD), positron emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography (MRA).

#Some non-invasive methods for detecting or monitoring cerebro-hemodynamic parameters may require, for example, machines for carrying out CT, PCT, PET, and/or MRI procedures. In some instances, the cost of these machines, their limited mobility, and/or their significant expense per use, may limit their usefulness in situations where either regular, continuous, or frequent monitoring of cerebro-hemodynamic characteristics may be desirable.

#The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments described herein.

#FIG. 1 provides a diagrammatic representation of an exemplary cerebro-hemodynamic measurement apparatus consistent with exemplary embodiments of the invention.

#FIG. 2 provides a diagrammatic representation of major cerebral arteries.

#Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments as with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or like parts. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be interpreted in a limiting sense.

#Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments of the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

#Exemplary disclosed embodiments may include devices and methods for the detection and monitoring of signals characterizing bioimpedance measurements. More specifically, they may include apparatuses for receiving, correlating, and analyzing signals and outputting information for predicting a physiological brain condition.