Baxter International Inc.

Gary D Carlson

Jeffrey A Norris

Mark M Minot

A continuous cardiac output monitor a general-purpose monitoring console with local display and communication facilities, and a module removably interfacing with the console to configure the latter for performing continuous cardiac output monitoring. The module includes a switch-mode high efficiency power amplifier for providing electrical heating power at a selected voltage, frequency, and wave form to a heating element of a continuous cardiac output monitoring catheter, which catheter at a distal end portion thereof is immersed in the blood flow of a patient. The catheter effects a temperature transient in the patient's blood flow by the controlled application of electrical resistance heating utilizing electrical power from the power amplifier, and this temperature transient is sensed and used to derive a value for the patient's cardiac output.

Electrical power amplifier for continuous cardiac output monitoring

A continuous cardiac output monitor includes a general-purpose monitoring console with local display and communication facilities, and a module removably interfacing with the console to configure the latter for performing continuous cardiac output monitoring. The module includes a switch-mode high efficiency power amplifier for providing electrical heating power at a selected voltage, frequency, and wave form to a heating element of a continuous cardiac output monitoring catheter, which catheter at a distal end portion thereof is immersed in the blood flow of a patient. The catheter effects a temperature transient in the patient's blood flow by the controlled application of electrical resistance heating utilizing electrical power from the power amplifier, and this temperature transient is sensed and used to derive a value for the patient's cardiac output.

Selectively programmable variable-voltage direct-current voltage source

A system for monitoring and controlling a temperature of a heating element in a thermodilution catheter to maintain it within safe physiological limits includes a calibration circuit, a device for controlling the supply of power to the system, a relay between the calibration circuit and the heating element for switching power therebetween, a transistorized voltage detecting circuit for determining whether power has been supplied to the calibration circuit, and a device responsive to transistorized voltage detecting circuit to remove power from the system. Also, a method for monitoring and controlling a temperature of a thermodilution catheter-mounted heating element including providing a calibration circuit, switching a supply of power to either the calibration circuit or the heating element, monitoring the supply of power to the calibration circuit, and removing power from either the calibration circuit or the heating element in response to the monitored power at the calibration circuit.

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Newport Beach, CA, United States of America

Gary D Carlson