The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 09, 1987
Filed:
Nov. 11, 1986
Jerome H Abrams, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Claire T Hovland, Mound, MN (US);
Applied Biometrics, Inc., Mound, MN (US);
Abstract
Blood flow in the aorta and pulmonary artery of a mammal, most typically a human, is measured volumetrically by a non-invasive, ultrasound method and apparatus. The method comprises placing a piezoelectric ultrasound transducer in the trachea in great proximity to the aorta or pulmonary artery by passage through the oral or nasal cavity past the epiglottis and into the trachea or by passage through the surgical opening into the trachea in the case of patients who have had a tracheotomy. Ultrasound waves are transmitted toward the path of flow of blood in the artery. Reflected waves are received. The average Doppler frequency difference between transmitted and received waves is measured. The cross-sectional size of the artery is measured. Blood flow rate is determined from the measurements. The apparatus comprises a tracheal tube or probe with one or two transducers mounted at one end the tube. The transducer(s) is (are) disposed to transmit ultrasound in selected directions. Electrical conductors extend from the transducers the length of the probe.