Patent ID: 8200312
Filing Date: 2012-06-12
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for non-invasive mapping of actual interstitial fluid pressure in a mammal in space with time of a preselected location comprising: (a) an infuser for infusing a tracer/contrast-agent into a mammal that flows throughout the mammal, and, clears out from the mammal; (b) a monitor for monitoring a preselected location in a mammal for collecting data indicative of changes in tracer concentration with time and providing a first output; (c) a data processor including first circuitry responsive to the first output of the monitor for receiving and processing the collected data to obtain transfer constants and pressure gradients characteristic of a preselected location and providing a second output; (d) said data processor including a second circuitry for determining from the first and second outputs tracer concentration at steady state and differences in space of tracer concentration due to pressure gradients and providing a third output; (e) said second circuitry of said data processor being arranged and programmed with non-transitory instructions for determining concentration of contrast agent in a preselected volume on the basis of (i) if there are no pressure gradients in preselected volume, then determine concentration (C) varying with time (t) as where: K wherein K (iii) if there are pressure gradients that inhibit delivery to the preselected volume, determine concentration varying with time as wherein K (f) a mapper for receiving the second and third outputs and mapping pressure gradients in the preselected location for determining an efficacy of tracer delivery to a selected location and generating a fourth output; and memory for receiving and storing the fourth output.