Patent ID: 6248066
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: A61B,G01K

Abstract:
An apparatus for evaluating perfusion adjacent a skin surface, the apparatus comprising:a housing having first an second interior regions, the housing being configured to engage the skin surface;a plunger located in the first region of the housing for applying pressure to a first zone of the skin surface;a vacuum connection coupled to the second region of the housing to permit suction to be applied to the second region of the housing and to a second zone of the skin surface;a first temperature sensor located in the first region for generating an output signal related to the temperature of the first zone of the skin surface;a second temperature sensor located in the second region for generating an output signal related to the temperature of the second zone of the skin surface; andmeans coupled to the first and second temperature sensors for determining a differential temperature between the first and second zones of the skin surface to provide an indication of perfusion adjacent the skin surface.