Patent ID: 8417306
Filing Date: 2013-04-09
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A system useful to determine central venous pressure in a patient comprising: at least one light source adapted to emit light in the 400 nm to 1000 nm wavelength range; an array of adjacent photodetectors adapted to sequentially receive light emitted by the light source and translate said light into a recordable output wherein said light is reflected from or transmitted through tissue of the patient, wherein the photodetectors are adjacent along a length of about 1.5 to 10 cm, and at least one probe which facilitates delivery of light from the light source to an external tissue site on the patient in the proximity of the jugular vein and receipt of light reflected from or transmitted through said patient site by the photodetectors; a signal-processing device in communication with the photodetectors adapted to translate the output from said photodetectors to determine the highest position along the vein to yield a signal and calculate therefrom central venous pressure.