Patent ID: 6216023
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for determining the difference between a regional gaseous partial pressure of a selected body organ of a mammalian subject and a systemic gaseous partial pressure of the subject, the body temperature of the subject being changeable, said method comprising the steps of:(A) tonometrically obtaining a regional gaseous partial pressure value from the selected body organ of the subject using a gaseous sampling medium, the regional partial pressure value being that for the body temperature of the subject;(B) obtaining a systemic gaseous partial pressure value from the blood of the subject;(C) ascertaining whether the systemic partial pressure value of the subject is that for a standard temperature or that for the body temperature of the subject;(D) if the systemic partial pressure value is that for the body temperature of the subject,(E) comparing the regional partial pressure value to the systemic partial pressure value and providing the difference therebetween as a partial pressure gap measurement;(F) if the systemic partial pressure value is that of a standard temperature;(G) correcting one of the regional partial pressure value or the systemic partial pressure value for the difference between the body temperature of the subject and the standard temperature so that both the regional partial pressure value and the systemic partial pressure value comprise partial pressure values at a common temperature; and(H) thereafter comparing the regional partial pressure value to the systemic partial pressure value and providing the difference therebetween as a gaseous partial pressure gap measurement.