Patent ID: 8551008
Filing Date: 2013-10-08
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for assessing arterial reactivity in a patient, comprising: a) providing a vasodilating stimulant to a patient by creating an arterial occlusion at a body part of said patient using one or more pressure cuffs thereby stimulating arterial reactivity in a first region of said body part of said patient; b) simultaneously monitoring a patient's skin surface temperature at the first region and at a second control region before the arterial occlusion, during the arterial occlusion, and after the arterial occlusion is removed and until an equilibrium temperature is achieved using a temperature measurement device that does not substantially apply any one of thermal energy, positive pressure and negative pressure to the skin surface; wherein said second control region and said first region are located at contralateral body parts; and c) identifying a baseline temperature at the first region before the arterial occlusion; d) identifying a peak temperature at the first region after the arterial occlusion; and e) assessing arterial reactivity in said patient based on temperature changes at the second control region and a rebound temperature change related to said baseline temperature and said peak temperature at the first region.