Patent ID: 8657755
Filing Date: 2014-02-25
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A diagnostic system for assessing a change in arterial volume of a limb segment of a mammal, the diagnostic system comprising: a sensor configured to detect a baseline volume pulse wave of a limb segment during a baseline period and an after-stimulus volume pulse wave of the limb segment during an after-stimulus period, the sensor being configured to operatively engage the limb segment at a position proximal from individual digits of the limb; wherein the sensor includes a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure of an inflatable cuff associated with the limb segment; and wherein, when inflated above about systolic pressure, the inflatable cuff substantially occludes an artery of the limb segment; and a processor operatively coupled to the sensor, the processor being configured to determine an amplitude of an early systolic component of the baseline volume pulse wave, an amplitude of an early systolic component of the after-stimulus volume pulse wave, and a change in arterial volume of the limb segment from the baseline period to the after-stimulus period using the amplitude of the early systolic component of the baseline volume pulse wave and the amplitude of the early systolic component of the after-stimulus volume pulse wave; and wherein the processor is configured to control the cuff to apply, in series, an external pressure to the limb segment at about a mean arterial pressure of the limb, the external pressure being applied during the baseline period and the after-stimulus period.