Patent ID: 7201726
Filing Date: 2007-04-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for analyzing approximations of the volume of a chosen portion of a patient to determine the presence or absence of edema, comprising: a. establishing an external starting point using a fixed anatomical reference within or adjacent to said chosen portion; b. measuring a first circumference at said external starting point; c. recording said measurement of said first circumference; d. moving a user-selected first fixed distance along said chosen portion and measuring a second circumference; e. recording said first fixed distance and said measurement of said second circumference; f. continuing to move along said chosen portion in a series of variable user-selected fixed distances, taking a circumference measurement at each stopping point; g. recording said fixed distances and said measurements of said circumferences until the entire length of said chosen portion has been measured; and h. using said recorded fixed distances and circumference measurements to compute said volume of said chosen portion for a first time as a series of truncated cones, thereby determining an approximate volume for said chosen portion of said patient.