Patent ID: 6485427
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: A61B,A61M,G01N

Abstract:
A process for monitoring changes in blood volume and microvascular pooling in animals, comprising:an extracorporeal blood treatment device in which blood from said blood system is conducted through a first branch of said extracorporeal system which is connected by tubing to an arterial segment of said blood system into a dialyzer or filter and returned via a second branch of said extracorporeal system said second branch connected by tubing to a venous segment of said blood system; a diagnostic apparatus attached to said blood system for transmission and detection of ultrasound through blood flowing in the extracorporeal system; a signal processing system to determine the time shift between the emitting and receiving ultrasound for determination of blood parameters; an injection connection for infusing accurately a known amount of an indicator fluid to said blood system downstream of said diagnostic apparatus; an indicator fluid infusion process to change the density of said blood system as measured through said diagnostic apparatus; a control unit linked to said diagnostic apparatus for detecting compressibility with high resolution, for assessing density change at the same temperature, for initiating and recording ultrasound waves, and for monitoring the characteristics of said modified blood; and a computer memory unit for determining blood volume and microvascular pooling from said compressibility and density change.