Patent ID: 6537230
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
Apparatus for determining a cardio-vascular parameter of a patient by thermodilution measurements comprising:a) temperature influencing means (107) for provoking an initial local temperature change in the proximity of a first place (101) of a patient's vascular system (103), thus introducing a travelling temperature deviation to patient's blood stream, b) a temperature sensor device (117) for measuring the local temperature of patient's blood at a second place (102) of patient's vascular system (103) downstream of said first place (101) c) a computer system (104) connected to said temperature sensor device (117) for recording said patient's local blood temperature measured at said second place (102) as a function of time to determine a thermodilution curve (15), determining an extravascular thermovolume (112) estimate from said thermodilution curve (15), determining a new initial local temperature change depending on said thermovolume (112) estimate, controlling said temperature influencing means (107) to provoke said new initial local temperature change in the proximity of said first place (101), determining an improved thermodilution curve (17), and determining said cardio-vascular parameter from said improved thermodilution curve (17).