Patent ID: 7166076

Claim:
A vascular testing system comprising: a pressure applicator; a pressure source for generating fluid pressure at the pressure applicator; a variable orifice valve in fluid communication with the pressure applicator, wherein the valve has an orifice size capable of dynamically changing; a pressure sensor operably connected between the pressure applicator and the variable orifice valve; a valve control for controlling the variable orifice valve as a function of pressure sensed by the pressure sensor to produce substantially linear changes in pressure at the pressure applicator; and a control device for causing the vascular testing system to determine a peak pressure oscillation amplitude as a function of pressure sensed by the pressure sensor as pressure applied by the pressure applicator is lessened, and to determine a first pressure value that corresponds to a pressure oscillation amplitude at approximately seventy-five percent (75%) of a peak pressure oscillation amplitude and at a pressure greater than a pressure value corresponding to the peak pressure oscillation amplitude, and to produce an output of the first pressure value identified as a pressure at a return of blood flow at a vascular location adjacent the pressure applicator.