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US5117835A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for the measurement of intracranial pressure
Assignee: MEDYS Inc
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Filing: 1991-08-30
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Granted: 1992-06-02
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Expires: 2011-08-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for non-invasively measuring changes in intracranial pressure (ICP) in a patient's skull which allow trends in such pressure to diagnosed over time. A method performed, or an apparatus made in accordance with the instant invention comprises a generation of a predetermined vibration signal which is applied to a first location on a skull, detecting an output vibration from another location on the skull, storing data characteristic of the two signals, repeating the above-mentioned steps over time, and analyzing the data to diagnose changes in ICP over time.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin C. Mick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 05:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/03; A61B5/031; A61B5/0048; A61B5/0051
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of non-invasively measuring changes in a patient's intracranial pressure in said patient's skull from said patient's normal intracranial pressure, comprising the steps of: (a) measuring the thickness and radius of a patient's skull non-invasively by using non-invasive thickness measuring means; (b) generating a predetermined input vibration signal and applying said input signal at a first location on a patient's skull; (c) detecting an output vibration signal from a second location on said patient's skull, said output signal being a modification of said input signal, said input signal having been changed as a function of said patient's intracranial pressure as it travels from said first location to said second location; (d) storing data characteristic of said thickness and radius, and said input and output signals into a data base; and (e) estimating said patient's normal intracranial pressure vibration signal from said data by using estimation means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of non-invasively measuring changes in a patient's intracranial pressure in said patient's skull from said patient's normal intracranial pressure, comprising the steps of: (a) measuring the thickness and radius of a patient's skull non-invasively by using non-invasive thickness measuring means; (b) generating a predetermined input vibration signal and applying said input signal at a first location on a patient's skull; (c) detecting an output vibration signal from a second location on said patient's skull, said output signal being a modification of said input signal, said input signal having been changed as a function of said patient's intracranial pressure as it travels from said first location to said second location; (d) storing data characteristic of said thickness and radius, and said input and output signals into a data base; and (e) estimating said patient's normal intracranial pressure vibration signal from said data by using estimation means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said data stored into said data base comprises natural frequency data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said data stored into said data base comprises frequency response data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said first location and said second location are located at substantially the same place on said patient's skull.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the estimation of frequency response at step e comprises the use of a microprocessor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said input signal comprises a shock signal.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for non-invasively measuring changes in a patient's intracranial pressure from said patient's normal intracranial pressure, comprising: (a) means for non-invasively measuring the thickness and radius of a patient's skull; (b) means for generating a predetermined input vibration signal and applying said input signal at a first location on a patient's skull; (c) means for detecting an output vibration signal from a second location on said patient's skull, said output signal being a modification of said input signal, said input signal having been changed as a function of said patient's intracranial pressure as it travels from said first location to said second location; (d) means for storing data characteristic of said thickness and radius on said input and output signals into a first data base; and (e) means for estimating said patient's normal intracranial pressure vibration signal from said data by using estimation means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for non-invasively measuring changes in a patient's intracranial pressure from said patient's normal intracranial pressure, comprising: (a) means for non-invasively measuring the thickness and radius of a patient's skull; (b) means for generating a predetermined input vibration signal and applying said input signal at a first location on a patient's skull; (c) means for detecting an output vibration signal from a second location on said patient's skull, said output signal being a modification of said input signal, said input signal having been changed as a function of said patient's intracranial pressure as it travels from said first location to said second location; (d) means for storing data characteristic of said thickness and radius on said input and output signals into a first data base; and (e) means for estimating said patient's normal intracranial pressure vibration signal from said data by using estimation means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein the data stored by said data storing means comprise natural frequency data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein the data stored by said data storing means comprise frequency response data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein the means for generating and applying said input signal comprises an impact hammer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein the means for detecting said output signal comprises an accelerometer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein, the estimation means at step e, the calculating means at step f, and the comparison means at step h comprise a microprocessor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein the input signal comprises a shock.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein the means for generating and applying said input signal, and the means for detecting said output signal comprise a vibration exciter transducer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein the means for detecting said output signal comprises a velocity sensor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein the means for detecting said output signal comprises a displacement sensor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein the means for measuring said skull's thickness comprises computer aided tomography means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein the data stored by said data storing means at step d comprises dynamic vibration behavior characteristics.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-02 | 1995-12-02 | 1996-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-02 | 1999-12-02 | 2000-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-02 | 2003-12-02 | 2004-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |