Abstract A thermal method for measuring blood perfusion. One temperature sensor is emplaced in contact with an organ of the patient. Another temperature sensor is inserted in a central artery of the patient. A fluid having a temperature substantially lower then the temperature of the blood of the patient is injected into a vein of the patient. The thermal temperature gradient of the blood perfusion through a portion of the organ in the patient's body is recorded. The thermal temperature gradient of the blood flow through the artery of the patient is also recorded. The area under the curve determined by the thermal temperature gradient of the blood perfusion through the portion of organ of the patient and the area under the curve determined by the thermal temperature gradient of the arterial blood flow are calculated. The difference between the two calculated areas is then determined to provide an indication of the rate of blood perfusion through the portion of the organ in the patient's body.
A method for measuring blood perfusion comprising the steps of: a. emplacing one temperature sensing means in contact with an organ of the patient; b. inserting another temperature sensing means in a central artery of the patient; c. injecting a fluid having a temperature substantially lower than the temperature of the blood of the patient into a vein of the patient; d. recording the thermal temperature gradient of the blood perfusion through the portion of the organ in the patient's body; e. recording the thermal temperature gradient of the blood flow through the artery of the patient; f. calculating the area under the curve determined by the thermal temperature gradient of the blood perfusion through the portion of organ of the patient; g. calculating the area under the curve determined by the thermal temperature gradient of the arterial blood flow; and h. determining the difference between the two calculated areas to provide an indication of the rate of blood perfusion through the portion of the organ in the patient's body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for measuring blood perfusion comprising the steps of: a. emplacing one temperature sensing means in contact with an organ of the patient; b. inserting another temperature sensing means in a central artery of the patient; c. injecting a fluid having a temperature substantially lower than the temperature of the blood of the patient into a vein of the patient; d. recording the thermal temperature gradient of the blood perfusion through the portion of the organ in the patient's body; e. recording the thermal temperature gradient of the blood flow through the artery of the patient; f. calculating the area under the curve determined by the thermal temperature gradient of the blood perfusion through the portion of organ of the patient; g. calculating the area under the curve determined by the thermal temperature gradient of the arterial blood flow; and h. determining the difference between the two calculated areas to provide an indication of the rate of blood perfusion through the portion of the organ in the patient's body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid is a saline solution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature of the injected fluid is between about 0° C. and about 4° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first temperature sensing means is mounted through the skull of the patient in contact with the brain to provide a measurement of blood perfusion through a particular region of the brain.