System and method for non-invasively determining an indication and/or an assessment of intracranial pressure
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11109771-B2
Publication Date
2021-09-07
Expiration Date
2040-12-31
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Abstract
A system for non-invasively determining an indication and/or an assessment of intracranial pressure (ICP) is featured. The system includes at least one intracranial light source adapted to be placed on skin above a cranium of a living subject configured to emit light which penetrates the cranium and targets intracranial space of a living subject. The system includes at least one extracranial light source adapted to be placed on skin above a predetermined area of the living subject configured to emit light which penetrates and targets extracranial space of the living subject. A detector subsystem including at least a first detector is configured to detect reflected light from the intracranial space and the extracranial space and is configured to output intracranial output signals associated with light detected from the intracranial space and/or output extracranial output signals associated with light detected from the extracranial space. A processing subsystem is coupled to the at least one intracranial light source, the at least one extracranial light source, and the detector subsystem. The processing subsystem is configured to determine intracranial oxygen saturation and extracranial oxygen saturation and non-invasively determine an indication and/or an assessment of ICP using a ratio of the intracranial oxygen saturation to the extracranial oxygen saturation.
Core Innovation
The invention features a system and method for non-invasively determining an indication and/or assessment of intracranial pressure (ICP) by using light sources placed on the skin above the cranium and other predefined areas of a living subject. The system includes at least one intracranial light source configured to emit light penetrating the cranium targeting intracranial space and at least one extracranial light source configured to emit light penetrating and targeting extracranial space. A detector subsystem detects reflected light from both intracranial and extracranial spaces and outputs corresponding signals. A processing subsystem determines intracranial and extracranial oxygen saturation and non-invasively determines an indication or assessment of ICP using a ratio of intracranial oxygen saturation to extracranial oxygen saturation.
The system may include multiple light sources emitting at different predetermined wavelengths targeting oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin chromophores. The placement and spacing of the light sources and detectors are arranged such that the detectors can selectively detect light reflection from intracranial and extracranial spaces. The processing subsystem alternately enables light sources and detectors to generate output signals and processes these to reduce extracranial signal contributions in intracranial signals, thereby increasing accuracy in determining ICP indication or assessment.
The problem being solved addresses the need for a robust and reliable non-invasive system or method for determining an indication or assessment of ICP, which has not been adequately achieved by prior optical systems. Elevated ICP following traumatic brain injury may cause serious damage, yet existing non-invasive methods do not sufficiently determine ICP indications using intracranial and extracranial oxygen saturation measurements. This invention seeks to fill that gap by providing a system capable of using ratios of oxygen saturation measurements to non-invasively indicate or assess ICP, facilitating timely medical care.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes three independent claims each describing systems or a method for non-invasively determining an indication or assessment of intracranial pressure (ICP) by measuring oxygen saturation using light sources and detectors.
Non-invasive ICP determination system with dual light sources and detector subsystem
A system comprising at least one intracranial light source positioned on skin above the cranium to emit penetrating light targeting intracranial space; at least one extracranial light source placed on skin above a predetermined area to emit light targeting extracranial space; a detector subsystem with at least a first detector configured to detect reflected light from both intracranial and extracranial spaces and output corresponding intracranial and extracranial signals; and a processing subsystem coupled to the light sources and detector subsystem configured to determine intracranial and extracranial oxygen saturation and non-invasively determine ICP indication or assessment using a ratio of intracranial oxygen saturation to extracranial oxygen saturation.
ICP determination system with separately positioned intracranial and extracranial detectors
A system including at least one intracranial light source and a proximate intracranial detector spaced by a predetermined distance to detect intracranial reflected light and output intracranial signals; at least one extracranial light source with a proximate extracranial detector spaced to detect extracranial reflected light and output extracranial signals; and a processing subsystem coupled to all components to determine intracranial and extracranial oxygen saturation and non-invasively determine ICP indication or assessment using their ratio.
Method for non-invasively determining ICP using oxygen saturation ratio
A method comprising emitting light penetrating the cranium targeting intracranial space; emitting light penetrating extracranial space of a predetermined area; detecting reflected light from both intracranial and extracranial spaces and outputting respective signals; and responding to these signals to determine intracranial and extracranial oxygen saturation and non-invasively determining an indication or assessment of ICP using the ratio of intracranial oxygen saturation to extracranial oxygen saturation.
The independent claims collectively describe systems and a method employing intracranial and extracranial light sources and detectors, with processing of reflected light signals to compute oxygen saturation ratios that non-invasively indicate or assess intracranial pressure.
Stated Advantages
Provides an accurate, effective, and timely indication and/or assessment of intracranial pressure.
Enables non-invasive determination of ICP, allowing for timely medical intervention following brain trauma.
Offers a more compact, inexpensive, robust, and power-efficient alternative to conventional invasive ICP monitoring systems.
Documented Applications
Non-invasive monitoring and assessment of intracranial pressure in living subjects, including humans and animals.
Medical care for patients who may have experienced brain trauma, enabling early detection of elevated intracranial pressure for pharmacological or surgical intervention.
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