Method for measuring the internal pressure of a compartment
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Publication Number
US-12514559-B2
Publication Date
2026-01-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for measuring an internal pressure (ICP1, ICP2) of a compartment, in particular a muscle compartment, in which an ultrasonic measuring unit coupled to a pressure measuring device is placed on a tissue under which the compartment to be measured is located and a pressure is increased on the tissue by exerting a force. In order to be able to perform a fast and inexpensive, non-invasive measurement of the pressure within a compartment, in particular a muscle lodge (so-called lodge syndrome), it is proposed that the internal pressure (ICP1, ICP2) is determined from a changeΔ p in the pressure p acting on the compartment and a changeΔ E in an extension E(p) of the compartment that occurs during the action of the pressure p.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a method for measuring an internal pressure of a compartment by placing an ultrasonic measuring unit coupled to a pressure measuring device on tissue under which the compartment is located and increasing a pressure p on the tissue by exerting a force F using the pressure measuring device. During exertion of the force F, the method measures the pressure p and simultaneously measures an extension E(p) of the compartment extending in the direction of the force F using the ultrasonic measuring unit. The extension E(p) is evaluated together with the pressure p to determine internal pressure.
The method determines a change ΔE in the extension E(p) in response to a defined change Δp in the pressure p by comparing the measured extension E(p) with an initial extension E0 or by comparing two successive measured values of the extension E(p). The internal pressure is determined from the pressure p acting on the compartment and the occurring change ΔE in the extension E(p) during action of the pressure p. In particular, the internal pressure is determined as the pressure p at which the change ΔE of the extension, expressed as a decrease in extension E(p) with increasing pressure p, reaches or exceeds a defined threshold value SW for the first time.
An alternative evaluation is provided by determining a graph of the extension E(p) versus the pressure p and determining a first derivative E′ and/or a second derivative E′′ of the graph. The internal pressure is determined as the pressure p at which the first derivative E′ exhibits a discontinuity for the first time, or at which the second derivative E′′ exhibits a low point for the first time. The approach is contrasted with elasticity quotient approaches and is stated to improve interpretation without necessity of an elasticity quotient.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims directed to determining internal pressure of a compartment using simultaneous ultrasonic measurement of extension E(p) and pressure measurement p, evaluated via two main evaluation modes.
Ultrasonic extension with threshold-based decrease criterion for internal pressure
Placing an ultrasonic measuring unit coupled to a pressure measuring device on tissue under which the compartment is located; exerting a force F to increase pressure p on the tissue; measuring pressure p and an extension E(p) of the compartment extending in the direction of the force F simultaneously during exertion; determining a change ΔE in the extension E(p) in response to a defined change Δp in pressure p by comparing measured extension E(p) with an initial extension E0 or comparing two successive measured values; determining internal pressure from the pressure p acting on the compartment and the change ΔE occurring during action of pressure p; determining internal pressure as the pressure p at which the change ΔE reaches or exceeds a defined threshold value SW for the first time.
Ultrasonic extension with derivative discontinuity/low-point criterion for internal pressure
Placing an ultrasonic measuring unit coupled to a pressure measuring device on tissue under which the compartment is located; increasing pressure p on the tissue by exerting a force F using the pressure measuring device; measuring pressure p and simultaneously measuring an extension E(p) of the compartment extending in the direction of the force F during exertion; determining a graph of extension E(p) versus pressure p; determining a first and/or second derivative E′, E′′ of the graph; determining the internal pressure as the measured pressure p at which the first derivative E′ exhibits a discontinuity for the first time, or the second derivative E′′ exhibits a low point for the first time.
Both independent claims rely on simultaneous ultrasonic measurement of compartment extension E(p) in the force direction together with pressure p measurement, and determine internal pressure by identifying a first-time event in the extension response: either reaching or exceeding a defined threshold SW for extension decrease or occurring via first-derivative discontinuity or second-derivative low point.
Stated Advantages
Improved interpretation compared with elasticity quotient approaches.
Not necessary to use an elasticity quotient.
Documented Applications
Measuring intracompartmental pressure (ICP) in a compartment, including muscle compartment/so-called lodge syndrome.
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