Non-invasive intracranial pressure monitoring system and method thereof
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-9826913-B2
Publication Date
2017-11-28
Expiration Date
2033-07-11
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Abstract
A system which includes a first sensor placed proximate to a perfusion field of an artery receiving blood which emanates from the cranial cavity is configured to monitor pulsations of the artery receiving blood which emanates from the cranial cavity artery. A second sensor placed proximate to a perfusion field of an artery which does not receive blood emanating from the cranial cavity and approximately the same distance from the heart as the first sensor configured to monitor pulsations of the artery which does not receive blood emanating from the cranial cavity. A third sensor placed distally from a heart is configured to monitor pulsations of a distal artery. A processing system responsive to signals from the first, second, and third sensors is configured to determine intracranial pressure.
Core Innovation
The invention features a non-invasive intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring system and method that employs three sensors placed at specific locations on the body to monitor arterial pulsations. A first sensor is positioned proximate a perfusion field of an artery receiving blood emanating from the cranial cavity, such as the supraorbital artery near the forehead. A second sensor is placed proximate a perfusion field of an artery that does not receive blood from the cranial cavity, such as branches of the external carotid artery near the temple or ear, and is positioned approximately the same distance from the heart as the first sensor. A third sensor is placed distally from the heart, for example on a finger, hand, or forearm, to monitor a distal artery.
A processing subsystem receives signals from these three sensors to determine intracranial pressure. It does so by analyzing correlations, phases, and magnitudes of spectral components of the acquired signals, comparing the signals from the cranial artery and non-cranial artery to the distal artery signals, and combining these results. This enables a continuous, accurate, and robust non-invasive measurement of ICP that is portable, light-weight, low power, and suitable for field use such as battlefield or sports injury situations.
The problem addressed by the invention is the difficulty and impracticality of measuring ICP non-invasively with conventional techniques, which typically require large, power-intensive, and non-portable imaging equipment. Current techniques also fail to provide timely or continuous monitoring, making it hard to detect brain swelling and injury promptly, especially in active populations such as soldiers or athletes who might not report mild symptoms. The invention solves this by providing an effective, portable, and continuous means to monitor ICP non-invasively through arterial pulsation analysis.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes four independent claims covering both apparatus and method aspects of non-invasive intracranial pressure monitoring involving three sensors and their signal processing.
Three-sensor non-invasive ICP monitoring system based on correlation of arterial pulsations
A system comprising: 1) a first sensor placed proximate to a perfusion field of an artery receiving blood from the cranial cavity configured to monitor its pulsations; 2) a second sensor placed proximate to a perfusion field of an artery which does not receive blood from the cranial cavity and approximately the same distance from the heart as the first sensor to monitor its pulsations; 3) a third sensor placed distally from the heart to monitor pulsations of a distal artery; and a processing subsystem that determines an indication of intracranial pressure by calculating a first correlation between signals from the first and third sensors and a second correlation between signals from the second and third sensors and then combining these correlations.
Three-sensor non-invasive ICP monitoring system configured around specific arteries
A system comprising: 1) a first sensor placed proximate to the supraorbital artery to monitor its pulsations; 2) a second sensor placed proximate to a branch of the external carotid artery and approximately the same distance from the heart as the first sensor to monitor its pulsations; 3) a third sensor placed distally from the heart to monitor pulsations of a distal artery; and a processing subsystem which determines ICP by calculating correlations between signals from the first and third sensors and from the second and third sensors and combining these correlations.
Method for non-invasively determining ICP using arterial pulsations and correlation analysis
A method comprising: monitoring pulsations of an artery receiving blood from the cranial cavity with a first sensor generating first output signals; monitoring pulsations of an artery not receiving blood from the cranial cavity with a second sensor generating second output signals; monitoring pulsations of a distal artery with a third sensor generating third output signals; and determining intracranial pressure by calculating a first correlation between first and third output signals, a second correlation between second and third output signals, and combining these correlations.
Method for non-invasively determining ICP using specific arteries and correlation analysis
A method comprising: monitoring pulsations of the supraorbital artery with a first sensor generating first output signals; monitoring pulsations of the external carotid artery with a second sensor generating second output signals; monitoring pulsations of a distal artery with a third sensor generating third output signals; and determining intracranial pressure by calculating correlations between first and third output signals and between second and third output signals and combining these results.
The claims collectively cover systems and methods that use three specific sensors to monitor arterial pulsations from cranial-related and non-cranial-related arteries, as well as a distal artery, with a processing subsystem that determines intracranial pressure based on correlation comparisons of the sensor signals.
Stated Advantages
Provides an accurate, efficient, and continuous non-invasive determination of intracranial pressure.
The system is portable, small, robust, lightweight, and uses very little power, making it suitable for battlefield or sports field use.
Allows timely medical care by providing real-time monitoring of ICP in active populations who might otherwise ignore mild symptoms.
More robust and less sensitive to sensor placement or motion artifact compared to tonometry-based systems by employing near-infrared (NIR) sensors.
Documented Applications
Monitoring brain injuries in battlefield conditions to allow timely medical intervention.
Monitoring sports-related brain injuries in the field or sidelines.
Continuous, non-invasive ICP monitoring in active populations such as soldiers or athletes.
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