US5769784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Skin perfusion evaluation apparatus and method
Assignee: Hill Rom Services Inc
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Filing: 1995-11-27
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Granted: 1998-06-23
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Expires: 2015-11-27
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for evaluating perfusion adjacent a skin surface includes the steps of measuring a reference rate of perfusion of the skin surface, storing the reference rate of perfusion, and applying a positive force to the skin surface. The apparatus and method also includes the steps of measuring a second rate of perfusion adjacent the skin surface after the positive force is applied, and calculating a differential rate of perfusion between the reference rate of perfusion and the second rate of perfusion after positive force is applied to provide an indication of perfusion adjacent the skin surface. The apparatus and method further includes the step of displaying the indication of perfusion.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard I. Barnett
- 👤 Ryszard S. Ozarowski
- 👤 William T. Sutton
- 👤 James M. C. Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/01; A61B5/02; A61B5/026; G; G01; G01K; G01K3/00; G01K3/08; G01K3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for evaluating perfusion adjacent a skin surface, the method comprising the steps of: applying a positive force to a first zone of the skin surface; applying a negative force to a second zone of the skin surface; measuring a rate of perfusion in the first zone; measuring a rate of perfusion in the second zone; and calculating a differential rate of perfusion between the first and second zones of the skin surface to provide an indication of perfusion adjacent the skin surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for evaluating perfusion adjacent a skin surface, the method comprising the steps of: applying a positive force to a first zone of the skin surface; applying a negative force to a second zone of the skin surface; measuring a rate of perfusion in the first zone; measuring a rate of perfusion in the second zone; and calculating a differential rate of perfusion between the first and second zones of the skin surface to provide an indication of perfusion adjacent the skin surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the step of measuring the rate of perfusion in the first zone includes the step of measuring a temperature of the skin surface in the first zone, the step of measuring the rate of perfusion in the second zone includes the step of measuring a temperature of the skin surface in the second zone, and wherein the step of calculating a differential rate of perfusion includes the step of calculating a differential temperature between the first and second zones of the skin surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying the indication of perfusion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the second zone of the skin surface surrounds the first zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second zones of the skin are spaced apart from each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of heating the first and second zones of the skin surface to a base temperature prior to the applying steps.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of cooling the first and second zones of the skin to a base temperature before the applying steps.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for evaluating perfusion adjacent a skin surface, the method comprising the steps of: measuring a reference temperature of the skin surface; storing the reference temperature; applying a positive compressive force to the skin surface; measuring a temperature of the skin surface after the positive compressive force is applied; and calculating a differential temperature between the reference temperature and the temperature after the positive compressive force is applied to provide an indication of perfusion adjacent the skin surface.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for evaluating perfusion adjacent a skin surface, the method comprising the steps of: measuring a reference temperature of the skin surface; storing the reference temperature; applying a positive compressive force to the skin surface; measuring a temperature of the skin surface after the positive compressive force is applied; and calculating a differential temperature between the reference temperature and the temperature after the positive compressive force is applied to provide an indication of perfusion adjacent the skin surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of displaying the indication of perfusion.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for evaluating perfusion adjacent a skin surface, the method comprising the steps of: measuring a reference rate of perfusion of the skin surface; storing the reference rate of perfusion; applying a positive compressive force to the skin surface; measuring a second rate of perfusion adjacent the skin surface after the positive compressive force is applied; and calculating a differential rate of perfusion between the reference rate of perfusion and the second rate of perfusion after positive compressive force is applied to provide an indication of perfusion adjacent the skin surface.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for evaluating perfusion adjacent a skin surface, the method comprising the steps of: measuring a reference rate of perfusion of the skin surface; storing the reference rate of perfusion; applying a positive compressive force to the skin surface; measuring a second rate of perfusion adjacent the skin surface after the positive compressive force is applied; and calculating a differential rate of perfusion between the reference rate of perfusion and the second rate of perfusion after positive compressive force is applied to provide an indication of perfusion adjacent the skin surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of displaying the indication of perfusion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-22 | 2001-12-22 | 2002-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-22 | 2005-12-22 | 2006-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-22 | 2009-12-22 | 2010-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |