US5879307A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Non-invasive method and apparatus for diagnosing and monitoring aortic valve abnormalities, such a aortic regurgitation
Assignee: Pulse Metric Inc
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Filing: 1997-03-13
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Granted: 1999-03-09
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Expires: 2017-03-13
Abstract
Abstract A method and device is provided for determining aortic valve abnormalities. The method first includes the step of providing a sphygmomanometer device for inducing a pressure on a body part of a patient. A data stream receiver is provided for receiving a stream of data relating to the pressure response of the pulsed fluid flowing through the cardiovascular system of the patient. A data processor is provided for processing the data to create a series of time dependant pulse wave forms. The data can be converted by Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) to obtain Power Spectrum (PS) which comprises a frequency dependant array of pulse signals. Both of the time dependant and frequency dependant (Power Spectrum) data can be displayed and analyzed to help determine the condition of the aortic valve and the percentage of regurgitation of the patient. With the Power Spectrum display, the determination is made based on first, identifying the existence of an additional second series of harmonically occurring regurgitation signals that have a frequency different from the main signals indicative of the forward flow of fluid through the aortic valve. The ratio of the amplitude or density of the regurgitation signal peak can be divided by the amplitude or density of the associated main signal peak, to determine the ratio of the associated "Regurgitation" flow to and "Main" flow, to thereby semi-quantitatively determine the percent of regurgitation flow of the patient.
Inventors
- 👤 Shiu-Shin Chio
- 👤 Todd Brinton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/02; A61B5/021; A61B5/022; A61B5/02225; A61B5/02108; A61B5/02116; A61B5/026; A61B5/029; A61B5/72; A61B5/7235; A61B5/7253; A61B5/7257
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for identifying the existence of aortic valve abnormalities in a patient comprising the steps of: (1) providing a non-invasive pressure inducing means for inducing a pressure on a body part of a patient and applying pressure to the body part; (2) providing a data receiving means; (3) using the data receiving means to receive a stream of pulsation signal data from the patient relating to the pressure response of pulsed fluid flowing through the cardiovascular system of the patient; (4) providing a data processing means; (5) using the data processing means for processing the stream of pulsation signal data to create an array of pulse wave forms; and (6) identifying wave form characteristics that denote the presence of aortic valve abnormalities.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for identifying the existence of aortic valve abnormalities in a patient comprising the steps of: (1) providing a non-invasive pressure inducing means for inducing a pressure on a body part of a patient and applying pressure to the body part; (2) providing a data receiving means; (3) using the data receiving means to receive a stream of pulsation signal data from the patient relating to the pressure response of pulsed fluid flowing through the cardiovascular system of the patient; (4) providing a data processing means; (5) using the data processing means for processing the stream of pulsation signal data to create an array of pulse wave forms; and (6) identifying wave form characteristics that denote the presence of aortic valve abnormalities.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of using the data processing means comprises the step of using the data processing means to create a time dependant array of pulse wave forms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 2 wherein each of the pulse wave forms of the time dependant array of pulse wave forms includes a peak, and the step of identifying wave form characteristics includes the step of comparing the height of a series of adjacent wave form peaks.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step of comparing the height of a series of adjacent wave form peaks includes the step of comparing the height of at least four adjacent peaks, P 1 , P 2 , P 3 and P 4 , having heights of H 1 , H 2 , H 3 and H 4 , respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of detecting the presence of aortic valve abnormalities if at least one of (1): H 1 >H 2 , H 2 <H 3 , and H 3 >H 4 ; and (2): H 1 <H 2 , H 2 >H 3 and H 3 <H 4 occurs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
140 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the array of pulse wave forms comprises a series of at least four adjacent pulse wave forms including a first wave form having a peak P 1 , and a height H 1 ; a second pulse wave form having a peak P 2 and a height H 2 ; a third pulse wave form having a peak P 3 and a height H 3 ; and a fourth pulse wave form having a peak P 4 and a height H 4 ; further comprising the step of detecting the presence of aortic valve abnormalities if at least one of: (1) H 1 >H 2 , H 2 <H 3 , and H 3 >H 4 ; and (2) H 1 <H 2 , H 2 >H 3 and H 3 <H 4 occurs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of graphically displaying the array of pulse wave forms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
The method of claim 7 wherein (1) the step of using the data processing means comprises the step of using the data processing means to create a time dependant array of pulse wave forms, (2) the time dependant array of pulse wave forms are graphically displayed, (3) the time dependant array of pulse wave forms being graphically displayed include a series of pulse wave forms each having a peak, (4) the step of graphically displaying the time dependant array includes the step of displaying an envelope line that extends between the peaks of adjacent wave forms, and (5) the step of identifying wave form characteristics includes the step of identifying the slope of the envelope line to determine whether it denotes the presence of aortic valve abnormalities.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for identifying the existence of aortic valve abnormalities, comprising the steps of: (1) providing a non-invasive pressure inducing means for inducing a pressure on a body part of a patient and applying pressure to the body part; (2) providing a data receiving means; (3) using the data receiving means to receive a stream of pulsation signal data from the patient relating to the pressure response of pulsed fluid flowing through the cardiovascular system of the patient having a cardiovascular system; (4) providing a data processing means; (5) processing the stream of pulsation signal data to create an array of time dependant wave form data; (6) converting the array of time dependant wave form data to an array of frequency dependant wave form data; and (7) identifying characteristics of the frequency dependant wave form data that denote the presence of aortic valve abnormalities.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for identifying the existence of aortic valve abnormalities, comprising the steps of: (1) providing a non-invasive pressure inducing means for inducing a pressure on a body part of a patient and applying pressure to the body part; (2) providing a data receiving means; (3) using the data receiving means to receive a stream of pulsation signal data from the patient relating to the pressure response of pulsed fluid flowing through the cardiovascular system of the patient having a cardiovascular system; (4) providing a data processing means; (5) processing the stream of pulsation signal data to create an array of time dependant wave form data; (6) converting the array of time dependant wave form data to an array of frequency dependant wave form data; and (7) identifying characteristics of the frequency dependant wave form data that denote the presence of aortic valve abnormalities.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the steps of converting the time dependant wave form data comprises the step of using a Fourier transformation to convert the time dependant wave form data to frequency dependant wave form data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the step of identifying the characteristics of the frequency dependant wave form data includes the step of identifying a first series of harmonically occurring flow signals corresponding to a flow of fluid forwardly through the aortic valve, and detecting the presence or absence of a second series of harmonically occurring flow signals corresponding to aortic regurgitation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the flow signals of the first series each have a corresponding flow signal of the second series, each of the flow signals of the first series has an amplitude A 1 , and each of the flow signals of the second series has an amplitude A 2 and further comprising the step of comparing the amplitude A 2 of a flow signal of the second series to the amplitude A 1 of a flow signal of the first series to obtain a semi-quantitative analysis of the aortic regurgitation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the step of comparing the amplitudes comprises the step of determining a ratio A 2 /A 1 of the amplitudes of corresponding flow signals of the second and first series to approximate the ratio of aortic regurgitation flow to forward fluid flow through the aortic valve.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
92 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the flow signals of the first series each have a corresponding flow signal of the second series, each of the flow signals of the first series has a density, D 1 each of the flow signals of the second series has a density, D 2 and further comprising the step of comparing the density D 2 of the flow signal of the second series to the density D 1 of the flow signal of the first series to obtain a semi-quantitative value of the aortic regurgitation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step of comparing the densities comprises the step of determining the ratio D 2 /D 1 of corresponding flow signals of the second and first series to approximate the ratio of aortic regurgitation flow, to the flow of fluid forward through the aortic valve.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of evaluating the frequency shift between the flow signals of the first series and the flow signals of the second series.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of evaluating the frequency shift comprises the step of evaluating the frequency shift between the flow signals of the first series and the flow signals of the second series to determine at least one of the nature, type and characteristics of the aortic regurgitation of the patient.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
106 words
A device for identifying the existence of aortic valve abnormalities in a patient comprising: (1) a non-invasive pressure inducing means for inducing a pressure to a body part of a patient; (2) a data receiving means for receiving a stream of pulsation signal data from the patient relating to the pressure response of pulsed fluid flowing through the cardiovascular system of the patient; (3) a data processing means for processing the stream of pulsation signal data to create a time dependant array of pulse wave forms; and (4) means for aiding in the identification of wave form characteristics that denote the presence of aortic valve abnormalities.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
106 words
A device for identifying the existence of aortic valve abnormalities in a patient comprising: (1) a non-invasive pressure inducing means for inducing a pressure to a body part of a patient; (2) a data receiving means for receiving a stream of pulsation signal data from the patient relating to the pressure response of pulsed fluid flowing through the cardiovascular system of the patient; (3) a data processing means for processing the stream of pulsation signal data to create a time dependant array of pulse wave forms; and (4) means for aiding in the identification of wave form characteristics that denote the presence of aortic valve abnormalities.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 18 further comprising graphic display means for displaying the time dependant array of pulse wave forms.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device of claim 18 wherein each of the pulse wave forms of the time dependant array of pulse wave forms includes a peak, and the means for aiding in the identification of wave form characteristics includes means for aiding in the comparison of the height of a series of adjacent wave form peaks.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device of claim 20 wherein the means for aiding in the comparison includes means for aiding in the comparison of the height of at least four adjacent peaks, P 1 , P 2 , P 3 and P 4 , having heights of H 1 , H 2 , H 3 and H 4 , respectively.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device of claim 21 further comprising means for detecting the presence of aortic valve abnormalities if at least one of: H 1 >H 2 , H 2 <H 3 , and H 3 >H 4 ; and H 1 <H 2 , H 2 >H 3 and H 3 <H 4 occurs.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
139 words
The device of claim 18 wherein the time dependant array of pulse wave forms comprises a series of at least four adjacent pulse wave forms including a first wave form having a peak P 1 , and a height H 1 ; a second pulse wave form having a peak P 2 and a height H 2 ; a third pulse wave form having a peak P 3 and a height H 3 ; and a fourth pulse wave form having a peak P 4 and a height H 4 ; further comprising means for detecting the presence of aortic valve abnormalities if at least one of: H 1 >H 2 , H 2 <H 3 , and H 3 >H 4 ; and H 1 <H 2 , H 2 >H 3 and H 3 <H 4 occurs.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
99 words
The device of claim 18 further comprising means for graphically displaying the time dependant array of pulse wave forms, wherein the time dependant array of pulse wave forms displayed by the graphic display means includes a series of pulse wave forms each having a peak, and the graphic display means includes means for displaying an envelope line that extends between the peaks of adjacent wave forms, and the means for aiding in the identification of wave form characteristics includes means for identifying the slope of the envelope line to determine whether it denotes the presence of aortic valve abnormalities.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the means for identifying the slope of the envelope line comprises means for determining whether the envelope line has an undulating slope, thereby suggesting the presence of aortic valve abnormalities.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
129 words
A device for identifying the existence of aortic valve abnormalities, comprising: (1) a non-invasive pressure inducing means for inducing a pressure to a body part of a patient; (2) a data receiving means for receiving a stream of pulsation signal data from the patient relating to the pressure response of pulsed fluid flowing through a cardiovascular system of the patient; (3) a data processing means for processing the stream of pulsation signal data to create an array of time dependant wave form data; (4) means for converting the array of time dependant wave form data to an array of frequency dependant wave form data; and (5) means for aiding in the identification of characteristics of the frequency dependant wave form data that denote the presence of aortic valve abnormalities.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
129 words
A device for identifying the existence of aortic valve abnormalities, comprising: (1) a non-invasive pressure inducing means for inducing a pressure to a body part of a patient; (2) a data receiving means for receiving a stream of pulsation signal data from the patient relating to the pressure response of pulsed fluid flowing through a cardiovascular system of the patient; (3) a data processing means for processing the stream of pulsation signal data to create an array of time dependant wave form data; (4) means for converting the array of time dependant wave form data to an array of frequency dependant wave form data; and (5) means for aiding in the identification of characteristics of the frequency dependant wave form data that denote the presence of aortic valve abnormalities.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 26 wherein the means of converting the time dependant wave form data comprises a program means using a Fourier transformation to convert the time dependant wave form data to frequency dependant wave form data.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
72 words
The device of claim 26 wherein the means for aiding in the identification of the characteristics of the frequency dependant wave form data includes means for aiding in the identification of a first series of harmonically occurring flow signals corresponding to a flow of fluid forwardly through the aortic valve, and in the detection of the presence or absence of a second series of harmonically occurring flow signals corresponding to aortic regurgitation.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
93 words
The device of claim 28 wherein the flow signals of the first series each have a corresponding flow signal of the second series, each of the flow signals of the first series has an amplitude A 1 , and each of the flow signals of the second series has an amplitude A 2 and further comprising means for comparing the amplitude A 2 of a flow signal of the second series to the amplitude A 1 of a flow signal of the first series to obtain a semi-quantitative analysis of the aortic regurgitation.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device of claim 29 wherein the means for comparing the amplitudes comprises means for determining a ratio A 2 /A 1 of the amplitudes of corresponding flow signals of the second and first series to approximate the ratio of aortic regurgitation flow to forward fluid flow through the aortic valve.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
91 words
The device of claim 28 wherein the flow signals of the first series each have a corresponding flow signal of the second series, each of the flow signals of the first series has a density, D 1 each of the flow signals of the second series has a density, D 2 and further comprising means for comparing the density D 2 of the flow signal of the second series to the density D 1 of the flow signal of the first series to obtain a semi-quantitative value of the aortic regurgitation.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 31 wherein the means for comparing the densities comprises means for determining the ratio D 2 /D 1 of corresponding flow signals of the second and first series to approximate the ratio of aortic regurgitation flow, to the flow of fluid forward through the aortic valve.
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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) | 2002-03-08 | 2002-09-07 | 2003-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-08 | 2006-09-07 | 2007-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-08 | 2010-09-07 | 2011-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |