FLUID ANALYZER AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

摘要

Devices, computer readable programs and methods determine a patient parameter, including volume and/or flow rate of a fluid draining through a drain tube from a chest cavity of a patient, by using at least one pressure value at an end of the drain tube associated with a fluid collection canister and at least one pressure value within the drain tube at a location distant from the collection canister. The pressure values are processed with a non-linear solver to determine the patient parameter.

主权项

1. A method for determining at least one patient parameter in a patient having a drain tube having a first end and a second end, said first end fitted into the patient chest cavity and a second end in fluid communication with a collection vessel, at least one of said collection vessel and said drain tube having a first pressure sensor sensing the pressure within at least one of (i) said drain tube in a location proximal to the collection vessel, and (ii) the collection vessel, and a second pressure sensor sensing the pressure within the drain tube at a location distal to the collection vessel, said method comprising the steps of:
a. obtaining at least a first pressure value from said first pressure sensor and at least one first pressure value from said second pressure sensor; and, b. calculating at least one patient parameter by the pressure values through a non-linear solver.