摘要 |
An apparatus for intermittent measurement of blood parameters using spectrophotometry is provided. In exemplary embodiments, blood is temporarily withdrawn from the patient and passed through a cuvette, allowing spectrophotometric analysis. This blood may then immediately returned to the patient in a sterile fashion. The technique allows for real-time analysis of blood at the bedside without delays in transportation and laboratory analysis. In exemplary embodiments, there is no blood loss, so measurements can be repeated frequently with no detriment to the patient. In exemplary embodiments, the spectrophotometer is detachable from the cuvette and does not come in contact with blood, such that it can be used for multiple patients with minimal cost. The apparatus may be used to measure the oxygen saturation of blood and hemoglobin concentration, although it could be easily adapted to measure these and many other parameters simultaneously. |