METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE NON-INVASIVE DETECTION OF MEDICAL CONDITIONS BY MONITORING PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL TONE

摘要

A method and apparatus for non-invasive detection of a physiological state or medical condition is disclosed. The method provides an indication of such state or condition such as myocardial ischemia or sleep apnea, by detecting the peripheral arterial tone's response to such state or condition. A static pressure field is applied around the distal part of a digit of the subject. Peripheral arterial tone changes and related volume changes in the distal part of the digit are detected to thereby detect or monitor a physiological state or medical condition. The apparatus comprises a finger probe (20), in the form of a tube (3) accommodating the patient's finger, which is designed to apply pressure, and a contiguous pressure cuff (40) which extends the boundary of said pressure field. The finger probe (2) either includes or is associated with a signal sensor/transducer (100, 101).