| 摘要 |
An instrument for at least estimating physiologic pressure such as central venous pressure (CVP) non-invasively includes an ultrasound probe coupled to a display that shows the deformation of a vein as pressure is applied outside the body through the skin and soft tissues. A pressure transducer is applied to the skin to compress a vein, and an indicator coupled to the transducer shows the amount of pressure being applied when the ultrasound probe shows that the vein has collapsed. In the preferred embodiment, the transducer is an inelastic balloon filled with a liquid such as water, and the indicator is in fluid communication with the balloon. The indicator may be a mechanical gauge or meter, or may include a material that converts applied pressure to an electrical signal, in which case the electrical signal may be interfaced to a numerical readout. At least the probe and the transducer are preferably disposed in a hand-held housing.
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