APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR VERTICALLY POSITIONING A MONITORING TRANSDUCER RELATIVE TO A PATIENT

摘要

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for positioning a transducer relative to a patient. In one embodiment, a transducer support having a fluid sensing transducer also includes an illuminator coupled to the support to generate visible radiation and to direct the visible radiation along a first optical axis. A reflective surface receives the visible radiation emitted along the first optical axis and directs the visible radiation along a second optical axis and onto an predetermined elevational position on a patient. In another embodiment, a method includes directing visible radiation in a first direction and onto a reflective surface that reflects the visible radiation in a second direction and towards the patient, projecting the visible radiation onto an external portion of the patient to form an illuminated area on the patient, and aligning the transducer with a predetermined elevation on the surface of a patient.