Methods of and apparatus for positioning and aiming an ultrasonic probe

摘要

A method of aiming an ultrasonic transducer at the center of a blood vessel such as a descending aorta. Automatic gain control is employed to amplify the transducer output signal to a constant level, and the transducer is manipulated until the gain in the amplifier circuitry reaches a minimum. The transducer output signal is used in calculating the cardiac output of the patient and/or his or her cardiac index and/or systemic vascular resistance.