Apparatus for measuring hemodynamic parameters

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward an ultrasonography apparatus for measuring and/or monitoring hemodynamic activity, such as blood flow. The present invention comprises a doppler ultrasound unit, one or more transducers and a display.

1 . An apparatus for measuring at least one hemodynamic parameter, comprising: 
 a. a doppler ultrasound unit comprising a display mounted in the unit, said unit being capable of displaying at least one measured hemodynamic parameter;    b. a portable housing sized to be grasped in a user's hand;    c. a switching mechanism mounted in said housing and operatively connected to the unit, the switching mechanism being capable of actuating the unit;    d. a transducer mounting assembly connected to the housing by at least one wire such that the distance between the assembly and the housing can be adjusted by a user using only one hand; and    e. at least three ultrasound transducers mounted in the assembly and operatively connected to the switching mechanism.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transducer mounting assembly comprises a curved surface and the transducers are mounted on the curved surface along a curved path.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the measured hemodynamic parameter is blood flow.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the unit comprises a system capable of analyzing at least one measured hemodynamic parameter, said system being physically located within the unit.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the unit is a directional color doppler ultrasound unit capable of indicating the direction of measured blood flow by a color display of blood flow.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the system is further capable of generating an instruction to the user.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the unit is capable of transmitting ultrasound energy in a continuous mode and in a pulsed mode.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the unit further comprises a control device for selecting between a continuous and pulsed mode of operation.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the control device is a rotatable knob positioned below the display.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the unit comprises a phase shift circuit.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the unit is configured to process an in phase signal having a first phase angle and a second signal having a phase shifted 90 degrees from the first phase.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the switching mechanism is a push button.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transducer mounting assembly is further connected to the housing by: 
 a. a threaded rod; and    b. a rotatable adjusting wheel comprising a centrally located female threaded channel which threadably engages the rod, such that when the wheel is rotated, the rod is axially displaced.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the doppler ultrasound unit is physically separate from the housing.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for measuring at least one hemodynamic parameter, comprising: 
 a. a doppler ultrasound unit comprising a rectangular display mounted in the unit, said unit being capable of displaying at least one measured hemodynamic parameter;    b. a portable housing sized to be grasped in a user's hand;    c. a switching mechanism mounted in said housing and operatively connected to the unit, the switching mechanism being capable of actuating the unit;    d. a transducer mounting assembly connected to the housing by at least one wire such that the distance between the assembly and the housing can be adjusted by a user using only one hand; and    e. at least three ultrasound transducers mounted in the assembly and operatively connected to the switching mechanism.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the transducer mounting assembly comprises a curved surface and the transducers are mounted on the curved surface along a curved path.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the unit comprises a phase shift circuit.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the unit is capable of transmitting ultrasound energy in a continuous mode and in a pulsed mode.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus for measuring blood flow: 
 a. a doppler ultrasound unit comprising a display mounted in the unit, said unit being capable of displaying blood flow measured by the doppler ultrasound unit;    b. a portable housing sized to be grasped in a user's hand;    c. a switching mechanism mounted in said housing and operatively connected to the unit, the switching mechanism being capable of actuating the unit;    d. a curved transducer mounting assembly connected to the housing by at least one wire such that the distance between the assembly and the housing can be adjusted by a user using only one hand; and    e. at least three ultrasound transducers mounted in the assembly and operatively connected to the switching mechanism.    
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the unit is capable of selectively transmitting ultrasound energy in a continuous mode and in a pulsed mode.