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A method and apparatus for measuring the intra-abdominal pressure within a patient. A reservoir is positioned between a drainage catheter (e.g. a urinary catheter or naso-gastric tube) and a collection container for the fluid being drained from the patient's body. The reservoir defines a constant vo

A method and apparatus for measuring the intra-abdominal pressure within a patient. A reservoir is positioned between a drainage catheter (e.g. a urinary catheter or naso-gastric tube) and a collection container for the fluid being drained from the patient's body. The reservoir defines a constant volume and receives the withdrawn fluid through a manometer tube having a series of markings. The reservoir includes an air vent that ensures that the volume of fluid in the reservoir is held at atmospheric pressure when the reservoir is raised above the patient. When the reservoir is raised to a predetermined measurement height above the patient, the volume of fluid in the reservoir is returned to the patient. The height of the liquid column within the manometer tube provides a direct indication of the intra-abdominal pressure of the patient.

대표청구항 ▼

A method and apparatus for measuring the intra-abdominal pressure within a patient. A reservoir is positioned between a drainage catheter (e.g. a urinary catheter or naso-gastric tube) and a collection container for the fluid being drained from the patient's body. The reservoir defines a constant vo

A method and apparatus for measuring the intra-abdominal pressure within a patient. A reservoir is positioned between a drainage catheter (e.g. a urinary catheter or naso-gastric tube) and a collection container for the fluid being drained from the patient's body. The reservoir defines a constant volume and receives the withdrawn fluid through a manometer tube having a series of markings. The reservoir includes an air vent that ensures that the volume of fluid in the reservoir is held at atmospheric pressure when the reservoir is raised above the patient. When the reservoir is raised to a predetermined measurement height above the patient, the volume of fluid in the reservoir is returned to the patient. The height of the liquid column within the manometer tube provides a direct indication of the intra-abdominal pressure of the patient. 1. An ultrasound system comprising: transmit and receive circuitry that, pursuant to a plurality of image settings, transmits ultrasound signals into a patient, receives echoes from a patient and outputs a signal representative of the echo; and control circuitry that sequentially adjusts the image settings based on a sequence of stored image settings so as to cause the transmit and receive circuitry to have a sequence of imaging configurations during an ultrasound imaging study using contrast agents. 2. An ultrasound system, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: an ECG unit that provide ECG data to the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry triggers the obtaining of images based on ECG data. 3. An ultrasound system, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: an IV controller that, under the control of the control circuitry delivers contrast agent to the patient. 4. An ultrasound system, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the control circuitry controls the IV controller based on the ECG data or the intensity of contrast agent. 5. An ultrasound system, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a memory that stores a plurality of state diagrams, each defining a sequence of imaging configurations for a particular imaging study, accessible by the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry access a selected state diagram to conduct an imaging study. 6. An ultrasound system, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the control circuitry, responsive to a selected state diagram, sequentially re-configures the transmit and receive circuitry to obtain a sequence of images in accordance with a stress study state diagram. 7. An ultrasound system, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the control circuitry, responsive to a selected state diagram, sequentially re-configures the transmit and receive circuitry to obtain a sequence of images in accordance with a perfusion study state diagram. 8. An ultrasound system, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the control circuitry, responsive to a selected state diagram, sequentially re-configures the transmit and receive circuitry to obtain a sequence of images in accordance with a blood flow/volume curve state diagram. 9. An ultrasound system, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the control circuitry, responsive to a selected state diagram, sequentially re-configures the transmit and receive circuitry to obtain a sequence of images in accordance with a coronary flow reserve study state diagram. 10. An ultrasound system, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the control circuitry enables a user to adjust certain image settings prior to conducting the ultrasound imaging study and modifies the values provided in the selected state diagram based on the image settings adjusted by the user. 11. An ultrasound system, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the control circuitry enables a user to adjust an order of the sequence of configurations. 12. An ultrasound system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one, but not all, of the imaging configurations are adapted for imaging without contrast agent. 13. An ultrasound system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of the imaging configurations requires a mode change. 14. A method for conducting an ultrasound imaging study with contrast agent, the method comprising: allowing the user to select a type of study; creating state diagrams describing the various image settings for each of a plurality of imaging configurations that the ultrasound system will enter into during different types of studies; based on the selection of the type of study, retrieving one of the state diagrams that most closely resembles the selected type of study; and based on the retrieved state diagram, conducting the selected type of study in conjunction with the use of a contrast agent. 15. A method, as set forth in claim 14, further comprising: prior to conducting the study, injecting a first bolus of the contrast agent; subsequent to injectin