OBJECTIVECombined the optical principle with automatic control technology and computer real-time image detection technology to develop a non-contact system for noninvasive esophageal varices pressure measurement.

METHODSThe system included the adjustable air pump, laser device, image collection and analysis program. The feasibility and accuracy of the system were verified by in vitro experiments.

RESULTSThe bionic vascular pressure measured by this system had good correlation and repeatability with the actual pressure.

CONCLUSIONSThis system is accurate, feasible and has good application prospects.

Blood Pressure Determination ; instrumentation ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Lasers ; Software

Objective To investigate the application of Critical Care Chest Ultrasonic Examination (CCUE)-plus (CCUE-plus) in the etiological diagnosis in patieuts with dyspnea and/or hemodynamic instability caused by abdominal abnormalities.Methods Patients who suffered from dyspnea and/or hemodynamic instability in the Department of Critical Care Medicine,Xiangya Hospital,Central South University from September 2013 to September 2016 were recruited in this study.A total of 255 consecutive patients completed CCUE within 2hrs of admission.If the diaphragm could not be seen in the routine phrenic points according to Bedside Lung Ultrasound Evaluation (BLUE) protocol,it would be found along midaxillary line and defined m-point.The 59 patients with altered diaphragmatic position (m-point was more than 2 cm higher than phrenic point) received sequential abdominal ultrasonography.The latter ultrasonographic findings were compared with CT results.Results There were 42 (71.19％) cases with positive findings of abdominal ultrasonography,including 18 cases of seroperitoneum,16 cases of intestinal obstruction and 8 cases combined.Compared with 56 patients who applied with CT exam,the abdominal ultrasonography revealed a sensitivity of 76.7％ and a specificity of 100.0％ to diagnose seroperitoneum (AUCRoc 0.917);whereas the sensitivity was 75.0％ and the specificity was 90.9％ (AUCRoc 0.778) to diagnose intestinal obstruction.Moreover,there were 44 (74.58％) patients with normal left ventricular systolic function;more than three quarters (46/59,77.97％) patients had pulmonary consolidation.Conclusion In patients with dyspnea and/or hemodynamic instability caused by abdominal abnormalities and altered diaphragmatic position in BLUE protocol,CCUE-plus protocol has a high positive predictive value of more than 90％ in abdominal abnormality.The findings of abdominal ultrasonography may change therapeutic target from cardio-pulmonary optimization to relief of intestinal obstruction or drainage of seroperitoneum.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of lung ultrasound images in critical care postoperative patients using BLUE-plus protocol . Methods Two hundred and twenty-two patients who were performed lung ultrasound measurements according to the BLUE-plus protocol within 24 hours admitted to the Department of critical care were included in this study . Data was collected and retrospectively analyzed to compare the proportion of different lung ultrasound signs at different speculate regions ,and to compare the lung ultrasound characteristics of patients undergo different surgeries . Results Excluding A lines ,the most common abnormal lung ultrasound signs at the diaphragmatic points were B7 lines (13 .06％ ) ,and the most common abnormal lung ultrasound signs at the posterior blue points were C signs (28 .60％ ) . The rate of C signs was significantly higher in post spinal cord surgery patients than those in other groups ( P =0 .032) . The rate of B3 lines was significantly higher at bilateral PLAPS points in oxygenation index 100-200 group compared with that in oxygenation index>300 group ( P =0 .011) . The rate of C signs was significantly higher at the left posterior blue point in oxygenation index 200-300 group , and at bilateral posterior blue point in oxygenation index 100-200 and <100 groups compared with those in oxygenation index >300 group ( P =0 .011 , P <0 .001 and P =0 .002) . The rate of pleural effusion was significantly higher at the right posterior blue point in oxygenation index 200 -300 group ,and at bilateral posterior blue point in oxygenation index 100 -200 group compared with those in oxygenation index >300 group ( P = 0 .001 , P < 0 .001 ) . Conclusions Screen with the BLUE-plus protocol can help to find abnormal signs including B3 lines ,B7 lines ,C signs and pleural effusion ,therefore instructs individualized treatment for postoperative patients . Pulmonary edema ,lung consolidation and pleural effusion are three main reasons responsible for hypoxemia in postoperative patients . Intensivists should avoid fluid overload , strengthen airway management ,postural therapy and encourage early mobility in postoperative patients .