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An inflatable cuff placed around the upper part of a limb, inflated so as to prevent the return of venous blood to the heart (e.g. to 50 mmHg) but not to obstruct arterial blood, causes swelling of the limb due to the inflow of blood. The rate of inflow of blood to the limb (limb perfusion rate) can therefore be detected from the rate of increase in limb volume over the first few heartbeats.
As the venous return is occluded, the limb volume may be sensed in a variety of ways including strain gauge Plethysmography and electrical impedance plethysmography. Plethysmography means recording volume changes.
Such a device might be used in the study of vascular disease.
Content and Design Copyright 2000 Dr. Malcolm C Brown. See Title Page for more details