Two new pressure transducers

The author describes the development of two types of pressure transducer: the Pulsair tonometer and a fibre optic disposable pressure transducer for arterial monitoring. The disposable fibre optic pressure transducer interfaces directly with the patient´s blood, via a modified port on the catheter. It is therefore convenient, and has a high fidelity response. Because it is disposable there is no risk of cross infection. The Pulsair tonometer applies a ramped air impulse to the eye, and gauges the intra-ocular pressure from a measure of the air pressure at the applanation event. The corneal monitoring system incorporates a series of lenses, combined with the reflecting surface of the cornea to form two images of a test object