Pneumothorax and Hemothorax

A Method to use Vibro-Acoustic Waves to Diagnose Pneumothorax and Hemothorax

Allen Bryant Nichols Jr., M.S.

Virginia Commonwealth University

Whether caused by trauma, internal diseases, or spontaneously; pneumothorax and hemothorax are potentially life threatening illnesses. They are currently primarily diagnosed with x-rays, CT scans, and ultrasound imaging. While these methods are generally reliable, they are not always available to the injured patient. Life threatening pneumothoraces, such as tension pneumothorax, must be treated quickly. When diagnosed correctly, pneumothorax and hemothorax can be quickly mended through insertion of chest tubes. X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasound imaging require large scale equipment and are not always dependable. There is a more reliable, portable, and faster result producing method to diagnose pneumothorax. Vibro-acoustic waves can be sent through the chest and the resulting wave can be measured. By analyzing attenuation characteristics determined by the geometry of the chest structures, it can be determined if the patient’s pleural space is healthy, contains air (pneumothrax), or

contains fluid (hemothorax).

Source: Lifesounds