RT Book, Section
A1 Lee, Howard
A1 Monahan, Christopher
A2 Freeman, Brian S.
A2 Berger, Jeffrey S.
SR Print(0)
ID 1102566353
T1 Pressure Transducers
T2 Anesthesiology Core Review: Part One Basic Exam
YR 2014
FD 2014
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9780071821377
LK accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1102566353
RD 2024/04/23
AB A  transducer  is  any  device  that  converts  energy  from  one  form  to  another.  A  pressure  transducer  converts  a  pressure  waveform  (kinetic  and  potential  energy)  into  an  electrical  signal  (electrical  energy).  Invasive  arterial  blood  pressure  monitors  measure  the  constant  variation  of  blood  pressure  through  an  arterial  catheter  connected  to  fluid-filled  tubing,  which  in  turn  is  connected  to  a  pressure  transducer.  The  arterial  pulse  pressure  is  transmitted  through  a  pressurized  column  of  saline  into  a  flexible  diaphragm  causing  the  shape  of  the  diaphragm  to  change.  The  displacement  of  the  diaphragm  is  measured  by  a  strain  gauge.  Strain  gauges  work  based  on  the  principle  that  the  electrical  resistance  of  a  wire  increases  as  it  extends.  When  several  strain  gauges  are  incorporated  into  a  Wheatstone  bridge  circuit,  the  movement  of  the  diaphragm  stretches  or  compresses  several  wires  and  alters  the  resistance  of  the  unit.  This  process  results  in  the  generation  of  a  current  and  electrical  signal.  The  pressure  transducer  then  sends  this  electrical  signal  via  a  cable  to  a  processor  where  it  is  filtered  and  displayed  as  a  waveform.