RESUMO
Objective To present a new method and design of an instrument for measuring intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) non-invasively. Method A pressure sensor (YH-4) and a displacement sensor (sliding rheostat) were assembled into a probe so that they work in a linear mode. When this assembled instrument probe acts on the abdominal wall of a subject, a pressure as called the external abdominal pressure (EAP), and a corresponding displacement were detected. A relationship was established mathematically between the IAP measured by non-invasive and invasive method, and IAP was calculated by EAP measurement indirectly non-invasively. Result The method was testified by animal experiment in rabbits. And the preliminary results indicated that linear relation between EAP and IAP was obtained. Conclusion Feasibility of the new method is validated by animal experiment. It provides scientific evidence for further clinical experiment.