Effect of Application Force on Noninvasive Measurements of Intracranial Pressure

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Abstract
Application of the Ladd fiberoptic sensor to the anterior fontanel of the human newborn was used to monitor intracranial pressure noninvasively. This would be extremely valuable for the study and management of neonatal brain injury. The effect of varying the force with which the sensor is applied to the fontanel was measured. The Ladd sensor readings of 5 preterm human infants were continuously monitored while sensor application force was increased in a stepwise manner. The Ladd sensor readings for each infant varied with the force applied. In 1 infant, sensor application was gradually increased while direct measurements of lumbar CSF pressure were made. Ladd sensor readings in this infant increased with increasing application force; lumbar CSF pressure remained unchanged. Readings obtained with the Ladd sensor applied to the anterior fontanel of the human infant apparently depend on the force with which the sensor is applied. The effect of application force must be taken into account if noninvasive measurements of intracranial pressure are to be made with the Ladd device.

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