A new instrument for noninvasive measurement of intracranial pressure through the anterior fontanel. I. Preliminary report.

A pressure sensor has been developed with which intracranial pressure of infants with open anterior fontanell can be measured. The sensor consists of a light, small strain-gauge transducer (Statham P-50, Gould, USA), supported by a thin phosphorus bronze sheet having a strong spring quality characteristic. The light and small assembly, which weighs only 2.55 g, allows lengthy, continuous measurement with little drift. It eliminates almost any gravitational component in the recorded pressure. The thermal influence is also minimal and the thermal equilibrium is reached within 10 min. The sensor is precise and accurate in a range from 0 to 500 mm H2O, with excellent linear response. This newly developed fontanel pressure sensor has been successfully applied without the need for surgical procedures previously required to measure intracranial pressure.