Jugulometer, a Medical Device: History, Description and Uses in Non-Invasive Assessment of Jugular Venous Pressure

Abstract

Jugular venous pressure (JVP) assessment is an important step in cardiovascular examination. JVP is an indirect measure of right atrial pressure / central venous pressure. The desire to measure JVP at bedside, though necessary during physical examination, is not easily achieved in most cases because of the difficulty in application of the two-ruler traditional method for its assessment. Jugulometer, a medical device designed and introduced at Ile-Ife in Nigeria for the purpose of non-invasive measurement of JVP at bedside. It is portable and easy-to-use. It consists of two bars (horizontal and vertical). The horizontal bar is embedded with spirit level while the vertical bar is graduated in centimetre. The two bars are assembled perpendicular to each other with a special mechanism which enable the vertical bar to slide over the horizontal bar without disrupting their perpendicular relationship. Jugulometer simplifies non-invasive measurement of JVP and makes the procedure more reproducible at bedside. This article is a documentation of the description, history of evolution of jugulometer and its uses in cardiovascular medicine and education. In conclusion, jugulometer is a medical device introduced at Ile-Ife in Nigeria to advance the traditional method and skill of non-invasive bedside assessment of jugular venous pressure.