A method and apparatus for the transcutaneous monitoring of blood gases generally comprises a blood gas
data acquisition device, a vacuum source and a blood gas
transducer unit. The blood gas
transducer unit is adapted for application to a patient's
skin and administration of a local vacuum at the area of patient application. It further comprises an electrochemical blood gas
transducer, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, which is disposed entirely within the local vacuum at the area of patient application. The vacuum source is placed in fluid communication with the blood gas transducer unit, through a hydrophobic
membrane filter for safety purposes, in order to induce a condition of hyperperfusion in the locality of the electrochemical blood gas transducer. Under the control of a
microcontroller, or equivalent means, the blood gas acquisition device is then utilized to capture a measure of
skin surface oxygen or
carbon dioxide pressure. The
microcontroller can then utilize this measure to arrive at an estimate of arterial
partial pressure of
oxygen or
carbon dioxide, accordingly. Because vacuum induced
perfusion produces the requisite condition of hyperperfusion without local heating and, therefore, without acceleration of the local
metabolic function, the present invention results in more accurate than previously available estimates of
partial pressure blood gas pressures and does so while eliminating a
significant risk for injury to the patient.