The present invention presents various novel approaches to solving the
problems inherent in measuring biological pressures in high pressure
systems. Thus, to protect a pressure transducer exposed to fluid flows at
higher pressures than its overpressure rating, a novel valve is used that
closes a protected leg in which the transducer is located. The various
exemplary embodiments of such valves each have a high pressure input, one
or more low pressure inputs, and an output. In operation, when a high
pressure fluid flow occurs at a high pressure input, such valves
automatically close the low pressure inputs. Alternatively, a novel
transducer system is presented, which automatically limits the effective
pressure sensed by a transducer to a certain maximum.