Modular blood pressure measurement apparatus

• US 20070093718A1
• Filed: 10/25/2005
• Published: 04/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: St. Pierre, Shawn, Lane, John, Newman, Richard, Wright, Edward, Grant, Thomas, Burnett, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 7,699,787 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/494
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0225 the pressure being controlled by electric signals, e.g. derived from Korotkoff sounds

Abstract

A blood pressure measurement apparatus for use in association with a blood pressure measuring cuff includes a housing having an upper shell and a lower shell defining an interior chamber and a replaceable module disposed within the interior chamber. The replaceable module houses a pump for inflating the blood pressure measuring cuff and a vent valve for venting the blood pressure measuring cuff. A cuff pressure sensor is provided within the interior chamber, either within or externally of the replaceable module. A control circuit for controlling the pump and the vent valve is provided on a circuit board disposed externally of the replaceable module. A power pack may be provided within the replaceable module for supplying electric power to the pump, the valve, the control circuit and other components within the interior chamber.

Claims

1. A blood pressure measurement apparatus for use in pneumatic communication with a blood pressure measuring cuff;

said apparatus comprising;

a housing defining an interior chamber;

a pump for inflating the blood pressure measuring cuff; and

a vent valve for venting the blood pressure measuring cuff;

said pump and said vent valve housed within a replaceable module disposed within the interior chamber of the housing.

2. A blood pressure measurement apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a pressure sensor disposed within said replaceable module for sensing pressure.

3. A blood pressure measurement apparatus as recited in claim 2 further comprising a display provided in the housing for displaying a blood pressure reading.

4. A blood pressure measurement apparatus as recited in claim 3 further comprising a control circuit for controlling said pump, said vent valve, and said display.

5. A blood pressure measurement apparatus as recited in claim 4 further comprising a power pack for providing electric power to said pump, said valve, said pressure sensor, said display and said control circuit, said power pack housed within said replaceable module in operative association with said pump.

6. A blood pressure measurement apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a pressure sensor disposed within the interior chamber of the housing for sensing pressure.

7. A blood pressure measurement apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a control circuit for controlling said pump and said vent valve.

8. A blood pressure measurement apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a display provided in the housing for displaying a blood pressure reading.

9. A blood pressure measurement apparatus for use in pneumatic communication with a blood pressure measuring cuff;

said apparatus comprising;

a housing having an upper casing and a lower casing, the upper and lower casings mating to form the housing and define an interior chamber therein, the upper and lower casings being separable for selective opening of the housing for access to the interior chamber;

a replaceable module disposed within the interior chamber and detachably mounted to the lower casing of the housing;

a pump for selectively inflating the blood pressure measuring cuff, said pump housed within said replaceable module; and

a vent valve for selectively venting the blood pressure measuring cuff, said vent valve housed within said replaceable module.

10. A blood pressure measurement apparatus as recited in claim 9 further comprising a power pack for providing electric power to said pump and said valve, said power pack housed within said replaceable module.

11. A blood pressure measurement apparatus as recited in claim 9 further comprising a circuit board disposed within the interior chamber and mounted to the upper casing, said circuit board having a control circuit provided thereon.

12. A blood pressure measurement apparatus as recited in claim 10 further comprising a pressure sensor for sensing pressure, said pressure sensor disposed within the interior chamber and mounted to the circuit board.

13. A blood pressure measurement apparatus as recited in claim 10 further comprising a display for displaying a blood pressure reading, said display disposed in an opening in the upper casing of the housing and mounted to the circuit board.

14. A blood pressure measurement apparatus for use in pneumatic communication with a blood pressure measuring cuff;

said apparatus comprising;

a housing having an upper casing and a lower casing, the upper and lower casings mating to form the housing and define an interior chamber therein, the upper and lower casings being separable for selective opening of the housing for access to the interior chamber;

a replaceable module disposed within the interior chamber and detachably mounted to the lower casing of the housing;

a pump for selectively inflating the blood pressure measuring cuff, said pump housed within said replaceable module;

a vent valve for selectively venting the blood pressure measuring cuff, said vent valve housed within said replaceable module;

a circuit board disposed within the interior chamber and mounted to the upper casing;

a pressure sensor for sensing pressure, said pressure sensor disposed within the interior chamber and mounted to the circuit board;

a display for displaying a blood pressure reading, said display disposed in an opening in the upper casing of the housing and mounted to the circuit board;

a control circuit provided on the circuit board, said control circuit for controlling said pump, said vent valve, and said display; and

a power pack for providing electric power to said pump, said valve, said pressure sensor, said display and said control circuit.

15. A blood pressure measurement apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein

said power pack is housed within said replaceable module in operative association with said pump.

16. A blood pressure module as recited in claim 15, wherein said control circuit includes a controller for receiving pressure data from said pressure sensor, converting the received pressure data from said pressure sensor to a pressure reading, and providing the pressure reading to said display for display.

17. A blood pressure measurement apparatus for use in pneumatic communication with a blood pressure measuring cuff;

said apparatus comprising;

a housing having an upper casing and a lower casing, the upper and lower casings mating to form the housing and define an interior chamber therein, the upper and lower casings being separable for selective opening of the housing for access to the interior chamber;

a replaceable pneumatics module disposed within the interior chamber and detachably mounted to the lower casing of the housing, said pneumatics module including a pump for selectively inflating the blood pressure measuring cuff and a vent valve for selectively venting the blood pressure measuring cuff;

a replaceable electronics module disposed with the interior chamber and detachably mounted to the upper casing of the housing, said electronics module including a display for displaying a blood pressure reading and a control circuit for controlling said pump, said vent valve, and said display.

18. A blood pressure measurement apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said electronics module further includes a pressure sensor for sensing pressure.

19. A blood pressure measurement apparatus as recited in claim 18 further comprising a power pack operatively associated with and providing electric power to said pump, said valve, said pressure sensor, said display and said control circuit.

20. A blood pressure measurement apparatus as recited in claim 19 wherein said power pack is located in said replaceable pneumatics module.

21. A blood pressure measurement apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said replaceable pneumatics module further includes a pressure sensor for sensing pressure.

22. A blood pressure measurement apparatus as recited in claim 21 further comprising a power pack operatively associated with and providing electric power to said pump, said valve, said pressure sensor, said display and said control circuit.

23. A blood pressure measurement apparatus as recited in claim 22 wherein said power pack is located in said replaceable pneumatics module.