Blood pressure simulation apparatus with tactile feedback

• US 20080118901A1
• Filed: 01/18/2008
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gary Morris
• Original Assignee: Gary Morris
• Inventors: Morris, Gary
• Granted Patent: US 7,972,141 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/267
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/285 for injections, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, sigmoidscopy, insertion of contraceptive devices or enemas
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/32 with moving parts

Abstract

Many people do not have a physical feeling for what normal and abnormal blood pressure levels mean in relation to the forces exerted on the heart and blood vessels. A blood pressure simulation apparatus provides human subjects a means to physically feel simulated blood pressure levels through tactile feedback. Both normal and abnormal blood pressure cycles are simulated. Interfacing of the apparatus to an electronic blood pressure monitor is provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus for simulating human blood pressure cycles and providing tactile feedback comprising:

an electronic control unit;

a pressurized fluid generator connected to a pressure vessel whereby pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid generator flows into the pressure vessel;

an electronic fluid pressure control element electrically connected to the electronic control unit;

an electronic fluid pressure sensor in contact with the pressurized fluid and in electronic communication with the electronic control unit;

the electronic control unit controls the simulation of human blood pressure cycles within the pressure vessel;

the human blood pressure cycles comprise oscillating pressures between simulated abnormal systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels with an oscillation period equal to a human cardiac cycle; and

the pressure vessel comprises at least one moveable boundary whereby a human can sense by direct touching of the pressure vessel, the relative magnitudes of the oscillating pressures within the pressure vessel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the human blood pressure cycles further comprise oscillating pressures between simulated normal systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels with an oscillation period equal to a human cardiac cycle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid pressure control element comprises an electromechanically actuated pressure regulator.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid pressure control element comprises an electronic solenoid controlled valve system.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the element to generate pressurized fluid is at least one electric powered pump.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressure vessel comprises an elastomeric hollow bulb that can be held and gripped in a human hand.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressure vessel is not contained within a simulated human body part.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressure vessel comprises a piston-cylinder apparatus whereby the force on the piston is sensed by human touch.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressure vessel comprises an inflatable cuff.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one user operable control to select minimum and maximum limits of pressures within the pressure vessel to simulate diastolic and systolic blood pressure levels.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one user operable control to select the simulated blood pressure cycle periodicity.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an electronic interface circuit connected between an electronic control unit and an electronic sphygmomanometer to transfer diastolic and systolic blood pressure level data and pulse rate data as measured by the electronic sphygmomanometer to the electronic control unit.

13. The apparatus in claim 12 whereby at least the diastolic and systolic blood pressure level data are used to set a minimum amplitude and maximum amplitude, respectively, of cyclic pressure levels within the pressure vessel.

14. An apparatus for simulating human blood pressure cycles comprising:

an electronic control unit;

a pressurized fluid generator connected through a manifold to a pressure vessel whereby pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid generator flows into the pressure vessel;

a electronic fluid pressure sensor in pressure communication with the pressure vessel and in electronic communication with the electronic control unit;

a first bleed valve adjustable by the user connected to the manifold to set a simulated, abnormal diastolic pressure level to be produced within the pressure vessel;

the electronic control unit cyclically operates a solenoid valve connected in series with the first bleed valve to control the simulation of abnormal human blood pressure cycles within the pressure vessel; and

the pressure vessel comprises at least one moveable boundary whereby a human can sense by touch, the relative magnitudes of the oscillating pressures within the pressure vessel.

15. The apparatus in claim 14 further comprising a second bleed valve with a fixed flow geometry connected to the manifold to produce a simulated, normal diastolic pressure level within the pressure vessel;

and

the electronic control unit cyclically operates a solenoid valve connected in series to the second bleed valve to control the simulation of normal human blood pressure cycles within the pressure vessel.

16. The apparatus in claim 15 wherein the second bleed valve with a fixed flow geometry comprises a fixed position needle valve.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the element to generate pressurized fluid is at least one electric powered pump.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the pressure vessel comprises an elastomeric, hollow bulb that can be held and gripped in a human hand.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the pressure vessel comprises a piston-cylinder apparatus whereby the force on the piston is sensed by human touch.

20. An apparatus for simulating human blood pressure and providing tactile feedback comprising:

a pressurized fluid generator connected by a flow conduit to a pressure vessel whereby pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid generator flows into the pressure vessel;

the diameter of the flow conduit is smaller than the pressure vessel diameter thereby creating force amplification within the pressure vessel compared to the conduit;

an element to control fluid pressure level within the pressure vessel;

at least one pressure level within the pressure vessel is equivalent to an abnormally high, human systolic blood pressure; and

the pressure vessel comprises at least one moveable boundary whereby a human can sense by touch the magnitude of the pressure level within the pressure vessel.

21. The apparatus in claim 20 further comprising at least one pressure level within the pressure vessel equivalent to a normal human systolic blood pressure level.

22. The apparatus in claim 21 further comprising at least one pressure level within the pressure vessel equivalent to an abnormally high, human diastolic blood pressure level.