HYDROSTATIC FINGER CUFF FOR BLOOD WAVE FORM ANALYSIS AND DIAGNOSTIC SUPPORT

• US 20120238887A1
• Filed: 09/13/2011
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Empirical Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Empirical Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: Adkins, Charles, Baruch, Martin C., Gerdt, David W.
• Application Number:
  US13/231,703
• Publication Number:
  US 20120238887A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/499
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02116 of pulse wave amplitude A61B5/02225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger

Abstract

A hydrostatic finger cuff for blood flow property analysis is provided which includes an elongated substrate member having a pair of opposing long edges and a pair of opposing short edges. The hydrostatic finger cuff is configured to form a frustoconical shell when the ends of the cuff are overlapped and releasably connected together. The interior of the frustoconical shell conforms to the shape of the finger or thumb. One side of the elongated member has an inflatable member that has a pressurizable interior region. A tube is fixed to the inflatable member and is in pneumatic communication with the interior of the inflatable member inflatable to a maximum of no more than 60 mmHg. The inflatable member completely circumscribes the finger and provides substantially uniform contact across the entire length of a phalange.

Claims

1. A hydrostatic finger cuff diagnostic support means for detecting a pulse waveform, comprising,

an elongated substrate member, said elongated substrate member, having a pair of opposing long side edges and a pair of opposing short edges, said pair of opposing long side edges having a radius of curvature in the range from about 7 inches to about 13 inches

an inflatable member mounted on the obverse side of said elongated member, said inflatable member having a pressurizable interior region,

a tube fixed to said inflatable member and in pneumatic communication with said interior region of said inflatable member,

a first of a hook and loop member affixed to said obverse side of said elongated member and positioned proximate a first of said pair of opposing short edges of said elongated substrate member,

said inflatable member being positioned proximate a second of said pair of opposing short edges of said elongated member,

a second of said hook and loop member affixed to the reverse side of said elongated member.

2. The hydrostatic finger cuff of claim 1, wherein at least one of said substrate member, said inflatable member, and said tube is formed of polyurethane.

3. The hydrostatic finger cuff of claim 1, wherein said long side edges have a length in the range from 3 inches about 6 inches.

4. The hydrostatic finger cuff of claim 1, wherein a first of said long side edges has a radius of curvature in the range from 10 inches about 13 inches and a second of said long side edges has a radius of curvature in the range from 10 inches about 7 inches.

7. The hydrostatic finger cuff of claim 1, wherein said inflatable member is substantially rectangular and has an active surface area in the range from about 1.5 to 2 square inches.

8. The hydrostatic finger cuff of claim 1, wherein said inflatable member is substantially rectangular and has an active surface area in the range from about 0.9 to 1.3 square inches.

5. The hydrostatic finger cuff of claim 5, wherein a first of said long side edges has a radius of curvature in the range from 10 inches about 12 inches and a second of said long side edges has a radius of curvature in the range from 10 inches about 8 inches.

6. The hydrostatic finger cuff of claim 6, wherein said inflatable member is substantially rectangular and has an active surface area in the range from 0.9 to 2.5 square inches.

10. The hydrostatic finger cuff of claim 10, wherein a first side of said active area of said inflatable member has a length in the range from 0.63 inches to 0.88 inches and a second side of said active area of said inflatable member has a length in the range from 1 inch to 1.5 inches.

9. The hydrostatic finger cuff of claim 10, wherein said tube has an inside diameter in the range from 0.05 to 0.075 inches and a first side of said active area of said inflatable member has a length in the range from 0.6 inches to 1.2 inches.

11. The hydrostatic finger cuff of claim 9, wherein a first side of said active area of said inflatable member has a length in the range from 1.25 inches to 0.88 inches and a second side of said active area of said inflatable member has a length in the range from 2.25 inches to 1.5 inches, said inflatable member being inflated to a pressure in the range from 30 mm Hg to a pressure no greater than 60 mm Hg.

12. A hydrostatic finger cuff diagnostic support means for detecting a pulse waveform, comprising,

an elongated substrate member, said elongated substrate member, having a pair of opposing long edges and a pair of opposing short edges, said pair of opposing long edges having a length in the range from 3 inches about 6 inches.

an inflatable member mounted on the obverse side of said elongated member, said inflatable member having a pressurizable active surface area in the range from about 0.9 to 2.5 square inches.

a tube fixed to said inflatable member and in pneumatic communication with said interior of said inflatable member,

a first of a hook and loop member affixed to said obverse side of said elongated member and positioned proximate a first side edge of said elongated substrate member,

said inflatable member being positioned proximate a second side edge of said elongated member,

a second of said hook and loop member affixed to the reverse side of said elongated member.

13. The hydrostatic finger cuff of claim 12, wherein said substrate member and said inflatable member are polyurethane and wherein said tube is polyurethane.

14. The hydrostatic finger cuff of claim 12, wherein said inflatable member is substantially rectangular and has an active surface area in the range from 0.9 to 1.3 square inches.

15. The hydrostatic finger cuff of claim 12, wherein said inflatable member is substantially rectangular and has an active surface area in the range from about 1.5 to 2.25 square inches and wherein a first side of said active area of said inflatable member has a length in the range from 0.6 inches to 1.2 inches.

16. A hydrostatic finger cuff for blood flow property analysis comprising,

an elongated substrate member, said elongated substrate member, have a pair of opposing long edges and a pair of opposing short edges, said pair of opposing long edges having a length in the range from 3 inches about 6 inches.

an inflatable member mounted on the obverse side of said elongated member, said inflatable member having a pressurizable active surface area in the range from about 0.9 to 2.5 square inches.

a tube fixed to said inflatable member and in pneumatic communication with said interior of said inflatable member,

one of a hook and loop member affixed to said obverse side of said elongated member and positioned proximate a first side edge of said elongated substrate member,

said inflatable member being positioned proximate a second side edge of said elongated member,

the other of a hook and loop member affixed to the reverse side of said elongated member,

a pressure relief member, said pressure relief member being in fluid communication with said inflatable member, said pressure relief member being set to open and release pressure at a pressure level of up to 1.2 psi.

17. The hydrostatic finger cuff for blood flow property analysis of claim 16, wherein said tube has a terminal end proximate said inflatable member and a terminal end distal said inflatable member, said pressure relief member being a poppet valve affixed to said tube at a point between said proximal terminal end and said distal terminal end and is set to open and release pressure at a pressure level of up to 1.1 psi.

18. The hydrostatic finger cuff for blood flow property analysis of claim 16, wherein said pressure relief member is a frangible member affixed to said substrate member and in fluid communication with the interior of said inflatable member and is set to open and release pressure at a pressure level of up to 1.1 psi.

19. A diagnostic support method using a finger cuff, said finger cuff comprising:

an elongated substrate member, having an obverse side and a reverse side, an inflatable member mounted on the obverse side of said elongated member, said inflatable member having a pressurizable interior region,

a tube fixed to said inflatable member and in pneumatic communication with said interior of said inflatable member,

a first part of a connector member affixed to the obverse side of said elongated member and positioned proximate a first side edge of said elongated substrate member,

said inflatable member being positioned proximate a second side edge of said elongated member,

a second part of a connector member affixed to the reverse side of said elongated member,

comprising the steps of;

encircling a user'"'"'s finger with said finger cuff,

affixed said first part of a connector member to said second part of the connector member such that said inflatable member is in firm, circumferential contact with the finger of said user,

inflating said inflatable member to a pressure below the user'"'"'s diastolic pressure while maintaining said inflatable member in circumferential contact with the middle phalange of the user'"'"'s finger,

generating pressure fluctuations which correspond to the user'"'"'s blood pressure.

23. The method of claim 19, where said user'"'"'s finger is a thumb.

20. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of inflating said inflatable member to a pressure in the range from 30 mmHg to no greater than 60 mmHg.

21. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of inflating said inflatable member to a pressure in the range from 30 mmHg to 50 mmHg.

22. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of transmitting pressure pulses from said inflatable member to a pressure sensor, converting analog output from said pressure sensor to a digital signal,

transmitting said digital signal to a computer, and

converting said digital signal in said computer to a corresponding blood pressure value.