Automatic identification of cuff size in automated blood pressure monitors
First Claim
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1. In an automatic blood pressure monitoring system for monitoring both neonatal and adult patients with a single monitor, a method of automatically detecting use of a neonatal cuff comprising the steps of:
- (a) inflating said cuff to a predetermined pressure;
(b) coupling an acoustic pulse from said monitor to said cuff;
(c) detecting return of said acoustic pulse to said monitor from said cuff;
(d) measuring the time duration of propagation of said pulse;
(e) comparing said measured duration with a predetermined reference threshold; and
(f) commencing neonatal monitoring if said measured duration has a predetermined relationship with said threshold.
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Abstract
Automated blood pressure monitors utilizing a pressurized cuff are adapted automatically to work with a variety of cuff sizes, including neonatal. An acoustical pressure pulse is generated at the monitor, propagated to and through the cuff, and back to a pressure transducer in the monitor. The total time of propagation is indicative of the cuff size being utilized.
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Citations
3 Claims
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1. In an automatic blood pressure monitoring system for monitoring both neonatal and adult patients with a single monitor, a method of automatically detecting use of a neonatal cuff comprising the steps of:
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(a) inflating said cuff to a predetermined pressure; (b) coupling an acoustic pulse from said monitor to said cuff; (c) detecting return of said acoustic pulse to said monitor from said cuff; (d) measuring the time duration of propagation of said pulse; (e) comparing said measured duration with a predetermined reference threshold; and (f) commencing neonatal monitoring if said measured duration has a predetermined relationship with said threshold.
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2. In a blood pressure monitoring system employing a selectively inflatable cuff interconnected in a pressurized closed loop with a monitoring system, said system including a transducer for measuring loop pressure, a method for identifying the one of a selection of cuffs which is connected to the monitor, comprising the steps of:
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(a) inflating said cuff to a predetermined pressure; (b) creating a pressure change pulse at a portion of said loop opposite said transducer with respect to said cuff; (c) detecting said pulse at said transducer; and (d) measuring the time duration between creation of said pulse and detection thereof, said time duration being associated in predetermined fashion with one of said cuffs.
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3. In an automated blood pressure monitoring system, a method for automatically determining which one of a select class of cuffs are to be empolyed, comprising the steps of:
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(a) inflating said cuff to a predetermined pressure; (b) establishing a target pressure which is different from said predetermined pressure; (c) changing the cuff pressure at a given rate in the direction of said target pressure; and (d) measuring the time required to reach said target pressure, said measured time being indicative of which cuff is to be employed in the system.
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Specification