Apparatus and process for determining systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, pulse rate, pulse wave shape, respiratory pattern, and respiratory rate
First Claim
1. An automatic blood pressure measuring system for measuring a blood pressure in a blood vessel of a living body comprising:
- proximal cuff means, inflated to include a first fixed mass of air, for exerting a pressure at a first location on the blood vessel;
proximal sensing means, coupled to said proximal cuff means, for sensing a pressure of said first fixed mass of air of said proximal cuff means and producing a proximal sensing means output signal indicative thereof;
proximal lifting means for pressing said proximal cuff means against the blood vessel at said first location;
distal cuff means, inflated to include a second fixed mass of air, for exerting a pressure on the blood vessel at a second location farther from the heart than said first location;
distal sensing means, coupled to said distal cuff means, for sensing a pressure of said second fixed mass of air of said distal cuff means and producing a distal sensing means output signal indicative thereof;
distal lifting means for pressing said distal cuff means against the blood vessel at said second location; and
processing means for;
controlling said proximal lifting means and said distal lifting means to press said proximal cuff means and said distal cuff means against the blood vessel when a blood pressure reading is desired;
monitoring said proximal sensing means output signal and said distal sensing means output signal; and
determining the blood pressure based on said proximal sensing means output signal and said distal sensing means output signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and process for automatically measuring systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure. Two cuffs, one located closer to the heart (proximal) than the second (distal), are provided. Each cuff is attached to a small manifold which has three ports. One port is connected to the cuff, one port is connected to a pressure sensor, and the last port is connected to a valve to a high pressure air source. Throughout blood pressure monitoring, a constant mass of air is maintained within the cuff by inflating the cuff and closing the cuff valve. The sensors are connected to a microcomputer so that the static pressure component and the dynamic pressure component of cuff pressure can be stored and plotted. Mean arterial pressure is read from both distal and proximal cuff sensors. Diastolic blood pressure is determined by recording the proximal static cuff pressure at which a maximum dynamic distal amplitude is observed. Systolic blood pressure is determined by recording the proximal static pressure at which a minimum dynamic distal amplitude is observed.
87 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An automatic blood pressure measuring system for measuring a blood pressure in a blood vessel of a living body comprising:
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proximal cuff means, inflated to include a first fixed mass of air, for exerting a pressure at a first location on the blood vessel; proximal sensing means, coupled to said proximal cuff means, for sensing a pressure of said first fixed mass of air of said proximal cuff means and producing a proximal sensing means output signal indicative thereof; proximal lifting means for pressing said proximal cuff means against the blood vessel at said first location; distal cuff means, inflated to include a second fixed mass of air, for exerting a pressure on the blood vessel at a second location farther from the heart than said first location; distal sensing means, coupled to said distal cuff means, for sensing a pressure of said second fixed mass of air of said distal cuff means and producing a distal sensing means output signal indicative thereof; distal lifting means for pressing said distal cuff means against the blood vessel at said second location; and processing means for; controlling said proximal lifting means and said distal lifting means to press said proximal cuff means and said distal cuff means against the blood vessel when a blood pressure reading is desired; monitoring said proximal sensing means output signal and said distal sensing means output signal; and determining the blood pressure based on said proximal sensing means output signal and said distal sensing means output signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for measuring a blood pressure in a blood vessel of a limb of a body comprising:
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a cuff; inflating means for inflating said cuff to a fixed mass of air before a measurement interval, and for sealing said fixed mass of air into said cuff throughout said measurement interval; pressing means for pressing said cuff, after said sealing and during said measurement interval, to generate a pressure on the blood vessel; sensing means coupled to said cuff, for sensing a pressure of said fixed mass of air of said cuff and for producing an output signal indicative thereof; and calculating means for calculating a blood pressure based on said sensed pressure. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for measuring a blood pressure in a blood vessel of a limb of a body comprising:
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cuff; inflating means for inflating said cuff to a fixed mass of air; pressing means for pressing said cuff, inflated to said fixed mass of air, to exert a pressure on the blood vessel; sensing means, coupled to said cuff, for sensing a pressure of said fixed means of air of said cuff and for producing an output signal indicative thereof; and calculating means for calculating a blood pressure on said sensed pressure, wherein said inflating means comprises; a high pressure air source for producing high pressure air with minimal pressure variations; and a buffer tank for receiving said high pressure air from said high pressure air source and muffling said variations in said air pressure.
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20. An apparatus for measuring a blood pressure in a blood vessel of a limb of a body comprising:
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cuff means; inflating means for inflating said cuff means to a fixed mass of air, the inflating means comprising; a high pressure air source for producing high pressure air with minimal pressure variations; and a buffer tank for receiving said high pressure air from said high pressure air source and muffling said variations in said air pressure; pressing means for pressing said cuff means, inflated to said fixed mass of air, to exert a pressure on the blood vessel, the pressing means including; a lifter bladder for receiving said muffled high pressure air from said buffer tank and for expanding when said muffled high pressure air from said buffer tank is introduced thereinto; a base plate, coupled to said lifter bladder, against which said lifter bladder presses to expand; and a lifter for moving away from said base plate, the lifter being coupled to said lifter bladder on the side opposite said base plate such that expansion of said lifter bladder between said base plate and said lifter moves the lifter away from said base plate; sensing means, coupled to said cuff means, for sensing a pressure of said fixed mass of air of said cuff means and for producing an output signal indicative thereof; and calculating means for calculating a blood pressure on said sensed pressure.
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21. A method of measuring blood pressure in a blood vessel, comprising the steps of:
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applying a distal pressure to the blood vessel at a first location such that the blood vessel opens and closes the maximum amount possible with each beat of the heart; subsequent to applying said distal pressure, applying a proximal pressure to the blood vessel at a second location on the blood vessel closer to the heart; recording a diastolic pressure as a lowest value of said proximal pressure where said blood vessel at said first location opens and closes less than said maximum amount possible; and recording a systolic pressure as a lowest value of said proximal pressure where said blood vessel at said first location remains closed during each beat of the heart. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A method of measuring blood pressure in a blood vessel comprising the steps of:
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applying a distal pressure to the blood vessel at a first location such that the blood vessel opens and closes less than a maximum amount possible on each beat of the heart; subsequent to applying said distal pressure, applying a proximal pressure to the blood vessel at a second location on the blood vessel closer to the heart; recording diastolic pressure as the lowest value of said proximal pressure where the amount said blood vessel at said first location opens and closes changes; recording systolic pressure as said the lowest value of said proximal pressure where said blood vessel at said first location remains closed during each beat of the heart; - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification