Noninvasive-blood-pressure(NIBP) monitoring apparatus with noninflatable, pressure-information-providing (PIP) structure

• US 5,692,513 A
• Filed: 09/30/1994
• Issued: 12/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Protocol Systems Inc
• Original Assignee: Protocol Systems Inc
• Inventors: Marshall, John R., Davis, Charles L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US08/316,540
• Time in Patent Office: 1,159 Days
• Field of Search: 606/201-3, 128/672, 128/677, 128/680-687, 128/689-694
• US Class Current: 600/485
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02208 using the Korotkoff method
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02225 using the oscillometric method
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02233 Occluders specially adapted therefor tourniquets A61B17/132
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02241 of small dimensions, e.g. adapted to fingers

Abstract

Noninvasive-blood-pressure (NIBP) monitoring apparatus is disclosed which is usable to perform either oscillometric or auscultatory NIBP. The apparatus includes relatively adjustable, noninflatable, pressure-information-providing (PIP) structure usable to apply NIBP-useful pressure to such limb adjacent such vessel. Also included is pressure-changer structure associated with the PIP structure, and operable to adjust the same to a beginning NIBP-useful pressure, and to subsequent NIBP-useful pressures, with such adjustment effecting the availability of pressure information that can be sensed by such sensor structure. The apparatus is preferably constructed for oscillometric NIBP monitoring and includes a reaction band removably fittable on and circumscribingly about the limb of such living subject. The preferred construction is for portable, self-contained, ambulatory usage. Other embodiments include providing an output communicator for sending NIBP-data signals in various outputs including electrical, wireless and optical, and visually perceptible ones.

Claims

1. Noninvasive-blood-pressure (NIBP) monitoring apparatus for reversibly applying pressure adjacent a desired region of a subject'"'"'s limb as a way of relaxably constricting blood flow in a vessel located therein, and for producing ultimately pressure information relative to such vessel that can be sensed by a sensor-structure component of such apparatus, comprising:

relatively adjustable, noninflatable, fluid-filled, pressure-information-providing (PIP) structure for applying NIBP-useful pressure to such limb adjacent such vessel, with said PIP structure being constructed with a relatively broad body to allow at least a partial circumferential fit relative to the limb, which fit accommodates quick and accurate placement adjacent the desired region;

pressure-changer structure associated with said PIP structure, and constructed for adjusting said PIP structure to a beginning NIBP-useful pressure, and to subsequent NIBP-useful pressures, with said adjustment effecting the availability of pressure information that can be sensed by said sensor structure, the pressure-changer structure being constructed as power-operated structure coupled to said PIP structure to adjust bidirectionally said PIP structure as a way of imposing and relaxing NIBP-useful pressure on such vessel; and

a reaction band removably fittable on and circumscribingly about the limb, and coupled to said PIP structure for holding the same in an operable position,

wherein said sensor structure is coupled to the PIP structure and generates NIBP-data signals that are indicative of the pressure information, and

wherein said PIP structure affords oscillometric NIBP measurement by being constructed, with the band fitted in place, to respond to heart-beat induced pressure pulsations in such a vessel; and

wherein some of said subsequent NIBP-useful pressures are determined at least in part by sensed heart-beat induced pressure pulsation in such a vessel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is constructed to afford auscultatory NIBP measurement by further including sound-receiving structure positionable adjacent such limb for identifying audibly the occurrence of a Korotkoff sound during said adjustment of said PIP structure, as a way of relating to the occurrence, pressure information provided by said PIP structure.

3. Oscillometric, noninvasive-blood-pressure (NIBP) monitoring apparatus adapted for a removable fit relative to a desired region of a subject'"'"'s limb adjacent a blood vessel therein, comprising:

a reaction band removably fittable on and circumscribingly about such limb;

relatively adjustable, noninflatable, fluid-filled, pulse-responsive structure associated with said band and operable, with the band fitted in place, to pressure-contact such limb adjacent such vessel;

power-operated structure interposing said band and said pulse-responsive structure to adjust bidirectionally said pulse-responsive structure to impose and relax NIBP-useful pressure on such vessel; and

sensor structure operatively associated with said pulse-responsive structure for sensing therethrough heartbeat-induced pressure pulsations in such vessel, and for generating related NIBP-data signals,

wherein said pulse-responsive structure is constructed with plural subregions, each subregion having a sensor operatively associated to it, the subregions and sensors providing plural streams of NIBP-data signals.

4. Portable, self-contained, ambulatory, oscillometric, noninvasive-blood-pressure (NIBP) monitoring apparatus adapted for a removable circumscribing fit relative to a desired region of a subject'"'"'s limb adjacent a blood vessel therein, comprising:

frame structure releasably fittable on such limb;

relatively adjustable, noninflatable, fluid-filled pulse-responsive structure mounted on said frame structure, and adapted with said frame structure so fitted, to pressure-contact such vessel, with said pulse-responsive structure being constructed with a relatively broad body to allow at least a partial circumferential fit relative to such limb, which fit accommodates quick and accurate placement adjacent the desired region;

change-condition adjustment mechanism carried on said frame structure and operatively connected to said pulse-responsive structure with said frame structure fitted on such limb, with the adjustment mechanism also being operable selectively and differentially to adjust the pulse-responsive structure based Upon heart-beat induced pressure pulsations in such a vessel, thus to impose and relax NIBP-useful pressure on such a vessel;

power-operated structure, and a power source therefor, on-board said frame structure, and operatively connected to said adjustment mechanism for operating the same;

a sensor operatively associated with said pulse-responsive structure for sensing therethrough heartbeat-induced pressure pulsations in said pulse-responsive structure, and for generating related NIBP-data signals; and

control means operatively connected to said power source, to said power-operated structure and to said sensor, for controlling the operation of the power-operated structure, and for receiving the NIBP-data signals generated by the sensor.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said adjustment mechanism is adapted to impose and relax occluding pressure on such vessel.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said adjustment mechanism includes a reversibly movable grab mechanism, and said frame structure includes a grabbable tongue operatively and releasably drivingly engaged by said grab mechanism.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said grab mechanism comprises a toothed, worm-gear-like device, and said tongue includes apertures adapted to receive the teeth in said device.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said power-operated structure comprises a stepper motor.

9. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said pulse-responsive structure includes a non-inflatable bladder.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fluid in said bladder is compressible.

11. The apparatus of claim 4, which further comprises, mounted on said frame structure, an output communicator to provide output of NIBP data signals generated by said sensor.

12. The apparatus of claim 4, which further comprises, mounted on said frame structure, an output communicator which accommodates selective wireless output of NIBP data signals generated by said sensor.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said output communicator accommodates selective radio-frequency output of NIBP data signals generated by said sensor.

14. The apparatus of claim 4, which further comprises, mounted on said frame structure, an output communicator which accommodates selective optical output of NIBP data signals generated by said sensor.

15. Portable, self-contained, ambulatory, noninvasive-blood-pressure (NIBP) monitoring apparatus adapted for a removable circumscribing fit relative to a subject'"'"'s limb adjacent a blood vessel therein, comprising:

frame structure releasably fittable on a subject'"'"'s limb;

plural adjustable, fluid-filled, non-inflatable bladders mounted on said frame structure and adapted, with said frame structure and band so fitted, to pressure-contact such limb adjacent such vessel;

a change-condition adjustment mechanism carried on said frame structure and operatively connected to said bladder, with said adjustment mechanism also operable selectively and differentially to adjust said bladders, thus to impose and relax occluding pressure on such a vessel, said adjustment mechanism including a reversibly movable grab mechanism, and there is a grabbable tongue associated with said bladder, which tongue is operatively and releasably drivingly engageable by said grab mechanism;

power-operated structure, and a power source therefor, on-board said frame structure, and operatively connected to said adjustment mechanism for operating the same;

plural sensors, one corresponding to each bladder, and with each sensor being operatively associated with a corresponding bladder for sensing therethrough heartbeat-induced pressure pulsations in said pulse-responsive structure, and for generating at least two streams of related NIBP-data signals; and

control means operatively connected to said power source, to said power-operated structure and to each said sensor, for controlling the operation of the power-operated structure, and for receiving the NIBP-data signals generated by the sensors.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said grab mechanism comprises a toothed, worm-gear-like device, and said tongue includes apertures adapted to receive the teeth in said device.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said frame structure is adapted to at least partially circumsurround such a limb.

18. Ambulatory, oscillometric, noninvasive-blood-pressure (NIBP) monitoring apparatus adapted for a removable circumscribing fit relative to a desired region of a subject'"'"'s limb adjacent a blood vessel therein, comprising:

frame structure releasably fittable on such limb;

relatively adjustable, noninflatable, fluid-filled pulse-responsive structure mounted on said frame structure, and adapted with said frame structure so fitted, to pressure-contact such vessel, with said pulse-responsive structure being constructed with a relatively broad body to allow at least a partial circumferential fit relative to such limb, which fit accommodates quick and accurate placement adjacent the desired region;

change-condition adjustment mechanism carried on said frame structure and operatively connected to said pulse-responsive structure with said frame structure fitted on such limb, with the adjustment mechanism also being operable selectively and differentially to adjust the pulse-responsive structure based upon heart-beat induced pressure pulsations in such a vessel, thus to impose and relax NIBP-useful pressure on such a vessel;

power-operated structure, and a power source therefor, on-board said frame structure, and operatively connected to said adjustment mechanism for operating the same;

a sensor operatively associated with said pulse-responsive structure for sensing therethrough heartbeat-induced pressure pulsations in said pulse-responsive structure, and for generating related NIBP-data signals; and

control means operatively connected to said power source, to said power-operated structure and to said sensor, for receiving the NIBP-data signals generated by the sensor, and for controlling the operation of the power-operated structure, said controlling depending at least in part on the received NIBP-data signals.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said adjustment mechanism is adapted to impose and relax occluding pressure on such vessel.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said power-operated structure comprises a stepper motor.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said adjustment mechanism includes a reversibly movable grab mechanism, and said frame structure includes a grabbable tongue operatively and releasably drivingly engaged by said grab mechanism.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said grab mechanism comprises a toothed, worm-gear-like device, and said tongue includes apertures adapted to receive the teeth in said device.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said pulse-responsive structure includes a non-inflatable bladder.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the fluid in said bladder is compressible.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the fluid in said bladder is noncompressible.

26. The apparatus of claim 18, which further comprises, mounted on said frame structure, an output communicator to provide output of NIBP data signals generated by said sensor.

27. The apparatus of claim 18, which further comprises, mounted on said frame structure, an output communicator which accommodates selective wireless output of NIBP data signals generated by said sensor.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said output communicator accommodates selective radio-frequency output of NIBP data signals generated by said sensor.

29. The apparatus of claim 18, which further comprises, mounted on said frame structure, an output communicator which accommodates selective optical output of NIBP data signals generated by said sensor.