Blood pressure measurement from the hand

• US 6,162,181 A
• Filed: 08/16/1999
• Issued: 12/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James M. Hynson, Jeffrey A. Katz
• Original Assignee: James M. Hynson, Jeffrey A. Katz
• Inventors: Hynson, James M., Katz, Jeffrey A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US09/373,424
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 600/485, 600/490, 600/493-6, 600/499, 600/500
• US Class Current: 600/485
• 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 5/415 the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6806 Gloves

Abstract

A method and assembly oscillometrically measures systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressures by inflating a form fitting cuff disposed over the Palmar Arch of the hand, and subsequently deflating the cuff stepwise, The arterial blood supply to the hand, which is very rich, lies relatively close to the surface of the palm. Cuff pressure oscillations can be sensed with an inflatable glove or mitten type cuff. A full or partial glove, mitten, or the like, with openings for reception of portions of the fingers and thumb can be used. Inflation of the cuff allows the assembly to be used to measure arterial blood pressure on either hand of a patient.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining blood pressure measurements from an arterial blood vessel in the palm of an individual'"'"'s hand, said method comprising:

a) the step of positioning a pressure cuff over said arterial blood vessel in the individual'"'"'s palm so that blood flow in said arterial blood vessel may be controlled by inflation of said cuff;

b) the step of inflating the pressure cuff to a pressure which will occlude blood flow in said arterial blood vessel;

c) the steps of lowering the pressure in said cuff by deflating said cuff in step wise increments; and

d) the steps of determining the patient'"'"'s blood pressure from cuff pressure oscillations which are sensed from said cuff at each of said cuff pressure deflation increments.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said cuff comprises a body portion for covering the palm and the back of the hand, and has an opening through which the individual'"'"'s thumb protrudes.

3. A method for obtaining blood pressure measurements from the Palmar Arch in a patient'"'"'s hand, said method comprising the steps of:

a) positioning an inflatable pressure cuff about the patient'"'"'s hand in overlying relationship with the Palmar Arch so that said blood flow in the Palmar Arch may be electively controlled by application of fluid pressure in said cuff;

b) inflating said cuff to a pressure which occludes blood flow through the Palmar Arch; and

c) deflating said cuff stepwise to a pressure which allows unimpeded blood flow through the Palmar Arch, while oscillometrically measuring the patient'"'"'s blood pressure from cuff pressure oscillations at each cuff deflation step, so as to determine the patient'"'"'s systolic, mean, and diastolic arterial blood pressures.

4. A method for obtaining blood pressure measurements from an artery located in the palm of a patient'"'"'s hand, said method comprising the steps of:

a) applying a form-fitting pressure cuff to the patient'"'"'s palm so as to position said cuff in overlying relationship with said palm artery;

b) inflating said cuff to an initial cuff pressure which occludes blood flow through said palm artery;

c) deflating said cuff stepwise from said initial cuff pressure to a final cuff pressure which allows unrestricted blood flow through said palm artery; and

d) measuring pressure oscillations in said cuff during said stepwise deflation of said cuff so as to determine systolic, mean, and diastolic arterial blood pressures.

5. An assembly for obtaining oscillometric blood pressure measurements from an arterial blood vessel contained in the palm of a patient'"'"'s hand, said assembly comprising:

a) a pressure cuff having a body portion for extending around the palm and the back of the hand and having an opening through which the patient'"'"'s thumb can protrude;

b) a device for inflating said cuff above systolic blood pressure and for subsequently incrementally deflating said cuff stepwise to a pressure which is below diastolic blood pressure; and

c) means for sensing stepwise pressure oscillations in said cuff as said cuff is deflated so as to determine systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressures from said arterial blood vessel.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein portions of said pressure cuff covering both the back and palm of the patient'"'"'s hand are inflatable so as to enable use of the pressure cuff on either hand of the patient.

7. An assembly for obtaining oscillometric blood pressure measurements from an arterial blood vessel contained in a patient'"'"'s distal appendage, said assembly comprising:

a) an inflatable pressure cuff having a body portion with a first side for extending around a side of the appendage proximal to the arterial blood vessel, and having a second side for extending around an opposite side of the appendage, said pressure cuff having at least one opening through which patient digits can protrude;

b) a device for inflating said cuff above systolic blood pressure and for subsequently incrementally deflating said cuff stepwise to a pressure which is below diastolic blood pressure; and

c) means for sensing stepwise pressure oscillations in said cuff as said cuff is deflated so as to determine systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressures from said arterial blood vessel.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein both of said first and second sides of said body portion are inflatable.