Method and device for monitoring blood pressure

• US 6,443,906 B1
• Filed: 10/20/2000
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: HealthSTATS International Pte Ltd.
• Original Assignee: HealthSTATS International Pte Ltd.
• Inventors: Ting, Choon Meng, Chua, Ngak Hwee
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mallari, Patricia C.
• Application Number:
  US09/694,847
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 600/485, 600/490, 600/503
• US Class Current: 600/490
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6834 using vacuum

Abstract

A device for continuously monitoring a user'"'"'s arterial blood pressure has a sensor adapted to continuously detect the blood pressure and to generate signals representative thereof by contact with an external surface of the user'"'"'s body at a location adjacent an artery. The sensor is securely held in operable contact with the user'"'"'s body at the location. A microprocessor interprets the signals generated by the sensor to determine actual arterial blood pressure. The sensor includes a projecting portion for detecting and transmitting changes in blood pressure, wherein the projecting portion is adapted to effect at least partial occlusion of the artery at the location.

Claims

1. A device for continuously monitoring a user'"'"'s arterial blood pressure, comprising:

sensor means adapted to continuously detect said blood pressure and to generate signals representative thereof by contact with an external surface of the user'"'"'s body at a location adjacent an artery;

a strap for surrounding a limb or some other part of the user'"'"'s body, to securely hold the sensor means in operable contact with the user'"'"'s body, at least a portion of the strap having an inner surface configured in cross section to curve inwardly towards the user'"'"'s body; and

microprocessor means for interpreting said signals generated by the sensor means to determine actual arterial blood pressure;

wherein the sensor means includes a projecting portion for detecting and transmitting changes in blood pressure, and wherein the projecting portion is adapted to effect at least partial occlusion of the artery at the location.

2. The device is claimed in claim 1 wherein said strap is adapted to non penetratingly press the projection portion into the surface of the user'"'"'s body for operable contact therewith at said location adjacent the artery.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensor means includes a transducer and wherein the projecting portion of the sensor means is adapted to transmit detected changes in blood pressure to the transducer.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the projecting portion of the sensor means is a dome-shaped plunger connected to the transducer.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4 including at least one stabilising pad for inhibiting movement of the sensor means relative to the user'"'"'s body.

6. The device as claimed in claim 3 including at least one stabilising pad for inhibiting movement of the sensor means relative to the user'"'"'s body.

7. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the sensor means includes a transducer and wherein the projecting portion of the sensor means is adapted to transmit detected changes in blood pressure to the transducer.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the projection portion of the sensor means is a dome-shaped plunger connected to the transducer.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the plunger is hemispherical.

10. The device as claimed in claim 2 including at least one stabilising pad for inhibiting movement of the sensor means relative to the user'"'"'s body.

11. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the plunger is hemispherical.

12. The device as claimed in claim 1 including at least one stabilising pad for inhibiting movement of the sensor means relative to the user'"'"'s body.

13. The device as claimed in claim 12 wherein one said stabilising pad is positioned adjacent the sensor means and includes adhesive properties for adherence to the user'"'"'s body.

14. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensor means is mounted on the strap.

15. The device as claimed in claim 14 further including a casing for housing the microprocessor means and incorporating a display panel for displaying to the user the monitored values of the user'"'"'s blood pressure, wherein the microprocessor means and the sensor means are in electrical connection, and wherein the casing is also adapted to be secured to the use by the strap at a position spaced apart from the sensor means.

18. The device as claimed in claim 1 further including a casing for housing the microprocessor means and incorporating a display panel for displaying to the user the monitored values of the user'"'"'s blood pressure, wherein the microprocessor means and the sensor means are in electrical connection, and wherein the casing is also adapted to be secured to the user by the strap at a position spaced apart from the sensor means.

19. The device as claimed in claim 18 wherein said device is adapted to be worn at the patient'"'"'s wrist with the sensor means positioned adjacent the radial artery.

20. The device as claimed in claim 19 wherein the casing and display panel also function as a wrist-watch.

21. The device as claimed in claim 8 including at least one stabilising pad for inhibiting movement of the sensor means relative to the user'"'"'s body.

16. The device as claimed 15 wherein said device is adapted to be worn at the patient'"'"'s wrist with the sensor means positioned adjacent he radial artery.

17. The device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the casing and display panel also function as a wrist-watch.

22. A device for continuously monitoring a user'"'"'s arterial blood pressure, including:

sensor means adapted to continuously detect said blood pressure and to generate signals representative thereof by contact with an external surface of the user'"'"'s body at a location adjacent an artery;

attachment means for securely holding the sensor means in operable contact with the user'"'"'s body at the said location, said attachment means including a strap for surrounding a limb or some other part of the user'"'"'s body, said strap adapted to securely hold the sensor means in operable contact with the patient, at least a portion of the strap having a concavely curved cross section, the strap cross section configured to curve inwardly towards the user'"'"'s body; and

microprocessor means for interpreting said signals generated by the sensor means to determine actual arterial blood pressure;

wherein the sensor means includes a projecting portion for detecting and transmitting changes in blood pressure, and wherein the projecting portion is adapted to effect at least partial occlusion of the artery at the said location.

23. The device as claimed in claim 22 including at least one stabilising pad for inhibiting movement of the sensor means relative to the user'"'"'s body.

24. The device as claimed in claim 23 wherein one said stabilising pad is positioned adjacent the sensor means and includes adhesive properties for adherence to the user'"'"'s body.