Blood pressure measuring apparatus

• US 6,578,428 B1
• Filed: 08/14/2001
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Lia, Raymond A., Vivenzio, Robert L., Stearns, Scott S., Dromms, Raymond P., Baxter, James M., Danna, Dominick, Osiecki, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): OEN, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US09/929,856
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 737/00, 737/14, 737/15, 737/16, 737/292, 737/56, 600/485, 600/486, 600/488, 600/481, 600/490
• US Class Current: 73/729.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02141 Details of apparatus construction, e.g. pump units or housings therefor, cuff pressurising systems, arrangements of fluid conduits or circuits A61B5/02233, A61B5/0235 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0023 for flowthrough systems having a flexible pressure transmitting element
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/08 Means for indicating or recording, e.g. for remote indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/14 Housings G01L19/0007, G01L19/0084, G01L19/0092, G01L19/04, G01L19/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 7/082 construction or mounting of diaphragms of semiconductive diaphragms G01L9/0042
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 7/084 with mechanical transmitting or indicating means

Abstract

An inflatable sleeve for a blood pressure measuring apparatus includes a socket which is capable of receiving an engagement portion of a gage housing thereby permitting direct attachment to the sleeve and permitting fluid interconnection between the interior of the inflatable sleeve and the interior of the housing without requiring any hoses or tubing there between. The sleeve includes an artery index marker which permits the sleeve to be properly aligned on an appropriate limb of the patient.

Claims

1. An inflatable sleeve for a blood pressure measuring apparatus, said sleeve comprising:

a flexible member sized to be fitted about a limb of a patient and including a hollow inflatable interior; and

coupling means for adaptively permitting direct attachment of a gage housing of said apparatus to said sleeve and further adapted for permitting direct fluid interconnection between the interior of said inflatable sleeve and the interior of said gage housing.

2. A sleeve as recited in claim 1, wherein said coupling means includes at least, one socket defined on said sleeve, said at least one socket being sized for receiving an engagement portion of said gage housing.

3. A sleeve as recited in claim 2, wherein said at least one socket includes an opening extending into the interior of said sleeve.

4. A sleeve as recited in claim 2, wherein said at least one socket is sized to permit said gage housing to be rotatable within said at least one socket when said gage housing is snap-fitted to said sleeve.

5. A sleeve as recited in claim 2, wherein said at least one socket permits releasable attachment of a gage housing.

6. A sleeve as recited in claim 1, wherein said sleeve includes at least one alignment marker for aligning said sleeve with an artery of a limb of a patient.

7. A sleeve as recited in claim 6, wherein said artery marker includes a pair of limb indicators.

8. A sleeve as recited in claim 1, wherein a first facing side of said sleeve is defined by a first color and a second opposite facing side of said sleeve is defined by a second color which is different than the first color.

9. A sleeve as recited in claim 2, wherein the majority of said at least one socket is maintained beneath the exterior of said inflatable member.

10. An inflatable sleeve for a blood pressure measuring apparatus, said sleeve comprising:

a flexible wrappable member sized to be fitted about a limb of a patient, said member having a hollow inflatable interior and at least one socket having an opening extending into the interior of said member and adapted for direct attachment of an engagement portion of a gage housing of said apparatus such that when connected a direct fluid interconnection is established between the interior of said inflatable sleeve and the interior of said gage housing.

11. An inflatable sleeve as recited in claim 10, wherein the majority of said at least one socket is maintained beneath the exterior of said wrappable member.

12. An inflatable sleeve as recited in claim 11, wherein said gage housing, when attached thereto, is rotatable within said at least one socket.