Pulse diagnostic system

• US 7,306,563 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2003
• Issued: 12/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: XI'AN Yisheng Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Herb H. Huang
• Inventors: Huang, Herb H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, II, Charles A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Toth, Karen E
• Application Number:
  US10/375,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20030212335A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,748 Days
• Field of Search: 600/485, 600/490, 600/500
• US Class Current: 600/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4854 Diagnosis based on concepts of traditional oriental medicine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4233 using matrix detectors

Abstract

A pulse diagnostic instrument of the present invention comprises a plurality of probes connected together and aligned laterally in series, with each probe configured for contacting a skin surface of a body limb adjacent an arterial vessel. Each probe includes a pressure sensor configured for sensing a pulse pressure of the arterial vessel and an electrically-driven pressure applicator, mounted to the pressure sensor, and configured for applying an external force through the pressure sensor to apply pressure against the arterial vessel through the skin surface during sensing of the pulse pressure.

Claims

1. A method of sensing a subject'"'"'s blood pressure pulse comprising:

non-invasively sensing, with an array of pressure sensors in contact against a skin surface over an arterial vessel, an arterial blood pressure pulse of the subject'"'"'s blood pressure in the arterial vessel through multiple pulse cycles of the subject'"'"'s arterial blood pressure pulse; and

selectively pressing against the arterial vessel, during the sensing of the arterial blood pressure pulse through the multiple pulse cycles of the subject'"'"'s arterial blood pressure pulse, at the location of each of the sensors of the array via at least two probes aligned in series along the arterial vessel with each respective probe dynamically exerting a different external force against the arterial vessel to cause a local artificial increase in the sensed arterial blood pressure pulse, wherein selectively pressing against the arterial vessel comprises;

manipulating a finger-controllable input device to dynamically select the external force applied to the arterial vessel through the probes and processing the manipulations through a computing device to electrically drive a pressure actuator of the probes to cause the selected external force to be applied against the arterial vessel; and

arranging the finger-controllable input device as an array of buttons with each button directly corresponding to one of the respective probes so that actuation of one of the respective button selects, and causes, the external force to be applied through one of the respective probes directly corresponding to the actuated button.

2. A method of sensing a subject'"'"'s blood pressure pulse comprising:

non-invasively sensing, with an array of pressure sensors in contact against a skin surface over an arterial vessel, an arterial blood pressure pulse of the subject'"'"'s blood pressure in the arterial vessel through multiple pulse cycles of the subject'"'"'s arterial blood pressure pulse, wherein non-invasively sensing the arterial blood pressure pulse comprises;

quantitatively measuring, over time, a plurality of first pulse pressures of the arterial vessel laterally spaced apart from each other along a first direction generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the arterial vessel and a plurality of second pulse pressures of the arterial vessel longitudinally spaced apart from each other along a second direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the arterial vessel; and

storing the quantitatively measured respective first pulse pressures and respective second pulse pressures as data and displaying the data as a three-dimensional graphic representation mapping the pulse pressure topography of the arterial vessel with the three-dimensional graphic representation including a time parameter, an amplitude profile of the first pulse pressures and an amplitude profile of the second pulse pressures; and

selectively pressing against the arterial vessel, during the sensing of the arterial blood pressure pulse through the multiple pulse cycles of the subject'"'"'s arterial blood pressure pulse, at the location of each of the sensors of the array via at least two probes aligned in series along the arterial vessel with each respective probe dynamically exerting a different external force against the arterial vessel to cause a local artificial increase in the sensed arterial blood pressure pulse.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the selective pressing against the arterial vessel comprises:

selectively driving a pulse peak shift of the arterial blood pressure pulse linearly along the arterial vessel around a pulse reference point by dynamically pressing each probe against the arterial vessel; and

wherein sensing the pulse pressure comprises;

quantitatively sensing and measuring a dynamic temporal evolution of the arterial blood pressure pulse around the pulse reference point and graphically displaying a three-dimensional topography of the dynamic temporal evolution of the arterial blood pressure pulse.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein sensing the arterial blood pressure pulse comprises:

measuring the arterial blood pressure pulse, prior to selective pressing against the arterial vessel with the probes or between instances of selective pressing against the arterial vessel, to establish a baseline pulse pressure pattern.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein sensing the arterial blood pressure pulse comprises:

removably securing the array of pressure sensors relative to the arterial vessel via at least one of;

a removable wraparound cuff that carries the sensor array configured and sized for removably wrapping around a body limb carrying the arterial vessel; and

a relatively rigid fixation frame into which a body limb is removably insertable.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein selectively pressing against the arterial vessel comprises:

providing the probes with an electrically driven pressure applicator for applying the pressure to the arterial vessel, the pressure applicator including at least one of;

a stepper motor;

an electromagnetic transducer;

an inflatable fluid pump; and

a piezoelectric transducer.

7. A pulse diagnostic system comprising:

an instrument including a plurality of probes connected together and aligned laterally in series, with each probe configured for contacting a skin surface of a body limb over an arterial vessel, each probe including;

a pressure sensor configured for sensing an arterial blood pressure pulse of the arterial vessel; and

an electrically-driven pressure applicator mounted in vertical alignment relative to the pressure sensor and configured for applying an external force vertically through the pressure sensors to apply pressure vertically on top of and against the arterial vessel through the skin surface;

a controller in electrical communication with the instrument and configured for selectively controlling the external force applied by each probe and configured for receiving pulse pressure data sensed by the pressure sensors of the respective probes, wherein the controller comprises a digital microprocessor and at least one of an internal memory and an external memory;

a display monitor; and

an input device comprising a hand controllable pointing device including an array of push-buttons with each respective push-button directly corresponding to one of the respective probes, to permit selective application of the external force by the pressure applicator of each probe by pressing the respective push button of the hand controllable pointing device.

8. A method of sensing a pulse comprising:

non-invasively sensing, with an array of plurality of pressure sensors in contact against a skin surface over an arterial vessel, a pulse pressure of the arterial vessel;

selectively pressing against the arterial vessel, during the sensing of the pulse pressure, at the location of each of the sensors of the array with at least two probes aligned in series along the arterial vessel with each probe dynamically exerting a different pressure against the arterial vessel to cause a local artificial increase in the pulse pressure, including selectively driving a pulse peak shift of the pulse pressure linearly along the arterial vessel around a pulse reference point by dynamically pressing each probe against the arterial vessel, including selecting the pulse reference point as a Cunkou acupoint along the arterial vessel of a wrist; and

quantitatively sensing and measuring a dynamic temporal evolution of the pulse pressure topography around the pulse reference point.

9. A pulse diagnostic instrument including:

a plurality of probes connected together and aligned laterally in series, with each probe configured for contacting a skin surface of a body limb adjacent an arterial vessel and each probe including;

a single pressure sensor array configured for sensing a pulse pressure of the arterial vessel and configured on a single substrate that extends as a layer, as a portion of and through all the probes;

an electrically-driven pressure applicator mounted to the single pressure sensor array and configured for applying an external force through the single pressure sensor array to apply pressure against the arterial vessel through the skin surface; and

a force translation mechanism interposed between the single pressure sensor array and the pressure applicator of each respective probe, and configured for translating a different force from the pressure applicator of each respective probe to a corresponding portion of the single pressure sensor array in a substantially uniform pressure distribution, wherein the force translation mechanism comprises;

a plurality of plates, with each plate interposed between a pressure applicator of each probe and a portion of the single pressure sensor array of each probe, and the plates being pivotally hinged together in a lateral arrangement; and

a plurality of pivot members, with at least one pivot member being disposed between the plate and the pressure applicator of each probe.