Blood pressure measuring apparatus

• US 7,722,542 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2003
• Issued: 05/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Krauter, Allan I., Burdick, Kenneth J., Lia, Raymond A., Vivenzio, Robert L., Dromms, Raymond P., Danna, Dominick
• Primary Examiner(s): Mallari; Patricia C
• Application Number:
  US10/456,704
• Publication Number:
  US 20040019286A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,546 Days
• Field of Search: 600485-507, 600/345, 600/347, 600/365, 737/56
• US Class Current: 600/485
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• 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: A61B 5/02233 Occluders specially adapted therefor tourniquets A61B17/132
• 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 7/084 with mechanical transmitting or indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 9/0072 using variations in capacitance

Abstract

A blood pressure measuring apparatus includes an inflatable sleeve socket that is capable of receiving an engagement portion of a compact gage housing having either a contained mechanical or an electronic pressure gauge. This coupling permits direct attachment to the sleeve and permitting fluid interconnection between the interior of the sleeve and the contained pressure gauge without requiring any hoses or tubing therebetween. The electronic pressure gauge is responsive to changes in pressure within the inflatable sleeve. The pressure changes can be processed and output to an integral display or can be wirelessly transmitted.

Claims

1. A blood pressure measuring apparatus comprising:

a hose-less and flexible sleeve member sized to be fitted about the limb of a patient, said sleeve member having an inflatable interior, said sleeve member being entirely wrappable about the limb of the patient and being made with at least one section of a flexible fluid-impermeable material, said sleeve member having closure means for retaining said sleeve in a wrapped condition, said section further including at least one socket formed within an exterior surface thereof, said at least one socket being defined by an open-ended receiving cavity substantially disposed beneath the plane of said exterior surface of said sleeve member, and

at least two gage housings, one of said at least two gage housings containing one of a mechanical and an electronic pressure gauge and the other of said at least two gage housings containing the other of a mechanical and electronic pressure gauge, each of said at least two gage housings having an engagement portion; and

wherein said at least one socket is sized to directly and interchangeably receive the engagement portions of said at least two gage housings within said receiving cavity to permit snap-fitting releasable coupling between the gage housing and said hose-less and flexible sleeve member, each of said socket and said engagement portion further including openings extending into the interior of said at least one sleeve member and said gage housings for providing fluid interconnection there between, wherein the gage housing is mechanically coupled to said hose-less and flexible sleeve member solely due to the interconnection of said engagement portion with said socket.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said socket is sized to permit at least one gage housing to be rotatable within said at least one socket when said gage housing is releasably attached to said sleeve member.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said electronic pressure gauge includes a capacitance transducer.

4. Apparatus are recited in claim 1, wherein said electronic pressure gauge includes a processor.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said processor is used to store at least one blood pressure reading.

6. Apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said electronic pressure gauge includes a wireless transmitter for remotely transmitting blood pressure readings.

7. Apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said electronic pressure gauge further includes a display.

8. Apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said electronic pressure gauge further includes means for selectively actuating said gauge.