Blood pressure measuring apparatus

• US 20040019286A1
• Filed: 06/05/2003
• Published: 01/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Vivenzio, Robert L., Lia, Raymond A., Dromms, Raymond P., Danna, Dominick, Krauter, Allan I., Burdick, Kenneth J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,722,542 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/491
• 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 flexible sleeve member sized to be fitted about the limb of a patient, said sleeve member having an interior;

at least one gage housing, said at least one gage housing containing at least one of a mechanical and an electronic pressure gauge; and

coupling means for adaptively enabling direct attachment of one of said at least one gage housing to said flexible sleeve member and further adapted for permitting fluid interconnection between the interior of said flexible sleeve member and contained pressure gauge without requiring a hose or tubing therebetween.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said coupling means includes at least one socket and at least one engagement portion sized for engaging said at least one socket, said at least one socket being provided on one of said gage housing and said sleeve member and a corresponding mating engagement portion being defined on the other of said gage housing and said sleeve member, said at least one socket being sized to directly receive the engagement portion, each of said socket and said engagement portion including openings extending into the interior of said sleeve member and said gage housing for providing fluid interconnection therebetween.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said at least one socket is provided on the exterior of said sleeve member and said engagement portion is provided on said gage housing.

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

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said socket permits releasable attachment of a gage housing.

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

7. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said electronic pressure gauge includes a processor.

8. Apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said processor is used to store at least one blood pressure reading.

9. Apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said electronic pressure gauge includes a wireless transmitter for remotely transmitting blood pressure readings.

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

11. Apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said electronic pressure gauge further includes means for selectively actuating said gauge.

12. A sleeve for a blood pressure measuring apparatus, said apparatus including a gage housing including a gauge mechanism disposed therein that is responsive to pressure changes within said sleeve member, said sleeve comprising:

snap-fitting means for directly attaching said gage housing to said sleeve wherein said attachment permits direct fluid communication between the interior of said sleeve member and said contained gauge mechanism without requiring a hose therebetween and in which said gauge mechanism includes at least one of a mechanical and an electronic pressure gauge.

13. A blood pressure measuring apparatus comprising:

a gage housing having an engagement end and an electronic pressure gauge disposed within said housing;

a flexible sleeve member sized to be fitted about the limb of a patient, said sleeve member having an inflatable interior; and

coupling means for adaptively permitting direct attachment of said gage housing to said sleeve member and further adapted for permitting fluid interconnection between the interior of said flexible sleeve member and the interior of said gage housing without requiring a hose or tubing therebetween.

14. A blood pressure measuring apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said electronic pressure gauge includes a capacitance transducer.

15. A blood pressure measuring apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said gage housing further includes a processor.

16. A blood pressure measuring apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said processor is used to store a plurality of blood pressure readings.

17. A blood pressure measuring apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said gage housing further includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting at least one blood pressure reading to a remote location.

18. A blood pressure measuring apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said gage housing includes a display.

19. A blood pressure measuring apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said gage housing includes a user interface for selectively actuating said electronic pressure gauge.

20. A blood pressure measuring apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said electronic pressure gage is battery powered.

21. A blood pressure measuring apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said coupling means includes at least one socket and at least one engagement portion sized for engaging a corresponding socket, said at least one socket being provided on one of said gage housing and the exterior of said sleeve member and a corresponding mating engagement portion being defined on the other of said gage housing and the exterior of said sleeve member, said at least one socket being sized to directly receive the engagement portion, each of said socket and said engagement portion including openings extending into the interior of said sleeve member and said gage housing for providing fluid interconnection therebetween.

22. Apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein at least one socket is provided on the exterior of said sleeve member and a corresponding mating engagement portion is provided on said gage housing.

23. A blood pressure measuring apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said gage housing is rotatable within said socket provided on said sleeve member and in which said gage housing is releasably attached thereto.

24. A blood pressure measuring apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein said engagement portion is rotatable within said socket.

25. An electronic module for a blood pressure measuring apparatus, said module comprising:

a housing body;

electronic gauge means disposed within said housing body and responsive to pressure changes; and

coupling means for attaching said module to an inflatable sleeve member of said blood pressure apparatus such that there is hoseless fluid interconnection between the electronic gauge means and the interior of said sleeve.

26. A module as recited in claim 25, wherein said electronic gauge means includes a capacitance transducer.

27. A module as recited in claim 25, wherein said electronic gauge means includes a processor.

28. A module as recited in claim 27, including a wireless transmitter for transmitting at least one blood pressure reading to a remote location.

29. A module as recited in claim 27, further including a display for displaying at least one blood pressure reading.

30. A module as recited in claim 27, further including actuable means on said housing body for selectively actuating said electronic gauge means.

31. A module as recited in claim 25, wherein said module is battery powered.

32. A module as recited in claim 27, wherein said processor is used to store a plurality of blood pressure readings.