Blood pressure measuring device with directly couplable measurement mechanism

• US 6,796,186 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2003
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): OEN, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US10/608,202
• Publication Number:
  US 20040083816A1
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 737/15--27, 737/56, 600/485-488
• US Class Current: 73/756
• 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

A pressure measuring device includes a housing which retains a pressure responsive element interconnected to an indicating member that moves relative to a dial face when a change of pressure is detected. A peripheral bumper is mounted to the housing exterior, the bumper including an extending portion which creates a discontinuous path for shock or impact loads applied to the bumper relative to a continual movement mechanism. The housing can further include a discontinuous region imposed in an engagement portion of the housing, the engagement portion permitting the housing to be directly attached to an inflatable blood pressure sleeve.

Claims

1. A blood pressure measuring device comprising:

a device housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion including at least one engagement end that is directly couplable to an inflatable blood pressure sleeve to permit direct fluid communication between the interior of said device housing and the interior of said inflatable sleeve without hoses or tubing.

2. A pressure measuring device as recited in claim 1, wherein said engagement end includes at least one circumferential channel for reducing the transmission of shock or impact loads to a movement mechanism retained within said housing.

3. A pressure measuring device as recited in claim 2, wherein at least one circumferential channel is disposed on a bottom surface of said engagement end.

4. A pressure measuring device as recited in claim 2, wherein at least one circumferential channel is disposed along an axial portion of said engagement end.

5. A pressure measuring device as recited in claim 1, including said inflatable blood pressure sleeve, said sleeve having a receiving portion for directly receiving said engagement end, said receiving portion having an opening which permits fluid communication between the interior of the sleeve and the interior of the housing.

6. A pressure measuring device as recited in claim 1, including a movement mechanism disposed within said housing and shock absorbing means for preventing the transmission of certain shock and impact loads to the movement mechanism, said shock absorbing means including means for creating a discontinuous path for said shock and impact loads.

7. A pressure measuring device as recited in claim 6, wherein said shock absorbing means includes a peripheral bumper mount onto the exterior of said housing, said bumper having a periphery including at least one extending portion extending beyond said periphery, said extending portion including at least one gap region defining a buffer for absorbing a shock or impact load applied thereto.

8. A pressure measuring device as recited in claim 7, wherein said at least one extending portion of said peripheral bumper extends axially above a viewing window attached to said upper portion of said housing.

9. A pressure measuring device as recited in claim 7, wherein at least one extending portion of said peripheral bumper extends radially outward from the periphery of said bumper.

10. A pressure measuring device as recited in claim 6, wherein said shock absorbing means includes at least one circumferential channel in said lower portion.

11. A pressure measuring device as recited in claim 10, wherein said at least one circumferential channel is disposed in said engagement end.

12. A pressure measuring device as recited in claim 11, wherein said circumferential channel is cut into a bottom surface of said engagement end.

13. A pressure measuring device as recited in claim 11, wherein said circumferential channel is cut adjacent to a depending end of said engagement end.