Abstract: The device measures blood pressure automatically using the oscillometric technique wherein cuff pressure is deflated stepwise in dynamically determined increments while cuff pressure oscillations are sensed at each cuff pressure level and stored in a computer incorporated into the device. Stepwise cuff deflation is continued until the cuff pressure is below the subject's diastolic pressure whereupon the cuff is automatically deflated. The device can be used with different sized cuffs specific for different patient categories. For example, the device can employ an adult cuff, or a pediatric cuff. To accomodate the different cuff sizes, the device has more than one bleed orifice with which it controls the deflation steps. The onboard computer is programmed to use a selected one of the bleed orifices in the first bleed step and to use the time duration of the first bleed step to determine what size cuff is being used.

Abstract: Blood pressure measurements are performed on subjects disposed in hyperbaric chambers. The measurements are made by an automatic blood pressure monitoring instrument having a differential pressure transducer component. The reference side of the pressure transducer is open to the pressure in the hyperbaric chamber. A rotary vane pump is used to inflate the cuff with the inflation fluid supply from within the hyperbaric chamber, and exhaust from deflating the cuff is vented back into the hyperbaric chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining mean blood pressure involves the use of a pre-programmed microprocessor which interprets pressure oscillation values from a pressure cuff affixed to a subject's limb. The pressure cuff is inflated to a value above apparent systolic pressure and then deflated in steps. The steps are all substantially equal mmHg declinations in cuff pressure. At each step cuff ocsillation values are taken and stored. The greatest cuff oscillation and its associated cuff pressure are noted, along with the next greatest cuff oscillations and associated cuff pressures on either side of the greatest oscillation. The actual mean blood pressure is then determined by forming a window adjacent to the greatest oscillation and calculating, on which side of the greatest oscilation, within the window, the mean pressure is disposed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining mean blood pressure involves the use of a pre-programmed microprocessor which interprets pressure oscillation values from a pressure cuff affixed to a subject's limb. The pressure cuff is inflated to a value above apparent systolic pressure and then deflated in steps. The steps are all substantially equal mmHg declinations in cuff pressure. At each step cuff oscillation values are taken and stored. The greatest cuff oscillation and its associated cuff pressure are noted, along with the next greatest cuff oscillations and associated cuff pressures on either side of the greatest oscillation. The actual means blood pressure is then determined by forming a window adjacent to the greatest oscillation and calculating, on which side of the greatest oscillation, within the window, the means pressure is disposed.

Abstract: The device measures blood pressure automatically using the oscillometric technique. The device includes a pressure cuff which is automatically inflated to an initial pressure which is calculated to be above the subject's systolic pressure. The cuff is then deflated stepwise in preset pressure increments while cuff pressure oscillations are sensed at each cuff pressure level and stored in a computer incorporated into the device. Cuff deflation is continued until the cuff pressure is below the subject's diastolic pressure whereupon the cuff is automatically deflated. The computer then fits a calculated parabolic curve onto the greatest cuff pressure oscillation and onto a lesser oscillation on each side of the greatest oscillation. From the thusly derived curve, the computer determines the mean blood pressure, and the systolic and diastolic blood pressures.