Abstract: A blood pressure cuff is applied about a subject's artery, and inflated above the systolic level thus fully occluding the artery for a full heart cycle. The cuff pressure is thereafter reduced to permit an increasing flow through the progressively less occluded artery, and a measure of the peak amplitudes of the successively encountered blood flow (oscillatory complex) pulses stored in memory. Also retained is the cuff pressure obtaining for each stored complex peak. In accordance with varying aspects of the present invention, the stored complex peak-representing data ensemble is corrected for aberrations; and improved data processing operates on the stored (and advantageously corrected) pulse peak data and the corresponding cuff pressure information to determine the subject's mean arterial blood pressure.

Abstract: A blood pressure cuff is applied about a subject's artery, and inflated above the systolic level thus fully occluding the artery for a full heart cycle. The cuff pressure is thereafter reduced to permit an increasing flow through the progressively less occluded artery, and a measure of the peak amplitudes of the successively encountered blood flow (oscillatory complex) pulses stored in memory. Also retained is the cuff pressure obtaining for each stored complex peak. In accordance with varying aspects of the present invention, the stored complex peak-representing data ensemble is corrected for aberrations; and improved data processing operates on the stored (and advantageously corrected) pulse peak data and the corresponding cuff pressure information to determine the subject's diastolic arterial blood pressure.

Abstract: An inflatable, deflatable cuff, worn by the subject, is coupled to an air reservoir which is at a predetermined pressure which is above systolic pressure. The pressure head is established by a pump mechanism preferably located within the reservoir. When the reservoir is operatively coupled to the cuff, the cuff quickly inflates to a desired artery-occluding initial pressure preparatory to a following blood pressure measuring cycle of operation. The air pump resumes air flow into the reservoir when pressure within the reservoir falls below a predetermined threshold in preparation for a subsequent measurement cycle. The pump also supplies air directly to the cuff should the reservoir contents ever be inadequate to inflate fully the occluding cuff.

Abstract: A pressure cuff on the patient is inflated to a predetermined pressure above systolic, and then is deflated incrementally. At each decrement, oscillatory complexes are detected, and respective peaks are compared and evaluated as "true" complexes if they are within certain size matching criteria. After such "true" complexes are identified at a predetermined number of levels (e.g. 2 or 3), only a single complex is investigated at subsequent levels, provided specified size and timing criteria are met.

Abstract: An improved sensing electrode assembly for testing for a constituent in blood is provided. An electrode assembly exhibits a decreased time to reach stable operation by virtue of having the assembly pretreated by applying thereto a liquid containing blood derived albumin.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing information indicative of the mean blood pressure of a living creature through indirect measurement comprising an inflatable cuff, a pump connected to the cuff, a deflating valve connected to the cuff, measuring apparatus connected to the cuff adapted to measure cuff pressure and pressure oscillations occurring in the cuff caused by the heartbeat of the living creature and control apparatus connected to the pressure measuring apparatus, pump and deflating valve. Deflation of the cuff occurs in pressure increments, with processing being done at each given decrement to evaluate plural successive pulsations for purposes of artifact rejection and identification of a true pulsation.

Abstract: A method for producing information indicative of the mean blood pressure of a living creature through indirect measurement, practiced in a system comprising an inflatable cuff, a pump connected to the cuff, a deflating valve connected to the cuff, measuring apparatus connected to the cuff adapted to measure cuff pressure and pressure oscillations occurring in the cuff caused by the heartbeat of the living creature and control apparatus connected to the pressure measuring apparatus, pump and deflating valve. Deflation of the cuff occurs in pressure increments, with processing being done at each given increment to evaluate plural successive pulsations for purposes of artifact rejection and identification of a true pulsation.

Abstract: A disposable blood pressure monitor comprising an elongated tubular structure, adapted on one end to place its interior in direct communication with a fluid system to be monitored. A flexible tube shaped membrane is received within the tubular structure, separating the tubular structure into first and second chambers and a gauge assembly engages the other end of the tubular structure, to place the interior of the other chamber of the tubular structure in a pressure transfer communication with the fluid system to be monitored. The gauge assembly comprises a plug, a pressure measuring device mounted to the plug, a sensing tube extending through the plug and communicating with the pressure measuring device and a fluid filled sack member secured to the sensing tube. The sack member communicates with the pressure measuring device through the sensing tube and engages the inner wall of the flexible tube shaped membrane to place the gauge in a pressure responsive position with the fluid system to be monitored.