Abstract: In a method and apparatus for measuring extreme blood pressure values during a single non-invasive blood measurement, the time intervals between sequential heartbeats are measured for a series of heartbeats in an oscillometric blood pressure measurement time period. Oscillometric blood pressure measurement data for the heartbeats of the series is obtained and associated with the heartbeat time intervals. An average time interval between heartbeats is also determined. A first data bin may be defined for blood pressure data associated with time intervals that are longer as compared to the average time interval. A second data bin is defined for blood pressure data with time intervals that are shorter as compared to the average time interval. The measured oscillometric blood pressure data is sorted into the data bins in accordance with the associated time intervals. The data in the first data bin is used to derive a high systolic blood pressure value and a low diastolic blood pressure value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pulse detection based on blood pressure measuring stage is disclosed. Both monitoring of blood pressure and blood vessel pulse are integrated and applied to an apparatus. With the components of the blood pressure monitor, such as an inflatable cuff an air pump and a variable flow valve, with a unique sequential pressure control of reduction and regulation of pressure, not only can blood pressure parameters but also pulse signals under various pressures be measured to provide a complete analysis of blood artery/vessel conditions.

Abstract: The cardiovascular evaluation apparatus of the present invention maintains a pulse wave detection means for detecting pulse wave generated while external pressure is applied to the artery, a pulse wave pattern formulation means for formulating a pulse wave amplitude pattern that indicates the dependency characteristic of the pulse wave amplitude in regard to said external pressure, a pattern shape matching means for matching general polyangular patterns to a pattern portion of said pulse wave amplitude pattern that includes at least a part of the envelope curve where the area of the general pattern, and an index derivation means for deriving a cardiovascular dynamics index related to arterial mechanical characteristics and/or cardiac function.

Abstract: A winding unit (150) for an air tube provided to a blood pressure monitor (100) includes a reel body (153) that is rotatably supported by a case body, and a helical spring that biases the reel body (153) in the direction in which the air tube is wound. The air tube includes a wound portion (162) wound by the reel body (153), a fixed portion (163) immovably fixed to the case body, and a freely movable portion (164) that freely moves as the reel body (153) rotates. The reel body (153) has a housing (153a) provided therein and the freely movable portion (164) of the air tube is contained in the housing. A second free-movement end (166) which is the boundary between the fixed portion (163) and the freely movable portion (164) of the air tube is disposed at an eccentric position relative to a rotational center (O) of the reel body (153) as seen from the direction of the rotational axis of the reel body (153).

Abstract: Vascular endothelial function in terms of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of peripheral arteries can be assessed reliably by measuring beat-to-beat pulse-wave conduction time (PCT) simultaneously for two symmetric segments of arteries locating on the right and left sides of body. When reactive hyperemia is induced in the peripheral tissues on one side, the time dependent changes in PCT caused by FMD on that side can be detected as the beat-to-beat differences in PCT between two sides (?PCT). ?PCT would provide a sensitive and specific assessment of the FMD response, because the influences of the systemic changes in hemodynamic and neurohumoral factors common to both sides are subtracted out. In addition, measurement of PCT requires no skillful technique and is advantageous in that the apparatus is inexpensive.

Abstract: A cuff for a blood pressure monitor is provided with an air bag including a first bag member located outside and a second bag member located inside in the thickness direction when fitted on a living body. The first and second bag members have first and second inflated/deflated spaces, respectively. The second bag member is formed by laying a single-layer resin sheet on the surface on the living body side of the first bag member and by melting and bonding its rim to the surface. A bonded portion of the first bag member with the resin sheet is positioned inner than each end in the width direction of the first inflated/deflated space. Thus, a cuff for a blood pressure monitor fabricated with ease and at low cost, exhibiting high pressing performance and high avascularization performance, and suitable for reduction of cuff width can be provided.

Abstract: A blood pressure measuring apparatus oppresses blood vessels of a human body by an inflating unit through a cuff. When the blood vessels are oppressed through the cuff, a pulse wave superposed on a cuff pressure signal through a cuff pressure detector is detected by a pulse wave detector. The waveform of the detected pulse wave changes similarly to changes of pressure in the oppressed blood vessels in one heartbeat period. The information of the detected pulse wave waveform and the cuff pressure at this time are stored in a memory.

Abstract: A method is provided for blood pressure measurement by means of an inflatable cuff (50) applied to a limb of a vertebrate and pneumatically coupled to a first port (112A) and a second port (112B) of a blood pressure measurement apparatus (100). A pump (160) coupled to the second port inflates the cuff pneumatically. During an initial cuff inflation period, a first pressure sensor (180) pneumatically coupled to the first port senses a first pressure and a second pressure sensor (182) pneumatically coupled to the second port senses a second pressure. An analysis module (142) compares the magnitude of the first pressure to the magnitude of the second pressure to determine the relative relationship between the respective magnitudes of the first pressure and the second pressure.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for testing a non-invasive blood pressure measurement device wherein a blood pressure monitor, a blood pressure cuff, and a blood pressure simulator are pneumatically connected and the blood pressure cuff is inserted into the aperture of an expansion-limiting or cuff volume constraining element. A cuff volume constraining device is made of flexible material having one or more apertures for constraining cuff volume during cuff expansion during blood pressure measurement device testing.

Abstract: A method of operating a non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) monitor that includes a blood pressure cuff and a pressure transducer. The method initially inflates the blood pressure cuff to a level above systolic pressure and begins to deflate the pressure cuff using a continuous or linear deflation technique. During the linear deflation of the pressure cuff, the oscillation pulses from the pressure transducer are obtained and compared to predicted pulse estimates. If the obtained oscillation pulses vary from the predicted pulse estimates, the linear deflation technique is interrupted and the pressure cuff is then deflated in a sequence of distinct pressure steps. During each pressure step, the oscillation pulses are obtained and the pressure cuff is not deflated to the next pressure step until the oscillation pulses correspond to each other.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a device for determining the blood pressure, in which a pressure sensor is applied to an individual's limb to detect the blood pressure prevailing in said limb. According to the present invention, the orientation of the limb is detected by means of an orientation sensing unit, and the detected blood pressure is corrected in an evaluating unit in response to the limb's detected orientation.

Abstract: A method of vascular testing includes inflating a cuff at a vascular location, controllably deflating the cuff, producing a pressure waveform while deflating the cuff, and producing an output representing a pressure at which blood flow returns, while deflating the cuff, based upon analysis of the pressure waveform. Further, a testing system for measuring vascular pressures according to the present invention includes a pressure applicator, a pressure sensor, and a diagnostic test unit. The pressure applicator is positionable along exterior portions of a human body for dynamically applying pressure to a desired vascular location. The pressure sensor is capable of detecting oscillations in a pressure at the pressure applicator.

Abstract: A blood pressure monitor is provided with a box-shaped housing having openings formed in left and right side walls, a cuff transversely arranged in the housing and including an arm entrance and an arm exit at the opposite left and right ends corresponding to the openings. The cuff is formed with a blood flow blocking bag in a specified area. The opposite ends of the cuff is taken up by a cuff take-up drum such that the blood flow blocking bag extends along the outer circumferential surface of the inserted arm at the time of a measurement and a compressed air is supplied to the blood flow blocking bag to block the blood flow.

Abstract: A pressurizing apparatus and method for adjusting an optimal pressurizing rate according to a cuff of various lengths. The pressurizing method measures the pressure values at two reference points and time duration to calculate a pressurizing rate. A control adjustment routine to control an adjustment of the pressurizing rate is decided according the calculated pressurizing rate and at least one control condition. The pump is pressurized according to the adjustment of the pressurizing rate. A diastolic pressure value is measured and the pressurizing of the pump is kept to measure a systolic pressure value. Afterward, the pressurizing is stopped to prevent uncomfortable feeling of user caused by rapidly pressurizing and de-pressurizing process.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for collecting non-invasive blood pressure readings from a patient is provided. A non-invasive blood pressure cuff is arranged to be worn about a wrist of a patient and to be operatively connected to a blood pressure monitor. Communication means are operatively connected to the blood pressure cuff the monitor and arranged to automatically communicate a parameter associated with the cuff to the monitor. The monitor is arranged to automatically adjust blood pressure algorithms based upon the parameter to enhance the accuracy of blood pressure readings.

Abstract: A method and system for determining pulse rate of a patient are disclosed. The method and system include acquiring measured information for at least one pulse at a pressure step, determining and storing quality values for the at least one pulse at the pressure step, analyzing pulse matching criteria for the pressure step, and determining pulse rate based on the measured information, quality values, and pulse matching criteria.

Abstract: A method and system for determining when to make a reversion to smaller cuff pressure steps during an oscillometric blood pressure measurement is disclosed. The method and system comprise comparing conformance of oscillometric envelope blood pressure data with previous blood pressure data, including measuring a shift between the oscillometric envelope blood pressure data and an oscillometric envelope derived from the previous blood pressure data. In addition, the method and system include making a reversion decision based on whether the shift exceeds an allowable threshold. Once a reversion decision is made a subsequent decision may be made as to the need for increasing the cuff pressure level.

Abstract: Provide is a blood pressure meter cuff capable of avoiding an influence of an edge effect by pressurizing only a portion of a blood vessel in the downward vicinity of the body surface to thereby measure a correct blood pressure. A blood pressure meter cuff 1 includes: a fluid bag into which a fluid is injected; and a fixing tool fixing the fluid bag on a limb of a human body or the like, wherein a width in the axial direction of the limb, of the fluid bag is a value suitable for selectively pressurizing only a portion of a blood vessel present in the downward vicinity of the skin. In a case where pressurization is imposed on only a portion of the radial artery present in the downward vicinity of the body surface and adjacent to a radial styloid process of a wrist, a width, in the axial direction of a limb, of the fluid bag is set to 15 mm or more and 25 mm or less.

Abstract: A sphygmomanometer is disclosed. The sphygmomanometer mainly includes multiple power buttons and multiple memory buttons mounted thereon, and the power buttons and the memory buttons are disposed in a corresponding manner for communicating with one another. Through pressing one of the power buttons, a measurement value of blood pressure can be directly stored into a correspondingly memory area, and by pressing one of the memory buttons which is corresponding to that power button, the stored measurement value is recalled and displayed on the displaying screen. Therefore, the sphygmomanometer can be provided for more than two users and can also respectively memorize (store) individual measurement value of blood pressure for each user. Furthermore, a selecting switch for selectively inactivating any selected power button is provided so that secure storage of personal information is also ensured.

Abstract: A sphygmomanometer is disclosed. The sphygmomanometer mainly has plural power buttons and plural memory buttons mounted thereon, and said power buttons and said memory buttons are in a one-on-one manner to communicate with one another. Through pressing one of said power buttons, a measurement value of blood pressure can be directly stored into a correspondingly memory area, and through pressing one of said memory buttons corresponding to that power button, said stored measurement value can be recalled and displayed on said display screen. Therefore, the sphygmomanometer can be provided for more than two users and also can respectively memorize (store) individual measurement value of blood pressure for each user.

Abstract: A vascular sensing system includes blood flow restricting means, a sensor, and means for producing an output representing a return of blood flow after the blood vessel has been temporarily collapsed by the blood flow restricting means. The blood flow restricting means is capable of placement on a human toe having a blood vessel, and is capable of manipulating the blood vessel. The sensor is operably connected to the blood flow restricting means and is physically spaced from the toe. Further, a method of vascular sensing includes taking pressure measurements with an pressure cuff positioned on a toe, and conducting a waveform analysis of the pressure measurements to determine a return of blood flow pressure.

Abstract: A vascular testing system includes a pressure applicator, a pressure source for generating fluid pressure at the pressure applicator; a variable orifice valve, and a valve control. The variable orifice valve is in fluid communication with the pressure applicator, and has an orifice size capable of dynamically changing. The valve control controls the variable orifice valve as a function of sensed pressure to produce substantially linear changes in pressure at the pressure applicator. Further, a method of vascular pressure measurement according to the present invention includes providing an applied pressure higher than a patient's systolic blood pressure at a vascular location, substantially linearly decreasing the applied pressure at the vascular location, and dynamically detecting vascular pressure oscillations at the vascular location as the applied pressure is decreased.

Abstract: A blood pressure cuff including an inflatable bladder disposed between an elastic, resilient inner layer of material and at least one outer layer of material. The bladder is secured to these layers along the elongate ends but not along the elongate edges. The bladder is not laterally constrained during inflation. The cuff is formed into a cylindrical shape having a fixed outer diameter and includes a backing layer and apparatus for securing the bladder to a layer of the cuff to hold the bladder in place during donning of the cuff. Because the bladder is not constrained along its contact-width edges, the shape of the bladder automatically adjusts to provide a longer contact surface for larger arms and a shorter contact surface for smaller arms. The cuff is especially suited for use as a closed cuff in an automated blood pressure measurement machine or in stand-alone measurement use.

Abstract: A device for securing a living body by pressing includes a living body pressing air bag, a curled elastic member of an approximately cylindrical shape, disposed on the outside of the living body pressing air bag and changeable in size in a radial direction, and a curled elastic member pressing air bag, disposed on the outside of the curled elastic member and inflated to press an outer peripheral surface of the curled elastic member inward to reduce a diameter of the curled elastic member, to thereby press the living body pressing air bag against the living body via the curled elastic member. This can provide a living body pressing and securing device provided with a novel automatic cuff winding mechanism that can simplify and downsize the winding mechanism, hardly causes skin tension on the body surface, and ensures uniform winding strength over the entire surface of the pressed site.

Abstract: A method of operating a blood pressure measurement system that utilizes a non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) monitor having a blood pressure cuff. During operation of the NIBP monitor, the blood pressure cuff is initially inflated. During the initial inflation, at least one pressure transducer monitors for the presence of oscillometric pulses and creates an oscillation signal. The oscillation signal is filtered and provided to a central processor. The central processor monitors for oscillometric pulses within the filtered signal and estimates a diastolic pressure and a systolic pressure for the patient. The estimated systolic and diastolic measurements taken during the initial inflation of the blood pressure cuff are used by the central processor to set a target inflation pressure and control the deflation of the blood pressure cuff from the initial inflation pressure.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method of detecting a pulse wave at the certain position of an artery. A pressure sensor array has a pressurization surface on which plural pressure sensors are disposed in a direction intersecting with an artery. The pressurization surface, when a pulse wave is detected, is pressed against a surface of a living human body by a cuff pressure in a pressurization cuff. CPU, when a pulse wave is detected, inputs voltage signals indicating pressure information from the plural pressure sensors simultaneously along with the time axis. CPU extracts the DC component indicating a pressure component caused by a hard member from a voltage signal to specify the pressure sensor located above the hard member from the extracted DC component.

Abstract: A cuff for a blood pressure monitor includes a cuff main unit wound around a measurement site of a living body, and a handle provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cuff main unit and gripped with a hand for fitting the cuff. The cuff main unit includes a cover member in which an air bag for pressing the living body and a curled elastic member wound annularly on the outside of the air bag and radially changeable in size are contained, and a diameter increasing/decreasing mechanism for increasing/decreasing a diameter of the curled elastic member. The handle has a push-button for increasing/decreasing the diameter of the curled elastic member by switching an operation of the diameter increasing/decreasing mechanism. This can provide a cuff for a blood pressure monitor permitting easy mounting/dismounting with respect to the measurement site of the living body.

Abstract: To facilitate carrying by making a sphygmomanometer combining a blood-constricting cuff band with a sphygmomanometer unit thin and compact when not engaged in measurement, a sphygmomanometer combines blood-constricting cuff band 1 with sphygmomanometer unit 2, and constitutes a structure that can be switched between measurement position (I) with sphygmomanometer unit 2 overlapping blood-constricting cuff band 1 and storage position (II) with blood-constricting cuff band 1 and sphygmomanometer unit 2 placed side by side.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic method using systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and pulse frequency of a patient is provided to compute a normalized diastolic distensibility value and a normalized peripheral resistance value, and to automatically compute the product of the normalized diastolic distensibility value and the normalized peripheral resistance value to generate a first product value. The first product value is compared to a stored distribution of normalized diastolic distensibility and a normalized peripheral resistance values for comparable individuals to determine if the first product value is equivalent to a value determined to indicate an abnormal condition. Particular values of the computed parameters aid in determining the etiology of hypertension and direct selection of pharmacotherapy.

Abstract: Prior to blood pressure calculations, air is enclosed in a blood pressure measurement bladder to be wound and mounted around the region for measurement, in advance. By referring to the variation in the pressure therein, the circumferential length of the region for measurement is detected based on the variation in the pressure therein during the winding correction determination process for the region for measurement. Then, the process enters blood pressure measurement, and the blood pressure measurement bladder is pressurized or depressurized. The pressure in the blood pressure measurement bladder is detected. A blood pressure based on the detected pressure is calculated according to the circumferential length of the region for measurement which has been detected in advance.

Abstract: Central Venous Pressure (CVP) is non-invasively determined with accuracy comparable to invasive measurement techniques. To do so, curves are plotted based on non-invasively determined patient information obtained by applying a controllable variable (pressure) to a vein of interest at a non-distal point and taking certain measurements (such as pressure and volume measurements) from the patient. An example of a controllable variable is voltage applied in incremental inflation/deflation of a vascular cuff (1). A curve is plotted based on datapoints (such as a volume increase curve or a volume decline curve). Pertinent, accurate CVP and/or blood volume information is obtained from the slope of the non-invasive-based curve. Accurate CVP information is provided without the risks and disadvantages of invasive measurements.

Abstract: A noninvasive sphygmomanometer capable of obtaining an accurate blood pressure value is provided without complicating a structure and with little time-consuming work. A photointerrupter 31, a wave-shaping circuit 75, a rotation number counting circuit 77, and a discharge amount calculating circuit 78 which measure a discharge amount of a pressure pump 13, and an arm circumference length detecting circuit 79 which calculates an arm circumference length of a subject person based on a relationship between a pressure in a bladder 8 provided in an armband 9 and the measured discharge amount of the pressure pump 13 is provided. Then, a blood pressure value is corrected based on the calculated arm circumference length.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sphygmomanometer having 3D positioning function, which comprises a microprocessor chip which is coupled individually to a microprocessor chip which is coupled individually to a pressure sensor, an alarm unit, a storing unit, a 3D acceleration sensor chip, a display device, a driving device, and an air valve, so that when a person's blood pressure is measured, the 3D acceleration sensor chip detects the spatial position of the measuring cuff of the sphygmomanometer and sends the parameters related to the detected spatial position to the microprocessor chip. In the meantime, the microprocessor chip will retrieve a predetermined range of the parameters related to the spatial position from the storing unit, and compare such range with the value of the detected parameters. If the values of the detected parameters fall beyond the predetermined range of parameters, the microprocessor chip will issue an alarm through the alarm unit until the spatial position is correct.

Abstract: In a vasodilatation index measuring and analyzing system, a measuring unit includes a measuring device for measuring standard and comparative pulses of a digit of a subject in relaxed and comparative states, respectively. An external pressure is applied to a limb part of the subject to occlude blood flow to the digit following measurement of the standard pulse. The comparative pulse is measured upon release of the external pressure. A pre-processing unit is coupled to the measuring unit for filtering noise from and digitizing the standard and comparative pulses obtained by the measuring device. An analyzing unit is coupled to the pre-processing unit for calculating standard and comparative pulse areas of at least one cycle of the standard and comparative pulses processed by the pre-processing unit, respectively, and for subsequently calculating a pre-defined index related to a difference between the standard and comparative pulse areas.

Abstract: A method and system for making pulse rate and blood pressure determinations is disclosed. The method and system comprise collecting oscillometric blood pressure data from pulses, determining individual quality values for feature measurements of the pulses, obtaining an overall quality assessment based on the individual quality values, repeating the collecting step until overall quality level is satisfied, and determining blood pressure and pulse rate using the individual quality values.

Abstract: An inflatable cuff for blood pressure measurement includes a first inflatable bag to press an arterial vessel of a body portion of a living subject for stopping blood flow; a second inflatable bag for sensing a pulse wave propagating along the arterial vessel, which is supported by the inflatable cuff such that the second inflatable bag is located inside a downstream-side portion of the first inflatable bag in the direction of the blood flows; a shielding member disposed between the first inflatable bag and the second inflatable bag so as to prevent an oscillation of the first inflatable bag from propagating to the second inflatable bag; and a slidable separating member disposed between the shielding member and the second inflatable bag so as to prevent generation of a noise caused by a slide contact of the shielding member with the second inflatable bag.

Abstract: A sphygmomanometer cuff assembly, air pump, pressure sensor and release valve are contained in an otherwise conventional computer mouse controller. Three alternative embodiments are illustrated and discussed herein. In one such embodiment the sphygmomanometer cuff is nominally positioned within the mouse structure and is extended outside the mouse housing during the measurement. In another embodiment, the cuff is always external of the mouse structure and is easily connected to the mouse at special ports during the measurement. In yet another embodiment, the cuff is always internal of the mouse structure and is readily accessible through an aperture in the housing surface of the mouse to permit the measurement to take place. Preferably, in each of these alternative embodiments a hinged or slidable door or panel protects the cuff or cuff ports between measurements.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a tunnel type electronic sphygmomanometer measuring unit assembly that mainly improves the assembly between a measuring unit of a tunnel type electronic sphygmomanometer and a tunnel type electronic sphygmomanometer body of a prior art by installing an axle unit between the measuring unit of tunnel type electronic sphygmomanometer and the tunnel type electronic sphygmomanometer body to provide a multidirectional rotary function, such that the sphygmomanometer can be rotated in different directions by means of the axle unit to fit the posture of a user when a blood pressure is measured, and thus the invention enhances the accuracy of the sphygmomanometer for measuring blood pressure.

Abstract: An arteriosclerosis evaluating apparatus 10 includes an arteriosclerosis evaluating procedure 46 (Steps S7, S8, S9, and S10) that evaluates arteriosclerosis of a living subject, based on a relationship between difference ?P of internal and external pressure of an artery of the subject in the state in which the pressure difference ?P is in equilibrium, and amplitude AM of a pulse wave produced from the artery. Therefore, the present apparatus 10 can as easily as possible evaluate the arteriosclerosis of the subject based on a characteristic curve 58 representing the relationship between in-equilibrium pressure difference ?P and pulse-wave amplitude AM which curve is obtained from a pressing pressure Pc of a cuff 12 wound around a certain portion of the subject, and the pulse wave produced from the artery.

Abstract: The noninvasive measurement of a patient's blood pressure is achieved automatically in high motion situations by using a dual signal channel pressure sensor in a method and system that acquires pressure waveform data while the degree of compression of an artery is being varied. Two pressure measurement channels are used, one being a main channel for monitoring pressure in the pressure transmission path, and the other being a reference channel for monitoring pressure in a wall through which a holddown force is applied. A caregiver applies the NIBP sensor to the patient. Immediately before the patient is about to engage in high motion activities or be placed in a high motion environment, the caregiver turns ON the automatic HMT function, and proceeds with his or her duties while observing the patient to ensure that the patient is quiet until the NIBP monitor acquires a certain number of waveforms without resetting. Once this has occurred, the caregiver may permit the high motion activity to begin.

Abstract: Oscillometry or another method is employed to initially determine a mean blood pressure and a diastolic blood pressure. There is a similarity between an intra-arterial pressure waveform exactly representing blood pressure and a pulse wave form generated when a cuff occludes a site to be measured. This similarity is utilized to obtain blood pressure. More specifically, the cuff occludes a site to be measured, while a pulse wave is detected. From the detected pulse wave's maximum amplitude an estimated mean arterial pressure is obtained. The obtained estimated mean arterial pressure and the pulse wave's minimum value are regarded as a mean blood pressure and a diastolic blood pressure, respectively. From the pulse wave's maximum value a systolic blood pressure is obtained by an arithmetic operation.

Abstract: An automatic non-invasive blood pressure monitoring system includes a blood pressure monitor, a blood pressure cuff pneumatically connected to the blood pressure monitor, a deflation valve connected intermediate the blood pressure monitor and the blood pressure cuff, and a controller for automatically controlling the non-invasive blood pressure monitoring.

Abstract: An oscillometric, noninvasive blood pressure monitor comprising an inflatable cuff adapted for placement around a body member, a pump for cuff inflation, a pressure transducer connected to the cuff, means for detecting oscillations in arterial pressure occurring during a transition in cuff pressure between a pressure greater than normal systolic pressure and a pressure less than normal diastolic pressure, and a blood pressure measurement circuit which is capable of determining the maximum amplitude (Am) of the oscillations, identifying mean cuff pressure (Pm) as the coincident value of the cuff-pressure signal from the pressure transducer, and determining systolic pressure as a function of both Am and Pm. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the blood pressure monitor has an optical sensor including a light source and photodetector optically coupled to the body member proximate to the cuff.

Abstract: A noninvasive sphygmomanometer capable of obtaining an accurate blood pressure value is provided without complicating a structure and with little time-consuming work. A photointerrupter 31, a wave-shaping circuit 75, a rotation number counting circuit 77, and a discharge amount calculating circuit 78 which measure a discharge amount of a pressure pump 13, and an arm circumference length detecting circuit 79 which calculates an arm circumference length of a subject person based on a relationship between a pressure in a bladder 8 provided in an armband 9 and the measured discharge amount of the pressure pump 13 is provided. Then, a blood pressure value is corrected based on the calculated arm circumference length.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing cardiovascular status of a mammal comprises a system for locally applying a pressure to an artery capable of restricting blood flow through said artery, a wideband external pulse transducer having an output and situated to measure suprasystolic signals proximate to said artery, and a computing device receiving said output for calculating vascular compliance values. The method described is particularly useful for determining cardiac output, assessing whether a pregnant female has preeclampsia or a patient has cardiac insufficiency, or assessing cardiac arrhythmias.

Abstract: Inflatable blood pressure cuff assemblies include an inflatable elongate cuff member having opposing long edges and opposing short edge portions with a fluid chamber therein and a resilient support sleeve attached to a respective one of the opposing short edge portions of the inflatable elongate cuff member. The sleeve may be configured with a sensor chamber and a cable routing channel. Related systems and methods of fabricating cuff assemblies and resilient support sleeves are also described.

Abstract: At the time of measuring a blood pressure, when an MPU controls a pressure in a cuff, detects a pulse wave generated due to pressurizing of a cuff pressure via a band-pass filter or the like, calculates a wave feature value of the detected pulse wave and calculates the blood pressure so as to output it using the calculated wave feature value, the MPU detects the pulse wave in a range of the cuff pressure where the pule wave can be detected. Therefore, since a blood pressure measuring process constituted of detection of the pulse wave, calculation of the wave feature value and calculation of the blood pressure is executed within the range of the cuff pressure where the pulse wave can be detected, the process is prevented from being executed within a range where the pulse wave cannot be detected, thereby measuring the blood pressure with good accuracy.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electronic sphygmomanometer calibrating tool, which comprises a platform being coupled to a control system; at least one tool being disposed on the platform for accommodating a testing electronic sphygmomanometer, and the tools being individually coupled to the platform and a pressurizing device through an electric circuit and a gas pipeline; a pulse signal blood pressure simulator being coupled to the gas pipeline, such that when the electronic sphygmomanometer is calibrated, the pressurizing device pressurizes the testing electronic sphygmomanometer by pressurizing the gas pipeline and the control system set the initial state and the maximum pressure for the testing electronic sphygmomanometer. Since the values of the blood pressure from the initial state to the maximum value in increased linearly, therefore the control system can calculate the rest of the values to calibrate the testing electronic sphygmomanometer.

Abstract: An arteriosclerosis evaluating apparatus for evaluating an arteriosclerosis of a living subject based on a form of a pulse wave detected from the subject, the apparatus including an inflatable cuff which is adapted to be worn on a body portion of the subject, a cuff-pressure changing device which changes a pressure in the cuff, a cuff-pulse-wave detecting device which detects a cuff pulse wave as a pressure oscillation that is transmitted from the subject to the cuff, and an output device which outputs the cuff pulse wave detected by the cuff-pulse-wave detecting device in a state in which the pressure of the cuff is made higher than a systolic blood pressure of the body portion of the subject by the cuff-pressure changing device.

Abstract: A method for measuring blood pressure and pulse rate with a pump-less mechanical compression apparatus, wherein the pump-less mechanical compression apparatus comprises a compression assembly with a closed system air bag having a fixed air volume fastened on the human body measuring site; a sensor coupled to the air bag for sensing pressure change inside the air bag; a processor for processing the pressure change; and a display. Through the use of the mechanical compression assembly, the pressure inside the air bag can be increased and steadily released to achieve the same measuring effects as traditional sphygmomanometer/sphygmometer. The apparatus invention also comprises a deactivation assembly and an alarm for safety purpose.