Abstract: A bleed flow valve assembly for venting air from a blood pressure cuff at relatively constant pressure decrease rate irrespective of cuff size includes a multiple chamber bleed valve and a multiple position control valve operatively associated therewith. A first end chamber is connected in pneumatic communication with the cuff and pneumatically sealed from a second central chamber by a first flexible diaphragm. A third end chamber is separated from the central chamber by a second flexible diaphragm. A variable flow area opening through the second diaphragm provides a flow path for controllably venting air from the second chamber to ambient pressure when the control valve is selectively positioned to connect the third chamber in pneumatic communication with ambient pressure. Air is vented from the cuff through the first chamber in regulated response to the pressure differential between the first chamber and the second chamber acting upon the first flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: A noninvasive method for measuring systolic blood pressure Psyst, by applying and maintaining an astringent emptying pressure P1, which is above the systolic blood pressure Psyst, on a first zone of the finger located in the vicinity of the distal part of the finger, applying and maintaining an astringent occluding pressure P2, which is above the systolic blood pressure Psyst, on a second zone of the finger located upstream of the first zone, releasing the emptying pressure P1, releasing the occluding pressure P2 in a controlled manner, and, at the same time, acquiring at least the occluding pressure P2 and at least the blood volume Vs, at the level of the first zone as a function of time, and calculating the systolic blood pressure Psyst corresponding to the occluding pressure P2 at the moment of blood return in the finger, characterized by a substantially positive variation in the blood volume Vs of the finger at the level of the first zone.

Abstract: An apparatus includes (a) a dial having a front face with indicia thereon and a transparent face plate and a back surface; and (b) a light source attached to the dial and positioned exterior to the transparent face plate and oriented so as to illuminate the face plate. The apparatus is advantageously used to measure blood pressure under adverse lighting conditions.

Abstract: A non-invasive blood pressure monitoring system is disclosed herein. The non-invasive blood pressure monitoring system includes a pressure cuff comprising a resistive portion and a conductive portion aligned with the resistive portion. The non-invasive blood pressure monitoring system also includes a controller operatively connected to the pressure cuff. The controller is adapted to estimate the circumference of the pressure cuff based on the position of the conductive portion relative to the resistive portion.

Abstract: A method for estimating systolic and diastolic pressure is disclosed herein. The method includes obtaining a predetermined type of blood pressure data from a patient, and providing previously acquired blood pressure data obtained from a plurality of different subjects. The method also includes implementing the previously acquired blood pressure data to select systolic and diastolic amplitude ratios that most closely correlate with the predetermined type of blood pressure data obtained from the patient. The selected systolic and diastolic amplitude ratios are adapted to compensate for the effects of arterial compliance. The method also includes implementing the selected systolic and diastolic amplitude ratios to generate a systolic and diastolic blood pressure estimates.

Abstract: A method and system for use in measuring the endothelial dysfunction utilizing flow mediated dilation and determining arterial health of a patient. The system includes a non-invasive blood pressure monitor, an ultrasound system and a pulse oximeter monitor that all communicate with each other to perform the flow mediated dilation. Initially, the ultrasound transducer, blood pressure cuff and pulse oximeter sensor are positioned on an arm of the patient. The blood pressure cuff is inflated to occlude an artery for an occlusion period. Following the occlusion period, the ultrasound system is automatically signaled to begin determining a parameter of the artery, such as diameter, and the flow rate of blood through the artery without any operator intervention. At the same time, the pulse wave velocity PWV is calculated between the ultrasound transducer and the finger probe of the pulse oximeter following the occlusion period.

Abstract: An electronic sphygmomanometer includes a cuff to be attached to a blood pressure measurement site, a pump and a valve for adjusting pressure to be applied on the cuff, a pressure sensor for detecting pressure in the cuff, a central processing unit (CPU) for calculating a blood pressure value from the cuff pressure, a memory for recording the blood pressure value, and an operation unit for carrying out a blood pressure measurement. A measurement condition input switch acquires information related to a condition at the time of current blood pressure measurement, and the memory stores the condition as measurement record information along with the blood pressure value. The CPU acquires past measurement record information close to the condition at the time of the blood pressure measurement from the memory and corrects a blood pressure measurement parameter based on the measurement record information.

Abstract: A physiological parameter determining device (100, 1000) includes a flexible band (102) configured to be releasably affixed around an extremity of a subject, a plenum (104) disposed in the flexible band (102), wherein the plenum (104) includes two or more flexible inflatable hollow channels (116) separated from each other by at least one non-inflatable region (120); and circuitry (106, 1020) physically integrated with the flexible band (102), wherein the circuitry (106, 1020) includes at least a transducer (216) that senses information indicative of a physiological parameter and generates a signal indicative of the physiological parameter.

Abstract: An electronic sphygmomanometer has a causing unit that causes a constant volume change in a cuff and a causing processing unit for controlling a drive of the causing unit for a period for which a first pressure control (for example, depressurization control) is made so as to execute a process for giving a constant volume change to the cuff. Further, the electronic sphygmomanometer includes a measurement control unit that controls based on a cuff pressure signal measurement of a pulse wave amplitude and a pressure change property with respect to the volume change. The electronic sphygmomanometer includes a correction processing unit that corrects the measured pulse wave amplitude based on the measured pressure change property and a blood pressure calculating unit that calculates a blood pressure value based on the corrected pulse wave amplitude.

Abstract: A blood pressure measurement apparatus detects a downward flexure of an arm rest and informs a user of the downward flexure on a display unit. By providing a partially color changing display or a blinking display on the display unit, the user is informed that a measurement posture is not good. The blood pressure measurement apparatus has an elbow rest with an arrangement that can easily prompt the user to be in a good posture for measurement.

Abstract: In the measurement device, the blood pressure of the upper arm and the blood pressure of the lower limb are measured using cuffs attached to the upper arm and the lower limb (ankle), respectively. The pulse wave of the upper arm and the pulse wave of the lower limb are measured in synchronization using such cuffs. The upper arm-lower limb pulse wave propagation velocity (baPWV) is calculated based on the appearance time difference of the two pulse waves. The upper arm pulse wave propagation velocity (upper arm PWV) is calculated based on the appearance time difference of the ejection wave and the reflection wave in the upper arm pulse wave. If the values of such propagation velocities are different, a warning is issued.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new multi-mode sphygmomanometer which integrates into one enclosure a full manual sphygmomanometer comprising a mechanical cuff pressure measuring and display system, a manual inflation bulb and deflation valve such elements comprising the manual/mechanical aspect of the integrated device. Within the same physical enclosure and integrated with the manual sphygmomanometer the device also comprises an electronic blood pressure measuring and monitoring device comprising electronic sensing of the pressure, electronic indication of the cuff pressure and oscillation or KS amplitudes and logic implemented in a microprocessor that automatically interprets these signals to determine the BP parameters.

Abstract: A method and system for use in measuring the endothelial dysfunction in a patient utilizing flow mediated dilation. The system includes both a non-invasive blood pressure monitor and an ultrasound system that communicate with each other to perform the flow mediated dilation. Initially, the ultrasound transducer and blood pressure cuff are positioned on an arm of the patient and the blood pressure cuff is inflated to occlude an artery for an occlusion period. Following the occlusion period, the ultrasound system is automatically signaled to begin determining both the diameter of the artery and the flow rate of blood through the artery without any operator intervention. Based upon the detected characteristics of the artery before and after occlusion, the system can determine the endothelial dysfunction of the patient.

Abstract: Blood pressure data read from a storage unit is displayed using a blood pressure level bar divided into rectangular segments, and a numerical value of data in a display unit. During the blood pressure measurement, the blood pressure level bar and the numerical value are displayed according to the rise and fall of the detected blood pressure in the display unit. A reference value for determining high blood pressure is displayed in association with the blood pressure level bar. The person to be measured can grasp the blood pressure section to which the measured blood pressure corresponds based on the reference value. The person to be measured can readily grasp the transition of the blood pressure value with the blood pressure level bar even if the size of the display region of the display unit is small.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more hemodynamic parameters associated with the circulatory system of a living organism. In one aspect, the invention comprises apparatus adapted to accurately place and maintain a sensor (e.g., tonometric pressure sensor) with respect to the anatomy of the subject, including an alignment apparatus which is separable from an adjustable fixture. The apparatus moveably captures the sensor to, inter alia, facilitate-coupling thereof to an actuator used to position the sensor during measurements. In a second aspect, improved sensor apparatus is disclosed adapted to minimize the effects of shear during sensor movement and monitoring as well as maximize the lateral and proximal search area available to the sensor within the apparatus. Methods for positioning the alignment apparatus and sensor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sphygmomanometer includes an expandable/contractable air bag supplied with air; a bag-shaped cover body for accommodating the air bag and for attaching the air bag to a site to be measured; an expansion and contraction mechanism for expanding and contracting the air bag; and a power supply unit arranged in the bag-shaped cover body. The power supply unit includes a battery for supplying driving power to the expansion and contraction mechanism, and a non-contact power reception unit for receiving power for charging the battery. The non-contact power reception unit is supplied with power through an electromagnetic inductive action from a non-contact power transmission unit arranged in a non-contact state with the non-contact power reception unit.

Abstract: A 3-way solenoid valve (20) is arranged between a cuff (10) and a first pressure sensor (30), wherein the common port of the 3-way solenoid valve (20) is connected with the first pressure sensor (30), the normally open port thereof connected with the cuff (10), and the normally closed port thereof connected with the air atmosphere during zeroing process. Moreover, an independent timing circuit (45) is provided additionally. In the measurement method of the present invention, the zeroing is performed with the help of the 3-way solenoid valve (20). Once a state of overtime or overpressure occurs, an air pump (50) is immediately closed, and a quick-deflation solenoid valve (60) is opened so that the pressure in the cuff (10) is released to ensure safe application.

Abstract: Provided is a non-invasive electronic method and apparatus for measuring blood pressure, in which the data is processed with an algorithm of non-linear fitting for recovering trend envelope of an oscillating PW by a firmware, so that the trend envelope of PW amplitude can be recovered accurately, and the obtained average pressure shows higher degree of agreement with the real situation in clinic. In this apparatus, a 3-way solenoid valve (20) is arranged between a cuff (10) and a first pressure sensor (30), wherein the common port of the 3-way solenoid valve (20) is connected with the first pressure sensor (30), the normally open port thereof connected with the cuff (10), and the normally closed port thereof connected with the air atmosphere during zeroing process. Moreover, an independent timing circuit (45) is provided additionally. In the measurement method of the present invention, the zeroing is performed with the help of the 3-way solenoid valve (20).

Abstract: A wrist sphygmomanometer includes an operation unit operable by a user. A manometer measures blood pressure. A detector detects the posture of the user. A storage stores an optimum posture for the user. A comparator compares the posture detected by the detector and the optimum posture stored beforehand in the storage to generate posture information. A communication unit communicates the posture information to the user. A setting unit sets the optimum posture in the storage. The storage includes a first storage section, which stores a fixed optimum posture corresponding to an unspecified user, and a second storage section, which stores a second optimum posture corresponding to a specified used. The setting unit stores the second posture based on a value detected by the detector as the second optimum posture in the second storage section in accordance with an operation of the operation unit.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for non-invasively assessing one or more parameters associated with fluidic systems such as the circulatory system of a living organism, when such parameters are potentially affected by other concurrent events. In one exemplary embodiment, apparatus and methods for compensating for occlusive events (e.g., pressure cuff inflation) occurring ipsilateral to the location of parameter measurement are disclosed. Upon passive detection of signal degradation resulting from the event, the apparatus selectively enters a “wait state” wherein further processing of the hemodynamic data is suspended until the degrading event subsides. This behavior mitigates any adverse effects the event might have on the accuracy of the representation of the measured hemodynamic parameter generated by the system. In another exemplary embodiment, the measured data is analyzed in order to classify the type of event (e.g.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a method for measuring non-invasive blood pressure from an oscillometric signal and a cuff pressure signal implemented in a medical apparatus comprising: (a) calculating a pulse pressure signal by subtracting an upper and a lower envelope of the oscillometric signal; and (b) calculating without the use of beat detection a mean arterial pressure, a systolic blood pressure, and a diastolic blood pressure from said oscillometric signal, said cuff pressure signal, and a plurality of thresholds a device with at least one processor.

Abstract: Many people do not have a physical feeling for what normal and abnormal blood pressure levels mean in relation to the forces exerted on the heart and blood vessels. A blood pressure simulation apparatus provides human subjects a means to physically feel simulated blood pressure levels through tactile feedback. Both normal and abnormal blood pressure cycles are simulated. Interfacing of the apparatus to an electronic blood pressure monitor is provided.

Abstract: A blood pressure measuring method which can measure blood vessel elasticity, so that that the blood vessel elasticity can be commonly applied to all subjects, calculating pulse transit time at the time when no pressure is applied, calculating pulse transit time in an area where the pressure is changed by the cuff, and then calculating the elasticity of a blood vessel, using the pulse transit times.

Abstract: A method of operating 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 at a rapid inflation rate. Once the blood pressure cuff reaches a first pressure, the inflation rate of the blood pressure cuff is reduced from the rapid inflation rate to a measurement inflation rate. The blood pressure cuff continues to inflate at the measurement inflation rate while the NIBP monitor receives signals from the patient. Based upon the signals received from the patient, the controller of the NIBP monitor calculates an initial inflation pressure. The blood pressure cuff is inflated to the calculated initial inflation pressure and inflation is terminated. In this manner, signals received from the patient during inflation are used to calculate the initial inflation pressure to reduce the amount of time required to make a blood pressure measurement.

Abstract: A blood-pressure meter having storing means for storing a blood pressure measurement result, and time measurement means for measuring a time is disclosed. The blood-pressure meter includes: input means for entering behavior history; means for storing the blood pressure measurement result into the storing means while associating the blood pressure measurement result with a time when blood pressure measurement is performed; and means for storing the entered behavior history into the storing means while associating the behavior history with a time corresponding to the behavior history.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the blood pressure of a patient, comprising the following steps: determining a pulse arrival time signal from the patient 2 based on the pulse wave velocity method; determining an accelerometer signal from the patient 2; and triggering an additional measure or deriving a blood pressure value, taking into account the pulse arrival time signal and a DC component of the accelerometer signal. In this way, a possibility for monitoring the blood pressure of a patient is provided with which false alarms and/or unnecessary additional cuff-based blood pressure measurements can be avoided.

Abstract: A blood pressure measurement device is mounted with a radio-controlled clock function in a main body without lowering reception performance of the standard radio wave of the radio-controlled clock. A substrate including a sensor mounting surface and a sensor non-mounting surface is mounted with a pressure sensor. An antenna for receiving the standard radio wave including time information of the radio-controlled clock is mounted. The antenna includes a bar-shaped magnetic body core and a coil wound around the magnetic body core. A pump is arranged such that an axis line direction of the motor and an extending direction of the magnetic body core are substantially orthogonal. The substrate and the substrate are arranged so that the sensor non-mounting surface of the substrate and the antenna mounting surface of the sensor face each other.

Abstract: To make home patient care more successful, a machine may enable context aware physiological monitoring at home. For example, in one embodiment, the machine only allows the physiological monitor measurements to be made when the patient has proven that the patient has not undergone strenuous activity in a period preceding the measurement. That activity may skew the measurement and make the measurement unreliable. Without the machine information, the clinician may be unaware of the physical activity because the patient is not present in his or her office and could misdiagnose or misprescribe based on incorrect information.

Abstract: A blood pressure information display device for calculating a blood pressure value based on a pulse wave amplitude through the oscillometric method and the like, and displaying the calculated blood pressure value as blood pressure information performs a process of changing a magnitude of a specified pulse wave amplitude of a plurality of extracted pulse wave amplitudes according to the operation by a user (medical staff) when a predetermined instruction is input. A predetermined algorithm is applied to the plurality of pulse wave amplitudes reflecting the change to calculate a reference blood pressure value, and the calculated reference blood pressure value is displayed as the blood pressure information.

Abstract: In a sphygmomanometer, a value representing a perimeter of a measuring portion is obtained. A parameter for controlling a drive voltage of a pump is determined based on the value. The drive voltage is determined based on the parameter and an internal pressure of a fluid bladder to pressurize the fluid bladder. In pressurizing process, a diastolic blood pressure value is calculated. A systolic blood pressure value is estimated, and when the internal pressure of the fluid bladder reaches the pressure, the pressurizing is stopped. A gap of a valve for discharging the fluid from the fluid bladder is determined based on a perimeter of a measuring portion, and the fluid bladder is depressurized with the gap constant. In the depressurizing process, the systolic blood pressure value is calculated. When the systolic blood pressure value is calculated, the fluid is discharged from the fluid bladder, and the measurement is terminated.

Abstract: A system and method of digital control for a blood pressure measurement system is provided. According to at least one embodiment, a photo-plethysmographic (PPG) system produces a frequency signal that corresponds to the measured light in the PPG system. Such light may be indicative of blood volume in a vein or artery. The frequency signal may be used to control one or more pressure valves of the system in order to measure blood pressure and hold the frequency signal constant.

Abstract: A blood pressure monitor and a method for detecting vascular sclerosis thereof are revealed. The blood pressure monitor includes a cuff, an air pump, an air escape valve, a pressure sensor, a processing circuit, and an arithmetic circuit. The cuff is arranged at a body to be detected and the air pump inflates the cuff. The air escape valve is for releasing air from the cuff while the pressure sensor arranged at the cuff measures a cuff pressure to generate an analog pressure sensing signal. The processing circuit processes the pressure sensing analog signal and generates a digital pressure sensing signal. Then a systolic pressure and a diastolic pressure of the detected body are calculated according to the digital pressure sensing signal. The degree of blood vessel hardening is checked according to a systolic area of the calculated systolic pressure and a diastolic area of the calculated diastolic pressure.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for automatic error detection in pressure measurement and an electronic sphygmomanometer using the method. The electronic sphygmomanometer comprises two pressure sensing circuits connected to a MPU. The first pressure sensing circuit is normally-on in pressure measurement. The second pressure sensing circuit is normally-off in pressure measurement. Said normally-off pressure sensing circuit is periodically turned on in an automatic manner to measure the same pressure as the normally-on pressure sensing circuit is used to measure. Said MPU computes the difference between the pressures obtained from the two pressure sensing circuits. When the difference is greater than a given error limit, calibration error warning will be given.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for non-invasively measuring blood pressure. Cuff pressure and oscillometric signals are generated. The signals are conditioned by a plurality of linear filters to remove artifacts and local trends. Rank-order filters are applied to the conditioned oscillometric signal to detect upper and lower envelops. The systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure are calculated using a plurality of multidimensional threshold vectors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for analyzing pulse data. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a signal containing data representing a plurality of pulses, the signal generated in response to detecting light scattered from blood perfused tissue. Further, one embodiment includes performing a pulse identification or qualification algorithm on at least a portion of the data, the pulse identification or qualification algorithm comprising at least one constant, and modifying the at least one constant based on results obtained from performing the pulse identification or qualification algorithm, wherein the results indicate that a designated number of rejected pulses has been reached.

Abstract: A blood pressure information measurement device includes an air bladder wrapped around a central side of a measurement portion for pulse wave measurement and an air bladder wrapped at a peripheral side for blood pressure measurement. The air bladder for blood pressure measurement is increased to a pressure higher than a systolic blood pressure, and a blood pressure is measured. An internal pressure of the air bladder is maintained, a pulse wave is measured in avascularized state, and a feature point needed for calculating an index for determining an arteriosclerosis degree is extracted from the pulse wave. When the feature point is not extracted from the pulse wave, the internal pressure of the air bladder for blood pressure measurement is reduced to a pressure lower than the systolic blood pressure, a pulse wave in non-avascularized state is measured, and a feature point is extracted from the pulse wave.

Abstract: A blood pressure monitor that detects vascular sclerosis is revealed. The blood pressure monitor includes a cuff, an air pump, an air escape valve, a pressure sensor, a processing circuit, a first conversion circuit, and an arithmetic circuit. The cuff is arranged at a user's hand and is pumped up and inflated by the air pump while the air escape valve is used to release air from the cuff. The pressure sensor is disposed on the cuff to detect a pressure of the cuff and generate a pressure sensing signal. The processing circuit processes the pressure sensing signal and generates a processed signal that is converted by the first conversion circuit, According to the converted processed signal, the arithmetic circuit calculates a systolic pressure, a diastolic pressure of a user and obtains a vasodilation constant so as to check vascular sclerosis of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating a vascular endothelial function, includes: a first cuff, to be wound around a first body part of a subject; a second cuff, to be wound around a second body part of the subject; a cuff pressure controller, configured to control a cuff pressure of each of the first and second cuffs, and configured to perform continuous pressure stimulation on the first body part of the subject for a time period by using the first cuff; a cuff pressure detector, configured to detect the cuff pressure of the second cuff from an output of a pressure sensor connected to the second cuff; a pulse wave detector, configured to detect, from the output of the pressure sensor, pulse waves before and after the continuous pressure stimulation is performed; and an analyzer, configured to evaluate the vascular endothelial function by comparing the pulse waves detected before and after the continuous pressure stimulation is performed.

Abstract: A multiple-axis accelerometer for use with a blood pressure monitor or a blood pressure measuring device (BPM) to determine an inclination associated with the point of fixture. The accelerometer is attached to a substrate that is structured and arranged in a vertical or substantially vertical plane. The accelerometer includes a first accelerometer portion that is adapted to generate a first output based on acceleration in a first direction in the vertical plane (Ax); and a second accelerometer portion that is adapted to generate a second output based on acceleration in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction, in the vertical plane (Ay). The first and second outputs provide a measure of the inclination about an axis that is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the vertical plane. The measured inclination is a roll angle (?) is given by the formula: ?=arc tan(Ay/Ax).

Abstract: A blood pressure measuring device includes a flexible element configured to at least partially surround a body part and having a stiffening element configured to stiffen the flexible element; and at least one pressure sensor element attached to the flexible element.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring blood pressure of a wearer has an inflatable arm cuff that is selectably inflatable to differing air pressures that incorporates a fabric having both a light transmission property and a light reflection property when the fabric is illuminated with light having wavelength(s) in the range from about 400 to about 2200 nanometers. A radiation source and a detector are attached to the fabric in relative positions such that the reception of incident radiation by the detector is directly affected by a change in the amount of light transmitted through the fabric relative to the amount of light reflected by the fabric as the fabric stretches in response to motion in the body of a wearer due to changes in the flow of blood through an artery disposed beneath the fabric occurring in consonance with variations in the air pressure within the inflatable cuff.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for monitoring a number of recurrent activities of an individual are disclosed. One method for monitoring a recurrent activity of an individual using activity windowing includes recording a number of sensor activations of at least one sensor, determining a number of peaks in the number of sensor activations, defining one or more time frames based upon the location of at least one of the number of peaks in the time period, and applying a rule associated with a threshold number of activations, where the rule is applied to at least one particular time frame in order to determine whether to initiate an action.

Abstract: A device for non-invasive measurement of blood pressure includes a blood pressure cuff, a plethysmographic electrode for acquiring an impedance plethysmogram distal to the cuff and a processing device to inflate and deflate the cuff generate the impedance plethysmogram and to determine the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The device can be used to measure systolic or diastolic blood pressure or both. It can also be used to take ankle-brachial measurements. An autocorrelation technique can be used to correct noise.

Abstract: A check valve structure has a first space and a second space. The check valve structure is configured to allow a flow of a fluid from the first space to the second space and to inhibit flow of the fluid from the second space to the first space. The check valve structure has a partition wall arranged between the first space and the second space and provided with a communication hole providing communication between the first space and the second space, an elastic film body for covering the side of the second space of the communication hole so as to prevent a reverse flow of the fluid, an elastic member having a wall portion surrounding the communication hole for holding the elastic film body, and a nipping member for nipping the elastic member with the partition wall.

Abstract: A vital sign measurement device includes a sensor fixation device, a sensor frame, an optical sensing system, and an output unit. The sensor fixation device is adapted to be placed against an anatomical location of a subject. The optical sensing system includes an optical waveguide, an optical source device to supply optical energy to the optical waveguide, and an optical detector to detect an amount of optical energy exiting the optical waveguide. The optical sensing system is adapted to sense an arterial pulse from the compression or flexing of at least a portion of the optical waveguide resulting in reduction of the amount of light exiting the optical waveguide. The output unit is configured to receive a signal indicative of the amount of light exiting the optical waveguide and to generate a measure of the vital sign based at least in part on the received signal.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are disclosed for non-invasively determining blood pressure related parameters of a subject. A cuff attached to a subject is inflated to a target pressure which is such that normal blood pressure oscillation of the subject appears in an output signal of a pressure sensor monitoring the pressure of the cuff. The output signal of the pressure sensor is acquired for at most a predetermined time period, while the cuff is maintained substantially at the target pressure, thereby to obtain blood pressure waveform data for the subject, and the blood pressure related parameters are derived from the blood pressure waveform data.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for non-invasively assessing one or more hemodynamic parameters associated with the circulatory system of a living organism. In one aspect, the invention comprises a method of measuring a hemodynamic parameter (e.g., arterial blood pressure) by applanating or compressing portions of tissue proximate to the blood vessel of concern until a desired condition is achieved, and then measuring the hemodynamic parameter. Such applanation effectively mitigates transfer and other losses created by the tissue proximate to the blood vessel, thereby facilitating accurate and robust tonometric measurement. An algorithm adapted to maintain optimal levels of applanation is also described. Methods and apparatus for scaling such hemodynamic parameter measurements based on subject physiology, and providing treatment to the subject based on the measured parameters, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The diastolic blood pressure and a systolic blood pressure of a vertebrate are measured using an inflatable pressure cuff disposed about a limb of the vertebrate and connected to an inflation device through a single conduit. A pressure sensor is pneumatically connected to the cuff through the same common conduit. The sensed pressures at the diastolic and systolic points are corrected for a pressure differential associated with the flow of an inflation fluid through the common conduit. The sensed pressures at the diastolic point and the systolic point may be measured during inflation of the cuff or during controlled deflation of the cuff.

Abstract: A blood pressure information measurement device includes a cuff (10A) serving as a detection unit. The cuff (10A) includes an air bladder (40), a photoelectric sensor (50), a belt member (20), and a fixing stand (32), and is attached to a living body by wrapping the belt member (20) around a measuring site. The photoelectric sensor (50) optically detects an intra-arterial volume fluctuation, and includes a light emitting element (51) and a light receiving element (52). The fixing stand (32) includes a base portion (32a) with a sensor attachment surface (32a1) attached with the photoelectric sensor (50), and a guide portion (32b) arranged projecting out from the base portion (32a) toward the sensor attachment surface (32a1) side, and having a distal end placed at a body surface near the measuring site in the attachment state of the cuff (10A).

Abstract: A blood pressure measuring apparatus includes an inflatable sleeve adapted to be wrapped about a limb of a patient. The sleeve includes an interior and at least one socket provided on an exterior surface of the sleeve, the socket being fluidly connected to the interior of the sleeve. A gage is directly attached to the sleeve socket through attachment of a mating engagement portion. A pneumatic bulb is also attached fluidly to the sleeve through a receiving port which is provided on at least one of the socket and the gage.