Importance

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Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for measuring blood pressure. Both include a first sensor for detecting an instantaneous pulse rate, an inflatable cuff, and a second sensor to monitoring the pressure within the cuff. The cuff sensor adapted to detect oscillometric complexes associated with a patient's pulse. Both the apparatus and the method provide for detecting arrhythmia from the patient's instantaneous pulse rate. A characteristic of the oscillometric complexes is measured, and match determination means provided for determining whether at least two adjacent oscillometric complexes are equivalent. A first set matching criteria are used under normal conditions. A second set of matching criteria are used when arrhythmia are detected. A controller is provided for controlling the pressure within the cuff. At the outset of a blood pressure measurement the cuff is inflated to a pressure greater than the patient's systolic pressure. In response to a determination that two adjacent oscillometric complexes are equivalent the control means reduces the cuff pressure by a fixed increment and the match determination means continues to determine whether adjacent complexes are equivalent. A blood pressure determination means is provided responsive to the control means and the measuring means. The blood pressure determination means compares the measured characteristic of the oscillometric complexes from various cuff pressures and determines the cuff pressure at which the measured characteristic reaches a limit. This cuff pressure corresponds to the patient's mean arterial pressure.

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First Claim