Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A blood pressure sensor includes a source of photo-radiation, such as an array of laser diodes. The sensor also includes a two-dimensional, flexible reflective surface. The reflective surface is nominally positioned relative to the radiation source such that the radiation travels in a direction normal to the reflective surface. The reflective surface is placed adjacent to the location on the patient where the blood pressure data is to be acquired. Radiation from the source is reflected off of the reflective surface onto a two-dimensional array of photo-detectors. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure fluctuations in the patient are translated into deflections of the patient's skin. These deflections cause corresponding deflections in the two dimensional reflective surface. The associated movement of said flexible reflective surface due to blood pulsation causes scattering patterns from said reflective surface to be detected by the two dimensional array of photo-detectors. The output from the array of photo-detectors is calibrated to blood pressure in mmHg during a calibration procedure to obtain a set of calibration relationships for one or more of the individual detectors. The calibration relationship are then used during acquisition of blood pressure data to arrive at blood pressure data.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim