Systems and methods for measuring blood pressure
Inventors
Dalvi, Cristiano • Lamego, Marcelo M. • Kiani, Massi Joe E. • Poeze, Jeroen • Vo, Hung The
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12318176-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-03
Expiration Date
2034-08-01
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Abstract
A blood pressure measurement system is provided that includes an inflatable cuff, a valve assembly and chamber assembly. The chamber assembly can house a gas canister for providing gas to the inflatable cuff. The valve assembly can include a valve having a high pressure cavity, a low pressure cavity, and a channel providing a gas pathway between the high pressure cavity and the low pressure cavity. The valve assembly can further include a channel cover and spring in the high pressure cavity. The spring can exert a force on the channel cover to create a seal between the high pressure cavity and the channel. The valve assembly can further include a rod extending through the channel and exerting a force on the channel cover to create a gas pathway between the high pressure cavity and the channel.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a blood pressure measurement system utilizing an inflatable cuff, a chamber assembly configured to house a gas canister, and a valve assembly that controls the delivery of pressurized gas from the canister to the cuff. The valve assembly incorporates specialized components including a motor-driven actuator, bar lever, and piston within the valve. The system enables controlled and adjustable regulation of gas flow to the cuff by varying the position of the piston, improving the inflation and deflation processes necessary for accurate blood pressure readings.
Conventional blood pressure monitoring systems that use manual bulbs or electric pumps exhibit several drawbacks, such as wearer discomfort, pain, potential limb edema, venous stasis, and inaccurate or unreliable measurements during cuff inflation. Motorized systems introduce auditory and electrical noise, which can disturb patients and compromise signal quality for accurate blood pressure determination. Additionally, common gas canister and release valve mechanisms risk thread stripping, improper alignment, accidental disconnection, and often lack effective gas flow control once punctured, causing further safety and operational challenges.
The disclosed valve-chamber assembly addresses these problems by providing a secure interface for the gas canister and a valve mechanism allowing precise control of inflation and deflation rates. The system may include a piston that acts as a variable barrier in the gas pathway, a bar lever that restricts or permits piston movement, and a motorized actuator that adjusts these components. Safety is further enhanced through dedicated mechanisms and circuits for locking, monitoring, and emergency shutoff to optimize user experience, measurement reliability, and operational convenience.
Claims Coverage
The patent defines three main inventive features in its independent claims, focusing on a blood pressure measurement system with a unique valve-chamber assembly and control mechanism.
Blood pressure measurement system with adjustable piston valve assembly
The system comprises: - An inflatable cuff configured to encompass a limb and connected via a gas pathway to a valve assembly. - A chamber assembly designed to receive and house a gas reservoir. - A valve assembly containing a valve with a piston inside, where the flow rate of gas to the cuff changes as the position of the piston changes. - A bar lever arranged to restrict piston movement in a first direction. - A motor coupled to an actuator connected to the bar lever, such that motor rotation causes the actuator to extend or retract and vary the bar lever’s location. - One or more processors in communication with the motor to: - Receive reservoir and cuff pressure data from associated sensors. - Based on the reservoir pressure data reaching a canister replacement threshold, provide an indication to replace/refill the reservoir. - Based on cuff pressure data within a measurement range, control motor actuation to move the bar lever and thereby adjust the gas flow rate.
Method for controlling blood pressure cuff inflation using piston and bar lever mechanism
The method includes: - Receiving cuff pressure data from a sensor associated with the inflatable cuff. - Determining satisfaction of a blood pressure measurement condition based on the pressure data. - Actuating a motor mechanically coupled to an actuator and bar lever, the bar lever restricting piston movement in the valve’s gas pathway. - The actuator, under motor control, extends or retracts to adjust the bar lever’s position, which increases or decreases the piston's position, thereby varying gas flow to the cuff. - Monitoring reservoir pressure data from a sensor and, when it meets a replacement threshold, providing an indication for canister replacement or refill.
These inventive features define a blood pressure measurement system and method that enable controlled, motorized adjustment of a valve's piston to precisely regulate cuff inflation and deflation, integrating sensor feedback for operational control and maintenance indication.
Stated Advantages
The system allows the inflatable cuff to be inflated at a controlled, approximately constant rate, which enables accurate blood pressure measurement during both inflation and deflation.
The use of a gas reservoir and valve assembly reduces ambient noise and electrical noise compared to motorized systems, improving patient comfort and reliability of sensor signal processing.
The valve-chamber assembly provides the ability to control and adjust the flow rate of gas from the canister, increasing operational safety and reducing the risk of uncontrolled inflation.
A dedicated lock assembly and valve protection circuit offer safety features that prevent accidental opening under pressure and provide automatic shutoff in unsafe conditions.
Indicates when the gas reservoir requires replacement or refill by monitoring pressure, ensuring system readiness and reducing manual checks.
Documented Applications
Measuring the blood pressure of a wearer during inflation, deflation, or both, using an inflatable cuff and automated gas reservoir.
Use in portable and stationary healthcare monitoring, including environments requiring reduced noise, such as patient bedside and during rest.
Deployment by paramedics or first responders for blood pressure measurement in emergency medical care.
Integration into patient monitors for determining blood pressure and additional physiological parameters such as heart rate, perfusion, oxygen saturation, and respiration rate.
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