Patent ID: 8016761
Filing Date: 2011-09-13
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of measuring a characteristic of an artery in a patient, the method comprising the steps of: providing an ultrasound system having an ultrasound transducer; providing a non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) monitor having a selectively inflatable and deflatable pressure cuff, the NIBP monitor being in communication with the ultrasound system; positioning the ultrasound transducer and the pressure cuff on the patient, the pressure cuff being located distal to the ultrasound transducer; automatically inflating the pressure cuff above a systolic pressure for the patient to occlude the artery for an occlusion period; operating the ultrasound system to automatically locate the artery beneath the ultrasound transducer; confirming the successful location of the artery to the NIBP monitor; automatically completely deflating the pressure cuff after the occlusion period and only after receiving confirmation of the successful location of the artery and electronically communicating the deflation to the ultrasound system; and automatically operating the ultrasound system to detect the characteristic of the artery below the ultrasound transducer upon notification of the pressure cuff deflation.