Patent ID: 6228034
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus for monitoring the pressure within a subject's blood vessel, comprising:a pressure sensor assembly that produces a pressure signal indicative of the pressure applied against it;a coupling device configured to urge the pressure sensor assembly into compressive engagement with tissue overlying a subject's blood vessel, to compress the vessel such that pressure variations within the vessel are coupled through the tissue to the pressure sensor assembly; anda controller configured to controllably vary the coupling device so as to vary the position of the pressure sensor assembly relative to the subject's blood vessel;wherein the coupling device comprisesa) a lever arm,b) a first variable positioning device configured to controllably adjust a nominal location of the pressure transducer by actuating a first portion of the lever arm, andc) a second variable positioning device configured to modulate the pressure sensor assembly, about the nominal location, by actuating a second portion of the lever arm, the second portion of the lever arm being different from the first portion of the lever arm;wherein the controller is configured to controllably vary the second variable positioning device so as to modulate the pressure sensor assembly;wherein the controller is configured to monitor the effect of the pressure sensor assembly's modulation on the pressure signal;wherein the controller is configured to produce an error signal indicative of adjustments to the pressure sensor assembly's position which will cause the blood vessel to be compressed according to a prescribed requirement; andwherein the controller is configured to controllably vary the first variable positioning device according to the error signal to controllably position the pressure sensor assembly to cause the subject's blood vessel to be compressed according to the prescribed requirement.