Patent ID: 6647287
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method that reconstructs the aortic blood pressure of a patient, the method comprising:measuring a time reference for a start of each blood pressure pulse using an ECG as the pulse leaves the patient's aorta root; measuring brachial blood pressure waveforms using a plethysmograph to produce blood pressure waveforms when blood pressure is held at a constant low level; measuring a continuous radial or ulnar blood pressure waveform using a tonometer or blood pressure sensor in the artery; measuring a continuous plethysmographic blood pressure waveform in the patient's finger using at least one pulse oximeter; reconstructing aortic blood pressure waveforms using mathematical models that combine analytical models of pulse wave propagation in the cardiovascular system with an aortic waveform reconstruction model; and repeatedly adjusting the mathematical models to the patient and the patient's physiological state based upon the measurements of the ECG, the plethysmograph and the at least one pulse oximeter to produce a dynamic, patient-specific, reconstructed aortic waveform.