Patent ID: 6475153
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: A61B,G08B

Abstract:
A method for obtaining blood pressure data from a patient using an optical blood pressure sensor placed against a patient's body, said sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of photo-sensitive elements, comprising the steps of:(1) calibrating said optical sensor, said step of calibrating comprising the steps of obtaining at least one digitized two-dimensional calibration image of a portion of said patient's body using said optical sensor, substantially simultaneously obtaining a blood pressure measurement form said patient, and comparing said blood pressure measurement to at least one portion of said at least one calibration image to thereby obtain a calibration relationship between said at least one portion of said at least one calibration image and said blood pressure measurement; (2) subsequently obtaining a second digitized two-dimensional image of said portion of said patient's body during a period in which said blood pressure data is to be obtained from said patient; (3) applying said calibration relationship derived for said at least one portion of said at least one calibration to a corresponding portion of said second image to thereby derive said blood pressure data; and (4) performing validation checking of output signals from multiple photosensitive elements corresponding to said portion of said calibration and second two-dimensional images.