Abstract:
A blood pressure measuring apparatus includes an inflatable cuff which can be wrapped about the limb of a patient. The sleeve includes a sealed interior capable of inflation, and an integrated inflation/measuring device. The integrated device is an elastomeric enclosure which retains a gage and a pneumatic bulb therein and hosing for fluidly interconnecting the pneumatic bulb, the inflatable cuff, and the gage.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to the field of medical diagnostic instruments, and more particularly to a hand-held blood pressure measuring device.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Typical blood pressure measuring instruments (ie., sphygmomanometers), such as the instrument  10  shown in FIG. 1, include an inflatable sleeve or cuff  14  which can be wrapped about a limb (e.g., an arm or leg—not shown) of a patient. The sleeve  14  is inflated by means of a pneumatic assembly  18  which includes a hose  23  permitting interconnection to a port  22  of the sleeve, thereby providing a fluid path to the interior of the sleeve  14 .  
           [0003]    A gage  26  is also separately tethered through a hose  27  to an adjacent port of the inflatable sleeve  14  and is in fluid communication with the interior of the sleeve, the housing including a dial face  30  which includes measuring indicia  32 . A movement mechanism (not shown) provided within the interior of the gage  26  is responsive to changes in pressure of the sleeve interior and causes an attached indicating member to move relative to the measuring indicia  32  on the dial face  30  as the sleeve  14  is inflated and deflated using the pneumatic assembly  18 . A stethoscope (not shown) is used to monitor the heartbeats of the brachial artery (when the sleeve  14  is wrapped onto a patient&#39;s arm) and to determine systolic and diastolic pressure of the patient using the gage  26  as the sleeve is inflated to an appropriate inflation pressure and then deflated using a bleed valve  36 .  
           [0004]    General efforts have been made to further incorporate features of sphygmomanometers together. One such apparatus  40 , shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, incorporates a gage  44  having a pneumatic bulb  48  which is attached to the bottom of the gage  44  in a hand-held assembly. The combination device  40  is also fluidly connected through a hose  43 , one end of which is attached to a port  47  provided in the gage  44 , to the interior of an inflatable sleeve  45  (shown only in FIG. 2) and includes a trigger  54 , (shown only in FIG. 3) which enables valving  56  (also shown only in FIG. 3) to permit deflation of the inflatable sleeve. This particular device, however, is relatively complex and includes a significant number of intricate parts between the bulb  48  and the gage  44  for successful operation.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    It is a primary object of the present invention to overcome the above-noted deficiencies of the prior art.  
           [0006]    It is a further primary object of the present invention to provide a blood pressure measuring apparatus which is more compact and easier to use than previously known apparatus.  
           [0007]    It is yet another primary object to provide a blood pressure measuring apparatus which effectively combines a gage and a pneumatic inflation/deflation assembly.  
           [0008]    Therefore, and according to a preferred aspect of the invention, there is provided a blood pressure measuring apparatus, said apparatus comprising:  
           [0009]    an inflatable sleeve which can be wrapped about a limb of a patient;  
           [0010]    a gage connected fluidly to the interior of said sleeve, said gage including a movement mechanism which is responsive to changes in pressure within said sleeve; and  
           [0011]    a pneumatic bulb fluidly connected to said sleeve for inflating the interior thereof, wherein said pneumatic bulb and said gage are each integrally retained within an elastomeric enclosure.  
           [0012]    According to one version, an inflatable bladder is contained within the elastomeric enclosure and attached to valving which is also fluidly connected to the movement mechanism contained within the gage. The apparatus also includes a trigger which enables the release of air/fluid from the sleeve.  
           [0013]    According to another version, the elastomeric sleeve itself can be used to inflate and deflate a blood pressure cuff.  
           [0014]    For a further understanding of these and objects of the invention, reference will be made to the following Detailed Description which should be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a known blood pressure measuring apparatus;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of another known blood pressure measuring apparatus;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a front elevational view, shown in section, of a portion of the blood pressure measuring apparatus of FIG. 2;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a partial side elevational view, shown in section, of a blood pressure measuring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a partial side elevational view, shown partially in section, of a blood pressure measuring device according to a second embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a blood pressure measuring device made n accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]    The following discussion relates to certain embodiments of a combination blood pressure measuring apparatus. During this discussion, terms such as “top”, “upper”, “lower”, “bottom,” among others, are used in order to provide a frame of reference with regard to the accompanying drawings. These terms, however, are not intended to be limiting with regard to the inventive concepts as claimed herein.  
         [0022]    Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a first version of an integrated blood pressure apparatus  60  that includes an elastomeric sleeve  64  which is sized and shaped to permit a lower portion  68  thereof to be hand-held. Preferably, the sleeve  64  is manufactured from a rotational moldable material, such as medical grade PVC, the sleeve being fluid impermeable. A flexible depressable bulb  72  is disposed within the lower portion  68  of the sleeve  64  which can be squeezed by the user. A lower portion  76  of the depressible bulb  72  includes a one-way valve  80  disposed in relation to an inlet port  84  disposed at the bottom of the sleeve  64 . A second one-way valve  86  attached to an upper portion  74  of the depressable bulb  72  prevents air from reentering the bulb.  
         [0023]    A hose  88  extends from the upper portion  74  of the bulb  72  to a trigger assembly  96 . The trigger assembly  96  includes a bleed valve  92  which is connected to one end of the hose  88  extending from the depressible bulb as well as hose  90 . The bleed valve  92  is engaged by an actuable trigger  99  which is biasedly attached thereto, the trigger projecting from the exterior of the elastomeric sleeve  64 .  
         [0024]    A gage  100  is sealingly retained within an upper portion  102  of the elastomeric sleeve  64 , preferably within an opening or pocket  108  which is smaller in diameter than the diameter of the gage  100  so as to provide secure engagement therewith. The gage  100  is defined by a substantially cylindrical shaped body including an upper portion  104  and a lower engagement end  106 . A movement mechanism contained within the gage  100  is responsive to pressure changes occurring within a fluidly interconnected inflatable sleeve (not shown) as described below.  
         [0025]    Still referring to FIG. 4, the movement mechanism includes a diaphragm  116  which is horizontally arranged within the interior of the gage  100  having a movable surface. One end of a vertically arranged shaft member  130  is arranged in proximity to the movable surface of the diaphragm  116 , the shaft member being supported for axial movement. A helical ribbon spring  134  is wrapped about a portion of the shaft member  130 . One end of the spring  134  is attached to a fixed portion of the gage  100  and an opposite end of the spring is attached to an intermediate portion of the shaft member  130 . An indicating member  138  is supported at the upper end of the shaft member  130  relative to a dial face  142  with indicia (not shown). A transparent window  146  covers the upper portion  102  of the gage  100 .  
         [0026]    The lower engagement portion  106  of the gage  100  includes a port  148  which permits air/fluid to enter the interior of the gage. A lower portion of the retaining pocket  108  includes an opening  118  which is connected to one end of a hose section  123  extending therefrom. The diaphragm  116  is sealingly mounted within the interior by means of an O-ring  145  to create a fluid-tight seal within the gage  100 .  
         [0027]    The hose  90  extending from the trigger assembly  96  splits into two sections  123 ,  125  at a T-section. Hose section  123  extends to the port  148  formed in the gage  100  through an aligned opening  109  in the retaining pocket  108  while hose section  125  extends from the device  60  to an inflatable sleeve (not shown).  
         [0028]    In operation, the lower portion  68  of the elastomeric sleeve  64  is squeezed, thereby causing air to be drawn into the pneumatic bulb  72  through the one-way valve  80  and out of the top of the bulb through hose  88 . The bleed valve  92  of the trigger assembly  96  is initially closed and therefore air is directed both to the interior of the inflatable sleeve (not shown) and the gage  100  through hose sections  123 ,  125  respectively. Air entering the gage  100  through opening  109  and port  148  causes movement of the diaphragm  116  as well as corresponding axial movement of the shaft member  130 . As the shaft member  130  translates upwardly, the flexion of the helical wound spring  134  against the fixed support of the gage  100  causes the shaft member to rotate and cause corresponding movement of the indicating member  138  as well as relative to the indicia on the dial face  142 . Additional details concerning the movement mechanism and the gage  100  are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,829, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.  
         [0029]    Activation of the trigger  99  causes the bleed valve  92  to open, allowing deflation of the sleeve (not shown) and air to escape from the gage housing  100 .  
         [0030]    According to FIG. 5, a second version of an integrated blood pressure measuring apparatus  160  includes an elastomeric or enclosure sleeve  164  similar in shape to the preceding and including an upper portion  168  and a contiguous lower portion  172 . In lieu of providing a pneumatic bulb within the lower portion  172  of the elastomeric sleeve  164 , the sleeve itself provides the means for pneumatically inflating a blood pressure cuff (shown diagrammatically as  184 ). A one way valve  180  provided at the bottom of the lower portion  172  of the sleeve  164  permits air to enter the interior of the sleeve when squeezed.  
         [0031]    A trigger assembly  186  disposed along a wall of the sleeve  164  includes a bleed valve  190  which can be opened by means of an actuable trigger  194  provided on the exterior of the sleeve  164 . The trigger  194  is biasedly connected to the bleed valve  190  through conventional means. A hose  188  extends into the trigger assembly  186 , the hose including a valve  189  which permits air from the interior of the sleeve to pass into the hose  188 . Another hose  198  extends from the trigger assembly  186 , splitting into sections  202 ,  206  respectively. Section  206  extends from the device  160  to the sleeve  184  and is connected to a port (not shown) which is in fluid communication with the interior of the sleeve.  
         [0032]    The sleeve  160  is similar to sleeve  60  described above and includes a retaining pocket  196  which is preferably smaller in diameter than that of the gage  100  to provide secure engagement with the exterior thereof. The gage  100  is identical to that previously described above including a movement mechanism, such as described by previously incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,829, which permits circumferential movement of an indicating member relative to a dial face. Hose section  202  extends to a port  200  provided in the retaining pocket  196  which provides a fluid path through port  148 , FIG. 4, and an aligned opening  197  into the interior of the gage  100 .  
         [0033]    In operation, lower portion  172  of the sleeve  164  is squeezed permitting air to enter the interior of the sleeve and into hose  188  through check valve  189 . Initially, the bleed valve  190  is closed, therefore air is directed through the trigger assembly  186  and through hose  198  and hose sections  202 ,  206  to the interior of the gage  100  and the sleeve  184 , permitting inflation of the latter.  
         [0034]    Air entering the interior of the gage  100  causes circumferential movement of the indicating member  138 , FIG. 4, as previously described due to the movement mechanism, FIG. 4.  
         [0035]    Opening of the bleed valve  190  is accomplished through use of the trigger  194  which permits deflation of the sleeve  184  whereupon a blood pressure measurement can be made.  
         [0036]    Alternate designs incorporating the inventive concepts described herein are possible. For example, and referring to FIG. 6, a blood pressure measuring device  220  according to a third embodiment is shown. The device  220  is defined by a cylindrical sleeve  224  having an upper portion  226  which includes a retaining pocket  228  sized to sealingly engage a gage  100 , FIG. 4, as previously described. The sleeve  224  includes lower squeeze portions  232  to enable a pneumatic function. Alternately, a pneumatic bulb (not shown) can be provided within the sleeve  224  to permit inflation of a connected sleeve.  
       PARTS LIST FOR FIGS.  1 - 6   
       [0037]    [0037] 10  blood pressure measuring instrument  
         [0038]    [0038] 14  inflatable sleeve or cuff  
         [0039]    [0039] 18  pneumatic assembly  
         [0040]    [0040] 22  port  
         [0041]    [0041] 23  hose  
         [0042]    [0042] 26  gage  
         [0043]    [0043] 27  hose  
         [0044]    [0044] 30  dial face  
         [0045]    [0045] 32  measuring indicia  
         [0046]    [0046] 36  bleed valve  
         [0047]    [0047] 40  apparatus  
         [0048]    [0048] 43  hose  
         [0049]    [0049] 44  gage  
         [0050]    [0050] 45  sleeve  
         [0051]    [0051] 47  port  
         [0052]    [0052] 48  pneumatic bulb  
         [0053]    [0053] 54  trigger  
         [0054]    [0054] 56  valving  
         [0055]    [0055] 60  blood pressure measuring device  
         [0056]    [0056] 64  elastomeric sleeve  
         [0057]    [0057] 68  lower portion—sleeve  
         [0058]    [0058] 72  bulb, depressible  
         [0059]    [0059] 74  upper portion—bulb  
         [0060]    [0060] 76  lower portion—bulb  
         [0061]    [0061] 80  one-way valve  
         [0062]    [0062] 84  inlet port  
         [0063]    [0063] 88  hose  
         [0064]    [0064] 90  hose  
         [0065]    [0065] 92  valve  
         [0066]    [0066] 96  trigger assembly  
         [0067]    [0067] 99  trigger  
         [0068]    [0068] 100  gage  
         [0069]    [0069] 102  upper portion—sleeve  
         [0070]    [0070] 104  upper portion—gage  
         [0071]    [0071] 106  lower engagement end  
         [0072]    [0072] 108  retaining pocket  
         [0073]    [0073] 109  opening  
         [0074]    [0074] 116  diaphragm  
         [0075]    [0075] 118  opening  
         [0076]    [0076] 122  hose  
         [0077]    [0077] 123  hose  
         [0078]    [0078] 125  hose  
         [0079]    [0079] 130  shaft member  
         [0080]    [0080] 134  helical ribbon spring  
         [0081]    [0081] 138  indicating member  
         [0082]    [0082] 142  dial face  
         [0083]    [0083] 145  O-ring  
         [0084]    [0084] 146  transparent window  
         [0085]    [0085] 148  port  
         [0086]    [0086] 160  blood pressure measuring apparatus  
         [0087]    [0087] 164  sleeve, elastomeric  
         [0088]    [0088] 168  upper portion  
         [0089]    [0089] 172  lower portion  
         [0090]    [0090] 180  one way valve  
         [0091]    [0091] 184  sleeve  
         [0092]    [0092] 186  trigger assembly  
         [0093]    [0093] 188  hose  
         [0094]    [0094] 189  check valve  
         [0095]    [0095] 190  bleed valve  
         [0096]    [0096] 194  trigger  
         [0097]    [0097] 196  pocket  
         [0098]    [0098] 197  opening  
         [0099]    [0099] 198  hose  
         [0100]    [0100] 200  port  
         [0101]    [0101] 202  hose  
         [0102]    [0102] 206  hose  
         [0103]    [0103] 220  blood pressure measurement device  
         [0104]    [0104] 224  elastomeric sleeve  
         [0105]    [0105] 226  upper portion  
         [0106]    [0106] 228  retaining pocket  
         [0107]    [0107] 232  squeeze portion  
         [0108]    While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred mode as illustrated in the drawing, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.