Method and apparatus for measuring blood pressure and pulse rate

TLDR: In this article, a sensor head coupled to an exteriorized artery is coupled with an electromechanical transducers at first and second locations, which convert each periodic arterial pulse pressure wave passing the first-and second locations into first andsecond periodic electrical waveforms.

Abstract: The system of the present invention includes a sensor head which is coupled to an exteriorized artery. The sensor head includes electromechanical transducers at first and second locations which convert each periodic arterial pulse pressure wave passing the first and second locations into first and second periodic electrical waveforms. Electronic circuitry analyzes the first and second periodic electrical waveforms to determine the rise time of each periodic waveform produced by the first and second transducers. This electronic circuitry also analyzes the first and second periodic waveforms to determine the transit time of each pulse pressure wave between the first and second locations. An electronic computer utilizes the rise time and transit time data and certain calibration data to determine and display systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and pulse rate immediately following each pulse pressure wave. The system of the present invention also computes and displays fifteen beat moving average values of the systolic pressure and diastolic pressure.