Disposable non-invasive blood pressure sensor

Abstract

A sensor interface assembly is used with a blood pressure measurement device to determine blood pressure of an underlying artery. The sensor interface assembly includes a base unit, a sensing unit and means for detachably connecting the sensing unit to the base unit. The base unit is pivotally attached to the blood pressure measurement device. The sensing unit includes sensing means for sensing blood pressure of each pulse as each pulse travels beneath the sensing means. The means for detachably connecting mechanically and electrically couple the sensing unit to the base unit.

1 . A non-invasive blood pressure measurement device for determining blood pressure of an artery, the device comprising: 
 a housing unit comprising a plurality of electrical components;    a reusable base unit pivotally coupled to the housing unit, the base unit including electrical circuitry interconnected with the electrical components of the housing unit;    a disposable sensing unit for sensing pulses of the underlying artery, the sensing unit being detachably connected to the base unit and comprising a pressure transducer detachably interconnected to the electrical circuitry of the base unit.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the base unit comprises a receptacle; and    the sensing unit comprises a plurality of electrical connectors which are received by the receptacle of the base unit to provide both electrical and mechanical connection of the sensing unit to the base unit.    
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the sensing unit further includes an alignment element for aligning the electrical connectors with the receptacle.  
   
   
       4 . A non-invasive blood pressure measurement device for determining blood pressure of an artery, the device comprising: 
 a housing unit including a receptacle; and    a disposable pressure sensor for non-invasively sensing blood pressure pulses in an artery, the pressure sensor comprising a pressure transducer and being detachably connected to the housing unit, the pressure sensor including a plug for mechanical and electrical connection to the receptacle, and the pressure transducer being detachably electrically connection to the housing unit through the plug and the receptacle.    
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the plug further comprises an electrical connector, the connector being received by the receptacle.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the plug further comprises an alignment element for aligning the electrical connector with the receptacle.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the pressure sensor comprises: 
 a flexible diaphragm having an active portion for transmitting blood pressure pulses of the underlying artery; and    interface means coupled between a sensing surface of the pressure transducer and the flexible diaphragm for transmitting the blood pressure pulses within an underlying artery from the flexible diaphragm to the sensing surface of the pressure transducer.    
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the interface means comprises a fluid coupling medium.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 7  further comprising a compressible side wall surrounding the active portion and conforming to anatomy surrounding the underlying artery.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the housing unit comprises a flexible ring for equalizing pressure around the pressure sensor.  
   
   
       11 . A non-invasive blood pressure measurement device for determining blood pressure of an artery, the device comprising: 
 a housing unit;    a receptacle interconnected with the housing unit; and    a disposable pressure sensing unit detachably connected to the housing unit, the pressure sensing unit comprising a pressure transducer for sensing pulses of the artery and a plug for mechanically and electrically coupling the pressure sensing unit to the receptacle, the pressure transducer being detachably electrically connected to the housing unit through the plug and the receptacle.    
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the plug further comprises an electrical connector, the connector being received by the receptacle.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the plug further comprises an alignment element for aligning the electrical connector with the receptacle.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the electrical connector provides power to the pressure sensing unit and receives output signals from the pressure transducer.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the housing unit further comprises a drive assembly connectable to the pressure sensing unit for applying force to cause the pressure sensing unit to be pressed against the artery.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the housing unit further comprises electrical circuitry, and further wherein the electrical circuitry receives output signals corresponding to sensed pressure data from the pressure sensing unit and transmits the output signals to a microprocessor where a blood pressure value is derived.  
   
   
       17 . A disposable sensing unit for sensing blood pressure in an underlying artery, comprising: 
 a pressure transducer having a sensing surface;    an active volume having an active surface of a diameter greater than a diameter of the underlying artery, the sensing surface of the pressure transducer being mounted to the active volume for receiving pressure pulses from the underlying artery through the active surface and the active volume; and    a compressible side wall surrounding the active surface and the active volume for conforming to anatomy surrounding the underlying artery.