Blood pressure detection using only acoustic energy without imaging

Abstract

An embodiment provides a blood pressure measurement device that (a) transmits acoustic energy of a first frequency toward a blood vessel using an acoustic transducer, (b) first measures an electrical property of the acoustic transducer, (c) transmits acoustic energy of a second frequency toward the blood vessel using the acoustic transducer, (d) second measures an electrical property of the acoustic transducer, (e) determines a change in the electrical property of the acoustic transducer between the first and second measurements, the determined change corresponding to a change in reflected acoustic energy from the blood vessel, (f) determines a resonant frequency of vibration of a wall of the blood vessel as a function of the determined change in the electrical property of the acoustic transducer, and (g) produces a blood pressure measurement as a function of the determined resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] Blood pressure is an essential vital sign used routinely to manage patient care. Methods for measuring blood pressure are typically cumbersome and bulky. Typical methods, such as using a stethoscope in combination with a sphygmomanometer and a blood pressure arm / wrist cuff, have several limitations, including sensitivity to ambient noise, patient discomfort, and the inability to obtain continuous blood pressure measurements. An alternative method is invasive blood pressure measurement, such as using an arterial catheter. While this provides much higher quality data than an external cuff, its invasiveness also poses much higher risks, including infection, bleeding, or ischemia. Alternative, noninvasive modalities for measuring blood pressure are highly desirable, especially as hypertension becomes an increasingly common medical problem both in the United States and the rest of the world. Summary of the Invention

[0002] Because of the complementary diagnostic information provided by stethoscopes and audio systems, there is a need for systems and methods that utilize both of these technologies. Ideally, such systems and methods would also measure and incorporate information about physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, or SpO2 (saturation of hemoglobin with O2).

[0003] The systems and methods described herein generally relate to non-invasive blood pressure measurement devices that offer enhanced functionality over other blood pressure measurement devices commonly used by medical professionals. Improved non-invasive blood pressure measurement devices and methods for operating non-invasive blood pressure measurement devices are provided. The improved non-invasive blood pressure measurement devices operate by providing acoustic transducers, ultrasound transducers, and other transducers, including transmitters, receivers, and transceivers, to obtain a series of measurements related to a subject. The series of measurements can be correlated, such as by machine learning, to extract clinically relevant information.

[0004] In one embodiment, a blood pressure measurement device includes a plurality of acoustic transducers configured to capture tomographic information of a physiological structure, an audio coupling medium for each of the plurality of acoustic transducers, and a processing device.

[0005] In some embodiments, the processing device of the blood pressure measuring device is configured to transmit audio energy from one of the plurality of acoustic transducers to the physiological structure, detect a blood vessel in the physiological structure by obtaining an audio signal reflected by the blood vessel using one of the plurality of acoustic transducers, determine that the blood vessel is a target vessel, determine a blood pressure of the blood vessel, and transmit a first notification of the blood pressure of the blood vessel to the monitoring system for storage in the database.

[0006] In some embodiments, the multiple acoustic transducers are proportionally spaced to maximize detection of blood vessels.

[0007] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of acoustic transducers comprises an acoustic transducer.

[0008] In some embodiments, each acoustic transducer of the plurality of acoustic transducers comprises a low pixel array.

[0009] In some embodiments, each of the acoustic transducers of the plurality of acoustic transducers uses phased array technology.

[0010] In some embodiments, the audio coupling medium of the blood pressure measuring device comprises silicone.

[0011] In some embodiments, the audio coupling medium of the blood pressure measuring device comprises a hydrogel.

[0012] In some embodiments, the audio coupling medium of the blood pressure measuring device comprises a gel.

[0013] In some embodiments, the processing device of the blood pressure measuring device determines the blood pressure of the blood vessel by obtaining a resonant frequency of an audio signal reflected by the blood vessel from one of the plurality of acoustic transducers, the resonant frequency corresponding to a vibration of a blood vessel wall of the blood vessel, obtaining a wall thickness and a blood vessel radius of the blood vessel from one of the plurality of acoustic transducers, and applying the resonant frequency, wall thickness, and blood vessel radius to a conversion equation to calculate the blood pressure of the blood vessel.

[0014] In some embodiments, a processing device of the blood pressure measuring device determines that the blood vessel is a target vessel by determining a detected characteristic of the blood vessel and identifying the blood vessel as a target vessel based on the detected characteristic.

[0015] In some embodiments, the processing device of the blood pressure measuring device detects the blood vessel by determining a type of vessel selected from a first group consisting of vein, artery, carotid, subclavian, ascending aorta, descending aorta, axillary, brachial, radial, ulnar, palmar arch, renal, iliac, femoral, popliteal, tibial, anterior tibial, dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial, abdominal aorta, knee, fibula, plantar / dorsal arch, arch, or fibula.

[0016] In some embodiments, the processing device of the blood pressure measuring device is further configured to generate an algorithm using the detected characteristic and to apply the blood pressure of the blood vessel to the algorithm to monitor changes in the blood pressure of the blood vessel.

[0017] In some embodiments, the processing device of the blood pressure measuring device determines the detected characteristic of the blood vessel by capturing at least one component from a second group consisting of the vessel's wall stiffness, cross-sectional diameter, shape, vascular resonance, wall thickness, vessel radius, circumference, clot load, and vascular plaque thickness.

[0018] In some embodiments, the processing device of the blood pressure measuring device is further configured to determine that the vascular blood pressure is below a first threshold or above a second threshold, generate a first report in response to determining that the vascular blood pressure is below the first threshold, the first report including a determination of low blood pressure and instructions to increase the blood pressure, and generate a second report in response to determining that the vascular blood pressure is above the second threshold, the second report including a determination of high blood pressure and instructions to decrease the blood pressure, and send a second notification of the first report or the second report to the monitoring system for administering medical medication based on the first report or the second report.

[0019] In some embodiments, the processing device of the blood pressure measuring device is further configured to send a third notification of the blood pressure in the blood vessel to a first device associated with the blood pressure measuring device.

[0020] In some embodiments, the processing device of the blood pressure measuring device is further configured to send a fourth notification of the first report or the second report to a first device associated with the blood pressure measuring device.

[0021] In some embodiments, each of the multiple acoustic transducers is programmed to transmit and acquire audio energy at a different frequency.

[0022] In one embodiment, a method using a non-invasive blood pressure measurement device includes transmitting audio-frequency energy to a physiological structure, detecting a blood vessel in the physiological structure by obtaining an audio signal reflected by the blood vessel, determining that the blood vessel is a target blood vessel, determining a blood pressure in the blood vessel, and transmitting a first notification of the blood pressure in the blood vessel to a monitoring system for storage in a database.

[0023] In some embodiments, the blood pressure measuring device comprises a plurality of acoustic transducers.

[0024] In some embodiments, the blood pressure measurement device comprises a logic circuit coupled to the plurality of acoustic transducers.

[0025] In some embodiments, the multiple acoustic transducers are proportionally spaced to maximize detection of blood vessels.

[0026] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of acoustic transducers comprises an acoustic transducer.

[0027] In some embodiments, each acoustic transducer of the plurality of acoustic transducers comprises a low pixel array.

[0028] In some embodiments, each of the acoustic transducers of the plurality of acoustic transducers uses phased array technology.

[0029] In some embodiments, the audio coupling medium of the blood pressure measuring device comprises silicone.

[0030] In some embodiments, the audio coupling medium of the blood pressure measuring device comprises a hydrogel.

[0031] In some embodiments, the audio coupling medium of the blood pressure measuring device comprises a gel.

[0032] In some embodiments, determining the blood pressure of the blood vessel includes obtaining a resonant frequency of an audio signal reflected by the blood vessel from one of a plurality of acoustic transducers, the resonant frequency corresponding to a vibration of a blood vessel wall of the blood vessel; obtaining a wall thickness and a blood vessel radius of the blood vessel from one of the plurality of acoustic transducers; and applying the resonant frequency, wall thickness, and blood vessel radius to a conversion equation to calculate the blood pressure of the blood vessel.

[0033] In some embodiments, determining the vessel includes determining a detected characteristic of the vessel and identifying the vessel as the target vessel based on the detected characteristic.

[0034] In some embodiments, determining the blood vessel comprises determining a type of blood vessel selected from a first group consisting of vein, artery, carotid, subclavian, ascending aorta, descending aorta, axillary, brachial, radial, ulnar, palmar arch, renal, iliac, femoral, popliteal, tibial, anterior tibial, dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial, abdominal aorta, knee, fibula, plantar / dorsal arch, arch, or fibula.

[0035] In some embodiments, the method further includes generating an algorithm using the detected characteristic and applying the blood pressure of the blood vessel to the algorithm to monitor changes in the blood pressure of the blood vessel.

[0036] In some embodiments, determining the detected characteristic of the blood vessel includes capturing at least one component from a second group consisting of wall stiffness, cross-sectional diameter, shape, vascular resonance, wall thickness, blood vessel radius, circumference, clot load, and blood vessel plaque thickness of the blood vessel.

[0037] In some embodiments, the method further includes determining that the blood pressure in the blood vessel is below a first threshold or above a second threshold; generating a first report in response to determining that the blood pressure in the blood vessel is below the first threshold, the first report including a determination of low blood pressure and instructions to increase the blood pressure; generating a second report in response to determining that the blood pressure in the blood vessel is above the second threshold, the second report including a determination of high blood pressure and instructions to decrease the blood pressure; and sending a second notification of the first report or the second report to a monitoring system to administer medication based on the first report or the second report.

[0038] In some embodiments, the method further includes sending a third notification of the blood pressure of the blood vessel to a first device associated with the blood pressure measuring device.

[0039] In some embodiments, the method further includes sending a fourth notification of the first report or the second report to a first device associated with the blood pressure measuring device.

[0040] In some embodiments, each of the multiple acoustic transducers is programmed to transmit and acquire audio energy at a different frequency.

[0041] In one embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions executable by a processor, execution of the instructions causing a blood pressure measurement device to perform operations including transmitting audio energy to a physiological structure, detecting a blood vessel in the physiological structure by obtaining an audio signal reflected by the blood vessel, determining that the blood vessel is a target blood vessel, determining a blood pressure in the blood vessel, and transmitting a first notification of the blood pressure in the blood vessel to a monitoring system for storage in a database.

[0042] In some embodiments, the blood pressure measuring device comprises a plurality of acoustic transducers.

[0043] In some embodiments, the blood pressure measurement device comprises a logic circuit coupled to the plurality of acoustic transducers.

[0044] In some embodiments, the multiple acoustic transducers are proportionally spaced to maximize detection of blood vessels.

[0045] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of acoustic transducers comprises an acoustic transducer.

[0046] In some embodiments, each acoustic transducer of the plurality of acoustic transducers comprises a low pixel array.

[0047] In some embodiments, each of the acoustic transducers of the plurality of acoustic transducers uses phased array technology.

[0048] In some embodiments, the audio coupling medium of the blood pressure measuring device comprises silicone.

[0049] In some embodiments, the audio coupling medium of the blood pressure measuring device comprises a hydrogel.

[0050] In some embodiments, the audio coupling medium of the blood pressure measuring device comprises a gel.

[0051] In some embodiments, determining the blood pressure of the blood vessel includes obtaining a resonant frequency of an audio signal reflected by the blood vessel from one of a plurality of acoustic transducers, the resonant frequency corresponding to a vibration of a blood vessel wall of the blood vessel; obtaining a wall thickness and a blood vessel radius of the blood vessel from one of the plurality of acoustic transducers; and applying the resonant frequency, wall thickness, and blood vessel radius to a conversion equation to calculate the blood pressure of the blood vessel.

[0052] In some embodiments, determining the vessel includes determining a detected characteristic of the vessel and identifying the vessel as the target vessel based on the detected characteristic.

[0053] In some embodiments, determining the blood vessel comprises determining a type of blood vessel selected from a first group consisting of vein, artery, carotid, subclavian, ascending aorta, descending aorta, axillary, brachial, radial, ulnar, palmar arch, renal, iliac, femoral, popliteal, tibial, anterior tibial, dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial, abdominal aorta, knee, fibula, plantar / dorsal arch, arch, or fibula.

[0054] In some embodiments, the operations further include generating an algorithm using the detected characteristic and applying the blood pressure of the blood vessel to the algorithm to monitor changes in the blood pressure of the blood vessel.

[0055] In some embodiments, determining the detected characteristic of the blood vessel includes capturing at least one component from a second group consisting of wall stiffness, cross-sectional diameter, shape, vascular resonance, wall thickness, blood vessel radius, circumference, clot load, and blood vessel plaque thickness of the blood vessel.

[0056] In some embodiments, the operations further include determining that the blood pressure in the blood vessel is below a first threshold or above a second threshold; generating a first report in response to determining that the blood pressure in the blood vessel is below the first threshold, the first report including a determination of low blood pressure and instructions to increase the blood pressure; generating a second report in response to determining that the blood pressure in the blood vessel is above the second threshold, the second report including a determination of high blood pressure and instructions to decrease the blood pressure; and sending a second notification of the first report or the second report to a monitoring system to administer medication based on the first report or the second report.

[0057] In some embodiments, the operations further include sending a third notification of the blood pressure of the blood vessel to a first device associated with the blood pressure measuring device.

[0058] In some embodiments, the operations further include sending a fourth notification of the first report or the second report to a first device associated with the blood pressure measuring device.

[0059] In some embodiments, each of the multiple acoustic transducers is programmed to transmit and acquire audio energy at a different frequency.

[0060] Other features and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, features according to various embodiments. The summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims.

[0061] The technology disclosed herein, in accordance with one or more various embodiments, will be described in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and merely depict typical or exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technology. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the disclosed technology and should not be considered limiting of its breadth, scope, or applicability. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration, these drawings have not necessarily been made to scale. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0062] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an exemplary computing environment for a measurement device according to some embodiments.

[0063] [Figure 2] 1 illustrates an exemplary acoustic transducer that may be used in a measurement device according to some embodiments.

[0064] [Figure 3] 1 illustrates an exemplary computing environment for a measurement device comprising one or more components according to some embodiments.

[0065] [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an exemplary process of a measurement device according to some embodiments.

[0066] [Figure 5] 1 shows an exemplary image of an internal portion of a physiological structure being monitored by a measurement device, according to some embodiments.

[0067] [Figure 6] 1 shows an exemplary image of a physiological structure having various internal parts of the human body that can be identified and monitored using a measurement device, according to some embodiments.

[0068] [Figure 7] 1 shows an exemplary image of an internal portion of a physiological structure generated by a measurement device, according to some embodiments.

[0069] [Figure 8] 1 illustrates an exemplary measurement device in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosed techniques.

[0070] [Figure 9]1 illustrates an exemplary methodology for generating blood pressure measurements as a function of determined resonant frequency of vibrations of a wall of a blood vessel, according to various embodiments of the disclosed techniques.

[0071] [Figure 10] 9 illustrates how the methodology of FIG. 9 may be implemented using computing components, in accordance with various embodiments of the techniques of this disclosure.

[0072] [Figure 11] 10 illustrates another exemplary methodology for generating blood pressure measurements as a function of determined resonant frequency of vibrations of a wall of a blood vessel, according to various embodiments of the disclosed technique.

[0073] [Figure 12] 12 is an accompanying diagram of FIG. 11 illustrating how the methodology of FIG. 11 may be implemented using computing components, in accordance with various embodiments of the techniques of this disclosure.

[0074] [Figure 13] 10 illustrates another exemplary methodology for generating blood pressure measurements as a function of determined resonant frequency of vibrations of a wall of a blood vessel, according to various embodiments of the disclosed technique.

[0075] [Figure 14] 13 illustrates how the methodology of FIG. 13 may be implemented using computing components, in accordance with various embodiments of the techniques of this disclosure.

[0076] [Figure 15] 1 illustrates an exemplary chipset that can be utilized in implementing architectures and methods according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0077] The drawings are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is understood that the invention can be practiced with modification and alteration, and that the disclosed technology is limited only by the claims and their equivalents.

[0078] The following description provides specific details for a comprehensive understanding and enabling description of various embodiments of the present technology, and the terms used are intended to be interpreted in their broadest reasonable manner, even when used in conjunction with detailed descriptions of specific embodiments.

[0079] Before describing the present teachings in detail, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to particular compositions or process steps, as such may vary. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent the terms "including," "includes," "having," "has," "with," "such as," or variations thereof are used in the specification and / or claims, such terms are intended to be open-ended and inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Unless otherwise specified, embodiments herein described as "comprising" various components are also considered to "consist of" or "consisting essentially of" the listed components.

[0080] In one example of vital signs detection and monitoring, a measurement device including multiple acoustic transducers and a processing device can be used to detect vital signs and internal portions of physiological structures. Internal portions of physiological structures can include blood vessels, organs, tissues, bones, muscles, tendons, etc. Internal portions of physiological structures can also include various medical conditions, including, but not limited to, fractures, abscesses, tumors, cellulitis, stones, etc. The measurement device can further use low-frequency or high-frequency sound waves to determine characteristics of blood vessels and other internal portions of physiological structures.

[0081] 1 illustrates an exemplary computing environment for a measurement device 100 that may be attached to a location of a physiological structure to detect and monitor vital signs and internal portions of the physiological structure. The measurement device 100 may include a processing unit 110 and a wearable measurement unit 120 (e.g., an adhesive patch, a wearable cuff such as an armband or wristband, etc.). As shown, the wearable measurement unit may include multiple acoustic transducers (i.e., acoustic transducers 124(1)-(n)). In certain embodiments, the measurement device 100 may include a single / unified physical device that includes the processing unit 110 and the wearable measurement unit 120. In other embodiments, the processing unit 110 and the wearable measurement unit 120 may be separate physical devices that operatively communicate with each other.

[0082] As shown, the processing unit 110 may include an analog front-end circuit 112, a high-voltage (HV) pulser circuit 114, a tile control logic circuit 116, and a transmit / receive switch 118. The HV pulser circuit 114 may generate audio signals of different waveforms and frequencies (e.g., high-frequency sound waves). The analog front-end circuit 112 may amplify the audio signals generated by the HV pulser circuit 114. The tile control logic circuit 116 may operate in combination with the transmit / receive switch 118 and switches 122(1)-(n) (of the wearable measurement device 120) to effectively multiplex the audio signals generated and amplified by the analog front-end circuit 112 and the high-voltage (HV) pulser circuit 114, respectively.

[0083] As shown, the wearable measurement unit 120 includes switches 122(1)-(n) and acoustic transducers 121(1)-(n). In certain embodiments, each of the acoustic transducers 124(1)-(n) may include a low-pixel array for transmitting and / or receiving acoustic energy.

[0084] 2 illustrates an exemplary acoustic transducer 202 that may be used in a measurement device of the disclosed technology to transmit and / or receive acoustic energy (e.g., high frequency sound waves). As shown, the acoustic transducer 202 may transmit audio energy (sometimes referred to herein as acoustic energy) through a physiological structure 204 (e.g., human tissue) at / toward a blood vessel 206.

[0085] Generally, multiple acoustic transducers are configured to capture tomographic information of physiological structures. The acoustic transducer (e.g., acoustic transducer 202) may be an acoustic receiver, an acoustic transmitter, or both (e.g., an acoustic transceiver). The acoustic transducer can be used to detect audio energy by transmitting and / or receiving high-frequency sound waves. Types of audio energy can include sound, ultrasound, and sonar. The high-frequency sound waves may be at different frequencies and may produce different pitches and sounds depending on the frequency. Different frequencies of high-frequency sound waves can help obtain data regarding different vital signs and internal portions of physiological structures. Each acoustic transducer may be configured to transmit and / or receive sound waves at different frequencies. By each acoustic transducer transmitting and / or receiving sound waves at different frequencies, the measurement device can easily generate, detect, and monitor various frequencies of high-frequency sound waves to obtain all vital signs and internal portions of physiological structures. Each of the multiple acoustic transducers in the armband, wristband, or adhesive patch may be proportionally spaced to maximize the power of transmitting and receiving acoustic waves, thus maximizing the detection and monitoring of vital signs and internal portions of physiological structures.

[0086] Using acoustic transducers, either separately or in combination with other components, including low-pixel arrays such as 32 elements per acoustic transducer, phased array technology, and beamforming technology, the measurement device can collect data of overlapping volumes of physiological structures. The measurement device can use the collected data to determine vital signs and measurements related to the interior portions of the physiological structures. Vital signs may include blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, cardiac output, stroke volume, pulse, etc. The interior portions of the physiological structures may include blood vessels, arteries, veins, organs (i.e., heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, small intestine, large intestine, stomach, brain, etc.), bones, tissues, muscles, tendons, etc., and the interior portions may be within the overlapping volumes of the physiological structures. The interior portions of the physiological structures may also include various medical conditions, including, but not limited to, fractures, abscesses, tumors, cellulitis, stones, etc. The vascular measurements can include vascular dimensions, i.e., vessel wall stiffness, vessel wall thickness, vessel radius, cross-sectional diameter, intima-media thickness, shape, etc., as well as vascular attributes, including the vascular resonance response, the velocity of blood flow within the vessel, the distance between the vessel and the measurement device, and the thickness of plaque within the vessel. The measurement device can apply a transformed Laplace law to obtain the vascular measurements. The measurement device can also use the collected data to generate images of the vessels and / or other interior portions within the overlapping volume of the physiological structure.

[0087] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary computing environment of a measurement device including one or more components according to some embodiments. In FIG. 3, acoustic transducers of the measurement device communicate with transmit / receive channels. The acoustic transducers are used to transmit and receive audio energy, such as high-frequency sound waves, to a physiological structure. Each acoustic transducer can be programmed to transmit and / or receive audio energy at a different frequency. The acoustic transducers can detect information from the received high-frequency sound waves. The detected information from the acoustic transducers is processed via the transmit / receive channels to a signal processing system of a processing device of the measurement device. The signal processing system is used to determine the high-frequency sound waves transmitted by the acoustic transducers and the high-frequency sound waves received by the acoustic transducers. The signal processing system can further process and analyze the received high-frequency sound waves to extract data related to vital signs and internal portions of the physiological structure in which the measurement device is placed. The signal processing system can process and analyze the received high-frequency sound waves by measuring the frequency of the received high-frequency sound waves. The measurement device also includes a power source used to power the measurement device.

[0088] The measuring device may also include an accelerometer to detect when the physiological structure falls. For example, elderly people are prone to falls and may seriously injure themselves after falling to a place where they cannot help themselves. The measuring device may also include additional components that can be used to detect and monitor specific attributes and conditions of the physiological structure. Additional components may be included in the measuring device depending on the needs of the physiological structure using the respective measuring device. In this way, the measuring device may be customized to include any and all components that may be needed to detect and monitor the vital signs, internal parts, and physical health-related attributes of the physiological structure depending on the needs of the physiological structure. The measuring device may also be customized to include any and all components that may be needed to detect and monitor the properties of inanimate objects such as pipes, tanks, etc.

[0089] 4 illustrates an exemplary process for a measurement device. The measurement device can transmit audio energy from an acoustic transducer to a physiological structure. The measurement device can use the acoustic transducer to receive audio energy reflected back from an internal portion of the physiological structure. The audio energy received by the acoustic transducer can include information related to the internal portion of the physiological structure and vital signs. The information related to the internal portion of the physiological structure and vital signs can identify any organ or anatomical structure identifiable by audio.

[0090] The measurement device can first identify an interior portion of the physiological structure. For example, the measurement device can use audio energy received by an acoustic transducer to determine whether a blood vessel, such as an artery or vein, has been found. The audio energy received by the acoustic transducer can include information related to the blood vessel of the physiological structure. The information can include data of an audio signal reflected by the identified blood vessel. This information can indicate that the blood vessel has been found. The measurement device can analyze the information related to the identified blood vessel to determine vital signs associated with the identified blood vessel. The audio energy received by the acoustic transducer can include information related to other interior portions of the physiological structure, including structures surrounding the blood vessel. The information can include data that can be used to evaluate the structures surrounding the blood vessel.

[0091] Blood vessel-related vital signs may include blood vessel measurements and blood vessel attributes. Blood vessel measurements may include blood vessel dimensions, such as blood vessel wall stiffness, blood vessel wall thickness, blood vessel radius, cross-sectional diameter, intima-media thickness, shape, circumference, etc. Blood vessel attributes may include the blood vessel's resonant response, the velocity of blood flow within the blood vessel, the distance between the blood vessel and the measurement device, the blood clot burden, and the thickness of plaque within the blood vessel. The blood vessel's resonant response may include the resonant frequency of an audio signal reflected by the blood vessel. The resonant frequency may correspond to the vibration of the blood vessel wall caused by the reflected audio signal. The resonant frequency within the blood vessel may be used to determine arterial attributes, such as the arterial internal pressure or wall tension. The audio array may be used to directly measure the blood vessel's diameter. By analyzing the vital signs of the identified blood vessel, the blood vessel type of the identified blood vessel may be determined. Vessel types may include, but are not limited to, vein, artery, carotid, subclavian, ascending aorta, descending aorta, axillary, brachial, radial, ulnar, palmar arch, renal, iliac, femoral, popliteal, tibial anterior, dorsalis pedis, tibial posterior, abdominal aorta, knee, fibula, plantar / dorsal arch, arch, or fibular. Other arteries not mentioned herein may also be considered vessel types.

[0092] Analyzing the vital signs of the identified vessel can also determine whether the identified vessel is a vessel desired to be found and monitored, i.e., a target vessel. If the measurement device confirms that the correct vessel has been identified, the measurement device can continuously monitor the vessel for a specified period of time. The measurement device can use the vital signs associated with the identified vessel to determine other characteristics of the identified vessel.

[0093] In one example, the measurement device can apply vital signs, such as the resonant frequency (f), wall density (ρ), fluid density (ρ), radius-thickness product (γ), wall thickness (h), vessel / artery radius (a), arterial wall Young's modulus (E), and wall Poisson's ratio (ν), of the identified vessel to one or more transformed equations, i.e., the transformed Laplace law, including equations (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5), to measure the blood pressure (P) of the identified vessel. Some vital signs, such as the resonant frequency (f), wall thickness (h), and vessel / artery radius (a), can be measured by audio imaging from the measurement device. Other vital signs, such as the wall density (ρ), fluid density (ρ), and wall Poisson's ratio (ν), can be determined from a material database that stores measurements of interior portions of physiological structures. Many variations are possible.

[0094] The vessel / artery radius (a), resonant frequency (f), wall Poisson's ratio (ν), wall density (рS), fluid density (рL), and radius-thickness product (γ) of the identified vessel can be first applied to equation (1) to determine the arterial wall Young's modulus (E). Formula (1): TIFF2025539211000002.tif23138

[0095] The wall thickness (h) and vessel / artery radius (a) of the identified vessel can be applied to equation (2) to determine the parameter α, which may be a dimensionless parameter used to represent the ratio between the wall thickness (h) and vessel / artery radius (a) of the identified vessel. Formula (2): TIFF2025539211000003.tif18138

[0096] The parameter α determined from equation (2), the wall density (рS) and fluid density (рL) of the identified vessel can be applied to equation (3) to determine the parameter p, which can be used to represent the units of mass density per unit volume of the identified vessel. Formula (3): TIFF2025539211000004.tif16137

[0097] The arterial wall Young's modulus (E) determined from equation (1), the parameter p determined from equation (3), the resonant frequency (f), the vessel / artery radius (a), and the wall Poisson's ratio (ν) can be applied to equation (4) to determine the parameter D. Parameter D may be a dimensionless parameter used to simplify the equation, i.e., equation (5), to measure the blood pressure of the identified vessel. Formula (4): TIFF2025539211000005.tif22138

[0098] The arterial wall Young's modulus (E) determined from equation (1), the parameter α determined from equation (2), and the parameter D determined from equation (4) can be applied to equation (5) to determine the blood pressure (P) of the identified vessel. Formula (5): TIFF2025539211000006.tif22138

[0099] The measuring device can transmit audio energy from an acoustic transducer to the inanimate object. The measuring device can use the acoustic transducer to receive audio energy reflected back from an interior portion of the inanimate object. The measuring device can use the acoustic transducer to receive audio energy reflected back from an interior portion of the inanimate object. The audio energy received at the acoustic transducer can include information related to the interior portion of the inanimate object. The information associated with the interior portion of the inanimate object can identify the structure and characteristics of the inanimate object that are identifiable by audio.

[0100] In one example, the measurement device can determine blood pressure in a blood vessel. To determine blood pressure in a blood vessel, the measurement device may be placed relative to a physiological structure, such as a person, inanimate structure, or animal. The measurement device may be placed relative to any location on the physiological structure that can contain a blood vessel, such as an arm, leg, hip, or abdomen. In one embodiment, the measurement device may be placed relative to the upper arm of the physiological structure to detect blood pressure in the brachial artery. In one embodiment, the measurement device may be placed relative to the forearm of the physiological structure to detect blood pressure in the radial artery. In another embodiment, the measurement device may be placed relative to the thigh / groin / pelvis of the physiological structure to detect blood pressure in the femoral artery. In another embodiment, the measurement device may be placed relative to the wrist of the physiological structure to detect blood pressure in the ulnar or radial artery. In another embodiment, the measurement device may be placed relative to the abdomen of the physiological structure to detect blood pressure in the aorta. In another embodiment, the measurement device may be placed relative to the neck of the physiological structure to detect blood pressure in the carotid artery. In another embodiment, the measurement device may be placed relative to the abdomen of the physiological structure, such as a human infant, to detect blood pressure in the abdominal aorta. In another embodiment, the measurement device can be placed against the wall of a cylindrical thin shell, such as a rocket, to assess the pressure of various internal fluids, hi another embodiment, the measurement device can be placed against the wall of a cylindrical thin shell, such as a pipe, to assess the internal water or oil pressure.

[0101] The measurement device can use information related to vital signs, blood pressure, and other characteristics of the internal portion, such as blood vessels, to determine whether medication should be administered to the physiological structure. The measurement device can determine whether medication should be administered to the physiological structure based on information related to vital signs, blood pressure, and other characteristics of the internal portion currently identified from the acoustic transducer. The measurement device can determine whether medication should be administered to the physiological structure by comparing information currently obtained from the acoustic transducer with previously obtained and / or stored information related to the same internal portion.

[0102] In one example, the measurement device can determine the current blood pressure of the blood vessel using information related to vital signs and other characteristics of the blood vessel obtained from the audio energy received by the acoustic transducer. The measurement device can compare the current blood pressure of the blood vessel to a predetermined value for the blood pressure of the blood vessel. If the measurement device determines that the current blood pressure is below a first predetermined value for blood pressure, the measurement device can determine that a first medication needs to be administered for the physiological structure. If the measurement device determines that the current blood pressure is above a second predetermined value for blood pressure, the measurement device can determine that a second medication needs to be administered for the physiological structure. If the measurement device determines that a medication needs to be administered for the physiological structure, the measurement device can generate a report. The report can include information related to the blood vessel, including the current vital signs, blood pressure, and other characteristics of the blood vessel. The report can include a medication prescription for the determined medication. The report can be automatically sent to an authorized individual, such as a doctor, nurse, or physician. The report can also be automatically sent to a system used to monitor the health of the physiological structure and administer medication for the physiological structure.

[0103] In another example, the measurement device may be placed relative to a physiological structure, such as a person, inanimate structure, or animal, to monitor and evaluate organs, such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver, of the physiological structure. The measurement device may be placed relative to a specific location of the physiological structure, such as the chest, abdomen, back, etc., depending on the organ being monitored. In one embodiment, the measurement device may be placed relative to the chest of the physiological structure to monitor the heart and evaluate any cardiac pathology. In another embodiment, the measurement device may be placed relative to the back of the physiological structure to monitor the lungs and evaluate any lung pathology. In another embodiment, the measurement device may be placed relative to the abdomen of the physiological structure to monitor the liver and evaluate any liver pathology.

[0104] The measuring device may be attached to an accessory that can allow the measuring device to be placed relative to the physiological structure and remain in a specific location. The accessory for attaching the measuring device may be an elastic material such as a strap or band that can be used to wrap around the measuring device and hold it in place relative to a location on the physiological structure. The accessory may also be an adhesive material such as a sticker or adhesive patch that can affix the measuring device to a specific location on the physiological structure and hold it in place. Maintaining the measuring device in the same position relative to the physiological structure allows the measuring device to more accurately detect blood pressure in the blood vessels.

[0105] The measuring device can monitor vital signs and internal portions of the physiological structure until the measuring device is no longer positioned relative to the physiological structure. The measuring device can monitor vital signs and internal portions of the physiological structure until the measuring device loses power or signal when no longer detecting high frequency sound waves. The measuring device can monitor vital signs and internal portions of the physiological structure until the measuring device is moved to a location on the physiological structure where a particular vital sign and / or internal portion of the physiological structure cannot be determined and monitored.

[0106] 5 shows an exemplary image of a physiological structure 500 being monitored by acoustic transducers 550, 552, and 554. Acoustic transducers 550-554 may be part of a measurement device of the disclosed technology. For example, acoustic transducers 550-554 may be implemented on a wearable armband or cuff of the measurement device.

[0107] As shown, physiological structure 500 includes a cross-section of a human arm. Physiological structure 500 includes various internal physiological substructures that can be monitored / detected by a measurement device. Such internal physiological substructures include biceps brachii (long head) 502, brachialis muscle 504, humerus 506, lateral intermuscular septum of the arm 508, radial nerve 510, triceps brachii (lateral head) 512, triceps brachii (long head) 514, triceps brachii (medial head) 516, medial intermuscular septum of the arm 518, ulna 520, brachial vein 522, brachial artery 524, median nerve 526, musculocutaneous nerve 528, biceps brachii (short head) 530, etc.

[0108] In FIG. 5 , a measurement device may be placed at a location on physiological structure 500 where the acoustic transducers (e.g., acoustic transducers 550, 552, and 554) of the measurement device are pressed flat against the surface of the physiological structure. The acoustic transducers can transmit low- or high-frequency sound or audio waves in multiple directions into physiological structure 500. The measurement device can use the low- or high-frequency sound or audio waves to detect and identify vital signs and internal physiological substructures of physiological structure 500. As alluded to above, the internal physiological substructures may include blood vessels (i.e., veins and arteries), organs (i.e., heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, small intestine, large intestine, stomach, brain, etc.), bone, tissue, muscle, tendons, etc. The internal portions may also include various pathologies, including, but not limited to, fractures, abscesses, tumors, cellulitis, stones, etc. The measurement device can also measure, induce, or detect frequency responses within blood vessels using low- or high-frequency sound waves. The measurement device can further use low or high frequency sound waves to determine the properties of blood vessels and other internal portions of physiological structures. The measurement device can apply a transformed Laplace method or directly image via audio to measure frequencies within blood vessels and determine attributes of the blood vessels, such as their diameter.

[0109] To monitor the vital signs and the internal portion of the physiological structure, the measurement device can first generate a machine learning (ML) algorithm. The ML algorithm can be generated using the initially determined vital signs and other characteristics of the internal portion of the physiological structure. An initial vital sign of the internal portion may be determined from information related to audio energy received by an acoustic transducer. Other characteristics of the internal portion can be determined from the initial vital sign. Once the ML algorithm is generated, newly collected information related to the vital signs and the internal portion can be applied to the ML algorithm to determine whether any changes have occurred in the vital signs and the internal portion of the physiological structure.

[0110] In one example, a measurement device can monitor the blood pressure of a blood vessel within a physiological structure, and the ML algorithm can be generated using initially determined or predetermined vital signs and other characteristics of the blood vessel. The initially determined vital signs and other characteristics of the blood vessel may be determined by the measurement device from audio energy and audio signals received by the acoustic transducer that originally identified the blood vessel. The predetermined vital signs and other characteristics of the blood vessel may be stored in a system database for extraction by the measurement device. When the measurement device acquires new vital signs and other characteristics of the blood vessel, the new vital signs and characteristics can be applied to the ML algorithm to determine whether a change has occurred in the vital signs and other characteristics of the blood vessel, including the blood pressure of the blood vessel. Determining changes in vital signs and other characteristics of an internal portion of a physiological structure, such as a blood vessel, can detect and diagnose medical conditions present within the physiological structure.

[0111] Medical conditions that can be detected in physiological structures by the measurement device include congenital heart defects, limb ischemia, cardiovascular abnormalities, preeclampsia, sepsis, persistent fever infection, hypoxia, pneumonia, intubation, complications with pulse oximetry, tachycardia, hypotension, hypertension, internal bleeding, hemorrhage, chronic lung disease, risk of stroke, sleep apnea, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, hypotension, low blood glucose levels, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), stroke, pulmonary embolism (PE), superficial thrombophlebitis, blood clots, tension pneumothorax, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), idiopathic atrial fibrillation, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction (MI), hyperglycemia, and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKT).

[0112] FIG. 6 shows an example image of a physiological structure 600 of a human body having various internal physiological substructures that can be identified and monitored using a measurement device. Such internal physiological substructures can include internal physiological substructures 602-678. As shown, the internal physiological substructures 602-678 can include various types of blood vessels. In one example, the blood vessels can include arteries or veins within the physiological structure 600. Blood vessels whose blood pressure can be detected by the measurement device can include veins, arteries, carotid arteries, subclavian arteries, ascending aorta, descending aorta, axillary arteries, brachial arteries, radial arteries, ulnar arteries, palmar arches, renal arteries, iliac arteries, femoral arteries, popliteal arteries, tibial arteries, anterior tibial arteries, dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial arteries, abdominal aorta, knee arteries, fibula arteries, plantar / dorsal arches, arches, fibulae, etc. The measuring device may be positioned relative to a particular location of the physiological structure 600 to detect the blood pressure of a particular blood vessel based on any number of factors, including the type of physiological structure (i.e., adult, infant, adult animal, infant animal, etc.) and the blood vessel of interest. By maintaining the measuring device in the same position relative to the physiological structure 600, the measuring device can more accurately detect the blood pressure of the blood vessel of interest.

[0113] While perfect imaging of an internal portion, such as a blood vessel, is not necessary for purposes of detecting and monitoring a person's vital signs, having a better quality image may allow for improved and rapid identification and measurement of the internal portion. An audio coupling medium may be disposed over each acoustic transducer. The audio coupling medium may include a pad of lubricious material, such as silicone, gel, or hydrogel, that acts as an acoustic impedance matching layer. The audio coupling medium may allow for clearer imaging of the internal portion, such as a blood vessel, compared to imaging of the blood vessel resulting from using an acoustic transducer without the audio coupling medium.

[0114] 7 shows exemplary images 702, 704, 706, and 708 of an internal portion of a physiological structure generated by a measurement device. The exemplary images show two sets of images taken at different locations of the physiological structure to detect and monitor different internal portions of the physiological structure. That is, images 702 and 704 show the ulnar artery, and images 706 and 708 show the brachial artery. Both of these arteries can be detected and monitored by the measurement device of the disclosed technology.

[0115] Additionally, the measurement device may use collected or pre-identified data of a person's vital signs and internal parts, in combination with or separately from one or more measurements and generated images of the internal parts, to generate an algorithm. In one example, the algorithm may be used to determine the precise location of a blood vessel within a physiological structure. The pre-identified data, collected data, measurements, images, and / or blood vessel location may be displayed and viewable on a screen. The screen may be on the measurement device and / or on another device associated with the measurement device.

[0116] After the measuring device generates an algorithm for a particular internal portion, such as a blood vessel, the measuring device can monitor the particular internal portion. In one example, the particular blood vessel can be monitored by continuously placing the measuring device relative to the physiological structure at the location where the blood vessel is located. In another example, the particular blood vessel can be monitored by periodically placing the measuring device relative to the physiological structure at the location where the blood vessel is located. By placing the measuring device relative to the physiological structure at the location where the particular blood vessel is located, the measuring device can obtain new data about the blood vessel. The measuring device can use the new data to determine any changes to or associated with the particular blood vessel, including any changes to other organs, bones, tissues, etc. of the surrounding physiological structure. In one embodiment, the measuring device can compare the new data with the algorithm generated for the particular blood vessel to determine any changes to the particular blood vessel.

[0117] The measurement device can be used to monitor vital signs and internal parts such as blood vessels for any changes to determine any problems occurring in physiological structures. In one embodiment, the measurement device can be used on a person to detect and monitor an arterial line for beat-to-beat monitoring to determine if any changes are occurring in the person's blood pressure and to adjust vasoactive medications such as vasopressors based on data regarding blood pressure. The measurement device can be used in place of an arterial catheter when monitoring blood pressure or in combination with an arterial catheter for multiple arterial blood draws, allowing for earlier removal of the arterial catheter when arterial blood samples are no longer needed.

[0118] In one embodiment, a measurement device can acquire various vital sign measurements of a person. The measurement device may also be used to continuously acquire a person's vital sign measurements and automatically transmit the data to an associated device. The ability of the measurement device to acquire various vital sign measurements can replace the use of multiple devices, such as a blood pressure cuff, an electrocardiogram (EKG), and a pulse oximeter, each required to measure a single type of vital sign. The ability to use a measurement device in place of multiple devices and tools can make it easier to acquire and monitor a person's measurements and can more quickly determine a person's diagnosis and treatment. The use of a measurement device can also enable accurate, non-invasive reading and monitoring of a person's vital signs compared to other devices. Using a single measurement device to acquire and monitor various vital signs can provide faster results with fewer problems than using multiple different devices and tools, especially in emergency situations where time is of the essence to help a person with a life-threatening condition.

[0119] The measuring device may be portable and may run on batteries, which may be rechargeable and / or replaceable. The measuring device may be used with other devices, such as computers, monitors, phones, tablets, etc. The measuring device may connect to other devices via a wired or wireless connection, such as Bluetooth. When the measuring device is portable, it may be used to obtain measurements of vital signs and internal portions of physiological structures in any situation and location.

[0120] In another example, emergency responders, such as paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), can use a measurement device on a person when they are in a noisy, chaotic environment, such as the middle of a crowded street. Emergency responders may also attach the measurement device to a person using an attachment to the measurement device, such as an elastic band or adhesive patch, allowing the emergency responder to move and transport the person while continuously obtaining measurements. Obtaining continuous measurements on a person during an emergency may enable faster and more accurate diagnosis and treatment to be administered to the person. In another example, emergency responders can use a measurement device to obtain measurements on an injured person to determine the injured person's condition and status. Knowing the injured person's condition and status, emergency responders can better determine whether the injured person is healthy enough to be transported to a medical facility, such as a hospital, STEMI receiving center, or stroke center. Emergency responders can also provide any advance medications and treatments to the injured person before and during transport to the medical facility. Continuously monitoring the injured person's measurements allows emergency responders to update advance medications and treatments for the injured person and update their course of action.

[0121] Measuring devices can also provide easier monitoring of individuals during or after a mass casualty event, such as an accident or natural disaster. Emergency responders may be able to respond to multiple individuals simultaneously by using a measuring device for each individual. By using a measuring device for each person involved in a mass casualty event, emergency responders can respond to one person while still obtaining data and diagnoses for all individuals. Emergency responders can also receive immediate feedback from each measuring device, enabling faster response and treatment from emergency responders. This allows emergency responders to determine which of multiple individuals requires immediate medical attention, saving time and resources by allowing emergency responders to provide accurate treatment to each person. Each measuring device can also transmit data, alerts, and messages for each individual to which it is attached to medical personnel and rescuers, resulting in accurate treatment being provided with a faster response time. The data, alerts, and messages can also provide information of any changes occurring in each person's health so that treatment can be updated accordingly.

[0122] The measuring device can be used for physiological structures, such as a person, whose vital signs need to be continuously monitored. The measuring device can continuously acquire vital sign measurements, such as blood pressure, and other data for the person when the measuring device is attached to the person. The measuring device can analyze the vital sign measurements and other data it acquires from the person. The person can program the measuring device to automatically send data to a doctor or any other individual associated with the measuring device, or to manually select when to send data. The person can use the measuring device to send all of the acquired and analyzed data to a doctor, so that the doctor can continuously monitor the person's health. The measuring device may be connected to another device, such as a computer, phone, tablet, etc., to transmit the data to the person. The measuring device can connect to a system, application, or platform, such as a telemedicine platform, and the data can be uploaded to a database for access by other individuals, such as doctors, nurses, and physicians. The measuring device can protect and lock the data by assigning a code or password to the data and providing such code or password to authorized individuals for access. Providing data to authorized individuals, such as physicians and healthcare professionals, can aid in the research of health problems, thereby providing individuals with improved and accurate diagnoses and treatments. The measurement device can automatically upload data to the system's cloud database to easily transmit information from the patient to the clinical care team for research purposes or for patient personal information and memory.

[0123] The measuring device can send alerts, such as vibrations, sounds, messages, and / or other messages, to the person attached to the measuring device when the measuring device determines a problem with the person based on the acquired data. The measuring device can also send alerts and messages to other individuals, such as a doctor, family, or friends, when the measuring device determines a problem with the person based on the data. The alerts and messages may be sent automatically to authorized individuals. There can be multiple alerts that can be sent, each alert including a specific message. The message can include data about the person and can include recommended diagnoses and treatments for the person based on the data (e.g., low blood pressure, seek medical advice). The measuring device can also use alerts and messages to provide updates to the person attached to the measuring device, informing the person of actions to take based on the data. Such actions can include visiting a doctor, taking medication, calling for emergency assistance, etc. The alerts and messages sent from the measuring device can help prevent or alleviate medical problems for the person and can save a person's life when medical assistance is urgently needed.

[0124] A measuring device can be used on any individual who needs to be monitored, either periodically, continuously, or only once. In one example, a person with hypertension can wear and use a measuring device to continuously monitor their blood pressure. The measuring device can periodically transmit data of the person's blood pressure to the person's physician, who has been authorized by the person to access the data. When the measuring device determines, based on the data, that the person's blood pressure is beginning to rise or fall, the measuring device can send an alert to the person so that the person can take action to restabilize their blood pressure. When the measuring device determines, based on the data, that the person is in a critical condition and requires emergency treatment, the measuring device can send a message to all individuals authorized to receive emergency notifications about the person.

[0125] In another example, a person at risk for clotting can have a measurement device attached to them and use it to continuously monitor their vital signs to determine their increasing blood clot burden. The measurement device can also be used by people at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), stroke, pulmonary embolism (PE), apnea, hypotension, hypoxia, and other risks. The measurement device can obtain the person's vital sign data and use that data to evaluate microclots, blood viscosity, and other metrics. The measurement device can provide feedback to the patient, such as recommended diagnoses and treatments, based on data evaluation. The type of person or purpose for using the measurement device is not limited.

[0126] Hospitals and medical professionals can also use measurement devices on patients to monitor their vital signs. Using measurement devices allows medical professionals to gain a better understanding of a patient's health and provide better treatment. In one example, a nurse can use a measurement device on a dialysis patient with abnormal blood pressure, which can change rapidly during dialysis. The nurse can use the patient's vital sign data obtained by the measurement device to understand any habits related to the patient's vital signs. The nurse can then predict when the patient is likely to experience a rapid drop in blood pressure and adjust dialysis parameters accordingly to respond before the patient experiences symptoms of nausea, dizziness, or fainting. The nurse can also use the measurement device to monitor changes in the patient's heart rate, respiratory response, and oxygen saturation (O2 sat).

[0127] By using a measurement device on a patient, hospitals and medical professionals can further monitor the patient's vital signs before a procedure is performed on the patient. This may be to ensure that the patient is healthy enough to have the procedure performed on the patient. If the measurement device analyzes the patient's data and determines that the patient's overall health is above a threshold, the patient's health status can be determined to be healthy. The measurement device may also be used on the patient during and after a procedure is performed on the patient to monitor the patient's vital signs to ensure that the patient does not experience any health problems during and after the procedure. If a health problem is determined by the measurement device, the measurement device can send alerts and messages to authorized individuals, such as the patient, medical professionals, or family members, to notify them of the problem. This may help provide accurate treatment to the patient and minimize health problems that may arise from performing the procedure on the patient.

[0128] The measuring device can be used to determine a person's health and determine whether the person's health exceeds the requirements for a particular task or event. In one example, the measuring device may be used on an individual traveling long distances, such as a space tourist. To be accepted to travel to space as a space tourist, the person may be required to have an overall health condition that exceeds a threshold. The measuring device may be used to continuously monitor the person over the period leading up to the space trip, so that administrators can know whether the person is healthy enough to be a space tourist on the departure date of the space trip. The measuring device can also determine, based on the person's obtained data, whether the person's overall health condition exceeds a given threshold that allows the person to participate in the space trip. The measuring device may also be used on a traveling person to ensure that health problems that arise during travel are detected as early as possible. The measuring device can send alerts and / or messages to aircraft crew and / or ground crew so that medical attention can be provided to the person experiencing the health problem.

[0129] The measuring device can provide an easy means of obtaining vital sign measurements of a person when the person is in various states, such as stressed, relaxed, asleep, and awake. In one example, the measuring device may be used on a person prone to stress to monitor the person's vital signs as the person is in various states throughout the day. By continuously monitoring a person's vital signs, the measuring device can accurately diagnose whether the person has a condition, such as high blood pressure. The measuring device may determine that the person only has high blood pressure when the person is stressed. The measuring device can then transmit such a determination and data to an authorized medical practitioner, so that the authorized medical practitioner can appropriately diagnose and treat the person. The measuring device can also access the vital sign measurement data to determine the person's physical condition, such as whether the person is overheated, pre-syncope, showing signs of illness, fatigue, and the person's overall health. This can prevent inaccurate diagnoses and treatments provided to the person by the medical practitioner receiving the measuring device and data.

[0130] The measurement device may be useful for professionals who need to expose their bodies to stressful conditions. In one example, astronauts may expose their bodies to various stresses, including changes in pressure, atmosphere, or temperature, during launch and re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, extravehicular activities (EVAs), and periods of spaceflight. The measurement device may enable flight surgeons and other members of the astronaut team to monitor the astronaut's vital sign measurements during all phases of spaceflight to ensure that the astronaut is healthy and not experiencing any problems.

[0131] In another example, a soldier may place his or her body under various stresses when on the battlefield, such as during live fire. A soldier may include a combatant, pilot, naval officer, or any individual serving in a military capacity. A measurement device may monitor the soldier's vital signs and assess injuries the soldier may have sustained. Based on the data, the measurement device may also transmit the data, along with alerts and messages, to medical personnel who can address the soldier's medical needs. Using a measurement device may help save lives by providing accurate and up-to-date data of a person's health, allowing for accurate diagnosis and treatment, and thus improving evaluation and evacuation times. A measurement device may also be used on soldiers during training to determine whether they are healthy enough for a particular mission.

[0132] The measurement device can provide an easier and more comfortable means of obtaining vital sign measurements for individuals who would otherwise be unable to do so in the presence of a medical professional, such as a physician. In one example, an individual who becomes easily stressed or uncomfortable in the presence of a physician or any medical professional may have difficulty providing accurate vital sign measurements in the presence of a medical professional. The measurement device can allow an individual to more easily obtain vital sign measurements in a comfortable environment, such as their own home, and can transmit the data to a medical professional or any other authorized individual, platform, or device. This is particularly relevant for individuals with medical anxiety or situational / white coat hypertension.

[0133] The measurement device can be used by anyone who wants to acquire and monitor their vital signs. A person may want to acquire and monitor their vital signs to better understand their body and overall health. A person may want to acquire and monitor their vital signs for purposes such as improving their health or meeting performance goals. The measurement device can be implemented as any device that can be attached to a person who wants or needs to acquire, measure, and monitor vital signs. In one example, the measurement device can be implemented as a watch that an athlete can wear on their wrist. An athlete may be training for a competition and may need and desire to acquire, measure, and monitor vital signs to help improve and adjust their training. Data obtained from the measurement device can be transmitted to the athlete's trainer so that the athlete's training can be adjusted and improved based on the data. In another example, a climber may need to acquire, measure, and monitor vital signs while climbing a mountain. The measurement device can continuously acquire and monitor the climber's vital signs and use the acquired data to generate an acclimatization protocol for the climber. The measurement device can send alerts and messages to the climber indicating various actions the climber should take, such as when to ascend, descend, stop, or remain stationary to obtain optimal acclimatization or to avoid conditions such as high altitude pulmonary / cerebral edema.

[0134] The measuring device may also be useful for individuals in remote locations where it is difficult to obtain a medical diagnosis from a medical professional. Such remote locations may also include locations without access to modern medicine. In one example, the measuring device may be used by a person wandering through a tropical forest on a tropical island. If the measuring device determines, based on data acquired from the explorer, that the explorer has a health problem, such data may be transmitted to relevant individuals, such as a search and rescue team, who may be able to assist the explorer. The measuring device may also transmit alerts and messages to any relevant individuals, which may include recommended diagnoses and treatments determined by the measuring device based on the data. The data, alerts, and messages may provide relevant individuals with the information necessary to provide accurate treatment to the explorer, such as whether to request medical evacuation and the type of transportation to request, such as by plane, helicopter, boat, etc. If two or more explorers are on the same expedition, the relevant individuals may know how many individuals require medical attention or have lost vital signs.

[0135] The measurement device may be associated with a company, such as a healthcare provider, an insurance provider, etc. A person using the measurement device can link the company to the measurement device. The company can receive notifications from the measurement device, and the notifications can include data related to the person's vital sign measurements. The company can offer benefits to the person according to the data. In one example, an insurance company can determine from the data that the person's health status is within the 90th percentile of similar attributes, such as age, gender, and height. The insurance company can offer a health insurance discount based on the determination. The insurance company can continue to offer the person a discount on health insurance because the person continues to be within the 90th percentile in health status for a particular group of individuals. The discount offered by the insurance company can vary based on the person's overall health determination from the person's data.

[0136] The measurement device may be used at multiple locations on the physiological structure by placing the measurement device relative to the desired location on the physiological structure where it is desired to obtain and monitor vital signs and internal portions of the physiological structure, i.e., the arms, legs, waist, hips, neck, etc. The measurement device may also be attached to any location on the physiological structure using an attachment such as an adhesive or elastic material that holds the measurement device in place at a particular location. The measurement device may be attached to the physiological structure for different periods of time to obtain data about a person's vital signs and internal portions at different times of day, when the person is in different conditions, and when the person is performing different tasks.

[0137] After acquiring and monitoring the vital signs of the physiological structure, the measurement device can analyze all of the acquired data of the physiological structure and determine a diagnosis of the physiological structure, including, but not limited to, congenital heart defects, pulse and risk of limb ischemia, cardiovascular abnormalities such as aortic dissection and vascular occlusion, preeclampsia, sepsis, persistent fever infection, hypoxia, pneumonia, intubation, complications with pulse oximetry, tachycardia, hypotension, hypertension, internal bleeding, hemorrhage, chronic lung disease, risk of stroke, sleep apnea, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, hypotension, low blood glucose levels, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), stroke, pulmonary embolism (PE), superficial thrombophlebitis, blood clots, tension pneumothorax, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), idiopathic atrial fibrillation, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction (MI), hyperglycemia, and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKT).

[0138] After analyzing the vital signs and internal parts of the physiological structure and diagnosing the physiological structure for any disorders, the measurement device can use all of the data from the physiological structure to predict the behavior of the physiological structure. In one example, a person climbing a mountain, i.e., a climber, can have a measurement device attached to their waist to monitor their vital signs. After the measurement device obtains and analyzes the climber's vital sign data, the measurement device can determine that the climber is at risk of experiencing illness, injury, disability, etc. The measurement device can provide alerts and messages to notify the climber of the risk and provide recommendations on how to prevent such illness, injury, and / or disability. Such recommendations may include instructing the climber to stop moving and rest, descend to a lower altitude, contact a medical provider at base camp, or take medication.

[0139] In another example, a measurement device attached to the pilot's wrist may send a warning to the pilot when the measurement device determines, based on data of the pilot's vital signs, that the pilot is at risk of losing consciousness if the pilot continues to perform unsafe flight maneuvers in the aircraft.

[0140] In another example, a pregnant woman in the second or third trimester may be fitted with a measuring device. The measuring device may be used to monitor the pregnant woman's vital signs to detect longitudinal changes in blood pressure. If an increase in blood pressure is detected, the measuring device may send an alert and / or message to a physician so that further analysis can be performed. Early detection of blood pressure changes in pregnant women may enable prevention and rapid diagnosis of eclampsia and pre-eclampsia, thus allowing for more rapid application of medical attention and treatment.

[0141] In another example, a measurement device is attached to an elderly person to monitor his vital signs. The measurement device can determine that the elderly person will fall (e.g., rapidly progressive hypotension and / or tachycardia ± acceleration measurement) based on data of the elderly person's vital signs. The measurement device can send an alert and / or a message to the elderly person to notify him that he is about to fall, so that he can sit or lie down before falling. The measurement device can also include an accelerometer to detect when the elderly person will fall.

[0142] The measuring device may also send alerts and / or messages to other individuals, such as family members, physicians, emergency responders, etc., who are authorized and listed on the measuring device to send alerts and messages. The measuring device may predict various illnesses, disorders, injuries, etc. that the physiological structure may experience based on data of the vital signs and internal portions of the physiological structure. The measuring device may also use all of the acquired data of the physiological structure to determine that a particular illness, disorder, injury, condition, etc. exists within the physiological structure. In this way, the measuring device may predict the future and determine current attributes and conditions related to the vital signs, internal portions, and overall health of the physiological structure.

[0143] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary measurement device 800 in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosed techniques.

[0144] As shown, the measuring device 800 comprises a control unit 830 and a transducer 810. In some embodiments, the measuring device 800 may further comprise a monitoring system 820 (described in more detail below).

[0145] As shown, transducer 810 comprises acoustic transducer 812. Acoustic transducer 812 may comprise one or more acoustic transducers. As used herein, acoustic transducer can refer to a device that (a) transmits acoustic energy (e.g., a speaker), (b) acquires / receives acoustic energy (e.g., a microphone), or (c) transmits and receives acoustic energy (e.g., a transceiver including both an acoustic transmitter component and an acoustic receiver component). An acoustic transducer that transmits acoustic energy can convert a received electrical signal into a transmitted acoustic energy / acoustic signal. An acoustic transducer that acquires / receives acoustic energy can convert the acquired / received acoustic energy into an electrical signal. As used herein, an acoustic transducer that transmits acoustic energy but does not receive / acquire acoustic energy (e.g., a speaker) may be referred to as a non-receiver acoustic transducer. In general, non-receiver acoustic transducers (e.g., a speaker) are less expensive and consume less power than acoustic transducers that transmit and receive acoustic energy (e.g., an acoustic transceiver).

[0146] Certain embodiments can reduce cost and power consumption by using non-receiver acoustic transducers in the measurement device of the disclosed technology. For example, acoustic transducer 812 may comprise one or more non-receiver acoustic transducers. Such non-receiver acoustic transducers can be used to transmit acoustic energy of different frequencies toward a blood vessel to probe / determine the vessel's resonant frequency. Generally, a blood vessel absorbs some of the acoustic energy and reflects some of the acoustic energy back. Embodiments of the disclosed technology are designed taking into account that when acoustic energy strikes a blood vessel at the resonant frequency of the vessel wall (i.e., the vessel wall), a significant amount of the acoustic energy is absorbed by the vessel wall, resulting in less acoustic energy being reflected back to the non-receiver acoustic transducer. For example, embodiments can use non-receiver acoustic transducers to transmit acoustic energy at a first frequency and then at a second frequency, where the second frequency may correspond to the resonant frequency of the blood vessel wall. Thus, in response to the transmission of acoustic energy at the second frequency, the blood vessel wall can reflect significantly less acoustic energy back to the non-receiver acoustic transducer.

[0147] However, without an acoustic energy receiving component, a non-receiver acoustic transducer generally cannot detect changes in the acoustic energy reflected back to the non-receiver acoustic transducer when a blood vessel is struck by acoustic energy at its resonant frequency (i.e., the second frequency). The embodiments are intelligently designed to overcome this technical challenge by measuring the electrical properties of the non-receiver acoustic transducer (e.g., current, voltage, power, resistance, impedance, etc.) as a proxy for measuring the acoustic energy reflected back to the non-receiver acoustic transducer. This is based on the intelligent insight that the electrical properties of a non-receiver acoustic transducer can be affected as a function of the magnitude of acoustic energy propagating toward the non-receiver acoustic transducer in a direction opposite to the direction in which the non-receiver acoustic transducer transmits audio energy (analogous to pushing a door through wind). For example, the amount of power required for a non-receiver acoustic transducer to transmit acoustic energy can increase when other acoustic energy is propagating back toward the non-receiver acoustic transducer in the opposite direction. In other words, the non-receiver acoustic transducer may require less power to transmit acoustic energy when a smaller amount of acoustic energy is reflected from the vessel wall back to the non-receiver acoustic transducer. Thus, embodiments may determine the resonant frequency of the vessel wall as the transmit frequency at which the amount of power required to transmit is reduced / minimized.

[0148] However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the acoustic transducer 812 may comprise an acoustic energy transceiver capable of transmitting and receiving acoustic energy. In these embodiments, the measurement device 800 may determine the resonant frequency of the vessel wall by analyzing the acoustic energy received by the acoustic transducer 812 after being reflected from the vessel.

[0149] As shown, in certain embodiments, the transducer 810 may also include an ultrasound transducer 816. The ultrasound transducer 816 may include one or more ultrasound transducers capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasound energy (i.e., acoustic energy accompanied by an ultrasound signal). While the ultrasound transducer 816 may be more expensive and consume more power than non-ultrasonic acoustic transducers, the ultrasound transducer 816 may be useful for imaging blood vessels. Thus, the measuring device 800 can utilize the imaging capabilities of ultrasound energy to determine the wall thickness of a blood vessel and the vessel radius of the blood vessel. As alluded to above, the measuring device 800 can use these determined parameters, along with the determined resonant frequency of the blood vessel wall, to generate a blood pressure measurement. While the wall thickness and vessel radius generally remain relatively consistent between individuals, accurate / individualized measurement of these parameters can result in more accurate blood pressure measurements. Thus, by utilizing the ultrasound transducer 816 to determine the wall thickness and vessel radius of a blood vessel, the measuring device 800 can improve blood pressure measurement accuracy. However, in other embodiments (e.g., to reduce cost and power consumption, ultrasound transducer 816 is not included in transducer 810), measurement device 800 may rely on estimates of these parameters obtained from applicable medical databases / medical literature. In further embodiments, measurement device 800 may utilize ultrasound transducer 816 to initially measure the vessel wall thickness and vessel radius, and then rely on a low power consumption non-ultrasound transducer for continuous monitoring of the vessel wall resonant frequency, as the embodiment does not require an ultrasound transducer for such monitoring.

[0150] As shown, the measurement device 800 also includes a control unit 830. The components within the control unit 830 may communicate via a data bus and / or other suitable communication interface.

[0151] The communication circuitry 832 may include at least one of a wireless communication interface 833 (e.g., a transceiver with an antenna) and a wired communication interface 834 (e.g., an I / O interface with an associated wired data port). The control unit 830 may use the communication circuitry 832 to communicate with the transducer 810 and the monitoring system 820. The control unit 830 may use the communication circuitry 832 to communicate with devices remote from the measuring device 800. For example, in certain implementations, the monitoring system 820 may be located remotely from the measuring device 800.

[0152] The wireless communication interface 833 may include a transceiver (i.e., a receiver and a transmitter) to enable wireless communication via various communication protocols, such as WiFi, Zigbee, Bluetooth, near field communication, etc. As alluded to above, the wireless communication interface 833 may include an antenna coupled to the transceiver for wirelessly transmitting and receiving wireless signals. These wireless signals may include information transmitted to and received from the transducer 810 and the monitoring system 820. These wireless signals may also include wireless signals transmitted to and received from devices remote from the measuring device 800.

[0153] Wired communication interface 834 can include a receiver and a transmitter for wired communication with other components of measurement device 800 (e.g., transducer 810 and monitoring system 820). For example, wired communication interface 834 can provide a wired interface to other components including transducer 810 and monitoring system 820. Wired communication interface 834 can communicate with these components using Ethernet or any number of other wired communication protocols. In various examples, wired communication interface 834 can communicate with devices remote from measurement device 800.

[0154] As shown, the decision circuit 836 includes a processor 837 and a memory 838. The processor 837 may include one or more processing resources, such as a GPU, a CPU, a microprocessor, or the like.

[0155] Memory 838 may comprise one or more modules of various forms of memory / data storage (e.g., flash, RAM, etc.) for storing various data, parameters, and operating instructions utilized by processor 837, as well as any other suitable information.

[0156] 8 is shown using a processor and memory circuit, the decision circuit 836 may be implemented using any form of circuitry including, for example, hardware, software, or a combination thereof. As a further example, one or more processors, controllers, ASICs, PLAs, PALs, CPLDs, FPGAs, logic components, software routines, or other mechanisms may be used to implement the control unit 830.

[0157] The power source 839 can include any type of suitable power source. For example, the power source 839 can include one or more batteries (e.g., rechargeable or primary batteries including Li-ion, Li-polymer, NiMH, NiCd, NiZn, NiH2, etc.), power connectors (e.g., for connecting to supplied power), and energy harvesters (e.g., solar cells, piezoelectric systems, etc.).

[0158] As alluded to above, in certain embodiments, the measurement device 800 may include a monitoring system 820. In other embodiments, the monitoring system 820 may comprise a separate, remotely located system. The monitoring system 820 may display information related to the monitored blood pressure to a user. For example, the control unit 830 may generate blood pressure measurements and then send a notification to the monitoring system 820 that includes the generated blood pressure measurements. The monitoring system 820 may include a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays the notification to a user.

[0159] In some implementations, measurement device 800 may comprise a wearable cuff sized to be worn around a person's limb (e.g., an armband). A blood vessel may be located within the person's limb. Here, transducer 810 may be mechanically attached to the wearable cuff so as to contact the person's tissue.

[0160] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary methodology 900 for generating blood pressure measurements as a function of the determined resonant frequency of vibration of the walls of a blood vessel.

[0161] As shown, operation 916 may include transmitting acoustic energy at a first frequency toward a blood vessel (e.g., an artery, a vein, a capillary, etc.) using an acoustic transducer. In certain embodiments, the acoustic transducer may include a non-receiver acoustic transducer. In various implementations, the blood vessel may be in a physiological structure, and transmitting acoustic energy toward the blood vessel may include transmitting acoustic energy through the physiological structure toward the blood vessel.

[0162] Operation 918 may include first measuring an electrical characteristic of the acoustic transducer. As alluded to above, the electrical characteristic may include at least one of current, power, voltage, resistance, and impedance. Here, first measuring the electrical characteristic of the acoustic transducer may be responsive to transmission of acoustic energy at a first frequency.

[0163] Operation 920 can include transmitting acoustic energy at a second frequency toward the blood vessel with an acoustic transducer. In certain examples, the second frequency can correspond to a resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel.

[0164] Operation 922 may include second measuring an electrical property of the acoustic transducer. The second measuring an electrical property of the acoustic transducer may be responsive to transmission of acoustic energy at the second frequency.

[0165] Operation 924 may include determining a change in an electrical property of the acoustic transducer between the first measurement and the second measurement, the determined change in the electrical property of the acoustic transducer corresponding to a change in reflected acoustic energy from the blood vessel.

[0166] Act 926 can include determining a resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel as a function of the determined change in the electrical property of the acoustic transducer.

[0167] Operation 928 can include generating a blood pressure measurement as a function of the determined resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel. In certain embodiments, generating a blood pressure measurement can include generating a blood pressure measurement as a function of the determined resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel, an estimated wall thickness of the blood vessel, and an estimated vessel radius of the blood vessel.

[0168] In certain embodiments, the methodology 900 may further include sending a notification to a monitoring system that includes the generated blood pressure reading.

[0169] In some embodiments, methodology 900 may further include (a) transmitting acoustic energy at a third frequency toward the blood vessel using an acoustic transducer, (b) making a third measurement of an electrical property of the acoustic transducer, and (c) determining a second change in the electrical property of the acoustic transducer between the second and third measurements, wherein the determined second change in the electrical property of the transducer corresponds to a second change in reflected acoustic energy from the blood vessel. Here, determining the resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel may include determining the resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel as a function of the first and second determined changes in reflected acoustic energy from the blood vessel. Here, using the third frequency may improve precision / accuracy for determining the resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel.

[0170] Figure 10 is a companion diagram to Figure 9 illustrating how methodology 900 may be implemented using a computing component 1010, which may be implemented on control unit 830 of Figure 8. The instructions of Figure 10 will not be described again for brevity, but the other components of computing component 1010 will now be described.

[0171] The computing component 1010 may be, for example, a server computer, a controller, or any other similar computing component capable of processing data. In the exemplary implementation of Figure 10, the computing component 1010 includes a hardware processor 1012 and a machine-readable storage medium for 1014.

[0172] Hardware processor 1012 may be one or more central processing units (CPUs), semiconductor-based microprocessors, and / or other hardware devices suitable for retrieving and executing instructions stored on machine-readable storage medium 1014. Hardware processor 1012 may fetch, decode, and execute instructions, such as instructions 1016-1028, to control a process or operation. Instead of or in addition to retrieving and executing instructions, hardware processor 1012 may include one or more electronic circuits that include electronic components for performing the functions of one or more instructions, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other electronic circuitry.

[0173] A machine-readable storage medium, such as machine-readable storage medium 1014, may be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that contains or stores executable instructions. Thus, machine-readable storage medium 1014 may be, for example, random access memory (RAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), storage device, optical disk, etc. In some examples, machine-readable storage medium 1014 may be a non-transitory storage medium, and the term "non-transitory" does not encompass indicators that propagate temporarily. As described in more detail below, machine-readable storage medium 1014 may be encoded with executable instructions, such as instructions 1016-1028.

[0174] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary methodology 1100 for generating blood pressure measurements as a function of determined resonant frequency of vibration of the walls of a blood vessel.

[0175] Operation 1116 can include transmitting non-ultrasonic acoustic energy at a first frequency toward the blood vessel with an acoustic transducer. As alluded to above, generating non-ultrasonic acoustic energy instead of ultrasonic acoustic energy can reduce cost and power consumption.

[0176] Act 1118 may include obtaining, with an acoustic transducer, a first audio signal resulting from blood vessels reflecting non-ultrasonic acoustic energy transmitted at the first frequency.

[0177] Act 1120 can include transmitting, with an acoustic transducer, non-ultrasonic acoustic energy at a second frequency toward the blood vessel.

[0178] Act 1122 may include obtaining, with an acoustic transducer, a second audio signal resulting from blood vessels reflecting non-ultrasonic acoustic energy transmitted at the second frequency.

[0179] Act 1124 may include determining a resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel as a function of the first and second audio signals.

[0180] Act 1126 may include generating a blood pressure measurement as a function of the determined resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel, where generating the blood pressure measurement may include generating the blood pressure measurement as a function of the determined resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel, an estimated wall thickness of the blood vessel, and an estimated vessel radius of the blood vessel. As alluded to above, the wall thickness and vessel radius may be estimated here to account for the lack of ultrasound imaging to determine these parameters.

[0181] 11. FIG. 12 is a companion diagram to FIG. 11 illustrating how methodology 1100 may be performed by computing component 1210. Similar to computing component 1010, computing component 1210 may be implemented on control unit 830 of FIG. 8. The instructions of FIG. 12 (i.e., instructions 1214-1226) will not be described again for the sake of brevity. Hardware processor 1212 and machine-readable storage medium 1214 may be the same as / similar to hardware processor 1012 and machine-readable storage medium 1014 of FIG. 10.

[0182] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary methodology 1300 for generating blood pressure measurements as a function of determined resonant frequency of vibration of the walls of a blood vessel.

[0183] Act 1316 can include transmitting ultrasound energy at the blood vessel with an ultrasound transducer.

[0184] Act 1318 may include obtaining, with an ultrasound transducer, a first audio signal resulting from blood vessels reflecting ultrasound energy.

[0185] Act 1320 may include determining a wall thickness and a vessel radius of the vessel as a function of the first audio signal.

[0186] Act 1322 may include transmitting, with a non-ultrasonic acoustic transducer, non-ultrasonic acoustic energy at a first frequency toward the blood vessel.

[0187] Act 1324 may include obtaining, with an acoustic transducer, a second audio signal resulting from blood vessels reflecting the non-ultrasonic acoustic energy transmitted at the first frequency.

[0188] Act 1326 may include determining a resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel as a function of the first and second audio signals.

[0189] Act 1328 can include generating a blood pressure measurement as a function of the determined wall thickness, vessel radius, and resonant frequency.

[0190] As alluded to above, embodiments can conserve power by initially using only ultrasound transducers to determine vessel wall thickness and vessel radius (which generally cannot be determined using non-ultrasound transducers), and then using only non-ultrasound transducers for continuous monitoring / determination of the resonant frequency of vibration of the vessel wall.

[0191] FIG. 14 is a companion diagram to FIG. 13 illustrating how methodology 1300 may be performed by computing component 1410. Similar to computing component 1010, computing component 1410 may be implemented on control unit 830 of FIG. 8. The instructions of FIG. 14 (i.e., instructions 1414-1428) will not be described again for the sake of brevity. The hardware processor 1412 and the machine-readable storage medium 1414 may be the same as / similar to the hardware processor 1012 and the machine-readable storage medium 1014 of FIG. 10.

[0192] 15 illustrates a chipset 1500 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. Chipset 1500 may include, for example, processor and memory components integrated into one or more physical packages. As an example, a physical package may include an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and / or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide one or more properties, such as physical strength, size conservation, and / or limited electrical interaction.

[0193] In one embodiment, chipset 1500 includes a communication mechanism, such as a bus 1502, for passing information between components of chipset 1500. Processor 1504 has connectivity to bus 1502 for executing instructions stored in memory 1506 and processing information. Processor 1504 includes one or more processing cores, each configured to execute independently. A multi-core processor enables multi-processing within a single physical package. Examples of multi-core processors include two, four, eight, or more processing cores. Alternatively, or in addition, processor 1504 includes one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via bus 1502 to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading. Processor 1504 may also include one or more specialized components to perform certain processing functions and tasks, such as, for example, one or more digital signal processors (DSPs) 1508 and / or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) 1510. DSP 1508 may be configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) in real time, typically independent of processor 1504. Similarly, ASIC 1510 may be configured to perform specialized functions that cannot be easily achieved by a general-purpose processor. Other specialized components that assist in performing the inventive functions described herein include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) (not shown), one or more controllers (not shown), or one or more other specialized computer chips.

[0194] The processor 1504 and associated components can be connected to memory 1506 via bus 1502. Memory 1506 includes both dynamic memory (e.g., RAM) and static memory (e.g., ROM) for storing executable instructions that, when executed by the processor 1504, DSP 1508, and / or ASIC 1510, perform the processes of the example embodiments described herein. Memory 1506 also stores data associated with or generated by the execution of the processes.

[0195] As used herein, the terms "machine-readable medium," "computer-readable medium," and similar terms are generally used to refer to a non-transitory medium, volatile or non-volatile, that stores data and / or instructions that cause a machine to operate in a specific manner. Common forms of machine-readable medium include, for example, a hard disk, a solid-state drive, a magnetic tape, or any other magnetic data storage medium, an optical disk, or any other optical data storage medium, any physical medium with a pattern of holes, RAM, PROM, EPROM, FLASH-EPROM, NVRAM, any other memory chip or cartridge, and network versions thereof.

[0196] These and various other forms of computer-readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to a processing device for execution. Such instructions embodied on the media are generally referred to as "instructions" or "code." The instructions may be grouped in the form of a computer program or other grouping. When executed, such instructions may enable the processing device to perform the features or functions of the present application as described herein.

[0197] As used herein, a "processing device" may be implemented as a single processor that performs processing operations, or as a combination of special-purpose and / or general-purpose processors that perform processing operations. A processing device may include a CPU, GPU, APU, DSP, FPGA, ASIC, SOC, and / or other processing circuitry.

[0198] Various embodiments described herein are described with reference to exemplary block diagrams, flow charts, and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this specification, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives can be practiced without being limited to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.

[0199] Each of the processes, methods, and algorithms described in the preceding sections may be embodied in components executed by one or more computer systems or computer processors, including computer hardware, and may be fully or partially automated. The processes and algorithms may be implemented partially or wholly in application-specific circuitry. The various features and processes described above may be used independently of one another or combined in various ways. Different combinations and subcombinations are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure, and in some implementations, certain method or process blocks may be omitted. Furthermore, unless the context dictates otherwise, the methods and processes described herein are not limited to any particular sequence, and the blocks or states associated therewith may be performed in other suitable sequences, or in parallel or in some other manner. Blocks or states may be added or deleted from the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The performance of certain operations or processes may reside within a single machine, as well as be distributed among computer systems or computer processors spread across multiple machines.

[0200] As used herein, the term "or" may be interpreted in an inclusive or exclusive sense. Furthermore, descriptions of resources, operations, or structures in the singular should not be read to exclude the plural. In particular, conditional language such as "can," "could," "might," or "may," unless otherwise stated or understood otherwise within the context of use, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include certain features, elements, and / or steps, while other embodiments do not.

[0201] Terms and phrases used herein, and variations thereof, unless expressly stated otherwise, should be construed as open-ended rather than limiting. Modifiers such as "conventional," "conventional," "usual," "standard," "known," and similar terms should not be construed as limiting the described items to items available during a given period or at a given time, but instead should be read to encompass customary, conventional, ordinary, or standard technology that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. In some cases, the presence of broad words and phrases such as "one or more," "at least," "but not limited to," or other similar terms should not be construed to imply that a narrower case is intended or required in the absence of such broad phrase.

Claims

1. 1. A method for continuously and non-invasively measuring blood pressure, comprising: transmitting acoustic energy at a first frequency toward the blood vessel with an acoustic transducer; first measuring an electrical characteristic of the acoustic transducer; transmitting acoustic energy at a second frequency toward the blood vessel using the acoustic transducer; second measuring an electrical characteristic of the acoustic transducer; determining a change in an electrical property of the acoustic transducer between the first measurement and the second measurement, the determined change in the electrical property of the acoustic transducer corresponding to a change in reflected acoustic energy from the blood vessel; determining a resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel as a function of the determined change in the electrical property of the acoustic transducer; and generating a blood pressure measurement as a function of the determined resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second frequency corresponds to a resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel.

3. first measuring an electrical characteristic of the acoustic transducer in response to transmission of the acoustic energy at the first frequency; The method of claim 1 , wherein a second measuring of the electrical property of the acoustic transducer is responsive to transmission of the acoustic energy at the second frequency.

4. transmitting acoustic energy at a third frequency toward the blood vessel using the acoustic transducer; thirdly measuring an electrical characteristic of the acoustic transducer; determining a change in an electrical property of the acoustic transducer between the second measurement and the third measurement, the determined second change in the electrical property of the transducer corresponding to a second change in reflected acoustic energy from the blood vessel; 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel comprises determining a resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel as a function of first and second determined changes in reflected acoustic energy from the blood vessel.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic transducer comprises a non-receiver acoustic transducer.

6. The electrical characteristics of the acoustic transducer are: current, electric power, Voltage, Resistance and The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the impedances is a saturation voltage.

7. Producing the blood pressure measurements comprises: the determined resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel; an estimated wall thickness of the blood vessel; and The method of claim 1 , comprising generating the vascular radius as a function of the estimated vascular radius of the blood vessel.

8. the blood vessel is in a physiological structure; The method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting acoustic energy toward the blood vessel comprises transmitting acoustic energy through the physiological structure toward the blood vessel.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending a notification to a monitoring system that includes the generated blood pressure reading.

10. 1. A system for continuously and non-invasively measuring blood pressure, comprising: an acoustic transducer; one or more processors; a non-transitory computer-readable medium coupled to the one or more processors, the non-transitory computer-readable medium, when executed by the one or more processors, causing the system to: transmitting non-ultrasonic acoustic energy at a first frequency toward a blood vessel using the acoustic transducer; acquiring, with the acoustic transducer, a first audio signal resulting from the blood vessel reflecting the non-ultrasonic acoustic energy transmitted at the first frequency; transmitting non-ultrasonic acoustic energy at a second frequency toward the blood vessel using the acoustic transducer; acquiring, with the acoustic transducer, a second audio signal resulting from the blood vessel reflecting the non-ultrasonic acoustic energy transmitted at the second frequency; determining a resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel as a function of the first and second audio signals; The system stores instructions for generating a blood pressure measurement as a function of the determined resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel.

11. a wearable cuff sized to be worn around a limb of a person; the acoustic transducer is mechanically attached to the wearable cuff; The system of claim 10 , wherein the blood vessel is located in a limb of the person.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors are mechanically attached to the wearable cuff.

13. a second acoustic transducer; and instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to: transmitting non-ultrasonic acoustic energy at the first frequency toward the blood vessel using the second acoustic transducer; The system of claim 10 , wherein the acoustic transducer is used to acquire a third audio signal resulting from the blood vessel reflecting the non-ultrasonic acoustic energy transmitted at the first frequency.

14. Producing the blood pressure measurements comprises: the determined resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel; an estimated wall thickness of the blood vessel; and The system of claim 10 , further comprising generating the estimated vessel radius as a function of the vessel radius.

15. and instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to: transmitting non-ultrasonic acoustic energy at a third frequency toward the blood vessel using the acoustic transducer; acquiring, with the acoustic transducer, a third audio signal resulting from the blood vessel reflecting the non-ultrasonic acoustic energy transmitted at the third frequency; 11. The system of claim 10, wherein determining a resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel comprises determining a resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel as a function of the first, second, and third audio signals.

16. 1. A system for continuously and non-invasively measuring blood pressure, comprising: an ultrasonic transducer; a non-ultrasonic acoustic transducer; one or more processors; a non-transitory computer-readable medium coupled to the one or more processors, the non-transitory computer-readable medium, when executed by the one or more processors, causing the system to: transmitting ultrasonic energy at a blood vessel using the ultrasonic transducer; using the ultrasound transducer to acquire a first audio signal resulting from the blood vessel reflecting the ultrasound energy; determining a wall thickness and a vessel radius of the blood vessel as a function of the first audio signal; transmitting non-ultrasonic acoustic energy at a first frequency toward the blood vessel using the non-ultrasonic acoustic transducer; acquiring, with the acoustic transducer, a second audio signal resulting from the blood vessel reflecting the non-ultrasonic acoustic energy transmitted at the first frequency; transmitting non-ultrasonic acoustic energy at a second frequency toward the blood vessel using the non-ultrasonic acoustic transducer; acquiring, with the acoustic transducer, a third audio signal resulting from the blood vessel reflecting the non-ultrasonic acoustic energy transmitted at the second frequency; determining a resonant frequency of vibration of the wall of the blood vessel as a function of the first and second audio signals; and storing instructions for generating a blood pressure measurement as a function of the determined wall thickness, vessel radius, and resonant frequency.

17. a wearable cuff sized to be worn around a limb of a person; the acoustic transducer is mechanically attached to the wearable cuff; 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the blood vessel is located in a limb of the person.

18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the one or more processors are mechanically attached to the wearable cuff.

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