Blood Pressure Cuff Calibration for Occlusion Efficiency Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional non-invasive blood pressure monitoring devices face challenges due to variations in cuff design and configuration, leading to inaccuracies in blood pressure measurements that fail to meet regulatory standards.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that includes an inflatable cuff with a sensor to determine a parameter associated with the occluded artery, a processor to receive occlusion efficiency information, and a method to calculate hemodynamic parameters by accounting for cuff-specific occlusion efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fixed calibration is used for non-invasive blood pressure monitoring, then the device operation is simple, but measurement precision deteriorates due to cuff design variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operation simplicityVSAvoidblood pressure measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary characterization of each cuff's occlusion efficiency before actual blood pressure measurement. The processor determines the occlusion efficiency parameter by analyzing the relationship between cuff pressure sensor readings and actual arterial occlusion during an initial calibration phase, storing this information for use in subsequent measurements to compensate for cuff-specific variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the calibration parameter from a fixed universal value to a variable parameter specific to each cuff. The processor adjusts the calibration factor based on the determined occlusion efficiency of the particular cuff being used, allowing the measurement system to adapt to variations in cuff design, size, and configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If cuff design and configuration are standardized, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates when different cuff types are used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuff design consistencyVSAvoidcuff type compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the actual occlusion effect during cuff inflation and using this information to adjust subsequent measurements. The processor analyzes the relationship between applied cuff pressure and actual arterial occlusion, using this feedback to compensate for variations between different cuff types and configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary calibration parameter (occlusion efficiency factor) that mediates between the physical cuff characteristics and the measurement algorithm. This intermediary parameter allows different cuff types to be used with the same device while maintaining measurement accuracy through mathematical compensation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If occlusion efficiency variations are not compensated, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement system simplicityVSAvoidhemodynamic parameter accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-characterization by automatically determining the occlusion efficiency of each cuff during initial use. The processor analyzes measurement data from the cuff pressure sensor and oscillation detector to calculate the occlusion efficiency parameter without requiring external calibration equipment or manual intervention, enabling the system to compensate for cuff variations autonomously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system provides accurate hemodynamic parameter determination by compensating for cuff-specific variations, ensuring compliance with medical device regulations and improving measurement precision.

Implementation Method 1

an inflatable cuff configured to at least partially occlude an artery of the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOcclusion:

Implementation Method 2

a sensor configured to determine a first parameter associated with the at least partially occluded artery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS12471854B2Systems and methods for monitoring a patient

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 WELCH ALLYN INC

AI summary

A system for monitoring a patient includes an inflatable cuff configured to at least partially occlude an artery of the patient, and a sensor configured to determine a first parameter associated with the at least partially occluded artery and to generate an output signal indicative of the first parameter. The system also includes a processor configured to receive the output signal and information indicative of an occlusion efficiency of the cuff. The processor is configured to determine a hemodynamic parameter of the patient based on the output signal and the information.