Vascular Compression Device for Small Subject Blood Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive blood pressure measurement methods are ineffective for small subjects, such as companion animals and infants, due to their small, high-frequency arterial pulsations, making it difficult to detect accurate vascular parameters.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a vascular compression device and an arterial/venous occlusion cuff that applies compression ischemia to an appendage, followed by gradual decompression to allow blood flow and measure vascular parameters using a volume plethysmograph, enhancing the detection of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, venous blood pressure, arterial blood flow, and blood vessel compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional non-invasive blood pressure measurement methods are used, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient for small subjects due to small, high-frequency arterial pulsations
Solution Approach 1:
The vascular compression device is activated before the arterial/venous occlusion cuff is pressurized to generate compression ischemia in the appendage. This preliminary action empties the vasculature and creates a baseline state that enhances the detectability of subsequent blood flow during cuff depressurization, making the small, high-frequency pulsations more detectable by the pulse detector
Solution Approach 2:
The vascular compression device acts as an intermediary that creates compression ischemia to prepare the tissue for better detection. By temporarily compressing the appendage and then releasing it during cuff depressurization, the device creates enhanced blood flow signals that are easier to detect with conventional pulse detectors, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complex specialized sensors
2Measurement precision
If arterial/venous occlusion plethysmography is used, then vascular parameters can be measured, but the method fails in subjects with hypertensive orhyperemic appendages due to lack of compliance for additional swelling
Solution Approach 1:
The vascular compression device is activated to empty the vasculature of the appendage before the arterial/venous occlusion cuff is applied. This preliminary evacuation of blood creates a deflated state in the vasculature, ensuring that even subjects with hypertensive orhyperemic conditions have available compliance for swelling during subsequent cuff depressurization, enabling accurate plethysmographic measurements in previously unsuitable subjects
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly occluding the appendage with the arterial/venous occlusion cuff as in conventional plethysmography, the invention first uses the vascular compression device to evacuate blood from the appendage, then applies the cuff. This inverted sequence ensures that the vasculature starts in an empty state, creating swelling capacity even in subjects whose vasculature would normally be distended and non-compliant
3Measurement precision
If direct arterial blood pressure measurements are taken, then accurate readings can be obtained, but the method is painful, injurious, and only suitable for acute measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical direct arterial catheterization method with a non-invasive pneumatic system consisting of the vascular compression device and arterial/venous occlusion cuff. The vascular compression device uses controlled compression to evacuate blood, and the arterial/venous occlusion cuff uses gradual depressurization to allow blood flow, with both stages monitored by a pulse detector. This mechanical substitution eliminates needles and surgical insertion while maintaining measurement accuracy through detection of blood flow initiation and amplitude changes during cuff depressurization
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
This approach provides more accurate and larger readings for small subjects with hyperemic or hypertensive appendages, enabling the detection of vascular parameters that are challenging with conventional techniques, improving vascular health assessment.
Implementation Method 1
The vascular compression device is activated to generate compression ischemia in the appendage
Implementation Method 2
The arterial/venous occlusion cuff is pressurized to generate arterial/venous occlusion in the appendage
Implementation Method 3
determine vascular parameters such as, for example, systolic arterial blood pressure, diastolic arterial blood pressure, venous blood pressure, arterial blood flow, blood vessel compliance, and appendage blood volume as measured, for example, from a volume plethysmograph on the appendage
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for taking non-invasive blood pressure and other vascular parameter measurements includes placing a vascular compression device about an appendage of a subject. An arterial/venous occlusion cuff is placed about a base of the appendage. The vascular compression device is activated to generate compression ischemia in the appendage. The arterial/venous occlusion cuff is pressurized to generate arterial/venous occlusion in the appendage. The vascular compression device is deactivated. The arterial/venous occlusion cuff is gradually depressurized to allow blood and other body fluids to flow into the appendage and thereupon determine vascular parameters such as, for example, systolic arterial blood pressure, diastolic arterial blood pressure, venous blood pressure, arterial blood flow, blood vessel compliance, and appendage blood volume.