EP1919354A2

EP1919354A2 - Blood pressure sphygmomanometer for use with a common apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP1919354A2
Application number: EP06824889A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Phillip L. Lam; Ping Cheng Benjamin Liu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: CalHealth Inc
Priority date: 2005-08-31
Filing date: 2006-08-31
Publication date: 2008-05-14
Also published as: EP1919354A4; BRPI0617127A2; IL189774A0; JP2009506844A; AU2006287225A2; KR20080059376A; AU2006287225A1; CA2620130A1; KR101307118B1; WO2007028107A2; WO2007028107A3

Abstract

A sphygmomanometer cuff assembly, air pump, pressure sensor and release valve are contained in an otherwise conventional computer mouse controller or are attached to a cell phone, television remote control or directly to a computer. In one embodiment the sphygmomanometer cuff is nominally positioned within a mouse structure and is extended outside the mouse housing during the measurement. In another embodiment, the cuff is always external of the mouse structure and is easily connected to the mouse at special ports during the measurement. In yet another embodiment, the cuff is always internal of the mouse structure and is readily accessible through an aperture in the housing surface of the mouse to permit the measurement to take place. In yet another embodiment, a wrist cuff and associated pump, sensor and valve are designed to be selectively connected to a cell phone to which appropriate software has been downloaded from a computer.

Description

BLOOD PRESSURE SPHYGMOMANOMETER FOR USE WITH A COMMON APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to blood pressure monitoring devices. More specifically, the invention hereof relates to a conventional prolific device such as a cell phone or computer mouse controller which incorporates a blood pressure cuff for monitoring blood pressure and displaying measured data either at the computer with which the mouse is associated, on the cell phone or computer display to which the wrist cuff is connected, or on a television screen of a television having a remote control to which the cuff is connected. Such data display provides an easily understood representation of the measured parameters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority from U.S. Utility Patent Application Serial No. 11/215,983 filed August 31, 2005 and now issued U.S. Patent No. 7,066,890 issued June 27, 2006 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/720,845 filed September 27, 2005 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/731,663 filed October 31, 2005.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Hypertension is one of modern society's most insidious diseases. Left untreated, it causes life-threatening problems including atherosclerosis, strokes and aneurysms. Long-term hypertension can result in diminished cardio-vascular and kidney function. Yet while high blood pressure is one of the simplest problems to detect in an entirely non-invasive process, it is all too commonly undetected in a large portion of the population. In the past twenty years or so, with the advent of low-cost microprocessor chips and miniature digital electronics and electromagnetic devices, the self-measurement of blood pressure by non-medical personnel has become more readily available. Nevertheless, blood pressure sphygmomanometers are still too sophisticated for a large segment of the population. Even those who are entirely capable of operating such devices tend to put them away in drawers and other out of the way places where they often remain mostly forgotten and unused.

[0004] It would be highly advantageous to the early detection of hypertension and thus to the general health of the population if there were a way to provide prolific availability of blood pressure monitoring devices that were readily accessible and even easier to use than currently available digital sphygmomanometers. Having a blood pressure sphygmomanometer at virtually every computer or television set with a pressure cuff always immediately adjacent to each computer or television remote control unit, would go a long way to serving such an advantageous function. Such is the purpose of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention combines the blood pressure sphygmomanometer with the most commonly available devices of the modem world, the computer mouse and the cell phone. Moreover, the invention incorporates the sphygmomanometer cuff into the computer mouse in a manner which makes it extremely simple and convenient to initiate and carry out the blood pressure measurement process. Three alternative mouse embodiments are illustrated and discussed herein. In one such embodiment the sphygmomanometer cuff is nominally positioned within the mouse structure and is extended outside the mouse housing during the measurement. In another embodiment, the cuff is always external of the mouse structure and is easily connected to the mouse at special ports during the measurement. In yet another embodiment, the cuff is always internal of the mouse structure and is readily accessible through an aperture in the housing surface of the mouse to permit the measurement to take place. Preferably, in each of these alternative embodiments a hinged or slidable door or panel protects the cuff or cuff ports between measurements. In the cell phone embodiment, a wrist cuff and its associated pump, sensor and valve are connected to the cell phone which has received associated software. In yet another embodiment, a pressure cuff and associated components are connected directly to a television remote control for wireless transmission to a television or set-top box connected to a television. In all of the embodiments shown herein, the sphygmomanometer cuff is configured for receiving a human finger or wrist in circumambient pressured engagement using controlled air pressure to vary the cuff engagement pressure in a precise manner.

[0006] In a well-known manner used in blood pressure sphygmomanometers of all kinds, the pressure of the cuff/finger engagement is initially increased until arterial vessel pulsation is beyond cutoff (total occlusion of the artery). The cuff pressure is then slowly decreased until first detection of arterial vessel pulsation (commonly known as Korotkoff Phase I). The corresponding cuff pressure at this point will be substantially equal to systolic blood pressure which is one significant parameter to be monitored. As cuff pressure continues to be decreased, arterial vessel pulsations will eventually become undetectable through the cuff because of the lack of adequate cuff pressure to sense those pulsations (commonly known as Korotkoff Phase V). The pressure of the cuff at this point will be substantially equal to diastolic blood pressure which is another significant parameter to be monitored. Moreover, the frequency of pulsations sensed between the systolic and diastolic pressures is measured and will be substantially equal to the heartbeat rate or pulse rate which is also a parameter of some significance to be monitored. These two cuff pressures and the pulsation frequency are the measured parameter data of the process and corresponding digital data are sent to the computer to which the mouse controller is associated.

[0007] Computer software, to be described herein, can then utilize this digital data (typically in binary form) to create a suitable display of the measured parameters on the computer's monitor. Other functions can also be carried out such as recording the data, graphically plotting data over numerous measurements and communicating the data to others such as by means of the internet for example by e- mail to pre-assigned medical personnel.

[0008] The principal advantage of the present invention is therefore clearly the proliferation of a simple and convenient way for the great number of computer and cell phone users to have the benefits of frequent blood pressure monitoring. Moreover, because the computer mouse can normally be readily replaced in existing computers, this clearly beneficial health-related device can be enjoyed by substantially every computer user and his or her family with relatively little investment. Moreover, virtually any cell phone user will ultimately be able to easily monitor and record his or her blood pressure and pulse rate by simply placing a wrist cuff on their wrist and connect it to their cell phone. Society as a whole will benefit from the likely increase in the early detection of hypertension and the resulting timely treatment thereof and prevention of related diseases. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The various embodiments, features and advances of the present invention will be understood more completely hereinafter as a result of a detailed description thereof in which reference will be made to the following drawings:

[0010] FIGs. 1 through 6 are various views of a first embodiment of the invention in which a sphygmomanometer pressure cuff is selectively ejected from within a mouse controller for blood pressure measurement;

[0011] FlGs. 7 through 9 are various views of a sphygmomanometer cuff and attendant devices for applying occluding pressure to a human finger and releasing the pressure in a precise manner for carrying out the measurement;

[0012] FIGs. 10 through 11 are views of a second embodiment of the invention in which a sphygmomanometer pressure cuff is selectively affixed to ports at the exterior of a mouse controller for the measurement;

[0013] FIGs. 12 through 13 are views of a third embodiment of the invention in which a sphygmomanometer pressure cuff is fixedly positioned within the housing of a mouse controller and is accessible through at least one aperture in the housing for the measurement;

[0014] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the sphygmomanometer and computer interface which may be employed using an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0015] FIGs. 15 and 16 are representations of a computer monitor display of a record of blood pressure measurements;

[0016] FIG. 17 is a representation of a cell phone/wrist cuff embodiment of the invention; [0017] FIG. 18 is a representation of another wrist cuff embodiment wherein the cuff and associated components are connected directly to a computer such as by means of a USB connector; and

[0018] FIG. 19 is a representation of still another wrist cuff embodiment wherein the cuff and associated components are connected to a remote control device which wirelessly transmits the measured data to a television directly or through a television set top box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

MOUSE CONTROLLER EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Referring to the accompanying figures and to FIGs. 1 through 6 initially, it will be seen that a first embodiment mouse controller 10 comprises a housing 12, click buttons 13 and 15 and control device 14. It will be understood that the precise configuration of the mouse controller hereof may be varied to virtually any of the many conventional designs. Therefore the shape, location and number of click buttons, the control device 14 and the shape of the housing 12 are all shown herein as illustrative only and should not be deemed limiting of the scope hereof. However, what is a significant improvement over conventional mouse controllers now follows.

[0020] As seen in FIGs. 1 and 2, a hinged door 16 is provided on the side of mouse housing 12. Hinged door 16, when opened about a hinge 17, leads to the interior of housing 12 where a sphygmomanometer 21 and its cuff assembly 18 are located. As will be hereafter more fully described, upon activation of the sphygmomanometer 21 , cuff assembly 18 extends through door 16 to the exterior of the mouse housing as shown best in FIGs. 3 to 5. This extension of the cuff assembly is facilitated by folding door 16 about hinge 17 until it is in alignment with an inner door stage 19 which is, in turn, extended beyond the housing 12 and rotated about its hinge 20 until the door assembly is fully rotated about 270 degrees into a rectangular recess 22 in the bottom surface 24 of the housing as shown in FIGs. 3 and 4 in particular. When the cuff assembly 18 is fully extended into the position shown in FlG. 5, the cuff assembly is in suitable position for insertion of a person's extended finger for measurement of blood pressure and pulse rate. The assembly may then be re-inserted into the housing and the door assembly rotated back into position for closure of the housing and normal, conventional usage of the mouse controller 10.

[0021] The sphygmomanometer 21 including pressure cuff assembly 18 is shown in FIG. 6 as it sits within the housing 12 and the cuff assembly and attendant components are shown in detail in FIGs. 7 to 9. As seen in those figures, the sphygmomanometer 21 comprises an inflatable air bag 25 within the annular interior of cuff assembly 18. Also forming sphygmomanometer 21 are solenoid 26, extender arm 28, motorized air pump 30, pressure sensor 32 and release valve 34. Solenoid 26 and extender arm 28 provide the ability to extend the cuff assembly 18 out of the housing 12 as previously described in conjunction with FIGs. 3 to 5. Air pump 30 provides the pressurized air to selectively expand air bag 25 to forcefully grasp a finger protruding through cuff assembly 18. Pressure sensor 32 senses the pressure at the air bag/finger surface interface and release valve 34 releases air from the air bag 25 at a rate that is commensurate with sensor 32 oscillometrically sensing the systolic and diastolic blood pressure at the inserted finger.

[0022] FIGs. 10 and 11 illustrate a second embodiment mouse controller 40 having a housing 42, click buttons 43 and 45 and control device 45. In this embodiment, the housing provides jacks 46 and 48 to which an external cuff assembly 50 having an air bag 52, is attached by connectors 54 and 56. A connector brace 58 mates with a brace receptacle 60 to further support the cuff assembly 50. The remaining components of the sphygmomanometer (less extender arm 28 and solenoid 26 which aren't required in this second embodiment) are interior to housing 42. Once the cuff assembly 50 is attached to the controller 40, the operation of the second embodiment is identical to that of the first embodiment 10. A jack cover 47 may be employed to protect the jacks 46 and 48 when the sphygmomanometer is not in use.

[0023] FIGs. 12 and 13 illustrate a third illustrative embodiment mouse controller 70 having a housing 72, click buttons 73 and 75 and control device 74. In this embodiment a sphygmomanometer is fully contained in a fixed position interior of housing 72 which has apertures 76 axially aligned on opposed side surfaces of the housing. Within apertures 76 is positioned a cuff assembly 78 and an air bag 80 to receive a person's finger for blood pressure and pulse rate measurement as previously described.

[0024] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the sphygmomanometer/computer interface showing that the air bag is connected through air tubes to the pump, the pressure sensor and release valve. These components, in turn, receive commands and provide pressure data to a computer through an MCU and USB to UART bridge and the computer's USB port. FIG. 15 shows the typical data transmitted to the computer during the blood pressure measurement and from which the systolic, diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate parameters are obtained. FIG. 16 illustrates a typical display presented on the computer monitor after a measurement is completed. The data may be logged and graphically displayed over multiple measurements to provide a time-based record of changes in blood pressure and pulse rate.

CELL PHONE AND DIRECT COMPUTER EMBODIMENTS

[0025] FIG. 17 illustrates a wrist cuff/cell phone version of the invention in which a sphygmomanometer 90 comprises a pressure cuff 92 configured for compressive^ engaging a person's wrist. A small attached housing 94 contains an air pump, pressure sensor and release vaive (not shown) of the type previously described in conjunction with the finger cuff of FIGs. 1 through 14. The cuff 92 and housing 94 may be electrically connected to a cell phone 95 by a cable 96 and connector 97. The cell phone 95 may preferably have a display 98 for presenting the same type of information as shown in FIG. 16 including graphical data as well as data in alphanumeric form. Cell phone 95 may preferably be connectabie to a PC or laptop computer (not shown) to download such data to the computer and/or to receive programming for operation with the sphygmomanometer 90 as required for compatible operation.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 18, the wrist cuff of FIG. 17 may also be connected directly to a computer 100 such as through a USB connector 101 thereby bypassing the cell phone and displaying health status data on a computer display 102 in real time.

[0027] Television Remote Control Unit

As shown in FIG. 19, the wrist cuff of FIG. 17 may also be connected to a television remote control unit 110 which wirelessly transmits the measured data to a nearby television 112 for display thereon. A set-top box 114 may be used to receive the data from the remote control unit 110 and configure the data as a corresponding message to be displayed on the television screen 115 such as shown in FIG. 19. Direct interface to a television set is also contemplated.

[0028] It will now be understood that the present invention provides a novel, convenient way of measuring and tracking health-based parameters by utilizing either a modified computer mouse controller that facilitates obtaining such parameters at virtually every computer or a cell phone and wrist cuff combination that facilitates measurement of such parameters using otherwise conventional cell phones.. While various alternative embodiments have been disclosed herein, other variations will now be perceived by those having the benefit of the description herein. Accordingly, the scope hereof is not limited by the illustrative features described herein, but only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0029] We claim:

Claims

1. A combination comprising: a computer mouse controller; and a device for measuring at least one parameter of a person's health status; said controller having an interface for said measuring device; wherein said measuring device is stored within said controller; and wherein said stored measuring device is configured for selectively being extended external of said controller for access to said measuring device during measurement of said at least one parameter.

2. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said measuring device comprises a sphygmomanometer.

3. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said measuring device comprises a blood pressure measurement pressure cuff.

4. The combination recited in claim 3 wherein said pressure cuff is configured for compressively engaging a person's finger.

5. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one parameter is systolic blood pressure.

6. The combination recited in claim 1 further comprising a computer having a display, said mouse controller being configured for communicating with said computer for controlling at least one feature of said display and for generating a visual manifestation of said at least one parameter on said display.

7. A combination comprising: a computer mouse controller; and a sphygmomanometer; said controller having an interface with said sphygmomanometer; and wherein said sphygmomanometer has a pressure cuff selectably extendable from an interior position in said controller to an exterior position relative to said controller.

8. A sphygmomanometer having a pressure cuff for selective engagement with a person's extremity for measuring a person's systolic and diastolic blood pressure; and a computer control device having a housing, said cuff being contained within said housing, said housing having an access to said contained cuff for placing said extremity into said cuff; wherein said access comprises an extension device for extending said cuff outside said housing.

9. A combination comprising: a computer mouse controller; and a device for measuring at least one parameter of a person's health status; said controller having an interface for said measuring device; wherein said measuring device is selectively attached to said controller during measurement of said at least one parameter; a computer to which said controller is in communication for transferring data relating to said measurement.

10. The combination recited in claim 9 wherein said computer comprises a display device for displaying said data.

11. A combination comprising: a computer mouse controller; and a sphygmomanometer; said controller having an interface with said sphygmomanometer; wherein said sphygmomanometer has a pressure cuff accessible through an aperture in said controller.

12. A sphygmomanometer having a pressure cuff for selective engagement with a person's extremity for measuring a person's systolic and diastolic blood pressure; and a computer control device having a housing, said cuff being contained within said housing, said housing having an access to said contained cuff for placing said extremity into said cuff; wherein said access comprises an aperture in said housing.

13. A sphygmomanometer having a pressure cuff for selective engagement with a person's extremity for measuring a person's systolic and diastolic blood pressure; and a computer mouse control device having a housing, said housing having at least one external port for receiving said cuff and containing at least one air pump for filling said cuff with air to compressively engage said extremity.

14. A sphygmomanometer having a pressure cuff for selective engagement with a person's finger for measuring a person's systolic and diastolic blood pressure; and a computer mouse control device having a housing with at least one aperture for receiving said finger, said pressure cuff being located within said housing in proximity to said aperture for engaging said finger.

15. A computer mouse control device having a housing forming an interior chamber; and a sphygmomanometer having an air pump positioned within said interior chamber of said housing for measuring a person's blood pressure using said computer mouse control device and a cuff for pressurized engagement with a person's extremity, said cuff being selectively connected to said air pump through a port in said housing.

16. The computer mouse control device recited in claim 15 further comprising a computer interface for connecting said control device to a computer having a display and wherein said measured blood pressure may be displayed on said display.

17. A combination comprising: a cell phone; and a device for measuring at least one parameter of a person's health status; said cell phone having an interface for said measuring device.

18. The combination recited in claim 17 wherein said measuring device comprises a sphygmomanometer.

19. The combination recited in claim 17 wherein said measuring device comprises a blood pressure measurement pressure cuff.

20. The combination recited in claim 19 wherein said pressure cuff is configured for compressively engaging a person's wrist.

21. A combination comprising: a cell phone; and a sphygmomanometer; said cell phone having an interface with said sphygmomanometer.

22. A sphygmomanometer having a pressure cuff for selective engagement with a person's extremity for measuring a person's systolic and diastolic blood pressure; and a cell phone device having a housing, said housing having at least one port for connection to said cuff.

23. A combination comprising: a computer; and a device for measuring at least one parameter of a person's health status; said computer having an interface for said measuring device.

24. The combination recited in claim 23 wherein said measuring device comprises a sphygmomanometer.

25. The combination recited in claim 23 wherein said measuring device comprises a blood pressure measurement pressure cuff.

26. The combination recited in claim 25 wherein said pressure cuff is configured for compressively engaging a person's wrist.

27. A combination comprising: a computer; and a sphygmomanometer; said computer having an interface with said sphygmomanometer.

28. A sphygmomanometer having a pressure cuff for selective engagement with a person's extremity for measuring a person's systolic and diastolic blood pressure; and a computer having at least one connector for direct connection to said cuff for receiving data regarding said measured blood pressure.

29. A combination comprising: a television; and a device for measuring at least one parameter of a person's health status; said television having an interface for said measuring device.

30. The combination recited in claim 29 wherein said measuring device comprises a sphygmomanometer.

31. The combination recited in claim 29 wherein said measuring device comprises a blood pressure measurement pressure cuff.

32. The combination recited in claim 31 wherein said pressure cuff is configured for compressively engaging a person's wrist.

33. The combination recited in claim 29 wherein said interface comprises a television remote control unit.

34. The combination recited in claim 29 wherein said interface comprises a remote control unit and a set-top box connected to said television and adapted to receive wireless transmission from said remote control unit.

35. A combination comprising: a television remote control; and a sphygmomanometer; said television remote control having an interface with said sphygmomanometer.

36. A sphygmomanometer having a pressure cuff for selective engagement with a person's extremity for measuring a person's systolic and diastolic blood pressure; and a television remote control device having a housing, said housing having at least one port for connection to said cuff.

37. A combination comprising: a television; and a device for measuring at least one parameter of a person's health status; said television having an interface for said measuring device.

38. The combination recited in claim 37 wherein said measuring device comprises a sphygmomanometer.

39. The combination recited in claim 37 wherein said measuring device comprises a blood pressure measurement pressure cuff.

40. The combination recited in claim 39 wherein said pressure cuff is configured for compressively engaging a person's wrist.

41. A sphygmomanometer having a pressure cuff for selective engagement with a person's extremity for measuring a person's systolic and diastolic blood pressure; and a wireless remote control unit having at least one connector for direct connection to said cuff for receiving data regarding said measured blood pressure and wirelessly transmitting said data to a nearby television display.

42. A sphygmomanometer having a pressure cuff for selective engagement with a person's extremity for measuring a person's systolic and diastolic blood pressure; and a wireless remote control unit having at least one connector for direct connection to said cuff for receiving data regarding said measured blood pressure and wirelessly transmitting said data to a nearby television set-top box.