WO2014017975A1

WO2014017975A1 - A method for blood pressure cuff application and blood pressure cuff support

Info

Publication number: WO2014017975A1
Application number: PCT/SE2013/050927
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tal Martin HÖRER
Original assignee: Probonova Medical Innovations AB
Current assignee: Probonova Medical Innovations AB
Priority date: 2012-07-26
Filing date: 2013-07-24
Publication date: 2014-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 2015-01-26

Description

A METHOD FOR BLOOD PRESSURE CUFF APPLICATION AND BLOOD

PRESSURE CUFF SUPPORT

BACKGROUND

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method according to the introductory portion of the attached claim 1.

The present invention further relates to a device according to the introductory portion of the attached claim 11.

PRIOR ART

Blood pressure sensors for persons measure the blood pressure by means of a cuff and a measuring system. A user activates blowing up, manually or automatically, the cuff, which is applied around a limb, e. g. an arm, and in this way applies a pressure to said limb, which pressure cuts off the blood supply to said limb. When the pressure after that is lowered, the measuring system measures the systolic as well as the diastolic blood pressure.

According to previously known techniques generally one and the same principle is used, this principle involving a cuff and support configuration demanding the use of two hands for its application. This makes application of the cuff and support time consuming and complicated.

From US 2006/0047206 there is known a cuff for blood pressure monitoring that may enable fixation of the cuff by means of merely using one hand, i.e. enabling to be held in one hand. However, the taught solution presents a major disadvantage compared to generally known cuffs, in that it requires the cuff to be moved all the way along the arm of the patient, from the hand up to the point of measurement. There are many situations where such a movement is complicated, or even impossible, to perform, which probably is one of the reasons why that solution has had no success on the market. According to a second embodiment taught in this patent application the solution requires the use of two hands, in line with commonly used cuffs. From US2011/0040196 there is known a blood pressure monitoring device comprising two pivotally connected halves, wherein the actual attachments of the device may be performed by one hand but where the final attachment of the monitoring device normally will need the use of two hands due to a complex arrangement of fine tuning mechanism.

There are two main groups of users of blood pressure measurements, namely auto users, measuring their blood pressure by themselves, e. g. at home, and professional users, measuring the blood pressure of patients in hospitals, ambulance operations etc. For the first group it is important that the cuff and support configuration is easy to apply properly. From this aspect previously known techniques offers problems. For the second group of users it is important that the cuff and support configuration is easy to apply properly and in addition to this that it is possible to apply the cuff and support configuration very quickly since blood pressure measurements often must be done immediately for patients as soon as they have been taken in at hospitals, ambulance operations etc. Under such circumstances every second is of great importance. Also, for professional users, such as nurses in hospitals, normally being extremely busy, it is important that each blood pressure measurement takes a minimum of time considering the great number of routine blood pressure measurements to be performed. Also from these aspects, previously known techniques offer problems. Further, with previously known techniques a considerable amount of physical contact with the patient during blood pressure measurement is necessary which is most undesirable from a

contamination point of view. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a solution to, inter alia, the problems indicated above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for applying a blood pressure cuff configuration and an improved blood pressure cuff configuration.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and a cuff configuration providing extremely fast application. Another object of the present invention is to provide a one hand method and cuff configuration simplifying the application for the user. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and a cuff configuration generating a minimum of physical person to person contact during measurement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and a cuff configuration providing simple locking and releasing related to application.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and a cuff configuration providing simple and non-expensive manufacturing.

These and other objects are obtained by a method according to the attached claim 1 and a blood pressure cuff configuration according to the attached claim 11.

Further advantages are obtained by what is specified in the corresponding dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention may be had by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which like details are designated with like designations and in which;

-Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a support device of a blood pressure cuff configuration according to the present invention, the device being shown in a semi-open state; and without an inflatable member applied in the device;

-Fig. 2 shows the support device according to Fig.1 seen in the axial direction of the device and in a fully closed state

-Fig. 3 shows the support device according to Fig.1 seen in the axial direction of the device and in a fully open state;

-Fig. 4 schematically shows an exploded perspective view of a support device substantially according Fig. l and presenting details of a locking and releasing mechanism;

-Fig. 5a and b schematically show an explode view and an axial cross section, respectively of a further embodiment of a locking and releasing mechanism; -Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a support device substantially according to Fig. 2 seen in a substantially closed, clamped, and with a display arrangement; -Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of a support device according to the invention;

-Fig. 8 schematically shows a support device according to the present invention held in a one hand grip for application on e.g. an upper portion of an arm; -Figs. 9 a) - c) schematically show views of a second embodiment of a support device according to the present invention, shown in three different states, namely fully open, semi-open and fully closed, respectively, in three views, namely side view with support device halves with grip portions and mechanism, side view of grip portions and mechanism and top view of grip portions and mechanism; and

-Fig. 10 shows a block diagram specifying a method according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMB ODEVIENT S

In Figs. 1 - 9 a blood pressure cuff configuration is generally designated 100 and a sup- port device designated 101. Figs. 1 - 8 show, in a schematic way, a first preferred embodiment according to the invention and Figs. 9a - c show a second embodiment of a blood pressure cuff configuration according to the invention.

In Fig. 1 there is shown a first embodiment of a blood pressure cuff configuration 100 according to the present invention with a support device 101 but without an expandable member arrangement. In Fig. 2 the support device with an expandable member 102 (e.g. inflatable) indicated is shown. The configuration is intended for blood pressure measurements and serves to be applied on a desired portion of a limb of a person, such as an upper part of an arm 103, as indicated in Fig. 8, and to apply a pressure for cutting off (at least partly, as is known per se) the blood flow to said limb. Arrangements for fluid supply for pressure generation etc. are well known per se and not shown or described herein. Further it is evident that numerous variations of expandable members/principles may be used together with the support device 101, and also that the support device 101 may be used together with other means, i.e. even means that are non-expandable, e.g. a measuring member of any kind to be easily applied to a limb. According to preferred embodiments said support device is provided as two opposing and pivotally connected, substantially U-shaped halves 120, 121 configured to be held in said one hand grip between the thumb 125 of said hand and other fingers 126 of said hand, respectively. As can be seen the U-shape is open (i.e. at least 90°) to allow easy form molding (e.g. in thermo plastic material) of each half 120, 121, preferably using relatively thin (e.g. 1-3 mm) wall thickness and shaped side walls 120A that protrude inwardly to provide a solid impression, in combination with reinforcing ribs 120B that are substantially as high as the side walls 120A, i.e. substantially higher (e.g. 5-30 mm) than the thickness of the walls/ribs.

According to preferred embodiments, an elongated opening 111 is provided with a overlapping claw configuration 107, 108, see Figs. 2 - 4, e. g., preferably with at least two neighboring claws 107 on one half 120 and at least one opposing intermediate claw 108 on the other half 121. Other claw designs are evidently conceivable. In Fig. 7 there is shown an embodiment where two claws 107, 108 are arranged on each half 120, 121. The claw portions extend substantially to form the outer half of each outer U-leg portion (seen from the side) of each half 120, 121. This design facilitates improved swallow ability of the support device 101. As is evident to the skilled person it also is within the scope of the invention to provide halves 120, 121 without said claws, instead for instance presenting straight, meeting edges.

Referring again to Fig.8, according to the present invention said support device 101 is arranged to be held in a one hand 110 grip and to receive said desired limb portion 103 in said support device through the elongated opening 111 (see fig 3) running in an axial direction 112 (see Fig.5a) of said support device, said elongated opening 111 being arranged to be easily closed (or substantially closed) by pivoting said one hand grip thereby clamping said support device around said desired limb portion. At least one, preferably both, of the two halves 120, 121 is arranged with a a gripping surface 115 at their outer surfaces 114, said gripping surface 115 designed for facilitating a firm one- hand grip and maneuvering of the device, i.e. opening as well as closing the device 100 using one hand only. Thus, during use only one hand of a health care provider is occupied with applying the blood pressure cuff configuration 100 around a patient's limb while the unoccupied hand can be used for other activities, e.g. supporting the patient in case he/she is lying down, initiating generation of pressure in the expandable member 102 etc. In Fig. 4 there is shown an exploded view of one embodiment according to the invention, presenting a first embodiment of an arrangement 400 for releasably locking said halves 120, 121 in relation to each other in a closed or substantially closed state of the support device. For providing said elongated opening 111 in an open state of the support device, a spring arrangement 405 is preferably provided, to urge the two halves 120, 121 into an open state. As shown the spring arrangement may be in the form of a spiral spring 405, with protruding legs which are pre-tensioned in between abutments (not shown) arranged adjacent the pivoting axis 112. The pivotal movement is arranged by means of a kind of traditional male/female hinge design, wherein preferably one half 121 is arranged with two hinge shoulders 122, 123 (female) presenting a gap adapted for a shoulder 124 arranged at the other half 120, having coaxial through holes for a pivoting axis 402, also referred to as "shaft" 402. At one end portion of the shaft 402 there is arranged an opening button 404 (which will later be described in more detail), and at the opposite end portion of the shaft 402 there is arranged a cover plate 409.

The shoulders 122, 123, 124 are preferably wide to provide good strength and have relatively large radius to provide transversal support, enabling stable and easy pivoting. A configuration where the hinge shoulders are configured to be relatively wide provides a robust structure and also leads to that the center of mass will be located towards the hinge portion of the device 100. A device having the center of mass at said hinge portion simplifies holding it in one hand - i.e. it will be easier to maneuver the device (open and close it) if the center of mass is located close to the hand while gripping it. As shown in Fig. 5a-b in one embodiment of the invention, the total length x of the shoulders 122, 123, 124 constituting the hinge configuration measures at least 60% of the length y of the support device 101, preferably at least 80%.

The skilled person understands that a configuration where said center of mass is located nearby the hinge is one of many possible designs which in some cases may be a preferred one, but that other designs are possible - for example in case it is more preferable to provide a light weight device 101 the shoulders 122, 123, 124 can be made less wide with smaller radius.

Said arrangement 400 for releasable locking said support device 101 comprises a locking mechanism 401, that allows said support device 101 to be operated for closing said elongated opening 111 merely by pressing the halves 120, 121 together, but blocking opening of said elongated opening. This is achieved by a having the locking mechanism operated by a resilient member, e.g. a compression spring 403, which by easy pushing of the button 404 is deactivated, i.e. effecting release and reopening, e.g. for removal of the support device.

The locking mechanism 401 preferably comprises a first member 406 that is rotationally fixed to one half 120 and a second member 407, 408 that is rotationally fixed to the other half 121 (or vice versa). The compression spring 403 urges a teeth arrangement 406', 407' between the two members 407, 406 into connection, wherein the teeth mechanism (in a known manner) rotation wise interlock the two members 406, 407 when in connection. One of the members 407 is connected to the inner half of a free wheel device 408 (schematically shown), allowing it to rotate freely in one direction (closing the opening 111) and blocking rotation in the other direction. Hence, the locking mechanism 401 facilitates movement between the halves 120, 121 in a closing direction but locks in the other direction, to hinder undesired opening of the support device 101. The locking mechanism enables for varying the degree of closing of the opening 111 since every interlocked position of said locking mechanism 401 represents a locking mode and thus the support device 101 can be closed to different degrees depending on the size of the limb to be gripped.

When opening of the device 101 is desired, one pushes the button 404 at the outer end of the shaft 402, preferably by gripping with one hand around the end portions of the shaft 402 e.g. with the thumb pushing/pressing the button 404 and one or more fingers resting on the cover plate 409. Thanks to the one hand grip when opening the device 101, a person can easily and quickly open up and remove a device 101 which is applied around his/her own limb (e.g. upper arm) after having measured the blood pressure by means of the arrangement according to the invention.

The opening mechanism is now to be described. Pushing (or pressing) the button 404 leads to compression of the spring 403 whereby one of the members 406, 407 follows the movement of the shaft 402, to be axially displaced and thereby get out of interfit with the teeth 406', 407' of the other member 406, 407. The spring arrangement 405, preferably a spiral spring 405, will then urge the two halves 120, 121 to instantly separate, thereby opening up the elongated opening 111. As is evident for the skilled person any of the members may be made movable in relation to the other to arrange for the decoupling of the teeth 406', 407'. In Fig 4 it is shown that the teeth 406' of one member is arranged directly within one side of a shoulder 124, thereby reducing the number of parts, (as is evident for the skilled person there exist many alternatives to achieve said locking mechanism, e.g. by the use of further parts.) In Figs 5a and 5b there is shown another embodiment of arranging the locking mechanism 401. Here the first member 406 forms a separate part, e.g. a sleeve member that is slidably arranged within one shoulder but rotationally fixed by means of intermeshing grooves. Adjacent the inner end thereof teeth 406' are arranged, directed inwardly for cooperation with matching radial teeth 407' of the other member 407, which as in fig.4 is connected to a free wheel mechanism 408. Hence, the compression spring 403 urges the teeth arrangement 406', 407' between the two members 407, 406 into connection, whereby the free wheel device 408, will allow the halves 120, 121 to rotate freely in closing direction and block rotation in the other direction. When opening thereof is desired, one pushes the button 404 at the outer end of the shaft 402, whereby the members 406 attached to the end of the shaft 402 follow the movement of the shaft 402, to be axially displaced and thereby get out of interfit with the teeth 407' of the other member 407. Upon unlocking of the teeth arrangement 406', 407' the spring device 405 is free to urge the two halves 120, 121 to open up.

An evident modification would be the use of a ratchet teeth arrangement (not shown) in place of the traditional teeth 406', 407' (as shown). By the use of such a ratchet mechanism the free wheel mechanism 408 may be eliminated. However, as in the other embodiments the compression spring 403 urges the two members 407, 408 into connection, wherein the ratchet teeth mechanism (in a known manner) allows for movement between the halves in a closing direction but locks in the other direction, to hinder undesired opening of the support device 101, e.g. by arranging one part 406' of the ratchet mechanism directly within one side of a shoulder 124. As above, when opening is desired, one pushes the button 404 whereby the other members 407 moves out of interfit with the ratchet mechanism.

Thus, by means of said arrangement 400, means are provided for releasably locking said support device around or substantially around said desired limb portion after clamping.

Hence in the preferred embodiments said locking mechanism is provided in association with the pivot shaft 402 providing a pivot connection of said support member halves 120, 121 and also providing the release device. Preferably the release button 404 on said shaft 402 has a relative large outer surface, in the form of a button surface having a cross sectional width (preferably round) that is at least 10 mm, making it easy to locate, which surface preferably is positioned adjacent one of the sides of said support device 101 to make it easily accessible, e.g. also by means of one and the same hand holding on to the device 101.

Fig. 4 also shows two pins 104 and corresponding attachment members, e.g. holes 105, in each one of the halves 120, 121. The pins are intended for attachment of the inflatable member 102, and therefore the attachment members 105 are arranged within the outer U-leg portion of each half 120, 121, preferably adjacent the starting zone for the claws 107, 108, e.g. adjacent the outer parts of the side walls 120A. Also according to preferred embodiments, said support device is provided with a gripping surface 115 on each one of its opposing outer surfaces 114, see Fig.1, for improved one hand grip. According to one example of the invention the gripping surface 115 is a recess 113. At least one of the recesses 113 may be arranged with an intermediate wall 113 A, to allow for variable size of the grip, e.g. to better facilitate comfortable grip for individuals with hands of different size. Moreover at least one of the recesses may be arranged with an outwardly protruding edge 113B (see fig 7) to allow a user to more easily get a finger (or more) into the recess 113.

It is understood that other ways of improving the ability to firmly grip the opposing outer surfaces 114 without slipping are conceivable, such as for instance providing a rugged surface at the gripping surface 115, or integrating protrusions in the molded structure of the respective halves 120, 121. For further contributing to a grip-friendly device 100 the size and design of the blood pressure cuff configuration 100 are adapted for enabling one hand grip, for instance in that the outer surfaces 114 of the two halves 120, 121, when the device is in an open state, preferably provides a slightly arcuate surface intended to essentially match the open palm of a hand. The support device 101 is preferably of a size which allows for a user to reach with the hand around the hinge portion and with the fingers onto the gripping surfaces 115 of the two halves 120, 121 : i.e. reaching one gripping surface 115 with the thumb and at the same time reaching the other gripping surface 115 on the other half with the other fingers (as seen in Fig. 8).

Further, according to preferred embodiments, said support device is provided with a display arrangement 700, see fig. 6, preferably for displaying at least two blood pressure values and a pulse value, wherein said display 700 preferably is arranged at a position further away from the pivoting axis 112 than any of said recesses 113, or similar means intended for the finger grips. Thereby soiling of the display 700 may be avoided.

Preferably, adjacent the back side of the display there are arranged electronics, etc. for measuring and displaying desired data. Further also equipment for controlling the expandable member 102 may of course also be placed within the shell structure of the support device 101, e.g. powered by the same power source, e.g. battery. According to a second embodiment of a blood pressure configuration 100 according to the present invention, as schematically shown in Figs. 9 a- c, also being arranged to be applied substantially around a desired limb portion, e. g. an upper part of an arm, and to support an inflatable member arrangement of said cuff configuration by a support device 101 of said cuff configuration, said support device being arranged to be held in a one hand grip and to receive said desired limb portion in said support device through an elongated opening running in an axial direction of said support device, said elongated opening being arranged to be closed, thereby clamping said support device around said desired limb portion. According to this second embodiment too, said support device is provided as two opposing and pivotally connected halves 120, 121 configured to be held in said one hand grip between the thumb of said hand and other fingers of said hand, respectively. According to this embodiment, however, each half is provided with a protruding grip portion 910, 911 extending from the pivot connection 912 between said halves giving a scissor like configuration to the support device, said halves, however, still being substantially U-shaped to adapt to a limb portion. The grip portions 910, 911, being arranged in a V-shaped opposing arrangement, extend in the axial direction of the support device for improved one hand grip properties. By pushing the free end 910 and 911 of each grip portion towards each other the support device is arranged to enter an open state, (see Fig.9 a), to receive said limb portion.

Preferably, the V-shaped space 914 between said grip portions comprises a wedge portion 915, e. g. on one of the grip portions, arranged to co-act with a wedge configured element 916 movable in the longitudinal direction of said grip portions between a first position, allowing opening of the support device 101, and a second position, a blocking position, locking the support device in a substantially closed state, as shown in Fig. 9c.

Preferably, also in this second embodiment, the support device is arranged to be opened against a spring force and to be closed by said spring force. In this embodiment the spring force may be integrated within the pivot device 912, by means of arranging the pivoting device 912 in the form of a pre tensioned resilient member, i.e. urging the halves 120, 121 into a closed state.

In Fig.10 the block diagram over the method according to the present invention shows relevant method steps relating the use of a device according to the first embodiment shown in anyone of Figs. 1 - 8. Thus, it is to be understood that in the following section describing Fig. 10 the reference numbers referring to the structure of the blood pressure cuff configuration 100 relate to Figs. 1 - 8. In a first step SI 00 the support device 101 of the blood pressure cuff configuration 100 is gripped and held in a one hand grip as schematically illustrated in Fig. 8, with the hand firmly gripping around the two halves 120, 121 of the support device 101, the thumb positioned at the outer gripping surface 115 located on the outer surface 114 of one half 121 and the other fingers positioned at the outer gripping surface 115 located on the outer surface 114 of the other half 120.

In a following step S200 the support device is brought to an open state if it is not already open. Opening is achieved by pushing button 404 thereby releasing the locking mechanism 400 and allowing for spring member 405 to urge the halves to open up automatically. When opening the device a user preferably grips around the shaft 402 with with the hand positioned such that the thumb pushes the button 404 and at least one other finger is held on the opposite cover plate 409 for support. After opening of the device by pushing the button 404 the user simply holds the support device 101 with one hand in its neutral position which, by means of the spiral spring 405, corresponds to an open position. When releasing the button 404 the locking mechanism is activated by means of the compression spring 403 and the teeth arrangement 406', 407' are urged to interfit and allowing for the two halves 120, 121 to pivot in a closing direction and blocking them in the other direction. In a following step S300 a desired limb portion is introduced into the support device through the elongated opening 111 of the support device 101.

In a following step S400 the user closes the elongated opening 111 by means of pressing the two halves 120, 121 of the support device 101 towards each other between his/her thumb and the other fingers. As the opening gradually closes 111 the locking mechanism 400 continuously locks the halves 120, 121 in relation to each other until the user stops pressing. At a desired level of closing, depending on the size of the limb to be gripped, the user may stop pressing the to halves 120, 121 towards each other, thereby clamping and, when applicable, locking said support device substantially around said limb portion by said device. In a following step S500, normally after blood pressure measurement, the support device locking is released for removal of the support device by pushing the button 404. This ends the method.

Use of a device according to the second embodiment of the invention (said second em- bodiment shown in Figs. 9a - c) is now to be further described. The block diagram seen in Fig. 10 may illustrate method steps for use also of this second embodiment.

Thus, in a first step SI 00 the support device of the blood pressure cuff configuration according to the second embodiment is gripped and held in a one hand grip by holding the protruding grip portion 910, 911.

In a following step S200 the support device is brought to an open state if it is not already open. Opening is achieved by pushing the free ends 910, 911 of the grip portion towards each other.

In a following step S300 a desired limb portion is introduced into the support device through the elongated opening of the support device.

In a following step S400 the elongated opening is closed or substantially closed, thereby clamping and locking said support device substantially around said limb portion by said device. Locking is achieved by moving the wedge configured element 916 into a blocking position.

In a following step S500, normally after blood pressure measurement, the wedge con- figured element 916 is moved to a position allowing opening of the support device thus releasing the locking and enabling for removal of the support device 101. This ends the method.

The method as well as the function of the blood pressure cuff configuration according to the present invention should to a considerable and necessary extent have been made clear above. Thus, by the method and the blood pressure cuff configuration according to the present invention, the objects specified in the introductory portion of the specification may be obtained. Above the invention has been described in association with different embodiments and examples. Of course, further embodiments as well as minor amendments and additions may be imagined without departing from the basic inventive idea.

Thus, as far as the inflatable member 102 to be supported by the support device 101 is concerned, it may be in one portion to cover the inner surface of the support device, or e.g. be divided in e. g. two portions, one per half of the support device, such inflatable members being well known and are not discussed in detail here. The support member may also comprise an arrangement 917 for fluid supply to said inflatable member as indicated in e. g. Fig. 9.

Further, also said second embodiment may be provided with said claw configuration 107, 108. Both embodiments may be provided without said claw configuration. Both embodiments may be provided with a locking mechanism positioned where the two halves meet upon closure (i.e. the meeting end opposite to the end provided with the hinge portion). Such locking mechanism could for instance be in the form of interfitting cogs or snap-lock connector or any other conventional solution.

According to preferred embodiments the blood pressure cuff configuration is arranged to communicate with measuring means for providing, inter alia, blood pressure values, said values being intended to be transferred to and shown on a display unit, e.g. a display unit 700 carried by the support device 101. According to certain embodiments signals carrying said values may be transferred wireless.

Thus, the present invention should not be considered limited to the embodiments shown and described here but may be varied within the scope of the attached claims. It is evident that the support device may be used in connection with other needs than described above, e.g. as a tourniquet or in connection with a measuring member that measures something else than pressure, e.g. pulse frequency, etc. Under certain circumstances the method according to the present invention may be performed with the elongated opening 111 closed or substantially closed, provided a support device 101 wide enough or a limb thin enough, for introduction of the limb axially into the support member 101. Of course the present invention may be used not only for human beings but also for animals.

Claims

1. A method for blood pressure cuff application, comprising the steps of applying a cuff configuration (101, 102) substantially around a desired limb portion, e. g. an upper part of an arm, and supporting an expandable member (102) arrangement of said cuff configuration by a support device (101) of said cuff configuration, comprising the steps of

- holding said support device (101) in a one hand (110) grip;

- introducing said desired limb portion (103) in said support device by means of an elongated opening (111) running in an axial direction (112) of said support device; and - closing said elongated opening (111), at least partly, thereby clamping said support device (101) substantially around said desired limb portion, characterized in the step of

- providing said support device as two opposing and pivotally connected halves

(120,121) configured to be held from the respective outer surfaces (114) in said one hand grip between the thumb (125) of said hand and other fingers (126) of said hand, respectively.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the outer surfaces (114) of said support device is provided with a gripping surface (115) for facilitating a firm one hand grip and maneuvering of the device, preferably wherein the gripping surface comprises a recess (113) on each one of its opposing outer surfaces (114) for improved one hand grip.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said support halves are held by said one hand in two protruding grip portions (910, 911), one per half, extending from a pivot connection (912) between said halves.

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in the step of

- providing a resilient device (405, 912) that urges said support structure (101) into an open state of said elongated opening (111).

5. A method according to anyone of claims 1 to 4, characterized in the step of

- releasably locking said support device around said desired limb portion after clamping.

6. A method according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, characterized in the step of - providing said elongated opening with a claw configuration (107, 108), preferably with two neighboring claws (107) and an opposing intermediate claw (108), for improved swallow ability.

7. A method according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, wherein said support device is provided with a display device (700), preferably for displaying at least two blood pressure values and a pulse value.

8. A blood pressure cuff configuration arranged to be applied substantially around a desired limb portion, e. g. an upper part of an arm, and to support an inflatable member arrangement (102) of said cuff configuration by a support device (101) of said cuff configuration, wherein that said support device (101) is provided as two opposing, substantially U-shaped and pivotally connected halves (120, 121) arranged with gripping means (113, 114, 910, 911) arranged to be held by one hand (110) and presenting an elongated opening (111) running in an axial direction (112) of said support device and said support device (101) presenting means for releasable closing of said elongated opening (111), to enable clamping of said support device around said desired limb portion, c h ar a ct e ri z e d i n that each of said support device halves (120, 121) is arranged with an outer surface (114), configured to be held in said one hand grip between the thumb (125) of said hand and other fingers (126) of said hand, respectively.

9. A blood pressure cuff configuration according to claim 8, wherein at least one, preferably both, of said support device halves (120, 121) is provided with a gripping surface (115) for facilitating a firm one hand grip and maneuvering of the device, preferably wherein the gripping surface comprises a grip improving recess (113) on each one of its opposing outer surfaces (114) for improved one hand grip.

10. A blood pressure cuff configuration according to claim 8, wherein said support halves (120, 121) are arranged with protruding grip portions (910, 911), one per half, extending from a pivot connection (912) between said halves.

11. A blood pressure cuff configuration according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein a resilient device (405, 912) is arranged to urge said halves (120, 121) into an open position of said elongated opening (111).

12. A blood pressure cuff configuration according to anyone of claims 8 to 11, wherein a releasable locking arrangement means (400, 915, 916) is provided arranged to releasably lock said support device (101) around said desired limb portion after clamping.

13. A blood pressure cuff configuration according to claim 12, wherein said releasable locking mechanism (400) is provided in association with a shaft (402) providing a pivot connection between said halves (120, 121).

14. A blood pressure cuff configuration according to claim 12, wherein said grip portions are arranged in a V-shaped opposing arrangement and extend in the axial direction of the support device, a V-shaped space (914) between said grip portions comprising a wedge portion (915), e. g. on one of the grip portions, arranged to co-act with a wedge configured element (916) movable in the longitudinal direction of said grip portions between a first position allowing opening of the support device and a second position, a blocking position, locking the support device in a substantially closed state.

15. A blood pressure cuff configuration according to anyone of claims 8 to 14, wherein said elongated opening is provided with a claw configuration (107, 108), preferably with two neighboring claws (107) and at least one opposing intermediate claw (108), for improved swallow ability.

16. A blood pressure cuff configuration according to anyone of claims 8 to 15, wherein said support device (101) is provided with a display device (700), preferably for displaying two blood pressure values and one pulse value.