Biomechanical basis of oscillometric blood pressure measuring technique

H. Lan, Auckland University of Technology
A. M. Al-Jumaily, Auckland University of Technology
W. Hing, Auckland University of Technology
A. Lowe, Pulsecor Limited, Auckland, NZ

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Lan, H., Al-Jumaily, A. M., & Hing, W., & Lowe, A. (2009). Biomechanical basis of oscillometric blood pressure measuring technique. Paper presented at ASME 2009 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE2009), Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States.

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© Copyright American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 2009

Abstract

Non-invasive blood pressure (BP) measurement has been used clinically for over a century to diagnose hypertension. Compared with the auscultatory technique, the oscillometric technique requires less professional training and is widely used in automatic BP measurement devices. Currently, most of these devices measure and record amplitude of cuff pressure oscillation, and then calculate diastolic and systolic pressure using characteristic ratios and designed algorithms. A finite element (FE) model is developed to study the biomechanical basis of this technique. The model identifies that errors were caused by mechanical factors of the soft tissue and the shape of the arm. By personalizing the parameters for each patient, the accuracy of the measurement will be improved for all age groups.