Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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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.
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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 societys most insidious
diseases. Left untreated, it causes life-threatening problems including
atherosclerosis, strokes and aneurysms. Long-term hype,rtension can result in
diminished cardio-vascular and kidney function. Yet while high biood 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
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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.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention combines the blood pressure
sphygmomanometer with the most commonly available devices of the modern 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
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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.
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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. I 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] FIGs. 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] FfGs. 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;
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[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.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
MOUSE CONTROLLER EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring to the accompanying figures and to FIGs. I 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.
10020, 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
F1Gs. 3
and 4 in particular. When the cuff assembly 18 is fully extended into the
position
shown in FIG. 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.
[00211 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
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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
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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
compressively engaging a person's wrist. A small attached housing 94 contains
an
air pump, pressure sensor and release valve (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 connectable 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
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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 ineasuring 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:
