Apparatus and method for blood pressure measurement by touch

摘要

An arterial blood pressure apparatus and methods for using the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus has a force transfer element for applying unidirectional force to a body part of the subject and a pressure sensor for generating a signal based on the unidirectional force. Multiple degrees of force may be applied simultaneously or serially. The apparatus also has a second sensor for generating a signal associated with blood volume within a blood vessel of the body part and a processor for inferring arterial blood pressure from the force sensor signal and the second sensor. The apparatus may take the form of a glove or a wand.