APPARATUS FOR APPLANATING AN ARTERY

摘要

An artery applanation actuator (20) for use in a system for noninvasively determining the intra-arterial blood pressure of a user incorporates a fluid actuator (38) to effect movement of a sensor (40). The movement of the sensor (40) is effective for appla- nating an artery of interest and measuring the stress of the tissue overlayi ng the artery of interest. Alternative embodiments of the artery applanation actuator are presented wherein an electric motor (84) is used to activate a rotating arm (104) which has a sen- sor (40) located thereon. The rotation of the arm (104) causes the sensor (4 0) to contact and press against the tissue overlying the artery of interest. The artery applanation actuator is presented having a protective sheath (102) surrounding the sensor (40) to pro- tect the sensor against inadvertent contact.