System and method of non-invasive blood pressure measurements and vascular parameter detection in small subjects

Abstract

A system and method for taking non-invasive blood pressure and other vascular parameter measurements includes placing a vascular compression device about an appendage of a subject. An arterial/venous occlusion cuff is placed about a base of the appendage. The vascular compression device is activated to generate compression ischemia in the appendage. The arterial/venous occlusion cuff is pressurized to generate arterial/venous occlusion in the appendage. The vascular compression device is deactivated. The arterial/venous occlusion cuff is gradually depressurized to allow blood and other body fluids to flow into the appendage and thereupon determine vascular parameters such as, for example, systolic arterial blood pressure, diastolic arterial blood pressure, venous blood pressure, arterial blood flow, blood vessel compliance, and appendage blood volume.

1 . A system for taking non-invasive blood pressure and other vascular parameter measurements, comprising: 
 a vascular compression device to be coupled to an appendage of a subject;    an arterial/venous occlusion cuff to be coupled to a base of the appendage;    a volume measuring device for measuring a volume change of the appendage; and    a plethysmograph controller communicating with at least one of the vascular compression device, the volume measuring device and the occlusion cuff.    
   
   
       2 . A system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the vascular compression device and the volume measuring device are the same device configured for operation in two different modes.  
   
   
       3 . A system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the vascular compression device and the volume measuring devices are structurally separate and distinct devices.  
   
   
       4 . A system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the volume measuring device includes a volume plethysmograph.