Blood pressure measuring system comprising a kinking-proof shell
The present invention refers to a blood pressure measuring system ( 10 ) configured to surround a patient's body part (E), comprising pressurization means ( 12, 14 ) for applying pressure to the body part (E), and comprising a kinking-proof shell ( 20; 30 ), wherein the kinking-proof shell ( 20; 30 ) is arranged so as to be located between the pressurization means ( 12, 14 ) and the body part (E), when the blood pressure measuring system ( 10 ) surrounds the body part (E). The present invention further refers to a method of applying a blood pressure measuring system ( 10 ).
1. Blood pressure measuring system configured to surround a body part, comprising:
a pressurizer configured to apply pressure to the body part;
a pressure sensor unit including a pressure transducer or a pressure sensor pad;
a kinking-proof shell configured for placement between the pressurizer and the body part when the blood pressure measuring system surrounds the body part, the kinking-proof shell having overlapping portions that are slideable relatively to each other for reducing an inner diameter of the kinking-proof shell when pressure is applied to the pressurizer, but the kinking-proof shell having rigidity that prevents buckling of the kinking-proof shell when the pressure is applied by the pressurizer, wherein the kinking-proof shell includes a surface to which the pressure sensor unit is fixed, the pressure sensor unit arranged so as to be at least partially located between the kinking-proof shell and the body part, wherein the pressure transducer or the pressure sensor pad is arranged at an inner side or an inner lateral surface of the kinking-proof shell and extends in a circumferential direction of the kinking-proof shell when the blood pressure measuring system surrounds the body part; and
a textile layer between:
an inner lateral surface of the kinking-proof shell and the body part, at least a part of the textile layer configured for placement against the body part; and
an outer lateral surface of the kinking-proof shell and the pressurizer.
2. Blood pressure measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the pressurizer comprises a pressure actuator with a fluid bag.
3. Blood pressure measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the kinking-proof shell is configured for ensuring stiffness of the blood pressure measuring system for pressure measurement.
4. Blood pressure measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the kinking-proof shell is a two-functions component which is configured to provide both buckling strength and deformation resistance.
5. Blood pressure measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the kinking-proof shell is a stiffening two-piece shell.
6. Blood pressure measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the kinking-proof shell exhibits a free end having an angled front side, wherein the front side preferably exhibits two adjacent surface portions which are arranged at an angle in the range of 40° to 135° with respect to each other.
7. Blood pressure measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the textile layer is made of a multifilament, wherein the textile layer preferably exhibits a mass per meter in the range between 0.1 and 15 g/1000 m.
8. Blood pressure measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the kinking-proof shell exhibits a slide coating or surface finishing which allows for a friction coefficient of less than 0.5 at least in overlapping surface portions.
9. Blood pressure measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the kinking-proof shell is made from metal or plastic.
10. Blood pressure measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the kinking-proof shell exhibits a thickness of between about 0.25 mm and about 6 mm.
11. Blood pressure measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the kinking-proof shell exhibits a modulus of elasticity of more than 50 MPa.
12. Blood pressure measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the kinking-proof shell exhibits a substantially cylindrical or conical configuration.
13. Blood pressure measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the kinking-proof shell comprises a plurality of individual shell sections.
14. Blood pressure measuring system according to claim 13 , wherein at least two sections of the plurality of individual shell sections are arranged parallel to each other, each extending in a circumferential direction of the body part when the blood pressure measuring system surrounds the body part.
15. Blood pressure measuring system according to claim 13 , wherein at least two sections of the plurality of individual shell sections are arranged adjacent to each other in a circumferential direction of the body part when the blood pressure measuring system surrounds the body part.
16. Blood pressure measuring system according to claim 13 , wherein at least two sections of the plurality of individual shell sections are separated from each other by a groove, the groove preferably being wedge-shaped.
17. Blood pressure measuring system according to claim 1 wherein the blood pressure measuring system surrounds the body part along a section of at least factor ⅕ or ¼ of the absolute measurement of the kinking-proof shell in the circumferential direction.
18. Blood pressure measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein at least the pressurizer and the kinking proof shell connected to each other in such a way as to form a single unit.
19. Blood pressure measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the textile layer surrounds the kinking-proof shell.
20. Method of operating a blood pressure measuring system comprising:
providing a kinking-proof shell around a body part between pressurizer and the body part, applying pressure to expand the pressurizer and to reduce an inner diameter of the kinking-proof shell, but without buckling of the kinking-proof shell, when pressure is applied by the pressurizer, the kinking-proof shell having overlapping portions that are slideable relatively to each other for reducing the inner diameter of the kinking-proof shell when pressure is applied to the pressurizer, but the kinking-proof shell having rigidity that prevents buckling of the kinking-proof shell when the pressure is applied by the pressurizer, wherein the kinking-proof shell includes a surface to which a pressure sensor unit is fixed, the pressure sensor arranged so as to be at least partially located between the kinking-proof shell and the body part, wherein the pressure sensor is arranged at an inner side or an inner lateral surface of the kinking-proof shell and extends in a circumferential direction of the kinking-proof shell when the blood pressure measuring system surrounds the body part, and
pressing the kinking-proof shell against the body via a textile layer at least a part of the textile layer configured for placement against the body part and the textile layer between an outer lateral surface of the kinking-proof shell and the pressurizer.
21. Method according to claim 20 , wherein the blood pressure measuring system is stiffened by pressing the kinking proof shell against the body part.
22. Method according to claim 20 , wherein the textile layer surrounds the kinking-proof shell.