WO2019043325A1

WO2019043325A1 - Appliance for the ambulatory measurement of arterial pressure having a noise reducer

Info

Publication number: WO2019043325A1
Application number: PCT/FR2018/052103
Authority: WO
Inventors: Julien RENNESSON; Laurent POUPARD; Gilles Ascher
Original assignee: Novacor
Priority date: 2017-08-28
Filing date: 2018-08-27
Publication date: 2019-03-07
Also published as: FR3070251A1; FR3070251B1

Abstract

The invention relates to an appliance for the ambulatory measurement of arterial pressure. The appliance (1) comprises a sleeve forming an armband (3) connected by a hose or tube assembly (2) to a pump (14) for inflating the armband sleeve (3), comprising at least one device (12) for reducing the inflation noise, characterized in that the noise reducing device (12) comprises a venturi. The invention reduces the noise during the inflation of the armband.

Description

Ambulatory blood pressure measuring device with noise reduction

The invention relates to an ambulatory blood pressure measuring device with noise reduction device.

This noise reducer is particularly active during the inflation phases of a cuff used for the measurement.

STATE OF THE ART

Referring to Figure 1, there is known an apparatus (1) for ambulatory blood pressure measurement provided with a housing (5) and an air nozzle (6).

The apparatus comprises a bladder assembly (3) forming a cuff pouch (4) connected by a hose or tube assembly (2) to an air inflation pump of the cuff sleeve (4).

This device is widely used in the trade to measure the blood pressure during the inflation and deflation phase of the cuff wrapped around the arm. Ambulatory blood pressure measuring devices emit noise during the inflation phase due to air expelled by the pump. This noise propagates in the pipe and is noticeable at the cuff placed around the arm.

To perform the measurement of blood pressure, it is usually used by the practitioner the so-called oscillometric method which is based on the principle that an overpressure cuff wound around the arm can capture the oscillations of blood pressure transmitted from the membrane of the artery to the armband. When the pressure exerted by the cuff is greater than the systolic blood pressure, the artery collapses and therefore no oscillation is sensed. As pressure in the cuff decreases and falls below the pressure systolic, the pressure wave begins to pass at each heartbeat, the artery deviates to allow the blood to pass. The gradual decrease of the pressure in the cuff increases the amplitude of the sensed oscillations to a maximum. This last corresponds to the average arterial pressure. From this value, the oscillations decrease in parallel with the pressure decrease in the cuff.

Nocturnal measurements of blood pressure are of great clinical importance because they reflect resting tension. Unfortunately, the measurement requires an inflation of the cuff that can disrupt sleep via the cuff that presses the patient's arm and also through the noise of the pump motor.

It is known from document US Pat. No. 4,832,039 to PERRY a cuff apparatus for measuring the blood pressure using a low-noise, linear inflation system referenced 10 and acoustic filters 22 and 24, respectively, the acoustic filters are shown. Figures 7a and 7b. It appears that the central tube is pierced with perpendicular orifices 76, Figure 7b disposed within a cavity 61 which is indicated as comprising a partition wall 63, visible in Figure 7a. The description is given in column 5, lines 1 to 12.

This structure with a cavity makes it possible to reduce the inflation noise. This confirms the explanations given in column 5 of line 37 at line 68 and, in particular, the acoustic impedance explanations, which depend on the diameter of the central longitudinal orifice 82, the diameter of the transverse orifices 76 and the volume. of the resonance chamber 62.

However, it is obvious that this structure is totally different from the Applicant's invention described hereinafter.

It is still known from document US 5,099,851 HATA of TERUMO, a device for measuring blood pressure and similar to the PERRY document in its design. However, HATA provides a reference 3 noise reduction system, shown in FIG. 1, in FIG. 3, comprising a series connection of an air tank 4 and a flow resistor 5 as well as a valve of FIG. by-pass 6, which is connected in parallel with the air noise reduction filter 3. This diagram is clearly visible in Figure 1, and in Figure 3.

The bypass circuit 6 is used for the rapid inflation of the cuff 10 to a pressure of 20 mm of mercury from which the bypass valve 6 is closed so that the air circuit passes through the filter 3 reduction of air noise.

As a result, the air is temporarily accumulated in the air tank 4 and then fed through the flow resistor 5, which serves to restrict the flow of air, thus the pressurized air by the pressure pump is substantially rectified. by the air noise reduction filter. As a result, the detection of KOROTKOFF noise by the microphone 11 or the detection of the pressure pulsed in the cuff by the pressure sensors 8 can be conducted with a reduced noise level of the air which is introduced into the cuff (see FIG. in this regard the explanations in column 3, line 42 to column 4 line 6).

It is furthermore described the flux resistor 5, which comprises a resistor element 5a, which comprises a coil housed in a cylindrical housing 5b, as can be seen in FIG.

It is obvious that this noise reduction device is completely different from the Applicant's invention described hereinafter.

Finally, the document CH 495 742 SIEMENS in German language indicates, as an objective of the invention Siemens, to reduce the cuff inflation noise (see page 1, lines 21 to 30). The solution described in this document Siemens also consists in using an intermediate chamber referenced 3 in FIGS. 1 and 2, while showing the possibility of the use of serpentine referenced 11 'and 12' in the chamber in FIG. 3. Thus, this Siemens document discloses a solution similar to that of the PERRY and HATA documents.

Thus, the state of the art teaches totally different technical solutions of the Applicant's invention described hereinafter.

GOALS OF THE INVENTION

The main purpose of the invention is to solve the technical problem of reducing the noise caused by the pump of the device during the inflation phase of the cuff, which can cause discomfort for its user, or even his awakening when it comes measurements made during the patient's sleep.

The main purpose of the invention is also to solve the technical problem of reducing the noise caused by the pump of the device during the inflation phase of the cuff which is of a simple, efficient and reproducible design, easy to manufacture at scale. industrial and medical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an ambulatory blood pressure measuring apparatus comprising a cuff pouch connected by a hose or tube assembly to an inflation pump of the cuff pouch, comprising at least one inflation sound reducing device (12), characterized in that the noise reducing device (12) comprises a venturi.

According to a particular embodiment, the noise reducing device comprises an air passage channel having an enlarged portion downstream of the direction of passage of the air part in inflation phase. This enlarged portion, according to a particular embodiment variant, is formed by a conical portion whose apex, located upstream, receives the flow of air and the enlarged base, located downstream, receives the outgoing air flow.

Thus, the noise reducer has been designed to create a difference in diameter between the inlet and the outlet of the air passage, which causes noise reduction.

According to a particular embodiment, the noise reducing device is placed inside the cuff or bladder pouch at the outlet of the tube.

According to another particular embodiment, the noise reducing device is put in place on the hose assembly connecting the cuff bag to the inflation pump, either at one end or at an intermediate position of the hose, the latter having been cut to allow this insertion of the reducing device.

According to yet another particular embodiment, the noise reduction device is put in place inside the casing in which the inflation pump is located, for example between the pump air connection pipe and the air nozzle. connection to the hose assembly.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the light of the explanatory description, which will follow with reference to the appended figures, which represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention given simply as a illustration and which in no way limit the scope of the invention. The drawings form an integral part of the invention and thus complete the description.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 represents a general view of an earlier measuring apparatus composed of several sets including the measuring apparatus (1). comprising a housing (5) containing the measuring devices and the inflation pump, a hose assembly (2) connecting the measuring housing (5) to a bladder-brace assembly (3) for being wound around the arm to measure blood pressure, containing an inflation bladder pouch (4);

FIG. 2 represents an apparatus according to the invention which modifies, according to a first embodiment of the invention, the known apparatus by a particular housing (5), represented in an enlarged and open view with the air nozzle (6), the pump (14) for example electric inflation, a solenoid valve (18), a printed circuit (16), a pressure sensor (17), and a noise reduction device (12) comprising, according to the invention, a venturi disposed here inside the housing (5) between a connecting air hose (15) connected to the pump (14) and the outlet air nozzle (6) connected to the hose assembly (2) connected to the cuff bladder set (3);

FIG. 3 represents an enlarged axial cross-sectional view of the noise reduction device (12) of FIG. 2, comprising, according to the invention, a venturi here in the form of a widening diameter conical channel (110). from the air inlet to the outlet of the air during the inflation phase;

FIG. 4 represents a general view of the pipe assembly (2) composed of the pipe (8) with, at its two ends, a coupler (7) and a female connector (9) for the embodiment of FIGS. 3;

FIG. 5 represents an enlarged view similar to FIG. 2, of the housing (5) open with the air nozzle (6), the pump (14) for inflation, for example an electric pump, a solenoid valve (18), a printed circuit ( 16), a pressure sensor (17), and, according to a second embodiment of the invention, without a noise reducing device (12) disposed inside the housing (5) between a connecting air pipe ( 15) connected to the pump (14) and the outlet air nozzle (6) but as shown in Figure 6, the noise reducer (12) comprising the venturi according to the invention is connected to the hose assembly (2) connected to the bladder-cuff assembly (3);

FIG. 6 represents a general view of the pipe assembly (2), composed of the pipe cut here into two parts (8a) and (8b), according to this second embodiment of FIG. 5, for interposing a noise reducer; (12) comprising a venturi according to the invention which thus connects the two pipe portions (8a) and (8b) with the coupler (7) and the female connector (9);

- Figure 7 shows another general view of the pipe assembly (2), consisting of the pipe (8), which, in a third embodiment, interposes a noise reducer (12) or silent comprising a venturi according to the invention, between one end of the pipe (8) and the coupler (7);

- Figure 8 shows another general view of the pipe assembly (2), consisting of the pipe (8), which, in a fourth embodiment, interposes a noise reducer (12) or silent comprising a venturi according to the invention between another end of the pipe (8) and the female connector (9); and

FIG. 9 represents a general view of the bladder assembly, consisting of a bladder (13), a tube (11), a male connector (10) and, according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; a noise reducing or silent device (12) comprising a venturi disposed within the bladder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figure 1, which illustrates a measuring apparatus (1) typical of the prior art, the prior measuring apparatus (1) comprises a housing (5) containing the measuring devices and the pump of inflating, a hose assembly (2) connecting the measuring case (5) to a bladder-cuff assembly (3) to be wound usually around the arm to measure blood pressure, containing an inflatable bladder pouch (4).

The measuring apparatus (1) is an ambulatory device for automatic measurement of blood pressure. It can be used in the patient's environment (hospital environment, in a doctor's office or at home) for a period generally of 24 hours. The apparatus automatically inflates an armband placed on the patient's arm via an electric pump shown in Figure 2. The apparatus controls the deflation of the cuff via a solenoid valve (18) shown in FIG. figure 2. During gradual deflation of the cuff, the pulsatile pressure variations (oscillations) are transmitted from the brachial artery to the cuff and then to the pressure sensor (17) located in the housing (5) via the connecting air pipe ( 15) also located in the housing and visible in Figure 2. According to some prior devices described above, there can be provided a noise reducing device in the form of expansion chambers.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown an apparatus according to the invention which modifies, according to a first embodiment of the invention, the known apparatus. The same reference numbers are used for identical parts or the same function. The housing (5) is shown in an enlarged and open view with the air nozzle (6), a pump (14) for example electric inflation, a solenoid valve (18), a printed circuit (16), a pressure sensor ( 17).

In this first embodiment of the invention, there is provided a noise reduction device (12) which comprises here, according to the invention, a venturi in the form of a conical channel (110) widening in diameter. from the inlet of the air at the outlet of the air during the inflation phase, disposed inside the housing (5) between a connecting air pipe (15) connected to the pump (14) and the outlet air nozzle (6) connected to the hose assembly (2) connected to the bladder-cuff assembly (3).

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged axial cross-sectional view of the noise reduction device (12), which here comprises a venturi according to the invention shown in FIG. 2, in the form of a conical channel (110) of diameter widening from the air inlet to the outlet of the air during the inflation phase, of FIG.

The noise reducer (12) comprises a ridged portion (100) for holding and sealing with the connector (15) and the connector (6), a chamfered portion (101) to facilitate its insertion into the tube (11) , a planar portion (102) to create a stop with the fitting (15) or fitting (6) or tube (8), a conical portion (103) to allow expansion of the air passage diameter of Dl at D3 as clearly visible in FIG.

Also, Figure 4 shows a general view of the hose assembly

(2), composed of the pipe (8) with at both ends a coupler (7) and a female connector (9) for the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3.

Moreover, FIG. 5 represents an enlarged view similar to FIG. 2, of the housing (5) open with the air nozzle (6), the pump (14) for inflation, for example an electric valve, a solenoid valve (18), a circuit printed (16), a pressure sensor (17), and, according to a second embodiment of the invention, without a noise reduction device (12) according to the invention disposed inside the housing (5) between a connecting air hose (15) connected to the pump (14) and the outlet air nozzle (6) connected to the hose assembly (2) connected to the bladder-cuff assembly (3).

FIG. 6 represents a general view of the pipe assembly (2), composed of the pipe cut here in two parts (8a) and (8b), according to this second embodiment of FIG. 5, for interposing a reducer of noise (12) according to the invention which thus connects the two pipe parts (8a) and (8b) with the coupler (7) and the female connector (9).

FIG. 7 represents another general view of the pipe assembly (2), composed of the pipe (8), which, according to a third embodiment, interposes a noise reducer (12) or silencer according to the invention, between a end of the pipe (8) and the coupler (7).

FIG. 8 represents another general view of the pipe assembly (2), composed of the pipe (8), which, according to a fourth embodiment, interposes a noise reducer (12) or silencer according to the invention between another end of the pipe (8) and the female connector (9); and

finally, FIG. 9 represents a general view of the cuff bladder assembly (3), composed of a bladder (4), a tube (11), a male connector (10) and, according to a fifth embodiment embodiment of the invention, a noise reducing or silent device (12) disposed inside the bladder (4).

This last embodiment makes it possible to reduce the noise at the level of the bladder (4) of the cuff.

Those skilled in the art understand that the various embodiments can be combined by the presence of several noise reducing devices (12), thereby amplifying the noise reduction.

Those skilled in the art also understand that:

- The housing (5) can protect and organize the various components of the device (1), including the pump (14), the solenoid valve (18), the air nozzle (6), the air hose of connection (15), the printed circuit (16), the pressure sensor (17) and here the noise reduction device (12) according to the invention;

the pump (14) makes it possible to send air into the bladder (13) of the cuff via the pipe (2) or (8);

the solenoid valve (18) makes it possible to deflate the cuff; - The connecting air tuvau (15) allows to connect the pump (14), the solenoid valve (18), the pressure sensor (17) and the air nozzle (6) between them by an air duct;

the air nozzle (6) makes it possible to connect the measuring device (1) to the cuff via the coupler (7);

the pressure sensor (17) makes it possible to transmit the pressure values to the printed circuit (16);

the printed circuit (16), well known to those skilled in the art, makes it possible to recover the pressure values of the pressure sensor (17);

- The cuff sleeve (3) accommodates the bladder (4) and keep the cuff wrapped around the patient's arm;

- The bladder (4) is a plastic bag for storing the air sent by the pump (14);

the tube (11) of the embodiment of FIG. 9 makes it possible to pass air into the bladder (4)

the male connector (10) makes it possible to connect the bladder assembly part (3) with the hose assembly part (2) via the female connector (9);

the female connector (9) makes it possible to connect the hose assembly (2) with the bladder assembly (3) via the male connector (10);

the coupler (7) makes it possible to connect the cuff to the measuring device (1) via the air nozzle (6); and

- The tuvau (8) allows to conduct the air from the measuring device (1) to the bladder (13). Conclusion

The noise reduction system according to the invention makes it possible to considerably reduce the noise nuisance due to the pump of the apparatus.

Claims

An apparatus (1) for ambulatory blood pressure measurement comprising a cuff pouch (4) connected by a hose or tube assembly (2) to a pump (14) for inflating the cuff pouch (4), comprising at least one inflation-reducing device (12), characterized in that the noise-reducing device (12) comprises a venturi.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (12) reducing noise comprises an air channel (110) having a portion (110b) widened downstream of the direction of passage of air in the inflation phase.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the enlarged portion (110b) is formed by a conical portion whose apex, located upstream, receives the flow of air and the enlarged base, located downstream, receives the flow outgoing air.

4. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device (12) reducing noise is placed inside the cuff sleeve (4) or bladder at the outlet of the tube (2) .

5. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device (12) reducing noise is set up on the hose assembly (2) connecting the cuff sleeve to the inflation pump, or at a end, or at an intermediate position of the pipe, the latter having been cut to allow this insertion of the reducing device.

6. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device (12) reducing noise is put in place inside the housing (5) in which the inflation pump is located, for example between the connecting air pipe (15) to the pump and the air terminal (6) connecting to the pipe assembly.