U.S. patent application number 16/185594 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-14 for system for facilitating the measurement of blood pressure and method of measuring blood pressure utilizing the system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Higi SH LLC. Invention is credited to John R. Collins, Jeffrey D. Flammer.
Application Number | 20190076035 16/185594 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54700395 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190076035 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Collins; John R. ; et
al. |
March 14, 2019 |
SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING THE MEASUREMENT OF BLOOD PRESSURE AND
METHOD OF MEASURING BLOOD PRESSURE UTILIZING THE SYSTEM
Abstract
A system for facilitating measurement of a person's blood
pressure having: a) a cuff that is configured to: i) be operatively
situated in relationship to a person's arm; and ii) strategically
exert different pressure on the person's arm to controllably
restrict blood flow therein; and b) a base assembly that supports
the cuff. The base assembly is configured to allow selective
placement of the cuff in first and second different positions
relative to the person with the person in a measurement taking
position. The cuff in the first position is configured to be
operatively situated in relationship to the person's left arm. The
cuff in the second position is configured to be operatively
situated in relationship to the person's right arm.
Inventors: |
Collins; John R.;
(Claremont, CA) ; Flammer; Jeffrey D.;
(Scottsdale, AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Higi SH LLC |
Chicago |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54700395 |
Appl. No.: |
16/185594 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14287335 |
May 27, 2014 |
10123708 |
|
|
16185594 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/702 20130101;
A61B 5/02233 20130101; A61G 5/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/022 20060101
A61B005/022; A61G 5/10 20060101 A61G005/10; A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00 |
Claims
1. A method of taking a person's blood pressure measurement, the
method comprising the steps of: accessing a system for facilitating
measurement of the person's blood pressure as in claim 1 together
with components to measure the person's blood pressure; operatively
situating the cuff on one of the user's arms with the user's one
arm in a first resting position; with the user's one arm in the
first resting position, causing: a) the cuff to controllably exert
pressure on the user's one arm; and b) the components to measure
the person's blood pressure through the person's one arm; after
measuring the person's blood pressure through the person's one arm,
repositioning the cuff and operatively situating the repositioned
cuff on the other of the user's arms with the user's other arm in a
second resting position; and with the user's other arm in the
second resting position, causing: a) the cuff to controllably exert
pressure on the user's other arm; and b) the components to measure
the person's blood pressure through the person's other arm.
2. The method of taking a person's blood pressure measurement
according to claim 1 wherein the measurement taking position for
the person is substantially the same with the cuff in the first and
second different positions.
3. The method of taking a person's blood pressure measurement
according to claim 1 wherein the base assembly is an elongate arm
that is pivoted about an axis to change the cuff between the first
and second different positions.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 14/287,335 filed May 27, 2014, the contents of this application
is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to blood pressure measuring equipment
and, more particularly, to a system that utilizes a cuff that is
extended around a limb of a user to controllably restrict blood
flow in the user's limb as blood pressure measurements are being
taken.
Background Art
[0003] The focus on improved personal health worldwide has led to
the development of many different types of instruments that can be
used, without the assistance of medical personnel, to take a
measurement that relates to a person's state of health. Among these
instruments are those used to measure blood pressure.
[0004] Most blood pressure measuring systems utilize the same basic
model--that being to controllably restrict blood flow through
pressure application on a user's limb. With a manometer and other
components, a user can detect and display his/her blood pressure as
the flow impeding pressure is changed.
[0005] A growing trend is to provide health related measuring
equipment, such as blood pressure measuring equipment, in
non-medical, public settings, such as food stores, pharmacies, etc.
Typically, a blood pressure measuring system is incorporated into a
kiosk. The kiosk has a platform for supporting a cuff configured to
be used in conjunction with one of a user's left or right arms.
[0006] These kiosks are designed so that an individual can either
sit on a support, or use a wheelchair, to comfortably align to
deploy the cuff. As a result, these kiosks become dedicated left-
or right-handed. This construction has some significant
limitations.
[0007] If a user has lost his/her arm on the side for which the
kiosk is dedicated, it may be impossible for him/her to utilize the
blood pressure cuff. Alternatively, the user must contort
him-/herself to improvise and take a measurement utilizing the
cuff. This may be a particular problem in the event that the
individual is seated in a wheelchair.
[0008] A further problem with the above-described construction is
that it may also limit the user's ability to take an accurate
measurement. Recent medical research has suggested that blood
pressure measurements may vary between a user's left and right
arms. Still further, a most accurate measurement is believed to be
taken by averaging blood pressure measurements for a user's left
and right arms.
[0009] With existing systems, it is essentially impossible, or at
best very difficult, to attempt to measure blood pressure on left
and right arms with a conventional kiosk arrangement that is left-
or right-hand dedicated. This limitation alone may make the kiosk
usage less than desirable.
[0010] In light of the continuing trend to make self-assessment of
certain health states without the intervention of medical
personnel, the need for better systems to allow users to measure
their blood pressure is increasingly important in what is becoming
a highly competitive area. Designers in this area continue to seek
such improvements out.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In one form, the invention is directed to a system for
facilitating measurement of a person's blood pressure having: a) a
cuff that is configured to: i) be operatively situated in
relationship to a person's arm; and ii) strategically exert
different pressure on the person's arm to controllably restrict
blood flow therein; and b) a base assembly that supports the cuff.
The base assembly is configured to allow selective placement of the
cuff in first and second different positions relative to the person
with the person in a measurement taking position. The cuff in the
first position is configured to be operatively situated in
relationship to the person's left arm. The cuff in the second
position is configured to be operatively situated in relationship
to the person's right arm.
[0012] In one form, the base assembly is in the form of an elongate
arm.
[0013] In one form, the system is provided in combination with a
support frame assembly and a support surface upon which the person
can sit in the measurement taking position to take a blood pressure
reading using the system. The base assembly is connected to the
frame assembly.
[0014] In one form, the elongate arm is connected to the support
frame assembly for pivoting movement around an axis. The cuff
changes between the first and second positions as an incident of
the elongate arm pivoting around the axis.
[0015] In one form, the elongate arm is cantilever mounted to the
support frame assembly.
[0016] In one form, the axis is substantially vertical.
[0017] In one form, the elongate arm has an articulated
construction including at least first and second relatively movable
parts.
[0018] In one form, the first and second parts are movable relative
to each other around a first axis.
[0019] In one form, the system is provided in combination with a
support frame assembly and a support surface upon which the person
can sit in the measurement taking position to take a blood pressure
reading using the system. The arm is connected to the support frame
assembly for movement relative thereto around a second axis that is
substantially parallel to the first axis.
[0020] In one form, the support surface is defined on one of: a) a
seating component configured to be fixed in relationship to the
support frame assembly; and b) a wheelchair.
[0021] In one form, the seating component is configured to be moved
relative to the support frame assembly between: a) an active
position; and b) a stored position. The seating component in the
stored position is situated so that a person in a wheelchair can
move into the measurement taking position in which the person,
while seated in the wheelchair, can operatively situate the cuff
with respect to his/her arm.
[0022] In one form, the system is provided in combination with
components to measure the person's blood pressure with the cuff
operatively situated and pressure exerted on the person's arm
through the cuff.
[0023] In one form, the system is provided in combination with: a)
components to measure the person's blood pressure with the cuff
operatively situated and pressure exerted on the person's arm
through the cuff; and b) a monitor on the support frame assembly
through which blood pressure measurements taken through the
components are displayed.
[0024] In one form, there are components cooperating between the
seating component and support frame assembly that guide the seating
component in movement between the active and stored positions.
[0025] In one form, the first and second axes are substantially
vertical.
[0026] In one form, the measurement taking position for the person
is substantially the same with the cuff in the first and second
positions and operatively situated on the person's left and right
arms.
[0027] In one form, there is structure cooperating between the
elongate arm and the base frame assembly to consistently maintain
the arm in first and second positions in which the cuff is
respectively maintained in its first and second positions.
[0028] In one form, the invention is directed to a method of taking
a person's blood pressure measurement. The method includes the
steps of: accessing a system for facilitating measurement of the
person's blood pressure as described above, together with
components to measure the person's blood pressure; operatively
situating the cuff on one of the user's arms with the user's one
arm in a first resting position; with the user's one arm in the
first resting position, causing: a) the cuff to controllably exert
pressure on the user's one arm; and b) the components to measure
the person's blood pressure through the person's one arm; after
measuring the person's blood pressure through the person's one arm,
repositioning the cuff and operatively situating the repositioned
cuff on the other of the user's arms with the user's other arm in a
second resting position; and with the user's other arm in the
second resting position, causing: a) the cuff to controllably exert
pressure on the user's other arm; and b) the components to measure
the person's blood pressure through the person's other arm.
[0029] In one form, the measurement taking position for the person
is substantially the same with the cuff in the first and second
different positions.
[0030] In one form, the base assembly is an elongate arm that is
pivoted about an axis to change the cuff between the first and
second different positions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system for
facilitating measurement of a person's blood pressure, according to
the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the system in FIG. 1
and additional components used to measure blood pressure and
display measured blood pressure values;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a kiosk incorporating one
form of the system in FIG. 1 and the additional components in FIG.
2 and showing a user in a wheelchair and his/her left arm
positioned to take a blood pressure reading;
[0034] FIG. 4 is a view of the components in FIG. 3 from a
different perspective;
[0035] FIG. 5 is a view as in FIGS. 3 and 4 from another different
perspective;
[0036] FIG. 6 is a view as in FIGS. 3-5 from a still further
different perspective;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a view as in FIGS. 3-6 from yet another different
perspective;
[0038] FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a component of an
arm positioning assembly, on the system in FIG. 1 and on the kiosk
in FIGS. 3-7, that is grasped by the hand on an arm of a user on
which the cuff is operatively situated;
[0039] FIG. 9 is a partially schematic representation of separate
articulating parts that make up a base assembly that supports the
cuff and the arm repositioning assembly;
[0040] FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a modified form of
system, as shown in FIG. 1;
[0041] FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, side elevation view of a modified
form of cuff and base assembly through which the cuff can be
reoriented relative to the base assembly;
[0042] FIG. 12 is a partially schematic representation of a further
modified form of cuff and cooperating base assembly that allow
another dimension of movement of the cuff relative to the base
assembly;
[0043] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a modified form of
component, corresponding to that in FIG. 8, making up an arm
positioning assembly that can be grasped in a different manner by a
user;
[0044] FIG. 14 is a view similar to that in FIG. 6 and with the
wheelchair removed and a seating component for a user in two
different positions;
[0045] FIG. 15 is a flow diagram representation of a method of
taking a blood pressure measurement according to the present
invention;
[0046] FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of a modified form of
system, according to the invention, for facilitating measurement of
a person's blood pressure;
[0047] FIG. 17 is a plan view of the inventive system, as shown in
FIGS. 1-16, and with an elongate arm, that is part of the base
assembly, positioned to take a blood pressure measurement using the
left arm of the person situated in a measurement taking
position;
[0048] FIG. 18 is a view as in FIG. 17 wherein the elongate arm has
been reconfigured to allow measurement of the person's blood
pressure through the person's right arm with the person situated in
the same measurement taking position;
[0049] FIG. 19 is a schematic representation of structure for
releasably and consistently maintaining the elongate arm and
support frame assembly in the two different relationships, as shown
in FIGS. 17 and 18; and
[0050] FIG. 20 is a flow diagram representation of a method of
taking a person's blood pressure measurement according to the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0051] In FIG. 1, a system for facilitating measurement of a
person's blood pressure, according to the present invention, is
shown schematically at 10. The system 10 consists of a cuff 12 that
is configured to: a) be operatively situated in relationship to a
person's arm; and b) strategically exert pressure on the person's
arm to controllably restrict blood flow therein to allow the
person's blood pressure to be conventionally measured. The system
further includes an arm positioning assembly 14, configured to be
operatively engaged by a hand on the person's arm, to consistently
place the person's arm in relationship to the cuff 12, with the
cuff 12 operatively situated in relationship to the person's arm as
a blood pressure measurement is taken. The arm positioning assembly
14 includes at least one component 16 that is engaged by a person's
hand to facilitate the consistent placement of the arm relative to
the cuff 12.
[0052] The cuff 12 and arm positioning assembly 14 are supported
upon a base assembly 18. The base assembly 18 may be a single
component or separate components.
[0053] In FIG. 1, as in other Figures described hereinbelow, the
schematic showing of components is intended to encompass the
specific components described herein in the preferred embodiments,
and virtually an unlimited number of variations of these components
and their interactions, as would be apparent to one skilled in the
art with the present teachings in hand. The schematic showing is
intended to encompass all such variations.
[0054] In FIG. 1, the generic showing of the component 16 is
intended to broadly encompass virtually any type of component that
the user's hand can abut to or grasp to allow a user to
consistently achieve the same relationship between the arm and the
cuff 12, with the cuff 12 operatively situated. The component 16
might be an abutting wall to which the user's fingertip(s),
clenched fist, etc. abuts. Alternatively, and more preferably, the
component 12 is graspable as in the various preferred embodiments
described hereinbelow.
[0055] It is not necessary to understand the details of the
components and instrumentation utilized to take an actual blood
pressure reading to fully understand the present invention. Those
basic components can be selected from the wide range of the same
that are currently known and available, or become available.
[0056] As shown schematically in FIG. 2, the cuff 12 has a housing
20 that extends around the wearer's arm. A pressure applying
structure 22 resides within the housing 20 and may be in the form
of a bladder which is either manually or automatically filled to
apply a peripheral pressure on the user's arm to impede blood flow
therein.
[0057] Components 24 are shown in FIG. 2 and encompass manometers
and other components used to sense the blood pressure with the
pressure applying structure exerting different pressures and with
that pressure relieved. The components 24 convey signals to a
monitor 26 that has a display 28 upon which blood pressure values
can be viewed. The monitor 26 may include processing components or,
alternatively, the processing can be done by one or more of the
components 24.
[0058] Referring now to FIGS. 3-14 and 16-19, alternative and
specific forms of the inventive system 10, as shown schematically
in FIGS. 1 and 2, will be described. The system 10 is shown as part
of a kiosk 30; however, it is not a requirement that the system 10
be part of a kiosk arrangement. For purposes of illustration, the
kiosk 30 will be the exemplary environment for the system 10.
[0059] The kiosk 30 consists of a support frame assembly 32 which
incorporates the aforementioned monitor 26 having the display 28
for electronically displaying the blood pressure readings.
[0060] In this embodiment, the base assembly 18 is in the form of
an elongate, cantilevered arm 34. The arm 34 supports the cuff 12
at one location and the arm positioning assembly 14 at a location
spaced from the cuff 12 between the cuff 12 and support frame
assembly 32.
[0061] The elongate arm 34 has an articulated construction,
including first and second relatively movable parts 36, 38,
respectively. The parts 36, 38 are shown to be connected for
relative movement in one manner, with it being understood that
other mechanisms are contemplated that will allow controlled
repositioning of the cuff 12 relative to the support frame assembly
32.
[0062] In this embodiment, the first and second parts 36, 38 are
movable relative to each other around a first axis 40 that extends
substantially vertically. The first part 36 of the elongate arm 34
is connected to the support frame assembly 32 for movement relative
thereto around a second axis 42 that is substantially parallel to
the first axis 40. Through this mechanism, the cuff 12 can be moved
selectively towards and away from the support frame assembly 32 and
simultaneously shifted additionally in a lateral direction while
maintaining a desired orientation of the cuff 12 that facilitates
direction of a user's arm therethrough.
[0063] The kiosk 30 is configured so that the user U can sit on a
support surface while a blood pressure measurement is taken. In one
form, the support surface 44 upon which the person sits in the
measurement taking position is defined upon a wheelchair 46 that
can be advanced into a ready position as shown in FIGS. 3-7. With
the wheelchair 46 in the ready position, the user can advance the
hand LH on his/her left arm LA in the direction of the arrow 48 in
FIG. 6 through an opening 50 bounded by the housing 20. The opening
50 has a central axis 52 which is parallel to the advancing
direction of the user's left arm that is effected to operatively
situate the cuff 12 in relationship to the person's left arm LA. A
preferred location for the cuff is in the region above the user's
elbow, whereby the left forearm LF projects from the cuff 12
towards the arm positioning assembly 14.
[0064] In this embodiment, the component 16 on the arm positioning
assembly 14 has a rounded, convex surface 54 that conforms
generally to the person's palm P, thumb T, and fingers F, with the
person's left hand LH in a cupped configuration as shown in FIG. 8.
The user's hand thus grasps the component 16 much in the same way
as he/she would grasp a baseball, preparatory to a pitch. The
particular diameter of the component 16 is not critical, as
repetitive grasping of different sizes thereof would consistently
place the hand at the same distance from the cuff 12. As a result,
by directing the hand through the cuff opening 50 and grasping the
component 16, the cuff 12 will consistently align at the same
lengthwise location on the user's arm.
[0065] In this embodiment, the component 16 is shown as a
substantially spherical element that has a vertical central axis 56
that is adjacent to, or coincident with, the first axis 40.
[0066] It should be understood that while a substantially raised
spherical shape for the component 16 is shown, many other different
shapes are contemplated. What is preferred is that, whatever the
shape is, a user would naturally consistently effect grasping
thereof, as an incident of which the user's arm in a resting
position is repeatedly placed in the same relationship with the
cuff 12 as successive measurements are taken.
[0067] The second arm part 38 has an upwardly facing surface 58
configurable in different shapes and against which a portion of the
user's forearm region, and potentially the elbow, can be rested. By
supporting the weight of the user's arm, the user can be
comfortably resting as the measurement is being taken. The forearm
region of the resting arm may alternatively be spaced above the
surface 58, bridging between the cuff 12 and component 16.
[0068] The cuff 12 is shown fixedly mounted to the second part 38
so as to move as one piece therewith. In the fixed orientation, the
axis 52 for the cuff opening 50 declines between a rear cuff edge
60 and a front cuff edge 62. This angle is chosen to nominally
match the normal angle of a user's upper arm directed into the cuff
12 with the user seated in a measurement taking position at the
kiosk 30 and the arm in a resting position.
[0069] In this embodiment, the distance between the cuff 12 and
component 16 is fixed. In an alternative form of base assembly, as
shown at 18' in FIG. 10, the distance between a cuff 12' and a
component 16' on an arm positioning assembly 14' may be varied to
accommodate different arm lengths of users. Through the base
assembly 18', the distance between the cuff 12' and component 16'
can be selectively changed and fixed using well known components
and mechanisms.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 11, a further modified form of base
assembly at 18'' may incorporate a part 64 that cooperates with a
cuff 12'' so as to allow the angular orientation of the cuff
opening axis 52'' to be changed. As one example, a pin 66 can be
used to connect the cuff 12'' and part 64 so that the cuff 12'' is
movable around a generally horizontal axis 68 defined by the pin
66, as indicated by the double-headed arrow 70.
[0071] A still further modified form of base assembly 18''' is
shown in FIG. 12 through which the cuff 12''' can be turned around
a vertical axis 72 to further accommodate different body types and
positioning.
[0072] As a further modification, a graspable component 16 .sup.4,
as shown in FIG. 13, may be used in place of the graspable
component 16. The graspable component 16.sup.4, is in the form of a
cylindrical body 74 that can be horizontally situated, vertically
situated, or angularly turned to a position therebetween to allow a
user to grasp the body 74 generally as shown.
[0073] Another feature of the kiosk 30 is the ability to place a
seating component 76 with a support surface 78 selectively in an
active position, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 14, and a stored
position, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 14 and in solid lines in
FIGS. 3-7. The seating component 76 has a mounting arm 80 that
connects to a plate 82 at the bottom of the support frame assembly
32. The plate 82 and support 80 have components thereon that
cooperate so that the mounting arm 80 and associated seating
component 76 turn about an axis 84 relative to the support frame
assembly 32 in changing between the active and stored positions.
The precise connection between the mounting arm 80 and plate 82 is
not shown in any detail, as many different suitable connecting
components might be incorporated to allow this interaction, or a
similar interaction that permits controlled repositioning of the
seating component 76.
[0074] With the seating component 76 in the active position, the
support surface 78 thereon supports the user in a measurement
taking position for convenient access to the cuff 12. With the
seating component 76 in the stored position, a person in a wheel
chair can move into the position shown in FIGS. 3-7, as described
above, to allow the user to assume essentially the same measurement
taking position.
[0075] Alternatively, the arm 34 could be situated at a height such
that the user can stand while taking a measurement.
[0076] With the above structure, a method of taking a person's
blood pressure measurement can be carried out, as shown in flow
diagram form in FIG. 15.
[0077] As shown at block 86, the user accesses any form of the
system, as described above.
[0078] As shown at block 88, the cuff is operatively situated on
one of the user's arms.
[0079] As shown at block 90, the user operatively engages the hand
on the arm within the cuff with the arm positioning assembly to
establish a resting position for the user's arm.
[0080] As shown at block 92, with the user's hand in the resting
position, the user causes: a) the cuff to exert pressure on the
user's arm; and b) the components to measure the person's blood
pressure.
[0081] The step of operatively engaging the arm positioning
assembly may be simply abutting a part of the hand against the
component or, more preferably, involves grasping that
component.
[0082] In a preferred form of the method, the user continues to
grasp the part of the arm positioning assembly as the cuff is
exerting pressure and the components measure blood pressure.
[0083] Another aspect of the invention, in the form as described
above, is shown generically in FIG. 16 and more specifically in
FIGS. 17-19. The specific structure shown in these Figures is part
of the embodiments described hereinabove, with it contemplated that
the features shown in FIGS. 16-19 could incorporate any and all the
components heretofore described.
[0084] In a generic sense, the inventive system 10.sup.5', in FIG.
16 has a cuff 12.sup.5' and base assembly 18.sup.5' corresponding
generally to the cuff 12 and base assembly 18, and variations
thereof, as described above. The generic showing is intended to
encompass the specific structures described above and below, and
other structure that may perform the described function using
different components that may interact differently.
[0085] The cuff 12.sup.5' is configured to: a) be operatively
situated in relationship to a person's arm; and b) strategically
exert pressure on the person's arm to controllably restrict blood
flow therein. The base assembly 18.sup.5' supports the cuff
12.sup.5'. The base assembly 18.sup.5' is configured to allow
selective placement of the cuff 12.sup.5' in first and second
different positions relative to a person with the person in a
measurement taking position. The cuff 12.sup.5' in the first
position is configured to be operatively situated in relationship
to the person's left arm LA. The cuff 12.sup.5' in the second
position therefor is configured to be operatively situated in
relationship to the person's right arm RA, in the same manner as
described above.
[0086] More specifically, with the components hereinabove
described, the elongate arm 34 can be reconfigured from the FIG. 17
position into the FIG. 18 position therefor, thereby to change the
cuff 12 between its first position in FIG. 17 and its second
position in FIG. 18. The cuff 12 can be repositioned with the
person/user U in substantially the same measurement taking position
upon a support surface 94, which is intended to generically
represent the support surface that may be defined by the wheelchair
46, the seating component 76, or a subjacent surface upon which the
person might be standing when a blood pressure measurement is
taken.
[0087] In effecting repositioning of the cuff 12, the first part 36
is pivoted about the axis 42 in the direction of the arrow 96 from
the FIG. 17 position. At the same time, the parts 36, 38 pivot
relative to each other around the first axis 40 to assume the
configuration in FIG. 18. Each of the person's left and right arms
LA, RA cooperates with the cuff 12 in substantially the same
manner.
[0088] The elongate arm 34 cooperates with the other structures,
including the support frame assembly 32, as described above.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 18, the elongate arm 34 might
cooperate with another type of structure, shown generically at 98
that permits reconfiguration of the elongate arm 34 relative to the
person residing in a measurement taking position. Preferably, the
measurement taking position for the user does not have to
substantially change to allow measurements to be taken separately
on left and right arms.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 19, structure 100, 102 may be provided
separately on the elongate arm 34 and support frame assembly 32
that cooperates to consistently, but releasably, maintain the arm
34 in first and second positions, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, in
which the cuff 12 is respectively maintained in its first and
second positions.
[0090] With the system as described above, and as seen most clearly
with reference to FIGS. 16-19, a method of taking a person's blood
pressure measurement can be carried out as shown in flow diagram
form in FIG. 20.
[0091] As shown at block 104, a system is accessed for facilitating
measurement of the person's blood pressure, as described above,
including components to measure the person's blood pressure.
[0092] As shown at block 106, the cuff is operatively situated on
one of the user's arms with the user's one arm in a first resting
position.
[0093] As shown at block 108, with the user's one arm in the first
resting position, the cuff is caused to exert pressure on the
user's one arm and the components are caused to measure the
person's blood pressure through the person's one arm.
[0094] As shown at block 110, after measuring the person's blood
pressure through the person's one arm, the cuff is repositioned and
operatively situated on the other of the user's arms with the
user's other arm in a second resting position.
[0095] As shown at block 112, with the user's other arm in the
second resting position, the cuff is caused to exert pressure on
the user's other arm and the components are caused to measure the
person's blood pressure through the person's other arm.
[0096] The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended
to be illustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the
invention.
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