Accession Number:

ADA279938

Title:

A Microcontroller-Based Device for Monitoring Blood Pressure in the Field

Descriptive Note:

Technical note

Corporate Author:

DEFENCE RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT OTTAWA (ONTARIO)

Personal Author(s):

• Dyck, Walter
• Collette, Michel

Report Date:

1993-12-01

Pagination or Media Count:

27.0

Abstract:

Monitoring of the vital signs of casualties in the field is an ongoing concern of the Canadian Forces Medical System. A vital signs monitor has been developed, which would measure heart rate and body temperature continuously and concurrently. In order to enhance the capabilities of the device, it was decided to investigate the feasibility of adding blood pressure monitoring. Using the oscillographic method of measuring cuff pressures, and the Erlanger procedure for determining systolic and diastolic pressures, several algorithms were tested for determining blood pressure. A method of digitally sampling pressure pulses, using a two dimensional filter for determining pulse validity, and establishing systolic and diastolic blood pressure, is described.

Descriptors:

• *MONITORS
• *HEART RATE
• *BLOOD PRESSURE
• *BODY TEMPERATURE
• ALGORITHMS
• TEMPERATURE
• MONITORING
• TWO DIMENSIONAL
• CANADA
• CIRCUITS
• HEART
• BODIES
• FILTERS
• RATES
• PULSES
• SAMPLING
• PRESSURE
• CASUALTIES

Subject Categories:

• Stress Physiology
• Medical Facilities, Equipment and Supplies

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE