Blood pressure measurement system using force resistive sensor array

A sensor array for blood pressure signal acquisition, comprising:

• a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, said substrate incorporating a force resistive electrically conductive sensing film;
• and
• a plurality of sensing elements, each sensing element comprising:
• a first conductive element affixed to said top surface of said sensing film;
• a mechanical element coupled to said first conductive element, said mechanical element operative to transfer pressure from its top surface toward said sensing film when in contact with a user, wherein said mechanical element comprises a hard body covered by a soft material;
• and
• a second conductive element affixed to said bottom surface of said sensing film, said first and second conductive elements spaced apart such that a change in resistance of said sensing film upon application of pressure to said mechanical element is capable of being detected.

A wearable device for measuring blood pressure of a user, comprising:

• a housing;
• a display mounted in said housing;
• a wrist strap coupled to said housing;
• a processor coupled to a memory;
• at least one sensor array including a plurality of sensing elements coupled to a sensor circuit and operative to acquire a blood pressure signal;
• each sensing element comprising:
• a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, said substrate incorporating a force resistive electrically conductive sensing film;
• a mechanical element coupled to said top surface of said sensing film, said mechanical element operative to transfer pressure from its top surface toward said sensing film when in contact with a user, wherein said mechanical element comprises a hard body covered by a soft material;
• and
• first and second conductive elements affixed to said sensing film, said first and second conductive elements spaced apart such that a change in resistance of said sensing film upon application of pressure to said mechanical element is capable of being detected.