Compact apparatus and methods for non-invasively measuring hemodynamic parameters

Apparatus adapted to monitor blood pressure from a limb of a living subject, comprising:

• at least one sensor adapted to generate first signal relating to the pressure applied thereto;
• a substantially U-shaped body adapted to adjustably clamp onto said limb proximate a blood vessel of interest;
• an actuator coupled to said at least one sensor and said body, said actuator being adapted to controllably applanate said at least one sensor against the tissue of said limb proximate said blood vessel;
• and
• a signal interface adapted to transfer second signals to an external device, said external device being adapted to generate an estimate of said blood pressure based at least in part on said second signals.

Selectively controllable pivot apparatus, comprising:

• at least first and second movable components, said components being rotatably disposed around respective ones of at least first and second axes;
• at least one control mechanism adapted to selectively control the motion of said at least first and said components;
• and
• an actuator mechanism, operatively coupled to said locking[SF3] mechanism, said actuator allowing selective control of said motion of at least first and second components by movement thereof.

Non-invasive blood pressure measurement apparatus adapted for use on radial artery of a living subject, comprising:

• an articulated body adapted to fit over a substantial fraction of the circumference of the subject's wrist area;
• a sensor assembly having at least one pressure sensor adapted to sense pressure data from said artery;
• a sensor actuator adapted to movably position said at least one pressure sensor relative to said tissue and said artery;
• and
• a support element adapted to at least support said at least one sensor prior to coupling to said actuator;
• wherein said body and support element further cooperate to stabilize said body.

Hemodynamic assessment apparatus, comprising:

• a bracelet adapted to receive a portion of the anatomy of a living subject;
• actuator apparatus substantially integral with said bracelet and adapted to move a sensor;
• and
• alignment apparatus adapted to mate with a portion of said anatomy, said alignment apparatus configured to maintain a desired orientation of said sensor prior to coupling thereof to said actuator.

Hemodynamic assessment apparatus, comprising:

• a spatially compact structure adapted to securely receive at least a portion of the anatomy of a living subject, said structure having a plurality of articulated elements, said articulated elements at least allowing said structure to be particularly adapted to said anatomy of said subject;
• an alignment apparatus adapted couple to said structure and to receive a sensor at least partly therein;
• and
• a coupling element cooperating with said alignment apparatus and said sensor to initially position the sensor with respect to said anatomical portion;
• wherein said coupling element is adapted to be removable from said assessment apparatus to permit variable positioning of said sensor subsequent to said initial positioning.

A blood pressure monitoring system, comprising:

• at least one pressure sensor adapted to measure a pressure waveform from a blood vessel in the wrist area of a living subject;
• an actuator adapted to control the position of said at least one sensor relative to said blood vessel;
• and
• a structure adapted to be worn substantially around said wrist area and to maintain said actuator in a substantially constant position with respect to said blood vessel;
• wherein said structure comprises a gap and can be placed on said wrist area by passing at least a portion of said wrist area through said gap.

Apparatus adapted to position a sensor relative to a portion of the human anatomy, comprising:

• a first contact element;
• a second contact element disposed in substantial opposition to said first element and adapted to hold said sensor;
• and
• a third element, said third element being hingedly coupled to said first and second elements, said hinged coupling allowing selective adjustment of said apparatus on said portion of said anatomy.

Physiologic sensing apparatus, comprising:

• at least one pressure sensor;
• and
• a substantially U-shaped support structure adapted to receive at least a portion of the anatomy of a subject therein;
• wherein said support structure is adapted to couple at least one force felt by said at least one sensor to said at least portion of said anatomy.

Sensor actuator apparatus, comprising:

• a stationary element;
• a plurality of components adapted to move relative to said stationary element, at least one of said components further being adapted for coupling to said sensor;
• and
• at least one motor fixedly mounted to said stationary element and operatively coupled to at least one of said components, said at least one motor being adapted to move said at least one component in at least a first direction while maintaining the attitude of said sensor substantially constant.

Apparatus adapted to fit substantially on the wrist of a living subject, comprising:

• a first portion;
• a second portion;
• a third portion coupled to said first and second portions and comprising an actuator mechanism;
• wherein said first, second and third portions cooperate to surround a substantial fraction of the circumference of said wrist;
• and
• wherein upon actuation of said actuator mechanism, said first, second an third portions are kept in substantially constant relationship to one another.