Pulse wave detecting apparatus

A pulse wave detecting apparatus for detecting a blood pressure pulse wave of an arterial vessel of a subject, based on an oscillatory motion of at least one contact element which is adapted to be depressed against a surface of a body member of the subject, such that said at least one contact element is oscillated in response to the pulsation of the arterial vessel, said detecting apparatus comprising:

• a main frame for supporting said at least one contact element such that said at least one contact element is movable relative to said main frame, said main frame being attached to said surface of the body member;
• positioning means operable at least for moving said at least one contact element relative to and along said surface, in a direction perpendicular to a direction of extension of said arterial vessel, to thereby locate one of said at least one contact element right above said arterial vessel;
• and
• pressing means for moving said at least one contact element relative to said main frame, in a direction toward said surface, for forcing said at least one contact element against said surface.