Ring-shaped cuff for measurement of blood pressure

A closed cuff for use in inferential measurement of animal arterial blood pressures, comprising:

• an inflatable ring-shaped bladder having an inner portion and an outer portion,
• wherein said inner and outer portions are formed from non-distensible material,
• wherein said bladder is defined by a single tubular starting element formed into said ring shape by connecting opposite ends of said tubular starting element, defining a ring having a non-adjustable fixed outer circumference,
• wherein said outer portion remains outward of said ring and said inner portion remains inward of said ring such that the interior of said single tubular starting element defines a chamber for air inflation in blood pressure measurement,
• wherein said inner portion of said bladder is adapted to be in direct contact with a user's extremity when said cuff is in use, and
• wherein said bladder is unconstrained axially of said ring shape during inflation thereof and becomes toroidal in shape, and
• wherein said single tubular starting element is formed from sheet stock and includes a longitudinal seam contained within said outer portion and apart from the conjunctive areas of said outer portion with said inner portion.

A method for forming a ring-shaped closed cuff for measuring blood pressure, comprising the steps of:

• a) forming a single tubular starting element of non-distensible material, said single tubular starting element having first and second opposite ends and defining an interior space between said first and second opposite ends;
• and
• b) joining said first and second opposite ends to form said ring-shaped cuff wherein said interior space defines a chamber for inflation during said blood pressure measuring
• wherein said joining step includes the step of forming a seam directed axially of said ring shape, wherein said chamber for inflation is discontinuous, being interrupted by said seam.

A method for forming a ring-shaped closed cuff for measuring blood pressure, comprising the steps of:

• a) forming a single tubular starting element of non-distensible material, said single tubular starting element having first and second opposite ends and defining an interior space between said first and second opposite ends;
• and
• b) joining said first and second opposite ends to form said ring-shaped cuff wherein said interior space defines a chamber for inflation during said blood pressure measuring
• wherein said joining step includes the step of forming a seam circumferential of said tubular starting element, wherein said chamber for inflation is continuous, being non-interrupted by said circumferential seam.

An automated blood pressure measurement machine, comprising:

• a) a housing;
• b) an inflatable closed cuff disposed in said housing and including a ring-shaped bladder having an inner portion and an outer portion,
• wherein said bladder is formed from an air-impermeable, non-distensible material,
• wherein said bladder is defined by a single tubular starting element formed into said ring shape by connecting opposite ends of said tubular starting element to define a ring having a non-adjustable fixed outer circumference such that the interior of said single tubular starting element defines a chamber for air inflation,
• wherein said single tubular starting element is seamless,
• wherein said bladder is adapted to be in direct contact with a user's extremity when said cuff is in use, and
• wherein said bladder is unconstrained axially of said ring shape during inflation thereof and becomes toroidal in shape;
• c) means for inflating said inflatable closed cuff;
• and
• d) means tor measuring pressure within said inflatable closed cuff.

An automated blood pressure measurement machine, comprising:

• a) a housing;
• b) an inflatable closed cuff disposed in said housing and including a ring-shaped bladder having an inner portion and an outer portion,
• wherein said bladder is formed from an air-impermeable, non-distensible material,
• wherein said bladder is defined by a single tubular starting element formed into said ring shape by connecting opposite ends of said tubular starting element to define a ring having a non-adjustable fixed outer circumference such that the interior of said single tubular starting element defines a chamber for air inflation,
• wherein said single tubular starting element is formed from sheet stock and includes a longitudinal seam contained within said outer portion and apart from the conjunctive areas of said outer portion with said inner portion,
• wherein said bladder is adapted to be in direct contact with a user's extremity when said cuff is in use, and
• wherein said bladder is unconstrained axially of said ring shape during inflation thereof and becomes toroidal in shape;
• c) means for inflating said inflatable closed cuff;
• and
• d) means for measuring pressure within said inflatable closed cuff.