• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2017

In this paper, a novel measurement method of radial artery pulse waveform using robotic applanation tonometry (RAT) was present to reduce the errors by the pressing direction of the vessel. The RAT consisted of an array of pressure sensors and 2-axis tilt sensor, which was attached to the universal joint with a linear spring and five-DOF robotic manipulator with a one-axis force sensor. Using the RAT mechanism, the pulse sensor could be manipulated to perpendicularly pressurize the radial artery. A pilot experimental result showed that the proposed mechanism could find the optimal pressurization angles of the pulse sensor within ${\pm}3^{\circ}$standard deviations. Coefficient values of variation of maximum pulse peaks extracted from the pulse waveforms were 4.692, 6.994, and 11.039 % for three channels with the highest magnitudes. It is expected that the proposed method can be helpful to develop more precise tonometry system measuring the pulse waveform on the radial artery.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.138-142
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• 2016

A pulse measurement by tonometry provides useful information for diagnosis, including not only blood pressure and heart rate but also parameters for estimating a condition of the cardiovascular system. Currently, various pulse measurement devices based on the tonometry have been developed. A reliability of these devices is determined by a positioning technic between the sensor and the blood vessel and a controlling technique of the pressurization level. An angle of the sensor for the pulse measurement seems to be highly related with a measured signal, however, the objective studies for this issue have been not published. In this paper, the variation of the pulse signals by tonometry direction was experimentally assessed according to the angle of the sensor. In order for guaranteeing the repeatability of the experiment, we used a pulse generator device, which can generate human pulse signal by using silicon tube and fluid pump, and developed a structure for precise adjustment of the angle and the pressurization level of the sensor. The angle of the sensor was acquired by an inclinometer, which was attached at the opposite side of the sensor. As results, a coefficient of variation (CV) of a maximum amplitude (MA) of the pulse wave was largely increased over the angle range of $-9{\sim}9^{\circ}$. Furthermore, the changes of the pulse shape showed different aspects according to the sign of the angle tilted along the blood vessel. It is expected that the results of this study can be helpful for developing more precise pulse measurement devices based on the tonometry and applying in clinic.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.259-263
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• 2018

A radial artery pulse wave is measured while pressing an artery with constant force. However, pulse waveform measurements vary depending on pressing force and direction. Accurate pulse waveform measurements are important for analysis. Thus, it is necessary to define the measurement range of the permissible force and direction from which a correct pulse waveform is derived. In this study, pulse waves were generated by a pulse wave generator for accurate control. The pulse waves generated for different angles and pressing forces were analyzed. The augmentation index (AIx), which is the most commonly used index for evaluating vascular stiffness, was analyzed. The AIx was measured within ${\pm}6^{\circ}$ of the vessel direction and within ${\pm}8^{\circ}$ perpendicular to the vessel direction with a force that was 25% or more of the pressing force at which the maximum pressure wave was generated. We identified the applicable pressing force and angle range by analyzing the effect of pressing angle on the pulse wave. The AIx analysis performed using the pulse wave measurement device is reliable and reproducible.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.83-88
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• 2006

A new method of measuring pulse arrival time (PAT), which is usually used for the estimation of systolic blood pressure, in an unconstrained manner using a chair, is proposed. The capacitive-coupled ECG (CC-ECG) measurement system and the air cushion with balancing tubes system were used for unconstrained PAT measurement. Firstly, the correlation between the standard PAT (S-PAT) from the photoplethysmography (PPG) and the PAT measured in an unconstrained manner (U-PAT) was evaluated. It was observed that U-PAT, which is the time delay from the R-peak of ECG to the steepest decent point of air cushion pressure wave, is significantly correlated with the S-PAT. Secondly, systolic blood pressure (SBP) measured by the radial tonometer is compared to the U-PAT. The ten-beat averaged U-PAT removed respiration effects and demonstrated a high intra-subject correlation with SBP in all participants. Finally, the tonometry SBP was estimated from these U-PAT values for one participant intermittently during half a day.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2009.07a
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• pp.1978.1_1979.1
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• 2009

In this paper, we have proposed and demonstrated a tonometry sensor array for measuring arterial pulse pressure. A sensor module consists of 7 piezoresistive pressure sensor array. Wire-bonded connection was provided between silicon chip and lead frame. PDMS(poly-dimethylsiloxane) was coated on the sensor array to protect fragile sensor while faithfully transmitting the pressure of radial artery to the sensor. Tonometric pulse pressure can be measured by this packaged sensor array that provides the pressure value versus the output voltage.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.859-860
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• 2006

We developed a cuffless and noninvasive measurement technique of blood pressure using tonometric pressure sensor. With observation that the maximum value of pulse pressure is not obtained at mean arterial pressure(MAP), we have figured out MAP based on the physiological characteristic including the elasticity of wrist tisse. Detecting only one part of the body and using only one device are quite advantageous over other BP measurement techniques. Our technique makes new way for the cuffless BP measurement.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.98-105
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• 2009

Objective: Increased aortic and carotid arterial augmentation index (AI) is associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease. The most widely used approach for determining central arterial AI is by calculating the aortic pressure waveform from radial arterial waveforms using a transfer function. But how the change of waveform by applied pressure and the pattern of the change rely on subject's characteristics has not been recognized. In this study, we use a new method for measuring radial waveform and observe the change of waveform and the deviation of radial AI in the same position by applied pressure. Method: Forty-six non-patient volunteers (31 men and 15 women, age range 21-58 years) were enrolled for this study. Informed consent in a form approved by the institutional review board was obtained in all subjects. Blood pressure was measured on the left upper arm using an oscillometric method, radial pressure waves were recorded with the use of an improved automated tonometry device. DMP-3000(DAEYOMEDI Co., Ltd. Ansan, Korea) has robotics mechanism to scan and trace automatically. For each subject, we performed the procedure 5 times for each applied pressure level. We could thus obtain 5 different radial pulse waveforms for the same person's same position at different applied pressures. All these processes were repeated twice for test reproducibility. Result: Aortic AI, peripheral AI and radial AI were higher in women than in men (P<0.01), radial AI strongly correlated with aortic AI, and radial AI was consistently approximately 39% higher than aortic AI. Relationship between representative radial AI of DMP-3000 and peripheral AI of SphygmoCor had strongly correlation. And there were three patterns in change of pulse waveform. Conclusion: In this study, it is revealed the new device was sufficient to measure how radial AI and radial waveform from the same person at the same time change under applied pressure and it had inverse-proportion to applied pressure.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.299-306
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• 2009

In this study, pulse waves were measured at radial artery using non-invasive tonometric pulse pressure measurement system, SphygmoCor(AtCor, Australia), according to subject's posture. Then it was analysed whether the pulse wave parameters, which contain heart activities, change among three different postures (upright stand, sit, and supine). And it was also verified that the pulse wave parameters change among blood pressure level groups(hypotensive, normotensive, and hypertensive). As a results, posture effects were verified in time information of pulse wave rather than amplitude. But some parameters calculated by ratio of two amplitude, such as augmented index(AI) and ratio of central aortic pulse and radial artery pulse, showed significant difference according to postures. In post hoc test, time to the $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ pulse peak(P_$T_1$, and P_$T_2$), ED(ejection duration), and HR(heart rate) showed significant difference among posture groups with each other. In comparison of blood pressure groups, it was verified that the parameters related to amplitude of pulse wave showed significant difference rather than time information.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.68-79
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• 2008

Aortic AIx(augmentation index) has been used to measure aortic stiffness quantitatively and even to evaluate ventricular load. However, in order to calculate aortic AIx catheters should be inserted to the subjects' artery, which hampers its clinical usage. To overcome such limitation, aortic AIx has been indirectly calculated by estimating aortic pressure wave from the peripheral arterial pulse by applying transfer functions. In this study, central aortic pressure waves using Millar catheter and radial artery pulse waves using tonometry pressure sensor were measured to establish transfer functions for an estimation of central aortic pressure waves from radial artery pulse waves. Also, an algorithm which detects augmentation point for the calculation of AIx were developed. Developed algorithm for the detection of augmentation point gradually increases the differential order to detect inflection point rather than detects the distinctive point that appears after a specific time. Transfer functions were established using 10th order ARX model and were verified for the stability of the transfer function through residual analysis. Evaluation of an algorithm for the detection of augmentation point were performed by comparing the augmentation points obtained from developed algorithm with the known augmentation points synthesized in various conditions. In addition, developed algorithm for the AIx is proved to provide more accurate results than the ones developed by previous studies. The significance of the study was in two folds. Firstly, the results could provide the basis for the measurement of aortic stiffness using easily-measurable radial artery pulse waves, and secondly, extension of the study may enable the early diagnosis of various vascular diseases.