The Development of Automatic Pressure Cuff

Abstract

Analogue Blood Pressure (BP) monitors remain a ubiquitous tool in healthcare settings, but their imprecise and labour-intensive measurement process continues to be a major concern. The lack of automation in these devices leads to variability in measurements and increased workload for healthcare professionals, necessitating the development of improved technologies. Literature is sparse on the integration of automated inflation mechanisms in manual cuff blood pressure monitors, and their impact on measurement accuracy and efficiency. This study aims to develop an automated device to replace the manual pressure bulb of an analogue BP monitor.

The proposed system incorporates an automated inflation mechanism powered by a 12V battery and a 5V regulator for the ATmega328P microcontroller. It uses pressure sensors to accurately gauge BP readings, which are displayed on an integrated LCD screen. This design aims to combine the user-friendliness of digital BP monitors with the precision of analogue monitors, addressing the limitations of both. Additionally, the rechargeable battery system reduces the need for frequent replacements, minimizing costs and environmental impact. A comparative test with ten volunteers was conducted to evaluate the developed automatic pressure cuff against a manual sphygmomanometer.

The combined units worked, and the test results showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.988 and 0.933) between the automated system and a reference manual sphygmomanometer for systolic and diastolic BP measurements respectively. Additionally, a t-test analysis revealed no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) between the two methods, indicating the automated system's ability to provide accurate and consistent BP measurements. The average systolic BP reading was 122.4 mmHg, with a standard deviation of 2.1 mmHg, while the average diastolic BP reading was 78.2 mmHg, with a standard deviation of 1.8 mmHg. These findings demonstrate the system's reliability and its potential to surpass the variability often associated with manual pumping techniques.

Automating the pressure cuff system in traditional analogue blood pressure monitors improves accuracy and efficiency compared to manual methods. Thus, an automated inflation mechanism enhances blood pressure measurement and healthcare outcomes.

Keywords: Analogue BP monitor, Digital BP monitor, Automated Pressure Cuff, ATmega328P Microcontroller, Accuracy and Consistency.

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