Method and device for measuring systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate in an environment with extreme levels of noise and vibrations

Abstract

A method and a device for measuring blood pressure and heart rate in an environment comprising extreme levels of noise and vibrations is disclosed. Blood pressure signals corresponding to the Korotkoff sounds are detected using an array of primary acoustic sensors, placed on the patient's skin over the brachial artery. A secondary acoustic transducer is placed on the outside of a pressure cuff the patient away for detecting noise and vibrations. Pressure is applied to the artery using the pressure cuff forcing the artery to close. The pressure is then reduced and while reducing the pressure the acoustic signals detected by the first and second acoustic sensor as well as a signal indicative of the pressure applied to the artery are provided to a processor. The signals provided by the primary acoustic sensors are then processed using a combination of focused beamforming and planar wave beamforming. The final beam time series is then processed using an adaptive interferer canceller algorithm with the signal provided by the secondary acoustic sensor as interferer. Use of an array of acoustic sensors in combination with beamforming substantially enhances signal detection as well as accurate isolation of the signal source which is highly beneficial for blood pressure measurements measurements performed under extreme levels of noise and vibrations.