Vanderbilt Senior Design 2009: Non-Electronic Blood Pressure Assist Device Members:Laura Allen (ChemE) James Berry (BME) Casey Duckwall (BME) David Harris (ChemE) Mentor: Prof. Baudenbacher

Non-Electronic BP Assist Device The Engineering World Health (EWH) Organization proposed the challenge: – Can a mechanical adjunct for a sphygmomanometer be designed to amplify the oscillatory pressure signal? – Can the design be used by minimally trained users to identify at least systolic pressure? (Ideally diastolic too)

Current Oscillatory BP Methods Electronic Utilize algorithms to extract systolic and diastolic measurements from pressure oscillations in cuff [1]. – Not divulged by manufacturer

Developing World Usability Non-electronic – Many rural clinics may be without electricity Low Cost: Less than $5 – When produced in quantities of Mechanical adjunct to sphygmomanomter – Eliminating the need for Korotkoff sound identification Identify at least systolic – Pictorial instructions for widespread users

Additional Design Considerations Finish design for EWH competition by May 30 th, In addition to EWH specification, for successful implementation in developing countries: – Easily manufactured – Durable – Mechanically simple

BP Device: How it will be used 1.Developing world clinic/hospital work will attach sphygmomanometer to patient a.BP device will be mechanically attached 2.Worker will inflate cuff ~20-30 mmHg above estimated systolic pressure 3.Bleed cuff at standard rate of 3 mmHg/sec [1] 4.Monitor adjunct device for indication of systolic pressure 5.Use device’s systolic reading and classification chart to identify patient as normal BP, prehypertensive, or hypertensive

Device Goals and Success Parameters Decrease difficulty in obtaining blood pressure measurements for developing countries Meet affordability goal of $5 production cost – Design be easily mass produced Reading from BP device be accurate enough for clinical diagnosis of hypertension Ultimately, an easy method for identifying hypertension is the first step in decreasing cardiovascular diseases related deaths in third- world settings