- The sphygmomanometer is the classic medical equipment to measure blood pressure at the beginning of each medical consultation.
- Currently there are already devices such as smartwatches that can perform the same function.
- While the most recent novelty is a humanoid robot that has an arm with sensors to carry out this measurement and does not require direct contact between doctors and patients.
There is an action that you must do with your patients in each medical consultation and that is measure blood pressure. It does not matter if it is your first visit or a follow-up visit, but you should never forget to comply with this requirement. Something so simple is enough to identify risks that can be fatal in people, such as chronic diseases.
In fact, it is not necessary to go to a health professional because there are more and more tools that offer the possibility of doing it in the patients’ own homes. There are since overly sophisticated equipment to small smartwatches.
Classic way in which the measurement should be carried out
- The person should sit on a chair with the back supported, the legs should be uncrossed and the feet on the floor.
- The arm should be supported so that the forearm is at the level of the heart. The arm must be rolled up so that it is exposed. It is important that the sleeve does not squeeze the arm.
- Next, a sphygmomanometer should be placed around the arm. The lowest edge of the cuff should be two centimeters above the bend in the elbow.
- The cuff will inflate quickly. This is done either by pumping with the bulb or by pressing a button on the device.
- The cuff valve is then opened slightly, allowing the pressure to drop slowly.
- As the pressure drops, the reading is recorded as soon as the sound of blood pulsing is heard. This is the systolic pressure.
- As the air continues to flow out, the sounds disappear. The point at which the sound stops is recorded. This is the diastolic pressure.
The most modern equipment for measuring blood pressure
Now, technology has become an ally for transform healthcare. One of its goals is to be as less invasive as possible and a humanoid-shaped robot plans to transform consultations.
All part of a work carried out by personnel of the Simon Fraser University in Canada. It has the ability to measure blood pressure and the most novel thing is that it only requires placing the metal arm on the patient’s chest.
“Robotics offers a promising method to mitigate risk and improve the efficiency and quality of patient care as remote healthcare technology,” said Tae-Ho Kim.
Regarding its operation, the robot uses sensors to be able to carry out the measurements. For blood pressure, combine readings from a electrocardiogram (ECG) and a photoplethysmogram (PPG).
For its part, the idea for the project was generated during the pandemic. According to the creators, their objective was design equipment that could decrease physical interaction between doctors and patients. In this way, both parties are protected to have a lower risk of contagion.
For now, the humanoid robot has already been tested in different hospitals. Due to its success, it is expected that marketing will begin very soon in order to reach the largest possible number of medical units.
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