A new approach for non-intrusive monitoring of blood pressure on a toilet seat

Physiol Meas. 2006 Feb;27(2):203-11. doi: 10.1088/0967-3334/27/2/010. Epub 2006 Jan 6.

Abstract

Pulse arrival time (PAT) was measured non-intrusively to estimate each individual's blood pressure. Electrocardiogram (ECG) was measured with copper-coated electrodes and photoplethysmogram (PPG) was measured using a specially designed toilet seat apparatus. Non-intrusively measured PATs were compared with PATs measured by the standard method, and the results showed a good correlation. An equation was used to estimate blood pressure from the measured PAT during a training period for each individual. Estimated blood pressures were compared with measured blood pressures in a series of blood pressure varying experiments. For each individual, the estimated blood pressure was similar to the measured blood pressure within a tolerable error range. This method was also practiced for long-term monitoring, and the results show the value of this method for continuous home monitoring of blood pressure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory / methods*
  • Blood Pressure Monitors
  • Electrocardiography
  • Femoral Artery / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Photoplethysmography