DESC:MERCURIAL BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR COMPRISING OF PRISMATIC GLASS CAPILLARY TUBE

Field of the Invention:

The present invention is generally related to a new mercurial blood pressure monitor wherein it applies a novel prismatic glass capillary tube for the pressurized movement of mercury. The novel technical advancement involved in said blood pressure monitor is related to substantial reduction of radius of said prismatic glass capillary tube in comparison to conventional such monitors, and consequently substantial reduction in the quantity of elemental mercury being filled into the provisioned mercury-reservoir therein, wherein said novel constructional advancements in the proposed mercurial blood pressure monitor are incorporated without compromising the clear and wide visibility of the scale of said monitor.

Background of the Invention:

Mercurial blood pressure monitor is an instrument used for measuring blood pressure, wherein said device comprises of mercury column which shows the value in order to determine blood pressure. Mercury is a heavy metal but its liquid form is used in mercurial blood pressure monitoring. Mercury is a highly toxic substance, if it comes in contact with either human being or with any living organisms.
Conventionally the mercurial blood pressure monitors have circular capillary glass tube. The said capillary glass tube used in the aforesaid monitors comprises of bore, said bore diameter ranged from 3.8 mm to 4.2 mm in the conventional processes. Thus, the amount mercury used in conventional tubes is also higher, herein the quantity of mercury is ranged from 70 gm to 75 gm, and therefore reservoir used for storing mercury in mercurial blood pressure monitor are of large size.

As mercury is hazardous for the environment and life, so the present invention overcomes this disadvantage.

The said present invention reduces the bore radius, so that less amount of mercury will be used in the blood pressure monitors. If the bore radius of a circular capillary glass tube is reduced, the visibility of the mercury level is also reduced. Therefore, in the conventional practice, to maintain the clear visibility of the mercury level in the blood pressure monitoring scale, wider capillary tubes and large amount of mercury are being used.

The present invention is an attempt to obviate such use of high amount of mercury in conventional mercurial blood pressure monitor, wherein in the present such monitors, without comprising the clarity in the visibility, the tube bore is kept about 2 mm and the quantity of mercury used is ranged from 25 gm to 30 gm which is less than50 % of the mercury used in conventional tubes.

The present invention enhances the visibility of mercury level in the blood pressure measuring scale with its lesser quantity which leads to lesser price of the device.

Object of the present invention:

Prime object of the present invention relates to the usage of prismatic glass capillary tube in mercurial blood pressure monitoring machine. Said novel usage of prismatic glass capillary tube leads to the enhancement in the visibility of the mercury level during blood pressure measurement, mainly by applying the principles of refraction of light.

Another object of the present invention is the improvement in the angle of vision while comparing readings during the process of blood pressure monitoring.

Further object of the present invention is to propose a mercurial blood pressure monitor comprising of prismatic glass capillary tube which comprising a prismatic glass capillary tube having a comparatively narrow bore.

Further object of the present invention is to enhance the cost efficiency of the equipment. The use of prismatic capillary tube substantially reduces costs of production/ raw materials, making it more economical because of lesser use of mercury, which is a very costly element.

Another object of the present is the use of less quantity of mercury (mercury is highly toxic substance) which results in incurring substantially lesser damage to environment on its disposal.

Statement of the Present Invention:

The present invention is mainly intended to propose:

A novel usage of prismatic glass capillary tube in mercurial blood pressure monitoring machine, which leads to the enhancement in the visibility of the mercury level during blood pressure measurement, mainly by applying the principles of refraction of light.
A novel usage of prismatic glass capillary tube in mercurial blood pressure monitoring machine, wherein said invention uses of less amount of mercury, (mercury is a toxic substance) which results in incurring less damage to environment on its disposal or very hazardous, if it comes in contact to human being or with any living organism.

A novel usage of prismatic glass capillary tube in mercurial blood pressure monitoring machine, wherein said invention proposed a mercurial blood pressure monitor comprising of prismatic glass capillary tube which comprises a prismatic glass capillary tube having a comparatively narrow bore and reservoir of lesser size for storing mercury.

A novel usage of prismatic glass capillary tube in mercurial blood pressure monitoring machine, wherein said invention enhances the visibility of mercury level in the blood pressure measuring scale and improvement in the angle of vision while comparing readings during the process of blood pressure monitoring.

A novel usage of prismatic glass capillary tube in mercurial blood pressure monitoring machine, wherein said invention leads to the reduction in costs and making it more economical because of less use of mercury (Mercury is very costly element).

Description of the present invention:

The present invention is generally related a new mercurial blood pressure monitor wherein it applies a novel prismatic glass capillary tube for the pressurized movement of mercury. The novel technical advancement involved in said blood pressure monitor is related to substantial reduction of radius of said prismatic glass capillary tube in comparison to conventional such monitors, and consequently substantial reduction in the quantity of elemental mercury being filled into the provisioned mercury-reservoir therein.

The prismatic glass capillary tube, filled with mercury utilizes the principles of refraction of light and consequently the mercury level in said prismatic glass capillary tube applied therein is visible wider and much clear in comparison to conventional such monitors.

Therefore the main advantages involved with the instant invention are:

Requirement of less quantity of elemental mercury (which is a very costly element and which is highly hazardous heavy metal);

Enhanced and clear visibility of the mercury level in the capillary and thus easy in use for blood pressure measurement;

Substantial reduction in the cost of manufacturing of the blood pressure measuring device, mainly due to less requirement of mercury and small size of the mercury reservoir.

The prismatic capillary glass tube, being used in mercurial blood pressure monitor, gives the effect of a prism by enhancing the visibility of mercury in the tube. In conventional mercurial blood pressure monitor the tube bore is ranged between 3.8 to 4.2 mm, (according to ISI standards). But in the present invention the bore of the tube is preferably ranged between 2 to 2.8 mm with enhanced visibility and ease of reading. The present invention uses the Prism mechanism for refraction of light that results in better readability of the mercury scale in mercurial blood pressure monitor.

The present invention proposes a novel mercurial blood pressure monitor comprising of prismatic glass capillary tube which comprises of a prismatic glass capillary tube having a comparatively narrow bore (preferably taking the capillary tube inner diameter as 2mm). The glass tube is sealed at upper end and at lower end it is connected to a mercury reservoir; to allow the pressurized upward and backward flow of mercury in the capillary therein. A scale plate is mounted at the back of the prismatic capillary glass tube and a systolic pressure scale at the right of the scale plate, a diastolic block pressure scale at the left of the calibrated scale plate.

Though the inner capillary tube of thin diameter is of circular cross-section, the cross-sectional diameter of the outer body of the proposed prismatic capillary glass tube resembles a triangle. The prismatic capillary glass tube is basically made by glass blowing, wherein the diameter of the inner capillary tube is maintained within the desired range and the dimension of the outer body therein (namely side lengths and angles of the triangular cross-section therein), that is the triangular tubular body of the proposed prismatic capillary glass tube is achieved according to the corresponding mould used for the purpose therein, and depending on certain facts, such as (a) inner diameter of the inner capillary tube, (b) amount of mercury being used in the device, (c) extent of refraction of light required for effective visibility therein, and (d) the refractive index of the glass material being used therein. Thus the triangular shape by using blowing technique with a desired bore size and desired prismatic body cross-section required for making of prismatic glass tube. The said cross-section of tube has an important effect on effectively illuminating the background of the mercury column. To obtain magnified view with clear visibility of mercury level while making of prismatic capillary glass tube one more factor that has to be kept in mind is the background color of cross section behind the bore of said prismatic capillary glass tube. To obtain magnified view with clear visibility of mercury level during blood pressure monitoring, background color has to be kept white like in conventional capillary tubes or the said background is filled with fluorescent powder.

The reservoir used herein is filled with mercury. When air pressure applied by the balloon to the cuff, then mercury displaces in the reservoir and moves into the prismatic glass capillary tube bore. Initially the cuff is inflated to a pressure in excess of the systolic arterial pressure; at that point, mercury oscillation starts with systolic pressure, and then the pressure reduces to below diastolic pressure which in turn oscillates the mercury to diastolic pressure. These start and end of oscillation are recorded as systolic and diastolic pressure respectively. Highest level of oscillation is recorded at mean arterial pressure. The inflation of the mercury is more clearly visible in the said prismatic glass tube.

The prismatic tube novel usage in the said blood pressure monitoring is its uniform narrow bore of the prismatic glass capillary tube. The round glass stem around the glass tube is made thick. The said thickness acts as a magnifying glass during the process of blood pressure monitoring which in turn leads to a very less usage of mercury for blood pressure monitoring. The magnifying view of the prismatic glass capillary tube gives a broader and larger view of the liquid moves in the said capillary through pressure.

Aforesaid is one approach for making of prismatic glass tubes by making round glass stem thicker for achieving maximized magnified view. Therein, one more alternate approach can be followed for the making of prismatic glass tube towards obtaining large magnifying view. The aforesaid alternate approach involves the process of making the backside wall of glass stem thin and making the front side walls of glass stem thicker. Abovementioned alternate process leads to some specific displacement in the location of bore from centre of prismatic capillary glass tube to backside of prismatic glass tube. Said displacement occurs due to variation in thickness of walls of said prismatic capillary glass tube. Said alternate approach of making of capillary tube gives more magnifying view of mercury present in the bore. Through the use of alternate approach, less usage of glass is possible towards making of prismatic capillary tube. One more advantage of said alternate approach in prismatic capillary tube is the less use of mercury and obtaining large magnified view.

Both approaches lead to obtain more magnifying view of mercury column during blood pressure monitoring process. Refractive index of the glass and the wall thickness of prismatic capillary glass tube directly affect the visibility of scale and mercury level in the said bore of prismatic capillary glass tube.

If the glass used in making of prismatic capillary glass tube possessed low refractive index, then magnified view can be obtained by making the prismatic capillary glass tube walls thicker.

In other case, if the glass used in making of prismatic capillary glass tube possessed high refractive index, then also magnified and clearly visibility of scale was achieved. When the refractive index is high, then the ray refracted at much large angle, which in turn leads to high magnified view of mercury level in the said prismatic capillary glass tube.

Figure 1: shows the basic schematic structure of the mercurial blood pressure monitor, being used in the blood pressure measuring device.

Figure 2: depicts the schematic view of prismatic glass capillary tube with three dimensional views.

Figure 3: shows the cross sectional view of the prismatic glass capillary tube.

Figure 4, 5 and 6: represent top view of the prismatic glass capillary tube.

Brief Description of Drawings:

Figure 1 represents an overall perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the mercurial blood pressure monitor, which mainly comprises a blood pressure monitor, the mercury reservoir (5) and the main structural body thereof shaped as a closable/foldable blood pressure monitor box. The prismatic glass capillary tube (4) is mounted in the blood pressure measuring scale section of the device and it is assembled with the mercury reservoir/tank (5), suitably using a fine conduit therein allow pressurized flow of mercury in the said capillary (4), which is generally like the conventional assembling practice thereof.

Said one end of the upper cover portion 2 of the structural box 1 is rotatably held through the stop angle adjusting means at one end of the base portion 3 of said box 1, and is provisioned for opening and closing. Portion 4 represent the prismatic glass capillary tube for mercury. Portion 5 represents the Mercury Reservoir/Tank therein.

Figure 2 represents the structure of the prismatic glass capillary tube (4) with 3D view. It represents three dimensional structures with X, Y and Z axis. The length of the glass tube (4) is preferably in the range of 300 mm to 305 mm wherein the inner diameter of this capillary tube (4) is preferably chosen as 2 mm or optionally upto 2.8 mm. This glass capillary tube (4) is fixed in the Blood Pressure Monitor. By this prismatic structure the visibility of mercury level is increased with less amount of mercury (preferably 25 gm to 30 gm) than in the conventional blood pressure monitoring devices. The glass capillary tube (4) gets the mercury from the mercury reservoir/ tank (referring portion 5 of figure 1).

Figure 3 represents top view of the prismatic glass capillary tube (4) with various wall dimensions and the specific positioning of the capillary tube (4) therein. The preferred bore (6) size of the capillary is 2 mm.

Figure 4, 5 and 6 represent top view of the prismatic glass capillary tube (4), wherein ‘a’ and ‘b’ represents the width of tube from bore (6).

Figure 4 depicts width ‘a’ which is the distance between the said bore (6) and the walls of prismatic capillary glass tube (4). Figure 4 clearly shows the width of the all the walls 4(a) from the said bore (6) of prismatic glass tube (4) is equal.

Figure 5 depicts the varying width of the prismatic glass capillary tube (4) from the said bore (6) which was extending longitudinally in the said capillary tube (4). In the aforementioned figure 5, thickness of the outer walls/front side walls 4(a) of the prismatic capillary glass tube is increased and the thickness of the inner wall/backside wall 4(a) is reduced to obtain more magnified view of the mercury column or the level of mercury in the said bore (6) of prismatic capillary glass tube (4). Figure 5 also depicts the location of bore (6) in the said prismatic capillary (4), which got affected by the transformation which took place in the width of walls 4(a) of the said prismatic capillary glass tube (4). In figure 5, location of the said bore is displaced by a distance ‘b’ towards the backside wall 4(a) of stem and displaced by a distance ‘a’ from outer triangular walls 4(a) of said prismatic capillary glass tube (4).

Figure 6 depicts the same as figure 5 with increasing visibility by creating curves at the tips of prismatic capillary glass tube (4).

Scope of the Invention:

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiment, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that such modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined.
,CLAIMS:1. A mercurial blood pressure monitor (1), wherein said monitor comprises of a novel prismatic glass capillary tube (4) possessed a uniform circular narrow bore (6), a mercury reservoir (5) and a blood pressure scale plate; wherein the said mercurial blood pressure monitor is characterized in a uniform circular narrow bore (6) of the capillary, comparatively less than 50% mercury (in weight) and a mercury reservoir (5) of comparatively reduced internal volume therein.

2. A mercurial blood pressure monitor, as claimed in claim1, wherein the prismatic glass capillary tube resembles like triangular tubular shape; wherein it is characterized in the said mercurial blood pressure monitor by following the principles of refraction of light and enhancing the readability/visibility of the mercury raised in the glass capillary tube therein.

3. A mercurial blood pressure monitor, as claimed in claim1, wherein said prismatic glass capillary tube (4) having a uniform circular narrow bore (6) of the capillary, in which pressurized inflation of mercury in the said capillary (6) back and forth during measurement of blood pressure; the said bore size is in the preferred range of 2 to 2.8 mm (preferably 2mm) in the said prismatic glass capillary tube.

4. A mercurial blood pressure monitor, as claimed in claim1, wherein the said monitor comprises of a mercury reservoir (5) for accommodating the total amount of mercury metal in its normal liquid state (in weight); wherein the said reservoir (5) is characterized in its comparatively smaller inner volume, suitably supporting the effective pressurized inflation of the mercury present therein in the said uniform circular capillary (6) of the said mercurial blood pressure monitor (1) herein.

5. A mercurial blood pressure monitor, as claimed in claim1, wherein the quantity of mercury, adequate for effective pressurized inflation in the said uniform circular capillary (6) of the said mercurial blood pressure monitor (1) herein is in the range of 20 gm to 35 gm (by weight) preferably around
25 gm.

6. A mercurial blood pressure monitor comprising of novel prismatic glass capillary tube as claimed in claim1, wherein the said monitor comprises of scale plate, a systolic scale and a diastolic scale.

7. A mercurial blood pressure monitor, as claimed in claim1, wherein the triangular tubular body of the proposed prismatic capillary glass tube is achieved according to the corresponding mould used for the purpose therein, and depending on certain facts, such as (a) inner diameter of the inner capillary tube, (b) amount of mercury being used in the device, (c) extent of refraction of light required for effective visibility therein, and (d) the refractive index of the glass material being used therein.