Studies on soft tissue pressure distribution in the arm during non-invasive blood pressure measurement

The transmission of the pressure applied by means of an external cuff to the soft tissues of the arm was analyzed in order to understand significant causes of errors. The problem was studied with a finite element model that showed that the periarterial pressure depends upon several factors, such as the cuff size, the soft tissue elastic properties of the arm and the artery position. Experimental trials were performed with physical models to verify the finite element model and characterize the behavior of the cuff. The results indicate that the proposed model may contribute a simple new tool that is able to describe the tissue and cuff behavior with sufficient accuracy to be useful in non-invasive arterial pressure measurements