Interface pressure sensor for IVRA and other biomedical applications

The fabrication and testing of a minimally intrusive (2 mm high, 10 mm diameter) biomedical interface pressure sensor are described. Such sensors are needed for the implementation of improved safety features in the next generation of automated intravenous regional anaesthesia (IVRA) systems. The sensor utilizes a structured elastomer as a deflection element sandwiched between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor device. Simple mechanical modifications allow sensitivity and zero offset adjustment. The sensor is housed in a package machined from an engineering polymer. The device is easily calibrated using either a bench-top or an on-body calibration procedure. The device is particularly sensitive to cuff artefacts arising from variations in cuff-wrap tightness and folding of the cuff. As such, it offers some promise for detecting potential hazard conditions which can occur during conventional IVRA procedures. For the purpose of unit conversion, 1 Pa = 1 N/m2, 1 MPA = 1 N/mm2 and 40 kPa approximately equal to 300 mmHg.