ABSTRACT
Good basic understanding of the principles underlying blood pressure (BP) measurement is essential. Blood pressure was measured by palpation of the brachial or radial artery as the cuff was inflated. The loss of the pulse represented systolic blood pressure. Riva-Rocci was credited with developing the first conventional sphygmomanometer. DINAMAP is the trade name for one of the original automated occlusive BP cuff measuring devices. It is based on the principle of an oscillotonometer, but now the two cuffs have been merged into a single cuff, which performs both occluding and sensing functions. Penaz principle states that ‘the force exerted on a body can be determined by measuring an opposing force that prevents physical disruption’. It consists of an infrared plethysmograph within a pneumatic cuff. The pressure inside the cuff required to achieve this is measured and gives a continuous arterial BP reading.
