MEASUREMENT METHOD AND MEASURING DEVICE FOR NONINVASIVELY MEASURING THE AORTAL PULSE WAVE VELOCITY OF A MEASUREMENT SUBJECT

摘要

In the case of a measurement method and in a measuring apparatus for noninvasively measuring the aortal pulse wave velocity of a test subject (5), i.e. for measuring the propagation velocity of pressure waves in the blood of the aorta (8) of the test object (5), two pulse wave sensors (1, 2) that are applied to different locations on the skin surface of the test subject (5) in the region of the aorta (8) detect the same pulse wave in the aorta (8) of the test subject (5). An acoustic actuator (3) produces an acoustic signal in the region of the first pulse wave sensor (1) and an acoustic sensor (4) detects the acoustic signal in the region of the second pulse wave sensor (2). From the travel time of the acoustic signal, the signal path thereof and hence, approximately, the path of the pulse wave are determined. The aortal pulse wave velocity is determined from the path of the acoustic signal and the travel time of the pulse wave. The pulse wave is preferably detected by bioimpedance measurements. As a result, there is no need for pressure cuffs that are uncomfortable and mechanically influence the arterial system during the measurement. The electrodes of the pulse wave sensors (1, 2) are preferably attached in the region of the heart, in particular at the aortic arch (9), and on an upper thigh of the test subject (5).