Measurement of carotid blood pressure and local pulse wave velocity changes during cuff induced hyperemia

We present a prototype design of dual element photoplethysmograph (PPG) probe along with associated measurement system for carotid local pulse wave velocity (PWV) evaluation in a non-invasive and continuous manner. The PPG probe consists of two identical sensing modules placed 23 mm apart. Simultaneously measured blood pulse waveforms from these arterial sites were processed and the pulse transit time delay was resolved using the developed application-specific software. The ability of developed PPG probe and associated measurement system to detect acute changes in carotid local PWV due to blood pressure (BP) variations was experimentally validated by an in-vivo study. Intra-subject carotid BP elevation was achieved by an upper arm cuff based occlusion, which offered a controlled way of local PWV escalation. The elevated carotid BP values were also recorded by a calibrated pressure tonometer prior to the study, and was used as a reference. A significant increment (1.0 - 2.6 m/s) in local PWV was observed and was proportional to the BP increment induced by the occlusive reactive hyperemia. Study results demonstrated the feasibility of real-time signal acquisition and reliable local PWV evaluation under normal and elevated BP conditions using the developed measurement system.