Online continuous measurement of arterial pulse pressure and pressure waveform using ultrasound

•An image-free ultrasound system includes integrated multi-ultrasound transceiver channel hardware and real-time signal processing software was developed for continuous, non-invasive PP and blood pressure waveform measurement.•The software evaluates local PWV with a low-computation-consuming method using high frame rate ultrasound line, ensuring online presentation of PP and blood pressure waveform in an automated manner.•Comprehensive in vitro and human experiments (20 + 7) demonstrated the accuracy and reliability of this system in measuring PP and blood pressure waveforms.•This work presents a simple, scalable image-free ultrasound blood pressure waveform measurement method, with potential application prospects in the diagnosis and prevention of CVDs. Noninvasive measurement of local pulse pressure (PP) and blood pressure waveforms, especially in central arteries, is crucial for diagnosing and preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This work presents an ultrasound system that uses a low-computational method to evaluate local pulse wave velocity (PWV) and diameter waveforms online, enabling continuous and noninvasive measurement of PP and blood pressure waveforms without calibration. The system was validated both in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating high accuracy in PP and blood pressure waveform measurements in cardiovascular phantom experiments. In human carotid experiments, the system was compared to an arterial tonometer, showing excellent accuracy in PP and pressure waveform similarity. Comparative experiments with the volume clamp device further demonstrated the system's ability to accurately trace blood pressure changes induced by deep breathing. Thus, the developed system holds promise for noninvasively measuring arterial PP and blood pressure waveforms continuously, facilitating the diagnosis and prevention of CVDs.