METHOD OF MEASURING BLOOD PRESSURE AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING THE SAME

A method for measuring the blood pressure of a subject is provided, the method comprising applying an occluding pressure to a portion of the subject such that the flow of blood through a blood vessel may be at least partially occluded; increasing the occluding pressure; superimposing on the occluding pressure a pressure signature; and monitoring the flow of blood through the blood vessel to identify a flow signature corresponding to the superimposed pressure signature. Further, there is provided an apparatus for measuring blood pressure, the apparatus comprising means for applying an occluding pressure to a portion of a subject, such that the flow of blood through a blood vessel may be occluded; means for increasing the occluding pressure; means for applying a pressure signature superimposed on the occluding pressure to the portion of the subject; a sensor for detecting changes in the flow of blood through the blood vessel as a result of the applied pressure; and means for determining when the changes in the flow of blood correspond to the characteristics of the pressure signature.