Past, present and future of blood pressure measuring instruments and their calibration

Blood pressure (BP) measurement is very important and crucial parameter for monitoring, controlling and treatment of human health conditions. Measurement of BP is performed using variety of instruments. Out of these, (i) mechanical or mercury manometers and (ii) oscillometric digital sphygmomanometers, are the most commonly used devices. Although, the international recommendations (OIML R16-2) for the automatic BP measuring instrument is available, there is no uniform international standard or method of calibration available. In this paper, a terse review of different types of BP measuring techniques and devices, commercially available is presented along with some related important historical developments. A concise and consolidated report of the several existing methods of BP device calibration being used at various National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) and other leading research groups is also included. This would open new lines for the future researchers to standardise a uniform and acceptable calibration method for these devices which is need of the hour.