senso s
A icle
Design and De elopmen o a No el In asi e Blood
P essu e Simula o o Pa ien ’s Moni o Tes ing
Daniele Bibbo 1,* , Jan Kijonka 2, Pe Kud na 3, Ma ek Penhake 2, Pe Va a 4and
Pa el Zonca 4
1Depa men o Enginee ing, Uni e si y o Roma T e, Via Vi o Vol e a, 62, 00146 Rome, I aly
2Depa men o Cybe ne ics and Biomedical Enginee ing, Facul y o Elec ical Enginee ing and Compu e
Science, VSB-Technical Uni e si y o Os a a, 17. lis opadu 2172/15, 708 00 Os a a–Po uba, Czech Republic;
[email p o ec ed] (J.K.); [email p o ec ed] (M.P.)
3Depa men o Biomedical Technology, Facul y o Biomedical Enginee ing, Czech Technical Uni e si y in
P ague, nam. Si na 3105, 272 01 Kladno, Czech Republic; pe [email p o ec ed]
4
Depa men o In e nal Medicine, Uni e si y Hospi al in Os a a, 17. Lis opadu 1790, 70852 Os a a, Czech
Republic; pe [email p o ec ed] (P.V.); [email p o ec ed] (P.Z.)
*Co espondence: daniele.bibbo@uni oma3.i ; Tel.: +39-06-5733-7298
Recei ed: 18 No embe 2019; Accep ed: 30 Decembe 2019; Published: 1 Janua y 2020


Abs ac :
This pape p esen s a newly-designed and ealized In asi e Blood P essu e (IBP) de ice
o he simula ion on pa ien ’s moni o s. This de ice shows imp o emen s and p esen s ex ended
ea u es wi h espec o a i s p o o ype p esen ed by he au ho s and simila sys ems a ailable in
he s a e-o - he-a . A peculia i y o he p esen ed de ice is ha all implemen ed ea u es can be
cus omized om he de elope and om he poin o iew o he end use . The ealized de ice has
been es ed, and i s pe o mances in e ms o accu acy and o he back-loop measu emen o he
ou pu o he blood p essu e egula ion u iliza ion ha e been desc ibed. In pa icula , an accu acy
o
±
1 mmHg a 25
◦
C, on a ange om
−
30 o 300 mmHg, was e alua ed unde di e en es
condi ions. The designed de ice is an ideal ool o es ing IBP modules, o ze o se ing, and o
calib a ions. The implemen ed ex ended ea u es, like he gene a ion o cus om wa e o ms and he
Uni e sal Se ial Bus (USB) connec i i y, allow use o his de ice in a wide ange o applica ions, om
esea ch o equipmen main enance in clinical en i onmen s o educa ional pu poses. Mo eo e ,
he p esen ed de ice ep esen s an inno a ion, bo h in e ms o echnology and me hodologies: I
allows quick and e icien es s o e i y he p ope unc ioning o IBP module o pa ien s’ moni o s.
Wi h his inno a i e de ice, es s can be pe o med di ec ly in he ield and as e p ocedu es can be
implemen ed by he clinical main enance pe sonnel. This de ice is an open sou ce p ojec and all
ma e ials, ha dwa e, and so wa e a e ully a ailable o in e es ed de elope s o esea che s.
Keywo ds: in asi e blood p essu e; medical de ices; exci e ol age; wa e o m simula ion
1. In oduc ion
Di ec Blood P essu e (BP) measu emen , achie ed by in asi e echniques, is used in a speci ic
con ex when a con inuous and eliable moni o ing is needed. This me hod o blood p essu e
measu emen can p o ide de ailed esul s, and i is mainly used o pa ien s ha need o be con inuously
moni o ed (e.g., hospi aliza ion in in ensi e ca e uni ). The mos common echnique o ob ain he BP
measu emen is based on he use o a special ca he e inse ed in o an a e y, on which a p essu e
ansduce is ixed, and hen he signal is ansmi ed by a cable inse ed in o he ca he e i sel .
These sys ems a e gene ally made by a p ima y mechanical ansduce o which one o mo e s ain
gauges a e ixed, in o de o ansduce he mechanical de o ma ion in o an elec ical quan i y. Usually,
Senso s 2020,20, 259; doi:10.3390/s20010259 www.mdpi.com/jou nal/senso s
Senso s 2020,20, 259 2 o 19
hese ansduce s a e connec ed o a pa ien ’s moni o , in o de o p o ide in asi e blood p essu e
in o ma ion oge he wi h a ple ho a o i al pa ame e s. A pa ien ’s moni o , in o de o be complian
wi h ce i ied s anda ds o clinical en i onmen , has o be es ed be o e i s ins alla ion, and i has o
unde go pe iodic main enance o alida e he co ec unc ioning o all a ailable ea u es. To his aim,
simula o s able o easily eply physiological signals, such as elec oca diog aphy o body empe a u e,
a e a ailable o mos moni o ing sys ems. Conce ning In asi e Blood P essu e (IBP) measu emen , o
he bes o ou knowledge, e y ew a emp s ha e been ealized o simula ing his signal and he
co esponding senso , as demons a ed by a low numbe o pape s in he co esponding li e a u e. This
aspec shows he need o such a de ice o imp o e he knowledge in his ield. Anyway, he simula ion
o IBP may be use ul o es ing he unc ionali y o he pa ien ’s moni o IBP module, i s ze o and
calib a ion unc ion, and unc ion o ala ms. Mo eo e , he possibili y o simula ing many ypes o
wa e o ms allows he use o his de ice in a wide ange o applica ions, om esea ch o equipmen
main enance in a clinical en i onmen o educa ional pu poses, which is a g owing s a egical sec o
o he use s o his kind o ins umen s [1–4].
The simula ion o IBP on a pa ien ’s moni o can be pe o med in wo ways: The i s is o
use a s anda d IBP ansduce connec ed o some hyd aulic o pneuma ic sys em, simula ing blood
p essu e. In a simple case, his sys em may consis o a manual pump [
5
]. The second way is o use an
elec onic ci cui ins ead o a p essu e ansduce ha allows gene a ion o an ou pu signal simila
o he IBP ansduce ’s ou pu . This me hod does no equi e any mechanical pa s, and bo h he
s a ic and dynamic p essu es can be simula ed wi h he equi ed bandwid h and high accu acy can be
achie ed [6,7].
In his amewo k, he IBP simula o p esen ed in his pape ep esen s an inno a ion, bo h in
e ms o echnology and me hodologies: cu en ly, i is e y di icul o ealize a quick and e icien es
o e i y he p ope unc ioning o a pa ien ’s de ices ea u es ela ed o IBP measu es, and he common
solu ion is o send hese de ices o main enance echnical se ices. Using he de ice p oposed in his
pape , hese es s can be pe o med di ec ly in he ield and as e p ocedu es can be implemen ed by
clinical main enance pe sonnel.
A simple app oach o he ealiza ion o hese de ices’ has been exploi ed in p e ious wo ks [
8
–
11
],
whe e he basic design o an elec onic IBP simula o was discussed. Mo eo e , some es s wi h
a pa ien ’s moni o and a p ocedu e o he calib a ion o he con olling ci cui s o such a kind o
de ice was p esen ed in [12].
In his pape , some imp o emen s and ex ended ea u es o a newly-designed de ice a e epo ed,
including all he new capabili ies ha gua an ee be e accu acy. Mo eo e , his new p o o ype allows
egula ion o i s ou pu on he basis o bo h he ou pu and he inpu exci e ol age measu emen s,
oge he wi h an au o-calib a ion ea u e implemen ed a e powe -on. To alida e his, he accu acy
assessmen o he de ice unde di e en condi ions was pe o med and esul s a e desc ibed in his
pape . This is a c ucial aspec since he e alua ion o he accu acy is necessa y when dealing wi h
sys ems used o ob ain in o ma ion on human pe o mances o on he heal h s a e o a pa ien [13].
Finally, i is wo h highligh ing ha he possibili y o sha ing in o ma ion wi h a communi y o
de elope s is an impo an ea u e ha can imp o e he knowledge in he de elopmen o a sys em
o a de ice. This allows us o o e come p oblems and ind sma e solu ions. To his aim, his
de ice was designed as an open sou ce p ojec , in o de o sha e ma e ials wi h in e es ed esea che s
and de elope s.
2. Design and Implemen a ion
The IBP Simula o (IBPS) can simula e a b idge p essu e ansduce , which consis s o a wo-po
ne wo k wi h inpu ol age
VIN =(+IN)−(−IN)
and ou pu ol age
VOUT =(+OUT)−(−OUT)
.
An example is epo ed in Figu e 1, whe e a schema ic diag am o a comme cial p essu e ansduce
(i.e., No aSenso NPC-100 se ies @Amphenol) is epo ed [14].
Senso s 2020,20, 259 3 o 19
Senso s 2020, 20, x 3 o 19
Figu e 1. No aSenso NPC-100 p essu e ansduce schema ic diag am.
The de ice has been designed in o de o simula e a wide ange o IBP modules; his is possible
because he analog in e ace is d i en by a digi al sys em ha can con ol a wide ange o pa ame e s.
The gene al scheme o he designed IBPS is epo ed in Figu e 2. The quali y o he pe o med design
is gua an eed by he adop ion o well-es ablished p ocedu es o embedded applica ions [15,16] in
di e en ields, such as elec onic ci cui s [17], ansmission o da a [18], and consump ion
op imiza ion [19].
Figu e 2. In asi e Blood P essu e Simula o (IBPS) scheme o unc ioning. ADC = analog o digi al
con e e ; LCD = liquid c ys al display; MCU = mic ocon olle uni .
Th ee con olling s ages ha e been designed in o de o d i e he ou pu o he simula ion o
he di e en IBP modules. This can be ob ained by con olling he ange and he posi i e o nega i e
o se , as epo ed in he ollowing. In gene al, he inpu exci e ol age 𝑉 can a y o di e en IBP
modules bu should be in he ange 1–10 VDC; a ypical alue o a wide ange o IBP module is
𝑉 =5 VDC. The ou pu ol age 𝑉 depends linea ly on 𝑉 . Conside ing as an example an
Figu e 1. No aSenso NPC-100 p essu e ansduce schema ic diag am.
The de ice has been designed in o de o simula e a wide ange o IBP modules; his is possible
because he analog in e ace is d i en by a digi al sys em ha can con ol a wide ange o pa ame e s.
The gene al scheme o he designed IBPS is epo ed in Figu e 2. The quali y o he pe o med design
is gua an eed by he adop ion o well-es ablished p ocedu es o embedded
applica ions [15,16]
in di e en ields, such as elec onic ci cui s [
17
], ansmission o da a [
18
], and consump ion
op imiza ion [19].
Senso s 2020, 20, x 3 o 19
Figu e 1. No aSenso NPC-100 p essu e ansduce schema ic diag am.
The de ice has been designed in o de o simula e a wide ange o IBP modules; his is possible
because he analog in e ace is d i en by a digi al sys em ha can con ol a wide ange o pa ame e s.
The gene al scheme o he designed IBPS is epo ed in Figu e 2. The quali y o he pe o med design
is gua an eed by he adop ion o well-es ablished p ocedu es o embedded applica ions [15,16] in
di e en ields, such as elec onic ci cui s [17], ansmission o da a [18], and consump ion
op imiza ion [19].
Figu e 2. In asi e Blood P essu e Simula o (IBPS) scheme o unc ioning. ADC = analog o digi al
con e e ; LCD = liquid c ys al display; MCU = mic ocon olle uni .
Th ee con olling s ages ha e been designed in o de o d i e he ou pu o he simula ion o
he di e en IBP modules. This can be ob ained by con olling he ange and he posi i e o nega i e
o se , as epo ed in he ollowing. In gene al, he inpu exci e ol age 𝑉 can a y o di e en IBP
modules bu should be in he ange 1–10 VDC; a ypical alue o a wide ange o IBP module is
𝑉 =5 VDC. The ou pu ol age 𝑉 depends linea ly on 𝑉 . Conside ing as an example an
Figu e 2.
In asi e Blood P essu e Simula o (IBPS) scheme o unc ioning. ADC =analog o digi al
con e e ; LCD =liquid c ys al display; MCU =mic ocon olle uni .
Th ee con olling s ages ha e been designed in o de o d i e he ou pu o he simula ion o
he di e en IBP modules. This can be ob ained by con olling he ange and he posi i e o nega i e
o se , as epo ed in he ollowing. In gene al, he inpu exci e ol age
VIN
can a y o di e en
IBP modules bu should be in he ange 1–10 VDC; a ypical alue o a wide ange o IBP module
is
VIN =
5
VDC
. The ou pu ol age
VOUT
depends linea ly on
VIN
. Conside ing as an example
Senso s 2020,20, 259 4 o 19
an exci e ol age
VIN =
1
VDC
, a ansduce sensi i i y
k=
5
µV/V/mmHg
, and a p essu e applied
o he ansduce o 1 mmHg, an ou pu ol age o 5 µV is ob ained.
The ansduce sensi i i y
k
can a y o di e en p essu e ansduce s, e en i he mos common
alues a e 5 µV/V/mmHg o 40 µV/V/mmHg.
The simula o ou pu ci cui (Figu e 3) is ob ained by means o a Whea s one b idge d i en by h ee
independen con olling s ages. Since he Whea s one b idge ou pu is usually cha ac e ized by e y
low ol age alues, in each s age a con ollable cu en sou ce is used (Figu e 4). The ou pu cu en
om hese ype o sou ces is linea ly dependen on he inpu exci e ol age
VIN
om he IBP module.
Mo eo e , wo measu ing s ages ha e been designed o con ol
VIN
and
VOUT
: he measu emen o
hese wo ol age le els is necessa y o imp o e he accu acy o he de ice. In ac , he egula ion o
he ou pu and i s ine uning a e pe o med h ough a eedback loop con ol.
Senso s 2020, 20, x 4 o 19
exci e ol age 𝑉 =1 VDC, a ansduce sensi i i y 𝑘 = 5 µV/V/mmHg, and a p essu e applied o
he ansduce o 1 mmHg, an ou pu ol age o 5 µV is ob ained.
The ansduce sensi i i y 𝑘 can a y o di e en p essu e ansduce s, e en i he mos
common alues a e 5 µV/V/mmHg o 40 µV/V/mmHg.
The simula o ou pu ci cui (Figu e 3) is ob ained by means o a Whea s one b idge d i en by
h ee independen con olling s ages. Since he Whea s one b idge ou pu is usually cha ac e ized by
e y low ol age alues, in each s age a con ollable cu en sou ce is used (Figu e 4). The ou pu
cu en om hese ype o sou ces is linea ly dependen on he inpu exci e ol age 𝑉 om he
IBP module. Mo eo e , wo measu ing s ages ha e been designed o con ol 𝑉 and 𝑉: he
measu emen o hese wo ol age le els is necessa y o imp o e he accu acy o he de ice. In ac ,
he egula ion o he ou pu and i s ine uning a e pe o med h ough a eedback loop con ol.
V
IN
+V
OUT
-V
OUT
R
R
R
R
BA
D
C
R
IN
R
IN
R
OUT
R
OUT
Figu e 3. IBPS ou pu ci cui .
Figu e 4. Con ollable cu en sou ce ci cui .
2.1. Con olling S age 1
This s age is essen ial o he gene a ion o dynamic BP wa e o ms; i consis s o a ange se ing
block, a bu e , a modula ion block, and a cu en sou ce (Figu e 4). The blood p essu e ange can be
adjus ed om 0 o 330 mmHg wi h 10-bi esolu ion. The wa e o m modula ion is pe o med using
a 10-bi con olle ha is used o any p essu e ange se ing.
The cu en sou ce calcula ion o a blood p essu e o :
𝐵𝑃 ∈ 〈0,330 mmHg〉 conside ing V
 = 1 VDC,𝑘 = 5µV/V/mmHg
I is ob ained as:
|V|=
k
× V
 × |BP|= 5 × 1 × 330 = 1650 µV, (1)
so he maximum ou pu cu en is:
Figu e 3. IBPS ou pu ci cui .
Senso s 2020, 20, x 4 o 19
exci e ol age 𝑉 =1 VDC, a ansduce sensi i i y 𝑘 = 5 µV/V/mmHg, and a p essu e applied o
he ansduce o 1 mmHg, an ou pu ol age o 5 µV is ob ained.
The ansduce sensi i i y 𝑘 can a y o di e en p essu e ansduce s, e en i he mos
common alues a e 5 µV/V/mmHg o 40 µV/V/mmHg.
The simula o ou pu ci cui (Figu e 3) is ob ained by means o a Whea s one b idge d i en by
h ee independen con olling s ages. Since he Whea s one b idge ou pu is usually cha ac e ized by
e y low ol age alues, in each s age a con ollable cu en sou ce is used (Figu e 4). The ou pu
cu en om hese ype o sou ces is linea ly dependen on he inpu exci e ol age 𝑉 om he
IBP module. Mo eo e , wo measu ing s ages ha e been designed o con ol 𝑉 and 𝑉: he
measu emen o hese wo ol age le els is necessa y o imp o e he accu acy o he de ice. In ac ,
he egula ion o he ou pu and i s ine uning a e pe o med h ough a eedback loop con ol.
V
IN
+V
OUT
-V
OUT
R
R
R
R
BA
D
C
R
IN
R
IN
R
OUT
R
OUT
Figu e 3. IBPS ou pu ci cui .
Figu e 4. Con ollable cu en sou ce ci cui .
2.1. Con olling S age 1
This s age is essen ial o he gene a ion o dynamic BP wa e o ms; i consis s o a ange se ing
block, a bu e , a modula ion block, and a cu en sou ce (Figu e 4). The blood p essu e ange can be
adjus ed om 0 o 330 mmHg wi h 10-bi esolu ion. The wa e o m modula ion is pe o med using
a 10-bi con olle ha is used o any p essu e ange se ing.
The cu en sou ce calcula ion o a blood p essu e o :
𝐵𝑃 ∈ 〈0,330 mmHg〉 conside ing V
 = 1 VDC,𝑘 = 5µV/V/mmHg
I is ob ained as:
|V|=
k
× V
 × |BP|= 5 × 1 × 330 = 1650 µV, (1)
so he maximum ou pu cu en is:
Figu e 4. Con ollable cu en sou ce ci cui .
2.1. Con olling S age 1
This s age is essen ial o he gene a ion o dynamic BP wa e o ms; i consis s o a ange se ing
block, a bu e , a modula ion block, and a cu en sou ce (Figu e 4). The blood p essu e ange can be
adjus ed om 0 o 330 mmHg wi h 10-bi esolu ion. The wa e o m modula ion is pe o med using
a 10-bi con olle ha is used o any p essu e ange se ing.
The cu en sou ce calcula ion o a blood p essu e o :
BP ∈D0, 330 mmHgconside ing VIN =1 VDC, k=5uV/V/mmHg
I is ob ained as:
|VOUT|=k×VIN ×|BPMAX|=5×1×330 =1650 µV, (1)
Senso s 2020,20, 259 5 o 19
so he maximum ou pu cu en is:
|IOUT|=2|VOUT|
R=2×1650 ×10−6
100 =33 µA, (2)
whe e Ris he Whea s one b idge esis o .
The maximum e e ence ol age
VREF
o he selec ed
R1=
6.8
kΩ
, whe e
R1
is a cu en sou ce
esis o , is gi en by:
VREF =|IOUT|×R1=33 ×10−6×6.8 ×103=0.2244 V. (3)
A e hese alues a e compu ed, i is possible o ob ain he heo e ical
R3
alue when he digi al
po en iome e is se wi h R2=20 kΩ:
R3TH =VIN −VREF
VREF ×R2=1−0.2244
0.2244 ×20 ×10369 kΩ. (4)
This alue is no a ailable among comme cial p ecision esis o s. Fo his eason, he closes
a ailable one
R=
68
kΩ
, was selec ed. Using his alue, he maximum ou pu p essu e o
R3≡
R3 eal =68 kΩ(E12 se ies) is e-calcula ed conside ing he ob ained pa ame e s:
VREF, MAX =0.2272 V, (5)


IOUT, MAX

=VREF, MAX
R1
=33.4 uA, (6)


VOUT, MAX

=

IOUT, MAX

×R
2=1670.5 uV(334 mmHg), (7)
which gi es a maximum blood p essu e co esponden o he maximum digi al po en iome e ou pu
VREF −LSB (whe e LSB is he Leas Signi ican Bi , and i s alue is LSB =0.326 mmHg)
BPMAX =333.7 mmHg. (8)
The cu en sou ce is connec ed o he B node o he Whea s one b idge o he posi i e ou pu
(Figu es 2and 3). VOUT is linea ly dependen on any exci e ol age VIN acco ding o he ela ion:
VOUT =VIN
R×R2
2R1(R2+R3). (9)
The ange se ing block con ols he Re e ence Vol age in he ange om 0 V o
VREF
(V
REF
=0.2244 V
gi en by Equa ion (3)).
2.2. Con olling S age 2
This s age is designed o ob ain a posi i e s a ic p essu e and o adjus he dias olic p essu e.
I consis s o a posi i e o se block and a cu en sou ce. The posi i e s a ic blood p essu e can be
adjus ed in he ange om 0 o 330 mmHg wi h 10-bi esolu ion. The calcula ion o he cu en sou ce
and he ealiza ion o his s age is he same as he one o con olling s age 1.
2.3. Con olling S age 3
Simila ly o con olling s age 2, a u he s age 3 is included o se a nega i e ou pu . In his case,
he cu en sou ce is connec ed o he A node o he Whea s one b idge (Figu es 2and 3). The nega i e
s a ic blood p essu e can be adjus ed in he ange om
−
60 mmHg o 0 mmHg wi h 10-bi esolu ion.

Senso s 2020,20, 259 6 o 19
2.4. Measu ing S age 1 and 2
The i s measu ing s age (i.e., measu ing s age 1) was been designed and implemen ed o
con inuously moni o he ou pu ol age
VOUT
o he de ice.
VOUT
is ampli ied by an accu a e
ins umen a ion ampli ie INA101HP (Texas Ins umen s, USA) wi h gain G =201. A e ampli ica ion,
an o se ol age o 1 V is added in o de o i he signal in o he A/D con e e ange, a oiding possible
sa u a ion p oblems. This signal is digi alized by CH1 channel o he 16-bi analog o digi al con e e
(ADC) wi h he common e e ence ADCREF =2.5 V.
A second measu ing s age (i.e., measu ing s age 2) has been included o moni o he inpu exci e
ol age
VIN
ha di e en ly om
VOUT
is a cons an alue. The blood p essu e can be calcula ed om
VIN,VOUT and kas:
BP =VOUT
k×VIN
. (10)
VIN is di ided by a ac o o 2.5 be o e i s digi aliza ion by CH0 channel o he ADC.
2.5. Digi al Con ol
The managemen o he de ice is pe o med by a cen al mic ocon olle uni (MCU, A mel
ATMEGA644A). I d i es he digi al po en iome e s in he con olling s ages and manages he
acquisi ions o
VIN
and
VOUT
. Bo h po en iome e se s and ADC a e connec ed o he MCU ia Se ial
Pe iphe al In e ace (SPI), which allows easy and eliable communica ion among he di e en blocks
o he de ice. Mo eo e , he de ice is equipped wi h a Uni e sal Se ial Bus (USB) po ha is used o
mul ipu pose asks: o s o e cus om wa e o ms, o pe o m calib a ion da a s o age, and o con ol he
de ice emo ely. Finally, a lash memo y and he necessa y con ol ci cui s we e embedded on he
de ice o s o e da a.
All hese ea u es can be managed di ec ly onboa d by means o ou na iga ion bu ons, while
commands and da a a e displayed on an embedded liquid c ys al display (LCD) sc een.
3. Fea u es
As men ioned abo e, he IBPS (Figu e 5) is equipped wi h a use in e ace implemen ed using
ou con ol bu ons and a 4- ow, 20-cha ac e LCD sc een (no. 1 in Figu e 5). The ou con ol
bu ons a e di ided in one na iga ion bu on (no. 2 in Figu e 5) used o con ol he cu so in di e en
na iga ion menu, wo se ing bu ons (no. 3 in Figu e 5) o se ing pa ame e s, and one en e bu on
(n.4 in Figu e 5) used o se he selec ed unc ion.
Senso s 2020, 20, x 6 o 19
A second measu ing s age (i.e., measu ing s age 2) has been included o moni o he inpu exci e
ol age 𝑉 ha di e en ly om 𝑉 is a cons an alue. The blood p essu e can be calcula ed om
𝑉, 𝑉 and 𝑘 as:
𝐵𝑃 = 
 ×  . (10)
𝑉 is di ided by a ac o o 2.5 be o e i s digi aliza ion by CH0 channel o he ADC.
2.5. Digi al Con ol
The managemen o he de ice is pe o med by a cen al mic ocon olle uni (MCU, A mel
ATMEGA644A). I d i es he digi al po en iome e s in he con olling s ages and manages he
acquisi ions o 𝑉 and 𝑉. Bo h po en iome e se s and ADC a e connec ed o he MCU ia Se ial
Pe iphe al In e ace (SPI), which allows easy and eliable communica ion among he di e en blocks
o he de ice. Mo eo e , he de ice is equipped wi h a Uni e sal Se ial Bus (USB) po ha is used
o mul ipu pose asks: o s o e cus om wa e o ms, o pe o m calib a ion da a s o age, and o
con ol he de ice emo ely. Finally, a lash memo y and he necessa y con ol ci cui s we e
embedded on he de ice o s o e da a.
All hese ea u es can be managed di ec ly onboa d by means o ou na iga ion bu ons, while
commands and da a a e displayed on an embedded liquid c ys al display (LCD) sc een.
3. Fea u es
As men ioned abo e, he IBPS (Figu e 5) is equipped wi h a use in e ace implemen ed using
ou con ol bu ons and a 4- ow, 20-cha ac e LCD sc een (no. 1 in Figu e 5). The ou con ol bu ons
a e di ided in one na iga ion bu on (no. 2 in Figu e 5) used o con ol he cu so in di e en
na iga ion menu, wo se ing bu ons (no. 3 in Figu e 5) o se ing pa ame e s, and one en e bu on
(n.4 in Figu e 5) used o se he selec ed unc ion.
Figu e 5. IBPS use in e ace. On he op a e epo ed (1) an LCD display (2) a na iga ion bu on, (3)
wo se ing bu ons, and (4) an en e bu on.
On he on side o he IBPS he e a e wo connec o s (Figu e 6). The 4-pin ou pu connec o
(no. 2 in Figu e 6) is used o he connec ion o he IBP module inpu o he pa ien moni o . The
ampli ied ou pu signal is also a ailable on a BNC connec o (no. 1 in Figu e 6).
Figu e 5.
IBPS use in e ace. On he op a e epo ed (
1
) an LCD display (
2
) a na iga ion bu on,
(3) wo se ing bu ons, and (4) an en e bu on.
Senso s 2020,20, 259 7 o 19
On he on side o he IBPS he e a e wo connec o s (Figu e 6). The 4-pin ou pu connec o (no. 2
in Figu e 6) is used o he connec ion o he IBP module inpu o he pa ien moni o . The ampli ied
ou pu signal is also a ailable on a BNC connec o (no. 1 in Figu e 6).
Senso s 2020, 20, x 7 o 19
Figu e 6. (1) Scope connec o o signal moni o ing and (2) 4-pin connec o o IBP moni o .
On he backside o he IBPS, an embedded USB Mini-B connec o is p o ided (no. 3 in Figu e 7),
and his is used o connec he de ice o a compu e o exploi all so wa e-d i en ea u es (e.g., o
ups eam da a o di e en wa e o ms), oge he wi h he powe swi ch and a connec o (no. 1,3 in
Figu e 7) o supply he de ice wi h a s anda d 230V al e na ing cu en (AC).
Figu e 7. (1) Powe swi ch, (2) al e na ing cu en (AC) powe connec o , and (3) Uni e sal Se ial Bus
(USB) mini-B connec o .
3.1. S a ic Blood P essu e Simula ion
This ea u e can be used o ze o se ing and o calib a ing he pa ien ’s moni o s IBP modules.
The ou pu p essu e can be egula ed om a minimum nega i e alue o −30 mmHg o a maximum
posi i e alue o 300 mmHg, wi h inc emen s o 1 mmHg. The ou pu p essu e accu acy o he de ice
is less han ±1 mmHg a 25 °C on he ixed alue. The measu ed ou pu ol age and inpu exci a ion
ol age is also displayed on he LCD o allow he use s o easily manage hese pa ame e s. The ou
push bu ons a e used o he menu na iga ion, blood p essu e adjus men , and con i ma ion o he
selec ed alue.
3.2. Dynamic Blood P essu e Simula ion
The de ice can simula e dynamic BP wa e o ms; his ea u e is sui able o many physiological
and pa hological BP wa e o ms simula ion (e.g., a e ial, le and igh en icles, pulmona y a e y,
igh a ium). To ex end he possibili ies o he simula ion, he e is a USB ups eam po , allowing us
o s o e up o 15 use -de ined blood p essu e wa e o ms. Mo eo e , i is possible o simula e
espi a ion and o he physiological pa ame e s.
To implemen hese ea u es, he use can selec one o he wa e o ms displayed in a lis on he
LCD sc een. Thus, he wa e o m de ails a e epo ed, and he use can accep hem o se cus om
wa e o m p ope ies. The sys olic, dias olic, and mean p essu es can be independen ly se wi h a
esolu ion o 1 mmHg o each s ep. In addi ion, he simula ion o he hea bea s pe minu e can be
egula ed wi h a esolu ion o 1 BPM. The equi ed BP alue and he ac ual BP alue a e bo h isible
on he LCD.
Figu e 6. (1) Scope connec o o signal moni o ing and (2) 4-pin connec o o IBP moni o .
On he backside o he IBPS, an embedded USB Mini-B connec o is p o ided (no. 3 in Figu e 7),
and his is used o connec he de ice o a compu e o exploi all so wa e-d i en ea u es (e.g., o
ups eam da a o di e en wa e o ms), oge he wi h he powe swi ch and a connec o (no. 1,3
in Figu e 7) o supply he de ice wi h a s anda d 230V al e na ing cu en (AC).
Senso s 2020, 20, x 7 o 19
Figu e 6. (1) Scope connec o o signal moni o ing and (2) 4-pin connec o o IBP moni o .
On he backside o he IBPS, an embedded USB Mini-B connec o is p o ided (no. 3 in Figu e 7),
and his is used o connec he de ice o a compu e o exploi all so wa e-d i en ea u es (e.g., o
ups eam da a o di e en wa e o ms), oge he wi h he powe swi ch and a connec o (no. 1,3 in
Figu e 7) o supply he de ice wi h a s anda d 230V al e na ing cu en (AC).
Figu e 7. (1) Powe swi ch, (2) al e na ing cu en (AC) powe connec o , and (3) Uni e sal Se ial Bus
(USB) mini-B connec o .
3.1. S a ic Blood P essu e Simula ion
This ea u e can be used o ze o se ing and o calib a ing he pa ien ’s moni o s IBP modules.
The ou pu p essu e can be egula ed om a minimum nega i e alue o −30 mmHg o a maximum
posi i e alue o 300 mmHg, wi h inc emen s o 1 mmHg. The ou pu p essu e accu acy o he de ice
is less han ±1 mmHg a 25 °C on he ixed alue. The measu ed ou pu ol age and inpu exci a ion
ol age is also displayed on he LCD o allow he use s o easily manage hese pa ame e s. The ou
push bu ons a e used o he menu na iga ion, blood p essu e adjus men , and con i ma ion o he
selec ed alue.
3.2. Dynamic Blood P essu e Simula ion
The de ice can simula e dynamic BP wa e o ms; his ea u e is sui able o many physiological
and pa hological BP wa e o ms simula ion (e.g., a e ial, le and igh en icles, pulmona y a e y,
igh a ium). To ex end he possibili ies o he simula ion, he e is a USB ups eam po , allowing us
o s o e up o 15 use -de ined blood p essu e wa e o ms. Mo eo e , i is possible o simula e
espi a ion and o he physiological pa ame e s.
To implemen hese ea u es, he use can selec one o he wa e o ms displayed in a lis on he
LCD sc een. Thus, he wa e o m de ails a e epo ed, and he use can accep hem o se cus om
wa e o m p ope ies. The sys olic, dias olic, and mean p essu es can be independen ly se wi h a
esolu ion o 1 mmHg o each s ep. In addi ion, he simula ion o he hea bea s pe minu e can be
egula ed wi h a esolu ion o 1 BPM. The equi ed BP alue and he ac ual BP alue a e bo h isible
on he LCD.
Figu e 7.
(
1
) Powe swi ch, (
2
) al e na ing cu en (AC) powe connec o , and (
3
) Uni e sal Se ial Bus
(USB) mini-B connec o .
3.1. S a ic Blood P essu e Simula ion
This ea u e can be used o ze o se ing and o calib a ing he pa ien ’s moni o s IBP modules.
The ou pu p essu e can be egula ed om a minimum nega i e alue o
−
30 mmHg o a maximum
posi i e alue o 300 mmHg, wi h inc emen s o 1 mmHg. The ou pu p essu e accu acy o he de ice
is less han
±
1 mmHg a 25
◦
C on he ixed alue. The measu ed ou pu ol age and inpu exci a ion
ol age is also displayed on he LCD o allow he use s o easily manage hese pa ame e s. The ou
push bu ons a e used o he menu na iga ion, blood p essu e adjus men , and con i ma ion o he
selec ed alue.
3.2. Dynamic Blood P essu e Simula ion
The de ice can simula e dynamic BP wa e o ms; his ea u e is sui able o many physiological
and pa hological BP wa e o ms simula ion (e.g., a e ial, le and igh en icles, pulmona y a e y,
igh a ium). To ex end he possibili ies o he simula ion, he e is a USB ups eam po , allowing us o
s o e up o 15 use -de ined blood p essu e wa e o ms. Mo eo e , i is possible o simula e espi a ion
and o he physiological pa ame e s.
Senso s 2020,20, 259 8 o 19
To implemen hese ea u es, he use can selec one o he wa e o ms displayed in a lis on he
LCD sc een. Thus, he wa e o m de ails a e epo ed, and he use can accep hem o se cus om
wa e o m p ope ies. The sys olic, dias olic, and mean p essu es can be independen ly se wi h
a esolu ion o 1 mmHg o each s ep. In addi ion, he simula ion o he hea bea s pe minu e can be
egula ed wi h a esolu ion o 1 BPM. The equi ed BP alue and he ac ual BP alue a e bo h isible
on he LCD.
3.3. Cus om Wa e o ms and Usage o Buil -in Memo y
Cus om wa e o ms can be uploaded o he de ice ia USB po , conside ing one pe iod o he
desi ed signal. The IBPS upda e ool, shown in Figu e 8, allows o p og am a wa e o m in one o
he de ice’s emp y posi ions in he memo y. Each wa e o m is cha ac e ized by a speci ic leng h
(as numbe o samples) and sampling pe iod. The pa ame e s o he uploaded wa e o m, such as
name, BPM, and sys olic, dias olic, and mean p essu e, mus be speci ied by he use . These alues a e
included a he beginning o he da a wa e o m ile as ini ializa ion by es. The wa e o m da a can be
impo ed om da a ile o ma (e.g., CSV, TXT, MAT). Each da a wa e o m is au oma ically con e ed
o 10-bi esolu ion and no malized in he ange om 0 o 1023.
The upda e ool also p o ides o p og am aw da a in a speci ied memo y loca ion o he de ice.
This ea u e can be use ul o u u e memo y usage, such as o calib a ion da a. Backup memo y o
a da a ile and e ase ope a ions a e also possible.
Senso s 2020, 20, x 8 o 19
3.3. Cus om Wa e o ms and Usage o Buil -in Memo y
Cus om wa e o ms can be uploaded o he de ice ia USB po , conside ing one pe iod o he
desi ed signal. The IBPS upda e ool, shown in Figu e 8, allows o p og am a wa e o m in one o he
de ice’s emp y posi ions in he memo y. Each wa e o m is cha ac e ized by a speci ic leng h (as
numbe o samples) and sampling pe iod. The pa ame e s o he uploaded wa e o m, such as name,
BPM, and sys olic, dias olic, and mean p essu e, mus be speci ied by he use . These alues a e
included a he beginning o he da a wa e o m ile as ini ializa ion by es. The wa e o m da a can be
impo ed om da a ile o ma (e.g., CSV, TXT, MAT). Each da a wa e o m is au oma ically
con e ed o 10-bi esolu ion and no malized in he ange om 0 o 1023.
The upda e ool also p o ides o p og am aw da a in a speci ied memo y loca ion o he de ice.
This ea u e can be use ul o u u e memo y usage, such as o calib a ion da a. Backup memo y o
a da a ile and e ase ope a ions a e also possible.
(a) (b)
Figu e 8. (a) The IBPS upda e ool, showing IBP wa e o m pa ame e s ( o one pe iod) such as name,
bea s pe minu e (BPM), and sys olic, dias olic, and mean p essu e. (b) An example o he ob ained
wa e o m.
3.4. Remo e-Con ol
The de ice can be con olled emo ely by a PC h ough he USB po . E en i he de ice has been
designed and ealized o a s and-alone use, an addi ional emo e-con ol op ion has been
implemen ed o allow he de ice in eg a ion in a compu e -con olled en i onmen al. The emo e
con ol allows he same ope a ion as in s and-alone mode. Mo eo e , wa e o ms o any leng h can
be simula ed in eal- ime ia se ial da a communica ion.
3.5. Powe -on Sel -Tes and Au o Calib a ion
A e connec ing he IBP module o he de ice, he de ice p o ides he necessa y inpu exci a ion
ol age V o gene a e an app op ia e ou pu ol age V acco ding o he Equa ion (10). When
he de ice is powe ed on, V and V a e measu ed au oma ically by he measu ing s ages 1 and
2 (Figu e 2) o allow di e en se ings o he con ol s ages.
The ollowing pa ame e s a e e alua ed by he au o calib a ion p ocess:
• BP o se (con olling s ages powe ed down);
• BP ange (con olling s age 3 a i s maximum);
• BP posi i e ange (con olling s age 2 a i s maximum);
• BP ange o se (con olling s age 1 ange a i s maximum, modula ion a i s minimum);
• BP modula ion minimum ange (con olling s age 1 ange a i s minimum, modula ion a i s
maximum);
• BP modula ion maximum ange (con olling s age 1 ange a i s maximum, modula ion a i s
maximum);
• BP modula ion hal ange (con olling s age 1 ange a he hal , modula ion a i s maximum).
Figu e 8.
(
a
) The IBPS upda e ool, showing IBP wa e o m pa ame e s ( o one pe iod) such as
name, bea s pe minu e (BPM), and sys olic, dias olic, and mean p essu e. (
b
) An example o he
ob ained wa e o m.
3.4. Remo e-Con ol
The de ice can be con olled emo ely by a PC h ough he USB po . E en i he de ice has been
designed and ealized o a s and-alone use, an addi ional emo e-con ol op ion has been implemen ed
o allow he de ice in eg a ion in a compu e -con olled en i onmen al. The emo e con ol allows
he same ope a ion as in s and-alone mode. Mo eo e , wa e o ms o any leng h can be simula ed in
eal- ime ia se ial da a communica ion.
3.5. Powe -on Sel -Tes and Au o Calib a ion
A e connec ing he IBP module o he de ice, he de ice p o ides he necessa y inpu exci a ion
ol age
VIN
o gene a e an app op ia e ou pu ol age
VOUT
acco ding o he Equa ion (10). When
he de ice is powe ed on,
VIN
and
VOUT
a e measu ed au oma ically by he measu ing s ages 1 and
2 (Figu e 2) o allow di e en se ings o he con ol s ages.
The ollowing pa ame e s a e e alua ed by he au o calib a ion p ocess:
•BP o se (con olling s ages powe ed down);
Senso s 2020,20, 259 9 o 19
•BP ange (con olling s age 3 a i s maximum);
•BP posi i e ange (con olling s age 2 a i s maximum);
•BP ange o se (con olling s age 1 ange a i s maximum, modula ion a i s minimum);
•
BP modula ion minimum ange (con olling s age 1 ange a i s minimum, modula ion a i s
maximum);
•
BP modula ion maximum ange (con olling s age 1 ange a i s maximum, modula ion a
i s maximum);
•BP modula ion hal ange (con olling s age 1 ange a he hal , modula ion a i s maximum).
All hese pa ame e s a e e alua ed and displayed on LCD a powe -on. I one o mo e o hese
a e no in he desi ed in e al, an e o symbol indica es ha he de ice did no pass he powe -on
sel - es . These pa ame e s, which ep esen he inpu alues o calcula ion o he measu ed BP, a e
used o emo e he BP o se caused by he measu emen s ages.
3.6. P og amming he De ice
The i mwa e can be upg aded using an In-Sys em P og amming (ISP) ea u e by a i mwa e
upload connec o a ailable inside he de ice. The p og am is w i en in AVR GCC language o
ATMEL MCU’s and consis s o se e al iles.
3.7. Technical and Simula ion Pa ame e s
The echnical pa ame e s o he IBPS, ob ained on he basis o he pe o med es s on he de ice,
a e summa ized in Table 1.
Table 1. IBPS Technical Pa ame e s.
Technical Pa ame e Value Uni Desc ip ion
Inpu impedance 3700 Ω
Ou pu impedance 300 Ω
Exci e Inpu ol age VIN ange 1 o 10 VDC
Ou pu T ansduce Sensi i i y 5 µV/V/mmHg Cons an pa ame e
Ou pu p essu e ange −30 o 300 mmHg
Ou pu O se Range −25 o 25 mmHg
Ou pu ol age VOUT ange
(VIN ={1; 5; 10}VDC)
−150 o 1500 µVEqui alen o −30 o
300 mmHg
−750 o 7500 µV
−1500 o 15,000 µV
Ou pu ol age o se ange
a VIN =5 VDC −625 o 625 µVEqui alen o −25 o
25 mmHg
Maximum di e ence be ween he desi ed
and ac ual BP
0.4
(0.1 o s a ic BP) mmHg Displayed BP (BP e o s
no included)
Accu acy o ambien empe a u e 125 ◦C0.4 mmHg Tes a he no mal
ambien empe a u e
Maximum accu acy o ambien
empe a u e 1 om 0 ◦C o 50 ◦C1.4 mmHg
Maximum alue in he
comple e ange
o empe a u e
BP o se o ambien empe a u e 125 ◦C0.2 mmHg Compensa ed by calib a ion
BP o se o ambien empe a u e 1 om
0◦C o 50 ◦C12 mmHg
Maximum alue in he
comple e ange
o empe a u e
1. Fo he ull inpu ol age ange (Vin={1; 5; 10}VDC) and all modes o blood p essu e gene a ing.
In pa icula , ou pu and inpu impedance, exci a ion ol age
VIN
, ansduce sensi i i y and he
co esponding ou pu ol age VOUT ma ch he s anda d IBP ansduce (as epo ed in [12]).
The maximum di e ence be ween he equi ed and measu ed alues o BP is gi en by he
con olling s ages esolu ion and he noise (see Tables 3, 4 and 5). The accu acy o he de ice was
e alua ed h ough expe imen al es s ha a e desc ibed in he ollowing. Mo e speci ically, es s
Senso s 2020,20, 259 16 o 19
Table 8. VIN measu emen e o s.
VIN ∆VIN a 25 ◦C∆VIN a 50 ◦C
1 V 0 mV 0.6 mV
5 V 0.02 mV 0.1 mV
10 V 0 mV 0.4 mV
5. Discussion
The esul s desc ibed abo e show ha he IBPS p esen ed in his pape is a alid and eliable
ins umen o es ing p essu e moni o s. The calcula ion and measu emen o he accu acy show
ha he e a e po en ial imp o emen s o he measu ing s ages, e en i he ac ual pe o mances allow
he use o he ins umen in mos p ac ical cases. Be e accu acy could be achie ed by eplacing he
componen s ha cause he la ges e o s wi h highe quali y componen s: his ope a ion o e-designing
can be easily achie ed, bu in his phase, i is has no been ealized because he p incipal aim was
o demons a e how use ul can be such kind o ins umen s, while es ing BP moni o ing de ices.
The minimum accu acy o he de ice is achie ed o he lowes inpu exci e ol age
VIN
and o
he lowes sensi i i y. The sensi i i y ob ained a his s age o he de ice de elopmen is a cons an
pa ame e , bu he simula ion o 40
µ
V/V/mmHg is necessa y only o a mino i y o he comme cial
IBP ansduce s. The swi chable sensi i i y ea u e in he ange 5/40
µ
V/V/mmHg could be added
by modi ying he cu en sou ces (shown in Figu e 4) by means o swi chable
R1
o
R3
esis o s.
Mo eo e , he adjus able gain o he measu ing s age 1 could imp o e he accu acy o lowe
VIN
alues. As explained abo e, he empe a u e d i can cause a maximum BP calcula ed o se o abou
0.5 mmHg/
◦
C: his is mainly due o he con ibu ion o d i on he ou pu ol age measu emen
(i.e., 0.43 mmHg/
◦
C, as esul s om Table 5da a show) and o he con ibu ion o d i on he inpu
ol age measu emen (i.e., 0.015 mmHg/
◦
C, as esul s om Table 7da a show). Acco ding o his
dimensioning da a, his d i con ibu ion could be compensa ed by he in eg a ion o a empe a u e
senso ha can allow he implemen a ion o an au oma ic calib a ion ea u e o compensa e he d i .
F om he measu emen s pe o med du ing es s, a maximum d i alue o 1.32 mmHg was ob ained
when conside ing a a ia ion o he empe a u e om 25 o 50
◦
C: his co esponds o a maximum BP
o se o 0.053 mmHg/
◦
C due o he empe a u e d i ha is mainly caused by he ins umen a ion
ampli ie selec ed o he measu emen s age 1. The d i alue calcula ed acco ding o he pa ame e s
gi en in he componen s da ashee s is highe han he measu ed one. I is impo an o highligh
ha measu ed alues o he ins umen accu acy ha e been ob ained as a e age o epea ed es s
on di e en specimens o IBPS. The use o a highe quali y model o Ins umen a ion Ampli ie
(i.e., wi h buil -in gain esis o once he ixed gain is de e mined), he o al calcula ed d i can be
heo e ically educed om 0.5 mmHg/
◦
C o 0.05 mmHg/
◦
C, hus educing he ins umen ’s sensi i i y
o empe a u e changes and inc easing i s accu acy o he ange 0–50 ◦C.
The esul s epo ed in Figu es 11–13 and summa ized in Table 6show a e y high accu acy:
he maximum alue is abou
±
0,8 mmHg ha co esponds o he 0.2% o se ing when he V
in
=1 V
o es s conduc ed wi h a empe a u e o 50
◦
C. This alue inc eases in no mal ope a i e condi ions
(i.e., less han 0.1% wi h a empe a u e o 25 ◦C) and he accu acy inc eases o highe alues o Vin.
The de ice p esen ed in his wo k o e s simila pe o mances o mo e complex and expensi e
sys ems used o he same pu pose. The e a e ew a ailable de ice on he ma ke a ailable o IBP
simula ion used o es BP moni o s; among hese, FLUKE P osim 3 is one o he mos comple e
and pe o man sys em o simula e a wide ange o biomedical signals, such as elec oca diog am
(ECG), espi a ion, empe a u e, ca diac ou pu , e c., and IBP. This is a e y complex and expensi e
de ice, also conside ing he main enance aspec s, so he IBPS p esen ed in his wo k can be a alid
al e na i e o such ype o mul i-simula o s when simula ions o he han IBP a e no needed. Mo eo e ,
he pe o mances o he wo de ices a e e y simila , in e ms o sensi i i y, p essu e ange simula ion,
p essu e accu acy, and inpu /ou pu impedance, as epo ed in Table 9. The FLUKE P osim p esen s

Senso s 2020,20, 259 17 o 19
ou di e en and independen channels, bu only p e ixed cons an p essu e alues o p e-loaded
p essu e wa e o ms can be simula ed. The IBPS p esen ed in his pape has only one channel, bu
an ex ended e sion o ou o mo e channels can be easily implemen ed. As desc ibed abo e,
he uning o he s a ic le el o p essu e simula ion o he p esen ed de ice is ine han FLUKE P osim
3, and he possibili y o simula ing cus om wa e o ms gi es ise o a wide ange o applica ions;
in ac , by using he USB connec ion, he p esen ed IBPS can be p og ammed o simula e unlimi ed
and cus om wa e o ms. The IBPS p esen ed in his wo k can simula e a ansduce sensi i i y o
5
µ
V/V/mmHg, bu in u u e de elopmen s, i will be easy implemen able a second op ion o he
alue o 40
µ
V/V/mmHg (i is HW econ igu able eady). Finally, he p essu e accu acy p esen ed by
he IBPS desc ibed in his pape is conside ably highe han he comme cial one, also conside ing ha
i can inc ease in no mal ope a i e condi ions o wi h highe se ings o Vin.
Table 9. Compa ison be ween FLUKE P osim 3 and he de eloped IBPS pe o mances.
Fluke P osim 3 IBPS
Channels 4 1
Inpu impedance 300 Ω3700 Ω
Ou pu impedance 300 Ω300 Ω
Exci e inpu ange 2.0 o 16.0 VDC 1.0 o 10.0 VDC
Exci e -inpu equency ange DC o 5000 Hz DC o 10,000 Hz
T ansduce sensi i i y 5 o 40 µV/V/mmHg
5µV/V/mmHg
(40 µV/V/mmHg HW
econ igu able)
P essu e accu acy ±2% o se ing +2 mmHg ( alid o dc
exci a ion only) ±0.2% o se ing (maximum wi h
Vin =1 V @50 ◦C)
S a ic Le els 16 possible combining ou channels −30 o 300 mmHg con inuous
Dynamic wa e o m 10 p ede ined combining ou channels Use p og ammable ia USB
Respi a ion A i ac BP del a changes om 3 o 16 mmHg Use p og ammable ia USB
6. Conclusions
The designed and de eloped IBPS p esen ed in his pape is a low-cos single pu pose de ice
complian wi h he equi emen s o pa ien moni o IBP modules es ing, ze o se ing, and calib a ion.
I is possible o simula e a wide ange o si ua ions by se ing di e en op ions o s a ic and dynamic
blood p essu e wa e o m simula ion.
The de ice allows se ing a cons an BP and o gene a e use -de ined BP ha can be adjus ed by
se ing he pa ame e s o he wa e o ms. Bo h modes ha e an accu acy in simula ing BP da a ha is
be e han
±
1 mmHg a 25
◦
C, in which empe a u e ep esen s he mos common condi ion o he
en i onmen in which his ins umen is used. The con olling s ages a e su icien ly p ecise, allowing
o se he desi ed BP wa e o m in ime and ampli ude, wi h high sample a es and 10-bi esolu ion o
all he modula ion anges.
All desc ibed ea u es can be easily implemen ed by a simpli ied use in e ace consis ing in
a ou -bu on na iga ion panel and a display. The USB connec i i y inc eases he capabili ies o he
de ice: I is possible o implemen he emo e con ol and o use he buil -in memo y o pe o m
ope a ions, like uploading cus om wa e o ms o gene a ing eal- ime ones. The USB connec ion
can be used o upg ade he i mwa e in o de o make he de ice ha dwa e con ollable. Mo eo e ,
a MATLAB g aphical use in e ace (GUI) is a ailable o cus om wa e o ms ups eam in o de o
make easy he use o he de ice o esea ch and educa ional use s.
The de ice has been ully es ed and compa ed wi h one exis ing de ice, and i has p o en o
ha e compa able and compe i i e ea u es and pe o mances; i can be used in esea ch and clinical
en i onmen s and, a e a p ope ce i ica ion p ocess, i could be used as a medical de ice.
Finally, i is impo an o highligh ha his de ice is an open sou ce p ojec , ully a ailable o
in e es ed de elope s and esea che s. All he ma e ials (i.e., schema ics i mwa e, so wa e, and use
manual) can be eques ed o he au ho s. In he u u e, i will be a ailable on a web page, in o de o
c ea e a o um o de elope s whe e hey can sha e in o ma ion and con ibu ions.
Senso s 2020,20, 259 18 o 19
Au ho Con ibu ions:
Concep ualiza ion, D.B. and J.K.; Me hodology, J.K.; So wa e, J.K.; Valida ion, D.B.
and M.P.; Fo mal Analysis, P.K.; In es iga ion, P.V.; Da a Cu a ion, D.B., J.K. and P.Z.; W i ing-O iginal D a
P epa a ion, D.B., J.K. and P.K.; Visualiza ion, D.B.; Supe ision, P.K. and M.P. All au ho s ha e ead and ag eed o
he published e sion o he manusc ip .
Funding: This esea ch ecei ed no ex e nal unding.
Acknowledgmen s:
The wo k and he con ibu ions we e suppo ed by he p ojec SV450994/2101 Biomedical
Enginee ing Sys ems XV’. This s udy was also suppo ed by he esea ch p ojec The Czech Science Founda ion
(TACR) ETA No. TL01000302 Medical de ices de elopmen as an e ec i e in es men o public and p i a e en i ies.
Con lic s o In e es : The au ho s decla e no con lic o in e es .
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