A novel compliance measurement in radial arteries using strain-gauge plethysmography

We propose a novel method for assessing the compliance of the radial artery by using a two-axis mechanism and a standard positioning procedure for detecting the optimal measuring site. A modified sensor was designed to simultaneously measure the arterial diameter change waveform (ADCW) and pressure pulse waveform with a strain gauge and piezoresistor. In the x-axis scanning, the sensor could be placed close to the middle of the radial artery when the ADCW reached the maximum amplitude. In the Z-axis scanning, the contact pressure was continuously increased for data measurement. Upon the deformation of the strain gauge following the change in the vascular cross-section, the ADCW was transferred to the change of the vascular radius. The loaded strain compliance of the radial artery (C(strain)) can be determined by dividing the dynamic changed radius by the pulse pressure. Twenty-three untreated, mild or moderate hypertensive patients aged 29-85 were compared with 14 normotensive patients aged 25-62. The maximum strain compliance between the two groups was significantly different (p < 0.005). Of the hypertensive patients, 14 were at risk of developing hyperlipidemia. There was a significant difference between this and the normotension group (p < 0.005).