What’s the future for manual blood pressure measurement devices?

Since 10 April 2014 and the implementation of EU Commission regulation no 847/2012 the sale of new Mercury sphygmomanometers to the healthcare sector has been banned.

The alternative? Electronic manual sphygmomanometers like the A&D UM-102A mimic the Mercury sphygmomanometer but have none of the inherent disadvantages. These devices blend the best of modern, reliable vertical LCD technology, with the traditional advantage and reassurance of a manual measurement whilst listening to Korotkoff sounds with a stethoscope.

Unlike Mercury sphygmomanometers, devices like the A&D UM-102A sphygmomanometer don’t require routine cleaning or maintenance and can be used at any angle with a wide range of cuffs sizes and on patients with arrhythmias.

There is no oxidisation of the LCD which could alter the dynamic response and readings can be read to a single digit mm/Hg. Most importantly, if a product like the A&D UM-102A gets dropped you won’t end up with a contaminated treatment room and an expensive and time consuming mercury spill to clean up!

Alternative clinically validated Mercury free sphygmomanometers are available, so clinicians do still have a choice as to whether they use a manual method to record blood pressure with a stethoscope or an automatic device.

Manual devices, like the A&D UM-102A, are more tactile to use and can provide the clinician with additional useful information, like regularity or strength of pulse, provided they are used correctly and users have proper training.

Author: Andrew Webb

I am the Managing Director of PMS (Instruments) Ltd a successful UK based medical distribution, service and sales company specialising in cardiovascular equipment.