Vernier BPS-BTA Manual

Blood Pressure

Sensor
(Order Code BPS-BTA)
The Vernier Blood Pressure Sensor is used to measure systemic arterial blood pressure
in humans (non-invasively). When used with Logger Pro
®
Logger Lite 1.3.1 or newer, or LabQuest
arterial blood pressure and calculate both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure
using the oscillometric method.
The following is a partial list of activities and experiments that can be performed
using this sensor.
 Measure blood pressure before and after exercise.
 Measure blood pressure while sitting or standing.
 Compare blood pressure after voluntary isometric contractions (weight lifting)
and a rhythmic activity such as running or biking.
 Investigate how digestion affects blood pressure.
 Study the effect of caffeine on blood pressure.
 Compare blood pressure between smokers and non-smokers.
What is Included with the Blood Pressure Sensor?
 Blood Pressure Sensor
 Standard adult size adjustable cuff (27 cm to 39 cm)
 Bulb pump (with release valve)
How the Blood Pressure Sensor Works
The active sensor in this unit is a Honeywell SSC Series pressure transducer. The
sensor produces an output voltage that varies with the pressure measured in the cuff.
It includes special circuitry to minimize errors caused by changes in temperature. We
also provide a filtering circuit that conditions the signal from the pressure transducer.
The output voltage from the Blood Pressure Sensor is linear with respect to pressure.
This sensor is equipped with circuitry that supports auto-ID. When used with
® ®
LabQuest 2, LabQuest , LabQuest
TI-Nspire™ Lab Cradle, or EasyLink, the data-collection software identifies the
sensor and uses pre-defined parameters to configure an experiment appropriate to the
recognized sensor.
®
3.4 or newer,
®
App 1.2 or newer, it can measure mean
® ® ®
Mini, LabPro , Go! Link, SensorDAQ

Collecting Data with the Blood Pressure Sensor

This sensor can be used with the following interfaces to collect data.
 Vernier LabQuest 2 or original LabQuest as a standalone device or with a
computer
 Vernier LabQuest Mini with a computer
 Vernier LabPro with a computer
 Vernier Go!Link
 Vernier EasyLink
 Vernier SensorDAQ
 TI-Nspire™ Lab Cradle
Here is the general procedure to follow when using the Blood Pressure Sensor:
1. Connect the Blood Pressure Sensor to the interface.
2. Start the data-collection software.
3. The software will identify the Blood Pressure Sensor and load a default data-
collection setup. You are now ready to collect data.
Data-Collection Software
This sensor can be used with an interface and the following data-collection software.
 Logger Pro This computer program is used with LabQuest 2, LabQuest,
LabQuest Mini, LabPro, or Go!Link.
 Logger Lite This computer program is used with LabQuest 2, LabQuest,
LabQuest Mini, LabPro, or Go!Link.
 LabQuest App This program is used when LabQuest 2 or LabQuest is used as a
standalone device.
 DataQuest™ Software for TI-Nspire™ This calculator application is for the
TI-Nspire handheld or computer software.
 LabVIEW National Instruments LabVIEW™ software is a graphical
programming language sold by National Instruments. It is used with SensorDAQ
and can be used with a number of other Vernier interfaces. See
www.vernier.com/labview for more information.
NOTE: Vernier products are designed for educational use. Our products are not
designed nor are they recommended for any industrial, medical, or commercial
process such as life support, patient diagnosis, control of a manufacturing process, or
industrial testing of any kind.
TM
,
®
(with TI-Nspire handhelds only)
2