Mercury Sphygmomanometer

Description

A Mercury Sphygmomanometer is a traditional device used to measure blood pressure. It consists of an inflatable cuff, a rubber bulb for pumping air, and a vertical glass column filled with mercury. When the cuff is inflated around the upper arm, it temporarily stops blood flow in the artery. As the air is slowly released from the cuff, the mercury column rises and falls, allowing the observer to read the systolic and diastolic pressures using a stethoscope placed over the brachial artery.

Key points:

• Accuracy: Highly accurate and considered the gold standard.
• Use: Requires proper technique and a trained person to read the mercury levels.
• Safety: Mercury is toxic, so the device must be handled carefully.
• Portability: Not very portable due to its size and fragile mercury column.