Data collection instructions

Estimated duration for data collection after arrival: 45-50 minutes.

Link male volunteers

Link female volunteers

You will need to know your height and body mass.

Your blood pressure will also be taken using a standard, cuffed blood pressure device. Wear clothes that will allow the cuff to make direct skin contact with your forearms (or through a very thin layer of cloth).

For 30 minutes before arrival:

• No caffeine;
• No nicotine;
• No alcohol;
• No exercise.

Empty bladder if needed.

After arrival, you will rest for up to 5 minutes.

Proper posture: back supported by chair, feet flat on the floor, legs uncrossed, arms at heart level. It is also important not to move during a measurement.

You will have to make sure your finger is centered all throughout a measurement. The GUI will help with this.

Deflation mode:

• Step 1: Press hard enough that the pressure bar goes above the indicated threshold.
• Step 2: Slowly reduce the amount of pressure, until the pressure bar goes below the indicated threshold and the GUI updates with a new section.
• Step 3: Slowly reduce the amount of pressure, trying to keep within the limits shown. Your target is the diagonal green line in the new GUI section, between the other two diagonal lines. Going above or below for brief periods of time is still acceptable, but try your best to follow the green line.

Inflation mode:

• Step 1: Position your finger in the center of the device.
• Step 2: Slowly increase the amount of pressure, trying to keep within the limits shown. Your target is the diagonal green line, between the other two diagonal lines. Going above or below for brief periods of time is still acceptable, but try your best to follow the green line.

You will first do a few attempts to get used to how the device works, before the data collection begins.

During a measurement, at the same time as your blood pressure is being taken using the experimental device, an assistant will take the reference blood pressure using a standard, cuffed device on your other arm.

1. Your blood pressure will be taken using two cuffed devices on both arms simultaneously, 3 different times. The one with the consistently higher reading will become the reference arm, used in further cuffed device readings, while your other arm will use the experimental device.
2. ~5 test measurements for deflation mode
3. 20-25 real measurements for deflation mode
4. ~5 test measurements for inflation mode
5. 15-20 real measurements for inflation mode

Your blood pressure will be taken using a cuffed device during every real measurement. Inform the assistant if you need to rest.

If you have any questions or need assistance during the data collection process, please reach out to our collaborators on Microsoft Teams:

• Robert HAZAPARU - Teams ID: [robert.hazaparu@stud.acs.upb.ro]
• Farhad Ali Irinel GUL - Teams ID: [farhad_ali.gul@upb.ro]