A century of noninvasive arterial pressure measurement: from Marey to Peñáz and Finapres

This contribution describes in historical perspective the development of ideas and equipment with which arterial pressure can be measured noninvasively. This history starts with the pioneering work of Marey. We refer to Riva-Rocci and Korotkoff only to stress the importance of arterial systolic and diastolic pressures, and step through subsequent years of trial, error and refinement, mentioning many pioneers. We then arrive at Penaz and his new and finally successful ideas that started new devices research in many countries among them Germany, Japan and the Netherlands. This effort led to the commercial availability of the Finapres devices that continuously measure the full arterial pressure waveform in the finger. These devices are automatic, noninvasive and accurate, and measure over long periods of time, even over 24-hours, even in ambulant subjects. The factor 'industry' is briefly discussed. We conclude that Penaz's patent description of 1967 but in particular his well known one page scientific abstract in 1973 was the start of truly significant innovations in instrumentation, physiology and patient care.