JP2000107141A - Hemomanometer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a continuous (in an unconscious manner) measurement of a blood pressure by measuring pulses at two points of a human body by two pulse measuring means to determine a blood pressure. SOLUTION: A pulse at a neck N is measured by a first pulse sensor 1 provided on a neck attachment and the pulse at a finger F by a second pulse sensor 3 provided on a finger attachment. A signal processing circuit 8 a time difference between a pulse time at the neck N near the heart and the pulse time at the finger F far from the heart to calculate a blood pressure from the time difference. The results are shown on a display element 10. With the hands free, continuous (in an unconscious manner) measurement of the blood pressure is possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sphygmomanometer, which is suitable not only for use as a medical device but also as a home health care device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional blood pressure monitor, there is a commercially available blood pressure monitor which measures a blood pressure by wrapping a cuff around an upper arm or a wrist, pressurizing the cuff, and measuring the counter pressure. However, there is an annoyance due to the attachment of the cuff and an uncomfortable feeling due to the pressure. The wrist-worn wristwatch incorporates an optical pulse meter sensor and ECG electrodes, measures the pulse and heart rate with the optical pulse meter sensor, and since the pulse propagation time is proportional to the blood pressure, the pulse propagation time A technique for estimating blood pressure has been disclosed (JP-A-7-116132).

[0003]

According to the technique disclosed in the above publication, electrodes of an electrocardiograph are attached to the front and back surfaces of a wristwatch, and an optical pulse meter sensor is attached to the front surface. During blood pressure measurement, the middle finger is placed on the electrode of the electrocardiograph on the surface of the wristwatch, the index finger is placed on the optical pulse meter sensor, the electrocardiogram is measured with the right and left hands, and the pulse is measured with the index finger. Since the electrocardiogram and the pulse have a time delay and are proportional to the blood pressure, the blood pressure is calculated from the time difference between the electrocardiogram and the pulse. However, this technique has a drawback in that both hands must be used to measure the electrocardiogram, and the blood pressure cannot be measured continuously (unconsciously).

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a sphygmomanometer capable of continuously (unconsciously) measuring blood pressure.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] It has been found that the blood pressure can be measured by measuring the pulse at two places in the body. The pulse of each part of the body is generated with a certain time delay from the electrocardiogram due to the distance from the heart, blood vessel diameter, blood vessel hardness and the like. Therefore, the first pulse measuring means measures the pulse in a certain part of the body (for example, neck) as a reference instead of the electrocardiogram, and measures the pulse in another part (for example, fingertip) to determine the reference. The time difference is obtained, and the blood pressure can be calculated from the value. Thus, by the two pulse measuring means,
Since the blood pressure can be measured by measuring the pulse at two places in the body, the blood pressure can be measured continuously (unconsciously).

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on a plurality of examples and modifications. [First Embodiment] The site for measuring the pulse may be any combination such as neck and fingertip, neck and ankle, neck and wrist, and wrist and fingertip. It is advantageous. Therefore, in the first embodiment,
A sphygmomanometer will be described based on an example using a neck and a fingertip. There are also various types of means for measuring the pulse, such as an optical type and a listening type, and any type may be used. In the first embodiment, an example using an optical type pulse measuring unit will be described.

The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a sphygmomanometer,
FIG. 2 shows a neck-worn body 2 provided with a first pulse sensor 1, and FIG. 3 shows a finger-worn body 4 provided with a second pulse sensor 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the neck mounting body 2 has a band shape wound around the neck N, and is held on the neck N by the magic tape 2a. The first pulse sensor 1 is attached to the neck body 2.
Is attached. As shown in FIG. 3, the finger mounting body 4 has a ring shape mounted on the finger F, and has the second pulse sensor 3 attached thereto.

The first pulse sensor 1 includes first pulse measuring means (consisting of a first light emitting circuit 5 and a first light receiving circuit 6), a receiving circuit 7, a signal processing circuit 8 (which also functions as a blood pressure calculating means), It comprises a display circuit 9 and a display element 10. In addition, the first light emitting circuit 5 and the first light receiving circuit 6 are attached to face the inner surface of the neck mounting body 2. The second pulse sensor 3 includes a second pulse measuring unit (including a second light emitting circuit 11 and a second light receiving circuit 12) and a transmitting circuit 13. The second light emitting circuit 11 and the second light receiving circuit 12
Are attached to face the inner surface of the finger mounting body 4 together.

A neck-mounted body 2 provided with a first pulse sensor 1
Is wound around the neck N using the magic tape 2a. First
In the pulse sensor 1, light is emitted from the first light emitting circuit 5 to the neck N. Part of the irradiated light is absorbed by the blood in the neck N. Since the blood is increased or decreased by the pulse, the optical signal returned from the neck N to the first light receiving circuit 6 is increased or decreased by the pulse. The pulse signal measured by the first light receiving circuit 6 is A / D converted, and the pulse time is sent to the signal processing circuit 8 as a signal.

[0010] Finger mounting body 4 provided with second pulse sensor 3
Is attached to the finger F. Second light emitting circuit 1 of second pulse sensor 3
The first and second light receiving circuits 12 also measure the pulse signal based on the same principle as described above. The measured pulse signal is A / D converted, and the pulse time is sent as a signal from the transmission circuit 13 to the signal processing circuit 8 via the reception circuit 7 of the first pulse sensor 1.

The signal processing circuit 8 calculates a time difference between the pulse time of the neck N and the pulse time of the finger F. Since the calculated time difference is statistically correlated with the blood pressure value, it is calculated as a blood pressure value by a predetermined conversion formula, and the blood pressure value calculated by the display circuit 9 is displayed on the display element 10. Here, the blood pressure obtained from the true blood pressure and the pulse time difference includes the ejection volume of the heart,
Individual differences greatly affect the diameter of the blood vessel, the hardness of the blood vessel, and the like, causing an error. Therefore, the true blood pressure value is input in advance, and the measured value is corrected by the signal processing circuit 8. An example of the correction will be described. For example, as an initial setting, a blood pressure value at rest and a blood pressure value during exercise are measured by the blood pressure monitor of the embodiment, and at the same time, a true blood pressure value is measured by a medical blood pressure monitor (existing blood pressure monitor capable of measuring true blood pressure). And inputs the blood pressure signal to an input device (not shown).
To the signal processing circuit 8 via Signal processing circuit 8
Calculates the relational expression between the true blood pressure value and the measured value. And
By correcting the measurement value using this relational expression, the blood pressure monitor of the present embodiment can measure a blood pressure value with high accuracy.

Second Embodiment FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment.
This will be described with reference to FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the sphygmomanometer, and FIG. 5 shows a neck-worn body 2 provided with the first pulse sensor 1.
Is shown. In the second embodiment, a sphygmomanometer that measures the blood pressure by measuring the pulse of the neck N and the wrist B is shown. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the neck-worn body 2 of the second embodiment has a belt-like body mounted on the neck N, and has a first pulse sensor 1 for measuring the pulse of the neck N attached thereto. . As shown in FIG. 4, the wrist wearing body 14 is made of a bracelet, a clock, a bracelet, and the like, and has a second pulse sensor 3 for measuring a pulse of the wrist B attached thereto.

Both the first pulse sensor 1 and the second pulse sensor 3 of the second embodiment have a transmission circuit (not shown). Each transmission circuit performs A / D conversion of the pulse signal measured by each, and sends the pulse signal as a pulse time to a signal processing circuit (not shown) via a reception circuit (not shown) of the display device 15. Then, as shown in the first embodiment, the signal processing circuit of the display device 15 calculates and corrects the blood pressure value from the time difference between the pulse times measured at the two places, and displays the result on the display element 1.
Display at 0.

[Third Embodiment] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the third embodiment.
This will be described with reference to FIG. 6 shows a use diagram of the integrated sphygmomanometer 16, and FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a back surface, a side surface, and a front surface of the integrated sphygmomanometer 16. In the third embodiment, an integrated sphygmomanometer that measures the blood pressure by measuring the pulse of the neck N and the finger F is shown.

The integrated type sphygmomanometer 16 shown in this embodiment is provided with first pulse measuring means 17 for measuring the pulse of the neck N on the back surface and second pulse measuring means 18 for measuring the pulse of the finger F on the front surface.
Is provided. The first pulse measuring means 17 of the third embodiment is of an acoustic type in which a pulsation sound of the carotid artery is measured by a microphone. The second pulse measuring means 18 for measuring the pulse of the finger F is of an optical type, as in the first embodiment. The integrated sphygmomanometer 16 is provided with a cover 19 for fixing the fingertip.
A predetermined finger F (the middle finger in the drawings of the embodiment). Signal processing circuit built into the sphygmomanometer (not shown)
As shown in the first embodiment, the blood pressure value is calculated and corrected from the time difference between the pulses measured by the first and second pulse measuring means 17 and 18, and the result is displayed by the display element 10.

Fourth Embodiment FIGS. 8 and 9 show a fourth embodiment.
This will be described with reference to FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the sphygmomanometer, and FIG. 9 shows a cross-section and a front view of the first pulse sensor 1 attached to the necklace 20. In the fourth embodiment, the first pulse sensor 1 is attached to a necklace 20 in place of the neck body 2 shown in the second embodiment. The first pulse measuring means 17 uses an acoustic method in which a pulsation sound of the carotid artery is measured by a microphone.

Fifth Embodiment A fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 shows a use diagram of a sphygmomanometer, and FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of an optical pulse measuring means. In the fifth embodiment, a sphygmomanometer is assembled on a chair 21 such as a sofa, and a first pulse measuring means 17 is provided on a headrest 21a, and a second pulse measuring means 18 is provided on an armrest 21b. . In this example,
The first pulse measuring unit 17 and the second pulse measuring unit 18
Each of them is of an optical type and includes a light emitting element 22, a light receiving element 23, and a lens 24 as shown in FIG. It is calculated by a signal processing circuit (not shown),
The corrected result is displayed on the display element 10 provided on the armrest 21b or the like.

Sixth Embodiment A sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a sphygmomanometer.
In the sixth embodiment, first and second pulse measuring means (not shown) are provided on the rings 25 and 26, respectively, and used by attaching them to the left and right fingers LF and RF, respectively. Here, since the heart is in the left chest, a pulse time difference occurs between the left and right fingers LF and RF, and the pulse appears earlier on the left hand side. Then, the first and second pulse measuring means provided on the left and right rings 25 and 26 measure the pulse signal and transmit it to the display device 15,
The result calculated and corrected by the signal processing circuit (not shown) of the display device 15 is displayed on the display element 10. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the first and second pulse measuring means are attached to the left and right fingers LF and RF using the rings 25 and 26, but the first and second pulse measuring means are used as wrist rings and hand. The blood pressure may be measured by attaching it to the left and right wrists or arms with a belt, a bracelet, or the like.

[Seventh Embodiment] A seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 shows a usage diagram of the sphygmomanometer.
In the seventh embodiment, a sphygmomanometer is assembled to a bathtub 27, and a first pulse measuring means 17 is provided in a headrest 27a (a part where the head H can be easily placed), and an armrest 27b
The second pulse measuring means 18 is provided at the (railing portion). The result calculated and corrected by the signal processing circuit (not shown) is output to the display element 10 provided at the edge of the bathtub 27 or the like.
Will be displayed.

[Modification] The first and second pulse measuring means may be continuously attached to the body so as to collect blood pressure data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a sphygmomanometer (first embodiment).

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a neck-worn body provided with a first pulse sensor (first embodiment).

FIG. 3 is a view showing a finger-mounted body provided with a second pulse sensor (first embodiment);

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sphygmomanometer (second embodiment).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a neck-worn body provided with a first pulse sensor (second embodiment).

FIG. 6 is a usage diagram of the integrated blood pressure monitor (third embodiment).

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a back surface, a side surface, and a front surface of the integrated blood pressure monitor (third embodiment).

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sphygmomanometer (fourth embodiment).

FIG. 9 is a sectional view and a front view of a first pulse sensor attached to a necklace (fourth embodiment).

FIG. 10 is a usage diagram of a sphygmomanometer (fifth embodiment).

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an optical pulse measuring means (fifth embodiment);
Example).

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a sphygmomanometer (sixth embodiment).

FIG. 13 is a usage diagram of a sphygmomanometer (seventh embodiment).

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 neck-worn body 4 finger-worn body 8 signal processing circuit (blood pressure calculating means) 14 wrist-worn body 17 first pulse measuring means 18 second pulse measuring means 20 necklace 21 chair 21a chair headrest 21b chair armrest 25 Ring 26 ring worn on right hand 27 bathtub 27a bathtub headrest 27b bathtub armrest

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Sato 14 Iwatani, Shimowakaku-cho, Nishio-shi, Aichi Prefecture Inside the Japan Automobile Parts Research Institute (72) Michiharu Yamada 14 Iwatani, Shimowakaku-cho, Nishio-shi, Aichi Co., Ltd. Japan Inside the Automotive Parts Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Tomohisa Yoshimi 1-1-1 Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi F-term in DENSO Corporation (Reference) 4C017 AA08 AA10 AB03 AB06 AC26 AC30 BD01 BD05 CC01 FF08

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A first pulse measuring means for measuring a pulse from one part of the body, a second pulse measuring means for measuring a pulse from another part of the body, and a measurement by the first and second pulse measuring means. Blood pressure calculating means for calculating the blood pressure from the time difference of the measured pulse. 2. The sphygmomanometer according to claim 1, wherein the first pulse measuring means measures a pulse of a part of the body close to the heart, and the second pulse measuring means measures a part of the body remote from the heart. A sphygmomanometer characterized by measuring a pulse of the blood. 3. The sphygmomanometer according to claim 2, wherein the first pulse measuring means is provided on a neck-worn body mounted on a neck of the body, and the second pulse measuring means is mounted on a finger of the body. A sphygmomanometer provided on a finger-worn body. 4. The sphygmomanometer according to claim 2, wherein the first pulse measuring means is provided on a neck-worn body mounted on a neck of the body, and the second pulse measuring means is mounted on a wrist of the body. A sphygmomanometer provided on a wrist body. 5. The sphygmomanometer according to claim 3, wherein the second pulse measuring means is provided on a finger-worn body or a wrist-worn body, and the first pulse measuring means uses a microphone for measuring carotid artery sound. A sphygmomanometer characterized in that: 6. The sphygmomanometer according to claim 3, wherein the first pulse measuring means is provided on a necklace, and the second pulse measuring means is provided on a finger-worn body or a wrist-worn body. Sphygmomanometer. 7. The sphygmomanometer according to claim 2, wherein the first and second pulse measuring means are respectively provided on a belt-like structure that can be worn on a body. 8. The blood pressure monitor according to claim 2, wherein said first pulse measuring means is provided on a headrest of a chair, and said second pulse measuring means is provided on an armrest of said chair. Total. 9. The sphygmomanometer according to claim 2, wherein the first and second pulse measuring means are provided on a right hand ring and a left hand ring, respectively. 10. The blood pressure monitor according to claim 2, wherein said first pulse measuring means is provided on a headrest of a bathtub, and said second pulse measuring means is provided on an armrest of said bathtub. Total. 11. The sphygmomanometer according to claim 1, wherein the measurement is performed continuously.