JP2001112725A - Biological information measuring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a biological information measuring apparatus capable of measuring biological information at all times and warning a person to be measured and a helper or monitor before the physical condition of the person to be measured worsens. SOLUTION: The biological information measuring apparatus 10 formed into a wrist watch type is worn around a user's wrist so that a magnetism sensor 28B positioned on a belt holder 34 makes intimate contact with the skin. The magnetism sensor 28B senses the frequency of a magnetic force generated by variation in the iron content (hemoglobin) of blood caused by arterial flow.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a biological information measuring device, and more particularly, to a biological information measuring device which forms a magnetic field in a measured portion of a living body and detects a change in magnetic force generated in the magnetic field by a blood flow. The present invention relates to a portable biological information measuring device that obtains the information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, personal blood pressure monitors that can be easily used at home for health management and prevention of lifestyle-related diseases have been widely known.

In general, a blood pressure monitor as such a biological information measuring device wraps a cuff (a tourniquet) around an upper arm or a wrist and presses a start button on a main body to perform a simple operation such as a blood pressure or a pulse. Information can be measured automatically.

[0004] That is, when the user gives an instruction to start measurement after setting the cuff, an electric pump provided on the sphygmomanometer main body sends air to the cuff, and the pulse of the artery of the part to be measured compressed by the cuff. The movement is detected by a capacitance type pressure sensor, a semiconductor pressure sensor, or the like (so-called “oscillometric method”), whereby the maximum / minimum blood pressure value and the heart rate are calculated, and an LCD or the like as a display unit is calculated. This is the configuration displayed in.

[0005] In recent years, an optical sensor has been used as a detecting element for detecting arterial flow. As an example,
There is a type in which an optical sensor that irradiates and receives light in a predetermined wavelength region responsive to a specific component in blood is attached to a probe, a cylindrical cuff, or the like.

When the probe or the like is attached to a finger or the like as a part to be measured, an optical sensor that irradiates light to the part to be measured allows an amount of change of a specific component due to blood flow to be reflected light or transmitted light. In this configuration, the heart rate and the like are measured by detecting a change in the light amount.

Further, the optical sensor type sphygmomanometer includes:
In some cases, the entire instrument, including the probe and cuff, is made smaller and lighter than an oscillometric sphygmomanometer to improve portability so that it can be easily used in an office or on the go.

[0008] Therefore, by using these personal blood pressure monitors, it is possible to easily perform regular measurements at home or office, and to make detailed changes in blood pressure values due to changes in mental state, such as at rest and during work. Is also easier to grasp.

[0009] In addition, knowing whether or not the blood pressure, which is constantly changing, is at a healthy level in such a manner is important in performing daily health management such as eating, drinking, smoking, or exercising and checking lifestyle habits. Is now an essential element.

[0010] By the way, when a person reaches middle age or old age, hypertension (symptoms) increases, aging of blood vessels with aging, and LD.
Atherosclerosis symptoms due to an increase in L-cholesterol appear. In addition, as these symptoms progress, dangerous diseases such as stroke, angina, and myocardial infarction tend to occur.

[0011] In particular, people with severe heart disease such as myocardial infarction usually take their own weight so as not to exert an excessive burden on the heart, and take a rest as soon as possible if any subjective symptoms such as palpitations appear. We pay close attention to it.

[0012] However, although care is taken, stress is exerted on the body and mind from work and various stresses, daily activities such as drinking and bathing, and in some cases, even during sleep, without being conscious. May have been lost. In many cases, a heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs, and in the worst case, death occurs.

[0013] As described above, in myocardial infarction and the like, there are cases where changes in physical condition or signs of danger cannot be sufficiently detected only by the person's awareness and attention.

Therefore, it is considered that it is effective to avoid falling into a dangerous state if one's condition can always be grasped on the basis of the blood pressure value and the heart rate. It is also possible to grasp the change of the physical condition to some extent accurately by increasing the frequency of the measurement.

[0015] However, although the conventional blood pressure monitor has improved portability due to its small size and light weight, the type in which the main body of the meter is placed on a table or the like during measurement is generally used. . In addition, since it is necessary to perform a measurement start operation for each measurement, the operation becomes complicated to obtain a measurement result that follows a change in condition.

Therefore, it is not easy to use in applications such as monitoring blood pressure values during an action in real time.

Further, in the above-described optical sensor system, the reliability of the detecting element is reduced, for example, the life of the light emitting section (LD) is short (about tens of thousands of hours), and further, the characteristics are greatly changed due to contamination of the light emitting / receiving window. There are issues that need to be improved in terms of sex.

On the other hand, for example, when an elderly person uses this blood pressure monitor, it may be difficult for the elderly person to set and operate the instrument. On the contrary, in some cases, it is preferable that the family or caregiver measure the condition of the elderly by giving a measurement and inform the person of the condition in an easy-to-understand manner or use it in a way of nursing care.

In addition, if such an elderly person suddenly becomes sick when alone, rescue may not be sought by himself alone. Further, the above-mentioned myocardial infarction and the like may occur during sleep, and often suddenly become unable to move due to attacks and severe pain. Therefore, if others can know such an emergency at an early stage, it will be possible to save those suddenly ill from a life crisis.

[0020]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above facts, the present invention makes it possible to measure biological information at all times, and before the physical condition of the person to be measured deteriorates, the person to be measured, his / her caregiver and the monitoring person. It is an object to provide a biological information measuring device that can warn a person or the like.

[0021]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a biological information measuring apparatus which forms a magnetic field in a measured portion of a living body and substantially synchronously increases and decreases the blood flow of the measured portion in the magnetic field. Magnetic detecting means for detecting the frequency of the generated magnetic force,
Calculating means for calculating the heart rate of the living body based on the frequency of the magnetic force detected by the magnetic detecting means; display means for displaying the calculation result calculated by the calculating means; and And a fixing means for positioning and fixing to the part to be measured.

That is, in the present invention, the magnetic detecting means is positioned and fixed to the measured portion of the living body by the fixing means, and forms a magnetic field in that state, and is substantially synchronized with the increase and decrease of the blood flow of the measured portion in the magnetic field. The frequency of the generated magnetic force is detected.

The frequency of the magnetic force is defined as the amount of iron (hemoglobin) contained in the blood passing through the magnetic field in synchronism with the pulsation of the heart when the iron (hemoglobin) travels through the body by a blood flow such as an arterial flow. This is caused by doing

Therefore, the calculating means can calculate the heart rate of the living body based on the frequency of the magnetic force, and the calculation result is displayed by the display means. Thereby, the heart rate of the living body can be measured.

Further, since the magnetic detecting means is used for detecting the arterial flow, a band-shaped cuff or a pump for pressurization used in the conventional detection becomes unnecessary, and the whole apparatus is made compact. it can. Therefore, the portability of the device for constantly measuring the heart rate during the action of the living body can be improved.

Further, if the detecting means uses magnetism, there is no characteristic change due to contamination of the light emitting / receiving window as in an optical sensor, so that the reliability of the detecting means can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the biological information measuring apparatus according to the first aspect, the calculating means further includes a control unit configured to perform the processing based on an amplitude of a frequency of the magnetic force detected by the magnetic detecting means. It is characterized in that a blood pressure value of a living body is calculated.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the calculating means calculates the blood pressure value of the living body based on the amplitude of the frequency representing the strength of the magnetic force detected by the magnetic detecting means. This makes it possible to measure the blood pressure value using the magnetic detection means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, output means is provided for enabling a result of the operation performed by the operation means to be transmitted via a communication medium. It is characterized by having.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the apparatus is used because the output means for transmitting the calculation result calculated by the calculation means via a communication medium such as a telephone line or a radio wave is provided. The caregiver, the monitoring person, and the like of the subject can also grasp the heart rate and the blood pressure value of the subject.

Thus, for example, when the subject is a bedridden elderly person, the health status of the subject can be checked without the caregiver always attending, and even if the condition changes suddenly, quick response can be taken. Can take. In addition, it is also possible to collectively manage the physical condition and the like of the elderly living alone by several persons.

Further, the present invention can be applied to hospital use where the condition of a plurality of patients is centrally managed in a nurse center.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the biological information measuring device according to any one of the first to third aspects,
A notifying means is provided for notifying that the calculation result calculated by the calculating means has exceeded a preset threshold value.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the notifying means for notifying that the calculation result calculated by the calculating means has exceeded a preset threshold value is provided, the person to be measured can, for example, By setting a threshold of a heart rate or a blood pressure value according to a health condition or the like in advance, it is possible to know that the measured heart rate or blood pressure value has exceeded the threshold.

Thus, the subject can quickly and accurately know a change in the condition due to a change in the heart rate or the like even when he or she is concentrating on the action or sleeping. Therefore, a quick and accurate response can be taken before the user falls into a dangerous state, such as immediately pressing down a behavior that places a burden on the heart, and in some cases, seeking immediate rescue.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the biological information measuring device according to the fourth aspect, position information transmitting means for transmitting the position information of the living body by wireless communication when the notifying means is operated is provided. It is characterized by having.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the position information transmitting means for transmitting the position information of the living body by wireless communication when the notification means is operated is provided. Even if the measurer alone cannot move, the position information of the living body notified by the wireless transmitting means enables quick rescue from an abnormal situation.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the biological information measuring device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects,
The whole device including the fixing means is formed in a wristwatch-type integral structure.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the whole device including the fixing means is formed in a wristwatch-type integral structure, so that the mountability to the wrist as the measured portion and the operability are improved, and the measurement is further performed. The display of the result is also easy to confirm.

[0040]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a biological information measuring apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Biological information measuring device 1
Reference numeral 0 denotes the measuring instrument body 12 and belts 14 and 16 as fixing means attached to upper and lower ends of the measuring instrument body 12
And a wristwatch type as shown in the figure. Note that the biological information measuring device 10 here has a clock function, an alarm function, and the like equivalent to those of a general digital wristwatch, but a description thereof will be omitted.

On the front side of the measuring instrument main body 12, an LCD display section 20 as a display means for displaying a measurement result such as a time and a blood pressure value, and an LED lamp 22 for displaying an operation mode such as during measurement by lighting. Is provided.

Also, similarly, on the main body surface and side surfaces,
An operation button 24 for switching display contents and measurement modes and setting various functions is provided. Further, on a side surface of the main body, a connector 26 serving as an input / output terminal for performing data communication with an external device is provided. (Output means) is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, a magnetic sensor 28A as a magnetic detecting means is buried on the back side of the measuring instrument body 12 near the center of the surface. The magnetic detection portion (exposed surface) of the magnetic sensor 28A slightly protrudes from the back surface, whereby the magnetic sensor 28A can be in close contact with the skin surface when the biological information measuring device 10 is mounted on the wrist.

The magnetic sensor 28A is configured to detect iron (hemoglobin) contained in blood. In the present embodiment, an eddy current sensor is used.

The eddy current type magnetic sensor is configured such that an AC magnetic field is formed by applying an AC voltage to a coil provided in the sensor, and when the coil portion is brought close to a detection target which is a conductor, the AC magnetic field is changed. An eddy current is generated in the conductor by the use of the electromagnetic induction sensor.

The magnetic field generated by this eddy current is in the opposite direction to the magnetic field created by the coil, and the output of the coil is affected by the superposition of these two magnetic fields,
The intensity and phase of the current flowing through the coil changes. Therefore, by extracting the electric signal flowing through the coil,
Conductors can be detected.

Therefore, by the magnetic sensor 28A,
By detecting a change in the iron content in the blood flowing in the magnetic field as a change in the magnetic force, and calculating the detected signal, the heart rate and the blood pressure value can be calculated.

On the other hand, with respect to the belt portion, a hook portion 30 is provided on the leading end side of the belt 14, and a plurality of holes for adjusting the length of the belt by engaging with the hook portion 30 are provided on the belt body of the belt 16. 32 are provided so that the size can be adjusted according to the thickness of the wrist of the user.

Further, a cylindrical belt holder 34 for holding a slack portion generated on the tip side of the belt 16 when the apparatus is mounted on the wrist is also passed through the belt body of the belt 14.

Next, the circuit configuration of the biological information measuring device 10 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

In the measuring instrument main body 12, a magnetic sensor 28A is provided.
Drive circuit 40 for driving the magnetic sensor 28
Amplifying circuit 4 for amplifying the detection signal output from A
2 are provided. Further, a signal processing unit 44 and a signal processing unit 44 as arithmetic means for calculating a heart rate and a blood pressure value based on a signal output from the amplification circuit 42.
Is also provided. Each of these blocks is connected to a CPU 48, and the CPU 48 receives instructions from the operation buttons 24, and controls each block in accordance with each operation mode.

The operation mode here is provided with a measurement mode in which the pulse of the artery is continuously detected by the magnetic sensor 28A and the signal is processed, so that the measurement can be performed in real time. It has become.

The measured heart rate and blood pressure value are
The information is displayed on the LCD display unit 20 connected to the memory unit 46.

Further, the CPU 48 and the signal processing section 44
Also has a determination function of determining each measurement value (heart rate / blood pressure value) based on a preset heart rate and blood pressure value (threshold). This threshold can be arbitrarily set / changed / canceled by input from the operation button 24, and can be determined according to, for example, the user's health condition (presence or absence of heart disease), physical condition, and the like.

Therefore, when the measured heart rate or blood pressure value exceeds the threshold value, that is, the heart rate or the like is likely to increase and affect the physical condition of the user, or the heart is temporarily stopped. Then, the CPU 48 and the signal processing unit 44 determine that the pulse cannot be detected.

At this time, a warning alarm is sounded by a warning alarm generating section 50 provided as a notifying means provided in the built-in alarm function. Thus, the subject can quickly and accurately know a change in the condition due to a change in the heart rate even when he is concentrating on the behavior or sleeping.

Further, to the warning alarm generating section 50, a radio wave transmitting section 52 as position information transmitting means using wireless communication is connected.
Radio waves of a predetermined frequency are transmitted in conjunction with each other.

The radio wave is received by a predetermined base station, a communication satellite, or the like, so that the position of the subject can be determined.

Therefore, by receiving the radio wave from the radio wave transmitter 52, the person monitoring the physical condition of the person to be measured can grasp that the person to be measured has fallen into a dangerous state and its location. As a result, even if the condition suddenly changes and the person becomes unable to move while the subject is alone, rescue can be performed quickly.

The function of generating an alarm sound and transmitting a radio wave can be arbitrarily set or canceled by the operation button 24.

The measurement results stored in the memory section 46 are also output to a data transmission section 54 connected to the connector section 26. As a result, when the device is connected to a telephone line or the like via the connector unit 26, the measurement data can be confirmed by a caregiver or a monitor of a person to be measured in a remote place by a receiving device also using the telephone line. Will be able to

The connector 26 here is a CPU
It is also connected to a data receiving unit 56 that transmits each signal to the external device 48, so that it has a configuration that also supports external data input and a remote control function.

Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 4 shows a use state in which the biological information measuring device 10 is mounted on the wrist of the person to be measured.

As shown in FIG.
By passing through the hook portion 30 and engaging the hole 32 with the hook portion 30, the state of attachment to the wrist is maintained. That is, by the belts 14 and 16, the magnetic sensor 28A provided on the back surface of the measuring instrument main body 12 is positioned on the wrist to be measured (back side of the hand) and is fixed in a state of being substantially in contact with the skin surface. , Blood flow can be detected.

FIG. 5 schematically shows a process of detecting a blood flow by the magnetic sensor 28A.

The magnetic field formed toward skin 100 by magnetic sensor 28 A reaches artery 102 located near the surface of skin 100.

Here, in the relaxed state of the blood vessel shown in FIG. 5A, the amount of blood flowing in the artery 102 increases, so that the hemoglobin 104 also increases, that is, the total amount of iron passing through the magnetic field increases. Thus, the output signal of the magnetic sensor 28A increases.

On the other hand, in the contracted state of the blood vessel shown in FIG. 5B, the amount of blood in the artery 102 decreases, and the amount of hemoglobin 104 existing in the magnetic field also decreases. The output signal goes low.

As described above, the output signal from the magnetic sensor 28A appears as a frequency S that is repeated at a cycle T substantially synchronized with the pulsation of the artery (change in blood flow), as shown in FIG. Therefore, the number of frequencies S generated per minute is the heart rate.

However, the calculation of the heart rate P actually performed by the signal processing section 44 is [P = 60 (sec) / T (se
c)], and even when the heart rate changes every moment, the heart rate is quickly calculated by continuously detecting the period T, and as shown in FIG. It is displayed on the unit 20.

On the other hand, the blood pressure is calculated based on the amplitude H of the frequency S indicating the strength of the magnetic force detected by the magnetic sensor 28A.

Here, since there is an individual difference in the amount of hemoglobin contained in the blood, to obtain an accurate blood pressure value,
It is necessary to make the correction in advance.

Although various methods can be applied for this correction, the simplest example is to simultaneously measure the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the amplitude H detected by the biological information measuring device 10 using a conventional sphygmomanometer or the like. That is, it is set in accordance with the obtained maximum / minimum blood pressure values.

As a result, in the relaxation and contraction of the artery 102 shown in FIG. 5, when the amount of blood at that time changes and the total amount of hemoglobin 104 changes, the upper and lower limits of the amplitude H also change. The signal processing unit 44 calculates and corrects the values based on the respective values to obtain the maximum / minimum blood pressure values.

As described above, in the biological information measuring apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the magnetic sensor 28A is positioned and fixed by the belts 14 and 16 so as to be in close contact with the wrist of the person to be measured. Create a magnetic field. Accordingly, a change in the amount of hemoglobin 104 flowing through the artery 102 is detected as the frequency S of the magnetic force and the amplitude H of the frequency, and the heart rate and the blood pressure value can be measured.

Further, by using the eddy current type magnetic sensor 28A for detecting the arterial flow, the whole device can be made smaller than the conventional sphygmomanometer, and the shape of the device can be changed to a wristwatch type integrated device. With the structure, it is easy to wear on the wrist,
The portability for real-time monitoring of biological information during behavior is also improved.

Further, since the magnetic sensor has no characteristic change due to dirt on the light emitting / receiving window like an optical sensor and has a long (semi-permanent) life, the reliability of the detecting element is improved in the present embodiment using the magnetic sensor 28A. And detection accuracy can be improved.

Further, since the heart rate and blood pressure values calculated by the signal processing unit 44 can be transmitted from the connector unit 26 via a telephone line, the biological information of the subject using the apparatus can be transmitted to the subject. Caregivers and surveillance personnel can be grasped.

Therefore, even when the measured person is a bedridden elderly person, the caregiver can check the health state of the measured person without attending at all times, and can take prompt action even if the condition changes suddenly. It can also be used for centralized management of several elderly people living alone, or for centralized management of multiple patients at a hospital nurse center.

Further, the measured heart rate and blood pressure value are
When a threshold value set in advance according to one's own health condition or the like is exceeded, a warning alarm generation unit 50 that notifies the user with an alarm sound is provided. You can quickly and accurately know changes in your physical condition even during sleep or during sleep. As a result, a quick response can be taken before the user falls into a dangerous state, for example, by restraining an action that places a burden on the heart and in some cases seeking rescue.

Further, when the warning / alarm generating section 50 is activated, the radio wave transmitter section 52 for transmitting the position information of the person to be measured by wireless communication is provided, so that the condition of the person to be measured alone changes suddenly. Even in this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the location of the subject can be known by receiving the radio wave transmitted from the radio wave transmitter unit 52 by the receiving device 60. Therefore, quick rescue from an abnormal situation can be performed.

In the present embodiment, one magnetic sensor is arranged on the back surface of the measuring instrument main body 12, but the mounting position and the number of sensors are not limited to these.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8 (see FIGS. 1 and 4), a magnetic sensor 28B is provided on the back side of the 34 belt holders, and is connected to the measuring instrument body 12 by a cable 36. Can also be taken.

Further, in this case, the magnetic sensors 28A provided on the measuring instrument body 12 and the belt holder 34, respectively.
It is also possible to simultaneously operate 28B to detect the arterial flow at two places on the wrist, thereby obtaining a highly accurate measurement result.

Further, the type of the magnetic sensor is not limited to the eddy current type magnetic sensor described in the present embodiment, but may be replaced with a Hall sensor utilizing the Hall effect.

In this Hall sensor, it is necessary to provide a magnet or the like for forming a magnetic field in addition to the sensor. For example, a Hall sensor is provided in the measuring instrument main body 12 (a position corresponding to the magnetic sensor 28A), and the belt holder 34 is provided. If a magnet is disposed at a position (corresponding to the magnetic sensor 28B), a change in blood flow in a magnetic field formed by the magnet can be detected by the Hall sensor.

[0089]

Since the biological information measuring apparatus of the present invention has the above-described configuration, biological information can always be measured, and further, before the physical condition of the measured person deteriorates, the measured person and his / her caregiver can be measured. It can also alert people and observers.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a biological information measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear view of the rear surface of the measuring device main body in the biological information measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a circuit unit in the biological information measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a use state of the biological information measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

5A and 5B are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a process of detecting an arterial flow by a magnetic sensor, wherein FIG.
(B) is a contraction state of the artery.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a change in an output signal when an arterial flow is detected by a magnetic sensor.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of an LCD display unit for explaining display contents of a measurement result.

FIG. 8 is a back view illustrating the back surface of the biological information measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention and illustrating another mounting form of the magnetic sensor.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state of transmitting position information by the biological information measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 10 Biological information measuring device 14, 16 Belt (fixing means) 20 LCD display section (display means) 26 Connector section (output means) 28A, 28B Magnetic sensor (magnetic detection means) 34 Belt holder (fixing means) 44 Signal processing unit (arithmetic unit) 50 Warning alarm generating unit (notifying unit) 52 Radio wave transmitter unit (position information transmitting unit) 100 Skin (measured unit) S frequency

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A magnetic detecting means for forming a magnetic field in a measured portion of a living body, and detecting a frequency of a magnetic force generated substantially in synchronization with an increase or decrease in blood flow of the measured portion in the magnetic field;
Calculating means for calculating the heart rate of the living body based on the frequency of the magnetic force detected by the magnetic detecting means; display means for displaying the calculation result calculated by the calculating means; and A biological information measuring device, comprising: fixing means for positioning and fixing to a part to be measured. 2. The living body according to claim 1, wherein the calculating means further calculates a blood pressure value of the living body based on an amplitude of a frequency of the magnetic force detected by the magnetic detecting means. Information measuring device. 3. The biological information measurement according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit configured to transmit a calculation result calculated by the calculation unit via a communication medium. apparatus. 4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying that the calculation result calculated by said calculating unit has exceeded a preset threshold value. 2. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1. 5. The biological information measuring device according to claim 4, further comprising a position information transmitting unit that transmits the position information of the living body by wireless communication when the notifying unit operates. 6. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the whole device including the fixing means is formed in a wristwatch-type integrated structure.