JP5353232B2 - Electronic blood pressure monitor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic sphygmomanometer capable of accurately reporting the number of times of remaining possible measurements corresponding to a person to be measured. <P>SOLUTION: From past consumption data, voltage consumption VA for one time (for instance, the consumption of a voltage before and after the measurement of the previous time) is calculated (step S104). Also, a recovery amount VB indicating a difference between a voltage value at the end of the measurement of the previous time and a present voltage value is calculated (step S108), and a voltage drop amount VC from the start of the measurement of the previous time is calculated (step S110). By dividing a remaining effective voltage (the present voltage value-a battery low threshold) by the voltage drop amount VC, the number of times of possible measurements is calculated and displayed (steps S112, S114). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic sphygmomanometer, and more particularly to an electronic sphygmomanometer including a battery.

  Measuring blood pressure daily is very important for health care. For this reason, home-use electronic blood pressure monitors that can measure blood pressure outside the hospital have become widespread.

  The electronic sphygmomanometer is driven by a primary battery (hereinafter referred to as “dry battery”), an AC (Alternating Current) adapter, or a secondary battery (hereinafter referred to as “rechargeable battery”).

  When either one of the dry battery and the rechargeable battery is used, there is a problem that the capacity (remaining amount) is insufficient during the measurement and the measurement cannot be performed.

Therefore, conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-245857 (Patent Document 1), in a blood pressure monitor using a gazette battery, a technique for informing the remaining measurable number of times (number of remaining measurements) has been proposed. . Specifically, the measurable number of times is calculated by applying the voltage value to the discharge characteristics of either an alkaline battery or a manganese battery.
JP 2001-245857 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technique, since the number of measurable times is calculated from the discharge characteristics of the battery, it cannot be accurately calculated unless this characteristic is applied. That is, the individual difference of a battery cannot be absorbed.

  In addition, since the battery type is determined to be alkaline or manganese and is calculated by applying to the discharge characteristics, it is not possible to deal with an unexpected type of battery.

  In the conventional technique, the amount of voltage drop is constant. However, the driving time of the pump that consumes the battery varies depending on the thickness of the arm of the person being measured. Further, in the case of a sphygmomanometer that is designed to pressurize to the vicinity of the highest blood pressure of the person to be measured, the drive time of the pump varies depending on the highest blood pressure value of the person to be measured. Therefore, the amount of voltage value drop is not always constant. Therefore, according to the conventional technique, it is impossible to notify the number of times that the measurement can be performed with high accuracy according to the person to be measured.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic sphygmomanometer that can accurately notify the remaining number of measurable times according to the measurement subject. That is.

  An electronic sphygmomanometer according to an aspect of the present invention is an electronic sphygmomanometer for measuring a blood pressure of a measurement subject, and detects a cuff for winding around a predetermined body part of the measurement subject and a pressure in the cuff. For detecting the voltage of the battery means, the measurement control means for performing the control for measuring the blood pressure of the person to be measured based on the signal from the pressure detection means, the battery means, and the battery means Measurement is possible based on voltage detection means, storage means for storing consumption data relating to voltage consumption before and after measurement by the measurement control means, current voltage value of battery means, and consumption for one time. Calculation means for calculating the number of times and notification means for notifying the calculated measurable number of times are provided.

  Preferably, the consumption amount for one time is determined in advance to be one of the previous consumption amount and the statistical value of the past consumption amount.

  Preferably, the storage unit stores the consumption data in association with identification information for specifying the measurement subject, and the consumption for one time is a value based on the consumption data for the corresponding measurement subject. is there.

  Preferably, the consumption data includes first voltage data before the start of measurement and second voltage data after the measurement, and the calculation means further includes a voltage value indicated by the previous second voltage data and a current value. The number of measurable times is calculated based on the recovery amount representing the difference from the voltage value.

  Preferably, the calculating means calculates the measurable number of times by dividing the difference between the current voltage value and the lower limit voltage value of the battery means by the sum of the consumption and the recovery amount for one time.

  Preferably, a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature is further provided, and the lower limit voltage value is set according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit.

Preferably, the lower limit voltage value is set according to the thickness of the arm of the measurement subject.
Preferably, the notifying means notifies the measurable frequency every predetermined number when the measurable frequency is greater than the specific frequency, and notifies the measurable frequency in units of one when the measurable frequency is less than the specific frequency. To do.

Preferably, the battery means includes at least one of a primary battery and a secondary battery.
Preferably, the notification means includes display means for displaying the number of measurable times.

  According to the present invention, the remaining number of measurable times can be accurately calculated and notified.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

<Appearance and configuration>
(About appearance)
First, an external appearance of an electronic sphygmomanometer (hereinafter referred to as “blood pressure monitor”) 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of a sphygmomanometer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, sphygmomanometer 1 includes a main body portion 10, a cuff 20 for wrapping around the upper arm of the measurement subject, and an air tube 24 for connecting the main body portion 10 and the cuff 20. .

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of main body 10 in the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the rear.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, main body 10 is a pentahedron, an installation surface in contact with a table such as a desk, a surface 10 </ b> A forming a predetermined angle with the installation surface, and a surface perpendicular to the installation surface. And have two side surfaces 10B and 10C and a back surface 10D.

  On the surface 10A of the main body 10, a display unit 40 for displaying measurement results and an operation unit 41 for receiving an instruction input from a user (typically a person to be measured) are arranged. The operation unit 41, for example, a power switch 41A for switching power ON / OFF, a measurement switch 41B for inputting a measurement start instruction, and an instruction for reading and displaying past measurement results. And a memory switch 41C. The operation unit 41 may further include an ID switch (not shown) operated to specify identification information (user ID) of a user to be used.

The display part 40 is comprised by displays, such as a liquid crystal, for example.
The air tube 24 described above is connected to the left side surface 10 </ b> B of the main body 10.

  A solar cell (solar panel) 50 is disposed on the back surface 10 </ b> D of the main body 10. Thus, when the sphygmomanometer 1 is placed at a place where outside light is exposed, such as at the window in the room, the solar cell 50 receives sunlight and converts the received light energy into electrical energy. That is, the solar cell 50 generates electrical energy according to the amount of received light. The generated electrical energy is output to a rechargeable battery (secondary battery) 51 (see FIG. 3) built in the main body 10.

An AC adapter 55 may be further connectable to the right side surface 10 </ b> C of the main body 10.
In addition, the shape of the main-body part 10 of the sphygmomanometer 1 is not limited to such an example.

(About hardware configuration)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of sphygmomanometer 1 in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 3, cuff 20 of sphygmomanometer 1 includes an air bag 21 in which air is contained. The air bladder 21 is connected to an air system 25 built in the main body 10 via an air tube 24.

  The air system 25 includes a pressure sensor 32 for detecting the pressure in the air bag 21 (hereinafter referred to as “cuff pressure”), a pump 33 for supplying air to the air bag 21, and the air in the air bag 21. And an exhaust valve 34 that is opened and closed for draining or sealing.

  The main body 10 measures a central processing unit (CPU) 100, a non-volatile memory 39, a display unit 40, an operation unit 41, a power supply unit 60, and time for centrally controlling and monitoring each unit. A timer 43 for generating the alarm, a buzzer 44 for generating an alarm sound, and a temperature sensor 45 for detecting the temperature around the sphygmomanometer 1 (hereinafter referred to as “environment temperature”). The main body 10 further includes an oscillation circuit 35, a pump drive circuit 36 for driving the pump 33, and a valve drive circuit 37 for driving the exhaust valve 34 in association with the air system 25.

  The pump drive circuit 36 controls the drive of the pump 33 based on a control signal given from the CPU 100. The valve drive circuit 37 performs opening / closing control of the exhaust valve 34 based on a control signal given from the CPU 100.

  The capacitance value of the pressure sensor 32 changes depending on the cuff pressure. The oscillation circuit 35 outputs a signal having an oscillation frequency corresponding to the capacitance value of the pressure sensor 32 to the CPU 100. The CPU 100 detects the pressure by converting the signal obtained from the oscillation circuit 35 into a pressure.

  The memory 39 stores various programs and various data. The memory 39 includes a measurement result storage area (see FIG. 6) for storing blood pressure measurement results.

  The power supply unit 60 includes a rechargeable battery 51 for storing electrical energy generated by the solar battery 50, a detachable dry battery (primary battery) 52, and a power supply control circuit 53.

  The power supply control circuit 53 is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery 51 and the dry battery 52, and selectively supplies the electric power stored in both to the various devices such as the pump drive circuit 36 and the valve drive circuit 37. The power supply control circuit 53 is electrically connected to the CPU 100 and transmits / receives signals to / from the CPU 100. A configuration example of the power supply control circuit 53 will be described later.

  The rechargeable battery 51 is, for example, a nickel metal hydride battery. The dry battery 52 is, for example, an alkaline battery.

  The main body 10 may include a connector 54 for connecting the AC adapter 55. When the AC adapter 55 is connected to the connector unit 54, the power from the AC adapter 55 is supplied to the rechargeable battery 51 through the connector unit 54. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that AC adapter 55 has a conversion unit (not shown) for converting alternating current into direct current.

  In the present embodiment, sphygmomanometer 1 is described as including both rechargeable battery 51 and dry battery 52, but may include only one of them. In that case, the functions of the switching unit 58 and the switching control unit 102 are unnecessary.

  Further, when the sphygmomanometer 1 does not include the rechargeable battery 51, a direct current from the AC adapter 55 may be directly supplied to the power supply control circuit 53.

In the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 45 may not be included.
(About functional configuration)
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the sphygmomanometer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 4, power supply control circuit 53 includes voltage detection unit 56 for detecting the voltage of rechargeable battery 51, voltage detection unit 57 for detecting the voltage of dry battery 52, rechargeable battery 51 and dry battery 52. And a switching unit 58 for switching the output of.

The switching unit 58 is configured by a switch, for example.
In the present embodiment, voltage detection units 56 and 57 are included in power supply control circuit 53 of power supply unit 60, but these may be provided independently of power supply unit 60.

  The CPU 100 includes a switching control unit 102, a calculation unit 104, and a measurement control unit 106 as its functions.

  The switching control unit 102 performs switching control between the rechargeable battery 51 and the dry battery 52. More specifically, a control signal is transmitted to the switching unit 58 to cause the switching unit 58 to select either the rechargeable battery 51 or the dry battery 52.

  For example, the switching control unit 102 performs battery switching control in accordance with an instruction from the user. Alternatively, switching control may be performed based on the voltage values of the rechargeable battery 51 and the dry battery 52 detected by the voltage detection units 56 and 57. For example, it is assumed that the rechargeable battery priority mode that prioritizes the rechargeable battery 51 is selected by default or designation from the user. In that case, when the voltage value of the rechargeable battery 51 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, for example, control may be performed to switch the power source to the dry battery 52.

  The calculation unit 104 calculates the measurable number of times based on the current voltage value of the battery unit selected by the switching control unit 102 and the consumption for one time. The calculated measurable number of times is displayed on the display unit 40, for example.

  In the present embodiment, the “consumption amount for one time” is a value based on the consumption amount of voltage (= voltage change amount (drop amount)) before and after the past one measurement. “One-time consumption” represents, for example, the voltage consumption in the previous measurement, that is, the difference between the voltage value at the start of measurement and the voltage value at the end of measurement in the previous measurement. In addition, it is not limited to the voltage consumption in the last measurement, The statistical value (for example, average value, maximum value, etc.) of the past consumption may be sufficient. In this case, all stored consumption data may be used, or only a part (for example, the latest predetermined number of times) of consumption data may be used.

  When the sphygmomanometer 1 has a specification that can specify and measure a user, it is desirable to use the past consumption for the currently selected user for calculating the measurable number of times.

  The calculation unit 104 may calculate the measurable number of times in consideration of the recovery amount in addition to the consumption amount for one time. “Recovery amount” represents the difference between the voltage value at the end of the previous measurement and the current voltage value. At the time of blood pressure measurement, the battery voltage drops rapidly because the pump 33 is driven. Thereafter, the voltage value gradually recovers, but the recovery of the voltage value is not completely completed even at the end of the measurement, and the recovery of the voltage value is continued even after the end of the measurement. Therefore, the amount of change in voltage from the end of the previous measurement is represented as the recovery amount. By further considering such a recovery amount, the influence of a temporary voltage drop can be eliminated. As a result, a more accurate measurable number of times can be calculated.

  Note that the number of measurable times is calculated based on the voltage consumption and the voltage recovery amount in the previous measurement only when the user is the same user as the previous measurement. Therefore, when the sphygmomanometer 1 has a specification that can be measured by specifying a user, the calculation considering the amount of voltage recovery is performed only when it is determined that the user is the same user as the user measured last time. And

A specific method for calculating the number of measurable times will be described later.
The measurement control unit 106 controls the pump drive circuit 36 and the valve drive circuit 37. The measurement control unit 106 calculates a blood pressure value (for example, a maximum blood pressure or a minimum blood pressure) based on a signal (cuff pressure signal) from the oscillation circuit 35 according to, for example, an oscillometric method. Further, the pulse rate is calculated according to a known method. The calculated measurement value is stored in the memory 39 in association with consumption data, which will be described in detail later.

  Note that the switching control unit 102 may perform battery switching control according to the remaining measurable number of times calculated by the calculation unit 104. For example, when the rechargeable battery 51 is selected, the power source may be switched from the rechargeable battery 51 to the dry battery 52 when the remaining measurable number of times becomes a certain value (for example, 2 times) or less.

  The operation of each functional block shown in FIG. 4 may be realized by executing software stored in the memory 39, and at least one of these functional blocks is realized by hardware. May be.

<Outline of operation of blood pressure monitor>
An outline of the operation of the sphygmomanometer 1 in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the voltmeter 1 in the embodiment of the present invention. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is stored in advance in the memory 39 as a program, and the CPU 100 reads and executes this program.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is started when the power switch 41A is pressed. For the sake of simplicity, in the following description, it is assumed that the rechargeable battery 51 is selected as the power source.

  First, the user ID of the user who starts measurement is selected by the user (step S2). The CPU 100 temporarily records the selected user ID in the internal memory.

  Here, it is assumed that the CPU 100 determines whether or not the selected user ID is the same as the user ID associated with the measurement data of the latest (previous) measurement date and time, and the result is held. For example, the measurer flag for indicating the identity with the latest measurer is set to “1” only when the same as the latest measurer.

  Next, a measurable number of times display process is executed (step S4). The measurable number display process will be described in detail later.

  It is assumed that a measurement start instruction is input from the user when the measurable number of times display process is continued. Then, the calculation unit 104 temporarily records the current voltage value of the rechargeable battery 51 obtained from the voltage detection unit 56 in the internal memory as the voltage value Vs at the start of the current measurement (step S6).

  Thereafter, blood pressure measurement processing by the measurement control unit 106 is executed. Specifically, the measurement control unit 106 first starts driving the pump 33 and gradually increases (pressurizes) the pressure of the air bladder 21 (step S8). In this example, since the rechargeable battery 51 is selected for the switching unit 58 of the power supply control circuit 53, the electric power stored in the rechargeable battery 51 becomes the drive source of the pump 33.

  When the cuff pressure reaches a predetermined level for blood pressure measurement (for example, 180 mmHg), the measurement control unit 106 stops the pump 33, gradually opens the closed exhaust valve 34, and gradually releases the air in the air bladder 21. Exhaust. Thereby, the cuff pressure is gradually reduced (step S10).

  In the present embodiment, pressurization is continued until the cuff pressure reaches a predetermined level. However, the systolic blood pressure may be estimated from the pulse wave information obtained during pressurization, and pressurization may be continued until the estimated systolic blood pressure + a predetermined value (for example, 40 mmHg).

  The measurement control unit 106 calculates blood pressure (maximum blood pressure, minimum blood pressure) and pulse wave number by a known method (step S12). Specifically, in the process of gradually reducing the cuff pressure, the measurement control unit 106 extracts pulse wave information based on the oscillation frequency obtained from the oscillation circuit 35. Then, the blood pressure is calculated from the extracted pulse wave information.

  In the present embodiment, the blood pressure is calculated based on the pulse wave information obtained in the decompression process, but the blood pressure may be calculated based on the pulse wave information obtained in the pressurization process.

  Next, the measurement control unit 106 displays the measurement result, that is, the blood pressure value and the pulse rate calculated in step S12 on the display unit 40 (step S14).

  Subsequently, the calculation unit 104 temporarily records the current voltage value of the rechargeable battery 51 obtained from the voltage detection unit 56 in the internal memory as the voltage value Ve at the end of the current measurement (step S16).

  Finally, the measurement control unit 106 stores the measurement result in the measurement result storage area in the memory 39 (step S18). Specifically, the measurement values and voltage values Vs and Ve are stored in association with the temporarily recorded user ID. Furthermore, it is preferable to store the battery ID for specifying the battery selected in the measurement in association with the voltage values Vs and Ve.

Thus, the operation of the sphygmomanometer 1 is completed (power is turned off).
In the present embodiment, the time point when the display of the measurement result is ended is “at the end of measurement (after measurement)”, but is not limited. For example, it may be the time when pressurization (step S8) ends, the time when pressure reduction (step S10) ends, or the time when blood pressure calculation (step S12) ends.

<About data structure example>
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the measurement result storage area 390 in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 6, measurement data MDj (j = 1, 2,..., N) is stored in the measurement result storage area 390 for each measurement in units of records. The measurement result storage area 390 may be a predetermined area in the memory 39.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a data structure example of each measurement data MDj in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 7, each measurement data MDj includes data indicating measurement date and time, data indicating a user ID, and measurement values, that is, maximum blood pressure (SBP), minimum blood pressure (DBP), and pulse wave number (PLS). Data indicating data, data indicating battery ID, data indicating voltage value Vs at the start of measurement, and data indicating voltage value Ve at the end of measurement are included. The measurement date and time is, for example, the date and time when the measurement switch 41B is pressed.

  In the present embodiment, the consumption data for each measurement, that is, the voltage values Vs and Ve before and after the measurement are also included in the measurement data, but this is not restrictive. As long as the consumption data is stored in association with the user ID and the measurement date and time, the storage form is not limited to such a storage form.

  Alternatively, a storage area may be provided for each user ID, and data other than the user ID may be stored in the storage area of the corresponding user ID.

<About measurable number of times display processing>
The measurable number display process in step S4 of FIG. 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Note that description will be made assuming that the measurer flag is set to 1 in step S2 of FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the measurable number display process in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the detection timing of the voltage used for calculating the measurable number of times in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Note that FIG. 9 shows only the voltage value at a specific timing, and does not show the locus of actual voltage change.

  Referring to FIG. 8, calculation unit 104 reads voltage values Vs and Ve before and after the previous measurement of the selected user from measurement result storage area 390 (step S102). Specifically, for example, first, the measurement data of the latest measurement date and time is retrieved from the measurement data including the user ID selected in step S2 of FIG. 5 and the battery ID of the currently selected battery. Then, the voltage values Vs and Ve included in the searched measurement data are read.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the voltage value Vs indicates the voltage value at the start of the previous measurement (t0), and the voltage value Ve indicates the voltage value at the end of the previous measurement (t1).

  Next, the calculation unit 104 calculates the voltage consumption VA of the previous measurement as a single consumption (step S104). Specifically, the voltage consumption VA is calculated by subtracting the voltage value Vs at the start of measurement from the voltage value Ve at the end of measurement.

  Next, calculation unit 104 detects current voltage Vcr of rechargeable battery 51 obtained from voltage detection unit 56 (step S106). As shown in FIG. 9, the current time (time t3) at this time is located after the power is turned on this time (time t2) until the measurement start instruction is input.

  Subsequently, the calculation unit 104 calculates the recovery amount VB (step S108). The recovery amount VB is calculated by subtracting the voltage value Ve at the end of the previous measurement from the current voltage value Vcr.

  Subsequently, the calculation unit 104 calculates the voltage drop amount VC (step S110). The voltage drop amount VC is calculated by adding the voltage consumption amount VA calculated in step S104 and the recovery amount VB calculated in step S108. In the present embodiment, since the previous voltage consumption is used, the voltage drop VC represents the drop from the voltage value at the start of the previous measurement.

  The calculation unit 104 calculates the remaining measurable number N (step S112). The measurable number N is calculated by dividing the difference between the current voltage value Vcr and the battery low threshold value Vth of the rechargeable battery 51 by the voltage drop amount VC calculated in step S110.

  It is assumed that the battery low threshold is stored in advance in the memory 39 for each battery. The calculation unit 104 reads the battery low threshold value corresponding to the currently selected battery from the memory 39, thereby calculating the measurable number of times using the threshold value according to the battery type.

  When the measurable number N is calculated, the CPU 100 displays the measurable number on the display unit 40 (step S114). As a result, the user can grasp the current measurable number of times. In addition, CPU100 may alert | report every predetermined number of times, when the measurable frequency | count N is more than a specific frequency | count (for example, 20 times).

  Next, the CPU 100 determines whether or not an instruction to start measurement is input from the user (step S116). Until an instruction to start measurement is input (NO in step S116), the processes in steps S106 to S114 are repeated.

  When a measurement start instruction is input (YES in step S116), the process returns to the main routine.

  If the user presses the memory switch 41C after the power is turned on and before the measurement is started, another routine process (measurement data display process) may be executed in parallel. . The measurement data display process may be realized by a known method.

  As described above, the measurement possible number display process is executed even during the measurement data display process, so that the current voltage is monitored and the measurement possible number is calculated and notified while the past measurement data is being displayed. Is done. Therefore, the user can always know the latest measurable number of times.

  FIGS. 8 and 9 show examples in which the measurer flag is set as described above. However, when the measurer flag is not set, the calculation unit 104 performs, for example, as follows. Calculate the number of possible measurements. Note that the calculation unit 104 determines whether the measurer flag is 1 before or after step S102, for example.

  When the value of the measurer flag is 0, the calculation unit 104 does not perform the processing of Step S108 (VB calculation) and Step S110 (VA + VB addition). Therefore, instead of the process of step S112, the calculation unit 104 divides the remaining effective voltage value (current voltage value Vcr−threshold value Vth) by the voltage consumption VA in the previous measurement, thereby calculating the measurable number of times N. calculate.

  Alternatively, when the value of the measurer flag is 0, the calculation unit 104 calculates, as the voltage drop amount VC #, a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the voltage consumption amount VA in the previous measurement instead of step S110. May be. In this case, instead of step S112, the calculation unit 104 calculates the measurable number of times N by dividing the remaining effective voltage value (current voltage value Vcr−threshold value Vth) by the voltage drop amount VC #. Good.

<Example of display of measurable number of times>
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the measurable number of times. That is, FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 40 in step S114 of FIG.

  FIG. 10A shows a display example when the remaining measurable number of times is 100, for example. FIG. 10B shows a display example when the remaining measurable number of times is, for example, 50 times. FIG. 10C shows a display example when the remaining measurable number of times is, for example, 30 times.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, the number of measurable times is indicated by a numerical value, and an icon representing the remaining battery level is displayed.

  In addition, the display method of the information of the measurable frequency | count is not limited to what displays a numerical value, For example, you may display by a graph etc.

  In the present embodiment, the number of measurable times is notified by display. However, the present invention is not limited to the display, and notification may be made by, for example, an oscillation pattern of sound generated by the buzzer 44 or a vibration pattern of the motor (pump drive circuit 36).

<Effect of Embodiment>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, for each user, the user's voltage consumption tendency can be grasped by grasping the amount of voltage drop from the start of the previous measurement. Then, by calculating the ratio of the amount of voltage drop of the user to the remaining effective voltage value (the voltage value from the current voltage until reaching the battery low threshold), the number of measurable times can be accurately calculated.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the measurable number of times is calculated without depending on the discharge characteristics of the battery. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the exact number of times that can be measured regardless of the individual difference between the batteries and the type of the battery.

  Moreover, since the thickness of an arm differs for every user, the drive time of a pump differs for every user. As a result, the voltage consumption required for one measurement differs for each user. As a result, the number of measurements is different even if batteries of the same capacity and type are used. The influence of the pump driving time on the number of measurements will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a difference in voltage-number characteristics indicating a relationship between a voltage value and the number of measurements due to a difference in the arm thickness of the measurement subject.

  FIG. 11A shows a typical example of the voltage-frequency characteristics of the user with a thicker arm than the standard. FIG. 11B shows a typical example of the voltage-frequency characteristics of a user whose arm is narrower than the standard.

  Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, even if the measurement is started from the same voltage V0, the pump driving time is longer for a user with a thick arm, so the number of measurements is reduced.

  In the present embodiment, since the number of measurable times is not calculated using a fixed voltage threshold value, the consumption amount for one time for the corresponding user (measured person) is used. The error of the number of times due to the difference of can be eliminated.

  Even when pressurizing to the maximum blood pressure + predetermined value, the pump driving time varies depending on the difference in the maximum blood pressure. Also in this case, the error in the number of times due to the difference in the user's systolic blood pressure can be eliminated.

  That is, according to the present embodiment, even if the voltage of the selected battery is the same value, the optimum measurable number of times according to the selected user can be notified (that is, the measurable number of times is determined by the user). Different).

  Even when the user is not defined (when the user ID is not used), the same user often measures the blood pressure monitor for home use. Therefore, also in this case, it is possible to notify the accurate number of measurable times by using the past consumption.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the amount of voltage recovery from the end of the previous measurement is also used. Therefore, even when not measuring, that is, when only setting the mode or displaying past measurement data, the voltage value is regularly monitored, and the number of measurable times is calculated and updated. Although the time during which the LCD is displayed varies depending on the user, a highly reliable value can always be presented to the user by regularly monitoring the voltage value in this way. As a result, usability can be improved.

  Further, the battery consumption rate varies depending on the environmental temperature. That is, the discharge characteristics of the battery vary depending on the environmental temperature. In this embodiment, since the number of measurable times is calculated by detecting the actual voltage drop amount, the deviation in the number of times due to the difference in environmental temperature can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can grasp the accurate remaining measurable number of times. As a result, there will be no power shortage during measurement.

  In addition, the user can prepare in advance a new dry battery 52 or charge the rechargeable battery 51 according to the number of measurable times.

  Further, in the case of the rechargeable battery 51, the user can fully charge the remaining amount and then charge the battery, so that the performance of the rechargeable battery 51 can be fully utilized. That is, the life of the rechargeable battery 51 can be extended.

  In the case of the dry battery 52 as well, the user can replace the battery with a new one after the remaining amount is fully used. Therefore, the amount of battery consumed is reduced, which is good for the environment.

<Modification 1>
In the above embodiment, the voltage values Vs and Ve before and after the measurement are stored in the measurement data as the consumption data indicating the voltage consumption for each measurement. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, voltage consumption VA before and after measurement and voltage value Ve at the end of measurement may be stored as consumption data. Or, when the calculation using the recovery amount is not performed, only the voltage consumption VA before and after the measurement may be stored as consumption data.

  When the measurable number of times display processing as shown in FIG. 8 is performed, when the value of the measurer flag is 1 (when the measurer is the same as the previous measurer), the voltage drop VC is “the start of the previous measurement”. It can also be expressed as voltage value Vs of time−current voltage value Vcr ″. Therefore, in the case of a home sphygmomanometer that is assumed to be used by the same user without specifying the user by the user ID, and when using the voltage consumption in the previous measurement, as consumption data, Only the voltage value Vs at the start of measurement may be stored.

  In such a case, the following process may be performed as the measurable number of times display process. In step S102 of FIG. 8, only the previous voltage value Vs of the selected user is read out. Then, the processing of steps S104 and S108 is deleted, and in step S110, the value obtained by subtracting the voltage value Vs at the start of the previous measurement from the current voltage value Vcr is the voltage drop VC from the start of the previous measurement. Derived.

  Alternatively, in the present embodiment, the recovery amount is derived as a value obtained by subtracting the voltage value Ve at the end of the previous measurement from the current voltage value Vcr. However, in particular, when the value of the measurer flag is 0 (when the current measurer is not the same as the latest measurer), it may be calculated using past consumption data. That is, once the same user measures continuously, in addition to the voltage values Vs and Ve before and after the measurement described above as consumption data, the value of the recovery amount VB finally calculated in step S108 (ie, A voltage recovery amount from the end of the previous measurement to the current measurement start time) may be further stored.

  If the value of the measurer flag is 0, the past recovery amount may be read instead of the process of step S108 in FIG. Then, the voltage drop amount VC # at the start of the current measurement may be estimated using the read past recovery amount. Note that the recovery amount used for the calculation of the voltage drop amount VC # may be the most recent amount, or all or a part of the target user.

<Modification 2>
In the above-described embodiment, the battery low threshold value Vth is a fixed value. However, the battery low threshold may be varied based on environmental temperature or user physical conditions.

  In the modification of the present embodiment, for example, the battery low threshold Vth is set based on the environmental temperature detected by the temperature sensor 45.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the discharge characteristics of the rechargeable battery 51 depending on the environmental temperature.
Referring to FIG. 12, the discharge characteristic of rechargeable battery 51 when the environmental temperature is a standard temperature is shown by curve 63.

  When the environmental temperature is high, the discharge characteristic shifts upward from the standard curve 63 as shown by the curve 63A, and the number of times of measurement increases. That is, the amount of change in voltage for one time is relatively smaller than the standard. Therefore, when the sphygmomanometer 1 is installed in a room whose environmental temperature is higher than the standard, the battery low threshold is set to a value lower than the standard threshold.

  On the other hand, when the environmental temperature is low, the discharge characteristic shifts downward from the standard curve 63 as shown by the curve 63B, and the number of times of measurement decreases. That is, the amount of change in voltage for one time is relatively larger than the standard. Therefore, when the sphygmomanometer 1 is installed in a room whose environmental temperature is lower than the standard, the battery low threshold is set higher than the threshold in the standard case.

  In the present modification, the memory 39 stores, for example, a data table in which the environmental temperature and the battery low threshold are associated in advance for each battery.

  When calculating the measurable number of times in step S112 of FIG. 8, the calculation unit 104 further performs the following processing in the present modification. That is, the calculation unit 104 detects the environmental temperature from the temperature sensor 45. Then, the battery low threshold value corresponding to the detected environmental temperature is searched with reference to the data table stored in the memory 39. The battery low threshold value searched in this way is substituted for the threshold value Vth in step S112, and the number of measurable times is calculated.

  As described above, the difference in the number of times can be sufficiently reduced by changing the battery low threshold according to the difference in environmental temperature.

  As another example, the battery low threshold may be changed depending on the thickness of the user's arm or the maximum blood pressure. The voltage consumed in one measurement varies depending on the thickness of the user's arm and the maximum blood pressure. When the sphygmomanometer 1 has a specification that does not define the user, it is assumed that the sphygmomanometer 1 is used by a plurality of users. Therefore, in order to calculate an accurate measurable number of times, the battery low threshold is changed. Also good.

  In this case, the memory 39 stores, for example, a data table in which the arm thickness and the battery low threshold are associated in advance for each battery. In addition, for example, the memory 39 stores a data table in which a maximum blood pressure value and a battery low threshold are associated in advance for each battery.

  Information on the thickness of the user's arm and / or systolic blood pressure may be input by the user when the power is turned on.

  The input of the arm thickness information may be performed as follows, for example. When the power is turned on, the CPU 100 displays buttons indicating “thick arm”, “standard”, and “thin arm” on the display unit 40. When the user operates the operation unit 41, any one is selected. The CPU 100 temporarily records one selected by the user as information on the thickness of the arm of the target user.

  When the arm thickness information is input, the calculation unit 104 refers to the data table stored in the memory 39 and searches for the battery low threshold value corresponding to the input arm thickness. The battery low threshold value searched in this way is substituted for the threshold value Vth in step S112, and the number of measurable times is calculated.

  The input of the systolic blood pressure information may be performed as follows, for example. When the power is turned on, the CPU 100 displays a maximum blood pressure input area on the display unit 40. When the user operates the operation unit 41, his / her maximum blood pressure is input. The CPU 100 temporarily records one input by the user as information on the systolic blood pressure of the target user.

  When the information on the maximum blood pressure is input, the calculation unit 104 performs the same processing as in the case of the environmental temperature and the arm thickness.

  As described above, by changing the battery low threshold depending on the difference in arm thickness and systolic blood pressure, the number of measurable times can be calculated more accurately than in the past even when the user is not specified.

  When the sphygmomanometer 1 has a specification that does not specify the user (the user ID is not specified), the user is allowed to select whether the sphygmomanometer 1 uses one or a plurality of users. May be. Then, only when a plurality of persons are selected, as described above, the operation may be performed in a mode in which the battery low threshold value is changed depending on the thickness of the arm or the maximum blood pressure.

  In the above-described embodiment and the first and second modifications thereof, the sphygmomanometer including an automatic pressurization mechanism (for example, the pump 33 and the exhaust valve 34) for automatically pressurizing and depressurizing has been described as an example. The blood pressure monitor may be provided with an automatic pressurizing mechanism (for example, a rubber ball) for manually pressurizing and depressurizing. When the manual pressurizing mechanism is provided, the pump 33, the exhaust valve 34, the pump drive circuit 36, and the valve drive circuit 37 shown in FIG. 3 are unnecessary. Instead, the sphygmomanometer may include a rubber ball (not shown) connected to the air bladder 21 via the tube 24.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the blood pressure meter in embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the main-body part of the blood pressure meter in embodiment of this invention from back. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the blood pressure meter in embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the sphygmomanometer in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the voltmeter in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a data structure of the measurement result storage area in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a data structure of each measurement data in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the measurable frequency | count display process in embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the detection timing of the voltage used for calculation of the frequency | count of measurable in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of measurable frequency | count. It is a figure which shows the difference in the voltage-times characteristic which shows the relationship between a voltage value and the frequency | count of a measurement by the difference in the thickness of a to-be-measured person's arm. It is a figure which shows the discharge characteristic of the rechargeable battery by the difference in environmental temperature.

Explanation of symbols

  1 Electronic Blood Pressure Monitor, 10 Main Body, 20 Cuff, 21 Air Bag, 24 Air Tube, 25 Air System, 32 Pressure Sensor, 33 Pump, 34 Exhaust Valve, 35 Oscillation Circuit, 36 Pump Drive Circuit, 37 Valve Drive Circuit, 39 Memory, 40 Display section, 41 Operation section, 41A Power switch, 41B Measurement switch, 41C Memory switch, 43 Timekeeping section, 44 Buzzer, 45 Temperature sensor, 50 Solar battery, 51 Rechargeable battery, 52 Dry battery, 53 Power control circuit, 54 Connector section, 55 AC adapter, 56, 57 Voltage detection section, 58 switching section, 60 power supply section, 100 CPU, 102 switching control section, 104 calculation section, 106 measurement control section, 390 measurement result storage area.

Claims (8)

An electronic sphygmomanometer for measuring a subject's blood pressure,
A cuff for wrapping around a predetermined body part of the subject,
Pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure in the cuff;
Measurement control means for performing control for measuring the blood pressure of the measurement subject based on a signal from the pressure detection means;
Battery means;
Voltage detecting means for detecting the voltage of the battery means;
Storage means for storing consumption data relating to voltage consumption before and after measurement by the measurement control means;
A calculating means for calculating a measurable number of times based on a current voltage value of the battery means and a consumption for one time;
An informing means for informing the calculated measurable number of times ,
The one-time consumption is a value based on the consumption data for the corresponding person to be measured, and is either a previous consumption or a statistical value of past consumption. Is predetermined,
Said storage means, said consumption data, you stored in association with identification information for identifying a person to be measured, the electronic sphygmomanometer. The consumption data includes first voltage data before the start of measurement and second voltage data after the measurement,
The calculating means further based on the recovery amount representing the difference between the voltage value indicated by the last of said second voltage data and the current voltage value, calculates the measurement allowable number of times, according to claim 1 Electronic blood pressure monitor. The calculation means calculates the measurable number of times by dividing the difference between the current voltage value and the lower limit voltage value of the battery means by the sum of the consumption amount and the recovery amount for one time, The electronic blood pressure monitor according to claim 2 . A temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature;
The electronic sphygmomanometer according to claim 3 , wherein the lower limit voltage value is set according to a temperature detected by the temperature detection means. The electronic sphygmomanometer according to claim 3 , wherein the lower limit voltage value is set according to a thickness of the arm of the measurement subject. The informing means notifies the measurable frequency every predetermined number when the measurable frequency is greater than the specific frequency, and when the measurable frequency is equal to or less than the specific frequency, the measurable frequency is 1 time. notifying a unit, the electronic sphygmomanometer according to any one of claims 1-5. It said battery means includes at least one of primary and secondary batteries, electronic blood pressure monitor according to any one of claims 1-6. The notification means includes display means for displaying the measurement allowable number of times, electronic blood pressure monitor according to any one of claims 1-7.

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