JP2016158945A - Measurement module and control method thereof, and blood pressure/pulse wave examination apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a measurement module capable of easily implementing a use in a flexible combination, and control method thereof, and blood pressure/pulse wave examination apparatus.SOLUTION: A measurement module 150 includes an operation part 80, and a connector 90 for being connected to an external device, and measures a blood pressure value and/or a pulse wave signal using a cuff 10. When the measurement module is provided in an external device, the connector is directly connected to a connector provided in a housing of the external device and, when it is externally fitted to the external device, the connector is connected to the external device via a cable. Further, when no external device is connected to the connector, control means implements measurement in response to an operation by the operation part and, when the external device is connected to the connector, implements the measurement according to an instruction of the external device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a measurement module, a control method thereof, and a blood pressure pulse wave inspection apparatus, and more particularly to a measurement module for a biological signal, a control method thereof, and a blood pressure pulse wave inspection apparatus.

  Conventionally, as an index of vascular diseases such as arteriosclerosis, the ratio of blood pressure measured in the lower limbs and upper limbs (lower limb upper limb blood pressure ratio), pulse wave velocity or pulse wave velocity (PWV) is generally used. ing. As the lower limb upper limb blood pressure ratio, for example, the ratio of systolic blood pressure measured with the upper arm and ankle (ABI) and the ratio of systolic blood pressure measured with the upper arm and toes (TBI) are known. Used as an indicator of presence or absence. On the other hand, PWV is the speed at which the wave generated when the blood vessel wall pressure derived from blood flow from the heart to the aorta travels through the artery is transmitted through the blood vessel wall, and the higher the speed, the harder the blood vessel. To do. PWV is obtained by measuring the pulse wave at two points on the blood vessel and its propagation time (PWT) and dividing the distance between the two points by the propagation time.

In addition, the present applicant has proposed an evaluation value β expressed by the following formula as a vascular sclerosis index that does not depend on blood pressure (Patent Document 1).
β = (2ρ / ΔP) · ln (P _s / P _d ) · PWV ²
(Where ρ is blood density (constant), P _s is systolic blood pressure, P _d is diastolic blood pressure, ΔP = P _s −P _d , ln () is a natural logarithm)

Japanese Patent No. 4627418

  A cuff (manchette) is generally used for measuring a pulse wave signal and a blood pressure value because the load on the subject is small and both the pulse wave signal and the blood pressure value can be measured. Specifically, the cuff is wound around the measurement part and attached, and the attachment part is pressurized by supplying air to the rubber sac through the hose connected to the rubber sac in the cuff, and the pressure provided on the near end side of the hose The sensor measures the change in pressure propagating through the gas in the rubber sac and hose as a pulse wave signal. By controlling the pressure of the rubber sac according to the detected pulse wave signal, the blood pressure value can be measured by the oscillometric method.

  In this way, the measurement of the pulse wave signal and blood pressure value using the cuff detects the pulsation of the measurement site as the pressure change of the gas in the rubber sac and the hose, so the detectable pulsation is compared with the limbs Therefore, the pulse wave signal measured with a small footpad is originally low in level (small amplitude). Furthermore, since the distance from the measuring device to the toes is long, the level of the pulse wave signal is further reduced.

  A configuration (pump or pressure sensor) for measuring the toe's pulse wave signal or blood pressure value in order to improve the measurement accuracy of the toe's pulse signal (and blood pressure value) by measuring at a position closer to the toe. May be configured as an external module of the measuring device main body. However, in order to obtain such a configuration, it is necessary to separately design the measurement unit for the limbs built in the measurement apparatus main body and the measurement unit for the toes. In addition, the measuring device needs to be verified by the measurement method, but the external measuring unit for the toes is connected to the measuring device main body and the external measuring unit for the toes is not connected to the measuring device main body. , You must take a separate test. In addition, because it can only be sold in configurations that have undergone the measurement method, customers who have purchased an external measuring unit for the toes without connecting to the main body of the measuring device want to add an external measuring unit for the toes later. Even then, there was a problem that it was not possible to sell only the external measuring unit for the toes.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a measurement module, a control method thereof, and a blood pressure pulse wave test apparatus that can be easily used in a flexible combination.

  The above-described object is to measure blood pressure values and / or pulse wave signals using an operation unit, a connector for connecting to an external device, and a cuff attached to the toe or limb of the subject. A biological signal measurement module having a control means, and when connected to an external device to perform measurement at a limb part, the connector is directly connected to the connector provided in the housing of the external device. When the connector is connected to an external device to perform measurement on the toes, the connector is connected to the external device outside the external device via a cable, and the control means does not connect the external device to the connector In the measurement module, the measurement is performed according to the operation by the operation unit, and when an external device is connected to the connector, the measurement is performed according to the instruction of the external device. It is achieved me.

  With such a configuration, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a measurement module that can be easily used in a flexible combination, a control method thereof, and a blood pressure pulse wave inspection device.

It is a block diagram which shows the function structural example of the blood pressure pulse-wave measurement module which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the example of an external appearance of the measurement module which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the measurement process operation | movement of the measurement module which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view showing typically an example of appearance of a blood pressure pulse wave inspection device concerning an embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the example of the housing structure of the blood pressure pulse wave inspection apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view showing typically the state where the external measurement module was connected to the blood pressure pulse wave examination apparatus concerning an embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structural example of the blood pressure pulse wave test | inspection apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the measurement processing operation | movement of the blood-pressure-pulse-wave test apparatus which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings.
● (Configuration of blood pressure pulse wave measurement module)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a blood pressure pulse wave measurement module (hereinafter simply referred to as a measurement module) of the present embodiment. The measurement module 150 of the present embodiment functions as a blood pressure (pulse wave) meter as a single unit, and can be used as an external measurement module of the measurement apparatus or as an internal measurement module.

  The cuff 10 has a rubber bag 19 inside, and an air hose is connected to the rubber bag 19. The cuff 10 is attached to the measurement module 150 by attaching a connector provided at one end of the air hose to the air connector 24 of the measurement module 150. In the measurement module 150, the pressure sensor 12, the constant exhaust valve 14, the quick exhaust valve 16, and the pump 18 are connected to the air connector 24 through a common gas flow path, and the cuff control unit 20 is controlled according to the control of the main control unit 30. The operation of the exhaust valve 14, the quick exhaust valve 16, and the pump 18 is controlled.

  The pressure sensor 12 is a pressure-electric conversion sensor using, for example, a piezoelectric element, and outputs the pressure inside the cuff (rubber bag 19) as an electric signal (volume pulse wave signal). This electric signal is sampled at a predetermined frequency by the AD converter 22 and converted into digital data.

  The constant exhaust valve 14 is an exhaust valve for exhausting from the rubber bag 19 at a constant flow rate, and the degree of opening can be controlled stepwise to control the flow rate. The rapid exhaust valve 16 does not need to have a flow rate control function, and may be an exhaust valve capable of controlling two states of fully closed and fully open. When the cuff 10 (rubber bag 19) is pressurized, all the exhaust valves are controlled to be fully closed. When the blood pressure value is measured, the constant discharge valve is detected when the pulse wave signal is detected after blood pumping until the blood pressure value is determined. 14, after the blood pressure value is determined, the quick drain valve 16 is further opened based on the control of the cuff control unit 20. The cuff control unit 20 controls the pump 18, the constant exhaust valve 14, and the rapid exhaust valve 16 according to the control of the main control unit 30 described later, and controls the cuff pressure at the time of measurement.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which one cuff 10 is connected for ease of explanation and understanding. However, when two cuffs 10 are connected, the air connector 24, the pressure sensor 12, the constant displacement Another set of valve 14, quick drain valve 16, and pump 18 is provided. Two cuff control units 20 may be provided, but one cuff control unit 20 may control operations of the two sets of the constant exhaust valve 14, the quick exhaust valve 16, and the pump 18. Also, two AD converters 22 may be provided, and outputs from the two pressure sensors 12 may be processed by one AD converter 22.

The pressure signal 52 converted into digital data by the AD converter 22 is supplied to the main control unit 30, the signal processing unit 40, and the pulse wave signal filter 50.
The pulse wave signal filter 50 is a filter that extracts a pulse wave signal included in the pressure signal. The pulse wave signal filter 50 can be realized by a band-pass filter that transmits a general pulse frequency. In addition, since the frequency band differs between the pulse wave measured at the limb part and the pulse wave measured at the toe, a filter having an appropriate frequency characteristic is used according to the measurement part. When an analog filter is used as the pulse wave signal filter 50, the output of the pressure sensor 12 may be directly input to the pulse wave signal filter 50, and the AD converter 22 may be disposed after the pulse wave signal filter 50.

  The pulse wave signal 54 extracted by the pulse wave signal filter 50 and the pressure signal 52 output from the AD converter 22 are input to the signal processing unit 40. The signal processing unit 40 performs blood pressure determination processing from the pressure signal 52 and the pulse wave signal 54 by a method based on a known oscillometric method, and determines the minimum and maximum blood pressure values. The determined blood pressure value is notified to the main control unit 30. Note that the signal processing unit 40 supplies the output of the pulse wave signal filter 50 to the main control unit 30 when the pulse wave is measured instead of the blood pressure value.

  The main control unit 30 controls the overall operation of the measurement module 150 and realizes automatic measurement of pulse waves and / or blood pressure values. In FIG. 1, the main control unit 30, the signal processing unit 40, and the pulse wave signal filter 50 are described as separate configurations, but one microprocessor (CPU) is used for realizing the functions of these units. You may implement | achieve so-called software by running control software.

  The display device 60 is configured by a dot matrix type display such as an LCD, an LED lamp, or the like, and displays the operation state, measurement results, guidance, and the like of the measurement module 150 according to the control of the main control unit 30, for example, a graphical user interface (GUI). Use to display. Instead of or in addition to the display device 60, another output device such as a speaker or a printer may be provided.

  The storage unit 70 is a storage device that stores information necessary for the operation of the measurement module 150, information input at the time of measurement (measured person information, etc.), measurement data, and the like, such as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory card Is representative. When the main control unit 30, the signal processing unit 40, the pulse wave signal filter 50, and the like are realized in software, a control program executed by the CPU is stored in the storage unit 70.

  The operation unit 80 is, for example, a key, a button, a touch panel attached to the display device 60, or the like, and is used by the user to give an instruction to the measurement module 150. The operation of the operation unit 80 is monitored by the main control unit 30.

  The external interface (I / O) 90 is an interface for connecting an external device such as a blood pressure pulse wave inspection device to the measurement module 150 and has a connector. As will be described later, a connector for the external I / O 90 that is directly connected (fitted) to a connector provided in a housing of an external device that can incorporate the measurement module 150 is used. The measurement module 150 communicates with an external device connected to the external I / O 90 or is supplied with power from the external device.

  Although details will be described later, the measurement module 150 measures a pulse wave signal and a blood pressure value in response to an instruction from the external device when the external device is connected to the external I / O (connector) 90. In addition, when an external device is not connected to the external I / O 90, a pulse wave signal and a blood pressure value are measured according to an instruction from the operation unit 80.

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the measurement module 150, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the measurement module 150 has a configuration that can be used as a single blood pressure sphygmomanometer, and operates on a battery when not connected to an external device. The user can instruct measurement of a pulse wave signal or a blood pressure value using the operation unit 80 provided under the display device 60. Note that FIG. 2 shows an example of the external appearance of the measurement module 150 in the case where two air connectors 24 for connecting the cuff are provided and a configuration capable of measuring 2 channels is provided.

● (Measurement module operation)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the overall operation flow of the measurement module 150 of the present embodiment.
In step S101, the main control unit 30 determines whether the measurement module 150 is powered on. In this embodiment, the power source of the measurement module 150 is the connector of the external I / O 90 when the external device is connected to the external I / O 90 when the external device is not connected to the external I / O 90. It is turned on when power supply from an external device is started through the power pin. The main control unit 30 repeats the determination process of S101 if the power is not turned on, and advances the process to S103 if the power is turned on.

  In step S <b> 103, the main control unit 30 determines whether an external device is connected to the external I / O 90. Whether or not an external device is connected can be determined, for example, by examining the potential of a specific pin or terminal of the connector, but is not limited thereto. If it is determined that an external device is connected to the external I / O 90, the main control unit 30 proceeds to S111. If it is determined that no external device is connected to the external I / O 90, the main control unit 30 proceeds to S105. .

  In step S <b> 105, the main control unit 30 determines whether a measurement start instruction has been issued from the operation unit 80. If it is determined that there is a measurement start instruction, the main control unit 30 proceeds to S107, and if it is determined that there is no measurement start instruction, the main control unit 30 repeatedly executes S105. If there is an operation (for example, a setting instruction) other than the measurement start instruction from the operation unit 80 in S105, the main control unit 30 executes a process corresponding to the operation.

  In S107, the main control unit 30 executes a measurement process based on measurement settings (for example, measurement contents and measurement site) at the time when a measurement start instruction is input from the operation unit 80. The main control unit 30 controls the operations of the pump 18, the constant exhaust valve 14, the rapid exhaust valve 16, and the like based on the control pattern corresponding to the combination of the part and the measurement content stored in advance, and the pulse wave signal And / or measure blood pressure. Since the volume of the rubber sac is greatly different between the toe cuff and the limb cuff, the cuff supply / exhaust control is different between the limb part and the toe. Also, the frequency characteristics of the pulse wave signal filter 50 are switched to those suitable for each measurement site.

  If the set measurement site (limb or toe) and the type of the connected cuff 10 are different, an error display or the like is performed to stop the measurement. The type of the connected cuff can be determined by the degree of increase in pressure with respect to the supply air.

  In S109, the main control unit 30 stores and displays the measurement result, and advances the process to S121. When the blood pressure value is measured, when the blood pressure value is determined by the signal processing unit 40, the main control unit 30 stores the measurement result in the storage unit 70 and displays it on the display device 60. When the pulse wave signal is measured, the main control unit 30 stores the pulse wave signal input from the signal processing unit 40 in the storage unit 70 for a predetermined period (for example, a range of 5 to 120 seconds). . The main control unit 30 may display the pulse wave signal on the display device 60 during measurement. When measuring both the pulse wave signal and the blood pressure value, the main control unit 30 first measures the pulse wave signal and then measures the blood pressure value.

  In S121, the main control unit 30 determines whether or not the measurement process end condition is satisfied. If it is determined that the end condition is not satisfied, the main control unit 30 waits. If it is determined that the end condition is satisfied, the process ends. To do. Note that the end condition of the measurement process can be determined in advance according to whether or not the external device is connected and the type of measurement. If not connected to an external device, the measurement process may be terminated when the measurement result is stored or displayed in S109.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that an external device is connected to the external I / O 90, the main control unit 30 determines whether a measurement start instruction is received from the external device through the external I / O 90 in S111. When it is determined that the measurement start instruction is received, the main control unit 30 advances the process to S113, and when it is determined that the measurement start instruction is not received, the main control unit 30 waits for reception in S111. Note that when an external device is connected, the measurement module 150 performs measurement with the content and timing instructed from the external device, and thus the main control unit 30 may invalidate the operation unit 80 in S111.

  In S113, the main control unit 30 determines the measurement content and the operation mode (or measurement site) designated by the received measurement start instruction. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the measurement content (pulse wave signal and / or blood pressure value) and the operation mode (external connection mode or internal connection mode) are specified in the measurement start instruction from the external device. The external connection mode indicates that the measurement module 150 is used as an external measurement module, and the internal connection mode indicates that the measurement module 150 is used as a built-in measurement module. Instead of the operation mode, a measurement region (a footpad or a limb region) may be designated.

  The main control unit 30 performs the process in S115 if the external connection mode (or the toe as a measurement part) is specified in the measurement start instruction, and in S117 if the internal connection mode (or the limb as the measurement part) is specified. Proceed. In step S115, the main control unit 30 executes the footpad mode measurement process on the assumption that the cuff 10 is attached to the footpad. In S117, the main control unit 30 executes the limb mode measurement process on the assumption that the cuff 10 is attached to the limb part. If the correspondence between the set operation mode (or measurement part) and the type of the connected cuff 10 is different, the main control unit 30 transmits an error from the external I / O 90 to the external device and performs measurement. Cancel.

  In S119, the main control unit 30 transmits the measurement result (blood pressure value) to the external device through the external I / O 90, and advances the process to S121. The pulse wave signal is transmitted to the external device in real time with the start of measurement. In S121, the main control unit 30 determines whether a predetermined measurement process end condition, such as reception of a measurement process end instruction from an external device, is satisfied, and ends the measurement process if satisfied. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined measurement process end condition is not satisfied, the measurement is continued until the predetermined measurement process end condition is satisfied (in the case of pulse wave measurement), or until the end condition is satisfied Or wait.

● (Configuration of blood pressure pulse wave measuring device)
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an exemplary appearance of a blood pressure pulse wave measuring apparatus that can be used with the measurement module 150 built-in or externally attached. The blood pressure pulse wave measuring apparatus includes a main body 100 and a display unit (operation unit / display unit) 300 that also serves as an operation unit. Although omitted in FIG. 4, the main body 100 and the operation unit / display unit 300 are connected by a cable during use. The main body 100 includes a casing 101 (FIG. 5) to which a top cover 101T, a side cover 101S, and a back cover 101R, which are exterior materials, are detachably attached.

  A power switch 1011, a memory card slot 1012, a USB connector 1013, and an indicator 1014 are disposed on the front surface of the main body 100. Further, the operation unit / display unit 300 is provided with a touch panel 3001 and a switch group 3002 that constitute an operation unit of the blood pressure pulse wave measurement device. The power source of the blood pressure pulse wave measuring device can also be turned on / off from the operation unit / display unit 300.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the housing structure of the main body 100 as seen from the back side, and shows a state where the top cover 101T, the back cover 101R, and the side cover 101S are removed for easy explanation and understanding. .

  The casing 101 constituting the skeleton of the main body 100 includes a rectangular parallelepiped first frame 102 and rectangular parallelepiped second and third frames attached to both sides adjacent to the first frame 102. Parts 103 and 104. The first frame portion 102 is shorter than the second and third frame portions 103 and 104 by about ½ to ３ in the depth direction (Z direction in FIG. 5), and the other width direction and height. The sizes in the directions (the X direction and the Y direction in FIG. 5) are formed substantially equal. With such a configuration, a groove portion 105 having a predetermined depth extending in the Y direction is formed on one side surface among the six side surface portions constituting the outer shape of the main body 100. The groove 105 has a height (dimension in the Y direction) and a depth (dimension in the Z direction) defined by the opposing side surface portions 103a and 104a of the second and third frame portions 103 and 104, and an opening width ( The dimension in the X direction in FIG. 4 is defined by the back surface portion 102 a of the first frame portion 102.

  The first frame unit 102 has a built-in battery. The first frame portion 102 has a built-in cooling fan and functions as a ventilation path for preventing an internal temperature rise including the second and third frame portions 103 and 104. In the second frame portion 103, a control unit (not shown) is built in the upper stage, and a slot 111 for an electrocardiogram sound measurement module is provided in the lower stage. The electrocardiogram sound measurement module measures an electrocardiogram signal and a heart sound signal of a subject using an electrocardiogram electrode and a heart sound microphone.

  An interface 190 (for example, an HDMI (registered trademark), a Mini display port, a Lightning (registered trademark) interface, etc.) for connecting the operation unit / display unit 300, a printer, or the like is connected to the control unit. USB), a network interface 195, and the like. Further, an interface 170 that can be connected when the blood pressure pulse wave measurement module 150 is externally provided is provided in the vicinity of the slot 111.

  The third frame portion 104 is provided with two slots 110 for accommodating measurement modules such as the blood pressure pulse wave measurement module 150, and a power supply unit 160 is built in the lowermost stage. The power supply unit 160 supplies power from a power source such as a commercial power supply (AC) or a battery to the control unit and the measurement modules accommodated in the slots 110 and 111. When the measurement module 150 is accommodated in the slot, the operation unit 80 and the display device 60 are concealed by the side surface portion 104a, and the measurement module 150 cannot be operated from the operation unit 80.

  In FIG. 5, the measurement module 150 is accommodated in the upper one of the two slots 110 provided in the third frame portion, and the lower one shows an empty state. At the innermost part of the slot, a connector 155 that is directly connected (fitted) to the connector of the external I / O 90 of the measurement module 150 is provided. The connector 155 is electrically connected to a control unit built in the second frame unit 103, and communication between the arithmetic control unit 120 (FIG. 7) in the control unit and the main control unit 30 of the measurement module 150 is possible. I have to. In addition, the connector 155 is also connected to the power supply unit 160, so that power can be supplied from the power supply unit 160 to the measurement module accommodated in the slot 110.

  As described above, the measurement module 150 can be built in or externally attached to the blood pressure pulse wave measurement device, but the control unit (calculation control unit 120) is housed in the slot 110 and connected to the connector 154. The blood pressure pulse wave measurement module 150 (used as a built-in measurement module) is handled for the extremities. On the other hand, the blood pressure pulse wave measurement module 150 (used as an external measurement module) connected to the interface 170 is handled as a footpad.

  FIG. 6 schematically shows a connection form of the measurement module 150 when blood pressure pulse wave measurement is performed at four limbs and two toes. As described above, when the measurement module 150 is externally connected, it is connected to the interface 170 using the cable 153. The plug 154 on the side of the cable 153 connected to the external I / O 90 of the measurement module 150 has a shape corresponding to the connector 155 of the slot 110. For example, a receptacle connector can be used for the external I / O 90 of the measurement module 150, a corresponding cradle plug connector can be used for the slot 110, and a plug connector can be used for the plug 154 of the cable 153. Further, when the connector of the interface 170 is made the same as the connector of the external I / O 90 and the connector 152 for connecting the cable 153 to the interface 170 is made the same as the plug 154, the exchange between the control unit and the measurement module 150 is external and built-in. It is preferable because it can be used in common regardless.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the blood pressure pulse wave inspection device. The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in FIGS. 5 and 6, and redundant descriptions are omitted. Note that electrodes, sensors, cuffs, and the like connected to the measurement module are omitted.

  The arithmetic control unit 120 exists in the control unit and controls the operation of the entire blood pressure pulse wave examination apparatus. The arithmetic control unit 120 includes, for example, one or more programmable processors (CPU, MPU, etc.), ROM, and RAM (including nonvolatile RAM) not shown. The arithmetic control unit 120 implements the function of the blood pressure pulse wave test apparatus by executing a control program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 130. The storage unit 130 may be a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk drive, a writable optical disc drive, or a non-volatile semiconductor memory. Note that the semiconductor memory card mounted in the memory card slot 1012 provided in the main body 100 also forms part of the storage unit 130.

  The printer 400 is typically a thermal printer, and prints out a measured biological signal, a measurement result report, and the like. The printer 400 is not essential.

● (Operation of blood pressure pulse wave test equipment)
The operation of the blood pressure pulse wave inspection apparatus having the above-described configuration will be further described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In S201, the arithmetic control unit 120 determines whether the power is turned on. As described above, the power is turned on by operating the power switch provided on the front surface of the main body 100 or the operation unit / display unit 300. If the power is off, the arithmetic control unit 120 waits for the power to be turned on, and if the power is on, the process proceeds to S203.

  In step S <b> 203, the arithmetic control unit 120 confirms the presence or absence of a measurement module connected to the slots 110 and 111 and the interface 170. In addition, the calculation control unit 120 recognizes the type of the measurement module by communicating with the connected measurement module as necessary. When the type of measurement module connected to each slot or interface is determined in advance, it is only necessary to confirm the presence or absence of connection. Here, for ease of explanation and understanding, it is assumed that the slot 110 and the interface 170 are for the blood pressure pulse wave measurement module 150 and the slot 111 is for the electrocardiogram measurement module 140.

  The arithmetic control unit 120 can change the options displayed on the menu screen presented to the user, for example, according to the result recognized here. For example, if the measurement module is connected to only one of the two slots 110, the arithmetic control unit 120 selects the option to be displayed on the measurement setting screen from the left and right half body parts (for example, the upper arm part) of one of the upper limb and the lower limb. ) Or the range related to the measurement of the upper and lower limbs (for example, the upper arm and ankle) in one of the right and left body, or if the measurement module is connected to the interface 170, It is possible to add options related to the measurement related to the bag.

  The connected measurement module recognition process executed in S203 can be executed not only when the power is turned on but also periodically or when a specific event occurs.

  Next, in S205, the calculation control unit 120 determines whether or not a measurement start instruction is input through the operation unit / display unit 300. If it is determined that the measurement start instruction is input, the process proceeds to S207. If no measurement start instruction is input, the process waits in S205. Until the measurement start instruction is input, input related to measurement settings from the menu screen and input of personal information of the subject such as ID, age, gender, height, and weight are performed on the operation unit / display unit 300. If so, the arithmetic control unit 120 performs an operation on the input.

  When a measurement start instruction is input from the operation unit / display unit 300, in S207, the arithmetic control unit 120 issues a measurement start instruction (measurement start command) to a measurement module necessary for executing the set measurement. Output. In the measurement start instruction output to the measurement module, the measurement content and the measurement site (operation mode) are specified. The arithmetic control unit 120 outputs a measurement start instruction designating an operation mode (internal connection mode) for instructing measurement on the limb part to the measurement module 150 connected to the slot 110. In addition, the measurement module 150 connected to the interface 170 outputs a measurement start instruction designating an operation mode (external connection mode) for instructing measurement of the toes. The electrocardiogram sound measurement module 140 outputs a measurement start instruction designating the type of biological signal to be measured, the type of electrocardiogram signal induction, and the like.

  In S209, the arithmetic control unit 120 receives the measurement result output from each measurement module, and starts writing to the memory. In step S <b> 211, the arithmetic control unit 120 sequentially displays, for example, continuous measurement results such as a pulse wave signal, an electrocardiogram signal, and a heart sound signal on the display unit 300 in a predetermined display format or records them in the storage unit 130. When the blood pressure value is received, it is displayed on the display unit at the time of reception and recorded in the storage unit 130.

  In S213, the arithmetic control unit 120 determines whether or not the measurement end condition is satisfied. For example, it can be determined that the measurement end condition is satisfied when it has been confirmed that all of the instructed measurement results have been received, but other conditions may be used. If it is determined that the measurement end condition is satisfied, the arithmetic control unit 120 repeats the process to S215, and if it is determined that the measurement end condition is not satisfied, the determination process in S213 is repeatedly executed.

  In S215, the arithmetic control unit 120 outputs a measurement end instruction to the measurement module that has output the measurement start instruction in S207. Note that it is not necessary to transmit a measurement end instruction to the measurement module that automatically ends the measurement in S215. Moreover, you may perform the process of S213 and S215 independently for every measurement module.

  As described above, the blood pressure pulse wave measurement module of this embodiment differs from the conventional measurement module in that it functions as a blood pressure (pulse wave) meter alone, and can also be used as an external measurement module for an external device. It is configured to be usable as well. Therefore, it is possible to receive a measurement method test for a single measurement module, and it is not necessary to receive a measurement method test for each combination of measurement modules (for example, the presence or absence of an external measurement module). Accordingly, an internal measurement module or an external measurement module can be added. In addition, there is an advantage that only one design is required.

(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, when an external device is connected to the external I / O 90, the main control unit 30 determines whether the measurement module 150 is built in the external device (used as a built-in measurement module) or externally. The configuration in which the external device is informed whether it is connected (used as an external measurement module) has been described.

  However, whether the measurement module 150 is built-in or externally connected, for example, by determining the potential of a specific pin of the connector of the external I / O 90 or inquiring of an external device, The main control unit 30 may actively detect it.

  In addition, the control method of the pulse wave signal measuring apparatus according to the present invention may be realized as a program (application software) that causes the programmable processor (computer) included in the main control unit 30 or the calculation control unit 120 to execute the above-described operation. it can. Therefore, such a program and a storage medium storing the program (an optical recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, a magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory card, etc.) also constitute the present invention. .

10 ... Cuff, 12 ... Pressure sensor, 14 ... Constant exhaust valve, 16 ... Rapid exhaust valve, 18 ... Pump, 19 ... Rubber bag, 20 ... Cuff control unit, 24 ... Air connector, 30 ... Main control unit, 40 ... Signal processing unit, 50 ... Pulse wave signal filter, 60 ... Display device, 70 ... Storage unit, 80 ... Operation part

Claims (10)

An operation unit;
A connector for connecting to an external device;
A biological signal measurement module having control means for measuring a blood pressure value and / or a pulse wave signal using a cuff attached to a part of a toe or limb of a subject,
When incorporated in the external device, the connector is directly connected to a connector provided in a housing of the external device,
When externally attached to the external device, the connector is connected to the external device via a cable,
The control means includes
When an external device is not connected to the connector, the measurement is executed according to an operation by the operation unit,
When an external device is connected to the connector, the measurement is executed according to an instruction from the external device.
A measurement module characterized by that. When measuring in the limb part, it is built in the external device,
When measuring with a toe, it is externally attached to the external device.
The measurement module according to claim 1. The control means includes
When the external device is connected to the connector, the measured blood pressure value and / or pulse wave signal is transmitted to the external device through the connector,
When the external device is not connected to the connector, the measured blood pressure value and / or pulse wave signal is stored in the storage means of the measurement module.
The measurement module according to claim 1, wherein the measurement is performed as described above. Furthermore, it has a display means,
When the external device is not connected to the connector, the control means causes the display means to display a blood pressure value and / or a pulse wave signal obtained by measurement performed according to an operation by the operation unit. The measurement module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the measurement module is characterized in that: An operation unit;
A connector for connecting to an external device;
Control means for executing measurement of a blood pressure value and / or a pulse wave signal using a cuff attached to the toe or limb of the subject,
When incorporated in the external device, the connector is directly connected to a connector provided in a housing of the external device,
In the case of being externally attached to the external device, the connector is a measurement module control method connected to the external device via a cable,
A determination step of determining whether an external device is connected to the connector;
In the determination step, when it is determined that an external device is not connected to the connector, the control unit performs the measurement according to an operation by the operation unit;
In the determination step, when it is determined that an external device is connected to the connector, the control unit performs the measurement according to an instruction from the external device;
A method for controlling a measurement module, comprising: A blood pressure pulse wave test apparatus using the measurement module according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A slot having a connector for accommodating the measurement module and mating with a connector of the measurement module;
An external interface capable of connecting the measurement module as an external device;
For the measurement module housed in the slot, measurement is performed at the limb part, and for the measurement module connected to the external interface, measurement is performed at the limb or toe. Control means for instructing
A blood pressure pulse wave inspection apparatus comprising: Display means for displaying a blood pressure value and / or a pulse wave signal received from the measurement module;
Storage means for storing blood pressure values and / or pulse wave signals received from the measurement module;
The blood pressure pulse wave examination apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:   The blood pressure pulse wave examination apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the slot accommodates the measurement module so as to conceal the operation unit.   The program for functioning a computer as a control means of the measurement module of any one of Claim 1 to 4.   A program for causing a computer to function as control means of the blood pressure pulse wave examination apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

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