KR102423078B1 - cuff and control method for automatic blood pressure meter with built-in microphone - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor having a built-in microphone and a method for controlling the same. The cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor having a built-in microphone according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a support plate having elasticity; a compression band disposed in a first region of the lower region of the support plate and expandable by gas; and a stethoscope partially inserted and disposed in an open second region of the lower region of the support plate, one end exposed toward the lower region, and the other end exposed toward the upper region of the support plate; Including, wherein the stethoscope, the diaphragm (diaphragm) disposed on the one end, for acquiring a sound in a certain frequency range using a vibration plate; a connection unit connected to the diaphragm and configured to collect sounds obtained through the diaphragm; and a microphone disposed at the other end of the connection part exposed toward the upper region of the support plate and configured to convert the collected sound into an electrical signal.

Description

Cuff and control method for automatic blood pressure meter with built-in microphone

The present invention relates to a cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor having a built-in microphone and a method for controlling the same. Specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for automatically measuring blood pressure by the Gold Standards method without a measurer by applying a cuff structure for fixing a stethoscope for acquiring blood vessel sounds to the cuff.

Blood pressure is a very important factor in determining the state of the human body. Accordingly, the continuous measurement of blood pressure is a representative means for predicting and diagnosing adult diseases, and its importance has recently been highlighted.

1 is a graph of actual blood pressure versus time. As shown in FIG. 1 , the blood pressure of the human body is composed of a diastolic blood pressure and a systolic blood pressure.

Among sphygmomanometers for measuring blood pressure, non-invasive sphygmomanometers can be largely divided into manual sphygmomanometers and automatic sphygmomanometers.

2 is a graph showing a measuring method of an electronic blood pressure monitor, that is, an oscillometric blood pressure monitor.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the manual blood pressure monitor is a method generally used by experts. After inserting a body part such as the upper arm into the cuff, pressurizing it to a pressure higher than the human blood pressure, and slowly lowering the pressure of the cuff, the pressure of the cuff is placed under the cuff. Blood pressure is measured by detecting blood vessel sound (Kortkoff sound) with a fixed stethoscope, and an automatic blood pressure monitor, that is, an oscillometric blood pressure monitor, is a method of measuring blood pressure by detecting the pressure vibration of the cuff with a pressure sensor without a stethoscope.

On the other hand, the Gold Standards for blood pressure measurement is that the measurer wraps the cuff around the forearm and puts the stethoscope under the cuff, and listens to the sound of blood vessels (Kortkov sound) heard through the stethoscope.

That is, the cuff pressure when the sound starts to be heard becomes the systolic blood pressure, and the cuff pressure when the sound disappears becomes the diastolic blood pressure.

However, this method has a disadvantage in that the measurer must press the stethoscope to the skin of the arm just below the cuff and continuously listen to the sound of blood vessels heard through the stethoscope.

Blood vessel sound analysis has already reached a level where it is possible without the need for a measurer as many technologies have been developed, but a measurer is still needed to fix the stethoscope. This becomes difficult.

Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-0664682 Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2008-0010530 US Patent 3,868,844 Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-1283798

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems by proposing a cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor having a built-in microphone and a method for controlling the same.

Specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide a user with an apparatus and method for automatically measuring blood pressure using the Gold Standards method without a measurer by applying a cuff structure for fixing a stethoscope for acquiring blood vessel sounds to the cuff.

On the other hand, the technical problems to be achieved in the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned are clearly to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below. can be understood

A cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor having a built-in microphone according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above-described problems includes: a support plate having elasticity; a compression band disposed in a first region of the lower region of the support plate and expandable by gas; and a stethoscope partially inserted and disposed in an open second region of the lower region of the support plate, one end exposed toward the lower region, and the other end exposed toward the upper region of the support plate; Including, wherein the stethoscope, the diaphragm (diaphragm) disposed on the one end, for acquiring a sound in a certain frequency range using a vibration plate; a connection unit connected to the diaphragm and configured to collect sounds acquired through the diaphragm; and a microphone disposed at the other end of the connection part exposed toward the upper region of the support plate and configured to convert the collected sound into an electrical signal.

In addition, in a state in which the support plate is unfolded, the stethoscope is pre-inserted into the second region, and in the state in which the stethoscope is inserted, the support plate is bent by the elasticity, so that the diaphragm is in close contact with the user's skin can be

In addition, since the diaphragm is in close contact with the user's skin, the compression band expands by the gas to block the user's blood vessels, and in the expansion situation of the compression band, the diaphragm uses the elasticity of the support plate to can be maintained.

In addition, the outer cover is disposed on the outside of the support plate so that the compression band expands to compress the blood vessel of the user; and a Velcro disposed at the end of the outer cover to fix the outer cover.

In addition, the frequency range of the sound acquired by the diaphragm is 100 Hz to 1 kHz, and around the diaphragm, a bell for acquiring a sound in a frequency range different from that of the diaphragm in a concave shape is added is disposed, and the frequency range of the sound acquired by the bell may be 20 Hz to 200 Hz.

Also, the support plate may be a thin plastic plate having a preset thickness or less.

On the other hand, the support plate (support plate) having elasticity related to another example of the present invention for realizing the above-mentioned problems; a compression band disposed in a first region of the lower region of the support plate and expandable by gas; and a stethoscope partially inserted and disposed in an open second region of the lower region of the support plate, one end exposed toward the lower region, and the other end exposed toward the upper region of the support plate; A cuff control method comprising: a first step of inserting the stethoscope into the second region when the support plate is unfolded; In the state in which the stethoscope is inserted, as the support plate is bent by the elasticity, a diaphragm that is disposed on the one end of the stethoscope and acquires a sound in a certain frequency range using a vibration plate is the user's skin A second step in close contact with; a third step in which the diaphragm is in close contact with the user's skin, and the compression band is expanded by the gas to block the user's blood vessels; a fourth step of maintaining the close contact state of the diaphragm by using the elasticity of the support plate in the expansion situation of the compression band; a fifth step of collecting sounds acquired through the diaphragm through a connection part connected to the diaphragm on the stethoscope; and a sixth step of converting the collected sound into an electrical signal through a microphone disposed at the other end of the connection part exposed toward the upper end of the support plate on the stethoscope. may include.

In addition, between the fourth step and the fifth step, the external cover disposed on the outside of the support plate to expand the compression band to compress the blood vessel of the user; and fixing the outer cover with Velcro disposed at the end of the outer cover.

In addition, around the diaphragm, a bell for acquiring a sound of a different frequency range from the diaphragm in a concave shape is additionally disposed, and the frequency range of the sound acquired by the diaphragm is 100 Hz~ 1 kHz, and the frequency range of the sound acquired by the bell may be 20 Hz to 200 Hz.

Also, the support plate may be a thin plastic plate having a preset thickness or less.

The present invention proposes a cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor having a built-in microphone and a method for controlling the same, thereby solving the problems of the related art.

Specifically, the present invention can provide a user with an apparatus and method for automatically measuring blood pressure by the Gold Standards method without a measurer by applying a cuff structure for fixing a stethoscope for acquiring blood vessel sounds to the cuff.

The present invention proposes a method of using the stethoscope as it is and integrally fixing it with the cuff, and separating the cuff and the stethoscope up and down using a plastic plate support, so that the stethoscope is in close contact with the skin even if the cuff expands during the measurement process By keeping one state, the accuracy can be improved.

In addition, in the present invention, since a stethoscope is used instead of a contact microphone, the accuracy can be improved by obtaining an acoustic signal identical to the sound that a person hears.

In addition, in the present invention, the patient can easily mount the cuff on the arm due to the plastic plate support, thereby improving convenience.

On the other hand, the effects obtainable in the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below. will be able

1 is a graph of actual blood pressure versus time;
2 is a graph showing a measuring method of an electronic blood pressure monitor, that is, an oscillometric blood pressure monitor.
3 shows an example of a cross-sectional view of an actual human upper arm.
4 is a view for explaining a method for measuring blood pressure by the Gold Standards method in relation to the present invention.
5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining an example and problems of a cuff using a conventional microphone.
6 is a block diagram of a cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor with a built-in microphone proposed by the present invention.
7 shows an example of a support plate, a stethoscope and a compression band according to the present invention.
8 shows an example in which the cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor with a built-in microphone, proposed by the present invention, operates.
9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor with a built-in microphone proposed by the present invention.
10A to 10C show a specific example of adjusting the separation distance between the support plate and the diaphragm in relation to the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments in which those of ordinary skill in the art can easily practice the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in the detailed description of the operating principle of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings for parts having similar functions and functions. Throughout the specification, when it is said that a part is connected to another part, it includes not only a case in which it is directly connected, but also a case in which it is indirectly connected with another element interposed therebetween. In addition, the inclusion of a certain component does not exclude other components unless otherwise stated, but means that other components may be further included.

Problems of the prior art and prior art

3 is a cross-sectional view of an actual human upper arm. As shown in FIG. 3 , the upper arm of the human body is composed of bones, muscles, fat layers, nerves, and blood vessels, which are similar to the configuration of most limbs of the human body. An object of the present invention is to consider the pressure transmission and reflection characteristics of the human tissue, and thus may be composed of several layers.

4 is a view for explaining a method for measuring blood pressure by the Gold Standards method in relation to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the gold standard for blood pressure measurement is to listen to and judge a blood vessel sound (Kortkov sound) heard through a stethoscope while the measurer wraps the cuff around the forearm and puts the stethoscope under the cuff.

That is, when the sound is heard, the systolic blood pressure is, and when the sound disappears, the diastolic blood pressure is.

However, this method has a disadvantage in that the measurer must press the stethoscope to the skin of the arm just below the cuff and continuously listen to the sound of blood vessels heard through the stethoscope.

Blood vessel sound analysis has already reached a level where it is possible without the need for a measurer as many technologies have been developed, but a measurer is still needed to fix the stethoscope. This becomes difficult.

To solve this problem, Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1283798 proposes a cuff having a built-in microphone.

5A shows a partial view of Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1283798.

Referring to FIG. 5A , a microphone 520 is built next to the cuff 510 and is used only for predicting the blood pressure section by detecting the Kortkoff sound during the pressurization process (actual blood pressure measurement is performed in the process of decompression). oscillometric).

However, in the device proposed in FIG. 5A, the microphone should be located under the cuff wrapping portion, but this invention has a problem in that accurate measurement is not possible because it is located next to the cuff wrapping portion.

That is, if the cuff pressure is high and the artery is blocked, the blood vessel sound should not be heard because blood does not flow under the cuff.

In addition, there is a problem that the microphone has different acoustic characteristics from that of a general contact-type microphone and stethoscope, but this is not taken into account.

In addition, when the cuff is wrapped, the microphone must be placed at the radial artery position, but there is a problem in that it is inconvenient for an ordinary person to accurately place it alone.

On the other hand, referring to the prior art shown in Go 5b, a form in which a contact microphone is inserted by making a pocket under the cuff is proposed.

However, when using a contact microphone, there is a problem that the acoustic characteristics are different from that of the stethoscope, and the microphone must be in constant contact with the skin during the measurement process. A problem arises.

After all, even in measurement accuracy compared to Gold Standards, it is very different from a blood pressure monitor that does not use a microphone.

Furthermore, there is also a problem in that it is difficult to wrap the cuff alone by the person measuring it because there is no plastic support plate.

Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, the present invention proposes a cuff structure for fixing a stethoscope for acquiring blood vessel sounds to the cuff, and proposes an apparatus and method for automatically measuring blood pressure by the Gold Standards method without a measurer.

Cuff for automatic blood pressure monitor with built-in microphone

6 is a block diagram of a cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor with a built-in microphone proposed by the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the cuff 1 proposed by the present invention may include a support plate 10 , a stethoscope 20 , a compression band 30 , an outer cover 40 and a Velcro 50 . .

First, the support plate (10) has a curved shape to wrap the upper arm, and is composed of a material having elasticity.

Typically, the support plate 10 proposed by the present invention may be a thin plastic plate having a preset thickness or less.

Next, the compression band 30 is disposed in a first region among the lower regions of the support plate 10 and has a property of being expandable by gas.

In addition, the stethoscope ( 20 ) is partially inserted into the open second area among the lower areas of the support plate 10 , and one end is exposed toward the lower area, and the other end is the support plate. The upper area is exposed toward the side.

Specifically, the stethoscope 20 may include a diaphragm 21 , a bell 22 , a connection part 23 , and a microphone 24 .

First, the diaphragm (21) is exposed toward the user's skin through the open second area among the lower areas of the support plate 10, and uses a vibration plate to generate a sound in a certain frequency range. can be obtained

The frequency range of the sound acquired by the diaphragm 21 may be 100 Hz to 1 kHz.

Also, around the diaphragm 21, a bell 22 for acquiring a sound in a frequency range different from that of the diaphragm in a concave shape may be additionally disposed.

Here, the frequency range of the sound acquired by the bell 22 may be 20 Hz to 200 Hz.

In addition, the connection unit 23 is connected to the diaphragm 21 and provides a function for collecting sounds obtained through the diaphragm 21 .

In addition, the microphone 24 disposed at the other end of the connection part exposed toward the upper region of the support plate 10 provides a function of converting the sound collected through the connection part 23 into an electrical signal.

7 shows an example of a support plate, a stethoscope and a compression band according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7 , in a state in which the support plate 10 is unfolded, the stethoscope 20 is pre-inserted into the second region, and in the state in which the stethoscope 20 is inserted, the support plate 10 is bent by the elasticity Accordingly, the diaphragm 21 may be in close contact with the user's skin.

Thereafter, since the diaphragm 21 is in close contact with the user's skin, the compression band 30 expands with the gas to block the user's blood vessels, and in the expansion situation of the compression band 30, the support plate 10 ) by using the elasticity of the diaphragm 21 can be maintained in close contact.

Returning to FIG. 6 again, the outer cover 40 disposed on the outside of the support plate may be further included so that the compression band 30 expands and compresses the user's blood vessels.

In addition, it is disposed at the distal end of the outer cover 40 may further include a Velcro 50 for fixing the outer cover (40).

8 shows an example in which the cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor with a built-in microphone, proposed by the present invention, operates.

8, in the state in which the support plate 10 is unfolded, the stethoscope 20 is inserted into the open area of the support plate 10, and in the state in which the stethoscope is inserted, the support plate 10 is An example in which the diaphragm 21 is in close contact with the user's skin is shown by being bent by elasticity.

In FIG. 8 , since the diaphragm 21 is in close contact with the user's skin, the compression band 30 expands by the gas to block the user's blood vessels, and the outer cover 40 is fixed by the Velcro 50 . A situation in which the compression band 30 expands to support the user's blood vessels is shown. In this case, the adherence state of the diaphragm 21 may be maintained by using the elasticity of the support plate 10 .

In addition, through the connection part 23 connected to the diaphragm 21, the sound acquired through the diaphragm 21 is collected, and through the exposed microphone 24 on the stethoscope 20, the collected sound is converted into an electrical signal. is converted

In the end, the air compression band 30 and the stethoscope 20 are fixed to the curved thin plastic support plate 10, and the position of the stethoscope is at the lower part of the cuff, and the support plate 10 is in close contact with the skin due to the elasticity of the support plate 10. The stethoscope 20 is fixed.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to simply fix the stethoscope and the microphone to the forearm and measure the blood pressure without the help of an outsider.

Regarding the stethoscope, the current Gold Standards method is to judge the sound that a human hears through a stethoscope. The sound and the sound signal recorded by the microphone may be different.

Therefore, in the present invention, a general stethoscope 20 having a diaphragm 21 is used as it is in order to collect blood vessel sounds heard by humans, and at this time, an acoustic sensor (microphone, 24 ) and can be used for signal analysis.

In the present invention, since the elasticity of the plastic support and the stethoscope diaphragm protrude under the support, the diaphragm of the stethoscope continues to adhere to the skin even if the air pressure cuff expands during the blood pressure measurement process.

Control method of cuff for automatic blood pressure monitor with built-in microphone

9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of the cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor with a built-in microphone proposed by the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9 , first, in a state in which the support plate 10 is unfolded, a step S10 in which the stethoscope 20 is inserted into the open region of the support plate 10 is performed.

In addition, in the state in which the stethoscope is inserted, the support plate 10 is bent by elasticity, so that the diaphragm 21 is in close contact with the user's skin ( S20 ).

After step S20, since the diaphragm 21 is in close contact with the user's skin, the compression band 30 expands with the gas to block the user's blood vessels (S30).

In addition, the external cover disposed on the outside of the support plate 10 and fixed by the Velcro supports the compression band 30 to expand and compress the user's blood vessels ( S40 ) is performed.

Thereafter, in the expansion situation of the compression band 30 , a step S50 in which the adhesion state of the diaphragm 21 is maintained by using the elasticity of the support plate 10 is performed.

In addition, through the connection part connected to the diaphragm, the sound acquired through the diaphragm 21 is collected, and the collected sound is converted into an electrical signal through the exposed microphone 24 on the stethoscope 20 and outputted ( S60) proceeds.

Finally, by analyzing the output signal, the user's blood pressure-related information is obtained ( S70 ) is performed.

Meanwhile, according to the present invention, it is also possible to adjust the separation distance between the support plate and the diaphragm.

10A to 10C show a specific example of adjusting the separation distance between the support plate and the diaphragm in relation to the present invention.

Effects according to the present invention

The present invention proposes a cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor having a built-in microphone and a method for controlling the same, thereby solving the problems of the related art.

Specifically, the present invention can provide a user with an apparatus and method for automatically measuring blood pressure by the Gold Standards method without a measurer by applying a cuff structure for fixing a stethoscope for acquiring blood vessel sounds to the cuff.

The present invention proposes a method of using the stethoscope as it is and integrally fixing it with the cuff, and separating the cuff and the stethoscope up and down using a plastic plate support, so that the stethoscope is in close contact with the skin even if the cuff expands during the measurement process By keeping one state, the accuracy can be improved.

In addition, in the present invention, since the stethoscope is used, the accuracy can be improved by obtaining an acoustic signal identical to the sound that a person hears.

In addition, in the present invention, the patient can easily mount the cuff on the arm due to the plastic plate support, thereby improving convenience.

On the other hand, the effects obtainable in the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below. will be able

Claims (10)

a support plate having elasticity in a curved form to wrap an object;
a compression band disposed in a first region of the inner region of the support plate and expandable by gas; and
a stethoscope partially inserted and disposed in an open second region of the inner region of the support plate, one end exposed toward the inner region, and the other end exposed toward the outer region of the support plate; and
an outer cover disposed on the outside of the support plate so that the compression band expands and compresses the user's blood vessels; including,
The stethoscope is
a diaphragm that acquires sound in a certain frequency range using a diaphragm;
a connection unit connected to the diaphragm and configured to collect sounds obtained through the diaphragm;
Including; a microphone for converting the collected sound into an electrical signal;

The diaphragm is disposed at the one end,
The microphone is disposed at the other end of the connection part exposed toward the outer region of the support plate,

In the state in which the support plate is unfolded, the stethoscope is pre-inserted into the second region,
In the state in which the stethoscope is inserted, the diaphragm is in close contact with the user's skin by the elasticity of the support plate,

The separation distance between the support plate and the diaphragm is adjustable,

Since the diaphragm is in close contact with the user's skin, the compression band is expanded by the gas to block the user's blood vessels,
The cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor with a built-in microphone, characterized in that the close contact of the diaphragm is maintained by using the elasticity of the support plate when the cuff is inflated.
delete delete delete delete The method of claim 1,
The cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor with a built-in microphone further comprising a; velcro disposed at the distal end of the outer cover to fix the outer cover. 7. The method of claim 6,
The cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor with a built-in microphone, characterized in that the outer cover is expanded to cover the entire inner region of the support plate including the compression band and the stethoscope. 8. The method of claim 7,
The cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor with a built-in microphone, characterized in that the extended outer cover does not cover the diaphragm (DIAPHRAGM) in the inner region of the support plate. a support plate having elasticity in a curved form to wrap an object; a compression band disposed in a first region of the inner region of the support plate and expandable by gas; and a stethoscope partially inserted and disposed in an open second area of the inner area of the support plate, one end exposed toward the inner area, and the other end exposed toward the outer area of the support plate; In the cuff control method comprising:

a first step of inserting the stethoscope into the second region in a state in which the support plate is unfolded;
a second step in which the support plate is bent by the elasticity in the state in which the stethoscope is inserted, so that a diaphragm for acquiring a sound in a predetermined frequency range using a vibration plate is in close contact with the user's skin;
a third step in which the diaphragm is in close contact with the user's skin, and the compression band is expanded by the gas to block the user's blood vessels;
a fourth step of causing the compression band to expand to compress the blood vessel of the user by an outer cover disposed on the outside of the support plate;
a fifth step of maintaining the adhesion state of the diaphragm by using the elasticity of the support plate in the inflation condition of the compression band;
a sixth step of collecting sounds acquired through the diaphragm through a connection part connected to the diaphragm on the stethoscope; and
a seventh step of converting the collected sound into an electrical signal through a microphone on the stethoscope; including,

The diaphragm is disposed at the one end,
The microphone is disposed at the other end of the connection part exposed toward the outer region of the support plate,

In the state in which the support plate is unfolded, the stethoscope is pre-inserted into the second region,
In the state in which the stethoscope is inserted, the diaphragm is in close contact with the user's skin by the elasticity of the support plate,

The separation distance between the support plate and the diaphragm is adjustable,

Since the diaphragm is in close contact with the user's skin, the compression band is expanded by the gas to block the user's blood vessels,
The control method of the cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor with a built-in microphone, characterized in that the close contact of the diaphragm is maintained by using the elasticity of the support plate in the inflation situation of the cuff.
10. The method of claim 9,
The fourth step is
The method of controlling a cuff for an automatic blood pressure monitor with a built-in microphone, further comprising the step of fixing the outer cover with a Velcro disposed at the distal end of the outer cover.

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