KR20080059376A - Blood pressure sphygmomanometer for use with a common apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A sphygmomanometer cuff assembly, air pump, pressure sensor and release valve are contained in an otherwise conventional computer mouse controller or are attached to a cell phone, television remote control or directly to a computer. In one embodiment the sphygmomanometer cuff is nominally positioned within a mouse structure and is extended outside the mouse housing during the measurement. In another embodiment, the cuff is always external of the mouse structure and is easily connected to the mouse at special ports during the measurement. In yet another embodiment, the cuff is always internal of the mouse structure and is readily accessible through an aperture in the housing surface of the mouse to permit the measurement to take place. In yet another embodiment, a wrist cuff and associated pump, sensor and valve are designed to be selectively connected to a cell phone to which appropriate software has been downloaded from a computer. In yet another embodiment, the cuff and associated components are connected directly to a television remote control unit. In all of the embodiments shown herein, the sphygmomanometer cuff is configured for receiving a human finger or wrist in circumambient pressured engagement using controlled air pressure to vary the cuff engagement pressure in a precise manner.

Description

Blood pressure monitor for common device {BLOOD PRESSURE SPHYGMOMANOMETER FOR USE WITH A COMMON APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to a blood pressure monitoring device. In particular, the present invention relates to a common conventional device such as a mobile phone or computer mouse controller having a blood pressure cuff for monitoring blood pressure and displaying measurement data, which is connected to a computer to which a mouse is connected, a wrist cuff is connected. Can be displayed on a mobile phone or computer display, or on a television screen having a remote control to which the cuff is connected. This data display makes the measured variables easier to understand.

Hypertension is one of the latent diseases of modern society. Left untreated, it causes life-threatening problems including atherosclerosis, stroke and aneurysms. Prolonged hypertension can lead to cardiovascular and renal dysfunction. Although hypertension is still one of the simplest problems detected as a complete non-invasive process, it is not very common for most populations. Over the last two decades or later, with the development of low cost microprocessor chips and small digital electronic and electromagnetic devices, self-measurement of blood pressure by non-medical personnel has become easier. Nevertheless, blood pressure monitors are still too complex for most populations. Even those who can operate these devices put them in a drawer, and they often forget about the place or rarely use it.

Early detection of hypertension and consequently improved overall health of the population would be very useful, by increasing the availability of blood pressure monitoring devices that are more accessible and easier to use than currently available digital blood pressure monitors. In fact, having a sphygmomanometer on every computer or television receiver would allow the pressure cuff to immediately adjoin each computer or television remote control unit at any time, and it would be a long journey to perform this advantageous function, but this is the purpose of the present invention. .

The present invention combines a blood pressure monitor with the devices most commonly available in the modern world. In addition, the present invention provides a blood pressure monitor cuff in the computer mouse so that the blood pressure measurement process can be started and performed very simply and easily. Three optional mouse embodiments are shown and described herein. In one embodiment, the sphygmomanometer cuff is formally located within the mouse structure and extends out of the mouse housing during measurement. In another embodiment, the cuff is always outside of the mouse structure and easily connected to the mouse through special ports during the measurement. In another embodiment, the cuff is always inside the mouse structure and is easily accessible through a hole in the housing surface of the mouse so that measurements can be made. Preferably, in each of these optional embodiments, a hinged or sliding door or panel protects the cuff or cuff port between measurements. In a mobile phone embodiment, the wrist cuff and associated pumps, sensors and valves are connected to a mobile phone having received associated software. In yet another embodiment, the pressure cuff and associated components are connected directly to the television remote control for wireless transmission to a television or set top box that is connected to the television. In all embodiments shown herein, the sphygmomanometer cuff is configured to receive a human finger in an ambient pressure coupling manner using controlled air pressure to change the cuff coupling pressure in a precise manner.

In a known manner used in all types of blood pressure monitors, the pressure of the cuff / finger joint is initially increased until the arterial vascular pulse exceeds the limit (complete occlusion of the artery). The cuff pressure then slowly decreases until the first detection of arterial vascular pulse (commonly known as Korotkoff Phase I). The corresponding cuff pressure at this point will be about the same as the systolic blood pressure, where one important variable will be monitored. As the cuff pressure decreases, the arterial vascular pulse will eventually be undetectable through the cuff, which is an appropriate cuff for detecting this pulse (commonly known as Korotkoff Phase V). Because of the lack of pressure. The cuff pressure at this point will be about the same as the diastolic pressure for which other important variables will be monitored. In addition, the frequency of the pulses detected between the systolic and diastolic pressures is measured, which will be almost the same as the heart rate or pulse rate to which some important variable is to be monitored. These two cuff pressures and pulse frequencies are measured variable data of the process and the corresponding digital data is transmitted to the computer with which the mouse controller is associated.

The computer software described herein uses this digital data (usually in binary form) to produce an appropriate display of the measured variables on the computer monitor. Other functions may be performed, such as recording the data, graphically displaying data for a number of measurements, and forwarding the data elsewhere, for example to a pre-assigned medical practitioner via the Internet, such as e-mail. have.

Thus, the main advantage of the present invention is that it can certainly spread a simple and convenient way for a very large number of computer and mobile phone users to benefit from frequent blood pressure monitoring. In addition, since the computer mouse is usually easily replaceable within current computers, this very useful health-related device can benefit almost all computer users and his or her family with a relatively small investment. In addition, virtually all cell phone users will be able to monitor and record his or her blood pressure and pulse rate simply by placing a wrist cuff on their wrist and connecting it to their cell phone. Societies as a whole will offer benefits such as early screening of hypertension, and therefore timely treatment and increased prevention of related diseases.

Various embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood as a result of the detailed description with reference to the following figures.

1 to 6 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the blood pressure monitor pressure cuff is selectively discharged from within the mouse controller for blood pressure measurement.

7-9 illustrate blood pressure monitor cuffs and assistive devices for precisely releasing pressure to apply occlusion pressure to a human finger and to perform measurements.

10 and 11 show a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the blood pressure monitor pressure cuff is selectively attached to the ports outside of the measurement mouse controller.

12 and 13 illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention wherein the blood pressure monitor pressure cuff is fixedly positioned within the housing of the mouse controller and is accessible through at least one hole in the measurement housing.

14 is a block diagram of a blood pressure monitor and computer interface that may be employed using embodiments of the present invention.

15 and 16 are diagrams showing a computer monitor display of blood pressure measurement records.

Figure 17 illustrates a mobile phone / wrist cuff of the present invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates another wrist cuff embodiment, in which the cuff and associated components are directly connected to the computer via means such as a USB connector.

19 illustrates another wrist cuff embodiment, in which the cuff and associated components are connected to a remote control, which remotely transmits the measured data directly to the television or through a television set top box.

Mouse Controller Embodiments

1 to 6, it can be seen that the mouse controller 10 of the first embodiment includes a housing 12, click buttons 13, 15, and a control device 14. . The detailed structure of the mouse controller herein can be modified to virtually any conventional design. Accordingly, the shape, position and number of the click button, the shape of the control device 14 and the housing 12 are all shown for illustrative purposes only and will not limit the scope of the invention. However, what is an important improvement over the conventional mouse controller will be described next.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hinge door 16 is provided on the side of the mouse housing 12. When opened about the hinge 17, the hinge door 16 draws the interior of the housing 12 in which the blood pressure monitor and its cuff assembly 18 are located. As described in more detail below, in operation of the blood pressure monitor, the cuff assembly 18 extends through the door 16 to the outside of the mouse housing as best shown in FIGS. This extension of the cuff assembly is facilitated by folding the door 16 about the hinge 17 until it is aligned with the inner door stage 19, which door assembly is particularly well illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The stage extends about the housing 12 and rotates about its hinge 20 until it is fully rotated approximately 270 degrees into a rectangular groove 22 in the bottom surface 24 of the housing as shown. . When the cuff assembly 18 is fully extended into the position shown in FIG. 5, the cuff assembly is in the proper position for insertion of the extended finger for blood pressure and pulse rate measurements. The assembly is then reinserted into the housing, and the door assembly is rotated back into the closed position of the housing to enable routine daily use of the mouse controller 10.

The sphygmomanometer including the pressure cuff assembly 18 is shown in FIG. 6 as being located in the housing 12, and the cuff assembly and the accessory components are shown in FIGS. 7 to 9. As shown in these figures, the blood pressure monitor includes an inflatable airbag 25 located inside the annulus of the cuff assembly 18. The blood pressure monitor 21 includes a solenoid 26, an extension arm 28, a motorized air pump 30, a pressure sensor 32, and a release valve 34. The solenoid 26 and the extension arm 28 provide the ability to extend the cuff assembly 18 from the housing 12 as described in connection with FIGS. 3-5. The air pump 30 provides compressed air to selectively inflate the airbag 25, thereby effectively securing a finger protruding through the cuff assembly 18. The pressure sensor 32 senses the pressure at the airbag / finger surface interface and the release valve 34 releases air from the airbag 25, but detects systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the inserted finger in a vibrometric manner. It is released at a rate balanced with 32.

10 and 11 show a mouse controller 40 of the second embodiment having a housing 42, click buttons 43, 45, and a control device 45. In this embodiment, the housing provides a jacket 46, 48 to which an outer cuff assembly 50 having an air bag 52 is attached by connectors 54, 56. A connector brace 58 mates with the brace receptor 60 to further support the cuff assembly 50. The remaining components of the blood pressure monitor (except for the extension arm 28 and solenoid 26, which are not necessary in the second embodiment) are located inside the housing 42. After the cuff assembly 50 is attached to the controller 40, the operation of the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment 10. Jacket cover 47 may be employed to protect jacket 46 and 48 when the sphygmomanometer is not used.

12 and 13 show a mouse controller 70 of the third embodiment having a housing 72, click buttons 73, 75, and a control device 74. In this embodiment, the blood pressure monitor is completely received inside the fixed position of the housing 72 and has a hole 76 axially aligned on opposite sides of the housing. In the aperture 76 a cuff assembly 78 and an airbag 80 are positioned to receive a finger for blood pressure and pulse rate measurement as described above.

14 shows a block diagram of a sphygmomanometer / computer interface, with the airbag connected to the pump, pressure sensor and release valve via an air tube. These components alternately receive commands and provide pressure data to the computer through the MCU and USB TO UART bridge and the computer's USB port. FIG. 15 shows typical data transmitted to a computer during blood pressure measurements, in which systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate parameters are obtained. Figure 16 shows a typical display shown on a computer monitor after the measurement is completed. Data can be edited and graphically displayed for multiple measurements to provide hourly records of blood pressure and pulse rate changes.

Mobile Phone and Direct Computer Embodiments

Figure 17 illustrates a wrist cuff / cell phone embodiment of the present invention, wherein the blood pressure monitor 90 includes a pressure cuff 92 formed to press and secure a wrist of a person. The compact attachable housing 94 houses an air pump, a pressure sensor and a release valve (not shown) in the manner described in connection with the finger cuff of FIGS. 1-4. Cuff 92 and housing 94 may be electrically connected to cell phone 95 by cable 96 and connector 97. The mobile phone 95 preferably has a display 98 for displaying information of the same type as shown in FIG. 16 that includes graphical data as well as textual data. Cell phone 95 is preferably connected to a PC or laptop computer (not shown) to download such data to the computer and / or receive an operating program, and blood pressure monitor 90 is required to be compatible to operate.

As shown in FIG. 18, the wrist cuff of FIG. 17 is also directly connected to the computer 100 via something like a USB connector 101, thereby bypassing the mobile phone and presenting health status data on the computer display 102 in real time. Can be displayed.

TV remote control unit

As shown in FIG. 19, the wrist cuff of FIG. 17 is also connected to the television remote control unit 110 to wirelessly transmit measurement data to the adjacent television 112 for display thereon. The set top box 114 may receive data from the remote control unit 110 and form data as a corresponding message, so that it may be displayed on the television screen 115 as shown in FIG. 19. Direct interfaces to television receivers may also be considered.

The present invention provides a novel and easy way of measuring and tracking health-based variables, which measure the parameters using a modified computer mouse or other conventional mobile phone, which facilitates obtaining variables in almost any computer. This is possible by using a cell phone and wrist cuff combination that facilitates this. Various optional embodiments have been disclosed herein, and other variations may be appreciated by those who benefit from the description herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the illustrative features described herein, but only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (42)

Computer mouse controller; And In a combination comprising a measuring device for measuring at least one variable of a person's state of health, The controller has an interface for the measuring device, The measuring device is embedded in the controller; And the embedded measuring device is configured to selectively extend out of the controller for access to the measuring device during the measurement of the at least one variable. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said measuring device comprises a blood pressure monitor. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said measuring device comprises a blood pressure measuring pressure cuff. 4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said pressure cuff is configured to squeeze and secure a human finger. The combination of claim 1, wherein said at least one variable is systolic blood pressure. The computer system of claim 1, further comprising a computer having a display, wherein the mouse controller is configured to communicate with the computer to control at least one feature of the display and to generate a visual representation of the at least one variable on the display. Combination characterized in that the. Computer mouse controller; And In the combination containing a blood pressure monitor, The controller has an interface with the blood pressure monitor; And said blood pressure monitor has a pressure cuff which is selectively extendable from an internal position within said controller to an external position relative to said controller. A pressure cuff that selectively engages the distal end of the human to measure the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the human; And A computer control device having a housing, wherein the cuff is received within the housing, the housing having access to the received cuff to position the distal end within the cuff, And the access portion includes an extension device for extending the cuff out of the housing. Computer mouse controller; And In a combination comprising a device for measuring at least one variable of a person's state of health, The controller has an interface for the measurement device; The measuring device is optionally attached to the controller during the measurement of the at least one variable; And the computer is in a communication state such that the computer transmits data relating to the measurement. 10. The combination as set forth in claim 9, wherein said computer comprises a display device for displaying said data. Computer mouse controller; And In the combination containing a blood pressure monitor, The controller has an interface with the blood pressure monitor; And the blood pressure monitor has a pressure cuff accessible through a hole in the controller. A pressure cuff that selectively engages the distal end of the human to measure the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the human; And A computer control device having a housing, wherein the cuff is received within the housing, the housing having access to the received cuff to position the distal end within the cuff, And said access part comprises a hole in said housing. A pressure cuff that selectively engages the distal end of the human to measure the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the human; And A housing having a housing, said housing having at least one external port, said port containing at least one air pump that receives said cuff and fills said cuff with air to press secure said distal end; Sphygmomanometer characterized in that. A pressure cuff selectively coupling with a human finger to measure the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the human; And A housing having a housing, said housing having at least one aperture for receiving said finger, said pressure cuff including a computer control device positioned within said housing adjacent said aperture to secure said finger. system. A computer mouse control device, A housing forming an inner chamber; And An air pump located within the interior chamber of the housing to measure blood pressure of the person using the computer mouse control device, and a cuff compressionally coupled with the distal end of the person, the cuff being pumped through a port in the housing And a blood pressure monitor selectively connected to the computer mouse control device. 16. The computer mouse control device of claim 15, further comprising a computer interface for connecting the control device to a computer having a display, wherein the measured blood pressure can be displayed on the display. cellphone; And A device for measuring at least one variable of a person's state of health, And the mobile phone has an interface for the measuring device. 18. The combination as set forth in claim 17, wherein said measuring device comprises a blood pressure monitor. 18. The combination as set forth in claim 17, wherein said measuring device comprises a blood pressure measuring pressure cuff. 20. The combination as set forth in claim 19, wherein said pressure cuff is configured to squeeze and secure a wrist of a person. cellphone; And Includes a blood pressure monitor, And the mobile phone has an interface with the blood pressure monitor. A pressure cuff that selectively secures the distal end of the human to measure the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the human; And Sphygmomanometer having a housing, said housing comprising a mobile phone having at least one port connected with said cuff. computer; And A device for measuring at least one variable of a person's state of health, Said computer having an interface for said measuring device. 24. The combination according to claim 23, wherein said measuring device comprises a blood pressure monitor. 24. The combination as set forth in claim 23, wherein said measuring device comprises a blood pressure measuring pressure cuff. 27. The combination as set forth in claim 25 wherein said pressure cuff is configured to squeeze and secure a wrist of a person. computer; And Includes a blood pressure monitor, The computer having an interface with the blood pressure monitor. A pressure cuff that selectively secures the distal end of the human to measure the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the human; And And a computer having at least one connector connected directly to the cuff to receive data related to the measured blood pressure. television; And A device for measuring at least one variable of a person's state of health, And said television has an interface for said measuring device. 30. The combination according to claim 29, wherein said measuring device comprises a blood pressure monitor. 30. The combination according to claim 29, wherein said measuring device comprises a blood pressure measuring pressure cuff. 32. The combination as set forth in claim 31 wherein said pressure cuff is configured to squeeze and secure a wrist of a person. 30. The combination as set forth in claim 29, wherein said interface comprises a television remote control unit. 30. The combination of claim 29, wherein the interface includes a remote control unit and a set top box connected to the television and adapted to receive wireless transmissions from the remote control unit. Television remote control; And Includes a blood pressure monitor, And the television remote control has an interface with the blood pressure monitor. A pressure cuff that selectively secures the distal end of the human to measure the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the human; And And a television remote control device having a housing, said housing having at least one port to be connected to said cuff. television; And A device for measuring at least one variable of a person's state of health, And said television has an interface for said measuring device. 38. The combination according to claim 37, wherein said measuring device comprises a blood pressure monitor. 38. The combination as set forth in claim 37, wherein said measuring device comprises a blood pressure measuring pressure cuff. 40. The combination as set forth in claim 39 wherein said pressure cuff is configured to squeeze and secure a wrist of a person. A pressure cuff that selectively secures the distal end of the human to measure the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the human; And And a wireless remote control unit having at least one connector directly connected to the cuff to receive data about the measured blood pressure and wirelessly transmit the data to an adjacent television display. A pressure cuff that selectively secures the distal end of the human to measure the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the human; And And a wireless remote control unit having at least one connector directly connected to the cuff to receive data about the measured blood pressure and wirelessly transmit the data to an adjacent television set top box.

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