Biological information measurement device

Abstract

A biological information measurement device is provided with: a pulse wave acquisition means for detecting a pulse wave of a human body; the pulse interval calculation unit is used for calculating a pulse interval between a pulse and a pulse immediately before the pulse on the basis of the pulse; and a display means for displaying a level indicator that visually shows at least either the pulse interval or the amount of change in the pulse interval with respect to another immediately preceding pulse interval. The level indicator indicates the pulse interval or the change amount for each pulse of the detected pulse.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a biological information measuring device for measuring the pulse of a living body, and more particularly to a biological information measuring device for providing information related to the interval between the measured pulses. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, it has become common to use measuring devices to measure information related to an individual's physical condition and health, such as blood pressure values, and to record and analyze the measurement results to manage health. In particular, arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation (AF) may be related to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, so it is effective to detect changes in pulse intervals using the above-mentioned devices and notify the user in a manner that the user can easily recognize.

[0003] Conventionally, there is a known technique for providing information related to pulse intervals based on biological information acquired when measuring blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a sphygmomanometer that can store pulse waves used for measuring blood pressure values ​​and display a pulse wave graph simultaneously with blood pressure values. It is also disclosed that during the estimation of the blood pressure value, a heart-shaped mark displayed on the screen flashes in accordance with the pulse.

[0004] According to the blood pressure meter described in Patent Document 1, the user can recognize the pulse interval by checking the interval between bright and dark of the heart-shaped mark flashing with the pulsation during blood pressure measurement. In addition, since a timing curve graph of the signal level of the pulse wave is subsequently displayed as a timing pulse wave curve graph, the pulse interval (and its change) can also be confirmed by reading such a curve graph.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-98003 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] However, the technique described in the above-mentioned patent document 1 has the following problems: it is difficult to recognize the change of the pulse interval only by the heart-shaped mark lighting up and down together with the pulsation, and the important change of the pulse interval may be missed. In addition, even if the timing curve diagram of the signal level of the pulse wave is displayed afterwards, it is difficult for ordinary users without medical knowledge to correctly read the information of arrhythmia from the timing curve diagram. Moreover, even if it is assumed that the information of arrhythmia can be read from the timing curve diagram, the existence of arrhythmia cannot be intuitively and sensorily understood, and it can only be grasped as objective information lacking in reality, and the user may not feel a sense of crisis.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables even a user without medical knowledge to easily grasp arrhythmia using a measurement device that can detect a pulse and improve awareness of his or her own arrhythmia.

[0011] Technical Solution

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention adopts the following structure. That is, a biological information measuring device has:

[0013] A pulse acquisition unit, for detecting the pulse of a human body;

[0014] a pulse interval calculation unit, which calculates the pulse interval between a beat and its immediately preceding beat based on the pulse;

[0015] and a display unit that displays a level indicator that visually shows at least any one of the pulse interval or the amount of change of the pulse interval relative to other pulse intervals immediately preceding it,

[0016] The biological information measuring device is characterized in that

[0017] The level indicator shows the pulse interval or the variation amount for each beat of the detected pulse.

[0018] It should be noted that the level indicator mentioned here can be a level indicator that shows a specified characteristic quantity through a display that is not a numerical value (such as the size of the display area, etc.), and its shape and display scheme are not limited. It can also be, for example, that the level indicator visually shows the pulse interval or the change amount through at least one of the length, area, angle and number of the area where the display is activated in the display unit. If it is such a structure, the pulse interval or the change amount of the pulse interval relative to other pulse intervals immediately before can be easily identified for each beat. Therefore, even users without medical knowledge can sensorily identify the degree of change of the pulse interval of each beat, and especially in the case of abnormalities, can intuitively feel the discomfort.

[0019] In addition, the level indicator may visually show the pulse interval or the amount of change by showing the size of the display area in the level indicator that is activated. In addition, the level indicator may be composed of a plurality of display segments, and the size of the display area is shown by showing the number of the display segments that are activated.

[0020] It should be noted that the "display activation" mentioned here means being in the display state in the area where the display state / non-display state can be switched (that is, the display inactivation means being in the non-display state). For example, if the display unit is an LCD, it is equivalent to outputting the display to the display area on the display, and if the display unit is an LED light, it is equivalent to the light being on. In addition, the display segment refers to a unit of the display area that can be individually switched between display activation / non-activation, and its shape is not particularly limited.

[0021] With this configuration, the difference in the pulse interval or the amount of change thereof can be indicated by the difference in the size of the display area, so the user can easily recognize the degree of change in the pulse interval.

[0022] Furthermore, after displaying one pulse interval or the amount of change, the level indicator may maintain an activated state in which the peak level portion of the pulse interval or the amount of change is displayed until the next pulse interval or the amount of change is displayed.

[0023] With this configuration, the peak level portion showing the previous pulse interval or the amount of change thereof is displayed until just before the next pulse interval or the amount of change thereof is displayed, so the user can more clearly recognize the degree of change in the pulse interval.

[0024] Furthermore, the display unit may further display a sub-indicator, wherein the sub-indicator includes a plurality of sub-display segments corresponding to the plurality of display segments of the level indicator.

[0025] After displaying one pulse interval or one change amount, the level indicator keeps the display of the peak level portion of the one pulse interval or one change amount activated until the next pulse interval or one change amount is displayed.

[0026] The sub-indicator activates the display of the sub-display segment corresponding to the display of the pulse interval or the peak level portion of the change amount shown by the level indicator for each beat for each beat, and maintains the display of each activated sub-display segment until the detection performed by the pulse acquisition unit is completed.

[0027] This display scheme makes it easy to understand the deviation of the pulse interval. That is, when the blood pressure measurement by the blood pressure measuring device is completed, that is, when the pulse is obtained, the more sub-display segments are activated in the sub-indicator, and the wider the displayed position, the greater the deviation of the pulse interval. In addition, in the case of atrial fibrillation during blood pressure measurement, the deviation of the pulse interval becomes larger, so by confirming the activation state of the display of the sub-display segment of the sub-indicator, the user can understand whether there is a risk of atrial fibrillation.

[0028] Furthermore, the level indicator may be composed of a plurality of display segments, and the display segment in the level indicator whose display is activated may transition, and the pulse interval or the amount of change may be indicated by the length of the transition distance.

[0029] With this configuration, the difference in the pulse interval or the amount of change thereof can be shown by displaying the length of the transition distance of the activated display segment, so the user can easily recognize the degree of change in the pulse interval.

[0030] Furthermore, the level indicator may emphasize and display the activated display segment at the end of the transition distance each time the display segment showing one pulse interval or the change amount transitions, thereby indicating the length of the transition distance. With this configuration, the user can more clearly recognize the length of the transition distance.

[0031] Furthermore, the level indicator may maintain activation of at least the display segment indicating the end of the transition of the display segment indicating one pulse interval or the amount of change until the display of the display segment indicating the end of the transition of the pulse interval or the amount of change immediately before the pulse interval or the amount of change is activated. With this configuration, the end of the transition distance indicating the previous pulse interval or the amount of change and the end of the transition distance indicating the next pulse interval or the amount of change become clear, so that the user can more easily recognize the degree of change in the pulse interval.

[0032] Furthermore, the entire display area of ​​the level indicator may be formed in a ring shape, and the activated display segment in the level indicator may repeatedly migrate in a fixed direction for each beat, and the pulse interval may be indicated by the length of the migration distance.

[0033] Furthermore, the entire display area of ​​the level indicator may be configured as a strip extending in the left-right direction, and the display segments in the level indicator that are activated repeatedly migrate in a fixed direction in the left-right direction for each beat, and the pulse interval is indicated by the length of the migration distance. Furthermore, the entire display area of ​​the level indicator may be configured as a strip extending in the up-down direction, and the display segments in the level indicator that are activated repeatedly migrate in a fixed direction in the up-down direction for each beat, and the pulse interval is indicated by the length of the migration distance.

[0034] In addition, the entire display area of ​​the level indicator may be configured to have at least a portion of a circle and a pointer extending from the inside of the circle toward the circle, and the pulse interval or the change amount may be visually indicated by the position on the circle indicated by the pointer.

[0035] In addition, the level indicator may display the pulse interval or the change in synchronization with the detected pulse waveform, thereby providing a display that matches the actual pulse, so that the user can further physically grasp the degree of change in the pulse interval and more easily identify abnormalities when the pulse is abnormal.

[0036] In addition, the length, area, angle or number of the area where the display in the level indicator is activated may change linearly according to the pulse interval or the amount of change. The area where the display in the level indicator is activated changes in a manner proportional to the pulse interval or the amount of change, so that the user can visually confirm the change of the pulse interval or the amount of change of the pulse interval intuitively.

[0037] Furthermore, the length, area, angle or number of the area in which the display in the level indicator is activated may be changed nonlinearly and monotonically according to the pulse interval or the change amount. Thus, the deviation caused by the difference in the pulse number can be suppressed, and the pulse interval or the change amount can be visually shown by appropriate display changes.

[0038] In addition, the biological information measuring device may further include a sound output unit, which outputs a sound showing the pulse interval or the amount of change for each beat of the detected pulse in synchronization with the display of the level indicator. In addition, the sound output unit may show the difference in the pulse interval or the amount of change by the difference in the level of the output sound.

[0039] With this configuration, the user can grasp the pulse interval or the amount of change thereof not only visually but also auditorily, and can recognize the degree of change in the pulse interval more clearly.

[0040] The pulse interval calculation unit may perform a predetermined operation on the calculated pulse interval or the amount of change found using the pulse interval, and a region in which display in the level indicator is activated may be determined based on a value calculated by the operation.

[0041] It should be noted that, as long as the above-mentioned structures and processes do not cause technical contradictions, they can be combined with each other to constitute the present invention.

[0042] Effects of the Invention

[0043] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique that allows even a user without medical knowledge to easily grasp arrhythmia using a measurement device that can detect a pulse and improve awareness of his or her own arrhythmia. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the outline of the device configuration and functional configuration of the blood pressure measurement device of Example 1.

[0045] Figure 2 (A) is a first diagram showing an example of a level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device of Example 1. Figure 2 (B) is a second diagram showing an example of a level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device of Example 1. Figure 2 (C) is a third diagram showing an example of a level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device of Example 1.

[0046] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the pulse wave signal and time detected in blood pressure measurement.

[0047] Figure 4 (A) is a first diagram showing a variation of a level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device. Figure 4 (B) is a second diagram showing a variation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device. Figure 4 (C) is a third diagram showing a deformation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device.

[0048] Figure 5 (A) is a fourth diagram showing a variation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device. Figure 5 (B) is a fifth diagram showing a variation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device. Figure 5 (C) is a sixth diagram showing a variation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device.

[0049] Figure 6 (A) is a seventh diagram showing a variation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device. Figure 6 (B) is an eighth diagram showing a variation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device. Figure 6 (C) is a ninth diagram showing a variation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device.

[0050] Figure 7 (A) is a tenth diagram showing a variation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device. Figure 7 (B) is an eleventh diagram showing a variation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device. Figure 7 (C) is a twelfth diagram showing a variation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device.

[0051] Figure 8 (A) is a thirteenth diagram showing a variation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device. Figure 8 (B) is a fourteenth diagram showing a variation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device. Figure 8 (C) is a fifteenth diagram showing a variation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device. Figure 8 (D) is a sixteenth diagram showing a variation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device.

[0052] Fig. 9 (A) is a seventeenth diagram showing a variation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device. Fig. 9 (B) is an eighteenth diagram showing a variation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device. Fig. 9 (C) is a nineteenth diagram showing a variation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device.

[0053] Fig.10 This is a schematic diagram showing the outline of the device structure and functional structure of the blood pressure measurement device of Example 2.

[0054] Fig.11 (A) is a first diagram showing an example of a level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device of the second embodiment. Fig.11 (B) is a second diagram showing an example of a level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device of the second embodiment. Fig.11(C) is a third diagram showing an example of a level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device of the second embodiment.

[0055] Fig.12 (A) is a twentieth diagram showing a variation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device of Example 1. Fig.12 (B) is a diagram showing a deformation of the level indicator displayed on the image display unit of the blood pressure measurement device of Example 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] <Example 1>

[0057] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the material, shape, relative arrangement, etc. of each component described in this embodiment do not limit the scope of the present invention to these.

[0058] The present invention can be applied, for example, to Figure 1 The blood pressure measuring device 1 is shown. Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram showing the device configuration and functional configuration of the blood pressure measurement device 1 in this embodiment. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the blood pressure measurement device 1 is generally configured to include a main body 11, a cuff 12, and an air tube 13. Figure 1 As shown in the functional blocks of FIG. 1 , the blood pressure measurement device 1 includes a control unit 100 , a sensor unit 110 , a cuff pressure control system 120 , a storage unit 130 , an operation unit 140 , an image display unit 150 , and a sound output unit 160 .

[0059] Although not shown in the figure, the main body 11 has an image display unit 151 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), various operation buttons, a sound output unit such as a speaker, a power supply unit such as a battery, a pump / valve connected to the cuff, a housing for storing them, etc. In addition, the cuff 12 is a member that is wrapped around the upper arm of the user for use, and is composed of an air bag (cuff) connected to the pump / valve of the main body 11 via an air tube 13, a belt in which the cuff is built, and a pressure sensor (none of which is shown in the figure) provided on the belt, etc. In addition, when blood pressure measurement is performed by the Korotkoff sound method, the cuff 12 may also include a microphone.

[0060] It should be noted that the belt of the cuff 12 is provided with a fixing unit (for example, a hook and loop fastener) for fixing the cuff 12 to the user's upper arm. When using the blood pressure measurement device 1 to measure blood pressure, the cuff 12 is wrapped around the user's upper arm through the belt.

[0061] The control unit 100 is a unit responsible for controlling the blood pressure measurement device 1, and is configured to include, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). When accepting the user's operation via the operation unit 140, the control unit 100 controls the components of the blood pressure measurement device 1 in a manner that performs various processes such as blood pressure measurement and presentation of various information in accordance with a prescribed program. It should be noted that the prescribed program is stored in the storage unit 130 described later and read out from the storage unit 130. In addition, the control unit 100 has a blood pressure value calculation unit 101, a pulse interval calculation unit 102, and a level indicator display content determination unit 103 as functional modules. These functional modules will be described in detail later.

[0062] The sensor unit 110 is configured to include a pressure sensor (e.g., a piezoresistive sensor having a piezoelectric element, etc.) provided on the cuff as described above, and detects at least the pulse wave of the user. It should be noted that the sensor unit 110 may also include sensors other than the pressure sensor, and may also include a PPG (Photoplethysmography) sensor when the pulse wave is detected photoelectrically. The blood pressure measurement device 1 of this embodiment acquires the pulse of the user based on the pulse wave detected by the sensor unit 110. That is, in this embodiment, the sensor unit 110 is equivalent to a pulse acquisition unit.

[0063] The cuff pressure control system 120 controls the pump / valve of the main body 11 to adjust the cuff pressure of the cuff 12 during blood pressure measurement. Specifically, the cuff pressure control system 120 performs the following control during blood pressure measurement: the pump is driven to send air into the cuff while the cuff 12 is wrapped around the upper arm to expand the cuff (increase the cuff pressure). In this way, the cuff pressure control system 120 performs the following control: after temporarily blocking the blood flow by compressing the blood vessels in the upper arm of the user, the pump is stopped and the valve is opened to gradually discharge the air from the cuff to shrink the cuff (reduce the cuff pressure).

[0064] The storage unit 130 is configured to include a main storage device such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and an auxiliary storage device such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and flash memory, and stores various information such as application programs, various measurement results such as blood pressure values, pulse waves, and other acquired biological information. It should be noted that the measured blood pressure values, pulse waves, etc. can also be associated with time information such as acquisition time and measurement time and stored in the storage unit 130. The time information can be, for example, time information that is measured by referring to RTC (Real Time Clock) or the like. In addition, the auxiliary storage device can also be configured to be removable relative to the main body 11.

[0065] The operation unit 140 includes, for example, a power button, a measurement execution button, a selection / confirmation button, and other elements, receives an input operation from a user, and functions to cause the control unit 100 to execute a process corresponding to the operation.

[0066] The image display unit 150 includes an image display unit 151 of the main body 11 , and provides information to the user by displaying various information such as the measured blood pressure value, the current time, and information on the wearing state of the cuff on the image display unit 151 . Figure 2 (A) to Figure 2 An example of the display content of the image display device 151 is shown in (C). Figure 2 (A) to Figure 2 As shown in (C) of FIG. 1 , an area for displaying a level indicator LI1 indicating information on a pulse interval described later is provided in the image display unit 151. The level indicator LI1 will be described in further detail later.

[0067] The sound output unit 160 is configured to include a sound generating unit such as a speaker, and presents information to the user through sound. Specifically, the sound output unit 160 may generate a notification of the start of blood pressure measurement and a guidance sound related to the use of the device. In addition, as described later, information about the pulse interval may also be output by sound.

[0068] The following describes the functional modules of the control unit 100. The blood pressure value calculation unit 101 calculates the user's blood pressure value (and pulse rate) based on the pulse wave obtained by the sensor unit 110. The method of blood pressure calculation can use the desired known technology, for example, the oscillometric method of measuring blood pressure by detecting the pressure pulse wave through a pressure sensor can be used. In addition, the Korotkoff sound method of detecting Korotkoff sounds by setting a microphone on the cuff unit 12 can also be used. The blood pressure value and pulse rate calculated by the blood pressure value calculation unit 101 can also be stored in the storage unit 130 in association with the blood pressure measurement time.

[0069] In addition, the pulse interval calculation unit 102 calculates the time interval between the peaks of the pulse wave (for example, the pressure pulse wave obtained by the pressure sensor) obtained by the sensor unit 110 for each beat. Figure 3 , the calculation of the pulse interval is explained. Figure 3 FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the relationship between a pulse wave signal and time. Figure 3 In the example, if the time when a peak value of a wave is detected is t0, and the time when a peak value of the next wave is detected is t1, then the interval between a wave and the next wave is t1-t0=T1. x -t x-1 =T x as the pulse interval.

[0070] The level indicator display content determination unit 103 determines the display content of the level indicator LI1 displayed on the image display unit 151. Figure 2 (A) to Figure 2 (C) of the embodiment will explain the display content of the level indicator LI1. The level indicator LI1 of this embodiment has a plurality of display segments S that can be switched between display and non-display, and can indicate the size of the calculated pulse interval according to the number of display segments S in the display activated state (not non-display but display state). In addition, the level indicator display content determination unit 103 is based on the pulse interval T calculated for each beat. x The number of activated display segments S is determined and the display content in the level indicator LI1 is determined per pulse.

[0071] Here, a specific example in which the level indicator display content determination unit 103 determines the number of activated display segments S will be described. The level indicator display content determination unit 103 sets a predetermined minimum value of a (preset) pulse interval as T min , set the established maximum value to Tma x , set the maximum number of display segments S to Nma x , the number N of display segments S corresponding to the calculated pulse interval is obtained by the following formula (1) and formula (2): x .

[0072] [Formula 1]

[0073]

[0074] [Formula 2]

[0075]

[0076] That is, Nx To not exceed (T x -Tmi n ) / Δt+1. It should be noted that Δt does not need to be calculated each time, and a value predetermined for each device or each user may be stored in the storage unit 130 in advance. Alternatively, only the formula (2) for determining the value of Δt may be stored in the storage unit 130, and N may be calculated using the formula (2) for each beat. x .

[0077] By taking the N obtained in this way x Each display segment S is displayed on the level indicator LI for each beat, and the change of the pulse interval can be shown. Specifically, if more display segments S are displayed to be activated, the display activation area of ​​the level indicator LI becomes larger, and conversely, if fewer display segments S are displayed to be activated, the display activation area of ​​the level indicator LI becomes smaller. That is, the larger (longer) the pulse interval is, the larger the display activation area of ​​the level indicator LI is, and if the pulse interval is smaller (shorter), the display activation area of ​​the level indicator LI becomes smaller. Therefore, by observing the display, the user can intuitively grasp the deviation of the size of the display activation area, thereby identifying the change in the pulse interval for each beat.

[0078] It should be noted that the display segment S displayed on the level indicator LI can show the user the change in the pulse interval in a more understandable way by designing a display scheme. Figure 2 (A) to Figure 2 As shown in (C), in a scheme where the display segments S are arranged in a straight line extending in the left-right direction, the display scheme can be set as follows: the display activation of the display segments S starts from the first one at the left end to the Nx The number of displayed items increases one by one to the right until N is reached. x After that, they become non-displayed one by one from the right.

[0079] Figure 2 (A) to Figure 2 (C) shows an example of the transition of the display of the display segment S. Figure 2 (A) shows the x The level indicator LI1 in the case of 10 is used as a pulse interval T at a certain time point. x It should be noted that, in this example, Nma is set to x = 13. That is, it is shown that there are 13 display segments S as the entire level indicator LI1, and a state in which 10 display segments S are displayed (activated) in a left-aligned manner is shown.

[0080] also, Figure 2(B) shows the state where the display segments S are sequentially turned non-displayed from the right side. Figure 2 As shown in (B), when the Nth x The first (in this case, the 10th) display segment S is retained while the display is kept activated, so that the change in the pulse interval can be easily recognized by the change in the position of the retained display segment S. However, this is not necessarily the case, and all N x The display segments S can activate the display simultaneously and maintain the state of all displays until the next pulse interval is obtained.

[0081] Then, the peak value of the next pulse wave is detected, and the pulse interval T calculated based on this is x+1 When the display content of is determined by the level indicator display content determination unit 103, as Figure 2 As shown in (C), the level indicator LI1 displays the state in which 8 display segments S are activated. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the display of the level indicator LI1 is changed synchronously with the waveform of the detected pulse. That is, if the pulse interval is short, the timing of the display change of the level indicator LI1 becomes earlier accordingly, and if the pulse interval is long, the timing of the display change of the level indicator LI1 becomes later. However, the timing of the display change of the level indicator LI1 does not necessarily have to be synchronized with the pulse wave, and the timing of the start / end of the display showing the pulse interval of each beat can be appropriately set.

[0082] In addition, together with the change in the display of the level indicator LI1 as described above, a sound indicating the pulse interval (for example, an electronic sound such as "beep, beep...") may be output from the sound output unit 160. For example, specifically, if the pulse interval T at a certain time point is x If the pulse interval T at a certain time point is longer than the specified reference, a low-frequency electronic sound is output. x If the pulse interval T is shorter than the specified reference, a high-frequency electronic sound is output. x If the length is within the specified range defined by the upper and lower limit thresholds, an electronic sound in a frequency band such as that in the middle can be output.

[0083] According to the blood pressure measuring device 1 constructed as above, the user can intuitively recognize the change of pulse interval during blood pressure measurement and can more easily recognize the pulsation of the pulse. Therefore, in the case of abnormalities such as arrhythmia, the user can easily grasp the abnormality of the pulse based on the discomfort, and can help to detect circulatory system diseases at an early stage through daily blood pressure measurement.

[0084] (Variant 1)

[0085] It should be noted that in the above embodiment, the level indicator LI1 is configured such that the display segments S are arranged in a straight line extending in the left-right direction, but the level indicator may be configured in various shapes according to the device shape and the structure of the image display unit 151 . Figure 4 (A) to Figure 4 (C) Figure 5 (A) to Figure 5 (C) shows a display scheme of a level indicator according to a modified example of the first embodiment.

[0086] The shape of the level indicator is, for example, Figure 4 The level indicator LI2 shown in (A) of FIG. 1 may be circular instead of linear. Figure 4 Like the level indicator LI3 shown in (B) of FIG. 1 , it can also be configured as a straight line extending in the longitudinal direction. Figure 4 As shown in (C), a level indicator LI4 may be used in which a plurality of display segments S are radially arranged and activated from the inside to the outside. Figure 5 As shown in (A) of FIG. 1 , a level indicator LI5 in which each display segment S is not formed in a linear shape but in a dot shape may also be used. Figure 5 (B) and Figure 5 As shown in (C), when all display segments S constituting the level indicator LI6 are activated, the display area of ​​the level indicator LI6 may be designed to be a certain graphic (eg, a heart shape). Figure 5 (B) shows a state in which the display segment of a part of the level indicator LI6 whose display area is formed as a heart shape is activated, Figure 5 (C) shows a state in which the display of all display segments of the level indicator LI6 is activated.

[0087] (Variant 2)

[0088] Furthermore, the level indicator does not necessarily have to be composed of a plurality of display segments. Figure 6 (A) to Figure 6 (C) shows an example of the level indicator LI7 in this case. Figure 6 (A) shows a state where a bar B without a gap extends from left to right as a pulse interval T at a certain time point. x In this variant, N x It is sufficient to calculate the length (or area) of the displayable area of ​​the entire level indicator LI7 by displaying the activation area instead of the number of display segments. Figure 6 (B) shows that the bars are sequentially non-displayed from the right. And, at this time, it is the same as the case of Example 1, Figure 6The display of the peak level of the bar B in (A) is retained in the state of maintaining activation. In addition, Figure 6 (C) shows that the bar representing the pulse interval extends from left to right to show the pulse interval T x+1 status.

[0089] (Variant 3)

[0090] In the above examples, the pulse interval is represented by the size (including length) of the display activation area in the level indicator, but the pulse interval may be represented by other schemes. Specifically, for example, the display segments that display the activation may be sequentially transferred, and the pulse interval may be represented according to the length of the transfer distance of the activated display segments. Figure 7 (A) to Figure 7 (C) is an explanatory diagram showing the level indicator LI8 of this modification example.

[0091] exist Figure 7 (A) to Figure 7 In the example of the level indicator LI8 shown in (C), a plurality of display segments are arranged in a ring shape, and the display segments activated in sequence in a clockwise direction during blood pressure measurement are shifted. Figure 7 (A) to Figure 7 In each figure of (C), the display segment located at the front end of the transition is referred to as the front display segment T, and the display segment indicating the end point of the transition of one amount of pulse interval is referred to as the end display segment E and marked with reference numerals.

[0092] The transition of the display segments will be further described. First, when the pulse interval calculation unit 102 calculates the pulse interval T x When the level indicator display content determination unit 103 determines how many amounts the display segment should advance (migrate) based on this. Then, when the determined number of amounts are migrated and the end display segment E showing the migration of one pulse interval is activated, the end display segment E performs a special display different from the passing point of the migration. Specifically, for example, the end display segment E may be displayed slightly larger, the brightness of the end display segment E may be made larger than that of the normal migration, and the following may be performed: Figure 7 The display effect shown in (C) of FIG. 1 and the display combining them can be performed. By performing such a display, it can be easily recognized that the end of the transition showing one pulse interval is shown.

[0093] Furthermore, the temporarily activated display segment including the transition point may be set so that the display does not disappear immediately after the activated display segment is subsequently transitioned, but the display brightness is gradually reduced toward a non-display state. Figure 7 (A) to Figure 7As shown in (C), the front display segment T at the front end of the transition can provide an impression as if an afterimage is left and surrounded. Moreover, the display of the terminal display segment E can also be activated for a longer period than the display segment of the passing point. As a result, the previous pulse interval and the next pulse interval can be easily compared, and the user can more clearly recognize the change of the pulse interval.

[0094] (Variant 4)

[0095] Furthermore, as shown in Modification 3, the scheme in which the activated display segment is shifted in a fixed direction can also be applied to level indicators other than the level indicator configured in a circular ring shape. Figure 8 (A) to Figure 8 (D) shows a variation in this case. In this variation, the following scheme is adopted: in the blood pressure measurement, the display segments activated in one direction are migrated from the left end to the right end of the level indicator LI10 extending left and right. It should be noted that in Figure 8 (A) to Figure 8 In (D), the display segment at the front end of the migration is displayed as the front display segment T. Figure 8 (C) and Figure 8 In (D), the display segment indicating the end of the transition of one amount of pulse interval is set as the end display segment E.

[0096] like Figure 8 (A) to Figure 8 As shown in (D), the level indicator LI10 of this modification is the following scheme: a plurality of display segments are provided in a display area extending in the left and right directions, and each display segment is divided by a plurality of dividing lines Q that are always displayed. In this modification, as in the case of modification 3, the number of display segment migrations is determined based on the calculated pulse interval. Then, the migration of the determined number of segments is performed and the end display segment E showing the migration of one pulse interval is activated (refer to Figure 8 (A) and Figure 8 (B)). After that, the front display segment T is activated in sequence further toward the right end of the level indicator LI10, but the end display segment E remains activated (refer to Figure 8 (C) and Figure 8 It should be noted that when the migration of the front display segment T reaches the right end of the level indicator LI10, the display segments are activated again in sequence from the left end of the level indicator LI10.

[0097] It should be noted that, in this modification, after the end display segment E is displayed, the front display segment T also migrates to the right end of the level indicator LI10, but it is also possible that when the display of the end display segment E is activated, the migration of the front display segment T toward the right end is stopped, and the display is activated again from the left end. In addition, in this modification, the level indicator LI10 is configured as a strip extending in the left-right direction, but in the level indicator extending in the up-down direction, of course, the same display scheme as in this modification can also be adopted.

[0098] (Variant 5)

[0099] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the level indicator including the plurality of display segments S is displayed. However, other indicators may be displayed on the image display unit 150 in addition to the level indicator. Fig. 9 (A) to Fig. 9 (C) shows a modified example of this case. In this modified example, Fig. 9 (A) to Fig. 9 As shown in (C), the image display unit displays a level indicator LI11 having the same structure as the level indicator LI1 of Example 1, and a sub-indicator SI arranged below the level indicator LI11 and in parallel with the level indicator LI11.

[0100] like Fig. 9 (A) to Fig. 9 As shown in (C), the sub-indicator SI has a plurality of sub-display segments SS. The level indicator LI11 and Figure 2 (A) to Figure 2 As in the case of the first embodiment shown in (C), the display segments S are activated from the left to the right for each beat, and after the number of display segments S corresponding to the pulse interval is activated, the display segments on the left are sequentially turned off while the display segment S of the peak level is activated. Here, in the sub-indicator SI, the display of the sub-display segment SS corresponding to the display segment S of the peak level of the level indicator LI11 in the left-right direction is activated (refer to Fig. 9 It should be noted that, in the sub-indicator SI, unlike the level indicator LI11, only the sub-display segment SS corresponding to the display segment S of the peak level is activated.

[0101] Then, in the level indicator LI11, the display segment S showing the pulse interval of the next beat is activated, and accordingly, the position of the display segment S showing the peak level is also changed. That is, the display segment S showing the peak level of the pulse interval of the previous beat is not displayed. On the other hand, in the sub-indicator SI, while the display of the sub-display segment SS corresponding to the peak level of the previous beat is activated, the display of the sub-display segment SS corresponding to the position of the peak level of the next beat is also activated (see FIG. 11 ). Fig. 9 (B) Fig. 9 (C)). Furthermore, the activation of the display of each sub-display segment SS of the sub-indicator SI is maintained until the blood pressure measurement is completed (that is, until the acquisition of the pulse is completed).

[0102] According to this display scheme, the deviation of the pulse interval can be easily grasped. That is, when the blood pressure measurement is completed, the more the number of sub-display segments SS activated in the sub-indicator SI is, and the wider the displayed position is, the greater the deviation of the pulse interval is. In addition, in the case of atrial fibrillation during blood pressure measurement, the deviation of the pulse interval becomes larger, so by confirming the activation state of the display of the sub-display segments SS of the sub-indicator SI, the user can understand whether there is a risk of atrial fibrillation.

[0103] <Example 2>

[0104] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig.10 2 is a schematic diagram showing the device configuration and functional configuration of the blood pressure measurement device 2 in this embodiment. Fig.10 As shown, the blood pressure measurement device 2 is substantially the same in structure as the blood pressure measurement device 1 of the first embodiment except that it is different from the blood pressure measurement device 1 of the first embodiment in that it includes a pulse interval variation calculation unit 204 as a functional module of the control unit 200. Therefore, the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment are assigned to the same structures and functional modules as those of the blood pressure measurement device 1, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0105] The pulse interval change amount calculation unit 204 calculates the change amount of the pulse interval based on the pulse interval calculated by the pulse interval calculation unit 102. The change amount may be the difference or ratio between the latest pulse interval and the pulse interval calculated just before.

[0106] If you refer to Figure 3 To explain, for example, when the pulse interval difference D is obtained x In the case of, it can be calculated by the following formula (3). That is, when a certain pulse interval T is calculated x When the pulse interval T x Subtract the previously calculated pulse interval T from x-1To calculate the latest pulse interval T x The interval between the previous pulse and x-1 The difference (pulse interval difference D x ).

[0107] [Formula 3]

[0108]

[0109] In addition, when calculating the pulse interval ratio R x In the case of, it can be calculated by the following formula (4). That is, when a certain pulse interval T is calculated x By setting the pulse interval T x Divide by the previously calculated pulse interval T x-1 To calculate the latest pulse interval T x The interval between the previous pulse and x-1 The ratio of pulse interval R x ).

[0110] [Formula 4]

[0111]

[0112] Then, the level indicator display content determination section 103 determines the level indicator display content determination section 103 to indicate the D calculated as described above. x or R x Here, refer to Fig.11 (A) to Fig.11 (C) of the embodiment will explain the display content of the level indicator LI9 displayed on the image display unit 151. The level indicator LI9 in the embodiment is in a state where a vertical reference line K is always displayed in the center. In addition, the level indicator LI9 is ​​configured such that the display segment S is arranged to extend in the left-right direction across the vertical reference line K.

[0113] Furthermore, the level indicator display content determination unit 103 displays D using the level indicator LI9, for example. x In the case of D x >0, it will be displayed towards the right side of the baseline K and |D x |The corresponding number of display segments S, if D x <0, the left side of the baseline K is displayed with |D x | The display content is determined by the corresponding number of display segments S. In addition, when the level indicator LI9 is ​​used to display R x Similarly, if R x >1, the right side of the baseline K is displayed with |R x |The corresponding number of display segments S, if R x<1, the left side of the baseline K is displayed with |R x |The corresponding number of display segments S.

[0114] Fig.11 (A) to Fig.11 (C) shows an example of the transition of the display of the display segment S. Fig.11 (A) shows the level indicator LI9 in a state where four display segments S are displayed on the left side of the reference line K as a pulse interval T at a certain time point. x The interval T between the pulse and the one immediately preceding it x-1 Difference D x (i.e., the amount of change in pulse interval) level indicator. That is, it is known that D at this time point x is a negative value, and the pulse interval T x The pulse interval T before x-1 short.

[0115] also, Fig.11 (B) shows the state where the display segments S are turned non-displayed one by one from the left end. Fig.11 As shown in (B), when it becomes non-displayed in sequence, the D immediately before is shown. x The display segment S at the left end of the display segment S is retained while the display is kept activated, so that the change in the amount of change in the pulse interval can be easily recognized by the change in the position of the retained display segment S. And, Fig.11 (C) shows the pulse interval T x The next pulse interval (T x+1 ) x+1 =T x+1 -T x Here, three display segments S are displayed on the right side of the reference line K, so that the level indicator LI9 can be easily identified. x+1 With T x Compare the situation and degree of the lengthening of the pulse interval.

[0116] According to the blood pressure measurement device 2 of this embodiment, the user can easily and intuitively grasp the change in the pulse interval and its degree for each beat by visually confirming the direction and length of the activated display segment S of the level indicator LI9.

[0117] <Others>

[0118] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned specific embodiments. The present invention can be modified and combined in various ways within the scope of its technical concept. For example, the change in pulse interval and the method of expressing its change are not limited to the increase or decrease of the display area in the level indicator as described above (showing the number of activated display segments, the length and area of ​​the bars). The display scheme of such a level indicator is shown in FIG. Fig.12 (A) and Fig.12 (B). Fig.12 (A) Fig.12 The level indicator shown in (B) is shaped like a part of a circle (arc) and a pointer extending from the inside of the arc toward the arc, and has a configuration like a so-called analog meter.

[0119] Fig.12 (A) is a diagram showing a modified example of the first embodiment showing the pulse interval for each beat, and the pointer of the level indicator LI12 is displayed in a manner that indicates any position between the minimum value (min) and the maximum value (max) on the circumference corresponding to the pulse interval for each beat. That is, the angle of the pointer changes for each beat according to the pulse interval.

[0120] on the other hand, Fig.12 (B) is a diagram showing a modified example of the second embodiment showing the change in the pulse interval for each beat, in which the pointer of the level indicator LI13 is displayed in a manner that indicates the position on the arc corresponding to the difference or ratio between the latest pulse interval and the immediately preceding pulse interval for each beat. Specifically, the level indicator LI13 uses the reference line K disposed in the center of the arc as the standard position, and the pointer is swung to the right or left from the reference line K according to the change in the pulse interval. That is, if the description of the second embodiment is followed, then if D x >0, the latest pulse interval is longer than the previous pulse interval, so the pointer swings to the right of the baseline K and |D x |The corresponding quantity. In addition, if D x <0, the latest pulse interval is shorter than the previous pulse interval, so the pointer swings to the left of the baseline K and |D x | Corresponding quantity. In addition, in the ratio of the latest pulse interval to the immediately preceding pulse interval (the above R x ) is the same.

[0121] Furthermore, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the length, area, angle or number of the area where the display in the level indicator is activated can be linearly changed according to the pulse interval or its change amount. In this way, the area where the display in the level indicator is activated changes in a manner proportional to the pulse interval or its change amount, so that the user can intuitively visually confirm the change of the pulse interval or the change amount of the pulse interval. However, there is a limit to the size of the display area of ​​the device, so when the area where the display is activated is changed in proportion to the pulse interval like this, it may be difficult to understand the change of the pulse interval depending on the size of the user's pulse number.

[0122] Therefore, the length, area, angle or number of the area where the display in the level indicator is activated can also be changed nonlinearly in a monotonically increasing manner according to the pulse interval or its change amount. Specifically, for example, the calculated pulse interval can be used to perform calculation processing for each beat, and the number of segments of the display activation can be changed in proportion to the logarithm of the pulse interval. In this way, the deviation caused by the size of the pulse number can be suppressed, and the pulse interval or its change amount can be shown by appropriate display changes. In addition, a table that establishes a correspondence between the calculated pulse interval or its change amount and the number of segments of the display activation can be pre-stored, and the display of the number of segments corresponding to the table can be activated by referring to the table for each beat. In this way, the load of calculation processing for each beat can be reduced.

[0123] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, an example of using LCD to display the level indicator is described, but instead, the display segment can be set to be formed by a plurality of LED display lamps. In this case, lighting of the LED display lamp is equivalent to activation of the display segment.

[0124] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the pressure pulse wave is obtained by the pressure sensor, but the volume pulse wave can also be obtained by the PPG sensor. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the blood pressure measuring device is used as an example for explanation, but as long as it is a device with a sensor that can obtain a pulse, the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to other biological information measuring devices (for example, electrocardiographs, body composition analyzers, etc.).

[0125] Description of Reference Numerals

[0126] 1, 2: blood pressure measuring device;

[0127] 11: Main body;

[0128] 12: Cuff;

[0129] 13: Air pipe;

[0130] 151: image display unit;

[0131] 100, 200: control unit;

[0132] 110: sensor unit;

[0133] 120: Cuff pressure control system;

[0134] 130: storage unit;

[0135] 140: Operation unit;

[0136] 150: image display unit;

[0137] 160: sound output unit;

[0138] LI1, LI2, LI3, LI4, LI5, LI6, LI7, LI8, LI9, LI10, LI11, LI12, LI13: level indicators;

[0139] SI: Sub-indicator;

[0140] S: display segment;

[0141] SS: sub-display segment;

[0142] T: front display segment;

[0143] E: terminal display segment;

[0144] B: strip;

[0145] K: Baseline.

Claims

1. A biological information measuring device, comprising: A pulse acquisition unit, for detecting the pulse of a human body; a pulse interval calculation unit, which calculates the pulse interval between a beat and its immediately preceding beat based on the pulse; as well as a display unit that displays a level indicator that visually shows at least any one of the pulse interval or the amount of change of the pulse interval relative to other pulse intervals immediately preceding it, The biological information measuring device is characterized in that The level indicator shows the pulse interval or the variation amount for each beat of the detected pulse.

2. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The level indicator visually shows the pulse interval or the variation amount by at least any one of the length, area, angle, and number of regions in which the display is activated in the display unit.

3. The biological information measuring device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The level indicator visually shows the pulse interval or the amount of change by the size shown in the display area of ​​the level indicator where the display is activated.

4. The biological information measuring device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The level indicator is composed of a plurality of display segments, and the size of the display area is expressed by displaying the number of activated display segments.

5. The biological information measuring device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: After displaying one pulse interval or the amount of change, the level indicator maintains activation of the display of the peak level portion of the one pulse interval or the amount of change until the next pulse interval or the amount of change is displayed.

6. The biological information measuring device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The display unit further displays a sub-indicator having a plurality of sub-display segments corresponding to the plurality of display segments of the level indicator, After displaying one pulse interval or one change amount, the level indicator keeps the display of the peak level portion of the one pulse interval or one change amount activated until the next pulse interval or one change amount is displayed. The sub-indicator activates the display of the sub-display segment corresponding to the display of the pulse interval or the peak level portion of the change amount shown by the level indicator for each beat for each beat, and maintains the display of each activated sub-display segment until the detection performed by the pulse acquisition unit is completed.

7. The biological information measuring device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The level indicator is composed of a plurality of display segments, and the display of an activated display segment in the level indicator is transitioned, and the pulse interval or the change amount is shown by the length of the transition distance.

8. The biological information measuring device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The level indicator emphasizes and displays the activated display segment at the end of the distance of the transition every time the display segment showing one pulse interval or the change amount transitions, thereby expressing the length of the distance of the transition.

9. The biological information measuring device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The level indicator maintains activation of at least the display segment indicating the end of the transition of the immediately preceding pulse interval or the change amount until the display of the display segment indicating the end of the transition of the display segment indicating one of the pulse intervals or the change amount is activated.

10. The biological information measuring device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: The entire display area of ​​the level indicator is formed into a ring shape, and the display segment in the level indicator that is activated repeatedly migrates in a fixed direction for each pulse, and the pulse interval is indicated by the length of the migration distance.

11. The biological information measuring device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: The entire display area of ​​the level indicator is configured as a strip extending in the left-right direction. The activated display segment in the level indicator repeatedly migrates in a fixed direction in the left-right direction for each beat, and the pulse interval is indicated by the length of the migration distance.

12. The biological information measuring device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: The entire display area of ​​the level indicator is configured as a strip extending in the up-down direction, and the activated display segment in the level indicator repeatedly migrates in a fixed up-down direction for each beat, and the pulse interval is indicated by the length of the migration distance.

13. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The entire display area of ​​the level indicator is configured to have at least a portion of a circle and a pointer extending from the inside of the circle toward the circle, and the pulse interval or the change amount is visually indicated by the position on the circle indicated by the pointer.

14. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The level indicator indicates the pulse interval or the amount of change in synchronization with the detected waveform of the pulse.

15. The biological information measuring device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The length, area, angle or number of the region in the level indicator showing activation changes linearly according to the pulse interval or the change amount.

16. The biological information measuring device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The length, area, angle or number of the region in the level indicator indicating activation changes nonlinearly, monotonically increasing according to the pulse interval or the change amount.

17. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The biological information measurement device further includes a sound output unit that outputs a sound indicating the pulse interval or the amount of change for each beat of the detected pulse in synchronization with the display of the level indicator.

18. The biological information measuring device according to claim 17, characterized in that: The sound output unit indicates the difference in the pulse interval or the change amount by the difference in the pitch of the output sound.

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