Blood pressure recording device and blood pressure recording method

Abstract

The present invention is provided with a cuff (20), cuff pressure adjustment units (32, 33), and a pressure detection unit (31) that detects the cuff pressure. In the decompression process, for each pulse of a pulse displayed through an artery of a site to be measured, the time at which a waveform feature point of the pulse appears is detected. During the decompression process, the time at which the waveform feature point of the pulsation appears is associated with the cuff pressure at the time, and is sequentially stored as a data pair in a memory (51). The cuff pressure is displayed on a display (50). During the decompression process, an observer who listens to Korotkoff sound through a stethoscope while observing the cuff pressure displayed on a display (50) operates an operation unit (52B), and inputs a timing signal indicating the time at which it is determined that the generation of Korotkoff sound is stopped. A data pair corresponding to the previous beat with respect to the data pair corresponding to the time is identified, and the cuff pressure included in the identified data pair is recorded as a corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a blood pressure recording device, and more specifically to a blood pressure recording device that measures and records blood pressure based on Korotkoff sounds generated by arteries passing through a measured site. In addition, the present invention relates to a blood pressure recording method that measures and records blood pressure using such a blood pressure recording device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as such a blood pressure recording device, there is a known manual electronic blood pressure meter equipped with a pressure indicator, which replaces the conventional mercury blood pressure meter and electronically displays the pressure (cuff pressure) of the cuff attached to the upper arm of the subject as a bar graph along a scale, as disclosed in non-patent document 1 ("UM-102 / UM-102B mercury-free blood pressure meter user manual", A&D Co., Ltd., Internet <URL: https: / / www.aandd.co.jp / products / medical / equipment / me-sphygmomanometer / um102 / >). This electronic blood pressure meter (existing example) is equipped with a HOLD button, and when the observer (doctor, nurse, etc.) presses the HOLD button when judging the highest blood pressure or the lowest blood pressure by auscultation during the decompression process (blood pressure measurement), the pressure value at that time is digitally displayed and held (substantially recorded) (hold function).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Non-patent literature

[0005] Non-patent document 1: “UM-102 / UM-102B Mercury-free Sphygmomanometer Instructions”, [online], A&D Co., Ltd., [retrieved on January 2, 2023], Internet <URL: https: / / www.aandd.co.jp / products / medical / equipment / me-sphygmomanometer / um102 /

[0006] Non-patent document 2: George S. Stergio et al., "Validation of the A&D UM-101 professional hybrid device for office blood pressure measurement according to the International Protocol", Blood Pressure Monitoring 2008, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 37-42 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] As described in Non-Patent Document 2 (George S. Stergiou et al., "Validation of the A&D UM-101 professional hybrid device for office blood pressure measurement according to the International Protocol", Blood Pressure Monitoring 2008, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp37-42), in the electronic sphygmomanometer, when the HOLD button (mark button) is used, the blood pressure is systematically underestimated relative to the actual blood pressure, and there is a problem that the validation standard cannot be met. In this document, it is considered that the reason is due to the reaction time required for the observer to press the HOLD button (mark button).

[0009] Here, the inventor repeatedly conducted a blood pressure measurement experiment using the hold function of the electronic sphygmomanometer, and found that the tendency of blood pressure to be underestimated relative to the actual blood pressure is more significant in the lowest blood pressure than in the highest blood pressure. Specifically, the inventor used the electronic sphygmomanometer to simultaneously perform blood pressure measurement using the usual auscultation method and blood pressure measurement using the hold function. In the blood pressure measurement using the usual auscultation method, the observer reads the highest blood pressure and the lowest blood pressure based on the Korotkoff sounds listened to by the stethoscope while observing the cuff pressure displayed as a bar graph in real time on the pressure indicator (the read value is referred to as the "auscultation value"). On the other hand, in the blood pressure measurement using the hold function, the observer presses the HOLD button when judging the highest blood pressure or the lowest blood pressure based on the Korotkoff sounds listened to by the stethoscope while observing the cuff pressure displayed as a bar graph in real time on the pressure indicator, and records the cuff pressure at this time (the recorded value is referred to as the "HOLD value"). Then, every 60 measurements, the difference between the obtained HOLD value and the auscultation value (HOLD value-auscultation value) is calculated. Fig. 22 (A) shows a scatter plot of the highest blood pressure obtained, with the horizontal axis representing the auscultation value and the vertical axis representing the difference (HOLD value - auscultation value). Fig. 22 (B) shows a scatter plot of the lowest blood pressure obtained, with the auscultation value on the horizontal axis and the difference (HOLD value - auscultation value) on the vertical axis. It can be seen from these figures that for the highest blood pressure, the average value of the difference (HOLD value - auscultation value) is -1.5 mmHg. On the other hand, for the lowest blood pressure, the average value of the difference (HOLD value - auscultation value) is -3.2 mmHg. In this way, when the hold function of the electronic sphygmomanometer is used, the tendency of blood pressure to be underestimated relative to the actual blood pressure (auscultation value) is more prominent in the lowest blood pressure.

[0010] The reasons are analyzed as follows. Fig.21 The upper part shows the change of intra-arterial pressure Pa and cuff pressure Pc over time. The intra-arterial pressure Pa shows a mountain-shaped waveform that rises between the lowest blood pressure DIA and the highest blood pressure SYS at each pulse beat, reaches a peak, and then falls. The cuff pressure Pc is temporarily pressurized to Pcmax by the inflatable ball, which is about 30 mmHg higher than the expected highest blood pressure, and then is typically depressurized at a rate of 2 to 3 mmHg / second. In addition, when the cuff pressure Pc is lower than the highest blood pressure SYS, as shown in FIG. Fig.21 As shown in the lower part, Korotkoff sounds Kc start to be generated with each beat, and when the cuff pressure Pc falls below the lowest blood pressure DIA, Korotkoff sounds Kc stop being generated. Here, the observer presses the HOLD button at the time t1 when it can be determined that Korotkoff sounds Kc start to be generated, that is, when the first Korotkoff sounds Kcf are heard from the silent state (for simplicity, the HOLD button is not pressed). Fig.21The observer's reaction time is omitted in the lower section of the figure). Therefore, the observer can press the HOLD button at a relatively correct moment. On the other hand, for the lowest blood pressure DIA, the observer presses the HOLD button at the moment when the state of continuously listening to Korotkoff sounds Kc for each beat changes to the moment when the Korotkoff sounds Kc cannot be heard, specifically, at the moment t2 when the observer can first determine that the Korotkoff sounds Kce cannot be heard after being delayed by one beat Δt from the moment t20 when the last Korotkoff sound Kce was actually heard. Therefore, at the moment t2 when the observer presses the HOLD button, the cuff pressure Pc has become a value that is one beat ΔP lower than the true lowest blood pressure DIA. This is considered to be the reason why the lowest blood pressure obtained when using the hold function of the electronic sphygmomanometer is underestimated (recorded) relative to the actual blood pressure (auscultation value). This analysis was performed by the inventor alone.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a blood pressure recording device configured to measure and record blood pressure based on Korotkoff sounds generated by arteries at a measured part of a subject, and when an observer operates an operation unit (such as the HOLD button) based on the Korotkoff sounds, the diastolic blood pressure value (minimum blood pressure) can be recorded with high accuracy. The present invention aims to provide a blood pressure recording method for measuring and recording blood pressure using such a blood pressure recording device, which can record the diastolic blood pressure value (minimum blood pressure) with high accuracy.

[0012] Technical solutions to problems

[0013] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in a first aspect, a blood pressure recording device disclosed herein is configured to measure and record blood pressure based on Korotkoff sounds generated by arteries at a measurement site of a subject, and is characterized by comprising:

[0014] A cuff, which is wrapped around and installed on the measured part;

[0015] a cuff pressure adjustment unit for increasing or decreasing the cuff pressure serving as the pressure of the cuff;

[0016] a pressure detection unit configured to detect the cuff pressure during the process of reducing the cuff pressure by the cuff pressure adjustment unit;

[0017] a timing detection unit for detecting, during the decompression process, a timing at which a waveform feature point of a pulse displayed by an artery passing through the measured site appears for each pulse;

[0018] a first data storage unit which associates the time when the waveform characteristic point of the pulsation appears or the symbol corresponding to the time with the cuff pressure at the time when the waveform characteristic point of the pulsation appears during the decompression process, and stores them in a memory in sequence as data pairs;

[0019] monitor;

[0020] a first display processing unit that performs processing for displaying the cuff pressure detected by the pressure detection unit on the display;

[0021] an operation unit configured to be operated by an observer who listens to Korotkoff sounds generated by an artery passing through the measured part through a stethoscope while observing the cuff pressure displayed on the display by the first display processing unit during the decompression process;

[0022] the operation unit inputs a first timing signal indicating a time when the observer determines that the Korotkoff sounds start to be generated and / or a second timing signal indicating a time when the observer determines that the Korotkoff sounds stop to be generated.

[0023] A recording processing unit is provided, which determines a data pair corresponding to the previous beat relative to the data pair corresponding to the moment represented by the second timing signal from a series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process, and records the cuff pressure included in the determined data pair as a corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

[0024] In this specification, "subject" refers to the object whose blood pressure is measured, usually a patient. In addition, "observer" refers to the person who measures and records blood pressure, usually a medical worker such as a doctor or nurse.

[0025] "Korotkoff sound" refers to the sound produced by each pulse passing through the artery of the measured part during the decompression process of the cuff pressure. The "measured part" usually refers to the upper arm of the person being measured.

[0026] The “waveform feature point” of the pulse pulsation refers to a feature point that can identify the timing within the pulsation, such as a rising point indicating the rise of the pulsation or a peak point indicating the peak value (wave crest) of the pulsation.

[0027] In addition, the “symbol corresponding to the time” at which the waveform feature point appears refers to, for example, a serial number (pulsation number) assigned to each pulsation.

[0028] The “operating unit” broadly includes components that allow an observer to input a timing signal, such as a switch that is temporarily turned on at the timing of being pressed when pressed, such as the HOLD button in the conventional example, or a touch key that is temporarily turned on at the timing of being touched when touched.

[0029] "A data pair corresponding to the moment indicated by the timing signal" refers to a data pair stored in the memory during the decompression process, which is immediately before the moment indicated by the timing signal (specifically, immediately before the reaction time of the observer).

[0030] In the blood pressure recording device of the first aspect, as a preparation for blood pressure measurement, the cuff is wrapped and installed on the measured part of the subject. In addition, the stethoscope is in contact with the part through which the artery of the measured part passes (typically the part on the downstream side of the cuff). In this state, the cuff pressure as the pressure of the cuff is pressurized by the cuff pressure adjustment unit to temporarily stop the blood flow through the artery of the measured part, and then the cuff pressure is detected by the pressure detection unit during the decompression of the cuff pressure. At the same time, during the decompression process, the time when the waveform feature point of the pulse appears for each pulsation displayed by the artery passing through the measured part is detected by the time detection unit. In addition, during the decompression process, the time when the waveform feature point of the pulsation appears or the symbol corresponding to the time is associated with the cuff pressure at the time when the waveform feature point of the pulsation appears by the first data storage unit, and is stored in the memory as a data pair in sequence. Furthermore, during the decompression process, an observer who listens to Korotkoff sounds generated by the artery of the measured part through the stethoscope while observing the cuff pressure displayed on the display by the first display processing unit operates the operation unit to input at least a second timing signal indicating a time when the Korotkoff sounds are determined to stop being generated. Then, the recording processing unit identifies a data pair corresponding to the previous beat with respect to the data pair corresponding to the time indicated by the second timing signal from among a series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process, and records the cuff pressure included in the identified data pair as a corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

[0031] Thus, in the blood pressure recording device of the first aspect, the recording processing unit determines the data pair corresponding to the previous beat relative to the data pair corresponding to the moment indicated by the second timing signal from among the series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process, and records the cuff pressure contained in the determined data pair as the corrected diastolic blood pressure value. According to the above analysis by the inventor, the corrected diastolic blood pressure value does not represent the cuff pressure corresponding to the moment when the observer changes from the state of continuously listening to Korotkoff sounds for each beat to the state of being able to judge that the Korotkoff sounds cannot be heard for the first time, but actually represents the cuff pressure corresponding to the moment when the last Korotkoff sound is heard. Therefore, according to the blood pressure recording device, the phenomenon of underestimating the minimum blood pressure by about one beat can be corrected.

[0032] In addition, as described in non-patent document 2, a certain reaction time is required from the time when the observer determines that the Korotkoff sounds have stopped being generated to the time when the observer operates the operating unit to input the second timing signal. However, in the blood pressure recording device of the first aspect, during the decompression process, the first data storage unit is not affected by such reaction time, and the data pairs (i.e., the time when the waveform characteristic point of the pulsation appears or the symbol corresponding to the time, and the cuff pressure at the time when the waveform characteristic point of the pulsation appears) are stored in sequence in the memory. Therefore, the data pairs determined by the recording processing unit are stored without being affected by the observer's reaction time. In addition, the observer's reaction time is usually assumed to be no more than one beat. As a result, the corrected diastolic blood pressure value is actually not affected by the observer's reaction time.

[0033] In addition, for each of the above-mentioned beats, there may be a slight deviation (time interval) between the moment when the waveform feature point of the beat appears and the moment when the Korotkoff sound of the beat is generated. However, since the deviation usually does not reach half a beat, the deviation will not substantially reduce the accuracy of blood pressure measurement (recording).

[0034] Therefore, according to the blood pressure recording device of the first aspect, it is possible to record the diastolic blood pressure value with higher accuracy than in the conventional example.

[0035] In one embodiment of the blood pressure recording device, the recording processing unit identifies a data pair corresponding to a time indicated by the first timing signal from the series of data pairs stored in the memory, and records the cuff pressure included in the identified data pair as a systolic blood pressure value.

[0036] According to the above analysis of the inventor, the moment indicated by the first timing signal is equivalent to the moment when the observer judges that the Korotkoff sounds begin to be generated, that is, the moment when the observer judges that the initial Korotkoff sounds are heard from a silent state. Here, as described in non-patent document 2, a certain reaction time is required from the time when the observer judges that the Korotkoff sounds stop being generated to the time when the operating unit is operated to input the first timing signal. However, as described above, the data pair determined by the recording processing unit is stored without being affected by the observer's reaction time. In addition, the observer's reaction time is generally assumed to be no more than one beat. As a result, in the blood pressure recording device of this embodiment, the recorded systolic blood pressure value is actually not affected by the observer's reaction time. Therefore, according to the blood pressure recording device of this embodiment, the systolic blood pressure value can be recorded with high precision.

[0037] In one embodiment of the blood pressure recording device, the recording processing unit determines whether the operation of the operating unit is the first time or the second time or later during the decompression process, uses the time when the first operation is performed as the time indicated by the first timing signal and records the systolic blood pressure value, and also uses the time when the second or later operation is performed as the time indicated by the second timing signal and records the corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

[0038] In a typical case, it is assumed that the observer intends to record the systolic blood pressure value when operating the operating unit for the first time, and to record the diastolic blood pressure value (in the present invention, the corrected diastolic blood pressure value) when operating the operating unit for the second time. Therefore, in the blood pressure recording device of this embodiment, the recording processing unit determines whether the operation of the operating unit is the first time or the second time or later during the decompression process, uses the time when the first operation is performed as the time indicated by the first timing signal and records the systolic blood pressure value. In addition, the time when the operation is performed after the second time is used as the time indicated by the second timing signal and records the corrected diastolic blood pressure value. Thus, according to the blood pressure recording device of this embodiment, both the systolic blood pressure value and the corrected diastolic blood pressure value can be quickly recorded. Even in the middle of the decompression process, the observer can end the blood pressure measurement once the corrected diastolic blood pressure value is recorded.

[0039] Furthermore, the second time and thereafter means that it is possible to cope with a case where the subject has arrhythmia, a case where the subject is pregnant, or the like, in which the operation unit is operated three or more times during the decompression process.

[0040] In one embodiment, the blood pressure recording device is characterized in that:

[0041] The operation unit includes a first switch for receiving an instruction to record a systolic blood pressure value and a second switch for receiving an instruction to record a diastolic blood pressure value.

[0042] During the decompression process, the recording processing unit uses the time when the first switch is operated as the time indicated by the first timing signal and records the systolic blood pressure value, and uses the time when the second switch is operated as the time indicated by the second timing signal and records the corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

[0043] In the blood pressure recording device of this embodiment, during the decompression process, the observer operates the first switch to record the systolic blood pressure value at the time when the Korotkoff sound starts to be generated. Then, the recording processing unit uses the time when the first switch is operated as the time indicated by the first timing signal during the decompression process and records the systolic blood pressure value. In addition, during the decompression process, the observer operates the second switch to record the diastolic blood pressure value at the time when the Korotkoff sound stops being generated. Then, the recording processing unit uses the time when the second switch is operated as the time indicated by the second timing signal during the decompression process and records the corrected diastolic blood pressure value. Thus, according to the blood pressure recording device of this embodiment, both the systolic blood pressure value and the corrected diastolic blood pressure value can be quickly recorded according to the observer's intention (whether to record the systolic blood pressure value or the diastolic blood pressure value). In addition, even in the middle of the decompression process, the observer can end the blood pressure measurement once the corrected diastolic blood pressure value is recorded. Furthermore, during the decompression process, since the recording processing unit does not need to determine whether the operation of the operating unit is the first or second operation, the processing of the recording processing unit becomes simple.

[0044] In one embodiment, the blood pressure recording device is characterized by further comprising:

[0045] a data pair specifying unit that specifies a data pair corresponding to a time of the operation each time the operation unit is operated during the decompression process, and maintains information indicating the respectively specified data pair;

[0046] a second display processing unit for displaying, on the display, the cuff pressures included in the data pairs determined by the data pair determination unit as selection items from among a series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process;

[0047] a selection operation unit for selecting an option that the observer considers to be consistent with the diastolic blood pressure value from the options displayed on the display;

[0048] After the decompression process is completed, the recording processing unit uses the data pair including the cuff pressure represented by the option selected by the selection operation unit among the series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process as the data pair corresponding to the moment represented by the second timing signal, and records the corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

[0049] In this specification, "a data pair corresponding to the time of operation" refers to a data pair stored immediately before the time when the operation was performed (specifically, immediately before the reaction time of the observer) among a series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process.

[0050] In addition, “after the end of the decompression process” means, for example, after the cuff pressure reaches a predetermined pressure (for example, 30 mmHg) that is usually not assumed to be a diastolic blood pressure.

[0051] In addition, the “selection operation unit” broadly includes a component that can select an option displayed on the display (for example, a mark indicating a pressure value according to a position along a scale).

[0052] In the blood pressure recording device of this embodiment, the data pair determination unit determines the data pair corresponding to the time when the operation unit is operated during the decompression process, and maintains information indicating the data pair determined respectively. The second display processing unit displays the cuff pressures included in the data pairs determined by the data pair determination unit as options (for example, marks indicating pressure values ​​by positions along the scale) from a series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process on the display. The observer selects the option that the observer considers to be consistent with the diastolic blood pressure from the options displayed on the display through the selection operation unit. Then, after the decompression process is completed, the recording processing unit uses the data pair including the cuff pressure indicated by the option selected by the selection operation unit from the series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process as the data pair corresponding to the time indicated by the second timing signal, and records the corrected diastolic blood pressure value. Therefore, according to the blood pressure recording device of this embodiment, the corrected diastolic blood pressure value can be recorded according to the observer's selection (which option is selected to be consistent with the diastolic blood pressure).

[0053] In one embodiment, the blood pressure recording device is characterized in that:

[0054] a data pair determining unit that determines a data pair corresponding to a time of operation each time the operating unit is operated during the decompression process, and maintains information indicating the respectively determined data pairs;

[0055] After the decompression process is completed, the recording processing unit uses the data pair corresponding to the time when the last operation was performed among the data pairs determined by the data pair determination unit as the data pair corresponding to the time indicated by the second timing signal, and records the corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

[0056] In the blood pressure recording device of this embodiment, during the decompression process, the data pair determination unit determines the data pair corresponding to the time when the operation unit is operated each time, and maintains information indicating the respectively determined data pairs. After the decompression process is completed, the recording processing unit uses the data pair corresponding to the time when the last operation was performed in the data pair determined by the data pair determination unit as the data pair corresponding to the time indicated by the second timing signal, and records the corrected diastolic blood pressure value. According to the blood pressure recording device of this embodiment, the processing of the recording processing unit becomes simple.

[0057] In one embodiment, the blood pressure recording device is characterized by further comprising:

[0058] A third display processing unit displays the corrected diastolic blood pressure value on the display as a digital value and / or as a mark indicating a pressure value according to a position along a scale.

[0059] In the blood pressure recording device of this embodiment, the third display processing unit displays the corrected diastolic blood pressure value on the display as a digital value and / or as a mark indicating a pressure value according to a position along a scale. Therefore, an observer can easily recognize the corrected diastolic blood pressure value by observing the display.

[0060] In one embodiment, the blood pressure recording device is characterized in that:

[0061] The first data storage unit sequentially stores the data pairs in the memory during the decompression process, starting from the data pair corresponding to the time when the first operation is performed using the operating unit.

[0062] In the blood pressure recording device of this embodiment, compared with a case where the first data storage unit starts to sequentially store the data pairs in the memory at the same time as the decompression process starts, for example, the memory resource can be saved.

[0063] In a second aspect, the present invention discloses a blood pressure recording method, which uses the blood pressure recording device of the first aspect to measure and record the blood pressure of a measured part of a measured person, characterized in that:

[0064] The cuff is wound around the measured part, and the stethoscope is brought into contact with the part of the measured part where the artery passes.

[0065] The cuff pressure is increased by the cuff pressure adjustment unit to temporarily stop the blood flow through the artery of the measurement site, and then

[0066] During the decompression of the cuff pressure,

[0067] The cuff pressure is detected by the pressure detection unit, and

[0068] The timing detection unit detects a signal indicating the time at which a waveform feature point of a pulse appears for each pulse pulse exhibited by the artery passing through the measurement site.

[0069] By means of the first data storage unit, the time when the waveform characteristic point of the pulsation appears or the symbol corresponding to the time is associated with the cuff pressure at the time when the waveform characteristic point of the pulsation appears, and the association is sequentially stored in the memory as a data pair;

[0070] The observer who observes the cuff pressure displayed on the display by the first display processing unit and listens to the Korotkoff sounds generated by the artery passing through the measured part through the stethoscope operates the operation unit to input at least a second timing signal indicating a time when the Korotkoff sounds are judged to stop being generated.

[0071] During the decompression process or after the decompression process is completed, the recording processing unit determines the data pair corresponding to the previous beat relative to the data pair corresponding to the moment represented by the second timing signal from a series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process, and records the cuff pressure contained in the determined data pair as a corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

[0072] According to the blood pressure recording method of the second aspect, it is possible to record the diastolic blood pressure value with higher accuracy than in the conventional example.

[0073] In a third aspect, the blood pressure recording device of the present disclosure is configured to measure and record blood pressure based on Korotkoff sounds generated by arteries passing through a measurement site of a measurement subject, and is characterized by comprising:

[0074] A cuff, which is wrapped around and installed on the measured part;

[0075] a cuff pressure adjustment unit for increasing or decreasing the cuff pressure serving as the pressure of the cuff;

[0076] a pressure detection unit configured to detect the cuff pressure during the process of reducing the cuff pressure by the cuff pressure adjustment unit;

[0077] a microphone that converts the sound generated by the artery of the measured part during the decompression into a sound signal as an electrical signal and outputs the sound signal;

[0078] a Korotkoff sound signal detection unit configured to detect a Korotkoff sound signal representing a Korotkoff sound from the sound signal outputted from the microphone;

[0079] a second data storage unit which associates the time when the Korotkoff sound signal is detected or a symbol corresponding to the time with the cuff pressure at the time when the Korotkoff sound signal is detected during the decompression process, and sequentially stores the data as a data pair in the memory;

[0080] monitor;

[0081] a first display processing unit that performs processing for displaying the cuff pressure detected by the pressure detection unit as a bar graph along a scale on the display in real time;

[0082] The operation unit is configured to be operated by an observer who listens to Korotkoff sounds generated by the artery passing through the measured part through a stethoscope or listens to Korotkoff sounds represented by the Korotkoff sound signal through an electric sound conversion device while observing the cuff pressure displayed on the display by the first display processing unit during the decompression process.

[0083] the operation unit inputs a first timing signal indicating a time when the observer determines that the Korotkoff sounds start to be generated and / or a second timing signal indicating a time when the observer determines that the Korotkoff sounds stop to be generated.

[0084] The blood pressure recording device comprises: a recording processing unit, which determines, from a series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process, a data pair that is last stored backtracking from the moment indicated by the second timing signal, and records the cuff pressure contained in the determined data pair as a corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

[0085] In this specification, a "Korotkoff sound signal" refers to a pulse-shaped electrical signal representing a Korotkoff sound. In addition, an "electrical sound conversion device" refers to a device that converts an electrical signal into sound, such as a speaker, a headphone, an earphone, etc.

[0086] In the blood pressure recording device of the third aspect, as a preparation for blood pressure measurement, the cuff is wrapped and installed on the measured part of the subject. In addition, the microphone is configured in a manner to obtain the sound generated by the artery passing through the measured part. Alternatively, in addition to the configuration of the microphone, the stethoscope is also in contact with the part through which the artery of the measured part passes (typically the part on the downstream side of the cuff). In this state, the cuff pressure as the pressure of the cuff is pressurized by the cuff pressure adjustment unit to temporarily stop the blood flow through the artery of the measured part, and then the cuff pressure is detected by the pressure detection unit during the decompression of the cuff pressure. At the same time, during the decompression process, the Korotkoff sound detection unit detects a Korotkoff sound signal representing the Korotkoff sound from the sound signal output by the microphone. Alternatively, in addition to this, the sound generated by the artery passing through the measured part is converted into an electrical signal, i.e., a sound signal, by the microphone and output. In addition, during the decompression process, the time when the Korotkoff sound signal is detected or the symbol corresponding to the time is associated with the cuff pressure at the time when the Korotkoff sound signal is detected by the second data storage unit, and is sequentially stored in the memory as a data pair. Furthermore, during the decompression process, an observer who listens to the Korotkoff sounds generated by the artery of the measured part through the stethoscope or listens to the Korotkoff sounds represented by the Korotkoff sound signal through the electric sound conversion device while observing the cuff pressure displayed on the display by the first display processing unit, inputs a second timing signal indicating the time when at least the Korotkoff sounds are judged to stop being generated through the operation unit. Then, the recording processing unit determines the data pair that is last stored from the time indicated by the second timing signal from among a series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process, and records the cuff pressure included in the determined data pair as the corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

[0087] Thus, in the blood pressure recording device of the third aspect, the recording processing unit determines the data pair that is last stored from the moment indicated by the second timing signal from a series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process, and records the cuff pressure contained in the determined data pair as the corrected diastolic blood pressure value. According to the above analysis of the inventor, the corrected diastolic blood pressure value does not represent the cuff pressure corresponding to the moment when the observer changes from the state of continuously listening to Korotkoff sounds for each beat to the first time being able to judge that the Korotkoff sounds cannot be heard, but actually represents the cuff pressure corresponding to the moment when the last Korotkoff sound is heard. Therefore, according to the blood pressure recording device, the phenomenon of underestimating the minimum blood pressure by about one beat can be corrected.

[0088] In addition, as described in Non-Patent Document 2 (George S. Stergio et al., "Validation of the A&D UM-101 professional hybrid device for office blood pressure measurement according to the International Protocol", Blood Pressure Monitoring 2008, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp 37-42), it takes some reaction time from when the observer determines that the Korotkoff sound stops to when the observer operates the operation unit to input the second timing signal. However, in the blood pressure recording device of the third aspect, during the decompression process, the second data storage unit sequentially stores the data pair (i.e., the time when the Korotkoff sound signal is detected or the symbol corresponding to the time, and the cuff pressure at the time when the Korotkoff sound signal is detected) in the memory without being affected by such reaction time. Therefore, the data pair determined by the recording processing unit is stored without being affected by the observer's reaction time. As a result, the corrected diastolic blood pressure value is actually not affected by the observer's reaction time.

[0089] Therefore, according to the blood pressure recording device of the third aspect, it is possible to record the diastolic blood pressure value with higher accuracy than in the conventional example.

[0090] In one embodiment of the blood pressure recording device,

[0091] At the location of the subject having the measured part,

[0092] The cuff, the cuff pressure adjustment unit, the pressure detection unit, the microphone, and the Korotkoff sound signal detection unit are provided, and

[0093] A transmitting unit is provided, which synchronizes the Korotkoff sound signal detected by the Korotkoff sound signal detecting unit with the cuff pressure signal indicating the cuff pressure detected by the pressure detecting unit in time during the decompression process, and sequentially transmits them as measurement data;

[0094] At a location of the observer far away from the location of the subject,

[0095] A receiving unit is provided to receive the measurement data, and

[0096] The second data storage unit, the memory, the display, the electronic sound conversion device, the first display processing unit, the operation unit and the recording processing unit are configured.

[0097] During the decompression process, based on the received measurement data,

[0098] The first display processing unit displays the cuff pressure on the display,

[0099] The second data storage unit associates the time when the Korotkoff sound signal is detected or a symbol corresponding to the time with the cuff pressure at the time when the Korotkoff sound signal is detected, and sequentially stores them in the memory as data pairs.

[0100] During the decompression process, an observer who observes the cuff pressure displayed on the display by the first display processing unit and listens to Korotkoff sounds represented by the Korotkoff sound signal through the electric sound conversion device operates the operation unit to input at least the second timing signal.

[0101] In this specification, the "location of the subject" generally refers to the location of the residence where the patient, who is the subject, lives. The "location of the observer", generally refers to the location of the medical institution where the doctor or nurse, who is the observer, works.

[0102] In the blood pressure recording device of one embodiment, the cuff is wrapped and installed on the measured part of the subject at the position of the subject. In addition, the microphone is configured to obtain the sound generated by the artery passing through the measured part. In this state, the cuff pressure is pressurized by the cuff pressure adjustment unit to temporarily stop the blood flow through the artery of the measured part, and then the cuff pressure is detected by the pressure detection unit during the decompression of the cuff pressure. At the same time, during the decompression process, the sound signal output by the microphone and the cuff pressure signal indicating the cuff pressure detected by the pressure detection unit are synchronized in time through the sending unit and are sequentially sent as measurement data.

[0103] On the other hand, the receiving unit receives the measurement data at a location of the observer far from the location of the subject. During the decompression process, based on the received measurement data, the cuff pressure is displayed in real time on the display as the bar graph by the first display processing unit. In addition, in synchronization with the display of the cuff pressure, the Korotkoff sound signal is detected from the sound signal included in the measurement data by the Korotkoff sound signal detection unit. In addition, the time when the Korotkoff sound signal is detected or the symbol corresponding to the time is associated with the cuff pressure at the time when the Korotkoff sound signal is detected by the second data storage unit, and is sequentially stored as a data pair in the memory. Furthermore, during the decompression process, the observer listens to the Korotkoff sound represented by the Korotkoff sound signal through the electric sound conversion device while observing the cuff pressure displayed in real time as the bar graph on the display by the first display processing unit, and at least the second timing signal is input by operating the operation unit. Therefore, the recording processing unit determines the data pair that was last stored starting from the moment indicated by the second timing signal from a series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process, and records the cuff pressure contained in the determined data pair as the corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

[0104] According to the blood pressure recording device of this embodiment, the diastolic blood pressure value can be recorded with high accuracy compared with the conventional example. Furthermore, even when the location of the observer (e.g., the location of the residence where the patient as the subject lives) is far away from the location of the observer (e.g., the location of the residence where the doctor or nurse as the observer works), the corrected diastolic blood pressure value can be recorded by sending and receiving the measured data between the sending unit and the receiving unit.

[0105] In a fourth aspect, the blood pressure recording method of the present disclosure uses the blood pressure recording device of the third aspect to measure and record the blood pressure of the measured part of the subject, characterized in that:

[0106] The cuff is wrapped around the measured part, and

[0107] The microphone is arranged so as to obtain the sound generated by the artery passing through the measured part, or, in addition to the arrangement of the microphone, the stethoscope is brought into contact with the part through which the artery of the measured part passes,

[0108] The cuff pressure is increased by the cuff pressure adjustment unit to temporarily stop the blood flow through the artery of the measurement site, and then

[0109] During the decompression of the cuff pressure,

[0110] The cuff pressure is detected by the pressure detection unit, and

[0111] The microphone converts the sound generated by the artery of the measured part into the sound signal and outputs the sound signal.

[0112] The Korotkoff sound signal detection unit detects the Korotkoff sound signal from the sound signal output by the microphone.

[0113] The second data storage unit associates the time when the Korotkoff sound signal is detected or a symbol corresponding to the time with the cuff pressure at the time when the Korotkoff sound signal is detected, and sequentially stores the data as a data pair in the memory.

[0114] The observer operates the operation unit while observing the cuff pressure displayed in real time as the bar graph on the display by the first display processing unit and listening to the Korotkoff sounds generated by the artery of the measured part through the stethoscope or listening to the Korotkoff sounds represented by the Korotkoff sound signal through the electric sound conversion device, thereby inputting at least a second timing signal indicating a time when the Korotkoff sounds are judged to stop being generated.

[0115] During the decompression process or after the decompression process is completed, the recording processing unit determines the data pair that was last stored from the moment indicated by the second timing signal from a series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process, and records the cuff pressure contained in the determined data pair as a corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

[0116] According to the blood pressure recording method of the fourth aspect, the diastolic blood pressure value can be recorded with higher accuracy than in the conventional example.

[0117] In one embodiment, the blood pressure recording device is characterized in that:

[0118] The first display processing unit performs processing for displaying the cuff pressure detected by the pressure detection unit on the display as a bar graph along a scale.

[0119] According to the blood pressure recording device of this embodiment, the observer can judge the start of the generation of the Korotkoff sounds and / or the stop of the generation of the Korotkoff sounds Kc with the same feeling as observing a conventional mercury sphygmomanometer. Therefore, for an observer who is accustomed to using a conventional mercury sphygmomanometer, it can be considered that the convenience is very high.

[0120] Effects of the Invention

[0121] As described above, according to the blood pressure recording device and the blood pressure recording method of the present disclosure, when the observer operates the operation unit based on Korotkoff sounds, the diastolic blood pressure value (lowest blood pressure) can be recorded with high accuracy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0122] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing a block configuration of a sphygmomanometer as a first embodiment of the blood pressure recording device of the present invention.

[0123] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of how blood pressure is measured using the sphygmomanometer.

[0124] Figure 3 It is shown that the use Figure 1 A diagram of a process of a blood pressure recording method according to an embodiment of a sphygmomanometer.

[0125] Figure 4 It is explained based on Figure 3 A flow chart of a blood pressure recording method and a method of measuring and recording systolic blood pressure values ​​and diastolic blood pressure values.

[0126] Figure 5 (A) is about Figure 3 The process of the blood pressure recording method is a scatter diagram of the recorded systolic blood pressure value (maximum blood pressure), with the auscultation value represented by the horizontal axis and the difference (HOLD value - auscultation value) represented by the vertical axis. Figure 5 (B) is about Figure 3 The process of the blood pressure recording method is a scatter diagram when the diastolic blood pressure value (lowest blood pressure) is recorded, the auscultation value is represented by the horizontal axis, and the difference (HOLD value - auscultation value) is represented by the vertical axis.

[0127] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing a block configuration of a sphygmomanometer as a second embodiment of the blood pressure recording device of the present invention.

[0128] Figure 7 It is shown that the use Figure 6 A diagram of a process of a blood pressure recording method according to an embodiment of a sphygmomanometer.

[0129] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing a block configuration of a sphygmomanometer as a third embodiment of the blood pressure recording device of the present invention.

[0130] Fig. 9 It is shown that the use Figure 8 A diagram of a process of a blood pressure recording method according to an embodiment of a sphygmomanometer.

[0131] Fig.10 This is a diagram for explaining a method of selecting the cuff pressure displayed as an option on the display after the cuff pressure decompression process is completed.

[0132] Fig.11 Illustrated by Fig. 9 The process of the blood pressure recording method stores the data set in the memory.

[0133] Fig.12 It means that Fig. 9 Flow chart of a modified example of a blood pressure recording method after the process is modified.

[0134] Fig.13 It is a diagram showing a block configuration of a sphygmomanometer as a fourth embodiment of the blood pressure recording device of the present invention.

[0135] Fig.14 It is shown that the use Fig.13 A diagram of a process of a blood pressure recording method according to an embodiment of a sphygmomanometer.

[0136] Fig.15 It is explained based on Fig.14 A flow chart of a blood pressure recording method and a method of measuring and recording systolic blood pressure values ​​and diastolic blood pressure values.

[0137] Fig.16 It means that Fig.13 A diagram of a module structure of a blood pressure monitor according to a modified example of a blood pressure monitor after deformation.

[0138] Fig.17 It is a diagram showing a block configuration of a blood pressure measurement system as a fifth embodiment of the blood pressure recording device of the present invention.

[0139] Fig.18 It shows that according to Fig.17 A diagram showing a portion (first half) of a process of a blood pressure recording method according to an embodiment of a blood pressure measurement system.

[0140] Fig.19 Shown according to Fig.17 FIG. 4 is a diagram of the remaining portion (second half) of the process of the blood pressure recording method of one embodiment of the blood pressure measurement system.

[0141] Fig. 20 (A) Fig. 20 (B) Fig. 20 (C) are diagrams showing variations that can be obtained by the display constituting each sphygmomanometer (and blood pressure measurement system).

[0142] Fig.21 The diagram is a diagram for explaining a method of recording the maximum blood pressure and the minimum blood pressure using the hold function of an electronic blood pressure monitor of a conventional example.

[0143] Fig. 22(A) is a scatter diagram in which the horizontal axis represents the auscultation value and the vertical axis represents the difference (HOLD value - auscultation value) of the highest blood pressure recorded by the hold function of the conventional electronic sphygmomanometer. Fig. 22 (B) is a scatter diagram in which the horizontal axis represents the auscultation value and the vertical axis represents the difference (HOLD value - auscultation value) of the lowest blood pressure recorded by the hold function of the conventional electronic sphygmomanometer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0144] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0145] (First embodiment)

[0146] Figure 1 The block structure of a blood pressure monitor 1A as a first embodiment of the blood pressure recording device of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 The figure shows a state in which an observer (a doctor in this example) 80 uses a sphygmomanometer 1A to measure the blood pressure of an upper arm 91 as a measurement site of a subject (a patient in this example) 90. The sphygmomanometer 1A is configured to measure and record the blood pressure based on Korotkoff sounds Kc generated in the artery of the upper arm 91 of the subject 90.

[0147] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , a sphygmomanometer 1A generally includes a main body 10 including a display 50 , a cuff 20 wrapped around an upper arm 91 of a subject 90 , and a manual pump (bulb) 32 and a manual valve 33 as a pressure adjustment unit.

[0148] The cuff 20 is a common component for measuring the blood pressure of the upper arm 91, and contains an air bag (not shown) for pressurizing the upper arm 91. The main body 10 and the cuff 20 are connected by a flexible air pipe 38a. In addition, the cuff 20 is connected to the manual pump 32 and the manual valve 33 by a flexible air pipe 38b. The manual pump 32 and the manual valve 33 are also common components for measuring blood pressure.

[0149] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the main body 10 is equipped with a control unit 110, a display 50, an operation unit 52, a memory 51, a power supply unit 53, a pressure sensor 31 as a pressure detection unit, and an A / D conversion circuit 310. In this example, the air piping 38a is connected to the pressure sensor 31 so that fluid can flow. In this example, the air piping 38a and the air piping 38b connected to the manual pump 32 and the manual valve 33 are combined to form a single air piping 38, which is connected to the cuff 20 so that fluid can flow.

[0150] In this example, if Figure 2As shown in , the display 50 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) vertically arranged at the rear of the main body 10, and displays specified information according to the control signal from the control unit 110. In this example, the display 50 displays the scale 50a arranged along the vertical direction and the bar graph 50b extending and contracting along the scale 50a as an image in a manner imitating a conventional mercury sphygmomanometer, and displays the pressure of the cuff 20 during the blood pressure measurement (which is referred to as "cuff pressure Pc"). At the same time, the display 50 can also digitally display the cuff pressure Pc during the measurement and / or the obtained blood pressure value. In addition, the display 50 can be composed of an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and can also include an LED (light emitting diode).

[0151] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , in this example, the operation unit 52 includes a power button 52A and a HOLD button 52B, and inputs a signal corresponding to the operation of the observer 80 as a user to the control unit 110. Figure 2 As shown in , the power button 52A and the HOLD button 52B are provided on the upper surface of the main body 10. Specifically, the power button 52A in this example is a latch type (self-holding type) switch, which maintains the on state when pressed once, and is turned off when pressed again. Thus, when the power button 52A is pressed once, the power of the blood pressure meter 1A is turned on, and when the power button 52A is pressed again, the power of the blood pressure meter 1A is turned off. On the other hand, in this example, the HOLD button 52B is a momentary type (self-reset type) switch, which becomes the on state only while being pressed, and returns to the off state when released. As will be described in detail later, the observer 80, who observes the cuff pressure Pc displayed in real time as a bar graph 50b on the display 50 and listens to the Korotkoff sounds Kc generated from the artery passing through the upper arm 91 through the stethoscope 89, presses the HOLD button 52B, thereby inputting a timing signal indicating the moment when the Korotkoff sounds Kc are judged to start being generated (referred to as the "first timing signal") and / or inputting a timing signal indicating the moment when the generation of the Korotkoff sounds Kc is judged to stop being generated (referred to as the "second timing signal").

[0152] Figure 1 The memory 51 shown in FIG. 1 stores program data for controlling the sphygmomanometer 1A, setting data for setting various functions of the sphygmomanometer 1A, data in blood pressure measurement, data of blood pressure measurement results, etc. The memory 51 is used as a work memory when executing programs, etc.

[0153] The control unit 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a processor, and controls the overall operation of the sphygmomanometer 1A. Specifically, the control unit 110 performs control for measuring and recording blood pressure according to a program for controlling the sphygmomanometer 1A stored in the memory 51. Specifically, the method for measuring and recording blood pressure will be described later.

[0154] The pressure sensor 31 is a piezoresistive pressure sensor in this example, and converts the change in resistance caused by the piezoresistive effect caused by the pressure (cuff pressure Pc) of the cuff 20 received through the air pipes 38 and 38a into a voltage. The A / D conversion circuit 310 converts the voltage from the pressure sensor 31 from an analog value to a digital value, and transmits it to the control unit 110. The control unit 110 obtains the cuff pressure Pc based on the voltage.

[0155] As described above, the manual pump 32 and the manual valve 33 are common components used for manual blood pressure measurement. When the manual pump 32 is operated with the manual valve 33 closed, air is supplied from the manual pump 32 to the cuff 20 via the air pipes 38b and 38, and the cuff pressure Pc is pressurized. When the manual valve 33 is opened, air is discharged from the cuff 20 to the atmosphere via the air pipes 38, 38b and the manual valve 33, and the cuff pressure Pc is reduced.

[0156] The power supply unit 53 supplies power to or cuts off power to each unit in the main body 10 , such as the control unit 110 , the display 50 , the memory 51 , and the pressure sensor 31 , according to the on / off of the power button 52A.

[0157] Figure 3 FIG. 1 shows a flow chart of a blood pressure recording method according to an embodiment, wherein an observer 80 uses a blood pressure meter 1A to measure and record the blood pressure of an upper arm 91 of a subject 90. Figure 3 (and the following Figure 7 , Fig. 9 , Fig.12 , Fig.14 , Fig.19 ), for ease of understanding, the processing and judgment performed by the control unit 110 in the main body 10 are depicted with a solid line outline, and the manual operation and manual input of the observer 80 are depicted with a dotted line outline in a manner arranged next to the solid line process.

[0158] As preparation for blood pressure measurement, in this example, the observer 80 wraps the cuff 20 around the upper arm 91 of the subject 90 and places the stethoscope 89 in contact with the portion of the upper arm 91 of the subject 90 through which the artery passes (corresponding to the portion on the downstream side of the cuff 20). In addition, the manual valve 33 is opened.

[0159] In this state, when the observer 80 turns on the power button 52A of the sphygmomanometer 1A, the control unit 110 in the main body 10 initializes the processing storage area and initializes the pressure sensor 31 ( Figure 3 Specifically, in a state where the manual valve 33 is opened, the pressure sensor 31 is adjusted to 0 mmHg (the atmospheric pressure is set to 0 mmHg).

[0160] Next, in step S102, the control unit 110 operates as a first display processing unit and starts processing for displaying the current cuff pressure Pc detected by the pressure sensor 31 in real time as a bar graph 50b along the scale 50a on the display 50. Initially, 0 mmHg is displayed.

[0161] In this state, the observer 80 closes the manual valve 33 (step S103), and temporarily pressurizes the cuff pressure Pc to Pcmax, which is about 30 mmHg higher than the expected maximum blood pressure, by the manual pump 32 (steps S104 and S105). As a result, the blood flow through the artery of the upper arm 91 is temporarily stopped. Next, in step S106, the observer 80 gradually opens the manual valve 33, and typically starts to reduce the pressure of the cuff pressure Pc at a pressure reduction rate of 2 to 3 mmHg / second. As shown in step S107, the control unit 110 displays the current cuff pressure Pc on the display 50, and waits for the start of pressure reduction. Here, the control unit 110, for example, calculates the first differential coefficient (dPc / dt) of the cuff pressure Pc detected by the pressure sensor 31 with respect to time t, and determines whether to start pressure reduction based on whether the first differential coefficient (dPc / dt) is negative.

[0162] When the decompression is started (YES in step S107 ), the control unit 110 performs the processing of steps S108 to S114 during the decompression process.

[0163] Here, Figure 4 The upper section illustrates the change of the internal pressure Pa of the artery and the cuff pressure Pc over time. In this example, the internal pressure Pa of the artery shows a mountain-shaped waveform that shows a rising point Pf and then rises, then shows a peak point Pp and then falls between the lowest blood pressure DIA and the highest blood pressure SYS during each beat of the pulse (in this example, the period is set to T). As described above, during the pressurization process, the cuff pressure Pc is temporarily pressurized to Pcmax, which is about 30 mmHg higher than the expected highest blood pressure, and then enters the decompression process, in this example, the decompression rate is 2 to 3 mmHg / second. Then, when the cuff pressure Pc is lower than the highest blood pressure SYS, as Figure 4 The middle section shows that Korotkoff sound Kc starts to be generated at each beat, and then stops when the cuff pressure Pc is lower than the lowest blood pressure DIA. In addition, in this decompression process, Kcf represents the first Korotkoff sound, and Kce represents the last Korotkoff sound.

[0164] During the decompression process, the control unit 110 functions as a timing detection unit. Figure 3 In step S108, the rising point Pf as the waveform feature point of the pulse is obtained for each pulse beat (refer to Figure 4 For example, the control unit 110 extracts the variation component (set to Pm) of the cuff pressure Pc detected by the pressure sensor 31, and calculates the first differential coefficient (dPm / dt) and the second differential coefficient (d 2 Pm / dt 2 ), by detecting that the sign of the first differential coefficient (dPm / dt) changes from negative to positive, and the second differential coefficient (d 2 Pm / dt 2 ) becomes zero to find the rising point Pf of the pulsation.

[0165] Furthermore, as the “waveform feature point” of the pulse pulsation, a peak point Pp indicating the peak value (peak point) of the pulsation may be used instead of a rising point Pf indicating the rise of the pulsation.

[0166] In parallel with this process, Figure 3 In step S109, the control unit 110 operates as a first data storage unit and starts to associate the pulsation number N, which is a symbol corresponding to the time when the rising point Pf of the pulsation appears, with the cuff pressure Pc at the time when the rising point Pf of the pulsation appears, and sequentially stores them in the memory 51 as a data pair. In this example, Figure 4 As shown in the lower part, as a series of data pairs (referred to as "data group") DS1 obtained during the decompression process, a data pair of pulsation number N = 1 and cuff pressure Pc = 141 (mmHg) is stored, followed by a data pair of pulsation number N = 2 and cuff pressure Pc = 138 (mmHg), and finally a data pair of pulsation number N = 18 and cuff pressure Pc = 93 (mmHg) is stored. Since this processing is not performed by the operation of the observer 80, the data group DS1 is stored without being affected by the reaction time (described later) when the observer 80 presses the HOLD button 52B.

[0167] Alternatively, the time when the rising point Pf of the pulsation appears and the cuff pressure Pc at the time when the rising point Pf of the pulsation appears may be directly associated and sequentially stored as data pairs in the memory 51. However, as described above, by using the pulsation number N, the resources of the memory 51 can be saved.

[0168] In addition, as the waveform feature point of the pulsation, the peak point Pp may be used instead of the rising point Pf of the pulsation. For example, the control unit 110 extracts the variation component (referred to as Pm) from the cuff pressure Pc detected by the pressure sensor 31 through a filter, and calculates the first differential coefficient (dPm / dt) and the second differential coefficient (dPm / dt) of the variation component Pm with respect to time t. 2 Pm / dt 2 ), by detecting that the sign of the first differential coefficient (dPm / dt) changes from positive to negative, and the second differential coefficient (d 2 Pm / dt 2 ) becomes zero to find the peak point Pp of the pulsation.

[0169] During the decompression process Figure 3 During the processing of step S108 and step S109, in step S110, the control unit 110 determines whether the HOLD button 52B is pressed. If the HOLD button 52B is not pressed ("No" in step S110), the control unit 110 continues the processing of step S108 to step S110 as long as the current cuff pressure Pc exceeds the predetermined pressure (30 mmHg in this example) ("No" in step S115). In addition, the 30 mmHg is a pressure lower than the assumed diastolic blood pressure value (minimum blood pressure), and is predetermined as the pressure at which the decompression process should be terminated.

[0170] During the decompression process, the observer 80 observes Figure 2 While listening to the Korotkoff sounds Kc generated by the artery of the upper arm 91 through the stethoscope 89, the cuff pressure Pc is displayed in real time as a bar graph 50b on the display 50 shown in FIG. Figure 3 In step S111, the observer 80 Figure 4 The HOLD button 52B is pressed at a time t1 obtained by delaying the reaction time td1 from the time t0 that can be judged as the time when the Korotkoff sound Kc starts to be generated (i.e., the time when the first Korotkoff sound Kcf is heard from the silent state) illustrated in the middle section. This is equivalent to the first press in the decompression process. Here, the observer 80 can judge the start of the Korotkoff sound Kc generation (and the judgment of the stop of the Korotkoff sound Kc described later) with the same feeling as observing a conventional mercury sphygmomanometer. Therefore, it can be considered that the convenience is very high for the observer who is accustomed to using a conventional mercury sphygmomanometer. In addition, the reaction time td1 of the observer 80 is usually assumed to be no more than one beat T.

[0171] When the HOLD button 52B is pressed (in Figure 3 The control unit 110 operates as a recording processing unit. Figure 3In step S112, it is determined whether the number of times the HOLD button 52B is pressed during the decompression process is the first time or the second time or later. In this example, the memory 51 has a counter (not shown) that counts the number of times the HOLD button 52B is pressed. The counter is reset at the beginning of each decompression process and counts the number of times the HOLD button 52B is pressed. The control unit 110 can determine whether the number of times the HOLD button 52B is pressed is the first time or the second time or later by referring to the count value of the counter. Here, if the number of times the HOLD button 52B is pressed is the first time, then in step S113, the control unit 110 determines that in such a case, Figure 4 The time t1 at which the first pressing is performed is input as the first timing signal t1 (for simplicity, the same symbol as the time t1 is used). Then, the control unit 110 operates as a recording processing unit, and determines the data pair corresponding to the time indicated by the first timing signal t1 from the data group DS1 stored in the memory 51 (in Figure 4 In the example of the lower row, the data pair of pulse number N=3 is stored immediately before time t1. Furthermore, the control unit 110 stores the cuff pressure Pc included in the identified data pair as the systolic blood pressure value in the memory 51. Figure 4 In the example of the lower section, 135 mmHg (indicated by a dotted frame A1) included in the data pair of pulse number N=3 is stored as the systolic blood pressure value. At the same time, in this example, the obtained systolic blood pressure value 135 mmHg is displayed on the display 50. This display may be displayed as a digital value on the display 50, such as "maximum blood pressure 135 mmHg", and / or may be displayed as described later. Fig.10 As shown in the mark M1 in (A) of FIG. 5 , a horizontal bar-shaped mark indicating the pressure value is displayed along the position of the scale 50a. Thus, the observer 80 can easily recognize the obtained systolic blood pressure value by observing the display 50. In addition, at this time, in the data group DS1, only the data pairs from the pulse number N=1 to the pulse number N=3 are stored.

[0172] After that, the decompression process is performed, and the cuff pressure Pc gradually decreases. Figure 3 In step S111, the observer 80 can judge that Figure 4 The HOLD button 52B is pressed at the time t21 when the Korotkoff sound Kc stops being generated (i.e., the time when the Korotkoff sound Kce is first judged to be unheard after being delayed by one beat T from the time t20 when the last Korotkoff sound Kce is heard) as shown in the middle section. The reaction time td2 of the observer 80 is generally assumed to be no more than one beat T, which is obtained by further delaying the reaction time td2. This is equivalent to the second pressing during the decompression process. In addition, the reaction time td2 of the observer 80 is generally assumed to be no more than one beat T.

[0173] When the HOLD button 52B is pressed (in Figure 3 (step S110 is "yes"), the control unit 110 Figure 3 In step S112, by referring to the count value of the counter, it is determined whether the number of times the HOLD button 52B is pressed during the decompression process is the first time or the second time or later. Here, if the number of times the HOLD button 52B is pressed is the second time, then in step S114, the control unit 110 determines that in such a case, Figure 4 The time t2 at which the second pressing is performed is input as the second timing signal t2 (for simplicity, the same symbol as the time t2 is used). Then, the control unit 110 operates as a recording processing unit, and determines the data pair corresponding to the time indicated by the second timing signal t2 from the data group DS1 stored in the memory 51 (in Figure 4 In the example of the lower section, the data pair of the beat number N=18 stored immediately before time t2 is determined, and then the data pair corresponding to the previous beat with respect to this data pair is determined (in Figure 4 In the example of the lower row, the data pair of pulse number N=17). Furthermore, the control unit 110 stores the cuff pressure Pc included in the latter data pair as the corrected diastolic blood pressure value in the memory 51. Figure 4 In the example of the lower section, 95 mmHg (indicated by the dotted frame A2) included in the data pair of the pulse number N=17 is stored as the corrected diastolic blood pressure value. At the same time, in this example, the control unit 110 operates as a third display processing unit to display the corrected diastolic blood pressure value 95 mmHg on the display 50. This display may be displayed as a digital value on the display 50, such as "lowest blood pressure 95 mmHg", and / or may be displayed as described later. Fig.10 By displaying a bar-shaped mark indicating the pressure value along the position of the scale 50a, such as the mark M2 shown in (A) of FIG. 5 , the observer 80 can easily recognize the corrected diastolic blood pressure value by observing the display 50 .

[0174] also, Figure 3 The second "after" in step S112 refers to the possibility that the HOLD button 52B is pressed more than three times during the decompression process. Specifically, when the subject 90 shows arrhythmia, the pulsation may be interrupted in the middle. In addition, in the case of a pregnant woman, Korotkoff sounds can sometimes be heard continuously until low pressure (for example, 30 mmHg). The sound quality of Korotkoff sounds changes in five stages from generation to cessation. The interval of each sound is called a "phase" and is divided into phases from phase I to phase V. Therefore, sometimes both the point at which the sound quality of the Korotkoff sounds changes (the beginning of phase IV) and the last sound of the Korotkoff sounds are recorded. Therefore, as described above, it is possible to cope with the possibility that the HOLD button 52B is pressed more than three times during the decompression process.

[0175] Thereafter, if the decompression process is performed and the current cuff pressure Pc becomes less than a predetermined pressure (30 mmHg in this example) ("Yes" in step S115), the control unit 110 ends the processing of the flow of the blood pressure recording method. The observer 80 opens the manual valve 33 to reduce the cuff pressure Pc (step S116). In addition, the observer 80 may open the manual valve 33 to reduce the cuff pressure Pc once the corrected diastolic blood pressure value is recorded.

[0176] Thus, in the sphygmomanometer 1A, the control unit 110 works as a recording processing unit, and determines the data pair corresponding to the time indicated by the second timing signal t2 from a series of data pairs stored in the memory 51 during the decompression process, and the cuff pressure Pc included in the data pair corresponding to the previous beat relative to the determined data pair is recorded as the corrected diastolic blood pressure value. According to the above analysis by the inventor, the corrected diastolic blood pressure value is not equivalent to the cuff pressure Pc corresponding to the time t21 when the observer 80 changes from a state where the Korotkoff sound Kc is continuously heard for each beat to the first time being judged as inaudible, but actually corresponds to the cuff pressure Pc corresponding to the time t20 when the Korotkoff sound Kc is heard for the last time. Therefore, according to the use of the sphygmomanometer 1A Figure 3 The process of the blood pressure recording method can correct the phenomenon that the minimum blood pressure is underestimated by about one beat.

[0177] In addition, several reaction times td1 and td2 are required from the time when the observer 80 determines that the Korotkoff sounds Kc start to be generated to the time when the HOLD button 52B is pressed, and from the time when the observer 80 determines that the generation of the Korotkoff sounds Kc stops to the time when the HOLD button 52B is pressed. However, in the sphygmomanometer 1A, during the decompression process, the control unit 110 operates as the first data storage unit, and the data pairs are sequentially stored in the memory 51 without being affected by such reaction times td1 and td2. Therefore, the data pairs determined by the control unit 110 operating as the recording processing unit are stored without being affected by the reaction times td1 and td2 of the observer 80. In addition, the reaction times td1 and td2 of the observer are usually assumed to be no more than one beat. As a result, the recorded systolic blood pressure value and the corrected diastolic blood pressure value are actually not affected by the reaction times td1 and td2 of the observer 80.

[0178] In addition, for each beat, there may be a slight deviation (time interval) between the time when the rising point Pf of the beat appears and the time when the Korotkoff sound Kc of the beat is generated. However, since the deviation usually does not reach half a beat, the deviation does not substantially reduce the accuracy of blood pressure measurement (recording).

[0179] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the systolic blood pressure value and the diastolic blood pressure value (corrected diastolic blood pressure value) can be recorded with high accuracy compared to the conventional example. Moreover, according to the first embodiment, since the control unit 110 determines whether the operation of the operating unit 52 is the first or second time during the decompression process, both the systolic blood pressure value and the corrected diastolic blood pressure value can be recorded quickly. In addition, even in the middle of the decompression process, the observer 80 can end the blood pressure measurement once the corrected diastolic blood pressure value is recorded.

[0180] The inventors have verified the accuracy of the systolic blood pressure value and the corrected diastolic blood pressure value recorded by the first embodiment through experiments. Specifically, the inventors used the sphygmomanometer 1A to simultaneously perform blood pressure measurement using the conventional auscultation method and the diastolic blood pressure measurement based on the sphygmomanometer 1A. Figure 3 The process of the blood pressure recording method uses the hold function (HOLD button 52B) for blood pressure measurement. In the blood pressure measurement using the conventional auscultatory method, the observer 80 observes the cuff pressure Pc displayed in real time as a bar graph 50b on the display 50, and reads the highest blood pressure and the lowest blood pressure based on the Korotkoff sounds Kc heard through the stethoscope 89 (the read values ​​are referred to as "auscultatory values"). On the other hand, in the blood pressure measurement using the hold function, the observer 80 observes the cuff pressure Pc displayed in real time as a bar graph 50b on the display 50, and reads the highest blood pressure and the lowest blood pressure based on the Korotkoff sounds Kc heard through the stethoscope 89, at a time equivalent to Figure 4 At the middle time t1 and t2, the HOLD button 52B is pressed to record the cuff pressure at that time (the recorded value is referred to as the "HOLD value"). Then, the difference between the HOLD value and the auscultation value obtained at each measurement (a total of 60 times) is calculated (HOLD value - auscultation value). Figure 5 (A) shows a scatter plot of systolic blood pressure values ​​(maximum blood pressure), with the horizontal axis representing the auscultation value and the vertical axis representing the difference (HOLD value - auscultation value). Figure 5 (B) shows a scatter plot of the diastolic blood pressure value (minimum blood pressure) with the auscultation value on the horizontal axis and the difference (HOLD value - auscultation value) on the vertical axis. It can be seen from these figures that for the systolic blood pressure value (maximum blood pressure), the average value of the difference (HOLD value - auscultation value) is -1.5 mmHg. On the other hand, for the diastolic blood pressure value (minimum blood pressure), the average value of the difference (HOLD value - auscultation value) is -1.2 mmHg. Thus, with respect to the systolic blood pressure value (maximum blood pressure), no significant difference was found in this verification experiment compared with the existing example. However, with respect to the diastolic blood pressure value (minimum blood pressure), it can be considered that the phenomenon of underestimating approximately one beat can be corrected.

[0181] In addition, the sphygmomanometer 1A is provided with a manual pump 32 and a manual valve 33 as a cuff pressure adjustment unit, and the cuff pressure Pc is manually adjusted to increase or decrease pressure. However, this is not limited to this. For example, like a commercially available electronic sphygmomanometer (e.g., the upper arm sphygmomanometer HEM-7120 series manufactured by Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd.), the control unit 110 may also include an electric pump and a valve to control the automatic increase or decrease pressure of the cuff pressure Pc. In this case, there is no need for the observer 80 to operate the manual pump 32 and the manual valve 33, and during the decompression process, one hand (in Figure 2 The right hand (in the example of FIG. 1 ) can be used exclusively for pressing the HOLD button 52B. Therefore, it is convenient for the observer 80. This is the same in the second to fourth embodiments described later.

[0182] (Second Embodiment)

[0183] Figure 6 The module structure of a sphygmomanometer 1B as a second embodiment of the blood pressure recording device of the present invention is shown. Compared with the sphygmomanometer 1A, the sphygmomanometer 1B is different in that the HOLD button as the operating unit 52 includes a maximum blood pressure HOLD button 52B1 as a first switch for receiving an instruction to record a systolic blood pressure value and a minimum blood pressure HOLD button 52B2 as a second switch for receiving an instruction to record a diastolic blood pressure value. In this example, both the maximum blood pressure HOLD button 52B1 and the minimum blood pressure HOLD button 52B2 are composed of momentary (self-resetting) switches. The hardware structure of the sphygmomanometer 1B except for the operating unit 52 is the same as the hardware structure of the sphygmomanometer 1A. Figure 6 In, with Figure 1 The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0184] In this example, the observer 80 is scheduled to press the maximum blood pressure HOLD button 52B1 when it is determined that the Korotkoff sounds Kc start to be generated, and is scheduled to press the minimum blood pressure HOLD button 52B2 when it is determined that the Korotkoff sounds Kc stop being generated.

[0185] Figure 7 The flow of a blood pressure recording method according to one embodiment is shown, in which an observer 80 uses a sphygmomanometer 1B to measure and record the blood pressure of an upper arm 91 of a subject 90. As preparation for the blood pressure measurement, in this example, Figure 2 Similarly to the situation shown, the observer 80 wraps the cuff 20 around the upper arm 91 of the subject 90 and brings the stethoscope 89 into contact with the portion of the upper arm 91 of the subject 90 through which the artery passes (corresponding to the portion on the downstream side of the cuff 20). In addition, the manual valve 33 is opened.

[0186] Should Figure 7 The steps S201 to S209 of the blood pressure recording method are as follows: Figure 3 Steps S101 to S109 of the blood pressure recording method are performed in exactly the same manner.

[0187] In this example, during the decompression process Figure 7 During the processing of step S208 and step S209, in step S210, the control unit 110 determines whether the maximum blood pressure HOLD button 52B1 is pressed. In addition, in step S213, the control unit 110 determines whether the minimum blood pressure HOLD button 52B2 is pressed. If neither the maximum blood pressure HOLD button 52B1 nor the minimum blood pressure HOLD button 52B2 is pressed ("No" in step S210, "No" in step S213), the control unit 110 continues the processing of steps S208 to S210 and S213 as long as the current cuff pressure Pc exceeds the predetermined pressure (30 mmHg in this example) ("No" in step S216).

[0188] During the decompression process, Figure 7 As shown in step S211 of FIG. 1 , if the observer 80 presses the systolic blood pressure HOLD button 52B1 (in Figure 7 If the step S210 is "yes", then in step S212, the control unit 110 determines that Figure 4 The first timing signal t1 is inputted at the time t1 when the maximum blood pressure HOLD button 52B1 is pressed as shown in the middle section. Then, the control unit 110 operates as a recording processing unit, and determines the data pair corresponding to the time indicated by the first timing signal t1 from the data group DS1 stored in the memory 51 (in Figure 4 In the example of the lower row, the data pair of pulse number N=3 is stored immediately before time t1. Furthermore, the control unit 110 stores the cuff pressure Pc included in the identified data pair as the systolic blood pressure value in the memory 51. Figure 4 In the example of the lower section, 135 mmHg (indicated by a dotted frame A1) included in the data pair of pulse number N=3 is stored as the systolic blood pressure value. At the same time, in this example, the obtained systolic blood pressure value 135 mmHg is displayed on the display 50. This display may be displayed as a digital value on the display 50, such as "maximum blood pressure 135 mmHg", and / or may be displayed as described later. Fig.10 Like the mark M1 shown in (A) of FIG. 1 , a mark in the form of a horizontal bar indicating a pressure value is displayed along the position of the scale 50 a.

[0189] On the other hand, during the decompression process, Figure 7 As shown in step S214 of FIG. 11 , if the observer 80 presses the minimum blood pressure HOLD button 52B2 (in Figure 7 If step S213 is "yes", then in step S215, the control unit 110 determines that Figure 4 The second timing signal t2 is inputted at the time t2 when the minimum blood pressure HOLD button 52B2 is pressed as shown in the middle section. Then, the control unit 110 operates as a recording processing unit, and determines the data pair corresponding to the time indicated by the second timing signal t2 from the data group DS1 stored in the memory 51 (in Figure 4 In the example of the lower section, the data pair of the beat number N=18 stored immediately before time t2 is determined, and the data pair corresponding to the previous beat with respect to the data pair is determined (in Figure 4 In the example of the lower row, the data pair of pulse number N=17). Furthermore, the control unit 110 stores the cuff pressure Pc included in the latter data pair as the corrected diastolic blood pressure value in the memory 51. Figure 4 In the example of the lower section, 95 mmHg (indicated by the dotted frame A2) included in the data pair of the pulse number N=17 is stored as the corrected diastolic blood pressure value. At the same time, in this example, the control unit 110 operates as a third display processing unit to display the corrected diastolic blood pressure value 95 mmHg on the display 50. This display may be displayed as a digital value on the display 50, such as "lowest blood pressure 95 mmHg", and / or may be displayed as described later. Fig.10 By displaying a bar-shaped mark indicating the pressure value along the position of the scale 50a, such as the mark M2 shown in (A) of FIG. 5 , the observer 80 can easily recognize the obtained systolic blood pressure value and the corrected diastolic blood pressure value by observing the display 50 .

[0190] After that, if the decompression process is performed, the current cuff pressure Pc becomes less than a predetermined pressure (30 mmHg in this example) (in Figure 7 The controller 110 terminates the processing of the blood pressure recording method flow if the result of step S216 is "Yes". The observer 80 opens the manual valve 33 to reduce the cuff pressure Pc (step S217). In addition, the observer 80 may open the manual valve 33 to reduce the cuff pressure Pc once the corrected diastolic blood pressure value is recorded.

[0191] According to the second embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, the systolic blood pressure value and the diastolic blood pressure value (corrected diastolic blood pressure value) can be recorded with high accuracy. Moreover, according to the second embodiment, both the systolic blood pressure value and the corrected diastolic blood pressure value can be quickly recorded according to the intention of the observer 80 (recording the systolic blood pressure value or recording the diastolic blood pressure value). In addition, even in the middle of the decompression process, the observer 80 can end the blood pressure measurement once the corrected diastolic blood pressure value is recorded. Moreover, during the decompression process, the control unit 110 does not need to determine whether the operation of the operating unit 52 is the first or second time, so the processing of the control unit 110 becomes simple.

[0192] (Third Embodiment)

[0193] Figure 8 The module structure of a sphygmomanometer 1C as a third embodiment of the blood pressure recording device of the present invention is shown. Compared with the sphygmomanometer 1A, the sphygmomanometer 1C is different in that, as the operating unit 52, in addition to the power button 52A and the HOLD button 52B, it also includes a selection button 52C as a selection operating unit. In this example, the selection button 52C is composed of a momentary (self-resetting) switch. The hardware structure of the sphygmomanometer 1C other than the operating unit 52 is the same as the hardware structure of the sphygmomanometer 1A. Figure 8 In, with Figure 1 The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0194] In this example, the observer 80 predetermines the selection items (cuff pressure Pc included in the data pair) corresponding to the time when the first and second timing signals t1 and t2 are input and displayed on the display 50 (hereinafter referred to as Fig.10 In the mark M1, M2) in the figure, select the option that you think is suitable for the diastolic blood pressure value by selecting button 52C.

[0195] Fig. 9 The flow of a blood pressure recording method according to one embodiment is shown, wherein an observer 80 uses a sphygmomanometer 1C to measure and record the blood pressure of an upper arm 91 of a subject 90. As preparation for the blood pressure measurement, in this example, Figure 2 Similarly to the situation shown, the observer 80 wraps the cuff 20 around the upper arm 91 of the subject 90 and brings the stethoscope 89 into contact with the portion of the upper arm 91 of the subject 90 through which the artery passes (corresponding to the portion on the downstream side of the cuff 20). In addition, the manual valve 33 is opened.

[0196] Should Fig. 9 The steps S301 to S309 of the blood pressure recording method are as follows: Figure 3Steps S101 to S109 of the blood pressure recording method are performed in exactly the same manner.

[0197] In this example, during the decompression process Fig. 9 During the processing of steps S308 and S309, in step S310, the control unit 110 determines whether the HOLD button 52B is pressed. If the HOLD button 52B is not pressed ("No" in step S310), the control unit 110 continues the processing of steps S308 to S310 as long as the current cuff pressure Pc exceeds the predetermined pressure (30 mmHg in this example) ("No" in step S313). In this example, Fig.11 The data set DS2 shown is stored in the memory 51.

[0198] During the decompression process, Fig. 9 As shown in step S311 of FIG. 8 , when the observer 80 presses the HOLD button 52B for the first time (in Fig. 9 In step S310, the control unit 110 works as a data pair determination unit to determine the data pair corresponding to the pressed time t1 from the data group DS2 stored in the memory 51 (in step S312). Fig.11 In the example, it is a data pair with pulse number N=3). Furthermore, the control unit 110 maintains the information indicating the data pair with pulse number N=3 by setting a flag F1 for the data pair with pulse number N=3. At the same time, the control unit 110 operates as a second display processing unit to cause the display 50 to display the cuff pressure Pc (in Fig.11 In the example of FIG. 1 , 135 mmHg) indicated by the dotted frame B1 is displayed as an option for the blood pressure value. Fig.10 The pressure value is displayed as a horizontal bar mark along the scale 50a, as shown in the mark M1 in (A). In this case, only the data pairs from the pulsation number N=1 to the pulsation number N=3 are stored in the data set DS2.

[0199] Then, during the decompression process, Fig. 9 As shown in step S311 of FIG. 8 , when the observer 80 presses the HOLD button 52B for the second time (in Fig. 9 In step S310, the control unit 110 works as a data pair determination unit to determine the data pair corresponding to the pressed time t2 from the data group DS1 stored in the memory 51 (in step S312). Fig.11In the example, it is a data pair with pulse number N=18). Furthermore, the control unit 110 maintains information indicating the data pair with pulse number N=18 by setting a flag F2 for the data pair with pulse number N=18. At the same time, the control unit 110 operates as a second display processing unit to cause the display 50 to display the cuff pressure Pc (in Fig.11 In the example of FIG. 1 , 93 mmHg) indicated by the dotted frame B2 is displayed as an option for the blood pressure value. Fig.10 Like the mark M2 shown in (A) of FIG. 1 , the pressure value is displayed as a horizontal bar mark along the scale 50 a.

[0200] Furthermore, if the HOLD button 52B is pressed more than three times during the decompression process, each time the button is pressed, the control unit 110 operates as a data pair determination unit to determine the data pair corresponding to the time of the pressing from the data group DS1 stored in the memory 51. Furthermore, the control unit 110 maintains information indicating the data pair of the determined pulsation number N by setting a mark for the data pair of the determined pulsation number N. At the same time, the control unit 110 operates as a second display processing unit to cause the display 50 to display the cuff pressure Pc included in the data pair of the determined pulsation number N as an option for the blood pressure value. Furthermore, "more than three times" means that the possibility of the HOLD button 52B being pressed more than three times during the decompression process can be dealt with. Specifically, when the subject 90 shows arrhythmia, the pulsation may be interrupted in the middle. In addition, in the case of a pregnant woman, Korotkoff sounds may be heard continuously until the pressure is low (for example, 30 mmHg). The sound quality of Korotkoff sounds changes in five stages from generation to cessation. Each sound interval is called a "phase", which is divided into phases I to V. Therefore, sometimes both the point where the sound quality of the Korotkoff sound changes (the beginning of phase IV) and the last sound of the Korotkoff sound are recorded. Therefore, as described above, the possibility that the HOLD button 52B is pressed three or more times during the decompression process can be dealt with.

[0201] After that, if the decompression process is carried out, the current cuff pressure Pc becomes less than a predetermined pressure (30 mmHg in this example) (in Fig. 9 If the result of step S313 is "Yes", the observer 80 opens the manual valve 33 to reduce the cuff pressure Pc, and the decompression process ends (step S314). At the end of the decompression process, the control unit 110 operates as the second display processing unit, such as Fig.10 As shown in (A), the display of the mark M1 indicating the obtained blood pressure value of 135 mmHg and the display of the mark M2 indicating the obtained blood pressure value of 93 mmHg are maintained. Then, the control unit 110 waits for the selection of option ( Fig. 9In this stage, the observer 80 selects the option that he or she considers to be appropriate for the diastolic blood pressure value from the marks M1 and M2 displayed on the display 50 as the options corresponding to the times t1 and t2 when the HOLD button 52B was pressed, by selecting the button 52C.

[0202] In this example, each time the observer 80 presses the selection button 52C, Fig.10 As shown in (B), the mark M1 flashes (indicated by a radial mark surrounding a horizontal bar), as shown in FIG. Fig.10 As shown in (C), the mark M2 flashes, and the selection candidates are switched in sequence. In addition, when three or more marks as selection items are displayed, the selection candidates are switched cyclically between the three or more marks.

[0203] In this example, it is assumed that the observer 80 is Fig.10 Select the mark M2 while the mark M2 is flashing as shown in (C), and press the selection button 52C for more than 3 seconds, for example. Fig. 9 In step S317, the control unit 110 operates as a recording processing unit and records the data pair (in Fig.11 In the example of FIG. 1 , the data pair with the pulse number N=18 marked with F2 in the data set DS2 is determined as the data pair selected by the observer 80 as the data pair that corresponds to the diastolic blood pressure value. Furthermore, the control unit 110 determines the data pair corresponding to the previous pulse with respect to the determined data pair (in Fig.11 In the example of FIG. 5 , the data pair with pulse number N=17 in the data set DS2 is used. Then, the cuff pressure Pc included in the latter data pair is stored in the memory 51 as the corrected diastolic blood pressure value. Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , by setting a mark F21 on 95 mmHg (indicated by a dotted frame B2) included in the data pair of pulse number N=17 in the data group DS2, information that the corrected diastolic blood pressure value is 95 mmHg is stored. At the same time, in this example, the control unit 110 operates as a third display processing unit to cause the display 50 to display the corrected diastolic blood pressure value 95 mmHg. In this example, instead of displaying the mark M2, the display is as shown in FIG. Fig.10 In this example, the remaining mark M1 directly displays the cuff pressure Pc (in Fig.11In the example, 135 mmHg is indicated by the dotted frame B1). Thus, the observer 80 can easily recognize the obtained systolic blood pressure value and the corrected diastolic blood pressure value by observing the mark M1 and the mark M21 displayed on the display 50. In this way, the systolic blood pressure value and the corrected diastolic blood pressure value are recorded.

[0204] According to the third embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, the systolic blood pressure value and the diastolic blood pressure value (corrected diastolic blood pressure value) can be recorded with high accuracy. Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, the corrected diastolic blood pressure value can be recorded according to the selection of the observer 80 (selection of which option corresponds to the diastolic blood pressure value).

[0205] Fig.12 Indicates that Fig. 9 The process of a modified example of the blood pressure recording method of FIG. As a preparation for blood pressure measurement, in this example, Figure 2 Similarly to the situation shown, the observer 80 wraps the cuff 20 around the upper arm 91 of the subject 90 and brings the stethoscope 89 into contact with the portion of the upper arm 91 of the subject 90 through which the artery passes (corresponding to the portion on the downstream side of the cuff 20). In addition, the manual valve 33 is opened.

[0206] Should Fig.12 The steps S401 to S414 of the blood pressure recording method are as follows: Fig. 9 Steps S301 to S314 of the blood pressure recording method are performed in exactly the same manner.

[0207] In this Fig.12 In the process of the blood pressure recording method, when the HOLD button 52B is pressed more than twice during the decompression process, in step S415 after the decompression process is completed, the control unit 110 works as a recording processing unit and records the data pair corresponding to the time t2 when the last operation was performed (in the data group DS2) from the data pairs for which the marks (set as F1, F2) are set. Fig.11 In the example, the data pair with pulse number N=18 is used as the data pair corresponding to the time indicated by the second timing signal t2. That is, the control unit 110 does not require the observer 80 to select the option that is considered to correspond to the diastolic blood pressure, but causes the memory 51 to store the cuff pressure Pc included in the data pair corresponding to the previous pulse relative to the data pair with pulse number N=18 as the corrected diastolic blood pressure value. Fig.11In the example of FIG. 1 , the 95 mmHg (indicated by the dotted frame B2) included in the data pair with the beat number N=17 in the data group DS2 is stored by setting a mark F21. At the same time, in this example, the control unit 110 operates as a third display processing unit to display the corrected diastolic blood pressure value 95 mmHg on the display 50. This display replaces the display of the mark M2 in this example, as shown in FIG. Fig.10 The pressure value is displayed as a horizontal bar mark along the position of the scale 50a, as shown in the mark M21 shown in (D) of FIG. 5 . In addition, in this example, the remaining mark M1 directly displays the cuff pressure Pc (in this example, 135 mmHg represented by the dotted frame B1) included in the data pair of the pulse number N=3 for which the mark F1 is set. Thus, the observer 80 can easily recognize the obtained systolic blood pressure value and the corrected diastolic blood pressure value by observing the mark M1 and the mark M21 displayed on the display 50. In this way, the systolic blood pressure value and the corrected diastolic blood pressure value are recorded.

[0208] According to the Fig.12 The process of the blood pressure recording method is simplified, and the processing of the control unit 110 as the recording processing unit becomes simple. In addition, the selection button 52C can be omitted from the hardware structure of the blood pressure meter 1C.

[0209] In the first to third embodiments, it is assumed that as the decompression process starts, the control unit 110 operates as the first data storage unit and starts to associate the pulsation number N, which is a symbol corresponding to the time when the rising point Pf of the pulsation appears, with the cuff pressure Pc at the time when the rising point Pf of the pulsation appears, and sequentially stores them in the memory 51 as data pairs. However, this is not limited to this. During the decompression process, the control unit 110 may also start from the data pair corresponding to the time when the HOLD button 52B is pressed for the first time (in Fig.11 In the example of FIG. 5 , the data pairs are sequentially stored in the memory 51 starting with the data pair with the beat number N=3. Thus, the resource of the memory 51 can be saved.

[0210] (Fourth Embodiment)

[0211] Fig.13 The block structure of a sphygmomanometer 1D as a fourth embodiment of the blood pressure recording device of the present invention is shown. Compared with the sphygmomanometer 1A, the sphygmomanometer 1D is different in that it includes a microphone 40 mounted on the cuff 20 and an A / D conversion circuit 410 mounted on the main body 10. The microphone 40 converts the sound generated by the artery of the upper arm 91 of the subject 90 into a sound signal Ks as an electrical signal and outputs it. The sound signal Ks output by the microphone 40 is transmitted from the Fig.13The wire 71 extending from the cuff 20 to the main body 10 shown in FIG. 1 is transmitted to the A / D conversion circuit 410. The A / D conversion circuit 410 converts the sound signal Ks from an analog value to a digital value and transmits it to the control unit 110. The hardware structure of the blood pressure meter 1D is the same as that of the blood pressure meter 1A. Fig.13 In, with Figure 1 The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0212] Fig.14 The flow of a blood pressure recording method according to one embodiment is shown, wherein an observer 80 uses a sphygmomanometer 1D to measure and record the blood pressure of an upper arm 91 of a subject 90. As preparation for the blood pressure measurement, in this example, Figure 2 Similarly to the situation shown, the observer 80 wraps the cuff 20 around the upper arm 91 of the subject 90 and brings the stethoscope 89 into contact with the portion of the upper arm 91 of the subject 90 through which the artery passes (corresponding to the portion on the downstream side of the cuff 20). In addition, the manual valve 33 is opened.

[0213] Should Fig.14 The steps S501 to S507 of the blood pressure recording method are as follows: Figure 3 Steps S101 to S107 of the blood pressure recording method are performed in exactly the same manner.

[0214] When the decompression is started (YES in step S507 ), the control unit 110 performs the processing of steps S508 to S514 during the decompression process.

[0215] First, the microphone 40 converts the sound generated by the artery of the upper arm 91 of the subject 90 into a sound signal Ks as an electrical signal and outputs it. Fig.15 As shown in the upper part, the pulse-shaped Korotkoff sound signal Kca representing the Korotkoff sound is included as an electrical signal (AC signal). The sound signal Ks output by the microphone 40 is transmitted through Fig.13 The wiring 71 and the analog-to-digital conversion circuit 410 shown in FIG. 4 are transmitted to the control unit 110 as digital values. Fig.14 In step S508, the control unit 110 operates as a Korotkoff sound signal detection unit, and based on the sound signal Ks, for example, Fig.15 As shown in the middle section, the Korotkoff sound signal Kca is detected. Fig.15As shown in the upper part of , the control unit 110 sets a threshold value Th slightly higher than the background noise level ba for the sound signal Ks, extracts the components exceeding the threshold value Th in the sound signal Ks, and thereby detects the Korotkoff sound signal Kca. The timing of detecting the Korotkoff sound signal Kca is assumed to coincide with the timing of the observer 80 listening to the Korotkoff sound Kc through the stethoscope 89 (that is, the processing time of the control unit 110 for detecting the Korotkoff sound signal Kca from the sound signal Ks is assumed to be negligible).

[0216] In parallel with this process, Fig.14 In step S509, the control unit 110 functions as a second data storage unit and starts to associate the pulse number N, which is a symbol corresponding to the time when the Korotkoff sound signal Kca is detected, with the cuff pressure Pc at the time when the Korotkoff sound signal Kca is detected, and sequentially stores them as data pairs in the memory 51. Fig.15 As shown in the lower section, as a series of data pairs (referred to as "data group") DS3 obtained during the decompression process, a data pair of pulse number N = 1 and cuff pressure Pc = 125 (mmHg) is stored, followed by a data pair of pulse number N = 2 and cuff pressure Pc = 122 (mmHg), and finally a data pair of pulse number N = 15 and cuff pressure Pc = 85 (mmHg) is stored. Since this processing is not performed by the operation of the observer 80, the data group DS3 is stored without being affected by the reaction time (described later) when the observer 80 presses the HOLD button 52B. In addition, Fig.15 In the lower row, there is no data pair in the column with "-".

[0217] Alternatively, the time when the Korotkoff sound signal Kca appears may be directly associated with the cuff pressure Pc at the time when the Korotkoff sound signal Kca appears, and the data may be sequentially stored in the memory 51 as a data pair. However, as described above, by using the pulse number N, the resources of the memory 51 can be saved. This is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0218] During the decompression process Fig.14 During the processing of step S508 and step S509, in step S510, the control unit 110 determines whether the HOLD button 52B is pressed. If the HOLD button 52B is not pressed ("No" in step S510), the control unit 110 continues the processing of step S508 to step S510 as long as the current cuff pressure Pc exceeds the predetermined pressure (30 mmHg in this example) ("No" in step S515). In addition, the 30 mmHg is a pressure lower than the assumed minimum blood pressure, and is predetermined as the pressure at which the decompression process should be terminated.

[0219] During the decompression process, the observer 80 observes Figure 2 While the cuff pressure Pc is displayed in real time as a bar graph 50b on the display 50 shown in FIG. 1 , the Korotkoff sound Kc generated by the artery of the upper arm 91 is listened to by the stethoscope 89 in the same manner as in the first embodiment (as described above, the timing of the generation of the Korotkoff sound Kc is assumed to be the same as that of the artery of the upper arm 91). Fig.15 The timing of the Korotkoff sound signal Kca shown in the middle section is consistent). Then, Fig.14 In step S511, the observer 80 Fig.15 The HOLD button 52B is pressed at a time t1 obtained by delaying the reaction time td1 from the time t0 which can be judged as the time when the Korotkoff sound Kc starts to be generated (i.e., the time when the first Korotkoff sound Kcf is heard from the silent state). This is equivalent to the first pressing during the decompression process. In addition, the reaction time td1 of the observer 80 is generally assumed to be no more than one beat T.

[0220] When the HOLD button 52B is pressed (in Fig.14 In step S510, the control unit 110 operates as a recording processing unit. Fig.14 In step S512, it is determined whether the number of times the HOLD button 52B is pressed during the decompression process is the first time or the second time or later. In this example, the control unit 110 can determine whether the number of times the HOLD button 52B is pressed is the first time or the second time or later by referring to the count value of the counter in the first embodiment. Here, if the number of times the HOLD button 52B is pressed is the first time, then in step S513, the control unit 110 determines that the input is as follows: Fig.15 The first timing signal t1 (for simplicity, the same symbol as the time t1) is shown in the middle section. Then, the control unit 110 works as a recording processing unit to determine the data pair corresponding to the time indicated by the first timing signal t1 from the data group DS3 stored in the memory 51 (in Fig.15 In the example of the lower row, the data pair with the pulse number N=1 stored immediately before time t1). Furthermore, the control unit 110 stores the cuff pressure Pc included in the identified data pair as the systolic blood pressure value in the memory 51. Fig.15 In the example of the lower section, 125 mmHg (indicated by a dotted frame C1) included in the data pair of the pulse number N=1 is stored as the systolic blood pressure value. At the same time, in this example, the obtained systolic blood pressure value 125 mmHg is displayed on the display 50. This display may be displayed as a digital value on the display 50, such as "maximum blood pressure 125 mmHg", and / or may be displayed as a digital value such as "maximum blood pressure 125 mmHg". Fig.10By displaying a horizontal bar mark indicating the pressure value along the position of the scale 50a, as shown in the mark M1 in (A), the observer 80 can easily recognize the obtained systolic blood pressure value by observing the display 50. In addition, at this time, only the data pair with the pulse number N=1 is stored in the data group DS3.

[0221] After that, the decompression process is performed, and the cuff pressure Pc gradually decreases. Fig.14 In step S511, the observer 80 Fig.15 The HOLD button 52B is pressed at the time t2 obtained by further delaying the reaction time td2 from the time t21 at which the generation of the Korotkoff sound Kc can be determined to have stopped (i.e., the time at which the Korotkoff sound Kce can be determined to be unheard for the first time after being delayed by one beat T from the time t20 at which the last Korotkoff sound Kce was heard) as illustrated in the middle section. This is equivalent to the second pressing during the decompression process. In addition, the reaction time td2 of the observer 80 is generally assumed to be no longer than one beat T.

[0222] When the HOLD button 52B is pressed (in Fig.14 In step S510, the control unit 110 is "yes". Fig.14 In step S512, it is determined whether the number of times the HOLD button 52B is pressed during the decompression process is the first time or the second time or later. Here, if the number of times the HOLD button 52B is pressed is the second time, then in step S514, the control unit 110 refers to the count value of the counter and determines that the input is as follows: Fig.15 The second timing signal t2 (for simplicity, the same symbol as the time t2) is shown in the middle section. Then, the control unit 110 works as a recording processing unit to determine the data pair (in the data group DS3 stored in the memory 51) that is last stored and traced back from the time indicated by the second timing signal t2. Fig.15 In the example of the lower section, the cuff pressure Pc included in the determined data pair is stored in the memory 51 as the corrected diastolic blood pressure value. Fig.15 In the example of the lower section, 85 mmHg (indicated by the dotted frame C2) included in the data pair of the pulse number N=15 is stored as the systolic blood pressure value. At the same time, in this example, the control unit 110 operates as the third display processing unit to display the corrected diastolic blood pressure value 85 mmHg on the display 50. This display may be displayed as a digital value on the display 50, such as "lowest blood pressure 85 mmHg", and / or may be displayed as described later. Fig.10 By displaying a bar-shaped mark indicating the pressure value along the position of the scale 50a, such as the mark M2 shown in (A) of FIG. 5 , the observer 80 can easily recognize the corrected diastolic blood pressure value by observing the display 50 .

[0223] also, Fig.14 The second "after" in step S512 means that it is possible to cope with the possibility that the HOLD button 52B is pressed more than three times during the decompression process. Specifically, when the subject 90 shows arrhythmia, the pulsation may be interrupted in the middle. In addition, in the case of a pregnant woman, Korotkoff sounds can sometimes be heard continuously until low pressure (for example, 30 mmHg). The sound quality of Korotkoff sounds changes in five stages from generation to cessation. The interval of each sound is called a "phase" and is divided into phases from phase I to phase V. Therefore, sometimes both the point at which the sound quality of the Korotkoff sounds changes (the beginning of phase IV) and the last sound of the Korotkoff sounds are recorded. Therefore, as described above, it is possible to cope with the possibility that the HOLD button 52B is pressed more than three times during the decompression process.

[0224] Thereafter, if the decompression process is performed and the current cuff pressure Pc becomes less than a predetermined pressure (30 mmHg in this example) ("Yes" in step S515), the control unit 110 ends the processing of the flow of the blood pressure recording method. The observer 80 opens the manual valve 33 to reduce the cuff pressure Pc (step S516). In addition, the observer 80 may open the manual valve 33 to reduce the cuff pressure Pc once the corrected diastolic blood pressure value is recorded.

[0225] Thus, in the sphygmomanometer 1D, the control unit 110 works as a recording processing unit, determines the data pair that is last stored from the time indicated by the second timing signal t2 among a series of data pairs stored in the memory 51 during the decompression process, and records the cuff pressure Pc included in the determined data pair as the corrected diastolic blood pressure value. According to the above analysis by the inventor, the corrected diastolic blood pressure value is not equivalent to the cuff pressure Pc corresponding to the time t21 when the observer 80 changes from a state where the Korotkoff sound Kc is continuously heard for each beat to the first time being judged as inaudible, but actually corresponds to the cuff pressure Pc corresponding to the time t20 when the Korotkoff sound Kc is last heard. Therefore, according to the use of the sphygmomanometer 1D Fig.14 The process of blood pressure recording method can correct the phenomenon of underestimating the minimum blood pressure by about one beat.

[0226] In addition, several reaction times td1 and td2 are required from the time when the observer 80 determines that the Korotkoff sounds Kc start to be generated to the time when the HOLD button 52B is pressed, and from the time when the observer 80 determines that the Korotkoff sounds Kc stop to the time when the HOLD button 52B is pressed. However, in the blood pressure meter 1D, during the decompression process, the control unit 110 operates as the second data storage unit, and the data pairs are sequentially stored in the memory 51 without being affected by such reaction times td1 and td2. Therefore, the data pairs determined by the control unit 110 operating as the recording processing unit are stored without being affected by the reaction times td1 and td2 of the observer 80. As a result, the recorded systolic blood pressure value and the corrected diastolic blood pressure value are actually not affected by the reaction times td1 and td2 of the observer 80.

[0227] As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the systolic blood pressure value and the diastolic blood pressure value (corrected diastolic blood pressure value) can be recorded with higher accuracy than in the conventional example.

[0228] In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the data set DS3 associates the pulsation number N, which is a symbol corresponding to the time when the Korotkoff sound signal Kca is detected, with the cuff pressure Pc at the time when the Korotkoff sound signal Kca is detected, and stores them in the memory 51 as a data pair. Therefore, compared with the first embodiment, the deviation (time interval) between the time when the rising point Pf of the pulsation appears and the time when the Korotkoff sound Kc of the pulsation is generated is unlikely to affect the accuracy of blood pressure measurement (recording). Therefore, the systolic blood pressure value and the diastolic blood pressure value (corrected diastolic blood pressure value) can also be recorded with high accuracy.

[0229] In addition, in the above-mentioned blood pressure meter 1D, the microphone 40 is mounted on the cuff 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. Fig.16 As in the sphygmomanometer 1E shown in the figure, the microphone 40 is mounted on the main body 10, and in this example, the sound generated by the artery of the upper arm 91 of the subject 90 can be received through the air pipe 38d connected to the air pipe 38. In this case, the microphone 40 can also convert the sound generated by the artery of the upper arm 91 of the subject 90 into a sound signal Ks as an electrical signal and output it. Therefore, by using the sphygmomanometer 1E to perform Fig.14 The blood pressure recording method can record the systolic blood pressure value and the diastolic blood pressure value (corrected diastolic blood pressure value) with high accuracy. In addition, when the sphygmomanometer 1E is used, since there is no need to extend the wiring 71 between the cuff 20 and the main body 10, the structure of the device can be simplified.

[0230] In the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the observer 80 listens to the Korotkoff sounds Kc generated by the artery of the upper arm 91 through the stethoscope 89, thereby pressing the HOLD button 52B. However, this is not limited to this. For example, as described later, Fig.17 , the observer 80 can press the HOLD button 52B by listening to the Korotkoff sound Kc played back.

[0231] (Fifth Embodiment)

[0232] Fig.17 The block structure of a blood pressure measurement system 1F as a fifth embodiment of the blood pressure recording device of the present invention is shown. The blood pressure measurement system 1F corresponds to a device that uses Fig.13 The system can be used to perform remote diagnosis and treatment by deforming the blood pressure meter 1D. Fig.17 In, with Fig.13 The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0233] The blood pressure measurement system 1F generally includes a patient-side device 100A, which is provided at a location of a subject (a patient in this example) 90 having an upper arm 91, and a doctor-side device 100B, which is provided at a location of an observer (a doctor in this example) 80. In this example, the location of the subject 90 refers to the location of a residence where the patient of the subject 90 lives. In this example, the location of the observer 80 refers to the location of a medical institution where the doctor of the observer 80 works.

[0234] The patient-side device 100A includes a cuff 20 and a main body 10A. The cuff 20 is equipped with a microphone 40. The main body 10A is equipped with a control unit 110A, a pressure sensor 31 as a pressure detection unit, an electric pump 32A and a solenoid valve 33A as a cuff pressure adjustment unit, a measurement button 52D as an operation unit, a memory 51A, a power supply unit 53A, A / D conversion circuits 310 and 410, a pump drive circuit 320, a solenoid valve drive circuit 330, a communication unit 190A, and a display 55.

[0235] The sound signal Ks outputted from the microphone 40 is transmitted to the A / D conversion circuit 410 via the wiring 71 extending from the cuff 20 to the main body 10A.

[0236] The control unit 110A includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a processor, and controls the overall operation of the patient-side device 100A.

[0237] The air pipe 38a is connected to the pressure sensor 31 so that fluid can flow therethrough, the air pipe 38b is connected to the electric pump 32A so that fluid can flow therethrough, and the air pipe 38c is connected to the electromagnetic valve 33A so that fluid can flow therethrough. In this example, the air pipes 38a, 38b, and 38c are joined together and connected to the cuff 20 so that fluid can flow therethrough as one air pipe 38.

[0238] The electric pump 32A is driven by the pump driving circuit 320 based on the control signal from the control unit 110A, and supplies air to the cuff 20 and pressurizes it. The electromagnetic valve 33A is opened and closed by the electromagnetic valve driving circuit 330 based on the control signal from the control unit 110A, and is used to discharge air from the cuff 20 or seal air into the cuff 20. As a result, the cuff 20 is automatically pressurized or depressurized.

[0239] In this example, the measurement button 52D is a momentary (self-resetting) switch, and when pressed once, the measurement operation by the patient-side device 100A starts, and when pressed again, the measurement operation by the patient-side device 100A is interrupted or stopped.

[0240] The memory 51A stores program data for controlling the patient device 100A, setting data for setting various functions of the patient device 100A, data in blood pressure measurement, data of blood pressure measurement results, etc. The memory 51A is used as a work memory when executing programs.

[0241] The power supply unit 53A supplies or cuts off power to each unit in the main body 10A, such as the control unit 110A, the memory 51, the pressure sensor 31, the electric pump 32A, and the solenoid valve 33A, according to the on / off of the measurement button 52D.

[0242] During the measurement operation of the patient-side device 100A, the communication unit 190A operates as a transmission unit based on the control signal from the control unit 110A. In this example, during the decompression of the cuff pressure Pc, the communication unit 190A transmits the cuff pressure signal indicating the cuff pressure Pc alone or sequentially transmits the sound signal Ks output by the microphone 40 and the cuff pressure signal indicating the cuff pressure Pc detected by the pressure sensor 31 in time synchronization as measurement data.

[0243] The display 55 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays predetermined information according to a control signal from the control unit 110A. In this example, the display 55 digitally displays the cuff pressure Pc being measured, such as "000 mmHg". In addition, the display 55 can be composed of an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or can include an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

[0244] On the other hand, the doctor-side device 100B includes a main body 10B, which is equipped with a control unit 110B, a display 50, an operation unit 52, a speaker 54 as an electric sound conversion device, a memory 51B, a power supply unit 53B, and a communication unit 190B.

[0245] The control unit 110B includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a processor, and controls the overall operation of the doctor-side device 100B.

[0246] The display 50 and the operation unit 52 are Fig.13 The blood pressure monitor 1D (therefore, Figure 1 The display 50 and the operating unit 52 in the blood pressure monitor 1A) are the same.

[0247] During the measurement operation of the patient-side device 100A, the speaker 54 plays back the Korotkoff sound signal Kca as an electrical signal as Korotkoff sound Kc based on a control signal from the control unit 110B. Instead of the speaker 54, earphones, headphones, etc. may be provided as an electrical sound conversion device.

[0248] The memory 51B stores program data for controlling the doctor device 100B, setting data for setting various functions of the doctor device 100B, data in blood pressure measurement, data of blood pressure measurement results, etc. The memory 51B is used as a work memory when executing programs, etc.

[0249] The power supply unit 53B supplies power to or cuts off power to each unit in the main body 10B, such as the control unit 110B and the memory 51B, according to the on / off of the power button 52A.

[0250] In this example, the communication unit 190B is connected to the communication unit 190A of the patient-side device 100A via a network 190 such as the Internet so as to be capable of data communication. In this example, during the measurement operation of the patient-side device 100A, the communication unit 190B receives measurement data from the communication unit 190A of the patient-side device 100A in real time and transmits the measurement data to the control unit 110B.

[0251] Figure 18-19 The flow chart of a blood pressure recording method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in which an observer 80 measures and records the blood pressure of an upper arm 91 of a subject 90 using a blood pressure measurement system 1F. Fig.18 , Fig.19 In FIG. 1 , the processing and determination performed by the control unit 110A of the patient-side device 100A are depicted with a solid line outline on the left side, and the processing and determination performed by the control unit 110B of the doctor-side device 100B are depicted with a solid line outline on the right side. Fig.18 The process of terminal 1 and Fig.19 Terminal 1 of the process is continuous, and in addition, Fig.18 Terminal 2 and Fig.19 The process in terminal 2 is continuous. Fig.19 In FIG. 8 , as described above, manual operations and manual inputs by the observer 80 are depicted with dotted outlines.

[0252] Assume that the power of the doctor-side device 100B is turned on in advance. Fig.18 As shown in step S701, the doctor-side device 100B is initialized. As a result, the content of the data group in the memory 51B is reset. In addition, as a preparation for blood pressure measurement, in this example, the subject 90 wraps the cuff 20 around his or her upper arm 91.

[0253] When the subject 90 presses the measurement button 52D of the patient-side device 100A, the patient-side device 100A performs a measurement. Fig.18 The pressure sensor initialization process is shown in step S601.

[0254] then, Fig.18 Steps S602 and S702 are as shown. The communication unit 190A of the patient side device 100A and the communication unit 190B of the doctor side device 100B communicate via the network 190 (in Fig.18 The patient side device 100A and the doctor side device 100B are synchronized. Fig.18 If synchronization is achieved (in step S602 and S702, the result is "No"), wait until synchronization is achieved. Fig.18 If the result is "Yes" in steps S602 and S702, data can be exchanged etc. at a scheduled time between the patient-side device 100A and the doctor-side device 100B.

[0255] In the synchronized state, Fig.18 In step S603, the control unit 110A of the patient-side device 100A starts to display the current cuff pressure Pc detected by the pressure sensor 31 on the display 55. Next, the control unit 110A works as a cuff pressure adjustment unit, closes the electromagnetic valve 33A in step S604, and starts driving the electric pump 32A in step S605. At the same time, in step S606, the control unit 110A starts to send a cuff pressure signal indicating the current cuff pressure Pc detected by the pressure sensor 31 from the communication unit 190A of the patient-side device 100A to the communication unit 190B of the doctor-side device 100B via the network 190 ( Fig.18 The signal is indicated by arrow C2 in FIG. 1 ). Then, in step S607, the control unit 110A operates as a cuff pressure adjustment unit, such as Fig.15As shown in the upper section, it is determined whether the cuff pressure Pc is about 30 mmHg higher than the expected maximum blood pressure and reaches the predetermined pressure Pcmax. If it is not reached ("No" in step S607), the process returns to step S605 to continue pressurization. As a result, the blood flow through the artery of the upper arm 91 of the subject 90 is temporarily stopped. If the cuff pressure Pc reaches the pressure Pcmax (in Fig.18 In step S607 of the embodiment, if the result is "Yes", the control unit 110A stops the electric pump 32A in step S608 and gradually opens the electromagnetic valve 33A in step S609. Thus, the cuff pressure Pc is reduced at a decompression rate of typically 2 to 3 mmHg / sec. In this example, since the pressure adjustment is automatically performed in this manner, it is convenient that the patient 90 does not need to perform pressure adjustment.

[0256] As mentioned above, when Fig.18 When the patient-side device 100A starts to transmit the cuff pressure signal indicating the current cuff pressure Pc in step S606, the control unit 110B of the doctor-side device 100B receives the cuff pressure signal via the communication unit 190B in step S703. Then, in step S704, the control unit 110B operates as a first display processing unit and starts processing to display the current cuff pressure Pc detected by the pressure sensor 31 on the display 50 as a bar graph 50b along the scale 50a in real time.

[0257] exist Fig.18 In the process of decompression of the cuff pressure Pc starting from step S609, as shown in FIG. Fig.19 As shown in step S610, the control unit 110A of the patient-side device 100A operates as a Korotkoff sound signal detection unit. Fig.15 As shown in the middle section, a pulsed Korotkoff sound signal Kca is detected from the sound signal Ks output from the microphone 40. Fig.19 In step S611, the control unit 110A synchronizes the pulsed Korotkoff sound signal Kca and the cuff pressure signal indicating the cuff pressure Pc in time, and transmits them sequentially as measurement data via the communication unit 190A functioning as a transmission unit ( Fig.19 Indicated by arrow C3).

[0258] exist Fig.19In step S706, the communication unit 190B of the doctor-side device 100B works as a receiving unit, and during the measurement operation of the patient-side device 100A, receives the measurement data from the patient-side device 100A in real time and transmits it to the control unit 110B. In step S707, the control unit 110B works as a second data storage unit, associates the pulsation number N corresponding to the moment when the Korotkoff sound signal Kca is detected with the cuff pressure Pc at the moment when the Korotkoff sound signal Kca is detected, and stores them in the memory 51B as data pairs in sequence. As in the case of the fourth embodiment, it is set as data group DS3 (refer to Fig.15 ).

[0259] During the decompression process, the observer 80 observes the cuff pressure Pc displayed in real time as a bar graph 50b on the display 50 and listens to the Korotkoff sound Kc played back by the speaker 54 based on the Korotkoff sound signal Kca. Fig.19 In step S709, the observer 80 Fig.15 At the time t1 obtained by delaying the reaction time td1 from the time t0 which can be judged as the time when the Korotkoff sounds Kc start to be generated (i.e., the time when the first Korotkoff sounds Kcf are heard from the silent state) shown in the example in the middle section, the HOLD button 52B is pressed. If this is the first time it is pressed during the decompression process, the control unit 110B determines that the first timing signal t1 is input (for simplicity, it is represented by the same symbol as the time t1). Then, the control unit 110B operates as a recording processing unit and performs Fig.19 The processing of steps S708, S710, and S711 (with Fig.14 The processing of steps S510, S512, and S513 is the same as that of steps S510, S512, and S513), and the data pair corresponding to the time indicated by the first timing signal t1 is determined from the data group DS3 stored in the memory 51 (in Fig.15 In the example of the lower row, the data pair with the pulse number N=1 stored immediately before time t1). Furthermore, the control unit 110B stores the cuff pressure Pc included in the identified data pair as the systolic blood pressure value in the memory 51B. Fig.15 In the example of the lower stage, 125 mmHg (indicated by a dotted frame C1) included in the data pair of pulse number N=1 is stored as the systolic blood pressure value. At the same time, in this example, the obtained systolic blood pressure value 125 mmHg is displayed on the display 50.

[0260] After that, the decompression process is performed, and the cuff pressure Pc gradually decreases. Fig.19 In step S709, the observer 80 Fig.15At the time t2 obtained by further delaying the reaction time td2 from the time t21 which can be determined as the time when the generation of Korotkoff sounds Kc stops (i.e., the time obtained by delaying one beat T from the time t20 when the last Korotkoff sound Kce was heard) illustrated in the middle section, the HOLD button 52B is pressed. If this is the second time the button is pressed during the decompression process, the control unit 110B determines that the second timing signal t2 (for simplicity, represented by the same symbol as the time t2) is input. Then, the control unit 110B operates as a recording processing unit and performs Fig.19 The processing of steps S708, S710, and S712 (with Fig.14 The processing of steps S510, S512, and S514 is the same as that of steps S510, S512, and S514), and the data pair (at the end) last stored and traced back from the time indicated by the second timing signal t2 is determined from the data group DS3 stored in the memory 51. Fig.15 In the example of the lower row, it is a data pair with pulse number N=15), and the cuff pressure Pc included in the identified data pair is stored in the memory 51 as a corrected blood pressure value. Fig.15 In the example of the lower stage, 85 mmHg (indicated by a dotted frame C2) included in the data pair of the pulse number N=15 is stored as the systolic blood pressure value. At the same time, in this example, the control unit 110B operates as a third display processing unit to display the corrected diastolic blood pressure value 85 mmHg on the display 50. Thus, the observer 80 can recognize the obtained systolic blood pressure value and the corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

[0261] After that, if the decompression process is performed, the current cuff pressure Pc becomes less than a predetermined pressure (30 mmHg in this example) (in Fig.19 In step S612 and S713, the control unit 110A of the patient-side device 100A opens the electromagnetic valve 33A in step S613. As a result, air is discharged from the cuff 20 to the atmosphere via the air pipes 38, 38c and the electromagnetic valve 33A. At the same time, in step S714, the control unit 110B of the doctor-side device 100B sends the obtained systolic blood pressure value and the corrected diastolic blood pressure value ( Fig.19 In step S614, the control unit 110A of the patient-side device 100A receives the obtained systolic blood pressure value and the corrected diastolic blood pressure value through the communication unit 190A. In step S615, the control unit 110A of the patient-side device 100A causes the display 55 to display the obtained systolic blood pressure value and the corrected diastolic blood pressure value as digital values. Thus, the subject 90 can visually view the obtained systolic blood pressure value and the corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

[0262] According to the fifth embodiment, similarly to the case of the fourth embodiment, the systolic blood pressure value and the diastolic blood pressure value (corrected diastolic blood pressure value) can be recorded with high accuracy. Moreover, even when the location of the observer 80 (for example, the location of the medical institution where the doctor of the observer 80 works) is far away from the location of the subject 90 (for example, the location of the residence where the patient of the subject 90 lives), the obtained systolic blood pressure value and the diastolic blood pressure value (corrected diastolic blood pressure value) can be recorded by sending and receiving the measurement data between the communication unit 190A of the patient-side device 100A and the communication unit 190B of the doctor-side device 100B. The obtained systolic blood pressure value and the diastolic blood pressure value (corrected diastolic blood pressure value) can also be stored in the electronic medical record of the medical institution via the communication unit 190B, for example.

[0263] In addition, the network 190 is typically the Internet, but may also be a LAN (Local Area Network) within a hospital, or may be a one-to-one communication.

[0264] In the fifth embodiment, the patient-side device 100A installed at the position of the subject 90 and the doctor-side device 100B installed at the position of the observer 80 are configured to operate synchronously. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the patient-side device 100A and the doctor-side device 100B may be configured to operate independently of each other. For example, in the patient-side device 100A, when the Fig.18 Step S601~ Fig.19 The processing up to step S610 (however, except Fig.18 After the processing of step S602 and step S606 is completed, Fig.19 In step S611, the measurement data is not transmitted to the doctor-side device 100B in real time, but the pulsed Korotkoff sound signal Kca and the cuff pressure signal indicating the cuff pressure Pc are temporally correlated and temporarily recorded in the memory 51 as measurement data (hereinafter referred to as "second measurement data"). After that, the patient-side device 100A completes Fig.19The processing of steps S612 to S613 is performed. After storing the second measurement data in the memory 51A, the patient-side device 100A transmits the second measurement data stored in the memory 51A to the doctor-side device 100B at an arbitrary time according to a request from the doctor-side device 100B. The doctor-side device 100B temporarily records the received second measurement data in the memory 51B. The observer 80 activates the doctor-side device 100B, plays back the second measurement data temporarily recorded in the memory 51B, and determines the blood pressure value. For example, the observer 80 presses the HOLD button 52B while observing the cuff pressure Pc displayed on the display 50 based on the second measurement data and listening to the Korotkoff sounds through the speaker 54 at the time when the Korotkoff sounds start to be generated and / or the time when the generation of the Korotkoff sounds stops. Thus, the systolic blood pressure value and / or the diastolic blood pressure value (corrected diastolic blood pressure value) can be recorded based on the second measurement data. In such a case, it is not necessary for the subject 90 and the observer 80 to operate each device at the same time. Therefore, convenience is improved for both the subject 90 and the observer 80 .

[0265] In the above-described embodiments, the measured part is the upper arm 91 of the measurement subject 90, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The measured part may be the wrist of the measurement subject 90 or may be the lower limb.

[0266] In the above-described embodiments, the HOLD button 52B is mounted on the main body 10 of each of the sphygmomanometers 1A to 1E or the main body 10B of the doctor-side device 100B, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The HOLD button 52B may be provided away from the main body 10, 10B to input a timing signal to the control unit 110, 110B by wire or wirelessly.

[0267] Furthermore, each of the sphygmomanometers 1A to 1E and the blood pressure measurement system 1F may include a printer to print out the obtained systolic blood pressure value and diastolic blood pressure value (corrected diastolic blood pressure value) on a paper such as a roll paper.

[0268] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the display 50 for the observer 80 is configured to display the scale 50a arranged in the vertical direction and the bar graph 50b extending and contracting along the scale 50a as an image to represent the cuff pressure Pc in a manner similar to a conventional mercury sphygmomanometer. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the display 50 may be respectively as follows: Fig. 20 (A) Fig. 20 (B) Fig. 20 Displays 56, 57, 58 shown in (C). Fig. 20The display 56 shown in (A) of FIG. 1 includes: an LED unit 56L composed of a plurality of LEDs arranged in an arc shape on a front panel 56P; and a scale 56a printed in an area along the inner periphery of the LED unit 56L on the front panel 56P. In addition, the lighting range of the LED unit 56L (for convenience, Fig. 20 The range indicated by black in (A) 56b changes, thereby becoming a state indicating the cuff pressure Pc. Fig. 20 The display 57 shown in (B) of FIG. 5 includes an LCD unit 57D, and the LCD unit 57D occupies a circular area provided on the front panel 56P. In addition, on the LCD unit 57D, a scale 57a arranged in a ring shape (or an arc shape) and a pointer 57b rotating around a center 50c like a long hand of a clock are displayed as an image, which indicates the state of the cuff pressure Pc. Fig. 20 The display 58 shown in (C) has a 3-digit 7-segment (8-shaped) type LCD unit 58D provided on the main body 10C. And, the cuff pressure Pc is displayed as a digital value by the LCD unit 58D. In this way, various types of displays can be used as displays for the observer 80. This is in contrast to the display 55 for the subject 90 (see Fig.17 ) is the same.

[0269] The above embodiments are illustrative and can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. The multiple embodiments described can be established separately, but the embodiments can also be combined with each other. In addition, the various features in different embodiments can also be established separately, but the features in different embodiments can also be combined with each other.

[0270] Description of reference numerals:

[0271] 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E: Blood pressure monitor

[0272] 1F: Blood pressure measurement system

[0273] 10, 10A, 10B: Host

[0274] 20: Cuff

[0275] 31: Pressure sensor

[0276] 32: Hand pump

[0277] 32A: Electric pump

[0278] 33: Manual valve

[0279] 33A: Solenoid valve

[0280] 40: Microphone

[0281] 50, 55, 56, 57, 58: Display

[0282] 110, 110A, 110B: control unit

[0283] 190: Network

[0284] 190A, 190B: Communications Department

Claims

1. A blood pressure recording device configured to measure and record blood pressure based on Korotkoff sounds generated by an artery passing through a measured part of a subject, characterized in that: have: A cuff, wrapped around and installed on the measured part; a cuff pressure adjustment unit for increasing or decreasing the cuff pressure serving as the pressure of the cuff; a pressure detection unit that detects the cuff pressure during the process of reducing the cuff pressure by the cuff pressure adjustment unit; a timing detection unit for detecting, during the decompression process, a timing at which a waveform feature point of a pulse displayed by an artery passing through the measured part appears for each pulse; a first data storage unit that associates the time when the waveform characteristic point of the pulsation appears or the symbol corresponding to the time with the cuff pressure at the time when the waveform characteristic point of the pulsation appears during the decompression process, and stores them in the memory in sequence as data pairs; monitor; a first display processing unit that performs processing for displaying the cuff pressure detected by the pressure detection unit on the display; an operation unit configured to be operated by an observer who listens to Korotkoff sounds generated by an artery passing through the measured part through a stethoscope while observing the cuff pressure displayed on the display by the first display processing unit during the decompression process; the operation unit inputs a first timing signal indicating a time when the observer determines that the Korotkoff sounds start to be generated and / or a second timing signal indicating a time when the observer determines that the Korotkoff sounds stop to be generated. The blood pressure recording device includes: a recording processing unit, which determines a data pair corresponding to the previous beat relative to the data pair corresponding to the moment represented by the second timing signal from a series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process, and records the cuff pressure contained in the determined data pair as a corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

2. The blood pressure recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The recording processing unit identifies a data pair corresponding to a time indicated by the first timing signal from among the series of data pairs stored in the memory, and records the cuff pressure included in the identified data pair as a systolic blood pressure value.

3. The blood pressure recording device according to claim 2, characterized in that: During the decompression process, the recording processing unit determines whether the operation of the operating unit is the first operation or the second or subsequent operation, uses the time when the first operation is performed as the time indicated by the first timing signal and records the systolic blood pressure value, and also uses the time when the second or subsequent operation is performed as the time indicated by the second timing signal and records the corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

4. The blood pressure recording device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The operation unit includes a first switch for receiving an instruction to record a systolic blood pressure value and a second switch for receiving an instruction to record a diastolic blood pressure value. During the decompression process, the recording processing unit uses the time when the first switch is operated as the time indicated by the first timing signal and records the systolic blood pressure value, and uses the time when the second switch is operated as the time indicated by the second timing signal and records the corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

5. The blood pressure recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also available: a data pair specifying unit that specifies a data pair corresponding to a time of the operation each time the operation unit is operated during the decompression process, and maintains information indicating the respectively specified data pair; a second display processing unit for displaying, on the display, the cuff pressures included in the data pairs determined by the data pair determination unit as selection items from among a series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process; A selection operation unit, for selecting an option that the observer considers to be consistent with the diastolic blood pressure value from the options displayed on the display; After the decompression process is completed, the recording processing unit uses the data pair including the cuff pressure represented by the option selected by the selection operation unit among the series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process as the data pair corresponding to the moment represented by the second timing signal, and records the corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

6. The blood pressure recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that: a data pair determining unit that determines a data pair corresponding to a time of operation each time the operating unit is operated during the decompression process, and maintains information indicating the respectively determined data pairs; After the decompression process is completed, the recording processing unit uses the data pair corresponding to the time when the last operation was performed among the data pairs determined by the data pair determination unit as the data pair corresponding to the time indicated by the second timing signal, and records the corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

7. The blood pressure recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: Also available: The third display processing unit displays the corrected diastolic blood pressure value on the display as a digital value and / or as a mark indicating a pressure value according to a position along a scale.

8. The blood pressure recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The first data storage unit sequentially stores the data pairs in the memory during the decompression process, starting from the data pair corresponding to the time when the first operation is performed using the operating unit.

9. A blood pressure recording method, using the blood pressure recording device according to claim 1 to measure and record the blood pressure of a measured part of a subject, characterized in that: The cuff is wound around the measured part, and the stethoscope is brought into contact with the part of the measured part where the artery passes. The cuff pressure is increased by the cuff pressure adjustment unit to temporarily stop the blood flow through the artery of the measurement site, and then During the decompression of the cuff pressure, The cuff pressure is detected by the pressure detection unit, and The timing detection unit detects a signal indicating the time at which a waveform feature point of a pulse appears for each pulse pulse exhibited by the artery passing through the measurement site. By means of the first data storage unit, the time when the waveform characteristic point of the pulsation appears or the symbol corresponding to the time is associated with the cuff pressure at the time when the waveform characteristic point of the pulsation appears, and the association is sequentially stored in the memory as a data pair; The observer who observes the cuff pressure displayed on the display by the first display processing unit and listens to the Korotkoff sounds generated by the artery passing through the measured part through the stethoscope operates the operation unit to input at least a second timing signal indicating a time when the Korotkoff sounds are judged to stop being generated. During the decompression process or after the decompression process is completed, the recording processing unit determines the data pair corresponding to the previous beat relative to the data pair corresponding to the moment represented by the second timing signal from a series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process, and records the cuff pressure contained in the determined data pair as a corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

10. A blood pressure recording device configured to measure and record blood pressure based on Korotkoff sounds generated by arteries passing through a measured part of a subject, characterized in that: have: A cuff, wrapped around and installed on the measured part; a cuff pressure adjustment unit for increasing or decreasing the cuff pressure serving as the pressure of the cuff; a pressure detection unit that detects the cuff pressure during the process of reducing the cuff pressure by the cuff pressure adjustment unit; a microphone that converts the sound generated by the artery of the measured part during the decompression process into a sound signal as an electrical signal and outputs the sound signal; a Korotkoff sound signal detection unit for detecting a Korotkoff sound signal representing a Korotkoff sound from the sound signal output by the microphone; a second data storage unit, which associates the time when the Korotkoff sound signal is detected or a symbol corresponding to the time with the cuff pressure at the time when the Korotkoff sound signal is detected during the decompression process, and stores them in the memory in sequence as data pairs; monitor; a first display processing unit that performs processing for displaying the cuff pressure detected by the pressure detection unit on the display; The operation unit is configured to be operated by an observer who listens to Korotkoff sounds generated by the artery passing through the measured part through a stethoscope or listens to Korotkoff sounds represented by the Korotkoff sound signal through an electric sound conversion device while observing the cuff pressure displayed on the display by the first display processing unit during the decompression process. the operation unit inputs a first timing signal indicating a time when the observer determines that the Korotkoff sounds start to be generated and / or a second timing signal indicating a time when the observer determines that the Korotkoff sounds stop to be generated. The blood pressure recording device comprises: a recording processing unit, which determines, from a series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process, a data pair that is last stored backtracking from the moment indicated by the second timing signal, and records the cuff pressure contained in the determined data pair as a corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

11. The blood pressure recording device according to claim 10, characterized in that: At the location of the subject having the measured part, The cuff, the cuff pressure adjustment unit, the pressure detection unit, the microphone, and the Korotkoff sound signal detection unit are provided, and A transmitting unit is provided for synchronizing the Korotkoff sound signal detected by the Korotkoff sound signal detecting unit with the cuff pressure signal indicating the cuff pressure detected by the pressure detecting unit in time during the decompression process, and sequentially transmitting the signals as measurement data; At a location of the observer far away from the location of the subject, A receiving unit is provided to receive the measurement data, and The second data storage unit, the memory, the display, the electronic sound conversion device, the first display processing unit, the operation unit and the recording processing unit are configured. During the decompression process, based on the received measurement data, The first display processing unit displays the cuff pressure on the display, The second data storage unit associates the time when the Korotkoff sound signal is detected or a symbol corresponding to the time with the cuff pressure at the time when the Korotkoff sound signal is detected, and sequentially stores them in the memory as data pairs. During the decompression process, an observer who observes the cuff pressure displayed on the display by the first display processing unit and listens to Korotkoff sounds represented by the Korotkoff sound signal through the electric sound conversion device operates the operation unit to input at least the second timing signal.

12. A blood pressure recording method, using the blood pressure recording device according to claim 10 to measure and record the blood pressure of a measured part of a subject, characterized in that: The cuff is wrapped around the measured part, and The microphone is arranged so as to obtain the sound generated by the artery passing through the measured part, or, in addition to the arrangement of the microphone, the stethoscope is brought into contact with the part through which the artery of the measured part passes, The cuff pressure is increased by the cuff pressure adjustment unit to temporarily stop the blood flow through the artery of the measurement site, and then During the decompression of the cuff pressure, The cuff pressure is detected by the pressure detection unit, and The microphone converts the sound generated by the artery of the measured part into the sound signal and outputs the sound signal. The Korotkoff sound signal detection unit detects the Korotkoff sound signal from the sound signal output by the microphone. The second data storage unit associates the time when the Korotkoff sound signal is detected or a symbol corresponding to the time with the cuff pressure at the time when the Korotkoff sound signal is detected, and sequentially stores the data as a data pair in the memory. The observer, who observes the cuff pressure displayed on the display by the first display processing unit and listens to the Korotkoff sounds generated by the artery passing through the measured part through the stethoscope, or hears the Korotkoff sounds represented by the Korotkoff sound signal through the electric sound conversion device, operates the operation unit to input at least a second timing signal indicating a time when the Korotkoff sounds are judged to stop being generated, During the decompression process or after the decompression process is completed, the recording processing unit determines the data pair that was last stored starting from the moment indicated by the second timing signal from a series of data pairs stored in the memory during the decompression process, and records the cuff pressure contained in the determined data pair as a corrected diastolic blood pressure value.

13. The blood pressure recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: The first display processing unit performs processing for displaying the cuff pressure detected by the pressure detection unit on the display as a bar graph along a scale.

Images