Blood pressure measurement system and blood pressure measurement method using the same

Abstract

The present invention discloses a blood pressure measurement system and a blood pressure measurement method using the same. The blood pressure measurement system according to the present invention includes a sensor unit for detecting a human arterial wave and a fluctuating arterial wave, and a blood pressure calculation unit for calculating a blood pressure value using the human arterial wave and the fluctuating arterial wave detected by the sensor unit. The sensor unit senses a pulse wave at a location where fluctuating pressure is applied to detect the fluctuating arterial wave. The present invention calculates and outputs a blood pressure value from an arterial wave detected at one location of the human body and a fluctuating arterial wave detected at another location of the human body where fluctuating pressure is applied. This allows for faster blood pressure calculation and more accurate blood pressure values ​​than conventional oscillometric blood pressure monitors, which require more than 40 seconds to measure blood pressure. Furthermore, the present invention allows for blood pressure calculation through a simple and easy process using a relative ratio or mapping arterial wave obtained from two waveforms, consisting of an arterial wave and a fluctuating arterial wave, without requiring a complex blood pressure calculation algorithm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sphygmomanometer and a blood pressure measurement method, and more particularly, to a blood pressure measurement system capable of detecting an arterial wave in a short time and quickly calculating a blood pressure value, and a blood pressure measurement method using the same.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, the pressure exerted by blood on the walls of blood vessels is called blood pressure. The heart repeats contraction and relaxation approximately 60 to 80 times per minute. The pressure exerted on the blood vessels when the heart contracts and pumps out blood is called "systolic blood pressure" and is the highest, so it is called "maximum blood pressure". Also, the blood vessel pressure when the heart receives blood while expanding is called "diastolic blood pressure" and is the lowest, so it is called "minimum blood pressure".

[0003] Normally, the blood pressure of a normal person shows a systolic blood pressure of 120 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure of 80 mmHg. More than one in four Korean adults suffer from hypertension, and this ratio shows a tendency to increase rapidly after the age of 40. On the contrary, there are also patients classified as having low blood pressure.

[0004] The problem with hypertension is that if it is left untreated without proper management, it may cause other complications that pose a threat to life, such as eye diseases, kidney diseases, arterial diseases, brain diseases, and heart diseases. Therefore, in the case of patients at risk of complications or having complications, continuous blood pressure measurement and management must be carried out.

[0005] Due to the increasing interest in adult diseases-related diseases such as hypertension and health, various types of blood pressure measurement devices have been developed. Blood pressure measurement methods include the auscultation (Korotkoff sounds) method, the oscillometric method, and the tonometric method.

[0006] The aforementioned auscultation method is a typical pressure measurement method in which sufficient pressure is applied to the body part through which arterial blood flows to block the blood flow, and then the pressure is reduced. The pressure at the moment when the pulse sound is first heard is measured as systolic pressure, and the pressure at the moment when the pulse sound disappears is measured as diastolic pressure.

[0007] Furthermore, the oscillometric and tonometric methods are methods applied to digitized blood pressure measuring devices. The oscillometric method, like the auscultation method, measures systolic and diastolic blood pressure by sensing the pulse wave generated during the process of sufficiently pressurizing a body part through which arterial blood flows so as to obstruct arterial blood flow, and then depressurizing it at a constant rate, or during the process of pressurizing the body part so as to increase its pressure at a constant rate.

[0008] Here, the pressure at a constant level compared to the moment when the pulse wave amplitude is maximum can be measured using systolic or diastolic blood pressure, and the pressure at a time when the rate of change of the pulse wave amplitude changes rapidly can also be measured using systolic or diastolic blood pressure.

[0009] Furthermore, during the process of depressurizing at a constant rate after pressurization, the systolic blood pressure is measured prior to the moment when the amplitude of the pulse wave is maximum, and the diastolic blood pressure is measured after the moment when the amplitude of the pulse wave is maximum. Conversely, during the process of increasing pressure at a constant rate, the systolic blood pressure is measured after the moment when the amplitude of the pulse wave is maximum, and the diastolic blood pressure is measured prior to the moment when the amplitude of the pulse wave is maximum.

[0010] The aforementioned tonometric method is a method that applies a constant pressure to a body part that does not completely block arterial blood flow, and uses the magnitude and shape of the pulse wave generated at that time to continuously measure blood pressure.

[0011] As mentioned earlier, blood pressure monitors, which measure blood pressure in various ways, are the most basic medical devices for measuring blood pressure, which is fundamental to health indicators. They are not only almost always equipped in general hospitals, but are also widely used for personal blood pressure measurement in homes and sports centers.

[0012] Most blood pressure monitors currently in use measure blood pressure in the upper arm, which is similar to the height of the heart. However, for portability and convenience, products that can measure blood pressure in other body parts such as the wrist or finger have also been developed. The aforementioned wrist or finger blood pressure monitors have the advantages of being smaller, more portable, and easier to use for measurements at any time compared to upper arm blood pressure monitors.

[0013] On the other hand, conventional blood pressure monitors that measure blood pressure using arterial waves, such as oscillometric blood pressure monitors, require more than 40 seconds to measure blood pressure because they have to detect several arterial pulses. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0014] The present invention relates to a blood pressure monitor for measuring blood pressure, and aims to provide a blood pressure measurement system that can quickly calculate blood pressure values ​​by detecting two types of arterial waves, and a blood pressure measurement method using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] One embodiment of the present invention provides a blood pressure measurement system that includes a sensor unit for detecting human arterial waves and fluctuating pressure arterial waves, and a blood pressure calculation unit that calculates a blood pressure value using the human arterial waves and fluctuating pressure arterial waves detected by the sensor unit, wherein the sensor unit can sense pulse waves at a site where fluctuating pressure is applied for the detection of the fluctuating pressure arterial waves.

[0016] More specifically, the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention provides a blood pressure measurement system that includes a sensor unit capable of detecting arterial waves from one part of the human body and fluctuating pressure arterial waves from another part to which fluctuating pressure is applied, and a blood pressure calculation unit that calculates a blood pressure value using the human arterial waves and fluctuating pressure arterial waves detected by the sensor unit.

[0017] The sensor unit is capable of simultaneously measuring the human arterial wave and the fluctuating pressure arterial wave at different locations. The sensor unit includes a first sensor for detecting the human arterial wave and a second sensor for detecting the fluctuating pressure arterial wave at a different location from the first sensor.

[0018] The second sensor may consist of a pressure sensor. More specifically, an air pressure sensor may be used for the second sensor. The second sensor can then detect the fluctuating pressure arterial wave at a different position from the first sensor.

[0019] The sensor unit may include a first sensor that detects the human arterial wave at or below the diastolic blood pressure, and a second sensor that detects the fluctuating pressure arterial wave having a pulse wave at or above the diastolic blood pressure.

[0020] The blood pressure measurement system may further include a pulse wave processing unit that calculates a relative ratio value of the change in the fluctuating pressure arterial wave compared to the change in the human arterial wave measured by the sensor unit. In this case, the blood pressure calculation unit can calculate the blood pressure value using the relative ratio value. For example, the blood pressure calculation unit can set the highest value of the relative ratio value to the highest fluctuating pressure value and determine the systolic and diastolic blood pressure based on the highest fluctuating pressure value.

[0021] The blood pressure measurement system may further include a pulse wave processing unit that calculates a mapped arterial wave by mapping the human arterial wave to the fluctuating pressure arterial wave measured by the sensor unit. At this time, the blood pressure calculation unit can calculate the blood pressure value using the mapped arterial wave. For example, the pulse wave processing unit can calculate the mapped arterial wave by mapping the human arterial wave to a fixed position based on the deformation time point of the fluctuating pressure arterial wave.

[0022] The blood pressure measurement system may further include a pressurizing device for applying the fluctuating pressure to the measurement site of the fluctuating pressure arterial wave.

[0023] The pressurizing device can increase or decrease the pressure to generate the fluctuating pressure, and the sensor unit can sense, that is, measure, the fluctuating pressure arterial wave during the pressure increase or decrease by the pressurizing device.

[0024] The pressurizing device can include one or more selected from the group consisting of a compression band, an air bag, a throttle device, a thermally expandable material, a shape memory alloy, a hole, a solenoid valve, and an air pump. In other words, the pressurizing device can be implemented by one or a suitable combination of two or more of a compression band, an air bag, a throttle device, a thermally expandable material, a shape memory alloy, a hole, a solenoid valve, and an air pump.

[0025] And the sensor unit can include a sensor selected from the group consisting of a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, and an impedance sensor that measures the impedance of blood vessels. In other words, at least one sensor such as a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, and an impedance sensor that measures the impedance of blood vessels can be applied to the implementation of the sensor unit.

[0026] The pressure sensor can include a sensor selected from the group consisting of a pneumatic pressure sensor, a film type pressure sensor, a strain gauge, etc.

[0027] The sensor unit includes a first sensor and a second sensor that can detect arterial waves at different parts of the body, respectively. Any one of the first sensor and the second sensor can be applied as a sensor for measuring the fluctuating pressure arterial wave at a part under fluctuating pressure. For example, the first sensor of the sensor unit can measure the human arterial wave at a part under constant pressure.

[0028] Another aspect of the present invention provides a blood pressure measurement method using a blood pressure measurement system having a sensor unit for detecting arterial waves. The method includes a blood pressure calculation step in which a processor for calculating blood pressure calculates the blood pressure using the human arterial wave and the fluctuating pressure arterial wave detected by the sensor unit.

[0029] The blood pressure measurement method may further include a pulse wave detection step of detecting the human arterial wave and the fluctuating pressure arterial wave using the sensor unit. In the pulse wave detection step, the human arterial wave and the fluctuating pressure arterial wave can be detected simultaneously, that is, in the same time period.

[0030] Before the blood pressure calculation step, a pulse wave processing step of calculating a relative ratio value of the change amount of the human arterial wave measured by the sensor unit to the change amount of the fluctuating pressure arterial wave can be performed. The blood pressure calculation step can calculate the blood pressure value using the relative ratio value. For example, the blood pressure calculation step can include a step of setting the highest value of the relative ratio value as the highest fluctuating pressure value and determining the highest blood pressure and the lowest blood pressure based on the highest fluctuating pressure value.

[0031] Before the blood pressure calculation step, a pulse wave processing step of calculating a mapped arterial wave by mapping the human arterial wave to the fluctuating pressure arterial wave measured by the sensor unit can also be performed. The blood pressure calculation step can include a step of calculating the blood pressure value using the mapped arterial wave. For example, the pulse wave processing step can include a step of calculating the mapped arterial wave by mapping the other arterial wave to a fixed position based on the deformation time point of the fluctuating pressure arterial wave.

[0032] The blood pressure measurement method may further include a pressure fluctuation step for adjusting the pressure applied to the measurement site of the fluctuating pressure arterial wave, while the fluctuating pressure arterial wave is measured by the sensor unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0033] This invention can calculate and output blood pressure values ​​from a normal arterial wave detected in one part of the human body and an arterial wave detected in another part of the human body where fluctuating pressure is applied (fluctuating pressure arterial wave). Therefore, it can calculate blood pressure much faster and provide accurate blood pressure values ​​compared to conventional oscillometric blood pressure monitors, which take more than 40 seconds to measure blood pressure, thereby significantly reducing the time required for blood pressure calculation. Furthermore, according to this invention, blood pressure values ​​can be calculated through a simple and easy processing process using relative ratio values ​​and mapping arterial waves obtainable from two types of waveforms consisting of the normal arterial wave and the fluctuating pressure arterial wave, thus eliminating the need for complex blood pressure calculation algorithms. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0034] The features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by referring to the drawings described below, along with the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention that follows. [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the blood pressure measurement system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of the blood pressure measurement system according to the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the blood pressure measurement method used by the blood pressure measurement system shown. [Figure 4] This diagram schematically shows another embodiment of the blood pressure measurement system according to the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the blood pressure measurement method used by the blood pressure measurement system shown. [Figure 6] This diagram schematically shows another embodiment of the blood pressure measurement system according to the present invention. [Figure 7]Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the blood pressure measurement method used by the blood pressure measurement system shown. [Figure 8] This diagram schematically shows another embodiment of the blood pressure measurement system according to the present invention. [Figure 9] This diagram schematically shows another embodiment of the blood pressure measurement system according to the present invention. [Figure 10] This diagram schematically shows another embodiment of the blood pressure measurement system according to the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of the blood pressure measurement method according to the present invention. [Figure 12] This graph illustrates one embodiment of the blood pressure measurement method according to the present invention. [Figure 13] This flowchart schematically shows another embodiment of the blood pressure measurement method according to the present invention. [Figure 14] This graph illustrates another embodiment of the blood pressure measurement method according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] Hereinafter, desirable embodiments of the present invention that can specifically realize the objectives of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In describing these embodiments, the same names and reference numerals will be used for the same components, and any further explanation thereof will be omitted below.

[0036] The terms used herein are used to describe embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. For example, terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first" and "second," may be used to distinguish between components of the same name when describing them, but they do not define or limit the number of components.

[0037] Furthermore, when it is mentioned that one component is “linked” or “connected” to another component, it should be understood that this may include not only direct linking or connection to other components, but also indirect linking relationships where other components are present in between.

[0038] In this specification, terms such as “includes” or “having” mean that the features, figures, stages, actions, components, parts or combinations thereof described in the specification exist, and should not be understood as excluding the existence, i.e., the possibility of addition, of one or more other features, figures, stages, actions, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0039] Referring to Figures 1 to 10, embodiments of the present invention relate to a blood pressure measurement system and a blood pressure measurement method using the same, which includes a sensor unit 100 for detecting arterial waves of the body, such as human arterial waves, and fluctuating pressure arterial waves, and a blood pressure calculation unit 200 for calculating blood pressure from the signals detected by the sensor unit 100, i.e., the aforementioned human arterial waves and fluctuating pressure arterial waves. The sensor unit 100 for one embodiment of the blood pressure measurement system according to the present invention is configured to detect pulse waves at a site where fluctuating pressure is applied for the detection of the aforementioned fluctuating pressure arterial waves, that is, a component that can detect fluctuating pressure arterial waves at a site under fluctuating pressure.

[0040] More specifically, the sensor unit 100 of the blood pressure measurement system according to the embodiment of the present invention described above is a biosignal sensing unit capable of detecting arterial waves from one part of the human body and fluctuating pressure arterial waves from another part to which fluctuating pressure is applied. The blood pressure calculation unit 200 is a component that calculates a blood pressure value using the signals (human arterial waves and fluctuating pressure arterial waves) detected by the sensor unit 200.

[0041] The sensor unit 100 can simultaneously measure the aforementioned human arterial wave and fluctuating pressure arterial wave at different locations. To this end, the sensor unit 100 may include a first sensor 110 for detecting the aforementioned human arterial wave and a second sensor 120 for detecting the fluctuating pressure arterial wave, and the second sensor 120 measures the biological signal, i.e., the fluctuating pressure arterial wave, at a different location from the first sensor 110.

[0042] In other words, the first sensor 110 and the second sensor 120 simultaneously measure the aforementioned arterial wave (human arterial wave) and fluctuating pressure arterial wave, respectively, at different locations on the body. For example, the first sensor 110 detects the arterial wave at a site under isobaric conditions, more specifically, at a site where a constant pressure is applied. The second sensor 120 then detects the aforementioned fluctuating pressure arterial wave at a site different from the measurement location of the first sensor 110. At this time, the second sensor 120 detects the aforementioned fluctuating pressure arterial wave at a site where fluctuating pressure is applied, that is, at a site where the externally applied force changes.

[0043] In embodiments of the present invention, the sensor unit 100 measures one arterial wave at a site under isobaric conditions and measures another fluctuating pressure arterial wave at a site under fluctuating pressure, i.e., a pressure fluctuation environment. That is, the sensor unit 100 can detect the aforementioned human arterial wave at a site under isobaric conditions (for example, a site that is pressurized at a constant pressure or where no external force is applied), and can detect the aforementioned fluctuating pressure arterial wave at a site under fluctuating pressure. Furthermore, the first sensor 110 and the second sensor 120 can detect the arterial wave and the fluctuating pressure arterial wave simultaneously, i.e., within the same time period. Of course, it is also possible to measure the human arterial wave and the fluctuating pressure arterial wave sequentially at the same location.

[0044] As described above, the sensor unit 100 includes a first sensor 110 and a second sensor 120, each capable of detecting arterial waves at different locations. Either the first or second sensor can measure the fluctuating pressure arterial wave at a location under fluctuating pressure, and in this embodiment, the fluctuating pressure arterial wave detection sensor is applied to the second sensor 120.

[0045] The arterial wave (human arterial wave) is measured at or below the diastolic blood pressure, and the fluctuating pressure arterial wave may include a pulse wave at or above the diastolic blood pressure. The human arterial wave can be a pulse wave measured when the external pressure applied to the artery is at or below the diastolic blood pressure, for example, a pulse wave measured when the arterial wave is not deformed by the external pressure. The fluctuating pressure arterial wave can be a pulse wave measured when the external pressure applied to the artery is at or above the diastolic blood pressure, for example, a pulse wave measured when the arterial wave is deformed by the external pressure.

[0046] The first sensor 110 and the second sensor 120 can be sensors such as a pressure sensor, an optical sensor such as a PPG sensor, and an impedance sensor for measuring vascular impedance. The pressure sensor may include at least one of the following: an air pressure sensor, a film-type pressure sensor, and a strain gauge. Since the aforementioned sensors themselves are publicly known, further explanation of them will be omitted.

[0047] The blood pressure calculation unit 200 then calculates blood pressure values ​​using relative ratio values ​​and mapped arterial waves, as will be described later.

[0048] More specifically, the blood pressure measurement system according to this embodiment is equipped with a pulse wave processing unit 300 that calculates the aforementioned relative ratio values ​​and mapping arterial waves from the arterial wave (human arterial wave) and fluctuating pressure arterial wave.

[0049] In other words, the pulse wave processing unit 300 can calculate the ratio value of the change in the fluctuating pressure arterial wave to the change in the human arterial wave measured by the sensor unit 100, that is, the relative ratio value mentioned above.

[0050] The blood pressure calculation unit 200 can then calculate blood pressure values ​​using the relative ratio values ​​mentioned above. For example, the blood pressure calculation unit 200 can set the highest value of the relative ratio values ​​as the maximum fluctuating pressure value, and determine the systolic and diastolic blood pressure based on the maximum fluctuating pressure value.

[0051] As another example, the pulse wave processing unit 300 can also calculate the mapped arterial wave by mapping the human arterial wave to the fluctuating pressure arterial wave measured by the sensor unit 100. In this case, the blood pressure calculation unit 200 can calculate the blood pressure value using the mapped arterial wave. More specifically, the pulse wave processing unit 300 can calculate the mapped arterial wave by mapping the human arterial wave to the fluctuating pressure arterial wave based on the deformation point of the fluctuating pressure arterial wave.

[0052] The blood pressure measurement system 10 may further include a pressurizing device 400 for applying fluctuating pressure to the measurement site of the fluctuating pressure arterial wave, that is, the site where the signal is detected by the second sensor 120 (the measurement position of the second sensor mentioned above).

[0053] As in the first embodiment described later, the subject can gradually pressurize the measurement site by the second sensor 120 themselves, or manually create fluctuating pressure by pressing and depressurizing, or the fluctuating pressure can be automatically created by the pressurizing device 400 described above.

[0054] The pressurizing device 400 can increase the pressure (increase the pressure applied to the area under test) or decrease the pressure (decrease the pressure applied to the area under test) to generate the aforementioned fluctuating pressure, and the sensor unit 100, in particular the second sensor 120, senses the aforementioned fluctuating pressure arterial wave while the pressurizing device 400 is increasing or decreasing the pressure of the area under test (the measurement position of the second sensor).

[0055] The pressurizing device 400 may include any one of the following components or a combination thereof: a compression band that presses against the area under test; a constrictor for constricting the area under test (the detection site of the fluctuating pressure arterial wave) (for example, the constrictor disclosed in Korean Published Patent Nos. 10-2018-0019325 and 10-2017-0042118); an air bladder 410 (see drawings of the embodiments described later); an air pump; a thermally expandable material; a shape-deforming alloy such as a shape alloy; an air supply or exhaust hole; a solenoid valve; and other components.

[0056] The pressurizing device 400 may be equipped with a valve (not shown) for opening and closing a passage for guiding air into the air bag 410 and an exhaust port (exhaust hole) for discharging air from the air bag.

[0057] The second sensor 120 measures the aforementioned fluctuating pressure 2 arterial wave during the pressurization or depressurization process of the area under test by the pressurizing device 400. For example, the second sensor 120 can measure the fluctuating pressure arterial wave during the process in which the area under test is pressurized or depressurized at a constant rate by the pressurizing device 400. More specifically, the fluctuating pressure arterial wave is measured by the second sensor 120 while the air bag 410 that presses against the area under test (the measurement position of the second sensor) is slowly inflated by the air supply action of the air pump, or while the air bag 410 inflated by the air pump is slowly deflated (Air Discharge).

[0058] As described above, once the first sensor 110 detects the human arterial wave and the second sensor 120 detects the fluctuating pressure arterial wave, the pulse wave processing unit 300 uses the human arterial wave and the fluctuating pressure arterial wave to obtain relative ratio values ​​and mapping arterial waves, and the blood pressure calculation unit 200 calculates blood pressure values ​​from the aforementioned relative ratio values ​​and mapping arterial waves.

[0059] When using the aforementioned relative ratio values, the blood pressure calculation unit 200 determines the maximum fluctuating pressure value based on the relative maximum value. Then, the blood pressure calculation unit 200 determines the systolic and diastolic blood pressure based on the maximum fluctuating pressure value.

[0060] When using the mapping arterial wave described above, the blood pressure calculation unit 200 maps the human arterial wave based on the deformation time pivots of the arterial wave during measurement of the fluctuating pressure arterial wave (time pivots a and b in the graph shown at the top of Figure 14) to calculate the mapping arterial wave, and calculates the blood pressure using the mapping arterial wave described above. More specifically, the blood pressure calculation unit 200 determines the highest value of the mapping arterial wave as the systolic blood pressure and the lowest value of the mapping arterial wave as the diastolic blood pressure.

[0061] The sensor unit 100, that is, the first sensor 110 and the second sensor 120, is controlled by a processor, that is, a control unit (C), and the pressurizing device 400 is also controlled by the aforementioned control unit (C), thereby enabling the inflation and deflation of the air bag, as described later. The blood pressure values ​​calculated using the method described above, for example, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, are displayed on a blood pressure output unit 500, such as a digital monitor.

[0062] Specific embodiments of the blood pressure measurement system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 10.

[0063] First, referring to Figures 2 and 3, the first embodiment 10 of the blood pressure measurement system according to the present invention is a blood pressure monitor that detects arterial signals, i.e., human arterial waves and fluctuating pressure arterial waves, using a finger, in which the aforementioned first sensor 110 is made of an optical sensor and the aforementioned second sensor 120 is made of a film-type pressure sensor. The first sensor 110 can be placed on a finger pad 101.

[0064] The subject places their fingers (F1, F2) on the area where the first sensor 110 (optical sensor) is located and the area where the second sensor 120 (film-type pressure sensor) is located, respectively. Then, they lift one finger (F1) and make contact with it at a constant pressure, and gradually increase the pressure by pressing the raised finger (F2) on the area where the second sensor 120 (film-type pressure sensor) is located. During this process, the first sensor 110 detects the human arterial wave, and the second sensor 120 detects the fluctuating pressure arterial wave under fluctuating pressure.

[0065] The finger pad 101 may also be provided as a band type that can be wrapped around and secured to the finger, and the second sensor 120 may also be secured to the finger as a band type.

[0066] Next, referring to Figures 4 and 5, the second embodiment (10A) of the blood pressure measurement system according to the present invention is also a blood pressure monitor that detects arterial signals with a finger, in which the first sensor 110 described above is made of an optical sensor and the second sensor 120 described above is made of an air pressure sensor, and the second sensor 120 is provided in an air bladder 410. The first sensor 110 and the second sensor 120 can be wrapped around the finger in a band type and fixed, as in the embodiment described above.

[0067] The subject raises one finger (F1) and places it in contact with the area where the first sensor 110 (optical sensor) is located, and presses the air bag 410 where the second sensor 120 (air pressure sensor) is located with the other finger (F2). The subject presses the air bag 410 with their finger (F2) to a predetermined pressure, for example, 300 mmHg, and the air is vented through the air hole (not shown) of the air bag 410. During this venting process, the second sensor 120 (air pressure sensor) detects the fluctuating pressure arterial wave. The air hole of the air bag, i.e., the vent hole, may be equipped with a linear valve for flow rate adjustment.

[0068] Then, when the arterial wave and fluctuating pressure arterial wave are measured using the method described above in the first embodiment 10 and the second embodiment (10A), the pulse wave processing unit 300 acquires relative ratio values ​​and mapped arterial waves, and the blood pressure calculation unit 200 calculates blood pressure using the aforementioned relative ratio values ​​and mapped arterial waves.

[0069] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, a third embodiment (10B) of the blood pressure measurement system according to the present invention is an upper arm cuff type blood pressure monitor that includes a first sensor 110 for detecting human arterial waves and a second sensor 120 for detecting fluctuating pressure arterial waves, wherein the first sensor 110 is an optical sensor and the second sensor 120 is an air pressure sensor.

[0070] The first sensor 110 and the second sensor 120 are provided on a cuff belt 600 worn on the upper arm. More specifically, the cuff belt 600 is equipped with an air bladder 410, which may be filled or filled by a manual or automatic pumping mechanism (air pump). The second sensor 120, i.e., the air pressure sensor, is provided on the air bladder 410, while the first sensor 110 is provided in an area outside the air bladder 410, i.e., in a part not affected by the pressure of the air bladder 410.

[0071] After the aforementioned upper arm cuff-type blood pressure monitor is worn on the upper arm of the subject using the so-called hook-and-loop fastener 610, buttons, or other belt fastening means provided on the cuff belt 600, the air bag 410 is filled with air so that the subject's upper arm is compressed. The measurement site for the first sensor 110, for example, the part at heart level, is not subjected to pressure from the cuff belt 600, or is in simple contact with the cuff belt with a constant pressure, for example, a weak force without fluctuations in squeezing force, while the measurement site for the second sensor 120 is compressed by the air bag 410.

[0072] Subsequently, the air bag 410 is vented, gradually reducing the pressure on the area under test at a constant rate. During this venting process, the first sensor 110 detects the human arterial wave (optical arterial wave), and simultaneously, the second sensor 120 (air pressure sensor) detects the fluctuating pressure arterial wave.

[0073] Then, when the human arterial wave and fluctuating pressure arterial wave are measured according to the third embodiment using the method described above, the pulse wave processing unit 300 acquires relative ratio values ​​and mapped arterial waves, and the blood pressure calculation unit 200 calculates the blood pressure using the aforementioned relative ratio values ​​and mapped arterial waves.

[0074] Next, referring to Figure 8, a fourth embodiment of the blood pressure measurement system according to the present invention is a wrist blood pressure monitor (10C) which includes a first sensor 110 for detecting human arterial waves and a second sensor 120 for detecting fluctuating pressure arterial waves, wherein the first sensor 110 is an optical sensor and the second sensor 120 is an air pressure sensor.

[0075] The first sensor 110 and the second sensor 120 are provided on a wrist cuff 700, i.e., a wrist strap, which is worn on the wrist. More specifically, the wrist cuff 700 is equipped with an air bladder 410, which may be filled or filled by a manual or automatic pumping mechanism (air pump). The second sensor 120, i.e., the air pressure sensor, is provided on the air bladder 410, and the first sensor 110 is provided in an area outside the air bladder 410, i.e., in a part not affected by the pressure of the air bladder 410, for example, on the underside of a case 710 for a display device (blood pressure output unit) that outputs blood pressure values. The wrist cuff 700 is connected by strap attachment and detachment means 720, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, or buckles.

[0076] After the aforementioned wrist blood pressure monitor (10C) is worn on the subject's wrist, the air bag 410 is filled with air to a predetermined pressure so that the subject's wrist is locally compressed (for example, compression of the area where the lumbar and ulnar arteries are located). Subsequently, the air bag 410 is gradually depressurized at a constant rate by deflation, and during this deflation process, the first sensor 110 detects the human arterial wave (optical arterial wave), and at the same time, the second sensor 120 (air pressure sensor) detects the fluctuating pressure arterial wave.

[0077] Then, when the human arterial wave and fluctuating pressure arterial wave are measured according to the fourth embodiment using the method described above, the pulse wave processing unit 300 acquires relative ratio values ​​and mapped arterial waves, and the blood pressure calculation unit 200 calculates the blood pressure using the aforementioned relative ratio values ​​and mapped arterial waves.

[0078] Referring to Figure 9, a fifth embodiment (10D) of the blood pressure measurement system according to the present invention is a blood pressure measurement system implemented in a patient monitoring device manner, and includes an oxygen saturation measuring device 900 and an upper arm cuff 600 connected to and separated from each other by a monitoring monitor 800, the upper arm cuff 600 being equipped with an air bag 410 and an air pressure sensor 120, i.e., a second sensor.

[0079] The oxygen saturation measuring device 900 measures the human arterial wave using a sensor for measuring oxygen saturation, such as an optical sensor (first sensor) 110, and the upper arm cuff 600 is a belt worn on the upper arm of the subject, and the fluctuating pressure arterial wave is measured in the same manner as in the third embodiment described above by the air bag and air pressure sensor provided in the upper arm cuff 600, i.e., the cuff belt. In other words, in this embodiment, the upper arm cuff 600 can be equipped with an air bag and a second sensor, but there is no first sensor, and the oxygen saturation measuring device functions as the first sensor.

[0080] Then, when the human arterial wave and fluctuating pressure arterial wave are measured according to the fifth embodiment using the method described above, the pulse wave processing unit 300 acquires relative ratio values ​​and mapped arterial waves, and the blood pressure calculation unit 200 calculates the blood pressure using the aforementioned relative ratio values ​​and mapped arterial waves.

[0081] Next, referring to Figure 10, the sixth embodiment (10E) of the blood pressure measurement system according to the present invention is an upper arm cuff type blood pressure monitor that includes a first sensor 110 for detecting human arterial waves and a second sensor 120 for detecting fluctuating pressure arterial waves, in which the first sensor 110 and the second sensor 120 are pneumatic sensors.

[0082] The first sensor 110 and the second sensor 120 are provided on a cuff belt 600 worn on the upper arm. More specifically, the cuff belt 600 is equipped with a first air bladder 410, which may be filled or filled by a manual or automatic pumping mechanism (air pump). The second sensor 120, i.e., the air pressure sensor, is provided on the first air bladder 410, and the first sensor 110 is provided in an area outside the first air bladder 410, i.e., in a part that is not affected by the pressure of the air bladder 410.

[0083] In this embodiment, the cuff belt 600 is equipped with a separate air bag, namely a second air bag 420, and the first sensor 110 is provided in the second air bag 420.

[0084] After the aforementioned upper arm cuff-type blood pressure monitor is attached to the subject's upper arm using the so-called hook-and-loop fastener 610, buttons, or other belt fastening means provided on the cuff belt 600, the first air bag 410 and the second air bag 420 are filled with air so that the subject's upper arm is compressed. Of course, the second air bag 420 may also be pre-filled with a certain amount of air and sealed.

[0085] According to this embodiment, the measurement site by the first sensor 110, for example, the site at heart level, is compressed with a constant pressure by the second air bladder 420, and the measurement site by the second sensor 120 is compressed by the first air bladder 410.

[0086] Subsequently, the first air bag 410 is evacuated, gradually reducing the pressure on the area under test (the measurement site of the second sensor) at a constant rate, while the pressure in the second air bag 420 remains constant. During this evacuation process, the first sensor 110 detects the human arterial wave (optical arterial wave), and simultaneously, the second sensor 120 (air pressure sensor) detects the fluctuating pressure arterial wave.

[0087] Then, when the human arterial wave and fluctuating pressure arterial wave are measured according to the sixth embodiment using the method described above, the pulse wave processing unit 300 acquires relative ratio values ​​and mapped arterial waves, and the blood pressure calculation unit 200 calculates the blood pressure using the aforementioned relative ratio values ​​and mapped arterial waves.

[0088] Referring to Figures 11 and 12, one embodiment of a blood pressure measurement method using a blood pressure measurement system having a sensor unit for detecting arterial waves includes a blood pressure calculation step in which a processor (i.e., a control unit (C), particularly the aforementioned blood pressure calculation unit 200, calculates a blood pressure value using the human arterial wave and fluctuating pressure arterial wave detected by the aforementioned sensor unit 100.

[0089] More specifically, the blood pressure calculation step in this embodiment includes the step of calculating the blood pressure value using the relative ratio value mentioned above.

[0090] Of course, in order to calculate the blood pressure value mentioned above, the aforementioned sensor unit 100 performs a pulse wave detection step in which it detects the human arterial wave and fluctuating pressure at different locations on the human body. For example, the detection of the human arterial wave and fluctuating pressure mentioned above is performed simultaneously within the same time period.

[0091] The pulse wave detection step can measure the fluctuating pressure arterial wave while the pressure at the site where the fluctuating pressure arterial wave is measured is increasing or decreasing. More specifically, the pulse wave detection step can detect the fluctuating pressure arterial wave by sensing a pressure signal while the pressure at the site where the fluctuating pressure arterial wave is measured is increasing or decreasing at a constant rate.

[0092] A first embodiment of the blood pressure measurement method according to the present invention includes a pulse wave processing step in which the ratio of the change in the fluctuating pressure arterial wave to the change in the human arterial wave detected by the sensor unit 100 described above, i.e., the relative ratio value described above, is calculated. The pulse wave processing step, i.e., the calculation of the relative ratio value, is carried out before the blood pressure calculation step, and in the blood pressure calculation step, the step of calculating the blood pressure value using the relative ratio value described above is carried out.

[0093] More specifically, in the blood pressure calculation step, the highest value of the relative ratio is used to determine the maximum fluctuating pressure value. Then, the blood pressure values ​​are calculated by determining the systolic and diastolic blood pressure based on the maximum fluctuating pressure value.

[0094] Referring to Figure 12, the signal measured by the second sensor 120, for example, the fluctuating pressure, is converted into a fluctuating pressure arterial wave, and the arterial wave is measured by the first sensor 110 as an optical signal.

[0095] In the graph shown in Figure 12, the uppermost graph represents the arterial wave detected by the first sensor, i.e., the human arterial wave.

[0096] The second graph from the top in Figure 12 shows the fluctuating pressure arterial wave detected by the second sensor during a decompression process, for example, in a fluctuating pressure environment. The third graph from the top is a waveform graph showing the amount of change in the arterial wave (the amount of change in the human arterial wave, hereinafter referred to as the 'first change'). The fourth graph from the top is a waveform graph showing the amount of change in the fluctuating pressure arterial wave (hereinafter referred to as the 'second change').

[0097] Finally, the graph shown at the bottom of Figure 12 is a graph showing the relative ratio of the second change to the first change, that is, a waveform graph of the relative ratio value (relative ratio wave). The largest value (highest value) among the relative ratio values ​​is the highest fluctuating pressure value, and the values ​​at constant support points on the left and right become the systolic and diastolic blood pressure values ​​based on this value.

[0098] In other words, in the embodiment of the present invention, a relative ratio value is calculated based on the human arterial wave and the fluctuating pressure arterial wave, and blood pressure calculation is performed using this relative ratio value. In Figure 12, t represents time and P represents pressure.

[0099] Next, referring to Figures 13 and 14, another embodiment (second embodiment) of a blood pressure measurement method using a blood pressure measurement system having a sensor unit for detecting arterial signals includes a blood pressure calculation step in which a processor (i.e., a control unit (C)) calculates a blood pressure value using a human arterial wave and a fluctuating pressure arterial wave. More specifically, it maps a human arterial wave to a signal measured under fluctuating pressure, i.e., a fluctuating pressure arterial wave, to calculate a mapped arterial wave, and then calculates a blood pressure value using the mapped arterial wave.

[0100] More specifically, the blood pressure calculation step in this embodiment includes the step of calculating the blood pressure value using the mapping arterial wave described above.

[0101] Of course, in order to calculate the blood pressure value mentioned above, the aforementioned sensor unit 100 performs a pulse wave detection step in which it detects the human arterial wave and fluctuating pressure at different locations on the human body. For example, the detection of the human arterial wave and fluctuating pressure is performed simultaneously within the same time period.

[0102] The pulse wave detection step can measure the fluctuating pressure arterial wave while the pressure at the site where the fluctuating pressure arterial wave is measured is increasing or decreasing. More specifically, the pulse wave detection step can detect the fluctuating pressure arterial wave by sensing a pressure signal while the pressure at the site where the fluctuating pressure arterial wave is measured is increasing or decreasing at a constant rate.

[0103] A second embodiment of the blood pressure measurement method according to the present invention includes a pulse wave processing step of mapping a human arterial wave to a fluctuating pressure arterial wave detected by the sensor unit 100 described above and calculating a mapped arterial wave. The pulse wave processing step, i.e., the calculation of the mapped arterial wave, is carried out before the blood pressure calculation step, and in the blood pressure calculation step, the step of calculating the blood pressure value using the mapped arterial wave described above is carried out.

[0104] The calculation of the mapping arterial wave is performed based on the deformation time pivot (deformation point) of the fluctuating pressure arterial wave at the time of measurement of the fluctuating pressure arterial wave. In other words, in this embodiment, the mapping arterial wave is calculated by mapping a human arterial wave (for example, an arterial wave detected by an optical sensor) measured under isobaric conditions to a certain position based on the deformation time pivot of the fluctuating pressure arterial wave at the time of measurement of the fluctuating pressure arterial wave, and the blood pressure value is calculated using the mapping arterial wave described above.

[0105] Then, in the blood pressure calculation step, the highest value of the mapped arterial wave is determined by the systolic blood pressure, and the lowest value of the mapped arterial wave is determined by the diastolic blood pressure.

[0106] Referring to Figure 14, the signal measured by the second sensor 120, for example, the arterial pressure at the site under examination, is converted into a fluctuating pressure arterial wave, and the first sensor 110 measures an arterial wave at a constant pressure, i.e., a human arterial wave.

[0107] In the graph shown in Figure 14, the uppermost graph reflects both the pressure of the air bag itself and the pressure of the blood vessels as measured by a second sensor, such as the air pressure sensor mentioned above, during the pressurization process, for example, the process in which air is filled into the air bag mentioned above. Points a and b are time points where the fluctuating pressure arterial wave is deformed.

[0108] The second graph from the top in Figure 14 shows the signal measured by the first sensor, namely the human arterial wave.

[0109] Next, the graph at the bottom of Figure 14 is the graph showing the mapping arterial wave described above. It is a graph in which the human arterial wave graph is superimposed on the fluctuating pressure arterial wave graph (second graph from the top), such that the deformation time pivots a and b of the fluctuating pressure arterial wave in the top graph (fluctuating pressure arterial wave graph) coincide with the same time pivots (pivots c and d) of the human arterial wave graph. In this mapping arterial wave, the highest value is determined by the systolic blood pressure, and the lowest value of the mapping arterial wave becomes the diastolic blood pressure. For reference, when mapping two arterial waves, the amplitude of the human arterial wave is adjusted so that the pivots c and d of the human arterial wave coincide precisely with the pivots a and b of the fluctuating pressure arterial wave.

[0110] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention can perform blood pressure calculation using relative ratio values ​​and mapped arterial waves obtained based on the two types of biological signals described above, particularly the human arterial wave and the fluctuating pressure arterial wave, and the deformation time pivot of the fluctuating pressure arterial wave is used as the reference for mapping.

[0111] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been carefully examined, and it is self-evident to those with ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without deviating from its spirit or scope, in addition to the embodiments described above.

[0112] Therefore, the embodiments described above should be considered illustrative and not restrictive, and thereby the present invention may be modified within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, without being limited to the foregoing description. [Industrial applicability]

[0113] This invention relates to a blood pressure measuring device and method for measuring blood pressure in the human body, and is applicable in the medical device field, particularly in the field of blood pressure monitor-related technologies. According to this invention, blood pressure values ​​can be calculated quickly and accurately based on arterial waves.

Claims

1. a sensor unit for detecting human arterial waves and fluctuating arterial waves; a blood pressure calculation unit that calculates a blood pressure value using the human arterial pressure wave and the fluctuating arterial pressure wave detected by the sensor unit; and a pulse wave processing unit that calculates a mapping arterial wave by mapping the human arterial wave to the fluctuating arterial wave measured by the sensor unit, The sensor unit The pulse wave can be sensed at a site where a fluctuating pressure is applied to detect the fluctuating pressure arterial wave, the pulse wave processor adjusts the amplitude of the human arterial wave so that the human arterial wave overlaps the fluctuating pressure arterial wave at the same time point based on a deformation time point of the fluctuating pressure arterial wave, and calculates the mapping arterial wave by superimposing the human arterial wave on the fluctuating pressure arterial wave.

2. The sensor unit 2. The blood pressure measurement system according to claim 1, wherein the human arterial pressure wave and the fluctuating arterial pressure wave can be measured simultaneously at different positions.

3. The sensor unit a first sensor for detecting the human arterial pulse; and 3. The blood pressure measurement system of claim 2, further comprising a second sensor for detecting the fluctuating arterial pressure wave.

4. The blood pressure measurement system according to claim 3 , wherein the second sensor is a pressure sensor.

5. 4. The blood pressure measurement system according to claim 3, wherein the second sensor is an air pressure sensor.

6. The blood pressure calculation unit The blood pressure measurement system according to claim 1 , wherein the blood pressure value is calculated using the mapping arterial wave.

7. The blood pressure measurement system according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure device for applying the fluctuating pressure to the measurement site of the fluctuating arterial pressure wave.

8. The pressure device is The pressure can be increased or decreased to generate the fluctuating pressure, The sensor unit 8. The blood pressure measurement system according to claim 7, wherein the fluctuating arterial pressure wave is sensed while the pressure is being increased or decreased by the pressure device.

9. The pressure device is 8. The blood pressure measuring system of claim 7, comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of a pressure cuff, an air bag, a constrictor, a thermo-expandable material, a shape-changing alloy, a hole, a solenoid valve, and an air pump.

10. The sensor unit 2. The blood pressure measurement system according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor selected from the group consisting of a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, and an impedance sensor for measuring vascular impedance.

11. The pressure sensor 11. The blood pressure measurement system according to claim 10, further comprising a sensor selected from the group consisting of an air pressure sensor, a film type pressure sensor, and a strain gauge.

12. The sensor unit The device includes a first sensor and a second sensor, each capable of detecting an arterial pulse at a different location from each other, 2. The blood pressure measurement system according to claim 1, wherein one of the first sensor and the second sensor measures the fluctuating arterial pressure wave at a location under fluctuating pressure.

13. The sensor unit 2. The blood pressure measurement system according to claim 1, wherein the arterial pulse wave of the human body can be measured at a site under constant pressure.

14. As a blood pressure measurement method using a blood pressure measurement system having a sensor unit capable of detecting two types of arterial waves, a blood pressure calculation step in which a processor for calculating a blood pressure value calculates a blood pressure value using the human arterial wave and the fluctuating arterial wave detected by the sensor unit; a pulse wave processing step of calculating a mapped arterial wave by mapping a human arterial wave to the fluctuating arterial wave measured by the sensor unit before the blood pressure calculating step; the pulse wave processing step includes adjusting the amplitude of the human arterial wave so that the human arterial wave overlaps the fluctuating pressure arterial wave at the same time point based on a deformation time point of the fluctuating pressure arterial wave, and calculating the mapping arterial wave by overlapping the human arterial wave with the fluctuating pressure arterial wave; The blood pressure measuring method is characterized in that the blood pressure calculation step calculates the blood pressure value using the mapped arterial wave.

15. The blood pressure measuring method according to claim 14, further comprising detecting a pulse wave by using the sensor unit to detect the human arterial wave and the fluctuating arterial wave.

16. 16. The blood pressure measuring method according to claim 15, wherein the pulse wave detecting step simultaneously detects the human arterial pulse wave and the fluctuating arterial pulse wave.

17. The sensor unit 15. The blood pressure measurement method according to claim 14, further comprising sensing the human arterial pulse wave at or below the diastolic blood pressure, and sensing the fluctuating arterial pulse wave having a pulse wave above the diastolic blood pressure.

18. 17. The blood pressure measuring method according to claim 14, further comprising a pressure varying step of adjusting a pressure applied to a measurement site of the fluctuating arterial pressure wave while the sensor unit measures the fluctuating arterial pressure wave.

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