Biological information measuring device

Abstract

To provide a technology to enable a user to easily grasp an irregular pulse and improve perception for his or her irregular pulse using measuring equipment for detecting a pulse even if the user has no medical knowledge.SOLUTION: A biological information measuring device includes: pulse acquisition means for detecting a pulse of a human body; pulse interval calculation means for calculating a pulse interval between one pulsation and a pulsation immediately before that pulsation on the basis of the pulse; and display means for displaying a level indicator that visually indicates at least one of the pulse interval and an amount of change from another pulse interval immediately before the aforesaid pulse interval. The level indicator indicates the pulse interval or the amount of change for each detected pulse.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a biological information measuring device that measures the pulse of a living body, and more particularly to a biological information measuring device that provides information regarding the interval between measured pulses. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, health management has become common by measuring information about an individual's body and health, such as blood pressure, with measuring devices and recording and analyzing the measurement results. In particular, arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation (AF) can lead to cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, so it is effective to detect fluctuations in pulse intervals with devices such as those mentioned above and notify the user so that he or she can easily recognize them.

[0003] It has been known for some time that such information on pulse intervals can be provided based on biological information acquired when measuring blood pressure using a blood pressure monitor, and for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a blood pressure monitor that can store the pulse wave used to measure blood pressure values ​​and display a pulse wave graph simultaneously with the blood pressure value. It also discloses that a heart mark displayed on the screen flashes in time with the pulse while the blood pressure value is being calculated.

[0004] According to the blood pressure monitor described in Patent Document 1, the user can recognize the pulse interval by checking the blinking interval of the heart mark that blinks in time with the pulse during blood pressure measurement. In addition, since a time series graph of the pulse wave signal level is displayed afterwards as a time series pulse wave graph, the pulse interval (and its fluctuation) can also be confirmed by reading such a graph. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-98003 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, as in the technology described in Patent Document 1, if the heart mark only blinks in time with the heartbeat, it is difficult to recognize the fluctuation of the pulse interval, and important fluctuation of the pulse interval may be overlooked. Even if a time series graph of the pulse wave signal level is displayed after the fact, it is difficult for a general user without medical knowledge to correctly read the arrhythmia information from the time series graph. Furthermore, even if the arrhythmia information can be read from the time series graph, the presence of the arrhythmia cannot be grasped intuitively or intuitively, and it is only grasped as objective information with little real feeling, and there is a risk that the user will not feel a sense of crisis.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide technology that enables even users with no medical knowledge to easily understand arrhythmia using a measuring device capable of detecting pulse rate, thereby improving their own awareness of arrhythmia. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration. A pulse acquiring means for detecting a pulse of a human body; a pulse interval calculation means for calculating a pulse interval between a pulse and a pulse immediately before the pulse based on the pulse; and a display means for displaying a level indicator visually indicating at least one of the pulse interval or the amount of change from another pulse interval immediately preceding the pulse interval, The level indicator indicates the pulse interval or the amount of change for each beat of the detected pulse. The present invention is a biological information measuring device characterized by the above.

[0009] The level indicator here may be one that indicates a predetermined feature amount by a non-numerical display (such as the size of a display area), and there is no limitation on its shape or display mode. For example, the level indicator may visually indicate the pulse interval or the amount of change by at least one of the length, area, angle, and number of areas whose display is activated on the display means. With this configuration, the pulse interval or the amount of change from another pulse interval immediately before the pulse interval can be easily recognized for each beat. Therefore, even a user without medical knowledge can intuitively recognize the degree of change in the pulse interval for each beat, and can intuitively sense the discomfort, especially when there is an abnormality.

[0010] The level indicator may visually indicate the pulse interval or the amount of change by the size of a display area whose display is activated within the level indicator. The level indicator may be configured with a plurality of display segments, and the size of the display area may be expressed by the number of the display segments whose display is activated.

[0011] Note that "activating the display" here refers to a display state in an area where the display state / non-display state can be switched (i.e., deactivating the display refers to a non-display state). For example, if the display means is an LCD, this corresponds to a display being output to the display area on the display, and if the display means is an LED light or the like, this corresponds to the light being turned on. Also, a display segment refers to a unit of the display area where the display can be individually switched between activated and deactivated, and its shape is not particularly limited.

[0012] With this configuration, the difference in the pulse interval or the amount of change therein can be shown by the size of the display area, so that the user can easily recognize the degree of change in the pulse interval.

[0013] In addition, after displaying one of the pulse intervals or the amount of change, the level indicator may keep the display of the peak level portion of the one of the pulse intervals or the amount of change activated until the next display of the pulse interval or amount of change.

[0014] With this configuration, the peak level portion indicating the previous pulse interval or its change amount is displayed until just before the next pulse interval or its change amount is displayed, allowing the user to more clearly recognize the degree of change in the pulse interval.

[0015] The display means further displays a sub-indicator having a plurality of sub-display segments corresponding to the plurality of display segments of the level indicator, the level indicator maintains activation of the display of the peak level portion of the one pulse interval or the amount of change until the next display of the pulse interval or the amount of change after displaying one of the pulse intervals or the amount of change; The sub-indicator changes the display of the sub-display segment corresponding to the display of the peak level portion of the pulse interval or the amount of change that the level indicator shows for each beat. The sub-display segments may be activated for each beat, and the display of each activated sub-display segment may be maintained until the detection by the pulse acquisition means is completed.

[0016] With such a display mode, the degree of variation in pulse intervals can be easily grasped. That is, when the blood pressure measurement by the blood pressure measurement device is completed, i.e., when the acquisition of the pulse is completed, the greater the number of sub-display segments whose display is activated in the sub-indicator and the wider the displayed position, the greater the variation in pulse intervals. If atrial fibrillation occurs during blood pressure measurement, the variation in pulse intervals will be large, so by checking the activation mode of the display of the sub-display segments of the sub-indicator, the user can intuitively grasp whether or not there is a risk of atrial fibrillation.

[0017] The level indicator may also be composed of a plurality of display segments, and the display segment whose display is activated within the level indicator may transition, and the pulse interval or the amount of change may be indicated by the length of the transition distance.

[0018] With this configuration, the difference in pulse interval or the amount of change therein can be indicated by the length of the transition distance of the activated display segment, allowing the user to easily recognize the degree of change in pulse interval.

[0019] The level indicator may also be configured to highlight the activated display segment at the end of the distance transition for each transition of the display segment indicating one of the pulse intervals or the amount of change, thereby expressing the length of the distance transition. With this configuration, the user can more clearly recognize the length of the distance transition.

[0020] The level indicator may be configured such that activation of at least the display segment indicating the end of the transition related to the previous pulse interval or amount of change is maintained until the display of the display segment indicating the end of the transition of the display segment indicating one of the pulse intervals or amount of change is activated. With this configuration, the contrast between the end of the transition distance indicating the previous pulse interval or amount of change and the end of the transition distance indicating the next pulse interval or amount of change becomes clear, so that the user can more easily recognize the degree of change in the pulse interval.

[0021] In addition, the level indicator may have an entire display area configured in a ring shape, and the display segments whose display is activated within the level indicator may repeatedly transition in a fixed direction for each beat, and the length of the transition distance may indicate the pulse interval.

[0022] The level indicator may have an entire display area configured as a band extending in the left-right direction, and display segments whose display is activated in the level indicator repeat transitions in a fixed left-right direction for each beat, and indicate the pulse interval by the length of the transition distance.The level indicator may have an entire display area configured as a band extending in the up-down direction, and display segments whose display is activated in the level indicator repeat transitions in a fixed up-down direction for each beat, and indicate the pulse interval by the length of the transition distance.

[0023] In addition, the level indicator may be configured such that its entire display area includes at least a portion of a circumference and a pointer extending from the inside of the circumference toward the circumference, and the pulse interval or the amount of change may be visually indicated by the position on the circumference indicated by the pointer.

[0024] The level indicator may indicate the pulse interval or the amount of change in synchronization with the waveform of the detected pulse. In this way, the display is in accordance with the actual pulse, so that the user can more intuitively grasp the degree of change in the pulse interval and more easily recognize any abnormality in the pulse.

[0025] Furthermore, the length, area, angle or number of regions whose display is activated in the level indicator may change linearly in accordance with the pulse interval or the amount of change. By changing the regions whose display is activated in the level indicator in proportion to the pulse interval or the amount of change, the user can intuitively visually recognize the fluctuation in the pulse interval or the amount of change in the pulse interval.

[0026] The length, area, angle or number of regions whose display is activated in the level indicator may change nonlinearly with a monotonous increase according to the pulse interval or the amount of change, thereby suppressing variations due to differences in pulse rate and making it possible to visually indicate the pulse interval or the amount of change by appropriate changes in display.

[0027] The biological information measuring means may further include a voice output means for outputting a voice indicating the pulse interval or the amount of change for each detected pulse in synchronization with the display of the level indicator. The voice output means may indicate the difference in the pulse interval or the amount of change by varying the pitch of the output sound.

[0028] According to such a configuration, the user can grasp the pulse interval or the amount of change therein by hearing in addition to seeing, and can more clearly recognize the degree of change in the pulse interval.

[0029] The pulse interval calculation means may perform a predetermined calculation on the calculated pulse interval or the amount of change determined using the pulse interval, and the area in which the display is activated on the level indicator may be determined based on the value calculated by the calculation.

[0030] The present invention can be achieved by combining the above-described configurations and processes as long as no technical contradiction occurs. Effect of the Invention

[0031] According to the present invention, a technology can be provided that enables even a user without medical knowledge to easily understand arrhythmia and improve their awareness of their own arrhythmia using a measuring device capable of detecting pulse rate. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of the device configuration and the functional configuration of a blood pressure measurement device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] Fig. 2A is a first diagram showing an example of a level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measurement device according to Example 1. Fig. 2B is a second diagram showing an example of a level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measurement device according to Example 1. Fig. 2C is a third diagram showing an example of a level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measurement device according to Example 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a pulse wave signal and a pulse wave interval detected during blood pressure measurement. [Figure 4] Fig. 4A is a first diagram showing variations of a level indicator displayed on the image display means of a blood pressure measurement device, Fig. 4B is a second diagram showing variations of a level indicator displayed on the image display means of a blood pressure measurement device, and Fig. 4C is a third diagram showing variations of a level indicator displayed on the image display means of a blood pressure measurement device. [Diagram 5] Fig. 5A is a fourth diagram showing variations of the level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measurement device, Fig. 5B is a fifth diagram showing variations of the level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measurement device, and Fig. 5C is a sixth diagram showing variations of the level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measurement device. [Figure 6] Fig. 6A is a seventh diagram showing variations of the level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measuring device, Fig. 6B is an eighth diagram showing variations of the level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measuring device, and Fig. 6C is a ninth diagram showing variations of the level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measuring device. [Figure 7]Fig. 7A is a tenth diagram showing variations of the level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measurement device, Fig. 7B is an eleventh diagram showing variations of the level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measurement device, and Fig. 7C is a twelfth diagram showing variations of the level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measurement device. [Figure 8] Fig. 8A is a thirteenth diagram showing variations of the level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measurement device. Fig. 8B is a fourteenth diagram showing variations of the level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measurement device. Fig. 8C is a fifteenth diagram showing variations of the level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measurement device. Fig. 8D is a sixteenth diagram showing variations of the level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measurement device. [Figure 9] Fig. 9A is a 17th diagram showing variations of the level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measuring device, Fig. 9B is an 18th diagram showing variations of the level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measuring device, and Fig. 9C is a 19th diagram showing variations of the level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measuring device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of the device configuration and the functional configuration of the blood pressure measurement device according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. [Figure 11] Fig. 11A is a first diagram showing an example of a level indicator displayed on an image display means of a blood pressure measuring device according to Example 2. Fig. 11B is a second diagram showing an example of a level indicator displayed on an image display means of a blood pressure measuring device according to Example 2. Fig. 11C is a third diagram showing an example of a level indicator displayed on an image display means of a blood pressure measuring device according to Example 2. [Figure 12] Fig. 12A is a twentieth diagram showing variations of the level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measuring device according to Example 1. Fig. 12B is a diagram showing variations of the level indicator displayed on the image display means of the blood pressure measuring device according to Example 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] <Example 1> Specific examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the material, shape, relative arrangement, and so forth of each component described in the examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified.

[0034] The present invention can be applied to, for example, a blood pressure measurement device 1 as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the device configuration and functional configuration of the blood pressure measurement device 1 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the blood pressure measurement device 1 generally comprises a main body unit 11, a cuff unit 12, and an air tube. 1, the blood pressure measuring device 1 includes a control unit 100, a sensor unit 110, a cuff pressure control system 120, a storage unit 130, an operation unit 140, an image display unit 150, and an audio output unit 160.

[0035] Although not shown, the main body 11 has an image display means 151 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), various operation buttons, an audio output means such as a speaker, a power source such as a battery, a pump and a valve communicating with the cuff, a case in which these are housed, etc. The cuff 12 is a member that is used by being wrapped around the upper arm of the user, and is configured to have an air bag (cuff) communicating with the pump and valve of the main body 11 via an air tube 13, a belt incorporating the cuff, a pressure sensor provided on the belt (none of which are shown), etc. When blood pressure measurement is performed by the Korotkoff method, a microphone may be included.

[0036] The belt of the cuff portion 12 is provided with a fastening means (e.g., a hook-and-loop fastener) for fastening the cuff portion 12 to the user's upper arm, and when measuring blood pressure using the blood pressure measuring device 1, the cuff portion 12 is wrapped around the user's upper arm with the belt.

[0037] The control unit 100 is a means for controlling the blood pressure measurement device 1, and is configured to include, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. When the control unit 100 accepts a user's operation via the operation unit 140, the control unit 100 controls each component of the blood pressure measurement device 1 to execute various processes, such as blood pressure measurement and presentation of various information, according to a predetermined program. The predetermined program is stored in a storage unit 130 described later and is read out from there. The control unit 100 also includes, as functional modules, a blood pressure value calculation unit 101, a pulse interval calculation unit 102, and a level indicator display content determination unit 103. These functional modules will be described in detail later.

[0038] The sensor unit 110 includes a pressure sensor (e.g., a piezoresistance sensor having a piezoelectric element) provided in the cuff as described above, and detects at least the pulse wave of the user. The sensor unit 110 may include a sensor other than a pressure sensor, and may include a PPG (Photoplethysmography) sensor when detecting the pulse wave by a photoelectric method. The blood pressure measurement device 1 according to this embodiment acquires the pulse of the user based on the pulse wave detected by the sensor unit 110. That is, in this embodiment, the sensor unit 110 corresponds to a pulse acquisition means.

[0039] The cuff pressure control system 120 controls the pump and valve of the main body 11 to adjust the cuff pressure of the cuff 12 during blood pressure measurement. Specifically, during blood pressure measurement, the pump is driven with the cuff 12 wrapped around the upper arm to send air into the cuff and inflate the cuff (to increase the cuff pressure). In this way, the blood vessels in the user's upper arm are compressed to temporarily inhibit blood flow, and then the pump is stopped, the valve is opened, and air is gradually released from the cuff to deflate the cuff (to decrease the cuff pressure).

[0040] The storage unit 130 includes a main storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), and an auxiliary storage device such as a HDD or a flash memory, and stores various information such as application programs, various measurement results such as blood pressure values, pulse waves, and other acquired biological information. The measured blood pressure values, pulse waves, and the like may be stored in the storage unit 130 in association with time information such as the acquisition time and measurement time. The time information may be timed by referring to, for example, a RTC (Real Time Clock). The auxiliary storage device may be configured to be detachable from the main body unit 11.

[0041] The operation unit 140 includes elements such as a power button, a measurement execution button, and a selection / determination button, and serves the function of accepting input operations from a user and causing the control unit 100 to execute processing in accordance with the operations.

[0042] The image display unit 150 includes the image display means 151 of the main body 11, and provides information to the user by displaying various information on the image display means 151, such as the measured blood pressure value, the current time, and information related to the wearing state of the cuff. An example of the display content of the image display means 151 is shown in Figs. 2A to 2C. As shown in Figs. 2A to 2C, the image display means 151 has an area for displaying a level indicator LI1 that shows information about the pulse wave interval, which will be described later. The level indicator LI1 will be described in more detail later.

[0043] The audio output unit 160 includes a speaker or other audio generating means, and presents information to the user by audio. Specifically, the audio output unit 160 may generate an announcement for starting blood pressure measurement, or an audio guide for using the device. In addition, as described below, information on the pulse wave interval may be output as audio.

[0044] Each functional module of the control unit 100 will be described below. The blood pressure value calculation unit 101 calculates the user's blood pressure value (and pulse rate) based on the pulse wave acquired by the sensor unit 110. The blood pressure calculation method can use any known technology, for example, the oscillometric method of measuring blood pressure by detecting a pressure pulse wave with a pressure sensor. Alternatively, a microphone may be provided in the cuff unit 12, and the Korotkoff method of detecting Korotkoff sounds may be used. The blood pressure value and pulse rate calculated by the blood pressure value calculation unit 101 may be stored in the storage unit 130 in association with the time of blood pressure measurement.

[0045] Furthermore, the pulse interval calculation unit 102 calculates the time interval between the peaks of the pulse wave for each beat from the waveform of the pulse wave acquired by the sensor unit 110 (for example, a pressure pulse wave acquired by a pressure sensor). The calculation of the pulse interval will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram that shows a schematic relationship between a pulse wave signal and time. In FIG. 3, if the time when the peak of a certain wave is detected is t0, and the time when the peak of the next wave is detected is t1, then the interval between one wave and the next wave is t1-t0=T1. In this way, the pulse interval calculation unit 102 calculates t x -t x-1 =T x is calculated as the pulse interval.

[0046] The level indicator display content determination unit 103 determines the display content of the level indicator LI1 displayed on the image display means 151. Here, the display content of the level indicator LI1 will be described with reference to Figs. 2A to 2C. The level indicator LI1 according to this embodiment has a plurality of display segments S that can be switched between display and non-display, and can indicate the magnitude of the calculated pulse interval depending on the number of display segments S that are in an activated display state (a state in which they are displayed, not hidden). The level indicator display content determination unit 103 determines the pulse interval T x The number of display segments S to be activated is determined based on the above, and the display content of the level indicator LI1 is determined for each beat.

[0047] Here, a specific example will be described in which the level indicator display content determining unit 103 determines the number of display segments S to be activated. The level indicator display content determining unit 103 determines the (predetermined) predetermined minimum value of the pulse wave interval as T min , the default maximum value is T max , the maximum number of display segments S is N max The number of display segments S according to the calculated pulse wave interval is N x is calculated using the following formulas (1) and (2).

number

number

[0048] That is, N x (T x -T min It is to be noted that Δt does not have to be calculated each time, and a value determined in advance for each device or user may be stored in the storage unit 130. Alternatively, only the formula (2) that determines the value of Δt may be stored in the storage unit 130, and N x It is also possible to obtain the following.

[0049] The calculated N x By displaying the display segments S on the level indicator LI portion for each beat, the fluctuation of the pulse interval can be indicated. Specifically, when there are many display segments S whose display is activated, the display activation area of ​​the level indicator LI becomes larger, and conversely, when there are few display segments S whose display is activated, the display activation area of ​​the level indicator LI becomes smaller. In other words, the larger (longer) the pulse interval is, the larger the display activation area of ​​the level indicator LI becomes, and when the pulse interval is smaller (shorter), the display activation area of ​​the level indicator LI becomes smaller. Therefore, by looking at the display, the user can intuitively grasp the variation in the size of the display activation area, and thereby recognize the amount of change in the pulse interval for each beat.

[0050] The display segments S displayed on the level indicator LI can indicate the amount of change in the pulse interval in a more easily understandable manner to the user by devising a display mode. For example, as shown in Figures 2A to 2C, in a mode in which the display segments S are arranged in a straight line extending in the left-right direction, the activation of the display segments S is started from the first one on the left side, Nx The number of items displayed is increased by one on the right side until the number is N. x After reaching this number, the display mode can be such that the items are successively made non-displayable from the right side.

[0051] 2A to 2C show an example of the transition of the display of such a display segment S. FIG. x As an indication of x In this example, the level indicator LI1 is set to N max That is, while there are 13 display segments S in the level indicator LI1 as a whole, 10 display segments S are displayed (activated) left-justified.

[0052] FIG. 2B also shows a state in which the display segments S are successively hidden from the right side. As shown in FIG. 2B, when the display segments S are successively hidden, x By leaving the 10th (in this case, the 10th) display segment S active, it is possible to easily recognize the fluctuation of the pulse interval by the change in the position of the remaining display segment S. However, this is not necessarily required, and x The display segments S may all be simultaneously activated and all remain displayed until the next pulse interval is obtained.

[0053] Then, the next pulse wave peak is detected, and the pulse interval T X+1When the display content of the level indicator LI1 is determined by the level indicator display content determination unit 103, the level indicator LI1 displays a state in which eight display segments S are activated, as shown in Fig. 2C. In this embodiment, the display of the level indicator LI1 changes in synchronization with the detected pulse waveform. That is, if the pulse interval is short, the timing at which the display of the level indicator LI1 changes will be earlier, and if the pulse interval is long, the timing at which the display changes will be later. However, the timing at which the display of the level indicator LI1 changes does not necessarily need to be synchronized with the pulse wave, and the timing related to the start and end of the display showing the pulse interval for each beat can be set appropriately.

[0054] In addition, together with the change in the display of the level indicator LI1 as described above, a sound indicating the pulse interval (for example, an electronic sound such as "beep, beep...") may be output from the audio output unit 160. For example, specifically, the pulse interval T x If the pulse interval T is longer than a predetermined standard, a low-frequency electronic sound is output, and conversely, if it is shorter than the predetermined standard, a high-frequency electronic sound is output. x If the length of the signal falls within a predetermined range defined by upper and lower thresholds, an electronic sound having a frequency band intermediate between the above may be output.

[0055] According to the blood pressure measuring device 1 configured as above, the user can intuitively recognize the fluctuation of the pulse interval during blood pressure measurement, and can more easily recognize the pulsation of the pulse. As a result, if there is an abnormality such as arrhythmia, the abnormality of the pulse can be easily recognized from the discomfort, and daily blood pressure measurement can contribute to the early detection of cardiovascular diseases.

[0056] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, the level indicator LI1 is configured such that the display segments S are arranged in a straight line extending in the left-right direction, but the level indicator can be configured in various ways depending on the shape of the device and the structure of the image display means 151. Figures 4A to 4C and 5A to 5C show display modes of a level indicator according to a modified example of the first embodiment.

[0057] The shape of the level indicator may be a circle, not a straight line, as in the level indicator LI2 shown in FIG. 4A. Also, as in the level indicator LI3 shown in FIG. 4B, the level indicator may be configured to be a straight line extending in the vertical direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4C, the level indicator LI4 may be configured in such a manner that the display segments S arranged in a radial manner are activated from the inside to the outside. Also, as shown in FIG. 5A, the level indicator LI5 may be configured in such a manner that each display segment S is not linear but is formed in a dot shape. Also, as shown in FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C, it is possible to design the display area of ​​the level indicator LI6 so that when all of the display segments S constituting the level indicator LI6 are activated, the display area of ​​the level indicator LI6 becomes some kind of figure (for example, a heart shape). FIG. 5B shows a state in which the display of some display segments of the level indicator LI6, whose display area is formed in a heart shape, is activated, and FIG. 5C shows a state in which the display of all the display segments is activated.

[0058] (Variation 2) Moreover, the level indicator does not necessarily have to be composed of a plurality of display segments. Examples of level indicators LI7 in such cases are shown in Figs. 6A to 6C. Fig. 6A shows a pulse interval T x In this variant, the bar B extends from left to right to indicate the xcan be calculated as the length (or area) of the display activation region in the displayable region of the entire level indicator LI7, rather than the number of display segments. FIG. 6B shows a state in which the bars are successively made invisible from the right side. In this case, as in the case of the first embodiment, the display of the peak level portion of bar B in FIG. 6A remains activated. FIG. 6C shows a state in which the bar indicating the pulse interval extends from left to right, and the pulse interval T x+1 This shows the state in which the following is displayed.

[0059] (Variation 3) In addition, in each of the above examples, the pulse interval is represented by the size (including the length) of the display activation area in the level indicator, but the pulse interval may be displayed in other ways. Specifically, for example, the display segments whose display is activated are sequentially shifted, and the pulse interval may be indicated by the length of the distance shifted by the activated display segments. Figures 7A to 7C show such a modified level indicator LI8. FIG.

[0060] In the example of the level indicator LI8 shown in Figures 7A to 7C, a plurality of display segments are arranged in a circular ring shape, and the display segments that are activated transition in sequence in one clockwise direction during blood pressure measurement. In each of Figures 7A to 7C, the display segment located at the tip of this transition is designated as the tip display segment T, and the display segment indicating the end of the transition of one pulse interval is designated as the end display segment E.

[0061] To further explain the transition of the display segments, first, the pulse interval T xWhen is calculated, the level indicator display content determination unit 103 determines how many display segments to advance (transition) based on this. Then, when the determined number of transitions are made and the terminal display segment E of the transition indicating one pulse interval is activated, the terminal display segment E is displayed in a special manner different from the passing point of the transition. Specifically, for example, the terminal display segment E can be displayed slightly larger, the brightness of the terminal display segment E can be made higher than that of a normal transition, a display effect such as that shown in FIG. 7C can be performed, or a display can be performed by combining these. By performing such a display, it is possible to easily recognize that the location is the terminal end of the transition indicating one pulse interval.

[0062] Also, once a display segment is activated, including a passing point of a transition, the display of the activated display segment does not disappear immediately after the transition, but may be set so that the display brightness gradually decreases toward the non-display state. This allows the leading display segment T at the leading end of the transition to have the impression of rotating while leaving an afterimage, as shown in Figures 7A to 7C. Furthermore, the display of the terminal display segment E may be activated for a longer period than the display segment at the passing point. This allows the previous pulse interval to be easily compared with the next pulse interval, and allows the user to more clearly recognize the fluctuation of the pulse interval.

[0063] (Variation 4) Moreover, as shown in the third modification, the manner in which the activated display segments transition in a fixed direction can be applied to other than a level indicator configured in a circular ring shape. Figures 8A to 8D show a modification in such a case. In this modification, the display segments that are activated sequentially transition in one direction from the left end to the right end of the level indicator LI10 extending left and right during blood pressure measurement. Note that in Figures 8A to 8D as well, the display segment located at the tip of the transition is displayed as the tip display segment T, and in Figures 8C and 8D, the display segment indicating the end of the transition of one pulse interval is displayed as the end display segment E.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D, the level indicator LI10 according to this modification has a plurality of display segments in a display area extending to the left and right, and each display segment is divided by a plurality of dividing lines Q that are always displayed. In this modification, as in the case of the third modification, the number of display segments to be transitioned is determined based on the calculated pulse interval. Then, the determined number of transitions are made, and the end display segment E of the transition indicating one pulse interval is activated (see FIGS. 8A and 8B). After that, the tip display segments T are activated sequentially toward the right end of the level indicator LI10, but the end display segment E maintains the activated state (see FIGS. 8C and 8D). When the transition of the tip display segment T reaches the right end of the level indicator LI10, the display segments are activated sequentially again from the left end of the level indicator LI10.

[0065] In this modified example, even after the end display segment E is displayed, the leading end display segment T is moved to the right end of the level indicator LI10. When the display of the tip display segment E is activated, the transition of the tip display segment T toward the right end may be stopped, and activation of the display may be performed again from the left end. Also, in this modified example, the level indicator LI10 is configured as a strip extending left and right, but it is of course possible to use the same display mode as in this modified example for a level indicator extending up and down.

[0066] (Variation 5) Furthermore, in the first embodiment, a level indicator having a plurality of display segments S is displayed, but other indicators may be displayed in addition to this on the image display unit 150. A modified example of such a case is shown in Figures 9A to C. In this modified example, as shown in Figures 9A to C, a level indicator LI11 having a similar configuration to the level indicator LI1 of the first embodiment and a sub-indicator SI disposed below it in parallel with the level indicator LI11 are displayed on the image display unit.

[0067] As shown in Fig. 9A to C, the sub-indicator SI includes a plurality of sub-display segments SS. As in the case of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2A to C, the level indicator LI11 activates the display segments S from left to right for each beat, and after the number of display segments S corresponding to the pulse interval is activated, the display segments to the left of the peak level display segment S are sequentially hidden while keeping the peak level display segment S activated. Here, the sub-indicator SI activates the display of the sub-display segment SS at a position corresponding to the peak level display segment S of the level indicator LI11 in the left-right direction (see Fig. 9A). Note that, unlike the level indicator LI11, the sub-indicator SI activates only the sub-display segment SS at a position corresponding to the peak level display segment S.

[0068] After that, in the level indicator LI11, the display segment S indicating the pulse interval for the next beat is activated, and the position of the display segment S indicating the peak level also changes accordingly. That is, the display segment S of the peak level indicating the pulse interval of the previous beat is hidden. Meanwhile, in the sub-indicator SI, the display of the sub-display segment SS corresponding to the position of the peak level of the next beat is also activated while keeping the display of the sub-display segment SS corresponding to the position of the peak level of the next beat activated (see Figs. 9B and 9C). The display activation of each sub-display segment SS of the sub-indicator SI is maintained until the blood pressure measurement is completed (i.e., until the acquisition of the pulse is completed).

[0069] With this display mode, the degree of variation in pulse intervals can be easily grasped. That is, the greater the number of sub-display segments SS activated in the sub-indicator SI at the end of blood pressure measurement, and the wider the displayed area, the greater the variation in pulse intervals. If atrial fibrillation occurs during blood pressure measurement, the variation in pulse intervals will be greater, so by checking the activation mode of the display of the sub-display segments SS of the sub-indicator SI, the user can intuitively grasp whether or not there is a risk of atrial fibrillation.

[0070] <Example 2> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the device configuration and functional configuration of a blood pressure measurement device 2 in this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 10, the blood pressure measurement device 2 has substantially the same configuration as the blood pressure measurement device 1 of the first embodiment, except that the control unit 200 includes a pulse interval change amount calculation unit 204 as a functional module. For this reason, the same components and functional modules as those of the blood pressure measurement device 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0071] The pulse interval change amount calculation unit 204 calculates the amount of change in the pulse interval based on the pulse interval calculated by the pulse interval calculation unit 102. The amount of change is calculated by dividing the latest pulse interval by the pulse interval calculated immediately before. It can be a difference or ratio with respect to the beat interval.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 3, for example, the pulse interval difference D x When calculating the pulse interval T, it can be calculated using the following formula (3). x Once calculated, the pulse interval T x The pulse interval T calculated one step before x-1 By subtracting x and the previous pulse interval T x-1 Difference D x Calculate.

number

[0073] In addition, the pulse interval ratio R x When calculating the pulse interval T, it can be calculated using the following formula (4). x Once calculated, the pulse interval T x The previous calculated pulse interval T x-1 Dividing by the latest pulse interval T x and the previous pulse interval T x-1 Ratio to x Calculate.

number

[0074] Then, the level indicator display content determination unit 103 determines the D x or R x The display content indicating the level indicator LI9 is ​​determined. Here, with reference to Figs. 11A to 11C, the display content of the level indicator LI9 displayed on the image display means 151 in this embodiment will be described. The level indicator LI9 in this embodiment is always in a state where a vertical reference line K is displayed in the center. The display segments S are arranged so as to extend in the left and right directions on either side of the vertical reference line K.

[0075] Then, the level indicator display content determination unit 103 determines, for example, x When displayed on the level indicator LI9, D x If it is >0, then D is to the right of the base line K. x <0, to the left of the base line K, |D x The display content is determined so that the number of display segments S corresponding to | is displayed. x Similarly, when displaying with the level indicator LI9, R x If >1, R to the right of the base line K x < 1, to the left of the base line K, |R x It is possible to display the number of display segments S according to |.

[0076] 11A to 11C show an example of the transition of the display of such a display segment S. FIG. x and the pulse interval immediately before that, T x-1 Difference D x As an indication of the amount of change in the pulse interval (i.e., the amount of change in the pulse interval), the level indicator LI9 is ​​shown with four display segments S displayed to the left of the reference line K. That is, D x is a negative value, and the pulse interval T x is the previous pulse interval T x-1 It can be seen that it is shorter than

[0077] FIG. 11B shows a state in which the display segments S are successively hidden from the left end. As shown in FIG. 11B, when the display segments S are successively hidden, the previous D x By leaving the display segment S at the left end showing pulse interval T active, it is possible to easily recognize the fluctuation in the amount of change in the pulse interval by changing the position of the remaining display segment S. x and the next pulse wave interval (T x+1 ) and the difference (D x+1 =T x+1 -T x ) is displayed. Here, three display segments S are displayed to the right of the reference line K, and T x+1 is T x It is easy to recognize that the pulse interval is longer than that of the normal pulse, and the extent to which this is the case.

[0078] According to the blood pressure measuring device 2 of this embodiment, the user can visually recognize the direction and length of activation of the display segment S of the level indicator LI9. This allows the user to easily and intuitively grasp the fluctuations and the extent of the change in the pulse wave interval for each pulse.

[0079] <Other> The above-mentioned embodiment is merely an illustrative example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned specific embodiment. Various modifications and combinations are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. For example, the method of expressing the amount of change in the pulse interval and its fluctuation is not limited to the increase or decrease in the display area in the level indicator as described above (the number of display segments that are activated, the length and area of ​​the bar). Such a display mode of the level indicator is shown in Figs. 12A and 12B. The level indicator shown in Figs. 12A and 12B has a shape that includes a part of the circumference (arc) and a pointer that extends from the inside of the arc toward the arc, and is configured like a so-called analog meter.

[0080] 12A is a diagram showing a modified example of the first embodiment showing the pulse interval for each beat, and the needle of the level indicator LI12 is displayed so as to point to any position between min and max on the circumference corresponding to the pulse interval for each beat. That is, the angle of the needle changes for each beat according to the pulse interval.

[0081] On the other hand, Fig. 12B is a diagram showing a modified example of the second embodiment showing the amount of change in pulse interval for each beat, and the needle of the level indicator LI13 is displayed so as to indicate a position on the arc corresponding to the difference or ratio between the latest pulse interval and the pulse interval immediately before it for each beat. Specifically, the level indicator LI13 uses a reference line K located at the center of the arc as the standard position, and displays the needle swinging to the right or left from the reference line K according to the amount of change in the pulse interval. That is, following the explanation of the second embodiment, D x If it is >0, the latest pulse interval is longer than the previous pulse interval, so the needle moves to the right of the reference line K. x The amount depends on the D x If it is <0, the latest pulse interval is shorter than the previous pulse interval, so the needle moves to the left of the reference line K. x In addition, the ratio of the most recent pulse interval to the pulse interval immediately before it (the above-mentioned R x The same applies when indicating

[0082] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the length, area, angle, or number of areas in which the display is activated in the level indicator can be changed linearly according to the pulse interval or the amount of change thereof. In this way, the area in which the display is activated in the level indicator changes in proportion to the pulse interval or the amount of change thereof, so that the user can intuitively visually recognize the fluctuation in the pulse interval or the amount of change in the pulse interval. However, since there is a limit to the size of the display area of ​​the device, if the area in which the display is activated is changed in proportion to the pulse interval in this way, there is a risk that the fluctuation in the pulse interval will be difficult to understand depending on the size of the user's pulse rate.

[0083] Therefore, the length, area, angle, or number of the area whose display is activated in the level indicator may be changed nonlinearly with a monotonous increase according to the pulse interval or the change amount thereof. Specifically, for example, the calculated pulse interval may be used to perform calculation processing for each beat, and the number of segments whose display is activated may be changed in proportion to the logarithm of the pulse interval. This makes it possible to suppress variations due to the magnitude of the pulse rate and to indicate the pulse interval or the change amount thereof by an appropriate change in the display. Also, a table that associates the calculated pulse interval or the change amount thereof with the number of segments whose display is activated may be stored in advance, and the table may be referred to for each beat to activate the display of the number of segments according to the table. This makes it possible to reduce the load of performing calculation processing for each beat.

[0084] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the level indicator is displayed by an LCD. However, instead of this, the display segments may be configured to be made up of a plurality of LED indicator lights. In such a case, the illumination of the LED indicator lamp corresponds to the activation of the display segment.

[0085] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the pressure pulse wave is acquired by a pressure sensor, but the volume pulse wave may be acquired by a PPG sensor. In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the blood pressure measuring device is used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to other biological information measuring devices (e.g., electrocardiographs, body composition monitors, etc.) as long as they are equipped with a sensor capable of acquiring a pulse. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1, 2 Blood pressure measuring device 11 Main body 12 Cuff section 13. Air tube 151...Image display means 100, 200...Control section 110 Sensor section 120 Cuff pressure control system 130...Storage section 140...Operation unit 150 Image display unit 160 Audio output section LI1, LI2, LI3, LI4, LI5, LI6, LI7, LI8, LI9, LI10, LI11, LI12, LI13...Level indicator SI···Sub-indicator S Display Segment SS Sub-display segment T···Tip display segment E···Terminal display segment B···Bar K...Reference line

Claims

1. A pulse acquisition means for detecting a human pulse; A pulse interval calculation means for calculating a pulse interval between one pulsation and the pulsation immediately preceding it based on the pulse; A display means for displaying a level indicator that visually indicates the pulse interval, wherein the living body information measuring device has: The level indicator indicates the pulse interval for each pulsation of the detected pulse; A living body information measuring device, characterized by this.

2. The level indicator visually indicates the pulse interval by at least one of length, area, angle, and number of the region where display is activated in the display means; The living body information measuring device according to claim 1, characterized by this.

3. The level indicator visually indicates the pulse interval by the size indicated by the display area where display is activated within the level indicator; The living body information measuring device according to claim 2, characterized by this.

4. The level indicator is composed of a plurality of display segments, and expresses the size of the display area by the number of the display segments where display is activated; The living body information measuring device according to claim 3, characterized by this.

5. After the display of one pulse interval, until the display of the next pulse interval, the level indicator maintains the activation of the display of the peak level portion of the one pulse interval; The living body information measuring device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by this.

6. A pulse acquisition means for detecting a human pulse; A pulse interval calculation means for calculating a pulse interval between one pulsation and the pulsation immediately preceding it based on the pulse; A display means for displaying a level indicator that visually indicates at least one of the pulse interval or the amount of change from another pulse interval immediately preceding the pulse interval, wherein the living body information measuring device has: The level indicator is composed of a plurality of display segments, and visually indicates the pulse interval or the amount of change for each pulsation of the pulse by the number of the display segments where display is activated; The display means further displays a sub-indicator including a plurality of sub-display segments corresponding to the plurality of display segments of the level indicator; ​ After the display of one of the pulse intervals or the change amount, until the display of the next pulse interval or the change amount, the level indicator maintains the activation of the display of the peak level portion of the one pulse interval or the change amount. The sub-indicator activates the display of the sub-display segment corresponding to the display of the peak level portion of the pulse interval or the change amount indicated by the level indicator for each beat, and maintains the display of each activated sub-display segment until the detection by the pulse acquisition means is completed. A biological information measuring device characterized by the above.

7. A pulse acquisition means for detecting a human pulse, A pulse interval calculation means for calculating a pulse interval between one pulsation and the pulsation immediately before it based on the pulse, A biological information measuring device having a display means for visually displaying at least one of the pulse interval or the amount of change from another pulse interval immediately before the pulse interval, The level indicator is composed of a plurality of display segments, and the display segments activated within the level indicator transition, and the length of the transition distance visually indicates the pulse interval or the change amount. A biological information measuring device characterized by the above.

8. The level indicator expresses the length of the transition distance by highlighting the display segment activated at the end of the transition distance for each transition of the display segment indicating one of the pulse intervals or the change amount. The biological information measuring device according to claim 7, characterized by the above.

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

10. The entire display area of the level indicator is configured in a circular shape, and the display segments activated within the level indicator repeat the transition in a certain direction for each beat, and the length of the transition distance indicates the pulse interval. The biological information measuring device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by the above.

11. The level indicator is configured such that the entire display area is in the form of a strip extending in the left - right direction, and the display segments whose display is activated within the level indicator repeatedly transition in a certain direction in the left - right direction every beat, and the pulse interval is indicated by the length of the distance of the transition. The biological information measuring device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that.

12. The level indicator is configured such that the entire display area is in the form of a strip extending in the up - down direction, and the display segments whose display is activated within the level indicator repeatedly transition in a certain direction in the up - down direction every beat, and the pulse interval is indicated by the length of the distance of the transition. The biological information measuring device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that.

13. The level indicator is configured in a shape including at least a part of a circumference and a pointer extending from the inside of the circumference toward the circumference, and the pulse interval is visually indicated by the position on the circumference indicated by the pointer. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

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

15. The length, area, angle, or number of the area where the display is activated in the level indicator changes linearly according to the pulse interval. The biological information measuring device according to claim 2, characterized in that.

16. The length, area, angle, or number of the area where the display is activated in the level indicator changes non - linearly with a monotonically increasing trend according to the pulse interval. The biological information measuring device according to claim 2, characterized in that.

17. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1 further includes voice output means for outputting a voice indicating the pulse interval in synchronization with the display of the level indicator every beat of the detected pulse. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

18. The voice output means indicates the difference in the pulse interval by the difference in the pitch of the output voice. The biological information measuring device according to claim 17, characterized in that.

Images