Sphygmomanometer and control method of sphygmomanometer

Abstract

To provide a sphygmomanometer capable of determining presence or absence of irregular pulse easily and accurately when measuring blood pressure.SOLUTION: A sphygmomanometer includes a blood pressure measuring part for measuring blood pressure of a user on the basis of a pulse wave signal in a pressure application process for applying cuff pressure indicating inner pressure of a cuff mounted on a measurement site of the user, and a pulse wave number measuring part for measuring a pulse wave number of the user on the basis of the pulse wave signal in the pressure application process. The blood pressure measuring part determines whether or not to continue the pressure application process on the basis of the pulse wave number. The sphygmomanometer further includes a monitoring part for monitoring irregular pulses of the user on the basis of the pulse wave signal in the pressure application process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a blood pressure monitor and a method for controlling the blood pressure monitor. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a technology is known for measuring blood pressure, such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 (China Patent Specification No. 107205670), in which when atrial fibrillation, a type of arrhythmia, is detected, the cuff is repeatedly inflated to repeat the process of determining whether or not atrial fibrillation is present, thereby improving the accuracy of the determination. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Chinese Patent No. 107205670 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to Patent Document 1, it is necessary to repeat the atrial fibrillation determination process to improve the accuracy of the determination, which may be cumbersome for the user since it takes a long time to measure and the user may feel the restraint of being compressed by the cuff many times.

[0005] In one aspect, the present disclosure has an object to provide a blood pressure monitor that is capable of easily and accurately determining the presence or absence of arrhythmia during blood pressure measurement, and a method for controlling the blood pressure monitor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one example of the present disclosure, a blood pressure monitor includes a blood pressure measurement unit that measures a user's blood pressure based on a pulse wave signal during a pressurization process in which a cuff pressure indicating an internal pressure of a cuff attached to a measurement site of a user is applied, and a pulse wave number measurement unit that measures the user's pulse wave number based on the pulse wave signal during the pressurization process. The blood pressure measurement unit determines whether or not to continue the pressurization process based on the pulse wave number. The blood pressure monitor further includes a monitoring unit that monitors the user's arrhythmia based on the pulse wave signal during the pressurization process.

[0007] According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily and accurately determine the presence or absence of arrhythmia when measuring blood pressure using the pressure measurement method.

[0008] In another example of the present disclosure, the blood pressure measurement unit measures blood pressure based on the pulse wave signal during the pressurization process when the pulse wave number is greater than or equal to a threshold, stops the pressurization process after the measurement, and continues the pressurization process when the pulse wave number is less than the threshold.

[0009] According to the above configuration, in the pressurized measurement method, a pulse wave number sufficient for accurately determining the occurrence of arrhythmia can be obtained.

[0010] In another example of the present disclosure, the blood pressure measurement unit measures the systolic blood pressure based on the pulse wave signal during the pressurization process, and stops the pressurization process if the pulse wave number is greater than or equal to a threshold value at a first timing when the cuff pressure is pressurized to a predetermined pressure greater than or equal to the systolic blood pressure, and continues the pressurization process if the pulse wave number is less than the threshold value at the first timing.

[0011] According to the above configuration, in the pressurized measurement method, a pulse wave number sufficient for accurately determining the occurrence of arrhythmia can be obtained.

[0012] In another example of the present disclosure, if the pulse wave number becomes equal to or greater than a threshold value at a second timing during a period until the cuff pressure reaches an upper pressure limit value that is greater than the predetermined pressure by continuing the pressurization process, the blood pressure measurement unit stops the pressurization process at the second timing, and if the pulse wave number does not become equal to or greater than the threshold value during that period, stops the pressurization process at the timing when the cuff pressure reaches the upper pressure limit value.

[0013] According to the above configuration, excessive pressurization of the cuff can be prevented in the pressurization measurement method.

[0014] In another example of the present disclosure, a blood pressure monitor includes a blood pressure measurement unit that measures the user's blood pressure based on a pulse wave signal during a depressurization process in which a cuff pressure indicating an internal pressure of a cuff attached to a measurement site of a user is increased to a pressure greater than an estimated systolic blood pressure, and a pulse wave rate measurement unit that measures the user's pulse wave rate based on the pulse wave signal during the pressurization process. The blood pressure measurement unit determines whether or not to continue the pressurization process based on the pulse wave rate. The blood pressure monitor further includes a monitoring unit that monitors the user's arrhythmia based on the pulse wave signal during the depressurization process.

[0015] According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily and accurately determine the presence or absence of arrhythmia when measuring blood pressure using the reduced pressure measurement method.

[0016] In another example of the present disclosure, the blood pressure measurement unit stops the inflation process when the cuff pressure reaches a predetermined pressure equal to or greater than the estimated systolic blood pressure if the pulse wave rate is equal to or greater than a threshold, and continues the inflation process if the pulse wave rate is less than the threshold.

[0017] According to the above configuration, in the reduced pressure measurement method, a pulse wave number sufficient for accurately determining the occurrence of arrhythmia can be obtained.

[0018] In another example of the present disclosure, the blood pressure measurement unit stops the inflation process if the pulse wave number is greater than or equal to a threshold value at a first timing when the cuff pressure is increased to a predetermined pressure greater than or equal to the estimated systolic blood pressure, and continues the inflation process if the pulse wave number is less than the threshold value at the first timing.

[0019] According to the above configuration, in the reduced pressure measurement method, a pulse wave number sufficient for accurately determining the occurrence of arrhythmia can be obtained.

[0020] In another example of the present disclosure, if the pulse wave number becomes equal to or greater than a threshold value at a second timing during a period until the cuff pressure reaches an upper pressure limit value that is greater than the predetermined pressure by continuing the pressurization process, the blood pressure measurement unit stops the pressurization process at the second timing, and if the pulse wave number does not become equal to or greater than the threshold value during that period, stops the pressurization process at the timing when the cuff pressure reaches the upper pressure limit value.

[0021] According to the above configuration, excessive pressurization of the cuff can be prevented in the reduced pressure measurement method.

[0022] In another example of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a blood pressure monitor includes the steps of measuring a user's blood pressure based on a pulse wave signal during a pressurization process of pressurizing a cuff pressure indicating an internal pressure of a cuff attached to a measurement site of the user, measuring the user's pulse wave rate based on the pulse wave signal during the pressurization process, determining whether to continue the pressurization process based on the pulse wave rate, and monitoring the user's arrhythmia based on the pulse wave signal during the pressurization process.

[0023] According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily and accurately determine the presence or absence of arrhythmia when measuring blood pressure using the pressure measurement method.

[0024] In another example of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a blood pressure monitor includes the steps of: after a pressurization process in which a cuff pressure, indicating the internal pressure of a cuff attached to a measurement site of a user, is pressurized to a pressure greater than an estimated systolic blood pressure, measuring the user's blood pressure based on a pulse wave signal during a depressurization process in which the cuff pressure is reduced; measuring the user's pulse wave rate based on the pulse wave signal during the pressurization process; determining whether to continue the pressurization process based on the pulse wave rate; and monitoring the user's arrhythmia based on the pulse wave signal during the depressurization process.

[0025] According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily and accurately determine the presence or absence of arrhythmia when measuring blood pressure using the reduced pressure measurement method. Effect of the Invention

[0026] According to the present disclosure, the presence or absence of arrhythmia can be determined simply and accurately during blood pressure measurement. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a blood pressure monitor 100 according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a sphygmomanometer. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the sphygmomanometer. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in a pressure measurement mode of the sphygmomanometer. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing procedure in the pressurization measurement mode of the sphygmomanometer. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in a reduced pressure measurement mode of the sphygmomanometer. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing procedure in the reduced pressure measurement mode of the sphygmomanometer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0029] [Example of application] An application example of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a blood pressure monitor 100 according to the present embodiment.

[0030] With reference to Fig. 1, blood pressure monitor 100 is an upper arm type blood pressure monitor that measures the blood pressure of a subject who is a user. Blood pressure monitor 100 has a main body and a cuff (arm band) as main components. Note that blood pressure monitor 100 may be a wrist type blood pressure monitor in which the main body and the cuff (arm band) are integrated. Hereinafter, the processing contents will be described with reference to Fig. 1.

[0031] 1, it is assumed that a user measures his / her own blood pressure using a blood pressure monitor 100. The blood pressure monitor 100 measures the user's blood pressure by an inflating measurement method that measures blood pressure during the inflating process of cuff pressure, which indicates the internal pressure of a cuff attached to a measurement site (e.g., an arm) of the user.

[0032] The blood pressure monitor 100 starts inflating the cuff in response to a blood pressure measurement instruction from the user (corresponding to (1) in FIG. 1). The cuff is inflated at a constant speed. During the process of inflating the cuff pressure, the blood pressure monitor 100 measures (counts) the pulse wave number based on the detected pulse wave signal (corresponding to (2) in FIG. 1).

[0033] Next, the blood pressure monitor 100 determines whether to continue or stop the cuff inflation process based on the pulse wave number. Specifically, the blood pressure monitor 100 stops inflating the cuff when the measured pulse wave number is equal to or greater than a threshold, and continues inflating the cuff when the pulse wave number is less than the threshold (corresponding to (3) in FIG. 1).

[0034] This is a process for acquiring a sufficient pulse wave number for accurately detecting arrhythmia (e.g., atrial fibrillation) during blood pressure measurement. Typically, the sphygmomanometer 100 determines whether or not arrhythmia has occurred based on the interval (pulse wave interval) of the pulse wave signal acquired during blood pressure measurement. Therefore, a sufficient number of pulse wave intervals is required to perform this determination with high accuracy. Therefore, the sphygmomanometer 100 executes a process for continuing to inflate the cuff until the counted pulse wave number reaches or exceeds a threshold value.

[0035] Then, the sphygmomanometer 100 calculates the blood pressure value of the user and determines whether or not arrhythmia has occurred (corresponding to (4) in FIG. 1). In this case, the sphygmomanometer 100 displays the blood pressure value of the user and the determination result of arrhythmia on the display.

[0036] According to the above application example, a sufficient pulse wave number is acquired in the process of measuring blood pressure to accurately detect arrhythmia. Therefore, in one blood pressure measurement, accurate arrhythmia determination is possible while measuring the user's blood pressure. In addition, the user does not feel the measurement is complicated.

[0037] In addition, even when a decompression measurement method is adopted as a blood pressure measurement method in which blood pressure is measured during a decompression process after a cuff pressure is increased, the cuff is continuously inflated until the pulse wave number reaches a threshold value or more during the inflating process. Therefore, the cuff pressure at the start of the decompression process is set higher than usual. As a result, if the decompression speed of the cuff is constant, the pulse wave number obtained during the decompression process increases, and as a result, a sufficient number of pulse wave intervals are obtained. Therefore, even when the decompression measurement method is adopted, it is possible to accurately determine arrhythmia while measuring the user's blood pressure during one blood pressure measurement.

[0038] As described above, according to the blood pressure monitor 100 of the present embodiment, the occurrence or nonoccurrence of arrhythmia can be determined simply and accurately during blood pressure measurement.

[0039] [Configuration example] (Hardware configuration) Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the blood pressure monitor 100. Referring to Fig. 2, the blood pressure monitor 100 includes, as main components, a main body 10 and a cuff 20. The cuff 20 contains a fluid bag 22. The main body 10 includes a processor 110, an air system component 30 for blood pressure measurement, an A / D conversion circuit 310, a pump drive circuit 320, a valve drive circuit 330, a display 50, a memory 51, an operation unit 52, a communication interface 53, and a power supply unit 54.

[0040] The processor 110 is an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Multi Processing Unit). The processor 110 realizes each of the processes (steps) of the sphygmomanometer 100 described later by reading and executing a program stored in the memory 51. For example, the processor 110 controls the driving of the pump 32 and the valve 33 in response to an operation signal from the operation unit 52. The processor 110 also calculates a blood pressure value using an algorithm for calculating blood pressure by the oscillometric method, and displays the calculated blood pressure value on the display 50.

[0041] The memory 51 is realized by a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a flash memory, etc. The memory 51 stores a program for controlling the sphygmomanometer 100, data used for controlling the sphygmomanometer 100, setting data for setting various functions of the sphygmomanometer 100, and data of the measurement results of blood pressure values, a pulse wave number, a pulse wave interval, etc. The memory 51 is also used as a work memory, etc. when the program is executed.

[0042] The air system component 30 supplies or exhausts air through air piping to the fluid bag 22 contained in the cuff 20. The air system component 30 includes a pressure sensor 31 for detecting the pressure inside the fluid bag 22, and a pump 32 and a valve 33 as an inflation / deflation mechanism for inflating and deflating the fluid bag 22.

[0043] The pressure sensor 31 detects the pressure (cuff pressure) in the fluid bag 22 and outputs a signal (cuff pressure signal) corresponding to the detected pressure to the A / D conversion circuit 310. The pressure sensor 31 is, for example, a piezo-resistance type pressure sensor, and is connected to the pump 32, the valve 33, and the fluid bag 22 contained in the cuff 20 via an air pipe. The pump 32 supplies air as a fluid to the fluid bag 22 through the air pipe to increase the cuff pressure. The valve 33 is opened and closed to control the cuff pressure by discharging air from the fluid bag 22 through the air pipe or by sealing air in the fluid bag 22.

[0044] The A / D conversion circuit 310 converts the output value of the pressure sensor 31 (for example, a voltage value corresponding to a change in electrical resistance due to the piezoresistance effect) from an analog signal to a digital signal and outputs it to the processor 110. The processor 110 acquires a signal representing the cuff pressure according to the output value of the A / D conversion circuit 310. The pump drive circuit 320 controls the drive of the pump 32 based on a control signal provided by the processor 110. The valve drive circuit 330 controls the opening and closing of the valve 33 based on a control signal provided by the processor 110.

[0045] When blood pressure is measured by the decompression measurement method according to a general oscillometric method, the following operation is generally performed. Specifically, a cuff is wrapped around the subject's measurement site (wrist, arm, etc.) in advance, and during measurement, the pump 32 and valve 33 are controlled to increase the cuff pressure higher than the estimated systolic blood pressure, and then the pressure is gradually reduced. During this decompression process, the cuff pressure is detected by a pressure sensor, and the change in arterial volume occurring in the artery at the measurement site is extracted as a pulse wave signal. The maximum blood pressure (systolic blood pressure) and minimum blood pressure (diastolic blood pressure) are calculated based on the change in amplitude of the pulse wave signal (mainly the rise and fall) accompanying the change in cuff pressure at that time.

[0046] The display 50 displays various information including blood pressure measurement results based on a control signal from the processor 110. The communication interface 53 exchanges various information with an external device. The power supply unit 54 supplies power to the processor 110 and each piece of hardware.

[0047] The operation unit 52 inputs an operation signal corresponding to an instruction from a user to the processor 110. For example, the operation unit 52 includes a measurement switch 52A for receiving a blood pressure measurement instruction from the user.

[0048] (Functional configuration) Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the sphygmomanometer 100. Referring to Fig. 3, the sphygmomanometer 100 includes, as main functional components, a blood pressure measurement unit 210, a pulse wave number measurement unit 215, a monitoring unit 220, and an output control unit 230. Each of these functions is realized, for example, by the processor 110 of the sphygmomanometer 100 executing a program stored in the memory 51. Some or all of these functions may be configured to be realized by hardware.

[0049] The blood pressure measurement unit 210 controls the cuff pressure according to a measurement start instruction from the user via the operation unit 52. Specifically, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 drives the pump 32 via the pump drive circuit 320, and controls the drive of the valve 33 via the valve drive circuit 330. The valve 33 is opened and closed to discharge or seal air in the fluid bag 22 to control the cuff pressure.

[0050] The blood pressure measurement unit 210 receives the cuff pressure signal detected by the pressure sensor 31 and extracts a pulse wave signal representing the pulse wave at the measurement site superimposed on the cuff pressure signal. That is, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 detects, from the cuff pressure signal, a pulse wave, which is a pressure component that is superimposed on the cuff pressure signal in synchronization with the beating of the user's heart.

[0051] The blood pressure measurement unit 210 calculates blood pressure information of the user based on the cuff pressure signal and the pulse wave signal superimposed on the cuff pressure signal. The blood pressure measurement unit 210 measures the user's blood pressure according to the oscillometric method. Specifically, during blood pressure measurement, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 executes a pressurization measurement mode in which the user's blood pressure is measured based on the pulse wave signal in a first pressurization process in which the cuff pressure is pressurized, or a depressurization measurement mode in which the user's blood pressure is measured based on the pulse wave signal in a depressurization process in which the cuff pressure is depressurized after a second pressurization process in which the cuff pressure is pressurized to a pressure greater than the estimated systolic blood pressure.

[0052] First, a case where the blood pressure measurement unit 210 executes the pressurized measurement mode, which is a blood pressure measurement mode using the pressurized measurement method, will be described.

[0053] When the pressurization measurement mode is executed, the pulse wave number measurement unit 215 measures the user's pulse wave number N1 based on the pulse wave signal in the first pressurization process. In this case, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 determines whether to continue the first pressurization process based on the pulse wave number N1.

[0054] In a certain situation, when the pulse wave number N1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th1, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 measures the blood pressure (systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure) based on the pulse wave signal in the first pressurization process, and stops the first pressurization process after the measurement. On the other hand, when the pulse wave number N1 is less than the threshold value Th1, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 continues the first pressurization process. In addition, when the cuff pressure reaches the pressure upper limit value Pmax by continuing the first pressurization process, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 stops the first pressurization process at the timing of the arrival. In this case, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 stops the first pressurization process even if the pulse wave number N1 is less than the threshold value Th1. The threshold value Th1 is a value predetermined by the designer of the sphygmomanometer 100 or the like.

[0055] In another situation, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 measures the blood pressure (systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure) based on the pulse wave signal in the first pressurization process. When the pulse wave number N1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th1 at the timing T1 when the cuff pressure is pressurized to a pressure P1 equal to or higher than the systolic blood pressure, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 stops the first pressurization process. Typically, the pressure P1 is set to a value that is a predetermined value (for example, 40 mmHg) higher than the systolic blood pressure.

[0056] On the other hand, when the pulse wave number N1 is less than the threshold value Th1 at the timing T1, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 continues the first pressurization process. Subsequently, when the pulse wave number N1 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value Th1 at the timing T2 during the period until the cuff pressure reaches the pressure upper limit value Pmax (P1 < Pmax) by continuing the first pressurization process, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 stops the first pressurization process at the timing T2. On the other hand, when the pulse wave number N1 does not become equal to or greater than the threshold value Th1 during the period, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 stops the first pressurization process at the timing when the cuff pressure reaches the pressure upper limit value Pmax.

[0057] The monitoring unit 220 monitors the user's arrhythmia (e.g., atrial fibrillation) based on the pulse wave signal during the first pressurization process (i.e., determines whether or not arrhythmia has occurred). A known method is used to determine whether or not arrhythmia has occurred. For example, the monitoring unit 220 determines whether or not arrhythmia has occurred based on the occurrence intervals of multiple pulse waves acquired from the pulse wave signal.

[0058] The output control unit 230 displays the measurement results (e.g., systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure values) of the blood pressure measurement unit 210 and the monitoring results (e.g., the determination result of the occurrence of arrhythmia) of the monitoring unit 220 on the display 50. The output control unit 230 may transmit the measurement results and the monitoring results to an external device via the communication interface 53, or may be configured to output the results as audio via a speaker (not shown).

[0059] Next, a case where the blood pressure measurement unit 210 executes a reduced pressure measurement mode, which is a blood pressure measurement mode using a reduced pressure measurement method, will be described.

[0060] When the reduced pressure measurement mode is executed, the pulse wave number measurement unit 215 measures the user's pulse wave number N2 based on the pulse wave signal in the second pressurization process. In this case, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 determines whether to continue the second pressurization process based on the pulse wave number N2.

[0061] In one aspect, when the pulse wave number N2 is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th2, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 stops the second pressurization process when the cuff pressure reaches a pressure P2 equal to or greater than the estimated systolic blood pressure. Typically, the pressure P2 is set to a value that is a predetermined value (e.g., 40 mmHg) greater than the estimated systolic blood pressure. On the other hand, when the pulse wave number N2 is less than the threshold value Th2, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 continues the second pressurization process. Note that, when the cuff pressure reaches the upper pressure limit value Pmax by continuing the second pressurization process, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 stops the second pressurization process at the timing of the cuff pressure reaching the upper pressure limit value Pmax. The threshold value Th2 is a value that is predetermined by the designer of the blood pressure monitor or the like.

[0062] In another aspect, when the pulse wave number N2 is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th2 at the timing T3 when the cuff pressure is pressurized to a pressure P2 equal to or higher than the estimated systolic blood pressure, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 stops the second pressurization process. On the other hand, when the pulse wave number N2 is less than the threshold value Th2 at the timing T3, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 continues the second pressurization process. Subsequently, when the pulse wave number N2 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value Th2 at the timing T4 during the period until the cuff pressure reaches the pressure upper limit value Pmax (P3 < Pmax) by continuing the second pressurization process, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 stops the second pressurization process at the timing T4. On the other hand, when the pulse wave number N2 does not become equal to or greater than the threshold value Th2 during the period, the blood pressure measurement unit 210 stops the second pressurization process at the timing when the cuff pressure reaches the pressure upper limit value Pmax.

[0063] The monitoring unit 220 monitors the arrhythmia of the user based on the pulse wave signal in the decompression process. The output control unit 230 displays the measurement result of the blood pressure measurement unit 210 and the monitoring result of the monitoring unit 220 on the display 50.

[0064] (Processing procedure: pressurization measurement mode) FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure in the pressurization measurement mode of the sphygmomanometer 100. At the start of the process, it is assumed that the user has the cuff 20 of the sphygmomanometer 100 attached. This is the same for FIGS. 5 to 7 described later.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 4, the processor 110 of the sphygmomanometer 100 receives an instruction to start blood pressure measurement from the user via the measurement switch 52A of the operation unit 52 (step S10). The processor 110 initializes the pressure sensor 31 (step S12). Specifically, the processor 110 initializes the processing memory area, turns off (stops) the pump 32, and while the valve 33 is open, adjusts the pressure sensor 31 to 0 mmHg (sets the atmospheric pressure to 0 mmHg).

[0066] Next, the processor 110 closes the valve 33 via the valve drive circuit 330 (step S14), and turns on (starts) the pump 32 via the pump drive circuit 320 to start pressurizing the cuff 20 (fluid bag 22) (step S16). At this time, the processor 110 controls the inflation speed of the cuff pressure, which is the pressure inside the fluid bag 22, based on the output of the pressure sensor 31 while supplying air from the pump 32 to the fluid bag 22 through the air piping. This starts the pressurization process in the pressurization measurement mode. The processor 110 controls the inflation speed to be constant.

[0067] Next, the processor 110 measures (counts) the pulse wave number N1 based on the pulse wave signal extracted from the cuff pressure signal detected by the pressure sensor 31 during the pressurization process (step S18). The processor 110 determines whether the pulse wave number N1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th1 (step S20). If the pulse wave number N1 is less than the threshold value Th1 (NO in step S20), the processor 110 returns to the process of step S16 and continues pressurizing the cuff 20 as long as the cuff pressure does not reach the pressure upper limit value Pmax (e.g., 300 mmHg). If the pulse wave number N1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th1 (YES in step S20), the processor 110 attempts to calculate the maximum blood pressure (systolic blood pressure) and minimum blood pressure (diastolic blood pressure) and determines whether the blood pressure calculation is completed (step S22).

[0068] If the blood pressure calculation cannot be completed due to insufficient data (NO in step S22), the processor 110 continues the pressurization process by repeating the processes of steps S16 to S22 as long as the cuff pressure has not reached the predetermined upper pressure limit value Pmax.

[0069] When the blood pressure calculation is completed (YES in step S22), processor 110 determines whether or not arrhythmia occurs based on the pulse wave signal obtained during the pressurization process (step S24). Note that the process of step S24 may be executed after the process of step S26 or step S28 described later.

[0070] Next, processor 110 stops pump 32 (i.e., stops the pressurization process) (step S26) and opens valve 33 (step S28) to exhaust air from within cuff 20. Processor 110 displays the blood pressure value obtained in step S22 and the determination result obtained in step S24 on display 50 (step S30).

[0071] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing procedure in the pressurization measurement mode of sphygmomanometer 100. Referring to Fig. 5, the processes in steps S10 to S16 are the same as those described in Fig. 4, and therefore detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0072] After step S16, the processor 110 attempts to calculate the maximum blood pressure (systolic blood pressure) and minimum blood pressure (diastolic blood pressure) and determines whether the blood pressure calculation is complete (step S40). If the blood pressure calculation is not complete (NO in step S40), the processor 110 repeats the processes of steps S16 and S40 to continue the pressurization process as long as the cuff pressure has not reached the upper pressure limit value Pmax.

[0073] When the blood pressure calculation is completed (YES in step S40), the processor 110 judges whether the cuff pressure is equal to or greater than a pressure P1 that is greater than the measured systolic blood pressure (step S42). When the cuff pressure is less than pressure P1 (NO in step S42), the processor 110 returns to step S16 and continues inflating the cuff 20. When the cuff pressure is equal to or greater than pressure P1 (YES in step S42), the processor 110 measures (counts) a pulse wave number N1 based on the pulse wave signal during the inflation process from step S16 (step S44).

[0074] Processor 110 determines whether pulse wave rate N1 is equal to or greater than threshold value Th1 (step S46). If pulse wave rate N1 is less than threshold value Th1 (NO in step S46), processor 110 returns to the process of step S16 and continues inflating cuff 20 as long as the cuff pressure has not reached upper pressure limit value Pmax. If pulse wave rate N1 is equal to or greater than threshold value Th1 (YES in step S46), processor 110 executes the process of step S24. The processes of steps S24 to S30 are as described with reference to FIG. 4, and therefore will not be described in detail again.

[0075] According to the above, in the pressurization measurement mode, a pulse wave number sufficient for determining whether or not arrhythmia has occurred can be obtained while measuring blood pressure during the pressurization process, thereby improving the accuracy of the determination.

[0076] (Processing procedure: Decompression measurement mode) FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the sphygmomanometer 100 in the reduced pressure measurement mode.

[0077] 6, the processes of steps S50 to S56 are similar to the processes of steps S10 to S16 in FIG. 4, respectively, and therefore will not be described in detail. Note that the process of pressurization in the reduced pressure measurement mode is started by the process of step S56. At this time, the blood pressure monitor 100 controls the pressurization speed to be constant.

[0078] The processor 110 measures the pulse wave number N2 based on the pulse wave signal obtained during the pressurization process in the reduced pressure measurement mode (step S58). The processor 110 determines whether the pulse wave number N2 is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th2 (step S60). If the pulse wave number N2 is less than the threshold value Th2 (NO in step S60), the processor 110 returns to the process of step S56 and continues pressurizing the cuff 20 as long as the cuff pressure does not reach the pressure upper limit value Pmax. If the pulse wave number N2 is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th2 (YES in step S60), the processor 110 estimates the systolic blood pressure based on the pulse wave signal obtained during the pressurization process (step S62). The estimation of the systolic blood pressure is performed by a known method. The processor 110 determines whether the cuff pressure is equal to or greater than the pressure P2 (step S64).

[0079] If the cuff pressure is less than pressure P2 (NO in step S64), the processor 110 returns to step S56 and continues pressurizing the cuff 20. If the cuff pressure is equal to or greater than pressure P2 (YES in step S64), the processor 110 stops the pump 32 (i.e., stops the pressurization process) (step S66) and controls the valve 33 to gradually open (step S68). This causes a transition from the pressurization process to a depressurization process, and the cuff pressure is gradually reduced. At this time, the processor 110 controls the depressurization speed to be constant.

[0080] During this depressurization process, processor 110 extracts a pulse wave signal from the cuff pressure signal detected by pressure sensor 31, and attempts to calculate systolic and diastolic blood pressures based on the pulse wave signal to determine whether or not blood pressure calculation has been completed (step S70). If blood pressure calculation has not been completed (NO in step S70), processor 110 repeats the processes of steps S68 and S70. If blood pressure calculation has been completed (YES in step S70), processor 110 determines whether or not arrhythmia has occurred based on the pulse wave signal obtained during the depressurization process (step S72). The process of step S72 may be executed after the process of step S74 described later.

[0081] Processor 110 fully opens valve 33 (step S74) to perform control to rapidly exhaust air from within cuff 20. Processor 110 displays the blood pressure value obtained in step S70 and the determination result obtained in step S72 on display 50 (step S76).

[0082] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing procedure of the sphygmomanometer 100 in the reduced pressure measurement mode.

[0083] 7, the processes of steps S50 to S56 are similar to the processes of steps S10 to S16 in Fig. 4, respectively, and therefore will not be described in detail. The process of step S56 starts the pressurization process in the reduced pressure measurement mode.

[0084] The processor 110 estimates the systolic blood pressure based on the pulse wave signal obtained during the pressurization process in the reduced pressure measurement mode (step S80). The processor 110 determines whether the cuff pressure is equal to or higher than pressure P2 (step S82).

[0085] If the cuff pressure is less than pressure P2 (NO in step S82), processor 110 returns to step S56 and continues inflating cuff 20. If the cuff pressure is equal to or greater than pressure P2 (YES in step S82), processor 110 measures pulse wave number N2 based on the pulse wave signal obtained during the inflation process (step S84). Processor 110 determines whether pulse wave number N2 is equal to or greater than threshold value Th2 (step S86).

[0086] If the pulse wave rate N2 is less than the threshold value Th2 (NO in step S86), processor 110 returns to the process of step S56 and continues inflating cuff 20 unless the cuff pressure reaches the pressure upper limit value Pmax. If the pulse wave rate N2 is equal to or greater than threshold value Th2 (YES in step S86), processor 110 executes the process of step S66. The processes of steps S66 to S76 are as described in FIG. 6, and therefore detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0087] According to the above, in the reduced pressure measurement mode, a pulse wave rate sufficient for determining whether or not arrhythmia has occurred can be obtained while measuring blood pressure during the reduced pressure process, thereby improving the accuracy of the determination.

[0088] <Other embodiments> (1) In the above-described embodiment, a program for causing a computer to function and execute the control as described in the above-described flowchart can also be provided. Such a program can be provided as a program product by being recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a secondary storage device, a main storage device, or a memory card that is attached to the computer. Alternatively, the program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk built into the computer. The program can also be provided by downloading via a network.

[0089] (2) The configurations exemplified as the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples of the configurations of the present invention, and may be combined with other known technologies, or may be modified, such as by omitting some parts, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments may be implemented by appropriately adopting the processes and configurations described in other embodiments.

[0090] [Note] As described above, the present embodiment includes the following disclosure.

[0091] [Configuration 1] A blood pressure monitor (100) comprising: a blood pressure measurement unit (210) that measures the blood pressure of a user based on a pulse wave signal during a pressurization process in which a cuff pressure indicating an internal pressure of a cuff attached to a measurement site of the user is applied; and a pulse wave rate measurement unit (215) that measures the pulse wave rate of the user based on the pulse wave signal during the pressurization process, the blood pressure measurement unit (210) determining whether or not to continue the pressurization process based on the pulse wave rate, and further comprising a monitoring unit (230) that monitors arrhythmia of the user based on the pulse wave signal during the pressurization process.

[0092] [Configuration 2] The blood pressure monitor (100) according to configuration 1, wherein the blood pressure measurement unit (210) measures blood pressure based on the pulse wave signal during the pressurization process when the pulse wave number is equal to or greater than a threshold, stops the pressurization process after the measurement, and continues the pressurization process when the pulse wave number is less than the threshold.

[0093] [Configuration 3] The blood pressure measurement unit (210) measures a systolic blood pressure based on the pulse wave signal during the pressurization process, and stops the pressurization process if the pulse wave number is equal to or greater than a threshold value at a first timing when the cuff pressure is pressurized to a predetermined pressure equal to or greater than the systolic blood pressure, and continues the pressurization process if the pulse wave number is less than the threshold value at the first timing.

[0094] [Configuration 4] The blood pressure monitor (100) according to configuration 3, wherein, if the pulse wave number becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value at a second timing during a period until the cuff pressure reaches a pressure upper limit value that is greater than the predetermined pressure by continuing the pressurization process, the blood pressure measurement unit (210) stops the pressurization process at the second timing, and, if the pulse wave number does not become equal to or greater than the threshold value during the period, stops the pressurization process at the timing when the cuff pressure reaches the pressure upper limit value.

[0095] [Configuration 5] A blood pressure monitor (100) comprising: a blood pressure measurement unit (210) that measures the blood pressure of the user based on a pulse wave signal during a depressurization process in which a cuff pressure, which indicates the internal pressure of a cuff attached to a measurement site of a user, is increased to a pressure greater than an estimated systolic blood pressure, after the pressurization process, and a pulse wave rate measurement unit (215) that measures the pulse wave rate of the user based on the pulse wave signal during the pressurization process, wherein the blood pressure measurement unit (210) determines whether or not to continue the pressurization process based on the pulse wave rate, and further comprises a monitoring unit (230) that monitors arrhythmia of the user based on the pulse wave signal during the depressurization process.

[0096] [Configuration 6] The blood pressure monitor (100) according to configuration 5, wherein, when the pulse wave rate is equal to or greater than a threshold, the blood pressure measurement unit (210) stops the pressurization process when the cuff pressure reaches a predetermined pressure equal to or greater than the estimated systolic blood pressure, and when the pulse wave rate is less than the threshold, the blood pressure measurement unit (210) continues the pressurization process.

[0097] [Configuration 7] The blood pressure monitor (100) according to configuration 5, wherein the blood pressure measurement unit (210) stops the inflation process if the pulse wave number is equal to or greater than a threshold value at a first timing when the cuff pressure is increased to a predetermined pressure equal to or greater than the estimated systolic blood pressure, and continues the inflation process if the pulse wave number is less than the threshold value at the first timing.

[0098] [Configuration 8] The blood pressure monitor (100) according to configuration 6, wherein, if the pulse wave number becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value at a second timing during a period until the cuff pressure reaches a pressure upper limit value that is greater than the predetermined pressure by continuing the pressurization process, the blood pressure measurement unit (210) stops the pressurization process at the second timing, and, if the pulse wave number does not become equal to or greater than the threshold value during the period, stops the pressurization process at the timing when the cuff pressure reaches the pressure upper limit value.

[0099] [Configuration 9] A method for controlling a blood pressure monitor (100), comprising the steps of: measuring the blood pressure of a user based on a pulse wave signal during a pressurization process for pressurizing a cuff pressure indicating an internal pressure of a cuff attached to a measurement site of the user; measuring the pulse wave rate of the user based on the pulse wave signal during the pressurization process; determining whether or not to continue the pressurization process based on the pulse wave rate; and monitoring arrhythmia of the user based on the pulse wave signal during the pressurization process.

[0100] [Configuration 10] A method for controlling a blood pressure monitor (100), comprising the steps of: measuring the blood pressure of the user based on a pulse wave signal during a depressurization process in which a cuff pressure, which indicates an internal pressure of a cuff attached to a measurement site of a user, is increased to a pressure greater than an estimated systolic blood pressure; measuring the user's blood pressure based on a pulse wave signal during the depressurization process in which the cuff pressure, which indicates an internal pressure of a cuff attached to a measurement site of a user, is decreased; measuring the user's pulse wave rate based on the pulse wave signal during the pressurization process; determining whether or not to continue the pressurization process based on the pulse wave rate; and monitoring the user's arrhythmia based on the pulse wave signal during the depressurization process.

[0101] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 10 main body, 20 cuff, 22 fluid bag, 30 air system component, 31 pressure sensor, 32 pump, 33 valve, 50 display, 51 memory, 52 operation unit, 52A measurement switch, 53 communication interface, 54 power supply unit, 100 sphygmomanometer, 110 processor, 210 blood pressure measurement unit, 215 pulse wave rate measurement unit, 220 monitoring unit, 230 output control unit, 310 A / D conversion circuit, 320 pump drive circuit, 330 valve drive circuit.

Claims

1. a blood pressure measuring unit that measures the blood pressure of the user based on a pulse wave signal during a process of increasing a cuff pressure indicating an internal pressure of a cuff attached to a measurement site of the user; a pulse wave number measuring unit for measuring a pulse wave number of the user based on a pulse wave signal during the pressurization process, The blood pressure measurement unit determines whether or not to continue the pressurization process based on the pulse wave rate, The blood pressure monitor further comprises a monitoring unit that monitors arrhythmia of the user based on a pulse wave signal during the pressurization process.

2. The blood pressure measurement unit includes: If the pulse wave number is equal to or greater than a threshold value, a blood pressure is measured based on the pulse wave signal during the pressurization process, and the pressurization process is stopped after the measurement. The blood pressure monitor according to claim 1 , further comprising: a pressure adjusting unit configured to adjust the pressure of the blood pressure sensor so as to adjust the pressure of the blood pressure sensor to a pressure that is greater than the threshold value;

3. The blood pressure measurement unit includes: measuring a systolic blood pressure based on the pulse wave signal during the pressurization process; When the pulse wave number is equal to or greater than a threshold value at a first timing when the cuff pressure is increased to a predetermined pressure equal to or greater than the systolic blood pressure, the inflation process is stopped; The blood pressure monitor according to claim 1 , wherein the pressurization process is continued when the pulse wave number is less than the threshold value at the first timing.

4. The blood pressure measurement unit includes: If the pulse wave number becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value at a second timing during a period until the cuff pressure reaches a pressure upper limit value that is greater than the predetermined pressure by continuing the pressurization process, the pressurization process is stopped at the second timing.

4. The blood pressure monitor according to claim 3, wherein if the pulse wave number does not become equal to or greater than the threshold value during the period, the inflation process is stopped when the cuff pressure reaches the upper pressure limit value.

5. a blood pressure measurement unit that measures the user's blood pressure based on a pulse wave signal during a depressurization process of decreasing a cuff pressure indicating an internal pressure of a cuff attached to a measurement site of the user, after a pressurization process of increasing the cuff pressure to a pressure higher than an estimated systolic blood pressure; a pulse wave number measuring unit for measuring a pulse wave number of the user based on a pulse wave signal during the pressurization process, The blood pressure measurement unit determines whether or not to continue the pressurization process based on the pulse wave rate, The blood pressure monitor further comprises a monitoring unit that monitors arrhythmia of the user based on a pulse wave signal during the depressurization process.

6. The blood pressure measurement unit includes: If the pulse wave rate is equal to or greater than a threshold, the pressurization process is stopped when the cuff pressure reaches a predetermined pressure equal to or greater than the estimated systolic blood pressure. The blood pressure monitor according to claim 5 , further comprising: a pressure adjusting unit that adjusts the pressure to a predetermined value when the pulse wave rate is less than the threshold value;

7. The blood pressure measurement unit includes: If the pulse wave number is equal to or greater than a threshold value at a first timing when the cuff pressure is increased to a predetermined pressure equal to or greater than the estimated systolic blood pressure, the inflation process is stopped; The blood pressure monitor according to claim 5 , wherein the pressurization process is continued when the pulse wave number is less than the threshold value at the first timing.

8. The blood pressure measurement unit includes: If the pulse wave number becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value at a second timing during a period until the cuff pressure reaches a pressure upper limit value that is greater than the predetermined pressure by continuing the pressurization process, the pressurization process is stopped at the second timing. The blood pressure monitor according to claim 7 , wherein if the pulse wave number does not become equal to or greater than the threshold value during the period, the inflation process is stopped when the cuff pressure reaches the upper pressure limit value.

9. A method for controlling a blood pressure monitor, comprising: measuring the blood pressure of the user based on a pulse wave signal during a process of increasing a cuff pressure indicating an internal pressure of a cuff attached to a measurement site of the user; measuring a pulse wave rate of the user based on a pulse wave signal during the pressurization process; determining whether to continue the pressurization process based on the pulse rate; and monitoring arrhythmia of the user based on a pulse wave signal during the pressurization process.

10. A method for controlling a blood pressure monitor, comprising: a step of increasing a cuff pressure indicating an internal pressure of a cuff attached to a measurement site of a user to a pressure higher than an estimated systolic blood pressure, and then measuring the blood pressure of the user based on a pulse wave signal during a step of decreasing the cuff pressure; measuring a pulse wave rate of the user based on a pulse wave signal during the pressurization process; determining whether to continue the pressurization process based on the pulse rate; and monitoring arrhythmia of the user based on a pulse wave signal during the decompression process.

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