Cuff and blood pressure measurement device

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of fitting a cuff in an appropriate way of winding every time blood pressure is measured.SOLUTION: A cuff wound around and fitted to a part to be measured for blood pressure measurement includes: a bag-like exterior part which has a circumferential direction to be a winding direction around the part to be measured and a width direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction and has an outer surface to be outside and an inner surface to be inside when the cuff is fitted; a fluid bag housed in the exterior part; and a hook-and-loop fastener provided on the surface of the exterior part. The surface of the exterior part is provided with a scale dividing the circumferential direction of the exterior part, and the cuff is configured to be capable of identifying where a prescribed part of the cuff is located on the scale when the cuff is fitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of measuring blood pressure of a living body, and more particularly to a cuff used in a blood pressure measurement device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, health management has become commonplace, with measuring devices measuring information about an individual's physical and health status, such as blood pressure, and recording and analyzing the measurement results. Various devices, such as home blood pressure monitors, are now available to make it easy to measure such vital signs outside of medical institutions, such as at home.

[0003] A typical blood pressure measurement device uses a cuff to compress blood vessels in order to measure blood pressure by compressing the blood vessels and detecting the pulse wave propagating within the blood vessels. Specifically, the cuff is wrapped around the measurement site (for example, the upper arm), and air is pumped into the fluid bag inside the cuff, causing the wrapped cuff to expand and compress the blood vessels at the measurement site.

[0004] For this reason, various improvements have been proposed for cuffs used in blood pressure measurement, such as making it easier to wrap the cuff around the measurement site and reducing discomfort when worn (Patent Documents 1 and 2, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-209858 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-018260 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] To obtain accurate measurements, it is necessary to wear the cuff correctly and to measure in the correct posture. Also, when measuring blood pressure continuously for health management, it is important that the conditions for daily blood pressure measurements do not fluctuate (to the greatest extent possible).

[0007] In other words, if the way the cuff is attached (such as the wrapping strength or the orientation of the cuff) is different each time a measurement is taken, the conditions for each measurement will not be consistent, which not only may result in an inaccurate blood pressure measurement, but will also negate the significance of continuously measuring blood pressure values ​​(accumulating data).However, the prior art, including the patent documents mentioned above, has not been able to assist the user in attaching the cuff in the same way each time.

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables a cuff to be worn in an appropriate wrapping manner every time blood pressure is measured. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration: A cuff that is wrapped around a measurement target for blood pressure measurement, a bag-shaped exterior part having a circumferential direction which is a direction in which the cuff is wrapped around the part to be measured and a width direction which is a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction, and having an outer surface which becomes the outside when the cuff is worn and an inner surface which becomes the inside (a surface having an area which comes into contact with the part to be measured when wrapped around), a fluid bag contained in the exterior part, and a hook-and-loop fastener provided on the surface of the exterior part, a scale is provided on the surface of the exterior portion to divide the circumferential direction of the exterior portion, The cuff is configured to be able to identify where on the scale a predetermined portion of the cuff is located when the cuff is worn. The cuff is characterized by the above.

[0010] It should be noted that the scale referred to here does not necessarily have to be represented by lines, but may be, for example, dots, symbols, figures, letters, or the like, as long as it functions as a marker that divides the circumferential length of the cuff into multiple stages, and the scale does not have to indicate the actual length.

[0011] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a cuff that can be worn with the same degree of wrapping each time without adding any new parts (at low cost).

[0012] The scale may be provided in a region including the center portion in the width direction, or may be provided in a region including at least one end portion in the width direction.

[0013] The scales are provided in areas including both ends in the width direction, The exterior portion may be provided with marks corresponding to the scales and indicating their positions.

[0014] For example, when a cuff is placed on the upper arm, the arm circumference differs (there is a taper) at both ends of the cuff's width, so if the cuff is placed correctly, the degree of wrapping will differ at both ends of the width. In this regard, the above-described configuration allows different appropriate scales to be displayed at both ends of the cuff's width, so that appropriate alignment can be achieved at both ends of the width, even when there is a taper.

[0015] Furthermore, the mark indicating the scale at one end in the width direction and the mark indicating the scale at the other end may be provided at different positions in the circumferential direction, reflecting the taper of the measurement portion in the width direction. With this configuration, it is possible to display scales indicating the same scale while reflecting the difference in circumferential length when wrapped around both ends of the non-measurement portion in the width direction due to the taper.

[0016] The cuff may further include a folding ring for folding back through one circumferential end of the exterior part, which is an outer end exposed to the outside when the cuff is worn, the scale may be provided on the inner surface, and the predetermined portion may be the folded portion of the exterior part when the cuff is worn.

[0017] With this configuration, in a cuff of the type in which both the hook and loop of the hook-and-loop fastener are formed on the outer surface of the inner and outer surfaces of the exterior part (the so-called fold-over type), the positional relationship with the scale can be determined based on the position of the fold-over part, which is firmly fixed for proper wearing and has little wrapping error of the folded-over outer end part.

[0018] The exterior may further include a curler having elasticity to help maintain the cuff in a circular shape, the scale may be provided on the outer surface, and the predetermined portion may be an end portion of the exterior in the circumferential direction that is exposed to the outside when the cuff is worn. That is, the exterior may include a scale on the outer surface of the exterior that indicates how far the exterior of the worn cuff is double-wrapped.

[0019] The exterior portion further accommodates a curler that has elasticity and helps maintain the cuff in a circular shape, the scale is provided on the outer surface, and the predetermined portion is The mark may be provided on the outer surface of the exterior part. The mark is not limited to one, and may be plural.

[0020] With this configuration, even in a type of cuff in which a curler is further housed in the exterior portion, the wrapping state of the cuff when worn properly can be repeatedly reproduced.

[0021] The present invention can also be understood as a blood pressure measuring device including the above-described cuff and a blood pressure monitor main body connected to the cuff.

[0022] The present invention can be achieved by combining the above-described configurations together as long as no technical contradiction occurs. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique that allows a cuff to be worn in an appropriate wrapping manner every time blood pressure is measured. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are schematic plan views showing the outer and inner surfaces of a cuff according to Example 1. FIG. [Figure 2] Fig. 2A is a first explanatory diagram showing a usage state of the cuff according to Example 1. Fig. 2B is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a measuring tape used together with the cuff according to the example. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the cuff of Example 1 is worn. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a cuff according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a cuff according to a modification of the first embodiment is worn. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are schematic plan views showing the outer and inner surfaces of a cuff according to Example 2. [Figure 7] Fig. 7A is a schematic view showing a curler used in the cuff according to Example 2. Fig. 7B is a schematic view showing the cuff of Example 2 in a worn state. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are schematic plan views showing the outer and inner surfaces of a cuff according to Example 3. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the cuff of Example 3 is worn. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are schematic plan views showing the outer and inner surfaces of the cuff according to Example 4. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the cuff of Example 4 is worn. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Example 1 Specific examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the material, shape, relative position, etc. of each component described in the examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to those examples.

[0026] The present invention can be applied to a cuff 1 as shown in, for example, Figures 1A, 1B, and 2A. Figure 1A is a plan view of the surface (outer surface 11) of the cuff 1 that faces outward when worn, and Figure 1B is a plan view of the surface (inner surface 12) of the cuff 1 that faces inward when worn. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the cuff 1 has a bag-shaped exterior part 10 that has the outer surface 11 and the inner surface 12, and a fluid bag 13 (shown by a dotted line in Figure 1A) is housed inside the exterior part 10.

[0027] On the outer surface 11 of the exterior part 10, a hook part 112 and a loop part 113 of a hook and loop fastener are formed. In this embodiment, the loop part 11 of the hook and loop fastener 1A is formed on the outside of the exterior part 10. A nipple 114 for suction and exhaust of the fluid bag 13 is formed on the outside of the exterior part 10 shown in Fig. 1A. By connecting the nipple 114 and the blood pressure monitor body equipped with a pump with a tube (neither is shown), suction and exhaust of the fluid bag 13 becomes possible.

[0028] Furthermore, a folding ring 111, through which the other end can be inserted, is provided on the outside of exterior part 10 near one end in the circumferential direction (shown as the left-right direction in FIG. 1A), which is the direction in which cuff 1 is wrapped around a part not being measured during blood pressure measurement. When attaching cuff 1 to a part to be measured, the other end of exterior part 10 is inserted into folding ring 111 and folded back, and hook part 112 and loop part 113 on outer surface 11 are engaged with each other, thereby fixing cuff 1 to the part to be measured.

[0029] Meanwhile, scales 121 that divide the circumferential direction of the cuff 1 are provided, for example, by printing, on the inner surface 12 of the exterior part 10. As shown in Fig. 1B, the scales 121 are indicated by lines extending in the width direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction, and are arranged so as to be exposed on the side (outside) that is visible to the user when the exterior part 10 is folded back at the folding ring 111.

[0030] Fig. 2A is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the other end of exterior part 10 is inserted into folding ring 111 and then folded back. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which cuff 1 is worn on the upper arm of a user. As shown in Fig. 2A or 3, scale 121 is exposed to the outside, so that scale 121 can indicate the position in the circumferential direction of the part of exterior part 10 folded back by folding ring 111 (folded part 14).

[0031] When the user attaches the cuff 1 to the part to be measured, the user wraps and fixes the cuff 1 so that the folded portion 14 is at the same scale position, thereby preventing the degree of wrapping of the cuff from varying (too tight or too loose) each time blood pressure is measured.

[0032] The appropriate wrapping method (degree of wrapping) for cuff 1 when folded portion 14 is positioned on which scale varies from user to user, so each user must understand the correct relationship between folded portion 14 and the corresponding scale. In this case, the circumference of the part to be measured (for example, the circumference of the upper arm) can be measured using a dedicated tape measure made of paper, resin sheet, or the like, and the scale for positioning when wearing cuff 1 can be determined based on the measurement results. Figure 2B shows such a dedicated tape measure 15.

[0033] The measuring tape 15 has a scale 151 that corresponds to the scale 121 on the exterior part 10 of the cuff 1, and the scale on the cuff 1 that corresponds to the value indicated by the black arrow in FIG. 2B when the measuring tape 15 is wrapped around the part to be measured ("6" in the example of FIG. 2B) is the scale that indicates the position of the folded part 14 when wrapping it correctly. The user can measure the circumference of the part to be measured with the measuring tape 15 at an appropriate time, such as when using the cuff 1 for the first time. Note that the scales of the measuring tape 15 and the scale 121 on the cuff 1 do not match, and the scale intervals reflect the respective thicknesses.

[0034] By doing so, the correct wrapping method (degree of wrapping) of the cuff 1 can be grasped, and the correct wrapping method can be repeatedly reproduced, thereby enabling accurate measurement data to be continuously obtained.

[0035] (Variation) In the first embodiment, each scale is provided so as to traverse the width direction of the exterior part 10 (i.e., in a region including the center part in the width direction). However, the form of the scale is not limited to that shown in the first embodiment. Such modified examples are shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In the following, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those already explained, and the details will not be explained again. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a state in which one end of cuff 100 according to this modification is folded back by folding back ring 111, and Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a state in which cuff 100 is worn on the upper arm of a user.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 4, cuff 100 according to this modification is configured such that scale 141 is provided at each of both widthwise ends. Then, as shown in Fig. 5, when cuff 100 is worn on the upper arm of a user, one scale marking on one side of folded portion 14 in the widthwise direction reflects the difference in arm circumference between the side closer to the shoulder (upper side) and the side closer to the wrist (lower side), and so the scale markings on the other side have different numerical values. In the example of Fig. 5, the scale markings on the widthwise end of cuff 100 located on the lower side of the arm have smaller numerical values ​​than the scale markings located on the upper side.

[0037] In this modified example, it is desirable to measure the circumference of the measurement part in advance using the tape measure 15 in accordance with the position of each end of the cuff in the width direction. By doing so, the folded part 14 can be positioned in accordance with the appropriate scale depending on the difference in circumference of the measurement part at both ends of the cuff in the width direction.

[0038] <Example 2> Next, a cuff 2 according to another embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B. Figure 6A is a plan view of the surface (outer surface 21) that faces outward when the cuff 2 is worn, and Figure 6B is a plan view of the surface (inner surface 22) that faces inward when the cuff 2 is worn. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, similar to the cuff 1 of Example 1, the cuff 2 also has a configuration in which a fluid bag (not shown) and a curler 23, which will be described later, are housed inside a bag-shaped exterior part 20 having an outer surface 21 and an inner surface 22.

[0039] A hook portion 213 of a hook-and-loop hook and loop fastener is formed on the outer surface 21 of the exterior part 20, and a loop portion 221 of the hook and loop fastener is formed on the inner surface 22 of the exterior part 20. Therefore, when wearing the cuff 2, the cuff 2 is wrapped around the cuff 2 so that the loop portion 221 covers the hook portion 213, thereby fixing the hook portion 213 and the loop portion 221. In addition, a nipple 214 for suction and exhaust of the fluid bag is formed on the outside of the exterior part 20.

[0040] A scale 211 and a mark 212 indicating the scale are provided on the outer surface 21 of the exterior part 20. In this embodiment, in addition to the scale, a mark indicating the circumference of a non-measurement part (for example, the upper arm) is also provided.

[0041] 7A is housed in cuff 2 within exterior part 20, on a side closer to outer surface 21 than the fluid bag. Curled elastic member 23 is formed from an elastic member such as a resin plate, and has a shape in which one end 231 is curled inward while the other end 232 extends outward. By housing curled elastic member 23 in exterior part 20, the portion of cuff 2 where curled elastic member 23 is housed is biased to form a ring shape, and this can help maintain the wrapped state of cuff 2 when cuff 2 is worn.

[0042] Next, the scale 211 and marker 212 of the cuff 2 will be described with reference to Figure 7B. Figure 7B is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the cuff 2 is worn on the user's upper arm. As shown in Figure 7B, when the cuff 2 is worn on the upper arm, the end of the outer surface 21 on which the scale 211 is provided is positioned outermost. Therefore, when the cuff 2 is worn, the marker 212 provided near the other end of the cuff 2 indicates a scale corresponding to the circumference of the upper arm around which the cuff 2 is wrapped.

[0043] According to the above-described configuration, even if the cuff 2 has a built-in curler 23, the user By wearing the cuff 2 so that the positional relationship between the scale 211 and the mark 212 always matches, the cuff 2 can always be worn in the same wrapping manner (degree of wrapping).

[0044] Example 3 Next, a cuff 3 according to yet another embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8A, 8B, and 9. Figure 8A is a plan view of the surface (outer surface 31) that will be the outer side when the cuff 3 is worn, and Figure 8B is a plan view of the surface (inner surface 32) that will be the inner side when the cuff 3 is worn. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the cuff 3 worn on the upper arm of a user. The cuff 3 according to this embodiment also has a configuration in which a fluid bag (not shown) and a curler (not shown) are housed inside a bag-shaped exterior part 30 having an outer surface 31 and an inner surface 32.

[0045] A hook portion 313 of a hook-and-loop hook and loop fastener is formed on the outer surface 31 of the exterior part 30, and a loop portion 321 of the hook and loop fastener is formed on the inner surface 32 of the exterior part 30. Therefore, when wearing the cuff 3, the cuff 3 is wrapped around the cuff 3 so that the loop portion 321 covers the hook portion 313, thereby fixing the hook portion 313 and the loop portion 321 together. In addition, a nipple 314 is formed on the outside of the exterior part 30 for suction and exhaust of the fluid bag.

[0046] On the outer surface 31 of the exterior part 30, scales 311a and 311b are provided near one end in the circumferential direction, and a mark 312a corresponding to scale 311a and a mark 312b corresponding to scale 311b are provided near the other end. The marks 312a and 312b are provided at positions offset in the circumferential direction, reflecting the taper in the width direction of the measurement part when the cuff 3 is worn (i.e., the difference in arm circumference between both ends in the width direction of the cuff 3).

[0047] 8A and 8B, exterior part 30 of cuff 3 is tapered so that the width in the vicinity of where scales 311a and 311b are provided narrows toward the circumferential ends. As a result, when cuff 3 is worn, markers 312a and 312b are not hidden and can point to the scales 311a and 311b on the corresponding sides, as shown in Fig. 9. Furthermore, as described above, markers 312a and 312b are offset in the circumferential direction to reflect the tapering in the width direction of the measurement portion, and therefore, when cuff 3 is actually worn, markers 312a and 312b both point to scales of the same size.

[0048] Example 4 Next, a cuff 4 according to yet another embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10A, 10B, and 11. Figure 10A is a plan view of the surface (outer surface 41) that will be the outer side when the cuff 4 is worn, and Figure 10B is a plan view of the surface (inner surface 42) that will be the inner side when the cuff 4 is worn. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the cuff 4 worn on the upper arm of a user. The cuff 4 according to this embodiment also has a configuration in which a fluid bag (not shown) and a curler (not shown) are housed inside a bag-shaped exterior part 40 having an outer surface 41 and an inner surface 42, and a nipple 414 for suction and exhaust of the fluid bag is formed on the outside of the exterior part 40.

[0049] A hook-and-loop hook-and-loop loop portion 412 is formed on the outer surface 41 of the exterior part 40, and a hook portion 421 of the hook-and-loop fastener is formed on the inner surface 42 of the exterior part 40. When the cuff 4 is worn, the circumferential end portion on the side where the hook portion 421 is formed is wound around and engaged with the loop portion 412, thereby fixing the hook portion 421 and the loop portion 412. Therefore, when the cuff 4 is worn, the circumferential end portion on the side where the hook portion 421 is formed is positioned at the outermost side (tip). Hereinafter, the circumferential end portion on the side where the hook portion 421 is formed is also referred to as tip portion 43.

[0050] In this embodiment, the loop portion 412 of the hook and loop fastener is provided with a scale 411. Therefore, as shown in FIG. When the cuff 4 is engaged with the needle 2, the tip 43 points to the scale and is fixed in place. In other words, when the user attaches the cuff 4 to the part to be measured, by wrapping and fixing the cuff 4 so that the tip 43 is always at the same scale position, it is possible to prevent the degree of wrapping of the cuff from varying (too tight or too loose) each time blood pressure is measured.

[0051] <Other> It should be noted that the above-described embodiments merely exemplify the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Various modifications and combinations of the present invention are possible within the scope of the technical concept. For example, the marks indicating the scale in the above-described second and third embodiments do not have to be dedicated marks, and marks or structures provided on the cuff for other purposes (e.g., marks for aligning the artery) or structures can also be used as marks.

[0052] Furthermore, the markings written along with the scale are not limited to numbers or arm circumferences, but may be symbols, alphabets, or figures, as long as the designated area can be aligned to the same position each time.

[0053] In addition, although the above embodiments have been described with reference to a cuff attached to the upper arm, the cuff according to the present invention can also be used to measure other parts of the body (for example, the wrist, thigh, etc.) Furthermore, blood pressure measuring devices using the cuffs described in the embodiments are naturally included within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1, 2, 3, 4, 100... Cuff 10, 20, 30, 40...exterior part 11, 21, 31, 41...outer surface 12, 22, 32, 42...inner surface 13...fluid bag 14. Folded part 15... Major 23. Carla 43...Tip 111···Fold-over ring 112, 213, 313, 421... Hook part 113, 221, 321, 412... Loop section 114, 214, 314, 414... Nipples 121, 141, 211, 311a, 311b, 411, 151... Scale 212, 312a, 312b...Signs

Claims

1. A cuff that is wrapped around a measurement target for blood pressure measurement, a bag-shaped exterior part having a circumferential direction that is a direction in which the cuff is wrapped around a portion to be measured and a width direction that is a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction, and having an outer surface that is on the outside when the cuff is worn and an inner surface that is on the inside when the cuff is worn; a fluid bag contained in the exterior part; and a hook-and-loop fastener provided on the surface of the exterior part, a scale is provided on the surface of the exterior portion to divide the circumferential direction of the exterior portion, The cuff is configured to be able to identify where on the scale a predetermined portion of the cuff is located when the cuff is worn. A cuff.

2. The scale is provided in an area including the center portion in the width direction.

2. The cuff of claim 1 .

3. The scale is provided in an area including at least one end in the width direction.

2. The cuff of claim 1 .

4. the scales are provided in regions including both ends in the width direction, The exterior part is provided with marks corresponding to the scales and indicating their positions.

4. The cuff of claim 3, wherein:

5. the mark corresponding to the scale at one end in the width direction and the mark corresponding to the scale at the other end are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction, reflecting the tapering of the measurement portion in the width direction.

5. The cuff of claim 4.

6. The cuff further includes a folding ring for folding back an outer end portion of the exterior portion, the outer end portion being one end portion of the exterior portion in the circumferential direction and exposed to the outside when the cuff is worn, the scale is provided on the inner surface; the predetermined portion is a folded portion of the exterior part when the cuff is worn.

2. The cuff of claim 1 .

7. The exterior portion further accommodates a curler that has elasticity and helps maintain the cuff in a circular shape, the scale is provided on the outer surface; the predetermined portion is the circumferential end portion of the exterior portion that is exposed to the outside when the cuff is worn.

2. The cuff of claim 1 .

8. The exterior portion further accommodates a curler that has elasticity and helps maintain the cuff in a circular shape, the scale is provided on the outer surface; The predetermined portion is a mark provided on the outer surface.

2. The cuff of claim 1 .

9. A cuff according to any one of claims 1 to 8; a blood pressure monitor main body connected to the cuff.

Images