A blood flow velocity management device that utilizes auditory stimulation.

Abstract

A blood flow velocity management device that can manage blood flow velocity using auditory stimulation includes a patch section that includes a first patch attached to the user's common carotid artery area to sense a first blood flow velocity (V1), which is the blood flow velocity of the common carotid artery, and a second patch attached to the user's radial artery area to sense a second blood flow velocity (V2), which is the blood flow velocity of the radial artery; a terminal section that quantitatively calculates the velocity difference between the first and second blood flow velocities received from the patch section; and a headset section that provides the user with auditory stimulation within the audible frequency range so as to minimize the velocity difference between the first and second blood flow velocities based on the quantitative data calculated from the terminal section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a blood flow velocity management device that can manage blood flow velocity using auditory stimuli.

Background Art

[0002] Vascular problems cause various diseases and abnormal phenomena occurring in the vascular system. Such vascular problems can be classified into cardiovascular diseases, arterial diseases, venous diseases, and other vascular-related diseases.

[0003] Cardiovascular diseases include coronary artery diseases that induce symptoms such as angina pectoris and myocardial infarction, arrhythmia that shows an abnormal rhythm of the heart, and heart failure in which the heart does not function effectively and blood is not effectively pumped throughout the body.

[0004] Arterial diseases include hypertension that applies excessive pressure to the arterial wall and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and arteriosclerosis in which lipids and calcium in the blood accumulate in the arterial wall, causing the artery to harden and narrow, leading to thrombosis and heart diseases.

[0005] Venous diseases include varicose veins in which veins expand abnormally, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in which a thrombus is formed in the vein, especially in the deep veins of the legs, which can lead to serious complications such as occlusion.

[0006] Other vascular-related diseases include stroke, aneurysm, etc.

[0007] Since vascular problems can cause serious complications, early detection and management are important.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention discloses a blood flow velocity management device that can manage blood flow velocity using auditory stimuli.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a blood flow velocity management device that can manage blood flow velocity using auditory stimuli. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention provides a blood flow velocity management device utilizing auditory stimulation, comprising: a patch section including a first patch attached to the user's common carotid artery area to sense a first blood flow velocity (V1), which is the blood flow velocity of the common carotid artery; a second patch attached to the user's radial artery area to sense a second blood flow velocity (V2), which is the blood flow velocity of the radial artery; a terminal section that quantitatively calculates the velocity difference between the first and second blood flow velocities received from the patch section; and a headset section that provides the user with auditory stimulation within the audible frequency range so as to minimize the velocity difference between the first and second blood flow velocities based on the quantitative data calculated from the terminal section. The headset unit includes a headset control unit that varies the intensity, frequency, and duration of the auditory stimulus, and the headset control unit tracks the difference between the peak value of the first blood flow velocity and the peak value of the second blood flow velocity calculated by the terminal unit while varying the intensity, frequency, and duration of the auditory stimulus, and after obtaining the optimal intensity, frequency, and duration such that the difference between the peak value of the first blood flow velocity and the peak value of the second blood flow velocity is minimized, the headset unit is operated to generate the auditory stimulus with the obtained optimal intensity, frequency, and duration. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to embodiments of the present invention, a blood flow velocity management device can be provided that can manage blood flow velocity using auditory stimuli. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure shows a blood flow velocity management device that utilizes auditory stimulation according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]This is a block diagram showing the patch area. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the terminal section. [Figure 4] This is an illustrative diagram illustrating the process of calculating blood flow velocity. [Figure 5] This figure shows the blood flow velocity in the common carotid artery and radial artery regions, respectively. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the superimposed blood flow velocities in the common carotid artery and radial artery regions. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a screen provided via the display unit. [Figure 8] This figure shows a computing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The same reference numerals are used for identical components in the drawings, and redundant descriptions of identical components will be omitted.

[0014] Figure 1 shows a blood flow velocity management device that utilizes auditory stimulation according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Referring to Figure 1, an embodiment of the present invention, a blood flow velocity management device utilizing auditory stimulation, includes a patch section (100:101, 102), a terminal section 200, a headset section 300, and a display section 400.

[0016] The patch portion 100 includes a first patch 101 that attaches to the user's common carotid artery area and a second patch 102 that attaches to the radial artery area.

[0017] The first patch 101 senses the blood flow velocity at the common carotid artery site (hereinafter referred to as the first blood flow velocity), and the second patch 102 senses the blood flow velocity at the radial artery site (hereinafter referred to as the second blood flow velocity). The detailed configurations of the first patch 101 and the second patch 102 that constitute the patch unit 100 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2.

[0018] The blood ejected from the heart is supplied to the brain through various types of arteries. At this time, the common carotid artery is connected to the blood vessels that supply blood to all parts of the brain, and the radial artery is connected to the blood vessels that supply blood to the posterior part of the brain.

[0019] Therefore, when the blood flow velocity of the common carotid artery and the blood flow velocity of the radial artery are the same, blood can be evenly supplied to all parts of the brain and the posterior part of the brain.

[0020] However, when the blood flow velocity of the common carotid artery and the blood flow velocity of the radial artery are different from each other, the blood supply to all parts of the brain is not smoothly carried out, problems such as headaches being induced or concentration decreasing occur, and in severe cases, dementia may also be caused.

[0021] Therefore, the terminal unit 200 receives the first blood flow velocity and the second blood flow velocity from the patch unit 100, and quantitatively calculates the velocity difference between the received first blood flow velocity and the second blood flow velocity. According to the calculation result, the terminal unit 200 can operate the headset unit 300 to apply an auditory stimulus to the subject. Such a terminal unit 200 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

[0022] The headset unit 300 applies an auditory stimulus to the ear part of the user so that the velocity difference between the first and second blood flow velocities is minimized. When an appropriate auditory stimulus is applied to the ear part, it is possible to reduce the stress that affects the cerebral blood vessels and improve the blood flow velocity of the cerebral blood vessels.

[0023] The display unit 400 visualizes and provides the velocity difference between the first blood flow velocity and the second blood flow velocity calculated by the terminal unit 200.

[0024] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the patch area.

[0025] The patch portion (100:101, 102) includes a first patch 101 and a second patch 102, and the first patch 101 and the second patch 102 are formed with substantially the same configuration, differing only in the area where they are attached.

[0026] Referring to Figure 2, each patch 101 and 102 can include a blood flow sensor 110, a control unit 120, a communication unit 130, and a battery 140.

[0027] The battery 140 can provide the power supply voltage necessary for the operation of the blood flow sensor 110, the control unit 120, and the communication unit 130. The battery 140 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.

[0028] The communication unit 130 can communicate wirelessly with the terminal unit 200 via wired wireless communication. For example, the communication unit 130 can send and receive data with the terminal unit 200 via cable or Bluetooth communication.

[0029] The blood flow sensor 110 can sense the blood flow velocity BV of the artery located below and provide it to the control unit 120.

[0030] For example, the blood flow sensor 110 included in the first patch 101 can sense the blood flow velocity BV at the lower common carotid artery site and provide it to the control unit 120, and the blood flow sensor 110 included in the second patch 102 can sense the blood flow velocity BV at the radial artery site and provide it to the control unit 120.

[0031] The blood flow sensor 110 may also be a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor. PPG sensors are used to measure and monitor the body's biological signals, such as blood pressure and pulse, and can detect changes in blood pressure caused by the body's blood circulation. Generally, by utilizing the inverse relationship between blood flow velocity and blood pressure, the blood flow sensor 110 can detect changes in blood pressure from blood flow velocity. Since the configuration and operation of PPG sensors are widely known, a detailed explanation of the operation of the blood flow sensor 110 is omitted here.

[0032] Furthermore, the blood flow sensor 110 can sense the arterial blood flow velocity BV by utilizing the Doppler effect of ultrasound. For example, the blood flow sensor 110 can emit ultrasound of a certain frequency to an artery located below it, sense the frequency of the ultrasound reflected by red blood cells in the blood flowing through the artery, and then sense the arterial blood flow velocity BV based on the difference between the frequency of the emitted ultrasound and the frequency of the reflected ultrasound. However, it is not necessarily limited to this, and the blood flow sensor 110 can also sense the arterial blood flow velocity BV using a variety of methods already known.

[0033] The control unit 120 can transmit the blood flow velocity BV received from the blood flow sensor 110 to the terminal unit 200 via the communication unit 130.

[0034] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the terminal section.

[0035] Referring to Figure 3, the terminal unit 200 may include a communication unit 210, a quantification unit 220, a storage unit 230, and a control unit 240.

[0036] The communication unit 210 can communicate with the patch unit 100 and the display unit 400 via wired wireless communication. The communication unit 210 can receive first and second blood flow velocities from the patch unit 100 via wired wireless communication. The communication unit 210 can transmit data visualizing the velocity difference between the first blood flow velocity and the second blood flow velocity to the display unit 400. The storage unit 230 stores various data necessary for driving the terminal unit 200, and the control unit 240 controls the overall functions of the terminal unit 200.

[0037] The quantification unit 220 quantitatively calculates the velocity difference between the first blood flow velocity V1 and the second blood flow velocity V2 received from the patch unit 100. This will be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 7. Figure 4 is an illustrative diagram illustrating the process of calculating blood flow velocity.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4, the typical blood flow velocity changes periodically between the peak systolic velocity (PSV) and the end-diastolic velocity (EDV) in accordance with the heart's beating cycle.

[0039] However, blood flow velocity at the end of diastole can be very low, and in some cases, blood may temporarily flow backward at the end of diastole, resulting in a negative value for the end-diastole blood flow velocity (EDV). Therefore, comparing the magnitude of blood flow velocity at the common carotid artery site with that at the radial artery site using the end-diastole blood flow velocity (EDV) can yield inaccurate results.

[0040] Therefore, it is preferable to compare the magnitudes of the first blood flow velocity V1 and the second blood flow velocity V2 based on the maximum systolic blood flow velocity PSV corresponding to the peak value in the blood flow velocity graph at the common carotid artery site and the maximum systolic blood flow velocity PSV corresponding to the peak value in the blood flow velocity graph at the radial artery site.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the first blood flow velocity V1 at the common carotid artery site and the second blood flow velocity V2 at the radial artery site, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the two blood flow velocities overlapping, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen provided via the display unit.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 5, it can be confirmed that the peak values of the two blood flow velocities are shown shifted by S. The magnitude of the shift is proportional to the distance between the measurement sites, and the shift itself is independent of the presence or absence of vascular abnormalities.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 6, it can be confirmed that there is a difference H between the peak values P1 and P2 of the two blood flow velocities. Thus, when the first blood flow velocity V1 of the common carotid artery and the second blood flow velocity V2 of the radial artery are not the same and there is a difference, blood supply to all parts of the brain may not be smoothly performed, and headache may be induced or concentration may decrease.

[0044] The quantification unit 220 quantitatively calculates the velocity difference between the first blood flow velocity and the second blood flow velocity using the following formula (1).

[0045] Formula (1): Result value = {(V1 - V2) / max(V1, V2)} × 100 [unit: %] In formula (1), if V1 = V2, that is, if the two peak values are P1 = P2, the result value is calculated as 0. If V1 = 20 and V2 = 10, the result value is calculated as 50. And if V1 = 10 and V2 = 20, the result value is calculated as -50. When the result value is a positive number, it can be quantified that V1 > V2 and the blood flow at the radial artery site is slow, and when the result value is a negative number, it can be quantified that V1 < V2 and the blood flow at the common carotid artery site is slow.

[0046] The result values ​​calculated by the quantification unit 220 are displayed via the display unit 400. The display unit 400 displays the result values ​​in different colors, such as blue if they are positive and red if they are negative, and displays them in blocks proportional to the magnitude of the result values, allowing the practitioner (or user) to intuitively grasp the difference in blood flow velocity between the common carotid artery and the radial artery. The blocks displayed on the display unit 400 that reflect the result values ​​calculated by the quantification unit 220 are called measurement blocks (see Figure 7, B). Such a display unit 400 is provided merely for the convenience of the user and is not essential.

[0047] The headset unit 300 is attached to the ear area of ​​the person receiving treatment and transmits auditory stimuli to the user. Auditory stimuli applied to the ear area can reduce stress affecting cerebral blood vessels and improve blood flow velocity in the cerebral blood vessels.

[0048] At this time, the auditory stimuli generated from the headset unit 300 are stimuli within the audible frequency range that the user can detect with their ears.

[0049] The headset unit 300 includes a headset control unit (not shown) that provides a function to adjust parameters such as the intensity, frequency, and duration (period) of auditory stimuli. The headset control unit (not shown) may be provided separately from the headset unit 300 in the form of a remote controller, or it may be formed integrally with the headset unit 300.

[0050] The headset control unit operates the headset unit 300 while periodically or aperiodically varying the intensity, frequency, and period of the auditory stimulus, thereby acquiring the optimal stimulus variables (intensity, frequency, period, etc.) that minimize the difference between the two peak blood flow velocity values ​​P1 and P2 calculated by the quantification unit 220. In other words, the headset control unit tracks the result values ​​calculated from the quantification unit 220 while automatically changing stimulus variables such as the intensity, frequency, and period of the auditory stimulus, thereby acquiring the optimal stimulus variables that bring the result values ​​as close to 0% as possible.

[0051] In this embodiment, the headset control unit can first apply an auditory stimulus to one of the subject's two ears to obtain the optimal stimulus variable, then apply an auditory stimulus to the remaining ear to obtain the optimal stimulus variable for that ear, and finally provide auditory stimuli to each of the two ears with individually optimized stimulus variables applied.

[0052] Therefore, the auditory stimulation applied to the user's left ear and the auditory stimulation applied to the user's right ear by the headset control unit may differ in intensity, frequency, period, etc.

[0053] Once the optimal stimulation variable is obtained, the headset control unit operates the headset unit 300 with the optimal stimulation variable for a certain period of time to generate an auditory stimulus corresponding to the optimal stimulation variable. After a certain period of time has elapsed, the blood vessels may become inertial in response to the auditory stimulus, and the effect of the auditory stimulus may become minimal. In this case, the headset control unit can again vary the stimulation variable to obtain the optimal stimulation variable that minimizes the difference between the two peak values ​​P1 and P2 of blood flow velocity, and operate the headset unit 300 with the obtained optimal stimulation variable for a certain period of time.

[0054] Thus, the blood flow velocity management device of the present invention can automatically search for the optimal stimulation variable and operate the headset unit 300 to generate corresponding auditory stimuli.

[0055] On the other hand, the blood flow velocity management device of the present invention can provide the practitioner (or user) with a measurement block B that visualizes the result value calculated by the quantification unit 220 via the display unit 400. The practitioner can observe the measurement block B displayed on the display unit 400 and apply appropriate auditory stimulation to the patient via the headset unit 300.

[0056] Specifically, after attaching the headset unit 300 to the user's ear, the practitioner applies auditory stimulation to the user's ear while changing the stimulation variables (intensity, frequency, period, etc. of the auditory stimulation) via the headset control unit, thereby obtaining the optimal stimulation variables that bring the result value displayed on measurement block B as close to 0% as possible. Subsequently, the practitioner can generate auditory stimulation by fixing the stimulation variables to the obtained optimal stimulation variables.

[0057] Of course, the headset control unit automatically varies the stimulation variables and applies auditory stimulation without the practitioner having to manually change them. Furthermore, the difference between the peak values ​​P1 and P2 of blood flow velocity caused by the varied auditory stimulation is visualized via the measurement block, providing convenience to the user. The process of obtaining the optimal stimulation variables again, taking inertial effects into consideration, is as described above.

[0058] In the above explanation, for the sake of clarity, the roles of practitioner and patient were distinguished, but a practitioner is not always necessary. In other words, one user can perform both the surgery and the treatment simultaneously.

[0059] Figure 8 shows a computing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The computing device TN100 in Figure 8 may be the hardware configuration of the blood flow velocity management device described herein.

[0060] In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the computing device TN100 may include at least one processor TN110, a transceiver TN120, and a memory TN130. The computing device TN100 may further include a storage device TN140, an input interface device TN150, an output interface device TN160, and the like. The components included in the computing device TN100 can communicate with each other via a bus TN170.

[0061] The processor TN110 can execute program commands stored in at least one of the memory TN130 and the storage device TN140. The processor TN110 may refer to a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor on which the methods according to embodiments of the present invention are performed. The processor TN110 may be configured to implement procedures, functions, and methods described in relation to embodiments of the present invention. The processor TN110 can control the components of the computing device TN100.

[0062] Each of the memory TN130 and the storage device TN140 can store a variety of information related to the operation of the processor TN110. Each of the memory TN130 and the storage device TN140 may consist of at least one of a volatile storage medium and a non-volatile storage medium. For example, the memory TN130 may consist of at least one of a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM).

[0063] The TN120 transceiver can transmit or receive wired or wireless signals. The TN120 transceiver can be connected to a network and communicate.

[0064] On the other hand, the present invention may be implemented as a computer program. The present invention may also be implemented as a computer program that is coupled with hardware and stored on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0065] The methods according to embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in a program format readable via various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Here, the recording medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc., individually or in combination.

[0066] The program instructions recorded on the recording medium may be specially designed and configured for the present invention, or they may be publicly known and available to those skilled in the computer software art.

[0067] For example, recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and hardware devices specially configured to store and process program instructions, such as ROMs, RAMs, and flash memory.

[0068] Examples of program instructions can include not only machine code generated by compilers, but also high-level languages ​​that can be executed by computers using interpreters and the like.

[0069] Such hardware devices may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

[0070] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, a person with ordinary skill in the art can modify and change the present invention in various ways by adding, changing, deleting, or adding components, without departing from the spirit of the invention as described in the claims, and this is also included within the scope of the rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. A patch portion including a first patch that adheres to the user's common carotid artery area and senses a first blood flow velocity (V1), which is the blood flow velocity of the common carotid artery, and a second patch that adheres to the user's radial artery area and senses a second blood flow velocity (V2), which is the blood flow velocity of the radial artery, A terminal unit that quantitatively calculates the velocity difference between the first and second blood flow velocities received from the patch portion, The system includes a headset unit that provides the user with auditory stimulation within the audible frequency range, based on quantitative data calculated from the terminal unit, such that the difference in velocity between the first and second blood flow velocities is minimized. The headset unit includes a headset control unit that varies the intensity, frequency, and duration of the auditory stimulus. The headset control unit tracks the difference between the peak value of the first blood flow velocity and the peak value of the second blood flow velocity calculated by the terminal unit while varying the intensity, frequency, and duration of the auditory stimulus. After obtaining the optimal intensity, frequency, and duration that minimize the difference between the peak values ​​of the first and second blood flow velocities, the headset unit operates to generate the auditory stimulus at the obtained optimal intensity, frequency, and duration. A blood flow velocity management device that utilizes auditory stimulation, characterized by the following features.

2. The first patch and the second patch include a photoplethysmography sensor. A blood flow velocity management device utilizing auditory stimulation as described in claim 1.

3. The terminal portion is defined by the following formula (1); Formula (1): Result value = {(V1 - V2) / max(V1, V2)} × 100 Includes a quantification unit that quantitatively calculates the velocity difference between the first blood flow velocity (V1) and the second blood flow velocity (V2) using [a specific method / function]. A blood flow velocity management device utilizing auditory stimulation as described in claim 1.

4. The headset control unit first applies an auditory stimulus to one of the user's two ears to obtain the optimal intensity, frequency, and duration, then applies an auditory stimulus to the remaining ear to obtain the optimal intensity, frequency, and duration for that ear, and then applies the individual optimal intensity, frequency, and duration to each of the two ears. A blood flow velocity management device utilizing auditory stimulation as described in claim 1.

5. The system further includes a display unit that displays the result value calculated by the quantification unit, and the display unit outputs a measurement block that reflects the result value calculated by the quantification unit. A blood flow velocity management device utilizing auditory stimulation as described in claim 3.

6. The measurement block outputs a value proportional to the result, allowing the practitioner to intuitively grasp the difference between the first blood flow velocity and the second blood flow velocity. A blood flow velocity management device utilizing auditory stimulation as described in claim 5.

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