Biological information processing device, biological information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a bioinformation processing apparatus and a bioinformation processing method that can suitably prevent a situation in which an actually present QRS wave is not detected due to a pacing pulse.SOLUTION: The bioinformation processing apparatus: acquires electrocardiogram data of a subject; detects a QRS wave from the electrocardiogram data; acquires pulse wave data of the subject; detects a pacing pulse output from an apparatus worn by the subject; determines whether the pacing pulse is detected in a time period ΔT in which the QRS wave is not detected when the time period ΔT is equal to or longer than a predetermined time width; determines, based on the pulse wave data, whether a pulse wave is present within predetermined time from a detection time point at which the pacing pulse is detected; and determines, based on a determination that the pulse wave is present within the predetermined time, that the QRS wave is actually present in the time period ΔT.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a biometric information processing device and a biometric information processing method, and further to a program for causing a computer to execute the biometric information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] When measuring the electrocardiogram waveform of a patient wearing a cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) such as a pacemaker, the pacing pulse output from the electronic device may be erroneously recognized as a QRS wave by the vital sign monitor, which may result in a decrease in the reliability of the diagnosis of the patient's cardiac function based on the electrocardiogram data.

[0003] On the other hand, Patent Document 1 takes into consideration the effect of the pacing pulse on the QRS wave and discloses a processing method for preventing the vital sign monitor from detecting the QRS wave that exists around the time when the pacing pulse is detected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 2635079 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, if all QRS waves present around the time when the pacing pulse is detected are not detected, medical personnel cannot accurately grasp the actual state of cardiac function of a patient fitted with a pacemaker or the like. In this regard, even if the state of cardiac function of a patient is normal, for example, if multiple QRS waves are not detected due to the presence of a pacing pulse, the time interval between adjacent QRS waves will become wider. As a result, it is assumed that an alarm indicating abnormality in the patient's cardiac function will be erroneously output from the vital sign monitor. From the above perspective, there is room for consideration of a processing device that can preferably prevent a situation in which a pacing pulse prevents detection of an actually existing QRS wave.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a biological information processing device and a biological information processing method that can preferably prevent a situation in which a pacing pulse causes an actually existing QRS wave to go undetected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A biological information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: A processor; and a memory that stores computer readable instructions. When the computer-readable instructions are executed by the processor, the biometric information processing device: Acquire electrocardiogram data of the subject; Detecting a QRS wave from the electrocardiogram data; acquiring pulse wave data of the subject; Detecting a pacing pulse output from a device attached to the subject; When the time period during which the QRS wave is not detected is equal to or longer than a predetermined time width, it is determined whether the pacing pulse is detected during the time period; determining whether a pulse wave is present within a predetermined time from the detection time of the pacing pulse based on the pulse wave data; In response to a determination that the pulse wave is present within the predetermined time, it is determined that the QRS wave was actually present during the time period.

[0008] According to the above configuration, when a time period during which a QRS wave is not detected is equal to or longer than a predetermined time width, it is determined whether a pacing pulse is present in the time period. Furthermore, in response to a determination that a pulse wave related to a QRS wave is present within a predetermined time from the time when the pacing pulse is detected, it is determined that a QRS wave actually existed in the time period. In this way, it is possible to provide a biological information processing device that can preferably prevent a situation in which a pacing pulse causes an actually existing QRS wave to go undetected.

[0009] A biometric information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention is executed by a computer, (a) acquiring electrocardiogram data of a subject; (b) detecting a QRS wave from the electrocardiogram data; (c) acquiring pulse wave data of the subject; (d) detecting a pacing pulse output from a device implanted in the subject's body; (e) when the time period during which the QRS wave is not detected is equal to or longer than a predetermined time width, determining whether the pacing pulse is detected during the time period; (f) determining whether a pulse wave is present within a predetermined time from the detection time of the pacing pulse based on the pulse wave data; (g) in response to determining that the pulse wave is present within the predetermined time period, determining that the QRS wave was actually present during the time period; Includes.

[0010] There is provided a program for causing a computer to execute the biometric information processing method. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a biological information processing device and a biological information processing method that can preferably prevent a situation in which a pacing pulse causes an actually existing QRS wave to go undetected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a hardware configuration diagram showing a biometric information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as the present embodiment). [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a configuration of a sensor interface. [Diagram 3] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of acquiring features related to a QRS wave from electrocardiogram data. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for acquiring pulse wave-related features from pulse wave data. [Diagram 5] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a biological information processing method according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a QRS wave that is not detected by a pacing pulse and a pulse wave that exists within a specified time from the detection time of the pacing pulse. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. For the sake of convenience, the description of elements having the same reference numbers as elements already described in the description of the present embodiment will be omitted.

[0014] Fig. 1 shows a hardware configuration diagram of a biometric information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the biometric information processing device 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as the processing device 1) includes a control unit 2, a storage device 3, a display unit 4, a communication unit 5, an input operation unit 6, an audio output unit 7, and a sensor interface 8. These components provided in the processing device 1 are connected to each other via a bus 14 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0015] The processing device 1 may be a medical device (e.g., a vital sign monitor) for displaying the vital sign of the subject P, or may be a personal computer, a workstation, a smartphone, a tablet, or a wearable device (e.g., AR glasses, etc.) attached to the body (e.g., the arm, head, etc.) of a medical professional.

[0016] The subject P is fitted with a pacemaker 16 as an example of a CIED. The pacemaker 16 is embedded in the body of the subject P and configured to output a pacing pulse that provides electrical stimulation to the heart of the subject P. The timing at which the pacing pulse is output from the pacemaker 16 may overlap with the output timing of a QRS wave in an electrocardiogram waveform that indicates the electrical activity of the heart of the subject P. A QRS wave on which a pacing pulse is superimposed is generally called a fusion beat or a pseudofusion beat. In such a case, the pacing pulse may adversely affect the QRS wave, which may reduce the reliability of the diagnosis result of the cardiac function of the subject P based on the characteristics related to the QRS wave. Thus, the processing device 1 according to this embodiment is configured not to store data related to a QRS wave present near the pacing pulse on the time axis when the output timing of the pacing pulse and the output timing of the QRS wave are approximately overlapped. That is, while a QRS wave existing near a pacing pulse on the time axis actually exists in the electrocardiogram data, the processing device 1 is configured not to detect the QRS wave and not to store data related to the QRS wave. On the other hand, the processing device 1 according to the present embodiment has a function of determining whether or not a QRS wave that was not detected due to the presence of a pacing pulse actually existed based on the pulse wave data. The details of the determination function will be described later.

[0017] The control unit 2 includes a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions (programs). For example, the memory is configured from a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which various programs and the like are stored, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) having multiple work areas in which various programs and the like executed by the processor are stored. The processor is configured from at least one of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The CPU may be configured from multiple CPU cores. The GPU may be configured from multiple GPU cores. The processor may be configured to load a program designated from various programs incorporated in the storage device 3 or the ROM onto the RAM and execute various processes in cooperation with the RAM. In particular, the processor loads a biometric information processing program that executes a series of processes shown in Figs. 3 to 5 onto the RAM, and executes the program in cooperation with the RAM, whereby the control unit 2 executes a series of processes shown in Figs. 3 to 5. Details of the biometric information processing program will be described later.

[0018] The storage device 3 is, for example, a storage device (storage) such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a flash memory, and is configured to store programs and various data. A biological information processing program may be incorporated in the storage device 3. Furthermore, the storage device 3 may store biological information data (such as electrocardiogram data and pulse wave data) indicating biological information of the subject P. For example, the electrocardiogram data acquired by the electrocardiogram sensor 10 may be stored in the storage device 3 via the sensor interface 8.

[0019] The communication unit 5 is configured to connect the processing device 1 to an in-hospital network. Specifically, the communication unit 5 may include various wired connection terminals for communicating with a central monitor or a server arranged in the in-hospital network. The communication unit 5 may also include a wireless communication module for wirelessly communicating with the central monitor or the server. The communication unit 5 may include, for example, a wireless communication module compatible with a medical telemetry system. The communication unit 5 may also include a wireless communication module compatible with a wireless communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) and / or a wireless communication module compatible with a mobile communication system using a SIM. The in-hospital network may be configured, for example, with a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The processing device 1 may be connected to the Internet via the in-hospital network.

[0020] The display unit 4 is configured to display information related to the biological information data of the subject P acquired in real time (e.g., electrocardiogram waveform and pulse wave), and is configured, for example, by a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The display unit 4 is also configured to display an alarm on the display screen according to the time interval between adjacent QRS waves on the time axis. The input operation unit 6 is, for example, a touch panel, a mouse, and / or a keyboard, etc., arranged on top of the display unit 4. The input operation unit 6 is configured to receive an input operation by a medical professional and to generate an operation signal corresponding to the input operation by the medical professional. After the operation signal generated by the input operation unit 6 is transmitted to the control unit 2 via the bus 14, the control unit 2 executes a predetermined operation according to the operation signal. The audio output unit 7 is configured by one or more speakers, and is configured to output an audio alarm according to the time interval between adjacent QRS waves on the time axis.

[0021] The sensor interface 8 is an interface for connecting vital sensors such as an electrocardiogram sensor 10 and a pulse wave sensor 12 to the processing device 1. The sensor interface 8 may include an input terminal to which a biological signal output from the vital sensor is input. The input terminal may be physically connected to a connector of the vital sensor. The electrocardiogram sensor 10 is configured to acquire an electrocardiogram signal indicating electrical activity of the subject P's heart, and includes a plurality of electrocardiogram electrodes attached to the subject P. The processing device 1 is configured to generate electrocardiogram data based on the electrocardiogram signal output from the electrocardiogram sensor 10 and detect a pacing pulse. The pulse wave sensor 12 is configured to acquire a pulse wave signal indicating the pulse wave of the subject P. The pulse wave sensor 12 may include, for example, a light-emitting element (e.g., an LED) that emits red light and / or infrared light, and a light-receiving element (e.g., a photodiode) that receives light emitted from the light-emitting element and passed through the subject P's fingers. The processing device 1 is configured to generate pulse wave data based on the pulse wave signal output from the pulse wave sensor 12. Furthermore, the processing device 1 may acquire information regarding the SpO2 (arterial blood oxygen saturation) and / or blood pressure of the subject P based on the generated pulse wave data.

[0022] Next, the sensor interface 8 will be specifically described with reference to Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the sensor interface 8 includes a pacing pulse detection circuit 82, an electrocardiogram detection circuit 83, a drive circuit 84, and a pulse wave detection circuit 85.

[0023] The pacing pulse detection circuit 82 is configured to detect a pacing pulse based on high-frequency components (frequency band of several kHz) of the electrocardiogram signal output from the electrocardiogram sensor 10. The pacing pulse detection circuit 82 has at least a high-pass filter and a comparator, for example. The electrocardiogram detection circuit 83 is configured to generate electrocardiogram data (digital data) based on low-frequency components (frequency band of several Hz) of the electrocardiogram signal output from the electrocardiogram sensor 10. The electrocardiogram detection circuit 83 has at least a differential amplifier circuit, a low-pass filter, and an AD converter. The drive circuit 84 is configured to generate a drive signal for driving the pulse wave sensor 12 and then supply the drive signal to the pulse wave sensor 12. The pulse wave detection circuit 85 is configured to generate pulse wave data (digital data) based on the pulse wave signal output from the pulse wave sensor 12. The pulse wave detection circuit 85 has at least an amplifier circuit, a filter circuit, and an AD converter.

[0024] In this way, the sensor interface 8 generates electrocardiogram data (digital data) based on the electrocardiogram signal (analog signal) output from the electrocardiogram sensor 10, and then transmits the electrocardiogram data to the control unit 2. The sensor interface 8 also generates pulse wave data (digital data) based on the pulse wave signal (analog signal) output from the pulse wave sensor 12, and then transmits the pulse wave data to the control unit 2.

[0025] Next, the process of acquiring features related to a QRS wave based on electrocardiogram data will be described below with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the process of acquiring features related to a QRS wave based on electrocardiogram data. As shown in Fig. 3, in step S1, the control unit 2 acquires electrocardiogram data from the electrocardiogram sensor 10 via the sensor interface 8. In step S2, the control unit 2 detects a QRS wave indicating ventricular excitation from the electrocardiogram data based on a predetermined detection algorithm. For example, an example of multiple QRS waves is illustrated in the upper part of Fig. 6.

[0026] Next, the control unit 2 identifies a feature related to the QRS wave for each of the multiple QRS waves (step S3). The feature related to the QRS wave includes, for example, at least one of the interval between adjacent QRS waves on the time axis (specifically, the RR interval indicating the interval between adjacent R waves), the time width of the QRS wave, the amplitude of the QRS wave, the maximum / minimum value of the QRS wave, and the area of ​​the QRS wave. Thereafter, the control unit 2 stores the feature related to the QRS wave in the memory or storage device 3 (step S4). In this case, the control unit 2 may store a moving average value of the feature related to the QRS wave (for example, a moving average value for 16 beats).

[0027] The process of acquiring pulse wave-related features based on pulse wave data will be described below with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the process of acquiring pulse wave-related features based on pulse wave data. As shown in Fig. 4, in step S11, the control unit 2 acquires pulse wave data from the pulse wave sensor 12 via the sensor interface 8. In step S12, the control unit 2 detects a pulse wave from the pulse wave data based on a predetermined detection algorithm. For example, an example of a plurality of pulse waves is shown in the lower part of Fig. 6.

[0028] Next, the control unit 2 identifies a feature related to the pulse wave for each of the multiple pulse waves (step S13). The feature related to the pulse wave includes at least one of, for example, the amplitude of the pulse wave, the time width of the pulse wave, the maximum value / minimum value of the pulse wave, the contraction time of the pulse wave, and the delay time of the pulse wave. The "contraction time of the pulse wave" is the time from the time corresponding to the rising point of the pulse wave to the time corresponding to the peak point of the pulse wave. The "delay time of the pulse wave" corresponds to the time interval between the detection time when the pulse wave is detected and the detection time when the QRS wave associated with the pulse wave (particularly, the QRS wave that appeared immediately before the pulse wave) is detected. More specifically, the "delay time of the pulse wave" may be the time interval between the time corresponding to the rising point of the pulse wave and the time corresponding to the rising point of the QRS wave that appeared immediately before the pulse wave, or may be the time interval between the time corresponding to the peak point of the pulse wave and the time corresponding to the peak point of the QRS wave that appeared immediately before the pulse wave. Thereafter, the control unit 2 stores the feature related to the pulse wave in the memory or the storage device 3 (step S14). In this case, the control unit 2 may store a moving average value of the pulse wave-related characteristic (for example, a moving average value for 16 beats).

[0029] Next, the biological information processing method according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the biological information processing method according to this embodiment. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing QRS waves 22, 23 not detected by a pacing pulse, and pulse waves 32, 33 existing within a predetermined time from the detection times t1, t2 of the pacing pulse. As a prerequisite, the processing device 1 according to this embodiment is configured not to detect a QRS wave existing near the pacing pulse on the time axis. Also, the processing device 1 executes an example of the processing shown in Fig. 5 while executing the series of processing shown in Fig. 3 (i.e., while acquiring a QRS wave from electrocardiogram data).

[0030] 5, in step S20, the control unit 2 determines whether the time period ΔT during which no QRS wave was detected is equal to or greater than a predetermined time width. Here, the predetermined time width is, for example, a predetermined value between 200 milliseconds and 2 seconds. If the control unit 2 detects that the time period ΔT is equal to or greater than the predetermined time width (Yes in step S20), it executes the process of step S21. On the other hand, if the determination process in step S20 is No, the control unit 2 waits until the time period ΔT becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined time width.

[0031] 6, it is assumed that QRS waves 22 and 23 overlap with the pacing pulse on the time axis and are therefore not detected by the processing device 1. In other words, the time period ΔT during which no QRS waves are detected is the time period from the time corresponding to the peak point of QRS wave 21 to the time corresponding to the peak point of QRS wave 24. It is also assumed that pacing pulses are detected at times t1 and t2.

[0032] Next, in step S21, the control unit 2 determines whether a pacing pulse has been detected in the time period ΔT. In particular, the control unit 2 determines whether a pacing pulse has been detected in the time period ΔT based on information output from the pacing pulse detection circuit 82. If the determination result in step S21 is Yes, the process proceeds to step S22. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S21 is No, the process proceeds to step S25. In this case, the control unit 2 determines that no QRS wave was present in the time period ΔT (step S25), and then executes the process of step S26.

[0033] In step S22, the controller 2 determines, based on the pulse wave data, whether a pulse wave is present within a predetermined time from the detection time when the pacing pulse is detected. Here, the predetermined time is, for example, one second. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the controller 2 determines, based on the pulse wave data, whether a pulse wave 32 is present within a predetermined time from detection time t1, and whether a pulse wave 33 is present within a predetermined time from detection time t2. If the determination result in step S22 is Yes, the process proceeds to step S23, whereas if the determination result in step S22 is No, the process proceeds to step S25.

[0034] In step S23, the control unit 2 determines whether the reliability of the pulse wave present within the predetermined time is high. In particular, the control unit 2 may determine the reliability of the pulse wave by comparing the characteristics of the pulse wave present within the predetermined time with the characteristics of the pulse wave stored in the memory. As described above, the characteristics of the pulse wave include at least one of the amplitude of the pulse wave, the time width of the pulse wave, the maximum / minimum value of the pulse wave, the contraction time of the pulse wave, and the delay time of the pulse wave.

[0035] For example, the control unit 2 may determine that the reliability of the pulse wave 32 is high when the characteristics of the pulse wave 32 present within a predetermined time period satisfy some or all of the following conditions. The amplitude of the pulse wave 32 is between 0.25 and 3 times less than the average amplitude of the pulse waves stored in memory. The delay time of the pulse wave 32 from the detection time t1 of the pacing pulse to the detection time of the pulse wave 32 is within ±80 ms of the average delay time of the pulse wave stored in the memory. The delay time of pulse wave 32 from detection time t1 of the pacing pulse to detection time of pulse wave 32 is within ±80 ms of the delay time of pulse wave 31 adjacent to pulse wave 32. · The contraction time of pulse wave 32 is not more than 120 ms greater than the average contraction time of the pulse waves stored in memory.

[0036] Furthermore, the control unit 2 may determine the reliability of the pulse wave by determining whether or not noise is superimposed on the pulse wave that exists within the predetermined time in addition to comparing the characteristics of the pulse wave that exists within the predetermined time with the characteristics of the pulse wave that is stored in the memory. For example, if the comparison result between the characteristics of the pulse wave 32 and the characteristics of the pulse wave that is stored in the memory indicates that the reliability of the pulse wave 32 is high, but noise is superimposed on the pulse wave, the control unit 2 may determine that the reliability of the pulse wave 32 is not high. If the comparison result between the characteristics of the pulse wave 32 and the characteristics of the pulse wave that is stored in the memory indicates that the reliability of the pulse wave 32 is high and that noise is not superimposed on the pulse wave 32, the control unit 2 may determine that the reliability of the pulse wave 32 is high. In this way, the reliability of the pulse wave is determined taking into account the noise superimposed on the pulse wave, so that the reliability of the pulse wave can be determined more accurately.

[0037] If the determination result in step S23 is Yes, the process proceeds to step S24, whereas if the determination result in step S23 is No, the process proceeds to step S25. Next, in step S24, the control unit 2 determines that a QRS wave actually existed in the time period ΔT, and updates data related to the QRS wave. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the control unit 2 can determine that the reliability of the two pulse waves 32, 33 is high, and then determine that the two QRS waves 22, 23 actually existed within the time period ΔT.

[0038] Furthermore, the control unit 2 may update information on the time interval between adjacent QRS waves (particularly, information on the RR interval) as data related to the QRS wave. In this regard, the control unit 2 may save the detection time t1 at which the pacing pulse is detected as the detection time at which the QRS wave 22 is detected (particularly, the time corresponding to the peak point of the QRS wave 22), and may save the detection time t2 at which the paging pulse is detected as the detection time at which the QRS wave 23 is detected (particularly, the time corresponding to the peak point of the QRS wave 23).

[0039] Next, in step S26, the control unit 2 determines whether to visually or audibly output an alarm indicating abnormality in cardiac function of the subject P based on data related to the QRS wave. In particular, the control unit 2 may determine whether to output an alarm to the outside depending on a comparison between the time interval between adjacent QRS waves and a predetermined threshold value Tth. Here, the predetermined threshold value Tth may be set within a range of 3 to 5 seconds, or may be set as a value N times (N>1) the average value of the measured RR intervals. For example, the control unit 2 may output an alarm to the outside through the audio output unit 7 and / or the display unit 4 when the time interval between adjacent QRS waves (RR interval) is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value Tth. On the other hand, the control unit 2 determines not to output an alarm to the outside when the time interval between adjacent QRS waves is smaller than the predetermined threshold value Tth.

[0040] Furthermore, the control unit 2 may output multiple types of alarms to the outside according to the state of the subject P's cardiac function (severity level of cardiac function). In this case, the control unit 2 may change the type of alarm to be output to the outside according to the time interval between adjacent QRS waves. For example, the control unit 2 may output a first alarm to the outside when the time interval is between a first threshold value Tth1 and a second threshold value Tth2. Furthermore, the control unit 2 may output a second alarm different from the first alarm to the outside when the time interval is larger than the second threshold value Tth2.

[0041] In the example shown in FIG. 6, since it is determined that the QRS waves 22, 23 not detected by the pacing pulse actually exist, information regarding the time interval between adjacent QRS waves is updated. As a result, since the time interval between adjacent QRS waves does not exceed the predetermined threshold value Tth, an alarm is not output from the processing device 1. In this way, when the cardiac function of the subject P is normal, it is possible to preferably prevent a situation in which an alarm indicating an abnormality in the cardiac function of the subject P is erroneously output from the processing device 1. On the other hand, in the conventional processing device, since it is not determined whether the QRS waves 22, 23 not detected by the pacing pulse actually exist, the time interval between adjacent QRS waves exceeds the predetermined threshold value Tth. In this example, since the time interval ΔT between the time corresponding to the peak point of the QRS wave 21 and the time corresponding to the peak point of the QRS wave 24 exceeds the predetermined threshold value Tth, an alarm is output from the processing device. As a result, even though the cardiac function of the subject P is normal, an alarm indicating an abnormality in the cardiac function of the subject P is erroneously output from the processing device.

[0042] In this way, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to preferably prevent a situation in which a pacing pulse prevents detection of an actually existing QRS wave. Furthermore, it is possible to preferably prevent a situation in which an alarm indicating abnormality in the cardiac function of the subject P is erroneously output when the cardiac function of the subject P fitted with the pacemaker 16 is normal. Therefore, it is possible to provide a processing device 1 that can more accurately determine the state of the cardiac function of the subject P fitted with a pacemaker.

[0043] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, it is determined that a QRS wave actually existed in the time period ΔT in response to a determination that the reliability of the pulse wave existing within a predetermined time (for example, within 1 second) from the detection time of the pacing pulse is high. In this way, it is possible to more reliably determine that a QRS wave actually existed within the time period ΔT, and it is possible to more accurately determine the state of the cardiac function of the subject P.

[0044] In the description of this embodiment, the determination process (step S23) regarding the reliability of the pulse wave is executed, but the determination process of step S23 does not necessarily have to be executed. In this case, the control unit 2 may determine in step S22 that a pulse wave exists within a predetermined time from the detection time when the pacing pulse is detected, and then determine that a QRS wave actually exists in the time period ΔT, and update the data related to the QRS wave.

[0045] In order to realize the processing device 1 according to the present embodiment by software, the biometric information processing program may be pre-installed in the storage device 3 or ROM. Alternatively, the biometric information processing program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a magnetic disk (e.g., HDD, floppy disk), an optical disk (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a magneto-optical disk (e.g., MO), or a flash memory (e.g., SD card, USB memory, SSD). In this case, the biometric information processing program stored in the storage medium may be installed in the storage device 3. Furthermore, the program installed in the storage device 3 may be loaded onto the RAM, and the processor may execute the program loaded onto the RAM. In this way, the biometric information processing method according to the present embodiment is executed by the processing device 1.

[0046] The biometric information processing program may be downloaded from a computer on a communication network via the communication unit 5. In this case, the downloaded program may be installed in the storage device 3.

[0047] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by the description of the embodiment. The embodiment is an example, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications of the embodiment are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1: Biometric information processing device (processing device) 2: Control unit 3: Storage device 4:Display section 5: Communications Department 6: Input operation section 7: Audio output section 8: Sensor interface 10: Electrocardiogram sensor 12: Pulse wave sensor 14: Bus 16: Pacemaker 21, 22, 23, 24: QRS complex 31, 32, 33: Pulse wave 82: Pacing pulse detection circuit 83:Electrocardiogram detection circuit 84: Drive circuit 85: Pulse wave detection circuit

Claims

1. A processor; A biometric information processing device comprising: When the computer-readable instructions are executed by the processor, the biometric information processing device: Acquire electrocardiogram data of the subject; Detecting a QRS wave from the electrocardiogram data; acquiring pulse wave data of the subject; Detecting a pacing pulse output from a device attached to the subject; When the time period during which the QRS wave is not detected is equal to or longer than a predetermined time width, it is determined whether or not the pacing pulse is detected during the time period; determining whether a pulse wave is present within a predetermined time from the detection time of the pacing pulse based on the pulse wave data; determining that the QRS wave actually existed during the time period in response to the determination that the pulse wave exists within the predetermined time period; Biometric information processing device.

2. The biometric information processing device includes: updating data related to the QRS wave in response to determining that the pulse wave is present within the predetermined time period; determining whether to output an audible or visual alarm indicating an abnormality in the cardiac function of the subject based on the data related to the QRS wave; The biological information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The data relating to the QRS wave includes information regarding a time interval between adjacent QRS waves on a time axis; The biological information processing device determines whether to output the alarm audibly or visually to the outside in response to a comparison between the time interval and a predetermined threshold. The biological information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. The biometric information processing device includes: when it is determined that the pulse wave exists within the predetermined time, and at least one of the amplitude, time width, maximum value, minimum value, contraction time, delay time, and noise of the pulse wave existing within the predetermined time satisfies a predetermined condition, it is determined that the reliability of the pulse wave is high; determining that the QRS wave actually existed during the time period in response to a determination that the reliability of the pulse wave is high; The biometric information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. The biometric information processing device includes: determining the reliability of the pulse wave by comparing the characteristics of the pulse wave present within the predetermined time period with the characteristics of the pulse wave stored in the memory; The biological information processing device according to claim 4 .

6. The biometric information processing device includes: determining the reliability of the pulse wave by comparing a characteristic of the pulse wave present within the predetermined time period with a characteristic of the pulse wave stored in the memory and determining whether or not noise is superimposed on the pulse wave present within the predetermined time period; The biological information processing device according to claim 5 .

7. The characteristics of the pulse wave are as follows: A characteristic relating to the amplitude of the pulse wave; A characteristic relating to a contraction time of the pulse wave; a feature related to a delay time of the pulse wave corresponding to a time interval between a detection time at which the pulse wave is detected and a detection time at which the QRS wave or the pacing pulse associated with the pulse wave is detected; At least one of The biological information processing device according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The biometric information processing device includes: updating data related to the QRS wave by storing a detection time at which the pacing pulse was detected as a detection time at which the QRS wave was detected in response to a determination that the pulse wave is present within the predetermined time period; The biological information processing device according to claim 2 or 3.

9. A biometric information processing method executed by a computer, comprising: (a) acquiring electrocardiogram data of a subject; (b) detecting a QRS wave from the electrocardiogram data; (c) acquiring pulse wave data of the subject; (d) detecting pacing pulses output from a device implanted in the subject's body; (e) when the time period during which the QRS wave is not detected is equal to or longer than a predetermined time width, determining whether the pacing pulse is detected during the time period; (f) determining whether a pulse wave is present within a predetermined time from the detection time when the pacing pulse is detected based on the pulse wave data; (g) in response to determining that the pulse wave is present within the predetermined time period, determining that the QRS wave was actually present during the time period; A biological information processing method comprising:

10. (h) updating data related to the QRS wave in response to determining that the pulse wave is present within the predetermined time period; (i) determining whether to output an audible or visual alarm indicating an abnormality in the subject's cardiac function based on data related to the QRS wave; The biometric information processing method according to claim 9 , further comprising:

11. The data relating to the QRS wave includes information regarding a time interval between adjacent QRS waves on a time axis; and wherein step (i) comprises determining whether to output the alarm externally, audibly or visually, in response to a comparison between the time interval and a predetermined threshold. The biological information processing method according to claim 10.

12. (j) further including a step of determining that the reliability of the pulse wave is high if it is determined that the pulse wave exists within the predetermined time and at least one of an amplitude, a time width, a maximum value, a minimum value, a contraction time, a delay time, and noise of the pulse wave existing within the predetermined time satisfies a predetermined condition; The step (g) includes a step of determining that the QRS wave actually existed during the time period in response to a determination that the reliability of the pulse wave is high. The method for processing biological information according to claim 9 .

13. A program for causing a computer to execute the biometric information processing method according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

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