Biological information measuring device, control method and program for biological information measuring device

Abstract

To provide a technology to accurately measure blood pressure and an electrocardiographic waveform in a portable biological information measuring device capable of measuring blood pressure and an electrocardiographic waveform.SOLUTION: A biological information measuring device used by being worn on the wrist of a human body includes: blood pressure measuring means; electrocardiographic waveform measuring means equipped with a plurality of electrodes for measuring an electrocardiographic waveform of the human body; electrode contact state detection means for detecting a contact state of the human body with the plurality of electrodes; position detection means for detecting the position of the device; control means; a first propriety determination unit for determining whether or not the device is positioned at a height within a predetermined range; a second propriety determination unit for determining whether or not the human body is in contact with the plurality of electrodes in a stable manner; and a comprehensive measurement control unit for executing control to perform blood pressure measurement for the human body by the blood pressure measuring means and the electrocardiographic waveform measurement for the human body by the electrocardiographic waveform measuring means comprehensively on condition that a determination result at least of the second propriety determination unit is proper.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field related to healthcare, and particularly relates to a biological information measuring device, a control method of the biological information measuring device, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, it has become common for individuals to routinely measure information related to their physical health, such as blood pressure values and electrocardiogram waveforms (hereinafter also referred to as biological information), using measuring devices by themselves and utilize the measurement results for health management. Therefore, the demand for devices that emphasize portability has increased, and many portable measuring devices have been proposed, and portable devices that can measure both blood pressure values and electrocardiogram waveforms have also been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1, etc.).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a portable electrocardiogram measuring device having means for measuring blood pressure in an electrocardiogram measuring device that is worn on the wrist of a human body using a belt provided with electrodes. According to this invention, by carrying the device, the user can obtain information on the electrocardiogram waveform representing the electrical activity of the heart and measure blood pressure at any timing, such as when feeling chest pain. Also, by wearing the device on the wrist, it is possible to measure the electrocardiogram waveform (and blood pressure) by so-called IV induction simply by applying the device body fixed to the arm to the chest, and it is also described that it is possible to measure the electrocardiogram waveform by I induction by wearing the device on one (right) arm and touching the electrodes arranged on the device body with the other (left) hand. According to these measurement methods, there is no need to hold the device body by hand, and since no extra force is applied, a signal with less noise due to electromyogram or the like can be obtained.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, according to the technology described in Patent Document 1 above, when performing measurements using the device, in the case of lead IV, the user attaches the device to their right wrist, places the electrodes on their chest, and starts the measurement by pressing the measurement start button on the device body with their left hand, which is not wearing the device. In the case of lead I, after pressing the measurement start button with the left hand, the user needs to touch the electrodes on the device body with that same hand.

[0006] However, with this measurement method, there was a risk that the contact with the electrodes would not be proper after the measurement start button was pressed (i.e., after the measurement started), resulting in the recording of an unstable electrocardiogram, or, especially in the case of lead I, the measurement might proceed even if the electrodes were not in contact with the device at all. An explanatory diagram illustrating this situation is shown in Figure 5. Furthermore, when measuring blood pressure in conjunction with measuring the electrocardiogram waveform, it is necessary to position the device itself (where the blood pressure is measured) at approximately the same height as the heart, and the aforementioned problems become more pronounced due to the uncomfortable posture required.

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a technology for accurately measuring blood pressure and electrocardiogram waveforms in a portable bio-information measuring device capable of measuring blood pressure and electrocardiogram waveforms. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following configuration. That is, A biological information measuring device that is worn on the wrist of a human body, The blood pressure measuring means for measuring the blood pressure of the human body, A means for measuring the electrocardiogram waveform of the human body, comprising multiple electrodes, An electrode contact state detection means for detecting the contact state of the human body with the plurality of electrodes, Position detection means for detecting the position of the device, It includes control means for controlling the electrocardiogram waveform measuring means and the blood pressure measuring means, The control means is A first validity determination unit determines whether or not the wrist of the human body to which the device is attached is located at a height within a predetermined range, based on the output of the position detection means. A second validity determination unit determines whether or not the human body is in stable contact with the plurality of electrodes based on the output of the electrode contact state detection means, The system includes a batch measurement control unit that performs control to simultaneously perform blood pressure measurement of the human body by the blood pressure measurement means and electrocardiogram waveform measurement of the human body by the electrocardiogram waveform measurement means, provided that at least the determination result of the second validity determination unit is valid. This is a biological information measuring device characterized by the following features.

[0009] In this specification, "measurement of electrocardiogram waveform" means recording waveform data of an electrocardiogram signal. "In a single operation" includes performing operations simultaneously and in parallel. Examples of the blood pressure measurement means include, but are not limited to, a cuff, pressure sensor, and pump for measuring blood pressure using the oscillometric method. As for the position detection means, for example, a 3-axis accelerometer can be used, but other means may be used as long as they can detect at least the position of the device on its vertical axis (i.e., the height at which the device is located).

[0010] With this configuration, blood pressure and electrocardiogram waveforms can be measured simultaneously, provided that the electrodes are in a suitable contact state for measuring the electrocardiogram waveform (without requiring any measurement initiation procedure). Therefore, the electrocardiogram waveform will not be measured if it is not properly in contact with the electrodes for measuring the electrocardiogram waveform, nor will it be measured with noise caused by actions taken to correct posture immediately after the start of measurement. This allows for accurate and convenient simultaneous measurement of two types of biological information: blood pressure and electrocardiogram waveform.

[0011] Furthermore, the second validity determination unit may determine whether the human body is stably in contact with the plurality of electrodes, provided that the first validity determination unit outputs a validity determination result. In other words, simultaneous measurement may be performed only when both the first and second validity determination units are valid. Under such conditions, simultaneous measurement is performed only when the conditions are suitable for measuring blood pressure and electrocardiogram waveforms, thus enabling the acquisition of accurate blood pressure values ​​and electrocardiogram waveforms.

[0012] Furthermore, with wrist-worn measuring devices, if a person assumes a posture that involves contacting multiple electrodes for electrocardiogram waveform measurement, they are likely to adopt an unnatural posture when adjusting the device's height for subsequent blood pressure measurement. Such unnatural postures can make it difficult to maintain stable contact with the electrodes, or can lead to unnecessary tension and interference from electromyography (noise). However, with the configuration described above, the correctness of the height is determined beforehand, thus preventing measurements from being taken in an unnatural posture.

[0013] The height within the predetermined range may be set to approximately the same height as the human heart. This height is preferable when measuring blood pressure. The biological information measuring device may also be a wristwatch-type wearable device.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention can also be understood as a control method for the following device: It is worn on the wrist of the human body. The blood pressure measuring means for measuring the blood pressure of the human body, A means for measuring the electrocardiogram waveform of the human body, comprising multiple electrodes, An electrode contact state detection means for detecting the contact state of the human body with the plurality of electrodes, A control method for a biological information measuring device comprising a position detection means for detecting the position of the device, A first validity determination step, which determines whether the wrist of the human body to which the device is attached is located at a height within a predetermined range based on the output of the position detection means, A second determination step of determining whether or not the human body is stably in contact with the plurality of electrodes based on the output of the electrode contact state detection means; When the determination result of the second determination step is affirmative, a batch measurement step of collectively performing the blood pressure measurement of the human body by the blood pressure measurement means and the electrocardiogram waveform measurement of the human body by the electrocardiogram waveform measurement means, A control method for a biological information measuring device, characterized in that it has:

[0015] Further, the second determination step may be executed after the first determination step. Further, the height within the predetermined range may be set to be approximately the same as the height of the heart of the human body.

[0016] The present invention can also be regarded as a program for causing a biological information measuring device to execute the above method, and a computer-readable recording medium on which such a program is non-temporarily recorded.

[0017] In addition, each of the above configurations can be combined with each other to constitute the present invention as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, in a portable biological information measuring device capable of measuring blood pressure and electrocardiogram waveform, a technique for measuring accurate blood pressure and electrocardiogram waveform can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is a schematic view showing the appearance of the biological information measuring device of Embodiment 1. FIG. 1B is an explanatory view showing the state when the biological information measuring device of Embodiment 1 is worn. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the biological information measuring device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3]Figure 3A is the first figure showing an example of an image output by the biological information measuring device of Embodiment 1. Figure 3B is the second figure showing an example of an image output by the biological information measuring device of Embodiment 1. Figure 3C is the third figure showing an example of an image output by the biological information measuring device of Embodiment 1. Figure 3D is the fourth figure showing an example of an image output by the biological information measuring device of Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing some of the processes performed in the biological information measuring device of Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the problems with conventional technology. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] <Embodiment 1> Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to those specific components.

[0021] (Overall configuration of the device) Figure 1A is a schematic diagram showing the external configuration of the biometric information measuring device 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 1B is an explanatory diagram showing the state when the biometric information measuring device 10 according to this embodiment is attached to the wrist T. Figure 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the biometric information measuring device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1A, 1B, and 2, the bio-information measuring device 10 is generally a wristwatch-type wearable device having a main body 11 and a belt 15, and can measure blood pressure values ​​and electrocardiogram waveforms while being worn on the wrist T of a person.

[0023] The main unit 11 includes a display unit 133 (for example, a liquid crystal display can be used), operation buttons 134a and 134b, a bezel that functions as a second electrode 112, and an acceleration sensor 131. The acceleration sensor 131 corresponds to the position detection means according to the present invention and detects the position and orientation of the biological information measuring device 10. As shown in Figure 2, the main unit 11 also includes, as part of its functional configuration, a control unit 100, an electrocardiogram signal measurement unit 110, a blood pressure measurement unit 120, a power supply unit 132, a display unit 133, an operation unit 134, a communication unit 135, a memory unit 136, and a vibration unit 137. Each of these functional configurations will be described later.

[0024] The belt portion 15 also includes a cuff 121 for compressing an artery in the wrist T, a collar 152 for supporting the cuff 121, a first electrode 111, and a belt 151 for fixing the biometric information measuring device 10 to the wrist T. The belt 151 can be, for example, a type that consists of a thumb band and a tip band, with the tip band being fixed by a buckle on the thumb band, but any configuration is acceptable as long as the biometric information measuring device 10 can be properly fixed to the wrist T. For example, a configuration that uses hook-and-loop fasteners for fixing can also be used.

[0025] (Functional configuration of the main unit) Next, the functional configuration of the main unit 11 will be described. The control unit 100 is responsible for controlling the entire biological information measurement device 10, including the electrocardiogram signal measurement unit 110 and the blood pressure measurement unit 120. The control unit 100 also includes the following functional units: an electrode contact state determination unit 101, a blood pressure measurement posture determination unit 102, a batch measurement execution unit 103, and an information output processing unit 104. By reading and executing programs from the storage unit 136 (described later), the control unit 100 controls each component of the biological information measurement device 10 to realize the functional units that fulfill their predetermined purposes. From a hardware perspective, the control unit 100 is composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0026] The electrocardiogram signal measurement unit 110 comprises a first electrode 111, a second electrode 112, and an electrocardiogram signal measurement circuit 113. It measures the user's electrocardiogram signal based on the potential difference between the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112, which are in contact with the surface of the human body (specifically, the wrist of one hand and the fingers of the other hand) (in the so-called lead I). The electrocardiogram signal measurement circuit 113 also detects the contact state of the user's skin surface with the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112. In other words, the electrocardiogram signal measurement circuit 113 in this embodiment also serves as the electrode contact state detection means according to the present invention. The electrocardiogram signal measurement unit 110 also includes an AD conversion circuit, amplifier, filter, etc. (not shown), but these are composed of known technologies and therefore their explanation is omitted.

[0027] The blood pressure measurement unit 120 comprises a cuff 121, a pressure sensor 122, and a pump 123, and measures the user's blood pressure using the so-called oscillometric method. Since blood pressure measurement using the oscillometric method is a well-known technique, a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0028] The power supply unit 132 includes a battery (not shown) that supplies the power necessary for the operation of the device. The system is composed of a battery that can be a secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion battery, or a primary battery.

[0029] The display unit 133 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays various information, including guide information about the operation of the device, on the display device. The display unit 133 may also be equipped with LED indicators or the like. The operation unit 134 includes operation buttons 134a and 134b, and accepts user input operations through these buttons. The operation unit 134 can also accept user input by receiving input signals from other electronic devices via the communication unit 135, which will be described later.

[0030] The communication unit 135 includes an antenna (not shown) for wireless communication and communicates with other electronic devices, such as information processing terminals, for example, via BLE communication. It may also be equipped with terminals for wired communication.

[0031] The memory unit 136 includes a main memory (not shown) such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and stores various types of information such as application programs, measured electrocardiogram waveforms, blood pressure, and guide information. In addition to RAM, it may also include a long-term storage medium such as flash memory. Electrocardiogram waveform data and measured blood pressure values ​​are also stored.

[0032] The vibrating unit 137 includes a vibrator (not shown) consisting of a small motor or the like, and generates vibrations in a predetermined pattern set for each guidance content. This allows the user to be notified of predetermined guidance information corresponding to that pattern.

[0033] Next, the various functions of the control unit 100 will be described. The electrode contact state determination unit 101 determines whether the user is making stable contact with the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 based on the output of the electrocardiogram signal measurement circuit 113. Whether or not the contact is stable can be distinguished by any indicator, but for example, the evaluation may be performed using information such as baseline fluctuations of the electrocardiogram waveform or attitude fluctuations of the device based on the output of the acceleration sensor 131.

[0034] The blood pressure measurement posture determination unit 102 determines, based on the output of the acceleration sensor 131, whether the user's wrist, while wearing the device, is positioned within a predetermined height range, or more specifically, whether it is at approximately the same height as the heart. It may also determine whether this height is continuously maintained.

[0035] The batch measurement execution unit 103 controls the blood pressure measurement by the blood pressure measurement unit 120 and the electrocardiogram waveform measurement simultaneously, based on the outputs of the electrode contact state determination unit 101 and the blood pressure measurement posture determination unit 102, if both determination results are correct. Here, the measurement of the electrocardiogram waveform refers to recording the electrocardiogram signal measured by the electrocardiogram signal measurement unit 110 as waveform data. In other words, in this embodiment, the electrocardiogram waveform measurement means includes the electrocardiogram signal measurement unit 110 and the storage unit 136.

[0036] The information output processing unit 104 outputs guide information related to the use of the device through image display by the display unit 133 and vibration patterns by the vibration unit 137. Specifically, it performs control to output information such as information guiding the user to assume the correct posture for measuring biological information, and information informing the user to start and end the measurement. Figures 3A to 3D show examples of guide images displayed on the display unit 133.

[0037] Figure 3A is a guide image showing how to raise and maintain the wrist with the device attached to the heart level in preparation for measurement. Figure 3B shows the second electrode 11 of the device in preparation for measurement. Figure 3C is a guide image that indicates touching point 2. Figure 3D is a guide image that indicates that blood pressure (electrocardiogram) measurement is in progress. Figure 3D is a guide image that shows the measurement results after the measurement is completed. Each image may be a still image or a moving image.

[0038] (Processing of biological information measurement) Next, the processing flow when the biological information measuring device 10 performs biological information measurement will be explained based on Figure 4. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure when performing simultaneous measurement of blood pressure and electrocardiogram using the biological information measuring device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0039] First, when the power of the biological information measuring device 10 is turned ON, the acceleration sensor 131 detects the position and orientation of the device (S101), and based on the output of the acceleration sensor 131, the blood pressure measurement orientation determination unit 102 determines whether the height of the biological information measuring device 10 is within a predetermined range (S102). If it is determined that the height of the device is not within the predetermined range, the process returns to step S101 and repeats the determination process of whether the height of the device is within the predetermined range based on the output of the acceleration sensor 131.

[0040] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S102 that the height of the device is within a predetermined range, the process proceeds to step S103. In step S103, the electrocardiogram signal measurement circuit 113 detects the contact state of the human body (user) with the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 (S103). The electrode contact state determination unit 101 then determines, based on the output of the electrocardiogram signal measurement circuit 113, whether or not the user is in stable contact with the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 (S104). If it is determined that the user is not in stable contact with each electrode, the process returns to step S103 and repeats the subsequent processing.

[0041] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the user is making stable contact with each electrode, the batch measurement execution unit 103 controls the blood pressure measurement unit 120 to perform blood pressure measurement and electrocardiogram waveform measurement simultaneously (S105). When the blood pressure measurement is completed, the electrocardiogram waveform measurement (i.e., recording of waveform data) is also completed at the same time, and the measurement results are stored in the storage unit 136 (S106), and this routine ends.

[0042] Furthermore, the information output processing unit 104 may output guide information at appropriate timings in the above flow. For example, prior to step S101, the user may be guided by displaying a guide image as shown in Figure 3A on the display unit 133 or by vibration of the vibration unit 137, indicating that the wrist with the device attached should be raised to heart level and maintained there. Alternatively, an image showing the measurement results (see Figure 3D) may be displayed on the display unit 133 from step S106 onward.

[0043] As described above, with the biometric information measuring device 10 of this embodiment, simultaneous measurement of blood pressure and electrocardiogram waveform is performed by maintaining the blood pressure measurement site (i.e., the position of the device) at a height suitable for blood pressure measurement while the device is worn, and by ensuring stable contact with the electrodes. Therefore, it is possible to prevent measurements from being taken in inappropriate postures or situations, and to obtain accurate measurement results for both blood pressure and electrocardiogram waveforms. Furthermore, with the biometric information measuring device 10 of this embodiment, if the power is ON, it is automatically determined whether the user's wrist is positioned within a predetermined height range and whether the user is in stable contact with each electrode, so there is no need to perform any input operations to start the measurement. Therefore, a user familiar with the device can quickly start the measurement simply by assuming the posture for simultaneous measurement. Such effects are particularly suitable for a wristwatch-type wearable device (worn at all times) like the biometric information measuring device 10 of this embodiment.

[0044] (modified version) In the above biometric information measurement process flow, in step S102, the height of the device is predetermined. If it is determined that the condition is not within the specified range, the process returns to step S101 and does not proceed to step S103 until the condition is met. However, other processing is also possible. For example, if it is determined that the height of the device is not within a predetermined range, information to that effect may be stored in the storage unit 136 before proceeding to step S103. In other words, in this modified example, if the determination result of the electrode contact state determination unit 101 is correct, the batch measurement execution unit 103 controls the blood pressure measurement by the blood pressure measurement unit 120 and the electrocardiogram waveform measurement to be performed in a batch. This prevents situations where measurement cannot be started indefinitely if the correct posture cannot be assumed, while also storing a note indicating doubts about the accuracy of the measured blood pressure value and obtaining at least an accurate electrocardiogram waveform.

[0045] <Other> The above description of embodiments is merely illustrative, and the present invention is not limited to the specific forms described above. The present invention can be modified and combined in various ways within the scope of its technical concept. For example, in Embodiment 1 above, the flow described was to first determine whether the height of the device satisfies the measurement conditions, and then determine whether the contact state of the electrodes satisfies the measurement conditions, but the order may be reversed. That is, the order of steps S101 and S103, and steps S102 and S104 may be swapped. In short, as long as both the height condition and the electrode contact state condition are met, the batch measurement can be started.

[0046] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes displaying a guide image on the display unit 133, the guide image may be output to an external device connected via the communication unit 135. Alternatively, the measured biological information may be streamed via the communication unit 135 to an external electronic device equipped with a memory area. In addition, the configuration of the device may be omitted, and a configuration without a vibration unit 137 may be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10. Biological information measuring device 11. Main body 15. Belt section 100... Control Unit 101...Electrode contact state determination unit 102... Blood pressure measurement posture determination unit 103...Batch Measurement Execution Unit 104... Information Output Processing Unit 110...Electrocardiogram waveform measurement section 111...1st electrode 112...Second electrode 113...Electrocardiogram signal measurement circuit 120·· Blood pressure measurement unit 121... Cuff 122... Pressure sensor 123... pump 131...Accelerometer 132...Power supply section 133...Display section 134...Operation unit 134a, 135b... Operation buttons 135... Communications Department 136...Storage section 137...Vibration section 151... belt 152... Carla T...wrist

Claims

1. A biological information measuring device that is worn on the wrist of a human body, The blood pressure measuring means for measuring the blood pressure of the human body, A means for measuring the electrocardiogram waveform of the human body, comprising multiple electrodes, An electrode contact state detection means for detecting the contact state of the human body with the plurality of electrodes, Position detection means for detecting the position of the device, It includes control means for controlling the electrocardiogram waveform measuring means and the blood pressure measuring means, The control means is A first validity determination unit determines whether or not the wrist of the human body to which the device is attached is located at a height within a predetermined range, based on the output of the position detection means. A second validity determination unit determines whether the human body is in stable contact with the plurality of electrodes, based on the output of the electrode contact state detection means, provided that the first validity determination unit outputs a validity determination result. The system includes a batch measurement control unit that performs control to automatically and collectively execute blood pressure measurement of the human body by the blood pressure measurement means and electrocardiogram waveform measurement of the human body by the electrocardiogram waveform measurement means, provided that at least the determination result of the second validity determination unit is valid. The second validity determination unit uses information of at least one of the baseline fluctuations of the electrocardiogram shape and the posture fluctuations of the device to determine whether or not the human body is in stable contact with the plurality of electrodes. A biological information measuring device characterized by the following features.

2. The height within the predetermined range is set to be approximately the same height as the human heart. A biological information measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that

3. It is a wristwatch-type wearable device. A biological information measuring device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that

4. It is worn on the wrist of the human body. The blood pressure measuring means for measuring the blood pressure of the human body, A means for measuring the electrocardiogram waveform of the human body, comprising multiple electrodes, An electrode contact state detection means for detecting the contact state of the human body with the plurality of electrodes, A control method for a biological information measuring device comprising a position detection means for detecting the position of the device, A first validity determination step, which determines whether or not the wrist of the human body to which the device is attached is located at a height within a predetermined range, based on the output of the position detection means, After the first validity determination step, if the result of the first validity determination step was valid, a second validity determination step is performed to determine whether the human body is in stable contact with the plurality of electrodes based on the output of the electrode contact state detection means. The system includes a batch measurement step that, if the result of at least the second validity determination step is valid, automatically and collectively performs blood pressure measurement of the human body using the blood pressure measurement means and electrocardiogram waveform measurement of the human body using the electrocardiogram waveform measurement means. In the second validity determination step, at least one of the information of the baseline fluctuation of the electrocardiogram shape and the attitude fluctuation of the device is used to determine whether or not the human body is in stable contact with the plurality of electrodes. A control method for a biological information measuring device, characterized by the following:

5. The height within the predetermined range is set to be approximately the same height as the human heart. A control method for a biological information measuring device according to claim 4, characterized in that

6. A program for causing a biological information measuring device to perform each step of the control method described in claim 4.

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