Blood pressure measuring device

Abstract

To provide a sphygmomanometer capable of reducing a burden on a patient himself / herself and on surrounding patients caused by sphygmomanometry.SOLUTION: A sphygmomanometer includes: a pump which pressurizes a cuff attached to a patient; and a pump drive control part which has a normal discharge mode for controlling a discharge flow rate of the pump at a normal discharge flow rate, and a low discharge mode for controlling the discharge flow rate of the pump at a lower discharge flow rate than the normal discharge mode, and controls the drive of the pump by selecting which of the normal discharge mode and the low discharge mode is to be adopted for driving the pump based on a measuring time and / or an ambient environment where measurement is performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a blood pressure measuring device that measures NIBP (Non-invasive Blood Pressure) using a cuff.

Background Art

[0002] In the measurement of NIBP, a cuff attached to the arm of a subject is pressurized by a pump, and the blood pressure value is calculated by detecting the pulse during pressurization or decompression. For example, the cuff pressure of a cuff wound around the upper arm is pressurized and decompressed, and in the pulse wave detected at that time, the cuff pressure when the increase in amplitude is relatively significant (or when the amplitude exceeds a specific ratio to the maximum value, etc.) is determined as the systolic blood pressure (maximum blood pressure), and the cuff pressure when the decrease in amplitude is relatively significant (or when the amplitude falls below a specific ratio to the maximum value, etc.) is determined as the diastolic blood pressure (minimum blood pressure). Such measurement of NIBP is described in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] In general, a blood pressure measuring device for performing NIBP measurement is installed in a biological information monitor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, blood pressure measurements taken by blood pressure monitors equipped with vital signs monitors may be performed day or night, depending on the patient's condition and the measurement schedule pre-set in the device. Therefore, depending on the time and location in which the measurement is performed, the operating noise may be bothersome to other patients. In addition, measurements according to the device's set schedule may be performed at times unintended by the patient, which may be burdensome for the patient depending on when the measurement is performed.

[0006] In particular, in blood pressure reduction measurement methods, it is necessary to quickly pressurize the blood pressure using a large pump in order to measure blood pressure quickly, but this inversely results in a louder operating noise.

[0007] However, this point has not been given sufficient consideration until now.

[0008] This invention was made with the above points in mind, and provides a blood pressure measurement device that can reduce the burden on the patient and those around them caused by blood pressure measurement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A blood pressure measuring device mounted on a vital signs monitor, A pump that pressurizes the cuff attached to the subject, before The pump , depending on the time of day the measurement is taken and / or the surrounding environment in which the measurement is taken A pump drive control unit that controls the drive, Equipped with 、 The pump drive control unit is The pump has a normal discharge mode that controls the discharge flow rate to a normal discharge flow rate, and a low discharge mode that controls the discharge flow rate to a lower discharge flow rate than the normal discharge mode. Based on mode information input from an external device, the system selects whether to drive the pump in the normal discharge mode or the low discharge mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a low discharge mode can be selected depending on the time and surrounding environment, thereby reducing the burden on the patient and those around them caused by blood pressure measurement. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Perspective view showing the external configuration of the biological information monitor (bedside monitor) according to the embodiment [Figure 2] Diagram showing the pump unit inside the biological information monitor [Figure 3] Exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the pump unit [Figure 4] Block diagram showing the configuration of the biological information monitor [Figure 5] Block diagram showing the configuration of the pump unit

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a biological information monitor (bedside monitor) 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0014] A display unit 101 is provided on the front surface of the biological information monitor 10. Further, a standby switch 11, an alarm indicator 12, etc. are provided on the front surface of the biological information monitor 10.

[0015] A group of connectors related to the measurement of biological information is provided on one side surface of the biological information monitor 10. Specifically, an ECG (Electrocardiogram) connector 13a, a NIBP (Non-Invasive Blood Pressure) connector 13b, a SpO2 connector 13c, etc. are provided. Further, an additional module connection part 14 to which an additional module for realizing optional biological information measurement processing can be attached is provided at a position below the group of connectors. Incidentally, a USB connector, a LAN connection connector, a recorder, etc. are provided on the other side surface (not shown) of the biological information monitor 10.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, a pump unit 20 is provided inside the housing of the biological information monitor 10. The pump unit 20 is connected to the NIBP connector 13b.

[0017] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the pump unit 20. The pump unit 20 has first and second pumps 21 and 22. The first and second pumps 21 and 22 are pressurizing pumps for pressurizing the cuff. The discharge flow rate of the second pump 22 is larger than that of the first pump 21. The first pump 21 can also be called a small main pump, and the second pump 22 can also be called an auxiliary pump.

[0018] The first pump 21 is housed inside the case 24. The second pump 22 is fixed to the side surface of the case 24 by a band 25. Inside the case 24, a circuit board 23 is housed together with the first pump 21. Drive circuits for the first and second pumps 21 and 22 and the like are formed on the circuit board 23. Note that the first pump 21 may be arranged outside the case 24 and the second pump 22 may be arranged inside the case 24.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the biological information monitor 10. The biological information monitor 10 is connected to biological information detection units such as an electrocardiogram electrode 111 for detecting an electrocardiogram, a blood pressure measurement cuff 112 for detecting blood pressure, a body temperature sensor 113 for detecting body temperature, an SpO2 sensor 114 for detecting SpO2, and a cardiac output sensor 115 for detecting cardiac output via a connector unit 110. The connector unit 110 functions as an interface between the biological information detection unit and the measurement processing unit 104. Note that the connector unit 110 includes the ECG connector 13a, the NIBP connector 13b, and the SpO2 connector 13c shown in FIG. 1.

[0020] The measurement processing unit 104 executes a predetermined measurement process by running a program stored in the memory unit 105. Through this measurement process, the measurement processing unit 104 measures the patient's biological information using the biological information detection unit (electrocardiogram electrodes 111, blood pressure cuff 112, body temperature sensor 113, SpO2 sensor 114, and cardiac output sensor 115) connected to the connector unit 110. Since conventionally known methods can be applied to the measurement of various biological information using the above-mentioned biological information detection unit, a detailed explanation thereof is omitted here.

[0021] Furthermore, the measurement processing unit 104 is capable of storing previously measured biological information in the storage unit 105, and reading biological information stored in the storage unit 105. In addition, the biological information obtained by the measurement processing unit 104 is displayed on the display unit 101 in the form of measured values ​​or waveforms via the display control unit 102.

[0022] The display unit 101 is, for example, a liquid crystal display with a touch panel, and not only has a display function to display biometric information, but also functions as an input unit to accept user input operations. Specifically, the display control unit 102 changes the display on the display unit 101 and the processing of the measurement processing unit 104 based on the user's touch operation of the display unit 101. In this embodiment, user operations such as various settings are accepted by touch operation of the display unit 101, but user operations may also be accepted using, for example, a keyboard, mouse, or dedicated buttons.

[0023] The pump unit 20 is connected to the blood pressure measurement cuff 112 via the connector unit 110. The pump unit 20 also receives mode information based on user operation from the display unit 101. Furthermore, the pump unit 20 receives mode information from the central monitor. This mode information includes information on night mode and installation location (e.g., ward, operating room). In short, the vital signs monitor 10 allows for setting night mode and installation location for blood pressure measurement.

[0024] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the pump unit 20. The flow path connected to the NIBP connector 13b and the cuff 112 is connected to the first pump 21, the second pump 22, the flow control valve 34, the rapid exhaust valve 36, and the pressure sensor 37.

[0025] The first pump 21 is driven by a pump drive circuit 31, and the second pump 22 is driven by a pump drive circuit 32. The flow control valve 34 is driven by a flow control valve drive circuit 33, and the rapid exhaust valve 36 is driven by a rapid exhaust valve drive circuit 35. The pressure detected by the pressure sensor 37 is input to the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 40 via an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 38.

[0026] In this embodiment, the first pump 21 has a discharge flow rate of 1.8 L / min and is a duty cycle controlled pump. The second pump 22 has a discharge flow rate of 4.0 L / min and is an ON / OFF controlled pump.

[0027] The CPU 40 controls the pump drive circuits 31 and 32, the flow control valve drive circuit 33, and the rapid exhaust valve drive circuit 35. The CPU 40 receives mode information based on user operation from the display unit 101 or from the central monitor, and the CPU 40 controls the pump drive circuits 31 and 32, etc., based on this mode information.

[0028] Let me explain in detail. When the mode information indicates that the mode is night mode, the CPU 40 enables the first pump 21 to operate and disables the second pump 22. Conversely, when the mode information indicates that the mode is not night mode, the CPU 40 enables both the first pump 21 and the second pump 22 to operate.

[0029] In this way, the pump unit 20 suppresses the overall discharge flow rate of the pump in night mode. As a result, the pump operating noise during nighttime blood pressure measurement is reduced, thereby reducing the burden on surrounding patients due to the operating noise. In addition, since the cuff is pressurized gradually, the probability of the patient waking up when blood pressure measurement is started while they are sleeping is reduced, thereby reducing the burden on the patient.

[0030] As described above, according to this embodiment, by providing pumps 21 and 22 that pressurize the cuff 112 attached to the subject, and a pump drive control unit (CPU 40, pump drive circuits 31 and 32) that drives the pumps 21 and 22 to suppress the discharge flow rate of the pumps 21 and 22 in night mode compared to non-night mode, the burden on the surroundings due to operating noise can be reduced.

[0031] The embodiments described above are merely examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited by them. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various ways without departing from its gist or its main features.

[0032] The above-described embodiment mentions a case where there are two pumps 21 and 22, and the pump 22 with a larger discharge flow rate is turned off during nighttime mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if there is only one pump, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained by controlling the discharge flow rate of this single pump to be lower during nighttime mode than in other cases.

[0033] Furthermore, while the above-described embodiment mentions the case where the pump drive control unit (CPU 40, pump drive circuits 31, 32) reduces the pump discharge flow rate during nighttime mode, the present invention is not limited to this. The pump drive control unit may have a normal discharge mode that controls the pump discharge flow rate to a normal discharge flow rate and a low discharge mode that controls the pump discharge flow rate to a lower discharge flow rate than the normal discharge mode. The pump can then be driven and controlled by selecting whether to drive the pump in normal discharge mode or low discharge mode based on the time of measurement and the surrounding environment in which the measurement is performed. The above-described embodiment corresponds to the case where the pump drive control unit selects the low discharge mode during nighttime mode.

[0034] The pump drive control unit may select the low discharge mode not only when night mode is selected, but also when the ambient light is below a predetermined threshold. In other words, a light sensor may be provided to detect the amount of ambient light around the device, and the low discharge mode may be selected when the detected amount of light is below a predetermined threshold.

[0035] Furthermore, the pump drive control unit may select a low discharge mode when the ambient noise level is below a predetermined threshold. In other words, a volume sensor may be provided to detect the ambient noise level around the device, and the low discharge mode may be selected when the detected volume level is below a predetermined threshold. In this way, the pump noise will be reduced in quiet environments, such as when a patient is sleeping, thus preventing disturbance to the patient's sleep.

[0036] Furthermore, when applied to a vital signs monitor or blood pressure measuring device that has both a pressurizing mode, which measures blood pressure during the cuff pressurization process, and a deflation mode, which measures blood pressure during the cuff depressurization process, the pump drive control unit may be configured to perform measurements in pressurizing mode when it selects the low discharge mode. In this way, the operating noise of the pump during pressurizing measurement is reduced, and as a result, the interference of noise from the pump into the measurement values ​​during pressurizing mode can be reduced, thereby improving the reliability of the measurement values ​​in pressurizing mode.

[0037] In the embodiments described above, the present invention was applied to a vital signs monitor. However, the present invention is not limited to vital signs monitors, but is broadly applicable to blood pressure measuring devices and medical devices equipped with blood pressure measuring devices. [Industrial applicability]

[0038] The present invention is suitable, for example, for a biological information monitor. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 10. Biometric Information Monitor 20 Pump Units 21 First pump 22 Second pump 31, 32 Pump drive circuit 40 CPU 101 Display section 102 Display Control Unit 103 Alarm Indicator 104 Measurement Processing Unit 105 Storage section 110 Connector section 112 Cuff

Claims

1. A blood pressure measuring device mounted on a vital signs monitor, A pump that pressurizes the cuff attached to the subject, The pump is controlled by a pump drive control unit that controls the pump's operation according to the time and / or the surrounding environment in which the measurement is performed. Equipped with, The pump drive control unit is The pump has a normal discharge mode that controls the discharge flow rate to a normal discharge flow rate, and a low discharge mode that controls the discharge flow rate to a lower discharge flow rate than the normal discharge mode. Based on mode information input from an external device, the system selects whether to drive the pump in the normal discharge mode or the low discharge mode. Blood pressure measuring device.

2. The pump drive control unit selects the low discharge mode when the mode information is night mode. The blood pressure measuring device according to claim 1.

3. The pump drive control unit selects the low discharge mode when the ambient light is below a predetermined threshold. The blood pressure measuring device according to claim 1.

4. The pump drive control unit selects the low discharge mode when the ambient noise is below a predetermined threshold. The blood pressure measuring device according to claim 1.

5. The pump comprises a first pump and a second pump having a larger discharge flow rate than the first pump. The pump drive control unit, in the low discharge mode, enables the first pump to be turned on and disables the second pump. A blood pressure measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. During the low discharge mode, measurements are performed in the boosted measurement mode. A blood pressure measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The aforementioned external device is a central monitor. A blood pressure measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A blood pressure measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Biological information monitor.

9. The aforementioned vital signs monitor is a bedside monitor. The biological information monitor according to claim 8.

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