Pulse wave measurement device for pulse rate diagnosis and method of use thereof

Abstract

A pulse wave measuring device for diagnosing pulse includes an airbag, a pressure control module, a displacement detection module, a scanning position control module, and a computer. The pressure control module, the displacement detection module, and the scanning position control module are each connected to the computer via communication, and the pump of the pressure control module is connected to the airbag via a gas line and an air valve. A method for using the pulse wave measuring device is also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross-reference to Related Applications) This international application claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 304,367 (Pulse Wave Measuring Device for Pulse Diagnosis and Method of Using the Same), filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on January 28, 2022, and incorporates by reference the entire contents of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 304,367 into this international application.

[0002] The present invention relates to a physiological characteristic measurement system and a method of using the same, and more particularly to a pulse wave measuring device for pulse diagnosis and a method of using the same.

Background Art

[0003] Currently, there are many different pulse diagnosis devices or instruments for detecting people's physiological states. Almost all of the prior art consists of pressure film sensors. After the operator roughly determines the pulse-taking position, the position of the pressure film sensor is aligned at one position in the human limb, and by combining an airbag and adjusting the magnitude of the airbag pressure, the depth at which the airbag pressurizes the wrist is adjusted. Then, the dynamic pressure generated by the pulsation of the human body and the static pressure of the pressurization depth are measured by the pressure film sensor, and used as a reference basis for the pulse signal and the pressurization depth signal.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, due to differences in the operating habits of the operator, the static pressure of the pressurization depth and the depth of pressurization do not have a linear relationship, resulting in errors in the measurement of the physiological state. Therefore, it was necessary to develop a measurement system that can measure the pulse wave of pulse diagnosis and accurately measure various physiological state information of the subject (subject). [[ID=二十九]]

[0005] One objective of the present invention is to provide a pulse wave measuring device and a method of using the same, in order to enable accurate measurement of various physiological state information of a subject. The pulse wave measuring device described above is suitable for being attached to the wrist of a subject. The pulse wave measuring device is brought into contact with a test area on the subject's wrist, the test area includes the location of the subject's arteries, and physiological characteristic information related to the pulse wave of the subject's arteries is detected, for example, a pulse characteristic wave is detected.

[0006] To further understand the technology, means, and effects of the present invention, the object, features, and concepts of the present invention can be fully and concretely understood by referring to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. However, the following detailed description and drawings are used only for reference and illustrative purposes in carrying out the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the functional block of a pulse wave measuring device for pulse diagnosis according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This flowchart shows the first step of performing a pulse wave measurement method using the pulse wave measuring device for pulse diagnosis shown in Figure 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows the second step of performing a pulse wave measurement method using the pulse wave measurement device for pulse diagnosis shown in Figure 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows the third step of performing a pulse wave measurement method using the pulse wave measurement device for pulse diagnosis shown in Figure 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This diagram shows a schematic representation of the tissues in various parts of the wrist and a schematic diagram illustrating the system as measured by a linear displacement meter. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the pulse waves at the positions of the sun, kan, and shaku pulses measured parallel to the blood vessels using a linear laser displacement meter according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing the pulse measurement operation process and pulse characteristic waveform according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using the pulse wave measurement device for pulse diagnosis shown in Figure 1, which is one embodiment of the present invention. The pulse wave measurement device 100 does not have a scanning position control module 400, and the displacement detection module 300 is a point-type photoelectric displacement sensor. [Figure 9A] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using the pulse wave measurement device for pulse diagnosis shown in Figure 1, which is another embodiment of the present invention. The pulse wave measurement device 100 does not have a scanning position control module 400, and the displacement detection module 300 is a linear or surface photoelectric displacement sensor. [Figure 9B] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using the pulse wave measurement device for pulse diagnosis shown in Figure 1, which is another embodiment of the present invention. The pulse wave measurement device 100 does not have a scanning position control module 400, and the displacement detection module 300 is a linear or surface photoelectric displacement sensor. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Definition: The XY plane is substantially parallel to the subject's skin surface, the X-axis is substantially parallel to the direction in which the subject's blood vessels extend, and the Y-axis is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the subject's blood vessels extend. Therefore, the Z-axis is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the subject's skin surface. The definitions of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis described below are all the same as this.

[0009] <Pulse wave measuring device for pulse rate diagnosis> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the functional block of a pulse wave measuring device for pulse diagnosis according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the example in Figure 1, the pulse wave measuring device 100 includes an airbag 200, a pressure control module 230, a displacement detection module 300, a scanning position control module 400, and a computer 500. The scanning position control module 400 is an element that can be selected and combined, that is, an element that can be omitted.

[0010] The airbag 200 described above has at least a transparent window 210 and a contact portion 220. The main material of the airbag 200 may consist of any applicable polymer material, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), cellulose acetate (CA), nylon-66 polyamide resin (PA-66), nylon-6 polyamide resin (PA-6), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), parylene (PPO), polycarbonate (PC), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyoxymethylene (POM), or polyurethane (PU) (the present invention is not limited to these).

[0011] The transparent window 210 described above is used to align with the displacement detection module 300, thereby enabling its construction using a highly rigid transparent material. Examples include glass, quartz, polystyrene (PS), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), but the present invention is not limited to these. The surface of the transparent window 210 may be further plated with an anti-reflective film to increase light transmittance, reduce scattering of reflected light, and improve abrasion resistance.

[0012] The aforementioned contact portion 220 is used to contact the skin of the subject in the test area 600, and is therefore constructed from a flexible (hardness in the Shore hardness range of 20C to 72D) and elastic polymer material to facilitate tight adhesion to the skin of the subject in the test area 600. The aforementioned polymer material is, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and usable thermoplastic elastomers include, for example, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), TPO (polyolefin elastomer), TPV (dynamic sulfur crosslinked polyolefin elastomer), TPS / TPR (polystyrene elastomer), TPEE (polyether ester elastomer), and TPA (polyamide elastomer). The inner surface of the aforementioned contact portion 220 facing the airbag is smooth, or a layer of reflective material is plated to enhance light reflection, ensuring that light is reflected uniformly (without scattering).

[0013] The pressure control module 230 described above controls the internal pressure of the airbag 200 by supplying air for pressurization or exhausting air for depressurization inside the airbag 200. According to some embodiments, the pressure control module 230 may include, for example, a pressure sensor, a pump, a gas pipeline, and an air valve. The pressure sensor is capable of detecting the internal pressure of the airbag 200, and both ends of the gas pipeline are connected to the pump and the airbag 200, respectively, with an appropriate air valve installed at an appropriate position in the gas pipeline. In this way, the combination of operating the pump motor (forward and reverse rotation) and the air valve controls the inflow of gas into or outflow of the airbag 200, and by further controlling the internal pressure of the airbag 200, the pressurization depth of the airbag 200 against the skin of the subject in the test range 600 in the Z-axis. Thus, the function of the airbag is to adjust the pressurization position and to allow the laser sensor to acquire reflected light.

[0014] The displacement detection module 300 described above is used to measure the distance in the Z-axis direction when the displacement detection module 300 reaches the skin of the subject in the test area 600 (when the contact portion 220 of the airbag 200 is made of a transparent material), or to measure the distance in the Z-axis direction when the displacement detection module 300 reaches the contact portion 220 of the airbag 200 (when the contact portion 220 of the airbag 200 is made of an opaque material).

[0015] The displacement detection module 300 may be any applicable displacement sensor with a minimum measurement resolution of 100 μm, for example, a displacement sensor with a resolution of 100 μm, 90 μm, 80 μm, 70 μm, 60 μm, 50 μm, 40 μm, 30 μm, 20 μm, 10 μm, or 1 μm. The above-mentioned displacement sensor may be, for example, a photoelectric displacement sensor that measures distance using various light sources. The above-mentioned photoelectric displacement sensor may be, for example, a laser displacement meter, fiber-optic sensors, a 3-dimensional scanner (3D scanner; for example, a binocular stereoscopic CCD with a programmable structured optical system), a time-of-flight (TOF) device, or a laser interferometer distance measuring device. When classified based on the shape of the detectable area of ​​the displacement detection module 300, the above-mentioned displacement detection module 300 may be a point-type, linear, or planar displacement sensor.

[0016] As described above, when the displacement detection module 300 is a photoelectric displacement sensor, the light emitted from the light source of the displacement detection module 300 can pass through the transparent window 210 of the airbag 200 because the displacement detection module 300 is in close proximity to the transparent window 210 of the airbag 200.

[0017] When the contact portion 220 of the airbag 200 is made of a transparent material, the light beam emitted from the light source of the displacement detection module 300 is directly irradiated onto the skin of the subject's test range 600 and then reflected back to the light receiver of the displacement detection module 300, enabling the displacement detection module 300 to measure the distance from the displacement detection module 300 to the skin of the subject's test range 600.

[0018] When the contact portion 220 of the airbag 200 is made of a non-transparent material, the light beam emitted from the light source of the displacement detection module 300 is directly irradiated onto the inner surface of the contact portion 220 of the airbag 200 facing the airbag and then reflected back to the light receiver of the displacement detection module 300, enabling the displacement detection module 300 to measure the distance from the displacement detection module 300 to the contact portion 220 of the airbag 200. Therefore, when the inner surface of the contact portion 220 facing the airbag is sufficiently smooth or a single-layer reflective film is plated, the degree of scattering after the light beam is reflected is effectively reduced, and the light receiver of the displacement detection module 300 can receive a preferable signal of the signal-to-noise ratio (S / N ratio), making the distance measurement of the displacement detection module 300 more accurate.

[0019] Incidentally, the displacement detection module 300 may further include a filter. The original displacement signal obtained by the displacement detection module 300 includes a displacement value having a pulsating AC signal. The filter can filter the pulsating AC signal and leave a stable DC signal to be shown as the displacement value of the depth of the Z-axis. When the displacement detection module 300 does not include a filter, the pulsating AC signal is also included, and the obtained measurement value becomes a dynamic pulse signal. Also, the so-called displacement signal refers to taking the test range 600 of the subject contacted when the airbag 200 is not pressurized (or when lightly pressurized) as the first position, taking the test range 600 of the subject contacted after the airbag 200 is pressurized (or strongly pressurized) as the second position, and using the difference value obtained by subtracting the second position from the first position as the displacement signal. Refer to the description related to the pulse wave measurement method described later.

[0020] The above scanning position control module 400 is used to control the displacement detection module 300 to move to the test range 600 of the subject, and to control the displacement detection module 300 to perform distance measurement scanning within the test range 600. For example, when measuring the pulsation of the radial artery of the subject's wrist, since the pulsation state of the subject varies at any time, the "pulse measurement distance" between the displacement detection module 300 and the skin of the test range 600 of the subject or between the displacement detection module 300 and the contact portion 220 of the airbag 200 changes. Therefore, using the scanning position control module 400, after the displacement detection module 300 moves to the test range 600 at the body surface location above the radial artery of the subject, measurement is performed following the time change of the above "pulse measurement distance", and scanning is performed within the test range 600 to measure the distance.

[0021] The scanning position control module 400 is an element that can be selectively combined, that is, an element that can be omitted. When there is no scanning position control module 400, the user can move the displacement detection module 300 to the test range 600 of the subject by himself / herself, and cause the displacement detection module 300 to perform distance measurement scanning with respect to the test range 600 of the subject. The detection area of the displacement detection module 300 may be a point type, linear, or surface photoelectric displacement sensor.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the above scanning position control module 400 may include an X-Y2 axis position control device (X-Y2 axis moving platform or cylindrical coordinate moving mechanism), and the displacement detection module 300 to be combined may be a point type photoelectric displacement sensor, and perform distance measurement scanning with respect to the test range 600 of the subject.

[0023] The aforementioned computer 500 has signals connected to the aforementioned pressure control module 230, displacement detection module 300, and scanning position control module 400, respectively, and transmits control signals to the aforementioned pressure control module 230, displacement detection module 300, and scanning position control module 400, respectively, or receives information transmitted from the aforementioned pressure control module 230, displacement detection module 300, and scanning position control module 400. The aforementioned computer 500 may be any device with applicable computing power, such as various computers, microprocessors, or mobile computing devices.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the computer 500 includes a calculation module 510, an operation module 540, a power supply module 550, a display module 570, and a storage module 580.

[0025] The calculation module 510 described above may also include a calculation module 5100 and an analysis module 530. The calculation module 5100 is responsible for providing control commands to the pressure control module 230, the displacement detection module 300, and the scanning position control module 400. The analysis module 530 is responsible for calculating and analyzing the information transmitted from the pressure control module 230, the displacement detection module 300, and the scanning position control module 400.

[0026] The aforementioned operation module 540 provides a user interface. The user issues operation commands via the operation module 540 to operate the pressure control module 230, the displacement detection module 300, and the scanning position control module 400.

[0027] The power module 550 described above is used to supply the power required by the computer 500. The power module 550 may be an AC power source (for example, power supplied from a power plant obtained through a standard power socket) or a DC power source (for example, various dry cell batteries or rechargeable batteries).

[0028] The aforementioned display module 560 is used to display information transmitted from the user interface of the calculation module 5100, the pressure control module 230, the displacement detection module 300, and the scanning position control module 400 to the analysis module 530, as well as the results of the analysis module 530's analysis of this information.

[0029] The aforementioned communication module 570 is used to connect to the pressure control module 230, the displacement detection module 300, the scanning position control module 400, and several external databases. These external databases include, for example, a pulse rate comparison database, a herbal medicine database, or a combination thereof (the present invention is not limited to these).

[0030] The aforementioned memory module 580 may be any applicable volatile or non-volatile data storage device, which stores all data generated by the displacement detection module 300 during the measurement process.

[0031] As described above, the combination of the airbag 200 and the pressure control module 230 provides the pressurization depth of the airbag 200 in the Z-axis, allowing the displacement detection module 300 to find the pulse wave measurement position with the best signal-to-noise ratio (S / N ratio) on the Z-axis. The scanning position sensing module 400 enables the displacement detection module 300 to find the pulse wave measurement position with the best S / N ratio in the XY plane. In this way, the pulse wave measurement device described above can easily find the pulse wave measurement position with the best S / N ratio of the pulse wave displaced radially in the blood vessel within the subject's test range 600, increasing the intensity of the original pulse wave displacement signal, performing measurements with high-precision and high-linearity displacement sensors, and providing more detailed information related to the subject's pulse wave necessary for pulse diagnosis in Chinese medicine.

[0032] <Method of measuring pulse waves: Using pulse diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine as an example> To further explain how the pulse wave measurement device acquires the pulse characteristic wave of a subject, the following describes a method for measuring pulse waves using the pulse wave measurement device shown in Figure 1. Referring to Figures 1 to 4, Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the first stage of the pulse wave measurement method using the pulse diagnostic pulse wave measurement device shown in Figure 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the second stage of the pulse wave measurement method using the pulse diagnostic pulse wave measurement device shown in Figure 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the third stage of the pulse wave measurement method using the pulse diagnostic pulse wave measurement device shown in Figure 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The pulse wave measurement method using the pulse wave measuring device 100 shown in Figure 1 is mainly divided into three stages. In the first stage, the positions of the cun, guan, and chi pulses on the subject's wrist are confirmed. In the second stage, after confirming the positions of the cun, guan, and chi pulses on the subject's wrist, pressure is applied to the cun, guan, and chi pulse detection positions, and the pulse detection depth at the cun, guan, and chi pulse detection positions is calculated. In the third stage, the pulse wave is measured, and the waveform and amplitude of the cun, guan, and chi pulse waves are obtained, respectively. The measurement methods for each of the three stages will be explained below.

[0034] <Phase 1: Locate the pulse points (cun, guan, and chi) on the subject's wrist.> In the example shown in Figure 2, the size of the scanning area within the subject's test range 600 is confirmed, and two conditions are provided for lightly pressurizing the airbag 200 within the test range 600 and strongly pressurizing it. In step S602, the execution order, initial pressure setting value, end pressure setting value, scanning area start position, and scanning area end position are determined based on the pulse diagnosis program of the calculation module 510. The initial pressure setting value refers to the pressure value when the airbag 200 lightly pressurizes the skin, the end pressure setting value refers to the pressure value when the airbag 200 strongly pressurizes the skin, and the end pressure setting value is the approximately constant pressure value after the airbag 200 has been pressurized to the depth of the hand bones. The scanning area start position and scanning area end position are recorded as the start and end positions of the scanning position control module 400.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, first, in order to confirm the scanning area of ​​the subject's test range 600, two conditions are provided: lightly pressurizing the airbag 200 in the scanning area and strongly pressurizing it. In step S202, the execution order, initial pressure setting value, end pressure setting value, scanning area start position, and scanning area end position are determined based on the pulse diagnosis program of the calculation module 510. The initial pressure setting value refers to the pressure value when the airbag 200 lightly pressurizes the skin, the end pressure setting value refers to the pressure value when the airbag 200 strongly pressurizes the skin, and the pressure value of the end pressure setting value is the approximately constant pressure value after the airbag 200 has been pressurized to the depth of the hand bones. In addition, the scanning area start position and scanning area end position are recorded by the scanning position control module 400 as the start and end positions of multiple scanning points.

[0036] In step S204, the pressure control module 230 receives a measurement command, namely a command to measure the pulse. The pressure control module 230 issues a pressure control command, opening the air valve of the airbag 200, allowing air to enter the airbag 200, and gradually increasing the pressure of the airbag 200 to the initial pressure setpoint. An analog-to-digital converter is used to send back the pressure (initial pressure setpoint) that the airbag 200 has applied to the subject's skin to the pressure control module 230.

[0037] In step S208, the control module 520 issues a displacement detection command and then requests the displacement detection module 300 to start scanning the scanning area of ​​the wrist based on the set values ​​for the scanning area start position and the scanning area end position.

[0038] Next, in step S208, when the scanning position control module 400 moves the displacement detection module 300, simultaneously or before or after, the numerical values ​​of the displacement signals acquired by the displacement detection module 300 are read until the displacement detection module 300 completes the scanning operation for the set values ​​of the scanning area start position and scanning area end position. The scanning position control module 400 and the displacement detection module 300 simultaneously transmit the coordinates of each measurement point within the scanning area and the measured depth (referred to as the initial scanning area coordinates) to the storage module 580 of the computer 500, respectively.

[0039] In step S210, it is determined whether scanning of the subject's scanning area start position and scanning area end position is complete. If scanning of the wrist area is not complete, the process returns to step S208, and the displacement detection module 300 continues to perform scanning between the scanning area start position and the scanning area end position until all scanning areas are complete. Once scanning is complete, the process proceeds to step S212.

[0040] In step S212, the pressure control module 230 requests, by pressure control command, that the pressure inside the airbag 200 reach the end pressure setpoint (strong pressurization). This step is to scan the radial artery region of the wrist and first determine the position of the humerus and the radial artery. Similarly, when strong pressurization is applied, the displacement detection module 300 obtains displacement signal readings for all scanned areas of the wrist, namely the coordinates of each measurement point within the scanned area, the depth to be measured, and the range of the maximum scanning depth.

[0041] Then, in step S214, when the pressure control module 230 applies light pressure (initial pressure setting) and strong pressure (end pressure setting), the displacement detection module 300 subtracts the displacement amount of the coordinate depth of the end scan region from the displacement amount of the coordinate depth of the initial scan region at the same point, and obtains the amount of modification of the measured distance from the skin to the displacement detection module 300 measured at the same point.

[0042] Refer to Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of the tissues in each part of the wrist and a schematic structure showing the system when measured with a linear displacement meter.

[0043] In step S216, the hard tissue area near the radial artery (i.e., the wrist bone 502 and the flexor carpi radialis tendon 504 in Figure 5) undergoes the smallest change in depth during two compressions with the airbag 200, while the soft tissue area (i.e., the radial artery 506 and its surrounding region in Figure 5) undergoes the largest change in depth during the two compressions. The areas where the change in depth is small are the relative locations for identifying the humerus, hand bones, and flexor carpi radialis tendon, while the areas where the change in depth is large are the areas where the radial artery is relatively distributed. Within the area surrounded by the radius and the flexor carpi radialis tendon, a pulsating area is identified and designated as the location of the radial artery.

[0044] Next, along the location of the radial artery, the point of maximum pulsation at the location of the radial artery in front of the humerus is identified, and its coordinates are designated as the "cun" coordinate position. Finally, in the pulsating vascular region posterior to the humerus and within the area surrounded by the flexor carpi radialis tendon, two points, one before and one after the point where the pulsation is maximum, are identified. The coordinate point close to the humerus is designated as the "guan" coordinate position, and the point further away from the humerus is designated as the "ch" coordinate position. Corresponding to Figure 5, Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of the pulse waves at the cun, guan, and chi pulse positions measured with a linear laser displacement meter parallel to the blood vessel.

[0045] Finally, in step S218, after completing the above steps, the control module 520 displays the waveform shown in Figure 7 on the display module 560. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the pulse measurement operation process and pulse characteristic waveform according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] <Stage 2: Apply pressure to the cun, guan, and chi pulse detection points, and calculate the pulse detection depth for each point.> In the first stage, by locating the positions of the cun, guan, and chi (measurements) on the subject's wrist and then confirming the pulse depth, the most accurate measurement of the pulsation signal becomes possible.

[0047] In the example shown in Figure 3, similar to the first stage, in step S302, the pressure control module 230 controls the pressure inside the airbag 200 at the measurement points at the positions of sun, guan, and shaku to reach the initial pressure set value.

[0048] Next, in step S304, the pressure control module 230 controls the air valve, supplying air to the airbag 200 and gradually pressurizing it to the end pressure set value. Then, at the pressure that stabilizes the airbag 200, the pressure is adjusted to a precise amount to obtain a stable pulse detection depth, allowing the displacement detection module 300 to capture the pulse signal for a sufficient amount of time and capture the pulse signal with the highest S / N ratio, which is used for subsequent signal discrimination and processing. Next, the pressure control module 230 either sends the pressure reading back to the storage module 580 of the computer 500 or stores it in the computer 500's external data storage device via the communication module 570. It should be noted that the initial displacement value is set to 0 when in contact with the skin, and the reading when pressurizing continuously (after strong pressurization) is set to a negative value, which serves as the basis for calculating the ratio of relative distance between different people.

[0049] In step S306, the scanning position control module 400 of the displacement detection module 300 scans the positions of the subject (sun, kan, shaku), and the displacement detection module 300 calculates the displacement signal readings under conditions ranging from no pressure to strong pressure, converts them to Rectangular and cylindrical coordinates, and allows the position coordinates of different points within the scanning area to be combined with the measurement depth result. Since the displacement signal readings simultaneously mix depth displacement values ​​and pulsation displacement values, a filter is used to obtain a stable DC signal and obtain the depth displacement value. If the pulsation AC signal is not filtered, the measured value is a dynamic pulse signal, and the depth value of the maximum amplitude in the pulsation signal is calculated.

[0050] Next, in step S308, the pulse detection depth at the cun, guan, and chi positions is obtained through calculations by the pulse diagnosis program. The depth at the position where the pulse amplitude is maximum is the pulse detection depth.

[0051] <Stage 3: Measure pulse wave volume and obtain the waveform and volume of the pulse waves at the cun, guan, and chi points.> In the example in Figure 4, in step S402, the pressure control module 230 controls the pressurization depth of the airbag 200 based on the pulse detection depth at the subject's cun, guan, and ch positions, setting it to the initial cun, guan, and ch pulse detection depths.

[0052] Next, in step S404, it is determined whether the pressurization depth of the airbag 200 has reached the pulse detection depth. The pressure within the airbag 200 is adjusted by the pressure control module 230 to obtain an accurate pulse detection depth. If it has not been reached, the process returns to step S402, and the pressure control module 230 continuously controls the pressurization of the airbag 200. If it has been reached, in step S406, the pressure control module 230 detects that the airbag 200 has reached the pulse detection depth, and then the displacement detection module 300 sets the position coordinates of the subject's inc, guan, and shaku as the initial inc, guan, and shaku pulse detection coordinates, captures pulse wave data for a certain period (e.g., 1 minute), and saves it to the computer 500.

[0053] Next, in step S408, the analysis module 530 calculates results such as pulse rate, pulse wave morphology, and pulse wave amplitude based on the pulse wave data acquired in step S406, and stores them in the computer 500 or an external data storage device of the computer 500.

[0054] Next, in step S410, the analysis module 530 reads the pulse wave measurement result data and calculates the three positions C, G, and Ch shown in Figure 6, as well as the pulse depth and pulse depth ratio shown in Figure 7.

[0055] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the pulse measurement operation process and pulse characteristic waveform according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the example in Figure 7, pulse characteristics such as pulse rate, pulse wave morphology, and / or pulse wave amplitude are obtained from the pulse wave measurement result data.

[0056] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 7, the skin depth of the test range 600 in contact with the displacement detection module 300 is D1, the depth at which the pulsation signal begins to appear is D2, the maximum depth of the pulsation signal is D3, the signal at which the pulse signal begins to disappear is D4, and the depth at which the pressure reading reaches the end pressure storage unit is D5. In this case, the total depth is D5 minus D1 (D5-D1). Also, the ratio of depths at which the pulsation signal begins to appear is (D1-D2) / (D5-D1), the ratio of depths at which the pulse signal begins to disappear is (D1-D4) / (D5-D1), the ratio at which the signal appears is (D2-D4) / (D5-D1), and the ratio of depths at which the pulse amplitude reaches its maximum is (D1-D3) / (D5-D1).

[0057] When calculating the pulse rate, the digital filtering program is first run once to filter out low-frequency noise caused by breathing. Then, a lower limit is set for calculating the peak. Finally, as shown in Figure 7, the analysis module 530 calculates the number of pulses within a certain period (e.g., 1 minute) and stores it in the computer 500 or its external data storage device.

[0058] When calculating pulse wave morphology, similarly, low-frequency noise caused by respiration is first filtered out, and then a Fourier transform (FFT) spectral calculation is performed to decompose the waveform captured from the time domain into a quantification analysis result consisting of waves of different frequencies. Finally, this pulse wave spectral analysis result is saved to the computer 500 or an external data storage device.

[0059] Furthermore, in step S412, the above steps are repeated to measure the pulse characteristics of the subject's other wrist and save them to the subject data storage database. Also, in step S414, after the measurements of both hands are completed, the control module 520 displays the subject's pulse wave on the display module 560, for example, as shown in Figure 7, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0060] <Pulse wave measurement method 1: Remove the scanning position control module and use a point-type photoelectric displacement sensor> In the following system structure diagram, with the scanning position control module 400 removed, the displacement detection module 300 is a point-type photoelectric displacement sensor. In this configuration, the displacement detection module 300 is manually moved to the subject's test area 600, and measurements are taken.

[0061] Referring simultaneously to Figures 1 and 8, Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a method of using the pulse wave measurement device for pulse diagnosis shown in Figure 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The pulse wave measurement device 100 does not have a scanning position control module 400, and the displacement detection module 300 is a point-type, linear, or surface photoelectric displacement sensor. The following explanation will use an example where the radial artery in the subject's wrist is used as the test range 600.

[0062] Proceeding to the first stage of measurement described above, in the example in Figure 8, in step S802, the measurer touches the subject's wrist and marks the point on the radial artery of the wrist where the amplitude is maximum, defining the subject's test range as 600. In step S804, a point-type photoelectric displacement sensor is placed in the test range 600 at the radial artery of the subject's wrist, and the measurement is performed.

[0063] Next, the measurement process proceeds to the second stage. In step S806, the internal pressure of the airbag 200 is adjusted by the pressure control module 230, applying pressure to 600 points of the subject's skin in the Z-axis direction, and adjusting to the initial pressure setting (light pressure). In step S808, the radial displacement pulse wave of the blood vessels at the alignment points is recorded.

[0064] Proceed to step S810 to compare whether the termination pressure set value has been reached.

[0065] If not reached, proceed to step S807, where the pressure control module 230 continuously increases the pressure to adjust the depth at which the airbag 200 pressurizes in the Z-axis direction. In step S808, continuously record the change in the displacement of the skin at 600 locations in the test range of the subject generated by the radial pulse wave of the blood vessel.

[0066] If reached, proceed to step S812, and calculate the pulse wave detection depth and the ratio of the detection depth to the thickness of the subject's wrist based on the change curve (hereinafter, this change curve is recorded as the abbreviated recorded pulse wave) showing the displacement of the skin at 600 locations in the test range of the recorded subject changing over time.

[0067] When proceeding to the third stage, subsequently proceed to step S814 to adjust from the pressurization depth to the detection depth of the airbag 200 in the Z-axis. In step S816, compare whether the airbag 200 has been pressurized to the detection depth. If not pressurized, return to step S814 and adjust the airbag 200 pressurizing in the Z-axis to the detection depth. If pressurized, proceed to step S818, capture and record the waveform of the pulse wave for a certain period (for example, 1 minute), and calculate the waveform characteristics of the pulse wave.

[0068] <Pulse Wave Measurement Method 2: A photoelectric displacement sensor that combines point type, linear or planar using a scanning position control module> Combining the pressure control module 230 with the linear photoelectric displacement sensor and the planar photoelectric displacement sensor, the operation flowcharts for pressurizing and displacing in the Z-axis direction have the same two operation processes. The only difference is that for the linear photoelectric displacement sensor, the measurer needs to touch the subject's wrist and mark the positions of cun, guan, and chi where the amplitude of the wrist is the largest. In step S904B, place the subject's wrist at the measurement position, align the laser beam emitted from the point-type photoelectric displacement sensor at the positions of the three marks, and the detection position of the planar photoelectric displacement sensor can be obtained by calculation due to its large detection area.

[0069] Referring simultaneously to Figures 1 and 9A to 9B, Figures 9A and 9B are flowcharts showing a method of using the pulse wave measurement device for pulse diagnosis shown in Figure 1, which is another embodiment of the present invention. The displacement detection module 300 of the pulse wave measurement device 100 is a linear or surface photoelectric displacement sensor, and the scanning position control module 400 has a Y-axis position controller. The following explanation will use an example where the radial artery in the subject's wrist is used as the test range 600.

[0070] In the example shown in Figure 9A, in step S902, the examiner touches the subject's wrist and marks the point where the wrist amplitude is maximum, setting the subject's test range to 600. In step S904, the subject's wrist is placed at the measurement position, the linear laser beam emitted from the linear photoelectric displacement sensor is aligned with the marked position, and the linear laser beam irradiation area is made parallel to the X-axis.

[0071] The first stage of detection described above is initiated, and in step S906, the internal pressure of the airbag 200 is adjusted by the pressure control module 230 to pressurize the skin at 600 points within the subject's test area in the Z-axis direction, adjusting to the initial pressure set value (light pressurization). In step S908, the pulse waves displaced along the radial direction of the blood vessels at each position of the wrist within the linear laser beam irradiation area are recorded.

[0072] In step S911, it is checked whether the termination pressure set value has been reached.

[0073] If not reached, proceed to step S909 to record the amplitude of the pulse wave at each position of the wrist, proceed to step S910 to adjust the pressure of the airbag 200 that pressurizes along the Z axis to increase, and then repeat step S908.

[0074] If the condition is met, proceed to step S912 to open the air valve of airbag 200 and release the pressure of airbag 200. Proceed to step S914 to compare the X-axis coordinate position where the maximum amplitude appears with the corresponding pressure to obtain the position where the amplitude of the subject's pulse in the inch, guan, and ch is maximum.

[0075] Next, we proceed to the second stage, and based on the position where the amplitude of the subject's pulse at the cun, guan, and chi obtained in step S914 is maximized, we proceed to steps S916 to S922 in Figure 9B. Steps S906 to S912 described above are repeated at the cun, guan, and chi positions on the subject's wrist, and then we proceed to step S924 to calculate the pulse wave depth and depth ratio.

[0076] Furthermore, the process proceeds to the third stage, where in step S926, the airbag 200 is adjusted to inflate to the pulse detection depth using the Z-axis, and in step S928, it is checked whether the pulse detection depth has been reached. If it has not been reached, the process returns to step S926 and the airbag 200 is adjusted to inflate to the pulse detection depth using the Z-axis. If it has been reached, the process proceeds to step S930, where the pulse wave is captured for a certain period (e.g., 1 minute) and the pulse wave characteristics are calculated.

[0077] Furthermore, it is necessary to repeat the above steps on the subject's other wrist to acquire pulse wave characteristics. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 100 Pulse wave measuring device 200 Airbags 210 Transparent window 220 Contact area 230 Pressure Control Module 300 Displacement Detection Module 400 Scanning Position Control Module 500 computers 502 bones 504 Flexor carpi radialis tendon 506 Radial artery 510 Computing Module 520 Control Module 530 Analysis Modules 540 Operating Module 550 Power Modules 560 Display Module 570 Communication Module 580 memory modules S202~S218 Step S302~S308 Step S402~S412 Step S802~S818 Step S902~S930 Step

Claims

1. A pulse wave measuring device for pulse diagnosis that performs pulse diagnosis by measuring pulse waves that are displaced radially in arterial blood vessels within the test range of a subject, An airbag having a transparent window and a contact portion, wherein the contact portion is used to bring the airbag into contact with the skin of the subject in the test area, A pressure control module for controlling the internal pressure of the airbag, A displacement detection module equipped with a non-imaging photoelectric displacement sensor, wherein a light ray emitted from the photoelectric displacement sensor passes through the transparent window of the airbag and reaches the contact portion or the skin below the contact portion, and the reflected light is received by the photoelectric displacement sensor to measure the real-time distance from the skin of the subject in the test area to the displacement detection module, outputs the real-time distance as a displacement value, thereby acquiring the pulse wave displaced radially in the arterial blood vessel, and the displacement detection module having a measurement resolution of less than 50 μm, A pulse wave measuring device for pulse diagnosis, comprising: a computer which is connected to the pressure control module and the displacement detection module respectively, transmits control signals to the pressure control module and the displacement detection module respectively, receives information transferred by the pressure control module and the displacement detection module, and performs calculations to determine the pulse depth of the arterial vessel and measure the pulse wave displaced radially in the arterial vessel.

2. The pressure control module is A pressure sensor for detecting the internal pressure of the airbag, The pulse wave measuring device for pulse diagnosis according to claim 1, further comprising a pump for increasing or decreasing the internal pressure of the airbag.

3. The pulse wave measuring device for pulse diagnosis according to claim 1, characterized in that the photoelectric displacement sensor is of the point type, linear type, or surface type.

4. The pulse wave measuring device for pulse diagnosis according to claim 1, characterized in that the photoelectric displacement sensor comprises a laser displacement meter, an optical fiber displacement meter, a three-dimensional scanning displacement meter, a time-of-flight distance measuring device, or a laser interferometer distance measuring device.

5. The pulse wave measuring device for pulse diagnosis according to claim 4, further comprising a displacement detection module configured to filter the subject's low-frequency respiratory signal for analyzing the pulse wave signal of the arterial blood vessel, or to filter the pulse wave signal of the arterial blood vessel for analyzing the pressurization depth of the airbag relative to the test range.

6. The pulse wave measuring device for pulse diagnosis according to claim 1, characterized in that communication is connected to the computer, and the device is further equipped with a scanning position control module for controlling the position of the displacement detection module in the test range so that the displacement detection module performs distance measurement scanning in the test range.

7. The pulse detection depth is determined by the computer, (1) The pressure control module is controlled to gradually increase the internal pressure of the airbag to an initial pressure value, and then the pressure control module is controlled to maintain the internal pressure of the airbag at the initial pressure value, thereby causing the displacement detection module to perform a first distance measurement scan within the test range to obtain a first measurement depth at each point within the test range. (2) The pressure control module is controlled to gradually increase the internal pressure of the airbag to the end pressure value, and then the pressure control module is controlled to maintain the internal pressure of the airbag at the end pressure value, thereby causing the displacement detection module to perform a second distance measurement scan within the test range to obtain a second measurement depth at each point within the test range. (3) Determine the position of the arterial vessel by calculating the difference between the first measurement depth and the second measurement depth at each point in the test range, and (4) The pulse wave measuring device for pulse diagnosis according to claim 1, characterized in that the device is obtained by controlling the pressure control module to gradually increase the internal pressure of the airbag from the initial pressure value to the final pressure value, and by having the displacement detection module measure the pulse wave displaced radially in the arterial vessel, and when the amplitude of the radially displaced pulse wave is maximum, the internal pressure of the airbag is set as the pulse detection pressure, and the pressurization depth of the airbag against the arterial vessel is set as the pulse detection depth.

8. The pulse wave measuring device for pulse diagnosis according to claim 7, characterized in that the condition for measuring the pulse wave displaced radially in the arterial vessel is that the computer controls the internal pressure of the airbag to become the pulse measurement pressure.

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