Biometric information monitor and its control method

Abstract

To provide a biological information monitor capable of providing various types of information while reducing the number of electrodes and sensors to be attached to a patient, and a control method thereof.SOLUTION: A biological information monitor displays biological information of a patient on a screen with a prescribed layout, while measuring the biological information. The biological information includes an electrocardiogram, and the biological information monitor includes a normal mode and an extended mode as operation modes. In the extended mode, the biological information monitor changes the layout of the screen to a layout different from that in the normal mode, executes electrocardiogram analysis processing while displaying the waveform of the measured electrocardiogram on the screen in real time, and displays information based on the result of the analysis processing on the screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a biological information monitor and a control method thereof.

Background Art

[0002] A biological information monitor is a device that continuously measures so-called vital signs such as an electrocardiogram, respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), and transmits or displays the measurement results in real time (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] During use of a biological information monitor, a large number of electrodes and sensors are attached to the patient in order to measure various vital signs. For example, even for the measurement of a 12-lead electrocardiogram alone, it is necessary to attach a total of 10 electrodes to each of the limbs and the chest.

[0005] In order to appropriately grasp the patient's condition, it is desirable to provide more biological information. On the other hand, it is desirable that the number of electrodes and sensors attached for measurement is small so as not to hinder treatments for the patient or the movement of staff.

[0006] In view of such problems of the conventional art, in one aspect, the present invention provides a biological information monitor and a control method thereof capable of providing various kinds of information while suppressing the number of electrodes and sensors attached to a patient.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In one aspect, the present invention is a vital signs monitor that measures and displays a patient's vital signs, and includes control means for displaying the measured vital signs on a screen having a predetermined layout, the vital signs including an electrocardiogram, and the vital signs monitor has a normal mode and an extended mode as operating modes, and in the extended mode, the control means changes the screen layout to the normal mode. Extended mode with a display area not included in the layout Change the layout, According to the extended mode layout, While displaying the measured electrocardiogram waveform on the screen in real time, the system starts executing additional processing on the measured electrocardiogram that is not performed in normal mode, and displays information based on the results of the additional processing. Display area included in the extended mode layout but not in the normal mode layout Display in addition Furthermore, the information based on the results of the additional processing includes information that is not displayed in normal mode and differs from the electrocardiogram waveform. The present invention provides a biological information monitor characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a biological information monitor and a control method thereof that can provide various types of information while suppressing the number of electrodes and sensors attached to the patient. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a biological information monitor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the screen display of a biological information monitor according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows a magnified view of the composite waveform display area and the ST level display area. [Figure 4] This figure shows modified examples of the composite waveform display area and the ST level display area. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the biological information monitor in extended mode according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, based on exemplary embodiments thereof. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention to the claims. Furthermore, while multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of them are essential to the invention, and the multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. In addition, in the attached drawings, the same or similar configurations are given the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the vital signs monitor 100 according to this embodiment. The vital signs monitor 100 is mainly used for patients whose vital signs need to be constantly monitored, such as patients undergoing surgery or patients in the ICU. Therefore, the vital signs monitor 100 has the function of measuring various types of vital signs, displaying the measurement results, and issuing warnings according to the measurement results. The vital signs measured by the vital signs monitor 100 include, for example, electrocardiogram, respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure (invasive and non-invasive), body temperature, arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), and end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration (EtCO2).

[0012] The input unit 110 is equipped with connectors and interfaces for mechanically and electrically connecting various sensors, measurement modules, etc., for acquiring the patient's biological information. In this embodiment, the following sensors and measurement modules are connected as examples. Note that the sensors and measurement modules described below are merely examples, and other ones may be included, or some may be omitted. Note that the measurement modules connected to the input unit 110 may include those whose operation can be controlled from the control unit 140 via communication.

[0013] The electrocardiogram electrodes 111 consist of multiple electrodes attached to predetermined locations on the patient's limbs and / or chest surface, and detect lead waveforms corresponding to the attachment locations. The number and type of electrocardiogram electrodes 111 vary depending on the number and type of lead waveforms to be measured, but generally, a total of 10 electrodes 111 are used to measure the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram, with one on each limb and six on the chest. In addition, the respiratory rate can be calculated using an impedance method, which involves passing a weak high-frequency current between the electrocardiogram electrodes to measure the impedance of the thoracic wall and detecting the movement of the thoracic wall from the change in impedance.

[0014] The blood pressure transducer 112 is a sensor that measures invasive blood pressure. The blood pressure transducer 112 is attached to the end of a catheter inserted into the patient's blood vessel and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the blood pressure.

[0015] The pulse wave / SpO2 sensor 113 is a so-called pulse oximeter and is generally attached to the patient's finger. The pulse wave / SpO2 sensor 113 outputs optically detected arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and fingertip volume pulse wave. Utilizing the fact that hemoglobin absorbs light differently depending on whether it is bound to oxygen or not, and that absorption also differs depending on the wavelength of light, the pulse wave / SpO2 sensor 113 generally measures arterial blood oxygen saturation using red light and infrared light. Furthermore, since the AC component of transmitted or reflected light changes according to the blood volume, the pulse wave / SpO2 sensor 113 outputs the AC component of transmitted or reflected light as an optical fingertip volume pulse wave (PTG: photoplethysmograph).

[0016] The body temperature sensor 114 is a thermistor temperature sensor that is implanted in the patient's body (for example, in the rectum) and exhibits a resistance value corresponding to the temperature. The cardiac output sensor 115 is a thermistor temperature sensor placed indwelling in the patient's blood vessel, and measures blood temperature. A thermodilution curve is obtained from the temporal change in blood temperature, and the cardiac output (CO) can be obtained from an equation applying the injectate temperature and the Stewart-Hamilton formula. Further, systemic vascular resistance (SVR) can be obtained from the cardiac output and the blood pressure value. Note that the cardiac output may be obtained non-invasively by the impedance method.

[0017] The respiratory gas sensor 116 measures and outputs the end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration (EtCO2) based on, for example, infrared light absorbance.

[0018] The non-invasive blood pressure monitor 117 includes a cuff, a pump, an exhaust valve, a pressure sensor, and the like. By acquiring the signal from the pressure sensor, blood pressure can be measured non-invasively by the oscillometric method. Since non-invasive blood pressure cannot be measured continuously, measurement is performed at each predetermined fixed cycle or each time an instruction is given. The operation of the non-invasive blood pressure monitor 117 (operations of the pump and the exhaust valve) is controlled by the control unit 140 via the input unit 110.

[0019] The preprocessing unit 120 executes predetermined preprocessing according to the type of signals and measured values, such as A / D conversion processing and application of a power supply noise removal filter, on the signals and measured values received by the input unit 110, and stores the processed data in the buffer memory 130. The preprocessing unit 120 may be configured by hardware such as a DSP or an ASIC, or at least a part of the functions of the preprocessing unit 120 may be implemented by executing a program by the control unit 140. The buffer memory 130 is used for temporary storage of signals and measured values, and can also be used as a work area for the control unit 140, a video memory for the touch display 170, and the like.

[0020] The control unit 140 includes, for example, a program-executable processor (CPU), RAM, and ROM. The control unit 140 loads programs stored in ROM into RAM and executes them with the CPU, thereby realizing various functions of the biological information monitor 100, such as measuring biological information, controlling the display of the touch display 170, and outputting warnings. At least a portion of the ROM may be rewritable.

[0021] In this embodiment, the control unit 140 can apply predetermined analysis processing to the measured electrocardiogram data. The analysis processing applied by the control unit 140 can be broadly classified into classification processing, feature acquisition processing, and finding classification processing. Segmentation processing is the process of obtaining electrocardiogram data in predetermined units (for example, a predetermined number of beats, a predetermined time, etc.) from the measured electrocardiogram data. The feature acquisition process involves detecting the waveforms that make up one beat of an electrocardiogram (e.g., P wave, QRS complex, T wave) and their division points, and then determining predetermined feature quantities (RR interval, ST level, PQ or PR interval, QRS width, QT interval, etc.). The findings classification process involves determining multiple findings, including those suggestive of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), based on features and pre-determined criteria.

[0022] The features listed here are merely examples, and other features may be determined. Furthermore, there are no particular restrictions on the findings to be determined. Since the analysis process performed by the control unit 140 is equivalent to that implemented as an automatic analysis function in known electrocardiographs and electrocardiogram analysis devices, further details will be omitted.

[0023] Furthermore, as will be described later, the control unit 140 can apply synthesis processing to the measured standard 12-lead electrocardiogram data to generate data for leads other than the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram.

[0024] The external interface (I / F) 150 is a wired and / or wireless communication interface compliant with one or more standards. The external I / F 150 may include multiple communication interfaces. The external I / F 150 has transmitting and receiving circuits, antennas, connectors, etc., according to the standards it complies with. In this embodiment, the biometric information monitor 100 is assumed to be communicably connected to a central monitor, which is an example of an external device, via the external I / F 150.

[0025] The alarm indicator 160 is an output device that outputs an alarm when the control unit 140 determines that the state of the biological information monitor 100 or the biological information acquired through the input unit 110 meets predetermined conditions (alarm settings). The alarm indicator 160 typically includes a light-emitting element and / or a speaker. The alarm settings can be configured to indicate severity (level), and therefore the biological information monitor 100 can output an alarm according to the severity level. In addition to outputting the alarm indicator 160, or alternatively, the alarm can also be output through the touch display 170. The control unit 140 stops outputting the alarm when, for example, a predetermined operation on the operation unit 180 is detected.

[0026] The touch display 170 is a touch-operable display device. The control unit 140 displays one or more measured biometric data, such as electrocardiogram waveform, heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure value, respiratory rate, and respiratory waveform, on the touch display 170 in a predetermined display format (layout). The control unit 140 also changes the content and / or layout displayed on the touch display 170 in response to instructions received through the operation unit 180 or the touch display 170. For example, multiple combinations of layouts and display items are defined, and the user can change the layout and / or display items through operation of the operation unit 180 or the touch display 170. The user can also change predefined layouts and display items through operation of the operation unit 180 or the touch display 170.

[0027] The operation unit 180 is a general term for various input devices (switches, buttons, keys, etc.) provided to enable the user to input instructions and information to the biometric information monitor 100. At least some of the input devices constituting the operation unit 180 may be implemented as software keys combining the touch panel of the touch display 170 and the GUI display by the control unit 140. The operation unit 180 may also include external devices (such as a remote control).

[0028] The memory unit 190 is a storage device for storing measured biological information data. The memory unit 190 may be a storage device using a removable storage medium such as a memory card, an internal storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD), or both.

[0029] The biological information monitor 100 may have components not shown, such as a printer (recorder). Furthermore, the power supply for the biological information monitor 100 may be provided by a battery, commercial power, or an external device connected to the external I / F 150. If the biological information monitor 100 has a secondary battery and is powered by commercial power or the external I / F 150, the biological information monitor 100 can operate on the supplied power while simultaneously charging the secondary battery.

[0030] When the biological information monitor 100, having this configuration, is powered on, for example through the operation unit 180, it begins processing the biological signals and measured values ​​received through the input unit 110. Specifically, the pre-processing unit 120 performs A / D conversion and filtering on the biological signals and measured values ​​and begins storing them as biological information data in the buffer memory 130. Then, the control unit 140 starts processing various parameters based on the biological information data stored in the buffer memory 130, including calculation processing, display processing, evaluation processing, and abnormality detection processing.

[0031] The control unit 140 sequentially displays the biological information data and calculated parameters on the touch display 170 according to the set layout and display items. The control unit 140 also stores the biological information data from the buffer memory 130 into the storage unit 190. Furthermore, if the control unit 140 detects the occurrence of a pre-set event related to biological information during the evaluation process, it stores predetermined information (for example, biological information data at the time of the event) in the storage unit 190 in association with the event.

[0032] The control unit 140 further analyzes biometric data in response to user instructions via the operation unit 180 or touch display 170, generates reports in a predetermined format, and displays them on the touch display 170 or prints them using a recorder. There are various types of reports, but list output and trend output, which are useful for understanding changes in biometric signals over time and the occurrence of events, are typical examples of reports.

[0033] The control unit 140 can also output biometric data via the external I / F 150 or request the external device to transmit information in response to a request from the external device connected to the external I / F 150.

[0034] The biological information monitor 100 according to this embodiment has a normal mode and an extended mode as operating modes. Specifically, the extended mode is a mode in which one or more of the following processes are performed. These processes are not performed in normal mode. • Data from right-sided pectoral leads (at least lead V4R) and dorsal leads (leads V7-V9) are generated through synthesis processing based on measured standard 12-lead electrocardiogram data. • Periodically perform analysis processing (ECG examination) on the measured standard 12-lead electrocardiogram data. • Periodically detect the ST level in the derived (synthetic derived) data obtained through synthesis. • Displays representative waveforms and ST-level information for each of the 18 leads (standard 12-lead and composite 6-lead).

[0035] Right chest leads and dorsal leads, particularly lead V4R, are useful in diagnosing acute coronary syndrome (ACS), a condition characterized by acute myocardial ischemia due to severe stenosis or occlusion of the coronary arteries. However, measuring these leads (up to 6 leads) in addition to the standard 12 leads requires the attachment of additional electrocardiogram electrodes to the right chest and back. Attaching electrodes to measure leads V7-V9, in particular, requires changing the patient's position and attaching them to the back, and the increased number of lead wires makes it difficult, especially in emergency situations. Therefore, in extended mode, by displaying right chest leads and dorsal leads synthesized from the measured 12-lead electrocardiogram, useful information for diagnosing ACS can be provided without increasing the number of electrodes attached to the patient.

[0036] Furthermore, by periodically and automatically performing electrocardiogram analysis processing, it is possible to automatically detect the occurrence of abnormal electrocardiograms and provide information. This is particularly effective in situations where it is difficult for medical staff to check electrocardiograms, such as during emergency treatment.

[0037] Furthermore, by providing information on ST levels, including synthesis induction, it is possible to provide useful information for the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction.

[0038] Furthermore, the user may be able to select which of the processes listed above are actually executed in extended mode, for example, by operating the settings screen. In addition, the processes that can be executed in extended mode may be restricted, for example, by making some processes unexecutable depending on the processing capacity of the biological information monitor 100.

[0039] The normal mode and the extended mode can be switched at any time by operating keys or buttons included in the control unit 180, for example. The extended mode, which is a function unique to the biological information monitor 100 according to this embodiment, will be described below.

[0040] Figure 2 shows an example of the display screen (extended mode screen) 200 in extended mode. The extended mode screen 200 has a patient information display area 210, a measurement waveform display area 220-230 (first display area), a composite waveform display area 240 (second display area), and an ST level display area 250 (third display area).

[0041] The measurement waveform display areas 220-230 are areas for displaying measurement data in real time. The representative lead display area 220 displays one lead in real time according to the settings. The vital signs display area 225 displays one vital sign other than the electrocardiogram in real time. The list display area 230 displays the standard 12 leads in real time. In Figure 2, as an example, lead II is displayed in the representative lead display area 220 and arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) is displayed in the vital signs display area 225. However, the leads and types of data displayed in these display areas can be selected by the user, for example, through the settings screen, and can also be changed at any time through the operation of the user key 270.

[0042] Furthermore, the representative guidance display area 220 has a larger time axis scale (horizontal direction of the figure) than the list display area 230 (the time per unit length (pixel) of the area is longer), allowing for a more detailed display of the waveform. In addition, the representative guidance display area 220 can display data for a longer period of time than the list display area 230.

[0043] Furthermore, the list display area 230 can display representative waveforms for each lead. In Figure 2, the representative waveform is superimposed on the real-time waveform at the left edge of the display area for each lead. A representative waveform is a single beat waveform that represents the electrocardiogram for a predetermined time period (e.g., 10 seconds) to which the analysis processing has been applied. There are no particular restrictions on the method for determining the representative waveform from the waveforms of multiple beats included in the electrocardiogram for a predetermined time period; any known method can be used. For example, the waveform of the single beat with the smallest difference from the average waveform (the largest correlation with the average waveform) can be used as the representative waveform. Note that the representative waveform may be displayed without superimposing it on the real-time waveform.

[0044] In this embodiment, a representative waveform of a 12-lead electrocardiogram for a predetermined period of time used in the most recent analysis process is displayed. Therefore, the displayed representative waveform is updated each time the analysis process is executed. Note that the display of the representative waveform can also be set not to update in order to observe the waveform changes since the initial analysis process. Alternatively, the representative waveform from the first analysis process may be used as a control waveform and superimposed on the representative waveform from the most recent analysis process. By using different display formats (e.g., colors) for the control waveform and the most recent representative waveform, it becomes easier to grasp the changes in the representative waveform over time.

[0045] The composite waveform display area 240 is an area that displays a representative waveform of the leads obtained by the synthesis process. The synthesis process is a process that generates lead data that has not been measured based on the lead data that has actually been measured. Through the synthesis process, it is possible to obtain lead data (composite lead data) that would have been measured at a position on the body surface where electrodes were not attached.

[0046] By using synthesis processing, it is possible to obtain data from more types of leads than a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram. This makes it possible to provide useful lead information for diagnosing the possibility of ACS without increasing the number of electrodes attached to the patient.

[0047] In this embodiment, the control unit 140 performs synthesis processing based on the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram data being measured, and generates electrocardiogram data for the right pectoral leads (leads V3R to V5R) and dorsal leads (leads V7 to V9). It is not necessary to synthesize all six leads; it is sufficient to synthesize at least one lead, including at least lead V4R. The number of leads to be synthesized can be changed, for example, depending on the processing capacity of the vital signs monitor 100 or user settings.

[0048] The synthesis process that generates data for leads V3R-V5R and V7-V9, where electrodes are not actually attached, from standard 12-lead electrocardiogram data can be performed using known methods. For example, the control unit 140 generates data for leads X, Y, and Z from the measured standard 12-lead electrocardiogram data using an inverse Dower Matrix. The control unit 140 then generates synthesized lead data for leads V3R-V5R and V7-V9 by calculating the dot product of the data for leads X, Y, and Z and the x, y, and z components of the lead vectors of the virtual electrode positions for leads V3R-V5R and V7-V9 for each sample of lead data. For specific examples of the synthesis process, please refer to, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 4664068 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 4955153.

[0049] The control unit 140 generates data for leads V3R to V5R and V7 to V9 for a predetermined time period by performing a synthesis process using standard 12-lead electrocardiogram data for a predetermined time period to which the analysis process is applied. The control unit 140 then determines a representative waveform for each lead obtained from the synthesis process and displays the determined representative waveform in the synthesized waveform display area 240. The method for determining the representative waveform may be the same as the method for determining the representative waveform of the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram. Alternatively, the control unit 140 may use data for one beat of leads V3R to V5R and V7 to V9 generated by applying the synthesis process to the representative waveform data of the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram to display the representative waveform of the synthesized lead.

[0050] Furthermore, the control unit 140 displays a representative waveform for the first synthesis process as a control waveform in the synthesized waveform display area 240, and for subsequent synthesis processes, it superimposes the representative waveform for the most recent synthesis process onto the control waveform. Here again, the display format is made different so that the control waveform and the most recent representative waveform can be distinguished.

[0051] The ST level display area 250 is the area for displaying the ST levels for both the standard 12-lead and composite 6-lead lead eyepieces. Here, the ST level is a relative value with the baseline level set to 0. In the example shown in Figure 2, the maximum ST level corresponding to the maximum amplitude of the ST interval is displayed as the ST level. For example, by using a straight line connecting the Q wave start point and the T wave end point of the beat containing the target ST interval as the baseline, the ST level at which the absolute value of the difference between each sample value of the ST interval and the corresponding baseline level is maximized can be determined as the maximum ST level. The maximum ST level is an example of a representative value of an ST interval based on amplitude.

[0052] In this embodiment, the 18 leads are classified into 6 limb leads (I, II, III, aVL, aVR, aVF) and 12 chest leads (V1-V6, V3R, V4R, V5R, V7-V9), and the ST level for each lead is displayed according to the classification. Figure 2 shows an example of displaying the ST level for each lead by plotting the maximum ST level on separate radar charts for each lead classification.

[0053] Here, the maximum ST level detected in the 18-lead electrocardiogram data (measured standard 12-lead and composite 6-lead) for a predetermined time period targeted for analysis is displayed for each lead. In this embodiment, further, for each lead, • The maximum ST level (control value (cont. or ST1)) detected in the first analysis process performed in extended mode, • The maximum ST level (curt. or ST2) detected in the most recent analysis process, The ST levels shall be displayed in a comparable manner in the ST level display area 250 (plotted on a radar chart). If the electrocardiogram data for a predetermined time period includes two or more beats, the maximum ST level across all beats shall be displayed.

[0054] Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the composite waveform display area 240 and ST level display area 250 in Figure 2. For ease of viewing, the background has been changed to white. Radar chart 331a shows the maximum ST level of the 6 leads for the limbs. Radar chart 331a has three concentric circles 332-334, with circle 333 indicating ST level 0. Furthermore, the area towards the center of circle 333 indicates negative ST levels, and the area towards the outer edge indicates positive ST levels. For each axis, the distance between the intersection point with circle 333 and the intersection point with circle 334 is equal to the distance between the intersection point with circle 333 and the intersection point with circle 332. Radar chart 331b is the same as radar chart 331a except that the type and number of leads plotted are different.

[0055] The axis scales of radar charts 331a and 331b are dynamically determined according to the absolute value of the maximum ST level of lead 18. Specifically, if the maximum ST level is positive, the scale of each axis is determined so that the maximum absolute value is plotted on circle 334. On the other hand, if the maximum ST level is negative, the scale of each axis is determined so that the maximum absolute value is plotted on circle 332. The axis scales are the same for radar charts 331a and 331b.

[0056] Each axis of radar charts 331a and 331b is labeled with a guidance name. In addition, the maximum ST level 335 detected in the first analysis run in extended mode is plotted as a control value (reference value) on radar charts 331a and 331b. Furthermore, when subsequent analysis runs are performed in extended mode, the maximum ST level 336 (latest value) detected in the most recent analysis run is plotted on radar charts 331a and 331b, visually distinguishing it from the control value. In Figure 3, the control value 335 (ST1) is represented by a dotted line, and the latest value 336 (ST2) is represented by a solid line.

[0057] Figure 4 shows another example of the display configuration of the ST level display area. The ST level display area 250' has a different axis arrangement from the ST level display area 250 shown in Figure 3. In the example shown in Figure 3, the axes for each lead were arranged at equal intervals, but in this modified example, the axes are arranged in a positional relationship that mimics the positional relationship of the electrodes on the body surface corresponding to each lead.

[0058] In other words, in the 6-lead limb radar chart 331a', the axes corresponding to each lead are arranged to mimic the electrode placement positions on the limbs in an upright position, and in the 12-lead chest radar chart 331b', the axes corresponding to each lead are arranged to mimic the electrode placement positions on the chest surface.

[0059] The method for plotting the maximum ST level in radar charts 331a' and 331b' is the same as the example shown in Figure 3, so the explanation is omitted. Similarly, the display in areas other than the ST level display area 250' is the same as the examples shown in Figures 2 and 3, so the explanation is omitted.

[0060] Returning to Figure 2, in the extended mode screen 200, 261-266 are the display area for measured values. Here, as an example... Heart rate (HR) 261, Arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2)262, Inhaled / exhaled carbon dioxide concentration (InspCO2 and EtCO2) 263 Non-surgical systolic / diastolic / mean arterial pressure 264°C Surgery systolic / diastolic / mean arterial pressure 265, Breathing rate 266 This is what is being displayed. As mentioned above, the number and types of displayed items can be changed by the user.

[0061] The "TIMI" displayed alongside the heart rate (HR) of 261 is the TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) risk score. The TIMI risk score is a numerical value that represents the risk of non-ST-elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) and corresponds to the number of applicable items among the following seven items. (1) Being 65 years of age or older (2) Elevated cardiac biomarkers (3) The presence of two or more episodes of angina within the past 24 hours. (4) Aspirin has been taken within the last 7 days. (5) History of coronary artery disease with a stenosis of 50% or more (6) Having three or more coronary risk factors (family history, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, current smoking) (7) ST deviation of 0.5 mm or more on the electrocardiogram

[0062] As described later, the TIMI risk score can be entered (modified) at any time from the screen that appears in response to the user key "Comment Input". For example, after entering what you know, you can add information based on what you find out.

[0063] The bottom row of the extended mode screen 200 displays user keys 270 implemented as software keys. At least some of the user keys may be configurable by the user. In this embodiment, the user key "Comment Input" is assigned the function of directly or indirectly displaying one or more sub-screens, including at least a TIMI score input (modification) screen.

[0064] Up to this point, the extended mode screen 200 has been explained. In normal mode, the biological information monitor 100 can display a normal mode screen (not shown) that does not include, for example, the composite waveform display area 240 and the ST level display area 250. The normal mode screen may be a screen with a layout in which the list display area 230 is expanded to include the portions of the composite waveform display area 240 and the ST level display area 250. In normal mode, values ​​based on analysis processing, etc., in the measurement value display areas 261-266 are not displayed. This is merely an example, and other layouts can be adopted.

[0065] Next, the operation of the biological information monitor 100 in extended mode will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 5. Note that here, explanations of processes common to both extended mode and normal mode, such as the calculation, display, evaluation, and abnormality detection processes for various parameters described earlier, will be omitted, and only operations specific to extended mode will be explained. The operations shown in Figure 5 are executed when extended mode operation begins. Extended mode operation can be initiated by a user's instruction to switch operating modes, or by setting the operating mode at startup.

[0066] In step S501, the control unit 140 changes the display screen layout from the normal mode screen to an extended mode screen, for example, as shown in the figure.

[0067] In S503, the control unit 140 determines whether the conditions for performing the analysis process (electrocardiogram examination) have been met. If the conditions are met, S505 is executed repeatedly; otherwise, S503 is executed repeatedly. Here, the conditions for performing the analysis process may be, for example, the elapsed time since the most recent analysis process was performed. The elapsed time may have an initial setting of 5 minutes, and the user may set it between, for example, 30 seconds and 10 minutes. These are just examples of elapsed time, and other values ​​may be used. When the elapsed time is used as the condition for performing the analysis process, the analysis process is executed periodically.

[0068] Furthermore, the control unit 140 can also determine that the conditions for executing the analysis process have been met if it detects input of an instruction to execute the analysis process through the operation unit 180 (for example, operation of the user key 270 to which the execution of the analysis process is assigned). User-instructed analysis processes can be executed separately from periodic analysis processes.

[0069] In S223, the control unit 140 applies analysis processing to the most recent predetermined time period (e.g., 10 seconds) of standard 12-lead electrocardiogram data stored in the buffer memory 130. Furthermore, the control unit 140 generates synthesized lead data (at least one lead data including at least the V4R lead from the right chest leads and dorsal leads) by performing a synthesis process using standard 12-lead electrocardiogram data for a predetermined time period to which the analysis process is applied, and stores it in the buffer memory 130. In this way, the synthesized lead data is generated intermittently at the timing when the analysis process is executed.

[0070] The control unit 140 applies analysis processing to the generated composite lead data and detects the ST level for each lead. In this embodiment, only the analysis processing necessary for ST level detection is applied to the composite lead data. However, analysis processing equivalent to that applied to standard 12-lead electrocardiogram data may also be applied to the composite lead data. In this case, the synthesis processing may be performed first, and then the analysis processing may be applied to the 18-lead electrocardiogram data all at once.

[0071] Next, in S507, the control unit 140 updates the display in the composite waveform display area 240 and the ST level display area 250 on the extended mode screen 200. Furthermore, if the control unit 140 displays a representative waveform in the list display area 230, it also updates the display of the representative waveform for the standard 12-lead oscillator. In this way, the display of the representative waveform and ST level is updated each time the analysis process is executed.

[0072] In S509, the control unit 140 determines whether or not a switch to normal mode has been instructed. If it is determined that a switch to normal mode has been instructed, it switches to operation in normal mode; otherwise, it executes S501. The instruction to switch to normal mode can be input through the operation unit 180 (for example, by operating the user key 270).

[0073] As described above, the vital signs monitor according to this embodiment has an extended mode that displays the patient's vital signs in real time, automatically performs analysis processing on electrocardiogram data, and provides information based on the automatic analysis results. Therefore, it can provide useful information for more accurately diagnosing the patient's condition without increasing the number of sensors or measurement units attached to the patient.

[0074] Furthermore, in extended mode, the measured lead data is synthesized to generate synthetic lead data corresponding to electrode positions not attached to the patient, thereby providing information useful for diagnosing acute coronary syndrome (ACS) without increasing the number of electrocardiogram electrodes. In addition, by automatically performing analysis processing on the synthetic lead data, it becomes possible to provide even more information useful for diagnosis.

[0075] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized as a program that causes one or more functions according to the above embodiments to be performed by one or more processors in a system or device. Therefore, such a program, or a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is stored, also constitutes the present invention. Furthermore, one or more functions according to the above embodiments can also be performed using hardware (e.g., ASICs or programmable logic).

[0076] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 100…Biometric information monitor, 110…Input unit, 120…Pre-processing unit, 130…Buffer memory, 140…Control unit, 170…Touch display, 180…Operation unit

Claims

1. A vital signs monitor that measures and displays a patient's vital signs, It has a control means that displays the measured biological information on a screen having a predetermined layout, The aforementioned biological information includes an electrocardiogram. The aforementioned biological information monitor has a normal mode and an extended mode as operating modes. In the extended mode, the control means is The screen layout is changed to an extended mode layout which has a display area not included in the normal mode layout. In accordance with the layout of the extended mode, the measured electrocardiogram waveform is displayed on the screen in real time, and additional processing not performed in the normal mode is initiated on the measured electrocardiogram. The information based on the results of the aforementioned additional processing is added to the display area included in the layout of the extended mode but not included in the layout of the normal mode, A biological information monitor characterized in that the information based on the results of the additional processing includes information that is not displayed in the normal mode and is different from the waveform of an electrocardiogram.

2. The biological information monitor according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means automatically performs an analysis process on the measured electrocardiogram at a predetermined interval as the additional processing.

3. The biological information monitor according to claim 1, characterized in that the information based on the results of the additional processing includes characteristic quantities for each lead of the measured electrocardiogram.

4. The biological information monitor according to claim 3, characterized in that the aforementioned feature quantity includes a feature quantity related to the ST level.

5. The measured electrocardiogram is a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram. In the extended mode, the control means further: As an additional process, a synthesis process is applied to the measured standard 12-lead electrocardiogram data to generate electrocardiogram data for the unmeasured leads as synthesized lead data. The waveform based on the aforementioned synthesized induction data is displayed in an additional display area not included in the normal mode layout. The biological information monitor according to feature 1.

6. The vital signs monitor according to claim 5, characterized in that the unmeasured leads are one or more leads from the right chest leads and dorsal leads, including at least lead V4R.

7. The biological information monitor according to claim 5, characterized in that the control means periodically performs an analysis process on the synthesized induction data as an additional process, and displays information based on the results of the analysis process on the synthesized induction data in a display area not included in the normal mode layout.

8. The biological information monitor according to claim 7, characterized in that the control means displays information based on the results of the additional processing on a radar chart having an axis for each induction.

9. The biological information monitor according to claim 8, characterized in that the control means displays characteristic quantities relating to the ST level for each induction on the radar chart as information based on the results of the additional processing.

10. The biological information monitor according to claim 8, characterized in that the control means displays on the radar chart information based on the analysis process first executed as the additional processing in the extended mode and information based on the most recently executed analysis process in a comparable manner.

11. The measured electrocardiogram is a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram. In the extended mode, the control means further: As an additional process, a synthesis process is applied to the measured standard 12-lead electrocardiogram data to generate electrocardiogram data for the unmeasured leads as synthesized lead data. The synthesized induction data is periodically analyzed, and the ST level is detected for each induction. The biological information monitor according to feature 1.

12. The additional processing is A process to apply a synthesis process to the measured electrocardiogram and generate a synthesized lead electrocardiogram of at least one lead from the right chest leads and dorsal leads, including at least lead V4R, The process includes obtaining feature quantities related to the ST level of each lead of the composite lead electrocardiogram, The control means additionally displays, as information based on the results of the additional processing, the representative waveform of the composite lead electrocardiogram and the characteristic quantities related to the ST level for each lead in a display area not included in the normal mode layout. The biological information monitor according to feature 1.

13. A control method performed by a vital signs monitor that measures and displays a patient's vital signs, The aforementioned biological information includes an electrocardiogram. The aforementioned biological information monitor has a normal mode and an extended mode as operating modes. The control method described above, in the extended mode, The layout of the display screen is changed to an extended mode layout which has a display area not included in the normal mode layout, In accordance with the layout of the extended mode, the measured electrocardiogram waveform is displayed on the display screen in real time, and additional processing not performed in the normal mode is initiated on the measured electrocardiogram. The system includes displaying information based on the results of the aforementioned additional processing in a display area that is included in the layout of the extended mode but not in the layout of the normal mode, A control method for a biological information monitor, characterized in that the information based on the results of the additional processing includes information that is not displayed in the normal mode and is different from the waveform of an electrocardiogram.

14. A program for causing the computer of a biological information monitor to function as a control means of the biological information monitor described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

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