Cuff and blood pressure measurement device

Abstract

Provided is a cuff worn by being wound around a measurement site for blood pressure measurement, the cuff being characterized in comprising: a bag-form exterior part having a circumferential direction that is the direction in which the cuff is wound on the measurement site, and a width direction that is orthogonal to the circumferential direction, the exterior part having an outer-side surface positioned on the outer side when the cuff is worn and an inner-side surface positioned on the inner side when the cuff is worn; a fluid bag accommodated in the exterior part; and a hook-and-loop fastener provided to a surface of the exterior part, a scale that demarcates the circumferential direction of the exterior part being provided to the surface of the exterior part, and it being possible, when the cuff is worn, to identify where a prescribed part of the cuff is positioned on the scale.

Description

Cuff and blood pressure measuring device

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of measuring blood pressure of a living body, and more particularly to a cuff used in a blood pressure measurement device.

[0002] In recent years, health management has become commonplace, with measuring devices measuring information about an individual's body and health, such as blood pressure, and recording and analyzing the measurement results. Various devices, such as home blood pressure measuring devices, are now available that allow such biological information to be easily measured outside of medical institutions, such as at home.

[0003] A typical blood pressure measurement device uses a cuff to compress blood vessels to measure blood pressure by detecting the pulse wave propagating through the blood vessels. Specifically, the cuff is wrapped around the measurement site (e.g., the upper arm), and air is pumped into the fluid bag inside the cuff, causing the wrapped cuff to expand and compress the blood vessels at the measurement site.

[0004] For this reason, various improvements have been proposed for cuffs used in blood pressure measurement, such as making it easier to wrap the cuff around the measurement site and reducing discomfort when worn (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0005] JP 2002-209858 A JP 2014-018260 A

[0006] To obtain accurate measurements, it is necessary to wear the cuff correctly and to measure in the correct posture. Furthermore, when measuring blood pressure continuously for health management, it is important that the conditions for daily blood pressure measurements do not fluctuate (to the greatest extent possible).

[0007] In other words, if the way the cuff is attached (such as the wrapping strength or the orientation of the cuff) is different each time a measurement is taken, the conditions for each measurement will not be consistent, which not only may result in an inaccurate blood pressure measurement, but also may defeat the purpose of continuously measuring blood pressure values ​​(accumulating data). However, the prior art, including the patent documents mentioned above, has not been able to assist the user in attaching the cuff in the same way each time.

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables a cuff to be worn in an appropriate wrapping manner every time blood pressure is measured.

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration: A cuff to be wrapped around a measurement target for blood pressure measurement and attached, comprising: a bag-shaped exterior part having a circumferential direction that is the direction of wrapping around the measurement target and a width direction that is perpendicular to the circumferential direction, and having an outer surface that is on the outside when the cuff is attached and an inner surface that is on the inside (the surface having an area that comes into contact with the measurement target when wrapped), a fluid bag contained in the exterior part, and a hook-and-loop fastener provided on the surface of the exterior part, wherein a scale is provided on the surface of the exterior part that divides the exterior part in the circumferential direction, and wherein the cuff is configured so that it is possible to identify where a predetermined part of the cuff is located on the scale when the cuff is attached.

[0010] It should be noted that the scale referred to here does not necessarily have to be represented by lines, but may be, for example, dots, symbols, figures, letters, or the like, as long as it functions as a marker that divides the circumferential length of the cuff into multiple stages, and the scale does not have to indicate the actual length.

[0011] With this configuration, it is possible to provide a cuff that can be worn with the same degree of wrapping each time without adding any new parts (at low cost).

[0012] The scale may be provided in a region including the center portion in the width direction, or may be provided in a region including at least one end portion in the width direction.

[0013] The scales may be provided in an area including both ends in the width direction, and the exterior portion may be provided with marks corresponding to the scales to indicate their positions.

[0014] For example, when a cuff is placed on the upper arm, the arm circumference differs (there is a taper) at both ends of the cuff's width, so if the cuff is placed correctly, the degree of wrapping will differ at both ends in the width direction. In this regard, the above-described configuration allows different appropriate scales to be displayed at both ends of the cuff's width direction, making it possible to properly align both ends in the width direction even when there is a taper.

[0015] Furthermore, the mark indicating the scale at one end in the width direction and the mark indicating the scale at the other end may be provided at different positions in the circumferential direction, reflecting the taper of the measurement portion in the width direction. With this configuration, it is possible to display scales indicating the same scale while reflecting the difference in circumferential length when wrapped around both ends of the non-measurement portion in the width direction due to the taper.

[0016] The cuff may further include a folding ring for folding back through one circumferential end of the exterior part, which is an outer end exposed to the outside when the cuff is worn, the scale may be provided on the inner surface, and the predetermined portion may be the folded portion of the exterior part when the cuff is worn.

[0017] With this configuration, in a cuff of the type in which both the hook and loop of the hook-and-loop fastener are formed on the outer surface of the inner and outer surfaces of the exterior part (the so-called fold-over type), the positional relationship with the scale can be determined based on the position of the fold-over part, which is firmly fixed for proper wearing and has little wrapping error of the folded-over outer end part.

[0018] The exterior may further include a curler having elasticity to help maintain the cuff in a circular shape, the scale may be provided on the outer surface, and the predetermined portion may be an end portion of the exterior in the circumferential direction that is exposed to the outside when the cuff is worn. That is, the exterior may include a scale on the outer surface of the exterior that indicates how far the exterior of the worn cuff is double-wrapped.

[0019] The exterior part may further contain a curler that has elasticity and helps maintain the cuff in a circular shape, the scale may be provided on the outer surface, and the predetermined portion may be a mark provided on the outer surface of the exterior part. Note that the number of marks is not limited to one, and may be multiple.

[0020] With this configuration, even in a type of cuff in which a curler is further housed in the exterior portion, the wrapping state of the cuff when worn properly can be repeatedly reproduced.

[0021] The present invention can also be understood as a blood pressure measuring device including the above-described cuff and a blood pressure monitor main body connected to the cuff.

[0022] The present invention can be achieved by combining the above-described configurations together as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique that enables a cuff to be worn in an appropriate wrapping manner every time blood pressure is measured.

[0024] FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view showing the outer surface of a cuff according to Example 1. FIG. 1B is a schematic plan view showing the inner surface of a cuff according to Example 1. FIG. 2A is a first explanatory diagram showing a usage mode of the cuff according to Example 1. FIG. 2B is a schematic view showing an outline of a measuring tape used together with the cuff according to the examples. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a state in which the cuff according to Example 1 is worn. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a cuff according to a modified example of Example 1. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which the cuff according to a modified example of Example 1 is worn. FIG. 6A is a schematic plan view showing the outer surface of a cuff according to Example 2. FIG. 6B is a schematic plan view showing the inner surface of a cuff according to Example 2. FIG. 7A is a schematic view showing a curler used in the cuff according to Example 2. FIG. 7B is a schematic view showing a state in which the cuff according to Example 2 is worn. FIG. 8A is a schematic plan view showing the outer surface of a cuff according to Example 3. FIG. 8B is a schematic plan view showing the inner surface of a cuff according to Example 3. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the cuff of Example 3 is worn. Fig. 10A is a schematic plan view showing an outer surface of the cuff of Example 4. Fig. 10B is a schematic plan view showing an inner surface of the cuff of Example 4. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the cuff of Example 4 is worn.

[0025] <Example 1> Specific examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the material, shape, relative position, etc. of each component described in the examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to those.

[0026] The present invention can be applied to cuffs 1 as shown in, for example, Figures 1A, 1B, and 2A. Figure 1A is a plan view of the surface (outer surface 11) of the cuff 1 that faces outward when worn, and Figure 1B is a plan view of the surface (inner surface 12) of the cuff 1 that faces inward when worn. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the cuff 1 has a bag-shaped exterior part 10 having the outer surface 11 and the inner surface 12, and a fluid bag 13 (shown by a dotted line in Figure 1A) is housed inside the exterior part 10.

[0027] A hook portion 112 and a loop portion 113 of a hook-and-loop hook-and-loop fastener are formed on the outer surface 11 of the exterior part 10. In this embodiment, the loop portion 113 of the hook-and-loop fastener is formed over the entire outer surface 11. Also, a nipple 114 for suction and exhaust of the fluid bag 13 is formed on the outside of the exterior part 10 shown in Fig. 1A. By connecting the nipple 114 to a blood pressure monitor main body including a pump with a tube (neither is shown), suction and exhaust of the fluid bag 13 becomes possible.

[0028] Furthermore, a folding ring 111, through which the other end can be inserted, is provided on the outside of the exterior part 10 near one end in the circumferential direction (shown as the left-right direction in FIG. 1A ), which is the direction in which the cuff is wrapped around a part not being measured during blood pressure measurement. When attaching the cuff 1 to a part to be measured, the other end of the exterior part 10 is inserted into the folding ring 111 and folded back, and the hook part 112 and the loop part 113 on the outer surface 11 are engaged with each other, thereby fixing the cuff 1 to the part to be measured.

[0029] Meanwhile, a scale 121 that divides the cuff 1 in the circumferential direction is provided on the inner surface 12 of the exterior part 10 by, for example, printing. As shown in Fig. 1B , the scale 121 is indicated by a line extending in the width direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction, and is arranged so as to be exposed on the side (outside) that is visible to the user when the exterior part 10 is folded back at the folding ring 111.

[0030] Fig. 2A is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the other end of the exterior part 10 is inserted through the folding ring 111 and then folded back. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the cuff 1 is worn on the upper arm of a user. As shown in Fig. 2A or 3 , the scale 121 is exposed to the outside, so that the scale 121 can indicate the circumferential position of the part of the exterior part 10 folded back by the folding ring 111 (folded part 14).

[0031] When the user attaches the cuff 1 to the part to be measured, the user wraps and fixes the cuff 1 so that the folded portion 14 is at the same scale position, thereby preventing the degree of wrapping of the cuff from varying (too tight or too loose) each time blood pressure is measured.

[0032] Note that the appropriate wrapping method (degree of wrapping) for the folded portion 14 varies from user to user, so each user must understand the correct relationship between the folded portion 14 and the corresponding scale. In this case, the circumference of the part to be measured (for example, the circumference of the upper arm) can be measured using a dedicated tape measure made of paper, resin sheet, or the like, and the scale for positioning when attaching the cuff 1 can be determined based on the measurement results. Figure 2B shows such a dedicated tape measure 15.

[0033] The measuring tape 15 has a scale 151 that corresponds to the scale 121 on the exterior part 10 of the cuff 1, and the scale on the cuff 1 that corresponds to the value indicated by the black arrow in FIG. 2B when the measuring tape 15 is wrapped around the part to be measured ("6" in the example of FIG. 2B) is the scale that indicates the position of the folded part 14 when wrapping it correctly. The user can measure the circumference of the part to be measured with the measuring tape 15 at an appropriate time, such as when using the cuff 1 for the first time. Note that the scales of the measuring tape 15 and the scale 121 on the cuff 1 do not match, and the scale intervals reflect the respective thicknesses.

[0034] By doing so, it is possible to grasp the correct wrapping method (degree of wrapping) of the cuff 1 and then repeatedly reproduce the correct wrapping method, thereby enabling accurate measurement data to be continuously obtained.

[0035] (Modification) In the first embodiment, each scale is provided so as to traverse the width direction of the exterior part 10 (i.e., in a region including the center part in the width direction). However, the form of the scale is not limited to that shown in the first embodiment. Figures 4 and 5 show such a modification. In the following, the same components as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a state in which one end of the cuff 100 according to this modification is folded back by the folding ring 111, and Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the cuff 100 worn on the upper arm of a user.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 4, cuff 100 according to this modification is configured such that scales 141 are provided at both widthwise ends. As shown in Fig. 5, when cuff 100 is worn on the user's upper arm, the scales on one side of folded portion 14 in the widthwise direction have different numerical values, reflecting the difference in arm circumference between the side closer to the shoulder (upper side) and the side closer to the wrist (lower side). In the example of Fig. 5, the scale on the widthwise end of cuff 100 located on the lower side of the arm has a smaller numerical value than the scale located on the upper side.

[0037] In this modified example, it is desirable to measure the circumference of the measurement part in advance using the tape measure 15 in accordance with the position of each end of the cuff in the width direction. By doing so, it is possible to position the folded part 14 in accordance with the appropriate scale depending on the difference in circumference of each end of the cuff in the width direction of the measurement part.

[0038] Example 2 Next, a cuff 2 according to another example will be described with reference to Figures 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B. Figure 6A is a plan view of the surface (outer surface 21) of the cuff 2 that faces outward when the cuff 2 is worn, and Figure 6B is a plan view of the surface (inner surface 22) of the cuff 2 that faces inward when the cuff 2 is worn. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the cuff 2, like the cuff 1 of Example 1, has a bag-shaped exterior part 20 having an outer surface 21 and an inner surface 22, and a fluid bag (not shown) and a curler 23, which will be described later, housed inside the exterior part 20.

[0039] A hook portion 213 of a hook-and-loop hook-and-loop fastener is formed on the outer surface 21 of the exterior part 20, and a loop portion 221 of the hook-and-loop fastener is formed on the inner surface 22 of the exterior part 20. Therefore, when wearing the cuff 2, the cuff 2 is wrapped around the cuff 2 so that the loop portion 221 covers the hook portion 213, thereby fixing the hook portion 213 and the loop portion 221. In addition, a nipple 214 for suction and exhaust of the fluid bag is formed on the outside of the exterior part 20.

[0040] A scale 211 and a mark 212 indicating the scale are provided on the outer surface 21 of the exterior part 20. In this embodiment, in addition to the scale, a mark indicating the circumference of a non-measurement part (for example, the upper arm) is also provided.

[0041] 7A is housed in cuff 2 within exterior part 20, on a side closer to outer surface 21 than the fluid bag. Curled elastic member 23 is formed from an elastic member such as a resin plate, and has a shape in which one end 231 is curled inward while the other end 232 extends outward. By housing curled elastic member 23 in exterior part 20, the portion of cuff 2 where curled elastic member 23 is housed is biased to form a ring shape, which can help maintain the wrapped state of cuff 2 when cuff 2 is worn.

[0042] Next, the scale 211 and marker 212 of the cuff 2 will be described with reference to Figure 7B. Figure 7B is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the cuff 2 is worn on the user's upper arm. As shown in Figure 7B, when the cuff 2 is worn on the upper arm, the end of the outer surface 21 on which the scale 211 is provided is positioned outermost. Therefore, when the cuff 2 is worn, the marker 212 provided near the other end of the cuff 2 indicates a scale corresponding to the circumference of the upper arm around which the cuff 2 is wrapped.

[0043] According to the above configuration, even if the cuff 2 is a type that has a built-in curler 23, the user can always wear the cuff 2 in the same wrapping manner (degree of wrapping) by wearing the cuff 2 so that the positional relationship between the scale 211 and the mark 212 always matches.

[0044] Example 3 Next, a cuff 3 according to yet another example will be described with reference to Figures 8A, 8B, and 9. Figure 8A is a plan view of the surface (outer surface 31) that faces outward when the cuff 3 is worn, and Figure 8B is a plan view of the surface (inner surface 32) that faces inward when the cuff 3 is worn. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the cuff 3 worn on the upper arm of a user. The cuff 3 according to this example also has a configuration in which a fluid bag (not shown) and a curler (not shown) are housed inside a bag-shaped exterior part 30 having an outer surface 31 and an inner surface 32.

[0045] A hook portion 313 of a hook-and-loop hook-and-loop fastener is formed on the outer surface 31 of the exterior part 30, and a loop portion 321 of the hook-and-loop fastener is formed on the inner surface 32 of the exterior part 30. Therefore, when the cuff 3 is worn, the cuff 3 is wrapped around the cuff 3 so that the loop portion 321 covers the hook portion 313, thereby fixing the hook portion 313 and the loop portion 321. In addition, a nipple 314 for suction and exhaust of the fluid bag is formed on the outside of the exterior part 30.

[0046] On the outer surface 31 of the exterior part 30, scales 311a and 311b are provided near one end in the circumferential direction, and a mark 312a corresponding to scale 311a and a mark 312b corresponding to scale 311b are provided near the other end. The marks 312a and 312b are provided at offset positions in the circumferential direction, reflecting the taper in the width direction of the measurement part when the cuff 3 is worn (i.e., the difference in arm circumference between both ends of the cuff 3 in the width direction).

[0047] 8A and 8B, the exterior part 30 of the cuff 3 is tapered so that the width in the vicinity of the scales 311a and 311b narrows toward the circumferential ends. As a result, when the cuff 3 is worn, the markers 312a and 312b are not hidden and can point to the scales 311a and 311b on the corresponding sides, as shown in Fig. 9. Furthermore, as described above, the markers 312a and 312b are offset from each other in the circumferential direction to reflect the taper in the width direction of the measurement portion. Therefore, when the cuff 3 is actually worn, the markers 312a and 312b point to scales of the same size.

[0048] Example 4 Next, a cuff 4 according to yet another example will be described with reference to Figures 10A, 10B, and 11. Figure 10A is a plan view of the surface (outer surface 41) that will be the outer side when the cuff 4 is worn, and Figure 10B is a plan view of the surface (inner surface 42) that will be the inner side when the cuff 4 is worn. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the cuff 4 worn on the upper arm of a user. The cuff 4 according to this example also has a bag-shaped exterior part 40 having an outer surface 41 and an inner surface 42, and a fluid bag (not shown) and a curler (not shown) housed inside the exterior part 40. A nipple 414 for suction and exhaust of the fluid bag is formed on the outside of the exterior part 40.

[0049] A hook-and-loop hook-and-loop loop portion 412 is formed on the outer surface 41 of the exterior part 40, and a hook portion 421 of the hook-and-loop fastener is formed on the inner surface 42 of the exterior part 40. When the cuff 4 is worn, the circumferential end portion on the side where the hook portion 421 is formed is wound around and engaged with the loop portion 412, thereby fastening the hook portion 421 and the loop portion 412 together. Therefore, when the cuff 4 is worn, the circumferential end portion on the side where the hook portion 421 is formed is positioned at the outermost side (tip). Hereinafter, the circumferential end portion on the side where the hook portion 421 is formed will also be referred to as tip portion 43.

[0050] In this embodiment, the loop portion 412 of the hook-and-loop fastener is provided with a scale 411. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 11, when the hook portion 421 is engaged with the loop portion 412 during attachment of the cuff 4, the tip portion 43 points to the scale and is fixed in place. In other words, when the user attaches the cuff 4 to the part to be measured, the cuff 4 is wrapped and fixed so that the tip portion 43 is always positioned at the same scale, thereby preventing the cuff from being wrapped to different degrees (too tight or too loose) each time blood pressure is measured.

[0051] <Others> The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Various modifications and combinations of the present invention are possible within the scope of the technical concept. For example, the marks indicating the scale in the above-described second and third embodiments do not have to be dedicated marks, and marks or structures provided on the cuff for other purposes (e.g., marks for aligning the artery) or structures can also be used as marks.

[0052] Furthermore, the markings written along with the scale are not limited to numbers or arm circumferences, but may be symbols, alphabets, or figures, as long as the predetermined part can be aligned to the same position each time.

[0053] In addition, although the above embodiments have been described with reference to a cuff attached to the upper arm, the cuff according to the present invention can also be used to measure other parts of the body (for example, the wrist, thigh, etc.) Furthermore, blood pressure measuring devices using the cuffs described in the embodiments are naturally included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0054] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2, 3, 4, 100... Cuff 10, 20, 30, 40... Exterior part 11, 21, 31, 41... Outer surface 12, 22, 32, 42... Inner surface 13... Fluid bag 14... Folded part 15... Measuring tape 23... Curler 43... Tip part 111... Folded ring 112, 213, 313, 421... Hook part 113, 221, 321, 412... Loop part 114, 214, 314, 414... Nipple 121, 141, 211, 311a, 311b, 411, 151... Scale 212, 312a, 312b... Mark

Claims

1. A cuff that is wrapped around a part to be measured and attached for blood pressure measurement, comprising: a bag-shaped exterior part having a circumferential direction that is the direction of wrapping around the part to be measured and a width direction that is perpendicular to the circumferential direction, and having an outer surface that is on the outside when the cuff is attached and an inner surface that is on the inside when the cuff is attached; a fluid bag contained in the exterior part; and a hook-and-loop fastener provided on the surface of the exterior part, wherein a scale is provided on the surface of the exterior part that divides the circumferential direction of the exterior part, and wherein it is configured so that when the cuff is attached, it is possible to identify where a specified part of the cuff is located on the scale.

2. The cuff according to claim 1, wherein the scale is provided in an area including the center portion in the width direction.

3. The cuff according to claim 1, wherein the scale is provided in an area including at least one end in the width direction.

4. A cuff as described in claim 3, characterized in that the scales are provided in an area including both ends in the width direction, and the exterior part is provided with marks corresponding to the scales to indicate their positions.

5. A cuff as described in claim 4, characterized in that the marking corresponding to the scale at one end in the width direction and the marking corresponding to the scale at the other end are provided at different circumferential positions, reflecting the taper in the width direction of the measurement part.

6. A cuff as described in claim 1, further comprising a folding ring for folding back through one circumferential end of the exterior part that is exposed to the outside when the cuff is worn, the scale being provided on the inner surface, and the predetermined portion being the folded portion of the exterior part when the cuff is worn.

7. A cuff as described in claim 1, characterized in that the exterior portion further contains a curler that has elasticity and helps maintain the cuff in a circular shape, the scale is provided on the outer surface, and the predetermined portion is the circumferential end of the exterior portion that is exposed to the outside when the cuff is worn.

8. The cuff according to claim 1, wherein the exterior portion further contains a curler that has elasticity and helps maintain the cuff in a circular shape, the scale is provided on the outer surface, and the predetermined portion is a mark provided on the outer surface.

9. A blood pressure measuring device comprising: a cuff according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and a blood pressure monitor main body connected to the cuff.

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