Biometric information monitoring device, biometric information monitoring system, and patch type biometric information monitoring device

Abstract

The purpose is to provide a biometric information monitoring device or the like in which a plurality of biometric sensors can each be easily disposed at different appropriate positions, even when physique and so forth differ among users and so forth. A biometric information monitoring device 10 according to the present invention includes a main unit 100 including a first biometric information acquisition portion 110 for acquiring biometric information, and a moving portion 500 including a second biometric information acquisition portion 510 for acquiring the biometric information acquired by the first biometric information acquisition portion, and biometric information. An intermediate part 300 is disposed, the main unit and the moving portion are respectively communicably connected by a first connection portion 200 and a second connection portion 400 which can both be adjusted in length, in which lengthwise directions, in which the first connection portion and the second connection portion are adjusted, can be adjusted in different directions.

Description

Vital information monitoring device, vital information monitoring system, and adhesive vital information monitoring device

[0001] The present invention relates to a biological information monitoring device, a biological information monitoring system, and a wearable biological information monitoring device for monitoring a person's biological information.

[0002] Biometric sensors placed on the human body to sense or measure human biosignals have been used for some time. Because such biosensors require flexible substrates or the like to transmit their signals, proposals have been made to ensure sufficient stretchability to ensure a comfortable user experience. Specifically, a biosensor device has been proposed that includes a non-stretchable portion and a stretchable strip on which the biosensor is placed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Another proposed biosensor device is a stick-on type that includes an adhesive layer and a release sheet for securing the biosensor to the human body, and the release sheet is peeled off to expose the adhesive layer during use (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0003] JP 2017-113088 A, US Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0150739 A

[0004] However, when placing multiple different types of biosensors on the human body at the same time, it is necessary to place each of the different types of biosensors in a different appropriate position.However, since the physique of the human body varies depending on the user, it is difficult to place each of these multiple biosensors in an appropriate position without placing unnecessary strain on the human body.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a vital sign monitoring device, a vital sign monitoring system, and a wearable vital sign monitoring device that can easily place multiple different types of vital signs sensors in different appropriate positions, even if the physique of the user varies.

[0006] The above object is achieved in the present invention (1) by a vital sign monitoring device comprising: a main body unit including a first vital sign acquisition unit that acquires vital sign information and a control unit that controls the vital sign information acquired by the first vital sign acquisition unit; and a mobile unit including a second vital sign acquisition unit that acquires the vital sign information, wherein an intermediate unit is disposed between the main body unit and the mobile unit, and the main body unit and the mobile unit are connected to the intermediate unit by a first connecting unit and a second connecting unit, both of which are length-adjustable, so as to be able to communicate with each other, and the length directions adjusted by the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit are each adjustable in different directions.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the first biometric information acquisition unit provided in the main body unit and the second biometric information acquisition unit provided in the moving unit are each positioned at different locations on the human body, but the main body unit and the moving unit are both connected to the intermediate unit so as to be able to communicate with each other via the first connection unit and the second connection unit, which are both length-adjustable, and the length directions adjusted by the first connection unit and the second connection unit are each adjustable in different directions, so that even users with different physiques can easily position the first biometric information acquisition unit and the second biometric information acquisition unit in appropriate positions.

[0008] (2) The vital signs monitoring device of (1) above is preferably characterized in that the intermediate portion has a guide shape for arranging the length direction adjusted by the first connection portion and the length direction adjusted by the second connection portion in different directions, the first connection portion and the second connection portion are elastic, and the main body portion, the intermediate portion, and the moving portion each have an adhesive layer.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the guide shape of the intermediate part allows the length direction adjusted by the first connection part and the length direction adjusted by the second connection part to be positioned in different directions, and the first connection part and the second connection part are stretchable, and the main body part, the intermediate part and the moving part each have an adhesive layer, so that the main body part and the moving part on which the biometric information acquisition part is located can be easily positioned in any position depending on the differences in physique, etc. of each user (subject) of the biometric information monitoring device, and these biometric information acquisition parts can be positioned at appropriate measurement locations for the user, etc.

[0010] (3) The biological information monitoring device of (1) or (2) above is preferably characterized in that the first biological information acquisition unit has a pulse wave sensor that detects the user's pulse and an electrocardiogram sensor that detects the electrical signals of the heart, and the second biological information acquisition unit has a heart sound sensor that detects vibrations from the heart.

[0011] According to the above configuration, it is possible to accurately grasp the intracardiac pressure in order to grasp the signs of worsening heart failure, etc.

[0012] (4) The vital sign monitoring device described in any of (1) to (3) above is preferably characterized in that the main body acquires the vital sign of the second vital sign acquisition unit via the second connection unit, the intermediate unit, and the first vital sign acquisition unit, and transmits it to another device together with the vital sign of the first vital sign acquisition unit at the same time.

[0013] According to the above configuration, all vital signs can be acquired by the main body and all vital signs can be transmitted simultaneously to other devices such as a management server, so that data can be synchronized to accurately determine intracardiac pressure, etc., and signs of heart failure, etc. can be accurately grasped.

[0014] (5) The vital sign monitoring device described in any of (1) to (4) above is preferably characterized in that the main body unit is provided with an alarm unit that notifies whether the first vital sign acquisition unit and the second vital sign acquisition unit are each acquiring the vital sign.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the first biometric information acquisition unit and the second biometric information acquisition unit are each provided with an alarm unit (indicator, etc.) that notifies whether or not biometric information is being acquired, so that the user can accurately determine whether or not the first biometric information acquisition unit and the second biometric information acquisition unit are each acquiring biometric information by visually checking the alarm unit.

[0016] The above object is achieved in the present invention (6) by a vital sign monitoring system comprising a management device for managing vital sign information and a vital sign monitoring device for monitoring the vital sign information, wherein the vital sign monitoring device has a main body unit comprising a first vital sign acquisition unit for acquiring vital sign information and a control unit for controlling the vital sign information acquired by the first vital sign acquisition unit, and a mobile unit comprising a second vital sign acquisition unit for acquiring the vital sign information, wherein an intermediate unit is arranged between the main body unit and the mobile unit, and the main body unit and the mobile unit are connected to the intermediate unit by a first connection unit and a second connection unit, both of which are length-adjustable, so as to be able to communicate with each other, and the length directions adjusted by the first connection unit and the second connection unit are each adjustable in different directions.

[0017] The above object is achieved in present invention (7) by a stick-on vital sign monitoring device comprising a first adhesive portion for fixing a main body portion having a first vital sign acquisition portion that acquires vital sign, a second adhesive portion for fixing a mobile portion having a second vital sign acquisition portion that acquires the vital sign, a connecting portion that electrically connects the main body portion and the mobile portion and is configured to be stretchable, and a peel-off portion that is arranged relative to the main body portion, the mobile portion and the connecting portion, wherein the peel-off portion has a first peel-off sheet that covers the main body portion, a second peel-off sheet that covers the mobile portion, and a third peel-off sheet that covers the connecting portion, and the third peel-off sheet is held in a peelable state by the first adhesive portion and the second adhesive portion.

[0018] According to the above configuration, the third release sheet covers the stretchable connection portion and is removably held by the first and second adhesive portions. Therefore, before the third release sheet is peeled off, the third release sheet prevents the connection portion from stretching, and users can avoid the connection portion from stretching before wearing the adhesive-type vital sign monitoring device, making it difficult to handle. Therefore, even if users have different physiques, multiple vital signs sensors can be easily placed in different appropriate positions.

[0019] (8) The above-mentioned (7) adhesive type vital sign monitoring device is preferably characterized in that the first vital sign acquisition unit has a pulse wave sensor that detects the user's pulse and an electrocardiogram sensor that detects the electrical signals of the heart, the second vital sign acquisition unit has a heart sound sensor that detects vibrations from the heart, the first adhesive portion of the main body unit is not formed in a part of the main body unit where the pulse wave sensor is arranged and functions, and the second adhesive portion of the moving unit is not formed in a part of the moving unit where the heart sound sensor is arranged and functions.

[0020] According to the above configuration, it is possible to accurately grasp the intracardiac pressure for detecting signs of heart failure, etc., without interfering with the operation of the pulse wave sensor and the heart sound sensor.

[0021] (9) The adhesive type vital sign monitoring device of (7) or (8) above is preferably characterized in that the first release sheet has a fixing portion that abuts and is fixed to the first adhesive portion, and a free end portion that extends from the fixing portion and is not directly fixed to the first adhesive portion.

[0022] According to the above configuration, a user can easily and reliably peel the first release sheet from the first adhesive portion by grasping and operating the free end portion, thereby fixing the main body portion to the appropriate measurement site.

[0023] (10) The adhesive-type vital sign monitoring device described in any of (7) to (9) above is preferably characterized in that the second release sheet has a fixing portion that abuts and is fixed to the second adhesive portion, and a free end portion that extends from the fixing portion and is not directly fixed to the second adhesive portion.

[0024] According to the above configuration, a user can easily and reliably peel the second release sheet from the second adhesive portion by grasping and operating the free end portion, thereby fixing the moving portion to the appropriate measurement site.

[0025] (11) The adhesive type vital sign monitoring device described in any of (7) to (9) above is preferably characterized in that the first peel-off sheet is not placed in the part of the main body where the pulse wave sensor is placed and functions, and is divided into multiple parts.

[0026] According to the above configuration, the first release sheet is not placed on the portion of the main body where the pulse wave sensor is located and functions, so the user can peel off the first release sheet without adversely affecting the pulse wave sensor. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the first release sheet is divided into multiple pieces, so the user can more accurately fix the main body to the measurement site.

[0027] (12) The adhesive-type vital sign monitoring device described in any of (7) to (10) above is preferably characterized in that the second peel-off sheet is not positioned in the part of the moving part where the heart sound sensor is positioned and functions, and is divided into multiple parts.

[0028] According to the above configuration, the second release sheet is not placed in the portion of the moving part where the heart sound sensor is placed and functions, so the user can peel off the second release sheet without adversely affecting the heart sound sensor. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the second release sheet is divided into multiple pieces, so the user can more accurately fix the moving part to the measurement site.

[0029] (13) The adhesive-type vital sign monitoring device described in any of (7) to (12) above is preferably characterized in that the connection portion is stretchable when the third release sheet is not covering the connection portion.

[0030] According to the above configuration, the connection portion is expandable and contractible when the third release sheet is not covering the connection portion, so that the user can easily position the first biometric information acquisition portion and the second biometric information acquisition portion at the optimal measurement site with high accuracy.

[0031] As described above, the present invention has the advantage of being able to provide a vital sign monitoring device, vital sign monitoring system, and adhesive vital sign monitoring device that can easily place multiple different types of vital signs sensors in different appropriate positions, even if the physiques of users, etc., differ.

[0032] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the main configuration of a sensor device system 1 which is an example of a biological information monitoring system according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the back side of a sensor device 10. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the main configuration of a management server 800 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the sensor device 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the sensor device 10 of FIG. 1 and a peeling unit 1000. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the peeling unit 1000. FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the structure etc. of a first peel-off sheet 1100. FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an operation example of the sensor device system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is another schematic explanatory diagram showing an operation example of the sensor device system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a sensor device 10a according to a modified example of the present embodiment.

[0033] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, etc. The embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, and therefore various technically preferable limitations are applied, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified in the following description to the effect that the present invention is limited.

[0034] (Main Configuration of Sensor Device System 1) Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the main configuration of a sensor device system 1, which is an example of a biological information monitoring system according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the system 1 includes a biological information monitoring device, a sensor device 10, which is an example of a stick-on biological information monitoring device, a management device, and a management server 800, which is an example of another device. The management server 800 is configured to estimate intracardiac pressure, as will be described in detail below.

[0035] (Major components of the sensor device) On the other hand, the sensor device 10 is a device for non-invasively acquiring biological information such as heart sounds, electrocardiograms, and pulse waves to estimate, for example, an increase in intracardiac pressure, which is a sign of worsening heart failure, and as shown in Fig. 1, has a main body section 100, a first connecting section 200, an intermediate section 300, a second connecting section 400, and a moving section 500. Each component will be described in detail.

[0036] (Major Configuration of Main Unit 100) The main unit 100 has a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and houses therein a pulse wave sensor 110, which is an example of a first biological information acquisition unit, for detecting the pulse of the user (subject), and three electrocardiogram sensors 120, 121, and 122, which are also examples of first biological information acquisition units, for detecting electrical signals from the heart. A power button 130 and an indicator 140, which is an example of an alarm unit, are disposed on the front surface of the main unit 100 (the surface that does not contact the human body). The indicator 140 indicates whether the pulse wave sensor 110, the electrocardiogram sensors 120, 121, and 122, the heart sound sensor 510 (described later), and the like are positioned at appropriate measurement sites, and its specific configuration will be described later. As will be described later, in addition to the above, the main body 100 also has built-in components within the housing, such as a power supply battery 103, a control circuit (CPU; Central Processing Unit) that controls each element of the main body control unit 101, and a communication unit such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) element for wireless communication with the management server 800 that serves as the main body control unit 101.

[0037] (Major Configuration of Pulse Wave Sensor 110) The pulse wave sensor 110 (PPG sensor), which is related to pulse waves, an example of biometric information, is, for example, an optical heart rate sensor, and is a device that acquires pulse as biometric information. Specifically, light is emitted from an LED toward the skin and detected as light that is reflected by blood vessels and exits the skin. Because oxygenated hemoglobin in the blood has strong absorption characteristics for light around 550 nm, for example, the power of the detected 550 nm light varies depending on the blood volume. Because blood volume varies with the beating of the heart, the pulse wave is detected by observing the change in this light power over time, and the pulse is measured by observing the period of the change in light power over time.

[0038] Furthermore, the measurement site (placement site) of the pulse wave sensor 110 is preferably a site where capillaries are present on the surface of the living body, for example, the "subclavian artery" near the collarbone.

[0039] (Major Configuration of Electrocardiogram Sensor 120, etc.) Electrocardiogram sensors 120, etc. (ECG electrodes) relating to an electrocardiogram, which is an example of biological information, are electrodes for electrocardiogram testing, and multiple sensors are placed on the chest, etc. Electrocardiogram testing checks the state of electricity acquired from the electrodes to determine whether the heart is beating regularly, whether there is any damage to the myocardium, etc. In this embodiment, the measurement sites (positioning sites) of the electrocardiogram sensors 120, etc. (electrodes) are placed around the heart, for example, three in number, to estimate intracardiac pressure. However, the number of electrocardiogram sensors 120, etc. (electrodes) is not particularly limited as long as it is at least two.

[0040] (Major components of indicator 140) Indicator 140 indicates whether pulse wave sensor 110, electrocardiogram sensor 120, etc., and heart sound sensor 510 (described below) are positioned at appropriate measurement sites. Specifically, indicator 140 includes pulse wave indicator 141, electrocardiogram indicator 142, and heart sound indicator 143 corresponding to pulse wave sensor 110, electrocardiogram sensor 120, etc., and heart sound sensor 510, respectively, and is configured to display "green" if each sensor is positioned at an appropriate position, and "red" otherwise. By checking the display of indicator 140, the user can determine whether each sensor is positioned at an appropriate measurement site.

[0041] (Other Configurations) Unlike the present embodiment, the present invention may include other display units in the main body 100. For example, an LED display unit that indicates the communication status or the battery status, an LCD (liquid crystal display) that indicates waveforms, values, etc. may be provided.

[0042] (Major Configuration of the Back Side of Main Body 100) Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the back side of sensor device 10. As shown in Fig. 2, a first adhesive layer 150 (an example of a first adhesive portion) for fixing sensor device 10 to the skin of the measurement site on the human body is formed in the hatched portion on the back side (the side that comes into contact with the human body) of main body 100. This first adhesive layer 150 is formed of, for example, an acrylic adhesive, a silicone adhesive, a urethane adhesive, a rubber adhesive, or the like.

[0043] However, the first adhesive layer 150 is not formed in an area necessary for sensing by the pulse wave sensor 110 (the area where the pulse wave sensor is placed, where light from the LED is emitted toward the skin and where the light reflected by blood vessels and exiting the skin is detected). This prevents the first adhesive layer 150 from interfering with the operation of the pulse wave sensor 110.

[0044] (Major Configuration of Intermediate Unit 300) When viewed from the front, the intermediate unit 300 has a generally curved rectangular shape (an example of a guide shape), with the first connection unit 200 and the second connection unit 400 connected to both ends of the intermediate unit 300 being arranged in different directions (orientations). In other words, the intermediate unit 300 has a first side 301 connected to the first connection unit 200 and a second side 302 connected to the second connection unit 400, and the first side and the second side are non-parallel. The intermediate unit 300 is also configured to be able to communicate with the first connection unit 200 and the second connection unit 400. With this configuration, heart sound data acquired by a heart sound sensor 510 included in the moving unit 500 (described later) can be transmitted to the main unit 100 via the second connection unit 400, the intermediate unit 300, and the first connection unit 200.

[0045] 2, a third adhesive layer 310 for fixing to the skin of the human body is formed on the back surface of the intermediate portion 300. The third adhesive layer 310 is also formed of an acrylic adhesive, a silicone adhesive, a urethane adhesive, a rubber adhesive, or the like. The third adhesive layer 310 does not necessarily have to be formed on the back surface of the intermediate portion 300. Furthermore, no sensors or the like are disposed on the intermediate portion 300.

[0046] (Major configuration of moving unit 500) The moving unit 500 has a generally circular shape overall, and houses therein a heart sound sensor 510, which is an example of a second biological information acquisition unit. The heart sound sensor (HS sensor) 510, which is an example of biological information related to heart sounds, is a type of biological information different from the biological information acquired by the pulse wave sensor 110, electrocardiogram sensor 120, etc., provided in the main body 100. The heart sound sensor (HS sensor) 510 acquires vibrations from the heart, such as sounds made when the heart valves close (heart valve sounds), and inspects whether or not the heart valves have malfunctioning or stenosis, etc.

[0047] The measurement site of the heart sound sensor 510 is preferably the sternum, particularly the lower part of the sternum (the second to fifth ribs, sternum, etc.) to estimate intracardiac pressure.

[0048] 2, a second adhesive layer 520 (an example of a second adhesive portion) is formed on the back side of the moving unit 500 for fixing the moving unit 500 to the skin of the measurement site on the human body. This second adhesive layer 520 is formed of, for example, an acrylic adhesive, a silicone adhesive, a urethane adhesive, a rubber adhesive, or the like. However, the second adhesive layer 520 is not formed in the area necessary for sensing by the heart sound sensor 510 (the area where the heart sound sensor 510 is placed and acquires vibrations from the heart) (an example of the area where the sensor is placed and functions). This prevents the second adhesive layer 520 from interfering with the operation of the heart sound sensor 510.

[0049] (Main Configuration of First Connection Part 200) The first connection part 200 is disposed to connect the main body part 100 and the intermediate part 300, and is wavy as a whole, with a configuration that allows it to expand and contract to an adjustable length (an example of stretchability). Specifically, it expands and contracts in the direction of the arrow wa in Fig. 1 (a substantially horizontal direction when the human body is viewed from the front). The first connection part 200 is made of resin, and its wavy portion can be deformed to allow it to expand and contract.

[0050] 2, no adhesive layer is formed on the back surface of the first connection unit 200. However, an adhesive layer may be formed on the back surface of the first connection unit 200. The first connection unit 200 is configured to be able to communicate with the intermediate unit 300 and main unit 100 to which it is connected.

[0051] (Main Configuration of the Second Connection Unit 400) The second connection unit 400 is disposed to connect the intermediate unit 300 and the moving unit 500. Its entire structure is wavy and stretchable (an example of stretchability) for adjustable length. Specifically, it stretches in the direction of the arrow wb in FIG. 1 (a direction substantially perpendicular to the human body when viewed from the front). Like the first connection unit 200, the second connection unit 400 is made of resin, and its wavy portion deforms to allow it to stretch. As shown in FIG. 2 , no adhesive layer is formed on the back surface of the second connection unit 400. However, an adhesive layer may be formed on the back surface of the second connection unit 400. The second connection unit 400 is also configured to be able to communicate with the moving unit 500 and the intermediate unit 300 to which it is connected.

[0052] The first connecting part 200 and the second connecting part 400 are configured to have different lengths in the extension / contraction direction wa and the extension / contraction direction wb, respectively, by providing a curved intermediate part 300 therebetween. In other words, the length directions of the first connecting part 200 and the second connecting part 400 can be adjusted in different directions.

[0053] In addition, in order to configure the moving part 500 so that the biometric information of the heart sound sensor 510 can be transmitted to the main body part 100 via the second connecting part 400, the intermediate part 300, and the first connecting part 200, the first connecting part 200, the intermediate part 300, and the second connecting part 400 are provided with conductors such as flexible circuits.

[0054] The management server 800, the sensor device 10, etc. shown in FIG. 1 each have a computer, and the computer has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. (not shown), which are connected via a bus.

[0055] (Major components of management server 800) Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the major components of the management server 800 of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the management server 800 has a server-side control unit 810, which controls a server-side communication unit 820 for communicating with the sensor device 10 etc., a server-side display 830 for displaying various information, a server-side various information input device 840 for inputting various information, an intracardiac pressure estimation unit (program) 850, a server-side various information storage unit 860, etc.

[0056] Of these, the "intracardiac pressure estimation unit 850" acquires simultaneous biological information, such as "electrocardiogram data," "pulse wave data," and "heart sound data," from the main body unit 100, estimates intracardiac pressure based on this data, and stores the estimated data in the server-side various information storage unit 860. Based on this intracardiac pressure estimation data, it is possible to judge whether there are signs of worsening heart failure, etc.

[0057] (Schematic block diagram of sensor device 10) Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the sensor device 10 of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the main body unit 100 has a main body-side control unit 101, which is an example of a control unit, and the control unit 101 controls a main body-side communication unit 102 for wireless communication with the management server 800, an electrocardiogram sensor 120, a pulse wave sensor 110, an indicator 140, a battery 103, etc., as well as a main body-side various information input unit 104 that inputs various information and a main body-side various information storage unit 105 that stores various information.

[0058] 4, the main body 100 is configured so that biological information from the heart sound sensor 510 disposed in the moving unit 500 is transmitted to the main body 100 via the second connecting unit 400, the intermediate unit 300, and the first connecting unit 200. Therefore, the main body 100 is configured to be able to manage biological information from the pulse wave sensor 110, the electrocardiogram sensor 120, etc., and the heart sound sensor 510 at the same time.

[0059] (Main configuration of peeling unit 1000) Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the sensor device 10 and the peeling unit 1000 in Fig. 1, and Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram seen from the back side to show the peeling unit 1000. As shown in Fig. 2, a "first adhesive layer 150", a "third adhesive layer 310", and a "second adhesive layer 520" are formed on the back sides of the main body unit 100, the intermediate unit 300, and the moving unit 500 of the sensor device 10, respectively.

[0060] The first adhesive layer 150 etc. is formed to attach and fix the main body part 100 etc. to the measurement site on the biological surface (skin) of the user (subject), but before fixing, a "peeling part 1000" is arranged to cover the first adhesive layer 150 etc. for ease of handling.

[0061] 5 and 6, the release portion 1000 specifically includes a "first release sheet 1100" that covers the portion of the first adhesive layer 150 that is not covered by the third release sheet 1200, a "third release sheet 1200" that covers part of the first adhesive layer 150, the third adhesive layer 310, the first connecting portion 200, the second connecting portion 400, and part of the second adhesive layer 520, and a "second release sheet 1300" that covers the portion of the second adhesive layer 520 that is not covered by the third release sheet 1200. Here, the intermediate portion 300, the first connecting portion 200, and the second connecting portion 400 are examples of connecting portions.

[0062] 5 and 6, the first release sheet 1110 has two release sheets, a first-first release sheet 1110 and a first-second release sheet 1120. In addition, in order to avoid interfering with the operation of the pulse wave sensor 110 of the main body 100, no release sheet is formed in the areas corresponding to the areas where the first adhesive layer 150 is not formed.

[0063] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first-1st release sheet 1110 and the first-2nd release sheet 1120 of the first release sheet 1100 are arranged adjacent to each other and have the same configuration, so the structure will be explained below using the first-1st release sheet 1110 as an example.

[0064] 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the structure of the first release sheet 1100. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the first-first release sheet 1110 is folded in half, with a fold that forms a substantially V-shaped cross section. The folded portion that abuts the first adhesive layer 150 forms a fixed portion 1111, and the portion that extends from this fixed portion 1111 and is not directly fixed to the first adhesive layer 150 forms a free end portion 1112 that is not directly fixed to the first adhesive layer 150.

[0065] Therefore, by a user or the like pinching the free end portion 1112 (the label R2 described later) and manipulating the free end portion 1112, the free end portion 1112 can be easily peeled off, and a portion of the first adhesive layer 150 (half in this embodiment) can be gradually exposed, allowing the main body portion 100 to be fixed accurately to the measurement location on the human body.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first adhesive layer 150 is divided into two parts, and for example, the first-1 release sheet 1110 is peeled off, and a portion of the first adhesive layer 150 (half in this embodiment) is fixed to the human body, and then the first-2 release sheet 1120 is gradually peeled off, so that the main body 100 can be fixed to the measurement site more accurately and precisely.

[0067] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the 1-1 release sheet 1110 and the 1-2 release sheet 1120 of the first release sheet 1100 each have labels R2 and R3, which are holding pieces, so that the user can more easily peel off the first release sheet 1100 by holding these labels R2 and R3.

[0068] In addition, labels R2 and R3 are marked with numbers (2, 3, etc.), so that by peeling them off in order of decreasing numbers, the main body 100 can be fixed to the measurement site with greater accuracy.

[0069] (Main structure of second release sheet 1300) As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the second release sheet 1300 is arranged to cover the second adhesive layer 520, but in areas corresponding to the portions where the second adhesive layer 520 is not formed so as not to interfere with the operation of the heart sound sensor 510 of the moving part 500, openings are provided so that no release sheet is formed.

[0070] This configuration allows the second release sheet 1300 to be used without adversely affecting the heart sound sensor 510. The second release sheet 1300 may also be divided into multiple pieces. This configuration allows the user (subject) to attach and fix the moving unit 500 to the measurement site with greater accuracy.

[0071] In addition, second release sheet 1300 has label R5, which is a holding piece, so that by holding this label R5, the user can more easily peel off second release sheet 1300. In addition, label R5 is marked with the number 5, so by peeling off the labels in ascending order of numbers, moving unit 500 can be fixed to the measurement site with greater accuracy.

[0072] Second release sheet 1300 may be composed of two release sheets, similar to the embodiment of first release sheet 1100. In this case, the two release sheets constituting second release sheet 1300 are folded in half and have a fold with a substantially V-shaped cross section, with the portion of the folded portion that abuts second adhesive layer 520 being the fixed portion, and the portion that extends from this fixed portion and is not directly fixed to second adhesive layer 520 being the free end portion that is not directly fixed to second adhesive layer 520.

[0073] 5 and 6 , the third release sheet 1200 is configured to cover the third adhesive layer 310, the first connecting portion 200, and the second connecting portion 400. In other words, it is configured to cover the connecting portions. Furthermore, one end of the third release sheet 1200 is arranged adjacent to the first release sheet 1100 and is fixed and held by the first adhesive layer 150. Meanwhile, the other end of the third release sheet 1200 is arranged adjacent to the second release sheet 1300 and is fixed and held by the second adhesive layer 520.

[0074] Furthermore, the central portion of the third release sheet 1200 is fixed and held by the third adhesive layer 310 of the intermediate portion 300. The first connecting portion 200 and the second connecting portion 400 covered by the third release sheet 1200 do not have an adhesive layer, and the first connecting portion 200 and the second connecting portion 400 are configured to be easily stretchable. Therefore, if the third release sheet 1200 is not placed, when a user holds the sensor device 10, the first connecting portion 200 and the second connecting portion 400 will stretch due to gravitational force, making it difficult for the user to accurately position a biosensor such as the heart sound sensor 510 at the measurement position.

[0075] In this regard, in this embodiment, if the third release sheet 1200 is placed, the third release sheet 1200 is fixed by the first adhesive layer 150 of the main body portion 100 and the second adhesive layer 310 of the intermediate portion 300, and is configured to prevent the first connection portion 200 placed therebetween from being stretched by gravitational forces, etc.

[0076] Furthermore, the third release sheet 1200 is fixed by the second adhesive layer 520 of the moving section 500 and the third adhesive layer 310 of the intermediate section 300, and is configured to prevent the second connection section 400 disposed therebetween from being stretched by gravitational forces or the like. On the other hand, when the third release sheet 1200 does not cover the first connection section 200 and the second connection section 400, the first connection section 200 and the second connection section 400 are stretchable. This allows the user to easily position each biosensor 110 of the sensor device 10 at the optimal measurement site with high accuracy.

[0077] 8 to 10 are schematic explanatory diagrams showing an example of the operation of the sensor device system 1 according to this embodiment. The sensor device 10 according to this embodiment is intended to non-invasively monitor "intracardiac pressure" in order to detect "increase in left atrial / left cardiac pressure" particularly in the course of worsening "heart failure," and is intended for use in, for example, a hospital. The sensor device 10 may be used not only in a hospital but also in the subject's home, a day care facility, etc.

[0078] To monitor such intracardiac pressure, a pulse wave sensor 110, an electrocardiogram sensor 120, and a heart sound sensor 510 are attached to the patient (subject) to acquire biological information. As mentioned above, the pulse wave sensor 110 is preferably placed in the "subclavian artery" area, and the electrocardiogram sensor 120 and other sensors are preferably placed at three locations around the heart. Furthermore, the heart sound sensor is preferably placed "below the sternum."

[0079] Of these sensors, the measurement sites of the pulse wave sensor 110 and the electrocardiogram sensor 120 are close to each other, making it easy to position them, but the heart sound sensor 510 is located at a location distant from these.

[0080] On the other hand, to monitor intracardiac pressure, it is necessary to simultaneously acquire these three pieces of biological information, and a sensor device that integrates these three sensors is required. However, due to differences in the patient's physique, the placement intervals of these three sensors may vary greatly, making it difficult to place each sensor in an appropriate measurement position. Therefore, in this embodiment, the sensor device 10 treats these three sensors as a single unit and allows each sensor to be easily placed in an appropriate position regardless of differences in the patient's physique, etc.

[0081] 8 to 10, a specific example of how to use the sensor device system 1 will be described below. First, a user uses the sensor device 10 to which the peeling unit 1000 is attached, and activates the sensor device 10 by operating the power button 130 on the main body 100.

[0082] Next, the pulse wave sensor 110 of the main unit 100 is placed on the "subclavian artery," and the multiple electrocardiogram sensors 120 and other sensors are positioned around the heart, as shown in Figure 8. At this time, the indicator 140 will light up "green" if the placement of each sensor is appropriate, and will light up "red" if it is not appropriate, so the user searches for the position where the indicators for the pulse wave sensor and electrocardiogram sensor are "green."

[0083] When these indicators 140 turn "green," the user operates label R2 of the first-first release sheet 1110 to move the free end 1112. Then, as shown in Figures 7(A) to 7(D), the first-first release sheet 1110 is gradually peeled off from the first adhesive layer 150, and a portion (half of it in this embodiment) of the first adhesive layer 150 is secured to the user's skin. Now that the temporary securing of the main body 100 is complete, the user operates label R3 to prevent misalignment, and peels the first-second release sheet 1120 from the first adhesive layer 150 in the same manner as the first-first release sheet 1110, securing the entire first adhesive layer 150 to the skin and confirming the position of the main body 100.

[0084] Next, the process proceeds to the step of placing the heart sound sensor 510 of the mobile unit 500 in an optimal position. The heart sound sensor 510 is generally located below the sternum (on the sternum at the height of the second rib), for example, in FIG. 8, the center (NC) of the line connecting both nipples of the user is the preferred position.

[0085] 5 and 6, the user grasps label R4 and removes third release sheet 1200. This allows first connecting part 200 to freely expand and contract, and the user moves intermediate part 300 toward the sternum (in the direction of arrow h1) in FIG.

[0086] 9 (the direction of arrow h1, which is approximately horizontal when the human body is viewed from the front), the intermediate portion 30 can be easily moved. Then, when the intermediate portion 300 reaches the center of the sternum, the third adhesive layer 310 of the intermediate portion 300 is brought into contact with the skin, thereby fixing the position of the intermediate portion 300.

[0087] At this time, because the intermediate section 300 has a curved shape, the second connecting section 400 is positioned in the vertical direction in the figure (approximately vertical when the human body is viewed from the front), with the movable section 500 located at its tip. Then, as shown in Figure 10, the user extends the second connecting section 400 in the vertical direction in Figure 10 (approximately vertical when the human body is viewed from the front), and extends the second connecting section 400 so that the heart sound sensor 510 of the movable section 500 is positioned at the measurement site (NC).

[0088] When the heart sound sensor 510 is positioned at the measurement site (NC), the label R5 is manipulated to peel the second release sheet 1300 from the second adhesive layer 520, bringing the second adhesive layer 520 into contact with the skin and fixing the position of the moving part 500. At this time, it is confirmed that the indicator 143 of the heart sound sensor on the main body 100 has turned "green."

[0089] As described above, the pulse wave sensor 110, electrocardiogram sensor 120, and heart sound sensor 510 can be easily and quickly positioned in appropriate positions regardless of differences in the physique of the user (subject). The heart sound sensor 510 then transmits its biological information to the main body 100 via the second connection unit 400, the intermediate unit 300, and the first connection unit 200, and then transmits the information together with the biological information of the pulse wave sensor 110, electrocardiogram sensor 120, etc. at the same time to the management server 800.

[0090] 3 operates to estimate the intracardiac pressure, generate reference information such as signs of worsening heart failure, and display it on the server-side display 830 or the like to inform a person in charge. Therefore, according to this embodiment, by using the non-invasive sensor device 10, it is possible to accurately monitor signs of worsening heart failure, etc.

[0091] 11 is a schematic diagram showing a sensor device 10a according to a modification of the present embodiment. This modification has a configuration similar to that of the above-described embodiment, and therefore a description of the common configuration will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences.

[0092] In this modified example, the two electrocardiogram sensors 120, 122 of the above-mentioned embodiment are arranged on the second moving part 100c and the third moving part 100d, and these second moving part 100c and third moving part 100d are configured to be communicatively connected to the main body part 100 via the fourth connecting part 100a and the fifth connecting part 100b, which are wavy and stretchable as a whole.

[0093] The second moving unit 100c and the third moving unit 100d are generally circular and house electrocardiogram sensors 120 and 122, which are examples of a first biological information acquisition unit, inside the moving unit. An adhesive layer is formed on the back side of the second moving unit 100c and the third moving unit 100d, respectively, for securing the unit to the skin of the measurement site on the human body. Furthermore, no adhesive layer is formed on the back side of the fourth connecting unit 100a and the fifth connecting unit 100b. However, an adhesive layer may be formed on the back side of the fourth connecting unit 100a and the fifth connecting unit 100b. The second moving unit 100c and the fourth connecting unit 100a are covered by a release sheet that is fixed and held by the adhesive layer of the second moving unit 100c and the first adhesive layer 150. The third moving unit 100d and the fifth connecting unit 100b are covered by a release sheet that is fixed and held by the adhesive layer of the third moving unit 100d and the first adhesive layer 150. As a result, similar to the third release sheet, if the release sheet is placed, the second moving part 100c and the third moving part 100d can be prevented from being stretched by an attractive force, etc. Therefore, the electrocardiogram sensors 120 and 122 can be placed in more preferable positions.

[0094] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. The configurations of the above embodiments can be partially omitted or arbitrarily combined in a different manner from the above.

[0095] 1...sensor device system, 10...sensor device, 100...main body section, 101...main body side control section, 102...main body side communication section, 103...battery, 104...main body side various information input section, 105...main body side various information storage section, 110...pulse wave sensor, 120, 121, 122...electrocardiogram sensor, 130...power button, 140...indicator, 141...pulse wave indicator, 142...electrocardiogram indicator, 143...heart sound indicator, 150...first adhesive layer, 200...first connecting section, 300...intermediate section, 301...first side, 302...second side, 310...third adhesive layer , 400... Second connection section, 500... Moving section, 510... Heart sound sensor, 520... Second adhesive layer, 800... Management server, 810... Server side control section, 820... Server side communication section, 830... Server side display, 840... Server side various information input device, 850... Intracardiac pressure estimation section, 860... Server side various information storage section, 1000... Peeling section, 1100... First release sheet, 1110... First release sheet, 1120... First-second release sheet, 1111... Fixing section, 1112... Free end section, 1200... Third release sheet, 1300... Second release sheet, R2, R3, R4, R5... Label

Claims

1. A vital sign monitoring device comprising: a main body unit including a first vital sign acquisition unit that acquires vital signs; and a control unit that controls the vital sign acquired by the first vital sign acquisition unit; and a mobile unit including a second vital sign acquisition unit that acquires the vital sign, wherein an intermediate unit is disposed between the main body unit and the mobile unit, and the main body unit and the mobile unit are connected to the intermediate unit by a first connecting unit and a second connecting unit, both of which are length-adjustable, so as to be able to communicate with the intermediate unit, and the length directions adjusted by the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit are each adjustable in different directions.

2. The vital signs monitoring device described in claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate portion has a guide shape for arranging the length direction adjusted by the first connection portion and the length direction adjusted by the second connection portion in different directions, the first connection portion and the second connection portion are elastic, and the main body portion, the intermediate portion and the moving portion each have an adhesive layer.

3. A biological information monitoring device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the first biological information acquisition unit has a pulse wave sensor that detects the user's pulse and an electrocardiogram sensor that detects the heart's electrical signals, and the second biological information acquisition unit has a heart sound sensor that detects vibrations from the heart.

4. The biometric information monitoring device described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the main body acquires the biometric information of the second biometric information acquisition unit via the second connection unit, the intermediate unit and the first biometric information acquisition unit, and transmits it to another device together with the biometric information of the first biometric information acquisition unit at the same time.

5. A biological information monitoring device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the main body unit is provided with an alarm unit that notifies whether the first biological information acquisition unit and the second biological information acquisition unit are each acquiring the biological information.

6. A vital sign monitoring system comprising: a management device for managing vital sign; and a vital sign monitoring device for monitoring the vital sign, wherein the vital sign monitoring device comprises: a main body unit comprising a first vital sign acquisition unit for acquiring vital sign and a control unit for controlling the vital sign acquired by the first vital sign acquisition unit; and a mobile unit comprising a second vital sign acquisition unit for acquiring the vital sign, wherein an intermediate unit is disposed between the main body unit and the mobile unit, and the main body unit and the mobile unit are connected to the intermediate unit by a first connecting unit and a second connecting unit, both of which are length-adjustable, so as to be able to communicate with each other, and wherein the length directions adjusted by the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit are each adjustable in different directions.

7. A stick-on vital sign monitoring device comprising: a first adhesive portion for fixing a main body portion having a first vital sign acquisition portion that acquires vital sign; a second adhesive portion for fixing a mobile portion having a second vital sign acquisition portion that acquires the vital sign; a connecting portion that electrically connects the main body portion and the mobile portion and is configured to be stretchable; and a peel-off portion that is arranged relative to the main body portion, the mobile portion and the connecting portion, wherein the peel-off portion has a first peel-off sheet that covers the main body portion, a second peel-off sheet that covers the mobile portion and a third peel-off sheet that covers the connecting portion, and the third peel-off sheet is held in a peelable state by the first adhesive portion and the second adhesive portion.

8. The wearable vital sign monitoring device of claim 7, wherein the first vital sign acquisition unit has a pulse wave sensor that detects the user's pulse and an electrocardiogram sensor that detects electrical signals from the heart, the second vital sign acquisition unit has a heart sound sensor that detects vibrations from the heart, the first adhesive portion of the main body unit is not formed in a portion of the main body unit where the pulse wave sensor is located and functions, and the second adhesive portion of the moving unit is not formed in a portion of the moving unit where the heart sound sensor is located and functions.

9. A patch-type vital sign monitoring device as described in claim 1 or claim 8, characterized in that the first release sheet has a fixed portion that abuts and is fixed to the first adhesive portion, and a free end portion that extends from the fixed portion and is not directly fixed to the first adhesive portion.

10. The adhesive-type vital sign monitoring device described in claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that the second release sheet has a fixed portion that abuts and is fixed to the second adhesive portion, and a free end portion that extends from the fixed portion and is not directly fixed to the second adhesive portion.

11. The adhesive-type vital sign monitoring device described in claim 9, characterized in that the first peel-off sheet is configured so as not to be placed in the part of the main body where the pulse wave sensor is placed and functions, and is divided into multiple parts.

12. The adhesive-type vital sign monitoring device described in claim 10, characterized in that the second peel-off sheet is not placed in the part of the moving part where the heart sound sensor is placed and functions, and is divided into multiple parts.

13. The adhesive type vital sign monitoring device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the connection portion is stretchable when the third release sheet is not covering the connection portion.

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