a2, United States Patent
`US 6,293,915 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`*Sep. 25, 2001
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Amanoet al.
`
`US006293915B1
`
`2/1995 (EP).
`0 638 281 Al
`10/1984 (JP).
`59-189830
`9/1992 (JP).
`4-250132
`10/1996 (JP).
`8-257000
`11/1996 (JP).
`8-289876
`5/1997 (JP).
`9-135819
`This patent issued on a continued pros-
`8/1990 (TW).
`139440
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`WO96 35368=:11/1996_(WO).
`1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`patent
`term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`154(a)(2).
`
`(54) PULSE WAVE EXAMINATION APPARATUS,
`BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR, PULSE
`WAVEFORM MONITOR, AND
`PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION MONITOR
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Kazuhiko Amano; Kazuo Uebaba,
`both of Yokohama; Hitoshi Ishiyama,
`Toride; Hiroshi Kasahara, Kashiwa,all
`of (JP)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21)
`
`(22)
`
`(86)
`
`Appl. No.:
`PCTFiled:
`
`09/341,787
`
`Nov. 20, 1998
`
`PCT No.:
`
`PCT/JP98/05259
`
`§ 371 Date:
`
`Jul. 16, 1999
`
`§ 102(e) Date:
`
`Jul. 16, 1999
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4/1997 Amanoet al. oo. 600/500
`5,623,933 *
`5/1998 Amanoet al.ee 600/500
`5,755,229 *
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`“Medical Diagnostics, vol. 1 (in Japanese)’, supervised by
`Akira Shibata, Mar.,
`10,
`1995, Nishimura Shoten,
`pp401-409.
`“Application of Wavelet Transformation to Wave Pulse of
`Living Body (in Japanese)”, Preprint of 15” Scientific
`Lectures on Biomechanism, (Japan), (1994), pp121-124.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Cary O’ Connor
`Assistant Examiner—Navin Natnithithadha
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(87)
`
`PCT Pub. No.: WO99/26529
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Jun. 3, 1999
`
`the frequency
`An FFTtreating section (40) carries out
`analysis of a pulse waveform MHj excluding a body move-
`ment componentto yield pulse wave analysis data MKD and
`then a tidal wave-character extracting section (50) and a
`(30)
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`dicrotic wave-character extracting section (60) yieldatidal
`Nov. 20, 1997
`(UP)
`eccssssseesssssssessssesssseceessssesseseeessssees 9-320149
`wave-character data (TWD)and a dicrotic wave-character
`
`Nov. 21, 1997
`(JP) ...
`data (DWD) showing the characteristics of a tidal wave and
`(TP) cesssssssesseesssserssssseessstenseenee 10-213494
`Jul. 12, 1998
`—dicrotic wave respectively. Then, a pulse condition judging
`section (70) yields pulse condition data (ZD) on the basis of
`this data (TWD, DWD)andin succession a notifying section
`(80) advises of the pulse condition of a subject.
`
`CSV) Tint C07 eeeeccceccceeeeeescesnneesceesnneeeecnneeeeeee A61B 5/02
`(52) US. Che eeeeecsesesseceeeees 600/501; 600/500; 600/485
`(58) Field of Search 0... 600/500, 501,
`600/485, 486, 502
`
`61 Claims, 56 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`19
`20
`PULSE WAVE
`BODY MOVEMENT
`22
`
`
`DETECTING SECTION
`DETECTING SECTION
`(JUDGING
`
`TH
`SECTION
`a| MAVEFORKEATING
`|
`Lo MHt
`
`7MH
`
`305
`
`40 Y
`
`|
`BODY MOVEMENT COMPONENT
`ELIMINATING SECTION
`bs Hj
`FFT TREATING SECTION
`
`©
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`80 NOTIFYING SECTION
`
`50 \
`— MKD
`60
`
`Y
`y
`J
`TIDAL WAVE—CHARACTER
`BIGROTIC WAVE-CHARACTER
`
`EXTRACTING SECTION
`EXTRACTING SECTION
`
`
`;~~ Twp
`~~ pwo
`70 ¥
`PULSE CONDITION
`JUDGING SECTION
`ZD
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1004
`
`APPLE 1004
`
`1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG.
`
`1
`
`10
`
`20
`
`PULSE WAVE
`DETECTING SECTION
`
`3
`
`MH
`
`BODY MOVEMENT
`DETECTING SECTION
`
`TH
`WAVEFORM TREATING
`SECTION
`
`29
`
`JUDGING
`
`SECTION
`
`Cc
`
`30
`
`40
`
`BODY MOVEMENT COMPONENT
`ELIMINATING SECTION
`
`MHj
`
`FFT TREATING SECTION
`
`50
`
`\
`
`TIDAL WAVE—CHARACTER
`EXTRACTING SECTION
`
`DICROTIC WAVE-CHARACTER
`EXTRACTING SECTION
`
`DWD
`
`MKD
`60
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PULSE CONDITION
`JUDGING SECTION
`
`70
`
`ZD
`
`80
`
`NOTIFYING SECTION
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 2
`
`START
`
`DETECTION OF A PULSE
`WAVEFORM
`
`BODY MOVEMENT
`ELIMINATING TREATMENT
`
`FFT TREATMENT
`
`$1
`
`$2
`
`$3
`
`S4
`
`$5
`
`
`
`YIELD OF TIDAL
`
`WAVE-CHARACTER DATA
`AND DICROTIC WAVE DATA
`<n
`YE Ga $9
`
`JUDGED TO BE A XUAN JUDGED TO BE A PING||JUDGED TO BE HUA MAI
`
`MAI TO YIELD ZD1
`MAI TO YIELD ZD2
`TO YIELD ZD3
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG.
`
`3
`
`10
`
`20
`
`PULSE WAVE
`DETECTING SECTION
`
`BODY MOVEMENT
`DETECTING SECTION
`
`22
`
`TH
`
`JUDGING
`SECTION
`
`21
`
`MH
`
`WAVEFORM TREATING
`SECTION
`
`
`
` 30
`
`BODY MOVEMENT COMPONENT
`ELIMINATING SECTION
`
`41
`
`MHj
`
`WAVELET TRANSFORMATION
`SECTION
`
`50
`
`MKP
`
`
`
`
`
`TIDAL
`TIDAL
`TIDAL
`
`WAVE-CHARACTER
`WAVE/DICROTIC
`WAVE-CHARACTER
`
`
`
`WAVE DETECTING
`EXTRAGT ING
`EXTRACTING
`
`
`
`SECTION
`SECTION
`SECTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`60
`
`PULSE CONDITION
`JUDGING SECTION
`
`ZD
`
`80
`
`NOTIFYING SECTION
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`am
`
`W
`
`
`
`'TNOLLYOIId!704
`
`GM
`
`
`!NOIL038NOILO3SDNIYOLS||ONLLVISNYYLAYOWSWNOILOIS
`
`
`
`
`
`¥34N8NOISWAANOD3T¥OSNOILONNSOISWE!VMeM!NOILOS
`OGYTAMOWAN
`GWGNODIS
`ty00%vp-Ola
`XdaN
`
`($9
`
`
`
`ONId¥HSWYO3AVH
`
`NOIL938[HW
`
`©)
`
`Isuld
`
`ANOWAW—M
`
`5
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 Bl
`
`FIG.
`
`5
`
`MH
`
`RINGING
`FILTER
`
`
`
`
`
`400
`
`401
`
`402
`Ss
`
`ZERO-CROSS
`DETECTING
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`LOOP
`COMPAR I NG
`
`
`
`
`FILTER
`SECTION
`
`
`
`
`VOLTAGE CONTROL
`OSCILLATION
`CIRCUIT
`
`Cs
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG.
`
`6
`
`
`
`eeaee
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 7 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 Bl
`
`FIG. 7
`
`FREQUENCY
`
`WAVELET ANALYSIS RESULT
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 8 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 8
`
`|\ {\
`
`U
`
`|!
`
`ELECTROCARDIOGRAM
`
`Q
`
`§$
`
`WAVEFORM OF
`BLOOD PRESSURE
`AT PROXIMAL PORTION
`OF AORTA
`
`NERA
`eeeeeee
`
`Q
`CLOSING OF AORTIC VALVE
`
`
`!
`
`
`|
`!
`
`OPENING OF
`AORTIC VALVE
`
`
`
`
`
`EFFUSION |
`WAVE
`
`||
`
`-~
`
`TIDAL WAVE
`
`WAVEFORM OF
`BLOOD PRESSURE
`AT PERIPHERY
`
`
`
`
`
`DICROTIC NOTCH
`
`
`{I | j ||
`
`VENTRICULAR
`SYSTOLE
`
`|
`
`VENTRICULAR DIASTOLE
`
`9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 9 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG.
`
`9
`
`Pt
`
`P2
`
`P3
`
`Th P4
`TiN
`
`Y2v6YamS P6(PO)
`
`10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 10 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 10
`
`DISTORTION
`
`RATE d
`
`5
`
`0
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`(¥s- Ya)
`
`[mmHg]
`
`11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 11 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`ORIGINAL
`
`WAVEFORM
`
`wt
`
`wi2
`
`“ w
`
`t4
`
`wt5
`
`wié
`
`wi7
`Wi8
`
`wi
`
`
`
`0.3s
`
`DO
`
`a&E
`
`N
`
`FIG. 11
`
`f1
`
`2XJ/\/W
`aAVAVAVAN
`
`FANTINI
`OyARARAN
`
`{6-7AAARAAA
`
`7.
`
`fB—
`
`BR
`f10
`
`Den
`
`HUA MAI
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 12 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 12
`
`ORIGINAL
`WAVEFORM
`
`wit
`
`wie
`
`PING MAI
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 13 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 13
`
`Be Pes
`
`[Waaspr
`o
`: o ABPp
`E
`Fe
`ORIGINAL
`St \}
`oe
`WAVEFORM
`NL,
`0.45 Fe
`f1 S\y
`f2 ASV\IWN
`
`
`
`F4 —_[\P\VINX
`wt3
`
`a VAVAVAY
`
`5 —_ARARHNA.
`
`FB —aAADANANA
`
`f7 ——sARARARARARAN
`
`wit
`
`wf2
`
`wf4
`
`wf5
`
`wf6
`
`f8ltetegg
`wf7
`
`f9TPIAAAAAPPP
`wf8
`
`wf9
`
`XUAN MAI
`
`14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 14 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 14
`
`
`
`eea MAI
`AMPLITUDE
`DICROTIC pape 2.9
`AMPLITUDEOFTIDAL yh3.8
`
`
`WAVE [mmHG]
`
`WAVE [mmHG]
`
`FIG. 15
`
`
`
`
`
`alsfo“wo
`
`
`
`
`ss_|eso_tra_
`[SSE
`
`
`
`
`otadisse
`
`jpfsafea fis__
`
`psfosfra
`
`deodssa
`
`
`ozosods
`
`
`
`pofao6fs
`
`15
`
`15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 15 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`wb
`
`Ww
`
`=a
`
`co
`So
`
`o
`m
`Pe
`
`N
`-
`
`”
`
`N
`+
`©
`2
`Oo
`Oo
`So
`Oo
`NOILVTSYYOOOLAV AO LNAIOIsAAOO
`
`o
`
`16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 16 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`&
`
`b
`
`uu=
`
`tt
`rd
`
`FIG.
`
`N
`-
`
`7
`
`an
`2 ont a
`98
`oO
`oo Oo 2
`NOILVTSHYOOOLNV JO LNAIOISSAOO
`
`°
`
`17
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 17 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`TIME7
`
`18
`
`FIG.
`
`1.2
`
`8
`3
`
`on + OWN
`59 0 6 O66
`
`NOILVTAYHOOOLNV JO LNSI0IS45090
`
`18
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 18 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 19
`
`10
`
`PULSE WAVE DETECTING
`SECTION
`
`2 1 0 : AUTOCORRELAT ION
`+ CALCULATING SECTION
`
`MH
`
`ao
`
`211
`
`212
`WAVEFORM TREATING|WE
`SECTION
`MEMORY
`MH1 fg MH2
`
`MULTIPLICATION
`SECTION
`
`213
`
`AVERAGE VALUE
`CALCULATING SECTION
`
`214
`
`215
`
`2 2 O:PULSE CONDITION DATA
`
`NORMAL | ZATION
`CALCULATING SECTION
`
`_’ YUELDING SECTION
`
`DISPLAY SECTION
`
`230
`
`19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 19 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 20
`
`START
`
`DETECTION OF A PULSE WAVEFORM
`
`YIELD OF AUTOCORRELATION DATA
`
`$1
`
`$2
`
`$3
`
`DETECTION OF THE MINIMUM
`VALUE OF THE AUTOCORRELAT ION
`DATA CORRESPONDING TO A PERIOD
`OF ONE BEAT
`
`$4
`
`1S THE MINIMUM VALUE LESS
`THAN 0. 25?
`
`$6
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MEASUREMENT OF A TIME INTERVAL,
`IN
`WHICH THE AUTOCORRELATION DATA RD
`
`EXCEEDS 0.5,
`IN A PERIOD CORRESPONDING
`
`TO A PERIOD OF ONE BEAT
`
`
`CALCULATION OF THE RATIO OF
`THE MEASURED TIME TO THE
`PERIOD OF ONE BEAT
`
`S7
`
`$8
`
`DOES THE RATIO CALCULATED
`EXCEED 47%?
`
`$10
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`JUDGED TO BE A HUA
`JUDGED TO BE A PING
`JUDGED TO BE A XUAN
`MAI TO YIELD 203
`
`MAL TO YIELD ZD2
`MAI TO YIELD ZD1
`
`
`
`
`
`20
`
`20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 20 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 21
`
`RD
`
`5 220
`
`227
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CHANGE RATE
`CALCULATING SECTION
`
`MINIMUM VALUE
`DETECTING SECTION
`
`228
`
`FIRST COMPARING
`SECTION
`
`
`
` MAXIMUM VALUE
`DETECTING SECTION
`
`5 225
`
`
`SECOND COMPARING
`SECTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DATA YIELDING
`SECT !ON
`
`21
`
`21
`
`

`

`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 21 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`a
`
`IVINWnix
`
`.
`
`\
`
`1,4
`
`¢
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`IVWONId\eS0’0-
`IWINYH'0-
`
`66‘OLA
`
`St'0
`
`LO
`
`S0'0
`
`S}'0-
`
`22
`
`22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 22 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 23
`
`START
`
`
`
`DETECTION OF A PULSE WAVEFORM
`
`YIELD OF AUTOCORRELATION DATA
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DETECTION OF THE MINIMUM
`VALUE OF THE AUTOCORRELAT!ON
`
`
`DATA CORRESPONDING TO A PERIOD
`
`
`OF ONE BEAT
`
`S17
`
`$2
`
`$3
`
`$4
`
`1S THE MINIMUM VALUE LESS
`THAN 0. 25?
`
`$11
`
`S12
`
`$13
`
`DETECTION OF THE MAX{MUM VALUE
`OF THE VARIATION RATE IN A
`PERIOD CORRESPONDING TO A PERIOD
`OF ONE BEAT
`
`
`{S THE MAXIMUM VALUE LESS
`THAN 0. 85?
`
`$15
`
`
`
`
`
`DETECTION OF THE VARIATION RATE
`
`OF AUTOCORRELATION DATA
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`JUDGED TO BE A HUA
`JUDGED TO BE A PING
`JUDGED TQ BE A XUAN
`MAI TO YIELD ZD1
`MAL TO YIELD ZD3
`MAI TO YIELD 2D2
`
`
`
`23
`
`23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 23 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 24
`
`10
`
`Jt
`
`20
`
`PULSE WAVE
`DETECTING SECTION
`
`BODY MOVEMENT
`DETECTING SECTION
`
`TH
`
`21
`
`MH
`
`JUDGING
`SECTION
`
`WAVEFORM TREATING
`SECTION
`
`
`
`30 a BODY MOVEMENT COMPONENT
`
`ELIMINATING SECTION
`
`22
`
`Cc
`
`MHj
`
`210
`
`AUTOCORRELATION
`CALCULATING SECTION
`
`RD
`
`2
`
`20
`
`PULSE CONDITION DATA
`YIELDING SECTION
`
`ZD
`
`230
`
`DISPLAY SECTION
`
`24
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 24 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 25
`
`10
`
`20
`
`PULSE WAVE DETECTING
`SECTION
`
`BODY MOVEMENT
`DETECTING SECTION
`
`29
`
`MH
`
`21
`
`243
`
`TH
`
`WAVEFORM TREATING
`SECTION
`
`JUDGING
`SECTION
`
`FIRST WAVELET
`TRANSFORMATION SECTION
`
`DAS
`
`MKD
`
`244
`
`246
`
`FIRST FREQUENCY
`CORRECTING SECTION
`
`MKDa
`
`240
`
`
`
`
`SECOND WAVELET
`TRANSFORMATION SECTION
`
`SECOND FREQUENCY
`CORRECTING SECTION
`
`BODY MOVEMENT
`ELIMINATING SECTION
`
`MKDa j
`
`472
`
`INVERSE WAVELET
`TRANSFORMATION SECTION
`
`MH
`
`j
`
`210
`
`AUTOCORRELAT | ON
`CALCULATING SECTION
`
`R
`
`D
`
`220
`
`PULSE CONDITION
`YIELDING SECTION
`
`ZD
`
`9
`
`30
`
`DISPLAY SECTION
`
`25
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 25 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 26
`
`—_
`
`~~
`
`—
`
`— ame
`
`—T oe mee we
`
`ad
`
`— ee ao,
`
`3.5~3.0Hz
`
`3.0 ~2.5Hz
`
`2.5~2.0Hz
`
`2.0 ~1.5Hz
`
`1.5~1,0Hz
`
`4.0~3.5Hz
`
`ison[oofJo
`wr}[|T]|[ele
`
`
`ee
`
`
`Ce
`
`Cz
`
`
`walPoppp
`wwafweal[||[12
`
`
`assesssrf
`
`1.0 ~0.5Hz
`
`0.5~0.0Hz
`
`26
`
`26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 26 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 27
`
`27
`
`27
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 27 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 28
`
`4.0~3.5Hz
`
`3.5~3.0Hz
`
`3.0-+2.5Hz
`
`2.5-~2.0Hz
`0.5~0.0Hz
`
`FIG. 29
`
`40~3,5Hz
`
`3.5 ~3.0HZ
`
`3.0~+2.5Hz
`
`1.0~0.5Hz
`
`28
`
`28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 28 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 30
`
`40~3.5Hz
`
`29
`
`29
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 29 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 31
`
`PULSE WAVE DETECTING
`SECTION
`
`10
`
`MH
`
`243
`
`FIRST WAVELET
`TRANSFORMATION SECTION
`
`MKD
`
`244
`
`FIRST FREQUENCY
`CORRECTING SECTION
`
`240
`
`MKDa
`
`BODY MOVEMENT COMPONENT
`ELIMINATING SECTION
`
`MKDa j
`
`247
`
`INVERSE WAVELET
`TRANSFORMATION SECTION
`
`AUTOCORRELATION
`
`CALCULATING SECTION2=0<.
`
`PULSE CONDITION DATA
`YIELDING SECTION
`
`220
`
`£D
`
`230
`
`DISPLAY SECTION
`
`30
`
`30
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 30 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 32
`
`WAVEFORM SHAPING
`SECTION
`
`COUNTER
`
`304
`
`303
`
`
`
`
`
`AVERAGE VALUE
`
`
`
`
`
`CALCULATING
`
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`
`MKDa
`
`SUBSTITUTION
`CIRCUIT
`
`MKDa j
`
`FIG. 33
`
`4.0-~3.5Hz
`
`3.5 ~3.0Hz
`
`3.0 ~2.5Hz
`
`31
`
`31
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 31 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 34
`
`FIG. 35
`
`10
`
`
`
`
`
`SO
`
`PULSE WAVE DETECTING
`SENSOR UNIT
`
`
`
`FIRST WAVELET
`TRANSFORMATION SECTION
`
`
`
`AUTOCORRELAT 1 0N
`CALCULATING SECTION
`
`
`
`PULSE CONDITION DATE
`YIELDING SECTION
`
`243
`
`210
`
`220
`
`230
`
`DISPLAY SECTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MKD
`
`MULT | PL! CATION
`SECTION
`
`
`
`
`
`BASIC FUNCTION
`STORING SECTION
`
`BUFFER MEMORY
`
`TRANSLATI NG
`SECT] ON
`
`W5
`
`32
`
`32
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 32 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 36
`
`10
`
`20
`
`PULSE WAVE DETECTING
`SECTION
`
`BODY MOVEMENT
`DETECTING SECTION
`
`22
`
`MH
`
`24
`
`243
`
`TH
`
`WAVEFORM TREATING
`SECTION
`
`JUDGING
`SECTION
`
`TRANSFORMATION SECTION
`
`MKDf
`
`SECOND WAVELET
`
`C
`
`TRANSFORMATION SECTION
` 2
`
`40
`
`BODY MOVEMENT
`ELIMINATING SECTION
`
`MKD fa j
`
`AUTOCORRELAT| ON
`CALCULATING SECTION
`
`RD
`
`PULSE CONDITION DATA
`YIELDING SECTION
`
`210
`
`220
`
`ZD
`
`23
`
`0
`
`DISPLAY SECTION
`
`33
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 33 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 37A
`FIG. 37C
`
`34
`
`34
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 34 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 38
`
`10: PULSE WAVE
`i
`
`DETECTING SECTION
`
`35
`
`35
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 35 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 39A
`
`
`
`36
`
`36
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 36 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 40
`
`430
`
`Bn
`
`SW1
`
`SW2
`
`37
`
`37
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 37 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 41
`
`131
`
`130
`
`170
`
`1014
`
`38
`
`38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 38 of 56
`
`
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`39
`
`39
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 39 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 43
`
`131
`
`130
`
`40
`
`40
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 40 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 44A
`
`130
`
`134
`
`100
`
`
`FIG. 44B
`
`A1
`
`41
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 41 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 45A
`
`
`
`BLOODPRESSURE
`
`(mmHg)
`
`100
`
`50
`
`10
`
`11
`
`#13
`12
`TIME (s)
`
`#1714
`
`#15
`
`10
`
`11
`
`12
`
`13
`
`14
`
`15
`
`TIME (s)
`
`FIG. 45B
`
`
`
`BLOODPRESSURE
`
`(mmHg)
`
`FIG. 45C
`
`150
`
`100
`
`50
`
`
`
`BLOODPRESSURE
`
`(mmHg)
`
`1°?
`
`QO
`
`11
`
`12
`
`13
`
`#714
`
`#15
`
`TIME (s)
`
`PING MAI
`
`HUA MAI
`
`XUAN MAI
`
`42
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 42 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 46
`
`RATE
`
`DISTORTION
`
`°
`
`HUA MAI
`
`PING MAI
`
`XUAN MAI
`
`43
`
`43
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 43 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 47
`
`588
`
`CBM -2000
`
`7
`
`586
`
`580
`
`44
`
`44
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 44 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`EFFUSION WAVE
`TIDAL WAVE
`
`SYSTOLIC
`
`BY0D PRESSURE BPsys
`
`ABPpoeNOTCH
`ABP 7PICROTIC WAVE
`Klop,
`BP
`Mredp PRESSURE BPmean
`Tp
`
`FIG. 48
`
`a
`
`& m4
`
`&E
`2
`Za
`HS
`A
`~
`"1
`
`O
`
`s
`he
`
`
`
`BR
`
`Dd
`
`BPpp DIASTOLIC
`BLOOD PRESSURE?
`
`BP
`dir
`
`0.5
`
`TIME [s ]
`
`1
`
`45
`
`45
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 45 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 49
`
`
`
`BPgir
`
`(mmHg!
`
`
`
`90
`
`100
`
`110
`
`120
`
`130
`
`140
`
`46
`
`2r
`
`o|O
`
`s
`egro
`
`LI
`n
`
`qa)
`
`a &
`= =
`Mise
`O
`
`FIG. 50
`
`co
`
`a0 ©
`
`_c
`
`s ©
`a
`
`Sf
`Lio
`
`aM
`
`sp
`oO
`
`46
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 46 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 51
`
`[mmHg|3040506070
`ABP
`
`90
`
`100
`
`110
`
`120
`
`130
`
`140
`
`150
`
`BPsys
`
`[mmHg]
`
`47
`
`47
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 47 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`
`
`ONIDanN!dens
`
`NOILVAYOANI
`
`
`
`-SHudGOo'1d:
`
`ONIAOLS
`
`NOLLOUS
`
`
`
`NOILOSSLAdLAO
`
`
`
`ONILVINDTVO
`
`doodNVAW
`
`SAYNSSded
`
`NOLLOUS
`
`8¢dSf80SIS
`
`WYOADAVM
`
`ONILODLAG
`
`NOLLOUS
`
`TWITHLYV
`
`HYNSSAYd
`
`6G‘Old
`
`
`
`auNssddddOOTd
`
`ONILYSANOO
`
`NOILOUS
`
`aunssddddoold
`
`
`
`NOILOdSONIOANS
`
`aunssaddas1nd
`
`ONILWINOTVO
`
`NOILLOXS
`
`48
`
`48
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 48 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 53
`
`1520
`
`10
`
`[mmHg]
`ABPo
`
`.
`
`KR
`
`HUA MAI PING MAI XUAN MAI
`
`49
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 49 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG.
`
`dav/Pdda
`
`54
`
`970S50P08O0C¢C0T10O
`
`FIG.
`
`95
`
`ABPp
`
`[mmHg|
`
`A BPP
`
`[mmHg|
`
`50
`
`50
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 50 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`vost.
`
`
`
`NOILLOHSLAdLNO
`
`sre.
`
`QO9S
`
`
`
`WYOdTAVMdS'1Nd
`
`
`
`
`
`NOLLOSSONIOANS|<
`
`95%
`
`
`
`NOILOUSONINOLS
`
`NOLLVANYOANI
`
`-WaOddAVM
`
`OnNIDanft
`
`as1Nd
`
`vys
`
`AAVMO1LOdoId
`
`ONILVINOTVO
`
`NOLLOES
`
`LHOMH
`
`
`
`aanssdddOLLOUSIT
`
`
`
`OLLVYFONAYssdIG
`
`
`
`ONILVINOTVO
`
`NOLLOUS
`
`as1Nd-synssddd
`
`
`
`OLLVaFuNSssdd
`
`
`
`dooTldNVYWN
`
`ONILVINOTO
`
`NOLLOUS
`
`ONILVTINOTVO
`
`NOLLOSS
`
`OITO.LSVIG
`
`auNSSAud
`
`NOISNsdas
`
`WuYOsdAVM
`
`ONILOXLA
`
`NOILOAS
`
`WINELYV
`
`AYNSSHud
`
`9G
`
`‘OTA
`
`51
`
`51
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 51 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`NOISnNddd v9Gvss
`
`NOILOESLAdLAOHYNSSAYd
`
`ONILVINOTWO
`
`NOLLOUS
`
`OITOLSVIG
`
`vos
`
`WYOddAVM
`
`ONILOSLad
`
`NOLLOUS
`
`TWIYELEV
`
`HINSSAdd
`
`cet
`
`LG
`
`‘OIA
`
`plsJSvrs
`
`édG
`
`ONIDANf-NOILLOV
`
`VOIDOTOOVWYVHd
`
`
`
`NOLLOYUSONIYOLS
`
`NOILVWYOSNI
`
`|
`
`NOLLOUsNOLLOUS
`
`
`
`HAVMOLLOYOIG
`
`TVOIDOTOOVNYVHdLHOWH
`ONIDaN.NOLLOVONILVTINOTVO
`
`
`
`52
`
`52
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 52 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`Gx
`
`yn
`
`C*W
`
`Grn
`
`L+*W
`
`fhoe
`foe
`fom
`fae
`fe-Loe
`ele
`eeeOt
`
`9x
`
`Ln
`
`ObVi
`
`Bx
`
`hZt(Z)0H
`
`Jkab
`
`Ol
`
`Vi
`
`8S“Old
`
`Ol
`
`al
`
`HW
`
`53
`
`53
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 53 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`de
`
`Ve
`
`d|@
`
`ereCS9az|(2)ts|PaEEO&
`0Gaz”|Z)ts|poet)=
`ao:
` |Z)[+14
`Ve9gz|(2)0sVz
`aeEO@
`veOFge](2)93WG
`
`22
`
`Oz
`
`Oz
`
`reren
`
`ZiexH
`EnZH
`|Z)ba
`|Zb+—caw
`OzLz|+—oan
`Ped|BN
`6g‘DId
`
`Oz
`
`Oz
`
`54
`
`54
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 54 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 60
`
`FAGE GHART
`
`
`
`
`EOI
`
`
`OC
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`55
`
`55
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 55 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 61
`
`445
`
`430°
`
`144
`
`1 4 6
`
`ae
`
`143
`
`O58
`
`Nas
`
`1 4
`
`1 42
`
`147
`
`FIG. 62
`
`19 4
`
`190
`
`19 2
`
`193
`
`195
`
`191
`
`56
`
`56
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 25, 2001
`
`Sheet 56 of 56
`
`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`FIG. 63
`
`
`
`PRESSURE[mmHg]
`
`60 4240~°#60-40 -20 O 20
`
`TIME [min]
`
`
`
`
`
`
`50
`
`
`BLOODPRESSURE[mmHg]
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 64
`
`150
`
`100
`
`Control
`
`Nf (15 min)
`
`ABP,
`
`A BP)
`
`ABP»
`
`A BP,
`
`TIME
`
`[s]
`
`57
`
`57
`
`

`

`US 6,293,915 B1
`
`1
`
`PULSE WAVE EXAMINATION APPARATUS,
`BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR, PULSE
`WAVEFORM MONITOR, AND
`PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION MONITOR
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to a pulse wave examination
`apparatus suitable for specifying the type of human pulse
`wave, a blood pressure monitor using the mean blood
`pressure and pulse pressure as its parameters and a pulse
`waveform monitor and a pharmacological action monitor
`which use a parameter related to a dicrotic notch part of an
`arterial pressure waveform.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`The pulse wave is usually defined as a wave of blood
`which is output from the heart and propagates through a
`blood vessel. For this reason, it is known that various types
`of medical information can be obtained by the detection of
`pulse waveand analysis of the detected pulse wave. with the
`progress of studies on the pulse wave, it has become clear
`that various types of information, not obtainable only from
`the blood pressure and the pulse rate, can be obtained by
`analyzing the pulse wave, collected from the human body,
`by various techniques, making a diagnosis possible on the
`basis of these types of information.
`The inventors of the present
`invention remarked the
`relation between the pulse waveform andits distortion rate
`in PCT/JP96/01254 (Title of the Invention: DIAGNOSTIC
`APPARATUS FOR DETECTING CONDITION OF LIV-
`ING BODY AND CONTROLLER)and madeit possible to
`diagnose the living condition of a subject by detecting and
`treating the pulse waveform of the subject, calculating the
`distortion rate of the waveform and specifying the waveform
`from the distortion rate.
`
`Here, the relationship between a pulse waveform and a
`distortion rate which are mentioned in the above application
`will be described briefly.
`First, there are various types of pulse waveforms and the
`forms are diversified. Here, typical forms of pulse wave-
`formsbythe classification of Chinese medicine whichis one
`of a traditional oriental medicine will be described. FIGS.
`45A to 45C are the charts showing representative pulse
`waveformsby this classification.
`The pulse waveform shown in FIG. 45A iscalled a “Ping
`mai” whichis the pulse condition of a normal man in good
`health. This “Ping mai” is characterized in that, as shown in
`the figure,
`the pulse is relaxed, and exhibits a constant
`rhythm without disruption.
`Secondly,
`the pulse waveform shown in FIG. 45B is
`called a “Hua mai” which is the pulse condition of a man
`who shows an abnormality in his blood stream condition.
`The waveform of a Hua mai exhibits a sharp, rapid rise, and
`then falls off immediately, the aortic dicrotic notch is deep
`and at the same time the subsequent peak is considerably
`higher than that of a Ping mai. It is considered that diseases
`such as a mammary tumor, liver or kidney ailment, respi-
`ratory ailment, stomach or
`intestinal ailment or
`inflammation, or someother illness cause the movement of
`the blood to be very fluent and smooth, which causes this
`“Hua mai”.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`the pulse waveform shown in FIG. 45C is
`Moreover,
`called a “Xuan mai” whichis the pulse condition of a man
`whose blood vessel wall tension has increased. The Xuan
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`mai is characterized in that its waveform rises steeply and
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`2
`remains at a high pressure state for a fixed period of time
`without an immediate drop. This “Xuan mai” is seen in
`diseases such as liver and gall ailments, dermatological
`ailments, high blood pressure, and pain ailments.
`It
`is
`believed that tension in the automatic nervous system causes
`the walls of the blood vessels to constrict, decreasing
`elasticity, so that the effect of the blood pulsation of the
`pumped blood is not readily expressed, causing this phe-
`nomenon.
`
`The ordinate and the abscissa in the graphs of FIGS. 45A
`to 45C show blood pressure (mmHg) and time (second)
`respectively.
`The relationship between the pulse condition of the pulse
`waveform and its distortion rated is shown in FIG. 46. Here,
`the distortion rate d of the pulse waveform is determined by
`the following equation (1):
`
`4 age agen +A
`Al
`
`(D
`
`wherein A, is the amplitude of a basic wave componentin
`the pulse wave andA,, A,...,A,, are the amplitudes of the
`second, third,
`.
`.
`. and nth harmonic components respec-
`tively.
`It is therefore possible to specify the pulse condition of the
`pulse waveform quantitatively from the correlation shown in
`FIG. 46 if the pulse waveform of a subject is detected and
`the detected waveform is subjected to FFT (Fourier
`transformation) treatment to find the amplitudes A, to A,
`from which the distortion rate d is calculated.
`
`As shown in FIG. 46, when the pulse condition of the
`subject is judged to be a Hua mai, the distortion rate d is in
`a range between 0.98 and 1.22. When the pulse condition is
`judged to be a Ping mai, the distortion rate d is in a range
`between 0.92 and 1.10. When the pulse condition is judged
`to be a Xuan mai,the distortion rate d is in a range between
`0.73 and 0.94.
`
`In this case, the pulse condition can be judged to be a Hua
`mai or a Ping mai when the distortion rate d of the pulse
`waveform is in a range between 0.98 and 1.10. Also, the
`pulse condition can be judged to be a Ping mai or a Xuan mai
`whenthe distortion rate d of the pulse waveform isin a range
`between 0.92 and 0.94. It is therefore difficult to judge the
`pulse condition precisely by a conventional pulse wave
`examination apparatus.
`In the meantime, a blood pressure gauge measuring a
`maximum blood pressure and a minimum blood pressure
`and displaying these pressures is used in noninvasive detec-
`tion of blood pressure.
`Although the maximum blood pressures or minimum
`pressures of subjects are alike, there are various types of
`waveforms for blood pressure. Hence the characteristics of
`the blood pressure of an individual expressed only by a
`maximum blood pressure and a minimum bloodpressure are
`insufficient.
`The mean blood pressure is an important parameter for
`knowing the condition of the blood pressure of an indi-
`vidual. The mean blood pressure cannot be obtained only by
`measurements of a maximum blood pressure and minimum
`blood pressure.
`In sphygmic detection adopted in Chinese medicine or in
`Indian traditional medicine, a medical examination is carried
`out by examining the pulse waveform detected by the fingers
`when a medical examiner presses with an optimum pressing
`force against a distal position of the forearm from the arteria
`radialis,
`that
`is, a medical examination is conducted by
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`3
`detection of a variation with the pressing force, which
`variation is felt by the fingers of the medical examiner
`corresponding to a variation in blood pressure.
`In Chinese medicine, for instance, the pulse waveform felt
`whena properpressing force is applied to the arteria radialis
`is roughly divided into three categories, which are desig-
`nated as a “Ping mai”, “Hua mai” and “Xuan mai” respec-
`tively as aforementioned. The Ping mai is deliberate and
`mild and its rhythm is stable and reduced in turbulence. This
`Ping maiis a pulse image for a man in good health. The Hua
`maiis the type in whichthe flow of the pulse is felt to be very
`fluent and smooth, showing abnormality in the blood stream
`condition. The Xuan maiis felt to be a straight, tense and
`long pulse and is regarded to be dueto tension or aging of
`a blood vessel wall.
`
`Such a medical examination method, however, is depen-
`dent upon the pulse waveform classified by the sense of the
`medical examiner posing problems with regard to its objec-
`tivity and reproducibility.
`The present invention has been conducted in the above
`situation and has an object of providing a pulse wave
`examination apparatus which can judge the pulse condition
`objectively and accurately.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`blood pressure monitor which can indicate blood conditions
`in more detail than the information of a maximum and
`minimum blood pressure and can monitor the monitor
`parameters signifying blood pressure noninvasively.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide a
`pulse waveform monitor which can carry out an examination
`by the pulse waveform objectively and reproducibly.
`DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
`
`(1) A pulse wave examination apparatus according to the
`present invention comprises:
`a pulse wave detecting means for detecting a pulse
`waveform from a living body;
`a tidal wave-character extracting meansfor extracting the
`characteristics of a tidal wave from the pulse waveform
`to yield tidal wave-character information;
`a dicrotic wave-character extracting means for extracting
`the characteristics of a dicrotic wave from the pulse
`waveform to yield dicrotic wave-character information;
`and
`
`a pulse condition judging means for judging the pulse
`condition of the living body on the basis of the tidal
`wave-character information and the dicrotic wave-
`character information.
`(2) In the pulse wave examination apparatus according to
`(1), preferably the tidal wave-character extracting means
`yields the tidal wave-character information on the basis of a
`variation in the amplitude in the time-domain of the tidal
`wave, and the dicrotic wave-character extracting means
`yields the dicrotic wave-character information on the basis
`of a variation in the amplitude in the time-domain of the
`dicrotic wave.
`(3) In the pulse wave examination apparatus according to
`(2), preferably the variations in the amplitude in the time-
`domain of the tidal wave and the dicrotic wave are calcu-
`lated from the primary or secondary time derivative of the
`pulse waveform.
`(4) A pulse wave examination apparatus according to the
`present invention comprises:
`a pulse wave detecting means for detecting a pulse
`waveform from a living body;
`a frequency analyzing means for performing a frequency
`analysis of the pulse waveform;
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`a tidal wave-character extracting meansfor extracting the
`characteristics of a tidal wave from the result of the
`
`analysis of the frequency analyzing meansto yieldtidal
`wave-character information;
`a dicrotic wave-character extracting means for extracting
`the characteristics of a dicrotic wave from the result of
`
`the analysis of the frequency analyzing meansto yield
`dicrotic wave-character information; and
`a pulse condition judging means for judging the pulse
`condition of the living body on the basis of the tidal
`wave-character information and the dicrotic wave-
`character information.
`(5) In the pulse wave examination apparatus according to
`(4), preferably the tidal wave-character information extract-
`ing means specifies a period of the tidal wave in the pulse
`waveform and extracts the characteristics of the tidal wave
`from the tidal waveform on the basis of the result of the
`analysis of the frequency analyzing meansin the period of
`the tidal waveto yield tidal wave-character information, and
`the dicrotic wave-character information extracting means
`specifies a period of the dicrotic wave in the pulse waveform
`and extracts the characteristics of the dicrotic wave from the
`tidal waveform on the basis of the result of the analysis of
`the frequency analyzing meansin the period of the dicrotic
`wave to yield dicrotic wave-character information.
`(6) In the pulse wave examination apparatus according to
`(4) or (5), preferably the frequency analyzing means per-
`forms FFT treatment of the pulse waveform.
`(7) In the pulse wave examination apparatus according to
`(4) or (5), preferably the frequency analyzing means per-
`forms wavelet transformation treatment of the pulse wave-
`form.
`(8) The pulse wave examination apparatus according to
`any one of (1) to (7), preferably further comprises a notifi-
`cation means for communicating the pulse condition judged
`by the pulse condition judging means.
`(9) Apulse wave examination apparatus according to the
`present invention comprises:
`a pulse wave detecting means for detecting a pulse
`waveform from the detecting position of a living body;
`a auto-correlation calculating meansfor calculating auto-
`correlation data giving the auto-correlation of the pulse
`waveform detected by the pulse wave detecting means;
`and
`
`a pulse condition-data yielding means for yielding pulse
`condition data giving the type of pulse waveform based
`on the auto-correlation data.
`(10) In the pulse wave examination apparatus according
`to (9), preferably the pulse condition-data yielding means
`produces the pulse condition data by comparing the auto-
`correlation data with a prescribed threshold value.
`(11) In the pulse wave examination apparatus according to
`(10), preferably the pulse condition-data yielding means
`comprises a minimum value detecting section for detecting
`the minimum value of the auto-correlation data during a
`period of one heart beat, and a comparing section for
`comparing the minimum value, detected by the minimum
`value detecting section, with the threshold value to yield the
`pulse condition data.
`(12) In the pulse wave examination apparatus according
`to (10), preferably the pulse condition-data yielding means
`comprises a minimum value detecting section for detecting
`an average minimum value by averaging each minimum
`value of the auto-correlation data detected in each of plural
`heart beat periods, and a comparing section for comparing
`the average minimum value, detected by the minimum value
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`detecting section, with the threshold valueto yield the pulse
`condition data.
`(13) In the pulse wave examination apparatus according
`to (9), preferably the pulse condition-data yielding means
`comprises: a time measuring section for comparing the
`auto-correlation data with a prescribed threshold value to
`measure a time interval in which the auto-correlation data
`exceeds or is less than the threshold value; a calculating
`section for calculating the ratio of the time interval, mea-
`sured by the time measuringsection,to a period of one heart
`beat; and a comparing section for comparing the result,
`calculated by the calculating section, with a prescribed
`threshold value to yield the pulse condition data.
`(14) In the pulse wave examination apparatus according
`to (13), preferably the calculating section calculates the ratio
`of the time interval, measured by the time measuring
`section,
`to a period of one heart beat and calculates the
`average of the calculated results.
`(15) In the pulse wave examination apparatus according
`to (9), preferably the pulse condition-data yielding means
`comprises a changerate calculating section for detecting the
`change rate of the auto-correlation data on the basis of the
`auto-correlation data, and a change rate comparing section
`for comparing the changerate, detected by the change rate
`calculating section, with a prescribed threshold value to
`yield the pulse condition data.
`(16) In the pulse wave examination apparatus according
`to (15), preferably the change rate comparing section detects
`a maximum value of the change rate and compares the
`maximum value