Pulsimeter

• US 20030045802A1
• Filed: 08/26/2002
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kazuo Kato
• Original Assignee: Kazuo Kato
• Inventors: Kato, Kazuo
• Application Number:
  US10/227,675
• Publication Number:
  US 20030045802A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/503
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/025 for measuring physiological data

Abstract

There is provided a pulsimeter capable of stopping pulse rate measurement processing of the pulsimeter when the pulse sensor is not in contact with the skin or the pulse sensor is poorly attached. The pulsimeter of the present invention is characterized by including drive means for driving and stopping the pulse sensor, contact detection means for detecting whether or not the pulse sensor is in contact with a skin, and control means for stopping the drive of the pulse sensor by the drive means when it is detected by the contact detection means that the pulse sensor is not in contact with the skin.

Claims

1. A pulsimeter comprising:

drive means for driving a pulse sensor,

contact detection means for detecting whether or not the pulse sensor is in contact with a skin, and

control means for stopping drive of the pulse sensor by the drive means when the contact detection means detects that the pulse sensor is not in contact with the skin.

2. A pulsimeter according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying pulse data measured by the pulse sensor.

3. A pulsimeter according to claim 2, wherein when the contact detection means detects that the pulse sensor is not in contact with the skin, the display means may display a message that the pulse sensor is not in contact with the skin.

4. A pulsimeter according to claim 2, further comprising:

signal detection judging means for judging whether or not a pulse signal from the pulse sensor is detected,

wherein even in the case where the contact detection means detects that the pulse sensor is in contact with the skin, when it is judged by the signal detection judging means that the pulse signal from the pulse signal is not detected, the display means displays a message that an attachment position of the pulse sensor is unsuitable.

5. A pulsimeter according to claim 1, wherein the contact detection means includes two electrodes provided at a side where a cabinet having the pulse sensor is in contact with the skin and detects whether or not the pulse sensor is in contact with the skin by a potential difference between the electrodes.

6. A pulsimeter according to claim 5, wherein the two electrodes of the contact detection means each protrude in a shape of surrounding the pulse sensor, and

wherein the two electrodes are provided to be opposite to each other at a skin contact side of the cabinet.

7. A pulsimeter according to claim 1, wherein the contact detection means judges whether or not the pulse sensor is in contact with the skin based on a predetermined time.

8. A pulsimeter according to claim 1, wherein the pulse sensor measures pulse rate by transmitting and receiving ultrasound.

9. A pulsimeter comprising:

a driver to drive a pulse sensor,

a contact detector to detect whether or not the pulse sensor is in contact with a skin, and

a controller to stop drive of the pulse sensor by the driver when the contact detector detects that the pulse sensor is not in contact with the skin.

10. A pulsimeter according to claim 9, further comprising a display to display pulse data measured by the pulse sensor.

11. A pulsimeter according to claim 10, wherein when the contact detector detects that the pulse sensor is not in contact with the skin, the display may display a message that the pulse sensor is not in contact with the skin.

12. A pulsimeter according to claim 10, further comprising:

a signal detection judging circuit to judge whether or not a pulse signal from the pulse sensor is detected,

wherein even in the case where the contact detector detects that the pulse sensor is in contact with the skin, when it is judged by the signal detection judging circuit that the pulse signal from the pulse signal is not detected, the display displays a message that an attachment position of the pulse sensor is unsuitable.