Diagnostic apparatus for analyzing arterial pulse waves

• US 6,364,842 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2000
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Amano, Kazuhiko, Kasahara, Hiroshi, Kodama, Kazuo, Ishiyama, Hitoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US09/587,050
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 600/485, 600/486, 600/488, 600/490, 600/500
• US Class Current: 600/485
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02108 from analysis of pulse wave characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4854 Diagnosis based on concepts of traditional oriental medicine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6806 Gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7257 using Fourier transforms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders

Abstract

The present invention relates to a diagnosis apparatus for analyzing arterial pulse waves comprising a database 26 in which is stored data showing the relationship between data representing a pulse wave of a living body and teaching data representing conditions of the living body; and a micro-computer 21 for outputting teaching data corresponding to the pulse wave detected from the living body in the teaching data on the basis of the pulse wave detected from the living body and the stored data inside database 26. As a result, it becomes possible to perform diagnoses equivalent to a skilled doctor.

Claims

1. A pulse wave analyzing apparatus, comprising:

pulse wave inputting means for inputting information representing a radial arterial pulse wave of a living body; and

analyzing means for

(1) creating a waveform model of a blood pressure waveform at a proximal section of the living body;

(2) utilizing an electrical model simulating an arterial system from the proximal section to the distal portion of a living body,

(3) computing values of elements of said electrical model so that an output waveform similar to said radial arterial pulse waveform is output from the electrical model in response to input of said waveform model; and

(4) outputting the computed values as circulatory dynamic parameters.

2. The pulse wave analyzing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said analyzing means creates said waveform model based on an actual blood pressure waveform obtained from a section of said living body other than said proximal section.

3. The pulse wave analyzing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said waveform model is a triangular waveform simulating said blood pressure waveform.

4. The pulse wave analyzing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said waveform model is a step-and-ramp waveform simulating said blood pressure waveform.

5. The pulse wave analyzing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circulatory dynamic parameters from said analyzing means are written to a storage media.

6. The pulse wave analyzing apparatus of claim 1, where said pulse wave inputting means inputs said information continuously over a period of time.

7. The pulse wave analyzing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electrical model is a four parameter model comprising:

(i) a first resistor simulating vascular resistance due to blood flow viscosity in said proximal section of said arterial system;

(ii) an inductor simulating blood flow momentum in said proximal section of said arterial system;

(iii) a capacitor simulating vascular elasticity in said proximal section of said arterial system; and

(iv) a second resistor simulating vascular resistance due to blood flow viscosity in said distal section of said electrical circuit; and

wherein

a series circuit with said first resistor and said inductor in series, and a parallel circuit with said capacitor and said second resistor in parallel, are successively arranged in series between a pair of input terminals of said four parameter model.

8. The pulse wave analyzing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises means for measuring a stroke volume of the living body and said analyzing means further includes means for estimating a value of said inductance based on the stroke volume.

9. The pulse wave analyzing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises means for measuring a blood flow rate of the living body and said analyzing means further includes means for estimating a value of said inductance based on the blood flow rate.

10. A diagnostic apparatus, comprising:

analyzing means for creating waveform parameters from information representing a pulse wave of a living body; and

diagnostic means for performing a diagnosis of a condition of said living body on the basis of said waveform parameters; and

wherein said analyzing means is for

(1) creating a waveform model of a blood pressure waveform at a proximal section of the living body;

(2) utilizing an electrical model simulating an arterial system from the proximal section to the distal portion of a living body,

(3) computing values of elements of said electrical model so that an output waveform similar to said radial arterial pulse waveform is output from the electrical model in response to input of said waveform model; and

(4) outputting the computed values as waveform parameters.

11. The diagnostic apparatus of claim 10, wherein said electrical model is a four parameter model comprising:

(i) a first resistor simulating vascular resistance due to blood flow viscosity in said proximal section of said arterial system;

(ii) an inductor simulating blood flow momentum in said proximal section of said arterial system;

(iii) a capacitor simulating vascular elasticity in said proximal section of said arterial system; and

(iv) a second resistor simulating vascular resistance due to blood flow viscosity in said distal section of said electrical circuit; and

wherein

a series circuit with said first resistor and said inductor in series, and a parallel circuit with said capacitor and said second resistor in parallel, are successively arranged in series between a pair of input terminals of said four parameter model.