Patent ID: 6755792
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus for examining arteriosclerosis of a living subject, comprising:a first-pulse-wave detecting device which detects, as a first pulse wave, a pulse wave from a first portion of the subject; a second-pulse-wave detecting device which detects, as a second pulse wave, the pulse wave from a second portion of the subject that is different from the first portion of the subject; a stenosis-related-information obtaining means for obtaining, based on a shape of the first pulse wave detected by the first-pulse-wave detecting device, first stenosis-related information that changes in relation with stenosis of a first artery of a third portion of the subject that is located upstream of the first portion of the subject in a direction in which blood flows in the first artery, and obtaining, based on a shape of the second pulse wave detected by the second-pulse-wave detecting device, second stenosis-related information that changes in relation with stenosis of a second artery of a fourth portion of the subject that is located upstream of the second portion of the subject in a direction in which blood flows in the second artery; and a stenosis judging means for making, based on the first stenosis-related information, and the second stenosis-related information, obtained by the stenosis-related-information obtaining means, a judgment about the stenosis of the first artery of the second portion of the subject, a judgment about the stenosis of the second artery of the fourth portion of the subject, and a judgment about a stenosis of a third, common artery that is located upstream of the first and second arteries in a direction in which blood flows in the third artery.