Patent ID: 6368282
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus for measuring a propagation velocity of a pulse wave which is propagated through an artery of a living subject, the apparatus comprising:a blood-pressure measuring device which includes an inflatable cuff adapted to be wound around a body portion of the subject, a pulse-wave sensor which detects the pulse wave transmitted from the artery of the subject to said cuff when a pressure in the cuff is changed, and means for determining a blood pressure value of the subject based on the detected pulse wave; an electrocardiographic-waveform detecting device which includes a plurality of electrodes adapted to contact a body surface of the subject and which detects an electrocardiographic waveform from the subject through said electrodes; time-difference determining means for successively determining a time difference between a first periodic point relating to the detected electrocardiographic waveform and a second periodic point relating to the detected pulse wave; temporary-propagation-velocity determining means for successively determining a temporary propagation velocity of the pulse wave based on each of the successively determined time-difference values; judging means for judging whether the change of each of the successively determined temporary propagation-velocity values with respect to the change of said cuff pressure is smaller than a reference value; and proper-propagation-velocity determining means for determining a proper propagation velocity from at least one temporary propagation-velocity value for which a positive judgment is made by said judging means.