Blood pressure measurement device

A blood pressure measurement device includes a cuff and a control unit. The cuff includes a first securing portion, provided on one surface of the cuff, for securing the cuff to the measurement area in a wrapped state, and a second securing portion, provided on another surface of the cuff, for securing the cuff to the measurement area in a wrapped state. At least one of the first securing portion and the second securing portion includes an electromagnet portion. The control unit secures the cuff to the measurement area by controlling a magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion and causing the second securing portion to be attracted to the first securing portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to blood pressure measurement devices.

BACKGROUND ART

A blood pressure measurement device that employs a cuff containing an air bladder for pressurizing an artery located in an arm of a measurement subject has been proposed. To measure a blood pressure value using such a blood pressure measurement device, the cuff is wrapped tightly around the arm and the wrapped cuff is then secured in place.

After the cuff has been secured in place, air is injected into the air bladder of the cuff, and arterial pulse waves occurring in the artery are detected by pressurizing and depressurizing the arm. The blood pressure is measured in this manner.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a configuration in which the cuff is positioned on the arm using a magnet, a magnetic body, or the like, and a surface fastener is employed to secure the cuff in place.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In the case where a surface fastener is employed to secure the cuff in place, as with Patent Literature 1, a set amount of force is required to remove the attached surface fastener when removing the cuff from the arm after the blood pressure measurement is complete. It can thus be difficult for measurement subjects who lack such strength, such as the elderly, women, and so on, to remove the cuff.

In addition, the surface fastener produces noise when the cuff is removed from the arm. Such noise can be bothersome for measurement subjects. Such noise can also make it difficult to comfortably use such a blood pressure measurement device in places where it is necessary to be considerate of other people aside from the measurement subject.

Furthermore, repeated use of the surface fastener causes the surface fastener material to degrade, which leads to a drop in the strength with which the surface fastener can secure the cuff. As a result, the cuff can come loose during inflation, making it impossible to carry out the measurement.

Further still, when securing a cuff using a surface fastener, it is necessary to provide a wide surface area for the surface fastener. This reduces the freedom with which the blood pressure measurement device can be designed.

Having been achieved to solve the aforementioned problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel blood pressure measurement device that does not employ a surface fastener to secure a cuff.

Solution to Problem

A blood pressure measurement device according to an aspect of the invention includes a cuff that is used by being wrapped around a measurement area. The cuff includes a first securing portion, provided on one surface of the cuff, for securing the cuff to the measurement area in a wrapped state, and a second securing portion, provided on another surface of the cuff, for securing the cuff to the measurement area in a wrapped state. At least one of the first securing portion and the second securing portion includes an electromagnet portion. The blood pressure measurement device further includes a control unit that secures the cuff to the measurement area by controlling a magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion and causing the second securing portion to be attracted to the first securing portion.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the stated blood pressure measurement device, the cuff is secured using the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion. Accordingly, the strength at which the cuff is secured can be varied in accordance with the magnitude of the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion. This makes it easy to remove the cuff. Furthermore, no noise is produced when the cuff is removed from the arm. Further still, there is no material degradation as with a surface fastener, which makes it possible to continue to use the blood pressure measurement device for long periods of time. In addition, the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion varies depending on the magnitude of a current that is flowing and the like, and thus a large surface area does not need to be ensured for the electromagnet portion in order to ensure that the cuff is strongly secured.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is an external view of the overall configuration of a blood pressure measurement device1, illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

The blood pressure measurement device1includes a main body unit10, a cuff30that can be wrapped around a measurement subject's upper arm, and an air tube40and a power supply line50that connect the main body unit10to the cuff30.

As described in the present specification, “cuff” refers to a band-shaped or cylindrical structure, having an interior space, that can be wrapped around a measurement area of a body (an upper arm, a wrist, or the like), and that is used to measure a blood pressure by pressurizing the measurement subject's artery when a fluid such as a gas, a liquid, or the like is injected into the interior space.

“Cuff” is a term indicating a concept that includes a fluid bladder and a wrapping means for wrapping the fluid bladder around the body, and is also sometimes referred to as a “manchette”.

The main body unit10includes a display unit19, configured of a liquid-crystal panel, for example, for displaying various types of information such as blood pressure values, pulse frequencies, and the like, as well as an operating unit21for accepting instructions from a user (the measurement subject).

The operating unit21includes a power switch21A for accepting the input of an instruction for turning the power on or off, a memory switch21B for accepting instructions for reading out information such as blood pressure data and the like stored in the main body unit10and displaying the read-out information in the display unit19, arrow switches21C and21D for accepting instructions for incrementing/decrementing memory numbers when calling information, and a measure/stop switch21E for accepting instructions for starting and stopping measurement.

FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the blood pressure measurement device1shown inFIG. 1.

The cuff30contains an air bladder31serving as the aforementioned fluid bladder, and the air tube40shown inFIG. 1is connected to this air bladder31.

The cuff30also includes a securing portion32for securing the cuff30to the measurement area, and the power supply line50shown inFIG. 1is connected to the securing portion32.

The main body unit10includes a pressure sensor11, a pump12, and an exhaust valve (called simply a “valve” hereinafter)13that are connected to the air tube40, an oscillation circuit14, a pump drive circuit15, a valve drive circuit16, a power source17that supplies power to the various units in the main body unit10, the display unit19illustrated inFIG. 1, a control unit (CPU)18that carries out various types of computational processes for controlling the main body unit10as a whole, the operating unit21shown inFIG. 1, a memory22, and a electromagnet drive circuit23connected to the power supply line50.

The pump12supplies air to the air bladder31in order to increase the pressure with which the cuff30pressurizes the measurement area.

The valve13is opened/closed in order to exhaust or inject air from or into the air bladder31.

The pump drive circuit15controls the driving of the pump12based on a control signal supplied from the CPU18.

The valve drive circuit16controls the opening/closing of the valve13based on a control signal supplied from the CPU18.

The pump12, the valve13, the pump drive circuit15, and the valve drive circuit16configure a pressurizing pressure adjustment unit that varies the pressure with which the cuff30pressurizes the measurement area.

An electrostatic capacitance pressure sensor, for example, is used for the pressure sensor11. With an electrostatic capacitance pressure sensor, a capacity value changes in accordance with a detected pressure.

The oscillation circuit14oscillates based on a capacity value of the pressure sensor11and outputs signal in accordance with that capacity value to the CPU18. The CPU18detects the pressure in the cuff30(a cuff pressure) by converting the signal outputted from the oscillation circuit14into a pressure value.

The memory22includes a read-only memory (ROM) that stores programs, data, and so on for causing the CPU18to perform predetermined operations, a random access memory (RAM) used as a working area, and a flash memory that holds measured blood pressure data and the like.

The electromagnet drive circuit23drives an electromagnet portion321, provided in the securing portion32and mentioned later, based on a control signal supplied from the CPU18. In other words, the electromagnet drive circuit23supplies a predetermined power to the securing portion32based on a control signal from the CPU18.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the securing portion32includes an inner surface securing portion32A, provided on an inner surface of the cuff30and that secures the cuff30while the cuff30is wrapped around the measurement area, and an outer surface securing portion32B, provided on an outer surface of the cuff30and that secures the cuff30while the cuff30is wrapped around the measurement area.

The inner surface securing portion32A includes the electromagnet portion321, which attracts and secures the outer surface securing portion32B. The electromagnet portion321produces a magnetic force based on power supplied from the electromagnet drive circuit23via the power supply line50.

On the other hand, the outer surface securing portion32B does not include an electromagnet, and is instead formed of a magnetic body.

When power is supplied to the electromagnet portion321, the inner surface securing portion32A attracts and secures the outer surface securing portion32B due to the magnetic force produced by the electromagnet portion321. The cuff30is secured to the measurement area as a result.

Although the electromagnet portion is provided in the inner surface securing portion32A in the blood pressure measurement device1, it should be noted that the electromagnet portion may be provided in the outer surface securing portion32B and the inner surface securing portion32A may be configured of a magnetic body.

In this case, the electromagnet drive circuit23supplies the power to the electromagnet in the outer surface securing portion32B.

FIG. 3is a flowchart illustrating control of the electromagnet portion performed when measuring a blood pressure using the blood pressure measurement device shown inFIG. 1.

First, in response to the power switch21A being pressed, the CPU18causes power to be supplied to the electromagnet portion321from the electromagnet drive circuit23(ST1).

Next, the CPU18maintains the supply of power to the electromagnet portion321so that the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion321remains constant, without changing, until the measure/stop switch21E is pressed (ST2—NO).

When the measure/stop switch21E has been pressed (ST2—YES), the CPU18drives the pump12, supplying air to the air bladder31in the cuff30, and increases the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion321in accordance with the pressurizing pressure in the cuff30(ST3).

The CPU18increases the magnetic force by, for example, increasing a current that flows in the electromagnet portion321.

Through this, the inner surface securing portion32A more strongly attracts the outer surface securing portion32B, thus securing the outer surface securing portion32B more strongly. In other words, the cuff30is more strongly secured.

As opposed to this, in the case where a surface fastener is employed to secure the cuff, the surface fastener can shift while the cuff30is being inflated, and the amount of air required to measure the blood pressure can increase as a result.

Accordingly, there are cases where the blood pressure measurement device consumes a greater amount of power, increased performance is required of the pump in order to supply the air to the air bladder, and so on. Furthermore, vibrations resulting from the surface fastener shifting can produce noise, which can affect the accuracy of the blood pressure measurement. However, using the electromagnet portion321as described above can reduce the occurrence of such shifting.

When, after the blood pressure measurement has been started, the CPU18determines that the pressure value has reached a predetermined level based on a signal outputted from the pressure sensor11in response to the rise in the cuff pressure, the CPU18gradually opens the valve13that had been closed, carrying out slow exhaust control and gradually reducing the cuff pressure. As the cuff pressure decreases, the CPU18calculates blood pressure values (a systolic blood pressure and a diastolic blood pressure) according to a predetermined procedure, based on a pulse pressure signal that is superimposed on the signal detected by the pressure sensor11. This blood pressure calculation procedure is a known technique, and thus descriptions thereof will be omitted here.

The CPU18carries out control so that power is supplied to the electromagnet portion321so that the magnetic force emitted by the electromagnet portion321remains high until the blood pressure values are calculated (ST4).

Once the CPU18has calculated the blood pressure value, the blood pressure measurement ends (ST4—YES), and the blood pressure values that have been obtained are displayed in the display unit19.

After the obtained blood pressure values have been displayed in the display unit19, the CPU18opens the valve13completely and vents the air from the air bladder31in the cuff30.

Furthermore, in accordance with the end of the blood pressure measurement, the CPU18stops the supply of power to the electromagnet portion321(ST5).

As a result, a magnetic force is no longer emitted from the electromagnet portion321, and the inner surface securing portion32A and the outer surface securing portion32B cease to attract each other. In other words, the cuff30ceases to be secured.

According to the blood pressure measurement device1as described thus far, the cuff30is secured using the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion321. Accordingly, the strength at which the cuff30is secured can be varied in accordance with the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion321, making it easy to remove the cuff30.

Furthermore, no noise is produced when the cuff is removed from the arm.

Further still, there is no material degradation as with a surface fastener, which makes it possible to continue to use the blood pressure measurement device for long periods of time. Further still, the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion321varies depending on the magnitude of a current that is flowing and the like, and thus the electromagnet portion321does not necessarily need to have a large surface area.

For this reason, using the electromagnet portion321increases the freedom of design.

Although the power switch21A and the measure/stop switch21E are provided in the operating unit21as separate switches in the blood pressure measurement device1, the power switch may also function as the measure/stop switch.

In this case, when the power switch is pressed once, the CPU18may carry out control so that power is supplied to the electromagnet portion321, and when the power switch is then pressed again, the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion321may be increased.

FIG. 4is a flowchart illustrating another example of control of the electromagnet portion321performed when measuring a blood pressure.

The flowchart shown inFIG. 4differs from the flowchart shown inFIG. 3in that the control of the electromagnet portion321during blood pressure measurement has been changed.

Note that inFIG. 4, processes that are the same as those inFIG. 3have been given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

According to the flowchart shown inFIG. 4, the CPU18carries out control so that the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion321does not change until the deflation process for the blood pressure measurement has started.

Once the deflation process for the blood pressure measurement has started (ST31—Y), the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion321is gradually reduced while the cuff30deflates (ST31—N).

The CPU18reduces the magnetic force by, for example, reducing the current that flows in the electromagnet portion321.

By reducing the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion321in accordance with the pressure in the cuff, the amount of power consumed by the blood pressure measurement device1can be reduced.

FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating yet another example of control of the electromagnet portion performed when measuring the blood pressure.

The flowchart shown inFIG. 5differs from the flowchart shown inFIG. 3in that after the power switch21A has been pressed, the CPU18determines whether the cuff30is wrapped tightly around the measurement area and then carries out control that varies the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion321.

Note that inFIG. 5, processes that are the same as those inFIG. 3have been given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Determining whether the cuff30is wrapped tightly (a wrapping state determination) is carried out as follows.

First, when the measure/stop switch21E has been pressed, the CPU18causes a small amount of air to be supplied to the air bladder31, thus performing a preparatory inflation of the cuff30. A pressure value detected from the preparatory inflation is a value that is low but that enables the wrapping state to be determined. After the preparatory inflation, the CPU18uses the pressure sensor11to continuously measure the cuff pressure for a predetermined short interval of time (5.12 msec, for example).

An amount of change in the pressure value obtained through the measurement taken over this interval of time is then compared to a predetermined threshold. The CPU18determines that the cuff30is wrapped tightly when the amount of change is less than the predetermined threshold, and determines that the cuff30is not wrapped tightly when the amount of change is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold.

When the CPU18has determined that the cuff30is wrapped tightly (ST11—Y), the process moves to the actual inflation, where the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion321is increased in accordance with the pressurizing pressure in the cuff30(ST3) and the blood pressure measurement process is continued.

On the other hand, when the CPU18has determined that the cuff30is not tightly wrapped (ST11—N), the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion321is reduced (ST12).

At this time, the CPU18displays a message reading “the cuff30is not tightly wrapped” in the display unit19so as to notify the measurement subject, and then causes the valve drive circuit16to completely open the valve13in order to vent the air bladder31in the cuff30and reset the state of the air bladder31.

Upon receiving the notification, the measurement subject can adjust how the cuff is secured. The CPU18then determines whether the cuff30is tightly wrapped again after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed (ST11).

In this manner, when the cuff30is not tightly wrapped, the CPU18reduces the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion321. Accordingly, the force at which the inner surface securing portion32A attracts the outer surface securing portion32B weakens.

As a result, the measurement subject can easily adjust the position of the inner surface securing portion32A relative to the outer surface securing portion32B. In other words, it is easy to adjust how the cuff is secured.

The determination as to whether the cuff30is tightly wrapped is disclosed in detail in JP 2005-305028A, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 6is an external view illustrating another example of the blood pressure measurement device1.

As shown inFIG. 6, a blood pressure measurement device6differs from the blood pressure measurement device1in that the outer surface securing portion32B also includes an electromagnet portion322that attracts and secures the inner surface securing portion32A.

Note that inFIG. 6, constituent elements that are the same as those inFIG. 1have been given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

In the blood pressure measurement device6, the CPU18adjusts the magnetic force of the electromagnet portion321and the electromagnet portion322. Specifically, the CPU18carries out control so that the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion321and the electromagnet portion322have respectively opposite polarities (first control). Through this, the cuff30is secured as a result of the electromagnet portion321and the electromagnet portion322being attracted to each other.

FIG. 7is a flowchart illustrating control of the electromagnet portion321and the electromagnet portion322performed when measuring a blood pressure using the blood pressure measurement device6shown inFIG. 6.

First, when the power switch21A is pressed, the CPU18controls the electromagnet drive circuit23to supply power to the electromagnet portion321, and furthermore controls the electromagnet drive circuit23to supply power to the electromagnet portion322as well (ST71).

Next, the CPU18maintains the supply of power to the electromagnet portion321and the electromagnet portion322so that the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portions remains constant, until the measure/stop switch21E is pressed (ST72—NO).

When the measure/stop switch21E has been pressed (ST72—YES), the CPU18drives the pump12, supplying air to the air bladder31in the cuff30, and increases the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion321and the electromagnet portion322(ST73).

Note that the CPU18may instead increase the magnetic force emitted from only one of the electromagnet portion321and the electromagnet portion322.

As in the flowchart shown inFIG. 3, the CPU18carries out control so that power is supplied to the electromagnet portion321and the electromagnet portion322so that the magnetic force emitted by the electromagnet portion321and the electromagnet portion322remains high until the blood pressure values are calculated (ST74).

Once the CPU18has calculated the blood pressure value as described above, the blood pressure measurement ends (ST74—YES), and the blood pressure values that have been obtained are displayed in the display unit19.

After the obtained blood pressure values have been displayed in the display unit19, the CPU18controls the valve13to open completely and vents the air from the air bladder31in the cuff30.

Furthermore, after the blood pressure measurement has ended, the CPU18carries out control so that the electromagnet portion321and the electromagnet portion322magnetically repel each other (ST75).

The magnetic polarity of the electromagnet portion321is reversed, for example.

Through this, the cuff30ceases to be secured, and the measurement subject can easily remove the cuff30after the blood pressure measurement as a result.

FIG. 8is an external view illustrating the securing portion in yet another example of the blood pressure measurement device1.

In the blood pressure measurement device shown inFIG. 8, a securing portion34is provided instead of the securing portion32of the blood pressure measurement device1.

Note that inFIG. 8, constituent elements that are the same as those inFIG. 1have been given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

The securing portion34includes an inner surface securing portion34A and an outer surface securing portion34B.

The inner surface securing portion34A includes the electromagnet portion321and an engagement member323that is provided on the electromagnet portion321and that has a protruding portion323A that extends in a direction that intersects (is orthogonal, inFIG. 8) to a wrapping state adjustment direction along which the wrapping state of the cuff30is adjusted.

The outer surface securing portion34B, meanwhile, includes the electromagnet portion322, and an engagement member324that is provided on the electromagnet portion322and that has a plurality of recessed portions324A that engage with the protruding portion323A of the engagement member323.

Accordingly, the recessed portions324A of the engagement member324extend in a direction approximately perpendicular to the wrapping state adjustment direction of the cuff30. The plurality of recessed portions324A are arranged along the wrapping state adjustment direction of the cuff30.

The CPU18causes power to be supplied to the electromagnet portion321and the electromagnet portion322from the electromagnet drive circuit23. Through this, the electromagnet portion321and the electromagnet portion322attract each other, the engagement member323and the engagement member324engage with each other, and the cuff30is secured.

Providing the engagement member323and the engagement member324in this manner makes it easy for the measurement subject to determine whether the cuff30has been secured; furthermore, if the measurement subject remembers where the engagement members engage, it is easy to reproduce the conditions under which the previous blood pressure measurement was carried out.

Although a plurality of the recessed portions324A are provided here, a plurality of protruding portions323A may be provided as well. When a plurality of protruding portions323A are, provided, a single recessed portion324A may be provided.

Furthermore, although the plurality of recessed portions324A are connected to each other here, a predetermined interval may instead be provided therebetween.

Furthermore, although the securing portion34includes electromagnet portions in both the inner surface securing portion34A and the outer surface securing portion34B, the electromagnet portion may be provided in only one of the stated securing portions.

FIG. 9is an external view illustrating the securing portion in yet another example of the blood pressure measurement device1.

In the blood pressure measurement device shown inFIG. 9, a securing portion36is provided instead of the securing portion32of the blood pressure measurement device1.

Note that inFIG. 9, constituent elements that are the same as those inFIG. 1have been given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

The securing portion36includes an inner surface securing portion36A and an outer surface securing portion36B.

The inner surface securing portion36A includes the electromagnet portion321, and an engagement member325that is provided on the electromagnet portion321and that has a plurality of protruding portions325A that extend in the wrapping state adjustment direction along which the wrapping state of the cuff30is adjusted.

The plurality of protruding portions325A are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the wrapping state adjustment direction.

The outer surface securing portion36B, meanwhile, includes the electromagnet portion322, and an engagement member326that is provided on the electromagnet portion322and that has a plurality of recessed portions326A that engage with the protruding portions325A of the engagement member325.

Accordingly, the recessed portions326A of the engagement member326also extend in the wrapping state adjustment direction of the cuff30, and the plurality of recessed portions326A extend in a direction orthogonal to the wrapping state adjustment direction of the cuff30.

The CPU18causes power to be supplied to the electromagnet portion321and the electromagnet portion322from the electromagnet drive circuit23. Through this, the electromagnet portion321and the electromagnet portion322attract each other, the engagement member325and the engagement member326engage with each other, and the cuff30is secured.

Accordingly, the engagement member325can be adjusted by sliding relative to the engagement member326even in the case where the wrapping state is loose, which makes it easy to adjust how the cuff30is secured.

FIG. 10is a diagram illustrating another example of the securing portion shown inFIG. 9.

In the blood pressure measurement device shown inFIG. 10, a securing portion38is provided instead of the securing portion36of the blood pressure measurement device1.

Note that inFIG. 10, constituent elements that are the same as those inFIG. 9have been given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

The securing portion38differs from the securing portion36in that the electromagnet portion322is not configured of a single electromagnet portion, and is instead configured of a plurality of electromagnet portions322A to which power is supplied individually from the electromagnet drive circuit23.

Accordingly, the CPU18can carry out control so that power is supplied to the electromagnet portions322A individually.

The plurality of electromagnet portions322A are arranged along the wrapping state adjustment direction.

With respect to the cuff30being secured, the engagement member325is initially engaged with the engagement member326by supplying power to at least one of the plurality of electromagnet portions322A.

Then, the CPU18stops the supply of power to the electromagnet portion322A to which power had been supplied, and supplies power to the adjacent electromagnet portion322A to which power had not been supplied.

For example, the CPU18changes the electromagnet portion322A to which power is supplied in response to the passage of a predetermined amount of time.

Through this, the magnetic field emitted from the electromagnet portion322changes instantly, and as a result, the engagement member325slides upon the engagement member326while remaining engaged with the engagement member326.

Accordingly, the strength of the wrapping state between the inner surface securing portion36A and the outer surface securing portion36B can be changed without manual input, and how the cuff is secured can be automatically adjusted.

The foregoing has described an embodiment in which the present invention is applied in a method that finds a blood pressure value from a cuff pressure detected while reducing a pressurizing pressure applied by the cuff30; however, the present invention can be applied in the same manner in a method that finds a blood pressure value from a cuff pressure detected while increasing a pressurizing pressure applied by the cuff30.

Note that the embodiment disclosed above is to be understood as being in all ways exemplary and in no way limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the aforementioned descriptions but by the scope of the appended claims, and all changes that fall within the same essential spirit as the scope of the claims are intended to be included therein as well.

The present specification discloses the following items.

(1) A blood pressure measurement device includes a cuff that is used by being wrapped around a measurement area. The cuff includes a first securing portion, provided on one surface of the cuff, for securing the cuff to the measurement area in a wrapped state, and a second securing portion, provided on another surface of the cuff, for securing the cuff to the measurement area in a wrapped state. At least one of the first securing portion and the second securing portion includes an electromagnet portion. The blood pressure measurement device further includes a control unit that secures the cuff to the measurement area by controlling a magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion and causing the second securing portion to be attracted to the first securing portion.

(2) The blood pressure measurement device according to (1), in which the control unit increases the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion in accordance with a pressurizing pressure applied by the cuff while the cuff is being inflated for blood pressure measurement.

(3) The blood pressure measurement device according to (1) or (2), in which the control unit reduces the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion in accordance with a pressurizing pressure applied by the cuff while the cuff is being deflated for blood pressure measurement.

(4) The blood pressure measurement device according to any one of (1) to (3), further including a wrapping state determination unit that determines a wrapping state of the cuff on the measurement area based on a pressure in the cuff; here, the control unit controls the magnetic force emitted from the electromagnet portion in accordance with the wrapping state determined by the wrapping state determination unit.

(5) The blood pressure measurement device according to any one of (1) to (4), in which the control unit stops the supply of power to the electromagnet portion after the blood pressure measurement has ended.

(6) The blood pressure measurement device according to any one of (1) to (5), in which both the first securing portion and the second securing portion include the electromagnet portion, and the control unit carries out first control that controls the magnetic force so that the electromagnet portion of the first securing portion and the electromagnet portion of the second securing portion are attracted to each other by the magnetic force and second control that controls the magnetic force so that the electromagnet portion of the first securing portion and the electromagnet portion of the second securing portion repeal each other due to the magnetic force.

(7) The blood pressure measurement device according to (6), in which the control unit carries out the second control and releases the cuff from the measurement area after the blood pressure measurement has ended.

(8) The blood pressure measurement device according to any one of (1) to (7), in which the first securing portion further includes a first engagement member, and the second securing portion further includes a second engagement member that engages with the first engagement member.

(9) The blood pressure measurement device according to (8), in which the first engagement member is configured of a protruding member or a recessed member that extends in one direction, and the second engagement member is configured of a recessed member or a protruding member that engages with the protruding member or the recessed member of the first engagement member.

(10) The blood pressure measurement device according to (9), in which the one direction is a direction that intersects with a wrapping state adjustment direction in which a wrapping state of the cuff is adjusted, and a plurality of the protruding member or the recessed member of the first engagement member are provided so as to be arranged along the wrapping state adjustment direction.

(11) The blood pressure measurement device according to (9), wherein the one direction is a wrapping state adjustment direction in which a wrapping state of the cuff is adjusted.

(12) The blood pressure measurement device according to (11), wherein the protruding member or the recessed member is provided on the electromagnet portion; and the electromagnet portion is configured of a plurality of electromagnet portions that are arranged along the one direction and are capable of being controlled individually by the control unit.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, a novel blood pressure measurement device that does not employ a surface fastener to secure a cuff can be provided.

While the present invention has been described in detail with reference to a specific embodiment, it will be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art that many variations and modifications can be made without departing from the essential spirit and scope of the present invention.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-061929, filed Mar. 19, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST