BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT DEVICE

A blood pressure measurement device includes a curler and a main body. The curler curves following a circumferential direction of a wrist from a hand back side of the wrist to a region where at least an artery is present on a hand palm side of the wrist through a first lateral side of the wrist. The curler includes a cover portion formed on the hand back side of the wrist and a member inserted into the cover portion. The device main body includes an outer case and a back cover. The outer case internally includes a pump and a flow path unit that supplies a fluid from the pump to a secondary side. The back cover is fixed to a first end portion of the outer case and the cover portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a blood pressure measurement device for measuring blood pressure.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, blood pressure measurement devices for measuring blood pressure are being used to monitor health status at home, as well as in medical facilities. A blood pressure measurement device detects vibration of the artery wall to measure blood pressure by, for example, inflating and contracting a cuff wrapped around the upper arm or the wrist of a living body and detecting the pressure of the cuff using a pressure sensor.

A blood pressure measurement device referred to as, for example, a so-called integral type in which a cuff is integrated with a device main body supplying a fluid to the cuff has been known. In addition, as a technique for integrating a cuff and a device main body that supplies a fluid to the cuff, for example, as disclosed in JP 09-238910 A, there has been known a technique that provides members including, for example, claws and hooks between the cuff and a band, and fixes a blood pressure monitor body to the claws and the hooks (for example, see Patent Document 1).

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Document 1: JP 09-238910 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In the blood pressure measurement device that fixes the device main body using the claws and the hooks described above, spaces for disposing the claws and the hooks are required, resulting in a large-sized device main body. Furthermore, in the configuration in which the device main body is fixed using the claws and the hooks, since holes for inserting the hooks and the claws through the device main body need to be provided, a waterproof property is possibly degraded. Especially, a wearable device attached to the wrist has been recently proposed, and there has been a demand for further downsizing and a waterproof property.

Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a blood pressure measurement device that can be downsized and ensures a waterproof property.

Solution to Problem

According to one aspect, there is provided a blood pressure measurement device attached to a wrist. The blood pressure measurement device includes a curler and a device main body. The curler curves following a circumferential direction of the wrist from a hand back side of the wrist to a region where at least an artery is present on a hand palm side of the wrist through a first lateral side of the wrist. The curler includes a cover portion formed on the hand back side of the wrist and an insert member for reinforcement inserted into the cover portion. The curler is made of a resin material. The device main body includes an outer case and a back cover. The outer case internally includes a pump and a flow path unit that supplies a fluid from the pump to a secondary side. The back cover is fixed to a first end portion of the outer case and the cover portion. A part of the back cover facing the cover portion is open. The back cover covers the first end portion of the outer case together with the cover portion.

According to this aspect, the cover portion that covers a back side of the outer case together with the back cover is provided on a portion of the curler, and the back cover is connected to the outer case and the cover portion. In addition, the insert member for reinforcement is provided on the cover portion. With the configurations, the curler and the outer case can be fixed via the back cover. This eliminates a need for providing, for example, a hook or a claw in the curler and eliminates a need for providing a hole through which the hook or the claw is inserted in the device main body, thus ensuring reducing dimensions in a thickness direction of the device main body. Moreover, while the curler is made of the resin material, the insert member for reinforcement is provided on the cover portion. This allows the cover portion to constitute a back lid covering an end portion of the outer case together with the back cover, and allows the cover portion to be reinforced by the insert member. Accordingly, compared to a case where the cover portion is made of only the resin material, a thickness can be reduced. As a result, a waterproof property of the blood pressure measurement device can be secured and downsizing of the blood pressure measurement device is possible.

In the blood pressure measurement device of the one aspect described above, there is provided a blood pressure measurement device that includes a first fastening member that fixes the back cover to the cover portion and a second fastening member that fixes the outer case and the back cover.

Here, the fastening members are members that mechanically fix two components, such as screws, bolts, small screws, and rivets.

According to this aspect, by fixing the back cover to the outer case and the cover portion with the fastening members, the back cover and the outer case, and the back cover and the cover portion can be easily fixed and disassembled, making manufacturing, replacement of the components, and maintenance easy. In addition, since the cover portion includes the insert member for reinforcement, joining strength of the first fastening member to the cover portion can be improved and the first fastening member can be downsized. As a result, in the blood pressure measurement device, the device main body is downsized and a degree of freedom of the design is improved.

In the blood pressure measurement device of the one aspect described above, there is provided a blood pressure measurement device in which the curler includes a relief portion through which the second fastening member is insertable at a position facing the second fastening member.

According to this aspect, by providing the relief portion at the position facing the second fastening member, which fixes the back cover and the outer case of the curler, the outer case can be fixed to the back cover using the second fastening member with the back cover attached to the cover portion of the curler. This facilitates assembly and disassembly of the blood pressure measurement device. Additionally, since the second fastening member can be provided at the position facing the curler, a degree of freedom of arrangement of the second fastening member is improved.

There is provided a blood pressure measurement device according to the one aspect of the blood pressure measurement device. The blood pressure measurement device includes a pressing cuff, a sensing cuff, and a tensile cuff. The pressing cuff includes a plurality of first bag-like structures, a first flow path body, and a first connection portion. The plurality of first bag-like structures are formed by joining two sheet members made of a resin material. The plurality of first bag-like structures are fixed to an inner circumferential surface on the hand palm side of the wrist of the curler and inflated by the fluid supplied from the pump. The first flow path body is integrally formed with the first bag-like structure by joining the two sheet members forming the first bag-like structure facing the curler. The first flow path body fluidly connects the pump and the first bag-like structure. The first flow path body has a distal end disposed on the wrist side of the cover portion. The first connection portion is provided at the distal end of the first flow path body. The first connection portion is inserted through the cover portion to be connected to the flow path unit. The sensing cuff includes a second bag-like structure, a second flow path body, and a second connection portion. The second bag-like structure is formed by joining the two sheet members. The second bag-like structure is fixed to a main surface on the wrist side of a back plate and inflated by the fluid supplied from the pump. The second flow path body is integrally formed with the second bag-like structure by joining the two sheet members forming the second bag-like structure. The second flow path body fluidly connects the pump and the second bag-like structure. The second flow path body has a distal end disposed on the wrist side of the cover portion. The second connection portion is provided at the distal end of the second flow path body. The second connection portion is inserted through the cover portion to be connected to the flow path unit. The tensile cuff includes a plurality of third bag-like structures and a third connection portion. The plurality of third bag-like structures are formed by joining the two sheet members. The plurality of third bag-like structures are fixed to an inner circumferential surface on the hand back side of the wrist of the curler and a position facing the cover portion and inflated by the fluid supplied from the pump. The third connection portion is provided at third bag-like structure facing the curler. The third connection portion is inserted through the cover portion to be connected to the flow path unit. The cover portion has respective three hole portions through which the first connection portion, the second connection portion, and the third connection portion are inserted.

Here, the fluid includes a liquid and air. The bag-like structure is inflated by the fluid and is an air bag when the fluid is air.

According to this aspect, the tensile cuff including the plurality of bag-like structures is disposed in a region where the cover portion of the curler is provided. Since the insert member for reinforcement is disposed on the cover portion, even when an external force is applied by expansion of the tensile cuff, strength of the curler is improved by the cover portion. As a result, deformation of the curler due to the expansion of the tensile cuff and creep deformation caused by repeated use can be suppressed. In addition, since the curler can maintain a predetermined shape, the blood pressure measurement device can suppress a decrease in measurement accuracy caused by repetitive blood pressure measurements.

In the blood pressure measurement device of the one aspect described above, there is provided a blood pressure measurement device in which the hole portion through which the second connection portion is inserted is disposed on a side where the sensing cuff of the cover portion is disposed with respect to the hole portions through which the first connection portion and the third connection portion are inserted.

According to this aspect, a length of the second flow path body that connects the second bag-like structure of the sensing cuff and the flow path unit of the device main body can be shorter than a length of the first flow path body that connects the first bag-like structure of the pressing cuff and the flow path unit of the device main body. This configuration allows reducing a volume of a region other than the bag-like structure for sensing in the sensing cuff as much as possible even in the configuration in which the device main body is disposed on the hand back side of the wrist and the sensing cuff is disposed on the hand palm side of the wrist. This allows the blood pressure measurement device to suitably detect blood pressure in blood pressure measurement by the sensing cuff, thereby ensuring improving blood pressure measurement accuracy.

In the blood pressure measurement device of the one aspect described above, there is provided a blood pressure measurement device in which the insert member is made of a metal material.

According to this aspect, by reinforcing the cover portion with the metal material having higher strength than the resin material, a thickness of the cover portion including the insert member can be reduced to the utmost extent, and joining strength with the fastening member can be improved. As a result, since the thickness of the cover portion can be thinned, the blood pressure measurement device can be downsized.

In the blood pressure measurement device according to the one aspect described above, there is provided a blood pressure measurement device in which the back cover and the cover portion mutually have flat abutment surfaces, and a sealing member is disposed between the back cover and the cover portion.

According to this aspect, by configuring the mutual abutment surfaces of the back cover and the cover portion to be flat and providing the sealing member between the abutment surfaces, a waterproof property between the back cover and the cover portion can be improved in a simple configuration.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The present invention can provide a blood pressure measurement device that can be downsized.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

An example of a blood pressure measurement device1according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be exemplified below with reference toFIGS. 1 to 20.

FIG. 1is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the blood pressure measurement device1according to the first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the blood pressure measurement device1.FIG. 3is a side view illustrating the configuration of the blood pressure measurement device1.FIG. 4is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the blood pressure measurement device1is attached to a wrist200.FIG. 5is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the blood pressure measurement device1.FIG. 6is a perspective view illustrating the blood pressure measurement device1in which a part of the configuration is omitted.FIG. 7andFIG. 8are exploded perspective views illustrating the blood pressure measurement device1in which a part of the configuration is omitted.FIG. 9is an exploded perspective view illustrating configurations of a curler5and a cuff structure6of the blood pressure measurement device1.FIG. 10is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configurations of the curler5and the cuff structure6of the blood pressure measurement device1.FIG. 11is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configurations of the curler5and the cuff structure6of the blood pressure measurement device1.FIG. 12is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a tensile cuff74of the blood pressure measurement device1.FIG. 13is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the tensile cuff74of the blood pressure measurement device1.FIG. 14is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the curler5of the blood pressure measurement device1.FIG. 15is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the cuff structure6on the wrist200side of the blood pressure measurement device1.FIG. 16is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the curler5on an inner circumferential surface side of the cuff structure6.

FIG. 17is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a pressing cuff71of the blood pressure measurement device1.FIG. 18is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the pressing cuff71by a cross-sectional surface taken along the line XVIII-XVIII inFIG. 17.FIG. 19is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a sensing cuff73of the blood pressure measurement device1.FIG. 20is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the sensing cuff73of the blood pressure measurement device1by a cross-sectional surface taken along the line XX-XX inFIG. 19.

The blood pressure measurement device1is an electronic blood pressure measurement device attached to a living body. The present embodiment will be described using an electronic blood pressure measurement device having an aspect of a wearable device attached to the wrist200of the living body.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 6, the blood pressure measurement device1includes a device main body3, a belt4that fixes the device main body3to the wrist, the curler5disposed between the belt4and the wrist, the cuff structure6including the pressing cuff71, the sensing cuff73, and the tensile cuff74, a fluid circuit7fluidly connecting the device main body3and the cuff structure6, and a power feed unit8provided in the curler5.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 6, the device main body3includes, for example, a case11, a display unit12, an operation unit13, a pump14, a flow path unit15, an on-off valve16, a pressure sensor17, a power supply unit18, a vibration motor19, and a control substrate20. The device main body3supplies a fluid to the cuff structure6using, for example, the pump14, the on-off valve16, the pressure sensor17, and the control substrate20.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 3, the case11includes an outer case31, a windshield32that covers an opening on a side (an outer side) opposite to the wrist200side of the outer case31, a base33provided on the wrist200side inside the outer case31, a back cover35that covers the wrist200side of the outer case31, and a sealing member36provided on the lower surface of the back cover35.

The outer case31is formed in a cylindrical shape. The outer case31includes pairs of lugs31aprovided at respective symmetrical positions in the circumferential direction of an outer circumferential surface, and spring rods31beach provided between the lugs31aof each of the two pairs of lugs31a. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the outer case31has, for example, screw holes31cat four locations in bases of the pair of lugs31a, which are provided at the respective symmetrical positions in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface on the surface (the rear surface) on the wrist200side. The windshield32is, for example, a circular glass plate.

The base33holds the display unit12, the operation unit13, the pump14, the on-off valve16, the pressure sensor17, the power supply unit18, the vibration motor19, and the control substrate20. Additionally, the base33constitutes a portion of the flow path unit15that makes the pump14and the cuff structure6fluidly continuous.

The back cover35is configured in an annular shape opening at the center side. The back cover35covers the outer peripheral edge side of the end portion on the wrist200side of the outer case31. The back cover35is integrally combined with the curler5so that the center opening is covered with the curler5, thus constituting a back lid that covers the end portion on the wrist200side of the outer case31together with the curler5. Specifically, the back cover35is fixed to the curler5with four first fastening members35a, and is fixed to the end portion on the wrist200side of the outer case31with four second fastening members35b. The back cover35includes four hole portions35cprovided in the bottom portion through which the first fastening members35a, which are fixed to the curler5, are inserted. The back cover35radially protrudes at four locations of the outer circumferential portion, and four hole portions35dthrough which the second fastening members35bfixed to the outer case31are inserted are provided at the protruding parts. The surface of the back cover35that abuts on the curler5is configured to be a flat surface.

The first fastening member35aand the second fastening member35bare members that mechanically fix two components, such as screws, bolts, small screws, and rivets. In the present embodiment, the first fastening member35aand the second fastening member35bare screws.

As illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 7, the four first fastening members35aare screwed into screw holes5eprovided at four locations in a cover portion5a, which will be described later, of the curler5. The four second fastening members35bare screwed into the screw holes31c, which are provided at the four locations in the outer case31.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 8, the four hole portions35care provided in the bottom surface of the back cover35, and are provided at positions facing the cover portion5a, which will be described later, of the curler5. For example, the four hole portions35chave intervals therebetween in the extension direction of the curler5set to be smaller than intervals therebetween in a direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the curler5.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 7, the four hole portions35dare provided at the protrusions in the outer circumferential portion of the back cover35so as to face the four locations of the bases of the pair of respective lugs31a, which are provided at symmetrical positions in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface on the surface (the rear surface) on the wrist200side of the outer case31. When the outer case31is integrally combined with the back cover35, the four hole portions35dface the screw holes31cin the outer case31.

The sealing member36is, for example, a double-sided tape formed in a shape of a region where the back cover35contacts the curler5. The sealing member36is provided between abutment surfaces of the curler5and the back cover35where the curler5and the back cover35mutually abut on to seal between the curler5and the back cover35.

The display unit12is disposed on the base33of the outer case31and directly below the windshield32. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the display unit12is electrically connected to the control substrate20. The display unit12is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display. The display unit12displays various types of information including the date and time and measurement results of blood pressure values such as the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and the like.

The operation unit13is configured to be capable of receiving an instruction input from a user. For example, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 5, the operation unit13includes a plurality of buttons41provided on the case11, a sensor42that detects operations of the buttons41, and a touch panel43provided on the display unit12or the windshield32. When operated by the user, the operation unit13converts an instruction into an electrical signal. The sensor42and the touch panel43are electrically connected to the control substrate20to output electrical signals to the control substrate20.

As the plurality of buttons41, for example, three buttons are provided. The buttons41are supported by the base33and protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the outer case31. The plurality of buttons41and a plurality of the sensors42are supported by the base33. The touch panel43is integrally provided on the windshield32, for example.

The pump14is, for example, a piezoelectric pump. The pump14compresses air and feeds compressed air to the cuff structure6through the flow path unit15. The pump14is electrically connected to the control substrate20.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the flow path unit15constitutes a flow path connecting from the pump14to the pressing cuff71and the tensile cuff74and a flow path connecting from the pump14to the sensing cuff73. Additionally, the flow path unit15constitutes a flow path connecting from the pressing cuff71and the tensile cuff74to the atmosphere, and a flow path connecting from the sensing cuff73to the atmosphere. The flow path unit15is a flow path of air constituted by, for example, a hollow portion, a groove, a flow path tank, and a tube, provided in, for example, the base33.

The on-off valve16opens and closes a portion of the flow path unit15. A plurality of the on-off valves16, as a specific example, the four on-off valves16as illustrated inFIG. 5, are provided and selectively open and close the flow path connecting from the pump14to the pressing cuff71and the tensile cuff74, the flow path connecting from the pump14to the sensing cuff73, the flow path connecting from the pressing cuff71and the tensile cuff74to the atmosphere, and the flow path connecting from the sensing cuff73to the atmosphere, by the combination of opening and closing of each of the on-off valves16. As a specific example, the four on-off valves16are configured by a first on-off valve16A, a second on-off valve16B, a third on-off valve16C, and a fourth on-off valve16D. The first on-off valve16A opens and closes the flow path connecting the pump14and the sensing cuff73. The second on-off valve16B opens and closes the flow path connecting the pump14and the tensile cuff74. The second on-off valve16B and the third on-off valve16C open and close the flow path connecting the pump14and the pressing cuff71. The second on-off valve16B, the third on-off valve16C, and the fourth on-off valve16D open and close the flow path connecting the pump14and the atmosphere.

The pressure sensor17at least detects the pressure in the sensing cuff73. The pressure sensor17includes, for example, a first pressure sensor17A and a second pressure sensor17B. The pressure sensor17converts a detected pressure into an electrical signal, and outputs the electrical signal to the control substrate20. For example, the first pressure sensor17A and the second pressure sensor17B are provided in the flow path of the flow path unit15connecting the first on-off valve16A and the sensing cuff73. The pressing cuff71, the sensing cuff73, the tensile cuff74, and the pump14are continuous in these flow paths by opening and closing the respective on-off valves, and thus the pressures in these flow paths corresponds to the pressures in the internal spaces of the pressing cuff71, the sensing cuff73, and the tensile cuff74to which the pump14is connected.

As a specific example, when the first on-off valve16A is open and the second on-off valve16B is closed, the pressure sensor17detects the pressure in the sensing cuff73, in other words, the pressure in the flow path unit15connecting the pump14and the sensing cuff73. Additionally, when the first on-off valve16A and the second on-off valve16B are open and the third on-off valve16C is closed, the pressure sensor17detects the pressure in the sensing cuff73and the tensile cuff74, in other words, the pressure in the flow path unit15connecting the pump14, the sensing cuff73, and the tensile cuff74. Furthermore, when the first on-off valve16A, the second on-off valve16B, and the third on-off valve16C are open and the fourth on-off valve16D is open or closed, the pressure sensor17detects the pressure in the pressing cuff71, the sensing cuff73, and the tensile cuff74, in other words, the pressure in the flow path unit15connecting the pump14, the pressing cuff71, the sensing cuff73, and the tensile cuff74.

The power supply unit18is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the power supply unit18is electrically connected to the control substrate20. The power supply unit18supplies power to the control substrate20.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the control substrate20includes, for example, a substrate51, an acceleration sensor52, a communication unit53, a storage unit54, and a control unit55. The control substrate20is constituted by the acceleration sensor52, the communication unit53, the storage unit54, and the control unit55that are mounted on the substrate51.

The substrate51is fixed to the base33of the case11using screws or the like.

The acceleration sensor52is, for example, a 3-axis acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor52outputs, to the control unit55, an acceleration signal representing acceleration of the device main body3in three directions orthogonal to each other. For example, the acceleration sensor52is used to measure, from the detected acceleration, the amount of activity of a living body to which the blood pressure measurement device1is attached.

The communication unit53is configured to be able to transmit and receive information to and from an external device wirelessly or by wire. For example, the communication unit53transmits information controlled by the control unit55, and information of a measured blood pressure value, a pulse, and the like to an external device via a network, and receives a program or the like for software update from an external device via a network and sends the program or the like to the control unit55.

In the present embodiment, the network is, for example, the Internet, but is not limited to this. The network may be a network such as a Local Area Network (LAN) provided in a hospital or may be direct communication with an external device using a cable or the like including a terminal of a predetermined standard such as a USB. Thus, the communication unit53may be configured to include a plurality of wireless antennas, micro-USB connectors, or the like.

The storage unit54pre-stores program data for controlling the overall blood pressure measurement device1and the fluid circuit7, settings data for setting various functions of the blood pressure measurement device1, calculation data for calculating a blood pressure value and a pulse from pressure measured by the pressure sensors17, and the like. Additionally, the storage unit54stores information such as a measured blood pressure value and a measured pulse.

The control unit55is constituted by one or more CPUs, and controls operation of the overall blood pressure measurement device1and operation of the fluid circuit7. The control unit55is electrically connected to and supplies power to the display unit12, the operation unit13, the pump14, each of the on-off valves16and the pressure sensors17. Additionally, the control unit55controls operation of the display unit12, the pump14, and the on-off valves16, based on electrical signals output by the operation unit13and the pressure sensors17.

For example, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the control unit55includes a main Central Processing Unit (CPU)56that controls operation of the overall blood pressure measurement device1, and a sub-CPU57that controls operation of the fluid circuit7. For example, the main CPU56obtains measurement results such as blood pressure values, for example, the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure, and the heart rate, from electrical signals output by the pressure sensor17, and outputs an image signal corresponding to the measurement results to the display unit12.

For example, the sub-CPU57drives the pump14and the on-off valves16to feed compressed air to the pressing cuff71and the sensing cuff73when an instruction to measure the blood pressure is input from the operation unit13. In addition, the sub-CPU57controls driving and stopping of the pump14and opening and closing of the on-off valves16based on electrical signal output by the pressure sensors17. The sub-CPU57controls the pump14and the on-off valves16to selectively feed compressed air to the pressing cuff71and the sensing cuff73and selectively depressurize the pressing cuff71and the sensing cuff73.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 4 and 6, the belt4includes a first belt61provided on the first pair of lugs31aand the first spring rod31b, and a second belt62provided on the second pair of lugs31aand the second spring rod31b. The belt4is wrapped around the wrist200with the curler5in between.

The first belt61is referred to as a so-called a parent and is configured like a band that can be coupled to the second belt62. As illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 3, the first belt61includes a belt portion61aand a buckle61b. The belt portion61ais configured as a band-like shape. The belt portion61ais made of an elastically deformable resin material. In addition, the belt portion61ais flexible and internally includes a sheet-like insert member that suppresses longitudinal expansion and contraction of the belt portion61a. The belt portion61aincludes a first hole portion61cformed in the first end portion and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the belt portion61aand a second hole portion61dformed in the second end portion and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first belt61.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 6, the first hole portion61cis provided in the end portion of the belt portion61a. The first hole portion61chas an inner diameter at which the spring rod31bcan be inserted into the first hole portion61cand at which the first belt61can rotate with respect to the spring rod31b. In other words, the first belt61is rotatably held by the outer case31by disposing the first hole portion61cbetween the pair of lugs31aand around the spring rod31b.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 3, the second hole portion61dis provided at the distal end of the belt portion61a. The buckle61bis attached to the second hole portion61d.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 3, the buckle61bincludes a frame body61ein a rectangular frame shape and a prong61frotatably attached to the frame body61e. A side of the frame body61eto which the prong61fis attached is inserted into the second hole portion61d, and the frame body61eis attached rotatably with respect to the belt portion61a.

The second belt62is referred to as a so-called blade tip, and is configured in a band-like shape having a width at which the second belt62can be inserted into the frame body61e. The second belt62is made of an elastically deformable resin material. In addition, the second belt62is flexible and internally includes a sheet-like insert member that suppresses longitudinal expansion and contraction of the second belt62.

In addition, as illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the second belt62includes a plurality of small holes62ainto which the prong61fis inserted. Additionally, the second belt62includes a third hole portion62bprovided at first end portion of the second belt62and extending orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the second belt62. The third hole portion62bhas an inner diameter at which the spring rod31bcan be inserted into the third hole portion62band at which the second belt62can rotate with respect to the spring rod31b. In other words, the second belt62is rotatably held by the outer case31by disposing the third hole portion62bbetween the pair of lugs31aand around the spring rod31b.

Thus, the second belt62of the belt4is inserted into the frame body61e, and the prong61fis inserted into the small hole62ain the belt4, the first belt61and the second belt62are integrally connected together, and the belt4, together with the outer case31, comes to have an annular shape following the wrist200along the circumferential direction. The belt4has the annular shape following the circumferential direction of the wrist200, thereby pressing the curler5and elastically deforming the curler5such that the curler5follows the circumferential direction of a wrist of a wearer of the blood pressure measurement device1.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 4, the curler5is configured in a band-like shape that curves in such a manner as to follow along the circumferential direction of the wrist200. The curler5is formed with a first end and a second end spaced apart from each other. For example, a first end-side outer surface of the curler5is fixed to the back cover35of the device main body3. The first end and the second end of the curler5are disposed at positions where the first end and the second end protrude to the first lateral side of the wrist200further than the back cover35. Accordingly, the curler5has the first end and the second end disposed on the lateral side of the wrist200when the blood pressure measurement device1is attached to the wrist200. Furthermore, the first end and the second end of the curler5are located adjacent to each other at a predetermined distance from each other. The curler5is made of a resin material, for example. As a specific example, the curler5is made of polypropylene with a thickness of approximately 1 mm.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 4, as a specific example, the curler5is configured in a band-like shape that curves in such a manner as to follow along the circumferential direction of the wrist. Furthermore, the curler5includes the circular plate-shaped cover portion5aprovided at a position facing the hand back side of the wrist200on the first end side and constituting a back lid together with the back cover35, and relief portions5bprovided around the cover portion5ato which the second fastening members35b, which fix the outer case31and the back cover35, can be moved. For example, in the curler5, the cover portion5aand the adjacent portions are formed in a flat plate shape, and the first end side and the second end side with respect to the cover portion5aare formed so as to curve at a predetermined curvature. A length of the curler5from the cover portion5ato the first end is formed shorter than a length from the cover portion5ato the second end. As a specific example, in the curler5, the short side from the cover portion5ato the first end is disposed on the hand back side of the wrist, and the long side from the cover portion5ato the second end extends from the hand back side of the wrist to the hand palm side of the wrist200through one lateral side.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3, 4, and 14, the curler5is formed in a shape such that when the first end and the second end of the curler5are close, the second end is positioned on the inner circumferential surface side of the first end. As a specific example, a width in the width direction of the wrist200of the curler5is set such that the hand back side of the wrist200of the curler5becomes greater than that of the hand palm side of the wrist200of the curler5. Furthermore, a radius of curvature of the first end on the hand back side of the wrist200of the curler5is set greater than a radius of curvature of the second end on the hand palm side of the wrist200. With the configuration, in the curler5, when both end sides of the curler5abut on, the second end is disposed more inward of the curler5than the first end. Further, the curler5includes a recess5cprovided adjacent to the cover portion5ain a part of the cover portion5aand the outer surface on the first end side of the cover portion5a, and in other words, the outer surface on the short side extending from the cover portion5a.

The cover portion5aincludes an insert member5dfor reinforcement that is inserted. The cover portion5ais fixed to the wrist200side of the outer case31via the fixed back cover35. The cover portion5ahas the screw holes5eprovided at positions facing the four hole portions35cin the back cover35and into which the first fastening members35ato fix the back cover35are screwed, and three hole portions5ffor connecting the cuff structure6to the device main body3. The surface of the cover portion5athat abuts on the back cover35is set to a flat surface.

When the back cover35is fixed to the outer case31from the back cover35side with the second fastening members35b, the relief portions5bserve as a relief to dispose the second fastening members35bon the back cover35without an interference of the second fastening members35bto the curler5and dispose tools to rotate the second fastening members35b.

As illustrated inFIG. 14, the insert member5dis a thin plate formed in the same shape as the main surface shape of the cover portion5aor a shape slightly smaller than the main surface shape of the cover portion5a. The insert member5dis made of a material having a higher bending strength than that of the curler5, for example, a metal material. As a specific example, the insert member5dis made of a SUS material.

The three hole portions5fare a first hole portion5f1formed to have an inner diameter into which a connection portion84described later of the pressing cuff71can be inserted, a second hole portion5f2formed to have an inner diameter into which a connection portion93described later of the sensing cuff73can be inserted, and a third hole portion5f3formed to have an inner diameter into which a connection portion103described later of the tensile cuff74can be inserted. In the present embodiment, the second hole portion5f2is disposed closer to the second end side of the hand palm side in the cover portion5aof the curler5than the first hole portion5f1and the third hole portion5f3.

The curler5is fixed to the outer case31in the direction in which the first end and the second end face the second belt62of the belt4. In the curler5, at least a position facing the hand palm side of the wrist200curves along the circumferential direction along the hand palm side of the wrist200to hold the cuff structure6facing the hand palm side of the wrist200in a curved state following the shape of the hand palm side of the wrist200.

The curler5has hardness to provide flexibility and shape retainability. Here, “flexibility” refers to deformation of the shape of the curler5in a radial direction at the time of application of an external force of the belt4to the curler5. For example, “flexibility” refers to deformation of the shape of the curler5in a side view in which the curler5approaches the wrist, is along the shape of the wrist, or follows to the shape of the wrist when the curler5is pressed by the belt4. Furthermore, “shape retainability” refers to the ability of the curler5to maintain a pre-imparted shape when no external force is applied to the curler5. For example, “shape retainability” refers to, in the present embodiment, the ability of the curler5to maintain the shape in a shape curving along the circumferential direction of the wrist.

The cuff structure6is disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the curler5, and is held along the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the curler5. As a specific example, the curler5holds the cuff structure6by disposing the pressing cuff71and the tensile cuff74on the inner circumferential surface and fixing the cuff structure6with bonding layers75provided between the curler5, the pressing cuff71, and the tensile cuff74. In the present embodiment, the bonding layer75is an adhesive or a double-sided tape.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 9, 15, and 16, the cuff structure6includes the pressing cuff71, a back plate72, the sensing cuff73, and the tensile cuff74. The cuff structure6also includes the bonding layers75that bond the respective configurations and the curler5and the cuffs71,74together. The cuff structure6is fixed to the curler5. The cuff structure6includes the pressing cuff71, the back plate72, and the sensing cuff73that are stacked each other and disposed on the curler5, and the tensile cuff74that is spaced apart from the pressing cuff71, the back plate72, and the sensing cuff73and disposed on the curler5.

As a specific example, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the cuff structure6is stacked on the inner circumferential surface on the hand palm side of the wrist200of the curler5with the pressing cuff71, the back plate72, and the sensing cuff73in this order from the inner circumferential surface of the curler5toward the wrist200side. In addition, the cuff structure6includes the tensile cuff74disposed on the inner circumferential surface on the hand back side of the wrist200of the curler5. Each of the members of the cuff structure6is fixed to an adjacent member of the cuff structure6in a stacking direction with the bonding layer75.

The pressing cuff71is fluidly connected to the pump14through the flow path unit15. The pressing cuff71is inflated to press the back plate72and the sensing cuff73toward the wrist200side. As illustrated inFIGS. 10, 11, and 15 to 18, the pressing cuff71includes a plurality of, for example, two layers of air bags81, joined portions82provided on the air bag81facing the curler5, a flow path body (a first flow path body)83in communication with the air bag81, and the connection portion (a first connection portion)84provided on the distal end of the flow path body83. The pressing cuff71is configured by integrally welding a plurality of sheet members86.

Here, the air bag81are bag-like structure (first bag-like structures), and in the present embodiment, the blood pressure measurement device1is configured to use air with the pump14, and thus the present embodiment will be described using the air bags. However, in a case where a fluid other than air is used, the bag-like structures only need to be fluid bags inflated by the fluid. The plurality of air bags81are stacked and are in fluid communication with one another in the stacking direction.

The air bag81is formed in a rectangular bag shape that is long in one direction. Additionally, the air bag81has a width in the short direction set to be the same width as a width in the short direction of the curler5. The air bag81is constituted, for example, by combining the two sheet members86and thermally welding the sheet members86in a rectangular frame shape long in one direction, like a welded portion81aillustrated inFIGS. 10, 11, and 15 to 18. In addition, the two layers of the air bags81are formed by thermally welding the two air bags81and combining them integrally, or welding the facing sheet members86of the adjacent air bags81and then welding the air bags81, thus forming the air bags81. As a specific example, the two layers of the air bags81are fluidly continuous with openings provided in the sheet members86facing each other. In addition, in the two layers of the air bags81, bridge welding is performed on the facing sheet members86so as to have a quadrilateral frame shape smaller than the welded portions81alocated on the outer peripheral edges, and surrounding the plurality of openings with the bridge welded portions (the joining portions)81bto integrally form the adjacent air bags81, and thus the air bags81are fluidly connected inside the bridge welded portions81b. Here, the bridge welding and the bridge of the bridge welded portions81bmean integral joining of the adjacent air bags81.

One or a plurality of the joined portions82are provided on at least a part of an edge portion of the air bag81disposed adjacent to the curler5. The joined portion82is formed by a part of the sheet member86constituting the air bag81.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS. 10, 11, and 15 to 18, an example in which one joined portion82is provided at each edge portion in the short direction of the air bag81will be described. Note that, for example, the joined portions82may be divided in the longitudinal direction of the air bag81by a slit, or a plurality of the joined portions82may be provided in the longitudinal direction of the air bag81. The joined portions82are joined to at least the outer circumferential surface of the curler5when the pressing cuff71is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the curler5. Furthermore, for example, the two joined portions82are stacked and welded.

Note that the two joined portions82are set, for example, to have lengths that differ in the short direction of the air bag81. In this example, the two joined portions82are stacked and welded on the first end side in the short direction of the curler5. As long as the distal ends can be disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the curler5, the lengths of the two joined portions82can be appropriately set, and may be or need not to be stackable. However, when the lengths of the joined portions82are set to be stackable, the lengths are preferably set such that the distal ends do not extend outward of the outer edges of the outer circumferential surface of the curler5.

As illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 15 to 18, the flow path body83is integrally provided on one air bag81, for example, a part of a first edge portion in the longitudinal direction of the air bag81adjacent to the curler5. As a specific example, the flow path body83is provided at an end portion of the air bag81near the device main body3. Additionally, the flow path body83is formed in a shape that is long in one direction with a width smaller than the width in the short direction of the air bag81, and its distal end is formed in a circular shape. The flow path body83includes the connection portion84at the distal end. The connection portion84is, for example, a nipple. As illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 7, the flow path body83is connected to the flow path unit15by inserting a third nozzle34D3provided in the device main body3into the connection portion84, thus constituting a flow path between the flow path unit15of the device main body3and the air bag81.

The flow path body83is configured by thermally welding a part of the sheet members86adjacent to the region constituting the air bag81of the sheet members86in a frame shape long in one direction with the connection portion84disposed in the two sheet members86. The flow path body83is disposed between the inner circumferential surface of the curler5and the tensile cuff74, and its distal end is disposed on the main surface on the wrist200side of the region where the cover portion5aof the curler5is provided and at a position facing the first hole portion5f1. In addition, a width of the flow path body83excluding a welded portion83ais formed to, for example, 3.8 mm.

Note that the air bag81in which the flow path body83is provided is configured by configuring a part of the welded portions81ato weld the two sheet members86in the rectangular frame shape in a non-welded state such that the air bag81is continuous with the welded portion83aconstituting the flow path body83, and thus the air bag81is fluidly continuous with the flow path body83.

The connection portion84is provided at the distal end of the flow path body83. The distal end of the connection portion84is exposed from the sheet member86facing the curler5among the two sheet members86constituting the flow path body83. The connection portion84is inserted through the first hole portion5f1of the cover portion5aand is connected to the flow path unit15.

As a specific example, as illustrated inFIGS. 10, 11, and 26, the pressing cuff71includes, from the wrist200side, a first sheet member86a, a second sheet member86b, a third sheet member86c, and a fourth sheet member86d. The second sheet member86bconstitutes a first-layer air bag81along with the first sheet member86a, the third sheet member86cis integrally joined to the second sheet member86band constitutes the joined portions82, and the fourth sheet member86dconstitutes the second-layer air bag81and the flow path body83with the third sheet member86c. Note that the pressing cuff71is integrally constituted by joining the adjacent sheet members86by thermal welding.

The first sheet member86aand the second sheet member86bare formed to have the rectangular shape similar to the air bag81, and the peripheral edge portions of the four sides are welded to constitute the air bag81. The second sheet member86band the third sheet member86care disposed facing each other, and include a plurality of openings86b1and86c1, respectively, through which the two air bags81are fluidly continuous. Additionally, the second sheet member86band the third sheet member86care integrally joined by thermally welding the peripheries of the plurality of openings86b1,86c1in a quadrilateral frame shape smaller than the four sides where the air bag81is welded.

The third sheet member86cis configured in a shape so as to ensure configuring the air bag81, the joined portions82, and the flow path body83, for example. The fourth sheet member86dis configured in a shape so as to ensure configuring the air bag81and the flow path body83, for example. Furthermore, the fourth sheet member86dhas a hole portion86d1into which the distal end of the connection portion84can be inserted, for example.

The third sheet member86cand the fourth sheet member86dare disposed so as to face each other and are thermally welded along the peripheral edge shapes of the air bag81and the flow path body83so that the air bag81and the flow path body83are fluidly continuous, and cut into predetermined shapes to constitute the air bag81, the joined portions82, and the flow path body83.

The connection portion84is disposed in the hole portion86d1of the fourth sheet member86d, and the periphery of the hole portion86d1is thermally welded with the connection portion84. Further, each of the fourth sheet member86dis bonded to the inner circumferential surface of the curler5and the joined portion82of the third sheet member86cis bonded to the outer circumferential surface of the curler5via the bonding layers75.

As illustrated inFIGS. 10, 11, and 26, the back plate72is stuck to the outer surface of the first sheet member86aof the pressing cuff71with the bonding layer75. The back plate72is formed in a plate shape using a resin material. The back plate72is made of polypropylene, for example, and is formed into a plate shape having a thickness of approximately 1 mm. The back plate72has shape followability.

Here, “shape followability” refers to a function of the back plate72by which the back plate72can be deformed in such a manner as to follow the shape of a contacted portion of the wrist200to be disposed, and the contacted portion of the wrist200refers to a region of the wrist200that is faced by the back plate72. The contact here includes both direct contact and indirect contact via the sensing cuff73.

For example, as illustrated inFIG. 11, the back plate72includes a plurality of grooves72ain both main surfaces of the back plate72and extending in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The plurality of respective grooves72aface each other in the thickness direction of the back plate72. Additionally, the plurality of grooves72aare disposed at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the back plate72.

In the back plate72, portions including the plurality of grooves72aare thinner than portions including no grooves72aand thus the portions including the plurality of grooves72aare easily deformed. Accordingly, the back plate72is deformed in such a manner as to follow to the shape of the wrist200, and has shape followability of extending in the circumferential direction of the wrist. The back plate72is formed such that the length of the back plate72is sufficient to cover the hand palm side of the wrist200. The back plate72transfers the pressing force from the pressing cuff71to the main surface on the back plate72side of the sensing cuff73in a state in which the back plate72runs along the shape of the wrist200.

The sensing cuff73is fluidly connected to the pump14through the flow path unit15. The sensing cuff73is fixed to the main surface on the wrist200side of the back plate72. As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 26, the sensing cuff73is in direct contact with a region of the wrist200where an artery210is present. The artery210as used herein is the radial artery and the ulnar artery. The sensing cuff73is formed in the same shape as that of the back plate72or a shape that is smaller than that of the back plate72, in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the back plate72. The sensing cuff73is inflated to compress a hand palm-side region of the wrist200in which the artery210resides. The sensing cuff73is pressed by the inflated pressing cuff71toward the wrist200side with the back plate72in between.

As a specific example, as illustrated inFIGS. 10, 11, 19, and 20, the sensing cuff73includes one air bag91, a flow path body (a second flow path body)92in communication with the air bag91, and a connection portion (a second connection portion)93provided on a distal end of a flow path body92. One main surface of the air bag91of the sensing cuff73is fixed to the back plate72. For example, the sensing cuff73is bonded to the main surface on the wrist200side of the back plate72with the bonding layer75. The sensing cuff73is configured by integrally welding a plurality of sheet members96.

Here, the air bag91is a bag-like structure (a second bag-like structure), and in the present embodiment, the blood pressure measurement device1is configured to use air with the pump14, and thus the present embodiment will be described using the air bag. However, in a case where a fluid other than air is used, the bag-like structure may be, for example, a liquid bag.

The air bag91is constituted in a rectangular shape that is long in one direction. The air bag91is constituted, for example, by combining the two sheet members96that are long in one direction and thermally welding the sheet members96in a rectangular frame shape long in one direction, like a welded portion91aillustrated inFIGS. 10, 11, 19, and 20. The air bag91includes, for example, a bonding margin91bto ensure an area for bonding the air bag91to the back plate72using the bonding layer75. The bonding margin91bis formed by, for example, the sheet member96facing the back plate72.

The flow path body92is integrally provided on a part of a first edge portion in the longitudinal direction of the air bag91. As a specific example, the flow path body92is provided at an end portion of the air bag91near the device main body3. Additionally, the flow path body92is formed in a shape that is long in one direction with a width smaller than the width in the short direction of the air bag91, and its distal end is formed in a circular shape. The flow path body92includes the connection portion93at the distal end. The connection portion93is, for example, a nipple. As illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 7, the flow path body92is connected to the flow path unit15by inserting a first nozzle34D1provided in the device main body3into the connection portion93, thus constituting a flow path between the flow path unit15of the device main body3and the air bag91.

The flow path body92is configured by thermally welding a part of the sheet members96adjacent to the region constituting the air bag91of the sheet members96in a frame shape long in one direction with the connection portion93disposed in the two sheet members96. Note that the air bag91is configured by configuring a part of the welded portions91ato weld the two sheet members96in the rectangular frame shape in a non-welded state such that the air bag91is continuous with a welded portion92aconstituting the flow path body92, and thus the air bag91is fluidly continuous with the flow path body92. The flow path body92is disposed between the inner circumferential surface of the curler5and the tensile cuff74, and its distal end is disposed on the main surface on the wrist200side of the region where the cover portion5aof the curler5is provided and at a position facing the second hole portion5f2. In addition, a width of the flow path body92excluding the welded portion92ais formed to, for example, 3.8 mm.

The connection portion93is provided at the distal end of the flow path body92. The distal end of the connection portion93is exposed outside from the sheet member96facing the curler5and the back plate72among the two sheet members96constituting the flow path body92. The connection portion93is inserted through the second hole portion5f2of the cover portion5aand is connected to the flow path unit15.

As a specific example, as illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11, the sensing cuff73includes a fifth sheet member96aand a sixth sheet member96bfrom the wrist200side. Note that the sensing cuff73is constituted by joining the adjacent sheet members96by thermal welding.

The fifth sheet member96aand the sixth sheet member96bare configured in a shape so as to ensure configuring the air bag91, the bonding margin91b, and the flow path body92, for example. The fifth sheet member96and the sixth sheet member96bare disposed so as to face each other and are thermally welded along the peripheral edge shapes of the air bag91and the flow path body92so that the air bag91and the flow path body92are fluidly continuous, and cut into predetermined shapes to constitute the air bag91and the flow path body92.

Furthermore, the sixth sheet member96bhas a hole portion96b1into which the distal end of the connection portion93can be inserted, for example. The connection portion93is disposed in the hole portion96b1, and the periphery of the hole portion96b1is thermally welded with the connection portion93. The sixth sheet member96bis bonded to the inner circumferential surface of the back plate72via the bonding layer75.

The tensile cuff74is fluidly connected to the pump14through the flow path unit15. The tensile cuff74is inflated to press the curler5such that the curler5is spaced apart from the wrist200, thus pulling the belt4and the curler5toward the hand back side of the wrist200. The tensile cuff74includes a plurality of, for example, six layers of air bags101, joined portions102provided on the air bag101facing the curler5, the connection portion103provided on the air bag101facing the curler5, and notch portions104provided in at least the air bag101facing the curler5. The tensile cuff74is configured by integrally welding a plurality of sheet members106. The tensile cuff74is fixed to a region where the flow path bodies83,92are provided, and the hand back side of the wrist200of the curler5including the cover portion5a. That is, the flow path body83of the pressing cuff71and the flow path body92of the sensing cuff73are disposed between the hand back side of the wrist200of the curler5and the tensile cuff74.

Additionally, the tensile cuff74is configured such that the thickness of the tensile cuff74in an inflating direction, in the present embodiment, in the direction in which the curler5and the wrist200face each other, during inflation, is larger than the thickness of the pressing cuff71in the inflating direction during inflation and larger than the thickness of the sensing cuff73in the inflating direction during inflation. That is, the air bags101of the tensile cuff74have more layer structures than the air bags81in the pressing cuff71and the air bag91in the sensing cuff73, and are thicker than the pressing cuff71and the sensing cuff73when the air bags101are inflated from the curler5toward the wrist200.

In the present embodiment, the tensile cuff74including the six layers of the air bags101includes a first outer layer111constituted by one air bag101, a first intermediate layer112constituted by the two layers of the air bags101that are thermally welded to the first outer layer111to be integrally combined, a second intermediate layer113constituted by the two layers of the air bags101that are thermally welded to the first intermediate layer112to be integrally combined, and a second outer layer114constituted by one air bag101that is thermally welded to the second intermediate layer113to be integrally combined.

Here, the air bags101are bag-like structures (third bag-like structures), and in the present embodiment, the blood pressure measurement device1is configured to use air with the pump14, and thus the present embodiment will be described using the air bags. However, in a case where a fluid other than air is used, the bag-like structures only need to be fluid bags inflated by the fluid. A plurality of the air bags101are stacked and are in fluid communication in the stacking direction.

The air bag101is formed in a rectangular bag shape that is long in one direction. Additionally, the air bag101has a width in the short direction set to be the same width as a width in the short direction of the curler5. The air bag101is constituted, for example, by combining the two sheet members106and thermally welding the sheet members106in a rectangular frame shape long in one direction, like a welded portion101aillustrated inFIGS. 12, 13, 15, and 16. The six layers of the air bags101are fluidly continuous with openings provided in the sheet members106facing each other.

In addition, in the six layers of the air bags101, bridge welding is performed on the sheet members106where the first outer layer111and the first intermediate layer112, the first intermediate layer112and the second intermediate layer113, and the second intermediate layer113and the second outer layer114each face each other so as to have a quadrilateral frame shape smaller than the welded portions81alocated on the outer peripheral edges, and surrounding the plurality of openings with bridge welded portions (joining portions)101bto integrally form the adjacent air bags101, and thus the air bags101are fluidly connected inside the bridge welded portions101b.

The first outer layer111is formed by one air bag101disposed on the wrist200side. The first outer layer111constitutes the air bag101of the first layer from the wrist200side among the six layers of the air bags101.

The first intermediate layer112is stacked on the first outer layer111. The first intermediate layer112is formed by the two layers of the air bags101. The first intermediate layer112constitutes the air bags101of the second layer and the third layer from the wrist200side among the six layers of the air bags101. The first intermediate layer112is constituted by integrally welding the two layers of the air bags101at the outer peripheral edges. In other words, the first intermediate layer112is formed by integrally welding the four sheet members106in the outer peripheral edge shapes of the air bags101.

The second intermediate layer113is stacked on the first intermediate layer112. The second intermediate layer113is formed of the two layers of the air bags101. The second intermediate layer113constitutes the air bags101of the fourth layer and the fifth layer from the wrist200side among the six layers of the air bags101. The second intermediate layer113is constituted by integrally welding the two layers of the air bags101at the outer peripheral edges. In other words, the second intermediate layer113is formed by integrally welding the four sheet members106in the outer peripheral edge shapes of the air bags101.

The second outer layer114is formed by one air bag101disposed on the curler5side. The second outer layer114constitutes the air bag101of the sixth layer from the wrist200side among the six layers of the air bags101.

One or a plurality of the joined portions102are provided on at least a part of an edge portion of the air bag (the air bag of the sixth layer)101disposed adjacent to the curler5. The joined portion102is formed by a part of the sheet member106constituting the air bag101.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the two joined portions102are provided at each edge portion in the short direction of the air bag101in the longitudinal direction of the air bag101will be described. Note that, for example, the joined portions102are provided on the air bag101avoiding a position facing the cover portion5aof the curler5. Further, for example, the joined portion102includes a relief portion102aat a position facing power feed terminals8b, which will be described later, of the power feed unit8provided in the curler5, to expose the power feed terminals8bto the outside. The relief portion102ais, for example, an opening that can expose the power feed terminals8bto the outside, and has a circular shape as an example.

The joined portions102are joined to at least the outer circumferential surface of the curler5when the tensile cuff74is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the curler5. Additionally, the joined portions102disposed at the same position in the short direction of the air bags101are stacked and welded.

Note that the two joined portions102are set, for example, to have lengths that differ in the short direction of the air bag101. In this example, the two joined portions102are stacked and welded on the first end side in the short direction of the curler5. As long as the distal ends can be disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the curler5, the lengths of the two joined portions102can be appropriately set, and may be or need not to be stackable. However, when the lengths of the joined portions102are set to be stackable, the lengths are preferably set such that the distal ends do not extend outward of the outer edges of the outer circumferential surface of the curler5.

The connection portion103is, for example, a nipple. The connection portion103is disposed on the center side in the longitudinal direction of the air bag101disposed adjacent to the curler5and at a position facing the third hole portion5f3in the cover portion5a. The distal end of the connection portion103is exposed from the sheet member106facing the curler5among the two sheet members106constituting the air bag101. As illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 7, the connection portion103is connected to the flow path unit15by being connected to a second nozzle34D2provided in the device main body3.

The notch portions104are provided at positions facing the relief portions5bprovided on the curler5. The notch portions104are provided in the air bag101of the sixth layer that forms the second outer layer114.

As a specific example, as illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 13, the tensile cuff74includes a seventh sheet member106a, an eighth sheet member106b, a ninth sheet member106c, a tenth sheet member106d, an eleventh sheet member106e, a twelfth sheet member106f, a thirteenth sheet member106g, a fourteenth sheet member106h, a fifteenth sheet member106i, a sixteenth sheet member106j, a seventeenth sheet member106k, and an eighteenth sheet member106lin this order from the wrist200side. Note that the tensile cuff74is integrally constituted by joining the adjacent sheet members106by thermal welding.

The seventh sheet member106ato the eighteenth sheet member106lare configured in a rectangular shape similar to the air bag101. The seventh sheet member106aand the eighth sheet member106bare thermally welded along the shapes of the peripheral edge portions of the four sides of the air bag101to constitute the air bag101of the first layer (the first layer) from the wrist200side. That is, the seventh sheet member106aand the eighth sheet member106bconstitute the first outer layer111.

The eighth sheet member106band the ninth sheet member106care disposed facing each other, and include a plurality of openings106b1,106c1, respectively, through which the two air bags101are fluidly continuous. Additionally, the eighth sheet member106band the ninth sheet member106care integrally joined by bridge welding by heat on the peripheries of the plurality of openings106b1,106c1in a quadrilateral frame shape smaller than the four sides where the air bag101is welded.

The ninth sheet member106cand the tenth sheet member106dare thermally welded along the shapes of the peripheral edge portions of the four sides of the air bag101to constitute the air bag101of the second layer (the second layer) from the wrist200side.

As illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 13, the tenth sheet member106dand the eleventh sheet member106eare disposed facing each other, and include a plurality of openings106d1,106e1, respectively, through which the two air bags101are fluidly continuous. The eleventh sheet member106eand the twelfth sheet member106fare thermally welded along the shapes of the peripheral edge portions of the four sides of the air bag101to constitute the air bag101of the third layer (the third layer) from the wrist200side.

Note that the ninth sheet member106c, the tenth sheet member106d, the eleventh sheet member106e, and the twelfth sheet member106fare integrally and thermally welded along the shapes of the peripheral edge portions of the four sides of the air bags101to constitute the first intermediate layer112in which the air bags101of the second layer and the third layer are integrally formed.

As illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 13, the twelfth sheet member106fand the thirteenth sheet member106gare disposed facing each other, and include a plurality of openings106f1,106g1, respectively, through which the two air bags101are fluidly continuous. Additionally, the twelfth sheet member106fand the thirteenth sheet member106gare integrally joined by bridge welding by heat on the peripheries of the plurality of openings106f1,106g1in a quadrilateral frame shape smaller than the four sides where the air bag101is welded.

The thirteenth sheet member106gand the fourteenth sheet member106hare thermally welded along the shapes of the peripheral edge portions of the four sides of the air bag101to constitute the air bag101of the fourth layer (the fourth layer) from the wrist200side.

As illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 13, the fourteenth sheet member106hand the fifteenth sheet member106iare disposed facing each other, and include a plurality of openings106h1,106i1, respectively, through which the two air bags101are fluidly continuous. The fifteenth sheet member106iand the sixteenth sheet member106jare thermally welded along the shapes of the peripheral edge portions of the four sides of the air bag101to constitute the air bag101of the fifth layer (the fifth layer) from the wrist200side.

Note that the thirteenth sheet member106g, the fourteenth sheet member106h, the fifteenth sheet member106i, and the sixteenth sheet member106jare integrally and thermally welded along the shapes of the peripheral edge portions of the four sides of the air bags101to constitute the second intermediate layer113in which the air bags101of the fourth layer and the fifth layer are integrally formed.

As illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 13, the sixteenth sheet member106jand the seventeenth sheet member106kare disposed facing each other, and include a plurality of openings106j1,106k1, respectively, through which the two air bags101are fluidly continuous. The seventeenth sheet member106kis configured in a shape so as to ensure configuring the air bag101and the joined portions102, for example. The sixteenth sheet member106jand the seventeenth sheet member106kare integrally joined by bridge welding by heat on the peripheries of the plurality of openings106j1,106k1in a quadrilateral frame shape smaller than the four sides where the air bag101is welded.

The seventeenth sheet member106kand the eighteenth sheet member106lare thermally welded along the shapes of the peripheral edge portions of the four sides of the air bag101and cut into predetermined shapes to constitute the air bag101of the sixth layer (the sixth layer) from the wrist200side including the notch portions104and the joined portions102.

Furthermore, the eighteenth sheet member106lhas a hole portion106l1into which the distal end of the connection portion103can be inserted, for example. The connection portion103is disposed in the hole portion106l1of the eighteenth sheet member106l, and the periphery of the hole portion106l1is thermally welded with the connection portion103. Further, the eighteenth sheet member106lis bonded to the inner circumferential surface of the curler5and the joined portions102of the seventeenth sheet member106kare each bonded to the outer circumferential surface of the curler5via the bonding layer75.

Additionally, each of the sheet members86,96, and106forming the pressing cuff71, the sensing cuff73, and the tensile cuff74are made of a thermoplastic resin material. The thermoplastic resin material is a thermoplastic elastomer. Examples of thermoplastic resin material constituting the sheet members86,96, and106include thermoplastic polyurethane based resin (hereinafter referred to as TPU), polyvinyl chloride resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate resin, thermoplastic polystyrene based resin, thermoplastic polyolefin resin, thermoplastic polyester based resin, and thermoplastic polyamide resin. Note that, in the pressing cuff71and the sensing cuff73, among at least the plurality of sheet members86and106constituting the air bags81and101, at least the sheet members86and106welded to the curler5are made of a material same kind of the material of the curler5.

For example, the sheet members86,96, and106are formed using a molding method such as T-die extrusion molding or injection molding. After being molded by each molding method, the sheet members86,96, and106are sized into predetermined shapes, and the sized individual pieces are joined by welding or the like to constitute bag-like structures81,91, and101. A high frequency welder or laser welding is used as the welding method.

The fluid circuit7is constituted by the case11, the pump14, the flow path unit15, the on-off valves16, the pressure sensors17, the pressing cuff71, the sensing cuff73, and the tensile cuff74. A specific example of the fluid circuit7will be described below.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the fluid circuit7includes, for example, a first flow path7ain which the pump14and the sensing cuff73, and the first pressure sensor17A and the second pressure sensor17B are continuous via the first on-off valve16A, a second flow path7bconfigured by being branched from the first flow path7abetween the pump14and the first on-off valve16A in which the pump14and the atmosphere are continuous via the second on-off valve16B, the third on-off valve16C, and the fourth on-off valve16D in order, a third flow path7cconfigured by being branched from the middle portion between the second on-off valve16B and the third on-off valve16C of the second flow path7bin which the tensile cuff74is continuous from the pump14, and a fourth flow path7dconfigured by being branched from the middle portion between the third on-off valve16C and the fourth on-off valve16D of the second flow path7bin which the pressing cuff71is continuous from the pump14.

In the fluid circuit7, the second on-off valve16B and the third on-off valve16C are opened and the first on-off valve16A and the fourth on-off valve16D are closed to connect the third flow path7cand the fourth flow path7dbranched from the second flow path7bto the pump14, and the pump14, the pressing cuff71, and the tensile cuff are fluidly connected.

In the fluid circuit7, the first on-off valve16A, the second on-off valve16B, and the third on-off valve16C are opened and the fourth on-off valve16D is closed to connect the first flow path7aand the third flow path7cand the fourth flow path7dbranched from the second flow path7bto the pump14, and the pump14, the pressing cuff71, and the tensile cuff, and the pump14and the sensing cuff73are fluidly connected. In the fluid circuit7, the second on-off valve16B, the third on-off valve16C, and the fourth on-off valve16D are opened and the first on-off valve16A is closed to connect the second flow path7b, the third flow path7c, and the fourth flow path7dto the pump14, and the pump14, the pressing cuff71, the tensile cuff74, and the atmosphere are fluidly connected. In the fluid circuit7, the first on-off valve16A, the second on-off valve16B, the third on-off valve16C, and the fourth on-off valve16D are opened to connect the first flow path7a, the second flow path7b, the third flow path7c, and the fourth flow path7dto the pump14, and the pump14, the pressing cuff71, the sensing cuff73, the tensile cuff74, and the atmosphere are fluidly connected.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2, 6, and 9, the power feed unit8is provided in the recess5cformed in the outer surface on the first end side of the curler5protruding from the device main body3. For example, the power feed unit8is configured to be connectable to a connector provided on a charging cable of a charger.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2, 6, and 9, the power feed unit8includes a wiring portion8a, the power feed terminals8b, and a cover8cthat covers the wiring portion8adisposed in the recess5cof the curler5. The wiring portion8ahas a first end connected to the power feed terminals8band the second end connected to the control unit55. The power feed terminals8bare constituted by two circular terminals, for example. For example, the wiring portion8aand the power feed terminals8bare formed by, for example, flexible printed circuits (FPC) in which, for example, a conductive metal film is provided on a base film, such as polyimide. The cover8cis formed in the same shape as the recess5c, covers the recess5c, and when provided in the recess5c, its upper surface is flush with the outer surface on the short side of the curler5.

Next, an example of a manufacturing method of the blood pressure measurement device1will be described below usingFIG. 21.

First, the power feed unit8is formed in the curler5(step ST11). The FPC constituting the wiring portion8aand the power feed terminals8bin the curler5are bonded to the cover portion5aand the recess5cof the curler5with, for example, a double-sided tape, and the cover8cis bonded to the recess5cwith, for example, a double-sided tape.

Next, the cuff structure6is joined to the curler5(step ST12). As a specific example, first, the back plate72is disposed in a curved jig, and the back plate72is overheated by a heating furnace for a thermal process to curve the back plate72in a predetermined shape. Next, the double-sided tapes as the bonding layers75are stuck to a region facing the curler5of the fourth sheet member86dof the pressing cuff71and the joined portions82to stick the pressing cuff71to the curler5. Next, the double-sided tape is stuck to a region facing the back plate72of the sixth sheet member96bof the sensing cuff73to stick the sensing cuff73to the back plate72. Note that in these steps, the connection portion84of the pressing cuff71and the connection portion93of the sensing cuff73are inserted through the first hole portion5f1and the second hole portion5f2in the cover portion5aof the curler5.

Next, the double-sided tape is stuck to a region facing the pressing cuff71of the back plate72to stick the back plate72to the first sheet member86aof the pressing cuff71. Next, double-sided tapes are stuck to a region facing the curler5of the eighteenth sheet member106land the joined portions102of the tensile cuff74to stick the tensile cuff74to the curler5and the flow path body83of the pressing cuff71and the flow path body92of the sensing cuff73disposed on the inner surface of the curler5. Through these steps, the cuff structure6is bonded to the curler5.

Next, the sealing member36and the back cover35are disposed on the cover portion5a, and the back cover35is fixed to the cover portion5awith the first fastening members35a(step ST13) to constitute the back lid.

Next, the device main body3except for the back cover35is integrally assembled (step ST14). Next, the back cover35is disposed on an end portion on the wrist200side of the outer case31of the device main body3, and the outer case31and the back cover35are fixed with the second fastening members35b(step ST15). Then, the first belt61and the second belt62are assembled to the outer case31(step ST46). Through these steps, the blood pressure measurement device1is manufactured.

Next, an example of measurement of a blood pressure value using the blood pressure measurement device1will be described usingFIGS. 22 to 25.FIG. 22is a flowchart depicting an example of a blood pressure measurement using the blood pressure measurement device1, depicting both of an operation by a user and an operation by the control unit55. Additionally,FIGS. 23 to 25illustrate an example of the user wearing the blood pressure measurement device1on the wrist200.

First, the user attaches the blood pressure measurement device1to the wrist200(step ST21). As a specific example, as illustrated inFIG. 23, for example, the user inserts one of the wrists200into the curler5.

At this time, in the blood pressure measurement device1, the device main body3and the sensing cuff73are disposed at opposite positions in the curler5, and thus the sensing cuff73is disposed in a region on the hand palm side of the wrist200where the artery210is present. Thus, the device main body3and the tensile cuff74are disposed on the hand back side of the wrist200. Then, as illustrated inFIG. 24, the user passes the second belt62through the frame body61eof the buckle61bof the first belt61with the hand opposite to the hand on which the blood pressure measurement device1is disposed. Next, the user then pulls the second belt62to bring the member on the inner circumferential surface side of the curler5, that is, the cuff structure6, into close contact with the wrist200, and inserts the prong61finto the small hole62a. Thus, as illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 26, the first belt61and the second belt62are connected, and the blood pressure measurement device1is attached to the wrist200.

Then, the user operates the operation unit13to input an instruction corresponding to the start of measurement of the blood pressure value. The operation unit13, on which an input operation of the instruction has been performed, outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the start of the measurement to the control unit55(step ST22). The control unit55receives the electrical signal, and then, for example, opens the first on-off valve16A, the second on-off valve16B, and the third on-off valve16C and closes the fourth on-off valve16D, and drives the pump14to feed compressed air to the pressing cuff71, the sensing cuff73, and the tensile cuff74through the first flow path7a, the second flow path7b, the third flow path7c, and the fourth flow path7d(step ST23). Thus, the pressing cuff71, the sensing cuff73, and the tensile cuff74start to be inflated.

The first pressure sensor17A and the second pressure sensor17B detect the pressures in the pressing cuff71, the sensing cuff73, and the tensile cuff74, and output, to the control unit55, electrical signals corresponding to the pressures (step ST24). Based on the received electrical signals, the control unit55determines whether the pressures in the internal spaces of the pressing cuff71, the sensing cuff73, and the tensile cuff74have reached a predetermined pressure for measurement of the blood pressure (step ST25). For example, in a case where the internal pressures of the pressing cuff71and the tensile cuff74have not reached the predetermined pressure and the internal pressure of the sensing cuff73has reached the predetermined pressure, the control unit55closes the first on-off valve16A and feeds compressed air through the first flow path7a, the second flow path7b, the third flow path7c, and the fourth flow path7d.

When the internal pressures of the pressing cuff71and the tensile cuff74and the internal pressure of the sensing cuff73all have reached the predetermined pressure, the control unit55stops driving the pump14(YES in step ST25). At this time, as indicated by the two-dot chain line inFIG. 4, the pressing cuff71and the tensile cuff74are sufficiently inflated, and the inflated pressing cuff71presses the back plate72. Additionally, the tensile cuff74presses against the curler5in a direction away from the wrist200, and then the belt4, the curler5, and the device main body3move in a direction away from the wrist200, and as a result, the pressing cuff71, the back plate72, and the sensing cuff73are pulled toward the wrist200side. In addition, when the belt4, the curler5, and the device main body3move in the direction away from the wrist200due to the inflation of the tensile cuff74, the belt4and the curler5move toward both lateral sides of the wrist200, and the belt4, the curler5, and the device main body3move in a state of close contact with both lateral sides of the wrist200. Thus, the belt4and the curler5, which are in close contact with the skin of the wrist200, pull the skin on both lateral sides of the wrist200toward the hand back side. Note that the curler5may be configured to indirectly contact the skin of the wrist200with the sheet members86or106in between, for example, as long as the curler5can pull the skin of the wrist200.

Further, the sensing cuff73is inflated by being fed with a predetermined amount of air such that the internal pressure equals the pressure required to measure blood pressure, and is pressed toward the wrist200by the back plate72that is pressed by the pressing cuff71. Thus, the sensing cuff73presses the artery210in the wrist200and occludes the artery210as illustrated inFIG. 26.

Additionally, the control unit55, for example, controls the third on-off valve16C and repeats the opening and closing of the third on-off valve16C, or adjusts the degree of opening of the third on-off valve16C to pressurize the pressure of the internal space of the pressing cuff71. In the process of pressurization, based on the electrical signal output by the second pressure sensor17B, the control unit55obtains measurement results such as blood pressure values, for example, the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure, and the heart rate and the like (step ST26). The control unit55outputs an image signal corresponding to the obtained measurement results to the display unit12, and displays the measurement results on the display unit12(step ST27). In addition, after the end of the blood pressure measurement, the control unit55opens the first on-off valve16A, the second on-off valve16B, the third on-off valve16C, and the fourth on-off valve16D.

The display unit12receives the image signal, and then displays the measurement results on the screen. The user views the display unit12to confirm the measurement results. After the measurement is complete, the user removes the prong61ffrom the small hole62a, removes the second belt62from the frame body61e, and removes the wrist200from the curler5, thus removing the blood pressure measurement device1from the wrist200.

The blood pressure measurement device1according to one embodiment configured in this manner includes the cover portion5ain a portion of the curler5, and the cover portion5ais integrated with the back cover35, thereby constituting the back cover covering the opening on the wrist200side of the outer case31. Additionally, the back cover35is connected to the outer case31and the cover portion5awith the first fastening members35aand the second fastening members35b. With the configuration, the curler5and the outer case31can be fixed via the back cover35constituting a part of the back cover, and this eliminates the need for providing, for example, a hook or a claw in the curler and disposing, for example, a hook or a claw inside the device main body3. Since this allows a reduction in dimensions in the thickness direction of the device main body3, the blood pressure measurement device1can be downsized. Additionally, this eliminates the need for providing a hole for a hook or a claw, thereby ensuring securing the waterproof property of the device main body3and securing strength of the cover portion5a.

Additionally, this eliminates the need for providing a hole for inserting, for example, a hook or a claw in the cuff structure6, this improves a degree of freedom of design to dispose the connection portions84,93,103provided on the respective cuffs71,73,74of the cuff structure6. Therefore, the second hole portion5f2through which the connection portion93of the sensing cuff73is inserted is easily designed to be disposed on the second end side of the cover portion5a. As a result, the length of the second flow path body92that connects the air bag91of the sensing cuff73and the flow path unit15of the device main body3can be shorter than the length of the first flow path body83that connects the air bag81of the pressing cuff71and the flow path unit15of the device main body3. This configuration allows reducing the region other than the air bag91for sensing in the sensing cuff73, that is, a volume of the flow path body92, as much as possible even in the configuration in which the device main body3is disposed on the hand back side of the wrist200and the sensing cuff73is disposed on the hand palm side of the wrist200. This allows the blood pressure measurement device1to suitably detect the blood pressure in blood pressure measurement by the sensing cuff73, thereby ensuring improving blood pressure measurement accuracy.

Providing the insert member5dfor reinforcement on the cover portion5aof the curler5constituting the back lid together with the back cover35allows reducing the thickness of the cover portion5awhile ensuring improving the strength, compared to a case where the cover portion5ais made of only with a resin material without the insert member5d. Additionally, by reinforcing the cover portion5awith the insert member5dmade of a metal material having higher strength than the resin material that forms the curler5, the thickness of the cover portion including the insert member5dcan be reduced to the utmost extent, and the joining strength with the first fastening members35acan be improved. As a result, since the thickness of the cover portion5acan be thinned, the blood pressure measurement device1can be downsized.

Additionally, by fixing the back cover35to the cover portion5aand the outer case31with the first fastening members35aand the second fastening members35b, respectively, the back cover35and the outer case31, and the back cover35and cover portion5acan be easily fixed and disassembled. This facilitates manufacturing, replacement of the component, and maintenance of the blood pressure measurement device1. Moreover, since the cover portion5aincludes the insert member5dfor reinforcement, the joining strength of the first fastening members35ato the cover portion5acan be improved, and the first fastening members35acan be downsized. As a result, the inner diameters of the hole portions35cin the back cover35and the screw holes5ein the cover portion5acan be reduced, thereby downsizing the device main body3and improving the degree of freedom of the design of the device main body3.

Furthermore, by providing the relief portions5bat the positions facing the second fastening members35b, which fix the back cover35and the outer case31, the outer case31can be fixed to the back cover35using the second fastening members35bwith the back cover35attached to the cover portion5aof the curler5. This facilitates assembly and disassembly of the blood pressure measurement device1. Note that when the tensile cuff74covers the relief portions5bof the curler5, it is only necessary that the bonding layer75is not provided between the position of covering the relief portions5band peripheries of the relief portions5band the end edge of the curler5close to the relief portions5bof the tensile cuff74. With this configuration, bending the tensile cuff74allows releasing both main surfaces of the curler5and disposing, for example, the second fastening members35band tools in the relief portions5b.

Additionally, since the second fastening members35bcan be provided at the positions facing the curler5, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the second fastening members35bis improved. For example, as in the present embodiment, providing the screw holes31cat the four locations on the bases of the lugs31aof the outer case31eliminates the need for providing protrusions to provide the screw holes31cin the outer case31. In addition, the screw holes31care disposed in the rear surface of the lugs31a, and therefore protrusions to provide the hole portions35dof the back cover35are covered with the lugs31a. This allows the blood pressure measurement device1to improve designability.

The tensile cuff74including the plurality of, six layers in the present embodiment, bag-like structures101is disposed on the hand back side of the wrist200including the region where the cover portion5aof the curler5is provided. Thus, since an amount of inflation becomes the largest here among the respective configurations of the cuff structure6, when the cuff structure6is inflated after the blood pressure measurement device1is attached to the wrist200, a force applied to the curler5by the cuff structure6becomes large on the hand back side of the wrist200of the curler5. However, since the insert member5dfor reinforcement is disposed on the cover portion5aof the present embodiment, even when an external force is applied to the hand back side of the wrist200of the curler5by expansion of the tensile cuff74, strength of the curler5is improved by the cover portion5a. As a result, deformation of the curler5due to the expansion of the tensile cuff74and creep deformation caused by repeated use can be suppressed. In addition, since the creep deformation can be suppressed, the curler5can maintain a predetermined shape even when the blood pressure measurement device1is repeatedly used, and therefore the blood pressure measurement device1can suppress a decrease in measurement accuracy caused in blood pressure measurements.

Furthermore, by configuring the mutual abutment surfaces of the back cover35and the cover portion5ato be flat surfaces and providing the sealing member36between the abutment surfaces, the waterproof property between the back cover35and the cover portion5acan be improved in a simple configuration.

As described above, with the blood pressure measurement device1according to the present embodiment, the cover portion5aincluding the insert member5dand the outer case31are connected with the back cover35, thereby ensuring downsizing.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. In the example described above, the configuration in which the pressing cuff71and the sensing cuff73include the air bags81,91, the flow path bodies83,92, and the connection portions84,93has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration. For example, the pressing cuff71and the sensing cuff73may be configured to further include a member that generates a clearance between at least the two sheet members86,96constituting inside of the flow path bodies83,92. For example, as such a member, a thread-like member, such as a nylon yarn, can be applied.

That is, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various modifications can be made in an implementation stage without departing from the gist. Furthermore, each of the embodiments may be combined as appropriate to obtain the combined effects of the embodiments. Also, the embodiments described above include various stages of invention, and various inventions may be obtained by appropriately combining the multiple configuration requirements disclosed.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST