Abstract:
A cuff of a sphygmomanometer includes a fluid bladder connected to a main body of the sphygmomanometer via a tube and a band-shaped wrapping body that encloses the fluid bladder. The band-shaped wrapping body includes two longitudinal sides and two lateral sides. A weight section is provided along a longitudinal side of the band-shaped wrapping body that faces a peripheral end of a user&#39;s arm when the cuff is mounted to the arm in accordance with an expected method of use.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a cuff of a sphygmomanometer used for measuring blood pressure information by wearing on the upper arm and a sphygmomanometer equipped therewith. 
         [0002]    Measuring blood pressure information is absolutely critical in understanding a health condition. In recent years, this is not just limited to measuring the maximum blood pressure, the minimum blood pressure, and the like, where such utility is widely recognized as a major indicator contributing to risk analysis of, for example, cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, heart failure, and myocardial infraction, but tests have also been undertaken to also capture the cardiac load, arterial sclerosis level, or the like. 
         [0003]    A sphygmomanometer is a device to measure the blood pressure information, and further utilization in fields such as early detection, prevention, and medical treatment of circulatory diseases are expected. Note that the blood pressure information widely includes various information of the circulatory system such as various indicators showing the maximum blood pressure, minimum blood pressure, mean blood pressure, pulse wave, pulse, and arterial sclerosis level. 
         [0004]    Particularly, even in the medical field, there is a tendency to emphasize the measurement of blood pressure information at home because blood pressure information can be continually measured at home at the same time daily over a long period of time under stable circumstances. For example, it is proven that the measurement of the maximum blood pressure and the minimum blood pressure at home (hereinafter refer to as the measurement of blood pressure) is extremely useful for predicting a cardiovascular disease, and blood pressure monitors for home use have been widely used recently. 
         [0005]    Commonly, a sphygmomanometer cuff (hereinafter, also referred to as simply the cuff) is used for measuring blood pressure information. Here, the cuff indicates a band-shaped or cylindrical-shaped structural material that includes a fluid bag with an inner space, and it can be worn on a part of a biological body. Further, it is used to measure blood pressure information by injecting a gas, fluid, or the like into the inner space to inflate the fluid bag for applying pressure on an artery. 
         [0006]    In order to measure the blood pressure information with a higher degree of accuracy, the cuff needs to be worn properly on the upper arm. Normally, because the fluid bag contained in the cuff inflates the most at the center section in the wrapped direction while the cuff is worn on the upper arm, the applied section contributes the most for applying pressure on the artery. As a result, sphygmomanometers are most likely designed based on the premise that the applied portion of the cuff is placed directly above the artery that runs in the upper arm. Accordingly, if the wearing position and direction of the cuff relation to the upper arm differs from the expectation, pressure cannot be applied to the artery sufficiently and the accuracy of the measurement of the blood pressure information deteriorates. 
         [0007]    In the blood pressure monitor for home use described above, most of the users are not healthcare professionals, so a user does not necessarily wear the cuff appropriately. Accordingly, various designs have been devised in the past so as to wear the cuff properly on the arm. 
         [0008]    For example, JP Unexamined Utility Model Application No. 60-81506 (Patent Document 1) discloses a blood pressure monitor structured by integrating the cuff and the blood pressure monitor body and providing a recess section for positioning so that the cuff can be fastened on the arm elbow to help in wearing the cuff properly. 
         [0009]    Further, JP Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-275483 (Patent Document 2) discloses a blood pressure monitor cuff structured by providing a protruding tongue that temporarily holds that should be tucked by the arm elbow, underarm, or the like so as to help in wearing the cuff properly. 
         [0010]    Furthermore, JP Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-275484 (Patent Document 3) discloses a blood pressure monitor cuff structured by providing a positioning marking in a specified spot of the fluid bag and also providing a window section in the cuff to be worn on the upper arm so that the positioning marking is viewable from the outside to help in wearing the cuff properly. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0011]    However, the blood pressure monitor cuffs disclosed in the above mentioned patent documents are all structured by providing a viewable characteristic section such as a positioning recessed area, marking, or protruding tongue for temporarily holding, and therefore, the cuff can be properly worn only after a user understands the meaning of the characteristic section provided. Accordingly, there are some cases that a user cannot understand the meaning and cannot wear the cuff properly by utilizing it, so these solutions are not necessarily achieved completely in the fundamental significance. 
         [0012]    Therefore, one or more embodiments of the present invention provide a cuff of a sphygmomanometer in which a user can properly wear the cuff naturally without paying a special caution/attention, and also provide a sphygmomanometer equipped therewith. 
         [0013]    One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a cuff of a sphygmomanometer which comprises: a fluid bladder connected to a main body of the sphygmomanometer via a tube; and a band-shaped wrapping body that encloses the fluid bladder. The band-shaped wrapping body comprises two longitudinal sides and two lateral sides. A weight section is provided along a longitudinal side of the band-shaped wrapping body that faces a peripheral end of user&#39;s arm when the cuff is mounted to the arm in accordance with an expected method of use. 
         [0014]    In the cuff of the sphygmomanometer according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the weight section is provided in a plurality of numbers at regular intervals. 
         [0015]    In the cuff of the sphygmomanometer according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the cuff is formed in a cylindrical shape having a hollow part such that the user&#39;s arm can be inserted into the hollow part. 
         [0016]    One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a cuff of sphygmomanometer that comprises: a fluid bladder connected to a main body of the sphygmomanometer via a tube; and a band-shaped wrapping body that encloses the fluid bladder. A cylindrical shell for inserting a user&#39;s arm is rotatably connected to the main body of the sphygmomanometer and the band-shaped wrapping body is mounted in a hole of the shell. A weight section is provided at a portion of the band-shaped wrapping body that contacts a vertical bottom position of the cylindrical shell when a user&#39;s arm is inserted into the hollow part of the shell in accordance with an expected method of use. 
         [0017]    One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a cuff of sphygmomanometer which comprises: a fluid bladder connected to a main body of the sphygmomanometer via a tube; and a band-shaped wrapping body that encloses the fluid bladder. A cylindrical shell is rotatably connected to the main body of the sphygmomanometer. The shell is provided with a handle at a vertical top portion thereof, and the band-shaped wrapping body is mounted in a hole of the shell to form a hollow part for inserting a user&#39;s arm therein. The band-shaped wrapping body is provided with a weight section at a bottom position of the cylindrical shell that is opposite to the position of the handle in the shell when a user&#39;s arm is inserted into the hollow part of the shell in accordance with an expected method of use. 
         [0018]    One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a sphygmomanometer which comprises a main body and a cylindrical shell having a hole. The shell is rotatably connected to the main body. A cuff is stored in the hole of the shell. The cuff forms a hollow part for inserting a user&#39;s arm therein. The cuffs provided with a weight section at a vertical bottom position of a user&#39;s arm when the user&#39;s arm is inserted into the hollow part of the cuff stored in the hole of the shell in accordance with an expected method of use. 
         [0019]    One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a sphygmomanometer which comprises: a main body and a cylindrical shell that is rotatably connected to the main body. The shell is provided with a handle at a vertical top position thereof. A cuff is stored in a hole of the shell to form a hollow part for inserting a user&#39;s arm therein. The cuff is provided with a weight section at a vertical bottom position of the shell that is opposite to the handle of the shell when the user&#39;s arm is inserted into the hollow part of the shell in accordance with an expected method of use. 
         [0020]    According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a sphygmomanometer cuff can be provided in which a user can properly wear the cuff naturally without paying special attention, and a sphygmomanometer equipped therewith can also be provided. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a blood pressure monitor equipped therewith; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a functional block of the blood pressure monitor illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a schematic expanded view of the blood pressure monitor cuff illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the blood pressure monitor ci rff illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a state when the blood pressure monitor cuff illustrated in  FIG. 1  is worn on an upper arm; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of an operational flow of a control unit of the blood pressure monitor illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a schematic expanded view of the blood pressure monitor cuff for a modified example in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a schematic expanded view of the blood pressure monitor cuff illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the blood pressure monitor cuff illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating a state when the blood pressure monitor cuff illustrated in  FIG. 8  is worn on the upper arm; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff according to a third embodiment of the present invention and a blood pressure monitor equipped therewith; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a functional block of the blood pressure monitor illustrated in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the blood pressure monitor cuff illustrated in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating a state when the blood pressure monitor cuff illustrated in  FIG. 12  is worn on the upper arm; 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  is a diagram of an operational flow of a control unit of the blood pressure monitor illustrated in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff for a modified example according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 18  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 19  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the blood pressure monitor cuff illustrated in  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 20  is a diagram illustrating a state when the blood pressure monitor cuff illustrated in  FIG. 18  is worn on the upper arm; 
           [0041]      FIG. 21  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff that relates to a first modified example according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 22  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff that relates to a second modified example according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 23  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff that relates to a third modified example according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 24  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff that relates to a fourth modified example according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0045]      FIG. 25  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff that relates to a fifth modified example according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0046]      FIG. 26  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff that relates to a sixth modified example according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0047]      FIG. 27  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff in the fifth embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0048]      FIG. 28  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff that relates to a modified example according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0049]    Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to drawings. In the embodiments described hereinafter, descriptions will be given by illustrating a blood pressure monitor cuff that is used by wearing on the arm and a blood pressure monitor equipped therewith as a sphygmomanometer cuff and a sphygmomanometer equipped therewith. In addition, in the embodiments illustrated below, the same notation is given for the same or common parts in drawings, and the descriptions thereof are not repeated. 
       The First Embodiment 
       [0050]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a blood pressure monitor equipped therewith. Further,  FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a functional block of the blood pressure monitor illustrated in  FIG. 1 . To begin with, a description will be given regarding a structure of the exterior view and a configuration of a functional block of a blood pressure monitor  1 A according to the first embodiment of the present invention with reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . 
         [0051]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the blood pressure monitor  1 A in the present embodiment is provided with a main body  10 A, a off  100 A, and an air tube  50 . The main body  10 A has a box casing, and on the top surface thereof, a display unit  21  and an operation unit  23  are provided. The main body  10 A is used by placing on a placement surface such as a table or the like at the time of measuring. The cuff  100 A has primarily an outer cover  110  as a wrapping body, a ring member  115 , and a measuring air bag  130  (refer to  FIG. 2  through  FIG. 4 ), and has a wrapping shape as a whole. The a cuff  100 A is used by wrapping around the upper arm to put on at the time of measuring. The air tube  50  connects the main body  10 A and the cuff  100 A that are configured separately. 
         [0052]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the main body  10 A has, in addition to the display unit  21  and the operation unit  23  described above, a control unit  20 , a memory unit  22 , a power supply unit  24 , a pressure pump  31 , an air release valve  32 , a pressure sensor  33 , a pressure pump driving circuit  34 , an air release valve driving circuit  35 , and an oscillating circuit  36 . The pressure pump  31 , air release valve  32 , and pressure sensor  33  correspond to a measurement air system component  30  that is provided in the blood pressure monitor  1 A, and particularly the pressure pump  31  and the air release valve  32  correspond to the inflate-deflate mechanism to inflate and deflate the measuring air bag  130 . 
         [0053]    The measuring air bag  130  is a fluid bag in order to apply compression on the upper arm while worn, and an inflate-deflate space  133  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) is provided as the inner space therein. The measuring air bag  130  is connected respectively to the pressure pump  31 , air release valve  32 , and pressure sensor  33  that are the measurement air system component  30  described above through the air tube  50  described above. 
         [0054]    The control unit  20  is configured with, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) for means to control the entire blood pressure monitor  1 A. The memory unit  22  is configured of, for example, read-only memory (ROM) and random-access memory (RAM) for means to store a program to execute the processing procedure for measuring the blood pressure by the control unit  20  or the like, and to store the results of the measurement and the like. The display unit  21  is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) for means to display the measurement results and the like. The operation unit  23  is means to accept an operation by a user and input an external command to the control unit  20  and the power supply unit  24 . The power supply unit  24  is means to supply the power to the control unit as the power source. 
         [0055]    The control unit  20  inputs a control signal in order to drive the pressure pump  31  and the air release valve  32  to the pressure pump driving circuit  34  and the air release valve driving circuit  35  respectively, and inputs the blood pressure level as the measured result into the memory unit  22  and the display unit  21 . Further, the control unit  20  includes a blood pressure information acquisition unit (not illustrated) to acquire the blood pressure level of a user based on the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor  33 , and the blood pressure level acquired by the blood pressure information acquisition unit is input to the memory unit  22  and the display unit  21  described above as the measured result. In addition, the blood pressure monitor  1 A may have an output unit separately to output the blood pressure level as the measured result to an external device (for example a personal computer (PC), printer, and the like). As the output unit, for example, a serial communication line or devices to write to various recording media can be used. 
         [0056]    The pressure pump driving circuit  34  controls the operation of the pressure pump  31  based on the control signal input from the control unit  20 . The air release valve driving circuit  35  controls the opening-closing operation of the air release valve  32  based on a control signal input from the control unit  20 . The pressure pump  31  is for applying pressure to the internal pressure (hereinafter, also referred to as “cuff pressure”) of the measuring air bag  130  by supplying air to the inflate-deflate space  133  of the measuring air bag  130 , and the operation is controlled by the pressure pump driving circuit  34  described above. The air release valve  32  is for maintaining the internal pressure of the measuring air bag  130  and depressurizing the cuff pressure by releasing the inflate-deflate space  133  of the measuring air bag  130  to the outside, and the operation is controlled by the air release valve driving circuit  35  described above. The pressure sensor  33  is a capacitive-type sensor, and the capacitance varies according to the internal pressure of the measuring air bag  130 . The oscillating circuit  36  generates an oscillation frequency signal in accordance with the capacitance of the pressure sensor  33 , and inputs the generated signal to the control unit  20 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 3  is a schematic expanded view of the blood pressure monitor cuff illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 4  is a schematic cross-sectional view. Next, a specific structure of the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 A according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . 
         [0058]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 A according the present embodiment has a measuring air bag  130  that is connected to an air tube  50 , and has an outer cover  110  as the wrapping body that contains the measuring air bag  130 . In the state where the cuff  100 A is expanded as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the measuring air bag  130  has an external form that is substantially rectangular in a planar view, and an outer cover  110  has an external form that is substantially rectangular in a planar view that contains the measuring air bag  130 . 
         [0059]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the measuring air bag  130  is configured of a bag-like member formed by using a resin sheet. More specifically, the measuring air bag  130  has an inner sheet member  131  that is placed in the upper arm side when the cuff  100 A is wrapped around the upper arm, and an outer sheet member  132  that is placed in the outer side of the inner sheet member  131  when the cuff  100 A is wrapped around the upper arm, and has the inflate-deflate space  133  described above inside thereof. The measuring air bag  130  is formed in a bag like shape by laying the inner sheet member  131  and the outer sheet member  132  on top of each other and welding the peripheral edges thereof. 
         [0060]    For the resin sheet that configures the measuring air bag  130 , any material may be possible to use as long as it has elasticity and there is no air leakage from the inflate-deflate space  133  after welding. From such a standpoint, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a material made of, such as, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) resin, flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin, polyurethane (PU) resin, polyamide (PA) resin, or the like can be used. 
         [0061]    Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , an outer cover  110  has an inner cover member  111  that is placed on the upper arm side when the cuff  100 A is wrapped around the upper arm, an outer cover member  112  that is placed on the outer side of the inner cover member  111  when the cuff  100 A is wrapped around the upper arm, and a housing space to house the measuring air bag  130  described above or the like inside thereof. The outer cover  110  is formed in a bag like shape by laying the inner cover member  111  and the outer cover member  112  on top of each other and joining the peripheral edges thereof. 
         [0062]    According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the outer cover  110  has flexibility, and it is configured of a cloth made of a synthetic fiber such as a polyamide (PA) resin, a polyester resin, and the like. Further, in order to unite the inner cover member  111  and the outer cover member  112  described above, for example, welding, sewing, or the like are used. Here, the joining part is illustrated with the reference numeral  113  in  FIG. 3 . According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the inner cover member  111  is configured of a member with excellent elasticity, and the outer cover member  112  is configured of a member with a rather less elasticity compared to the inner cover member  111  described above. 
         [0063]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a ring member  115  is attached to one end of the lengthwise direction of the outer cover  110 . The ring member  115  functions as an assist tool when fixing the cuff  100 A wrapping around the upper ami, and the cu ffA can be wrapped around the upper arm by inserting the other end of the lengthwise direction of the outer cover  110  into the ring member  115  and folding it back. 
         [0064]    Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a hook-and-loop fastener  114  is provided on the outer circumference surface in the vicinity of the other end described above. The hook-and loop fastener  114  functions as a locking means in order to retain the state of wrapping the cuff  100 A around the upper arm by locking the outer circumference surface of the outer cover  110  in the specified position in the state where the cuff  100 A is wrapped around the upper arm. 
         [0065]    In the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 A in the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , a weighted section  160  is provided in the vicinity of the peripheral side end part of the outer cover  110  that is arranged on the peripheral side of the upper arm while wearing. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the weighted section  160  is provided by extending along the lengthwise direction of the outer cover  110 , and the weighted section  160  is configured with a deformable member that is able to deform in any shape. 
         [0066]    The weighted section  160  contains a weight member that has a greater specific gravity than other members that configure the cuff  100 A. For the weight member, in order to ensure the deformability described above, a liquid, a soft solid matter, aggregated solid particles, or a mixture of these is used, and according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a liquid such as water, a molded product made of a soft metal, aggregated solid particles (powder) such as sand, metal, or the like, a mixture of these, or the like is used. In addition, when a liquid or aggregated solid particles is used as the weight member, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention these weight members are sealed in a sealed body. 
         [0067]    In addition, a method of fixing the weighted section  160  to the outer cover  110  is not particularly restricted, and as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the weighted section  160  may be arranged within the housing space of the outer cover  110  with this fixed onto the outer cover  110 , or the weighted section  160  may even be arranged outside the outer cover  110  and this fixed onto the outer cover  110 . Further, the weighted section  160  may be directly fixed to the outer cover  110 , or a pocket unit may be provided in the outer cover  110  and it is arranged by inserting into the pocket. 
         [0068]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a state when the blood pressure monitor cuff illustrated in  FIG. 1  is worn on the upper arm. Next, a description will be given with reference to  FIG. 5  regarding the state when the blood pressure cuff  100 A according to the present embodiment is actually worn on the upper arm for measuring the blood pressure. 
         [0069]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 A according to the present embodiment is used while a user wears it on an upper arm  220  of, for example, the left arm  210 . While wearing, the wrapped state of the cuff  100 A is maintained by securing the portion that is folded back through the ring member  115  of the outer cover  110  by the hook-and-loop fastener  114  on the portion wrapped around the upper arm of the outer cover  110 , and thereby the cuff  100 A is worn by securing on the upper arm  220 . 
         [0070]    At that time, the peripheral side end part where the weighted section  160  of the outer cover  110  is provided is arranged on the elbow side position of the upper arm  220 , and the central side end part where the weighted section  160  of the outer cover  110  is not provided is arranged in the shoulder side position of the upper arm  220 . The blood pressure monitor  1 A according to the present embodiment performs the blood pressure measurement while wearing by executing a processing procedure illustrated in  FIG. 6 , which is described later. 
         [0071]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a flow of the blood pressure monitoring process according to the present embodiment. Next, the flow of the process of the blood pressure monitor  1 A according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 6 . In addition, the program in accordance with the flowchart is stored in a memory unit  22  in advance, and the control unit  20  executes the process by reading the program from the memory unit  22 . 
         [0072]    When measuring the blood pressure level, a user wears the cuff  100 A by wrapping around the upper arm in advance, and turns on the power source of the blood pressure monitor  1 A by operating an operation unit  23  provided in the main body  10 A while wearing. Accordingly, electrical power as the power source is supplied to the control unit  20  from the power supply unit  24  to drive the control unit  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , after receiving such drive, the control unit  20  performs the initialization of the blood pressure monitor  1 A (STEP S 101 ). 
         [0073]    Next, the control unit  20  waits for the instruction by the user to start measuring, and when the user gives the command to start measuring by operating the operation unit  23 , it blocks the air release valve  32  as well as starts driving the pressure pump  31  to gradually increase the cuff pressure of the measuring air bag  130  (STEP S 102 ). 
         [0074]    In the process of applying pressure to the measuring air bag  130 , the control unit calculates the maximum blood pressure and the minimum blood pressure in a heretofore known procedure (STEP S 103 ). More specifically, the control unit  20  obtains the cuff pressure by an oscillation frequency obtained from the oscillating circuit  36  in the process of applying pressure to the measuring air bag  130 , and extracts pulse wave information that is superimposed on the obtained cuff pressure. Then, the control unit  20  calculates the blood pressure level based on the extracted pulse wave information. 
         [0075]    After the blood pressure level is calculated in STEP S 103 , the control unit  20  releases the air completely within the inflate-deflate space  133  of the measuring air bag  130  by opening the air release valve  32  (STEP S 104 ), displays the blood pressure level on the display unit  21  as the measured result as well as stores the blood pressure level to the memory unit  22  (STEP S 105 ). 
         [0076]    Subsequently, the control unit  20  ends the operation by waiting for the instruction by the user to turn off the power. In addition, the measurement system described above is based on the so-called pressurization measurement system that detects a pulse at the time of applying pressure to the measuring air bag  130 ; however, it is also naturally possible to use a decompression measurement system that detects a pulse at the time of reducing pressure of the measuring air bag  130 . 
         [0077]    In the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 A according to the present embodiment described above and the blood pressure monitor  1 A equipped therewith, the cuff  100 A is given a specified weight distribution by providing the weighted section  160  in the specified position of the cuff  100 A. Accordingly, when the user  200  holds the cuff  100 A with a hand to wear the cuff  100 A, the user  200  is guided to the proper wearing direction of the cuff  100 A by feeling the bias of the weight of the cuff  100 A. Therefore, the occurrence of the user  200  wearing the cuff  100 A in the wrong direction can be prevented beforehand. 
         [0078]    Accordingly, by using the configuration described above, unlike the case providing the viewable feature part, the user can be prevented naturally from wearing the cuff in an incorrect manner without paying special attention, and the user is prompted to wear the cuff properly so that the blood pressure measurement can be realized with a high degree of accuracy. 
         [0079]      FIG. 7  is a schematic expanded view of the blood pressure monitor cuff that relates to a modified example according to the present embodiment. Next, a blood pressure monitor cuff  100 B that relates to the modified example according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
         [0080]    In the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 B that relates to the present modified example, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a weighted section  160  is provided in the vicinity of the peripheral side end part of an outer cover  110  that is arranged in the peripheral side of the upper arm while wearing in a similar manner to the case of the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 A according to the present embodiment described above. Here, in the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 B that relates to the present modified example, a plurality of the weighted sections  160  are provided intermittently along the lengthwise direction of the outer cover  110 . 
         [0081]    In the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 B that relates to the present modified example, in addition to a liquid, soft solid matter, aggregated solid particles, or a mixture of these as described above as the weight member contained in the weighted section  160 , a non-soft solid matter can be used, and according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a molded product of a non-pliable metal or the like can be used. This is for preventing deformation of the cuff  100 B by arranging the weighted sections splitting into a plurality of members when wearing the cuff  100   b  wrapped around the upper arm, and by configuring in such a manner, a similar effect to the case of the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 A according to the present embodiment described above can be obtained. 
       The Second Embodiment 
       [0082]      FIG. 8  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Further,  FIG. 9  is a schematic expanded view of the blood pressure monitor cuff illustrated in  FIG. 8 , and  FIG. 10  is a schematic cross-sectional view. Next, a specific structure of a blood pressure monitor cuff  100 C according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 . In addition, the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 C in the present embodiment can be provided to the blood pressure monitor  1 A in the first embodiment of the present invention described above with the ability to be replaced with the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 A in the first embodiment of the present invention described above. 
         [0083]    The blood pressure monitor cuff  100 C in the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 8  through  FIG. 10 , has primarily an outer cover  110 , a curler  140 , and a measuring air bag  130 , and has a configuration of a wrapping shape as well as a circular shape. The cuff  100 C is used by wrapping around the upper arm to put on at the time of measuring. 
         [0084]    In the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 C in the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , the curler  140  is arranged inside the outer cover  100  and also in the outside position of the measuring air bag  130 . The curler  140  is composed of a flexible member that is configured with the ability to elastically deform in a radial direction, and is configured with a curved elastic plate having the circular shape when no external force is applied. The curler  140  is adhesively secured on contact by an intermediary of an adhesive member such as double-sided tape, not illustrated, in the outer circumference surface of the measuring air bag  130 , and it is configured so as to follow along the upper arm by maintaining its own circular shape. 
         [0085]    In the state where the cuff  100 C is expanded as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the curler  140  has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and is housed in a housing space of the outer cover  110  so as to cover the measuring air bag  130 . In addition, the curler  140  does not reach to one side end where the hook-and-loop fastener  114  of the outer cover  110  is not provided. 
         [0086]    The curler  140  is to enable the cuff  100 C to be easily put on the upper arm by the user himself or herself, and also to bias the measuring air bag  130  towards the upper arm side when the cuff  100 C is worn on the upper arm. Accordingly, in the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 C in the present embodiment, the cuff  100 C can be easily worn on the upper arm without providing the ring member  115  described above. In addition, the curler  140  is configured with a member composed of preferably polypropylene (PP) resin or the like so as to express elasticity sufficiently. 
         [0087]    Here, even in the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 C in the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , a weighted section  160  is provided in the vicinity of the peripheral side end part of the outer cover  110  that is arranged in the peripheral side of the upper arm while wearing. The weighted section  160  is secured on the curler  140  described above by an adhesive or the like so as to be provided by extending along the lengthwise direction of the outer cover  110 , and it is preferably configured with a deformable member that is able to deform in any shape. 
         [0088]      FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating a state when the blood pressure monitor cuff illustrated in  FIG. 8  is worn on the upper arm. Next, a description will be given with reference to  FIG. 11  regarding the state when the blood pressure cuff  100 C according to the present embodiment is actually worn on the upper arm for measuring the blood pressure. 
         [0089]    As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 C according to the present embodiment is used while a user wears it on an upper arm  220  of, for example, the left arm  210 . When the cuff is worn, a portion where the curler  140  of the outer cover  110  is not housed is the portion where the curler  140  of the outer cover  110  is housed, and the wrapped cuff  100 C is also maintained by securing the hook-and-loop fastener  114  to the portion that is wrapped around the upper arm, and thereby the cuff  100 C is worn securely on the upper arm  220 . 
         [0090]    At such time, the peripheral side end part where the weighted section  160  of the outer cover  110  is provided is arranged in the elbow side position of the upper arm  220 , and the central side end part where the weighted section  160  of the outer cover  110  is not provided is arranged in the shoulder side position of the upper arm  220 . 
         [0091]    In the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 C according to the present embodiment described above and the blood pressure monitor  1 A equipped therewith, the cuff  100 C is given a specified weight distribution by providing the weighted section  160  in the specified position of the cuff  100 C. Accordingly, when the user  200  holds the cuff  100 C with his/her hand during wearing the cuff  100 C, the user  200  is guided to the proper wearing direction of the cuff  100 C by feeling the bias of the weight of the cuff  100 C. Therefore, the occurrence of the user  200  wearing the cuff  100 C in the wrong direction can be prevented beforehand. 
         [0092]    Accordingly, by using the configuration described above, unlike the case providing the viewable feature part, the user can be prevented naturally from wearing the cuff in an incorrect manner without paying a special attention, and the user is prompted to wear the cuff properly so that the blood pressure measurement can be realized with a high degree of accuracy. 
         [0093]    Note that even when adopting the blood pressure monitor cuff with the curler as described in the present embodiment, it is obvious that the weighted section can be arranged by dividing as described in the modified example according to the embodiment of the present invention above. 
       The Third Embodiment 
       [0094]      FIG. 12  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff according to the third embodiment of the present invention and a blood pressure monitor equipped therewith. Further,  FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a functional block of the blood pressure monitor illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Next, a description will be given regarding a structure of the exterior view and a configuration of a functional block of a blood pressure monitor  1 B according to the third embodiment of the present invention with reference to  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 . 
         [0095]    As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the blood pressure monitor  1 B according to the present embodiment is provided with a main body  10 B, a cuff  100 D, and air tubes  50 , and  51 . The external view of the main body  10 B is similar to the one in the first embodiment of the present invention described above. The cuff  100 D primarily has an outer cover  120  as a tubular-shaped outer body, a measuring air bag  130  and securing air bag  150  (refer to  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 14 ), a curler  140  (refer to  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 14 ), and has an overall cylindrical shape. The cuff  100 D is used by wearing by inserting the upper arm into a hollow section  123  that is formed therein at the time of measuring, and a handle unit  124  is provided in the specified position of the outer circumference surface. 
         [0096]    As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the main body  10 B, in addition to the configuration that is equipped in the main body  10 A of the blood pressure monitor  1 A in the first embodiment of the present invention described above, further has a pressure pump  41 , an air release valve  42 , a pressure sensor  43 , pressure pump driving circuit  44 , an air release valve driving circuit  45 , and an oscillating circuit  46 . The pressure pump  41 , air release valve  42 , and the pressure sensor  43  correspond to a securing air system component  40  that is provided in the blood pressure monitor  1 B, and particularly the pressure pump  41  and the air release valve  42  correspond to the inflate-deflate mechanism to inflate and deflate the securing air bag  150 . 
         [0097]    The securing air bag  150  is a fluid bag in order to secure the curler  140  and the measuring air bag  130  to the upper arm by applying compression to the curler  140 , and an inflate-deflate space  153  (refer to  FIG. 14 ) is provided as the inner space therein. The securing air bag  150  is connected respectively to the pressure pump  41 , air release valve  42  and pressure sensor  43  that are the securing air system component  40  described above through the air tube  51  described above. 
         [0098]    The control unit  20 , in addition to the function described in the first embodiment of the present invention described above, is further provided with a function to input a control signal for driving the pressure pump  41  and the air release valve  42  to the pressure pump driving circuit  44  and the air release valve driving circuit  45  respectively, and a function to discriminate a secured state on the upper arm of the curler  140  based on the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor  43 . 
         [0099]    The pressure pump driving circuit  44  controls the operation of the pressure pump  41  based on the control signal input from the control unit  20 . The air release valve driving circuit  45  controls the opening-closing operation of the air release valve  42  based on a control signal input from the control unit  20 . The pressure pump  41  is for applying pressure to the internal pressure of the securing air bag  150  by supplying air to the inflate-deflate space  153  of the securing air bag  150 , and the operation thereof is controlled by the pressure pump driving circuit  44  described above. The air release valve  42  is for maintaining the internal pressure of the securing air bag  150  and depressurizing the internal pressure by releasing the inflate-deflate space  153  of the securing air bag  150  to the outside, and the operation thereof is controlled by the air release valve driving circuit  45  described above. The pressure sensor  43  is a capacitive-type sensor, and the capacitance varies according to the internal pressure of the securing air bag  150 . The oscillating circuit  46  generates an oscillation frequency signal in accordance with the capacitance of the pressure sensor  43 , and inputs the generated signal to the control unit  20 . 
         [0100]      FIG. 14  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a blood pressure monitor cuff illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Next, a specific structure of the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 D according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 12  described above. 
         [0101]    The blood pressure monitor cuff  100 D in the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 14 , has a measuring air bag connected to an air tube  50  and a securing air bag  150  connected to an air tube  51 , a curler  140 , and an outer cover  120  as a tubular-shaped outer body that contains these measuring air bag  130 , securing air bag  150 , and the curler  140 . The measuring air bag  130 , securing air bag  150 , and the curler  140  all have a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view when they are expanded, and these are overlapped and made in a circular shape and housed inside the outer cover  120  as the tubular-shaped outer body. 
         [0102]    As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the securing air bag  150  is composed of a bag-like member formed by using a resin sheet. More specifically, the securing air bag  150  has an inner sheet member  151  that is placed in the upper arm side when the cuff  100 D is worn on the upper arm, and an outer sheet member  152  that is placed in the outer side of the inner sheet member  151  when the cuff  100 D is worn on the upper arm, and the inflate-deflate space  153  described above is provided therein. The securing air bag  150  is formed in a bag-like shape by laying the inner sheet member  151  and the outer sheet member  152  on top of each other and welding the peripheral edges thereof. 
         [0103]    For the resin sheet that configures the securing air bag  150 , any material may be used as long as it has elasticity and there is no air leakage from the inflate-deflate space  153  after the welding. From such a standpoint, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a material made of; such as, an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer resin, flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin, polyurethane (PU) resin, polyamide (PA) resin, and the like can be used. 
         [0104]    Further, the outer cover  120 , as illustrated in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 14 , has a cover member  121  placed in a hollow section  123  side where the upper arm is inserted, and a shell  122  placed in the outside of the cover member  121 , and a housing space to store the measuring air bag  130  or the like described above is provided therein. The outer cover  120  is configured such that the periphery of the cover member  121  is fixed to the periphery of the inner circumference surface of the shell  122  having a tubular shape. 
         [0105]    The shell  122  is configured of a hard member with inflexibility, and according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the shell  122  is configured with a member composed of an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymer resin and the like. On the other hand, the outer cover  121  has flexibility, and according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the outer cover  121  is composed of a cloth made of a synthetic fiber such as a polyamide (PA) resin, polyester resin, and the like. As described above, the outer cover  120  is configured so as to have inflexibility at least in the outer circumference part. In addition, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the cover member  121  is configured with a member having excellent elasticity. 
         [0106]    In addition, the shape and material of the measuring air bag  130  is fundamentally similar to the one in the first embodiment of the present invention described above, and the shape and material of the curler  140  is similar to the one in the second embodiment of the present invention described above. However, in the cuff  100 D in the present embodiment, a sheet-formed cloth  141  as a low friction member is arranged between the curler  140  and the securing air bag  150  in order to enhance sliding between the curler  140  and the securing air bag  150 . 
         [0107]    In the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 D in the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 14 , a weighted section  160  is provided in the vicinity of an axial direction end part of the outer cover  120  that is arranged in the peripheral side of the upper arm while wearing. The weighted section  160  is provided by extending along the circumferential direction of the outer cover  120 , and it has a circular shape. 
         [0108]    The weighted section  160  contains a weight member that has a greater specific gravity than other members that configure the cuff  100 D. For the weight member, a liquid, a soft solid matter, a non-soft solid matter, aggregated solid particles, or a mixture of these is used, and according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a liquid such as water, a molded product made of a soft metal or non-soft metal, aggregated solid particles (powder) such as sand, metal, or the like, a mixture of these, or the like is used. In addition, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, when a liquid or aggregated solid particles is used as the weight member, these weight members are housed in a sealed body. 
         [0109]    In addition, the installation method for the outer cover  120  of the weighted section  160  is not particularly restricted, and as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , a portion of the shell  122  may be configured in the weighted section  160 , and the weighted section  160  may be arranged on the inner circumference surface or on the outer circumference surface, or the weighted section  160  may be embedded inside the shell  122 . Further, the weighted section  160  may also be attached to the cover member  121  or the curler  140 . 
         [0110]      FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating a state when the blood pressure monitor cuff illustrated in  FIG. 12  is worn on the upper arm. Next, a description will be given with reference to  FIG. 15  regarding the state when the blood pressure cuff  100 D according to the present embodiment is actually worn on the upper arm for measuring the blood pressure. 
         [0111]    As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 D according to the present embodiment is used while a user wears it on an upper arm  220 , for example, of the left arm  210 . When wearing, the right hand grips the handle unit  124  provided on the cuff  100 D, and in such condition, the upper arm  220  of the left arm  210  is inserted in the hollow section  123  of the cuff  100 D having a cylindrical shape. Then, the cuff  100 D is secured to the upper arm  220  by operating the operation unit  23  provided in the main body  10 B to push down the measuring button to execute the processing procedure illustrated in  FIG. 16  as will be described later, and afterward the blood pressure measurement is performed. 
         [0112]    Here, when the cuff  100 D is placed on the upper arm  220 , the axial direction end part where the weighted section  160  of the outer cover  120  is provided is arranged on the elbow side position (in other words, the peripheral side) of the upper arm  220 , and the axial direction end part where the weighted section  160  of the outer cover  120  is not provided is arranged in the shoulder side position (in other words, the central side) of the upper arm  220 . 
         [0113]      FIG. 16  is a flowchart illustrating a flow of the blood pressure monitor process according to the present embodiment. Next, the flow of the process of the blood pressure monitor  1 B according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 16 . In addition, the program in accordance with the flowchart is stored in advance in a memory unit  22 , and the control unit  20  executes the process by reading the program from the memory unit  22 . 
         [0114]    When measuring the blood pressure level, a user inserts the upper arm into the cuff  100 D in advance, and turns on the power source of the blood pressure monitor  1 B by operating the operation unit  23  provided in the main body  10 B while wearing. Accordingly, electrical power is supplied as the power source to the control unit  20  from the power supply unit  24  to drive the control unit  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , after such driving, the control unit  20  performs the initialization of the blood pressure monitor  1 B (STEP S 201 ). 
         [0115]    Next, the control unit  20  waits for the instruction by the user to start measuring, and when the user gives the command to start measuring by operating the operation unit  23 , it blocks the air release valve  42  as well as starts driving the pressure pump  41  to increase the internal pressure of the securing air bag  150  until reaching a specified value (STEP S 202 ). 
         [0116]    Next, the control unit  20  blocks the air release valve  32  at the time when the internal pressure of the securing air bag  150  reaches the specified level, and at the same time, increases gradually the cuff pressure of the measuring air bag  130  (STEP S 203 ). 
         [0117]    In the process of applying pressure to the measuring air bag  130 , the control unit calculates the maximum blood pressure and the minimum blood pressure in a heretofore known procedure (STEP S 204 ). In addition, the specific operations are similar to those in the first embodiment of the present invention described above. 
         [0118]    After the blood pressure level is calculated in STEP S 204 , the control unit  20  releases the air completely within the inflate-deflate space  153  of the securing air bag  150  by opening the air release valve  42 , and at the same time, releases the air within the inflate-deflate space  133  of the measuring air bag  130  by opening the air release valve  32  (STEP S 205 ), and displays the blood pressure level in the display unit  21  as the measured result as well as stores the blood pressure level to the memory unit  22  (STEP S 206 ). 
         [0119]    Subsequently, the control unit  20  ends the operation by waiting for the instruction by the user to turn off the power. In addition, the measurement system described above is based on the so-called pressurization measurement system that detects a pulse at the time of applying pressure to the measuring air bag  130 ; however, it is also obvious that a decompression measurement system that detects a pulse at the time of reducing pressure of the measuring air bag  130  can also be used. 
         [0120]    In the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 D according to the present embodiment described above and the blood pressure monitor  1 B equipped therewith, the cuff  100 D is given a specified weight distribution by providing the weighted section  160  in a specified position of the cuff  100 D. Accordingly, when the user  200  holds the cuff  100 D with his/her hand while wearing the cuff  100 D, the user  200  is guided to the proper wearing direction of the cuff  100 D by feeling the bias of the weight of the cuff  100 D. Therefore, the occurrence of the user  200  wearing the cuff  100 D in the wrong direction can be prevented beforehand. 
         [0121]    Accordingly, by using the configuration described above, unlike the case providing the viewable feature part, the user can be prevented naturally from wearing the cuff in an incorrect manner without paying special attention, and the user is prompted to wear the cuff properly so that the blood pressure measurement can be realized with a high degree of accuracy. 
         [0122]      FIG. 17  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff that relates to a modified example according to the present embodiment. Next, a blood pressure monitor cuff  100 E that relates to a modified example according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 17 . 
         [0123]    In the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 E that relates to the present modified example, as illustrated in  FIG. 17 , a weighted section  160  is provided in the vicinity of the axial direction side end part of an outer cover  120  that is arranged on the peripheral side of the upper arm while wearing that is similar to the case of the blood pressure monitor a cuff  100 D according to the present embodiment described above. Here, in the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 E that relates to the present modified example, a plurality of the weighted sections  160  are provided intermittently along the circumferential direction of the outer cover  120 . With the configuration in such a manner, this can obtain similar effects as the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 D in the present embodiment described above. 
       The Fourth Embodiment 
       [0124]      FIG. 18  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Further,  FIG. 19  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the blood pressure monitor cuff illustrated in  FIG. 18 . Next, a specific structure of a blood pressure monitor cuff  100 F according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 . In addition, the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 F in the present embodiment can be provided to the blood pressure monitor  1 B in the third embodiment of the present invention described above with the ability to be replaced with the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 D in the third embodiment of the present invention described above. 
         [0125]    In the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 F in the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 , a weighted section  160  is provided in the vicinity of the circumferential direction lower end part positioned on the most vertical lower part within the lower side part of the outer cover  120  that is arranged vertically downward when wearing if the outer cover  120  is split into two in a plane including the axis line. The weighted section  160  is provided by extending along the axial direction of the outer cover  120 . Here, because a handle unit  124  is provided in the vicinity of the circumferential upper end part that is placed in the most vertical upper part within the upper side part of the outer cover  120  that is arranged vertically upward when wearing, the weighted section  160  and the handle unit  124  are provided in the position directly opposed on the top and bottom having a hollow section therebetween. 
         [0126]    The weighted section  160  contains a weight member that has a greater specific gravity than other members that configure the cuff  100 F. For the weight member, a liquid, a soft solid matter, a non-soft solid matter, aggregated solid particles, or a mixture of these is used, and according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a liquid such as water, a molded product made of a soft metal or non-soft metal, aggregated solid particles (powder) such as sand, metal, or the like, a mixture of these, or the like is used. In addition, when a liquid or aggregated solid particles is used as the weight member, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, these weight members are sealed in a sealed body. 
         [0127]    In addition, the installation method for the outer cover  120  of the weighted section  160  is not particular restricted, and as illustrated in  FIG. 19 , a portion of the shell  122  may be configured in the weighted section  160 , and the weighted section  160  may be arranged on the inner circumference surface or on the outer circumference surface, or the weighted section  160  may be embedded inside the shell  122 . 
         [0128]      FIG. 20  is a diagram illustrating a state when the blood pressure monitor cuff illustrated in  FIG. 18  is worn on the upper arm. Next, a description will be given with reference to  FIG. 20  regarding the state when the blood pressure cuff  100 F according to the present embodiment is actually worn on the upper arm for measuring the blood pressure. 
         [0129]    As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 F according to the present embodiment is used while a user wears it on an upper arm  220  of; for example, the left arm  210 . When wearing, the right hand grips the handle unit  124  provided on the cuff  100 F, and in such condition, the upper arm  220  of the left arm  210  is inserted in the hollow section  123  of the cuff  100 F having a cylindrical shape. Then, the cuff  100 F is secured to the upper arm  220  by operating the operation unit  23  provided in the main body  10 B to push down the measuring button to execute the processing procedure illustrated in  FIG. 16  described above, and thereafter the blood pressure measurement is performed. 
         [0130]    Here, when the cuff  100 F is placed to the upper arm  220 , the circumferential direction lower part where the weighted section  160  of the outer cover  120  is provided is arranged in the vertical downward position of the upper arm  220 , and the circumferential upper end part where the handle unit  124  of the outer cover  120  is provided is arranged in the vertical upward position of the upper arm  220 . 
         [0131]    In the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 F according to the present embodiment described above and the blood pressure monitor  1 B equipped therewith, the cuff  100 F is given a specified weight distribution by providing the weighted section  160  in the specified position of the cuff  100 F. Accordingly, when the user  200  holds the cuff  100 F with a hand to wear the cuff  100 F, the user  200  is guided to wear in the proper arrangement in the top-bottom direction of the cuff  100 F (in other words, in a state where positioning of the wearing position in the circumferential direction of the cuff  100 F is performed) by feeling the bias of the weight of the cuff  100 F. Therefore, the occurrence of the user  200  wearing the cuff  100 F in a wrong direction can be prevented beforehand. 
         [0132]    Accordingly, by using the configuration described above, unlike the case providing the viewable feature part, the user can be prevented naturally from wearing the cuff in an incorrect manner without paying special attention, and the user is prompted to wear the cuff properly so that the blood pressure measurement can be realized with a high degree of accuracy. 
         [0133]    In addition, in the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 F in the present embodiment, the handle unit  124  is provided in the vicinity of the circumferential direction upper end part of the outer cover  120  that is arranged in the vertically upward position while wearing; however, the placement position of the handle unit  124  is not limited to the circumferential direction upper end part of the outer cover  120 , and it may be provided in any position as long as it is in the position included in the upper side part of the outer cover  120  (in other words, any position of the upper half). 
         [0134]      FIG. 21  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff that relates a first modified example according to the present embodiment. Next, a blood pressure monitor cuff  100 G that relates to the first modified example according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 21 . 
         [0135]    As is the case with the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 F in the present embodiment described above, in the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 G that relates to the present first modified example, as illustrated in  FIG. 21 , a weighted section  160  is provided in the vicinity of the circumferential direction lower end part positioned in the most vertically lower part within the lower side part of the outer cover  120  that is arranged vertically downward when wearing if the outer cover  120  is split into two in a plane including the axis line. Here, in the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 G that relates to the present first modified example, a plurality of the weighted sections  160  are provided intermittently along the axial direction of the outer cover  120 . With the configuration in such a manner, this can obtain similar effects as the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 F in the present embodiment described above. 
         [0136]      FIG. 22  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff that relates to a second modified example according to the present embodiment. Next, a blood pressure monitor cuff  100 H that relates to the second modified example according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 22 . 
         [0137]    As is the case with the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 F in the present embodiment described above, in the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 H that relates to the present second modified example, as illustrated in  FIG. 22 , a weighted section  160  is provided in the vicinity of the circumferential direction lower end part positioned in the most vertically lower part within the lower side part of the outer cover  120  that is arranged vertically downward when wearing if the outer cover  120  is split into two in a plane including the axis line. Here, in the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 H that relates to the present second modified example, the weighted section  160  is configured by a battery as the power supply unit  24 . In other words, because a battery normally can be a weight member with a greater specific gravity than other members that configure the cuff  100 H, and therefore, by using the battery as the weighted section  160 , there is no need to configure the weighted section by providing a weight member separately, and this leads to an advantage from the standpoint of space saving. As a result, with the configuration even in such a manner, this can obtain similar effects as the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 F in the present embodiment described above. 
         [0138]    In addition, when a battery that is the electrical supply unit  24  is provided in the cuff  100 H such as the present second modified example, the cuff  100 H and the main body  10 B are connected with a connecting cable  60  as illustrated in the drawing due to the necessity of transmitting electrical power supplied from the battery. However, when this is integrated with the cuff  100 H without providing the main body  10 B, air tubes  50  and  51  are no longer unnecessary but the connection with the connecting cable  60  is also naturally no longer needed. 
         [0139]      FIG. 23  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff that relates a third modified example according to the present embodiment Next, a blood pressure monitor cuff  100 I that relates to the third modified example according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 23 . 
         [0140]    As is the case with the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 F in the present embodiment described above, in the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 I that relates to the present third modified example, as illustrated in  FIG. 23 , a weighted section  160  is provided in the vicinity of the circumferential direction lower end part positioned in the most vertically lower part within the lower side part of the outer cover  120  that is arranged vertically downward when wearing if the outer cover  120  is split into two in a plane including the axis line. Here, in the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 I that relates to the present third modified example, the weighted section  160  is configured by pressure pumps  31  and  41 . In other words, because the pressure pumps  31  and  41  normally can be a weight member with a greater specific gravity than other members that configure the cuff  100 I, by using the pressure pumps  31  and  41  as the weighted sections  160 , there is no need to configure the weighted section by providing a separate weight member, and this leads to an advantage from the standpoint of space saving. As a result, with the configuration even in such a manner, this can obtain similar effects as the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 F in the present embodiment described above. 
         [0141]    In addition, when the pressure pumps  31  and  41  are provided in the cuff  100 I such as according to the present third modified example, the air tubes  50  and  51  are unnecessary to be provided by further providing the air release valves  32  and  42  and the pressure sensors  33  and  43  as illustrated in the drawing. However, a control signal is necessary to be transmitted or the like to the cuff  100 I from the main body  10 B to drive the pressure pumps  31  and  41 , and therefore, the cuff  100 I and the main body  10 B are required to be connected by the connecting cable  60  as illustrated in the drawing. However, if this is integrated with the cuff  100 I without providing the main body  10 B, the connection by the connecting cable  60  is naturally no longer needed. 
         [0142]      FIG. 24  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff that relates to a fourth modified example according to the present embodiment. Next, a blood pressure monitor cuff  100 J that relates to the fourth modified example according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 24 . 
         [0143]    As is the case with the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 F in the present embodiment described above, in the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 J that relates to the present fourth modified example, as illustrated in  FIG. 24 , a weighted section  160  is provided in the vicinity of the circumferential direction lower end part positioned in the most vertically lower part within the lower side part of the outer cover  120  that is arranged vertically downward when wearing if the outer cover  120  is split into two in a plane including the axis line. Here, in the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 J that relates to the present fourth modified example, an operation unit  23  is provided, instead of the handle unit  124 , in the vicinity of the circumferential direction upper end part positioned most vertically upward on the upper side part of the outer cover  120  that is arranged vertically upward while wearing. With the configuration even in such a manner, this can obtain similar effects as the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 F in the present embodiment described above. 
         [0144]    In addition, when the operation unit  23  is provided in the cuff  100 J such as the present fourth modified example, the cuff  100 J and the main body  10 B are required to be connected by a connecting cable  60  as illustrated in the drawing because signals according to the operation of the operation unit  23  are required to be transmitted to the main body  10 B from the cuff  100 J. However, if this is integrated with the cuff  100 J without providing the main body  10 B, the connection by the connecting cable  60  is naturally no longer needed. 
         [0145]      FIG. 25  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff that relates to a fifth modified example according to the present embodiment. Next, a blood pressure monitor cuff  100 K that relates to the fifth modified example according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 25 . 
         [0146]    As is the case with the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 F in the present embodiment described above, in the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 K that relates to the present fifth modified example, as illustrated in  FIG. 25 , a weighted section  160  is provided in the vicinity of the circumferential direction lower end part positioned in the most vertically lower part in the lower side part of the outer cover  120  that is arranged vertically downward when wearing if the outer cover  120  is split into two in a plane including the axis line. Here, in the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 K that relates to the present fifth modified example, a display unit  21  is provided, instead of the handle unit  124 , in the vicinity of the circumferential direction upper end part positioned most vertically upward in the upper side part of the outer cover  120  that is arranged vertically upward when wearing. With the configuration even in such a manner, this can obtain similar effects as the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 F in the present embodiment described above. 
         [0147]    In addition, when the display unit  21  is provided in the cuff  100 K such as in the present fifth modified example, the cuff  100 K and the main body  10 B are required to be connected by a connecting cable  60  as illustrated in the drawing because control signals in order to drive the display unit  21  are required to be transmitted to the cuff  100 K from the main body  10 B. However, if this is integrated with the cuff  100 K without providing the main body  10 B, the connection by the connecting cable  60  is naturally no longer needed. 
         [0148]      FIG. 26  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff that relates to a sixth modified example according to the present embodiment. Next, a blood pressure monitor cuff  100 L that relates to the sixth modified example according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 26 . 
         [0149]    In the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 L that relates to the present sixth modified example, as illustrated in FIG.  26 , a weighted section  160  is provided in the vicinity of the lower side part of the outer cover  120  that is arranged vertically downward when wearing if the outer cover  120  is split into two in a plane including the axis line. Here, in the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 L that relates to the present sixth modified example, the weighted sections  160  are provided in all positions of the lower side part of the outer cover  120 . With the configuration in such a manner, this can obtain similar effects as the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 F in the present embodiment described above. 
       The Fifth Embodiment 
       [0150]      FIG. 27  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Next, a specific structure of a blood pressure monitor cuff  100 M in the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 27 . In addition, the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 M in the present embodiment can be provided to the blood pressure monitor  1 B in the third embodiment of the present invention described above with the ability to be replaced with the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 D in the third embodiment of the present invention described above. 
         [0151]    In the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 M in the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 27 , a weighted section  160  is provided in the vicinity of the axial direction end part that is a lower side part of the outer cover  120  that is arranged vertically downward and is also required to be arranged on a peripheral side of the upper arm when wearing if the outer cover  120  is split into two in a plane including the axis line. The weighted section  160  is provided by extending along the circumferential direction of the outer cover  120 , and it has a half-circular shape. 
         [0152]    The weighted section  160  contains a weight member that has a greater specific gravity than other members that configure the cuff  100 M. For the weight member, a liquid, a soft solid matter, a non-soft solid matter, aggregated solid particles, or a mixture of these is used, and according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a liquid such as water, a molded product made of a soft metal or non-soft metal, aggregated solid particles (powder) such as sand, metal, or the like, a mixture of these, or the like is used. In addition, when a liquid or aggregated solid particles is used as the weight member according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, these weight members are sealed in a sealed body. 
         [0153]    In addition, the installation method for the outer cover  120  of the weighted section  160  is not particularly restricted, and a portion of the shell  122  may be configured in the weighted section  160 , and the weighted section  160  may be arranged on the inner circumference surface or on the outer circumference surface, or the weighted section  160  may be embedded inside the shell  122 . 
         [0154]    In the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 M according to the present embodiment described above and the blood pressure monitor  1 B equipped therewith, the cuff  100 M is given a specified weight distribution by providing the weighted section  160  in the specified position of the cuff  100 M. Accordingly, when the user  200  holds the cuff  100 M with a hand to wear the cuff  100 M, the user  200  is guided to wear it in the proper arrangement state in the top and bottom direction as well as the front and back direction of the cuff  100 M by feeling the bias of the weight of the cuff  100 F. Therefore, the occurrence of the user  200  wearing the cuff  100 M in the wrong direction can be prevented beforehand. 
         [0155]    Accordingly, by using the configuration described above, unlike the case providing the viewable feature part, the user can be prevented naturally from wearing the cuff in an incorrect manner without paying special attention, and the user is prompted to wear the cuff properly so that the blood pressure measurement can be realized with a high degree of accuracy. 
         [0156]      FIG. 28  is a schematic perspective view of a blood pressure monitor cuff that relates to a modified example according to the present embodiment. Next, a blood pressure monitor cuff  100 N that relates to the modified example according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 28 . 
         [0157]    As is the case with the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 M in the present embodiment described above, in the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 N that relates to the present modified example, as illustrated in  FIG. 28 , a weighted section  160  is provided in the vicinity of the axial direction end part that is a lower side part of the outer cover  120  that is arranged vertically downward and is also required to be arranged on a peripheral side of the upper arm when wearing if the outer cover  120  is split into two in a plane including the axis line. However, the weighted section  160  is not extended along the circumferential direction of the outer cover  120 , but is arranged locally. In even such a configuration, this can also obtain similar effects as the blood pressure monitor cuff  100 M in the present embodiment described above by giving sufficient weight to the weighted section  160 . 
         [0158]    These characteristic configurations illustrated in the first embodiment through the fifth embodiment and the modified examples of the present invention described above are of course possible in combination within acceptable range in the context of the objects of the present invention. 
         [0159]    Further, in the first embodiment through the fifth embodiment and the modified examples of the present invention described above, illustrations are given by providing examples in which embodiments of the present invention are applied to a blood pressure monitor that can measure the maximum blood pressure and the minimum blood pressure and a blood pressure monitor cuff that is equipped therewith. However, embodiments of the present invention of course can apply to a sphygmomanometer that can measure other blood pressure information other than the maximum blood pressure and minimum blood pressure (for example, the mean blood pressure, the pulse wave, the pulse, the augmentation index (AI) value and the like) and to a sphygmomanometer cuff that is equipped therewith. 
         [0160]    While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.