Patent Description:
Various kinds of vital signs measuring apparatuses for measuring vital signs (an electrocardiogram, respiration, the body temperature, and the like) of the patient have been developed. As a vital signs measuring apparatus, for example, a so-called bedside monitor, a transport monitor, a defibrillator, a telemeter, and the like are known.

In such vital signs measuring apparatuses, measurement conditions are largely different depending on apparatuses. For example, a bedside monitor is placed mainly in a ward of a hospital, and measures vital signs of the patient without moving. By contrast, a transport monitor is often used in, for example, patient transportation using a bed (namely, in a moving state). A defibrillator is used often in a surgery room or the like, or equipped in an ambulance or the like.

Preferably, the display screen of such a vital signs measuring apparatus is configured so that the condition (measurement values and waveforms of various parameters) of the patient is conveyed in an easy understanding manner to the user (mainly the doctor or the nurse). Hereinafter, the related art of the screen display in a vital signs measuring apparatus will be described.

For example, <CIT> discloses a technique for differentiating a background color of an image relating to an electrocardiogram measurement from that of an image relating to a blood pressure pulse wave. <CIT> discloses an image diagnostic apparatus which is used for an X-ray CT or ultrasonic diagnosis, and in which the color tone is changed in accordance with the imaging mode.

As described above, there are many kinds of vital signs measuring apparatuses. Therefore, measurement values and waveforms are different in correctness depending on the measurement conditions. Considering values (an electrocardiogram and the like) of various parameters which are measured by using a transport monitor during movement, and values (an electrocardiogram and the like) of various parameters which are measured by using a bedside monitor during patient rest time, for example, the latter values are usually higher in measurement accuracy.

Networking or the like of vital signs measuring apparatuses has been advanced, and it is possible to use measurement values and waveforms which are measured by another vital signs measuring apparatus. In a vital signs measuring apparatus, therefore, a situation may be possible where vital signs which are measured in a motionless state, and those which are measured in a motion state are mixed on the same display screen. A further situation may be possible where the measurement accuracy of vital signs is different in accordance with whether the vital signs measuring apparatus is of a sophisticated type or of a general-purpose type. In this case, preferably, the user of the vital signs measuring apparatus can know not only measurement values and waveforms, but also measurement conditions (such as the type of the measuring apparatus, the vibration condition, the function of the measuring apparatus, and the measurement environment (whether measurement is performed outdoors or not)).

However, the existing techniques including the techniques disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT> suggest or teach nothing about a technique in which vital signs are referenced after recognizing measurement conditions. Namely, vital signs cannot be referred after recognizing measurement conditions, and hence there is a problem in that the user may perform erroneous diagnosis.

Document <CIT> relates to monitoring of heart function and discloses a system that provides BCG (ballistocardiogram) data from a user. The system includes a BCG capture device, a secondary sensor and a processor circuit. The BCG capture device includes a heart-characteristic sensor that captures, from the user, a BCG signal indicative of at least one of physical movement and mechanical output of the user's heart. The secondary sensor detects an indication of at least one of noise present in the BCG signal and a physiologic characteristic of the user, and provides an output characterizing the detected indication.

The invention is defined by the vital signs measuring apparatus according to claim <NUM>.

The invention is described in the following in Embodiment <NUM>. Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM> are not according to the invention and are presented for illustration and reference purposes only.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter will be described with reference to the drawings. <FIG> is a diagram showing the configuration of a vital signs measuring system <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM>. <FIG> is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> constituting the vital signs measuring system <NUM>.

Firstly referring to <FIG>, as illustrated, the vital signs measuring system <NUM> includes the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> and a vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>. Although <FIG> shows the two vital signs measuring apparatuses (<NUM>, <NUM>), the number of apparatuses is not limited to this, and a configuration where three or more vital signs measuring apparatuses exist may be employed.

For example, the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> is a defibrillator, and measures vital signs of the subject (patient). The vital signs are data such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), the heart rate, the blood pressure, the body temperature, the arterial oxygen saturation, the cardiac output, and the pulse rate. The vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> is requested to measure a part of or the whole of these vital signs (an electrocardiogram and the like), and may be a transport monitor, a bedside monitor, or the like.

The vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> has a function of transmitting and receiving vital signs (for example, a communication function due to infrared rays or Bluetooth (registered trademark)), and transmits the measured vital signs to the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>. Namely, the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> operates as a source measuring apparatus which measures vital signs of the subject, and which transmits the measured data to the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>.

The vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> receives the vital signs of the subject from the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>, and measures and displays vital signs of the subject. For example, the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> is a bedside monitor, and measures various vital signs of the patient (such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), the heart rate, the blood pressure, the body temperature, and the arterial oxygen saturation). In the embodiment, it is assumed that the connection with the subject is switched from the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> to the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>. In an ambulance, for example, vital signs of the subject are measured by the defibrillator (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>), and, after the ambulance reaches a hospital, the connection with the subject is switched from the defibrillator (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>) to the vital signs monitor (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>).

Hereinafter, the configuration of the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>. The vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> includes a measuring section <NUM>, a transmitting section <NUM>, a transmission antenna <NUM>, a receiving section <NUM>, a reception antenna <NUM>, a storage section <NUM>, a controlling section <NUM>, a displaying section <NUM>, a speaker <NUM>, and an operating section <NUM>.

The measuring section <NUM> measures various vital signs through electrodes, transducers, probes, and the like (not shown) which are attached to the subject. As described above, the vital signs relate to an electrocardiogram (ECG), the heart rate, the blood pressure, the body temperature, the arterial oxygen saturation, and the like. The measuring section <NUM> supplies the acquired various vital signs to the controlling section <NUM> and the transmitting section <NUM>. It is assumed that the measuring section <NUM> includes also various filters, A/D (Analog/Digital) converters, and the like.

Under the control of the controlling section <NUM>, the transmitting section <NUM> transmits the vital signs of the subject to another apparatus through the transmission antenna <NUM>.

The receiving section <NUM> receives various data (including the vital signs transmitted from the above-described vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>) from other apparatuses through the reception antenna <NUM>, and supplies the received data to the controlling section <NUM>. Although the description has been made assuming that the configuration of <FIG> has both the transmission antenna <NUM> and the reception antenna <NUM>, a configuration in which a single antenna having a transmission/reception function is disposed may be employed.

The storage section <NUM> is a storage device which is disposed in the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>, and includes, for example, a hard disk drive and various memories. The storage section <NUM> is not limited to a device incorporated in the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>, and may be a device (for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory) which is detachable from the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>.

The controlling section <NUM> adequately reads operation programs from the storage section <NUM> to execute them. The controlling section <NUM> controls the various processing sections in the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>. For example, the controlling section <NUM> analyzes the vital signs acquired by, for example, the measuring section <NUM>, and performs, alarm sounding and displaying controls of various alarms (upper and lower limit alarms, an arrhythmia alarm, and a technical alarm).

The displaying section <NUM> is a displaying device disposed on the case of the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>, and configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display panel and a control circuit for the display panel. The displaying section <NUM> displays waveforms and numerical data of the vital signs on the display screen. The display screen to be displayed on the displaying section <NUM> is controlled (produced) by the controlling section <NUM>. When the display screen of vital signs is to be produced, the controlling section <NUM> changes the display effect in accordance with whether vital signs acquired by another apparatus are to be displayed or not (in other words, whether the data to be displayed are vital signs received by the receiving section <NUM> or not). An example of the display control by the controlling section <NUM> will be described later with reference to <FIG> and the like.

The speaker <NUM> outputs various alarms and the like under the control of the controlling section <NUM>.

The operating section <NUM> is configured by various inputting devices which receive an input by the user. For example, the operating section <NUM> is configured by buttons, knobs, and the like which are disposed on the case of the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>. As in a touch panel, the operating section <NUM> may be integrated with the displaying section <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, then, the operation flow of the vital signs measuring system <NUM> will be described. In <FIG>, the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> is a vital signs monitor (bedside monitor), and the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> is a defibrillator. Firstly, the defibrillator (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>) is connected to the subject through the electrodes. The defibrillator (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>) measures vital signs of the subject, and stores the measured vital signs (S1). Then, the defibrillator (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>) stops the measurement process in response to an operation (for example, an operation performed on a button or the like) by the user (S2). Alternatively, the defibrillator (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>) may automatically detect electrode disengagement and the like, and then stop the measurement process (S2).

The defibrillator (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>) transfers the measured vital signs to the vital signs monitor (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>) (S3). The vital signs monitor (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>) receives the vital signs transmitted from the defibrillator (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>) (S3). An authentication process may be performed before the transmission and reception of vital signs. The user detaches the electrodes and the like of the defibrillator (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>) from the subject, and sets a state where the subject and the vital signs monitor (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>) are connected to each other. Thereafter, the vital signs monitor (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>) starts measurement of vital signs of the subject (S4). In addition, the vital signs monitor (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>) performs a process of displaying vital signs (S4).

A specific example of the display will be described with reference to <FIG>. As described above, vital signs are supplied from the defibrillator (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>) to the vital signs monitor (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>). The controlling section <NUM> in the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> stores the vital signs in the storage section <NUM> in such a manner that the situation where the vital signs are received from the receiving section <NUM> can be known (for example, the vital signs are stored while setting a flag). Furthermore, the controlling section <NUM> stores the vital signs measured by the measuring section <NUM> in the storage section <NUM>.

The controlling section <NUM> adequately reads vital signs from the storage section <NUM>, and produces a display screen which is to be displayed on the displaying section <NUM>. In this case, the controlling section <NUM> causes the vital signs to be displayed while changing the display effect on the display screen based on whether the vital signs are those received by the receiving section <NUM> or not. As shown in <FIG>, for example, the controlling section <NUM> produces a display screen in which the background color of waveforms <NUM> indicating the vital signs received from the defibrillator (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>) is different from that of waveforms <NUM> indicating the vital signs measured by the measuring section <NUM>. Furthermore, the controlling section <NUM> may display measurement values (numerical values) of the vital signs corresponding to the waveforms (<NUM>, <NUM>) while changing the background colors of the measurement values.

When the user views the display screen, the user can easily know not only the measurement values of the vital signs, but also the measurement conditions under which the measurement values have been acquired. That is, the user can know that the waveforms <NUM> provided with the different background color indicate vital signs measured by another apparatus.

The configuration where the background colors are changed as in <FIG> is an example of the change of the display effect. Configurations where the display effect is changed in another mode may be employed. For example, the controlling section <NUM> may change the line types (a broken line, a dash-dot line, a thick line, and the like) or colors of waveforms in accordance with whether the vital signs are those received by the receiving section <NUM> or not. Other kinds of the display effect such as that only one waveform is blinked, and that the sets of waveforms (the waveforms <NUM> and the waveforms <NUM>) are surrounded by frames of different colors, respectively may be employed.

Then, effects of the vital signs measuring system <NUM> and vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment will be described. In the measurement conditions of the vital signs measuring apparatus, the kind of an apparatus which performed the measurement is an important condition. Some apparatuses are often used while moving. The measurement accuracy varies depending on whether the apparatus is of a sophisticated type or of a general-purpose type. Therefore, it is preferable for the user that the information of the apparatus which has measured the vital signs can be referred together the vital signs.

As described above, the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> has the configuration where vital signs of the subject are measured, and vital signs of the subject are received from the other apparatus (vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>). The controlling section <NUM> in the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> changes the display effect of vital signs on the display screen based on whether the vital signs are those measured by the own apparatus or not (in other words, whether the vital signs are those received by the receiving section <NUM> or not) (for example, <FIG>). That is, the controlling section <NUM> changes the display effect of vital signs in accordance with the apparatus which has measured the vital signs. Therefore, the user can know measurement values and waveforms of the vital signs, and also the measurement conditions (in the embodiment, whether the data have been measured by another apparatus or not) under which the measurement has been performed. With respect to vital signs which are measured in a situation where the apparatus is largely shaken, for example, the vital signs are requested to be referred on the premise that much noise existed. Therefore, the condition of the subject can be acquired more correctly.

In the case where the background color is changed as shown in <FIG>, particularly, the user can immediately know the measurement environment (apparatus). Therefore, it is possible to know correctly and quickly the condition of the subject.

A modification of Embodiment <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. The vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> is configured so that a data acquiring unit <NUM> including the measuring section <NUM> is detachably disposed. The data acquiring unit <NUM> has a CPU, memory, and the like which are not shown, and acquires vital signs of the subject through electrodes, sensors, and the like which are not shown. When the data acquiring unit <NUM> is attached to the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>, the unit supplies the acquired vital signs to the controlling section <NUM>.

The controlling section <NUM> may provide vital signs which are acquired in the state where the data acquiring unit <NUM> is detached from the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>, with a display effect which is similar to that provided to vital signs acquired from the receiving section <NUM> (namely, vital signs which are acquired in the state where the data acquiring unit <NUM> is detached from the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> may be treated as those received from the receiving section <NUM>). For example, the controlling section <NUM> may determine the display effect in the following manners:.

The above-described coloration is a mere example. With respect to vital signs acquired by the data acquiring unit <NUM>, the display effect may be determined irrespective of the attachment/detachment state in the following manners:.

Alternatively, the display effect may be changed in each of the above three states:.

The color setting may be determined in accordance with a mode setting performed by the user. It is a matter of course that, in place of setting of the background color, other display effects (for example, the kind of the line of a waveform is changed, the thickness of a waveform is changed, or waveforms are surrounded by frames of different colors) may be employed.

With respect to the configuration of the vital signs measuring system <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM>, then, points which are different from Embodiment <NUM> will be described. The embodiment is characterized in that the controlling section <NUM> in the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> changes the display effect in consideration of attribute data transmitted from the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>.

The configuration of the vital signs measuring system <NUM> is similar to that shown in <FIG>. In the embodiment, however, the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> transmits attribute data which will be described later, together with vital signs.

The internal configuration of the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> is similar to that shown in <FIG>. In the embodiment, however, the controlling section <NUM> changes the display effect in consideration of the attribute data.

Firstly, an example of the attribute data will be described with reference to <FIG>. The attribute data indicate various attributes of the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> (source measuring apparatus) (for example, the use of the apparatus, the apparatus ID, and the type of the apparatus). In <FIG>, for example, "transportation" indicating that the apparatus is a monitor for transportation is described as the use of the apparatus. The vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> transmits the attribute data (<FIG>) together with vital signs to the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>. The data format of the attribute data shown in <FIG> is a mere example. An arbitrary data format (the CSV type or the like) may be employed. Attribute data may be similarly defined with respect to the own apparatus. That is, attribute data indicating the use, type No., and the like of the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> may be defined in the storage section <NUM> in the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>.

The receiving section <NUM> in the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> receives the attribute data (<FIG>) together with the vital signs. The controlling section <NUM> stores the vital signs and attribute data (<FIG>) which are received, in the storage section <NUM> in association with one another. The controlling section <NUM> reads the vital signs and the attribute data (<FIG>), and changes the display effect of the vital signs on the display screen in accordance with the attribute data.

For example, it is assumed that correlation tables such as shown <FIG> are defined in the storage section <NUM>. Referring to the correlation table (<FIG>), the controlling section <NUM> produces a display screen displaying the vital signs. <FIG> shows an example of a correlation table produced in the case where the display effect is determined in considering whether the reception process of the receiving section <NUM> is performed or not, and "Use" of the attribute data (<FIG>). With respect to vital signs which are received by the receiving section <NUM>, and in which "transportation" is defined as attribute data, for example, waveforms are displayed on the display screen while setting the background color to gray.

<FIG> shows an example of a correlation table produced in the case where the display effect is determined in consideration of only the attribute data (<FIG>). For example, the background color of waveforms of vital signs measured by an apparatus in which the use is "transportation" is gray, and that of waveforms of vital signs measured by the own apparatus (measuring section <NUM>) is deep blue.

Although, in the examples of <FIG>, the display effect is defined according to the use ("Use" tag of the attribute data) of each apparatus, the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited to this. For example, correspondence relationships of apparatus IDs and display effects may be defined, or correspondence relationships of type numbers of apparatuses and display effects may be defined. The correlation tables (<FIG>) may be changed by the user through a setting screen.

The display screen is similar to the example shown in <FIG>, and therefore its detailed description is omitted.

Then, effects of the vital signs measuring system <NUM> and vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment will be described. In the embodiment, the controlling section <NUM> changes the display effect of vital signs on the display screen based on attribute data (the apparatus ID, the use of the apparatus, the type of the apparatus, and the like). In the case where the use of the apparatus is an environment in which noise is easily imposed on vital signs, such as the use in transportation purpose or that in an ambulance, the background of display waveforms of vital signs is displayed in a color which is different from the usual one. According to the configuration, the user can refer to a change of the vital signs while knowing more detailed measurement conditions.

With respect to the configuration of the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM>, then, points which are different from Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM> will be described. In the embodiment, the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> handles vibration generated during measurement of vital signs, as the measurement conditions. That is, the embodiment is characterized in that the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> detects vibration generated during measurement of vital signs, and changes the display effect in accordance with the degree of the vibration.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment. The vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment has a configuration where the apparatus has a sensor <NUM>. The vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> may be configured so as not to have the processing sections related communication (the transmitting section <NUM>, the transmission antenna <NUM>, the receiving section <NUM>, and the reception antenna <NUM>) as illustrated, or so as to have the processing sections related communication similarly with <FIG>.

The sensor <NUM> is a device which detects the degree of vibration generated in the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>. For example, the sensor <NUM> may be an acceleration sensor, a piezoelectric vibration sensor, or the like. During measurement of vital signs by the measuring section <NUM>, the sensor <NUM> measures data (vibration data) indicating the degree of vibration, and stores the data in the storage section <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view showing relationships between the vibration data measured by the sensor <NUM>, and vital signs measured by the measuring section <NUM>. From the figure, it is seen that vibration occurs in a time period between times T1 and T2, and no vibration is generated after time T2.

The controlling section <NUM> produces the display screen to be produced on the displaying section <NUM>, by using the data (the vibration data and the vital signs) shown in <FIG>. The controlling section <NUM> changes the display effect of the vital signs on the display screen in accordance with the degree of vibration. For example, the controlling section <NUM> changes the density of the background color of waveforms indicating vital signs as shown in <FIG>. In the example of <FIG>, in the case where large vibration is generated, the display screen is produced so that the density of the background color becomes higher. In place of the change of the density of a monochrome as illustrated, the background color may be gradationally changed in accordance with the degree of vibration.

Then, effects of the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment will be described. As described above, the vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM> detects the degree of vibration generated during measurement of vital signs, and changes the display effect of the vital signs on the display screen in accordance with the degree of the vibration. When referring to the display screen (<FIG>), the user can know not only the waveforms and measurement values of vital signs, but also the degree of vibration produced during the measurement.

Since the degree of vibration is acquired as numerical data, it is possible also to finely change the density of the background color in accordance with the change of the degree (numerical data) of the vibration as shown in <FIG> (it is possible also to gradationally change the background color). When referring to the display screen (<FIG>), the user can immediately know a subtle change of the degree of vibration, and more correct diagnosis can be given to the patient.

It is a matter of course that another display effect such as that in which, in place of the background color, the type, width, and the like of the line indicating a waveform are changed may be employed.

The processes of the controlling section <NUM> may be realized as computer programs which operate in vital signs measuring apparatus <NUM>. The programs may be stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium of any one of various types, and then supplied to the computer. The non-transitory computer readable medium includes tangible storage media of various types. Examples of the non-transitory computer readable medium are a magnetic recording medium (for example, a flexible disk, a magnetic tape, and a hard disk drive), a magneto-optical recording medium (for example, a magneto-optical disk), a CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), a CD-R, a CD-R/W, a semiconductor memory (for example, a mask ROM, a PROM (Programmable ROM), an EPROM (Erasable PROM), a flash ROM, and a RAM (Random Access Memory)). Alternatively, the programs may be supplied to the computer by means of a transitory computer readable medium of any one of various types. Examples of the transitory computer readable medium are an electrical signal, an optical signal, and an electromagnetic wave. The transitory computer readable medium can supply the programs to the computer through a wired communication path such as a metal wire or an optical fiber, or a wireless communication path.

According to an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, the controlling section changes the display effect of vital signs based on whether the vital signs are those received by the receiving section or not. Namely, the controlling section changes the display effect of vital signs in accordance with the apparatus which has measured the data. Therefore, the user can know measurement values and waveforms of the vital signs, and also the measurement conditions under which the measurement has been performed, and can acquire more correctly the condition of the subject.

Claim 1:
A vital signs measuring apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a measuring section (<NUM>) which is configured to measure vital signs of a subject;
a sensor (<NUM>) which is configured to detect a degree of vibration generated in the vital signs measuring apparatus (<NUM>);
a displaying section (<NUM>) which is configured to display the vital signs measured by the measuring section (<NUM>); and
a controlling section (<NUM>) which is configured to produce a display screen that is to be displayed on the displaying section (<NUM>),
wherein the controlling section (<NUM>) is configured to change a display effect of vital signs on the display screen, based on the degree of vibration detected by the sensor (<NUM>);
characterized in that
the controlling section (<NUM>) is configured to change a density of a background color of a display area for a waveform indicating the vital signs or to gradationally change the background color, or to change a type or width of a line indicating the waveform, based on the degree of vibration detected by the sensor (<NUM>).