The invention relates to a control device for controlling a measurement system for measuring blood pressure and optionally hemodynamic parameters of a subject. In a first measurement time period T.sub.1, for measured pressure pulses, features are determined, which characterize the respective pressure pulse. Based on the features, start values are determined and, based on the start values, a start curve TPW_F-curve is formed. The measurement system is controlled such that, after the start curve has reached a first maximum, a second measurement time period T.sub.2 succeeds, wherein a blood pressure value is determined based on the pressure measured in the second measurement time period. It has been found that by using the maximum in the first measurement time period for defining a start point for the actual blood pressure measurement, a blood pressure value and optionally also hemodynamic parameters of a subject can be determined very accurately and fast.

A blood pressure monitor of the present invention includes a cuff to be wrapped around a measurement site. The blood pressure monitor includes a unit including, as elements for blood pressure measurement, a pump, a valve, a pressure sensor, and an inner pipe connecting the pump, valve, and pressure sensor such that fluid can pass therethrough. The blood pressure monitor includes a connecting pipe connecting the cuff and the inner pipe in the unit such that fluid can pass therethrough. The blood pressure monitor includes a self failure diagnosis unit configured to determine whether or not there is a failure in a fluid system including the pump, the valve, the pressure sensor, the inner pipe, the connecting pipe, and the cuff, in a state in which the cuff is empty-wrapped into a cylindrical shape and the capacity of the cuff is restricted.

A blood pressure measuring cuff of the present invention includes: an outer cloth that extends in a longitudinal direction in a band shape and surrounds a site to be measured; a pressing fluid bag that is provided to extend along the longitudinal direction on a side of the outer cloth facing the site to be measured and compresses the site to be measured; a sound acquisition fluid bag that is provided between the outer cloth and the pressing fluid bag in a thickness direction perpendicular to the outer cloth and acquires a sound from the site to be measured via the pressing fluid bag; a first fluid pipe connected to the pressing fluid bag so as to be capable of flowing a fluid; and a second fluid pipe connected to the sound acquisition fluid bag so as to be capable of flowing a fluid, separately from the first fluid pipe.

A sphygmomanometer according to the present invention includes a blood pressure measuring cuff worn around a site to be measured, a pressure device that pressurizes or depressurizes the cuff, and a sound detection device that detects a sound generated by the site to be measured via the cuff. An amplification factor setting unit measures a first passage time required for the pressure of the cuff to pass through a first pressure range in a pressurization process of the cuff, and variably sets an amplification factor for a Korotkoff sound component according to the first passage time. A blood pressure calculation unit receives an output of the sound detection device according to the sound from the cuff, amplifies the Korotkoff sound component included in the output at a set amplification factor, and calculates a blood pressure of the site to be measured.

An apparatus for measuring bio-information may include a pulse wave sensor that may measure a pulse wave signal from an object in contact with a measurement surface. The apparatus may include a force sensor that may measure a contact force between the pulse wave sensor and the object. The apparatus may include a fastener configured to fasten the pulse wave sensor to an electronic device such that the pulse wave sensor is rotatable around a center axis in a length direction of the pulse wave sensor. The apparatus may include a processor that may determine a direction in which a measurement region of the pulse wave signal or the measurement surface of the pulse wave sensor is oriented, select a measurement mode from among a plurality of measurement modes, and estimate bio-information of the object.

A sphygmomanometer includes: a sensing cuff that includes a second sheet disposed to face the pressing member's inner circumferential surface and a first sheet facing the second sheet; a fluid storage control part providing a control of supplying and storing the pressure-transmitting fluid into sensing cuff in a worn state wherein the pressing member and sensing cuff are worn on the wrist; and a blood-pressure calculating part calculating a blood pressure based on a pressure of the pressure-transmitting fluid stored in the sensing cuff. The fluid storage control part supplies fluid in the worn state such that the first and second sheets are in contact with each other in a region corresponding to an ulna, a region corresponding to a radius, and a region corresponding to a tendon while first and second sheets are separated from each other in regions corresponding to two arteries that are radial and ulnar arteries.

A sphygmomanometer includes: a sensing cuff that includes a second sheet disposed to face the pressing member's inner circumferential surface and a first sheet facing the second sheet; a fluid storage control part providing a control of supplying and storing the pressure-transmitting fluid into sensing cuff in a worn state wherein the pressing member and sensing cuff are worn on the wrist; and a blood-pressure calculating part calculating a blood pressure based on a pressure of the pressure-transmitting fluid stored in the sensing cuff. The fluid storage control part supplies fluid in the worn state such that the first and second sheets are in contact with each other in a region corresponding to an ulna, a region corresponding to a radius, and a region corresponding to a tendon while first and second sheets are separated from each other in regions corresponding to two arteries that are radial and ulnar arteries.

A method of measuring noninvasive blood pressure includes determining a window for pulse detection for a patient, receiving a pressure signal measured from a measure sensor in a blood pressure cuff, and setting a pulse detection period for each heart beat based on the window and a heart beat indicator indicating at least one heart beat time for the patient. The pressure signal is then examined within each pulse detection period to identify a pressure peak therein. A blood pressure for the patient is determined based on the pressure peaks detected in the pressure signal.

A single-arm micro air-pressure pump device, having an air pump body and a driving unit. The air pump body includes a supporting frame, an air chamber unit coupled to a side of the supporting frame, and a swing arm provided on the air chamber unit. The driving unit is fixed on the supporting frame and has an output shaft. The output shaft is provided with an eccentric shaft and is configured to rotate the eccentric shaft, and the eccentric shaft has an end coupled to the output shaft and an opposite end coupled to the swing arm in order to drive the swing arm into a reciprocating motion between at least a proximal position and a distal position with respect to the air chamber unit. The reciprocating motion pushes a piston unit provided on one end of the swing arm and causes the air output.

A single-arm micro air-pressure pump device, having an air pump body and a driving unit. The air pump body includes a supporting frame, an air chamber unit coupled to a side of the supporting frame, and a swing arm provided on the air chamber unit. The driving unit is fixed on the supporting frame and has an output shaft. The output shaft is provided with an eccentric shaft and is configured to rotate the eccentric shaft, and the eccentric shaft has an end coupled to the output shaft and an opposite end coupled to the swing arm in order to drive the swing arm into a reciprocating motion between at least a proximal position and a distal position with respect to the air chamber unit. The reciprocating motion pushes a piston unit provided on one end of the swing arm and causes the air output.