Abstract: A heating and cooling stimulation device includes a stimulation supply unit configured to supply hot stimulation and cold stimulation to a subject; an estimation unit configured to estimate a fatigue level of the subject; and a control unit configured to control an operation of the stimulation supply unit so as to supply the hot stimulation and the cold stimulation alternately to the subject in accordance with the fatigue level estimated by the estimation unit. The control unit controls the operation of the stimulation supply unit such that an amount of the cold stimulation received by the subject increases as the fatigue level estimated by the estimation unit becomes higher.

Abstract: A pulse wave measuring device checks whether amplitude of a pulse signal satisfies a gain changing condition and, when the gain changing condition is satisfied, changes a gain. The pulse wave measuring device includes an amplitude storing unit and a mode progressing unit. The amplitude storing unit stores plural gain changing conditions, to which a series of order are assigned, respectively. A mode progressing unit 15 changes the gain changing condition to the next-ordered gain changing condition upon determination that the mode progress condition is satisfied. The gain changing condition is satisfied in case that Y1 or more number of pieces of X1 amplitudes are larger than an upper limit value U1 or smaller than a lower limit value L1. X1 is increased as the order of the set gain changing condition is higher.

Abstract: A pulse wave sensor is to detect a pulse wave signal from a measurement target finger, which is a part of fingers of a subject. A placement table is to enable a palm of the subject to be placed thereon. A blood pressure measurement unit is to measure a blood pressure based on the pulse wave signal detected with the pulse wave sensor. An upper surface of the placement table includes a palm placement region that has a shape, which is convex upward with respect to a longitudinal direction of the palm and is inclined to lower on a side of a little finger in a lateral direction of the palm.

Abstract: A pulse wave measuring device checks whether amplitude of a pulse signal satisfies a gain changing condition and, when the gain changing condition is satisfied, changes a gain. The pulse wave measuring device includes an amplitude storing unit and a mode progressing unit. The amplitude storing unit stores plural gain changing conditions, to which a series of order are assigned, respectively. A mode progressing unit 15 changes the gain changing condition to the next-ordered gain changing condition upon determination that the mode progress condition is satisfied. The gain changing condition is satisfied in case that Y1 or more number of pieces of X1 amplitudes are larger than an upper limit value U1 or smaller than a lower limit value L1. X1 is increased as the order of the set gain changing condition is higher.

Abstract: In a pulse wave signal processor, a first filter attenuates a frequency component in an acquired pulse wave signal or in a differentiated pulse wave signal, and the attenuated frequency component is more than or equal to a first frequency. A second filter attenuates a frequency component in the acquired pulse wave signal, and the attenuated frequency component is less than the first frequency and more than or equal to a second frequency. A characteristic-point extractor extracts a characteristic point that exists in each single pulse of the pulse wave signal filtered by the second filter, and a signal separator partitioning the pulse wave signal or the differentiated signal filtered by the first filter into sections such that each section includes one of the extracted characteristic points. The partitioned sections are overlapped such that the characteristic points are coincident with each other, and arithmetically averaged.

Abstract: In a pulse wave signal processor, a first filter attenuates a frequency component in an acquired pulse wave signal or in a differentiated pulse wave signal, and the attenuated frequency component is more than or equal to a first frequency. A second filter attenuates a frequency component in the acquired pulse wave signal, and the attenuated frequency component is less than the first frequency and more than or equal to a second frequency. A characteristic-point extractor extracts a characteristic point that exists in each single pulse of the pulse wave signal filtered by the second filter, and a signal separator partitioning the pulse wave signal or the differentiated signal filtered by the first filter into sections such that each section includes one of the extracted characteristic points. The partitioned sections are overlapped such that the characteristic points are coincident with each other, and arithmetically averaged.

Abstract: In an apparatus for assisting respirations of a subject in accordance with a predetermined reference respiration pattern defined as a sequence of reference respirations each having a reference respiratory volume for the subject, a respiration obtaining unit obtains, at a sampling time, an actual respiratory volume of the subject based on an actual respiration of the subject in accordance with the predetermined reference respiration pattern. A storing unit stores variation of the reference respiratory volumes for the subject. An assisting unit generates, based on the actual respiratory volume and the reference respiratory volumes, visual assist information indicative of a respiratory state of the subject relative to the predetermined reference respiration pattern, and provides the visual assist information to the subject.

Abstract: A sphygmomanometer includes an operation part, a pulse wave sensor that detects a pulse wave signal indicative of a pulse wave in a part of the patient body that is operating the operation part. A first manometer measures a blood pressure based on the pulse wave signal, and a second manometer measures the blood pressure with a cuff that is worn by the patient. A cuff wearing detector detects a wearing of the cuff by the patient. A controller measures the blood pressure with the first manometer when the operation part is operated long enough for a detection of the pulse wave signal and measures the blood pressure with the second manometer when the cuff wearing detector detects that the cuff is worn and that the operation part is being operated.

Abstract: A respiratory function testing apparatus capable of testing a respiratory function of a subject more accurately. In the apparatus, a respiratory state detection unit acquires a first signal representative of different inspiratory volumes corresponding to a plurality of breaths of the subject and a second signal representative of intrapleural pressures corresponding to the respective different inspiratory volumes, and detects a plurality of respiratory states corresponding to the different inspiratory volumes and their corresponding intrapleural pressures. A respiratory state determination unit captures a state of the respiratory function of the subject on the basis of the plurality of respiratory states corresponding to the different inspiratory volumes and their corresponding-respective intrapleural pressures.

Abstract: In a blood pressure measuring device, a casing is held in both hands. A pair of electrocardiographic electrodes are respectively provided to allow contact with the hands holding the casing, and detect electrocardiographic signals through the hands. A pulse wave sensor is provided to allow contact with either of the hands holding the casing, and detects pulse wave signals through the hand. Based on these detected signals, a measuring section acquires measurement information including: a time difference between an electrocardiographic R wave and a pulse wave reference point; and a pulse wave amplitude. A calculating section calculates blood pressure using the measurement information. A display section displays the blood pressure. A measurement starting section enables the measuring section to start acquisition of the measurement information in a state in which contact is maintained between the hands holding the casing and the corresponding electrocardiographic electrodes and pulse wave sensor.

Abstract: A blood pressure measurement device includes a case, an electrocardiogram electrode, a pulse wave sensor, an estimation portion, and a display portion. The case has a peripheral surface to be held with both hands. The electrocardiogram electrode detects an electrocardiogram signal associated with a movement of a heart through at least one of the hands. The pulse wave sensor detects a pulse wave signal associated with the movement of the heart through a least one of the hands. The estimation portion estimates a blood pressure based on the electrocardiogram signal and the pulse wave signal. The display portion displays the blood pressure estimated by the estimation portion.

Abstract: An in-vehicle electrocardiograph device includes: a direct electrode that is used to detect an electric potential of a body of a vehicle occupant in a state in which the direct electrode contacts a skin of the occupant; a capacitive-coupled electrode that is used to detect the electric potential of the body of the occupant in a state in which the capacitive-coupled electrode does not contact the skin of the occupant; and an electrocardiographic waveform determination unit that determines an electrocardiographic waveform of the occupant based on an electric potential at the direct electrode and an electric potential at the capacitive-coupled electrode.

Abstract: An heart rhythm monitoring device for a vehicle, which determines whether a driver has an arrhythmia includes a vehicle state determining portion that determines whether the vehicle is stopped; an electrode arranged on a steering wheel in a position where the driver grips the steering wheel; an electrocardiogram waveform obtaining portion that obtains a first electrocardiogram waveform from the electrode; and a signal processing and calculating portion that determines whether the heart rhythm of the driver is erratic based on the first electrocardiogram waveform. When the vehicle is in motion, the signal processing and calculating portion determines whether the heart rhythm of the driver is erratic based on the waveform component that is strong with respect to noise in the first electrocardiogram waveform.

Abstract: A signal-to-noise ratio and measurement precision is increased in electrode units disposed on the left and right sides of a steering wheel. A plurality of electrode units is disposed in the left and right handholds of a steering wheel. The contact impedances of all the electrode units are measured. A pair of left and right electrode units to be used to measure an electrocardiographic signal is designated from among the electrode units whose measured contact impedances are less than or equal to a first threshold. The results of measurement of an electrocardiographic signal by the designated electrode units are added in order to minimize noise. An electrode unit with high contact impedance is used to measure induction noise and remove the induction noise component from the electrocardiographic signal measurement result.

Abstract: An in-vehicle electrocardiograph device includes: a direct electrode that is used to detect an electric potential of a body of a vehicle occupant in a state in which the direct electrode contacts a skin of the occupant; a capacitive-coupled electrode that is used to detect the electric potential of the body of the occupant in a state in which the capacitive-coupled electrode does not contact the skin of the occupant; and an electrocardiographic waveform determination unit that determines an electrocardiographic waveform of the occupant based on an electric potential at the direct electrode and an electric potential at the capacitive-coupled electrode.

Abstract: A signal-to-noise ratio and measurement precision is increased in electrode units disposed on the left and right sides of a steering wheel. A plurality of electrode units is disposed in the left and right handholds of a steering wheel. The contact impedances of all the electrode units are measured. A pair of left and right electrode units to be used to measure an electrocardiographic signal is designated from among the electrode units whose measured contact impedances are less than or equal to a first threshold. The results of measurement of an electrocardiographic signal by the designated electrode units are added in order to minimize noise. An electrode unit with high contact impedance is used to measure induction noise and remove the induction noise component from the electrocardiographic signal measurement result.

Abstract: The present invention provides a health care support system that can give appropriate advice depending on a situation. At first step, whether a driver is seated is checked using a signal from a pressure sensor. At second step, whether the driver is in a resting state is checked using heart rate and the like. At third step, physical information is acquired. At forth step, a health status is judged based on the measured pieces of physical information and the like. At fifth step, activity status information is acquired. At sixth step, an activity status is judged based on the activity status information. At seventh step, an appropriate piece of advice for the driver is selected based on a judgment result of the health status and a judgment result of the activity status. At eighth step, the selected piece of advice is displayed on a displaying section and audibly outputted.

Abstract: An heart rhythm monitoring device for a vehicle, which determines whether a driver has an arrhythmia includes a vehicle state determining portion that determines whether the vehicle is stopped; an electrode arranged on a steering wheel in a position where the driver grips the steering wheel; an electrocardiogram waveform obtaining portion that obtains a first electrocardiogram waveform from the electrode; and a signal processing and calculating portion that determines whether the heart rhythm of the driver is erratic based on the first electrocardiogram waveform. When the vehicle is in motion, the signal processing and calculating portion determines whether the heart rhythm of the driver is erratic based on the waveform component that is strong with respect to noise in the first electrocardiogram waveform.

Abstract: In an apparatus for measuring a biological condition of a living body, a light emitting unit emits individually first and second lights to a measurement portion of the living body. The first and second lights have first and second wavelengths, respectively. The first and second wavelengths are different from each other. A light receiving unit receives first and second reflection lights to generate first and second detection signals based on the first and second reflection lights, respectively. The first and second reflection lights are based on the first light reflected from the measurement portion and the second light reflected therefrom, respectively. The first and second detection signals have different characteristics from each other due to the difference between the first and second wavelengths. A measuring unit measures the biological condition based on the different characteristics of the first and second detection signals.

Abstract: A sleepiness level detection device detects a heartbeat signal when a time equal to or longer than T1 and equal to or shorter than T2 has elapsed since the start of driving. The heartbeat signal is subjected to FFT processing to obtain a spectrum signal. By use of a peak frequency of the spectrum signal, a driver conscious-state peak frequency is estimated. A consciousness level index band ? is set with respect to the conscious-state peak frequency. A sleepiness level index band ? is set with respect to a frequency, which is calculated by multiplying the conscious-state peak frequency by a predetermined ratio (65 to 90%). A sleepiness level evaluation parameter Sp (=?p/(?p+?p)) for indicating the sleepiness level of the driver is calculated with the use of the strength ?p and ?p of spectrum signals.