System and method for evaluating the degree of arterial elasticity in a living subject

An automatic blood pressure measurement system for measuring a blood pressure of a living subject, measuring an electrocardiographic waveform of the living subject, and evaluating an arterial elasticity of a living subject, comprising:

• a frame;
• a first arm rest attached to the frame and capable of supporting a right arm of the living subject;
• a first electrocardio electrode attached to the first arm rest and positioned to physically contact an arm of the living subject when the living subject's arm is resting on the first arm rest, the first electrode capable of detecting an electrocardiographic signal from the living subject when the living subject is in physical contact with the first electrocardio electrode;
• a second arm rest attached to the frame and capable of supporting a left arm of the living subject;
• a second electrocardio electrode attached to the second arm rest and positioned to physically contact an arm of the living subject when the living subject's arm is resting on the second arm rest, the second electrode capable of detecting an electrocardiographic signal from the living subject when the living subject is in physical contact with the second electrocardio electrode;
• a constriction device that applies a changing constriction pressure to a portion of the living subject;
• a pressure pulse wave detection circuit that detects pressure pulse waves produced by a cardiac muscle of the living subject, the pressure pulse waves propagating through an artery of the living subject;
• a blood pressure measuring circuit that determines a blood pressure of the living subject based on the detected pressure pulse waves;
• and
• an arterial elasticity evaluation device that determines a degree of elasticity of arteries of the living subject based on the detected pressure pulse waves and the constriction pressure applied by the constriction device to the portion of the living subject.

A system for evaluating an arterial elasticity of a living subject, comprising:

• a constriction device that applies a changing constriction pressure to a first portion of the living subject;
• a first pulse wave detection circuit that detects first pulse waves from the first portion of the living subject;
• a second pulse wave detection circuit that detects corresponding second pulse waves from a second portion of the living subject;
• a time-difference determining circuit that determines time differences between predetermined periodic points on the first pulse waves and predetermined periodic points on the corresponding second pulse waves;
• and
• an arterial elasticity evaluation device that determines a degree of elasticity of arteries of the living subject based on a relationship between changes in the constriction pressure applied by the constriction device to the first portion of the living subject and changes in the time differences determined by the time-difference determining circuit.

A method of evaluating an arterial elasticity of a living subject, comprising:

• applying a changing constriction pressure to a portion of the living subject;
• measuring pressure pulse waves produced by a cardiac muscle of the living subject;
• determining a degree of elasticity of a living subject's arteries based on the detected pressure pulse waves and the changing constriction pressure;
• and
• measuring a blood pressure of the living subject based on the detected pressure pulse waves.