JP2005152222A - Pain measure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pain measure capable of displaying the amount of pain of a subject clearly and objectively, and accurately conveying the pain to others. <P>SOLUTION: The pain measure 100 has a measure body 110. The measure body 110 has a display part 9 for displaying the result of measurement, an operation means 1 with an operation member 1b moved by the subject according to the amount of the subject's own pain, a control means including a built-in calculation part and controlling each part of the measure, an input part 4 for inputting the kind of the pain, a timer with a clock function, and a data memory part consisting of various memories for storing data for preparing face images 92 in a plurality of patterns. A quantitative value 91 of the quantified amount of the pain based on the position of the operation member 1b on a scale 1a and a face image 92 corresponding to the amount of the pain are displayed on the displayed part 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a pain measuring instrument capable of measuring and displaying the magnitude of pain of a subject.

  When a medical person diagnoses and treats a patient, it is important to know the magnitude (degree) and type of pain. However, the pain is subjective, and it is difficult for the patient to accurately convey the magnitude and type of pain to others.

  Actually, in the medical field, the magnitude of pain is measured by an evaluation method called VAS (Visual Analog Scale). This presents the patient with a scale marked “no pain” at one end of the straight line and “most severe pain” at the other end, and the patient at that point corresponds to the amount of pain he / she perceived. Is shown on the scale, and the position is used as a pain score.

  However, the VAS has a drawback that accurate pain measurement is difficult unless the patient understands the measurement method. In addition, doctors need to know not only the magnitude of pain but also the type of pain when making a diagnosis or treatment. Currently, the only way to know the type of pain is through a doctor's interview, but in reality, there is no way to express enough pain types in front of the doctor. The current situation is that it cannot be accurately communicated.

  In addition, as a device in which the VAS is implemented, a contact plate with a scale indicating the degree of pain is used, and the patient touches the position of the corresponding contact plate with his / her finger according to the magnitude of pain, and the position information There is known a pain meter that digitizes and digitally displays (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in this pain meter, how to measure the pain varies depending on the patient, and the scale on the contact plate gives a preconception to the patient and the pain cannot be measured accurately. There is. Furthermore, with this pain meter, the degree of pain is digitized and displayed. However, it is difficult for medical personnel such as doctors to recognize and grasp the magnitude of pain of a patient simply by looking at the numerical value. is there.

JP-A-60-90544

  An object of the present invention is to provide a pain measuring device that can easily and objectively display the magnitude of pain of a subject and can accurately convey it to others.

Such an object is achieved by the present inventions (1) to (11) below.
(1) display means capable of displaying measurement results;
Operating means comprising an operating member that can be displaced according to the magnitude of pain of the subject;
An operation unit that quantifies the magnitude of pain according to the amount of displacement of the operation member;
Storage means for storing data for generating a symbol image of a plurality of patterns according to the magnitude of pain,
The display means quantifies and displays the magnitude of pain according to the amount of displacement of the operation member, and a symbol image corresponding to the magnitude of pain generated based on the data stored in the storage means A pain measuring instrument configured to display a pain.

  (2) The pain measuring apparatus according to (1), further including an input unit configured to input a pain type, wherein the display unit is configured to display the input pain type.

  (3) The pain measuring apparatus according to (2), wherein the input of the type of pain by the input unit is performed by selecting a corresponding one from among a plurality of pain adjectives displayed as words.

  (4) The pain measuring device according to any one of (1) to (3), which has a clock function and is configured to display a measurement result in association with a measurement date and time.

  (5) The pain measuring instrument according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the operation means includes a scale indicating the magnitude of pain and an operation member that moves along the scale.

  (6) The pain measuring device according to any one of (1) to (5), comprising an external input / output terminal.

  (7) The pain measuring device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the symbol image indicates facial expressions.

  (8) The pain measuring device according to (7), further including an imaging unit that images the face of the subject, wherein the display unit is configured to display the captured image.

  (9) The pain measuring device according to (8), wherein the storage unit can store image data of a captured image.

  (10) The apparatus according to (7), further including a mirror that captures the face of the subject and configured to be able to see the face reflected in the mirror in comparison with the symbol image displayed by the display means. Pain measuring instrument.

  (11) The pain measuring device according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the symbol image is visually changed continuously according to a continuous displacement of the operation member.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately measure the magnitude of pain without giving preconceptions to a subject (measurement person), and to display it in an easy-to-understand manner with numerical values and symbol images. Therefore, the magnitude of pain of the subject can be accurately transmitted to others such as a doctor. In particular, since facial expressions that change according to the degree of pain are displayed as symbol images, the magnitude of pain can be recognized very easily.

  In addition, since the subject can measure the magnitude of pain with a simple operation of displacing the operating member according to the magnitude of pain, there are few individual differences and differences between measurements, and the objective and accurate A correct measurement result can be obtained.

  In addition, when configured to display the type of pain and display it, it is possible to know both the type and size of pain, so that the information can be used effectively for diagnosis and treatment by doctors. Can do.

  Hereinafter, the pain measuring device of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the pain measuring apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a relationship between the operation amount of the operation member and the corresponding quantitative value (VAS value) in the embodiment of the pain measuring apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the operation amount of the operation member and the corresponding face image in the embodiment of the pain measuring apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an embodiment (measurement) of the pain measuring apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a change in display on the display unit in the embodiment of the pain measuring instrument of the present invention.

  As shown in each drawing, the pain measuring instrument 100 of the present invention has a measuring instrument main body 110 having a casing, and a lid 120 that is installed so as to be rotatable (openable and closable) with respect to the measuring instrument main body 110. Yes.

  The measuring instrument main body 110 includes a display unit (display unit) 9 that can display at least a measurement result, and an operation unit 1 that includes an operation member 1b that can be displaced according to the magnitude of pain of the subject. A control means 6 for controlling each part of the pain measuring instrument 100, an input part (inquiry input means) 4 for inputting the type of pain, a power switch 11, and an external communication port (external input / output terminal) 10 are provided. ing.

  The control means 6 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer having a CPU (central processing unit), and has a built-in calculation unit. The control means 6 is connected to a timer (calendar) 5 having a clock function and a data storage section (storage means) 7 such as various memories. The timer and the data storage unit may be built in the control unit 6.

  The display unit 9 is connected to the control means 6 via a display controller (display unit drive circuit) 8. The display unit 9 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display panel, an organic EL display panel, or the like. The display unit 9 displays at least a value obtained by quantifying the pain magnitude (hereinafter referred to as “quantitative value 91”) and a symbol image (face image) 92 corresponding to the pain magnitude. .

  The quantitative value 91 is also referred to as a VAS (visual analog scale) value. In the present embodiment, the symbol image 92 is a facial expression (FS: face scale) that changes continuously or stepwise in accordance with the magnitude of pain.

  The operation means 1 includes a linear scale (scale) 1a indicating the magnitude of pain, an operation member (pick) 1b that can move along the scale 1a, and a detection means 1c.

  One end of scale 1a (the left end in FIG. 1) indicates “no pain”, the other end of scale 1a (the right end in FIG. 1) indicates “maximum pain imaginable”, Shows intermediate pain depending on the location.

  The operation member 1b can continuously move on the scale 1a from one end to the other end. In accordance with the stop position of the operation member 1b on the scale 1a, an analog signal is output from an electrical contact (not shown) installed on the back surface (inside the casing) of the scale 1a. This analog signal is converted into a digital signal by the AD converter 2 and input to the control means 6. The calculation unit of the control means 6 performs a predetermined calculation based on the input digital signal and obtains a quantitative value 91. The determined quantitative value 91 is displayed on the display unit 9 that is activated by the operation of the display controller 8. This display is, for example, the numbers “0”, “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, “6”, “7”, “8”, “8”, “ Displayed in 11 levels of “9” and “10”.

  Further, the control means 6 identifies a symbol image corresponding to the position information (hereinafter simply referred to as “position information”) on the scale 1a of the operation member 1b input thereto. The data storage unit 7 stores data (hereinafter referred to as “face image data”) corresponding to a plurality of (for example, five) symbol images of patterns (in this embodiment, images showing five different facial expressions). Are stored in association with (positioned with) the position information of the operation member 1b, and face image data corresponding to the input position information of the operation member 1b is read out. Then, the face image 92 is displayed on the display unit 9 based on the read face image data. The face image 92 is displayed with, for example, five types of facial expressions corresponding to the magnitude of pain.

  The input unit (input unit) 4 outputs a determination button 41 for outputting a signal for storing the position information of the operation member 1 b in the data storage unit 7 and a signal for selecting an item displayed on the display unit 9 from the display controller 8. And a finish button 43 for outputting, to the control means 6, a signal for switching to a screen for terminating the measurement and performing the next measurement.

  An external communication port 10 is provided on the side of the measuring instrument main body 110. The external communication port 10 includes, for example, a personal computer, a printer, a monitor (external display device), an input terminal (such as a keyboard), an external memory, an audio input / output terminal, a wireless transmission / reception unit (including infrared communication), Other similar pain measuring devices can be connected and communicate with them when needed. For example, the quantitative value 91 obtained as a result of the measurement can be output by an externally connected printer or displayed on a personal computer or a monitor.

  Next, an example of how to obtain the quantitative value 91 will be described. The detection means 1c of the operation means 1 includes a variable resistor (slidac) installed on the back surface (inside the casing) of the scale 1a and an electric contact that contacts the variable resistor and moves together with the operation member 1b. As a result, the resistance value of the variable resistor changes linearly, and a voltage having a magnitude corresponding thereto is output as an analog signal.

For example, when the magnitude of pain is expressed in 11 stages from “0” to “10”, when the pain is “no pain” on the scale 1a, the pain magnitude is 0 and the corresponding signal value is X ₀ ( VAS0) and then, when the "maximum pain", the magnitude of pain 10, the signal value corresponding thereto as X _{1 (VAS10),} the subject feels by moving the operating member 1b among them If the signal value corresponding to the magnitude of the pain is X (VAS), VAS = 10 (X−X ₀ ) / (X ₁ −X ₀ ), which is displayed as a quantitative value (VAS value) 91 on the display unit 9. (Refer to FIG. 2).

  As the detection means 1c, a device that exhibits the same function as the variable resistor, for example, a device that uses a change in capacitance, inductance, or the like, or an encoder that can detect the position of the operation member 1b is used. It may be detected using the position information.

  Further, the operation means 1 may be moved by indirectly turning a dial or pressing a button. The operation means 1 is composed of an operation means displayed on a touch panel screen instead of the illustrated operation means 1 and is provided with a finger. A predetermined part of the screen of the display unit 9 may be touched with a pen or a tablet (tablet pen).

Next, an example of how to determine and display the face image (symbol image) 92 will be described.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the face image 92 includes five images corresponding to the degree of pain, and is an image in a “no pain” state (when the operation member 1 b is positioned at the leftmost position). Is FS ₀ , the image in the state of “maximum pain” (when the operation member 1b is located at the rightmost end) is FS ₄ , the middle of them is FS ₁ , FS ₂ , FS _3, and these are equally spaced d To distribute.

In this case, the face image data for generating each image FS ₀ , FS ₁ , FS ₂ , FS ₃ , FS ₄ is stored in the data storage unit 7, and the positional information of the input operation member 1 b is stored. The face image data corresponding to is read out. The display controller 8 generates a face image based on the face image data read from the data storage unit 7 and displays it on the display unit 9.

The face image displayed on the display unit 9 may be limited to five types (five levels) of FS ₀ , FS ₁ , FS ₂ , FS ₃ , and FS ₄ , but an intermediate image thereof is also displayed. The configuration may be such that an intermediate image between them is displayed continuously (visually continuously).

For example, in the intermediate region between the image FS ₀ and the image FS ₁ , the difference between the coordinates on the scanning lines of the two images is equally allocated (interpolation of data between the coordinates), and a new image is obtained by the coordinates (interpolated coordinate data). Can be generated (synthesized) and displayed.

  A mirror 121 is provided on the inner surface of the lid 120. The subject can view his / her face on the mirror 121 and view the face image 92 displayed on the display unit 9 while viewing his / her actual face. For example, when the subject operates the operation member 1b to display the face image 92 on the display unit 9, the subject is compared with his / her actual face reflected in the mirror 121 (with reference to his / her actual face). While).

  As shown in FIG. 1, an imaging unit (image capturing unit) 3 including a CCD camera (imaging device) 31 is provided on the upper portion of the display unit 9. An image signal of an image picked up by the image pickup unit 3 (particularly an image of the face of the subject) is input to the control means 6 and subjected to predetermined image processing, and then the display controller 8 operates in real time on the display unit 9. Displayed as an image (moving image) or a still image. When the selection button 42 is pressed in this state, the image is fixed, and when the determination button 41 is pressed, the image is stored (saved) in the data storage unit 7.

  For example, when the subject operates the operation member 1b to display the face image 92 on the display unit 9, the subject is compared with his / her face imaged by the imaging unit 3 (while referring to his / her face). The operation can be performed.

  Note that the operation of the imaging unit 3 and the display of the captured image are not limited to being performed constantly, but are configured to be performed only when necessary, for example, the pain measuring instrument 100 has an imaging mode, and the imaging The configuration may be such that imaging by the imaging unit 3 and display of the image are performed only when the mode is selected.

  Further, the image data of the image captured by the imaging unit 3 can be stored (saved) in the data storage unit 7 and read out when necessary so that the image can be displayed on the display unit 9 again. .

  Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the face image 92 displayed on the display unit 9 is generated or corrected (corrected) based on the image data of the image captured by the imaging unit 3.

As shown in FIG. 5, an inquiry item can be displayed on the display unit 9. That is, for example, the inquiry item asks the kind of pain, and is performed by selecting a corresponding one from among a plurality of pain adjectives displayed on the display unit 9 as words. This is preferably a pain adjective used in clinical practice, and specific examples include the following.
A ₁ : Aching pain A ₂ : Aching pain A ₃ : Painful pain A ₄ : Hot pain
_An : Pain that is cut The subject operates the selection button 42 to select the corresponding pain type (pain adjective word) from the displayed pain type, and decides it with the decision button 41. . In the display unit 9, a check is displayed in the check box on the left side of the selected and determined pain type, whereby the type of pain selected by the subject is displayed and specified.

  In the timer (calendar) 5, the current year / month / day (day of the week) and time are measured by the clock function, and these are preferably displayed on the date / time display section 93 of the display section 9 at any time. Further, when measuring the subject, the measurement time (date and time) can be displayed together with the measurement results (quantitative value 91 and face image 92). The date and time at the time of measurement is, for example, when the subject presses the enter button 41. The date and time at the time of measurement is stored in the data storage unit 7 in association with the measurement result, and can be read out and displayed on the display unit 9 when necessary.

  Next, an example of how to use the pain measuring instrument 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When measuring the pain of the subject using the pain measuring device 100, the subject takes the pain measuring device 100 and first turns on the power switch 11. Then, the measurement / result reference selection screen 20 appears on the display unit 9, so that “measurement” is selected by the selection button 42 and determined by the determination button 41. When the enter button 41 is pressed, the display unit 9 is switched to the pain magnitude measurement screen 21 (see the left column in FIG. 5).

  On the pain magnitude measurement screen 21, a date and time display section 93 is displayed. The date / time display section 93 displays the current year / month / day (day of the week) and time (hereinafter simply referred to as “date / time”) measured by the clock function of the timer 5 in real time.

  Next, the subject moves the operation member 1b and stops at a position corresponding to his / her pain. At this time, the expression of the face image 92 appearing on the display unit 9 (pain magnitude measurement screen 21) changes according to the position of the operation member 1b. The position of the operation member 1b can be selected with reference to FIG.

  In addition, on the display unit 9 (pain size measurement screen 21), the quantitative value 91 is displayed simultaneously with the display of the face image 92.

  When the position of the operation member 1b is determined in this way, the determination button 42 is pressed to determine. As a result, data relating to the face image 92 and the quantitative value 91 is stored in the data storage unit 7. Further, the date and time (measured by the timer 5) when the determination button 42 is pressed is also stored in the data storage unit 7.

  Next, the end button 43 is pressed. When the end button 43 is pressed, the display unit 9 is switched to a pain type selection screen (interrogation screen) 23. Here, the type of pain is measured.

  On the pain type selection screen 23, a plurality of adjectives expressing pain types are displayed side by side as words, and the subject selects a corresponding pain type from among these using the selection button 42. A plurality of types of pain can be selected.

  When the type of pain is determined in this way, the determination button 42 is pressed to determine. Thereby, data relating to the type of pain is stored in the data storage unit 7. Further, the date and time (measured by the timer 5) when the determination button 42 is pressed is also stored in the data storage unit 7.

  Next, a case where the measurement result is viewed will be described. When viewing the measurement result, the power switch 11 is first turned on. Then, since the measurement / result reference selection screen 20 appears on the display unit 9, “reference result” is selected by the selection button 42, and the determination button 41 is selected. When the enter button 41 is pressed, the display unit 9 is switched to the reference screen 22 (see the right column in FIG. 5).

  On the reference screen 22, the measurement date and time read from the data storage unit 7 and the corresponding file names (including the name of the subject, for example) are displayed in order from the most recent one. Note that the file name can be input via the external communication port 10 at the time of measurement or thereafter, and if there is no input, for example, a serial number or the like is automatically set.

  The reference person (examinee, doctor, etc.) selects one of the items (measurement date and file name) displayed on the reference screen 22 by the selection button 42 and presses the decision button 41.

  When the determination button 41 is pressed, the display unit 9 is switched to the result list display screen 24, and the measurement result related to the item selected in the previous process is displayed on the result list display screen 24. The displayed measurement results are, for example, a quantitative value (VAS value) and the type of pain, and these are displayed together with the measurement date and time.

  If necessary, the data stored in the data storage unit 7 can be output to the outside via the external communication port 10. For example, the measurement result, the measurement date and time, etc. can be displayed on the screen of a personal computer connected to the external communication port 10 or an external monitor, or printed by a printer.

  As described above, the present invention has been described based on the illustrated embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of each part can be replaced with any configuration that can exhibit the same function, In addition, an arbitrary configuration may be added.

  For example, in the pain measuring instrument of the present invention, the lightness (shading) or color of the whole or a part of the screen of the display unit 9 (for example, the part of the face image 92) or the color changes as the operation member 1b moves. It can be.

  The pain measuring instrument of the present invention includes a speaker and its drive circuit, and can be configured such that the sound quality (for example, frequency) and volume of the sound emitted from the speaker change as the operation member 1b moves. .

  Further, the input unit 4 is not limited to being operated by operating the buttons 41 to 43, and for example, can be configured to input from the screen of the display unit 9 using a tablet pen.

It is a block diagram which shows embodiment of the pain measuring device of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the operation amount of the operation member in embodiment of the pain measuring device of this invention, and the quantitative value (VAS value) corresponding to it. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the operation amount of the operation member in the embodiment of the pain measuring device of this invention, and the face image corresponding to it. It is an external view of embodiment of the pain measuring device of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the change of the display of the display part in embodiment of the pain measuring device of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Pain measuring device 110 Measuring device main body 120 Cover body 121 Mirror 1 Operation means (slide mechanism)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a Scale 1b Operation member 1c Detection means 2 AD converter 3 Imaging part 31 CCD camera 4 Input part 41 Determination button 42 Selection button 43 End button 5 Timer 6 Control means 7 Data storage part 8 Display controller 9 Display part 91 Fixed value 92 Face Image 93 Date and time display section 10 External communication port 11 Power switch 20 Measurement / result reference selection screen 21 Pain size measurement screen 22 Reference screen 23 Pain type selection screen (interview screen)
24 Result list display screen

Claims (5)

Display means capable of displaying the measurement results;
Operating means comprising an operating member that can be displaced according to the magnitude of pain of the subject;
An operation unit that quantifies the magnitude of pain according to the amount of displacement of the operation member;
Storage means for storing data for generating a symbol image of a plurality of patterns according to the magnitude of pain,
The display means quantifies and displays the magnitude of pain according to the amount of displacement of the operation member, and a symbol image corresponding to the magnitude of pain generated based on data stored in the storage means A pain measuring instrument configured to display a pain.   The pain measuring instrument according to claim 1, wherein the operating means includes a scale indicating the magnitude of pain, and an operating member that moves along the scale.   The pain measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the symbol image indicates facial expressions.   The pain measuring instrument according to claim 3, further comprising an imaging unit that captures an image of the face of the subject, wherein the display unit is configured to display the captured image.   The pain measuring instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the symbol image is configured to visually change continuously according to a continuous displacement of the operation member.

Images