CN104363830B

CN104363830B - For measuring the apparatus and method of expiration amount

Info

Publication number: CN104363830B
Application number: CN201380030224.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 丹·路易斯·曼盖尔
Original assignee: POND INNOVATION &AMP
Current assignee: POND INNOVATION &AMP
Priority date: 2012-06-08
Filing date: 2013-06-07
Publication date: 2016-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 2033-06-07

Abstract

A kind of measurement apparatus (1) of the expiration amount for measuring patient, wherein said measurement apparatus includes the main body (2) with through hole (3), described through hole (3) has blowning installation (17), described blowning installation (17) has rotary apparatus (20), it is by blowing by the rotating speed rotary motion depending on air blowing intensity, and it rotates and is sensed by optical pickocff (6).It is a feature of the present invention that described measurement apparatus includes cable (11), it is connected to the described main body of described measurement apparatus, and there is free terminal (lib), described free terminal (lib) is configured to be connected to the audio input end of handheld general purpose computer unit (14) and wherein said measurement apparatus is configured to continuously transmit and carries the analog electrical signal about rotating speed or the information of air mass flow to described handheld computer unit.The invention still further relates to a kind of software and a kind of method.

Description

For measuring the apparatus and method of expiration amount

Technical field

The present invention relates to the device of expiration amount, method and the software product for measuring patient.

Number class client need are once in a while or its expiration amount of periodic measurement.Such as COPC (chronic obstruction Property pneumonopathy) patient and asthma patient.Traditionally, this measurement uses so-called spirometer to hold OK.Whereby, patient is blown by gas blow pipe by maximum, force, and the end at described gas blow pipe exists Small sized turbine or propeller, its air mass flow being through pipeline promotes.It is typically disposable Pipeline itself is inserted in the hole of spirometer instrument, and described instrumental optics reads turning of turbine Speed.According to this, instrument measures the dynamics of patient's inflatable and the expiration amount of therefore patient indirectly.

This pipeline and spirometer instrument are such as by u s company MIR (Medical International Research) sell.

One has a problem in that this expensive equipment.Patient population more needs simply and cheaply to obtain Obtain the measuring instrument of the amount of expiration, even use privately outside hospital, use the most at home.Logical Cross and supervise the development in time of expiration amount continuously and continually for widely patient population, can Find ahead of time and treat serious disease.

The present invention solves the problems referred to above.

Therefore, the present invention relates to the measurement apparatus of a kind of expiration amount for measuring patient, wherein Measurement apparatus includes the main body with through hole, and described hole is configured to storage and holds removedly Receive blowning installation, described blowning installation be configured such that patient can be blown by blowning installation and Thus making rotary apparatus by certain rotating speed rotary motion, described rotary apparatus is configured in air blowing dress In putting, described rotating speed depends on the intensity blown, and wherein measurement apparatus farther includes optics biography Sensor, its be configured in blowning installation is installed in hole and rotary apparatus rotate time optics sense Survey one of rotary apparatus or several part through optical pickocff, and it is characterized in that measuring dress Putting and include cable, described cable is connected to the main body of measurement apparatus and in phase on the first end To, second, include that terminal, described terminal are configured to be connected to type on free terminal The communication connection of handheld computer unit, this described handheld computer unit be universal and It is intended to for general purposes and is characterised by measurement apparatus to be configured at blowning installation be mounted In hole and when rotary apparatus rotates, continuously transmit the signal of carry information to hand-held meter from terminal Calculation machine unit, described information is directly or indirectly informed the instant rotating speed about rotary motion or passes The information of the instant air mass flow of blowning installation.

Additionally, it is that the present invention relates to a kind of described type and there are according to Claim 8 with 9 institutes The software product of the characteristic feature stated and a kind of described type and have according to claim The method of the characteristic feature described in 12.

With reference to the exemplary of the present invention and be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings this Bright, wherein:

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates the measurement apparatus according to the present invention；

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the measurement apparatus according to the present invention together with blowning installation and hand-held calculating Machine unit, and

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates replacement measurement apparatus according to the present invention together with blowning installation and hand-held Computer unit.

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 illustrates the measurement apparatus according to the present invention of the expiration amount for measuring patient 1.Measurement apparatus 1 is illustrated and is simplified to illustrate in fig. 1 and 2 to increase definition.Hidden Hide details pecked line to illustrate.

Measurement apparatus 1 includes the main body 2 with through hole 3, described hole 3 be configured to receive with And accommodate blowning installation 17 removedly.Blowning installation 17 shown in Fig. 2 includes pipeline 18, It is two open-ended.Patient can be blown by the opening 19 in upper open end and thus be made Air in pipeline 18 moves along the longitudinal direction D of pipeline 18.Blowning installation 17 enters one Step includes the rotary apparatus 20 of small sized turbine or propeller form, and it has propeller blade 21. When the air in pipeline 18 flows through rotary apparatus 20, it is in a directionr by depending on disease The rotating speed rotary motion of the intensity that people is blown by opening 19.

This blowning installation 17 is sold by u s company MIR.Pipeline 18 can be by hardboard system Become and bottom (including rotary apparatus 20) can be rigid plastics.The pipe concordant with rotary apparatus 20 The cylindric envelope surface in road 18 is transparent and is such as made up of transparent plastic.

Measurement apparatus 1 farther includes optical pickocff 6, and it is configured at blowning installation 17 It is installed in hole 3 and when rotary apparatus 20 rotates because patient is blown by opening 19, light Learn one or several part (such as its propeller blade 21) process of sensing rotary apparatus 20 Optical pickocff 6.

Additionally, measurement apparatus 1 includes cable 11, it is connected to main on an end 11a Body 2 and its another, opposing end portions 11b (it is free terminal) include terminal 12, described Terminal 12 is configured to be connected to the standard traffic of handheld computer unit 14 and connects 13.Hands Holding computer unit 14 is such a fexible unit, it is intended to for general purposes.In other words Saying, handheld unit 14 is traditional mobile phone, portable computer, panel computer or appoints Anticipate other kinds of unit, this described unit as main purpose without concrete and measurement apparatus 1 is used together.

Blowning installation 17 and handheld computer unit 14 the most do not constitute the part of measurement apparatus 1.

The central location 9 that optical pickocff 6 is connected in measurement apparatus 1 via conduit 8, institute State central location 9 be configured to via conduit 10 and receive autobiography by cable 11 further The signal of sensor 6 and launch signal to terminal 12.

In blowning installation 17 is installed in hole 3 and patient blow rotary apparatus 20 is rotated Time, measurement apparatus 1 is configured to continuously transmit carry information from terminal 12 according to the present invention Signal is to handheld computer unit 14, and what described information directly or indirectly informed rotary motion is Time rotating speed or the information of instant air mass flow through blowning installation 17.

According to preferred embodiment, optical pickocff 6 is configured in first along the periphery in hole 3 Position and be further configured to sense optical signal, described optical signal is from being configured in another one Put the light source 4 periphery court along hole 3 of (it is arranged in primary importance in a distance) Launch to optical pickocff 6 so that from light source 4 towards the light beam 5 of optical pickocff 3 incidence One of rotary apparatus 17 or several part 21 when rotary apparatus 17 rotates through optics Disconnect during sensor 6.In fig. 1 it is illustrated that have the situation not disconnecting light beam 5, at figure Illustrate wherein light beam 5 in 2 to be broken on the propeller blade 21 of rotary apparatus 20 on one point 22 Open so that light beam 5 does not arrives the situation of sensor 6.

Preferably light source 4 launches infrared light, and optical pickocff 3 is configured to detect this Infrared light.

Light source 4 and optical pickocff 3 are so that when rotary apparatus 20 rotates, light beam 5 exists Each rotation of rotary apparatus 20 is disconnected such a mode once or for several times by blade 21 Location.In other words, the location of source 4 and sensor 3 is suitable to measurement apparatus 1 and is intended to combine it The blowning installation 17 of the described type used.

Light source 4 is controlled via pipeline 7 by central location 9 and powers.

As discussed, signal mentioned above can carry directly or indirectly informs that the instant of rotary motion turns Speed or the information of the instant air mass flow through blowning installation 17.Indirect about instant rotating speed One example of information is the feelings of labelling that wherein signal includes each interruption for light beam 5 Condition.It is that signal replaces and carries this rotation about an example of the direct information of instant rotating speed The situation of the tachometer value of rotary device 20, revolution the most per minute.Two these examples also structures Becoming the example of the collateral information about instant air mass flow, the described signal in these situations is subsequently Need such as to map rotary apparatus 20 with the analog value for the air mass flow through blowning installation 17 The form of tabular value of tachometer value supplement the priori of the characteristic about blowning installation 17, So that instant air mass flow can be calculated.

According to particularly preferred embodiment, it is delivered to handheld computer unit via terminal 12 The signal of 14 is analog electrical signal, and terminal 12 is configured to connect and transmit signal to being joined Put the communication ends of the handheld computer unit of the form of the input receiving analoging sound signal Mouth 13.One preferred embodiment of the such a input of handheld computer unit 14 is audio frequency Plug or phone connector type connect.Suitably, input 13 is female connector and terminal 12 It it is Male head connector.

Such a audio jack connects 12,13 and is preferably such a traditional type, its In there is 2.5mm or 3.5mm diameter and the longitudinal direction along stitch includes different simulation electricity The various stitch being mutually isolated contact surface of signal are inserted in respective bush for making electrical contact with. Nowadays this audio jack is generally used in handheld computer unit, such as calculating at these Mobile phone and the panel computer of analoging sound signal is carried between machine unit.

Moreover it is preferred that the output signal from optical pickocff 6 to be passed from central location 9 Transport to terminal 12, and the sandwich digit of non-output signal processes, and may also not have any type Active signal process.It is therefore preferable that as to incident illumination and the change of institute detected light 5 The primary voltage responded and realized by sensor 6 is directly turned in the case of without intermediate treatment Send to central location 9 and be directly forwarded subsequently to cable 11 and terminal 12.According to another Exemplary, signal, can be such as through Simulation scale-up before being transported to terminal 12 Or experience other analog signal processing, such as noise reduction.

Owing to 1 need of the measurement apparatus according to the present invention realize the signal in terminal 12, it can Reading for handheld computer unit 14, it is then intended to have for general purposes and therefore Specific calculation ability, its signal processing that can be used for being transferred from the signal of measurement apparatus 1 is conciliate Releasing, this measurement apparatus 1 manufactures may the most simply and therefore low cost of manufacture.On the other hand Traditional spirometer manufacturing cost of the above-mentioned type is relatively costly and therefore for individuals patients It is of a relatively high that speech obtains cost.

Owing to many patients have had the handheld computer unit of general purpose, such as mobile electricity Words, panel computer or portable computer, therefore be enough to divide the measurement apparatus according to the present invention These patients of dispensing are to realize combining what the blowning installation 17 of above-mentioned disposable type was used together Therefore the demand of the special spirometer of perfect measurement equipment and acquisition the above-mentioned type disappears.

Therefore, use is set by the handheld computer of the measurement apparatus according to the present invention and user oneself The measurement apparatus of standby composition, patient can perform the measurement of expiration amount and expensive a set of without buying Measurement equipment or be in hospital.Especially, user can at home, travelling etc. time realize this measurement, its The improvement information foundation of measurement frequently and therefore therapeutic strategy is provided.

By using standard type to connect or the terminal 12 of contact form, measurement apparatus 1 can be with The extensively selection of different handheld computer unit 14 is used together, and causes measurement apparatus 1 only to need There is provided with some or the most single modification and still be able to realize and a large amount of different computer units 14 Compatible.Terminal 12 be intended to be fed to audio signal the standard of handheld computer unit Simulation connects in compatible preferable case, can realize the most compatible, because many handss Hold computer unit 14 and include that such a connects.Especially, audio plug type connects the most normal See and be used for example as the mike input socket of the hands-free connection of what is called of mobile phone, from auxiliary The record input socket etc. of the audio frequency of mike.Other examples that standard connects include so-called miniature USB and withThe connection type that trade mark product sold is used.

Wherein analogue signal transmit on the terminal 12 (its such as terminal 12 be such as audio frequency insert In the case of the audio frequency input of head dummy and especially at the digital signal being not carried out signal as mentioned above Preferred in the case of process) configuration make and cause the manufacture of measurement apparatus 1 may be the simplest Single and so even the most reliable.For example, it is preferable that measurement apparatus 1 is entirely without numeral electricity Sub-component.

Moreover it is preferred that measurement apparatus 1 to be configured to so that measurement apparatus 1 can be supplied From the such a mode of electric power of connection 13 of handheld computer unit 14 via cable 11 are electrically connected to handheld computer unit 14.Optional network specific digit connects can be supported from described connection The transmission of electric power.Even in simulation connects (such as audio jack connection), it is understood that there may be and Typically can obtain voltage, it can be utilized to provide electric power to not using too many electric power and measuring dress Put its these assemblies worked of 1 needs.

According to this, measurement apparatus 1 is designed to entirely without other interiorly or exteriorly energy sources.Especially It, preferably measurement apparatus 1 does not include any battery.This obtains very simple and reliable Structure.

One importance of the present invention is to there is cable 11, and it provides for patient and blows patient Watch the screen 15 of computer unit 14 while gas and therefore monitor air blowing intensity in time The chance of change.Thus, the preferably a length of at least 30cm of cable 11.

In handheld computer unit 14, a kind of software of storage, described software is configured to When being performed by computer unit, show on the screen 15 of handheld computer unit 14 and to patient Be shown with the information of expiration amount closing patient, the such as expiration intensity with the time as function the most more The form of new curve 16.It is also preferred that software is configured to by one interface of offer Management and control breath tester itself, patient can use described interface to enable, perform and complete expiration amount Test.

Software be configured to when on handheld computer unit 14 perform time read and explain from The terminal 12 of measurement apparatus 1 arrives the signal of the COM1 13 of handheld computer unit 14. Depend on the structure of signal, simply signal value is converted into instant air mass flow by software and by Bar information ground explains that signal is probably enough.If relevant air mass flow the most only can be obtained Collateral information, then software be configured to based upon signal value combine relevant blowning installation 17 or The necessary excessive data of similar device calculates instant air mass flow.Such as, this may need based on The instant tachometer value obtained from signal and tabular value as mentioned above calculates instant air mass flow.? After, software is configured to display to the user that with the time for the function ginseng relevant to instant air mass flow The instantaneous value of number, it is preferable that instant or total air mass flow itself.

It is analogue signal at signal, the most not yet experiences the preferred feelings of the signal of Digital Signal Processing In condition, preferably software is configured to, in the range of these calculate, identify the instant of signal Typical frequencies and this typical frequencies is construed to the speed with rotary apparatus 20 become ratio Example.Such as, signal can include when every sub-beams 5 is disconnected and/or is then connected to sensor 6, The change of carried voltage, thus timing repeat pattern is accumulated in the signal with characteristic frequency, In described situation, described frequency is proportional to the speed of rotary apparatus 20, especially depends on Quantity in propeller blade 21.Subsequently, software is configured to based upon relevant rotary apparatus 20 The tentation data of characteristic, with corresponding to manner as described above, be calculated through blowning installation The air mass flow of 17, it is corresponding to the speed of rotary apparatus 20, with final at screen 15 Upper display is according to above with the time for the function ginseng relevant to the most calculated air mass flow The value of number.

As it has been described above, signal can be transferred to the standardized communications port of handheld computer devices 14. Depend on that cable 11 is configured to be connected to numeral or the analog input end of computer unit 14, Software is configured to read the signal from respective input when executed.Particularly preferred Be, software be configured to read computer unit 14 input, its be intended to for storage and Accommodate contact, such as, all audio plug type contacts as described above, its be intended to for Conveying simulated audio signal.This means that software is configured to the most non-by computer list The audio signal that unit 14 is received is construed to audio signal, and is depending on being transmitted at signal The type of the signal processing performed in measurement apparatus 1 before terminal 12 is construed as taking It is loaded with and closes the rotation of rotary apparatus 20, through the air mass flow or the like of blowning installation 17 The signal of information.

Therefore, during measurement apparatus 1 uses, first blowning installation 17 is inserted through hole 3 In, cable 11 is connected to handheld computer unit 14 and on handheld computer unit 14 Enable software.Subsequently, patient blown by maximum, force by the hole 19 in blowning installation 17 and because of This makes rotary apparatus 20 by the speed rotary motion depending on air blowing intensity.Use optical sensing Device 6, measurement apparatus 1 measures rotating speed and via the input being connected to computer unit 14 The terminal 12 of 13 transmits the signal of carry information, and (it combines necessary background signal and be enough to make soft Part can be calculated through the instant air mass flow of blowning installation 17) to handheld computer unit 14. Carrying out period in air blowing, software reads continuously from the signal of measurement apparatus 1 and in arbitrarily calculating Show the parameter that the instant air mass flow with the time as function is relevant afterwards, such as with display with from Blow the form of curve 16 that time of having started is the instant of function or total air mass flow.

Some exemplary is had been described above.But, technical staff understands can revise institute State example, without deviating from the basic concept of the present invention.

Such as, the other kinds of standard of handheld computer unit can be used to connect, such as tradition USB-style connect.

Additionally, the information being shown to user on the screen of computer unit may change, such as Constituted more by display digit rather than the display of curve or the expiration amount data with the time as function The part of complicated interface, it also includes another type of information.

Therefore, the invention is not restricted to above-mentioned exemplary, but can be in disclosed power Profit changes in the range of requiring.

Additionally, as the replacement of the cable used between measurement apparatus and handheld computer unit, Wireless conveying technology can be used.In figure 3, it is the figure identical with Fig. 2 to this diagram, but its Wireless connections between the middle measured device of cable 11 1 and handheld computer unit 14 replace.

Therefore, in this case, measurement apparatus 1 includes dispensing device, and it may make up central authorities The part of unit 9 or as the independent assembly in measurement apparatus 1, it is configured to launch signal 20, described signal 20 can use the standard traffic of handheld computer unit 14 to connect 21 readings.

According to preferred embodiment, in this case, signal is assisted via the standard of near-field communication View sends, such as bluetooth, near-field communication (NFC) etc..According to another preferred embodiment, Measurement apparatus 1 is configured to can be wirelessly via the Internet or corresponding computer network service And computer unit 14 is configured to receive signal 20 subsequently, it is across such a computer network Network wirelessly sends from measurement apparatus 1.In both of these case, relevant as above instant The information of the type of rotating speed, instant air mass flow or the like wirelessly sends via signal 20.

Claims

1. the measurement apparatus (1) being used for measuring the expiration amount of patient, wherein said measurement fills Putting the main body (2) including having through hole (3), described hole is configured to storage and holds removedly Receiving blowning installation (17), described blowning installation is configured such that described patient can be by described air blowing Device is blown and thus makes rotary apparatus (20) fill by certain rotating speed rotary motion, described rotation Putting (20) to be configured in described blowning installation, described rotating speed depends on the intensity blown, wherein Described measurement apparatus farther includes optical pickocff (6), and it is configured at described dress of blowing Put mounted in the hole and time described rotary apparatus rotates optics sense described rotary apparatus One or several part (21) include through described optical pickocff, wherein said measurement apparatus Cable (11), described cable (11) is connected to described measurement apparatus on the first end (11a) Described main body, wherein said measurement apparatus is configured to be installed at described blowning installation described In hole and continuously transmit the simulation of carry information when described rotary apparatus rotates via described cable The signal of telecommunication, described analog electrical signal directly or indirectly provide described rotary motion instant rotating speed or Information through the instant air mass flow of described blowning installation, it is characterised in that described cable with Terminal (12), described terminal (12) is included on the free terminal (11b) that described first end is relative It is configured to be connected to be configured to receive the standard type of the input form of simulated audio signal The COM1 (13) of handheld computer unit (14), this described handheld computer unit is logical With purpose type computer unit, it is intended to for general purposes.

Measurement apparatus the most according to claim 1 (1), it is characterised in that described optics passes Sensor (6) is configured in primary importance along the periphery of described hole (3) and is further configured to Sensing optical signal, described optical signal is configured in described along the periphery in described hole from being arranged in The light source (4) of the primary importance second position in a distance is sent out towards described optical pickocff Penetrate so that from described light source towards the light beam (5) of described optical pickocff incidence in described rotation One of device (20) or several part (21) when described rotary apparatus rotates through described light Disconnect during learning sensor.

Measurement apparatus the most according to claim 1 and 2 (1), it is characterised in that described end End (12) is the form of audio jack.

4. according to the measurement apparatus (1) described in precedent claims 1 or 2, it is characterised in that come Process in the sandwich digit without described output signal from the output signal of described optical pickocff (6) In the case of be transferred to described terminal (12).

5. according to the measurement apparatus (1) described in precedent claims 1 or 2, it is characterised in that institute State a length of at least 30cm of cable (11).

6. according to the measurement apparatus (1) described in precedent claims 1 or 2, it is characterised in that institute State measurement apparatus to be configured to so that described measurement apparatus can be only by using from hand-held meter The such a mode that the electric energy of calculation machine unit is powered is electrically connected to via described cable (11) Described handheld computer unit (14).

7. the method showing the information of the expiration amount about patient to patient, its feature exists In

Arrive from reading according to the measurement apparatus (1) described in any one claim 1 to 6 The analog electrical signal of the COM1 (13) of described handheld computer unit, described COM1 is It is configured to receive the form of the input of simulated audio signal, and described analog electrical signal carries Information, described information directly or indirectly provides the air blowing dress about being arranged in described measurement apparatus Put rotary apparatus (20) in (17) instant rotating speed or through such a blowning installation i.e. The information of Airflow amount；

If desired, described instant rotating speed based on described rotary apparatus calculates described i.e. Airflow Amount；And

Display (15) at described handheld computer unit above shows with the time as variable and institute State the value of the relevant parameter of instant air mass flow.

8. the method showing the information of the expiration amount about described patient to patient, described In method, read the signal instant typical frequencies with the described signal of identification, by described typical frequencies It is construed to make the rotation of the rotary apparatus (20) of the air mass flow of rotary apparatus rotary motion with experience Turning frequency proportional, tentation data based on the character about described rotary apparatus calculates described sky Throughput, and the upper display of display (15) of handheld computer unit with the time as variable and because of The value of the parameter that this air mass flow calculated is relevant, it is characterised in that described signal is analog telecommunications Number, it arrives the COM1 (13) of described handheld computer unit, and described COM1 is quilt Configuration receives the form of the input of simulated audio signal.

Method the most according to claim 8, it is characterised in that described COM1 (13) It is configured to storage and accommodates audio jack.

10. for the method measuring the expiration amount of patient, including being configured to pass through The air mass flow that realizes via blowning installation (17) and the institute of the rotary apparatus (20) of rotary motion State blowning installation (17) and be inserted into the through hole (3) of measurement apparatus (1), after this, described patient Blown by described blowning installation and thus make described rotary apparatus by certain speed rotary motion, Described speed depends on the intensity blown, and wherein makes the optical pickocff (6) in described measurement apparatus Sense one or more parts (21) of described rotary apparatus through described optical pickocff, thus The software in handheld computer unit is made to read signal, if desired, to calculate i.e. based on instant rotating speed Airflow amount, and the upper display of the display (15) in handheld general purpose computer unit (14) with time Between be the value of the parameter that variable is relevant to described instant air mass flow, it is characterised in that hold in air blowing While Xu, described measurement apparatus is made to continuously transmit the simulation electricity of carry information via cable (11) The COM1 of signal extremely described handheld computer unit, described cable is at the first end (11a) On be connected to described measurement apparatus and on free terminal (11b), include terminal, described terminal quilt Configuration is connected to be configured to receive the standard type of the form of the input of simulated audio signal The COM1 (13) of described handheld computer unit, described information is directly or indirectly given relevant The instant rotating speed of described rotary motion or the described instant air mass flow through described blowning installation Information.

11. methods according to claim 10, it is characterised in that described terminal (12) is The form of audio jack.

12. according to the method described in claim 10 or 11, it is characterised in that from described light Learn the output signal of sensor (6) in the case of the sandwich digit without described output signal processes It is transferred to described terminal (12).

13. according to the method described in claim 10 or 11, it is characterised in that described measurement fills Putting (1) to power via described cable (11) completely, described cable (11) is electrically connected to described hand-held Computer unit (14) and thus receive the electric energy from described handheld computer unit.

14. according to the method described in claim 10 or 11, it is characterised in that in described method, Identify the instant typical frequencies of described analog electrical signal, by the explanation of described typical frequencies for described The speed of rotary apparatus (20) is proportional and based on the character about described rotary apparatus Tentation data calculates described air mass flow.