DE19953866A1 - Portable ergospirometry system for monitoring effort in work tasks or exercise, comprises a mouthpiece or mask, carbon dioxide and oxygen sensors, a processor and telemetry module with a wireless link to a base station - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable ergospirometry system attached to a person being tested comprises a mouthpiece or mask (1) for sampling breath, CO2 and O2 sensors (4, 5), a processor (6, 8) for the signals produced and a telemetry module which has a wireless link to a computer-controlled base station. A portable ergospirometry system attached to the person being tested comprises a mouthpiece or mask (1) for breath sampling, CO2 and O2 sensors (4, 5), a processor (6, 8) for the signals produced and a telemetry module which has a wireless link to a computer-controlled base station. A bidirection data and command transmission system is established across this. This allows transmission of coded commands from the computer, converted to audio output giving instructions about behavior or instructions, as well as directly access to information about the use of the measuring device and the progress of the test.

Description

The invention relates to a mobile ergospirometry system, comprising a portable measuring unit that can be fixed on the test subject, with a mouthpiece or mask for breathing gas removal, gas volume or quantity sensor and sensors for determining the CO ₂ / O ₂ concentration in the breathing gas, a signal processing processor and a telemetry module, and also a Computer-based base station with telemetry unit for establishing a wireless connection with the telemetry module of the portable measuring unit, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Mobile ergospirometry devices e.g. B. for stress tests outside the laboratory have been known for several years. With Such mobile systems can be analyzed directly on the Sports or at work under natural conditions and Carry out stressful situations. Via telemetry units the measurement data are sent in real time to a personal computer or transfer a notebook, with a corresponding control of the Training or exercise course possible after evaluating the data is. Such devices have opened up new areas of application in performance diagnostics, in work, sports and rehabilitation bilitation medicine developed.

PCT-WO 98/53732 is a portable ergospirometry system known with a telemetry data transmission unit. With the The arrangement shown there is intended to indicate individual parameters visibly the oxygen uptake and the carbon dioxide production detectable, d. H. a breath analysis in connection with the determination  of the heart rhythm under natural environmental conditions to be possible.

According to the known teaching has a portable unit, which is attached to the subject, in addition to a breathing mask, a gas analyzer for determining the O ₂ - and CO ₂ values of the measuring gas. In addition, a heart rate monitor is provided, the measured values being fed to a microprocessor which is part of the portable unit. The measured values are stored in an internal memory and transmitted via a telemetry route to a telemetry receiver, which in turn is connected to a personal computer system.

The volume flow of the breathing gas is according to PCT-WO 98/53732 a special flow meter determines which rotating wing possesses, whose movement via an infrared light emitter Diode path is scanned.

The telemetry data link between the portable The unit and the base station together with the personal computer is used Transfer of measurement data from the ergospirometer to display the Data, later evaluation and processing.

An active influence on the course of the experiment on the part of one senior physician, with the aim of improving diagnostic values, is not readily possible in the known prior art Lich.

In addition, the well-known portable system is in its Application complex and cumbersome, the training time is too high for frequently changing subjects.

It is therefore an object of the invention to develop one mobile ergospirometry system, including one on the subject fixable, portable measuring unit and a computer-aided Specify base station, with this system an immediate bare online influence and optimization of the test procedure should be possible and at the same time the acceptance of such  Systems for both the subject and the ver the person responsible for the search is increased. In addition, there should be the possibility of obtaining measured values in to store the portable measuring unit optimally in terms of memory space, so that also in the event of a temporary failure of a data transmission teleme Triesrecke data retention is given, which in turn the Number of attempts and thus the load on the test subject can be minimized.

The object of the invention is achieved by a mobile Ergospirometry system according to the features of the patent claim 1, the subclaims at least expedient Refinements and developments include.

Accordingly, the basic idea of the invention is to provide a special bidirectional telemetry line with one voice to specify module as operating aid, whereby information or Requests to operate the measuring unit and / or the Trial course from responsible for the trial submitting manager, d. H. transfer to the subject are cash. There is also an acoustic output from gerätetech African information, e.g. B. after a self-test, e.g. B. "Breathing gas hose defect" possible.

According to the invention, the signal processor is the portable measuring device is able to receive received, coded commands on one To guide the language module for implementation, the language module Audio signals from behavioral instructions or the like solutions, but also outputs measurement data. These signals can then for example, using an earphone or another acoustic transducer made available to the subject become.

The portable measuring unit is designed so that it all Functions of an ergospirometry system including calc measurement and storage as well as for controlling the Operating, measuring and communication functions fulfilled.  

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Base station telemetry unit has an automatic frequency selector to scan for the frequency band and / or a test data transmission procedure and evaluation of the over a telemetry frequency with expected optimal transmission quality. This test about can be carried out at the start of the experiment, including a repeated verification based on e.g. B. Field strengths over monitoring of the incoming signals is conceivable.

In addition to the heart rate detector integrated in the measuring unit there is a multi-channel ECG module, whereby the acquisition the ergospirometric and the cardiological measurements under Access to the signal processor is synchronized. By this synchronized data acquisition and display is the immediate temporal connection of the values recognizable and it the diagnostic relevance and meaningfulness increase of the data.

For temporary storage, especially with a view to the A memory is provided in the measuring unit for data backup, with records in either selectable format in memory breath-related or over a predefinable period or a Time interval.

The signal processor enables calculation of the Ergospiro metrics from the available data, this calc stored data in the memory and / or the subject provides or be transmitted.

The signal processor is able to because of an external Command or automatically considering existing Measurement courses or measurement data taking into account the planned Determine the course of the experiment and conduct this output the language module to the test person. For this contains the voice module has a digital memory with it stored there Words, groups of words or other acoustically representable Information.  

With the help of the signal processor can be made in digital Store stored words or phrases one at a time current command-oriented word combination selected, ver ties and are output controlled.

About additional sensors in the portable measuring unit z. B. for Determination of the ambient temperature and / or the breathing gas humidity can calibrate and correct the respiratory gas sensor values be performed.

In addition to the possibility of telemetric data transmission the portable measuring unit has a standard interface to prefers wired transmission of data to the base station or to one with appropriate evaluation software provided personal computer.

The base station has an interface for the production of a Connection to a bidirek that can be implemented as an additional module tional telemetry unit, so that, for. B. the base station in Form of a personal computer at the workplace of the pilot plant Tending person can be set up using telemetry unit of which sold at one to build the high-frequency Transmission path is optimal position.

The portable measuring unit is functionally divided so that in two almost equally heavy housings of the same size Hardware components are housed. Both cases are connected by a cable. Via a carrying system the two-part measuring unit in the area of the shoulders / Clavicles worn by the test subject, so that this in his Movement is almost unlimited and the measuring unit is not feels as an additional burden. The fact that the fastening supply point is selected far on the upper body, leads can between the mouthpiece or the mask quite short and the antenna radiation function of the telemetry module is optimal.  

Secondary elements for power supply are also preferred integrated in one of the housings. Accordingly, another is from Subject to be worn with accumulators and correspond connecting cables to the actual measuring unit necessary.

On at least one of the housings there are controls and indicators, e.g. B. in the form of membrane keys in connection with light emitting current diodes are present so that the test person is able to communicate with the measuring unit audiovisually and the one to use.

The signal preprocessing or the calculation of the ergo So spirometry sizes in the portable measuring unit itself created that the subject infor directly from the measuring unit can be lubricated. In this way, the portable measuring unit can also be operated independently, with the measurement data mentioned in the Memory are stored. A subsequent evaluation by Downloading the data is then easily possible. The memory for data backup in the portable measuring unit is designed so that the memory contents even after switching off the The unit is retained for a defined period of time. The portable measuring unit has the Signalververarbeitungpro processor the possibility, if detected broken telephoto metry data transmission entirely on an internal storage toggle without repeating the ergospirometric relevant exercise is necessary. The measurement data will, however basically buffered in a buffer.

In one embodiment of the invention, the measuring unit further interfaces for connecting additional devices or have sensors with whose help, for example, vital Body functions by determining blood pressure, skin temperature temperature or the like determined and in the course of the experiment can be taken into account.

The voice control of the portable measuring unit is through soft goods-side intelligence enabled, digitally stored  and / or synthetically generated words or groups of words output directly, but also with reference to certain orders to link demands or commands. These commands can from the test or test manager via the telemetry module Base station triggered, but also automatically by the Measuring unit itself taking current measuring or Control values are generated.

The invention is illustrated below with the aid of an embodiment game and explained with the help of figures become.

Here show:

Fig. 1 typical functional units of an ergospirometry system;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the portable measuring unit;

Fig. 3, the base station with telemetry module and

Fig. 4 is a representation of a mobile ergospirometry system as it can be attached to the body of a subject with the two housing components via a carrying system.

An ergospirometry system, as shown in FIG. 1, starts from a face mask or a mouthpiece 1 , which breath gas via a flow / volume sensor 2 and a suction path 3 to the sensors for determining the CO ₂ and O ₂ concentration 4 ; 5 feeds.

In principle, with a corresponding breathing gas flow measurement values in the breath-by-breath method, but also through use to obtain a gas mixing chamber. For the sake of the intended Optimization of an ergospirometric analysis with accordingly high signal resolution is the breath-by-breath method Preferred.  

The output data of the flow or volume sensor 2 and the CO ₂ / O ₂ sensors 4 , 5 arrive at a unit for measurement 6 , which is connected to a processor for controlling the measurement process and for measuring signal evaluation 8 . The control unit 8 is also able to supply a gas pump 9 with signals so that the desired flow values in the suction path 3 are retained or achieved.

In addition, there is the possibility of measuring value acquisition unit 6 signals from other sensors such. B. for the ambient temperature 10 and / or the gas humidity 11 supply. The latter sensor values can be used to calibrate or correct the breathing gas analysis obtained from sensors 4 and 5 .

According to the block diagram of Fig. 2 contains the portable MESSEIN standardize a telemetry module 12 with transmit and receive antenna 7 that is capable of a bidirectional connection to the telephoto metrieeinheit build the base station.

An interface module 13 is used for direct communication with a connectable personal computer or a computer-based base station or another medical device.

A signal processing processor 14 is used to process all control and control operations, but also to control the calculation and storage of measured values obtained in the portable measuring unit. For this purpose, a memory module 15 is connected to the signal processing processor 14 and there is a further connection to a speech module 16 for outputting operating instructions or for the acoustic display of measured values. The ergospirometry component 17 is operated by the signal processor 14 and is connected on the input side according to FIG. 1 to the subject or patient 22 . Further measurement signals arrive at a multi-channel ECG 18 and the subject's current heart rate is additionally determined via a heart rate detector 19 .

Operating and display means 20 are able to trigger measuring sequences via the signal processing processor or to indicate current states of the measuring unit, so that the test person is sufficiently informed and can intervene manually in the course of the measurement, if necessary.

A power supply module 21 contains both secondary elements and a circuit for electronic voltage stabilization with the aim of minimizing the total power consumption of the measuring unit, for example by not needing modules or units in a so-called sleep mode when their function taking into account the current measurement curve are not needed.

The base station of FIG. 3 comprises a personal computer 23 with an interface 24 through which a Verbin dung to a telemetry unit 25 is produced. The tele metry unit 25 can by a z. B. infrared or wired version of the transmission link 26 can be arranged remotely from the personal computer 23 , preferably with the purpose of an optimized position for establishing the actual high-frequency telemetry connection.

By means of a processor in the measuring unit or via the personal computer 23 and the software provided there, there is the possibility of activating an automatic frequency selection for the telemetry in order, for. B. after scanning the frequency band and / or a test data procedure to select and set the frequency at which the expected optimal transmission quality can be worked.

For example, a frequency range of is essential Lichen 430 to 470 MHz paintable, of course other frequency ranges depending on the country-specific free gift can be provided.

In one embodiment of the portable measuring unit according to FIG. 4, this in the form of two housing components is performed 27 and 28, the housing components 27 and 28 are electrically connected via a cable 29.

A special carrying strap 30 is attached to the subject's body and serves to hold the housing components 27 and 28 in an area on the upper body, preferably there near the shoulder / clavicle.

The housing component 27 contains, among other things, the telemetry module with antenna 31 . In particular, not shown controls and indicators and connectors are used to actuate the measuring unit or the connection of an earphone for voice output. Characterized in that the housing components 27 and 28 are attached to the upper body in the manner illustrated, the subject is minimal when performing certain activities that are required for stress tests, and the favorable position of the antenna 31 results in an optimal telemetry range.

All in all, the invention succeeds in creating a novel, to specify further developed mobile ergospirometry system with whose help under largely natural conditions and Stressful situations Breath gas analyzes in connection with the Determination of cardiological measurements can be carried out, whereby the person leading the experiment is able to not over a bidirectional telemetry transmission link only to collect and evaluate measurement data online, but in addition, directly by triggering behavior indicate or by intervening in the control of the measuring unit can influence the course of the experiment.  

Reference list

1

Mask / mouthpiece

2nd

Flow / volume sensor

3rd

Extraction section

4th

;

5

CO ₂

/ O ₂

-Sensor

6

Measured value acquisition unit

7

Transmit / receive antenna of the telemetry module

8th

Control unit

9

pump

10th

Temperature sensor

11

Humidity sensor

12th

Telemetry module

13

Interface module

14

Signal processing processor

15

Memory module

16

Speech module

17th

Ergospirometry component or module

18th

Multi-channel ECG module

19th

Heart rate detector

20th

Operating / display elements

21

Power supply

22

Subject

23

Personal computer

24th

interface

25th

Telemetry unit

26

Transmission link

27

;

28

Housing component

29

connection cable

30th

Shoulder strap

31

antenna

Claims (12)

1. Mobile ergospirometry system, comprising a portable measuring unit that can be fixed on the test subject, with a mouthpiece or mask for breathing gas removal, gas volume or quantity sensor, and sensors for determining the CO ₂ / O ₂ concentration in the breathing gas, a signal processing processor and a telemetry module, and a computer-based base station with telemetry unit to establish a wireless connection with the telemetry module, characterized in that a bidirectional data and command transmission link is established via the telemetry module to the telemetry unit, a transmitter and receiver module being provided for this purpose, so that information is additionally provided online to the subject from the base station or prompts for operating the measuring unit and / or for designing the course of the experiment can be transmitted, the signal processing processor receiving coded commands to a speech module for the implementation and audio output of behavioral instructions or the same instructions. 2. Mobile ergospirometry system according to claim 1, characterized in that the telemetry unit of the base station an automatic Fre quenzwahleinrichtung has to after scanning the frequency band and / or a test data transmission procedure a telemetry frequency with expected optimal transmission quality lay. 3. Mobile ergospirometry system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the measuring unit also a heart rate detector and a Multi-channel EKG module, the detection and Storage of ergospirometric and cardiological Measured values are synchronized by means of the signal processor.   4. Mobile ergospirometry system according to claim 3, marked by a memory for data backup in the measuring unit, wherein in Store records in the defined format from breath-related Measurement data for each breath and / or for all or all selected measurands the complete measurement data courses over selectable Intervals are stored at selectable start times. 5. Mobile ergospirometry system according to one of the preceding Expectations, characterized in that a calculation of the ergospiroma using the signal processor Trie magnitudes from the data obtained, this calculated data stored in memory and / or the subject are communicable or acoustically communicable. 6. Mobile ergospirometry system according to one of the preceding Expectations, characterized in that the signal processor is available with or without an external command measurement data and / or the course of the experiment determined and output to the test person via the language module. 7. Mobile ergospirometry system according to one of the preceding Expectations, characterized in that the voice module has a digital memory with it stored there Words, groups of words or other acoustically representable Has information. 8. Mobile ergospirometry system according to claim 7, characterized in that by means of the signal processor from the in the digital memory filed words or phrases each current command oriented word combinations selected, linked and controlled output.   9. Mobile ergospirometry system according to one of the preceding Expectations, characterized in that the measuring unit sensors for determining the ambient temperature and / or the breathing gas humidity and / or other relevant Sizes such as B. has differential pressure values, these Sensor values for calibration and correction of the breathing gas sensor values are used. 10. Mobile ergospirometry system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the portable measuring unit provides another interface to the data exchange with the base station, a personal computer or has a medical device. 11. Mobile ergospirometry system according to claim 1, characterized in that the base station has an interface for making one Connection with a bidi tional telemetry unit. 12. Mobile ergospirometry system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the portable measuring unit consists of two housing components, which are connected by a cable, and that via a Carrying strap or a carrying frame on the housing components The subject's upper body is close to the shoulder / clavicle are placed.