JP2001061814A - Apnea detector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To let an apnea detector store and display data on the frequency, date and time of detection of the apnea condition by itself. SOLUTION: This apnea detector has a pressure measuring means 322 for detecting a subject's body movement including the respiration and outputting detection signals, a respiration judging means 312 for judging the respiration condition of the subject based on the detection signals generated from the pressure measuring means 322, a RAM 318, a memory means, for storing the date and time of the apnea condition of the subject judged by the respiration judging means 312 and a display means 324 for displaying the date and time stored by the RAM 318. Since the apnea detector has the RAM 318 and the display means 324, the date and time when the apnea condition is judged by the respiration judging means 312 can be stored and the data can be displayed by the apnea detector itself.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apnea detecting apparatus which detects an apnea state of a subject by body movement such as respiration and notifies the apnea state by an alarm or the like.

[0002]

BACKGROUND ART In recent years, sudden death syndrome (hereinafter abbreviated as SIDS) is the number one cause of neonatal death in Western countries. In Japan, as the lifestyle approaches European and US, SIDS is increasing. I have. Based on the current situation, there is a need for an apnea detection device that can easily monitor the respiration of a newborn baby for 24 hours in a hospital or home and can also know the state of non-breathing, that is, the state of apnea. Is growing. Also, an apnea detection device is used for the purpose of detecting a respiratory condition of an adult with apnea syndrome, disconnection of a respiratory circuit during artificial respiration, and obstruction of an airway.

Meanwhile, a conventional apnea detecting apparatus includes a device in which a detecting unit for capturing a body movement such as breathing is brought into direct contact with the body (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 6-63031), and a detecting unit for detecting a body movement such as a mattress or futon. (Japanese Patent Application Hei 10-28535)
No. 0). Neither of them has a function of displaying the level of the detection signal from the detecting means, and a function of storing and displaying the date and time when the apnea state is detected.

[0004]

However, the apnea detecting apparatus which does not have the above-mentioned display function has the following problems. (1) When an apnea condition is detected, it is necessary to store the date and time by a person other than the subject who rushed due to an alarm or the like. (2) In the case of SIDS of a newborn baby, it is important to sound an alarm and notify the outside when an apnea condition is detected.
When detecting an apnea in an adult, rather than sounding an alarm,
In some cases, it is important to store the number of apnea states that have occurred. However, the apnea detection apparatus has a problem in that it cannot be performed. In addition, in the detection of an apnea condition of an adult, issuing an alarm also hinders sleep of the subject.

[0005] In consideration of such problems, apnea detection having a function of measuring body movement due to respiration or heartbeat with a sensor, storing the measured values, and reading the stored data with a personal computer or the like. A device has also been developed, but without a personal computer, the number of apnea states and the date and time that occurred during detection cannot be known. Therefore, there is a demand for the development of an apnea detecting apparatus capable of displaying a detection signal level, storing and displaying a date and time of detection of an apnea state, and the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apnea detecting apparatus which can store and display the number of times of apnea detection and the date and time of apnea detection, by the apparatus itself.

[0007]

The object of the present invention is to achieve the above object by providing each means such as a date and time measuring means, a date and time storing means and a display means in the apnea detecting apparatus. Specifically, the invention according to claim 1 includes a detecting unit that detects a body motion including a subject's respiration and outputs a detection signal, and detects the subject's respiration based on a detection signal generated from the detecting unit. A respiratory determination unit for determining a state; a storage unit for storing the date and time when the subject is determined to be in an apnea state by the respiration determination unit; and a display unit for displaying the date and time stored by the storage unit. It is an apnea detection apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.

Here, as the apnea detecting device, for example, a pressure-sensitive pipe which deforms due to the breathing of the subject and causes a volume change is provided inside a detection mat on which the subject is placed, and this is connected to a pressure sensor, and the pressure-sensitive pipe is connected to the pressure sensor. There is a type in which a detection signal generated from a pressure sensor in accordance with a change in the volume of a pipe is processed by respiration determination means. As the detection means in the present invention,
For example, there is a means for detecting a body motion including a subject's breathing with a pressure sensor, a load sensor, or the like. Further, the respiratory determination means can be configured as a program developed on a CPU for arithmetically processing a detection signal from the detection means.

In the present invention, the storage means includes, for example, a RAM on a CPU for reading and storing time data from a real-time clock, and the display means includes, for example, an output device for printing on paper such as a printer. ,
There is a display device using a CRT, an LCD, or the like. When confirming the display in real time, it is preferable to use a display for display. Further, the storage means can be configured to start operating when, for example, the apnea state is maintained for a certain period of time.
Can be set to an arbitrary time in advance.

According to the present invention, since the storage means and the display means are provided in the apnea detecting apparatus, the storage means stores the date and time when the apnea state is determined by the respiration determination means.
Further, the data is displayed by the display means. Therefore, it is possible to store the date and time when the apnea state was detected and the number of times of the apnea detection, and display them on the apnea detection apparatus itself.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the apnea detecting apparatus according to the first aspect, the display means has a level display function configured to display a detection signal level generated from the detection means. An apnea detecting apparatus characterized in that: In the present invention, as a level display function, for example, a waveform of a pressure level measured by a pressure sensor is displayed on a display in real time, or a bar graph constituted by a plurality of dots is set to a zero level, and the pressure is set to zero. One that synchronizes with the level and makes the dot blink up and down, and the like can be considered.

According to the present invention, the level display function provided in the display means displays the level of the detection signal being detected. Therefore, it can be easily determined whether or not correct detection has been performed. In addition, when the user is present at the time of detection, it is possible to grasp the moment of apnea even without outputting an alarm, which is advantageous in terms of safety. Thereby, the problem existing in the conventional apnea detecting device, that is, the problem that there is no means for confirming the detection signal level during the detection and it is difficult to determine whether the normal detection is performed or not can be solved. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the apnea detecting apparatus according to the first or second aspect, an alarm signal is output when the apnea state determined by the respiratory determination means continues for a predetermined time. And a time setting means for individually setting an apnea time at which the alarm means outputs an alarm and an apnea time at which the storage means starts storage.

The storage means can be configured to start operating when, for example, the apnea state continues for a predetermined time, and this time can be set to an arbitrary time in advance for the CPU, for example. is there. In the present invention, as the time setting means, for example, there is a means for writing data to a RAM on a CPU and / or an E2PROM. By using both of them, it is not necessary to reset the time after the battery of the apnea detecting device is replaced, etc., which is preferable. In the following description, the apnea time at which the warning means outputs a warning is referred to as a time determination value 1, and the apnea time at which the storage means starts storing is referred to as a time determination value 2.

According to the present invention, the apnea time (time judgment value 1) at which the alarm is output and the apnea time (time judgment value 2) at which the storage means starts storing can be set to different times.
Therefore, it is possible to set so that the output to the alarm buzzer and the storage are performed simultaneously or separately. That is, for example, even if data on the number of apnea is required in an adult with apnea syndrome or the like, without stopping the detection by sounding an alarm buzzer, it is possible to repeatedly store only the date and time,
Data useful for treatment of a subject can be easily accumulated and can be used. Further, since there is no output to the alarm buzzer only by storing the date and time, it is possible to avoid hindering the sleep of the subject.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the apnea detecting apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the storage means is configured to be able to store a plurality of dates and times, and
The apnea detecting apparatus is characterized in that the display means has a data display function capable of displaying the number of stored dates and times. In the present invention, as the data display function, for example, a function of displaying a number corresponding to the number of storages on a display or a function of displaying the number of dots corresponding to the number of storages can be considered.

According to the present invention, the number of times the subject has entered the apnea state is stored by the storage means, and the number is displayed by the data display function. Therefore, even if a third party other than the subject is away from the subject under detection, the number of times the subject has apnea can be easily known, and useful information is provided to the subject and a doctor. Can be provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the apnea detecting apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the data display function includes a data sorting function of sequentially sorting the dates and times stored in the storage means. Apnea detection device. In the present invention, examples of the data sorting function for arranging the date and time in order include a function of displaying data from the latest one, a function of displaying data from an old one, a function of classifying by date, a function of classifying by time zone, and the like. Conceivable.

According to the present invention, the stored data is sorted by the data sorting function. Therefore, data can be extracted and used in a more user-friendly form.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the apnea detecting device 1 includes a detection mat 1 formed in a substantially flat rectangular parallelepiped shape.
0 and a monitor 20 that measures pressure fluctuations generated inside the detection mat 10 to detect an apnea state and warn the user of the apnea, are connected by a connecting pipe 40.

The structure of the detection mat 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 which is a vertical sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 which is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. A pressure-sensitive pipe 13 that generates pressure fluctuation in synchronization with body movements including respiration of the subject is disposed at the upper center in the longitudinal direction of the lower plate 11 formed of hard plastic or the like.
Spacers 14 for preventing the pressure-sensitive pipe 13 from being excessively crushed are attached to both sides of the lower plate 11 in the longitudinal direction. These pressure-sensitive pipe 13 and spacer 1
An upper plate 12 is placed on the upper portion of the detection mat 4, and all of these components are covered with a protective cover 15 made of a soft plastic to form a detection mat 10.

Here, the pressure-sensitive pipe 13 is formed by cutting a tube made of an elastically deformable material, for example, a silicone resin tube into a predetermined length, and one end thereof is sealed with a sealing plug 131. The other end is connected to a connection finger 132 that also serves as a noise reduction diaphragm that adjusts the amount of pressure fluctuation due to factors other than body movement. The upper plate 12 is formed of a member that can be elastically deformed by respiration of the subject, for example, a foam made of vinyl chloride. At the time of detection, a mattress or the like may be appropriately placed on the detection mat 10 for use.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the monitor 20 includes a pressure sensor 21 for detecting a pressure change of the pressure-sensitive pipe 13 therein.
Circuit 30 for processing an electric signal from the apparatus, an alarm buzzer 24 for notifying an apnea condition to the outside, and an LED 3
6. LC that constitutes display means together with a display control unit described later
D22, a battery 23 for supplying power to these, a power supply ON
A power key 33 for performing a / OFF operation, a mode key 39 for mode switching, a setting 1 key 38 and a setting 2 key 37 for performing various settings are provided.

The structure of the pressure sensor 21 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6. The pressure sensor 21 is connected to the connecting pipe 40 and has a small volume in the space so as not to lower the detection sensitivity. This is a differential pressure sensor having a pressure inlet 213, a pressure receiving chamber 211 that receives pressure from the inside of the connection pipe 40, and a back pressure chamber 212 adjacent above the pressure receiving chamber 211 via a pressure sensor circuit unit 216. The pressure sensor circuit section 216 partitions the pressure receiving chamber 211 and the back pressure chamber 212, and has a base 216A having an electronic circuit (not shown).
And a pressure sensor chip 216 disposed at the center of the base 216A and detecting a pressure change of the pressure-sensitive pipe 13.
B.

The pressure sensor chip 216B includes, for example, a diaphragm that deforms in response to pressure fluctuations. The deformation of the diaphragm is taken out as a distortion amount or a capacitance, and converted into an electric signal by an electronic circuit so that the pressure can be measured. Has been. Further, the pressure receiving chamber 211 is formed with a pressure receiving chamber atmosphere open throttle 215 which is a through hole communicating with the atmosphere.
The pressure receiving chamber air opening restriction 215 has a role of preventing the pressure receiving chamber 211 from being closed. That is, the air in the pressure receiving chamber 211 expands or compresses due to an external factor whose pressure response is slower than the respiration, such as a change in the atmospheric pressure or the ambient temperature, or a change in the body temperature of the newborn baby, and the internal pressure of the pressure receiving chamber 211 gradually increases. And has a role to prevent that it becomes impossible to detect minute pressure fluctuation due to breathing.

The back pressure chamber 212 is also formed with a back pressure chamber atmosphere opening throttle 214 which is a through hole having the same shape as the pressure receiving chamber atmosphere opening throttle 215. This back pressure chamber air release throttle 21
4, when the back pressure chamber 212 is opened to the atmospheric pressure, the back pressure chamber 212 is directly changed due to an atmospheric change such as opening / closing of a door of a room where the apnea detecting device 1 is installed or air-conditioning wind. Due to the influence, the detection of respiration is not performed normally, so that it is formed to prevent this.

The apnea detecting apparatus 1 configured as described above operates as follows. That is, the detection mat 1
The upper plate 12 bends due to body movement caused by the subject's breathing, which is placed on the upper part 0. As a result, the volume of the pressure-sensitive pipe 13 changes, and the pressure fluctuates accordingly. This pressure fluctuation is provided in the monitor 20 and the connection pipe 40
At the pressure sensor 21 connected to the pressure-sensitive pipe 13. The captured change is processed in the electric circuit 30, and when it is determined that the apnea state has continued for a predetermined time (time determination value 1), a warning is issued by the alarm buzzer 24 and the LED 36.

Next, the configuration of the electric circuit 30 provided in the monitor 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The electric circuit 30 is configured around a CPU 31, and around the CPU 31,
Power supply circuit 3 for supplying power from battery 23 to CPU 31
2, a power key 33 for turning on and off the power, and an E2P in which predetermined time judgment values 1 and 2 are read.
ROM 34, A / D converter 35 for converting an analog electric signal from pressure sensor 21 into a digital electric signal, LED 36 for outputting an alarm by emitting light, and setting 1 key 38 and setting 2 key 37 for performing various settings such as date. A mode key 39 for switching modes, and a real-time clock 40 for transmitting and receiving signals at regular time intervals to the CPU 31.
Are provided.

The CPU 31 has a pressure sensor 21 therein.
And a control unit 311 for receiving the electric signal from the controller and controlling each component based on the electric signal.
Determining means 31 for calculating the respiratory level value by performing arithmetic processing in response to the signal from
2 is provided.

The CPU 31 has a timer 317 and an R
AM 318, ROM 319, power operating means 320
, An alarm control unit 321 and a display control unit 316. Here, the timer 317 is used for the A / D converter 3
The measurement signal is transmitted to the control unit 5 and the control unit 311 every predetermined time T1 that can be arbitrarily set in advance. In addition, the RAM 318 includes a counter that increments each time T1, and also functions as a storage unit that stores data such as date and time and a time setting unit that writes each set time determination value. Furthermore, ROM3
Reference numeral 19 denotes a power operation means 3 in which a level determination value as a reference value for apnea determination and a zero point of the pressure sensor 21 are registered.
20 has a function of supplying power only during measurement in order to reduce the power consumption of the battery. Then, the alarm control unit 321 turns on the alarm buzzer 24 and the LED 36,
The OFF control is performed, and the display control unit 316 controls each display unit of the LCD 22 described later.

Here, the LCD 22 and the display controller 3
16 together with the display means 324, and the alarm buzzer 24, L
The ED 36 and an alarm control unit 321 that controls these components constitute an alarm unit 323. Also, A
The / D converter 35 converts a measurement value indicating the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 21 into a digital electric signal as a detection signal and sends it to the control unit 311 at every predetermined time T1 when receiving the measurement timing signal from the timer 317. Have been to be. Further, the pressure sensor 21, the A / D converter 35, and the timer 317 constitute a pressure measuring unit 322 as a detecting unit that measures the pressure in the pressure-sensitive pipe 13 every predetermined time T1. . In such a pressure measuring means 322, the change of the digital electric signal sent to the control unit 311 during the detection of the subject's respiration is, as shown in FIG. It is detected as a signal and swings regularly in both directions around the zero point of the pressure sensor 21.

Referring to FIG. 9, the LCD 22 includes a digital display unit A having a data display function and a data sort function for displaying date and time, and an E2PROM 34.
And an alarm output time display section B for displaying the time judgment value 1 set in the RAM 318, a storage time display section C for displaying the time judgment value 2 set in the same manner, and displaying the detection level and the number of detected memories. It is provided with a pattern D having both a level display function and a data display function. In the present embodiment, the alarm output time display section B includes five dots B1 to B5, the storage time display section C includes five dots C1 to C5, and the pattern D includes fifteen dots D1 to D15. ing.

The display contents of the LCD 22 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. When the power is turned on by the power key 33, all the dots of the LCD 22 are fully lit for 2 seconds (10
A) At this time, it is possible to confirm whether there is any missing display of the dot.
Next, if there is no stored data of the apnea detection date and time in the RAM 318, the current year and month and day are displayed in order of 1 second each, and then the current time is displayed (apnea detection mode).
The detection is started (10B).

On the other hand, if there is stored data on the date and time of apnea detection in the RAM 318, the latest data among the stored data organized by the data sorting function of the data display function is used after all the dots shown in 10A are turned on. The display is blinked for two seconds each in the order of year, month, day, and time, and the number of storages is displayed in pattern D (10C). When there is one storage data, only D1 is lit, and when there are two storage data, D1 and D1
2 lights up. That is, the number of stored data matches the number of dots of pattern D. In this embodiment, the pattern D includes 15 dots D1 to D15, and a maximum of 1
Five data can be stored. When the blinking display of the latest data is completed, the same operation as in the above-described 10B is performed, and then the mode is shifted to the apnea detection mode to start the detection. In order to erase the stored data, when the power key 33 is turned on while the mode key 39 is pressed, “CP” is displayed for one second before displaying all the dots, and the stored data is erased during this time ( 10D). Thereafter, all dot display shown in 10A is performed, and the operation shifts to the normal apnea detection mode via the operation of 10B.

As shown in FIG. 11, during the detection of the apnea condition, the current time is displayed on the digital display section A as described above, and the alarm output time display section B and the storage time display section C are displayed. , The E2PROM 34 and RA
Time judgment value 1 and time judgment value 2 set in M318
Are lit one by one. Further, during the detection, the difference between the pressure generated by the body movement including the respiration measured by the pressure measuring means 322 at each time T1 and the measured value and the registered zero point value in the ROM 319 is obtained. As a result, a respiration level value having a positive / negative sign centered on the zero point registration value is calculated, and this respiration level value is displayed in a pattern D as a level display function for each time T1. Therefore, only by confirming the pattern D, it can be confirmed whether or not a normal apnea state is detected.

In this embodiment, as the pressure sensor 21,
A differential pressure sensor of ± 50 Pa is used. At 0 Pa, only the dot D <b> 8 is turned on, and the dots are set so as to increase or decrease by 0.4 Pa by 0.4 Pa.
Pressure level values up to Pa can be confirmed. In FIG. 11, 11A is at the time of detecting +1.2 Pa, and 11B is -2.4 Pa.
The display example at the time of detection is shown.

FIG. 12 shows L associated with switching of each setting mode.
The change of the display content of the digital display unit A on the CD 22 is shown. In the apnea detection mode, the current time is displayed on the digital display unit A in a normal state (12A). Here, when the mode key 39 is pressed once, the current year is displayed on the digital display section A, and the mode shifts to the current time setting mode (12B). When the mode key 39 is pressed again in this state, the digital display A displays “AL
"A" is displayed, and the mode shifts to the time determination value 1 setting mode (12C). When the mode key 39 is further pressed, three characters "rEC" are displayed on the digital display section A,
The mode shifts to the time determination value 2 setting mode (12D). When the mode key 39 is pressed in this state, the digital display A shows
The current time is displayed, the mode shifts to the apnea detection mode, and the detection is restarted. In this manner, each setting mode can be easily switched only by pressing the mode key 39.

As shown in FIG. 13, the current time is set in the current time setting mode in the setting 1 key 38.
And the setting 2 key 37. In the initial display of the current time setting mode described above, the last two digits indicating the year are displayed, and the number indicating the tenth digit of the year is blinking (13A). In this state, the setting 2 key 37
Each time is pressed, the number is incremented by 1 and the range is set from 0 to 9. After selecting the tens digit indicating the current year from among these, pressing the setting 1 key 38 once causes the digit indicating the first digit to blink (13B),
In this state, the number indicating the current year from 0 to 9 is selected by using the setting 2 key 37 in the same manner as above, and the setting of the year is completed.

Next, when the setting 1 key 38 is pressed once, the display shifts to the display of the month and day, and the number indicating the month blinks (13C).
Each time the setting 2 key 37 is pressed, the number changes from 01 to 1
Since it changes in the range of 2, select the number indicating the current month.
When the setting 1 key 38 is pressed once in this state, the number indicating the day flashes (13D), and the number indicating the current day is selected from 01 to 31 using the setting 2 key 37 in the same manner as the month. The setting of the date ends. When the setting 1 key 38 is pressed again, the display shifts to the hour and minute display, and the number indicating the hour flashes (13E). Here, each time the setting 2 key 37 is pressed, the number changes in the range of 01 to 24, so the number indicating the current time is selected. When the setting 1 key 38 is pressed in this state, the number indicating the minute blinks (13F), and the number indicating the current minute is selected from 00 to 59 using the setting 2 key 37 as in the case of the hour. After setting all the numbers, pressing the setting 1 key 38 once returns to the display for setting the first year (13).
A).

As shown in FIG. 14, the setting method of the time judgment value 1 is as follows.
This is performed using the key 38. In the time judgment value 1 setting mode, three characters “ALA” are displayed on the digital display A of the LED 22, and one dot corresponding to the set time judgment value 1 is lit on the alarm output time display B. (14A). In the present embodiment, the settable time is:
For example, 5 seconds of 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 25 seconds, 30 seconds, and 35 seconds
By type, 15 seconds is dot B1, 20 seconds is dot B2, 2
5 seconds correspond to dot B3, 30 seconds correspond to dot B4, and 35 seconds correspond to dot B5.

As shown at 14A in FIG. 14, if the currently set time is 20 seconds, the dot B2 is turned on. At this time, every time the setting 1 key 38 is pressed once, the lit dot changes from B3 to B4 to B5 to B1 to B2 (14B to 14E). When the user presses the button 39, the mode shifts to the time judgment value 2 setting mode, and at the same time, the set time judgment value 1 is stored in the RAM 318 as the time setting means and the E2PRO
M34. In the present embodiment, the time determination value 1 is set to, for example, 30 seconds (see FIG. 11).

The method of setting the time judgment value 2 is the same operation as the method of setting the time judgment value 1 described above (not shown). In the time determination value 2 setting mode, as shown in FIG.
The three characters "rEC" are displayed, and one dot corresponding to the set time determination value 2 is lit on the storage time display section C (12D). In the present embodiment, the settable times are, for example, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, and 25 seconds.
There are five types of seconds, 30 seconds, and 35 seconds.
20 seconds correspond to dot C2, 25 seconds to dot C3, 30 seconds to dot C4, and 35 seconds to dot C5. Setting 1
Each time you press the key 38, the lit dot changes.
When the mode key 39 is pressed after adjusting the lit dots to the time to be set, the mode shifts to the apnea detection mode, and at the same time, the set time determination value 2 is set to the time setting means R
The data is written to both the AM 318 and the E2PROM 34. In the present embodiment, the time determination value 2 is set to, for example, 20 seconds (see FIG. 11).

In each of the above setting modes, the detection of the apnea state is not performed. Therefore, in the apnea detection mode, if the user enters the setting mode by accidentally pressing the mode key 39 or the like, or forgets to return to the apnea detection mode after entering each setting mode, the present invention In the embodiment, a device is devised to automatically return to the apnea detection mode and restart detection when no key operation is performed for one minute during each setting mode. By doing this,
By any chance, without returning from the setting mode to the apnea detection mode,
Even if the user leaves the place, since the detection is started by returning to the apnea detection mode, no accident occurs due to the detection not being performed.

Next, an apnea detecting method by the apnea detecting apparatus 1 in which the above-described various settings are performed will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. (1) When the power key 33 is turned on, the power of the pressure sensor 21 and the A / D converter 35 is turned on (processing S
1) After the pressure is measured by the pressure sensor 21 (process S2), the power of the pressure sensor 21 and the A / D converter 35 is turned off (process S3), and the process proceeds to process S4. (2) After the counter 1 provided in the RAM 318 is incremented (process S4), the difference between the zero point registration value in the ROM 319 and the pressure measurement value in (1) is obtained by the respiration determination means 312, and the respiration level value is obtained. It is calculated (process S5) and the process goes to process S6.

(3) In the process S6, it is determined whether or not the calculated respiration level value is smaller than the level determination value 1 shown in FIG. (4) If the respiratory level value is greater than the level determination value 1, the respiratory determination means 312 determines that the subject is breathing, enters process S7, resets counter 1 to zero, and returns to process S1. . (5) On the other hand, if the respiration level value is smaller than the level determination value 1, the respiration determination means 312 determines that the subject may be in an apnea state, and proceeds to processing S8. (6) In the process S8, the counter 1 determines whether or not it has become equal to the time determination value 2 (for example, 20 seconds) which is the time to be stored.

(7) If the value of the counter 1 is equal to the time judgment value 2, the respiration judgment means 312 judges that it is necessary to store the date and time when the apnea condition has occurred. RAM31 date and time
Then, the process proceeds to step S10. (8) On the other hand, if the value of the counter 1 is not equal to the time determination value 2, the breathing determination means 312 determines that the apnea state is not sustained enough to store the date and time, and enters the processing S10. (9) In process S10, it is determined whether or not the counter 1 has become equal to a time determination value 1 (for example, 30 seconds) during which an alarm is output. (10) If the value of the counter 1 is equal to the time determination value 1, the respiration determination means 312 determines that the subject's apnea state has continued for a period of time until an alarm is issued, and the process proceeds to step S11. An alarm signal is output via the LED and an alarm is issued by the LED 36 and the alarm buzzer 24. (11) On the other hand, if the counter 1 is not equal to the time determination value 1, the breathing determination means 312 determines that the apnea state is not sustained enough to output an alarm, and does not issue an alarm. It returns to processing S1. The above processing is performed every time T1 (for example, 100 msec).

In the above, by setting the time judgment value 1 to a value longer than the time judgment value 2 as in the present embodiment, the state in which the respiratory level value is less than the level judgment value 1 becomes the time judgment value 2 After that, the alarm is not output by the alarm unit 322, only the date and time is stored. Thereafter, if the respiratory level value becomes equal to or more than the level determination value 1 before the time determination value 1 is reached, the detection is continued. Thereby, when the subject is an adult such as apnea syndrome, the power key 3
After turning on the power switch 3 and erasing the stored data by the above-described method and then starting detection, the number of times and at what time the apnea occurred before the power key 33 was turned off. Can be stored in the RAM 318 serving as a storage unit. However, when the subject is a newborn and the apnea detecting device 1 is used for the purpose of preventing SIDS, it is desirable to set the time judgment value 1 and the time judgment value 2 to the same time.

Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIG. 16, of a confirmation method when there are three pieces of stored data, for example. If the setting 1 key 38 is kept pressed for 2 seconds in the apnea detection mode, the mode shifts to the stored data display mode in which the digital display unit A having the data display function and the data sort function displays the stored data. When the storage data display mode is entered, the latest storage data among the storage data arranged by the data sorting function is displayed as year (16A), month (16).
B) After displaying each one second in the order of time (16C),
The previous storage data (16D to 16F) and the two previous storage data (16G to 16I) are automatically displayed in the same manner as the latest storage data. After displaying the oldest stored data,
The latest stored data is displayed again.

As described above, the storage data to be displayed is set so as to be automatically changed. However, the storage data to be displayed can be forcibly switched by pressing the setting 1 key 38. By pressing the mode key 39 while the stored data is being displayed, the mode is shifted to the apnea detection mode and the detection is started. Note that FIG. 17 briefly summarizes the relationship between the transition between the modes described above and the key operation. That is, the power supply key 33 is used to turn off the power (17A) and the apnea detection mode (1).
7B), the apnea detection mode (17)
B), current time setting mode (17C), time judgment value 1 setting mode (17D), time judgment value 2 setting mode (17
The transition between the modes E) is performed by the mode key 39. The transition from the apnea detection mode (17B) to the stored data display mode (17F) is performed by pressing the setting 1 key 38 for 2 seconds.
The transition from F) to the apnea detection mode (17B) is performed by the mode key 39. Further, the stored data is erased by simultaneously pressing the power key 33 and the mode key 39 (17G), and then the mode shifts to the apnea detection mode (17B).

According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. That is, in the present embodiment, since the apnea detecting apparatus 1 is provided with the RAM 318 as a storage unit and the display unit 324 including the display control unit 316 and the LCD 22, the date and time when the respiratory determination unit 312 determines that the apnea state has occurred Is stored in the RAM 31, and the data is displayed on the display unit 324. Therefore, storage of the date and time when the apnea condition was detected,
In addition, these displays can be performed by the apnea detecting device 1 itself.

The pattern D having the level display function provided on the display means 324 displays the level of the detection signal being detected. Therefore, it can be easily determined whether or not correct detection has been performed. In addition, when the user is present at the time of detection, it is possible to grasp the moment of apnea even without outputting an alarm, which is advantageous in terms of safety. Thereby, the problem existing in the conventional apnea detecting device, that is, the problem that there is no means for confirming the detection signal level during the detection and it is difficult to determine whether the normal detection is performed or not can be solved. .

The time until the alarm is output by the alarm means 323 (time judgment value 1) and the time until it is stored in the RAM 31 (time judgment value 2) can be set to different times. Accordingly, it is possible to set so that the output to the alarm buzzer 24 and the like and the storage are performed at the same time, or to perform the storage separately. Therefore, for example, even if the data of the number of apnea is required in an adult with apnea syndrome, etc., only the storage of the date and time can be repeatedly performed without sounding the alarm buzzer 24 and stopping the detection. In addition, it is possible to easily accumulate data useful for treatment of a subject and to utilize the accumulated data. In addition, since there is no output to the alarm buzzer 24 only by storing the date and time, it is possible to avoid obstructing the sleep of the subject.

The number of times and date and time when the subject went into the apnea state are stored in the RAM 318, and the number and date and time are displayed by the pattern D and the digital display unit A as the data display function. Therefore,
Even if a third person other than the subject is away from the subject under detection, the number of times the subject has apnea can be easily known, and useful information can be provided to the subject and the doctor. Further, the stored data is sorted by the data sorting function. Therefore, data can be extracted and used in a more user-friendly form.

Since the pressure-sensitive pipe 13 is formed of an elastically deformable pipe-shaped hollow body, the pressure inside the pressure-sensitive pipe 13 can be changed even by a minute breathing or body movement of the subject. And the respiration can be detected precisely.

Since the pressure-sensitive pipe 13 undergoes pressure fluctuations due to the deformation of the upper plate 12 due to the body movement of the subject, the subject turns over and the like from the position directly above the pressure-sensitive pipe 13 due to rolling over. 1
Even if the subject moves to an arbitrary location on
As long as the upper plate 12 does not come off, pressure fluctuations occur in the pressure-sensitive pipe 13 with the deformation of the upper plate 12, so that respiration of the subject can be easily detected. Further, since the lower plate 11 is formed of a hard member that does not elastically deform, the pressure applied to the pressure-sensitive pipe 13 due to the deformation of the upper plate 12 is hardly absorbed by the lower plate 11, and the pressure-sensitive pipe The sensitivity of the pressure fluctuation inside 13 can be improved, and the sensitivity of detecting respiration can be improved.

The pressure receiving chamber 211 is provided with a pressure receiving chamber atmosphere open throttle 215.
Is formed, even if pressure fluctuations occur temporarily due to external factors, the internal pressure of the pressure receiving chamber 211 can be promptly returned to the atmospheric pressure state, whereby only pressure fluctuations caused by breathing can be reduced in a minute range. Can be measured. Further, since the back pressure chamber 212 is formed with the back pressure chamber atmosphere opening throttle 214, it is possible to alleviate a sudden change in the atmosphere, and to make the pressure receiving chamber 211 and the throttle and the volume in the space the same shape. In addition, the influence of a sudden change in the atmospheric pressure can be reduced.

Connection finger 13 also serving as noise reduction aperture
2 is provided, it is possible to reduce unnecessary components such as vibration due to external factors, to smooth the pressure waveform obtained from pressure fluctuation due to respiration, and to extract a stable and good respiration waveform. it can.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and modifications and improvements as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved are included in the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the apnea detection device 1 includes the detection mat 10 and the monitor 20.
The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sensor may be attached to the body. However, the use of the apnea detecting apparatus 1 having the configuration as in the present embodiment is preferable because there is no problem that the sensitivity is significantly different depending on a portion where the pressure measuring unit 322 as the detecting unit is attached.

In the above-described embodiment, the LCD 22 is used as one component of the display means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a device using a device such as a printer or the like, or another display device such as a CRT is used. May be used. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the RAM 31 is used as the storage unit, but is not limited thereto.
The E2PROM 34 may be used. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the alarm control unit 3
21, the LED 36 and the alarm buzzer 24 are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control may be directly performed by the control unit 311 without providing the alarm control unit 321. It is not necessary to have. However, the one provided with the alarm buzzer 24 as in the present embodiment is more advantageous when notifying the apnea state to the outside.

In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 311 and the respiration determination unit 312 are provided separately. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, they may be integrated, and other control units may be provided. You may have. Also, a timer 317, a power operation unit 320, a ROM 319, a RAM 3
Each component such as 18 may be built in the control unit 311 and integrated. Further, in the above embodiment, the E2PROM
Although the set time judgment values 1 and 2 are read using the RAM 34 and the RAM 318, the present invention is not limited to this.
Reading may be performed only by the RAM 31. Where E
The use of the 2PROM 34 is preferable because the data of the time determination values 1 and 2 that have been set do not disappear even when the battery of the apnea detection device 1 is replaced. In the above-described embodiment, the time determination value 1 is set to 30 seconds, and the time determination value 2 is set to 20 seconds. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be set as appropriate according to the subject and the detection purpose. For example, when the subject is a newborn and the apnea detecting device 1 is used for the purpose of preventing SIDS, it is preferable to set the time judgment value 1 and the time judgment value 2 to the same value, for example, 20 seconds.

In the above embodiment, the mode key 39, the setting 1 key 38, and the setting 2 key 37 are used as setting keys.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and more keys may be used, and their names are not limited to these. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the pattern D is used as one component of the data display function, and the stored number is displayed by the number of dots displayed on the pattern D. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be displayed with a number indicating the number of storages. Further, the data sorting function in the above-described embodiment is displayed from the latest stored data. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

In the above embodiment, the pressure measuring means 322 as the detecting means (the pressure sensor 21 is a main part)
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, other detecting means using a load sensor or the like may be used. Further, although the connection finger 132 which also serves as a noise reduction aperture is provided in the pressure-sensitive pipe 13, the invention is not limited to this. For example, if the test subject is placed on the detection mat 10 with a sealed structure, the pressure-sensitive pipe 13 is always compressed, and the measured pressure value is:
Although the positive pressure value fluctuates to a certain value or more, the presence or absence of the subject on the detection mat 10 may be determined using this condition.

[0063]

According to the present invention, since the storage means and the display means are provided in the apnea detecting apparatus, the date and time when the breathing determination means determines that the apparatus is in the apnea state is stored in the storage means.
Further, the data is displayed by the display means. Therefore, there is an effect that the date and time and the number of times of detecting the apnea state can be stored and displayed by the apnea detecting apparatus itself.

The level display function provided on the display means displays the level of the detection signal being detected. Therefore, there is an effect that it can be easily determined whether or not correct detection is performed. In addition, when the user is present at the time of detection, it is possible to grasp the moment of apnea even without outputting an alarm, which is advantageous in terms of safety. Thereby, the problem existing in the conventional apnea detecting device, that is, the problem that there is no means for confirming the detection signal level during the detection and it is difficult to determine whether the normal detection is performed or not can be solved. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an apnea detecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of the detection mat in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the detection mat shown in FIG. 2 along the line III-III.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the monitor in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a monitor in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a pressure sensor according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an electric circuit block diagram in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing pressure fluctuation during respiration detection in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view showing all dots of the LCD display in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows the LC after the power key is turned on in the embodiment
It is a figure showing D display.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an LCD display in the apnea detection mode in the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing switching of each setting mode in the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an LCD display in a current time setting mode in the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an LCD display in a time judgment value 1 setting mode in the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an apnea detecting method in the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an LCD display in a storage data display mode in the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a relationship between a transition between modes and a key operation in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apnea detection apparatus 10 Detection mat 20 Monitor 21 Pressure sensor 34 E2PROM 312 as time setting means Respiration determination means 318 RAM as storage means and time setting means 322 Pressure measurement means as detection means 323 Alarm means 324 Display means A data Digital display unit with display function and data sort function D Pattern as level display function and data display function

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A detecting means for detecting a body movement including respiration of a subject and outputting a detection signal, a respiration determining means for determining a respiratory state of the subject based on the detection signal generated from the detecting means, An apnea detecting apparatus, comprising: storage means for storing the date and time when the subject is determined to be in an apnea state by the respiration determination means; and display means for displaying the date and time stored by the storage means. 2. The apnea detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means has a level display function configured to display a detection signal level generated from said detection means. Detection device. 3. An apnea detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said alarm means outputs an alarm signal when the apnea state determined by said respiratory determination means continues for a predetermined time, and said alarm means comprises: An apnea detection apparatus, comprising: apnea time for individually setting an apnea time for outputting an alarm and an apnea time for the storage means to start storing. 4. The apnea detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage means is configured to be capable of storing a plurality of dates and times, and said display means is configured to store the number of said plurality of dates and times. An apnea detecting apparatus, comprising: a data display function capable of displaying an apnea. 5. The apnea detecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said data display function includes a data sorting function for sequentially rearranging the date and time stored in the storage means.