JP2001333899A - Auscultating system and medium with recorded program which can be read by machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To transmit auscultatory sounds obtained at appropriate places on a patient's body easily and at a lower cost. SOLUTION: The first unit (1001) is provided with following parts: An electric auscultator (10) obtains auscultatory sounds and outputs signals equivalent to auscultatory sounds. A computer (1006) compresses and codes the signals equivalent to auscultatory sounds obtained at appropriate places on a patient's body to meet the conditions that the sampling frequency be more than 8 kHz and less than 15 kHz and that the bitrate be more than 8 kbps and less than 20 kbps and files signals of auscultatory sounds according to the appropriate places. A modem (1007) or a Personal Handyphone System (1007') transmits those filed signals of auscultatory sounds through a telephone line or an ISDN line under a condition of a communication band with more than 150 Hz and less than 7 kHz.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an auscultation system capable of collecting auscultation sounds such as breath sounds and heart sounds and transmitting them as auscultation sound signals, and a program for causing a computer to function as a part of such a system. It belongs to the technical field of recorded machine-readable media.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A traditional stethoscope is, for example, a state section having a receiving surface for receiving auscultation sound emitted from an appropriate position on the body surface, and a hollow tube connected to the state section and transmitting the auscultation sound as sound waves. And an ear tip which is usually attached to the tip of the tube after branching into two for both ears. Recently, for example, Tokiohei 08-50
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6495, a microphone is built in the state unit or connected to the tip of a tube, and is configured to output auscultation sound picked up by the microphone through a speaker or an earphone. Stethoscopes have also been developed.

Further, with the development of communication means in recent years, there has been proposed a technique of transmitting an electric signal collected by an electric stethoscope of this type via communication means. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-47005 discloses a technique in which a stethoscope sound measured by an electric stethoscope is converted into an electric signal by a terminal device at home and transmitted to a hospital. In particular,
By increasing the sampling frequency and broadening the communication frequency band within the range of the existing technology, it is possible to reproduce (restorate) the auscultation sound after transmission / reception with excellent sound quality. It is considered that auscultation can be performed sufficiently. Transmitting and reproducing the auscultation sound in this manner is particularly effective for home medical care via nurses and caregivers since the auscultation sound can be heard by a doctor or the like in a non-real-time or remote location. It is believed that there is.

[0004]

However, if the auscultation sound signal collected by the above-mentioned electric stethoscope is transmitted through a relatively widespread communication means such as a general telephone and a PHS, for example, Due to too much volume or the transfer rate is too high, the transmission is difficult or practically impossible. Therefore, for example, in the technique of converting and transmitting auscultation sound measured by an electric stethoscope disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-047005, a dedicated communication unit is required,
Actually, there is a problem that such auscultation sound signal cannot be easily or inexpensively transmitted through a general telephone line or the like.

[0005] If the auscultation sound signal is transmitted using a dedicated communication means, the basic requirement in the recent medical field to create a nursing or nursing care system that is economically or practically feasible is completely met. It is impossible to transmit the auscultation sound signal, and the significance of transmitting the auscultation sound signal itself is almost lost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a stethoscope system and a computer capable of relatively easily and inexpensively transmitting auscultation sound signals. An object of the present invention is to provide a machine-readable medium in which a program that functions as a reproducing unit is recorded.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The auscultation system of the present invention corresponds to auscultation means for collecting auscultation sounds and outputting auscultation sound signals, and auscultation sounds collected by the auscultation means at each appropriate position on a patient surface. Sampling frequency of 8 kHz to 15 kHz and a bit rate of 8
data processing means for performing a compression encoding process under the condition of not less than kbps and not more than 20 kbps to convert the auscultation sound signal into a file for each of the appropriate places; and converting the filed auscultation sound signal into a communication band of not less than 150 Hz and not more than 7 kHz. Transmission means for transmitting via the communication means.

According to the auscultation system of the present invention, the auscultation means applied to each appropriate position on the patient surface collects auscultation sounds and outputs auscultation sound signals. Then, with respect to the auscultation sound signal thus output, the data processing means sets a sampling frequency of 8 kHz (kilohertz) to 15 kHz and a bit rate of 8 kbps (kilobits / second) to 20 kHz.
The auscultation sound signal is converted into a file for each appropriate location by performing a compression encoding process under the condition of bps or less. Here, according to the study by the present inventors, the frequency characteristic of a traditional stethoscope is 2
It is 0 Hz to 5 kHz. This band is based on the fact that the auscultation sound is from the inside of the body that passes through the human skin (that is, the skin plays the role of a frequency filter) and the like. In the medical community, by establishing the correspondence between the auscultation sound in the frequency range output by such a stethoscope and the medical condition over many years empirically and experimentally, by listening to the auscultation sound. Estimating the medical condition corresponding to the auscultation sound has been established as a medical practice called "auscultation". Therefore, it is technically possible to collect, record, or transmit auscultation sounds that fall outside such a frequency range in recent years by improving the sensitivity of an electric stethoscope, but it has already been established. It is not information that is useful for auscultation as a medical practice (it may also be a hindrance to performing auscultation). Therefore, recording or transmitting only the auscultation sound in such a frequency range is necessary and sufficient for the purpose of auscultation.

Therefore, in the present invention, the auscultation sound signal is
A compression encoding process is performed with a sampling frequency of 8 to 15 kHz and a bit rate of 8 to 20 kbps. Further, the filed auscultation sound signal is transmitted by the transmission means under the condition of a communication band of 150 Hz to 7 kHz. Then, while covering a frequency band that is almost necessary and sufficient for performing the above-mentioned auscultation, using an analog telephone line communication modem or PHS or the like which is widely used as a transmitting unit, an analog telephone line (for example, The auscultation sound filed by the data processing means can be transmitted via a communication means having a communication band of about 300 Hz to 3.4 kHz or an ISDN line.
Therefore, the auscultation system of the present invention is very advantageous in practical use. In other words, the sampling frequency is 8 to 15 kHz.
z and the bit rate is 8 to 20 kbps, so that the communication band is 150 Hz to 7 kHz.
By a transmission means such as a general telephone or PHS transmitting under the condition of z, it is possible to easily transmit while maintaining a sound quality almost necessary and sufficient for performing a medical practice called auscultation.

[0010] In one embodiment of the auscultation system of the present invention, the data processing means includes a frequency 20 in the auscultation sound signal.
At least one of a low-cut filter process for cutting a component equal to or lower than Hz and a high-cut filter process for cutting a component equal to or higher than 5 kHz is performed.

According to this aspect, before or after the compression encoding process, the data processing means performs a low-cut filter process for cutting a component having a frequency of 20 Hz or less in the auscultation sound signal, and reduces the frequency band of the auscultation sound signal. Narrow. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to this, a high cut filter process for cutting a component having a frequency of 5 kHz or more is performed to narrow the frequency band of the auscultation sound signal. Even if the frequency band is narrowed in this way, since the frequency characteristic of the traditional stethoscope is 20 Hz to 5 kHz as described above, it hardly or practically hinders the medical practice of auscultation. Therefore, it is advantageous because the amount of data to be handled and the processing load after the filter processing are reduced.

In another embodiment of the auscultation system according to the present invention, the auscultation system further includes an on / off switch for starting and ending the collection of the auscultation sound by the auscultation means, and the data processing means performs a switching operation of the on / off switch. Accordingly, the appropriate place identification data indicating each appropriate place is added to the filed auscultation sound signal.

According to this aspect, the collection of the auscultation sound is started or stopped by the on / off switch, and the data processing means causes the data processing means to identify the right place by the switching operation of the on / off switch. Is added to the filed auscultation sound signal. For example, the proper place identification data is directly added to the header of the file, or correspondence table data indicating the correspondence between the file numbers of the plural files and the proper place identification data is added to the header of the file group including the plural files. In particular, for auscultation, it is basically important which position on the patient's surface (eg, a plurality of places, usually several to several tens) is to be applied to the stethoscope. In other words, if the auscultation sound signal in any appropriate place is deviated from the actually reproduced sound in any one place through the compression encoding process, the transmission / reception process, the reproduction process, and the like, the accuracy of the auscultation result is significantly reduced.
On the other hand, according to the aspect of the present invention in which the in-place identification data is added to each file, when the auscultation sound signal is reproduced,
Since it is relatively easy to specify which auscultation sound the auscultation sound is in, it is very convenient in practice.

In another aspect of the auscultation system according to the present invention, the auscultation means outputs an analog auscultation sound signal, and the data processing means converts the analog auscultation sound signal into a digital auscultation sound signal; A compression encoding process is performed on the digital auscultation sound signal.

According to this aspect, the data processing means first converts the analog auscultation sound signal output from the auscultation means into a digital auscultation sound signal, and then compresses and encodes the digital auscultation sound signal. Perform processing. Accordingly, if an auscultation means such as an analog electric stethoscope is connected to the data processing means, an auscultation sound signal which is compression-coded and can be easily transmitted is obtained as an output of the data processing means. Therefore, if the data processing means connected to the auscultation means such as an analog electric stethoscope in this way is further connected to a communication means such as a PHS, a stethoscope sound signal is transmitted using an existing electric stethoscope. Since a possible environment can be easily constructed at low cost, it is very convenient in practice.

In another aspect of the auscultation system of the present invention, the data processing means performs the compression encoding process based on a masking effect.

According to this aspect, compression encoding with high compression efficiency can be performed based on the masking effect (the effect that the sound in the frequency band near the peak due to the presence of the frequency spectrum peak is perceptually reduced). However, the data processing means of the auscultation system of the present invention can be configured to perform compression encoding processing by various methods other than those utilizing the masking effect.

In another aspect of the auscultation system of the present invention, the data processing means performs a real-time compression encoding process on the auscultation sound signal output from the auscultation means,
The transmitting means transmits the auscultation sound signal filed by the data processing means in real time.

According to this aspect, the data processing means performs a real-time compression encoding process on the auscultation sound signal output from the auscultation means, converts the auscultation sound signal into a file for each appropriate location, and the transmission means performs the real-time processing. Send this. Here, the compression encoding process has a sampling frequency of 8 to 15 kHz and a bit rate of 8 to 20 kbp.
s, and the transmission is performed at a communication band of 150 Hz to
It is performed under the condition of 7 kHz. Therefore, an auscultation sound signal can be transmitted in real time via an analog telephone line, an ISDN line, or the like while maintaining a sound quality almost necessary and sufficient for performing a medical operation called auscultation.

Alternatively, in another embodiment of the auscultation system according to the present invention, the auscultation system further includes a recording unit for recording an auscultation sound signal output from the auscultation unit, and the data processing unit is configured to record the auscultation sound signal once in the recording unit. The compression encoding process is performed on the auscultation sound signal.

According to this aspect, the hard disk, the MD
An auscultation sound signal output from the auscultation means is recorded by a recording means such as a (mini-disc) or a tape recorder.
The data processing means performs compression encoding on the auscultation sound signal once recorded in the recording means. For this reason, when it is necessary to transmit, for example, a compression encoding process, an A / D conversion process, an addition process of identification data in place, or the like to transmit the auscultation sound signal, these compression encoding processes may be performed. In addition, if it is reproduced by the auscultation system without transmission, even if compression encoding processing is not performed,
It is sufficient to reproduce the auscultation sound signal from the recording means.

Incidentally, as such a recording means, an analog auscultation sound signal may be recorded, or may be recorded after being converted into a digital signal.

In another embodiment of the auscultation system according to the present invention, the auscultation system further includes a recording unit for recording the auscultation sound signal filed by the data processing unit.

According to this aspect, the hard disk, M
D, a recording means such as a tape recorder records the auscultation sound signal which has been compression-encoded by the data processing means. Thereafter, if necessary, the auscultation sound signal is read from the recording means and transmitted by the transmission means. At this time, since the recording means records the auscultation sound signal which has been compression-encoded, the required memory capacity can be relatively small.

In another aspect of the auscultation system according to the present invention, a receiving means for receiving the transmitted auscultation sound signal, and performing a decompression decoding process on the received auscultation sound signal to convert the auscultation sound signal into A reproducing means for reproducing and outputting each suitable place, the auscultation means, the data processing means and the transmission means are provided in a first auscultation unit, the reception means and the reproduction means, The second auscultation unit is connected to the first auscultation unit via the communication means.

According to this aspect, the auscultation means, the data processing means and the transmission means are provided in the first auscultation unit. That is, a nurse or the like can collect and transmit auscultation sounds using the first auscultation unit. On the other hand, the receiving means and the reproducing means are provided in the second auscultation unit. That is, the doctor or the like can perform auscultation by reproducing the received auscultation sound signal in real time in parallel with the reception in the second auscultation unit or after temporarily recording it on the recording means on the second unit side. In this case, since both auscultation units are connected via communication means such as wireless, wired, dedicated line, general line, telephone line, etc., for example, the portable first auscultation unit is carried to a remote place without a doctor. To collect auscultation sounds at
By arranging the second auscultation unit in a hospital or the like where a doctor is located, auscultation for a patient in a remote place can be efficiently performed. Alternatively, the first auscultation unit is provided in each of a large number of homes and many hospital rooms, and the auscultation of a large number of patients is performed in real time or later at a hospital or auscultation room where the second auscultation unit is provided. It can be done efficiently. In either case, the patient may go to the hospital or go to the doctor only if the auscultation determines that there is a problem.

In another aspect of the auscultation system according to the present invention, the reproduction means includes a display means for displaying an image of the waveform of the auscultation sound signal, and an audio output means for outputting the auscultation sound signal as audio.

According to this aspect, the doctor or the like can also see the waveform of the auscultation sound image-displayed on the display means (for example, a waveform on an appropriate time axis or a waveform after frequency conversion). That is, the doctor or the like, when reproducing the auscultation sound, listens to the sound output by the sound output means, and performs the auscultation while watching the image displayed by the display means for the right place and the waveform of the auscultation sound pertaining to the audible sound. It is also possible to do. Therefore, if the relationship between the waveform characteristics and the medical condition is determined, a doctor or the like can improve the accuracy of auscultation.

In order to solve the above-described problems, one machine-readable medium of the present invention records a program that causes a computer to function as data processing means (including various aspects) in the auscultation system of the present invention.

According to one machine-readable medium of the present invention, a program recorded on a medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a floppy disk, and a ROM is loaded into a computer and executed. The computer can function as the data processing means in the auscultation system of the present invention described above.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another machine-readable medium according to the present invention includes a computer for reproducing means (including various aspects) in the auscultation system according to the present invention.
Record the program that will function as

According to another machine-readable medium of the present invention, a program recorded on a medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a floppy disk, and a ROM is loaded into a computer and executed. The computer can function as the reproducing means in the auscultation system of the present invention described above.

The operation and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the embodiments explained below.

[0034]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Overall System> First, a configuration including a first unit provided with a transmitting device and a second unit connected to the first unit via communication means and provided with a receiving device is provided. The overall configuration and overall operation of the embodiment of the auscultation system according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the auscultation system.

In FIG. 1, the first unit 1001 is
It includes an electric stethoscope 10 as an example of auscultation means, a laptop, portable or mobile computer 1006 as an example of data processing means, and a modem 1007 as an example of transmission means. The electric stethoscope 10 includes a state unit 11 that collects auscultation sound and outputs it as a sound wave (or after converting it into an electric auscultation sound signal by a built-in microphone), and an auscultation sound picked up by the state unit 11. Performs an electrical auscultation sound signal conversion process, an amplification process, an interface process, and other signal processes, and performs an on / off control using an on / off switch described later (or
Signal processing apparatus 100 for performing amplification processing and interface processing of the auscultation sound signal already converted by the built-in microphone of the state unit 11 and performing on / off control)
And an earphone 108 that outputs auscultation sound signals output from the signal processing device 100 as sound waves. The auscultation sound signal output from the signal processing device 100 is also input to a signal input port of the computer 1006. The computer 1006 includes a display device 1006a.

The earphone 108 is connected to the signal processing device 1
Although the first unit 1001 is connected to the terminal for auscultation sound signal output at 00, the first unit 1001 may be configured to be connected to a terminal for auscultation sound signal output provided in the computer 206.

The plurality of first units 1001 each configured as described above are connected to a general telephone line (analog line) 110.
0 is connected to the second unit 2001.

The second unit 2001 includes a modem 2007 as an example of a receiving unit and a computer 2006 as an example of a reproducing unit. And the computer 2006
Includes a display device 2006a as an example of a display unit, and further includes a headphone 2004 as an example of an audio output unit.
It is comprised including.

Next, the configuration of the computer 1006 constituting the first unit will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the computer 1006.

In FIG. 2, a computer 1006 includes:
A reading device 1006c such as a CD drive, a DVD drive, or an FD drive for reading a program or various data from a recording medium 1006b on which a program or various data for causing the computer 1006 to function as data processing means; A / D for converting an analog auscultation sound signal input from the digital camera 100 into a digital signal
A converter 1006d, a compression processing unit 1006e that performs a compression encoding process on the digitally converted auscultation sound signal to generate a file for each appropriate location on the patient's surface, and a file for each appropriate location and a plurality of files for one patient. A header adding unit 1006f for adding a file header or a folder header to a folder composed of the above-mentioned files, and a transmission control unit (interface) 1006 for controlling transmission of the auscultation sound signal into a file and having the header added thereto by the modem 1007.
g. Computer 100
6, a reading device 1006c, an A / D converter 1006d, a compression processing unit 1006e, and a header adding unit 106.
06f, the transmission control unit 1006g, and the display device 1006a
And a storage unit 1006m such as a RAM and a hard disk for providing a work area and the like to the control unit 1006h. The header adding unit 1006f is performed by the compression processing unit 1006e as a part of the compression encoding process. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the computer 1006 includes a known input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, and an input pen.

Next, the configuration of the computer 2006 constituting the second unit will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the computer 2006.

In FIG. 3, a computer 2006 includes:
A recording medium 200 on which a program and various data for causing the computer 2006 to function as a reproducing unit are recorded.
6b for reading the program and various data from C
A reading device 2006c such as a D drive, a DVD drive, or an FD drive; a reception control unit (interface) 2006d that controls reception of an auscultation sound signal received from a general telephone line in the modem 2007; A header analysis unit 2006f for analyzing a header in a file, and a decompression process for performing a decompression decoding process on the auscultation sound signal stored in each file to decode a digital auscultation sound signal. Part 2006e;
An image output processing unit 2006i that converts the decoded digital auscultation sound signal into data that can be output as an image, and a display unit 2 that displays the data that has been converted into an image that can be output
006a, a D / A converter 2006g for converting a digital auscultation sound signal decompressed and decoded by the decompression processing unit 2006e into an analog signal, and a headphone 2004 for outputting the analog-converted auscultation sound signal as audio. It is configured. The computer 2006 further includes a reception control unit 2006d, a header analysis unit 2006
f, expansion processing unit 2006e, image output processing unit 2006i
And a control unit 2006h including a CPU for controlling the D / A converter 2006g, and a storage unit 2006m such as a RAM and a hard disk for providing a work area and the like to the control unit 2006h. The header analysis unit 2006f is performed by the decompression processing unit 2006e as a part of the decompression decoding processing. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the computer 2006 includes a known input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, and an input pen.

In this embodiment, in particular, the first unit 100
1 forms an example of a data processing means, and the A / D converter 1006d and the compression processing unit 1006e adjust the sampling frequency of the auscultation sound signal output from the signal processing device 100 to 8 to
A compression encoding process is performed under the conditions of 15 kHz and a bit rate of 8 to 20 kbps, and the auscultation sound signal is filed for each appropriate position of the patient. Then, under the control of the transmission control unit 1006g, the modem 1007 transmits the filed auscultation sound signal via the general telephone line 1100 under a communication band of 150 Hz to 7 kHz or less. At this time, as the compression encoding process performed by the compression processing unit 1006e, for example, a frequency domain weighted interleave vector quantization music compression system, a prediction encoding system, an adaptive prediction encoding system, and a masking effect are used so as to satisfy the above conditions. Various known compression coding methods such as the above-described compression coding method can be adopted. The decompression decoding process performed by the decompression processing unit 2006e on the second unit 2001 side may correspond to the compression encoding method performed by the compression processing unit 1006e.

Next, the overall operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, in the first unit 1001, the electric stethoscope 10 collects the auscultation sound by the state unit 11 and the signal processing device 100 held by hands of a nurse, a caregiver, a patient's family, etc. Output a signal. Signal processing device 1
00 or more preferably, the state unit 11 is provided with an on / off switch for controlling start and end of auscultation sound collection as described in detail later (or a predetermined key in the computer 1006 is used as the on / off switch). Computer 1)
006 outputs the auscultation sound signal corresponding to the auscultation sound collected by the electric stethoscope 10 continuously from the start to the end of the collection by the on / off switch as one file to the modem 1007.

At this time, more specifically, in FIG.
A / D converter 1006d converts an analog auscultation sound signal input from the signal processing device 100 into a digital signal,
Further, the compression processing unit 1006e compression-codes the digital auscultation sound signal. Then, the header adding unit 1006f
Thus, for each file, a file header including the appropriate location identification data for identifying the appropriate location of the patient is added, or for each folder including a plurality of files, a folder header including the patient identification data for identifying the patient is added. Further, under the control of the transmission control unit 1006g, the modem 1007 transmits the auscultation sound signal thus compressed and encoded, converted into a file, and added with a header to the general telephone line 1100.

Next, in the second unit 2001, the modem 2007 receives the compression-coded auscultation sound signal transmitted from the modem 1007 of the first unit 1001 via the general telephone line 1100. Computer 2006
Expands and decodes this and reproduces it.

At this time, more specifically, in FIG.
The auscultation sound signal received by the modem 2007 is received by the reception control unit 2
In step 006d, the data is input to the header analysis unit 2006f to perform header analysis. That is, the file header added to each file and the folder header added to each folder are read. Further, the auscultation sound signal stored in each file and subjected to the compression encoding processing by the decompression processing unit 2006e is converted to a predetermined compression encoding method performed by the compression processing unit 1006e of the first unit 1001 side. Decompression decoding is performed by the method. Furthermore, with the D / A converter 1006g,
The digital auscultation sound signal thus decompressed and decoded is
The sound is converted into an analog auscultation sound and is output as sound from the headphone 2004. On the other hand, the image output processing unit 2006i
The digital auscultation sound signal that has been decompressed and decoded is converted into image data that can be displayed immediately, and the display device 200
An image is output (waveform display) by 6a.

However, the header analysis processing, the decompression decoding processing, the image output processing, the D / A conversion processing, and the audio output processing in the computer 2006 on the second unit 2006 side perform the auscultation sound signal via the modem 2007. The reception may be performed in real time in parallel with the reception, or may be temporarily performed via the reception control unit 2006d before the header analysis processing or the decompression decoding processing is performed.
06b, and header analysis processing and decompression decoding processing (further, image output processing and audio output processing) may be performed as needed. Alternatively, after performing the header analysis process and the decompression decoding process, the storage unit 200
6m or the recording medium 2006b, and an image output process or an audio output process may be performed later as needed.

As described above in detail, according to the auscultation system of this embodiment, the sampling frequency is set to 8 by the computer 1006 on the first unit 1001 side.
A compression encoding process is performed under the conditions of １５15 kHz and a bit rate of 8 to 20 kbps, and auscultation sound signals are filed for each appropriate place, and further transmitted by the modem 1007 under the communication band of 150 Hz to 7 kHz or less. On the other hand,
The frequency characteristic of a stethoscope that is almost necessary and sufficient for performing a medical act of auscultation is 20 Hz to 5 kHz. Therefore, while covering the necessary and sufficient frequency band for such auscultation, it is widely used for analog telephone lines. The auscultation sound is transmitted via the analog telephone line 1100 using the communication modem of the second embodiment, and the second unit 2001 receives the auscultation sound while covering a frequency band almost necessary and sufficient for such auscultation. , And can be reproduced and output.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the first unit 1001 collects auscultation sounds such as breath sounds and heart sounds at homes, clinics, medical offices, and the like where there are no doctors or other persons with auscultatory skills. And can collectively collect a large number of patients in a hospital without a doctor or the like. Then, the auscultation sound signal is transmitted in a compressed and encoded form after being recorded on a recording medium in real time or once, and is decoded by the second unit 2001 after being recorded on the recording medium 2006b or the like in real time or once, so that the doctor Remote auscultation is possible.

In this embodiment, the computer 1
006 is provided by providing an analog frequency filter in the preceding stage of the A / D converter 1006d, or
By providing a digital frequency filter after the converter 1006d, the frequency of the
At least one of low-cut filter processing for cutting components equal to or less than z and high-cut filter processing for cutting components having a frequency of 5 kHz or more may be performed. With this configuration, as described above, a frequency band (20 Hz) that is almost necessary and sufficient to perform the medical action of auscultation is performed.
To 5 kHz), the amount of data to be handled and the processing load at the subsequent stage of the filter processing in the computer 1006 can be reduced.

In the auscultation system of the present embodiment described above, preferably, the computer 1006 performs the compression encoding process in real time, and the modem 1007 transmits the data in real time. Therefore, the auscultation sound signal can be transmitted in real time via the analog telephone line 1100 while maintaining a sound quality almost necessary and sufficient for performing the medical practice of auscultation.

However, the auscultation system according to the present embodiment converts the auscultation sound signal input from the signal processing device 100 into the computer 1006 instead of or in addition to performing and transmitting the compression encoding process in real time as described above. Storage unit 10
06m or the recording medium 1006b, and if necessary, the storage unit 1006m or the recording medium 1006b.
6b, read out the auscultation sound signal from the compression processing unit 1006
E may be configured to perform compression encoding processing before transmission. Alternatively, the auscultation sound signal may be recorded in the storage unit 1006m or the recording medium 1006b after digitization by the A / D converter 1006d, or after compression and encoding by the compression processing unit 1006e. In particular, if the auscultation sound signal that has been subjected to the compression encoding processing is recorded, the required memory capacity is reduced, and furthermore, the signal is hardly deteriorated due to the recording and reading operations.

The overall configuration of the auscultation system may be the one shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 in addition to the one shown in FIG.

In the example shown in FIG.
1 ′ includes a PHS 1007 ′ as a transmission unit instead of the modem 1007, and transmits a file group via an ISDN line 1100 ′ as another example of the communication unit. The second unit 2001 ′ includes a receiver 2007 ′ as a receiving unit instead of the modem 2007,
The file group is received via the ISDN line 2001 '.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the first unit 1001 and the first unit 100 shown in FIGS.
1 ', a modem 3002 for receiving a file group via a general telephone line 1100, and an ISD
An RAS (Remote Access Server) for taking in the received file group from the receiver 3003 that receives the file group via the N line 1100 'is provided. Further, the second unit 2001 ″ includes an interface 2007 ″, and receives a file group from the RAS 3001 via a cable 3005 such as a LAN cable.

In addition, any communication means, whether wired or wireless, can be applied to the present invention.

As described above, according to the auscultation system according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, while covering a frequency band almost necessary and sufficient for auscultation, a communication modem for an analog telephone line, Using a PHS or the like, via an analog telephone line 1100 or an ISDN line 1100 ',
Auscultation sound can be transmitted.

For example, in this embodiment, the sampling rate is set to 11 kHz and the bit rate is set to 10 kbps.
Assuming the case where the compression encoding process is performed and the transmission is performed, as compared with the case where the sampling rate is set to 44 kHz and the bit rate is set to 88 kbps and the encoding process is performed and transmitted, the number of bits to be transmitted is about It has been reduced to 1/70. On the other hand, when the auscultation sound reproduced from the transmitted auscultation sound signal and the auscultation sound reproduced from the auscultation sound signal transmitted under the conditions of this comparative example are compared with each other, It has been found that there is little difference or practically no difference for the purpose of performing the medical practice of auscultation.

<Electric Stethoscope> Next, the configuration of the electric stethoscope 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
With reference to, various specific examples will be described. here,
FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of a specific example of the electric stethoscope 10 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram mainly showing an electric configuration thereof. FIGS. 8 to 10 are external perspective views of the vicinity of the state section of the stethoscope in another specific example of the electric stethoscope 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram mainly showing an example of an electrical configuration of the stethoscope in the specific example shown in FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is a block diagram mainly showing an electrical configuration of the stethoscope in the specific example shown in FIG. It is a block diagram showing another example. Further, FIG. 13 shows the electric stethoscope 10 shown in FIG.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram mainly showing an electric configuration of a stethoscope according to another specific example. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the electric stethoscope 1 shown in FIG.
It is an external appearance perspective view of a stethoscope in other 0 specific examples.

First, in FIGS. 6 and 7, the electric stethoscope 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a state section 11 for detecting a stethoscope sound, which is a specific example of the state section 11 shown in FIG. A switch 14 that is provided and sends a control signal Ssw in accordance with a switching operation, a microphone 16 that converts auscultation sound into an auscultation sound signal Sa, and a control signal Ssw
And a signal processing device 100 that outputs the auscultation sound signal Sa while the operation is controlled based on.

The state section 11 is a first section for detecting auscultation sounds.
It has a detection surface 12 and a second detection surface 13 that faces the detection surface 12 and detects auscultation sounds. These two detection surfaces have different frequency characteristics and sensitivity characteristics, for example, and are appropriately used depending on the type of auscultation sound. The switch 14 is provided on a side surface 11a of the state unit 11 located around these two detection surfaces (particularly, in this embodiment, a side surface of a constricted portion of the state unit 11).

The microphone 16 is connected to the detection surfaces 12 and 13
It is arranged to pick up sound waves in the (curved surface), and outputs an auscultation sound signal corresponding to the sound waves (auscultation sound). The tip of a cable 120 is connected to the microphone 16. In the cable 120, power supply wiring for the microphone 16, wiring for transmitting the auscultation sound signal Sa from the microphone, and wiring for transmitting the control signal Ssw from the switch 14 are passed. The other end of the cable 120 is provided with a connector 121 for outputting the auscultation sound signal Sa and a connector 122 for outputting the control signal Ssw.

The signal processing device 100 has jacks 101 and 1 to which these connectors 121 and 122 are connected.
02, and furthermore, a main power switch 103,
Power lamp 104 indicating that main power is on and auscultation sound signal S
A volume switch 105 for adjusting the gain a is provided. In the present embodiment, in particular, the output jack 106
, An earphone 108 connected thereto. The signal processing device outputs the auscultation sound signal Sout to the earphone and to the signal input port of the computer 1006 shown in FIG.

In the specific examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in particular, the switch 14 provided on the side surface 11a of the state unit 11 is provided.
Comprises an on / off switch for controlling the start and stop of the collection of auscultation sound data in the stethoscope 10. Therefore, when a proper position on the body surface of the patient or the care-requiring person is found in a state in which the state unit 11 is supported by one hand of a nurse or the like, these switches 14 (that is, on / off switches) are operated by the supported one hand. (E.g., depressed), auscultation sound collection using the signal processing device 100 and the computer 1006 is started, and then the operated switch is operated again (e.g., depressed) to stop the collection. . As a specific type of such a switch 14, a simple switch shown in FIG. 6 (for example, a switch having a built-in spring and outputting a control signal Ssw in an ON state only while being pressed with a small pressure) is output. In addition to the switches, various known switches (for example, mechanical switches, contact switches such as electrostatic switches, and non-contact switches such as optical sensors) can be applied, such as push switches, touch switches, and lever switches. However, for example, it is preferable to use a mode (such as arrangement, size, shape, and moving distance) in which the switching operation can be easily performed with the fingertip of one finger of one hand having the state unit 11.

Next, in another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the stethoscope 20 is different from the stethoscope 10 shown in FIGS.
The state unit 21 has a detection surface 22 for detecting auscultation sound.
And that the switch 24 is
Is provided on the back of the camera. Other configurations are almost the same as those of the stethoscope 10 shown in FIGS.

Next, in another embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the stethoscope 30 is different from the stethoscope 20 shown in FIG. 8 in that a switching operation is performed in addition to the switch 34 provided on the back of the state unit 31. Switches 34 that send control signals in accordance with
a is provided on the side surface of the state unit 11 (and correspondingly, there are a plurality of codes for transmitting control signals in the cable 120). Other configurations are almost the same as those of the stethoscope 20 shown in FIG.

Next, in another specific example shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the stethoscope 40 is different from the stethoscope 20 shown in FIG. In the state section 41, the tube 14 through which the auscultation sound communicating with the hole of the auscultation sound detection surface is transmitted as sound waves as it is.
0 is provided, a code 142 for transmitting a control signal from the switch 44 is passed through the tube 140, and the switch 44 is arranged on the side surface of the state unit 41. As shown in FIG. 11, a microphone 16 'is connected to the distal end of the tube 140, and the microphone 16' detects auscultation sound via the tube 140 and generates an auscultation sound signal Sa. The difference is that the signal is sent to the signal processing device 100 via the cable 120 '. For other configurations, the stethoscope 20 shown in FIG.
It is almost the same as the stethoscope 10 shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. Note that such a tube 140 is made of, for example, a plastic tube made of rubber or the like, a rigid tube made of metal or the like, or a combination of these two types of tubes. Microphone 16 'is connected.

In another example shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, unlike the case shown in FIG. 11, a stethoscope 40 'is used.
Is a microphone 416 instead of the microphone 16 '.
Is built in the signal processing device 400, and the tube 140 is connected to the microphone 416. Other configurations are almost the same as those of the stethoscope 40 shown in FIGS.

In the specific examples shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 or FIGS. 10 and 12, the code 142 is preferably used.
Is at least partially adhered to the inner wall of the tube 140. With this configuration, the cord 142 and the tube 140 are at least partially integrated,
A situation in which the cord 142 and the tube 140 are entangled or scattered with each other can be avoided.
Generation of noise due to friction between the tube 2 and the tube 140 can be prevented. From the same viewpoint, the cord 142 may be bonded to the outer wall of the tube 140.

Next, in another specific example shown in FIG. 13, the stethoscope 50 transmits the control signal Ssw sent from the switch 14 and the auscultation sound signal Sa sent from the microphone 16 to the state unit 51 by wireless signal processing. A transmitter 55 for transmitting to the device 500 is provided. On the other hand, the signal processing device 500 is provided with a receiver 501 for receiving the radio signal Sr emitted from the transmitter 55. For other configurations, the stethoscope 10 shown in FIGS.
It is almost the same as the case of. Note that the transmission of the auscultation sound signal to the earphone 108 may be performed wirelessly.

Next, in the specific example shown in FIG. 14, the stethoscope 60 transmits the auscultation sound detected by the state unit 61 to the microphone 1 as compared with the stethoscope 10 shown in FIGS.
A first branch tube 620 that branches from the path to 6 ′,
The second branch tube 621 connected to the tip of the first branch tube 620, the ear tip 630 connected to the second branch tube 621, and the microphone 14 from the switch 14.
6 ′ is provided with a code 63 for sending the control signal Ssw. Further, an earphone for outputting an audible sound is not provided in the signal processing device 600. Other configurations are almost the same as those of the stethoscope 10 shown in FIGS.

In this embodiment, each electric stethoscope may be provided with a speaker, headphones, or the like instead of or in addition to the earphone 108 that outputs audible sound.

<Processing Operation for Collecting Auscultation Sound>
FIGS. 1, 6, 7, and 7 illustrate a compression encoding process, a header addition process, and the like when collecting a stethoscope sound in the first unit 1001 including the electric stethoscope 10, the computer 1006, and the like configured as described above. The image display operation by the display device 1006a and the operation method according to the image display operation will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 15 shows a display screen in a sequential collection mode in which breathing sounds are collected in a predetermined order as auscultation sounds, and FIG. 16 is an arbitrary collection mode for breathing sounds in which breathing sounds are collected in any appropriate place as auscultation sounds. 3 shows a display screen. FIG. 17 shows a display screen in an arbitrary collection mode for heart sounds in which heart sounds are collected at arbitrary locations as auscultation sounds.

The control by the computer 1006 described below is performed, for example, by causing the computer 1006 to read a computer program stored in a recording medium 1006b and to execute the program.
In addition, as such a recording medium 1006b, DVD-
Any type of well-known recording medium such as a ROM, a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, and a floppy disk may be used. However, such a program can be transferred to the general telephone line 1100 or I
The program may be downloaded from an external device via the SDN line 1100 ', and the program may be executed according to the downloaded program.

In the present embodiment, in particular, the computer 100
6 is a mode for collecting breathing sounds as auscultation sounds, a mode for collecting heart sounds, and a mode for collecting heart sounds, and collecting auscultation sounds at a plurality of appropriate places of one patient in a predetermined order through the keyboard or the like. And an optional collection mode for collecting auscultation sounds at any appropriate place.

First, in such a mode selection operation, the display device 1006a displays a mode selection menu screen (not shown) under the control of the computer 1006, and uses the keyboard and mouse of the computer 1006 to select a desired mode. Is selected.

For example, when the sequential acquisition mode for breath sounds is selected, a file group for storing the breath sounds of the patient is defined immediately after the selection, and a patient code, Information indicating that the breathing sound has been collected is added. Alternatively, after this selection, a series of breathing sounds described below is further completed, and a file group including a plurality of files from which the breathing sounds of the patient is collected is created. A code, information indicating a breathing sound, and the like are added. More specifically, the computer 1006 creates a plurality of files relating to the respiratory sound of the patient as one file group, and stores the files in the file group (for example, in a header portion of the file group or a tail portion of the file group). , Date and time data indicating the date and time of collection, patient data for identifying the patient, collector data for identifying the collector, the reason for collection (for example, “routine work”,
Desired data relating to the collection of the auscultation sound may be added, such as a code or text data indicating a preset reason such as “from body temperature” or “from breathing state”. Further, body temperature data, pulse data, blood pressure data, and the like for the patient may be added.

In the first case, when such a sequential collection mode for breath sounds is selected, the computer 1006
15, a pseudo patient image 701 showing the front side and the back side of the patient's torso as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the display device 1006a. Then, on the pseudo patient image 701, a proper number mark 702 indicating the position and the collecting order of the proper place where the respiratory sound is to be collected is indicated by a circle number,.

With the patient pseudo image 701 displayed on the display device 1006a as shown in FIG. 15, the nurse or the like turns on the power switch 103 of the signal processing device 100 and holds the patient or the like with one hand. On the other hand, the other hand holds the state unit 11. In this state, the detection surface 12 or 13 is applied near the appropriate place on the body surface of the patient or the like according to the type of the appropriate place, and an operation of searching for the first appropriate place corresponding to the appropriate place mark 702 indicating is performed. At this time, the side surface 11a of the state unit 11 and its vicinity are placed with one hand (usually, a plurality of fingers) of a nurse or the like so that the first detection surface 12 or the second detection surface 13 is pressed against the body surface of the patient or the like. Supported by During this operation, the auscultation sound is converted into the auscultation sound signal Sa by the microphone 16 and the audible sound output from the earphone 108 via the signal processing device 100 is checked by a nurse or the like. As a result of this work, when the nurse or the like determines that the first proper place corresponding to the proper place mark 702 indicating is good and the reception state of the auscultation sound is good,
As described above, while one detection surface is pressed in place, the switching operation is performed by the switch 14 provided on the side surface 11a of the state unit 11 with one hand (usually, one or a plurality of fingers) supporting the state unit 11. Done. In response to this switching operation, the switch 14 outputs a control signal S
The sw is output and sent to the signal processing device 100 via the cable 120. When the control signal Ssw is sent in this manner, at least one of the signal processing device 100 and the computer 1006 as data processing means is operationally controlled based on the control signal Ssw, and the auscultation sound corresponding to the first appropriate position is obtained. Signal processing for the signal Sa is started. That is, for example, A / D conversion is performed in real time, and compression encoding is performed. Thereafter, when the nurse or the like determines that the auscultation sound at the first appropriate place has been appropriately taken, a control signal Ssw is then sent in accordance with the switching operation by the nurse or the like. At least one of the signal processing device 100 and the computer 1006 as data processing means is operationally controlled based on the control signal Ssw, and stops the A / D conversion process and the compression encoding process on the auscultation sound signal. Then, a header addition process is performed using the auscultation sound signal corresponding to each appropriate position from the start to the stop of such collection as one file (however, as described above, the header addition process is performed by the compression encoding process. Compression processing unit 1006e
The addition of the header may be performed before or after collection.) The file created in this manner may be transmitted in real time by the transmission control unit 1006g and the modem 1007, or may be temporarily stored in the storage unit 1006m (or the recording medium 1006b) and then temporarily stored in the transmission control unit 1006g and the modem 1007. May be transmitted. In any case, a code indicating the first proper place is added as the proper place identification data corresponding to each file (for example, to a file header part or a tail part of the file). Such a code may be added after confirming that the nurse or the like clicks or presses the appropriate place mark 702 indicating on the pseudo patient image 701 on the screen with the touch panel method, or may perform auscultation sound. It may be performed simultaneously with the end or start of data collection. In addition, in order to visually clarify in which place the collection is started, performed, completed, etc., the appropriate place mark 702 indicating any one of the ... Light display may be performed (in this case, "" is highlighted). Or, for example, “next location number = ×”, “current location number =
An image in which the appropriate place identification data such as “×” and “just completed place number = ×” may be displayed in a predetermined column may be displayed beside the pseudo patient image 701.

Next, a patient pseudo image 701 is displayed by a nurse or the like.
A second proper place corresponding to the proper place mark 702 indicating the above is searched for, and the auscultation sound data for each proper place is collected in accordance with the order of the proper place mark 702 displayed on the pseudo patient image 701. The operation of starting and ending is repeated. At this time, it is preferable that the appropriate place mark 70 indicating any one of...
2 are sequentially highlighted. Then, the collection at the eighteenth proper place corresponding to the proper place mark 702 indicating the last number is completed. Thus, auscultation sound collection for one patient is completed.

Accordingly, in such a series of operations, the nurse or the like uses the switch 14 with only one hand holding the state unit 11.
By operating, both the work of searching for the right place and the work of taking auscultation sounds while eliminating unnecessary sounds generated during the search work can be performed. In addition, in-place identification data corresponding to the in-place mark 702 is sequentially added to each file according to the ON / OFF of the switch 14. For this reason,
From the point of view of nurses and other collectors or senders, it was relatively easy to label which auscultation sound was in the appropriate place. As described above, the auscultation sound can be reproduced (restored) reliably and relatively easily while associating the auscultation sound with the right place. Furthermore, when reproducing the auscultation sound according to the patient identification data, the collection date and time data, etc. added to the file group, the auscultation sound can be associated with the patient, the collection date and the like of each file group reliably and relatively easily. . In particular, if you collect in the sequential collection mode,
Computer 1006 to determine which auscultation sound is in place
Since the appropriate place identification data can be automatically added sequentially without inputting the information to "a", the work load for a nurse or other collecting person is greatly reduced.

In the second case, when the arbitrary sampling mode for breath sounds is selected, a pseudo patient image 701 showing the front and back sides of the patient's torso as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed on the display device 1006a. And on this patient pseudo image 701,
,... Are displayed, and a column 703 for designating a proper place is displayed beside the pseudo patient image 701.

As shown in FIG. 16, the display device 1006a
In the state where the pseudo patient image 701 is displayed, the state section 11 is applied to the vicinity of an appropriate position on the body surface of the patient or the like by a nurse or the like. At this time, an arbitrary portion (here,
An operation of searching for a proper place corresponding to one of the proper place marks 702) is performed. After searching for the appropriate place, a switching operation is performed by the switch 14 provided on the side surface 11a of the state unit 11, and at least one of the signal processing device 100 and the computer 1006 outputs the auscultation sound signal Sa corresponding to the appropriate place. Start signal processing. Thereafter, when the nurse or the like determines that the auscultation sound in the appropriate place has been properly taken, next, a control signal Ssw is sent according to the switching operation by the nurse or the like, and the signal processing is stopped. In response to the start and end of such auscultation sound collection, the computer 1006 converts the auscultation sound signal into one file. Immediately after the collection of the auscultation sound is completed (or immediately before the start), the apparatus enters a state of waiting for a designation input in an appropriate place designation column 703. In this input waiting state, when any of the columns 703 for specifying a proper place is designated by a nurse or the like, the computer 1006 generates a code indicating that the designated proper place is used as the proper place identification data corresponding to the file. Is added.

Next, the nurse or the like finds the next arbitrary appropriate place (excluding the already collected appropriate place), and the operation of starting and ending the collection for each appropriate place is repeated. In response to the start or end of the series of collection operations for one patient, the computer 1006 stores date and time data indicating the date and time of collection, patient data for identifying the patient, Desired data relating to the collection of the auscultation sound, such as collector data for identifying the auscultation sound, a code indicating the reason for the collection, and text data, are added.

In particular, if collection is performed in the arbitrary collection mode,
The collection can be performed in any order according to the preference and habits of nurses and the like, and it is very convenient when only one or a plurality of locations are collected again in a series of collection operations.

When the collection is performed in the arbitrary collection mode while the screen shown in FIG. 16 is displayed, each time the collection is performed in each appropriate place, the appropriate place may be designated one by one in the appropriate place designation column 703. However, immediately before or after collection at a plurality of appropriate locations or all locations, those appropriate locations may be designated at a stretch in the appropriate location designation column 703 including the order. In this case, if the order of designating the column 703 for designating the right place is associated with the order of actual collection, data indicating the order of the right place (that is, the collection place and order data) can be relatively easily used. Can be entered. Further, in this case, data indicating the location of the appropriate collection location and the collection order may be added to one file group together with the data indicating the collection date and time.

As described above, in the case of the arbitrary collection mode using the screen shown in FIG. 16, it is possible to collect auscultation sounds in each suitable place in an arbitrary order and to collect one or several places again. Becomes Furthermore, it is possible to perform sampling while defining the sampling location on the pseudo patient image every time sampling is performed.

Third, when an arbitrary sampling mode for heart sounds is selected instead of for respiratory sounds, a pseudo patient image 801 showing the front and back sides of the patient's torso as shown in FIG.
a. .. Are displayed on the pseudo patient image 801, and a collection point designation field 803 is provided beside the pseudo patient image 801.
Is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 17, a mark 8 in place for heart sounds
In the case of the patient pseudo image 801 indicating 02, the mark 702 for the breathing sound shown in FIG. Heart sounds can be collected in the same manner as in the case of the patient pseudo image 701 shown. In addition, the heart sound can be collected not only in the arbitrary collection mode but also in the sequential collection mode, as in the case of the breath sound.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17, heart sound and respiratory sound can be sequentially collected in one collection mode or arbitrary collection mode using one electric stethoscope 10, which is very convenient. However, such a mode designating function may be deleted so that an electric stethoscope exclusively for respiratory sounds or heart sounds may be used. Further, sampling may be performed exclusively in a sequential collecting mode or may be performed in an arbitrary collecting mode. It may be configured as a simple electric stethoscope.

In this embodiment, preferably, the computer 1006 indicates the number of a plurality of files in which auscultation sound signals relating to respiratory sounds or heart sounds for one patient are stored, and is displayed or designated on the screen. Mark in place 70
When the number of 2 or 802 does not match, a predetermined type of warning is issued. For example, a warning message may be displayed on the display device 1006a, or a warning sound or a warning message may be output from the earphone 108 or the speaker of the computer 1006 by voice. Further, when transmission is performed in real time, the second unit 2001 of the transmission destination is used.
The side may issue a warning. If configured in this way, for example, when sampling is not performed normally due to mistakenly skipping one at the time of collecting a plurality of suitable places or taking two times at the same place In response to the warning issued from the computer 1006, the nurse, the caregiver, and the like can re-collect immediately after the collection is completed, which is very convenient.

<Auscultation Sound Reproduction Processing Operation> Next, the auscultation sound reproduction processing in the second unit 2001 including the computer 2006 and the like configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, and FIGS. 19, the display device 2
A description will be given together with an image display operation by 006a and an operation method corresponding thereto. Here, FIG. 18 shows a display screen in a real-time mode or a normal reproduction mode in which a respiratory sound is reproduced as auscultation sound and sound is output through a headphone 2004, and FIG. 19 is a sound output through the headphone 2004. 15 shows a display screen in a waveform display mode in which the waveform of the respiratory sound is output as an image by the display device 2006a instead of or in addition to.

The control by the computer 2006 described below is performed, for example, by causing the computer 2006 to read a computer program stored in the recording medium 2006b and execute the program.
Incidentally, as such a recording medium 2006b, DVD-
Any type of well-known recording medium such as a ROM, a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, and a floppy disk may be used. However, such a program can be transferred to the general telephone line 1100 or I
The program may be downloaded from an external device via the SDN line 1100 ', and the program may be executed according to the downloaded program.

In this embodiment, in particular, the computer 200
Numeral 6 is configured to be able to selectively designate various reproduction modes via the keyboard or the like.

Among the various reproduction modes, the real-time mode is a mode in which the auscultation sound collected by the first unit 1001 at a remote place is reproduced in the second unit 2001 almost in the same order as the collection operation. is there. On the other hand, in the normal reproduction mode, the received auscultation sound signal is temporarily recorded in the storage unit 2006m or the recording medium 2006b in the second unit 2001, and is reproduced as necessary. A continuous reproduction mode in which a series of auscultation sounds relating to one patient are continuously reproduced in the order in which they were collected, and a file to which the proper place identification data corresponding to the designated proper place mark has been added by designating a desired proper place mark. The playback mode is subdivided into an arbitrary playback mode in which each file is played one by one (that is, a mode in which, when the playback of one file is completed, a file to be played next is in an input waiting state).

First, the real-time mode will be described with reference to FIG.

In the real time mode, the first unit 1
In response to the auscultation sound being collected by a nurse or the like at 001, the first
The auscultation sound compressed and transmitted by the unit 1001 and received and expanded and decoded by the second unit 2001 is reproduced by the second unit 2001.
The audio is output in real time by the headphone 2004 at. At this time, the display device 2006a displays a screen as shown in FIG. 18 under the control of the computer 2006.

In FIG. 18, a patient pseudo image 7 showing the front side and the back side of the patient's torso is displayed on the screen of the display device 2006a.
01 is displayed. Then, on the pseudo patient image 701, circle numbers,..., And arrows indicate the positions of the appropriate places where the respiratory sounds are collected and the standard collection order (this does not necessarily match the actual collection order). A place mark 702 is shown. The display device 2006a displays an appropriate position mark 7 corresponding to an appropriate position related to the auscultation sound signal that is currently being output.
02 is highlighted. This allows doctors and others to
On the display device 2006a, it is easy to visually recognize the appropriate position of the auscultation sound, so that the user can perform auscultation as if he / she actually owns a stethoscope.

As described above, the real-time mode is used when a nurse or the like collects auscultation sounds in the first unit 1001.
The doctor and the like generally use the second unit 200 installed in the hospital.
It is very convenient to be on the side of 1.

Next, the normal reproduction mode will be described.

In the mode selection operation in the normal reproduction mode, the display device 2006a
Under the control of 6, the screen as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed. Here, a case will be described in which one patient is designated and a breathing sound is selected as the auscultation sound.

In FIG. 18, on the screen of the display device 2006a, a column 7 for designating an appropriate place is provided beside the pseudo patient image 701.
03 is displayed. Further, in the vicinity of the right end of the screen in FIG. 18, a “waveform display” button 704 for selecting a waveform display mode for displaying a waveform of the auscultation sound as an image, and a continuous reproduction mode for continuously reproducing a series of auscultation sounds are designated. A "Continuous Play" button 705 for performing playback, a "Next" button 706 for designating an arbitrary playback mode for playing files one by one, and a "Play Stop" button 707 for stopping playback are displayed. . Each button can be designated by operating the mouse or keyboard of the computer 2006. still,
On such a screen, the patient name, body temperature data, pulse data, blood pressure data, and other biological information of the patient may be displayed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 18, an arbitrary reproduction mode, which is the first of the normal reproduction modes, will be described.

When the “next” button 706 is selected on the screen of the display device 2006a, it is determined that the arbitrary reproduction mode has been selected, and the computer 2006 determines that the appropriate place identification data added to each file in the file group has been selected. , The auscultation sound signal Sa in the file corresponding to the first appropriate place is reproduced, and the headphone 2004 outputs the auscultation sound signal Sa as sound. Thereafter, when an EOF (end of file) mark indicating the end of the file is detected,
The computer 2006 stops the reproduction process of the auscultation sound signal Sa. In addition, in order to visually clarify which reproduction place is to be started, performed, and ended, etc., in order to visually clarify, the reproduction place mark 702 or the proper place mark indicating one of ... The designation column 703 may be highlighted (in this case, the appropriate place mark 702 of "" or the column 703 of "" is highlighted). Alternatively, an image in which the appropriate place identification data such as “next appropriate place number = ×”, “current suitable place number = ×”, “currently completed suitable place number = ×” is shown in a predetermined column, is used as the patient pseudo video 701. It may be displayed aside.

Next, when the “next” button 706 is selected on the screen, the auscultation sound signal Sa in the file corresponding to the second proper position corresponding to the proper position mark 702 indicating the pseudo patient image 701 is displayed. The sound is reproduced and the auscultation sound signal Sa is output from the headphone 2004. Further, each time the “Next” button is selected, the reproduction of each file and the headphone 20 for each appropriate place are displayed in accordance with the order of the appropriate place mark 702 indicating on the pseudo patient image 701 indicating.
04 is repeated. Then, the reproduction at the eighteenth proper position corresponding to the proper position mark 702 indicating the last number ends. As described above, the reproduction of the file group including the plurality of files storing the series of breath sounds for one patient is completed.

If any of the appropriate place designation fields 703 is designated before the “next” button 706 is selected, the computer causes the designated suitable place designation field 70 to be designated.
The reproduction process of the auscultation sound signal Sa in the file to which the in-place identification data corresponding to the number 3 is added is started. That is, as a default, the appropriate place designation field 703 of the appropriate place designation field 703 is designated, but only the auscultation sound of an arbitrary number is reproduced or the auscultation of an arbitrary number is performed. It is possible to start playback from sound. Also,
When the “reproduction stop” button 707 is selected, the reproduction is stopped even during the reproduction.

Therefore, the doctor or the like can hear the auscultation sound with the headphone 2004 while reliably and relatively easily associating it with the appropriate place using the display device 2006a, and has high reliability sufficient for one medical practice. Wait,
Auscultation can be performed using the reproduced sound. Furthermore, when reproducing the auscultation sound according to the patient identification data, the collection date and time data, etc. added to the file group, the auscultation sound can be associated with the patient, the collection date and the like of each file group reliably and relatively easily. .

Next, with reference to FIG. 18, the continuous reproduction mode, which is the second of the normal reproduction modes, will be described.

When the “continuous playback” button 705 is selected on the screen of the display device 2006a, the computer 200
6 are first, second, and third based on the in-place identification data added to each file in the file group.
The auscultation sound signal Sa in the file corresponding to the appropriate position
Of the headphone 2 in response to this.
Reference numeral 004 sequentially outputs a sound of the reproduced auscultation sound signal Sa. At this time, according to the detection of the header of each file or the detection of the EOF mark of each file, the computer 2006
, The display device 2006a sequentially highlights the appropriate place mark 702 or the appropriate place designation field 703 corresponding to the appropriate place currently being reproduced. Alternatively, for example, an image in which the appropriate place identification data such as “current appropriate place number = ×” is displayed in a predetermined column may be displayed beside the pseudo patient image 701. Then, the reproduction at the last appropriate place is completed. Thus, the reproduction of the file group including the plurality of files storing the series of auscultation sound signals for one patient is completed. During such continuous playback,
When the “reproduction stop” button 707 is selected, the reproduction is stopped.

Therefore, a doctor or the like can listen to the auscultation sound with the headphone 2004 while reliably and relatively easily associating it with the appropriate place using the display device 2006a. In particular, the auscultation sound is automatically continuously reproduced while the currently reproduced right place is displayed on the screen so as to be visually recognizable without inputting the appropriate place to be reproduced to the computer 2006 one by one. The work load is greatly reduced for the worker.

In particular, since the time during which the auscultation sound is actually collected is shorter than the time that a nurse or the like uses for collection (including the time to search for a suitable place, etc.), the doctor or the like operates in the normal reproduction mode (described above). Selecting the arbitrary reproduction mode or the continuous reproduction mode is convenient because unnecessary waiting time is not required when listening to the auscultation sound as compared with the real time mode. Furthermore, compared to the case of the real-time mode, the second unit 200
There is also an advantage that it does not need to be attached to the side 1 and that the same auscultation sound can be heard over and over again.

Next, the waveform display mode will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the waveform display mode can be selected in combination with the above-described real-time mode, arbitrary reproduction mode, or continuous reproduction mode. That is, in the case of the waveform display mode and the real-time mode, the waveform of the currently reproduced auscultation sound signal Sa is displayed as an image in real time.
The waveform of the auscultation sound signal Sa relating to an arbitrary position is image-displayed (simultaneously or alone), and in the waveform display mode and the continuous reproduction mode, the waveform of the series of auscultation sound signals Sa is displayed (simultaneously with the sound output) Automatically and continuously output images in association with each other or independently.

As shown in FIG. 19, in the waveform display mode, the reproduced waveform of the auscultation sound signal Sa is output as an image. In this embodiment, on the first unit 1001 side,
Since the auscultation sound signal Sa is digitally recorded, the waveform can be output on the second unit side based on the digitally recorded auscultation sound signal Sa. Furthermore, the waveform may be on the time axis or on the frequency axis, and both may be selectively displayed.
In particular, when displaying a waveform with respect to the frequency axis, the first unit 1001 may convert the frequency before recording, or the second unit 1002 may convert the frequency and then output the waveform. As described above, the waveform of the auscultation sound signal Sa reproduced for one appropriate place may be output as an image one by one, or the waveform of the auscultation sound signal Sa reproduced continuously for a plurality of appropriate places may be continuously output. May be output to the printer.

When the waveform is output as an image as described above, preferably, the display device 2006a converts the image in FIG.
While the window is displayed in the image 8 or both images are displayed side by side, the mark corresponding to the auscultation sound signal Sa whose waveform is currently displayed in the image is highlighted. Alternatively, appropriate place identification data corresponding to the auscultation sound signal Sa whose waveform is currently displayed as an image is displayed in a predetermined column.
With this configuration, it is possible to visually and easily ascertain the appropriate position of the auscultation sound signal Sa whose waveform is currently displayed as an image. Therefore, the doctor or the like can see the waveform of the auscultation sound signal Sa as shown in FIG. 19 by superimposing on the pseudo patient image 701 on the display device 2006a, beside the pseudo patient image 701, or by switching the screen. With this, when reproducing the auscultation sound signal Sa, the doctor or the like listens to the auscultation sound output by the headphone 2004, and displays an image of the appropriate place related to the audible sound and the waveform of the auscultation sound on the display device 2006a. Auscultation can be performed while looking at things.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the case where the breathing sound is reproduced has been described. However, the case where the heart sound is reproduced is substantially the same as that of the case where only the positions of the pseudo patient image and each appropriate position mark are changed. Can be done.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit or spirit of the invention which can be read from the claims and the entire specification. An auscultation system is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0122]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, auscultation sound signals can be transmitted relatively easily and at low cost. Therefore, in nursing and nursing care outside a medical facility such as a hospital, such as home medical care and home nursing and home nursing care, it is easy to transmit auscultation sound at low cost, accurately and reliably, and particularly without lowering the quality of medical care. Labor costs can be reduced efficiently. As a result, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an innovative auscultation system capable of simultaneously suppressing an increase in unnecessary medical expenses and respecting human lives.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an auscultation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a computer on a first unit (transmission) side provided in the auscultation system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer on a second unit (receiving) side provided in the auscultation system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a modification of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another modification of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an overall perspective view showing a specific example of an electric stethoscope provided in the auscultation system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram mainly showing an electrical configuration of the specific example of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another specific example of the electric stethoscope provided in the stethoscope system according to the embodiment of the present invention, in the vicinity of a state section.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view in the vicinity of a state unit in another specific example of the electric stethoscope provided in the stethoscope system of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a state unit in another specific example of the electric stethoscope provided in the auscultation system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of the specific example of FIG.

12 is a block diagram showing another example of the electrical configuration of the specific example of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram mainly showing the electrical configuration of another specific example of the electric stethoscope provided in the stethoscope system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an overall perspective view showing another specific example of the electric stethoscope provided in the auscultation system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a display screen in a sequential collection mode for respiratory sounds in the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a display screen in an arbitrary sampling mode for respiratory sounds in the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a display screen in an arbitrary sampling mode for heart sounds in the present embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a display screen in a normal reproduction mode for a breathing sound in the present embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a display screen in a waveform display mode in the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 ... electric stethoscope 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61 ... state unit 12 ... detection surface 13 ... detection surface 14, 24, 34, 34a, 44 ... switch 16, 16 'microphone 120 cable 100, 400, 500, 600 signal processing device 108 earphone 1001 first unit 1006 computer 1006a display device 1006b recording medium 1006c reading device 1006d A / D converter 1006e compression Processing unit 1006f Header addition unit 1006g Transmission control unit 1006h Control unit 1006m Storage unit 1007 Modem 2001 Second unit 2004 Headphone 2006 Computer for reproduction 2006a Display device 2006b Recording medium 2006c Reading device 20 6d ... reception control section 2006E ... decompression section 2006F ... header analyzer 2006g ... D / A converter 2006H ... controller 2006I ... image output processing unit 2006M ... storage unit 2007 ... modem

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G10L 19/00 H04R 3/00 320 H04R 3/00 320 G10L 9/18 A

Claims (12)

[Claims] An auscultation means for collecting an auscultation sound and outputting an auscultation sound signal; and a sampling frequency of 8 kHz for an auscultation sound signal corresponding to the auscultation sound collected at each appropriate position on the patient surface by the auscultation means. Not less than 15 kHz and bit rate of 8 kb
data processing means for performing a compression encoding process under the condition of not less than ps and not more than 20 kbps to convert the auscultation sound signal into a file for each of the appropriate locations; and converting the filed auscultation sound signal into a communication band of 150 Hz to 7 kHz. Auscultation system, comprising: transmission means for transmitting via communication means. 2. The data processing means performs at least one of a low cut filter process for cutting a component having a frequency of 20 Hz or less and a high cut filter process for cutting a component having a frequency of 5 kHz or more in the auscultation sound signal. The auscultation system according to claim 1. 3. An on / off switch for starting and terminating the collection of the auscultation sound by the auscultation means, wherein the data processing means identifies the right place in each of the right places according to a switching operation of the on / off switch. The auscultation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein data is added to the filed auscultation sound signal. 4. The auscultation means outputs an analog auscultation sound signal, and the data processing means converts the analog auscultation sound signal into a digital auscultation sound signal, and compresses the digital auscultation sound signal. The auscultation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an encoding process is performed. 5. The auscultation system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing unit performs the compression encoding process based on a masking effect. 6. The auscultation sound signal output from the auscultation means, the data processing means performs compression encoding processing on the auscultation sound signal in real time, and the transmission means, the auscultation sound signal filed by the data processing means The auscultation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein is transmitted in real time. 7. A recording apparatus for recording an auscultation sound signal output from the auscultation means, wherein the data processing means performs compression encoding on the auscultation sound signal once recorded in the recording means. The auscultation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the system performs processing. 8. The auscultation system according to claim 1, further comprising a recording unit that records an auscultation sound signal filed by the data processing unit. 9. Receiving means for receiving the transmitted auscultation sound signal, and performing reproduction and decoding processing on the received auscultation sound signal to reproduce and output the auscultation sound signal at each of the appropriate places. Means, the auscultation means, the data processing means, and the transmission means are provided in a first auscultation unit, and the reception means and the reproduction means are provided in the first auscultation unit in the communication means. The auscultation system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the auscultation system is provided in a second auscultation unit connected to the auscultation unit. 10. The auscultation according to claim 9, wherein said reproducing means includes a display means for displaying an image of the waveform of the auscultation sound signal, and a sound output means for outputting the sound of the auscultation sound signal. system. 11. A machine-readable medium in which a program for causing a computer to function as a data processing means in the auscultation system according to claim 1 is recorded. 12. A machine-readable medium in which a program for causing a computer to function as a reproducing means in the auscultation system according to claim 9 or 10 is recorded.