JP2002224051A - Nonrestraint life monitor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device capable of measuring organismic information on a very low body weight birth baby in an action nonrestraint state, and provide a device for reporting emergency by monitoring a state of a baby in real time. SOLUTION: The baby is placed on a sheet of conductive fiber, and a time change in electricity or the electric potential emitted from the baby and also the body temperature are measured in the action nonrestraint state. The heartbeat number and the respiration number are calculated on the basis of this detecting result. Whether or not the baby is put in an abnormal state in maintaining life of the baby is determined on the basis of these heartbeat number, respiration number, and body temperature. When the baby is put in this abnormal state, this state is announced to an NICU. A body movement is also measured to be used as determining data. Since a measuring electrode has a planar extent, even the baby moves, the data can be accurately measured.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an unconstrained life monitoring device, and more particularly, to an unconstrained life monitoring device for detecting information on life support of a living body of a low birth weight infant (immature infant) and a small animal and monitoring an abnormal state. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In Japan, the decline in the number of births in addition to the aging of the population has become a serious social problem. In the era of declining birthrates, the health management of infants including newborns (hereinafter sometimes referred to simply as infants) is a priority issue. The main cause of this infant death is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
hSyndrome; SIDS). It is said that SIDS mostly occurs less than 12 months after birth, especially within 2 to 6 months. The cause is unknown. The SIDS frequency is one in 2000 infants in Japan. It is the leading cause of infant death in Europe and the United States. At present, no reliable prevention method for SIDS has been established. As a preventive measure, the importance of a life monitoring device that detects abnormalities and warns early is pointed out.

[0003] As such a device relating to life monitoring, a device for indirectly measuring breathing that can be extracted from biological vibrations using a strain gauge or a pressure sensor is commercially available for general households (HISENSE Co., Ltd.). "B
aby Sense "). However, with this apparatus, it is difficult to acquire important information such as an electrocardiogram and a body temperature which is emitted from the living body itself, only by measuring the physical movement of the body. That is, only the presence or absence of vibration is monitored. For this reason, it has been impossible to measure information such as heart rate and respiratory rate, which is indispensable for biological monitoring. In addition, since weak vibrations are detected, they also react to ambient vibrations, which may cause a malfunction. The biggest disadvantage of this device is that vibrations related to the living body are monitored by strain gauges and pressure sensors, so that the body weight is 1
It was impossible to monitor very low birth weight babies weighing less than 500 grams and very low birth weight weighing less than 1000 grams. Furthermore, since this device uses a plate-shaped pressure sensor, it cannot fit the infant's body shape. As a result, a problem may occur particularly when the body shape is not solid, such as a low birth weight infant, an extremely low birth weight infant, and an extremely low birth weight infant.

[0004] In order to monitor the biological information of infants and children, SENSATEX has provided a "Smart
Shirt "has been proposed (US Pat. No. 6,145,659).
551). This is a shirt knitted with a coarse fiber material, with a sensor or probe attached. Wear this shirt on infants, and use the sensor for heart rate,
Detects breathing, body temperature, etc. This sensor or probe is connected to the processor via an optical fiber (signal line) woven into a fiber material. However, this had the following disadvantages. 1. Clothes are a hindrance to comprehensively judge the condition, such as observing the skin color of the infant and the movement of the body due to breathing. For this reason, such clothes (shirts) cannot be worn in the incubator. 2. Temperature and humidity are completely controlled in the incubator. For this reason, it is difficult to control the body temperature of the patient rather than wearing clothes. Therefore, clothes cannot be worn. 3. In this shirt, ECG (electrocardiogram, heart rate), breathing,
Body temperature can be measured. However, the amount of oxygen in blood and the amount of carbon dioxide in blood cannot be measured. for that reason,
In a state where the shirt is worn, it is difficult to attach a probe for measuring the shirt. 4. Furthermore, when the infant wearing the clothes is laid face down from the back, depending on the probe position,
May affect skin.

[0005]

In addition, a neonatal intensive care unit (Neonatal Intensive Care) has been proposed.
(Unit; NICU), it is necessary to constantly monitor respiration, electrocardiogram, and body temperature in order to detect apnea, bradycardia, hypothermia, etc. at an early stage. However, in the conventional apparatus installed in the NICU, electrodes, probes, and the like have to be directly attached to the body for a long time, which hinders the operation of the infant (including the newborn). In addition, expensive electrocardiogram monitors and respiratory monitors are required. In addition, in extremely low birth weight infants and very low birth weight infants due to premature birth or preeclampsia, there are many situations where even the probe cannot be mounted due to fragile skin. In addition, nurses could only measure their body temperature using a thermometer (axillary temperature, eardrum temperature or rectal temperature). Furthermore, these devices (electrocardiogram, respiration, body temperature, blood oxygen level)
Were only monitored independently, and it was difficult to manage them comprehensively for the patient's condition and situation.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to an infant,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an unconstrained life monitoring device capable of measuring biological information of a low birth weight infant or small animal of 0 g or less in an unconstrained state. The present invention provides an unrestrained life monitoring device that measures basic biological information (electrocardiogram, heartbeat, respiration, body temperature, body movement) of an infant or the like, monitors the state in real time, and makes an emergency call. For that purpose. The present invention obtains objective data such as heart rate, breathing, and body temperature of an infant or the like, and comprehensively monitors the obtained data, so that it is possible to grasp the change over time of the health condition and physical condition. It is an object of the present invention to provide a type life monitoring device.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a measuring means for measuring basic information on life support emitted by a living body in a state where the movement of the living body is unconstrained,
An unconstrained type including a determination unit for determining whether or not the living body is in an abnormal state with respect to life support based on the basic information, and a notification unit for notifying when the living body is in an abnormal state as a result of the determination. In the life monitoring device, the measuring means is an unconstrained type life monitoring device having a planar member on which a living body is placed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bioelectricity measuring means for measuring a temporal change in electricity or a potential of the living body from the living body in a state where the movement of the living body is unconstrained, and Heart rate calculating means for calculating the heart rate of the living body based on the detection result, body temperature measuring means for measuring the body temperature of the living body in a state where the movement of the living body is unconstrained, and the heart rate and body temperature obtained by these means A non-restraint type life monitoring device including a determination unit that determines whether or not the living body is in an abnormal state for life support based on the, and a notification unit that notifies the abnormal state when the living body is in this abnormal state. The bioelectric measurement means is an unconstrained life monitoring device having a planar member using a conductive fiber, and the living body placed on the planar member.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bioelectricity measuring means for measuring a time-dependent change in electric or electric potential of a living body in a state where the movement of the living body is unconstrained, and Heart rate calculating means for calculating the heart rate of the living body based on the detection result; respiratory rate calculating means for calculating the respiratory rate of the living body based on the detection result of the bioelectrical measuring means; Body temperature measuring means for measuring the body temperature of a living body in a state, and determining whether or not the living body is in an abnormal state for life support based on information on heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature obtained by these means Means, when the living body is in this abnormal state, a non-restraint type life monitoring device including a notifying means for notifying this,
The bioelectric measurement means is an unconstrained life monitoring device having a planar member using a conductive fiber, and the living body placed on the planar member.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the flat member is a cloth sheet, and the plurality of electrodes are provided apart from each other in a plane. It is an unrestrained type life monitoring device described in the paragraph.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the body temperature measuring means is constituted by arranging a plurality of film sensors on a plane formed by the planar member.
An unrestricted type life monitoring device according to any one of the above.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the heart rate calculating means obtains an electrocardiogram of a living body based on the detection result of the bioelectric measuring means, and calculates a heart rate based on the electrocardiogram. Item 4. An unrestrained type life monitoring device according to item 3.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an electrocardiogram of a living body is obtained based on the detection result of the bioelectrical measuring means.
4. The unrestricted life monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein the respiratory rate calculating means calculates a respiratory rate based on the electrocardiogram.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the unrestricted state of the living body is detected based on the electrocardiogram, and the determination means determines an abnormal state based on the detection result. Type life monitoring device.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the notifying means is provided at a position distant from the bioelectrical measuring means, and has a notifying member for displaying that the living body is in an abnormal state by a lamp or sound. An unrestrained type life monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the life monitoring device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the living body is an infant including a newborn.

[0017]

According to the first to tenth aspects of the present invention, basic information relating to the maintenance of the life of a living body, for example, the time change of electricity or the potential of the living body emitted from the living body is measured in a state where the movement of the living body is unconstrained. Measure by means. The heart rate calculating means calculates the heart rate of the living body based on the detection result of the bioelectric measuring means. The body temperature measuring unit measures the body temperature of the living body in a state where the movement of the living body is unrestricted. Then, based on the information on the heart rate and the body temperature obtained by these means, the determining means determines whether or not the living body is in an abnormal state for maintaining life. If the living body is in this abnormal state, this is reported by the reporting means. In this case, the information is measured in a state where the living body is placed on the planar member using the conductive fiber.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the living body is placed on the planar member, and the movement of the living body is unrestricted. Then, the change in electricity or the potential of the living body over time is measured, and the body temperature is also measured. The heart rate and respiratory rate of the living body are calculated based on the measurement result. Based on the heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature, it is determined that the living body is in an abnormal state for maintaining life, and if the state is abnormal, this is reported.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the planar member is formed of a cloth sheet, and a plurality of electrodes are provided on the sheet so as to be separated from each other. can do.

According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, the heart rate,
The calculation of the respiratory rate is performed based on the electrocardiogram of the living body obtained from the measurement result of the bioelectricity and obtained.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the vehicle is in an abnormal state, the warning is displayed by a lamp or a sound. The notification member that issues an alarm is provided at a location separated from the bioelectric measurement unit. Therefore, monitoring can be performed from a distance.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, an abnormal condition relating to life of an infant including a newborn infant (for example, a low birth weight infant, an extremely low birth weight infant, and a very low birth weight infant) is detected and an alarm is issued.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An unconstrained life monitoring device according to the present invention is used in a medical field, particularly in an NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), a general household with infants, a pharmaceutical company or a university in the development and research of drugs in pharmaceutical companies and universities. It is used in experiments, surgery in animal hospitals, and the like. The target living bodies are infants, particularly low birth weight babies (hereinafter, may include extremely low birth weight babies and very low birth weight babies) and small animals. Figure 1
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the invention according to claim 1 by means of function realizing means. As shown in this figure, the unconstrained type life monitoring device has a measuring unit, a determining unit, and a notifying unit. The measuring means has a planar member. In addition, the measuring means measures basic information about life support emitted by the living body in a state where the movement of the living body is unrestricted. Then, a living body (for example, an infant) is placed on the planar member. The planar member can be made of a sheet using conductive fibers or the like. The basic information on life support is a heart rate, a respiratory rate, a body temperature, and the like regarding a living body. The determination means determines whether or not the living body is in an abnormal state with respect to life support based on the basic information. The notifying means notifies the living body when it is in an abnormal state with respect to life support. For example, in the case of NICU, an alarm is issued to the management center. A warning member and a lamp can be activated by wire or wireless by arranging a notification member in the NICU. FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
The unconstrained life monitoring device includes a bioelectric measurement unit, a heart rate calculation unit, a body temperature measurement unit, a determination unit, and a notification unit. The bioelectric measurement means has a planar member on which a living body is placed, and the planar member is formed using conductive fibers. The bioelectricity measuring means measures a temporal change in electricity generated from the living body or a potential of the living body while the movement of the living body is unrestricted. The heart rate calculating means calculates the heart rate of the living body based on the detection result of the bioelectric measuring means. The body temperature measuring means measures the body temperature of the living body in a state where the movement of the living body is unrestricted. This is composed of, for example, a film-type thermocouple, a film-type thermistor, or the like. The determining means determines whether or not the living body is in an abnormal state for life support based on the heart rate and body temperature. FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention. This unconstrained life monitoring device includes a bioelectric measurement unit, a heart rate calculation unit, a respiration rate calculation unit, a body temperature measurement unit, a determination unit, and a notification unit. The respiration rate calculation means calculates the respiration rate of the living body based on the detection result of the bioelectric measurement means. The determining means determines whether or not the living body is in an abnormal state for life support based on the heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature. In addition, the planar member is covered with a cover to form the incubator (incubator) structure,
It is also possible to measure the oxygen concentration and carbon dioxide concentration in the internal space, and to determine the abnormal state based on the measurement information.

Hereinafter, an unrestrained type life monitoring device according to the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment. The unrestrained type life monitoring device according to this embodiment is configured as a device for infants. In this device, basic biological information (eg, electrocardiogram, heart rate, respiration, body temperature, etc.) relating to life monitoring is measured in a state where the movement of the subject (infant) is unrestricted. Also, the state of the subject is monitored in real time, and an emergency call is made when the state is abnormal. Hereinafter, an embodiment of an unrestrained type life monitoring device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of this device. 5 and 6 show a specific configuration of the biological amplifier. In FIG. 4, the infant INF is laid on a bed having a rectangular plane. Sheets 11 woven with conductive fibers are arranged on the upper surface of the bed. At the center of the sheet 11, bioelectric electrode cloths 12, 13 are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other. Further, these electrode cloths 1 are placed on the sheet 11.
A sensor 14 for measuring body temperature is provided in proximity to 2 and 13. The body temperature measurement sensor 14, as described below,
It is composed of a film-like thermocouple and a plurality of thermocouples are arranged in the width direction of the bed. The living body amplifier 15 has the electrode cloth 12,
Signals (voltages) from the body temperature sensor 13 and the body temperature sensor 14 are input, and a signal as a calculation result is output to the state monitoring unit 16 via a predetermined filter circuit. State monitoring unit 1
In step S6, it is determined whether or not these measurement signals are out of a predetermined limit range, and the result of the determination is output to the monitoring server 17. The monitoring server 17 can issue an alarm based on this output. For example, it can be configured to issue an alarm by voice or light in the NICU (FIG. 1).
0).

The input neutral terminal of the differential input type bioamplifier 15 is independently connected to a separate cloth electrode which is superposed on the entire surface of the signal cloth electrodes 12 and 13 with insulation. In this case, “independently” means that it is not shared with the ground wire of another sensor such as a thermocouple. As a result, external common-mode noise such as a commercial frequency can be effectively attenuated. The neutral point is usually connected to the signal source (patient) with a resistive impedance. Without this connection, external noise is large and it is difficult to obtain a signal. Connecting the neutral point directly to the signal electrode eliminates the differential effect.

More specifically, each electrode cloth 1
Reference numerals 2 and 13 are formed using conductive fibers. The body is brought into direct contact with any two electrode cloths (eg, 12 and 13 in FIG. 4) sandwiching the heart of the infant INF.
In this case, it is only necessary that the two electrodes are in contact with two places on the body. Two places across the heart are preferable, but even without the heart, bioelectricity can be measured if the two electrodes are separated by a predetermined distance. Thus, the electrode cloths 12, 13
Is used to measure bioelectricity emitted from the body of the infant, thereby measuring the electrocardiogram (heart rate) and respiration.
As the electrode cloth for measuring bioelectricity, any material having conductivity may be used. For example, there are fibers plated with various metals having conductivity, for example, copper, zinc, iron, silver, etc., and fibers made of a conductive polymer. Silver-plated fibers are preferred because they have the highest conductivity and also have antibacterial properties. Particularly, in order to measure a weak biological signal of an infant, an electrode cloth made of conductive fibers plated with a highly conductive metal such as silver is used. Specifically, a cloth in which silver is plated on a nylon filament (“Sanderon” manufactured by Nippon Silk Wool Dyeing Co., Ltd.) is used. Electrode cloth 1
As shown in FIG. 4, 2, 13 each have a right triangle shape (for example, two orthogonal sides are 20 × 10 cm).
The oblique sides are arranged to face each other at an interval of about 1 cm, for example. The infant is placed on the electrode cloths 12 and 13 so as to straddle them. Therefore,
According to this arrangement, even if the baby rolls over or the like, it can be accurately detected.

The electric signal measured through the electrode cloths 12 and 13 is converted into a 10
It is amplified by a factor of 00 to 3000. The bioelectrical measurement amplifier 15 includes a circuit for measuring an electrocardiogram and a circuit for measuring respiration. In the electrocardiogram measurement circuit, as shown in FIG.
Use 1. The signals output from the differential amplifier 21 include:
The fluctuation of the weak contact resistance between the conductive fiber and the body surface and the surrounding noise are amplified and superimposed on the electrocardiogram signal.
The signal in this state is a component whose noise is larger than that of the electrocardiogram component. Therefore, in the signal output from the differential amplifier 21, first, the drift component is removed by the correction circuit 22. After that, it is passed through a secondary Butterworth low-pass filter 23 with a cutoff frequency of 40 Hz.
This filter 23 attenuates noises other than the electrocardiogram. The noise-attenuated signal is completely electrically insulated using an isolation amplifier ("284J" manufactured by Analog Devices, Inc. for biological measurement) for insulating the body and the measurement circuit for safety. Is output to the output side circuit. In the case of battery drive, a commercially available insulated amplifier is used in place of "284J". Further, the output signal of the insulating amplifier 24 is provided with a notch filter 25 (50 Hz or 60 H) to cut off noise (noise generated from the power supply) from the signal.
z). The signal output from the notch filter 25 is finally amplified again by the buffer amplifiers 26 and 27. When the signal passes through this amplifier circuit, the noise attenuated in the input side circuit is amplified again, so that the noise is finally output as an electrocardiogram signal through a fourth-order Chebyshev flow pass filter 28 having a cutoff frequency of 30 Hz. FIG. 7 shows an example of an electrocardiogram waveform according to this embodiment.

The respiratory waveform can be monitored as amplitude modulation of the R component of the electrocardiogram. The respiration measurement signal has basically the same configuration as the electrocardiogram measurement circuit, and only the low-pass filter 28 at the last stage is omitted. This is because a signal having a clear S / N ratio is obtained as an electrocardiogram by passing the signal through the low-pass filter 28 in the final stage.
Waves dull. This is because it is preferable that the amplitude modulation of the R wave is clear in this respiration measurement. FIG. 6 shows a circuit for calculating the heart rate and a circuit for calculating the respiratory rate for the output signals from the buffer amplifiers 26 and 27. That is, in order to calculate the heart rate for the output signals from the buffer amplifiers 26 and 27, the frequency analysis circuit 3 that obtains the average heart rate via the band-pass filter 31
2 and an RR interval detection circuit 33. RR
The interval detection circuit 33 calculates an instantaneous heart rate. The output signals of the buffer amplifiers 26 and 27 are input to a frequency analysis circuit 34 for calculating a respiratory rate via a band-pass filter 35. The instantaneous respiration rate is calculated by the peak interval detection circuit 36. Although the ECG cannot be measured when the baby moves, it is easy to detect the body motion by monitoring the amplitude of the signal obtained from the bioelectric measurement device. This body movement is used as one of the abnormal state monitoring data.

For measurement of body temperature, a film-shaped thermocouple (“C
060 ") 14 are arranged in the lateral direction and attached to the bed sheet 11 or bedding. Thus, the subject (infant) at an arbitrary position on the bed can always be contacted. As the body temperature (relative value), the value of the sensor that outputs the maximum value is adopted as the body temperature from the data obtained from each thermocouple. In addition, by displaying the measurement values of the selected sensor in time series, the state of the body movement can be observed. The body temperature obtained from the thermocouple is measured via clothes or sheets of the subject.
In this case, the display may be slightly lower than the accurate body temperature of the subject. Calibration is performed in consideration of such a situation. At the start of the measurement, the body temperature of the subject is measured by a thermometer, and the measured value is input as an initial value. By capturing the temperature change from this initial value, it becomes possible to more accurately monitor the body temperature fluctuation of the subject. In addition, a plurality of film-type thermistor sensors can be incorporated below the sheets as a body temperature measuring unit. Also in this case, the relative value of the body temperature of the infant is measured.

The state monitoring unit 16 analyzes the data obtained by these measuring means, and when an abnormal situation relating to the maintenance of life occurs, immediately, attends a doctor, a nurse (including a nurse), and a nurse. Or to notify the guardian. The state monitoring unit 16 includes, for example, a CPU,
It is composed of a microcomputer having a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, and the like. In addition to this, abnormal notification and current status (such as biological information such as heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, etc.) can be sent to parents, doctors, nurses, etc. at remote locations via remote communication means such as mobile phones. ) Can be distributed by e-mail or the like (see FIG. 10). If this is used, in a hospital, in a NICU, a neonatal room or a hospital room, other measuring instruments, such as blood oxygen concentration, blood carbon dioxide concentration, temperature in an incubator (incubator), oxygen concentration and carbon dioxide concentration in an incubator, etc. It is also possible to collectively monitor data accompanying the data. Further, a plurality of incubators can be collectively monitored via the monitoring server 17.

Specifically, in a state where the movement of the living body (infant) is unrestricted, the respiration,
The condition is monitored from the electrocardiogram (heart rate) and body temperature. Furthermore, an artifact (large amplitude) component due to body movement (turning over) specific to bioelectricity measurement using conductive fibers is also added to the monitoring item as body movement frequency. Each monitoring device 12,3
1 and 14 measure independently and automatically store data at a fixed cycle. Normally, the heart rate, respiratory rate, body motion frequency, and body temperature are stored at regular intervals. When an alarm occurs, the event is stored as an event and used for a daily report. Physical condition abnormalities may occur at the same time for multiple items, depending on the alarm sound, the color of the alarm lamp, the synthesized voice, etc.
It is possible to make it easy for a doctor or a nurse to recognize which item has an abnormality. A signal output from each biological information measuring device may be stored for a certain period of time, and may be provided with a function of storing data for several minutes before and after an abnormality occurs. In other words, during normal times, the heart rate, respiratory rate, body movement frequency, and body temperature are stored at regular intervals, but during abnormal times, the ECG data, respiratory waveform, body movement waveform, and body temperature are stored as continuous waveform data. Assist in the diagnosis of abnormal situations. In addition, central monitoring of multiple incubators at nurse stations, etc., and transmission of status and other information to wireless mobile terminals (mobile phones), etc. to doctors, nurses, parents, etc., at remote locations Is also possible.

The following configuration is used when the infant has an extremely rare metal allergy to the electrode cloth, or when monitoring while wearing clothes in a neonatal room, a sickroom, or at home. That is, using a conductive fiber, two places are placed under the chest with a sheet in between, and a change in capacitance is detected to measure respiration and heart rate. Although the ECG waveform cannot be observed as in the above direct method, respiration,
Heart rate can be monitored from high frequency components. According to this method, respiration rate and heart rate can be monitored without touching the conductive fiber at all. The advantage of this method is that it can be monitored even while wearing clothes, so it is effective for neonatal rooms, hospital rooms, and general households other than intensive care units.

Hereinafter, the monitoring function executed by the status monitoring unit 16 will be described in detail. 1. ECG (heart rate) monitoring function The heart rate is monitored based on the obtained electrocardiogram, and an alarm is issued when the heart rate is out of the normal range for a certain period of time continuously. In the case of the present embodiment, usually 50 to 160 [bpm: be
At per minute], an alarm is issued. This threshold can be freely changed by the operator. Also, the monitoring data is stored in a fixed cycle and used for daily reports. Furthermore, diagnosis of an abnormal physical condition is supported by storing an electrocardiogram for several minutes before and after the abnormal situation (when the threshold value is exceeded) (about 2 minutes: settable).

2. Respiration monitoring function The respiration rate also sets a threshold value according to the patient, and issues an alarm if it deviates from the normal range for a certain period of time. In general,
The threshold is determined between respiratory rates of 5 to 60 [resp / min], but can be varied depending on the condition of the subject (because it differs depending on the degree of low birth weight infants). For example, when an apnea in which the breathing is temporarily stopped (in this case, central apnea) occurs, an alarm is immediately generated, and the doctor or nurse (nurse) is called. However, at the time of body movement, measurement is excluded, but there is a possibility of obstructive apnea, so that continuous waveform data for several minutes before and after is stored as described above.

3. Body movement frequency monitoring function The body movement frequency can be recognized by monitoring an artifact (large amplitude) of the bioelectric measurement device. At the time of body movement of the living body, when the amplitude of the signal component obtained by the bioelectric measurement unit is obtained, the value becomes extremely large as compared with a normal case (when there is no body movement).
That is, when the amplitude within the threshold value range in the normal state exceeds the range, it is determined that the body motion has occurred. However, once a body motion occurs, it generally lasts for several seconds. Therefore, once the body motion is determined, the body motion determination is not performed for a few seconds (about 10 seconds: settable). Furthermore, when it is determined that the body movement has continued after the set time, it is counted as one body movement. Thus, a continuous body movement can be determined as one body movement. Furthermore, for extremely low birth weight or very low birth weight infants who cannot turn over or even utter their own voice, even small movements that shake the body may indicate some intention. In other words, it is different for each infant, but what moves daily within a certain threshold,
Call a physician or nurse if it increases rapidly or decreases rapidly. This enables more detailed nursing care. In addition, since the patient (infant) may be swaying the body due to obstructive apnea or some abnormal situation, it is determined that the body motion is abnormal even when the body motion continues for a certain period of time. To summarize the above, the body motion is determined when the amplitude of the signal obtained from the bioelectric measurement device is monitored and the amplitude exceeds a set range. However, this threshold value is set to a value sufficiently larger than the normal amplitude.
Also, once determined to be a body movement, the same movement is determined for a few seconds. Also, when a sudden change in the body motion frequency is detected as compared with a normal case, an alarm is output. Also, an alarm is issued when it is determined that the body motion has continued for a certain period of time or longer.

4. Body temperature monitoring function Body temperature monitoring is also an important item in monitoring the condition of a living body. Normally, a body temperature is measured about every hour by a nurse (nurse) using a thermometer for an infant in the axilla or rectum and recorded in a diary. However, in low birth weight infants who require complete nursing, especially in very low birth weight and very low birth weight infants, this is still inadequate and requires continuous body temperature monitoring. The purpose is to detect abnormal conditions such as hypothermia and hyperthermia at an early stage by continuously monitoring the body temperature. For monitoring, a normal body temperature range is set, and an alarm is issued when the normal body temperature range is deviated from the normal body temperature range for a predetermined time or more. This normal body temperature range can be changed according to the patient (such as an infant), but is generally 35 ° C. to 38 ° C.
(The average value for Japanese adults is said to be 36.89 ° C. ± 0.34 ° C.).

5. Other Monitoring Functions By inputting signals output from existing measuring instruments other than the unrestricted type biological measuring device to the present device, more detailed monitoring is possible. This function can be arbitrarily added. More detailed care is possible by the addition. For example, the following items can be monitored. Temperature / humidity in the incubator Oxygen concentration in the incubator Carbon dioxide concentration in the incubator Blood oxygen concentration Blood carbon dioxide concentration Ventilator operating conditions Infusion rate Especially when physical condition abnormalities such as apnea occur, blood oxygen concentration Changes appear quickly. By adding these monitoring items to the above-described living body monitoring items, quick, detailed and accurate living body monitoring becomes possible. further,
A manual event marker function can be added. By storing the event marker in synchronization with the data being monitored, the trouble of determining the situation at the time of abnormality and writing a daily report can be omitted. The types of event markers are, for example, as follows. Apnea generation Other abnormalities Lactation Other nursing such as changing diapers

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a case is shown in which a pair of rectangular electrode cloths 112 and 113 are vertically placed with a predetermined space therebetween. FIG. 9 shows an example in which a pair of rectangular electrode cloths 212 and 213 are placed horizontally at a predetermined interval. In each of these cases, the specific configuration is the same as that of the above embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a configuration of the unconstrained life monitoring device according to the present invention when used in a NICU or the like. This device is installed for each incubator at NICU, and the measurement results are centrally managed or monitored at a nurse station. An alarm is issued at a nurse station or the like. FIG. 11 shows an example in which this device is used at home. This device is installed in the bed of an infant at home, and an alarm is issued wirelessly or by wire to another place. Also, an alarm can be issued to a mobile phone.

[0040]

According to the present invention, since a part of the bed sheet serves as a sensor, it can be fitted to the body shape of an infant. Further, since a probe or the like is not required, it does not prevent the infant from sleeping. In addition, the monitoring device constantly monitors the bioelectricity, body temperature, and information of other devices generated by the living body, so that the information of the living body can be comprehensively and continuously grasped.
It becomes possible to monitor. This apparatus can constantly measure objective information such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature. This also enables super premature babies to be monitored by the NICU. In particular, it is a very effective means for monitoring the living body of low birth weight infants, extremely low birth weight infants, and very low birth weight infants with fragile skin. Use of this device leads to early detection of hypothermia and the like due to poor physical condition of infants. Further, by simultaneously monitoring a plurality of this apparatus in a neonatal room, NICU, or the like, centralized monitoring in a nurse station, a dedicated monitoring room, an external monitoring center, or the like becomes possible, which leads to a significant reduction in monitoring work. For general household use, it can be realized as an inexpensive measuring instrument by selecting a measuring function as needed from heart rate, breathing, body temperature and the like. In addition, by using the remote function, it is possible to immediately notify a mother who is doing housework in a separate room or the like at home. In addition, by using a remote communication device such as a mobile phone, it is possible to notify a parent at a remote location and to notify the heartbeat and breathing of an infant by e-mail, so that the parent can be relieved. give.
Further, the present device provides an effective means for managing biological information such as electrocardiograms at the time of an animal experiment in drug development and for monitoring a living body in an operation at an animal hospital. Further, it is not necessary to fix the electrodes using fixing means such as an adhesive seal. Therefore, a low birth weight infant whose skin is fragile and is hospitalized in NICU or the like can be constantly monitored without causing skin damage. further,
Wiring to the body is also unnecessary, so that the baby (newborn) does not hinder sleep.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an unrestrained type life monitoring device according to the first aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an unconstrained life monitoring device according to the second aspect of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an unrestrained type life monitoring device according to the third aspect of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an unrestrained type life monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of a biological amplifier unit of the unconstrained life monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a biological amplifier section of the unconstrained life monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an electrocardiogram of a living body measured by the unrestrained type life monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an unrestrained type life monitoring device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an unrestrained type life monitoring device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows an unconstrained life monitoring device according to the present invention.
It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure at the time of connecting to CU.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration when an unrestrained type life monitoring device according to the present invention is used at home.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 sheets (planar member), 12, 13 electrode cloth (measuring means), 14 thermocouple (body temperature measuring means), 15 biological amplifier (judging means), 16 state monitoring unit (judging means, notifying means).

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) A61B 5/0408 A61G 11/00 Z 5/0452 G08B 21/02 5/11 A61B 5/02 321D 10/00 5/04 300C A61G 11/00 312U G08B 21/02 5/10 310Z (71) Applicant 000231224 Japan Silkworm Dyeing Co., Ltd. 35, Stage-machi, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto (72) Inventor Masayuki Ishijima Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 4-3-3 Nishiochiai (72) Inventor Yoshiaki Matsumoto 5612-7 Higashikinami, Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture (72) Inventor Sadagami Shirakami 3012-2 Asaminami, Asahi Village, Abu County, Yamaguchi Prefecture (72) Inventor Munehiro Kawamura Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi Prefecture 9-3 Kusunoki-cho, Ichiyama (72) Inventor Masato Tsukahara 4815-12, Nishikinami, Ube-shi, Yamaguchi (72) Inventor Atsushi Uno 2-6-1 Nagata-Honcho, Shimonoseki-shi, Yamaguchi (72) Inventor Junko Tomibe 35th stage town, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan F-term (reference) in Japan Silkworm Hair Dyeing Co., Ltd. GG13 GG16 GG18 HH06 4C038 VA04 VB31 VC20 4C341 KK03 5C086 AA60 BA07 BA11 CA01 CB02 CB40 DA07 DA14 DA40 EA33 EA36 EA41 FA02 FA07 FA15 GA02

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A measuring means for measuring basic information about life support emitted by a living body in a state where the movement of the living body is unconstrained, and the living body is in an abnormal state with respect to life support based on the basic information. A non-restraint type life monitoring device including a determination unit that determines whether or not the living body is in an abnormal state as a result of the determination, and a notification unit that notifies the abnormal state. An unconstrained life monitoring device having a planar member to be placed. 2. A bioelectricity measuring means for measuring a temporal change in electricity or a potential of the living body from the living body in a state in which the movement of the living body is unconstrained; Heart rate calculating means for calculating a heart rate; body temperature measuring means for measuring the body temperature of the living body in a state where the movement of the living body is unconstrained; and the living body is determined based on the heart rate and body temperature obtained by these means. An unconstrained life monitoring device comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not the body is in an abnormal state regarding maintenance; and a notifying unit that notifies the abnormal state when the living body is in the abnormal state. The means is a non-constrained life monitoring device having a planar member using conductive fibers, on which the living body is placed. 3. A bioelectricity measuring means for measuring a temporal change of electric or electric potential of the living body in a state where the movement of the living body is unconstrained; Heart rate calculating means for calculating the heart rate; respiratory rate calculating means for calculating the respiratory rate of the living body based on the detection result of the bioelectrical measuring means; measuring the body temperature of the living body in a state where the movement of the living body is unrestricted Means for measuring the temperature of the living body, determining means for determining whether or not the living body is in an abnormal state for life support based on information on the heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature obtained by these means; An unconstrained type life monitoring device provided with a notifying means for notifying the state when the state is in a state, wherein the bioelectric measuring means has a planar member using a conductive fiber; Above An unrestricted life monitoring device on which a living body is placed. 4. The non-restraining type according to claim 1, wherein the planar member is a cloth sheet, and a plurality of electrodes are provided apart from each other in a plane. Life monitoring device. 5. The unconstrained type life monitoring device according to claim 2, wherein said body temperature measuring means is constituted by arranging a plurality of film sensors on a plane formed by said planar member. . 6. The heart rate calculating means obtains an electrocardiogram of a living body based on the detection result of the bioelectric measuring means,
The unconstrained life monitoring device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the heart rate is calculated based on the electrocardiogram. 7. The unconstrained life monitoring apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an electrocardiogram of a living body is obtained based on a detection result of the bioelectric measurement means, and the respiration rate calculation means calculates a respiration rate based on the electrocardiogram. 8. A body movement of the living body is detected by the electrocardiogram,
The unconstrained life monitoring device according to claim 6, wherein the determination unit determines an abnormal state based on a result of the detection. 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the notifying means is provided at a position separated from the bioelectrical measuring means, and has a notifying member for displaying, by a lamp or sound, that the living body is in an abnormal state. The unconstrained life monitoring device according to any one of the preceding claims. 10. The unrestricted life monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the living body is an infant including a newborn.