JP2005168883A - Respiration examination device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a respiration examination device capable of easily detecting a closed position inside an airway and also examining a respiratory state. <P>SOLUTION: The respiration examination device 1 comprises a transmitter for transmitting examination signals into the airway through at least one of the mouth and the nostril, a receiver for receiving the examination signals reflected inside the airway, and a measuring means 4 for measuring the respiratory state on the basis of the examination signals received by the receiver. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a respiratory examination apparatus that examines a respiratory state of a subject during sleep.

  At present, various respiratory inspection apparatuses for inspecting the respiratory state of a subject have been provided and are attracting attention as effective means for inspecting the progress of respiratory failure, sleep apnea, and the like. Also, this type of respiratory examination apparatus acquires various biological information of the subject and examines the respiratory state based on the biological information. For example, there are known devices that measure the temperature, humidity, and air pressure of breath when breathing, the amount and concentration of carbon dioxide contained when breathing, or the breathing sound. Further, as one of such respiratory examination apparatuses, a biological information measurement apparatus that can inspect a respiratory state during sleep is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

The biological information measuring device includes, for example, an oxygen saturation finger sensor, a flow sensor, or a microphone. Here, the oxygen saturation finger sensor is attached to the fingertip and measures oxygen saturation, pulse rate, and the like. The flow sensor detects breathing in the nose or mouth and detects a change in the temperature of breathing air. The microphone is attached to the throat to detect a tracheal sound or a snoring sound. As described above, the biological information measuring apparatus can analyze the oxygen saturation average value, the pulse rate average value, the number of apneas per unit time, and the like based on these detection results.
Therefore, according to the biological information measuring device, the number of apneas during sleep can be easily grasped, and is an effective means for examining the progress of sleep apnea.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-312669 (paragraph numbers 0018-0049, FIG. 1-10)

  With the biological information measuring device described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to grasp the initial symptoms and the progress of sleep apnea. However, in the case of performing treatment, it is necessary to detect a blockage position in the airway by receiving an examination using a large apparatus such as an MRI apparatus at a medical institution such as a hospital. And after detecting an obstruction | occlusion position, it is necessary to receive the appropriate treatment according to the condition. That is, in order to detect the obstruction position in the airway, it is necessary to visit a medical institution or the like for further examination, which is time consuming and laborious.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a respiratory examination device that can easily detect the obstruction position in the airway and examine the respiratory state.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means.
The invention according to claim 1 is a transmitter for transmitting a test signal into an airway through at least one of a mouth and a nostril, a receiver for receiving the test signal reflected in the airway, and the receiver And a breathing examination apparatus comprising measuring means for measuring a respiratory state based on the examination signal received in step (1).
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the respiratory examination apparatus according to the first aspect, the measuring unit analyzes the respiratory state based on the measurement result, and based on the analysis result by the analysis unit. A respiratory examination apparatus is provided that includes a detection unit that detects an obstruction site in the airway.

In the respiratory examination apparatus according to the present invention, examination signals such as radio waves and sound waves transmitted from the mouth or nostril to the airway by the transmitter travel toward the lung while being repeatedly reflected by the tube wall in the airway. The examination signal that has reached the lungs is reflected by the lungs, returned to the mouth or nostril, and received by the receiver, and for example, the reflection time is measured by the measuring means. At this time, if there is an obstruction site in the airway, the inspection signal is reflected at the obstruction site before reaching the lungs. Therefore, the reflection time in such a state is shorter than that in the normal state. This difference in reflection time is analyzed by the analysis unit. Moreover, the detection part can detect the obstruction | occlusion part in an airway by calculating the distance of a mouth or a nostril and an obstruction | occlusion part from reflection time, for example, receiving the analysis result by an analysis part.
In this way, by sending a test signal into the airway and receiving a test signal reflected in the airway, the obstruction position can be easily detected without taking time and effort, and the respiratory state can be adjusted. Can be inspected. Thereby, subsequent treatment etc. can be performed smoothly.

The invention according to claim 3 provides the respiratory examination apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are configured by the same device.
In the respiratory examination apparatus according to the present invention, since the transmitter and the receiver can be configured by the same device, the number of parts can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the size can be further reduced.

The invention according to claim 4 is the respiratory examination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are mounted in the vicinity of at least one of the mouth and the nostril. Provide inspection equipment.
In the respiratory examination device according to the present invention, the transmitter and the receiver are mounted in the vicinity of the mouth or nostril, so that the examination signal can be transmitted more reliably into the airway and the examination signal from the airway. Can be received.

The invention according to claim 5 is the respiratory examination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the examination signal is transmitted between the transmitter and the receiver and the mouth or nostril. Provided is a respiratory examination device that includes a possible examination signal transmission guide and that transmits or receives the examination signal via the examination signal transmission guide.
In the respiratory examination apparatus according to the present invention, the examination signal can be reliably transmitted into the airway via the examination signal transmission guide, and the examination signal can be received from the airway. In addition, since the inspection signal transmission guide is used, it is not necessary to install the transmitter and the receiver near the mouth or nostril. Therefore, a sense of restraint can be reduced.

The invention according to claim 6 is the radio wave transmitter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inspection signal is a radio signal, and the transmitter transmits the radio signal. And providing a respiratory examination device in which the receiver is a radio wave receiver for receiving the radio wave signal.
In the respiratory examination device according to the present invention, it is possible to detect the obstruction position in the airway and to examine the respiratory state using radio waves.

The invention according to claim 7 is the sound wave transmitter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inspection signal is a sound wave signal and the transmitter transmits the sound wave signal. And the respiratory test apparatus is a sonic wave receiver for receiving the sonic wave signal.
In the respiratory examination apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to detect the blockage position in the airway and to examine the respiratory state using sound waves.

The invention according to claim 8 provides the respiratory examination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the examination signal is a pulse signal.
In the respiratory examination apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to detect the obstruction position in the airway and examine the respiratory state using a pulse signal.

  According to the respiratory examination apparatus according to the present invention, the closed position can be easily detected without taking time and effort by transmitting the examination signal into the airway and receiving the examination signal reflected in the airway. At the same time, the respiratory state can be checked together. Therefore, subsequent treatments and the like can be performed smoothly.

An embodiment of a respiratory examination apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the respiratory examination device 1 of the present embodiment includes a main body 11 and a sensor unit 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor unit 10 includes a radio wave transmitter (transmitter) 2, a radio wave receiver (receiver) 3, and a radio wave antenna 12. The radio wave transmitter 2 transmits a test signal, that is, a radio wave signal, into the airway through at least one of the mouth and nostril of the subject A. The radio wave receiver 3 receives a radio wave signal reflected in the airway or lungs. On the other hand, the main body 11 includes a signal analysis circuit (measurement means) 4, a signal generation circuit 16, and a signal detection circuit 17. The signal analysis circuit 4 measures the respiratory state of the subject A based on the radio wave signal received by the radio wave receiver 3. In the present embodiment, a case where a radio signal is transmitted and received from the nostril into the airway will be described.
The signal analysis circuit 4 includes an analysis circuit (analysis unit) 5 and a detection circuit (detection unit) 6. The analysis circuit 5 analyzes the respiratory state based on the measurement result of the radio signal. The detection circuit 6 detects an obstruction site in the airway based on the analysis result of the analysis circuit 5.

  As described above, the respiratory examination apparatus 1 includes the sensor unit 10 that can be mounted in the vicinity of the nostril, and the main body unit 11 that is electrically connected to the sensor unit 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sensor unit 10 is formed in a box shape having an opening 10a. Further, a holding part such as a clip is provided so that it can be attached to the subject A with the opening 10a facing the nostril via the holding part. In addition, you may abbreviate | omit a holding | maintenance part and affix on the vicinity of a nostril with a tape etc., for example. Alternatively, the outer shape may be made like a rugby ball, and fine irregularities may be formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, which may be inserted into the nostril and fixed. A radio wave antenna 12 is provided in the sensor unit 10. The radio wave antenna 12 receives a control signal from the main body 11 and operates the radio wave transmitter 2. The radio wave antenna 12 is configured so that the radio wave receiver 3 sends a radio signal received from the airway toward the main body 11. The radio wave transmitter 2 is configured to transmit a pulsed radio signal instead of continuous transmission when transmitting a radio signal.

The main body 11 is formed in a box shape by a housing 15 as shown in FIG. For example, it can be attached to the arm or the like of the subject A by a belt or the like. Moreover, you may comprise so that it can mount | wear on a wrist like a wristwatch.
The main body 11 has a signal generation circuit 16 and a signal detection circuit 17 in a housing 15 as shown in FIG. The signal generation circuit 16 generates a control signal to be sent to the radio wave antenna 12. The signal detection circuit 17 detects a radio wave signal transmitted from the radio wave antenna 12.

Further, the main body 11 includes the signal analysis circuit 4 in the housing 15. The signal analysis circuit 4 includes an analysis circuit 5, a detection circuit 6, and a memory 18. The memory 18 records the detection results of the respiratory state and the obstruction site obtained by the circuits 5 and 6. In addition, a display 19 for displaying each information recorded in the memory 18 is provided on the outer surface of the housing 15.
The analysis circuit 5 has a function of measuring a reflection time until the radio wave signal transmitted from the radio wave transmitter 2 is reflected in the airway and received by the radio wave receiver 3. Based on the difference in reflection time, the respiratory state and the obstructed state in the airway are analyzed. Furthermore, the analysis circuit 5 has a recording unit 5a that records the reflection time measured during a predetermined time from the start of operation, that is, the reflection time measured immediately after going to bed of the subject A as a reference time. . The analysis is performed by comparing the reference time with the reflection time measured thereafter. The recording unit 5a may be set so that the reference time can be input in advance. As a result of the analysis, if the measured reflection time is different from the reference time, it is assumed that the respiratory state has changed, and that effect is sent to the detection circuit 6 and recorded in the memory 18.

The detection circuit 6 has a function of detecting the distance from the reflection time sent from the analysis circuit 5 to the blockage position in the airway. The detected distance is recorded in the memory 18.
The display 19 is a monitor that can arbitrarily display each information recorded in the memory 18 with a liquid crystal monitor, an LED, or the like, using a switch (not shown). The display 19 has a built-in timer function so that the time of each information sent from the analysis circuit 5 and the detection circuit 6 can be recorded. In the present embodiment, the display device 19 has an integrated configuration provided on the outer surface of the housing 15, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided separately.

The case where the respiratory state of the subject A and the obstruction position in the airway are detected by the respiratory examination device 1 configured as described above will be described below.
First, the sensor unit 10 and the main body unit 11 are mounted at predetermined positions. After wearing, the subject A goes to bed after turning on a power switch (not shown) of the main body 11. On the other hand, when the main unit 11 is turned on, the radio wave transmitter 2 transmits a radio signal into the airway. That is, the signal generation circuit 16 operates to generate a predetermined control signal. Based on this control signal, as shown in FIG. 3, a pulsed radio signal is transmitted from the radio wave transmitter 2 into the nostril. At this time, since the subject A is immediately after going to bed, the airway is not blocked. Therefore, the radio wave signal transmitted into the airway reaches the lungs while being reflected on the lumen wall in the airway of the subject A shown in FIG. 1, and is reflected by the lungs and returns toward the nostril again. Received by the receiver 3. The received radio wave signal is sent to the main body 11 via the radio wave antenna 12. Then, it is sent from the signal detection circuit 17 to the signal analysis circuit 4.

  At this time, the radio wave receiver 3 receives, for example, a radio signal as shown in FIG. 4 from the airway and sends it to the analysis circuit 5. That is, the radio wave receiver 3 first receives a radio wave signal reflected by the lumen wall in the nostril, and then receives a radio signal reflected by the lumen wall of the throat. In this way, with the passage of time, the radio wave signal reflected by the lumen wall near the lung is received. Finally, the radio signal reflected by the lungs is received. Note that the analysis circuit 5 determines that the radio signal immediately before the signal level becomes 0 is the radio signal reflected by the lungs. The analysis circuit 5 records the reflection time of the radio wave signal reflected by the lungs in the recording unit 5a as a reference signal. The recording to the recording unit 5a is set to be performed only after a predetermined time elapses after the power is turned on. Further, an average value of reference times recorded a plurality of times during a predetermined time may be obtained. In this way, a more accurate reference time can be set.

  Next, after elapse of the predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes from when the power is turned on), the analysis circuit 5 compares the reflection time of the radio wave signal sent from the radio wave receiver 3 with the reference time, thereby Perform analysis. As a result, for example, when there is no difference in the reflection time, it is analyzed that there is no change in the airway state, that is, no change in the respiratory state. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, when the muscles in the airway of the subject A are loosened and a stenosis occurs between the nostril and the mouth, the radio wave receiver 3 is shown in FIG. Receive the radio signal as shown. That is, the radio wave receiver 3 receives the radio wave signal reflected by the stenosis part B, not the lung, that is, the radio wave signal of the reflection time t1. The analysis circuit 5 analyzes that the respiratory state has changed due to the difference between the reflection time t1 and the reference signal, and sends the fact to the memory 18 and to the detection circuit 6.

  The memory 18 records that the breathing state has changed from the analysis circuit 5 in association with the time by the built-in timer function. The detection circuit 6 detects the distance s1 from the reflection time t1 sent from the analysis circuit 5 to the blocked site B. That is, the detection circuit 6 detects the distance s1 from the reflection time t1 to the occlusion site B based on, for example, the formula of distance S (mm) = time t (s) × sound speed (m / s) / 2. The detection circuit 6 detects the distance s1 and sends it to the memory 18. The memory 18 records the distance s1 sent from the detection circuit 6 in association with the time of the built-in timer function.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, when a stenosis occurs between the mouth in the airway and the lung, the radio wave receiver 3 receives a radio signal as shown in FIG. A radio signal at time t2 is received. Also in this case, as described above, the analysis circuit 5 analyzes the change in the respiratory state, and the detection circuit 6 detects the distance s2 to the obstruction site C. Also, the change in the breathing state and the distance s2 are recorded in the memory 18 in relation to time.

As described above, while the subject A is sleeping, the signal analysis circuit 4 receives the radio wave signal transmitted from the radio wave transmitter 2 and reflected in the airway, and the reflection time is different from the reference time. When this occurs, recording in the memory 18 is repeated, assuming that there is a change in the respiratory state. At the same time, the distance of the occluded part is also recorded.
As a result, the subject A operates the switch of the display 19 after getting up, and each information recorded in the memory 18, for example, the change in breathing state (apnea state) The distance from the nostril to the obstruction site, the number of respiratory abnormalities, and the like can be easily confirmed. In particular, since the distance from the nostril to the obstruction site can be confirmed, it is possible to immediately receive optimal treatment without receiving MRI treatment or the like by a medical institution or the like.

According to the respiratory examination apparatus 1 described above, by transmitting a radio signal into the airway of the subject A and receiving the radio signal reflected within the airway, the inside of the airway can be easily obtained without taking time and effort. The occlusion position can be detected, and the respiratory state can be checked together. Therefore, after that, it is possible to smoothly perform treatment such as a sleep apnea state in a medical institution or the like based on the detected data on the obstruction position.
In addition, since the radio wave transmitter 2 and the radio wave receiver 3 are arranged in the vicinity of the nostril, radio wave signals can be reliably transmitted into the airway and received from within the airway. Therefore, the accuracy of inspection can be improved.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above embodiment, the radio signal is transmitted from the nostril of the subject into the airway, but may be transmitted from the mouth into the airway. In addition, although radio waves are used as inspection signals, they are not limited to radio waves. For example, a sound wave signal using sound waves may be used. In this case, the radio wave transmitter may be configured as a sound wave transmitter that transmits a sound wave signal, and the radio wave receiver may be configured as a sound wave receiver that receives a sound wave signal. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the sensor unit is provided with a sound wave generating thin film in the vicinity of the opening and a transmitting means such as a transmitting crystal for applying a voltage to the sound wave generating thin film to vibrate the sound wave generating thin film. That's fine. By comprising in this way, it is possible to oscillate a sound wave generation thin film and to transmit a sound wave signal in an airway. Conversely, it is also possible to receive a sound wave signal from the airway.

In addition, the radio wave transmitter and the radio wave receiver are separately configured, that is, the signal generation circuit and the signal reception circuit are separately configured in the casing of the main body, but may be configured on the same device. By doing so, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. Further, the main body can be further reduced in size.
Furthermore, although the sensor unit is arranged near the nostril and the radio signal is transmitted directly from the wireless radio antenna to the airway, the present invention is not limited to this, and any configuration can be used as long as the radio signal can be transmitted into the airway. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, an air pipe (inspection signal transmission guide) capable of transmitting a radio wave signal may be disposed between the sensor unit and the airway. The air pipe is formed so as to be flexible and can transmit a radio wave signal therein. By using this air pipe, it is not necessary to attach the sensor unit to the subject, for example, so that the sense of restraint of the subject can be reduced.

It is a whole lineblock diagram for explaining one embodiment of the respiratory examination device concerning the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the sensor part of the respiration test apparatus shown in FIG. It is a wave form diagram when transmitting a radio signal. It is a wave form diagram when a radio wave signal is received from the inside of an airway when a subject is normal. It is a figure which shows the state which transmitted the electromagnetic wave signal, when there is a stenosis between the nostril and mouth in an airway. FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram when a radio signal is received in the state of FIG. 5. It is a figure which shows the state which transmitted the electromagnetic wave signal, when there exists stenosis between the mouth and lungs in an airway. FIG. 8 is a waveform diagram when a radio signal is received in the state of FIG. 7. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of a sensor part in the case of transmitting a sound wave signal. It is a figure which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the air pipe between the sensor part and the airway, and transmitted the electromagnetic wave signal in the airway.

Explanation of symbols

1 Respiratory inspection device 2 Radio wave transmitter (transmitter)
3 radio wave receiver (receiver)
4 Signal analysis circuit (measuring means)
5 Analysis circuit (analysis unit)
6 Detection circuit (detection unit)

Claims (8)

A transmitter for transmitting a test signal into the airway through at least one of the mouth and nostrils;
A receiver for receiving the examination signal reflected in the airway;
A respiratory examination apparatus comprising: a measuring unit that measures a respiratory state based on an examination signal received by the receiver. The respiratory examination apparatus according to claim 1,
The respiratory examination apparatus, wherein the measurement means includes an analysis unit that analyzes a respiratory state based on a measurement result, and a detection unit that detects an obstruction site in the airway based on the analysis result by the analysis unit . In the respiratory examination apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The respiratory examination apparatus, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are composed of the same device. The respiratory examination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The respiratory examination apparatus, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are mounted in the vicinity of at least one of a mouth and a nostril. The respiratory examination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An inspection signal transmission guide arranged between the transmitter and the receiver and the mouth or nostril and capable of transmitting the inspection signal;
A respiratory examination apparatus, wherein the examination signal is transmitted or received via the examination signal transmission guide. The respiratory examination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The inspection signal is a radio signal,
The transmitter is a radio wave transmitter for transmitting the radio wave signal;
The respiratory examination apparatus, wherein the receiver is a radio wave receiver that receives the radio wave signal. The respiratory examination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The inspection signal is a sound wave signal;
The transmitter is a sound wave transmitter for transmitting the sound wave signal;
The respiratory test apparatus, wherein the receiver is a sound wave receiver that receives the sound wave signal. The respiratory examination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The respiratory test apparatus, wherein the test signal is a pulse signal.

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