JP2008109950A - Swallowing function evaluation device, operation method and program of swallowing function evaluation device, computer-readable recording medium and storage apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To evaluate a swallowing function with a reduced burden on a patient. <P>SOLUTION: This swallowing function evaluation device is provided with a small-size magnet mountable on the thyroid cartilage skin of a patient, a magnetic sensor capable of detecting the relative position to the small-size magnet by detecting the change in the magnetic field in the surrounding area, and a swallowing function evaluation means extracting the moving pattern of the small-size magnet based on the change in the relative position to the small-size magnet detected by the magnetic sensor and evaluating the swallowing function of the patient based on the moving pattern. This constitution can detect the movement of the thyroid cartilage skin on a site attached with the small-size magnet by mounting the small-size magnet on the patient, allow the swallowing function evaluation means to evaluate the swallowing function based thereon and reduce the physical burden on the patient in the evaluation test. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a swallowing function evaluation device, a swallowing function evaluation device operation method, a swallowing function evaluation device operation program, and a computer, which are used in medical fields such as neurosurgery, otolaryngology, dentistry, rehabilitation, and elderly care. The present invention relates to a possible recording medium and a stored device.

  In recent years, aging has progressed in Japan, and interest in rehabilitation of patients with eating and dysphagia has increased due to an increase in the elderly and elderly people requiring care. However, eating and dysphagia require management and treatment by many occupations such as neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists, dentists, nurses, nutritionists, speech therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, Since the disease state, prognosis, etc. differ depending on the causative disease, it is very difficult to respond.

  In addition, as for eating / swallowing disorders, it is very important how to evaluate the disorder with respect to the presence / absence or degree of functional disorder or disability. Currently, swallowing video fluoroscopy (VF) is used for definitive diagnosis of dysphagia, and as a screening method, a repetitive saliva swallowing test (repetitive swallowing) that measures the number of 30 seconds of swallowing (saliva ingestion) is used. saliva swallowing test (RSST) is valid. In this method, a finger is placed on the skin near the thyroid cartilage and the number of swallows in 30 seconds is confirmed while looking at the clock.

  However, RSST requires manual work by a doctor who has a certain degree of experience, has poor work efficiency, and the evaluation criteria are not constant by the doctor. Therefore, an objective and highly reliable evaluation method using a dedicated device is desired. As an apparatus for detecting such a swallowing function, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a swallowing disorder detection apparatus using a surface electromyogram. As shown in FIG. 8, the detection device 84 arranges a plurality of electrodes 83 directly on the muscular surface of the patient's swallowing, records a surface electromyogram with the measuring instrument 85, and sets parameters extracted from this figure. The control unit 86 evaluates the difference between the data of the healthy person and the handicapped person.

  However, in this method, as shown in FIG. 8, it is necessary to apply a large number of electrodes 2 to the surface of the patient's muscle by applying an adhesive, which is troublesome and has a great physical and mental burden on the patient. This is particularly painful for patients with weakened muscles related to swallowing function. Furthermore, since the evaluation is performed after the patient actually swallows drinks or food, this swallowing is a considerable burden on the patient.

On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a continuous swallowing motion measuring device and a continuous swallowing motion measuring method for accurately measuring swallowing motion when drinking beverages such as beer continuously. However, this method also requires a large apparatus as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, and it is difficult to evaluate in a natural state due to physical or mental pressure on the patient by wearing as in the case of Patent Document 1. is there. Furthermore, this method also requires the continuous swallowing of the beverage, and there is a problem that the burden on the patient whose swallowing function is reduced is large and there is a risk of aspiration.
JP 2005-304890 A JP 2006-095264 A

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation. The main object of the present invention is to provide a swallowing function evaluation device and swallowing function evaluation device that can measure in a natural state and can record and analyze swallowing functions easily and accurately while minimizing the burden on the patient. To provide an operation method, a swallowing function evaluation apparatus operation program, a computer-readable recording medium, and a stored device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first swallowing function evaluation apparatus of the present invention detects a small magnet that can be mounted on a thyroid cartilage skin of a patient, and a relative position of the small magnet by detecting a change in a surrounding magnetic field. And a body part including the magnetic impedance element, and mounting means for mounting the body part at a predetermined position of the patient. Thereby, the movement of the thyroid cartilage due to the feeding / swallowing motion is detected by the magneto-impedance element as a change in the magnetic field generated along with the movement of the small magnet mounted on the thyroid cartilage skin. The small magnet to be attached has little uncomfortable feeling to the patient, can be measured in a natural state, and can easily and accurately record and analyze the swallowing function. The predetermined position where the main body portion is mounted can be, for example, the skin on the sternum arch or the neck. Further, as the mounting means for mounting the small magnet and the main body, for example, an adhesive tape or a band having elasticity can be used. In the present specification, “on thyroid cartilage skin” means the skin on thyroid cartilage or the vicinity thereof.

  The second swallowing function evaluation apparatus includes a small magnet that can be mounted on the thyroid cartilage skin of a patient, and a magnetic sensor that can detect the relative position of the small magnet by detecting a change in the surrounding magnetic field; It is possible to provide a swallowing function evaluation means for extracting a movement pattern of the small magnet based on the change in the relative position of the small magnet detected by the magnetic sensor and evaluating the swallowing function of the patient based on the movement pattern. . Accordingly, by attaching a small magnet to the patient, the movement of the thyroid cartilage skin at the part to which the small magnet is attached is detected by the magnetic sensor, and based on this, the swallowing function evaluation means can evaluate the swallowing function. Can reduce the physical burden on the body.

  Further, the third swallowing function evaluation device can evaluate the swallowing function based on the movement pattern of the thyroid cartilage skin of the patient swallowed by the swallowing function evaluating means according to the repeated saliva swallowing test. This eliminates the need for the patient to actually swallow food and liquid, and only a 30-second air swallowing is required in accordance with the RSST. Therefore, the burden on the patient in the evaluation test can be reduced and there is no risk of aspiration.

  Furthermore, the 4th swallowing function evaluation apparatus can use a magnetic impedance element for a magnetic sensor. Thereby, detection of a relative position with high accuracy can be easily realized.

  Furthermore, the fifth swallowing function evaluation device can use a computer for the swallowing function evaluation means. Thereby, a swallowing function evaluation apparatus can be easily realized using an existing computer.

  Furthermore, the sixth swallowing function evaluation apparatus operating method is an operation method of the swallowing function evaluation apparatus including a small magnet and a magnetic sensor capable of detecting the relative position of the small magnet by detecting a change in the surrounding magnetic field. The step of attaching a small magnet on the patient's thyroid cartilage skin and attaching the main body including the magnetic sensor to a predetermined position of the patient, and the movement of the thyroid cartilage when the patient performs a repeated saliva swallowing test, The step of detecting and recording the relative position of the small magnet with a magnetic sensor, and the step of taking the recorded movement of the thyroid cartilage into the swallowing function evaluating means and evaluating and outputting the swallowing function of the patient can be included. This makes it possible to record and analyze the swallowing function easily and accurately.

  Furthermore, a seventh swallowing function evaluation apparatus operation program is an operation program for a swallowing function evaluation apparatus that includes a small magnet and a magnetic sensor that can detect the relative position of the small magnet by detecting a change in the surrounding magnetic field. In addition, the computer records the initial relative position when the body part including the small magnet and the magnetic sensor is attached to the patient, and the movement of the thyroid cartilage when the patient performs the repeated saliva swallowing test Based on the recorded thyroid cartilage movement, the recording means for detecting the position and continuously recording the information can be used as an information processing means for evaluating the swallowing function of the patient. This makes it possible to record and analyze the swallowing function easily and accurately. When recording the relative position of the small magnet, the movement distance, movement speed, time interval, and the like can be used as an evaluation index.

  Furthermore, the eighth computer-readable recording medium or the stored device records the swallowing function evaluation apparatus operation program. Recording media include CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, flexible disk, magnetic tape, MO, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD + R, DVD + RW, Blu-ray, HD A medium that can store a program such as a magnetic disk such as a DVD (AOD), an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like is included. The program includes a program distributed in a download manner through a network line such as the Internet, in addition to a program stored and distributed in the recording medium. Furthermore, the stored devices include general-purpose or dedicated devices in which the program is implemented in a state where it can be executed in the form of software, firmware, or the like. Furthermore, each process and function included in the program may be executed by computer-executable program software, or each part of the process or hardware may be executed by hardware such as a predetermined gate array (FPGA, ASIC), or program software. And a partial hardware module that realizes a part of hardware elements may be mixed.

  As described above, according to the first swallowing function evaluation apparatus of the present invention, the movement of the thyroid cartilage due to the feeding / swallowing movement is a change in the magnetic field generated by the movement of the small magnet mounted on the thyroid cartilage skin. , Detected by the magneto-impedance element. The small magnet to be attached has little uncomfortable feeling to the patient, can be measured in a natural state, and can easily and accurately record and analyze the swallowing function. According to another swallowing function evaluation device, a swallowing function evaluation device operation method, a swallowing function evaluation device operation program, a computer-readable recording medium, and a stored device, a small magnet can be attached to a patient by attaching the small magnet to a patient. Since the movement of the thyroid cartilage skin at the attached site can be detected by a magnetic sensor and the swallowing function evaluation means can evaluate the swallowing function based on this, the physical burden on the patient can be reduced during the evaluation test.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below stores a swallowing function evaluation device, a swallowing function evaluation device operation method, a swallowing function evaluation device operation program, a computer-readable recording medium, and a storage medium for embodying the technical idea of the present invention. The device is exemplified, and the present invention does not specify a swallowing function evaluation device, a swallowing function evaluation device operation method, a swallowing function evaluation device operation program, a computer-readable recording medium, and a stored device as follows. Moreover, the member shown by the claim is not what specifies the member of embodiment. Note that the size, positional relationship, and the like of the members shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation. Further, in the following description, the same name and reference sign indicate the same or similar members, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, each element constituting the present invention may be configured such that a plurality of elements are constituted by the same member and the plurality of elements are shared by one member, and conversely, the function of one member is constituted by a plurality of members. It can also be realized by sharing.

  In this specification, a swallowing function evaluation device, a swallowing function evaluation device operation method, a swallowing function evaluation device operation program, a computer-readable recording medium, and a stored device include operations related to recording and analysis of swallowing functions of the swallowing function evaluation device, and Restricted to devices and methods that perform input / output, display, calculation, communication, and other processes related to the operation, display, and settings related to the swallowing function of the swallowing function evaluation device itself, as well as the system that performs display and settings is not. An apparatus and method for realizing processing by software are also included in the scope of the present invention. For example, recording and analyzing swallowing function of swallowing function evaluation device by incorporating software, programs, plug-ins, objects, libraries, applets, scriptlets, compilers, modules, macros that run on specific programs, etc. into general-purpose circuits and computers A general-purpose or dedicated computer, workstation, information terminal, portable electronic device, or other electronic device that can perform the processing itself or related processing is also a swallowing function evaluation apparatus, swallowing function evaluation apparatus operating method, swallowing of the present invention It is included in at least one of a function evaluation apparatus operation program, a computer-readable recording medium, and a stored device. In addition, this program is not limited to the one used alone, but is provided as a service in an environment that functions as a part of a specific computer program, software, service, etc., an aspect that is called and functions when necessary, and an environment such as an OS. It can also be used as a mode, a mode that operates resident in the environment, a mode that operates in the background, and other support programs.

  Also, information terminals such as computers used in the embodiments of the present invention, servers, computers connected to these, computers for operation, control, input / output, display, various processing, etc., or other peripheral devices such as printers For example, IEEE1394, RS-232x, RS-422, USB, etc., serial connection, parallel connection, or 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T, etc. It can be performed. The connection is not limited to a physical connection using a wire, but may be a wireless connection using radio waves such as IEEE802.1x, OFDM, etc., Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared rays, optical communication, or the like. Furthermore, a memory card, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like can be used as a recording medium for exchanging data or storing settings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing how the swallowing function evaluation apparatus is used. The swallowing function evaluation apparatus shown in this figure includes a small magnet 10 mounted on a patient's thyroid cartilage skin, and a main body portion 20 spaced from the small magnet 10 and mounted on the patient's sternum arch skin. The main body 20 includes a magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor is connected to the computer 40 via a coaxial cable.

  As the magnetic sensor, an element that can detect a change in the surrounding magnetic field, such as a magnetic impedance sensor, a Hall element, a magnetoresistive element, or a fluxgate sensor, can be appropriately used. The magneto-impedance element is preferable because it can detect magnetism with a small size and high sensitivity, and does not require a high-magnification amplifier. In addition, the magneto-impedance element has the advantage that it consumes less power to operate, and can be reduced in size and weight. A swallowing function evaluation apparatus using a magneto-impedance element as a magnetic sensor can have a small body, can be easily handled, and can be driven by a battery such as a battery. As a magneto-impedance element that can detect such a change in the surrounding magnetic field and detect the relative position of the small magnet 10, an MI sensor disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-329748 can be used. The MI sensor using the magnetic inductance effect of the amorphous wire is a magneto-impedance element having a sensitivity of 0.1 mG.

  The small magnet 10 may be of any form and magnetic flux density as long as it produces a change in the magnetic field that can be detected by the magnetic sensor. In general, a disc-shaped magnet having a magnetic flux density of 80 to 100 mT, a diameter of 3 to 10 mm, and a thickness of 1 to 5 mm can be used, and the main body 20 can also be manufactured to a size of about 30 × 10 × 5 mm. Avoid unnecessary stress during swallowing. Such a small-sized magnet is as small and light as a magnetic therapy magnet such as Pip-Electiban (registered trademark), so it is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to handle, and is attached with a simple adhesive tape such as double-sided tape. This is advantageous in that it can be easily attached to the patient and the burden on the patient is extremely low. In particular, by using RSST that does not actually need to swallow food, etc., it does not require conventional swallowing movements of food, etc., and does not even have a burden due to a doctor's palpation. Functional evaluation can be realized. The small magnet 10 means a size that does not hinder the patient's swallowing motion and can detect a sufficient amount of magnetic flux change by the magnetic sensor. In the example of FIG. 1, only one small magnet 10 is mounted, but it goes without saying that a plurality of magnets can be mounted as necessary.

  Since the small magnet 10 moves with the movement of the thyroid cartilage during swallowing, a change in the magnetic field is detected by a magnetic sensor, and an output signal is taken into the computer 40 via the A / D converter 30. As a result, the movement of the thyroid cartilage during swallowing can be displayed in real time and data can be recorded. The movement distance, movement speed, time interval, and the like of the position of the small magnet 10, that is, the position of the thyroid cartilage are used as an index for evaluating the swallowing function.

  The A / D converter 30 converts the output signal of the magnetic sensor from an analog signal to a digital signal so that it can be input to the computer 40. Needless to say, if the digital signal is output from the main unit by incorporating an A / D converter in the main unit, the main unit and the computer can be directly connected.

  In addition, with this configuration, since the relative position of the small magnet 10 and the magnetic sensor included in the main body 20 can be detected wirelessly, problems caused by wire, for example, lead wires or the like hinder the patient's swallowing movement. Can be eliminated, and smart and low-load detection becomes possible.

  In order to prevent the patient from getting an electric shock, at least during the measurement with the swallowing function evaluation device attached to the patient, the main body 20 should be driven by the battery 50 without fail from the commercial power source. preferable. Alternatively, if power is supplied by bus power to the main body unit 20 connected by USB in the configuration of FIG. 1, a battery can be eliminated. It is also preferable to use a notebook computer for the computer 40 and drive the battery.

  In addition, by setting the frequency band of the magnetic sensor to 0.3 to 5 Hz, measurement can be performed without being affected by geomagnetism.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, by wirelessly connecting the main body 20B and the computer 40B, it is possible to improve insulation and further reduce the risk of electric shock, and not only the small magnet 10B but also the main body 20B can be used wirelessly. Can increase the degree of freedom. In this example, the main body 20B is provided with communication functions such as infrared communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and wireless LAN, and performs wireless data communication with a computer 40B having a wireless communication function. With this configuration, it is not necessary to use a notebook personal computer for the computer 40B, and a desktop personal computer can be used. Therefore, in this respect, the degree of freedom in configuration is high.
(Swallowing function evaluation means)

The computer 40 functions as a swallowing function evaluation unit. The computer 40 once captures the waveform data of the magnetic signal detected by the magnetic sensor from the main body unit 20, processes the waveform, and evaluates whether the swallowing function is normal according to a predetermined algorithm. As an algorithm for evaluating the swallowing function, RSST can be suitably used. When the evaluation algorithm is fixed, the swallowing motion pattern can be directly analyzed from the main body unit 20 and the swallowing function can be evaluated and determined in real time.
(RSST)

In normal RSST, an examiner such as a doctor performs palpation with the patient in a sitting position. Specifically, the finger pad is placed on the laryngeal protuberance / hyoid bone of the patient, and the swallowing motion is repeated for 30 seconds. Explain to the patient, “Please repeat swallowing as many times as possible”. The laryngeal protuberance and hyoid bone move over the finger pad and move forward with swallowing movement, and return to the original position. This downward movement is confirmed, and the time when swallowing is completed. Here, the laryngeal raising and lowering movements that occur during the swallowing exercise are confirmed by palpation, and the number of swallowing that occurs for 30 seconds is counted. In the elderly, it is normal if it can be done 3 times in 30 seconds. In patients with dysphagia, even if the first swallowing movement occurs smoothly, the laryngeal elevation is not completed after the second, and the laryngeal protuberance / hyoid bone does not move sufficiently upward and forward, but falls down in the middle There is. Care should be taken to distinguish this from true swallowing. For patients who are thought to be thirsty and impede swallowing, artificial saliva and a small amount of water such as Salibate (registered trademark) are sprayed into the oral cavity and the test is performed simultaneously. The judgment value is almost unchanged. If no swallowing movement is observed in 30 seconds, the observation time is extended to 1 minute. Extending the observation time is useful when tracking changes over time in severe dysphagia.
(Swallowing function evaluation algorithm)

  Hereinafter, an example of a procedure in which the computer 40 in FIG. 1 evaluates the swallowing function will be described based on the flowchart in FIG. 3. First, in step S1, a patient's swallowing motion is detected by a magnetic sensor. Here, with the patient sitting as described above, the small magnet 10 is mounted on the thyroid cartilage skin of the patient, and the main body 20 including the magnetic sensor is mounted on the sternum arch skin. Both can be fixed with adhesive tape. Moreover, you may fix the main-body part 20 using a hook-and-loop fastener. At this time, if the patient is wearing a medical device that is susceptible to electromagnetism, such as a pacemaker, these devices are excluded as a precaution. In addition, if there are cards or the like that are easily affected by magnetism in the patient's belongings, they should be kept away from the measurement beforehand. Then, after recording the initial relative position where the main body part including the small magnet and the magnetic sensor was attached to the patient, the patient was swallowed for 30 seconds according to RSST, and the throat movement, that is, the small sized attached to the thyroid cartilage skin The operation of the magnet 10 is continuously detected by a magnetic sensor based on the small magnet 10. Specifically, the forward and upward movement of the small magnet 10 attached to the upper thyroid cartilage skin with swallowing is measured one-dimensionally with a magnetic sensor attached to the upper sternum skin.

  Next, in step S2, the computer 40 captures data indicating the movement of the throat detected by the magnetic sensor as a swallowing waveform. FIG. 4 shows the time change of the voltage output waveform of the magnetic sensor as an example of the swallowing waveform. In FIG. 4, the front upward movement of the small magnet 10 accompanying swallowing appears as a downward peak. From this waveform, an algorithm for counting the number of swallows and a feature amount (parameter) are determined. As the feature amount, the number of times that the saliva is swallowed, the time required for each swallowing, the swallowing time from swallowing to the next, the rising and falling thresholds of the waveform, the differential value, the time from peak to peak, and the like can be used.

Here, in step S3, the average value, maximum value, and minimum value of the swallow waveform are calculated. When the average value, the maximum value, and the minimum value are obtained as shown in FIG. 5 from FIG. 4, next, in step S4, the range is between the minimum value and the average value and between the average value and the maximum value. , Thresholds 1 and 2 are set, respectively. Further, in step S5, binary waveforms 1 and 2 are generated by comparing the threshold values 1 and 2 with the swallow waveform. Next, in step S6, based on these binary waveforms, the time between peaks, that is, the time constant, is determined, and the allowable amplitude value of the data is determined based on the swallow waveform. In this way, an algorithm for counting the number of swallows is determined. That is, the data that satisfies both the time constant and the amplitude value are counted as exercises that are appropriately swallowed. Based on this algorithm, the swallowing waveform is analyzed in step S7 to count the number of swallows. Here, according to RSST, if the patient is an elderly patient, it is determined that the swallowing ability is normal if the number of swallowing three times in 30 seconds is counted. Then, the determination result is displayed on the monitor of the computer 40. In addition, the magnetic sensor and the small magnet 10 are sufficiently cleaned with disinfecting alcohol after use.
(Swallowing function evaluation device operation program)

  FIG. 6 shows a hardware configuration example when the swallowing function evaluation system is configured by the computer 40 in which the swallowing function evaluation apparatus operation program is installed. In this figure, a DOS / V personal computer (swallowing function evaluation means) 40 is used as the computer 40. An information processing unit 41 and a storage unit 42 are provided in the personal computer 40. The information processing unit 41 is provided with a microprocessor (MPU) 43, a RAM (random access memory) 44, and a ROM (read only memory) 45. It has been. On the other hand, the storage unit 42 is a hard disk system in which an operation system (OS) 46, an application 47, and a device driver 48 are installed.

  An input / output port (serial port such as USB, PS / 2, parallel SCSI, etc.) 60 is provided in a common bus 49 between the information processing unit 41 and the storage unit 42. An auxiliary storage device 61 such as a RAM, a scanner (digital camera) 62, a keyboard 63, a mouse 64, a display 65 constituting a display unit, a modem (terminal adapter) 66 for connecting to a public line PL if necessary, a server A LAN port (transceiver) 67 for connecting to the SV and a printer 68 for outputting the results are connected.

  When the operation system 46 and the application 47 are activated in the computer 40, a user interface screen 70 of the swallowing function evaluation apparatus operation program shown in FIG. In the example of the user interface screen 70 of this swallowing function evaluation apparatus operation program, it goes without saying that the arrangement, shape, display method, size, color scheme, pattern, etc. of each input field and buttons can be changed as appropriate. By changing the design, the layout can be made easier to display, easier to evaluate and judge, and easy to operate. For example, the detailed setting screen can be displayed as a separate window, or a plurality of screens can be displayed within the same display screen. On the user interface screen 70 of these programs, ON / OFF operations for numerically provided buttons and input fields, designation of numerical values and command inputs, etc. are connected to a computer 40 incorporating a swallowing function evaluation device operation program. The input is performed by the mouse 64 or the keyboard 63. In this specification, “pressing” includes not only physically touching and operating buttons, but also clicking or selecting with an input unit and pseudo-pressing. Input / output devices constituting the input unit are connected to the computer 40 by wire or wirelessly, or are fixed to the computer 40 or the like. Examples of general input units include various pointing devices such as a mouse, keyboard, slide pad, track point, tablet, joystick, console, jog dial, digitizer, light pen, numeric keypad, touch pad, and accu point. These input / output devices are not limited to program operations, but can also be used for hardware operations such as a swallowing function evaluation apparatus. Further, the display 65 itself that displays the interface screen can be input or operated by directly touching the screen with a hand by using a touch screen or a touch panel, or using voice input or other existing input means. Or these can also be used together.

  In the swallowing function evaluation apparatus operation program of FIG. 7, a waveform acquisition button 71, a determination start button 72, a pause button 73, and an end button 74 for performing a determination start, a pause, and an end operation from capturing a swallowing waveform are provided. Prepare. Further, a waveform display area 75 for graphically displaying the swallowing waveform is provided. Further, on the right side of the waveform display area 75, a maximum value display field 76, a threshold value 2 display field 77, and an average value display field for displaying the maximum value, threshold value 2, average value, threshold value 1 and minimum value of the swallowed waveform calculated, respectively. 78, a threshold value 1 display column 79, and a minimum value display column 80 are provided. Furthermore, a swallowing frequency display field 81 for displaying the number of swallowing as a result of the swallowing function evaluation and a determination result display field 82 for displaying a determination result as to whether or not the swallowing function is normal are provided. As a result, the user can operate the pointing device such as the mouse 64 and the keyboard 63 on the computer 40 to perform the swallowing waveform capture to the swallowing function evaluation.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since only one small magnet 10 of about PIP ELECIBAN (registered trademark) needs to be attached to the patient's throat, the physical and mental burden on the patient is reduced. Can be minimized. In addition, by adopting RSST as an evaluation standard, it is not necessary to actually swallow food and liquid, and only 30 seconds of swallowing is sufficient, so the risk of aspiration can be avoided and safety can be improved. The burden can be greatly reduced.

  The swallowing function evaluation device, the swallowing function evaluation device operation method, the swallowing function evaluation device operation program, the computer-readable recording medium, and the stored device easily perform a repeated saliva swallowing test for dysphagia diagnosis It can use suitably for a use etc.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the use condition of a swallowing function evaluation apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the use condition of the swallowing function evaluation apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure in which a swallowing function evaluation means evaluates a swallowing function. It is a graph which shows the time change of the voltage output waveform of a magnetic sensor as an example of a swallowing waveform. It is a graph which shows a mode that an average value, the maximum value, the minimum value, and the threshold values 1 and 2 are calculated from the graph of FIG. It is a block diagram which comprises a swallowing function evaluation system with the computer which installed the swallowing function evaluation apparatus operation program. It is an image figure which shows the user interface screen of a swallowing function evaluation apparatus operation program. It is a schematic diagram which shows the detection method of the conventional dysphagia. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other conventional continuous swallowing movement measuring apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the conventional further continuous swallowing movement measuring apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10B ... Small magnet 20, 20B ... Main-body part 30 ... A / D converter 40, 40B ... Computer 41 ... Information processing part 42 ... Memory | storage part 43 ... Microprocessor 44 ... RAM
45 ... ROM
46 ... Operation system 47 ... Application 48 ... Device driver 49 ... Common bus 50 ... Battery 60 ... I / O port 61 ... Auxiliary storage device 62 ... Scanner (digital camera)
63 ... Keyboard 64 ... Mouse 65 ... Display 66 ... Modem (terminal adapter)
67 ... LAN port (transceiver)
68 ... Printer 70 ... User interface screen 71 ... Waveform capture button 72 ... Judgment start button 73 ... Pause button 74 ... End button 75 ... Waveform display area 76 ... Maximum value display field 77 ... Threshold 2 display field 78 ... Average value display Field 79 ... Threshold 1 display field 80 ... Minimum value display field 81 ... Swallowing frequency display field 82 ... Determination result display field 83 ... Electrode 84 ... Conventional swallowing disorder detection device 85 ... Measurement device 86 ... Control unit PL ... Public line SV ... server

Claims (8)

A small magnet that can be worn on the patient's thyroid cartilage;
A magneto-impedance element capable of detecting a relative position of the small magnet by detecting a change in the surrounding magnetic field;
A main body including the magneto-impedance element;
A mounting means for mounting the main body at a predetermined position of the patient;
A swallowing function evaluation device comprising: A small magnet that can be worn on the patient's thyroid cartilage;
A magnetic sensor capable of detecting a relative position with respect to the small magnet by detecting a change in the surrounding magnetic field;
A swallowing function evaluation means for extracting a movement pattern of the small magnet based on a change in relative position of the small magnet detected by the magnetic sensor, and evaluating a swallowing function of a patient based on the movement pattern;
A swallowing function evaluation device comprising: The swallowing function evaluation device according to claim 2,
The swallowing function evaluating device evaluates the swallowing function based on a movement pattern of a thyroid cartilage skin of a patient swallowed according to a repeated saliva swallowing test. The swallowing function evaluation device according to claim 2 or 3,
A swallowing function evaluation apparatus, wherein a magnetic impedance element is used for the magnetic sensor. A swallowing function evaluation device according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The swallowing function evaluation device is characterized in that the swallowing function evaluation means is a computer. An operation method of a swallowing function evaluation apparatus comprising a small magnet and a magnetic sensor capable of detecting a relative position of the small magnet by detecting a change in a surrounding magnetic field,
Mounting the small magnet on the patient's thyroid cartilage skin, and mounting the main body including the magnetic sensor at a predetermined position of the patient;
Detecting the relative position of the small magnet with the magnetic sensor and recording the movement of the thyroid cartilage when the patient performs a repeated saliva swallowing test; and
Capturing the recorded movement of thyroid cartilage into the swallowing function evaluation means, evaluating and outputting the swallowing function of the patient, and
A method for operating a swallowing function evaluation apparatus, comprising: An operation program for a swallowing function evaluation apparatus comprising a small magnet and a magnetic sensor capable of detecting the relative position of the small magnet by detecting a change in the surrounding magnetic field, comprising:
The initial relative position where the main body portion including the small magnet and the magnetic sensor is attached to the patient is recorded, and the movement of the thyroid cartilage when the patient performs a repeated saliva swallowing test is recorded with the relative position of the small magnet by the magnetic sensor. Recording means for detecting and continuously recording,
Information processing means for evaluating the swallowing function of the patient based on the recorded movement of the thyroid cartilage,
A swallowing function evaluation apparatus operation program characterized by being made to function.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the swallowing function evaluation apparatus operation program of Claim 7, or the apparatus memorize | stored.