JP2008110137A - Breathing condition monitoring device and breathing condition monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a breathing condition monitoring device and a breathing condition monitoring system capable of surely collecting data showing a breathing condition during sleeping for example. <P>SOLUTION: In a step 120, because the measure starting switch 33 is not switched on even though one minute or longer has passed after a power source has been switched on it is determined that operation for switching on a measure starting switch 33 is forgotten and a display of "switch on the measure starting switch" is shown by driving a movement display 39. In a step 210, it is determined that the measurement can not be carried out due to the coming off of a breathing sensor 3 from a body for example and a display of "abnormal measurement, inspect a device" is shown by driving the movement display 39. In a step 210, it is determined whether or not the measured data for three hours are recorded. In a step 220, the movement display 39 is driven to show "the measurement is normally completed" because the sufficient breathing data for analyzing the breathing condition are recorded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a respiratory condition monitoring apparatus and a respiratory condition monitoring system that can examine a respiratory condition such as normal / abnormal breathing and snoring, such as during sleep, using a respiratory sensor that uses a piezoelectric film or the like.

Conventionally, as a technique for examining a person's breathing state, a technique for attaching a thermistor to the mouth is known (see Patent Document 1).
A technique is also known in which body movement is detected by a piezoelectric element and the state of respiration is examined from the detection result (see Patent Document 2).

Furthermore, in recent years, a technique has been disclosed in which a PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) film is attached to the mouth and respiration is detected from the detection signal (see Patent Document 3).
Japanese Patent No. 2794196 (Page 2, Fig. 2) Japanese Patent No. 2803374 (first page, FIG. 2) US Pat. No. 5,311,875 (Page 1, Fig. 1)

  However, in the technique of the cited document described above, various sensors for detecting the respiratory state are attached to the body (for example, a film-like respiratory sensor is attached to the mouth), and the respiratory sensor is connected to a measuring device for use. However, the measuring device is usually large, and there is a problem that it is difficult to use for screening for detecting apnea syndrome or the like from many examination objects.

  In other words, in order to attach a measuring device to many people and easily detect abnormalities in breathing of each individual, in addition to reducing the size of the device and improving operability, it responds to abnormalities in the measuring device and operational errors. Although it is necessary, conventionally, there is not enough countermeasures.

  For example, when attaching a small device equipped with a respiration sensor to the body and recording respiration data during sleep, first turn on the device and then operate the measurement start switch to measure the respiration status However, for example, if the user forgets to turn on the measurement start switch, the respiration data cannot be recorded in the memory.

  Or, even if the respiratory sensor is removed from the body during sleep, some signal is sent from the respiratory sensor to the device, but the signal is irrelevant to breathing. Is not available.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a respiratory condition monitoring apparatus and a respiratory condition monitoring system that can reliably collect respiratory data by notifying an abnormality or an operation error of the apparatus. To do.

  (1) The invention of claim 1 is a respiratory state monitoring device that stores respiratory data indicating a respiratory state (for example, presence or absence of breathing or snoring) detected by a respiratory sensor, and there is an abnormality in the operation of the respiratory state monitoring device. An abnormality determination unit that determines whether or not there is an abnormality, and an abnormality notification control unit that performs notification regarding the abnormality when the abnormality determination unit determines that there is an abnormality.

  In the present invention, when there is an abnormality in the operation of the respiratory condition monitoring device (that is, when it is determined that the state is not normal), the notification is performed, so that the abnormality can be detected promptly.

  In other words, the breathing data of the breathing sensor is input to the breathing state monitoring device. For example, when there is no breathing data, or when breathing data that is impossible when the breathing sensor is normally worn is input. Is notified that there is some abnormality.

As a result, the subject or the like can quickly detect an abnormality in the apparatus or the like, and therefore, by finding and eliminating the cause of the abnormality, measurement in a normal state can be performed quickly.
Here, “abnormality of the operation of the respiratory condition monitoring device” means not only when the respiratory condition monitoring device itself has a cause of abnormality, but also a mistake in mounting (or dropping) the respiratory sensor on the human body, This indicates a state different from a normal measurement operation by the respiratory state monitoring device, such as an abnormality in connection with the monitoring device or an abnormality in a signal input from the respiratory sensor to the respiratory state monitoring device.

  The respiration sensor is a sensor that is attached to a living body (for example, in the vicinity of the mouth) and detects a respiration state from the state of breath from the mouth or nose. The respiration sensor is attached to and detached from the respiration state monitoring device. What is possible is preferred (the same applies hereinafter).

(2) The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the notification relating to the abnormality is at least one of notification of occurrence of abnormality, notification of the content of abnormality, and notification of countermeasures for abnormality.
The present invention exemplifies notification contents.

  (3) The invention of claim 3 is an operation for determining whether or not the operation on the respiratory condition monitoring device is appropriate in the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus storing respiratory data indicating the respiratory condition detected by the respiratory sensor. It is characterized by comprising: a determination unit; and an operation notification control unit that performs notification related to the operation based on a determination result of the operation determination unit.

  In the present invention, it is determined whether or not the operation on the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus is appropriate, and information such as whether or not the operation is appropriate is notified based on the determination result. For example, an appropriate operation can be quickly performed (when the operation is not appropriate), or the next operation can be performed (when the operation is appropriate).

(4) The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that when the operation determining means determines that the operation is not appropriate, the operation is notified.
In this invention, when it determines with operation with respect to a respiratory condition monitoring apparatus being appropriate, since it alert | reports regarding the operation, a test subject etc. can perform appropriate operation rapidly.

Here, the contents determined by the operation determining means include “the operation that should have been originally operated has not been performed”.
(5) The invention of claim 5 is the case where the measurement start means for instructing the start of measurement of the respiratory state is not operated even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the power supply for supplying power to the respiratory state monitoring device is turned on ( For example, when the measurement start switch is not turned on, notification regarding the operation is performed.

  Normally, when the power is turned on (for example, by connection of a respiration sensor), the measurement start switch is quickly operated to start measurement. However, if the measurement start switch is not operated even after a considerable time has passed since the power was turned on, there is a high possibility of forgetting the operation.

  Therefore, in the present invention, in such a state, in order to call attention to forgetting to operate, the notification is performed. As a result, it is possible to prevent a measurement error such as “the fact that the measurement was performed by attaching the breathing sensor all night but was not actually measured”.

  (6) In the invention of claim 6, the notification related to the operation is a notification of the occurrence of an inappropriate operation, a notification of the content of an inappropriate operation, a notification of the current state due to an inappropriate operation, and a notification of measures against the inappropriate operation. Of these, at least one type is characterized.

The present invention exemplifies the content of the notification.
In addition, as notification of the contents of the inappropriate operation, for example, “the measurement start switch remains off (or is not“ ON ”)” or the like can be cited. In addition, as a notification of countermeasures for inappropriate operations, for example, “please turn on the measurement start switch” can be cited.

(7) The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that when the operation determination means determines that the operation is appropriate, the operation is notified.
In the present invention, when the operation with respect to the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus is appropriate, a notification regarding the operation is given, so that the subject or the like can reliably perform the correct operation (by being able to confirm the appropriate operation).

  (8) In the invention of claim 8, when a power supply for supplying power to the respiratory condition monitoring device is turned on, a measurement start means for instructing the start of measurement of the respiratory condition is operated within a predetermined time (for example, When the measurement start switch is turned on, notification regarding the operation is performed.

Thereby, it can be confirmed that an appropriate operation has been performed.
(9) In the invention of claim 9, the notification related to the operation is a notification that an appropriate operation has been performed (for example, normal measurement is possible), a notification of the content of the appropriate operation, and an appropriate operation. It is at least one of the current status notification and subsequent operation guidance.

The present invention exemplifies the content of the notification.
Note that the notification that an appropriate operation has been performed includes, for example, “Start measurement”. In addition, examples of the current status notification by an appropriate operation include “measurement recording is in progress”.

(10) The invention of claim 10 is characterized in that the notification is performed using at least one of light, sound, and vibration.
The present invention exemplifies specific means of notification. For example, in the case of notification by light, LED blinking, character display of a liquid crystal display device, or the like can be employed. When the notification is made by sound, voice or electronic sound can be used.

(11) The invention of claim 11 is characterized in that the content of the notification is transmitted to an external device wirelessly.
For example, when examining the respiratory state in a hospital or the like, the operating state of the respiratory state monitoring device is wirelessly notified to a nurse station or the like. As a result, for example, in the case of measurement abnormality, remeasurement can be set quickly, so that measurement errors can be prevented.

(12) The invention of claim 12 is characterized by comprising guide means for guiding the operation of the respiratory condition monitoring device.
In the present invention, an operation indicator such as a liquid crystal display device or a speaker is provided in the respiratory condition monitoring device, for example, so that the operation of the device can be guided by characters or voices (having a navigation function). Thereby, it is possible to prevent measurement errors and the like even in an unfamiliar apparatus.

(13) The invention of claim 13 shows a respiratory condition monitoring system in which a respiratory sensor is attached to the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus.
In addition, in the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus described above, data determination means for determining whether or not the respiratory data is appropriate data as data stored in the memory of the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus, and appropriate data based on the determination result of the data determination means Storage control means for storing only respiration data.

  That is, if the respiration data is obtained for the necessary time (for example, 3 hours), the respiration state can be analyzed. For example, even if the respiration data obtained with the respiration sensor removed from the body is accumulated for 3 hours. Cannot analyze respiratory status. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the respiration data input to the respiration state monitoring device is obtained by normal measurement, and only when this is the case, the respiration data is accumulated. As a result, the respiration data stored in the memory is always appropriate, so that the respiration state can be analyzed with high accuracy using the respiration data.

  In addition, what kind of respiration data is appropriate data may be obtained by experiments or the like, and the determination conditions may be determined in advance. For example, even if the amplitude of the respiratory signal is very small, it is necessary to distinguish whether it is due to apnea syndrome or because the respiratory sensor is off the body. It is determined whether the small period is longer or shorter than a predetermined value (for example, 1 minute). In other words, if the period with a small amplitude is shorter than the predetermined value, it is determined that it is due to apnea syndrome, and the respiratory data is accumulated. Conversely, if the period with a small amplitude is long, the respiratory sensor is dropped. Then, it is determined that the respiration data is not accumulated.

  -Further, data accumulation determination means for determining whether or not the appropriate respiration data stored by the storage control means has been accumulated in a prescribed amount, determination result notification means for notifying the determination result by the data accumulation determination means, May be provided.

  For example, when the respiration data is accumulated as much as necessary for the analysis of the respiration state, it is understood that the subject or the like may send the respiration data to the analysis by notifying that effect. On the other hand, for example, when the respiratory data is not accumulated as much as necessary for the analysis, the subject or the like needs to perform the measurement again (not sending the respiratory data to the analysis) by notifying that effect. I understand that. Thereby, the whole work efficiency improves.

  Next, an example (example) of the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.

The respiratory condition monitoring apparatus and the respiratory condition monitoring system according to the present embodiment are used for extracting (screening) respiratory abnormalities for many subjects.
a) First, the configuration of the respiratory condition monitoring system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a respiratory state monitoring system (sleep apnea screener) 1 is a system for detecting the respiratory state, specifically the presence or absence of breathing during sleep, and a respiratory sensor 3 attached to a subject, The respiration sensor 3 is detachably attached to the respiration state monitoring device 5 that records a signal from the respiration sensor 3.

  The respiration sensor 3 includes a sensor body 8 having a double structure of an approximately T-shaped inner cover 6 and an outer cover 7, a connecting portion 9 that connects the left and right lower ends of both covers 6, 7, and both covers 6 and 7, and a sensor-side connector 13 (see FIG. 2) attached to the tips of the lead wires 10 and 11.

  Among these, the covers 6 and 7 are thin film-like members made of polyester, for example, with the central portions 6a and 7a extending in the vertical direction of FIG. The respiration detecting unit 14 for detection and a pair of leg portions 16a and 16b projecting from both right and left ends on the rear end side (upper side in the figure) of the respiration detecting unit 14 are configured.

  A rectangular piezoelectric element (for example, a piezo element) 15 is attached to the front end side of the lower cover 6, and a projection position corresponding to the piezoelectric element 15 (on the front side of the drawing in FIG. 1) is attached to the front end side of the upper cover 7. ) Is formed with a plurality of slit-like ventilation holes 18.

  On the other hand, the breathing state monitoring device 5 is a lightweight portable device that can be worn on an arm or the like, and is housed in a substantially rectangular plastic casing 17 as shown in FIG. And an electronic control unit 19 (see FIG. 4).

  A device-side upper connector (modular jack) 21 into which the sensor-side connector 13 is fitted is provided on the upper surface of the respiratory condition monitoring device 5, and the first to fourth LEDs 23 to 29 are covered with a translucent cover 31. Has been.

  Further, a measurement start switch 33 for starting / stopping the measurement (monitoring) of the breathing state and turning on / off the breathing state monitoring device 5 is disposed on the left side surface of the breathing state monitoring device 5. In order to connect the monitoring device 5 to a base device (data collection device) 35 (see FIG. 5), a device-side lower connector (D-SUB connector) 37 is arranged.

A barcode seal (recording unit) 41 indicating the ID number of the respiratory condition monitoring device 5 itself is attached to the back surface of the respiratory condition monitoring device 5.
In particular, in the present embodiment, an operation indicator 39 is provided in front of the respiratory condition monitoring device 5 in order to clearly indicate the state of the device.

  The operation indicator 39 is a liquid crystal display device that can display a plurality of characters and the like, and can make the subject or the like pay attention to the display contents by blinking (or lighting) the backlight.

  Instead of blinking the backlight, for example, an LED or the like is arranged in the vicinity of the operation indicator 39, and the LED is caused to blink, for example, so as to call attention to the contents displayed on the operation indicator 39. Good.

The contents displayed on the operation indicator 39 include, for example, the following five kinds of contents, as will be described in detail later.
-When notifying the operation mistake of the measurement start switch 33, the text "Please turn on the measurement start switch" is displayed.

・ When measurement is ongoing, the message “Measurement recording is in progress” is displayed. In this case, the blinking of the backlight is stopped so as not to disturb the sleep.
・ When measurement data from the respiration sensor 3 cannot be obtained (when an abnormality is reported), the text “Measurement abnormality, check the device” is displayed.

  ・ When notifying you that the required amount of measurement data (for example, 3 hours) has not been obtained even after a predetermined time (for example, 10 hours) has passed, the words “Insufficient measurement data storage” indicate.

・ When notifying that the measurement has been completed normally, the message “Measurement completed successfully” is displayed.
b) Next, the electrical configuration of the respiratory condition monitoring device 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic control device 19 of the respiratory condition monitoring device 5 includes a well-known A / D built-in microcomputer 43, a real-time clock 45 backed up by a battery (rechargeable battery) 63, a nonvolatile memory 47, and a flash memory 49. And a serial communication line 51, a charge amplifier (AMP) 53, a gain AMP 55, and a gain AMP 57.

The A / D built-in microcomputer 43 is connected to the first LED 23 of the battery exhaustion indicator 59 and the second to fourth LEDs 25 to 29 of the respiratory flow indicator 61.
Among these, 1st LED23 is a lamp | ramp which lights when the voltage of the rechargeable battery 63 falls. The second to fourth LEDs 25 to 29 are lamps that flash according to the respiratory state, the third LED 27 is turned on when the respiratory sensor 3 is connected to the respiratory state monitoring device 5, and the second LED 25 is inhaled. Turns on and the fourth LED 29 lights up when breathing out.

  Further, the A / D built-in microcomputer 43 is connected with an operation indicator 39 and a speaker 67 and an earphone jack 69 via an amplifier 65 having a voice synthesis function.

  The device-side lower connector 37 is connected to the device-side upper connector 21 via the rechargeable battery 63, and the device-side upper connector 21 is further connected to a power supply circuit 71 that supplies power to the electronic control device 19.

Here, the circuit from the rechargeable battery 63 to the power supply circuit 71 is normally open by the device-side upper connector 21.
That is, by attaching the sensor-side connector 13 of the respiration sensor 3 to the apparatus-side upper connector 21, power is supplied from the rechargeable battery 63 to the power supply circuit 71, and a signal from the respiration sensor 3 is transmitted to the respiration state monitoring device 5. It is configured to input to the A / D built-in microcomputer 43.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the respiratory condition monitoring device 5 is attached to the data collection device 35 so that the base side connector (D-SUB connector) 73 of the data collection device 35 is connected to the device side lower connector 37. The rechargeable battery 63 is charged via a dedicated charging terminal (not shown).

  It should be noted that a data collection device 35 on which a plurality of respiratory condition monitoring devices 5 are detachably mounted, a barcode reader 83 that reads a barcode of the respiratory condition monitoring device 5, and a personal computer that controls the barcode reader 83 and the data collection device 35. The overall management system 81 is composed of 85 and the like.

c) Next, a method of using the respiratory condition monitoring system 1 will be described step by step.
(1) Outline of Respiratory State Measurement Method First, when measuring the respiratory state of each subject, the respiratory state monitoring device 5 is attached to the subject's arm. Moreover, the sensor main body 8 of the respiration sensor 3 is attached with a double-sided tape between the mouth and the nose.

  When the sensor-side connector 13 is attached to the device-side upper connector 21, the circuit from the rechargeable battery 63 to the power supply circuit 71 is closed, and power is supplied to the electronic control device 19 (power-on).

When the power is turned on, as will be described in detail later, the operation indicator 39 is driven to perform various displays according to the state of the apparatus.
In addition, when the measurement start switch 33 is operated to “ON”, processing of a signal from the respiration sensor 3 is started, and the second to fourth LEDs 23 to 29 are turned on according to the situation.

Furthermore, when 3 minutes have passed since the measurement start switch 33 was operated to “ON”, the second to fourth LEDs 25 to 29 are dimmed.
Then, the operation of storing the signal from the respiration sensor 3 in the flash memory 49 is started. Specifically, an analog signal from the respiration sensor 3 is input, and a signal (amplitude value) every 0.1 seconds is stored as respiration data. Normally, 3 hours of respiratory data necessary for analysis of the respiratory state is stored.

After that, when 10 hours have elapsed since the measurement start switch 33 was turned on, the storage of the signal indicating the respiratory state is ended, and the measurement of the respiratory state is ended.
When the measurement is completed, the sensor body 8 is removed from the face and the respiration sensor 3 is removed from the respiration state monitoring device 5. The circuit from the rechargeable battery 63 to the power supply circuit 71 is opened by the removal operation of the respiration sensor 3 from the device.

  After that, when the breathing state monitoring device 5 is attached to the data collecting device 35, the breathing data is stored in the storage device of the personal computer 85 from the breathing state monitoring device 5 via the data collecting device 35 by the operation of the personal computer 85. Will be.

(2) Processing contents from power-on Next, the main part of the processing contents of the electronic control unit 19 started by power-on will be described in detail based on a flowchart.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the power is turned on, it is determined in step (S) 100 whether one minute or more has elapsed since the power was turned on. Here, if a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to step 110, and if a negative determination is made, the process waits.

  In step 110, it is determined whether or not the measurement start switch 33 is turned on. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 150, while if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 120.

  In step 120, since the measurement start switch 33 is not turned on even after one minute has elapsed since the power was turned on, it is determined that “the operation for turning on the measurement start switch 33 has been forgotten”. In order to notify the above, the operation indicator 39 is driven to display “Please turn on the measurement start switch”.

  At the same time, the backlight of the operation indicator 39 blinks to alert the subject and the like. Further, the speaker 67 or the like is driven to notify by voice (or electronic sound). Further, when an earphone is connected to the earphone jack 69, the same voice or sound can be heard.

  In addition, you may display only the operation | movement indicator 39, without outputting an audio | voice and a sound. Alternatively, only the voice or sound may be output from the speaker 67 or the like without displaying the operation indicator 39.

  In the subsequent step 130, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed since the power was turned on. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 150, while if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 140.

This process is for forcibly starting the measurement by proceeding to step 150 without turning on / off the measurement start switch 33 when 5 minutes or more have passed since the power was turned on.
In step 140, it is determined again whether or not the measurement start switch 33 is turned on. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 150, whereas if a negative determination is made, the process returns to step 120.

  In step 150, where the determination is affirmative in steps 110, 130, and 140, the measurement is started. That is, the respiration data from the respiration sensor 3 is read into the A / D built-in microcomputer 43.

In the following step 160, the operation indicator 39 is driven to display “Measurement recording is in progress”.
In subsequent step 170, it is determined whether or not 10 hours or more have elapsed since the start of measurement. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 240, whereas if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 180.

  In step 180, in order to determine the occurrence of any abnormality, it is determined whether there is no input of measurement data for 10 minutes (or whether there is only a weak input different from the normal time). If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 230, whereas if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 190.

  In step 230, it is determined that the input signal becomes abnormal and normal measurement cannot be performed due to, for example, disconnection, the breathing sensor 3 coming off the body, or the subject wearing a futon. Then, the operation indicator 39 is driven to display “Measurement abnormality, check the device”, and the backlight is blinked to end the present process temporarily. In addition to this display (or instead of the display), this may be notified by voice or sound.

  On the other hand, in step 190, it is determined whether or not the measurement data is appropriate data (which should be stored in the flash memory 49). If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 200, whereas if a negative determination is made, the process returns to step 150 and the same processing is repeated.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not a state where the input value of the respiration data is 10% or less of the maximum amplitude has continued for 10 minutes or more. Data, for example, abnormal data due to machine abnormality is excluded. On the other hand, if it is less than 1 minute, it considers that it is the fluctuation | variation resulting from an apnea syndrome, for example, and it judges that it is appropriate data.

In step 200, since the measurement data is appropriate data indicating the breathing state, the measurement data is stored in the flash memory 49.
In the following step 210, it is determined whether or not the measurement start switch 33 is on. If a negative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 240. If an affirmative determination is made, the process returns to step 150 and the same processing is repeated.

  In step 240, since the prescribed measurement time has ended, it is determined whether or not measurement data has been stored in the flash memory 49 for 3 hours. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 260, while if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 250.

  In step 260, since the respiration data sufficient for the analysis of the respiration state has been stored, the operation indicator 39 is driven to display "Measurement has been completed normally", and the present process is temporarily terminated. In addition to this display (or instead of the display), a notification to this effect may be given by voice or sound.

  On the other hand, in step 250, even if the measurement is performed for 10 hours, there is not enough data. Therefore, the operation display 39 is driven to display “Insufficient measurement data accumulation” and the backlight blinks. Then, this process is temporarily terminated. In addition to this display (or instead of the display), a notification to this effect may be given by voice or sound. Therefore, in this case, measurement is necessary again.

d) Next, the effect of the present embodiment will be described.
In this embodiment, if the measurement start switch 33 is not turned on even after one minute has elapsed since the power was turned on, the message “Please turn on the measurement start switch” is displayed (guided), so the measurement starts. Is surely performed.

  Further, in this embodiment, when respiration data sufficient for analysis of the respiration state is stored, “measurement has been completed normally” is displayed, so that it can be seen that the measurement has been performed reliably. Therefore, the measurement data can be sent to the breathing state for analysis, so that the work can be performed smoothly.

  Furthermore, regarding respiration data, it is determined whether or not the respiration data is proper data to be stored, and only proper respiration data is stored, so that an accumulation error of measurement data can be prevented. . That is, since the stored breathing data is appropriate, the breathing state can be correctly analyzed by using this breathing data.

  On the other hand, in this example, even when the measurement is completed (when the measurement time is over), if there is not enough respiratory data stored to analyze the respiratory condition, “the measurement data is insufficiently accumulated.” Since it is displayed, it is understood whether the measurement should be performed again or the respiration data should be sent for analysis. Therefore, the analysis is not started using insufficient respiration data, so that the work efficiency is improved.

Next, the second embodiment will be described, but the description of the same contents as the first embodiment will be omitted.
a) First, the configuration of the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus of this embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, first to fourth LEDs 105 to 111 similar to those in the first embodiment are provided on the upper portion of the housing 103 of the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus 101, and the front side wall of the housing 103 is provided. In addition, fifth to eighth LEDs 113 to 119 (not provided in the first embodiment) are provided.

  Among these, the letters “Please turn on the measurement start switch” are printed on the right side of the fifth LED 113, and the letters “Please check the measurement abnormality, equipment” are printed on the right side of the sixth LED 115. On the right side of the seventh LED 117, characters “Insufficient measurement data storage” are printed, and on the right side of the eighth LED 119, characters “Measurement completed successfully” are printed.

Therefore, the flashing of the fifth to eighth LEDs 113 to 119 can alert the printed content.
b) Next, the processing content of the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the power is turned on, it is determined in step 300 whether one minute or more has passed since the power was turned on. Here, if a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to step 310, and if a negative determination is made, the process waits.

  In step 310, it is determined whether or not the measurement start switch 33 is turned on. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 350, while if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 320.

  In step 320, the measurement start switch 33 is not turned on even if one minute or more has passed since the power is turned on, so the fifth LED 113 blinks and attention is paid to the display of “Please turn on the measurement start switch”. Like that. In addition to this (or separately), the fact may be notified by voice or sound.

In the next step 330, it is determined whether or not 5 minutes or more have elapsed since the power was turned on. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 350, whereas if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 340.
In step 330, it is determined again whether or not the measurement start switch 33 has been turned on. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 350, whereas if a negative determination is made, the process returns to step 320.

In step 350, measurement is started. That is, the respiration data is read into the A / D built-in microcomputer 43.
In subsequent step 360, it is determined whether or not 10 hours or more have elapsed since the start of measurement. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 430, while if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 370.

In step 370, it is determined whether there is no input of measurement data for 10 minutes. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 420, whereas if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 380.
In step 420, the sixth LED 115 blinks, attention is paid to the display “Measurement abnormality, check the device”, and the process is temporarily terminated. In addition to this display (or instead of display), this may be notified by voice or sound.

  On the other hand, in step 380, it is determined whether or not the measurement data is appropriate data. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 390, whereas if a negative determination is made, the process returns to step 350.

In step 390, since the measurement data is appropriate data indicating the breathing state, the measurement data is stored in the flash memory 49.
In the following step 400, it is determined whether or not the measurement start switch 33 is on. If a negative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 430. If an affirmative determination is made, the process returns to step 350.

  In step 430, it is determined whether or not the measurement data is stored in the flash memory 49 for three hours. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 450, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 440.

  In step 450, since the respiration data sufficient for the analysis of the respiration state has been stored, the eighth LED 119 blinks to alert the display that “measurement has been completed normally”, and this processing is terminated once. . In addition to this display (or instead of the display), a notification to this effect may be given by voice or sound.

  On the other hand, in step 440, since sufficient data is insufficient even after 10 hours of measurement, the seventh LED 117 blinks to alert the display that “measurement data is insufficiently accumulated”. This process ends. In addition to this display (or instead of the display), a notification to this effect may be given by voice or sound.

Also according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and there is an advantage that the configuration can be simplified because a plurality of LEDs may be arranged.
The abnormality determining means of claim 1 includes, for example, step 190 of FIG. 6, and the abnormality notification control means includes, for example, steps 230, 250, 260 of FIG. Further, the operation determining means of claim 3 includes, for example, step 110 in FIG. 6, and the operation notification control means includes, for example, step 120 in FIG.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes without departing from the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) For example, in the first and second embodiments, an operation error or an input abnormality is notified, but other abnormalities may be notified by a liquid crystal display device or an LED. In addition to pointing out operation mistakes etc., as a result, for example, “Measurement cannot be started” is displayed, and as a countermeasure, for example, “Please turn on the measurement start switch” is displayed. Also good. In addition, when displaying, you may alert | report with an audio | voice etc. with display (or instead of display).

  (2) Further, when a display device such as a liquid crystal display device that can change and display characters is provided, a navigation function for guiding operation procedures and the like may be added to the display device. In that case (or separately), the operation may be guided by voice or the like.

  (3) In addition to displaying “abnormality has occurred” and “successfully completed” on the respiratory condition monitoring device, the information is transmitted wirelessly, for example, in a nurse station. It may be.

  (4) In Examples 1 and 2, only appropriate data was stored. However, data after the start of measurement was recorded sequentially, and whether or not the data was appropriate data was recorded. It may be determined whether or not a necessary amount of data has been accumulated.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the respiratory condition monitoring system of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mounting state to the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus of a respiration sensor. The respiratory condition monitoring apparatus is shown, (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a bottom view, (d) is a left side view, and (e) is a rear view. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a respiratory condition monitoring apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the system configuration | structure of a whole management system. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing of the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus of Example 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the signal input into a respiratory condition monitoring apparatus. It is a front view of the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus of Example 2. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing of the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus of Example 2.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Respiration state monitoring system 3 ... Respiration sensor 5, 101 ... Respiration state monitoring device 15 ... Piezoelectric element 35 ... Data collection device 39 ... Operation indicator 113 ... 5th LED
115 ... 6th LED
117 ... 7th LED
119 ... 8th LED

Claims (13)

In a respiratory condition monitoring device in which respiratory data indicating a respiratory condition detected by a respiratory sensor is stored,
Abnormality determining means for determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the operation of the respiratory condition monitoring device;
When it is determined that there is an abnormality by the abnormality determination unit, an abnormality notification control unit that performs notification regarding the abnormality,
A respiratory condition monitoring device comprising:   The respiratory condition monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality notification is at least one of an abnormality occurrence notification, an abnormality content notification, and an abnormality countermeasure notification. In a respiratory condition monitoring device in which respiratory data indicating a respiratory condition detected by a respiratory sensor is stored,
Operation determining means for determining whether or not the operation on the respiratory condition monitoring device is appropriate;
Based on the determination result of the operation determination means, operation notification control means for performing notification regarding the operation;
A respiratory condition monitoring device comprising:   The respiratory state monitoring apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the operation determination unit determines that the operation is not appropriate, the operation state is notified.   If the measurement start means for instructing the start of measurement of the respiratory condition is not operated even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the power supply for supplying power to the respiratory condition monitoring device is turned on, notification regarding the operation is performed. The respiratory condition monitoring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus is characterized.   The notification related to the operation is at least one of notification of occurrence of an inappropriate operation, notification of the content of an inappropriate operation, notification of the current state due to an inappropriate operation, and notification of countermeasures for inappropriate operation. The respiratory condition monitoring device according to claim 4 or 5.   The respiratory condition monitoring apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the operation determining unit determines that the operation is appropriate, the operation is notified.   When the measurement start means for instructing the start of measurement of the respiratory condition is operated within a predetermined time after the power supply for supplying power to the respiratory condition monitoring device is turned on, notification that the operation is notified The respiratory state monitoring apparatus according to claim 7, wherein:   The notification regarding the operation is at least one of notification that the proper operation has been performed, notification of the content of the proper operation, notification of the current state by the proper operation, and guidance for the subsequent operation. The respiratory condition monitoring apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it is characterized in that:   The respiratory state monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification is performed using at least one of light, sound, and vibration.   The respiratory condition monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content of the notification is transmitted to an external device wirelessly.   The respiratory condition monitoring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising guide means for guiding an operation of the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus.   A respiratory condition monitoring system, wherein the respiratory sensor is attached to the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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