JP2008289737A - Oral cavity function assessment device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately perform assessment without using a stop watch in an oral cavity function assessment test. <P>SOLUTION: This oral cavity function assessment device is provided with a time counter means 2, a starting button 13 of the time counter means 2, a remote control button 7, a memory button 14, a computing means 3 connected thereto and computing signals of these means, and an output means 5 connected to the computing means 3. The computing means 3 has a memory means 4. The output means 5 has a liquid crystal display part 16, or a display means of the number of swallowing acts and a display means of the number of phonation. Time lapses for every first to third swallowing acts of a repetitive saliva swallowing test and the number of syllable repetitions of oral diadochokinesis are automatically and accurately measured with time without using a watch such as the stop watch. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an oral function evaluation apparatus.

  As oral function evaluation, repeated saliva swallowing tests for evaluating throat movement and oral diad cokinesis for evaluating lip movement are known. The repeated saliva swallowing test is performed by repeatedly swallowing the saliva, and the examiner gently places the finger belly on the subject's larynx so that the larynx is not fully moving, but the larynx is sufficiently up Confirming that it is lifted, confirming swallowing, recording the time required for the first, second, and third swallowing according to the number of times and evaluating it.

  The oral diad cokinesis measures the number of pronunciations per second via a clock by pronouncing “pa” that evaluates the movement of the lips, and measures the number of pronunciations per second by measuring for 10 seconds. The number of times is converted. Similarly, the evaluation is performed for the pronunciation of “ta” that evaluates the forward movement of the tongue and the pronunciation of “ka” that evaluates the backward movement of the tongue.

  In the past, such tests were performed by the examiner holding a watch such as a stopwatch in hand.

  By the way, as for the swallowing test, it is a swallowing sound collection device that outputs the swallowing sound visually and audibly by collecting the swallowing sound with a microphone, and generates a signal for sending a signal to start swallowing Based on the time when the signal is generated from this signal generator, the response speed until the subject's start of swallowing and the exact time of swallowing start can be measured. A device provided with a device is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

There is also a method to detect dysphagia by placing a microphone at the site where the swallowing sound generated from the epiglottis during swallowing can be accurately picked up, collecting the opening and closing sounds of the epiglottis during swallowing, and obtaining surface electromyography etc. It has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-111748 A JP 2005-304890 A

  In the prior art, when the subject is swallowing or pronounced, the examiner holds a clock such as a stopwatch to measure the time taken to swallow the saliva according to the number of times in the repeated saliva swallowing test, or oral In the case of dead cokinesis, for example, 10 seconds are measured, and most of the operations are performed manually, and the number of pronunciations is recorded on paper on the paper.

  In Patent Documents 1 and 2, although the time required for each swallowing of the subject can be measured, a test with a lapse of time such as repeatedly swallowing saliva or repeating pronunciation is performed. Could not do.

  The problem to be solved is to provide an oral function evaluation apparatus capable of easily performing a test with the passage of time repeatedly in oral function evaluation.

  The invention of claim 1 includes a timing means, a timing start means of the timing means, a timing elapsed time detection means for detecting a timing elapsed time by the timing means, a timing means, a timing start means, and a timing elapsed detection means. An oral function evaluation apparatus comprising: an arithmetic processing unit that is connected and arithmetically processes signals of these units; and an output unit that is connected to the arithmetic processing unit.

  The invention according to claim 2 is an oral function evaluation device for measuring the repeated saliva swallowing time in the throat, the time measuring means, the time measuring starting means of the time measuring means, and the time elapsed by detecting the time elapsed by the time measuring means. Time detection means, time measurement means, time setting means, time measurement start means, time measurement detection means, arithmetic processing means for arithmetic processing of signals of these means, and signal of swallowing frequency connected to this arithmetic processing means It is an oral function evaluation apparatus provided with the output means which outputs.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the oral function evaluation apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein a memory means is connected to the arithmetic processing means.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the oral function evaluation apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the time-lapse progress detecting means is a manual button.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the oral function evaluation apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the time-measurement progress detecting means is an acoustic sensor for collecting swallowing sound during swallowing.

  The invention of claim 6 is an oral function evaluation device for measuring the number of times of sounding, which is a time measuring means, a time measuring time setting means for setting the time of the time measuring means, a time starting means for the time measuring means, and the time measuring means. The time elapsed time detecting means for detecting the time elapsed by the time, the time measuring means, the time setting means, the time starting means and the time elapsed detecting means are connected to the arithmetic processing means for calculating the signals of these means, and the calculation An oral function evaluation apparatus comprising output means connected to a processing means for outputting a signal of the number of sound generations.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the oral function evaluation apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein a memory means is connected to the processing means.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the oral function evaluation apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the time measurement detecting means is a sensor that collects pronunciation.

  According to the invention of claim 1, oral function evaluation can be measured without using a timepiece such as a stopwatch.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the elapsed time for each swallowing in the repeated saliva swallowing test can be measured without using a clock such as a stopwatch.

  According to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to easily perform maintenance management of swallowing data or comparison of data by the memory means.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the elapsed time for each swallow can be easily measured every time the manual button is operated.

  According to the invention of claim 5, it is possible to automatically detect the elapsed time for each swallowing by the acoustic sensor.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to measure the number of repeated pronunciations of oral diadokinesis without using a timepiece such as a stopwatch.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily perform the maintenance management of the sound frequency data or the comparison of the data by the memory means.

  According to the invention of claim 8, the number of sound generations with the passage of time can be automatically measured by collecting the sound generation by the sensor.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below do not limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. In addition, all of the configurations described below are not necessarily essential requirements of the present invention.

  1 to 4 show the first embodiment. In the apparatus main body 1 for measuring the time of the oral function evaluation apparatus, the time measuring means 2 which is also called a timer means or the like serving as a clock function of a stopwatch for measuring the time. An arithmetic processing means 3 such as a CPU connected to the time measuring means 2 for processing the signals of the time measuring means 2 and various means described later, a memory means 4 for storing the output from the arithmetic processing means 3, and Output means 5 for outputting a signal output from the arithmetic processing means 3 and a signal output from the memory means 4 is provided. The memory means 4 can use various storage media such as a magnetic disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, a magnetic tape device or a personal computer.

  The apparatus main body 1 includes a manual remote control as a time elapsed time detecting means that functions as an electrical cord input terminal 6A of a microphone 6 which is an acoustic sensor for oral diado cokinesis and a switch for an intermediate elapsed time of a stopwatch. An input terminal 7A for connecting the electric cord of the button 7 for use and an electric cord input terminal 8A for the AC adapter 8 serving as a power source are provided.

  Further, on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1, a mode selection switch 9 as a measurement mode selection means for selecting one of the measurement modes of the repetitive saliva swallowing test or the oral diaced cokinesis, a time measuring time setting means for selecting the longest measurement time A measurement time selection switch 10, a microphone monitor 11 as an acoustic display means that is turned on when the microphone 6 detects sound, a sensitivity adjustment knob 12 as an adjustment means for adjusting the sensitivity with which the microphone detects sound, to start measurement Start button 13 as a starting means for actuating the time measuring means 2, manual memory button 14 as a time measuring elapsed time detecting means, a reset button 15 as a clearing means used for clearing the measurement, and the elapsed time and number of times Liquid crystal display unit 16 as display means for displaying, and further informing means for informing the end of the test The buzzer 17 is provided that, they are connected to the processing means 3. In the embodiment, when the mode selection switch 9 is set to the repetitive saliva swallowing test, the measurement time selection switch 10 enables the measurement time to be switched between a maximum of 30 seconds or a maximum of 60 seconds, while the mode selection switch 9 is switched to the oral mode. When dead cokinetics is set, the measurement time can be switched between 5 seconds and 10 seconds.

  Further, the output means 5 does not include the liquid crystal display section 16 as the display means, but includes RS-232 (Recommended Standard 232), USB (Universal Serial Bus), etc., and outputs the waveform of the acoustic sensor from the output of the synchronized pulse. It includes things such as. The RS-232 is one of serial interfaces for connecting a personal computer with an acoustic coupler, a modem, etc., and the official standard is ANSI / TIA / EIA-232-F-1997. The USB is one of serial bus standards for connecting peripheral devices to a computer, and the USB Implementers Forum, Inc. (USB-IF) develops and manages specifications.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. The remote control button 7 is connected in advance to the apparatus main body 1 via the electric cord and the AC adapter 8 is connected to the input terminal 8A via the electric cord. Then, when performing a repeated saliva swallowing test that measures the time taken to swallow the saliva three times, the mode selection switch 9 is switched to the repeated saliva swallowing test. By this switching, the measurement time selection switch 10 can switch the measurement time to either a maximum of 30 seconds or a maximum of 60 seconds. Then, the examiner switches the measurement time between the maximum 30 seconds and the maximum 60 seconds by the measurement time selection switch 10. For example, in the graph shown in FIG. By this switching, the display of “Enge 1-2-3-” appears on the liquid crystal display unit 16.

  Next, when the subject is ready, the examiner operates the start button 13. In response to the operation of the start button 13, which is a function of the start switch of the stopwatch, the time measuring means 2 serving as the clock function of the stopwatch starts measuring, and the measurement start buzzer 17 is activated. With this start, the subject repeats swallowing three times as soon as possible. When the examiner confirms the swallowing of the subject, the elapsed time required for the first swallowing is operated in the memory means 4 by operating the memory button 14 or the remote control button 7 which is the function of the elapsed time switch of the stopwatch. Remember. Time was continuously measured, and the examiner confirmed that the subject was swallowing the second and third times, and repeatedly operated the memory button 14 or remote control button 7 to take the second and third swallowing. The elapsed elapsed time is stored in the memory means 4. When the third swallowing time is measured, the calculation processing means 3 sounds the buzzer 17 to notify the end of the test. Simultaneously with or before or after this notification, the elapsed duration associated with the first to third swallows stored in the memory means 4 in the liquid crystal display unit 16 is expressed as “Enkekeka 1-4.2 2-12.0 3-23. For example, “1” is displayed. This is a measurement display indicating that the elapsed duration associated with the first swallow is 4.4 seconds, the second swallow is 12.0 seconds, and the third swallow is 23.1 seconds.

  When performing the test again, the measurement can be performed in the same manner as described above by operating the reset button 15.

  Next, a description will be given of the case of oral diad cokinesis in which measurement is performed to count how many times “s”, “ta”, and “ka” can be pronounced smoothly over a certain period of time.

  The microphone 6 is connected in advance to the input terminal 6A via an electric cord, and the AC adapter 8 is connected to the input terminal 8A via the electric cord. Then, the mode selection switch 9 is switched to oral diad cokinetics. With this switching, the measurement time can be switched to either 5 seconds or 10 seconds by the measurement time selection switch 10. Then, the examiner switches the measurement time to 5 seconds or 10 seconds with the measurement time selection switch 10. For example, in the graph shown in FIG. By this switching, the “oral” display appears on the liquid crystal display unit 16. Next, after the position of the sensitivity adjustment knob 12 of the microphone 6 is set to the center, the subject makes the microphone close to the mouth and pronounces “Pa-Pa-Pa -...” smoothly and continuously, and the microphone monitor 11 Confirm that flashes. When the measurement location is lively, turn the position of the microphone sensitivity adjustment knob 12 in the minimum direction to lower the sensitivity, and confirm that the microphone monitor 11 does not blink with surrounding sounds.

  When the subject is ready, the start button 13 is operated. By this operation, the time measuring means 2 is activated and the buzzer 17 sounds, and the subject continuously reaches the microphone as soon as possible and “measurement time” determined by the measurement time selection switch 10. Pronounced within. When a predetermined measurement time elapses, the time measuring means 2 sounds a buzzer 17 and the measurement ends. An output signal obtained by the microphone 6 that has captured the sound within this measurement time and collected the sound is input to the arithmetic processing means 3 to calculate the number of times of sound and to count the number of times of sound. Then, the total number of pronunciations, and the number obtained by dividing the number of pronunciations by the measurement time are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 16 as, for example, “Oral Kecka Kai 29 Heikin 2.9 Kai / S”. This means that the number of pronunciations is 29 times in 10 seconds, indicating 2.9 times / second.

  In order to continue to measure “t” and “f”, the reset button 15 is operated and the start button 13 is operated again.

  As described above, in the above-described embodiment, the timing means 2, the start button 13 of the timing means 2, the remote control button 7 and the memory button 14, the time measurement means 2, the start button 13, the remote control button 7 and the memory. By providing the arithmetic processing means 3 connected to the button 14 and processing the signals of these means and the output means 5 connected to the arithmetic processing means 3, the first to third iterations of the repeated saliva swallowing test are provided. It is possible to automatically and accurately measure the elapsed time for each swallowing and the number of repeated oral diadokinesis pronunciations without using a watch such as a stopwatch.

  Furthermore, by providing the memory means 4 in the arithmetic processing means 3, it is possible to easily perform data maintenance and data comparison.

  In addition, in the oral function evaluation for measuring the repeated saliva swallowing time, the time lapse detection means is a manual button such as the remote control button 7 or the memory button 14, so that each time the manual button is operated, the first to the third swallowing Each elapsed time can be easily measured.

  Further, in the oral function evaluation for measuring the number of pronunciations, the time-lapse detecting means is the microphone 6 which is an acoustic sensor for collecting the pronunciation at the time of pronunciation. It can be measured automatically.

  In addition, by providing the output means 5 with a liquid crystal display unit 16 which is a means for displaying the number of swallows and a means for displaying the number of pronunciations, it is possible to grasp the repeated saliva swallowing time and the number of pronunciations by displaying numerical values.

  FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment. The same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the second embodiment, the elapsed time detecting means which is a function of the half-time elapsed time switch of the stopwatch connected to the arithmetic processing means 3 is formed by the microphone 21 as an acoustic sensor as a sensor. 3 input terminals 21A are connected via electric cords. The microphone 21 is attached to the throat of the human body, and the microphone 21 collects the swallowing sound to output a signal to the arithmetic processing means 3 to measure the elapsed time for each of the first to third swallows. It is something that can be done.

  In this way, by using the timekeeping progress detection means as the microphone 21 as a sensor as an input means for collecting swallowing sound during swallowing, it is possible to automatically detect the timekeeping progress for each swallowing. For detection of swallowing, various sensors other than the acoustic sensor such as mechanically detecting the movement of the larynx or detecting it visually can be used.

  As described above, the oral function evaluation apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to various uses.

It is a block diagram which shows Example 1 of this invention. It is the same perspective view. It is a graph of the same repeated saliva swallowing test. It is a graph of the same oral diad cokinesis. It is a block diagram which shows Example 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

2 Timekeeping means 3 Arithmetic processing means 4 Memory means 5 Output means 6 Microphone (acoustic sensor)
7 Remote control buttons (time elapsed time detection means)
10 Measuring time selection switch (Time measuring time setting method)
13 Start button (starting means)
14 Memory button (time elapsed time detection means)
16 Liquid crystal display (display means)
21 Microphone (sensor)

Claims (8)

  Timekeeping means, timekeeping start means of the timekeeping means, time elapsed time detection means for detecting the time elapsed by the timekeeping means, and timekeeping means, time setting means, timekeeping start means, and timelapse detection means are connected An oral function evaluation apparatus comprising: arithmetic processing means for arithmetically processing signals from these means; and output means connected to the arithmetic processing means.   An oral function evaluation device for measuring repeated saliva swallowing time in the throat, which is a time measuring means, a time starting means of the time measuring means, a time elapsed time detecting means for detecting time elapsed by the time measuring means, and these time measuring means An arithmetic processing unit that is connected to the means, a timing start unit, and a timing progress detection unit, and that calculates a signal of these units; and an output unit that is connected to the arithmetic processing unit and outputs a signal of the number of swallows. Oral function evaluation device.   The oral function evaluation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a memory unit is connected to the arithmetic processing unit.   The oral function evaluation apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the time-lapse detection means is a manual button.   The oral function evaluation apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the time measurement progress detecting means is an acoustic sensor that collects a swallowing sound during swallowing.   An oral function evaluation apparatus for measuring the number of pronunciations, which measures time measurement means, time measurement time setting means for setting time of the time measurement means, time measurement start means for the time measurement means, and time elapsed by the time measurement means. Time elapsed elapsed time detecting means, time measuring means, time setting means, time measuring starting means, time elapsed progress detecting means, arithmetic processing means for arithmetic processing of signals of these means, and the number of sound generations connected to the arithmetic processing means An oral function evaluation apparatus comprising an output means for outputting the above signal.   The oral function evaluation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a memory means is connected to the processing means.   The oral function evaluation apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the time measurement progress detection means is a sensor that collects pronunciation.

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