JP2009279161A - Remote inspection system and remote inspection method using implantation device, and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote inspection system and a remote inspection method using an implantation device and a control program which allow a doctor to appropriately inspect operating condition of an implantation device even when the doctor and a patient are at distant positions. <P>SOLUTION: The remote inspection system includes at least the implantation device implanted within the body of a patient, a portable terminal communicating with the implantation device by short-range radio, and an inspection terminal for inspecting the operating condition of the implantation device and installed at a position distance from the patient. The portable terminal has functions of transmitting inspection directions to the implantation device at predetermined time intervals, receiving inspection results carried out at the implantation device, determining the operating condition of the implantation device based on the inspection results, and transmitting an abnormal alarm to the inspection terminal when abnormal operation is detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote examination system, a remote examination method, and a control program, and more particularly, to a remote examination system using an implantable device, a remote examination method in the remote examination system, and a control program that operates in the remote examination system.

  In recent years, with the miniaturization of electronic circuits, remote inspection in which a device is embedded in a living body and this in-vivo embedded device is controlled by an inspection terminal arranged outside the living body has attracted attention.

  For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a method for controlling a receiver in a living body by transmitting a high-frequency signal from a transmitter mounted outside the living body to a receiver embedded in the living body.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-255683

  In the remote inspection system using the conventional in-vivo implant device described above, an inspection terminal is installed in a hospital or the like, and the operation state of the in-vivo implant device cannot be confirmed without an inspection instruction from the inspection terminal. The patient had to bother to visit the doctor, which was a heavy burden on the patient.

  In addition, when the patient goes to the doctor and does not perform the examination, the abnormality of the implantable device cannot be detected, and thus there is a problem that appropriate processing cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its main purpose is to appropriately inspect the operation state of the implantable device even when the doctor and the patient are in a remote place. Another object of the present invention is to provide a remote examination system, a remote examination method, and a control program using an implantable device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an in-vivo implant device that is implanted in a patient's body, a portable terminal that communicates with the in-vivo implant device by short-range radio, and the in-vivo device that is installed at a location away from the patient. In a remote inspection system comprising at least an inspection terminal for inspecting the operating state of the implanting device, the in-vivo implanting device inspects the operating state of its own device at a predetermined time interval and detects an abnormality when detecting an abnormal operation. Is transmitted to the portable terminal, and the portable terminal has a function of receiving the abnormality notification from the in-vivo implant device and transmitting the abnormality notification to the inspection terminal.

  The present invention also relates to an in-vivo implanting device that is implanted in a patient's body, a portable terminal that communicates with the in-vivo implanting device via short-range wireless communication, and an operating state of the in-vivo implanting device that is installed at a location away from the patient. In the remote inspection system comprising at least an inspection terminal for inspecting, the portable terminal transmits an inspection instruction to the in-vivo implant device at a predetermined time interval, and receives a test result executed by the in-vivo implant device, A function of determining an operation state of the in-vivo implant device based on the inspection result and transmitting an abnormality notification to the inspection terminal when an operation abnormality is detected is provided.

  The present invention also relates to an in-vivo implanting device that is implanted in a patient's body, a portable terminal that communicates with the in-vivo implanting device via short-range wireless communication, and an operating state of the in-vivo implanting device that is installed at a location away from the patient. A remote inspection method in a system comprising at least an inspection terminal for inspecting the device, wherein when the in-vivo implant device inspects the operation state of the device at predetermined time intervals and detects an operation abnormality, an abnormality notification is provided. It includes at least processing for transmitting to the portable terminal and processing for receiving the abnormality notification from the in-vivo implant device and transmitting the abnormality notification to the examination terminal at the portable terminal.

  The present invention also relates to an in-vivo implanting device that is implanted in a patient's body, a portable terminal that communicates with the in-vivo implanting device via short-range wireless communication, and an operating state of the in-vivo implanting device that is installed at a location away from the patient. A remote inspection method in a system comprising at least an inspection terminal for inspecting, wherein the portable terminal transmits a test instruction to the in-vivo implant device at a predetermined time interval; A process of receiving the inspection instruction from the terminal, inspecting an operation state of the own apparatus, and transmitting an inspection result to the mobile terminal; and receiving the inspection result from the in-vivo implant device at the mobile terminal; A process of transmitting an abnormality notification to the examination terminal when an operational abnormality is detected based on Those having also.

  The present invention also relates to an in-vivo implanting device that is implanted in a patient's body, a portable terminal that communicates with the in-vivo implanting device via short-range wireless communication, and an operating state of the in-vivo implanting device that is installed at a location away from the patient. A control program that operates on the portable terminal in a system that includes at least an inspection terminal for inspecting an operation state, the computer instructs the in-vivo implant device to inspect an operation state at a predetermined time interval, and from the in-vivo implant device Based on the received test result, the operating state of the implantable device is determined, and when an abnormal operation is detected, it functions as means for notifying the inspection terminal of the abnormality.

  According to the remote inspection system, the remote inspection method, and the control program using the implantable device of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately inspect the operation state of the implantable device even when the doctor and the patient are away from each other. Can do.

  The reason is that, according to an instruction from a remote inspection terminal, a short-distance wireless communication can be performed from a portable terminal possessed by a patient, and a self-inspection mechanism in an embedded device can be inspected in real time remotely and non-contact. Because.

  In addition, by providing a mechanism for detecting abnormalities in the operation status in the implantable device or the mobile terminal, a doctor can notify when there is an abnormality without actively conducting a remote examination of the implantable device. It is.

  As shown in the background art, a remote inspection is performed in which a device is embedded in a living body and the in-vivo embedded device is controlled by an inspection terminal provided outside the living body, but this inspection terminal is installed in a hospital or the like. In order to check the operation status of the implantable device, it is necessary for the patient to regularly visit the doctor, which is a heavy burden on the patient. In addition, when a patient goes to a doctor and does not perform an examination, there is a problem that an abnormality of the implantable device cannot be detected.

  Such a problem is caused by the fact that the operation state of the implantable device cannot be confirmed by the test terminal when the implantable device and the test terminal are separated from each other. Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a portable terminal 2 held by a patient, a caregiver, or the like, between an in-vivo implanting device 1 to be implanted in a patient's body and a remote examination terminal 3 installed in a hospital or the like. It is set as the structure which interposes.

  For example, in FIG. 1, when an inspection instruction is input from the remote inspection terminal 3, the mobile terminal 2 is notified through the network 5. When the mobile terminal 2 receives the operation state inspection instruction via the communication unit 23, the control unit 22 uses the short-range wireless communication unit 21 through the short-range wireless communication unit 21 to notify the in-vivo implant device 1 of the operation state inspection instruction. In the implantable device 1, when the test instruction is received by the short-range wireless communication unit 13, the control unit 12 instructs the test unit 11 to test the operation state, and the test unit 11 tests the operation state of the implantable device 1. .

  When the inspection is completed, the control unit 12 transmits the result of the inspection by the inspection unit 11 to the mobile terminal 2 through the short-range wireless 4 by the short-range wireless communication unit 13. In the mobile terminal 2, when the control unit 22 receives the test result by the short-range wireless communication unit 21, the control unit 22 notifies the remote test terminal 3 of the test result through the network 5 by the communication unit 23. Upon receiving the result notification, the remote inspection terminal 3 performs predetermined processing such as display of the result.

  With the above operation, even when the patient and the doctor are away from each other, the doctor can inspect the operation state of the patient's implantable device in real time.

  Further, the function of detecting an abnormal operation of the implantable device 1 is provided in the implantable device 1 itself or the portable terminal 2 so that when the abnormal operation occurs, the remote inspection terminal 3 is notified of the malfunction. The number of communications can be reduced, and power consumption can be reduced.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a remote inspection system, a remote inspection method, and a control program using the implantable device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The description will be given with reference. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the remote inspection system of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the remote inspection method of this embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the remote examination system according to the present embodiment includes an in-vivo implant device 1, a portable terminal 2, a remote examination terminal 3, and the like, and the in-vivo implant device 1 and the portable terminal 2 are connected by a short-range wireless 4. The mobile terminal 2 and the remote inspection terminal 3 are connected by a network 5.

  The implantable device 1 is a medical device of an implantable type such as a pacemaker or an artificial heart, and a short-range wireless communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication between the inspection unit 11 that self-inspects the operation state and the mobile terminal 2. 13 and a control unit 12 for controlling various operations of the apparatus. The short-range wireless 4 used at this time uses a low-power communication method that is operable by the in-vivo embedded device 1 such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth, or Felica communication.

  The portable terminal 2 includes a short-range wireless communication unit 21 that communicates with the implantable device 1 using the short-range wireless 4, a communication unit 23 that communicates with the remote inspection terminal 3, and a portable terminal The control part 22 etc. which control these various operations are provided. The mobile terminal 2 may be a terminal dedicated to the remote inspection system of the present embodiment, or may be a terminal such as a commonly used mobile phone. In the latter case, the inspection instruction received from the remote examination terminal 3 is recognized and transmitted to the in-vivo implant device 1 as hardware to the control unit 22 or as a control program that operates in the control unit 22. A function of recognizing the received inspection result and transmitting it to the remote inspection terminal 3 may be provided.

  The remote inspection terminal 3 is a terminal that gives an inspection instruction to the portable terminal 2 through the network 2 and displays a result of the inspection result and other appropriate processing. Prepare.

  The short-range wireless 4 is a short-range wireless communication section between the mobile terminal 2 and the implantable device 1.

  The network 5 is a remote communication section between the remote inspection terminal 3 and the mobile terminal 2, and may be wired such as Ethernet or wireless such as a mobile phone network / PHS network. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which both mixed.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the remote inspection system of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  A doctor who is remote from the patient operates the operation unit of the remote examination terminal 3 and inputs an examination instruction for the operating state of the implantable device 1. Receiving the instruction, the remote inspection terminal 3 notifies the portable terminal 2 of the remote inspection instruction through the network 5 (step A1).

  When the mobile terminal 2 receives the remote inspection instruction from the remote inspection terminal 3 through the communication unit 23, the control unit 22 uses the short-range wireless 4 through the short-range wireless communication unit 21 to the in-vivo implant device 1 for the remote inspection of the operating state. An instruction is notified (step A2).

  When the implantable device 1 receives a remote examination instruction by the short-range wireless communication unit 13, the control unit 12 instructs the examination unit 11 to examine the operation state, and the examination unit 11 examines the operation state of the implantable device 1. (Step A3).

  When the inspection is completed, the control unit 12 transmits the result of the inspection by the inspection unit 11 to the mobile terminal 2 through the short-range wireless communication 4 by the short-range wireless communication unit 13 (step A4).

  In the portable terminal 2, when the test result is received by the short-range wireless communication unit 21, the control unit 22 notifies the remote test terminal 3 of the test result through the network 5 by the communication unit 23 (step A5).

  Upon receiving the result notification, the remote inspection terminal 3 performs predetermined processing such as parameter analysis / abnormality detection processing and display of the inspection result (step A6).

  In this manner, the inspection instruction from the remote inspection terminal 3 is relayed by the portable terminal 2 and sent to the in-vivo implant device 1, and the inspection result from the in-vivo implant device 1 is relayed by the portable terminal 2 and sent to the remote inspection terminal 3. This eliminates the need for the patient to go to the doctor to check the operation of the implantable device 1, and the doctor can check the operation state of the implantable device in real time even when the patient is away from the doctor. It can be performed.

  Next, a remote inspection system, a remote inspection method, and a control program using the implantable device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the remote inspection system of this embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the remote inspection method of this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the remote inspection system of this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the remote inspection system of the present embodiment is characterized in that an abnormality detection unit 14 is added to the in-vivo implant device 1 of FIG.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the remote inspection system of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  In this embodiment, the inspection unit 11 of the in-vivo implant device 1 inspects the operation state of the in-vivo implant device 1 at predetermined time intervals, and the abnormality detection unit 14 monitors the inspection result of the inspecting unit 11 (step B1). If there is an abnormality, the controller 12 is notified (step B2).

  Receiving the notification, the control unit 12 notifies the mobile terminal 2 of the abnormality using the short-range wireless 4 from the short-range wireless communication unit 13 (step B3).

  When the portable terminal 2 receives the abnormality notification from the short-range wireless communication unit 21, the control unit 22 notifies the abnormality to the remote inspection terminal 3 from the communication unit 23 using the network 5 (step B4).

  The remote inspection terminal 3 that has received the notification of the abnormality executes a corresponding process such as displaying an abnormality or sounding an alarm sound (step B5).

  Thereby, even if a doctor does not actively instruct an examination from the remote examination terminal 3, it becomes possible to know the abnormality of the implantable device 1. Further, the implantable device 1 is provided with a function of detecting an abnormal operation of the device itself, and when the abnormal operation occurs, the abnormal inspection is notified to the remote examination terminal 3 via the portable terminal 2. The number of communications between the mobile terminal 2 and the communication between the mobile terminal 2 and the remote examination terminal 3 can be reduced, and the power consumption of each device (especially the implantable device 1 and the mobile terminal 3) can be reduced. Can be reduced.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the alarm notification unit 24 is provided in the mobile terminal 2, and the control unit that also functions as the alarm notification unit 24 or the alarm notification unit 24 causes an abnormality in the display unit during the process of step B <b> 4. May be notified, or an alarm may be sounded by a speaker, etc., thereby making it possible to notify the patient of the abnormality.

  Next, a remote examination system, a remote examination method, and a control program using the implantable device according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the remote inspection system of this embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the remote inspection method of this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the remote inspection system of the present embodiment is characterized in that an inspection instruction unit 25 and an abnormality detection unit 26 are added to the mobile terminal 2 of FIG.

  The inspection instruction unit 25 instructs the control unit 22 to inspect the in-vivo implant device 1 at regular intervals.

  The abnormality detection unit 26 analyzes the test result notified from the in-vivo implant device 1 and detects an abnormality in the operation state.

  As described above, the difference between the present embodiment and the second embodiment described above is that the abnormality can be detected in the same procedure as the normal inspection even if the in-vivo implant device 1 has no abnormality detection mechanism. It is. In addition, when using terminals, such as a mobile phone generally used as the portable terminal 2 of a present Example, the function of the test | inspection instruction | indication part 25 and the abnormality detection part 26 should just be added to a control program.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the remote inspection system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  In the present embodiment, the inspection instruction unit 25 instructs the control unit 22 to inspect the in-vivo device 1 at a predetermined time interval, and the control unit 22 receives a shorter instruction than the short-range wireless communication unit 21. An inspection instruction is given to the implantable device 1 using the wireless 4 (step C1).

  When the in-vivo implant device 1 receives the inspection instruction by the short-range wireless communication unit 13, the control unit 12 instructs the inspection unit 11 to inspect the operation state, and the inspection unit 11 inspects the operation state (step C2). .

  The control unit 12 notifies the portable terminal 2 of the inspection result of the inspection unit 11 using the short-range wireless 4 from the short-range wireless communication unit 13 (step C3).

  In the portable terminal 2, when the short-range wireless communication unit 21 receives the inspection result, the control unit 22 analyzes the inspection result by the abnormality detection unit 26 and confirms whether there is any abnormality (steps C4 and C5).

  If there is no abnormality, the process returns to step C1, and inspection instructions are given from the inspection instruction unit 25 at regular intervals.

  When an abnormality is detected, the abnormality detection unit 26 notifies the control unit 22, and the control unit 22 notifies the remote inspection terminal 3 of the abnormality using the network 5 from the communication unit 23 (step C6).

  The remote inspection terminal 3 that has received the notification of the abnormality executes corresponding processing such as display of the abnormality and sounding of the alarm sound (step C7).

  Thereby, even if a doctor does not actively instruct an examination from the remote examination terminal 3, it becomes possible to know the abnormality of the implantable device 1. In addition, the portable terminal 2 has a function of detecting an operation abnormality of the implantable device 1, and notifies the remote inspection terminal 3 of the abnormality when the operation abnormality occurs, so that the portable terminal 2 and the remote inspection terminal 3 The number of communications between the devices can be reduced, and the power consumption of each device (particularly the portable terminal 2) can be reduced.

  In this embodiment as well, as in the second embodiment described above, the alarm notification unit 24 is provided in the portable terminal 2, and the display unit is controlled by a control program that also functions as the alarm notification unit 24 or the alarm notification unit 24. An abnormality notification such as displaying an abnormality or sounding an alarm on a speaker may be performed.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the remote inspection system for inspecting the implantable device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the remote inspection system for inspecting any type of device is described. The same can be applied.

  The present invention can be used for a remote inspection system for inspecting any type of device such as an implantable device.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the remote inspection system which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the remote test | inspection procedure based on 1st Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the remote inspection system which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the remote test | inspection procedure which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the other structure of the remote inspection system which concerns on the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the remote inspection system which concerns on 3rd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the remote test | inspection procedure based on the 3rd Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Implantable device 2 Portable terminal 3 Remote inspection terminal 4 Short distance radio | wireless 5 Network 11 Test | inspection part 12 Control part 13 Short distance radio | wireless communication part 14 Abnormality detection part 21 Short distance radio | wireless communication part 22 Control part 23 Communication part 24 Alarm notification part 25 Inspection instruction part 26 Abnormality detection part

Claims (8)

An in-vivo implant device that is implanted in the body of a patient, a portable terminal that communicates with the in-vivo implant device by short-range radio, and an inspection terminal that is installed at a location remote from the patient and inspects the operating state of the in-vivo implant device. In a remote inspection system comprising at least
The in-vivo implant device has a function of inspecting the operation state of its own device at a predetermined time interval and transmitting an abnormality notification to the mobile terminal when an operation abnormality is detected.
The mobile terminal includes a function of receiving the abnormality notification from the implantable device and transmitting the abnormality notification to the inspection terminal. An in-vivo implant device that is implanted in the body of a patient, a portable terminal that communicates with the in-vivo implant device by short-range radio, and an inspection terminal that is installed at a location remote from the patient and inspects the operating state of the in-vivo implant device. In a remote inspection system comprising at least
The portable terminal transmits a test instruction to the implantable device at a predetermined time interval, receives a test result executed by the implantable device, and determines an operation state of the implantable device based on the test result And a remote inspection system having a function of transmitting an abnormality notification to the inspection terminal when an operation abnormality is detected.   When the portable terminal receives the abnormality notification from the implantable device or detects an operation abnormality of the implantable device, the portable terminal displays a sound or an indication that an abnormality has occurred in the operation of the implantable device. The remote examination system according to claim 1, further comprising a function of notifying a patient. An in-vivo implant device that is implanted in the body of a patient, a portable terminal that communicates with the in-vivo implant device by short-range radio, and an inspection terminal that is installed at a location remote from the patient and inspects the operating state of the in-vivo implant device. A remote inspection method in a system comprising at least
In the in-vivo implant device, inspecting the operation state of the device at a predetermined time interval, and detecting an operation abnormality, a process of transmitting an abnormality notification to the mobile terminal;
A remote inspection method comprising: at least a process of receiving the abnormality notification from the implantable device and transmitting the abnormality notification to the inspection terminal by the portable terminal. An in-vivo implant device that is implanted in the body of a patient, a portable terminal that communicates with the in-vivo implant device by short-range radio, and an inspection terminal that is installed at a location remote from the patient and inspects the operating state of the in-vivo implant device. A remote inspection method in a system comprising at least
A process of transmitting an inspection instruction to the implantable device at a predetermined time interval on the portable terminal;
In the in-vivo implanting device, receiving the inspection instruction from the mobile terminal, inspecting the operation state of the device itself, and transmitting the inspection result to the mobile terminal;
The portable terminal receives the test result from the implantable device, determines the operating state of the implantable device based on the test result, and transmits an abnormality notification to the test terminal when an abnormal operation is detected. And a remote inspection method characterized by comprising:   When the portable terminal receives the abnormality notification from the implantable device or detects an operation abnormality of the implantable device, the portable terminal displays a sound or an indication that an abnormality has occurred in the operation of the implantable device. The remote inspection method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a process of notifying a patient is performed. An in-vivo implant device that is implanted in the body of a patient, a portable terminal that communicates with the in-vivo implant device by short-range radio, and an inspection terminal that is installed at a location remote from the patient and inspects the operating state of the in-vivo implant device. A control program that operates on the mobile terminal in a system comprising at least
Computer
Instructing the implantable device to check the operation state at a predetermined time interval, determining the operation state of the implantable device based on the test result received from the implantable device, and detecting an abnormal operation, A control program that functions as means for notifying an inspection terminal of an abnormality.   The said means notifies the said patient by display or a sound that abnormality has generate | occur | produced in operation | movement of the said implantable device, when the abnormal operation of the said implantable device is detected. Control program.

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