JP2010187815A - Exhalation air introducing guide, breathing air concentration measuring sensor, and breathing air flow amount measuring sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to expose nostrils while using the guide by moving a nasal exhalation air introducing section (50) to an evacuation position such as when wiping the nostrils (510) of a person (500) to be measured. <P>SOLUTION: Exhalation air introducing guides (50, 60, 70) used for a breathing air concentration measuring sensor (1) for measuring the concentration of specific components in breathing air or a breathing air flow amount sensor comprises a breathing air passage (70) for passing the exhalation air of the person (500) to be measured to the measuring position and the nasal exhalation air introducing section (50) arranged around the nostrils (510) of the person (500) to be measured and introducing the exhalation air from the nose of the person (500) to be measured to the breathing air passage (70) and is characterized in that the breathing air passage (70) and the nasal exhalation air introducing section (50) are connected with each other and the nasal exhalation air introducing section (50) can move between a wearing position covering the surrounding of the nostrils (510) of the person (500) to be measured and the evacuating position where the nostrils (510) are exposed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an exhalation introduction guide and a respiratory air concentration measurement sensor or a respiratory air flow measurement sensor.

  A carbon dioxide measurement sensor that optically measures the carbon dioxide concentration in a person's breathing air is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, an exhalation information collection adapter for measuring carbon dioxide concentration and flow rate has been filed by the present applicant (see, for example, Patent Document 2). With such a sensor, breathing air can be passed through an airway adapter to which an optical sensor is attached, and a change over time in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the exhaled breath can be optically detected.

JP 2004-321721 A Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-057442

  In the carbon dioxide gas measuring sensor described in Patent Document 1 and the breath information collecting adapter described in Patent Document 2, the tube is inserted into the measurement subject's nostril to detect the breath from the nostril by detecting the carbon dioxide concentration by the measurement sensor. Has been introduced. Therefore, it was necessary to remove the tube when wiping the measurement subject's nose.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a breathing air concentration measurement sensor or a breath introduction guide used for a flow measurement sensor for measuring a concentration of a specific component or a flow rate of a breathing air in the breathing air, wherein the measurement position A breathing air passage for allowing the subject's exhalation to pass through, and a nasal exhalation introduction unit provided around the nostril of the subject and introducing exhalation from the subject's nose into the breathing air passage; And the nasal exhalation introducing section provides an exhalation introducing guide characterized in that the exhalation introducing section is movable between a mounting position covering the periphery of the measurement subject's nostril and a retracted position where the nostril is exposed. .

  As a result, exhalation from the measurement subject's nose can be more reliably introduced to the measurement position, and the nasal exhalation introduction unit can be moved to the retracted position when the measurement subject's nostril is wiped. The nostril can be easily exposed while in use.

  Further, in the breath introduction guide according to the present invention, the nasal breath introduction section is formed of a flexible material and is deformed to move from the mounting position to the previous retracted position, and can be held in the retracted position. It is preferable that

  Thereby, it can be easily moved to the retracted position without providing a rotation part or the like in the nasal exhalation introduction part. Moreover, since the nasal exhalation introduction part can be held at the retracted position, it becomes easy to perform the operation of wiping the measurement subject's nostril.

  The breath introduction guide according to the present invention further includes a mouth breath introduction section that is provided around the lip of the person to be measured and introduces breath from the mouth of the person to be measured into the breath passage. The air passage and the mouth breath introduction section are connected to each other, and the mouth breath introduction section is movable between a mounting position covering the periphery of the lip of the measurement subject and a retracted position where the lip is exposed. Is preferred.

  As a result, exhalation from the measurement subject's mouth can be more reliably introduced to the measurement position by the measurement unit, and when the measurement subject's mouth is wiped, the oral expiration introduction unit is moved to the retracted position. Can easily expose the lips.

  In the breath introduction guide according to the present invention, the mouth breath introduction section is formed of a flexible material, and is deformed to move from the wearing position to the previous retracted position, and can be held at the retracted position. It is preferable that

  Thereby, it is possible to easily move to the retracted position without providing a rotation part or the like in the mouth breath introduction part. In addition, since the mouth breath introduction section can be held at the retracted position, it becomes easy to perform the operation of wiping the mouth of the person being measured.

  The breath introduction guide according to the present invention preferably further includes a fixing portion provided on an outer surface of the breathing passage, and fixing at least one of the nasal breath introduction portion and the mouth breath introduction portion to the retracted position in the previous period.

  As a result, by fixing the nasal exhalation introduction unit or the oral exhalation introduction unit to the fixing unit, the work of wiping the measurement subject's nostril and mouth becomes easier.

  As another embodiment, the present invention provides a breathing air concentration measurement sensor that solves the above-described problems, the breath introduction guide having any one of the above configurations, and the concentration of a specific component in the gas that passes through a predetermined measurement position. And a respiratory air concentration measurement sensor comprising: a measurement unit that optically measures the respiratory air concentration. As yet another aspect, there is provided a respiratory air flow sensor that solves the above-described problems, and includes an exhalation introduction guide having any one of the above configurations and a measurement unit that measures the flow of respiratory air. To do.

  The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

It is an external view which shows the use condition of the carbon dioxide measuring sensor 1 which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view of the carbon dioxide gas measurement sensor 1 in use. It is sectional drawing in the AA cross section shown in FIG. It is a side view in the use condition of the carbon dioxide measuring sensor 2 concerning other examples of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing in the BB cross section shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which moved the nasal exhalation introduction part 50 to the retracted position in the use condition of the carbon dioxide gas measurement sensor. It is a figure which shows the state which moved the mouth breath introduction part 60 to the retracted position in the use condition of the carbon dioxide gas measurement sensor.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the scope of claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included. It is not necessarily essential for the solution of the invention.

  FIG. 1 is an external view showing a use state of the carbon dioxide gas measuring sensor 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the carbon dioxide measuring sensor 1 in use. The carbon dioxide gas measuring sensor 1 of this embodiment is an example of a respiratory concentration measuring sensor of the present invention.

  The carbon dioxide gas measuring sensor 1 is a sensor used for a carbon dioxide gas measuring device (not shown) that measures changes over time in the carbon dioxide gas concentration in the respiratory air of a person 500 to be measured such as a patient who needs respiratory management. 1 and FIG. 2, the light emitting unit 10, the light receiving unit 11, the nasal breath introduction unit 50, the mouth breath introduction unit 60, and the respiratory passage 70 are provided.

  Here, the light emitting unit 10 and the light receiving unit 11 are an example of a measuring unit that optically measures the concentration of a specific component in a gas passing through a predetermined measurement position. The nasal exhalation introduction unit 50, the oral exhalation introduction unit 60, and the respiratory passage 70 are examples of an exhalation introduction guide for introducing exhalation of the measurement subject 500 to the measurement position.

  The nasal exhalation introduction unit 50 is provided so as to cover the entire lower side of the measurement subject 500 including the lower part of the nostril 510 of the measurement subject 500. In addition, the mouth breath introduction unit 60 is provided so as to cover the entire mouth of the measurement subject 500 including the periphery of the lip 520 of the measurement subject 500. The breath passage 70 is provided between the nasal breath introduction section 50 and the mouth breath introduction section 60. Therefore, the breathing passage 70 is disposed between the nose and the mouth of the measurement subject 500 when the carbon dioxide measuring sensor 1 is in use (hereinafter simply referred to as “use state”).

  The light emitting unit 10 and the light receiving unit 11 are provided so as to sandwich the respiratory passage 70 from both sides, and are fixed to the respiratory passage 70. Further, one end of a lead wire 16a for transmitting a light emission signal from a carbon dioxide measuring device (not shown) is connected to the light emitting unit 10, and a light receiving signal is sent to the carbon dioxide measuring device (not shown) to the light receiving unit 11. One end of the transmission lead wire 16b is connected.

  The nasal exhalation introduction part 50 and the oral exhalation introduction part 60 have a through hole 51 and a through hole 61 on their front surfaces. Further, the respiratory passage 70 has a fixing projection 80 projecting outward on the front surface thereof. The fixing protrusion 80 is an example of a fixing portion provided on the outer surface of the respiratory passage 70 in order to fix at least one of the nasal expiration introducing portion 50 and the mouth expiration introducing portion 60 at a later-described retracted position. The through-hole 51 of the nasal exhalation introduction unit 50 and the through-hole 61 of the oral exhalation introduction unit 60 breathe when the nasal exhalation introduction unit 50 and the oral exhalation introduction unit 60 are moved from the mounting position described later to the retracted position. The fixing protrusion 80 of the air passage 70 is inserted. The fixing protrusion 80 has a tip slightly larger than the inner diameters of the through hole 51 and the through hole 61, and the through hole 51 and the through hole 61 inserted into the fixing protrusion 80 are removed from the fixing protrusion 80. It has become difficult.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the nasal exhalation introduction unit 50 has a ventilation hole 52 at a position below the nostril 510 in the use state. An engagement protrusion 53 is formed around the vent hole 52. The engagement protrusion 53 is airtightly engaged with an engagement groove 71 formed in the upper part of the breathing air passage 70. Therefore, the nasal exhalation introduction unit 50 is fixed with respect to the respiratory passage 70 and can introduce the exhalation from the nose of the measurement subject 500 into the respiratory passage 70.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the mouth breath introduction unit 60 has a vent hole 62 at a position above the lip 520 in the use state. An engagement protrusion 63 is formed around the vent hole 62. The engagement protrusion 63 is airtightly engaged with an engagement groove 72 formed in the lower part of the breathing air passage 70. Therefore, the mouth breath introduction unit 60 is fixed with respect to the breath passage 70 and can introduce breath from the mouth of the measurement subject 500 into the breath passage 70.

  The breathing air passage 70 is a hollow member in which a space connecting from the ventilation hole 52 side of the nasal breath introduction unit 50 to the ventilation hole 62 side of the mouth breath introduction unit 60 is formed. A pair of transparent windows 73 formed of a transparent member are provided on the inner wall of the respiratory passage 70 so as to face each other. Further, the light emitting surface of the light emitting unit 10 contacts one of the pair of transparent windows 73, and the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit 11 contacts the other. With this configuration, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 10 passes through the breath of the measurement subject 500 passing through the respiratory passage 70 and is received by the light receiving unit 11. Therefore, the measurement position is between the pair of transparent windows 73 in the respiratory passage 70.

  In the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 10 includes a light emitting element that emits infrared light in a band including an absorption spectrum of carbon dioxide gas. In addition, the light receiving unit 11 includes a light receiving element that receives light from the light emitting unit 10 and an optical filter that passes only a band of an absorption spectrum of carbon dioxide gas in the light received by the light receiving element.

  When the light emitting unit 10 emits infrared light in the above band, the infrared light is attenuated according to the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the breath of the measurement subject 500 and received by the light receiving unit 11. And the light-receiving part 11 sends the received light signal according to the received light intensity to a carbon dioxide measuring device (not shown). A carbon dioxide measuring device (not shown) can measure the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the breath of the person 500 to be measured based on the light reception signal from the light receiving unit 11.

  FIG. 4 is a side view of the carbon dioxide gas measuring sensor 2 according to another example of the present embodiment in a usage state. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG. In the carbon dioxide gas measuring sensor 2 of this example, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the carbon dioxide gas measuring sensor 1 and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the carbon dioxide gas measurement sensor 2 has one end of a pressure tube 90, 92 connected to both sides of the nasal breath introduction unit 50. The other ends of these pressure tubes 90 and 92 are connected to a pressure sensor (not shown). The carbon dioxide gas measuring sensor 1 of the present example is a respiratory air flow sensor that can measure the flow rate of the respiratory air by introducing the respiratory air of the person to be measured into the pressure sensor via the pressure tubes 90 and 92. It also has a function.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the nasal breath introduction unit 50 is moved to the retracted position in the usage state of the carbon dioxide gas measurement sensor 1. In the present embodiment, the nasal breath introduction part 50 is formed of a flexible material, for example, silicone rubber. The nasal exhalation introduction unit 50 is in a wearing position (position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) that covers the periphery of the nostril 510 of the measurement subject 500, for example, by grasping the upper end with a hand and bending it downward. By doing so, it can be moved to the retracted position (position shown in FIG. 6) where the nostril 510 is exposed. Further, the nasal exhalation introduction unit 50 can hold a deformed form at the retracted position.

  Then, by inserting the through-hole 51 of the nasal exhalation introduction unit 50 moved to the retreat position into the fixing protrusion 80 provided on the outer surface of the respiratory passage 70, the nasal exhalation introduction unit 50 is in the retraction position. Fixed. In this way, by moving the nasal exhalation introduction unit 50 from the wearing position to the retracted position, the nostril 510 of the measurement subject 500 can be easily exposed even in the use state.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the mouth breath introduction unit 60 is moved to the retracted position in the usage state of the carbon dioxide gas measurement sensor 1. In the present embodiment, the mouth breath introduction section 60 is formed of a flexible material, for example, silicone rubber, like the nasal breath introduction section 50. Then, the breath exhalation introduction unit 60 is in a wearing position (position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) covering the periphery of the lip 520 of the person 500 to be measured, for example, by grasping the lower end with a hand and bending it upward. By doing so, it can be moved to the retracted position (position shown in FIG. 7) where the lips 520 are exposed. The mouth breath introduction section 60 can hold a deformed form at the retracted position.

  Then, by inserting the through-hole 61 of the mouth breath introduction section 60 moved to the retracted position into the fixing protrusion 80 provided on the outer surface of the breath passage 70, the mouth breath introduction section 60 is in the retracted position. Fixed. As described above, by moving the mouth breath introduction section 60 from the wearing position to the retracted position, the lip 520 of the person 500 to be measured can be easily exposed even when the carbon dioxide measuring sensor 1 is in use.

  In the above description, the case where only one of the nasal exhalation introduction unit 50 and the oral exhalation introduction unit 60 is moved from the wearing position to the retracted position has been described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Alternatively, both the breath exhalation introduction unit 60 may be moved to the retracted position at the same time. In this case, both the nostril 510 and the lip 520 of the measurement subject 500 can be exposed in the use state.

  As described above, the carbon dioxide gas measurement sensor 1 according to the present embodiment includes the nasal breath introduction unit 50 and the oral breath introduction unit 60, so that the nose of the measurement subject 500 and the measurement position by the light emitting unit 10 and the light receiving unit 11 are provided. Exhalation from the mouth can be introduced more reliably. Further, when wiping the nose or mouth of the person 500 to be measured while using the carbon dioxide measuring sensor 1, the nostril 510 and the mouth breath introduction unit 60 are moved to the retracted position, so that the nostrils 510 and The lips 520 can be exposed.

  Since the nasal exhalation introduction part 50 and the oral exhalation introduction part 60 are made of a flexible material, they can be moved from the attachment position to the retracted position (or from the retracted position to the attachment position) simply by deforming them. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide a rotation part etc. in the nasal exhalation introduction part 50 and the oral exhalation introduction part 60, a structure can be simplified.

  Further, since the nasal exhalation introduction unit 50 and the oral exhalation introduction unit 60 moved to the retracted position can be fixed by the fixing protrusion 80, the nasal exhalation introduction unit 50 and the oral exhalation introduction unit 60 return to the wearing position side. And the work of wiping the measurement subject's 500 nose and mouth is easy.

  The carbon dioxide gas measuring sensor 1 of the present embodiment is a sensor used in a carbon dioxide gas measuring device that measures the carbon dioxide gas concentration in the breath of the measurement subject 500, but the application range of the respiratory air concentration measuring sensor of the present invention is this. Not limited to. The respiratory concentration measuring sensor includes, for example, a light emitting unit having a light emitting element that emits light in a band including an absorption spectrum of a component other than carbon dioxide, and a light receiving unit having an optical filter that transmits only the light in the band. Thus, the sensor 500 can be used as a sensor for measuring components other than carbon dioxide in the exhalation of the person 500 to be measured.

  In addition, the light emitting unit is configured to emit light in a band including absorption spectra of a plurality of different components, and the light receiving unit is configured to selectively transmit the absorption spectrum band of each component. It can be used as a sensor to measure multiple different components in 500 exhalations.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 ... Carbon dioxide measuring sensor 10 ... Light emission part 11 ... Light receiving part 16a, 16b ... Lead wire 50 ... Nasal breath introduction part 51 ... Through hole 52 ... Vent hole 53 ... Engagement protrusion 60 ... Oral breath introduction part 61 ... Through Hole 62 ... Vent hole 63 ... Engagement projection 70 ... Respiratory passage 71, 72 ... Engagement groove 73 ... Translucent window 80 ... Fixing projection 90, 92 ... Pressure tube 500 ... Person 510 ... Nostril 520 ... Lips

Claims (7)

A breath introduction guide used for a respiratory concentration measuring sensor or a flow measuring sensor for measuring the concentration of a specific component or the flow of respiratory air in the respiratory air,
A breathing air passage for passing the breath of the person to be measured to the measurement position;
A nasal exhalation introduction unit that is provided around the nostril of the subject and introduces exhaled air from the nose of the subject into the respiratory passage;
With
The breath introduction guide characterized in that the nasal breath introduction section is movable between a mounting position covering the periphery of the measurement subject's nostril and a retracted position where the nostril is exposed.   2. The nasal exhalation introduction portion is formed of a flexible material, and is deformed to move from the mounting position to the previous retracted position, and can be held at the retracted position. Exhalation introduction guide as described in. Provided around the lip of the person being measured, further comprising a mouth breath introduction section for introducing the breath from the mouth of the person being measured into the breathing air passage;
The exhaled breath introduction unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the exhaled breath introducing unit is movable between a mounting position that covers the periphery of the lip of the measurement subject and a retracted position where the lip is exposed. Introduction guide.   4. The breath exhalation introducing portion is formed of a flexible material, and is deformed to move from the mounting position to the previous retracted position and be held at the retracted position. Exhalation introduction guide as described in.   5. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a fixing portion that is provided on an outer surface of the breathing air passage and fixes at least one of the nasal breath introduction portion and the mouth breath introduction portion to a retracted position in the previous period. The described breath introduction guide. The breath introduction guide according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A measurement unit for optically measuring the concentration of a specific component in the respiratory air;
Respiratory air concentration measurement sensor. The breath introduction guide according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A measurement unit for measuring the flow rate of respiratory air;
A respiratory air flow sensor comprising:

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