JP2012217525A - Swallowing function evaluation/training device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a swallowing function evaluation/training device capable of detecting pharyngeal movement with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: This swallowing function evaluation/training device includes: a piezoelectric film 2 stuck to a pharynx part; an analog meter 3 displaying strength of an electric signal emitted from the piezoelectric film 2; a counter 4 measuring a frequency at which the strength of the electric signal exceeds a prescribed threshold value; a sensitivity adjuster 5 for setting the threshold value; and a counter display part 6 displaying the frequency. The swallowing function evaluation/training device can display the strength of the electric signal emitted from the piezoelectric film 2 stuck to the pharynx part, and the frequency at which the strength of the electric signal exceeds the prescribed threshold value, and allows swallowing training while visually performing feedback.

Description

  The present invention relates to a swallowing function evaluation training apparatus used in the field of rehabilitation of swallowing function in hospitals, nursing homes for nursing homes, nursing care facilities, and the like.

  Video fluorography (VF), which is a fluoroscopic examination, is useful for observing swallowing movements in the pharyngeal phase. However, video fluorography has a problem that there is a risk of X-ray exposure and a pneumonia due to aspiration of a contrast medium, and further, there is a problem that clinical application is limited due to an expensive imaging device. Therefore, the establishment of a swallowing function evaluation method that can be performed non-invasively at the bedside is an urgent task to eliminate aspiration pneumonia due to a decrease in swallowing function of the elderly in Japan, which is facing a super-aged society.

  Against this background, various devices for evaluating or training swallowing function have been proposed.

  For example, a device that evaluates oral function based on the concept of oral diad cokinesis that focuses on the relationship between the pronunciation function and the swallowing function is on the market (Non-Patent Document 1). However, this device comes with a stopwatch function that allows patients to push their pharynx with their fingers and count the number of swallows for repeated saliva swallowing tests that are often performed as screening tests for swallowing functions in clinical settings. It was only.

  In addition, a swallowing function evaluation system that simultaneously measures laryngeal movement, suprahyoid muscle electromyogram, and swallowing sound has been developed (Non-patent Document 2). This apparatus uses a reflective photosensor for evaluation of laryngeal movement (up and down movement of thyroid cartilage). However, there is a drawback that the entire system is large.

  In recent years, in order to improve the quality of life (QOL) of elderly people, maintenance and recovery of eating and swallowing functions are required, and it is necessary to clarify the functions. The movement of the tongue is deeply involved in eating and swallowing, and tongue pressure is required to form the bolus and feed it into the pharynx. With such a background, a tongue pressure measuring device for measuring a tongue pressure by inserting a small balloon into the oral cavity is disclosed (Patent Document 1). This device measures and analyzes dynamic pressure changes when a balloon is inserted into the oral cavity as a probe to press and suck the subject's tongue and swallow water. An evaluation system using a tongue pressure measurement system and a tongue pressure sensor sheet has also been reported (Non-Patent Document 3). However, these all measured tongue pressure and did not detect laryngeal movement.

JP 2007-202922 A

http://www.takei-si.co.jp/productinfo/detail/pdf/kenkou.pdf Japanese Journal of Stomatognathic Function 15 (1), 64-65, 2008-10-30 Production and Technology Volume 63 Issue 1 (2011), 72-77

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the swallowing function evaluation training apparatus which can detect a pharyngeal movement with a simple structure.

  A swallowing function evaluation training apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is a piezo film affixed to the pharynx, strength display means for displaying the strength of an electrical signal emitted from the piezo film, and the strength of the electrical signal is predetermined. It is characterized by comprising measuring means for measuring the number of times exceeding the threshold value, threshold setting means for setting the threshold value, and frequency display means for displaying the number of times.

  The swallowing function evaluation training apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention is the swallowing function evaluation training apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising time setting means for setting the time for measurement, and the time set by the time setting means elapses. It is configured to measure the number of times until.

  A swallowing function evaluation training apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that in the second aspect, an output means for amplifying the electric signal and outputting it to the outside is provided.

  According to the swallowing function evaluation training apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention, the strength of the electrical signal emitted from the piezo film affixed to the pharynx and the number of times that the strength of the electrical signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value are displayed. It is possible to perform swallowing training with visual feedback.

  According to the swallowing function evaluation training apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention, the number of times until the time set by the time setting means elapses can be automatically measured, and the subject himself / herself performs a repeated saliva swallowing test. Is possible.

  According to the swallowing function evaluation training apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention, the electrical signal can be amplified and output to the outside, and the electrical signal can be analyzed by the external apparatus for recording, research, etc. Become.

It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the electric constitution of the swallowing function evaluation training apparatus of Example 1. FIG. It is a front view of the swallowing function evaluation training apparatus of Example 1. It is a rear view of the swallowing function evaluation training apparatus of Example 1.

  Hereinafter, the Example of the swallowing function evaluation training apparatus of this invention is described. The present invention is not limited to the following examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In FIGS. 1 to 3 showing the swallowing function evaluation training apparatus of the present embodiment, reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus main body, and a piezo film 2 is connected to the apparatus main body 1. The piezo film 2 is affixed to the subject's pharynx so as to be deformed by pharyngeal movement associated with swallowing. The intensity of the electric signal generated by the deformation of the piezo film 2 is displayed by the analog meter 3.

  Further, the apparatus main body 1 is provided with a counter 4 for measuring the number of times when the intensity of the electric signal generated by the deformation of the piezo film 2 exceeds a predetermined threshold, and the counter 4 is for setting the threshold. The piezo film 2 is electrically connected via the sensitivity adjuster 5. The number of times measured by the counter 4 is displayed on the counter display unit 6. Further, the sensitivity adjuster 5 is connected to a monitor 7 that is turned on when the intensity of an electric signal generated by deformation of the piezo film 2 exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

  The counter 4 is provided with a timer 8 for setting a measurement time and a start button 9 for starting the measurement. The counter 4 is set by the timer 8 after the start button 9 is pressed. The number of times is measured until the measured time has elapsed. Further, the counter 4 is provided with a stop button 10 for stopping the measurement and a reset button 11 for resetting the number of times displayed on the counter display unit 6.

  Further, the apparatus main body 1 is provided with an amplifier 12 for amplifying an electric signal generated by deformation of the piezo film 2, and the electric signal amplified by the amplifier 12 can be output to the outside via an external output terminal 13. It has become.

  In addition, a sensitivity adjustment dial 14 for adjusting the sensitivity of the sensitivity adjuster 5, a time setting dial 15 for setting the time of the timer 8, and a cable connected to the piezo film 2 are provided on the front of the apparatus body 1. A connection terminal 16 for connecting to the apparatus main body 1 and a power switch 17 are provided. Further, a power source terminal 18 for connecting a DC power source, a ground terminal 19, a main power switch 20 and the like are provided on the back surface of the apparatus main body 1.

  Next, the operation and effect of the swallowing function evaluation training apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

  The piezo film 2 is attached to the subject's larynx with tape. Then, while confirming the swallowing state, the movement of the larynx during swallowing is confirmed, and the sensitivity adjustment dial 14 is operated while looking at the analog meter 3, and a threshold is set so that swallowing can be confirmed. At this time, the piezo film 2 is deformed by the pharyngeal movement accompanying swallowing and emits an electrical signal. The intensity of the electric signal is displayed by the analog meter 3, and the monitor 7 is turned on when the intensity of the electric signal exceeds a threshold value.

  Then, the time to be measured is set by operating the time setting dial 15 of the timer 8, and when the start button 9 is pressed, the measurement by the counter 4 is started. The counter 4 measures the number of times when the intensity of the electric signal generated by the deformation of the piezo film 2 exceeds a threshold value. When the measurement time set by the timer 8 elapses, the measurement ends, and the number of swallowing times of the subject measured by the counter 4 is displayed on the counter display unit 6. When the stop button 10 is pressed, the measurement is stopped, and when the reset button 11 is pressed, the number of times displayed on the counter display unit 6 is reset.

  Thus, even if it is necessary to set the initial threshold by a specialist, etc., the number of swallowing can be easily measured by the subject himself after setting the threshold, and the number of swallowing can be automatically displayed on the counter. Can do.

  In addition, since the threshold can be changed for each subject, if the strength setting for the individual swallowing function evaluation is set for the first time, it can be used for evaluation and training as a personal device. Specifically, while performing visual feedback by the analog meter 3 and the counter display unit 6, the subject himself performs swallowing training as well as performing a repeated saliva swallowing test (RSST) which is often performed as a screening test for swallowing function. be able to.

  Actually, when the swallowing function evaluation training apparatus of the present example was used for simultaneous measurement with video fluorography, it was suggested that the swallowing dynamics in the pharyngeal phase are well expressed and can be applied as a swallowing evaluation.

  An electrical signal generated by the deformation of the piezo film 2 is amplified by the amplifier 12 and output to the outside via the external output terminal 13. This output can be recorded by a biological data recorder or the like, and can be analyzed in synchronization with an electromyogram electrical signal, a swallowing endoscope, or a moving picture of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Therefore, the swallowing function evaluation training apparatus of the present embodiment can be used not only for daily clinical practice but also for multifaceted elucidation from the research aspect of swallowing function, diagnosis of dysphagia and evaluation of treatment progress.

  Furthermore, since the swallowing function evaluation training apparatus of the present embodiment has a simple configuration, it is small and portable.

  As described above, the swallowing function evaluation training apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the piezo film 2 attached to the pharynx and the analog meter 3 as an intensity display means for displaying the intensity of the electric signal emitted from the piezo film 2. , A counter 4 as a measuring means for measuring the number of times that the intensity of the electric signal has exceeded a predetermined threshold, a sensitivity adjuster 5 as a threshold setting means for setting the threshold, and a number display for displaying the number of times And a counter display unit 6 as a means for displaying the intensity of the electric signal emitted from the piezo film 2 affixed to the pharynx and the number of times that the intensity of the electric signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. It is possible to perform swallowing training with visual feedback.

  In addition, a timer 8 is provided as a time setting means for setting the time to be measured, and the counter 4 is configured to measure the number of times until the measurement time set by the timer 8 elapses. The number of times until the time set by the timer elapses can be automatically measured, and it becomes possible to perform the repeated saliva swallowing test by the subject himself / herself.

  Further, it is provided with an amplifier 12 as an output means for amplifying the electric signal and outputting it to the outside, and the electric signal can be amplified and outputted to the outside, and the electric signal is recorded and analyzed by an external device. It becomes possible.

2 Piezo film 3 Analog meter (strength display means)
4 Counter (Measuring means)
5 Sensitivity adjuster (Threshold setting means)
6 Counter display (number display means)
8 Timer (Time setting means)
12 Amplifier (output means)

Claims (3)

Piezo film affixed to the pharynx, intensity display means for displaying the intensity of an electric signal emitted from the piezo film, measuring means for measuring the number of times the intensity of the electric signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, and the threshold A swallowing function evaluation training apparatus, comprising: threshold setting means for setting the number of times; and number of times display means for displaying the number of times. The time setting means for setting the time to measure is provided, The said measurement means is comprised so that the said frequency | count may be measured until the time set by the said time setting means passes. Swallowing function evaluation training device. The swallowing function evaluation training apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising output means for amplifying the electric signal and outputting the amplified signal to the outside.