JP2013153924A - Apparatus for determining motor function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for determining a motor function capable of determining the motor function by daily movements.SOLUTION: This apparatus for determining a motor function includes: one or more load meters 2 disposed under a table 1 on which a person to be placed and output a load on the table 1; a load calculation part 31 receiving an output value of the load meters 2 and calculating a load value on the table 1 based on the output value; a load value variation calculation part 32 for calculating variation of the load value based on the load value; and a motor function calculation part 33 for determining the a motor function from the variation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a motor function determination device that detects a motor function of a user by using a table (such as a bed or a chair) that is used repeatedly every day.

  When elderly people live alone, they may be injured due to the progress of the deterioration of their legs. If you lie on the bed for a long time due to injury or the like, your body will move less, your motor function will decline, and you may be bedridden. Therefore, it is desired to always monitor the deterioration of the legs and the like. However, the deterioration of the legs and legs often proceeds slowly, and in such a case, the deterioration of the legs and the waist may not be noticed promptly.

  In addition, people who often lie in bed for long periods of time, such as when there is a cause such as injury, and those who use wheelchairs at home for a long time, are less likely to move their bodies, Motor function may be reduced.

  Therefore, it is desired that the motor function can be determined by some device or method.

  By the way, in Patent Document 1, it is possible to quickly and reliably determine getting out of bed at night or the like of an inpatient, etc., and by reporting this to a caregiver, the fall of the inpatient or falling from the bed, A system for preventing an accident from leaving a facility and an accident is disclosed. In the invention which concerns on patent document 1, it is notified whenever it leaves a bed about all the inpatients to which the invention was applied. For this reason, a report is made even if it is not really necessary. In order to suppress the occurrence of excessive reporting, it is conceivable to select and apply inpatients who need to be out of bed, but it is difficult to measure the timing for starting the application of the invention. For example, even if an inpatient who was thought to have a low risk of falling or falling at the time of screening, the timing of the system application to those who gradually increased their risk due to a gradual decline in physical function. difficult. If you apply the wrong timing, you will not be able to report getting out of bed due to falling.

  In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses a device that easily and easily measures a health index related to the exercise ability of a subject even in a general home. The apparatus of Patent Document 2 measures the decline of the legs and hips from the subject's center of gravity fluctuation when the subject stands on the step and is raised and lowered on the step under the foot. However, in order to detect a motor function, it takes time and effort to perform measurements on a step by step every day.

JP 2009-151473 A JP 2008-104667 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a motor function determination device that can determine motor function by daily actions.

The structural feature of the invention according to claim 1 for solving the above-mentioned problem is that it is arranged under a table on which a person is placed, and one or more load cells that measure and output a load on the table;
A load calculation unit that receives an output value of the load cell and calculates a load value on the table based on the output value;
A load value fluctuation amount calculation unit for calculating a fluctuation amount of the load value based on the load value;
A motor function calculator that determines a motor function from the amount of change in the load value;
It is to have.

  Here, the “pedestal” on which a person is placed is a thing that a person repeatedly uses for a long period of time (such as a bed or a chair) (a state where the person is on a table such as lying down or sitting down). In the case of having legs that support the table, a load cell can be installed under the legs. The “motor function” mainly includes lower body functions such as the strength of legs and legs, leg strength, and balance. In addition, when assistance from an assistant is indispensable when getting out of a bed, the motor function other than the person using the bed may be affected, and an accurate determination may not be made. It is preferred to use the present invention for those who are not essential.

  A structural feature of the invention according to claim 2 is that, in claim 1, the load value variation calculation unit calculates when a person on the table gets off the table.

  A structural feature of the invention according to claim 3 is that, in claim 1, the load value fluctuation amount calculation unit calculates when a person gets on the table.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the motor function computing unit notifies a decrease in motor function when the amount of variation does not exceed the first threshold value. That is.

  Further, the structural feature of the invention according to claim 5 is that, in claim 4, the load value fluctuation amount calculation unit is configured to remove the load value fluctuation amount from the table when the load value fluctuation amount continues to be a certain value or less. If it is determined that a person has left the floor, and the motor function calculation unit determines that the amount of change is equal to or greater than a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value and that the person has left the floor, the vehicle falls or falls It is to notify the possibility of. Here, the fall / fall includes not only the fall or fall when getting on and off the platform, but also an abnormal way to get off or ride, such as an unfavorable situation. For example, when a person leaves the platform, it is assumed that a part of the body remains on the platform and falls or falls, so the load value is 0 (a load that is assumed to be absent on the platform) Not only when the load reaches the load value of the person making the determination, but also when there is no load fluctuation for a predetermined time (when the load fluctuation is small, for example, when the load falls below a certain value) it can.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the structural feature of the invention according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is that in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the storage unit has a variation storage unit that stores the variation, and the first threshold is calculated based on the past variation. It is to be done.

The structural feature of the invention according to claim 7 is that in any one of claims 1 to 6, the storage unit has a load value storage unit that stores the load value,
The load value variation calculation unit calculates the variation from the load value and a past load value stored in the load value storage unit.

  In the invention according to claim 1, the load value of the person on the stand is calculated by the load calculation unit, the fluctuation amount of the load value is calculated by the load value fluctuation amount calculation unit, and the magnitude of the fluctuation amount (speed of fluctuation) ) To determine motor function based on changes. Therefore, as long as you leave the floor in the same way, you will not be notified (reported) every time you leave the platform. Moreover, since the load meter is attached to the stand used on a daily basis, it is not necessary to ride another member every day in order to determine the motor function. Therefore, according to the invention which concerns on Claim 1, a motor function can be determined by daily operation | movement, and it is not notified whenever it leaves | separates from a stand.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 2, since a load value is measured when a person gets off a stand, a load value can be measured by the daily activity of getting off a stand.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 3, since a load value is measured when a person gets on a stand, a load value can be measured by daily activity of getting on a stand.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 4, it can notify that the motor function fell if it did not become more than a 1st threshold value by making a determination of a motor function into a 1st threshold value as a reference | standard.

  In the invention according to claim 5, when it is determined that the load fluctuation amount has changed more rapidly than the second threshold value, which is greater than the first threshold value, it is further determined that the person has left the platform. In such a case, the possibility of falling or falling can be notified.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 6, since it has a memory | storage part with the fluctuation amount memory | storage part which memorize | stores the fluctuation amount, and calculates a 1st threshold value using the past fluctuation amount, before motor function falls Based on the amount of exercise, it can be determined whether the motor function has decreased.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 7, a memory | storage part has a load value memory | storage part which memorize | stores a load value, and can calculate a variation | change_quantity more correctly.

It is a lineblock diagram showing the motor function judging device of an embodiment typically. It is a graph of the load value when there is no decline in motor function and no falls or falls. It is a graph of the variation | change_quantity of the load value computed based on the load value when there is no fall of a motor function, and no fall and fall. It is a graph of the load value when there is no decline in motor function and no falls / falls, when the motor function falls, and when there is a fall / fall. It is a graph of the variation | change_quantity of the load value computed based on the load value at the time of a fall of a motor function, when there is no fall and fall, when a motor function falls, and there existed a fall and fall.

  A representative embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the motor function determination device according to the first embodiment includes a load cell 2, a load calculation unit 31, a load value fluctuation amount calculation unit 32, a motor function calculation unit 33, and a storage unit 4. And a notification unit 5.

  The load cell 2 is installed on the leg 11 of the bed 1. The bed 1 has four legs 11 extending downward from a body portion 12 on which a subject (person) rides. A load cell 2 is attached to each leg 11. As the load meter 2, a known one can be used as long as it can measure the body weight (load) of the subject. Moreover, although the four legs 11 are used as the bed 1, it does not need to have four legs. When a plurality of load cells are installed, it is only necessary that the load cell can be appropriately installed below the main body (base) 12 on which the subject rides. Therefore, the number and shape of the legs are not limited to those used in the embodiment. . The load meter 2 measures and outputs the load of the subject on the main body 12 of the bed 1 as needed. Other than the subject's load, the futon, pillow, etc. are set in advance in the state of being placed on the main body 12 in advance, and the subject's load is measured. The weight of the subject who rides on the bed 1 and uses the bed 1 is hereinafter referred to as a subject load.

  The load calculation unit 31 receives the output value output from the load cell 2 and outputs a load value obtained by adding up all the output values. Therefore, the load value when the subject is on the bed 1 is the sum of the subject load, the mass of the bed 1, and the mass of other objects (such as bedding if present). When it is desired to determine the load of the subject, the load can be calculated by an appropriate method. The following description will be made assuming that the load obtained when the subject thus obtained is not on board is zero. In this apparatus, since the variation amount of the load value is used, the absolute value of the load may not be particularly problematic.

  The load value fluctuation amount calculation unit 32 calculates the fluctuation amount of the load value when the load value falls below a predetermined value. The fluctuation amount is a change amount of the load value per unit time. That is, it is a value obtained by differentiating the load value with respect to time. Therefore, if the subject does not move while on the bed 1, the fluctuation amount is zero. In addition to the differential value of the load value, any value calculated by a method that can represent a difference value or other load value fluctuation can be used as the fluctuation amount. By measuring the change in the load value associated with the breathing motion of the subject, the breathing motion is detected, and the presence of a person on the bed 1 is detected. Therefore, except for the case where the load value is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the change in the load value due to the action of getting down (leaving the bed) from the bed 1 is experimentally (empirically) known. It can be determined whether or not it originates from the action of getting out of bed. In addition, even if the subject does not get out of bed 1, it can be considered that the subject moves as the load greatly fluctuates on bed 1. In that case, after the load value becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value, it is also determined whether the operation of getting out of bed is completed. For example, (1) When a very small amount of fluctuation lasts for a certain period of time, (2) When the load value lasts for a certain period of time with a value close to 0 or 0, or (3) In the cases of (1) and (2) is there. When the movement of the subject leaving the bed 1 is finished and the calculation of the fluctuation amount is finished (determined that the subject has left the bed), the load value fluctuation amount calculation unit 32 outputs the fact to the motor function determination calculation unit 33, If it was not an action to get out of bed, nothing is output.

  The storage unit 4 includes a load value storage unit 41 and a fluctuation amount storage unit 42. The load value storage unit 41 stores the load value calculated by the load value calculation unit 31, and the variation storage unit 42 stores the variation calculated by the load value variation calculation unit 32. However, if the load value is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value and the fluctuation amount starts to be calculated, but the movement is not performed, the fluctuation amount storage unit 42 does not store the fluctuation amount. The load value fluctuation amount calculation unit 32 does not output the fluctuation amount to the fluctuation amount storage unit 42 when the movement amount is not calculated even when the fluctuation amount starts to be calculated. In this case, it is preferable that the load value fluctuation amount calculation unit 32 includes a temporary storage unit (not shown) that temporarily stores the fluctuation amount. Alternatively, even if the fluctuation amount is output to the fluctuation amount storage unit 42 every time the fluctuation amount is calculated, after it is determined that the movement is not performed, the fluctuation amount can be retroactively deleted or cannot be extracted later (cannot be used). ) State.

  2 and 3 show the time change of the load value (FIG. 2) and the time change of the amount of change in the load value when the subject tries to get out of bed (FIG. 3). Here, the test subject is a person who has no decline in motor function and does not fall or fall (normal case).

  In FIG. 2, the load value became equal to or less than the predetermined value at time t1. The predetermined value is appropriately determined from the subject load. Therefore, the fluctuation amount from time t0 before time t1 starts to be calculated (FIG. 3). The time t0 can be the first time when the load value falls below the load value of the subject, or a time that goes back a certain time from the time t1. Since the load value is stored in the load value storage unit 41 of the storage unit 4, it can be taken back in time. Note that the fluctuation amount may be calculated from the time t1 without taking out the memory from the load value storage unit 41.

  The load value fluctuation amount calculation unit 32 finishes the calculation of the fluctuation amount at time t2 when the load value becomes zero. The fact that the load value has become zero means that the subject's load is not measured because the subject has left the bed 1. Also, when the load value does not become zero and a very small fluctuation amount continues for a certain period of time, the calculation of the fluctuation amount is terminated. For example, when a load is placed on the bed 1, the load value may not become 0, so that the load value does not fluctuate (that is, the subject is not in contact with the bed 1) and is determined to be out of bed. can do. Or since the variation | change_quantity of the load value at the time of a test subject leaving the bed 1 is known experimentally (empirically), it is judged whether the test subject left the bed 1 using the data.

  The motor function calculator 33 may indicate that the motor function of the subject using the bed 1 may have deteriorated when the amount of change in the load value between time t0 and time t2 does not exceed the first threshold. Output to the notification unit 5. The case where the fluctuation amount is small is not greater than the first threshold value. A small amount of fluctuation means that the load value changes slowly. The movement of getting out of bed 1 became slow because the change in load value became slow. In other words, I couldn't move quickly or quickly. It is conceivable that the muscle strength of the legs and hips has decreased because it cannot move quickly or does not move quickly, and it can be known early that the motor function is not limited to the legs and hips.

  Then, immediately after it is determined that there is a possibility that the motor function is lowered, the notification unit 5 displays the character or symbol on the display 51 or the bed 52 is set up by sound from the speaker 52. Notification is given to a different place (a different room far from the bed 1) from the existing place, or an instruction to be stored in the notification storage unit 43 of the storage unit 4 is issued. At a later date, it can be taken out from the notification storage unit 43 at a timing when it is desired to take out whether or not there is a notification from the notification unit 5 and can be confirmed. It is also possible to notify a remote place (such as a hospital or relative's house) using a communication line.

  The motor function calculator 33 calculates the first threshold based on the past fluctuation amount. For example, the fluctuation amount stored in the fluctuation amount storage unit 42 of the storage unit 4 is used for the first ten days after the start of using the bed 1. The first threshold value can be determined based on the average of the total fluctuation amount, the average of the maximum fluctuation amount for every bed leaving, the average of the average of every day, the average of elapsed time, and the like. In the case where the bed is used for a long time, for example, in units of years, it may be possible to periodically recalculate the first threshold value. In addition to the person who uses the bed 1, it is possible to reflect not only the person who uses the bed 1 but also the idea of the person in the hospital, the relatives, etc.

  The load calculation unit 31, the load value variation calculation unit 32, the motor function calculation unit 33, the storage unit 4, and the notification unit 5 described above, together with any one of the load cells 2 as one device, Separately from the load cell 2, it is placed under the main body 2 or away from the bed 1. When the notification unit 5 is viewed or operated, it is placed in a place where it is easy to see and operate, and is connected to the load cell 2 by wire or wireless so that the load value can be transmitted and received. Only the notification unit 5 can be installed in an easily viewable place.

  In addition, the motor function calculation unit 33 determines not only the possibility of a decrease in motor function but also whether the subject has fallen or dropped when the subject gets off the bed 1. The motor function calculation unit 33 outputs the possibility of falling / falling to the notification unit 5 when it is determined that the amount of change is equal to or greater than the second threshold and the subject has left the bed 1. The subject determines that he / she has left the bed 1 when the load value falls below a predetermined value, a very small amount of fluctuation continues for a predetermined time, and the load value is 0 or close to 0. This is the case. How much variation can be said to be very small, how long is the predetermined time, and what is the value below which the load value is judged to be close to 0? As for, an appropriate value can be arbitrarily set, or can be set based on experimentally obtained data.

  The motor function calculation unit 33 determines whether the subject has fallen over or falls on the bed 1 by determining whether the subject is falling or falling out of the bed, and when the subject moves violently on the bed 1 Even if a severe fluctuation amount exceeding the second threshold is detected, such as when it is placed, it is not determined that a fall has occurred. In addition, when the subject falls down when leaving the bed, the load value may not become zero if the body does not fall and remains on the bed. Even in such a case, if the subject cannot move due to fainting, etc., and the amount of fluctuation is small, it is determined that the subject has fallen because the amount of fluctuation in the load value is small (below a certain value) It is carried out. In other words, the fact that the fluctuation amount equal to or greater than the second threshold is detected means that an abrupt movement that is not assumed in normal operation is performed, and then the load does not become zero and no movement is detected (the fluctuation amount). Is less than a certain value) because it is suspected that the subject is in a dangerous state such as being unable to move.

  The notification unit 5 that has received the possibility of falling / falling generates a sound from the speaker 52. The notification unit 5 is connected to a nurse call at a hospital, or connected to a speaker installed in a living room, a kitchen, or the like at home, and notifies a person other than the subject using the bed 1 by sound. Since it is assumed that the fall / fall is urgent, it is preferable to immediately notify when there is an output to the notification unit 5. In addition, when a bed is installed at home, it is assumed that someone other than the subject who uses the bed 1 is away, so it is possible to reliably notify an emergency by notifying a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone. In addition to notifying the mobile phone or the like, it is possible to confirm later the time when the notification is required by leaving a record in the notification storage unit 43 of the storage unit 4 it can. It is also possible to notify a remote place (such as a hospital or relative's house) using a communication line.

  Since the change in the load value per unit time when the vehicle falls over is considered to be abrupt (the amount of fluctuation is large), the second threshold value is set to a value larger than the first threshold value. The second threshold value is preferably set based on experimentally obtained data, not the subject using the bed 1 on which the motor function determination device of the first embodiment is installed. Since falls cannot be assumed by the accumulation of daily data, it cannot be estimated from daily data, and the amount of fluctuation in the load value at the time of the fall can be assumed to show the same tendency regardless of the motor function. It is preferable to adopt a value obtained experimentally.

  Of course, as with the first threshold value, the load value and the fluctuation amount stored in the storage unit 4 can also be used. Among the stored fluctuation amounts, a value larger than the maximum fluctuation amount on the 10th day when the bed 1 is started to be used, a value obtained by adding some value to the average value of the maximum fluctuation amount, and the like can be considered. The judgment that the subject has left the bed 1 is also based on experimentally obtained data. Alternatively, after it is determined that the user has started getting out of bed, it can be determined that the user has tried to get out of bed even when the load value is less than the subject load but does not become 0 but the fluctuation amount becomes 0.

  4 and 5 show the time change of the load value (FIG. 4) and the time change of the variation amount of the load value (FIG. 5) when the subject tries to get out of bed. 4 and 5, assuming that the subject has three cases: a normal case (normal), a case where there is a decline in motor function (decay), and a case where a fall or fall occurs (fall / fall). Is the result of measuring the time change of the load value for each.

  In the three states of “normal”, “decline”, and “falling / falling”, the time when the load value fluctuation amount starts to be calculated starts to leave the bed 1 at t1. As described above, “normal” completes the bed removal at time t2, “decay” completes the bed removal at time t3, and “falling down” completes the bed removal at time t4. As is clear from the load value graph (see Fig. 4), in the case of "Decrease", it takes more time to get out of bed than "Normal", and "Tipping / falling" is completed slightly earlier than "Normal". Yes. From the graph of the amount of change in the load value (see FIG. 5), in the case of “decay”, the first threshold value is not exceeded between time t1 and time t3. Therefore, this test subject is determined to have a reduced motor function. Then, “falling / falling” exceeds the second threshold value from time t1 to time t4, and then the load value reaches near 0, so that it is determined that a fall or the like has occurred.

  As described above, by appropriately setting the first threshold value and the second threshold value, it is possible to appropriately determine the states of “normal”, “decay”, and “falling / falling”.

  As described above, according to the motor function determination device of the first embodiment, every time the user leaves the bed 1, it is not notified that the user has left the bed. Further, since the load meter 2 is attached to the bed being used, it is not necessary to ride on another member every day in order to determine the motor function. Then, a determination is made of the possibility that the motor function has deteriorated due to the daily action of getting out of the bed 1, and notification is given when the bed 1 falls or falls.

(Embodiment 2)
The motor function determination apparatus according to the second embodiment determines whether the motor function has deteriorated when the subject is about to get on the bed 1 using the motor function calculation unit 33. Therefore, the load value variation calculation unit 32 calculates the variation in the load value that the subject is trying to get on the bed 1 when the load value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. However, since there is a case where an object is placed on the bed 1 instead of the subject, it can be determined by a variation in the load value that is experimentally (empirically) known other than when the load value exceeds a predetermined value. . In addition, it may be possible to determine whether the riding operation is completed after the load value becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value. For example, (1) When a very small amount of variation lasts for a certain period of time, (2) When the load value lasts for a certain period of time at a value close to the subject load or subject load, (3) In the case of (1) and (2) Etc. According to the motor function determination device of the second embodiment, it is possible to determine the possibility that the motor function has deteriorated due to the daily motion of getting on the bed 1.

(Other embodiments)
The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, not only the bed 1 but also a chair or a wheelchair may be used as long as they can be used in daily life and can perform operations such as getting on (sitting) and getting down (standing, leaving).

  The load value fluctuation amount calculation unit 32 calculates the fluctuation amount until the fluctuation amount no longer changes when the load value becomes a predetermined value or less. However, the load value fluctuation amount calculation unit 32 is configured to always calculate the fluctuation amount without providing the predetermined value. Can do. However, the motor function calculation unit 33 determines whether or not the fluctuation amount for the action of getting out of bed or the action of getting on the table exceeds or exceeds the first threshold value and the second threshold value.

1: Bed, 11: Leg, 12: Body part,
2: Load cell,
31: Load value calculation unit, 32: Load value fluctuation amount calculation unit, 33: Motor function calculation unit,
4: storage unit, 41: load value storage unit, 42: fluctuation amount storage unit, 43: notification storage unit,
5: Notification unit, 51: Display, 52: Speaker.

Claims (7)

One or more load cells that are placed under a table on which a person is placed and that measure and output a load on the table;
A load calculation unit that receives an output value of the load cell and calculates a load value on the table based on the output value;
A load value fluctuation amount calculation unit for calculating a fluctuation amount of the load value based on the load value;
A motor function calculator that determines motor function from the amount of variation;
An apparatus for determining motor function.   The motor function determination device according to claim 1, wherein the load value fluctuation amount calculation unit calculates when a person on the table gets off the table.   The motor function determination device according to claim 1, wherein the load value variation calculation unit calculates when a person gets on the table.   The motor function determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the motor function calculation unit notifies a decrease in motor function when the amount of variation does not exceed a first threshold value. The load value fluctuation amount calculation unit determines that a person has left the floor when the fluctuation amount of the load value is not more than a certain value for a predetermined time,
The motor function calculation unit notifies the possibility of falling or falling when it is determined that the amount of change is equal to or greater than a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value and that a person has left the platform. 4. The motor function determination device according to 4. A storage unit having a variation storage unit for storing the variation,
The motor function determination device according to claim 4, wherein the first threshold value is calculated based on the past fluctuation amount. The storage unit includes a load value storage unit that stores the load value,
The motor function determination device according to claim 1, wherein the load value fluctuation amount calculation unit calculates the fluctuation amount from the load value and a past load value stored in the load value storage unit.

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