JP2018201756A - Stimulation probe and evoked potential measuring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a stimulation probe capable of reducing an economical burden and a temporal burden (labor), and an evoked potential measuring apparatus.SOLUTION: The stimulation probe stimulates a subject and transmits a measured skin temperature to an inspection unit. The stimulation probe comprises: a casing 11 gripped by an operator; a pair of stimulation electrodes 12 which extends from the casing 11 to stimulate the skin of the subject; and a non-contact thermometer 13 which is fastened to the casing 11 to measure the skin temperature of the subject without contact.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a stimulation probe and an evoked potential measurement apparatus.

  In order to confirm a nerve conduction disorder, a nerve conduction testing device is widely used (for example, Patent Document 1). In the nerve conduction test, the nerve of the subject is stimulated, and the nervous system of the subject is evaluated based on the reaction obtained by performing the stimulation.

  In the measurement of nerve conduction velocity, the measured value is affected by the skin temperature of the subject. Therefore, it is necessary to measure the skin temperature of the subject at the time of measuring the nerve conduction velocity and correct the measurement value based on the skin temperature.

  In a general nerve conduction test, a subject's skin temperature is measured by connecting a subject's body temperature probe or thermometer to the nerve conduction testing device. In this case, the operator takes time and effort to connect, and it is necessary to disinfect by replacing the temperature probe and thermometer for each subject. In other words, the operation is troublesome for the operator. In addition, the time required for the subject's restraint has become longer due to the time and effort required for the operation.

  Although it is conceivable to use a non-contact type temperature probe or thermometer separate from the nerve conduction testing device, there is a trouble of inputting the measured value of the skin temperature into the nerve conduction testing device.

  When using a disposable body temperature probe, a thermometer, or the like, the cost of disinfection can be saved, but the economic burden is large.

JP 2004-081544 A

  In the nerve conduction test, it is necessary to measure the skin temperature. However, in the method using the above-described body temperature probe or the like, the labor of the operator is long and the restraint time of the subject is long. Further, when using a disposable body temperature probe or the like, there have been problems such as an increase in cost, and labor for inputting skin temperature information to the nerve conduction testing device. This problem is not only a nerve conduction test, but also a problem common to any test using an evoked potential generated by stimulation (electrical stimulation, magnetic stimulation, etc.) on a subject.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a stimulation probe and an evoked potential measurement device that can reduce an economical burden and a time burden (labor).

One aspect of the stimulation probe according to the present invention is:
A stimulation probe for stimulating a subject and transmitting the measured skin temperature to an examination unit,
A case that the operator holds;
A pair of stimulation electrodes that extend from the housing and stimulate the skin of the subject; and
A non-contact thermometer fixed to the housing and measuring the skin temperature of the subject in a non-contact manner.

  The stimulation probe has both a pair of stimulation electrodes and a non-contact thermometer on the housing. The non-contact thermometer measures the skin temperature without contacting the subject (for example, using infrared rays). Since the non-contact thermometer does not contact the subject, it is possible to save troubles such as disinfection. In addition, since the non-contact thermometer has a configuration that is fixed to the housing, the merit in cost can be enjoyed as compared with the disposable form.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can provide a stimulation probe and a nerve conduction testing device that can reduce an economical burden and a time burden (labor).

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an evoked potential measurement apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. 1 is an external view of a stimulation probe 10 according to a first embodiment. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a relationship between a stimulation probe 10 according to a first embodiment and a limb P of a subject. FIG.

<Embodiment 1>
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an evoked potential measuring apparatus 1 including a stimulation probe 10 according to the present embodiment. The evoked potential measurement apparatus 1 includes a stimulation probe 10 and an inspection unit 20. The evoked potential measuring device 1 is a device that measures a potential generated by a stimulus (electrical stimulation, magnetic stimulation, etc.) given to a subject and evaluates the subject using the measured value. In the following description, the evoked potential measuring device 1 is described as being a nerve conduction testing device. The stimulation probe 10 is used for holding a stimulus (electrical stimulation, magnetic stimulation, etc.) to a subject by being held by an operator. The stimulation probe 10 measures the skin temperature of the subject and supplies the measured value to the inspection unit 20. In the example of FIG. 1, the stimulation probe 10 and the inspection unit 20 are electrically connected via the cable C1, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. In other words, the stimulation probe 10 and the inspection unit 20 may perform wireless data communication. Details of the shape and the like of the stimulation probe 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The examination unit 20 is a measuring device used in a general nerve conduction examination. The inspection unit 20 includes an evoked potential acquisition unit 21, a data processing unit 22, a display unit 23, and a storage unit 24.

  A first lead electrode and a second lead electrode (not shown) are affixed to the subject. During stimulation by the stimulation probe 10, a potential difference is induced between the first lead-out electrode and the second lead-out electrode. The evoked potential acquisition unit 21 acquires the generated potential difference (evoked potential) and supplies it to the data processing unit 22.

  The data processing unit 22 performs various evaluations of the subject's nervous system based on the acquired potential difference. For example, the data processing unit 22 performs amplification of a potential difference, calculation of nerve conduction velocity based on the amplified potential difference, conversion to various display modes (waveforms, numerical values, symbols) related to the nervous system, and the like. The processing of the data processing unit 22 is various types of processing implemented in a general evoked potential measuring device, and may be implemented by hardware such as a circuit or software.

  The data processing unit 22 corrects the nerve conduction velocity evaluation value and the like. In general, it is said that there is a fluctuation of 2.4 m / sec in nerve conduction velocity every time the temperature changes once. Therefore, the data processing unit 22 corrects the evaluation value of the nerve conduction velocity using the skin temperature acquired by the stimulation probe 10. The skin sound is input via the cable C1 when the temperature is measured by the stimulation probe 10. The correction processing of the nerve conduction velocity evaluation value by the data processing unit 22 may be the same as the processing performed in a general nerve conduction examination.

  The storage unit 24 is a secondary storage device provided in the inspection unit 20, for example, a hard disk built in the inspection unit 20. The storage unit 24 stores various programs and evaluation values used by the data processing unit 22. The display unit 23 displays the induced potential difference in a visible manner. Examples of this aspect include waveforms, numerical values, characters, symbols, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an external configuration of the stimulation probe 10. The stimulation probe 10 includes a housing 11, a pair of stimulation electrodes 12 (12 a and 12 b), a non-contact thermometer 13, and a button 14. The stimulation probe 10 is electrically connected to the inspection unit 20 via the cable C1. In other words, various data are transmitted and received between the stimulation probe 10 and the inspection unit 20 via the cable C1. The stimulation probe 10 is provided with various control circuits (not shown) and the like.

  The housing 11 is gripped by an operator (for example, a medical worker such as a laboratory technician or a doctor). The case 11 has a flat plate shape in the example of FIG. 2, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may be any other shape as long as the operator can easily hold the case 11.

  The casing 11 is provided with a button 14. The button 14 is an example of an input unit that receives an instruction to start inspection. Therefore, instead of the button 14, another input interface such as a knob may be provided. The operator instructs the start of stimulation for nerve conduction examination by pressing the button 14. In the example of FIG. 2, the button 14 is a so-called scroll wheel, and has a shape that can be rotated when pressed. The operator instructs the start of stimulation by pressing the button 14 and adjusts the stimulation intensity by rotating the button 14.

  The pair of stimulation electrodes 12 (12a, 12b) is provided so as to extend from the side surface of the housing 11. The stimulation electrodes 12a and 12b have a rod-like shape, and their tips are substantially spherical. The pair of stimulation electrodes 12 gives stimulation (electric stimulation, magnetic stimulation, etc.) to the subject from the tip (substantially spherical portion) as the button 14 is pressed. The length of the stimulation electrode 12a (the length from the housing 11 to the tip for stimulation) and the length of the stimulation electrode 12b (the length from the housing 11 to the tip for stimulation) are substantially the same. The extension direction of the stimulation electrode 12a and the extension direction of the stimulation electrode 12b are substantially the same. Since the length and the stretching direction are substantially the same, stimulation at two locations can be reliably performed.

  The non-contact thermometer 13 is a thermometer that measures the skin temperature of the subject without touching the subject. The non-contact thermometer 13 is disposed between the electrodes (12a, 12b) of the pair of stimulation electrodes 12 (fixed so as not to be removed). The non-contact thermometer 13 is, for example, a general radiation thermometer (a thermometer using infrared light or visible light). In the following description, it is assumed that the non-contact thermometer 13 is an infrared thermometer. The non-contact thermometer 13 measures the skin temperature of the subject by emitting infrared light in substantially the same direction as the extension direction of the pair of stimulation electrodes 12 (described later with reference to FIG. 3). The measured value of the skin temperature by the non-contact thermometer 13 is transmitted to the inspection unit 20 via the cable C1. In the case of a configuration that does not include the cable C1, the stimulation probe 10 transmits a skin temperature measurement value to the inspection unit 20 by wireless communication.

  When the button 14 is pressed (in other words, when the start of stimulation is instructed), the stimulation probe 10 performs stimulation with the stimulation electrode 12 and also performs temperature measurement with the non-contact thermometer 13. More preferably, the stimulation probe 10 preferably starts stimulation and temperature measurement simultaneously.

  By performing both stimulation and temperature measurement by pressing the button 14 once, the operator can end the necessary processing relating to the evoked potential measurement in one operation. That is, measurement can be performed by simple processing. Further, by simultaneously performing the stimulation and the temperature measurement, the time required for the evoked potential measurement can be shortened.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the usage aspect of the probe 10 for a stimulus is demonstrated. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the stimulation electrode 12 and the non-contact thermometer 13 when the limb P of the subject is being stimulated. The operator brings the stimulation electrodes 12a and 12b into contact with the limb P of the subject. The non-contact thermometer 13 measures the skin temperature of the limb P by emitting infrared light to the limb P. At this time, the non-contact thermometer 13 performs light emission control so that the extending direction of the stimulation electrodes 12 (12a, 12b) and the light emission direction of the infrared light (line segment L1) are substantially the same. By this light emission control, the linear distance (line segment L1) from the non-contact thermometer 13 to the limb P becomes uniform in each measurement. In other words, the distance from the non-contact thermometer 13 to the limb P is a distance corresponding to the length of the stimulation electrode 12. Since the linear distance (line segment L1) from the non-contact thermometer 13 to the limb P is uniform in each measurement, it is difficult for an error to occur in temperature measurement accuracy. In other words, the skin temperature of the limb P of the subject can be accurately measured.

  Next, effects of the stimulation probe 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. As described above, the stimulation probe 10 has both the pair of stimulation electrodes 12 and the non-contact thermometer 13 on the housing 11. The non-contact thermometer 13 measures the skin temperature without contacting the subject (for example, using infrared rays). Since the non-contact thermometer 13 does not contact the subject, troubles such as disinfection can be saved. Moreover, since the non-contact thermometer 13 is the structure fixed to the housing | casing 11, it can be used repeatedly and can also enjoy the merit in terms of cost compared with a disposable form.

  Further, the stimulation probe 10 performs both processing for measuring the skin temperature and stimulating the subject in response to one operation of the button 14. Thereby, the operator can complete | finish the required process regarding an evoked potential measurement by one operation. Moreover, if it is the structure which measures a skin temperature and irritation | stimulation simultaneously, the time concerning an inspection can also be shortened.

  In addition, since the extending direction of the stimulation electrode 12 and the extending direction of the infrared light of the non-contact thermometer 13 are substantially the same, accurate skin temperature measurement can be realized.

  The evoked potential measuring apparatus 1 has the stimulation probe 10 having such an effect as a part of its configuration. The evoked potential measurement apparatus 1 acquires information on the skin temperature acquired by the stimulation probe 10 via the cable C1. Thereby, the evoked potential measuring device 1 can accurately evaluate the nervous system of the subject using the existing correction algorithm. Since the evoked potential measurement device 1 is configured to automatically acquire the skin temperature, the operator can evaluate the nervous system of the subject without performing complicated processing such as input of the skin temperature.

  Note that the shape and configuration of the stimulation probe 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are merely examples. That is, the stimulation probe 10 may be of any size and shape that can be grasped and operated by the operator. In addition, although the time and effort of the operation increases, it is possible to have a configuration in which both a button for starting stimulation and a button for measuring temperature are provided on the housing 11. Further, an input unit for instructing the start of stimulation or the start of temperature measurement may be provided on the casing of the inspection unit 20 or on a remote controller (not shown).

  As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments already described, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Evoked potential measuring apparatus 10 Stimulation probe 11 Case 12 A pair of stimulation electrodes 12a, 12b Stimulation electrode 13 Non-contact thermometer 14 Button 20 Inspection unit 21 Evoked potential acquisition unit 22 Data processing unit 23 Display unit 24 Storage unit C1 cable

Claims (7)

A stimulation probe for stimulating a subject and transmitting the measured skin temperature to an examination unit,
A case that the operator holds;
A pair of stimulation electrodes that extend from the housing and stimulate the skin of the subject;
A stimulation probe comprising: a non-contact thermometer fixed to the housing and measuring the skin temperature of the subject in a non-contact manner. An input unit is provided in the housing and receives an instruction to start an inspection,
The stimulation probe according to claim 1, wherein when an instruction to start a test is input to the input unit, both stimulation by the pair of stimulation electrodes and measurement of skin temperature by the non-contact thermometer are performed.   The stimulation according to claim 2, wherein when an instruction to start a test is input to the input unit, stimulation by the pair of stimulation electrodes and measurement of skin temperature by the non-contact thermometer are performed substantially simultaneously. Probe.   The stimulation probe according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the non-contact thermometer is disposed between the electrodes constituting the pair of stimulation electrodes.   The stimulation probe according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the non-contact thermometer is a radiation thermometer.   The stimulation probe according to claim 5, wherein an emission direction of infrared light or visible light by the non-contact thermometer and an extending direction of the pair of stimulation electrodes are substantially the same. The stimulation probe according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The evoked potential generated by the stimulation of the pair of stimulation electrodes and the skin temperature measured by the non-contact thermometer are received, and the subject's nervous system based on the received evoked potential and the skin temperature An evoked potential measuring device comprising: an inspection unit for inspecting.

Images