JP2021153853A - Wheezing detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a wheezing detection device capable of improving wheezing detection accuracy by suppressing noise.SOLUTION: A wheezing detection device 1 includes: a first microphone M1 composed of a MEMS type microphone; space forming members (a first housing 30, an O ring 34, a flexible circuit board 35, and a second housing 33) forming a storage space SP1 for accommodating the first microphone M1; and a housing cover 36 forming a pressure receiving part 3a for closing the storage space SP1 and receiving pressure from a body surface S. The space forming members are provided with a hole part 40 connected to the atmosphere, and the storage space SP1 is connected to the atmosphere through the hole part 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a wheezing detector.

Patent Document 1 discloses a small biological sound measuring device capable of increasing the internal pressure of a space accommodating a sound detector to improve measurement sensitivity and maintaining a high internal pressure state for a long period of time. This biological sound measuring device determines the presence or absence of wheezing by processing the information of the biological sound detected by the sound detector, and notifies the user of the determination result by sound or display.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-102849

In order to improve the judgment accuracy when analyzing the biological sound and determining the presence or absence of wheezing, it is also important to improve the airtightness of the space accommodating the sound detector and improve the measurement sensitivity of the biological sound. .. On the other hand, it is also important to prevent noise that is erroneously detected as wheezing from being superimposed on the detected sound.

As a sound measuring element for measuring a biological sound, an element (for example, a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) type microphone) whose measurement output changes according to the vibration state of the semiconductor element is known. In such an element, if the space in which the element is arranged has a high degree of sealing, the semiconductor element may vibrate due to a sudden internal pressure fluctuation in the space to generate noise. That is, the sound measuring element itself may become a noise source and affect the detection accuracy of wheezing.

An object of the present invention is to provide a wheezing detection device capable of suppressing noise and improving wheezing detection accuracy.

The wheezing detection device of one aspect of the present invention will be described below. The components and the like corresponding to the embodiments described later are shown in parentheses below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

(1)
A wheezing detection device (wheezing detection device 1) that detects wheezing based on the sound measured from the living body in contact with the body surface of the living body.
Sound measuring element (first microphone M1) and
A space forming member (first housing 30, O-ring 34, flexible circuit board 35, second housing 33) forming an accommodation space (accommodation space SP1) for accommodating the sound measuring element, and
A cover member (housing cover 36) that closes the accommodation space and forms a pressure receiving portion (pressure receiving portion 3a) that receives pressure from the body surface is provided.
The sound measuring element is an element (MEMS type microphone) of a type in which the measurement output changes according to the vibration state of the semiconductor element.
The space forming member is provided with a hole (hole 40) connected to the atmosphere.
The accommodation space is a wheezing detection device connected to the atmosphere through the hole.

According to (1), the presence of the hole can prevent the accommodation space from being completely sealed. Therefore, by optimizing the configuration of the hole portion, it is possible to suppress a sudden internal pressure fluctuation of the accommodation space that may occur when, for example, the pressing position of the pressure receiving portion with respect to the body surface is changed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the semiconductor element of the sound measuring element from vibrating due to the fluctuation of the internal pressure to generate noise, and it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of wheezing.

(2)
(1) The wheezing detection device according to the above.
The hole is a wheezing detection device that is linearly configured.

According to (2), since the hole portion is linear, the fluid resistance of the hole portion is lowered, and the internal pressure of the accommodation space can be effectively lowered. As a result, it is possible to suppress the vibration of the sound measuring element due to the sudden internal pressure fluctuation of the accommodation space and enhance the noise suppression effect. Further, since the holes are formed in a straight line, manufacturing can be facilitated.

(3)
(2) The wheezing detection device according to the above.
A wheezing detection device in which the length of the hole is less than half of the width (width R) in the direction parallel to the surface of the pressure receiving portion in the accommodation space.

According to (3), the internal pressure of the accommodation space can be sufficiently reduced. Therefore, it is possible to strongly suppress sudden internal pressure fluctuations in the accommodation space and enhance the noise suppression effect.

(4)
(2) The wheezing detection device according to the above.
The cross-sectional area of the hole is 0.045 mm ² or less.
A wheezing detection device having a hole length of 3 mm or more and less than 7 mm.

According to (4), the internal pressure of the accommodation space can be sufficiently reduced. Therefore, it is possible to strongly suppress sudden internal pressure fluctuations in the accommodation space and enhance the noise suppression effect.

(5)
(2) The wheezing detection device according to the above.
A wheezing detection device in which the length of the hole is at least half the width (width R) in the direction parallel to the surface of the pressure receiving portion in the accommodation space.

According to (5), it is possible to enhance the sound insulation effect of the sound from the atmosphere side while making the airtightness of the accommodation space appropriate. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately balance the improvement of the measurement accuracy of the biological sound by maintaining the appropriate airtightness, the sound insulation performance due to the long hole, and the noise suppression performance due to the presence of the hole. , The detection accuracy of wheezing can be improved.

(6)
(2) The wheezing detection device according to the above.
The cross-sectional area of the hole is 0.045 mm ² or less.
A wheezing detection device having a hole length of 7 mm or more.

According to (6), it is possible to enhance the sound insulation effect of the sound from the atmosphere side while making the airtightness of the accommodation space appropriate. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately balance the improvement of the measurement accuracy of the biological sound by maintaining the appropriate airtightness, the sound insulation performance due to the long hole, and the noise suppression performance due to the presence of the hole. , The detection accuracy of wheezing can be improved.

(7)
(1) The wheezing detection device according to the above.
The hole is a wheezing detection device having a shape including a curved line.

According to (7), since the hole portion has a shape including a curved line, it is possible to appropriately improve the airtightness of the accommodation space as compared with the configuration in which the hole portion has a linear shape. Further, as compared with the configuration in which the holes are linear, the sound insulation effect of the sound from the atmosphere side can be enhanced. Therefore, the accuracy of wheezing detection can be improved. Further, even when the length of the hole is increased to enhance the sound insulation effect and the airtightness, the miniaturization is not hindered.

(8)
The wheezing detection device according to any one of (1) to (7).
The space forming member has a tubular member (first housing 30) in which one end face in the axial direction is covered with the cover member, and an inner circumference of the tubular member on the other end face in the axial direction of the tubular member. A mounting member (second housing 33) for mounting the sound measuring element, which is fixed so as to close the portion, is provided.
The hole is a wheezing detection device composed of grooves (grooves 41 to 48) formed in the above-mentioned mounting member.

According to (8), the hole can be easily formed.

(9)
The wheezing detection device according to any one of (1) to (8).
A wheezing detection device further comprising another sound measuring element (second microphone M2) provided outside the accommodation space and placed in a space (hollow portion 37a) connected to the outlet (terminal 49) of the hole portion.

According to (9), it is possible to cancel the external sound that may enter the accommodation space through the hole by another sound measuring element. Therefore, the accuracy of wheezing detection can be improved.

According to the present invention, the accuracy of wheezing detection can be improved.

It is a side view which shows the schematic structure example of the wheezing detection apparatus 1 which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the measurement unit 3 of the wheezing detection apparatus 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded schematic view of the measurement unit 3 of the wheezing detection device 1 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed obliquely from the direction A1 side. FIG. 5 is an exploded schematic view of the measurement unit 3 of the wheezing detection device 1 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed obliquely from the direction A2 side. 2 is a schematic plan view of the second housing 33 in the measurement unit 3 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 as viewed in the direction A2. 2 is a schematic plan view of the second housing 33 and the flexible circuit board 35 in the measurement unit 3 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 as viewed in the direction A2. It is a plane schematic diagram for demonstrating the first modification example of the hole part formed in the 2nd housing 33. It is a plane schematic diagram for demonstrating the 2nd deformation example of the hole part formed in the 2nd housing 33. It is a plane schematic diagram for demonstrating the third modification example of the hole part formed in the 2nd housing 33.

(Outline of the wheezing detection device of the embodiment)
First, an outline of an embodiment of the wheezing detection device of the present invention will be described. The wheezing detection device of the embodiment measures a sound (lung sound) from a human body, and when it is determined that the measured sound includes wheezing, it notifies that fact. By doing so, it is possible to support the determination of the necessity of medication for the subject, the determination of whether or not to take the subject to the hospital, and the like.

Pulmonary sounds are all sounds that occur with respiratory movements in the lungs and thorax, regardless of whether they are normal or abnormal, except for sounds originating from the cardiovascular system. Lung sounds are classified into respiratory sounds, which are physiological sounds generated by the flow of air in the airways due to breathing, and secondary noises, which are abnormal sounds generated in pathological conditions such as wheezing or pleural friction rub. Will be done.

The asthma detection device of the embodiment includes a measuring unit having an accommodation space for accommodating the sound measuring element, the accommodating space is substantially sealed by the body surface, and the internal pressure fluctuation of the accommodating space in this state is detected by the sound measuring element. By doing so, the lung sound of the living body is measured. The sound measuring element is an element of a type in which the measured output changes according to the vibration state of the semiconductor element.

The wheezing detection device of the embodiment has a configuration in which the accommodation space is connected to the atmosphere in order to suppress a sudden fluctuation in the internal pressure of the accommodation space when, for example, the contact position of the measurement unit with respect to the body surface is changed. It is supposed to be. With this configuration, abrupt internal pressure fluctuations in the accommodation space are suppressed, so that the sound measuring element can be prevented from becoming a noise generation source.

When the sound measuring element emits noise, this noise may be mistakenly recognized as wheezing. It is known that such noise is remarkably generated when the accommodation space of the sound measuring element is highly sealed and the measurement sensitivity of the sound measuring element is high. Increasing the measurement sensitivity of the sound measuring element is important for measuring lung sound with high accuracy. Then, in order to increase the measurement sensitivity of the sound measuring element, it is preferable to use an element (for example, a MEMS type microphone) whose measurement output changes according to the vibration state of the minute semiconductor element.

In the asthma detection device of the embodiment, a sound measuring element having high measurement sensitivity is used to improve the measurement accuracy of lung sound, and the accommodating space is set to the atmosphere so that the confined state of the accommodating space of the sound measuring element is not completely sealed. It is connected. As a result, in a situation where the internal pressure of the accommodation space can rise sharply (for example, after the measurement unit is brought into contact with the body surface to start the measurement, the measurement unit is moved slightly away from the body surface and the body is moved again. Even if a situation occurs in which the measurement is continued in contact with the surface), the pressure inside the accommodation space can be released to the atmosphere. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of noise in the sound measuring element, and it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of wheezing. Hereinafter, the details of the embodiment will be described.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration example of the wheezing detection device 1 which is an embodiment of the wheezing detection device of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the wheezing detection device 1 has a rod-shaped grip portion 1b made of a housing made of resin, metal, or the like, and a head portion 1a is provided on one end side of the grip portion 1b. ..

Inside the grip portion 1b, a integrated control unit 4 that controls the entire wheezing detection device 1, a battery 5 that supplies the voltage required for operation, a liquid crystal display panel, an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display panel, or the like is used. A display unit 6 for displaying an image is provided.

The integrated control unit 4 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like, and controls each hardware of the wheezing detection device 1 according to a program.

The head portion 1a is provided with a measurement unit 3 projecting to one side (lower side in FIG. 1) in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the grip portion 1b. At the tip of the measurement unit 3, a pressure receiving portion 3a that is in contact with the body surface S of the living body to be measured and receives the pressure from the body surface S is provided.

The wheezing detection device 1 is used by pressing the pressure receiving portion 3a of the measuring unit 3 against the body surface S by the index finger while the index finger of the user's hand Ha, for example, is placed on the back surface of the measuring unit 3 in the head portion 1a. Will be done. In the following, the pressing direction of the pressure receiving portion 3a against the body surface S (downward in FIG. 1) is described as the direction A1, the opposite direction of the direction A1 is described as the direction A2, and the directions A1 and the direction A2 are combined to describe the direction A. It is described as.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the measurement unit 3 of the wheezing detection device 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic view of the measurement unit 3 of the wheezing detection device 1 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed obliquely from the direction A1 side. FIG. 4 is an exploded schematic view of the measurement unit 3 of the wheezing detection device 1 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed obliquely from the direction A2 side. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the second housing 33 in the measurement unit 3 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 as viewed in the direction A2. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the second housing 33 and the flexible circuit board 35 in the measurement unit 3 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 as viewed in the direction A2.

The measurement unit 3 includes a housing cover 36, a first housing 30, an O-ring 34, a second housing 33, a flexible circuit board 35 on which the first microphone M1 and the second microphone M2 are mounted, and the first housing 30. , An O-ring 34, a second housing 33, and a case 37 that supports the flexible circuit board 35.

As shown in FIG. 2, the measuring unit 3 is fitted into an opening formed in the housing 2 constituting the head portion 1a in a state where a part of the housing cover 36 is exposed. The case 37 of the measuring unit 3 is supported by the housing 2. The tip of the exposed portion of the housing cover 36 from the housing 2 is a flat surface or a curved surface, and the flat surface or the curved surface constitutes the pressure receiving portion 3a.

The first housing 30 is composed of a tubular member. The first housing 30 is made of a material having higher acoustic impedance and higher rigidity than air, such as resin or metal. The first housing 30 is a material that reflects sound in the measurement frequency band of the first microphone M1 so that sound is less likely to be transmitted from the outside to the accommodation space SP1 described later when the pressure receiving portion 3a is in contact with the body surface S. It is preferable that it is composed of.

In the example of FIGS. 2 to 4, the first housing 30 has a substantially cylindrical shape that is convex in the direction A1 and includes a small diameter portion 31 and a large diameter portion 32 having a larger outer diameter than the small diameter portion 31. It is a member of. Inside the first housing 30, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a first recess 32a forming a substantially columnar space formed on an end surface 32b on the direction A2 side of the large diameter portion 32, and a first recess 32a are formed. A hollow portion formed by an opening 31a having a diameter smaller than that of the first recess 32a formed in the center of the bottom surface of the recess 32a is formed. Further, a second recess 32c extending from the first recess 32a to the side surface of the large diameter portion 32 is formed in a part of the end surface 32b of the first housing 30.

The housing cover 36 is a bottomed cylindrical member, and the shape of the hollow portion thereof substantially matches the shape of the outer peripheral surface (excluding the end surface 32b) of the first housing 30. The first housing 30 is inserted into the hollow portion of the housing cover 36, and the outer peripheral surface (particularly the end surface on the direction A1 side) of the first housing 30 and the housing cover 36 are in close contact with each other. As described above, the first housing 30 has a configuration in which one end surface in the axial direction (end surface on the direction A1 side) is covered by the housing cover 36. The housing cover 36 is made of a material having an acoustic impedance close to that of the human body, air, or water, and having good biocompatibility and flexibility. As the material of the housing cover 36, for example, silicone, elastomer, or the like is used.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the second housing 33 has a shape in which a part of a disk is cut out, and a substantially columnar convex portion 331 is formed on the surface 330 on the direction A1 side. There is. The diameter of the convex portion 331 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the first concave portion 32a of the first housing 30. The second housing 33 is fixed to the first housing 30 by closing the first recess 32a of the first housing 30 by screws B1 to B3 that pass through each of the three screw holes formed in the portion other than the convex portion 331. Has been done. More specifically, the surface 330 of the second housing 33 and the end surface 32b of the first housing 30 are abutted against each other, and the first recess 32a of the first housing 30 is closed by the second housing 33.

The outer diameter of the O-ring 34 is smaller than the diameter of the first recess 32a of the first housing 30, and the O-ring 34 is housed in the first recess 32a of the first housing 30. The outer diameter of the O-ring 34 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the convex portion 331 of the second housing 33.

The flexible circuit board 35 is a flexible circuit board, and has a substantially disk-shaped flat plate portion 350 on which the first microphone M1 is mounted and a substantially disk-shaped flat plate portion 351 on which the second microphone M2 is mounted. A connecting portion 352 connecting the flat plate portion 350 and the flat plate portion 351 and a long portion 353 extending from the side opposite to the connecting portion 352 side of the flat plate portion 351 are provided. The long portion 353 is connected to a substrate on which the overall control unit 4 and the like shown in FIG. 1 are mounted. The sound information measured by each of the first microphone M1 and the second microphone M2 is transmitted to the integrated control unit 4 via the flexible circuit board 35.

The first microphone M1 is a sound measuring element for measuring lung sound, and is, for example, a band wider than the frequency range of lung sound (generally 10 Hz or more and 1.5 kHz or less) (for example, a frequency of 1 Hz or more and 10 kHz or less). It is composed of a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) type microphone or a capacitance type microphone that detects the sound of the frequency range).

As shown in FIG. 6, the flat plate portion 350 on which the first microphone M1 is mounted has substantially the same size as the convex portion 331 of the second housing 33 when viewed in the direction A. As shown in FIG. 2, the flat plate portion 350 is arranged between the O-ring 34 and the convex portion 331 of the second housing 33. A through hole 350a is formed in the flat plate portion 350. The first microphone M1 mounted on the flat plate portion 350 and the through hole 350a of the flat plate portion 350 are arranged inside the O-ring 34.

The thickness of the O-ring 34 in the direction A is larger than the distance between the flat plate portion 350 and the bottom surface of the first recess 32a of the first housing 30 in the assembled state shown in FIG. Therefore, in the assembled state of FIG. 2 in which the first housing 30 and the second housing 33 are fixed by the screws B1 to B3, the flat plate portion 350 is in close contact with the surface of the convex portion 331.

The second microphone M2 is for measuring the surrounding sounds of the measuring unit 3 (environmental sounds such as human voice, or rubbing sound between the asthma detection device 1 and the living body or clothes) (first microphone M1). It is another sound measuring element, and is composed of, for example, a MEMS type microphone or a capacitance type microphone that measures sound in a band wider than the frequency range of lung sound (for example, a frequency range of 10 Hz or more and 10 kHz or less). ing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the flat plate portion 351 on which the second microphone M2 is mounted is fixed to the surface of the second housing 33 opposite to the convex portion 331 side (the surface on the direction A2 side) by an adhesive or the like. .. The connecting portion 352 of the flexible circuit board 35 reaches the inside of the case 37 through the second recess 32c of the first housing 30.

The case 37 has a cylindrical shape having a hollow portion 37a. The first housing 30 and the second housing 33 are fixed to the inner peripheral portion of the case 37 by screws B1 to B3. As shown in FIG. 2, the second microphone M2 mounted on the flat plate portion 351 of the flexible circuit board 35 is exposed in the hollow portion 37a of the case 37. The hollow portion 37a is open to the atmosphere.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a hole 40 formed by a substantially spiral (or substantially concentric) groove is provided on the surface of the convex portion 331 of the second housing 33. The hole 40 is composed of grooves 41 to 48.

The groove 41 is a substantially circular groove having a size larger than that of the through hole 350a, which is formed at a position facing the through hole 350a of the flexible circuit board 35. The groove 42 is a substantially arcuate groove extending counterclockwise from the groove 41.

The groove 43 is a substantially arcuate groove extending counterclockwise from the end of the groove 42 toward the groove 41. The end of the groove 43 is closed without merging with another groove. The groove 44 is a substantially arcuate groove extending counterclockwise along the groove 43 from the end of the groove 42 to the outside of the groove 43 (the radial outside of the convex portion 331).

The groove 45 is a substantially arcuate groove extending counterclockwise along the groove 42 from the end of the groove 44 to the outside of the groove 42. The end of the groove 45 is closed without merging with another groove. The groove 46 is a substantially arcuate groove extending counterclockwise along the groove 45 from the end of the groove 44 to the outside of the groove 45.

The groove 47 is a substantially arcuate groove extending counterclockwise along the groove 44 from the end of the groove 46 to the outside of the groove 44. The end of the groove 47 is closed without merging with another groove. The groove 48 is a linear groove extending from the end of the groove 46 toward the surface 330 side (diameterally outside) of the second housing 33. The end of the groove 48 is exposed in the second recess 32c of the first housing 30 in the assembled state shown in FIG.

In this way, the hole 40 formed on the surface of the convex portion 331 of the second housing 33 has three branch portions (grooves) that branch the groove into two between the groove 41 and the end 49 of the groove 48. It has a branch portion BR1 formed at the end of 42, a branch portion BR2 formed at the end of the groove 44, and a branch portion BR3) formed at the end of the groove 46.

In the assembled state shown in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 6, the through hole 350a of the flexible circuit board 35 and the groove 41 overlap each other. Further, the hole portion 40 is covered with the flat plate portion 350 of the flexible circuit board 35, and is sealed by the flat plate portion 350 except for the end of the groove 48 and a part of the groove 41.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first microphone M1 is housed in the housing space SP1 surrounded by the O-ring 34, the flat plate portion 350, the inner peripheral surface of the first housing 30, and the housing cover 36. The O-ring 34, the flat plate portion 350, the first housing 30, the second housing 33, and the housing cover 36 form a space forming member that forms the accommodation space SP1.

When the through hole 350a does not exist in the flat plate portion 350, the accommodation space SP1 can be a closed space with high airtightness (for example, a space having a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure). The present embodiment is characterized in that the accommodation space SP1 is connected to the atmosphere through a through hole 350a and a hole portion 40 connected to the through hole 350a. Of the holes 40, the groove 41 constitutes an entrance on the accommodation space SP1 side, and the end 49 of the groove 48 constitutes an outlet on the atmosphere side.

When the asthma detection device 1 configured as described above is used, when the pressure receiving portion 3a of the housing cover 36 comes into contact with the body surface S and the pressure receiving portion 3a vibrates due to the lung sound transmitted from the living body to the body surface S, this The internal pressure of the housing space SP1 fluctuates due to the vibration, and the fluctuation of the internal pressure causes the first microphone M1 to detect an electric signal corresponding to the lung sound. Further, the ambient sound when the wheezing detection device 1 is used is measured by the second microphone M2.

The integrated control unit 4 performs a process of determining the presence or absence of wheezing based on the sound measured by the first microphone M1 and the sound measured by the second microphone M2. For example, the integrated control unit 4 removes ambient sound noise other than the lung sound mixed with the first sound measured by the first microphone M1 based on the second sound measured by the second microphone M2. Then, the integrated control unit 4 determines the presence or absence of wheezing based on the first sound after removing the ambient noise. The second microphone M2 is not essential, and the presence or absence of wheezing may be determined based on the sound measured by the first microphone M1. Various methods can be adopted for determining the presence or absence of wheezing.

(Effect of wheezing detector)
During the measurement of lung sound by the first microphone M1, for example, when the method of pressing the pressure receiving portion 3a against the body surface is changed or the pressing position of the pressure receiving portion 3a is changed, the accommodation space SP1 If the degree of sealing is too high, the internal pressure of the accommodation space SP1 may fluctuate greatly. According to the wheezing detection device 1, even if the internal pressure of the accommodation space SP1 changes in the direction of increase, for example, the air in the accommodation space SP1 is released to the atmosphere through the through hole 350a and the hole 40, so that the accommodation space SP1 is accommodated. It is possible to suppress large fluctuations in the internal pressure of the space SP1. As a result, when a MEMS type microphone is used as the first microphone M1, the generation of noise caused by the first microphone M1 itself can be suppressed (hereinafter, referred to as a noise suppression effect), and the wheezing detection accuracy can be improved. can.

Further, the hole 40 having the configuration shown in FIG. 5 is connected to a groove whose end is closed and a end 49 between the entrance (groove 41) on the accommodation space SP1 side and the outlet (end 49) on the atmosphere side. It is configured to have a groove and a branch portion (branch portions BR1 to BR3) for branching the groove into two parts.

According to this configuration, when the ambient sound invades from the terminal 49 connected to the atmosphere, the energy of the ambient sound can be attenuated by the closed groove branched at each branch portion. As a result, the sound pressure of the ambient sound reaching the accommodation space SP1 can be sufficiently reduced. That is, the sound insulation effect of the sound from the atmosphere side can be enhanced. By enhancing the sound insulation effect in this way, the accuracy of wheezing detection can be improved. On the contrary, it can be said that the structure is such that the pressure in the accommodation space SP1 does not excessively escape to the atmosphere. That is, in the wheezing detection device 1, it is possible to prevent the sealed state of the accommodation space SP1 from becoming excessively low. As a result, the lung sound can be measured with high sensitivity (hereinafter, referred to as the measurement accuracy improving effect), and the wheezing detection accuracy can be improved.

If the hole portion 40 has at least one branch portion, it is possible to obtain a sound insulation effect and an effect of improving measurement accuracy. However, these effects can be obtained more strongly by providing a plurality of branch portions, preferably three as shown in FIG.

As a result of the verification, in the configuration of the hole portion 40 shown in FIG. 5, the cross-sectional area of the through hole 350a of the flexible circuit board 35 is 0.1964 mm ^2, and the cross-sectional area of each groove 42 to 48 is 0.045 mm ² or less. In this case, by setting the total length of the groove 42, the groove 44, the groove 46, and the groove 48 to 20 mm or more, preferably 30 mm or more, the balance between the noise suppression effect, the sound insulation effect, and the measurement accuracy improvement effect is optimal. As a result, the wheezing detection accuracy can be improved.

(Deformation example of hole)
In the above embodiment, the hole 40 is substantially spiral (substantially concentric), but in the first modification and the second modification described below, the point that the hole 40 is linear is the same as that of the embodiment. Is different.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view for explaining a first modification of the hole formed in the second housing 33. FIG. 7 shows the second housing 33 and the flexible circuit board 35 and the O-ring 34 overlapping the second housing 33. In the first modification, the positional relationship between the first microphone M1 and the through hole 350a in the flat plate portion 350 of the flexible circuit board 35 is opposite to that of the above embodiment.

In the first modification shown in FIG. 7, the hole 40A is formed on the surface of the convex portion 331 of the second housing 33. The hole 40A includes a substantially circular groove 41A that overlaps the through hole 350a and has a diameter larger than that of the through hole 350a, and a rectangular groove 48A that extends linearly outward from the groove 41A in the radial direction of the convex portion 331. .. The end of the groove 48A is exposed in the second recess 32c of the first housing 30, similarly to the end 49 of the hole 40.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view for explaining a second modification of the hole formed in the second housing 33. FIG. 8 shows the second housing 33 and the flexible circuit board 35 and the O-ring 34 overlapping the second housing 33.

In the second modification shown in FIG. 8, the hole 40B is formed on the surface of the convex portion 331 of the second housing 33. The hole 40B includes a substantially circular groove 41B that overlaps the through hole 350a and has a diameter larger than that of the through hole 350a, and a rectangular groove 48B that extends linearly from the groove 41B to the connecting portion 352 side. The end of the groove 48B is exposed to the second recess 32c of the first housing 30, similarly to the end 49 of the hole 40.

In the first modification and the second modification, the accommodation space SP1 is connected to the atmosphere by the through hole 350a and the linear holes 40A and 40B connected to the through hole 350a. According to this configuration, even if the internal pressure of the accommodation space SP1 changes in the direction of increase, for example, the air in the accommodation space SP1 is released to the atmosphere through the through holes 350a and the holes 40A and 40B, so that the accommodation space SP1 is accommodated. It is possible to suppress large fluctuations in the internal pressure of the space SP1. As a result, when a MEMS type microphone is used as the first microphone M1, the generation of noise caused by the first microphone M1 itself can be suppressed, and the wheezing detection accuracy can be improved.

Further, since the holes 40A and 40B are linear, the air flow from the accommodation space SP1 to the atmosphere can be smoothed as compared with the hole 40 including the branch portion. In other words, the fluid resistance of the hole 40 can be reduced. That is, according to the first modification and the second modification, the degree of sealing of the accommodation space SP1 can be lowered as compared with the configuration of the above embodiment. Therefore, the noise generated by the first microphone M1 itself can be strongly suppressed and the wheezing detection accuracy can be further improved as compared with the above embodiment.

The hole 40B in FIG. 8 has a longer structure than the hole 40A in FIG. Therefore, according to the configuration shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to prevent the degree of sealing of the accommodation space SP1 from being excessively lowered as compared with the configuration shown in FIG. On the contrary, according to the configuration shown in FIG. 8, the sound insulation effect from the atmosphere to the accommodation space SP1 can be enhanced as compared with the configuration shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the hole 40A has a shorter structure than the hole 40B. Therefore, according to the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the degree of sealing of the accommodation space SP1 can be lowered as compared with the configuration shown in FIG.

In this way, when the hole 40 is made linear, the balance between the noise suppression effect, the sound insulation effect, and the measurement accuracy improvement effect can be adjusted by adjusting the length thereof. The lengths of the holes 40A and 40B refer to the lengths of the portions excluding the entrance grooves 41A and 41B.

For example, the length L1 of the hole 40A (the length of the groove 48A) is less than half of the width R (corresponding to the inner diameter of the O-ring 34) in the direction perpendicular to the direction A of the accommodation space SP1. By setting the length L1 to less than half of the width R, the airtightness of the accommodation space SP1 can be sufficiently lowered, and the noise suppression effect of the first microphone M1 can be enhanced.

Further, the length L2 of the hole 40B (the length of the groove 48B) is more than half of the width R of the accommodation space SP1. By setting the length L2 to more than half of the width R, the noise suppression effect is slightly reduced, but the balance between the noise suppression effect, the sound insulation effect, and the measurement accuracy improvement effect can be made almost the same, and the wheezing detection accuracy can be improved. Can be enhanced.

As a result of more detailed verification, in the configuration of the hole 40A (or the hole 40B), the cross-sectional area of the through hole 350a of the flexible circuit board 35 is 0.1964 mm ^2, and the cross-sectional area of the groove 48A (or the groove 48B) (groove). When the area of the cross section perpendicular to the extending direction is 0.045 ^{mm 2} (groove width = 0.5 mm and depth 0.09 mm) or less, the length of the groove 48A (or groove 48B) is 3 mm or more and 7 mm. When it is less than, the accuracy of detecting asthma can be improved. Specifically, when this length is set to 3 mm or more and less than 7 mm, the measurement accuracy and sound insulation performance of lung sound are slightly lowered as compared with the configuration having a length of 7 mm or more, but the noise suppression effect of the first microphone M1 is enhanced. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to improve the wheezing detection accuracy by adjusting the lung sound measurement accuracy and the balance between the sound insulation performance and the noise suppression performance.

Further, by setting this length to 7 mm or more and less than 15 mm, the wheezing detection accuracy can be further improved. Specifically, when this length is 7 mm or more and less than 15 mm, the noise suppression effect of the first microphone M1 is slightly weaker than that of the configuration having a length of less than 7 mm, but the measurement accuracy of lung sound is improved and the sound insulation performance is improved. Improvement is planned. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the wheezing detection accuracy by adjusting the lung sound measurement accuracy and the balance between the sound insulation performance and the noise suppression performance.
The upper limit of the cross-sectional area of the groove 48A (or the groove 48B) is 0.045 mm ^{2. When} the cross-sectional area exceeds this value, the accommodation space is not limited to the length of the groove 48A (or the groove 48B). The airtightness of SP1 is lowered too much, and the degree of decrease in wheezing detection accuracy due to the decrease in sound insulation performance and lung sound measurement accuracy becomes too large compared to the degree of increase in wheezing detection accuracy due to the improvement in noise suppression effect. Is.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view for explaining a third modification of the hole formed in the second housing 33. FIG. 9 shows the second housing 33 and the flexible circuit board 35 and the O-ring 34 overlapping the second housing 33.

In the third modification shown in FIG. 9, the hole 40C is formed on the surface of the convex portion 331 of the second housing 33. The hole 40C includes a substantially circular groove 41C that overlaps the through hole 350a and has a diameter larger than that of the through hole 350a, and a meandering curved groove 48C that extends from the groove 41C to the connecting portion 352 side. The end of the groove 48C is exposed to the second recess 32c of the first housing 30, similarly to the end 49 of the hole 40.

As described above, since the hole 40C has a shape including a curved line, it is possible to obtain an effect of obstructing the flow of air from the accommodation space SP1 to the atmosphere as compared with the holes 40A and 40B. In other words, the fluid resistance in the hole 40C can be reduced. That is, according to the third modification, even if the length of the groove 48C is the same as that of the groove 48A and the groove 48B, the degree of sealing of the accommodation space SP1 can be made lower than that of the first modification and the second modification. It will be possible. Therefore, the noise of the first microphone M1 itself can be strongly suppressed, and the wheezing detection accuracy can be further improved. In addition, the sound insulation performance can be improved, and the measurement accuracy of lung sound can be improved.

In the explanation so far, the holes 40, 40A, 40B, and 40C are used as grooves, respectively. However, the holes 40, 40A, 40B, and 40C may be holes formed inside the convex portion 331, respectively.

1 Wheezing detection device 1b Gripping part 1a Head part 2 Housing 3 Measuring unit 3a Pressure receiving part 4 Controlling control part 5 Battery 6 Display part S Body surface Ha Hand 30 First housing 33 Second housing 34 O-ring 35 Flexible circuit board 350a Penetration Hole 36 Housing cover 37 Case 40 Hole SP1 Accommodation space M1 First microphone M2 Second microphone

Claims (9)

A wheezing detection device that detects wheezing based on the sound measured from the living body in contact with the body surface of the living body.
Sound measuring element and
A space forming member that forms an accommodation space for accommodating the sound measuring element, and
A cover member that closes the accommodation space and forms a pressure receiving portion that receives pressure from the body surface is provided.
The sound measuring element is an element of a type in which the measurement output changes according to the vibration state of the semiconductor element.
The space forming member is provided with a hole connected to the atmosphere.
The accommodating space is a wheezing detection device connected to the atmosphere through the hole. The wheezing detection device according to claim 1.
The hole is a wheezing detection device that is formed in a straight line. The wheezing detection device according to claim 2.
A wheezing detection device in which the length of the hole is less than half the width in the direction parallel to the surface of the pressure receiving portion in the accommodation space. The wheezing detection device according to claim 2.
The cross-sectional area of the hole is 0.045 mm ² or less.
A wheezing detection device having a hole length of 3 mm or more and less than 7 mm. The wheezing detection device according to claim 2.
A wheezing detection device in which the length of the hole is at least half the width in the direction parallel to the surface of the pressure receiving portion in the accommodation space. The wheezing detection device according to claim 2.
The cross-sectional area of the hole is 0.045 mm ² or less.
A wheezing detection device having a hole length of 7 mm or more. The wheezing detection device according to claim 1.
The hole is a wheezing detection device having a shape including a curved line. The wheezing detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The space forming member is fixed to a tubular member whose one end face in the axial direction is covered by the cover member and to the other end face in the axial direction of the tubular member so as to close the inner peripheral portion of the tubular member. A mounting member for mounting the sound measuring element, which is provided, is provided.
The hole is a wheezing detection device formed by a groove formed in the above-mentioned placement member. The wheezing detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
A wheezing detection device further comprising another sound measuring element provided outside the accommodation space and placed in a space connected to the outlet of the hole.

Images