JP2022048044A - Olfactometry kit - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an olfactometry kit and an olfactometry method which attain more accurate olfactometry.SOLUTION: The olfactometry kit comprises: at least one feeder which stores a liquid containing an aromatic and is capable of discharging the liquid; and at least one storing member which has a recess capable of coating the liquid fed from the feeder. The kit is used for olfactometry to determine an olfactory function of a subject by making the subject smell the liquid fed to the recess.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an olfactory test kit and an olfactory test method.

Currently, various products are sold as kits for performing a sense of smell test, but a typical one is called "T & T diaphragm" (see Non-Patent Document 1, hereinafter simply referred to as "T & T"). , "OSIT-J" (see Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2). T & T is a kit for judging the subject's sense of smell function by immersing odor paper in a bottle containing various types of liquids (concentration multi-stage x fragrance multi-type) soaked with fragrance and letting the subject smell the odor paper. Is. On the other hand, OSIT-J is a kit for determining the sensory function of a subject by rubbing a large number of scent sticks against a medicine wrapping paper and letting the subject smell the medicine wrapping paper.

Utility model registration No. 3098464

"T & T Olfactometer", [online], Daiichi Yakuhin Sangyo Co., Ltd., [Search on February 6, 2017], Internet <URL: http://www.j-ichiyaku.com/kyukaku/tt.html ＞ "Smell Stick (OSIT-J)", [online], Daiichi Yakuhin Sangyo Co., Ltd., [Search on February 6, 2017], Internet <URL: http://www.j-ichiyaku.com/kyukaku/ stick.html>

In T & T, a mark is attached 1 cm from the bottom of the odor paper to control the amount of the fragrance that permeates the odor paper. However, since the viscosity of the liquid is high, it is difficult to stably apply a constant amount of the liquid to the odor paper based on the mark. In addition, the inspector must align the liquid level and the mark in the bottle, and it is difficult to observe both, so the positions of the two are misaligned and the amount of fragrance applied to the odor paper varies. It ends up. In particular, T & T bottles are colored to prevent deterioration of the liquid, and labels are also attached to the sides of the bottle, which makes alignment particularly difficult as the amount of liquid decreases.

In OSIT-J, when the scent stick is rubbed against the medicine wrapping paper, the medicine wrapping paper is placed on the mount. The mount has a circular pattern with a diameter of 2 cm. Since the medicine wrapping paper is translucent, the inspector rubs the scent stick against the medicine wrapping paper using the circle that can be seen through from the top of the medicine wrapping paper as a guide. However, since the stick has a large diameter and is relatively soft and brittle, the amount of fragrance applied to the medicine wrapping paper by the inspector varies.

In particular, since T & T and OSIT-J make the subject smell the scented paper, there is a possibility that other scents may be mixed in during the test or the concentration of the scent may change, making it difficult to accurately determine the sensory function. Become.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an olfactory test kit and an olfactory test method that realizes a more accurate olfactory test.

The sensory test kit according to the present invention contains at least one feeder containing a liquid containing a fragrance and capable of discharging the liquid, and at least one having a recess to which the liquid supplied from the feeder can be applied. It is used in an olfactory test for determining the olfactory function of the subject by having the subject smell the liquid supplied to the concave portion with the member.

In the housing member of the olfactory test kit, at least one groove can be formed on the inner wall surface of the recess.

In the housing member of the olfactory test kit, the opening edge of the recess can be formed in a circular shape.

In the above-mentioned odor test kit, the types of the fragrance are apple, coffee, soap, hinoki, steamed sock odor, curry, soil, wood, ink, tangerine, toothpaste, defecation odor, grass, vanilla ice cream, and butter. You can choose from.

In the above-mentioned olfactory test kit, the feeder can have an operation unit capable of discharging a fixed amount of the liquid in a single operation.

The method for the sense of smell according to the present invention can accommodate a liquid containing a fragrance, a first step of preparing at least one feeder capable of discharging the liquid, and a liquid supplied from the feeder. A second step of preparing at least one accommodating member having a recess, a third step of discharging the liquid from the feeder and accommodating the liquid in the recess of the accommodating member, and the said feeding to the recess. It includes a fourth step of letting the subject smell the liquid, a fifth step of obtaining an answer regarding the scent of the liquid from the subject, and a sixth step of determining the olfactory function of the subject based on the answer. ..

The second step may be performed prior to the first step, or the first and second steps may be performed at the same time.

In the above-mentioned odor test method, in the first step, a plurality of the feeders containing liquids containing different fragrances are prepared, and in the second step, a plurality of the housing members are prepared, and the third step. The sixth step is repeated from step to step, and the liquid of the feeder used in each third step can contain different fragrances.

In the above-mentioned olfactory test method, each time the second and subsequent fourth steps are completed, the accommodating member used in the fourth step is arranged in a recess of the accommodating member already used, and a plurality of the accommodating members are arranged. Can be stacked.

According to the olfactory test kit and the olfactory test method according to the present invention, a more accurate olfactory test can be realized.

It is a schematic diagram of the sense of smell test kit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the applicator included in the sense of smell test kit of FIG. It is a perspective view of the accommodating member included in the olfactory test kit of FIG. It is a perspective view which piled up the accommodating members of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the olfactory examination method. It is a perspective view which shows the olfactory examination method. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the accommodating member.

Hereinafter, the olfactory test kit and the olfactory test method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<1. Overall configuration of the olfactory test kit>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an olfactory test kit according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, this olfactory test kit contains a test liquid containing a fragrance (referred to as a test liquid), and has a plurality of coaters (suppliers) 1 capable of spraying the test liquid, and each coating. It includes a plurality of accommodating members 2 capable of accommodating the inspection liquid sprayed from the vessel 1, and an instruction manual 3 in which an explanation of the inspection is described. The applicator 1, the accommodating member 2, and the instruction manual 3 are accommodated in the case 4. Hereinafter, these will be described in detail.

<1-1. Applicator>
FIG. 2 is a side view of the applicator. As shown in FIG. 2, each applicator 1 includes a cylindrical container 11 having an upper portion that opens, and a lid portion 12 that detachably closes the upper opening of the container 11. The container 11 contains an inspection liquid, and the inspection liquid is sprayed from a nozzle 121 provided on the side surface of the lid portion 12. Further, a tube 122 extending into the internal space of the container 11 is attached to the lid portion 12, and the inspection liquid in the container 11 is released by pushing the button (operation portion) 123 provided at the upper end portion of the lid portion 12. It is sucked through the tube 122 and a specified amount is sprayed from the nozzle 121. As described above, the applicator 1 according to the present embodiment can be configured by a known spray-type sprayer. The volume of the test liquid that can be stored in the applicator 1 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 3 to 50 ml. This is because if the capacity of the test liquid is small, it may not be possible to use it continuously for a plurality of subjects, and if the capacity is too large, the fragrance may be deteriorated before it is used up. As an example, it is preferable that about 20 ml of the test solution can be stored. The amount of the test liquid sprayed when the button 123 is pressed once can be, for example, 0.05 to 0.5 ml, preferably 0.1 to 0.15 ml.

The test liquid may have various compositions as long as it contains at least a fragrance, and may contain, for example, an activator, a fragrance, and water. Examples of the activator include polyoxyethylene isodecyl ether, nonionic surfactant (polyoxyalkylene adduct), 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol, sodium di2-ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate, propylene glycol and the like. Can be adopted. The blending amount of the activator in the test liquid is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 0.01 to 20% by weight, preferably about 1.0 to 10% by weight.

The types of fragrances of the test liquid contained in the plurality of coaters 1 are different. The type of fragrance is not particularly limited, but preferred examples are apple, coffee, soap, hinoki, steamed sock odor (isovaleric acid), curry, soil, wood, ink, mandarin orange, toothpaste, defecation odor, grass, etc. Examples include vanilla ice cream and butter. These scents are generally scents that many people have smelled, and it is easy to recognize what kind of scent they are, so it can be said that they are suitable for the sense of smell test. In other words, even if the subject can perceive the scent, the scent that cannot express what the scent is is not always suitable for the olfactory test because the correct answer / incorrect answer is divided by a factor other than the olfactory function. do not have. From this point of view, among the above 14 types of examples, for example, five types of odors of apple, coffee, soap, cypress, and foot can be used for the sense of smell test. Therefore, two or more applicators 1 containing one or two or more of these five kinds of fragrances can be included in the olfactory test kit. In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned five kinds of fragrances are housed in each applicator 1, and by performing an olfactory test using these five kinds of fragrances, the olfactory function can be diagnosed easily and accurately.

The blending amount of the fragrance in the test liquid is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 0.001 to 15% by weight, preferably about 0.01 to 5.0% by weight.

<1-2. Containment member>
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the accommodating member. As shown in FIG. 3, each accommodating member 2 is a cup-shaped member formed of paper and having an opening formed at the upper portion. More specifically, each accommodating member 2 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape as a whole, and the outer diameter of the upper opening 21 is larger than the outer diameter of the lower bottom wall 22. Since each accommodating member 2 has the same shape, as shown in FIG. 4, another accommodating member 2 can be accommodated in the internal space of one accommodating member 2 from its upper opening. That is, a plurality of accommodating members 2 can be stacked so as to close the internal space of one accommodating member 2 with another accommodating member 2.

The volume of the internal space of the accommodating member 2 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 30 to 300 ml. As an example, the volume can be about 95 ml. Further, the size of the accommodating member 2 is not particularly limited, but the inner diameter and height of the upper opening 21 and the inner diameter of the bottom wall 22 may be, for example, 3 to 10 cm, 3 to 10 cm, and 2 to 9 cm, respectively. can. As an example, the accommodating member 2 having the inner diameter and height of the upper opening 21 and the inner diameter of the bottom wall 22 of 5.5 cm, 6.3 cm, and 3.7 cm, respectively, can be used.

<1-3. Instruction manual>
The instruction manual 3 is a manual (instruction manual) for carrying out an olfactory test, and describes in detail the procedure of the olfactory test to be described next, including how to use the applicator 1 and the accommodating member 2. ..

<2. Smell test method ＞
Next, the olfactory test method using the olfactory test kit will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In this olfactory test method, a combination of an examiner who conducts a test and a subject who takes the test is performed. First, the inspector takes out the instruction manual 3 from the case 4, and carries out the olfactory test according to the instruction manual 3.

After reading the instruction manual 3 and understanding the flow of the olfactory test, the inspector selects one coater 1 from the plurality of coaters 1 and takes it out from the case 4. The order of taking out may be random or may be predetermined. Further, the accommodating member 2 is taken out from the case 4, and as shown in FIG. 5, the button 123 is pressed twice from the selected applicator 1 in one of the internal spaces to spray the inspection liquid. As a result, the inspection liquid is applied to the inner wall surface of the accommodating member 2. The number of times the button 123 is pressed is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to press the button 123 a plurality of times in consideration of variation. Further, in order to avoid spraying a fixed amount of the test liquid and changing the spray amount when the remaining amount of the test liquid becomes low, the applicator 1 is supported so as to extend vertically as shown in FIG. Therefore, it is preferable to spray the inspection liquid. At this time, the accommodating member 2 supports the upper opening 21 so that it faces the horizontal direction.

Following this, as shown in FIG. 6, the subject brings his nose close to the upper opening 21 of the accommodating member 2 and smells the scent while supporting the accommodating member 2 in the same direction as when the test liquid is sprayed. At this time, the subject may touch the upper opening 21 of the accommodating member 2 with the nose, or may put the nose inside the upper opening 21. Then, the inspector asks the subject to answer whether or not the scent is scented, and if so, what the scent is. The answer may be in a free form, or it may be in a selection form in which the answer options are presented and selected from the options. One preferred example of the selection format is the correct answer, one or more (eg, three) dummy answers that are not accurate, and "not in this" and "don't know (smell)" as answer choices. No) ”can be prepared. As a dummy answer for the scent of apple, soil, cypress, garlic, etc. can be set. In this way, by giving options such as "not in this" and "don't know (no odor)" in addition to the dummy answer, the possibility that the subject answers appropriately can be excluded as much as possible.

If the correct answer is not obtained in this test, increase the amount of test liquid and perform the test again without changing the type of scent. That is, the inspection liquid is applied to the accommodating member 2 by pressing the button 123 four times from the applicator 1 accommodating the same fragrance in the different accommodating member 2. That is, the inspection is performed using the inspection liquid in which the amount of the fragrance is doubled. Then, the subject is made to smell the scent of the accommodating member 2 in the same manner as described above, and the same options are given to obtain an answer. When performing the next inspection after the completion of one inspection, as shown in FIG. 4, the accommodating member 2 immediately after the completion of the inspection is inserted from the upper opening of the accommodating member 2 already used, and a plurality of accommodating members are accommodated. Stack the members 2.

Repeat the above tests while increasing the amount of test liquid applied until the correct answer is obtained for the same scent, or until the final stage test (test with the predetermined maximum amount of test liquid) is completed. repeat. After the inspection for one scent is completed, the inspection for the next scent is performed. That is, the inspector newly selects another coating device 1 from the coating devices 1 for which the inspection has not been completed, and performs the same inspection.

After the examination for the plurality of applicators 1 is completed, the examiner determines the subject's sense of smell function based on the obtained answers. In the present embodiment, the detection threshold value (the stage at which the scent can be understood) and the cognitive threshold value (the stage at which the scent can be correctly understood) for the scent of each applicator 1 are determined, and these are determined. Diagnose the sense of smell from. Specifically, for example, a score for each stage is set for each detection threshold value and cognitive threshold value for each scent, and according to the total value of the scores corresponding to the detection threshold value and the cognitive threshold value for all the scents of the subject. , Determine the level of sensory function.

By the way, the initial symptom of dementia is the deterioration of the sense of smell. Therefore, the above-mentioned sensory test can be used for diagnosing dementia for determining cognitive function, but not limited to this. In particular, the following tests can be performed to determine the progression of dementia. For example, for each fragrance, two types, a weak scent and a strong scent, are prepared. A healthy person can detect and recognize with a weak scent, but as dementia progresses, it may be possible to detect with a weak scent but not recognize it. As dementia progresses, it cannot be detected unless it has a strong scent, and as it progresses further, even a strong scent may not be detected. In this way, by preparing two types of scents, strong and weak, for one fragrance, it can be used for determining the progression of dementia.

The above test method is an example, and various olfactory tests can be performed using the above-mentioned test kit.

<3. Features>
According to the olfactory test kit configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the inspection liquid is applied to the accommodating member 2 having an internal space (recess) in which the upper part opens and the nose is brought close to the accommodating member 2 to smell the scent, the accommodating member before the scent is volatilized to the outside of the accommodating member 2. You can smell the scent filled in 2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the scent to be tested from being mixed with other scents or the concentration of the scent from being significantly changed during the test. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in inspection accuracy.

(2) Since the accommodating members 2 after the end of the test are stacked, the internal space of the accommodating member 2 is closed by another accommodating member 2. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the scent from volatilizing from the accommodating member 2 after the end of the test, and it is possible to suppress the influence on the scent of the subsequent test. Further, since the accommodating member 2 is made of paper, the inspection liquid is absorbed by the accommodating member 2 after a lapse of a predetermined time, which also suppresses the scent from being volatilized to the outside of the accommodating member 2. Can be done.

(3) Since the edge of the upper opening 21 of the accommodating member 2 is formed in a circular shape, the strength of the upper opening 21 can be increased and deformation can be suppressed. Therefore, for example, even if the applicator 1 is pressed against the accommodating member 2, the deformation is suppressed, and thereby the coating angle can be easily adjusted.

<4. Modification example>
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the following changes are possible. In addition, the gist of the following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

<4-1>
In the above embodiment, the coating device 1 that sprays the inspection liquid is used as the feeder for supplying the inspection liquid to the accommodating member 2, but if the inspection liquid can be supplied to the accommodating member 2, the configuration is particularly special. Is not limited. For example, the inspection liquid may not be sprayed, and the inspection liquid may be supplied so as to be dropped onto the accommodating member 2. That is, the mode of supplying the test liquid can be changed as appropriate. However, in order to grasp the supply amount of the inspection liquid, for example, it is preferable to use a feeder in which the supply amount in one operation is specified, such as the coater 1 of the above embodiment.

<4-2>
The accommodating member 2 may be formed of a material other than paper, and may be formed of, for example, a resin material such as plastic, or various materials such as glass, pottery, and metal. Further, the shape of the accommodating member 2 is not particularly limited, and at least an opening to which the inspection liquid is supplied and a recess connected to the opening and accommodating the inspection liquid may be formed. Therefore, the position of the opening does not have to be the upper part, but may be the side surface. When the accommodating member 2 is formed of a material that absorbs the inspection liquid such as paper, the surface of the accommodating member 2 can be coated with water-repellent coating such as paraffin or polyethylene so that the accommodating member 2 is not absorbed. When the accommodating member 2 is coated with a water-repellent coating and the inspection liquid contains an oily component, the accommodating member 2 becomes more familiar with the accommodating member 2 and spreads, which has the effect of preventing spillage.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, at least one groove 25 can be formed on the inner wall surface of the recess of the accommodating member 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the groove 25 can be formed so as to extend in the depth direction, but the extending direction of the groove is not particularly limited and can be extended in various directions. Further, the circumferential position and the vertical position where the groove 25 is provided, the cross-sectional shape of the groove 25 (triangular shape, rectangular shape, semicircular shape, etc.), the direction of the groove 25, and the number of the groove 25 are not particularly limited. By doing so, when the inspection liquid collects in the groove 25, the fragrance can be continuously volatilized. Further, even when the supply amount of the test liquid is small or the fixed amount cannot be sprayed, the test liquid can be held in the groove 25, so that the subject can surely smell the odor. In particular, if the groove 25 is formed at a position close to the upper opening 21, the odor can be smelled at a position close to the nose. Further, by providing the groove 25, the inspection liquid adhering to the periphery of the groove 25 can be drawn into the groove 25 by the capillary phenomenon. Further, for example, if the groove 25 is formed so as to extend between the bottom wall 22 and the upper opening 21, the inspection liquid accumulated in the vicinity of the bottom wall 22 can be pulled up to the vicinity of the upper opening 21. Even if a step is formed on the inner wall surface of the accommodating member 2 instead of the groove 25, the same effect as that of the groove 25 can be obtained. The method of forming the step is not particularly limited, but for example, when the accommodating member 2 is formed by laminating thick members, the seam can be a step.

<4-3>
In the above embodiment, the inspection kit includes a plurality of coaters 1 and a plurality of accommodating members 2, but the number of the applicator 1 and the accommodating members 2 is not particularly limited, and is appropriately suitable for the purpose of the inspection. Can be changed. For example, when inspecting one kind of fragrance, an inspection kit can be composed of one applicator 1 and one or more accommodating members 2.

1 Applicator 2 Accommodating member 25 Groove

Claims (8)

It ’s an olfactory test kit.
A liquid containing a fragrance and at least one feeder capable of discharging the liquid.
At least one accommodating member having a recess capable of accommodating the liquid supplied from the feeder.
Equipped with
It is used in an olfactory test for determining the olfactory function of the subject by letting the subject smell the liquid supplied to the recess.
Smell test kit. At least one groove is formed on the inner wall surface of the recess.
The olfactory test kit according to claim 1. The opening edge of the recess is formed in a circular shape.
The olfactory test kit according to claim 1 or 2. The type of fragrance is selected from apple, coffee, soap, pine, steamed sock odor, curry, soil, wood, ink, mandarin orange, toothpaste, defecation odor, grass, vanilla ice cream, and butter.
The olfactory test kit according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The olfactory test kit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the feeder has an operation unit capable of discharging a fixed amount of the liquid in a single operation. The first step of preparing at least one feeder that contains a liquid containing a fragrance and is capable of discharging the liquid.
A second step of preparing at least one accommodating member having a recess capable of accommodating the liquid supplied from the feeder.
A third step of discharging the liquid from the feeder and supplying the liquid to the recess of the accommodating member,
The fourth step of letting the subject smell the liquid supplied to the recess, and
The fifth step of obtaining an answer regarding the scent of the liquid from the subject, and
Based on the answer, the sixth step of determining the sensory function of the subject and
Is equipped with
How to test the sense of smell. In the first step, a plurality of the feeders containing liquids containing different fragrances are prepared.
In the second step, a plurality of the accommodating members are prepared.
Repeating the third step to the sixth step,
The olfactory test method according to claim 6, wherein the liquid of the feeder used in each of the third steps contains a different fragrance. Each time the second and subsequent fourth steps are completed, the accommodating member used in the fourth step is placed in a recess of the accommodating member already used, and a plurality of the accommodating members are stacked.
The olfactory test method according to claim 7.

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