JP2022148860A - Olfaction test equipment and method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an olfaction test equipment and a method for executing an olfaction test easily.SOLUTION: Olfaction test equipment includes samples 10a-10d composed of a container 1 formed using a soft material, which has a discharge port 3a, and a support body 4 for supporting a smell substance, which is stored in the container 1. The samples 10a-10d constitute olfaction test equipment so that the smell permeating the inside of the container is discharged from the discharge port 3a by deforming the container 1 with fingers. The olfaction test equipment can have a plurality of samples 10a-10d with different concentrations or types of smell substance, and the smell substance used for one sample 10a, 10b, 10c, or 10d can be either Verdox or Sotolone.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

There is an application for exception to loss of novelty

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an instrument and method for easily testing olfaction.

In general, the human sense of smell declines with age, and temporary abnormalities (decrease, loss, and olfactory illusion) may occur due to illnesses such as the common cold, or may occur as symptoms of dementia or aftereffects of accidents. . Conversely, there are cases in which patients who experience a decline or loss of olfactory sense recover afterward.

In diagnosing and treating such cases, it is necessary to test the patient's sense of smell in order to determine the presence and degree of olfactory abnormality and recovery. It has been proposed and put into practical use (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 3 below).

In recent years, olfactory disorders have been reported as one of the main symptoms in cases of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). is also being considered.

JP 2018-146573 A JP 2010-51715 A JP 2020-99612 A

However, most of the technologies developed so far for the purpose of olfactory testing are assumed to be performed by doctors, etc. As far as the inventors of the present application are aware, no technology has been put into practical use. For example, the technique described in Patent Literature 1 above requires a large-scale apparatus equipped with a compressor and the like, and is not suitable for examination at a subject's home or the like. In addition, the test method described in Patent Document 2 is a method in which a subject who smells an odor component answers what the odor component smells like, and the same kit as the kit that was used once and grasped the answer is used. Subjects cannot use it in principle. This is because there is a possibility that the answers memorized by the subject will affect the correct answer rate. Therefore, assuming regular use such as daily inspection, it is necessary to prepare various cards with various combinations of odor components, which complicates product management. In addition, although the inspection tool described in Patent Document 3 has a simpler configuration than the device described in Patent Document 1, it cannot be said that it is easy to handle, and appropriate knowledge and skills are required. The inspection must be performed by an inspector who has

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of such circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an olfactory test instrument and method that can easily perform an olfactory test.

The present invention comprises a sample comprising a container having a discharge port and formed using a soft material, and a support housed in the container and supporting an odorant, the sample comprising: The olfactory test instrument is characterized in that odors filling the inside of the container are released from the release port by deforming the container with a finger.

The olfactory test instrument of the present invention can comprise a plurality of samples having different concentrations of odorants.

The olfactory test instrument of the present invention can comprise a plurality of samples of different types of odorants.

In the olfactory test instrument of the present invention, the odorant used for one sample can be either Verdox or Sotolone.

In addition, the present invention uses an olfactory test instrument comprising a container having a release port and a support that supports an odorant contained in the container and a sample that is released from the release port. The present invention relates to an olfactory test method characterized in that the test subject himself/herself periodically performs the test by sniffing an odorant and determining whether or not the odor can be detected.

In the olfactory test method of the present invention, a threshold for sniffing of odorants in a subject can be determined in advance, and a sample containing the odorant at a concentration corresponding to the threshold can be used for the test.

The olfactory test method of the present invention can be applied to detect olfactory impairment as a symptom of COVID-19.

According to the olfactory test instrument and method of the present invention, an excellent effect of simply conducting an olfactory test can be achieved.

It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the form of the olfactory test instrument according to the implementation of the present invention. It is a graph which shows an example of the result of the experiment which verifies the relationship between age and olfaction. 3 is a graph showing an example of the results of an experiment for verifying the relationship between age and olfactory sense, showing the results using odorant substances different from those in FIG. 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the olfactory test method by implementation of this invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the form of an olfactory test instrument according to the implementation of the present invention. The olfactory test instrument of this embodiment includes a plurality of samples (samples 10a to 10d) in which odorants are accommodated inside a container 1. As shown in FIG.

Each container 1 includes a substantially cylindrical container body 2 and a lid 3 that covers an upper opening of the container body 2 . The container main body 2 is made of a soft material (for example, polypropylene resin) that can be deformed by the force of fingers, and accommodates a support 4 of odorants inside. The lid 3 is attached to the upper portion of the container body 2, and the upper surface of the lid 3 has an opening 3a for releasing odorous substances. The internal space of the container 1 communicates with the outside at the discharge port 3a. An openable and closable upper lid 3b is provided on the upper surface of the lid 3 so as to cover the outlet 3a.

The support 4 is a material that retains the odorant and can be appropriately diffused into the air, such as absorbent cotton. The odorant is dissolved in a suitable solvent and impregnated into the support 4 . As the support 4, various solids or liquids other than absorbent cotton can be used depending on the type of odorant.

As described above, the olfactory test instrument of the present embodiment has a very simple structure, and can be easily handled even by a person who does not have medical or test skills. Therefore, if such an olfactory test instrument is used, even general subjects who do not have the knowledge and skills such as doctors and laboratory technicians can easily test their sense of smell.

As the odorant substance, substances of different concentrations or types are accommodated in each container 1 for each of the samples 10a to 10d. In the case of this embodiment, the olfactory test instrument is configured with four containers 1, and two types of odorants are contained in the four containers 1 at two different concentrations.

That is, in the container 1 of the sample 10a and the sample 10b, a certain amount (for example, 1 mL) of solvent containing the odorant A is accommodated in a form soaked into the support 4, and the concentration of the odorant A in the solvent is , different values are set for the sample 10a and the sample 10b. Further, in the container 1 of the sample 10c and the sample 10d, a certain amount of a solvent containing another odorant B is accommodated in a form soaked into the support 4, and the concentration of the odorant B in the solvent is as follows: Different values are set for the sample 10c and the sample 10d.

Here, the selection of the odorant substance to be enclosed in each sample and the setting of the concentration will be described. It is preferable that the odorant used in the olfactory test is a substance that does not stimulate the trigeminal nerve and that it is a fragrance composed of a single component.

The trigeminal nerve that distributes in the nasal cavity is stimulated by certain irritating substances, and this stimulation may be mistaken for odor. If a substance with such a stimulus is used in an olfactory test, the subject may misunderstand that the stimulus is not an odor, so odorant substances that do not stimulate the trigeminal nerve should be used in the olfactory test instrument. .

In addition, sensitivity to odorants varies depending on the type of odorants. For this reason, when an odorant substance composed of two or more kinds of components is used for an olfactory test, for example, even though the odor of one component cannot be smelled, the odor of the other component can be detected. , the sense of smell may be falsely determined to be normal. Therefore, the odorant substance used in the olfactory test instrument should be composed of a single component, and the olfactory test instrument as described above contains one type of odorant substance composed of a single component for each sample. preferably accommodated.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the odorant is a familiar substance in the life of the subject. The olfactory test instrument and method of the present invention are assumed to be used, for example, by subjects every morning in their daily lives to periodically and continuously test their sense of smell. Here, if an unfamiliar odor or an unpleasant odor is used as the odorant substance for the olfactory test, the subject may experience stress each time the subject is used, and may stop using it continuously. .

The inventors of the present application have found two types of odorants, Verdox and Sotolone, as substances that meet these conditions. All of these are synthetic single fragrances without trigeminal nerve stimulation. In addition, Verdox has a green apple-like odor, and Sotolone has a caramel-like odor. These odors are at least familiar to Japanese people and suitable for daily use by Japanese people. Therefore, in the olfactory test instrument, the odorant contained in each of the samples 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d is either Verdox or Sotolone. That is, Verdox was adopted as the odorant A described above, and Sotolone was adopted as the odorant B, respectively. Of course, other odorants may be used as long as they meet the conditions described above.

Here, it is known that the sense of smell generally differs from person to person and deteriorates with aging. That is, when one subject sniffs the same sample and picks up the odor, and another subject sniffs and does not pick up the odor, it cannot be immediately determined that the other subject has an abnormality in the sense of smell. In order to correctly test the sense of smell, it is necessary to grasp in advance the sense of smell of an individual in a healthy state, and prepare an odorant substance at a concentration corresponding to the threshold value of the sense of smell as a sample for the test.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the results of an experiment to compare the relationship between the threshold for perceiving odors and age for Verdox and Sotolone, respectively. Prepare samples prepared at different concentrations for each of Verdox or Sotolone (four steps of c1 to c4 [mg / L] for Verdox, three steps of c5 to c7 [mg / L] for Sotolone), Healthy people in their 80s were asked to sniff, and the concentration threshold (minimum concentration at which odors could be detected) was examined for each odorant.

As a result, it was found that there was a difference in the threshold value for all odorants at about the age of 50. That is, with regard to Verdox, subjects under the age of 50 were able to sniff out the odor even from samples with the lowest concentration (c1). Many subjects could not smell it. Similarly, for Sotolone, all subjects under the age of 50 could smell the sample with the lowest concentration (c5), but subjects over the age of 50 could smell the odor unless the sample had a concentration of c6 or higher. There were many subjects who could not smell.

Taking this into account, the olfactory test instrument of the present embodiment described above is provided with a plurality of samples 10a to 10d containing odorants at different concentrations. Specifically, based on the above experimental results, we assumed use for subjects under the age of 50 and use for subjects over the age of 50, and prepared samples with two different concentrations for each odorant. That is, a sample with a low concentration of odorants should be used for subjects under the age of 50, and a sample with a higher concentration of odorants should be used for subjects aged 50 or over. Of course, since there are individual differences in the sense of smell, subjects under the age of 50 who can only smell samples with higher concentrations of odorants in normal healthy conditions should use samples with higher concentrations for testing. Conversely, a subject aged 50 or older who can sniff the sample with the lower concentration may use the sample with the lower concentration.

Further, in the olfactory test instrument of the present embodiment, taking into consideration that the odor sensitivity of individuals varies depending on the type of odorant, the plurality of samples 10a to 10d with different types of odorant are provided as described above. (The samples 10a and 10b and the samples 10c and 10d use the same odorant (Verdox or Sotolone).). A more accurate olfactory test can be performed by testing using multiple types of odorants. Since the sensitivity to odors varies depending on the type of substance, it is also possible to use a sample with a higher concentration for odorant A and a sample with lower concentration for odorant B. can.

Next, an example of the procedure of the olfactory test method using the olfactory test instrument described above will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

When an olfactory test is performed using an olfactory test instrument as shown in FIG. 1, first, the threshold value of each odorant that can be smelled is determined, and the concentration used for the test is specified (step S1). The subject opened the upper lid 3b of the container 1 of the samples 10a and 10b containing the odorant A, held the container 1 so that the discharge port 3a was located about 3 cm below the nostril, and held the container 1 at the center of the container body 2. Push the part into the diameter fragrance with your fingers. The interior of the container body 2 is filled with odorous substances diffused from the support 4 . Since the container main body 2 that constitutes the container 1 is made of a soft material, it can be deformed by being pushed in, and as a result, the odorant substance filling the inside is pushed out. The subject sniffs the odorant released from the outlet 3a and determines whether or not the odor can be detected. After sniffing the odor, the upper lid 3b is closed.

If the odor can be detected for both samples 10a and 10b, it can be determined that the threshold for sniffing of odorant substance A in the subject is equal to or less than the concentration of odorant substance A in the sample in which odor can be detected. use the lower concentration sample. If an odor can be detected only from one of the samples 10a and 10b with a higher concentration of the odorant substance, it can be determined that the threshold for sniffing the odorant substance A in the subject is between the concentrations of the odorant substance A in both samples. Therefore, the sample with the higher concentration is used for subsequent tests. For the samples 10c and 10d containing the odorant substance B, similarly, the olfactory threshold is grasped to determine which sample is to be used for the subsequent inspection.

An inspection is performed using the sample thus determined (step S2). The use of the olfactory test instrument and the sniffing of odors during the test are performed in the same procedure as in step S1, but here only the samples determined to be used in step S1 are sniffed. By using a sample containing an odorant at a concentration corresponding to the olfactory threshold of a subject, a more appropriate olfactory test can be performed in consideration of individual differences in the olfactory threshold.

It is determined in step S3 whether or not there is any sample for which odor could not be detected among the samples sniffed in step S2. If the odor is detected in any of the samples, the current inspection is terminated (step S4), and the next inspection is performed (step S2). In this way, the inspection in step S2 is performed periodically (for example, at a fixed time every day).

In step S3, if there is a sample whose odor cannot be detected, the expiration date of the corresponding sample is checked (step S5). The olfactory test instrument as described above can be used repeatedly, and when used once a day, its function lasts for several months, for example, depending on the type and concentration of the odorant. However, the number of odorants stored inside is finite and gradually decreases with each use, so there is a limit to the number of times and period of use. Therefore, the upper limit of the number of times of use and the expiration date are set for the olfactory test instrument, and this is specified in the instruction manual and the container 1 of each of the samples 10a to 10d. When it is determined that there is a sample whose odor cannot be detected among the samples sniffed in step S2, the subject confirms the upper limit of the number of times of use and the expiration date of the sample. If the number of times of use of the sample exceeds the upper limit or the expiration date has passed, the sample is replaced with a new one (step S6), and the test is performed again (step S2).

If the number of times of use and the expiration date of the sample for which no odor could not be detected are within the limit, it is determined that a specific disease is suspected, and the sample is examined by a doctor or undergoes another examination (step S7). For example, if there is a suspicion of a new type of coronavirus infection (COVID-19), take a PCR test, etc.

With the olfactory test instrument and the test method using the same as described above, the subject himself/herself can periodically test the olfactory sense by a simple procedure. can be considered.

Olfaction disorders have been reported as a major neurological symptom since the beginning of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Symptoms of COVID-19 include high fever and malaise, but many patients have been unable to detect odors at the same time or before the onset of these symptoms. Although the incidence of olfactory disorders in COVID-19 varies depending on the report, it is currently becoming clear that more than 80% of cases have changes in the sense of smell.

Olfactory disturbances in COVID-19 are characterized by (1) sudden onset, (2) simultaneous or prior to other symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat, and malaise, and (3) PCR. (4) not accompanied by other nasal symptoms such as nasal congestion or rhinorrhea; (5) higher detection rate in objective olfactory tests than in subjective self-reports. and (6) no correlation with the severity of systemic symptoms. Among these, (2) and (3) are particularly noteworthy characteristics, and it is expected that COVID-19 patients can be detected early by using an olfactory disorder test for the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. be.

Other olfactory disorders not caused by COVID-19, such as influenza infections, colds, hay fever, etc., are accompanied by nasal congestion and rhinorrhea. In addition, COVID-19 causes olfactory impairment regardless of the severity of systemic symptoms. These characteristics can be used to differentiate COVID-19 from other infectious diseases. That is, for example, by a method using an olfactory test instrument as described above, the patient himself detects his own olfactory abnormality, receives a doctor's examination, etc., and the doctor examines the presence or absence of nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, and other symptoms. Taking into account and diagnosing can lead to rapid and accurate diagnosis of COVID-19. For example, instead of conventional methods such as temperature measurement and PCR test, or in addition, tests using olfactory impairment as an index and other clinical symptoms are also taken into account to make a diagnosis, SARS-CoV-2 infected positive people can be detected early and in large numbers.

Here, since mild olfactory disorders may not be noticed in the patient's life, an objective olfactory test is useful for early diagnosis of olfactory disorders. The method can conveniently provide objective criteria and allows rapid detection with high accuracy.

Of course, the above-described olfactory test instrument and method are useful for various diseases associated with olfactory impairment in addition to detection of COVID-19. For example, it can be used for inspection of olfactory disorders caused by influenza infection, common cold, hay fever, etc., or it can be assumed to be used for olfactory stimulation therapy.

Olfactory stimulation therapy is a therapy utilized for training for recovering the sense of smell of patients suffering from olfactory impairment due to head injury or the like. Olfactory nerves have the characteristic of regenerating, unlike general nerve cells. For example, by continuing training to smell a specific odor several times a day for several months, a patient's sense of smell may be regenerated. Similar olfactory stimulation therapy may also be used to restore the sense of smell in patients who have developed olfactory impairment due to COVID-19.

When using the above-described olfactory test instrument for such olfactory stimulation therapy, the patient himself/herself can perform training by a procedure similar to that described in FIG. For example, a sample as shown in FIG. 1 is prepared for an odorant substance that cannot be smelled by a patient suffering from olfactory impairment (here, the concentration of the odorant contained in the sample is, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 for a healthy subject. Considering the correlation between the age and the threshold value in ), this should be sniffed periodically while considering the upper limit of the number of times of use and the expiration date.

As described above, the olfactory test instrument of the present embodiment includes the container 1 which is provided with the discharge port 3a and which is formed using a soft material, and the support 4 which is housed in the container 1 and supports the odorant. The samples 10a to 10d are configured such that when the container 1 is deformed by a finger, the odor filling the interior is released from the release port 3a. In this way, even a general subject can easily perform an olfactory test using a simply configured olfactory test instrument.

The olfactory test instrument of this embodiment includes a plurality of samples 10a to 10d having different concentrations of odorants. In this way, a suitable olfactory test can be performed using a sample corresponding to the olfactory threshold of the subject.

The olfactory test instrument of this embodiment includes a plurality of samples 10a to 10d of different types of odorants. In this way, a more accurate olfactory test can be performed by testing for a plurality of types of odorants.

In the olfactory test instrument of this embodiment, the odorant used for each of the samples 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d can be either Verdox or Sotolone. In this way, a suitable olfactory test can be performed by using a synthetic single perfume that does not stimulate the trigeminal nerve as an odorant. In addition, by using odors that are familiar in daily life, it is possible to provide an olfactory test instrument that is suitable for daily use.

In addition, in the olfactory test method of the present embodiment, the samples 10a to 10d are provided, each of which comprises a container 1 having an outlet 3a and a support 4 that is housed in the container 1 and supports the odorant. Using an olfactory test instrument, the test subject himself/herself periodically performs the test by sniffing the odorant substance emitted from the discharge port 3a and determining whether or not the odor can be detected. In this way, a patient with a specific disease, for example, can be detected at an early stage by periodically testing the sense of smell by the subject himself/herself through a simple procedure.

In the olfactory test method of the present embodiment, the threshold for sniffing of the odorant substance in the subject is grasped in advance, and the samples 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d containing the odorant substance at a concentration corresponding to the threshold value are used for the test. ing. In this way, a more appropriate olfactory test can be performed based on individual differences in the olfactory threshold.

The olfactory test method of this embodiment can be applied to detect olfactory impairment as a symptom of COVID-19. In this way, a rapid and accurate diagnosis could be made for COVID-19.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the olfactory test can be easily performed.

It should be noted that the olfactory test instrument and method of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can of course be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 container 3a outlet 4 support 10a sample 10b sample 10c sample 10d sample

Claims (7)

a container having a discharge port and formed using a soft material;
A sample that is housed in the container and configured with a support that supports the odorant,
An olfactory test instrument, wherein the sample is configured such that when the container is deformed by a finger, the odor that fills the interior of the sample is released from the release port. 2. An olfactory test instrument according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of said samples having different concentrations of odorants. 3. An olfactory test instrument according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of said samples of different types of odorants. The olfactory test instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the odorant used for one sample is either Verdox or Sotolone. a container with an outlet;
Using an olfactory test instrument provided with a sample that is housed in the container and includes a support that supports an odorant,
An olfactory inspection method, characterized in that the subject himself/herself periodically performs the inspection by sniffing the odorant substance emitted from the outlet and determining whether or not the odor can be detected. 6. The olfactory inspection method according to claim 5, wherein a threshold value for sniffing an odorant substance in a subject is determined in advance, and a sample containing the odorant substance at a concentration corresponding to the threshold value is used for the test. 7. The olfactory inspection method according to claim 5 or 6, which is applied to detection of olfactory disorder as a symptom of COVID-19.

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