JP2711345B2 - Basal body temperature measurement method - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method for measuring basal body temperature in the health care field. (Prior art) Conventionally, measurement of basal body temperature is often performed because it is very important for women. As a method of measuring basal body temperature, a rod-shaped mercury female thermometer is put in the mouth every morning when getting up. A primitive method in which the subject inserts and measures the sublingual temperature, and the subject records the temperature on a recording paper, and automatically records the record in an IC memory connected to a thermometer and capable of recording for about one month. And a method slightly advanced from the primitive method for displaying the recording body temperature on a dot matrix liquid crystal display. Here, although the latter automates the recording and display system and reduces the complexity of recording and display compared to the former, the sublingual temperature must be measured in a stationary state for a certain period of time every morning when getting up. The complication of time and physical restraint has not been eliminated, and both the former and the latter still have fundamental problems in the accuracy of basal body temperature. The problem with the accuracy is that if the wake-up of the subject and the bedtime are constant every day, the basal body temperature measured at wake-up when the body temperature is considered to be the lowest and stable during awakening may be some other level. It can be a comparison material with that of the day, but naturally it is impossible to be constant every day because the wake-up and bedtime vary from day to day, and the body temperature changes subtly depending on the physical condition at the time of wake-up Therefore, there is a problem in that the basal body temperature at the time of getting up is not very reliable in accuracy, and thus it is difficult to be used as a comparison material. And even if the body temperature measured by the above method is used as a material for basal body temperature, it can be applied to subjects with extremely clear body temperature patterns, although accuracy problems remain, but infertility etc. However, there is also a problem that the method cannot be applied as a practical problem to a subject having a small body temperature pattern in which the body temperature pattern is unclear or the accuracy error has a large effect. By the way, humans need a minimum amount of energy to survive, and such a state is technically called a state of basal metabolism. The state of basal metabolism is a stable state during daily sleep. Therefore, there is no problem if the basal body temperature is measured in a state close to the basal metabolism, that is, a stable state during sleep, but there is no conventional method of measuring a stable body temperature during sleep as the basal body temperature, and therefore, as described above. There have been problems such as being subject to temporal and physical restraints, problems with accuracy, and inability to apply to subjects whose body temperature pattern is unclear. (Purpose) The purpose of the present invention is to provide a subject without annoying
An object of the present invention is to provide a basal body temperature measuring method capable of measuring a basal body temperature with high accuracy applicable to any subject. (Configuration) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention automatically measures a continuously changing body temperature by using a temperature detecting element attached so as not to be separated from a subject during a set temperature measurement period. A basal body temperature measurement method for storing and calculating a basal body temperature based on body temperature data during the temperature measurement period, and storing the basal body temperature.
Receiving an electrical signal from the temperature detecting element during the temperature detection period, storing data signals at a plurality of different points in time during the temperature detection period, reading out the stored data signal at the end of the temperature detection, and performing a first predetermined measurement Range Tmin ~ Tmax ℃
The average is calculated for the screened data by screening in the above, the body temperature data is re-screened in the second measurement range determined using the average as the center value, and the re-screened body temperature data is calculated. An average value is calculated as a basal body temperature and the average value is stored. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a basal body temperature measuring device used for carrying out the method of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view specifically showing the same device, as shown in FIG. The basal body temperature measuring device used for carrying out the method of the present invention is roughly classified into a body temperature sensor 1 for actually measuring the body temperature and a case-shaped controller 2 for removably storing the body temperature sensor 1. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, it is composed of a body temperature sensor body 4 having a built-in temperature detecting element 3 and means 5 for mounting the body temperature sensor body 4 on a subject. As shown in FIG. 4, the body temperature sensor main body 4 has a thin case shape and closes an opening provided on the subject side with a thin metal plate 6 having a high thermal conductivity such as aluminum. The plate 6 is configured so as to be slightly convex toward the subject so that the plate 6 can surely come into contact with the subject at the time of temperature measurement, and a male or female surface is provided on the opposite surface of the metal plate 6. Magic tape 4a (trademark) is integrally formed with the main body 4. The thermal conductivity of aluminum is about 196kcal /
Although it is mhdeg, the material of the metal plate 6 is not limited to aluminum as long as the thermal conductivity is so high.
A thermal contact type temperature detecting element 3 such as a thermistor is supported in a contact state at substantially the center of the inner surface of the metal plate 6, and a preamplifier 9 and a correction circuit (not shown) Drift adjustment circuit etc. are arranged,
The body temperature of the subject is detected by the thermal contact type temperature detecting element 3 via the metal plate 6, and an analog signal corresponding to the body temperature is transmitted from the preamplifier 9. Although not shown, the body temperature sensor main body 4 has a built-in charging power supply to enable the body temperature sensor 1 to be charged. On the other hand, at one end in the width direction of the body temperature sensor body 4, as shown in FIG. 3, a base 8b of a belt 8 provided with an elastic member 8a such as rubber in the middle is fixed. On one side of a part having a certain width on the distal side, a magic tape 8c which is engageable with the above-mentioned magic tape 4a fixed to the body temperature sensor main body 4 and is opposite to the magic tape 4a is fixed. I have. Here, the belt 8 and the elastic member
The mounting means 5 is constituted by 8a and the magic tape 8c. With this configuration, when attaching the body temperature sensor 1 to the subject, as shown in FIG. 3, the Velcro 4a and 8c are engaged with each other by wrapping the belt 8 around the subject. Since the elastic member 8a is provided in the middle, even if the user turns over while sleeping, for example, the body temperature sensor 1 is attached to the abdomen and the arm, etc. It is difficult to withdraw, and along with that, the magic tapes 4a, 8c are somewhat longer in the width direction, so that some individual differences among the subjects, that is, they are fat,
Specific errors such as thinness can be absorbed to some extent. Here, the base end 8b of the belt 8 is a body temperature sensor 1
Is fixed to one end, but may be detachably locked, and of course, the entire belt 8 may be constituted by the elastic member 8a. The mounting means 5 includes the belt 8, the elastic member 8a, and the magic tape 8c, but may be a well-known band or the like used for trousers or the like, which can freely change a fastening position (fastening position). . The body temperature sensor 1 calculates an average value as a basal body temperature in response to an analog signal from the body temperature sensor 1 and records and displays the average value.
Are connected. The main part of the controller 2 is a 12-bit A / D for converting an analog signal from the body temperature sensor 1 into a digital signal as shown in FIGS.
A converter 10 (hereinafter referred to as an ADC) and an 8 KB random access memory 11 (hereinafter referred to as a RAM) for temporarily storing a digital signal thereof.
), The contents stored in the RAM 11 are screened in a predetermined first measurement range T _{min to} T _max ° C., and an average value に 対 し て is calculated for the screened data, and the average value 〒 is calculated. Is re-screened in a second measurement range determined with the center value as the center value, and the average value of the re-screened body temperature data 〒
8-bit microcomputer 12 for calculating φ
RA which is composed of a 16 KB random access memory that stores the average value calculated by the MCPU 12 for an arbitrary period and is detachable from the controller 2.
RA which is a connection circuit between the M card 13 and the MCPU 12 and the RAM card 13
M card interface (hereinafter referred to as RAM card I / F), ot-matrix liquid crystal display 15 consisting of 128 × 256 (hereinafter referred to as DMLCD), character generator 16 for generating codes, liquid crystal display controller 17 for controlling codes for DMLCD 15 ( LCD below
A display means 18 for displaying the average value, a calendar 20 for time reference constantly driven by the backup power supply 19, and a 4 KB read-only program in which the program is written. Memory 2
1 (hereinafter referred to as ROM) and operation keys 22 for inputting a temperature measurement set time and a temperature measurement continuation time.
PU12 and ADC10, ROM21, RAM11, calendar 20, RAM card
The I / F 14, the operation keys 22, and the LCD controller 17 are respectively connected by a data bus 23, and the controller 22 operates by converting AC100V to DC by an AC / DC converter (not shown). Here, a flowchart of the program written in the ROM 21 is as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of the present apparatus will be specifically described according to a program. First, in step 1, before starting the temperature measurement, the measurement start time (HH: MM) and the measurement continuation time (MT) are arranged on the surface of the controller 2 shown in FIG. The input is made in advance by the operation key 22 which is present. For example, if you go to bed every day around 10 PM and sleep for about 8 hours, Enter Here, the number in the mouth indicates a numeric key pressed down by the subject. The measurement start time and the measurement continuation time are recorded by the MCPU 12 at a predetermined address of the RAM card 13 stored at a predetermined position (lower right in FIG. 2) of the controller 2, and the measurement time comes. This data is transferred to the RAM 11 of the controller 2 so that it can be sequentially referred to within the measurement time. Here, it is the time of the end of the measurement, which corresponds to step 1
At the same time, the measurement start time and the measurement continuation time are input, and at the same time, the MCPU 12 obtains the measurement by the following formula. HH + INT (MT / 60): MM + MT-INT (MT / 60) x 60 minutes INT () is an arithmetic expression rounded down to the nearest decimal point For example Is input, the measurement end time is 1 + INT (310/60) hour: 30 + 310-INT (310/60) × 60 minutes = 6: 00: 40 minutes. If the "time" obtained here is 24 or more, 24 is subtracted from the obtained time. If the "minute" is 60 or more, 60 is subtracted from the obtained minute and the time is calculated. One is added. As described above, in this example, the measurement end time, that is, the measurement end can be completed by inputting the sleep time, but the measurement end time is directly input instead of the measurement end time, thereby completing the measurement. Of course, it may be configured so as to obtain. Also, the date when the measurement is to be ended can be input in advance using the operation keys 22 in the same manner as the above-described start time. The start time, measurement duration, end date, etc. need only be input once on the first day of the measurement, that is, before the measurement.Unless the change is input, the measurement is performed every day until the first input date. Is to be executed. The measurement start time, the measurement end time, and the measurement date thus obtained are always referred (compared) to the date and time of the calendar 20 constantly driven by the backup power supply 19 in the MCPU 12. I am getting it. As described above, the start time and the sleep time inputted in step 1 are only rough standards, so there is little need to pay attention or stick to strict adherence. Then, the process proceeds to step 2. In step 2, the body temperature sensor 1 is attached to a part of the body, for example, an abdomen or an arm, in a ring shape, and goes to bed. It is determined whether or not the measurement start time set in Step 1 matches the date and time of the calendar 20 described above. If YES, the process proceeds to Step 4; if NO, the process returns to Step 3 so that the measurement start time matches the date and time of the calendar 20. Until the operation is performed, the operation is repeated. Then, in step 4, the measurement of the body temperature is started. The measurement of the body temperature referred to here is continuously performed, for example, every 10 minutes. Then, the process proceeds to step 5, in which the body temperature measured in step 4 is sequentially stored in the RAM 11, and the process proceeds to step 6. In step 6, the measurement end time and the date and time of the calendar 20 determined as described above are used. It is determined whether or not matches. Here, if they do not match, ie, before the measurement end time, the process returns to step 4, and the measurement and storage of the body temperature are continued until the calendar 20 and the set end time match. Then, in step 7, the counter is set to 0 in order to initialize the TSUM register, which is an arbitrary one of the arithmetic additions in the MCPU 12, and the process proceeds to step 8. In step 8, the MCPU 12 The n pieces of body temperature measurement data T _i (i = 1 to n) stored in the RAM 11 are read. Then, in step 9, it is determined whether or not the body temperature measurement data _Ti is in a first measurement range that is predetermined medically, that is, between the minimum body temperature T _min and the maximum body temperature T _max ° C while sleeping. ,
If T _i is not between T _{min and} T _max , the data T _i is regarded as unreliable and the process returns to step 8 to return to the next data T _i
Is read, and if there is, the process proceeds to step 10. Here, in the present embodiment, T _min = 33.0 ° C. and T _max = 38.0 ° C., and the data outside the range of T _{min to} T _max are, as shown in FIG. is subject to temporarily suspend sleep completely disengaged from the body, for example by some kind of reason, the data T _j when such sitting up state. If it is out of the range, proceed to step 10 and step
In 10 performs a TSUM ← TSUM + T _i order to the addition of T _i, the process proceeds to step 11, in step 11, it is determined whether the read number of data is in the n, already in the n returns to step 8 if no, the process proceeds to step 12 if that is the next data T _i read, to n.
Thus at step 10 to step 11, the sum of the data T _i in the first measurement range, i.e. Seeking. Then, in step 12, the average value の of the data screened in the first measurement range is calculated. Where the average value 〒 And α is the number of data outside the first measurement range. Since the average value ら れ obtained in this manner is a measurement range determined medically, that is, an average value of data excluding a state in which the body temperature sensor 1 is completely removed from the body, the reliability is high, This is a value sufficient to be considered as basal body temperature. Therefore, in this embodiment, the process proceeds to the next step, but the average value 〒 may be stored as the basal body temperature. When the average value 〒 is obtained in this manner, the process proceeds to step 13, in step 13, the counter is returned to 0 to initialize the TSUM register, and the process proceeds to step 14. In step 14, the MCPU 12 stores the n stored in the RAM 11 The individual body temperature measurement data T _i (i = 1 to n) is read out again, and the process proceeds to step 15. In step 15, the body temperature measurement data T _i in the second measurement range determined with the above-mentioned average value 中心 as the center value.
Screening is performed again. Here, ΔT in the second measurement range 〒−ΔT to 〒 + ΔT is equal to 0 in this embodiment.
3 to 0.5 ° C., which is a predetermined value. Then the process proceeds to step 16, performs TSUM ← TSUM + T _i order to the addition of similarly T _i in step 10 In step 16, step
Proceeding to 17, in step 17, it is determined whether or not the number of read data is n, and if not, the process returns to step 14 to read the next data T _i , and If yes, go to step 18. Thus, in steps 16 to 17, the data T _i in the second measurement range
The sum of Seeking. Then, in step 18, the average value Δφ of the data screened in the second measurement range is calculated. Where the average value 〒φ is Where β is the number of data outside the second measurement range, and the data outside the second measurement range are the data T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₄ , T ₅ , data T _n−1 , T _n just before getting up, data T _j outside the first measurement range, and data Th _h , T _k , when the body temperature sensor 1 slightly rises from the body surface.
A T _p and the like, the allowable width serving ΔT is immediately after the sleep data,
This is a value set so as not to include the data immediately before waking up, the data outside the first measurement range, and the data when the body temperature sensor 1 slightly rises from the body surface. As described above, the average value 〒φ is the data immediately after sleep, the data immediately before waking up, the data outside the first measurement range, the body temperature sensor 1
Is calculated by data excluding data etc. when it slightly rises from the body surface due to body movement such as turning over, that is, since it is calculated only from stable body temperature during bedtime,
It can be said that the basal body temperature is more reliable than the average value 〒 and is very close to the basal metabolism and is highly accurate. After obtaining the basal body temperature, that is, the average value 〒φ, the process proceeds to step 19, where the RAM card 13
The average value 〒φ is stored together with the date via the RAM card I / F. Here, the RAM card 13 has a built-in backup power supply and adopts a so-called non-volatile memory structure capable of storing data for a long period (3 to 5 years). In this embodiment, the storage area has a capacity of 16 KB. Is divided into a data area subdivided into six every 2 KB and a system area of 4 KB. In this example, two months of basal body temperature data is stored in a 2 KB data area, and one year of data is stored in one RAM card 13. In addition, long-term data can be traced back to the past, and it is easy to take appropriate measures especially for subjects whose body temperature pattern such as infertility is unclear. When the data is stored in the RAM card 13 in this way, the process proceeds to step 20, and in step 20, it is determined whether or not the measurement of the basal body temperature will be performed tomorrow. This determination is made based on whether or not the measurement end date input in advance together with the start time and the continuation time in step 1 matches the calendar date. If it is to be continued, the process returns to step 2, and the same operation is repeated tomorrow, and if it is not to be continued, the program ends. When the data stored in the RAM card 13 is displayed on the dot matrix LCD 15 on the controller 2, the operation keys 22 may be operated, and the display means 18
As a result, a graph of the basal body temperature at which the points change as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. On the other hand, since the RAM card 13 is detachable from the controller 2, the card 13 is taken to the controller 2 or a doctor having an analysis device capable of reading and displaying data of the card, and the device is owned by the doctor. It is also possible to graphically display and understand the basal body temperature data of the subject within a certain period, and to perform prescriptions such as berth control very accurately. Then, the subject wakes up without any awareness of the measurement end time, and when woken up, removes the body temperature sensor 1 from the subject and sets it at a predetermined position on the controller 2 as shown in the upper left of FIG. I do. Then, the controller 2 has a built-in non-contact charger of, for example, an electromagnetic coupling type, while the body temperature sensor 1 has a built-in charging power source as described above. Charging will be completed. As described above, the subject was simply put on the body and put to sleep without any awareness that the subject is performing the body temperature measurement, and during that time, a high-precision basal body temperature could be measured. There is no hindrance to sleep, and no complication such as time and physical restraint. By the way, the measurement start time and the measurement continuation time inputted to the controller 2 in step 1 are said to be a guide until they get tired, but since there is no meaning unless a stable body temperature while sleeping is in the meantime, this start time is somewhat It is better to enter the duration earlier and the duration longer to some extent. The start time and the duration are input in advance by the operation keys 22 and are automatically operated every day until a predetermined date. Thereafter, an operation switch is provided in the body temperature sensor 1 or the controller 2 and the switch is provided. It goes without saying that the measurement may be started and ended by turning on and off.
The measurement end date is also input in advance using the operation keys 22, but by not turning on the main power of the controller, the continuation of the measurement is stopped. Is also good. In the above embodiment, the second measurement range is defined as 〒−ΔT to 〒
+ ΔT, and the second measurement range is 〒−x using the most widely used standard deviation as the degree of dispersion of observation data.
It is also possible to set σ to 〒 + xσ and x to be an arbitrary number. Where σ is Where x is data immediately after sleep, data immediately before waking up,
It is a numerical value set so as not to include the data outside the first measurement range and the data when the body temperature sensor 1 slightly rises from the body surface. In the above embodiment, T _min = 33.0 ° C., T _max = 38.0
° C and ΔT = 0.3 to 0.5 ° C, but are not limited to the above numerical values, and these values are slightly different depending on the individual. By correcting and inputting, it becomes possible to measure the basal body temperature with higher accuracy. In the above embodiment, the average value calculated by the MCPU 12 is stored in the removable RAM card 13 of the controller 2, but the average value calculated by the MCPU 12 is not attached to the RAM of the controller 2 directly. The value may be stored, or of course, may be stored in both the RAM card 13 and the RAM in the controller 2. Although a RAM card is used as a removable storage unit as described above, the storage unit is not limited to a RAM card as long as it is a randomly accessible storage unit that stores the average value for an arbitrary period. Although the body temperature sensor 1 and the controller 2 are connected by an electric cord, the body temperature sensor 1 has a built-in RAM,
By storing the body temperature at the time of bedtime temperature measurement in the RAM and arranging the body temperature sensor 1 at a predetermined position of the controller 2 when getting up, it is also possible to transmit the data stored in the RAM to the controller side. In such a case, the body temperature sensor 1 becomes wireless, and there is no problem of being entangled with the body, so that handling becomes very easy. (Effects) As described above, according to the present invention, a temperature detection element is mounted so as not to be separated from the subject during the temperature detection period, an electric signal from the temperature detection element is received during the temperature detection period, and at a plurality of different points in time. The data signal is stored, the stored data signal is read out at the end of the temperature measurement, the body temperature data Ti is screened in a predetermined first measurement range Tmin to Tmax ° C., and an average value for the screened data is calculated. Re-screening the body temperature data in a second measurement range determined using the average value as a center value, and calculating an average value of the re-screened most stable body temperature data during bedtime as a basal body temperature. Therefore, it can be applied to any subject, and does not cause the subject to feel annoying. Measurement of basal body temperature it is possible to be.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a basal body temperature measuring device used for carrying out the method of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same device,
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the body temperature sensor, FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the body temperature sensor main body, FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a program stored in a ROM in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a change in body temperature during sleep for explaining the screening range of FIG. 7, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a basal body temperature displayed in a dot matrix. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Body temperature sensor, 2 ... Controller, 3 ... Thermal contact type temperature detecting element, 4 ... Body temperature sensor main body, 5 ... Mounting means, 8 ... Belt, 8a ... Elastic member, 9 ... Preamplifier , 10 A / D converter, 11 random access memory, 12 MCPU, 13 external storage means, 21 read-only memory, T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₄ , T ₅ , T _h , T _j , T _k , T _p , T _n-1 , T _n ……
Body temperature data

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A continuously changing body temperature during bedtime is automatically measured and stored by a temperature detecting element attached so as not to be separated from the subject during a set temperature measurement period, and a basal body temperature based on the body temperature data during the temperature measurement period A method of measuring and storing the data signal, comprising receiving an electrical signal from the temperature detection element during the temperature detection period and storing data signals at a plurality of different points in time during the temperature detection period, and storing the stored data signal. At the end of the temperature measurement, perform screening in a predetermined first measurement range Tmin to Tmax ° C., calculate an average value of the screened data, and determine a second measurement using the average value as a center value. The body temperature data is re-screened in the range, an average value for the re-screened body temperature data is calculated as a basal body temperature, and the average value is stored. Basal body temperature measurement method is characterized in that as.