JP2994185B2 - Respirometer, respiratory gas supply device and respiratory monitoring system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a respiratory measuring device used together with an open-type supplying means for supplying a respiratory gas to a patient with a respiratory disease, a respiratory gas supplying device provided with a functional part thereof,
Further, the present invention provides a system for monitoring the respiratory condition of a patient by connecting the supply device to a central information device via a communication control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, oxygen therapy supplied from an oxygen cylinder to a patient with respiratory disease has been performed. Recently, an oxygen concentrator for separating and concentrating oxygen in air to obtain an oxygen-enriched gas has been developed. Oxygen therapy using it has been developed and is becoming increasingly popular.

As such an oxygen concentrator, for example, an adsorption type oxygen concentrator using an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing oxygen as an oxygen concentrating function unit, or a membrane using an oxygen selective permeable membrane as an oxygen concentrating function unit There is a type oxygen concentrator.

[0004] As another oxygen supply system using oxygen therapy, there is known a method in which oxygen evaporated from liquid oxygen at a suitably controlled rate is supplied to a patient.

[0005] Oxygen concentrators are increasingly used not only in hospitals but also in homes for home care. These oxygen concentrators are individually arranged in hospitals and homes, and the operating conditions are separately grasped and managed.

[0006] These respiratory gas devices are devices for maintaining the life of a patient (user), and are required to supply respiratory gas under conditions adapted to the respiratory condition of the patient. In addition, oxygen is often supplied via an open-type supply means such as a nasal cannula to assist spontaneous respiration of a patient with a respiratory disease.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an oxygen therapy for supplying a respiratory gas such as an oxygen-enriched gas to a respiratory disease patient using a nasal cannula or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a respirometer that can easily measure a condition. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an oxygen-enriched gas supply device having the function of such a respirometer and a remote monitoring system for a number of oxygen-enriched gas supply devices used for home oxygen therapy.

[0008]

The present inventor has made intensive studies to achieve the above object. As a result, it has been found that a static pressure fluctuation measuring means having a specific structure is provided in the middle of a conduit of an open respiratory gas supply means. The inventors have found that they are effective and have reached the present invention.

That is, the present invention relates to a respiratory measuring device used in the middle of a respiratory gas supply conduit means for connecting a respiratory gas generating means and an open respiratory gas supply means, wherein the respiratory measuring device is provided on one side of a diaphragm. A diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means such that a space communicates with the gas supply conduit means, and a space on the other side of the diaphragm communicates with the gas supply conduit means via a tank means and a passage restricting means arranged in series. The present invention provides a respiratory measurement device characterized by comprising:

The respiratory measuring apparatus of the present invention includes an apparatus having information processing means for obtaining a respiratory rate and / or a respiratory pattern based on a detection result of the diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means.

[0011] The present invention also provides a respiratory gas generating means,
In a respiratory gas supply device having a respiratory gas supply conduit means having one end communicating with the generating means and the other end communicating with the open respiratory gas supply means, in the middle of the gas supply conduit means, A space on one side of the diaphragm communicates with the gas supply conduit means, and a space on the other side of the diaphragm communicates with the gas supply conduit means via a tank means and a passage throttle arranged in series. A respiratory gas supply device provided with a diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means is provided.

[0012] In the respiratory gas supply device of the present invention,
Information processing means for obtaining a respiratory rate and / or a respiratory pattern based on the detection result of the diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means and converting it into digital information as necessary; A respiratory gas supply device comprising communication means for transmitting the received information.

The present invention further provides (i) means for generating breathing gas, and conduit means for supplying breathing gas, one end of which is connected to the means for generating and the other end of which is connected to the open-type supply means for breathing gas. In the middle of the gas supply conduit means, a space on one side of the diaphragm communicates with the gas supply conduit means, and the space on the other side of the diaphragm is connected to a tank means and a passage restrictor arranged in series. A diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means communicating with the gas supply conduit means via the means, and a respiratory rate and / or a respiratory pattern are obtained based on the detection result of the detecting means and converted into digital information as necessary. And a second communication means for transmitting digital information obtained by the information processing means, and (ii) transmitted from the breathing gas supply apparatus. The digital Second communication means for receiving information, storage means for storing the digital information received from the second communication means, and second communication means for transmitting the digital information by modem using a telephone line as necessary. A communication control device comprising: three communication means; and, if necessary, a communication control means for transmitting the stored digital information via a third communication means; and (iii) the digital communication device transmitted from the communication control device. A central information processing device having a fourth communication means for receiving information by modem; and a respiratory gas supply system.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings as necessary. FIG. 1 schematically shows a specific example of the respiratory gas supply device of the present invention. That is, FIG. 1 shows a respiratory system comprising a pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrator 1 as a means for generating a respiratory gas, a nasal cannula 3 as an open type supply means for a respiratory gas, and a conduit means 2 connecting them. Gas supply device, comprising a diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means 6 in the middle of the conduit means 2.
However, a space on one side of the diaphragm has a thin tube 4 (for example, an inner diameter of 2.0 mm, a length of 4 m, or an inner diameter of 0.3 mm, a length of 50 mm) as a passage restricting means and a tank 5 as a tank means (for example, a content responsibility of 20 mm). ３０30 cm ³ ), and the diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means 6 communicates with the space on the other side of the diaphragm while communicating with the conduit means.
Are provided. The on-off valve 40 is
It is opened only when detecting pressure fluctuations in the conduit means, so that moisture contained in the gas in the conduit means can hardly reach the pressure fluctuation detecting means 6.

In FIG. 1, an oscillating circuit 7 is means for converting a differential pressure signal, which is received by a diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detector and changes due to inhalation and expiration, into an electric pulse. The diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means is configured such that when the diaphragm receives pressure fluctuation and fluctuates, the capacitance changes (it is a capacitance type differential pressure detection sensor),
A known C that combines the capacitance (C) and the electric resistance (R)
An electric pulse is generated by an R-type oscillation circuit. Therefore, the number of the electric pulses changes according to the pressure fluctuation applied to the diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means. As an example, in the embodiment of the present invention, the number of electric pulses is increased by an inspiration signal (negative pressure signal), and is decreased by an expiration signal (positive pressure signal).

In FIG. 1, the F / V conversion means 8 is used to convert a change in the number of electric pulses (F) into a voltage signal (V) and record it on a recorder 9. The recorder 9 is used to record that the state of pressure change due to breathing is detected by the diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means. These pressure fluctuation detecting means 6 and display means associated therewith may be stored in a shell box of the oxygen concentrator 1 for convenience.

As an embodiment of the diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means in the present invention, the capacitance between a moving electrode interlocked with a diaphragm which is displaced by receiving a differential pressure and a fixed electrode arranged opposite to the moving electrode is expressed as follows. A diaphragm-type pressure detector that detects changes in response to the difference in pressure acting on the diaphragm, using a polymer film whose surface has been treated with a conductive material to move the conductive material. An electrode is used (JP-A-64
No. 21330).

As a further preferred embodiment of the detecting means, the diaphragm is a conductive film in which a conductive layer is laminated on a polymer film, and the conductive layer is a moving electrode, and the fixed electrode is also a conductive film. (See Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-274027).

FIG. 2 schematically shows a side sectional view of a specific example of such a diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a diaphragm which is displaced by pressure, 11 denotes a fixed electrode disposed opposite to the diaphragm, and a diaphragm 10 is a conductive layer made of a metal thin film, a metal oxide thin film or the like on an organic polymer film 10a. It is made of a conductive film on which 10b is formed. It is desirable that the fixed electrode also has a conductive layer 11b made of a metal thin film, a metal oxide thin film, or the like formed on the organic polymer film 11a on the support plate 12.

On the other side of the diaphragm 10, a regulating side plate 14 for regulating the maximum displacement of the diaphragm 10 is disposed via a rule frame 13 having a predetermined thickness for setting an operation space.

Then, the fixed electrode 11, the diaphragm 1
0, the regulating frame 13 and the regulating side plate 14 are placed on the supporting plate 12 in this order with a sealing material (not shown) interposed therebetween, and bolts inserted into bolt holes provided at four corners of each element ( (Not shown) and assembled as shown in FIG.

At the time of this assembling, the fixed electrode 11 may be placed on the support plate 12 in a natural state, and an intermediate frame may be arranged thereon. In this state, the fixed electrode 1
Numeral 1 is partially in close contact with the support plate 12 due to wrinkles due to curl or the like, and its high portion protrudes from the upper surface of the intermediate frame. Then the diaphragm 1
0, the regulating frame 13 and the regulating side plate 14 are placed and assembled by tightening. Then, the diaphragm 10 is pressed by a highly wrinkled portion of the fixed electrode 11 and is fixed in a state where a slight tension is applied. Therefore, a gap is formed between the fixed electrode 11 and the diaphragm 10 in which the fixed electrode 11 and the diaphragm 10 are partially in contact. By this gap, a breath detector having stable characteristics against changes in temperature and humidity was realized.

Each element is configured as follows to stably detect the change in the gap as a change in capacitance.

The diaphragm 10 is arranged such that the conductive layer 10b serving as a moving electrode is located on the regulation frame 13 side.
A thin metal layer 13a is formed on the diaphragm 10 side of the regulating frame 13, and is taken out of the conductive layer 10b as a terminal. The thickness of the regulating frame 13 must be such that the diaphragm 10 is not broken even when a high differential pressure is applied to the diaphragm 10 and does not hinder the normal operation range. In this example, it was set to approximately 1 mm, but should be selected according to the measured pressure.

Further, the fixed electrode 11 is arranged so that the conductive layer is on the diaphragm 10 side, and the intermediate frame is formed by forming a metal thin film on the fixed electrode 11 side so as to be a terminal for taking out the fixed electrode 11 to the outside. Good.

Further, metal thin films are laminated on the outer surface sides of the regulation side plate 14 and the support plate 12, respectively, and by grounding them, the influence of external potential change on measurement is prevented.

On the other hand, the fixed electrode 11 and the regulating side plate 14 are provided with through holes, respectively, and the inner surface of the support plate 12 facing the fixed electrode 11 is provided with a through hole of the fixed electrode 11 from the central pressure inlet, and furthermore, As shown in the drawing, a metal thin film formed by patterning a flow path for transmitting pressure between the through holes into a wheel shape is laminated to improve the responsiveness of the diaphragm 10. This is because the diaphragm 10 and the fixed side plate 14 of the fixed electrode
This is effective in preventing close contact with the support plate 12 and ensuring quick response.

The change in the capacitance between the movable electrode diaphragm 10 and the fixed electrode 11 can be measured by connecting a well-known capacitance measuring circuit to the extraction terminal.

In the above configuration, the diaphragm 10 as a moving electrode is a nickel-deposited conductive film obtained by evaporating Ni (10b) on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film 10a having a thickness of 50 μm, and the fixed electrode 11 is formed as a fixed electrode 11.
A transparent conductive film in which indium tin oxide (ITO) is formed on a PET film having a thickness of 5 μm, a flexible printed circuit board made of 85 μm copper-clad polyimide film is provided in the intermediate frame 12, and a 1 mm thick copper As the tension printed circuit board, a copper-clad printed circuit board is similarly used for the regulation side plate 14 and the support plate 12, and the pressure receiving portion of the diaphragm 10 has a circular shape with a radius of 4 cm.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 15 denotes a regulating plate for forming a closed chamber for transmitting the one-sided pressure signal of the differential pressure signal, and 16 denotes a closed chamber for transmitting the one-sided signal of the differential pressure signal. Reference numeral 17 denotes a connection port connected to the conduit 41 of FIG. 1 or 4 for guiding a signal of fluid pressure + respiratory pressure fluctuation, and 18 denotes a connection port of the conduit 42 of FIG. 1 or FIG. Reference numeral 19 denotes a connection port for guiding a signal of fluid pressure (pressure transmitted through the throttle and the tank), and 19 denotes an oscillation circuit that generates an electric pulse by combining the capacitance and electric resistance formed by the diaphragm. .

The measurement of the capacitance in the configuration of FIG. 2 is obtained by the following equation.

[0033]

(Equation 1)

(Where C is the capacitance, ε is the permittivity of PET and air, S is the area of the electrode, and d is the distance between the electrodes.)

From the capacitance, the oscillation frequency can be converted by the following equation. F = K / C (where F is the oscillation frequency (pulses / second) and K represents the gain)

As shown in FIG. 1, a passage restricting means having a predetermined gas flow resistance and a tank means having a predetermined capacity, which can measure the static pressure of a breathing gas fluctuating by respiration with appropriate accuracy, and a tank means having a predetermined capacity are connected to one side of the passage. And the space on both sides of the diaphragm of the diaphragm type pressure sensor as shown in FIG. 2 is connected to a conduit means for continuously supplying breathing gas. Since the apparatus can accurately detect a change in static pressure during expiration and inspiration, an excellent effect of accurately obtaining information about a patient's respiratory cycle can be achieved. That is, by combining the unique configuration of the present invention, the breathing gas is continuously flowing in the conduit, in other words, in a state where the dynamic pressure is always present, the patient's expiration, based on the operation of inspiration This enabled accurate detection of static pressure fluctuations in the conduit.

As described above, in the breath meter according to the present invention and the breathing gas supply device incorporating the same, information on the patient's respiratory cycle can be obtained. FIG. 3 exemplifies the information. That is, FIG. 3A shows the user's breathing pattern in the oxygen-enriched gas supply device provided with the respiratory measuring device of the present invention shown in FIG. In addition, they each have a flow rate of the oxygen-enriched gas of 0.25 liter /
min, 1.0 liter / min, and 3.0 liter / min. Further, FIG.
3 shows a static pressure fluctuation pattern corresponding to each flow rate when measured using a manometer instead of the diaphragm type differential pressure sensor 6. The fact that the two patterns are almost the same indicates that the respiratory measurement accuracy of the present invention is sufficiently high.

In the respiratory measuring device and the respiratory gas supply device of the present invention, information processing means for obtaining a respiratory rate and a respiratory pattern using information from a detection result of a tire fram type pressure fluctuation detecting means. Means computer means including functions of necessary programs and the like. FIG. 4 shows a specific example.

In FIG. 4, a waveform shaping circuit 31 is used to shape the electric pulse waveform into a clean rectangle so that the electric pulse generated by the transmission circuit 7 can be easily recognized by the CPU (microcomputer) 32. This is a waveform shaping circuit. The CPU 32 counts the electric pulses (for example, every 0.01 seconds and / or every 0.1 seconds) and stores the counted value so that a change in pressure can be observed as a change in the number of pulses. Become. From the pulse number observation result, the number of inhalations and expirations can be measured from the pressure fluctuation state, that is, the electric pulse number fluctuation state. For example, if the number of pulses is increased by inhalation (negative pressure) and decreased by exhalation (positive pressure), the CPU calculates the time from the maximum number of pulses to the minimum and then to the next maximum by the CPU. One breathing time (breathing cycle) can be known, and one breathing time (breathing cycle)
The respiratory rate per minute (BPM) can be determined.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side sectional view of another embodiment of the diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means according to the present invention. That is, in FIG. 5, the diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means shown in FIG. 2 and the thin tube 4 as the throttle means and the tank 5 as the tank means shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the throttle means 4 and the tank means 5
5 and the diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means 6 are connected by conduit means.
In the improved type, a chamber constituent member 45 and a thin tube 44 for forming the tank means 43 by integrating 4, 5, and 6 in FIG.
This eliminates the need for conduit means for connecting between 5 and 6. The connection port 46 is connected to the on-off valve 40 in FIG. 1 or FIG. By adopting such a structure, the respiratory signal detecting means is reduced in size and the storage space is reduced. In addition, since the pressure guiding tube means is not required, the number of connection portions is reduced, so that pressure signal leakage from the connection portion does not occur,
Performance is stabilized.

The respiratory gas supply system of the present invention comprises:
(I) a breathing gas supply device as described above, (ii) second communication means for receiving digital information transmitted from the device, and storage means for storing the information.
A third communication means for transmitting a modem by using a telephone line as necessary; a communication control device having the communication control means; and (iii) a fourth communication means for receiving the digital information transmitted from the communication control device by a modem. It has a central information processing device provided with a communication means.

FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of the respiratory gas supply system of the present invention, showing the configuration of the system and the flow of information. In FIG. 6, information relating to the operating state and use status of the respiratory gas supply device 21 used in each patient's home, that is, monitoring data, is communicated via a communication circuit in the device 21 or a cable means 22 such as an RS232C cable. The data is always taken into the communication circuit of the control device 23 and processed. The data processed by the communication control device 23 is transmitted to the central information processing device via the public telephone line 24 at regular intervals. The data transmitted from each patient's home to the central information processing device 25 is:
The data is processed by a computer dedicated to communication processing, and the data is recorded in a database. In this computer dedicated to communication processing, for example, 1
It is desirable that data for a new fixed period such as a day is stored collectively, the data is read from the floppy disk as needed, and the data is recorded in a database using a computer dedicated to data processing.
By doing so, the data stored in the database of the central information processing apparatus 25 can be used to grasp the operating state of the apparatus, the use state of the patient, and the like, and can easily perform various operations.

The respiratory gas supply device 21 in FIG.
As a means for generating respiratory gas, a pressure fluctuation adsorption-type oxygen concentrating function unit 26 which is generally used as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-140619 is used. Includes cannula 27.
Further, the oxygen concentrating function unit 26 includes a pressure sensor using a semiconductor sensor in an adsorption bed or the like as an information collecting function unit for quantitatively grasping information on an operation state and a use state of a patient, and a gas for use. An information collection system including a concentration sensor, means for recognizing a set value in a gas flow setting device for use, and the like is included. The analog information obtained here, together with the information obtained by the pressure fluctuation detecting means, is converted into digital information by an A / D converter as necessary, and the data is converted via an SIO (serial input / output device). Is transmitted to a communication circuit for outputting the same, and is serially transmitted from the RS-232C communication port 28. That is, the data obtained by the information processing system is
Directly or after A / D conversion, processed by CPU,
The data is sent to the communication circuit via O (serial input / output device) and serially transmitted from the RS-232C communication port.

In the communication control device 23 shown in FIG. 6, digital information serially transmitted from the respiratory gas supply device is received by the communication circuit via the RS-232C communication port 29, and a CPU (central processing unit) having an SIO is provided. And stored in a memory provided with a storage means (ROM or RAM). That is, the data is received by the communication circuit via the RS-232C communication port, and is stored in the memory having the storage means (ROM or RAM) via the CIPU having the SIO.
The digital information is subjected to predetermined editing processing by the CPU while using the calendar IC provided in the apparatus 23, and the processed information is transmitted using a modem.

The central information processing device 25 shown in FIG. 6 is composed of two computers, a communication processing unit and a data processing unit, as information processing computers in addition to a modem as fourth communication means. The communication processing unit prepares for an emergency alert communication in addition to the periodic communication sent from each patient's home, so that it is easy to take a 24-hour driving system. In addition, it is desirable to prepare for an emergency such as backing up the power by an uninterruptible power supply. In the data processing unit, based on the recorded data, history management of the gas supply device for breathing and processing of information related to the patient's use situation may be performed.

It is desirable that the communication between the central information processing device 25 and the communication control device 23 be performed by the telephone line 24, and in particular, it is practically convenient to use a public telephone line. When a public telephone line is used, the communication control device includes a storage unit that stores a telephone number of a destination, a transmission schedule, and the like, and further includes a connection unit with a telephone line,
A device having a network control function provided with transmission control means for enabling transmission only when the telephone connected thereto is not in use is advantageously used practically.

[0048]

According to the respirometer of the present invention, an excellent effect can be obtained in which the measurement of respiration such as the respiration rate can be easily performed with high accuracy while the gas for respiratory assistance is continuously supplied. .

Since the respiratory gas supply device of the present invention is also provided with a respiratory measurement function section, it has an excellent effect that the state of respiration of the user can be accurately grasped.

According to the respiratory gas supply system of the present invention, it is possible to grasp the state of respiration of a patient by remote monitoring and to feed back to a patient, and to give a patient or a doctor a sense of security of online monitoring. The excellent effect that can be expected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the respiratory gas supply device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means in a respirometer and the like of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a measurement result obtained by the respirometer of the present invention (a) and an example of a measurement result obtained by using a manometer (b).

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the respiratory gas supply device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means in the respirometer of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the respiratory gas supply system of the present invention.

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A respiratory measuring device used in the middle of a respiratory gas supply conduit means for connecting a respiratory gas generation means and an open respiratory gas supply means, wherein a space on one side of a diaphragm is provided. Diaphragm-type pressure fluctuation detecting means is provided so as to communicate with the gas supply conduit means, and to communicate with the gas supply conduit means via the tank means and the passage restricting means arranged in series with the space on the other side of the diaphragm. A respiratory measuring device characterized in that: 2. The respiratory meter according to claim 1, further comprising information processing means for obtaining a respiratory rate and / or a respiratory pattern based on a detection result of the diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means. 3. A respiratory gas supply having respiratory gas generating means and respiratory gas supply conduit means having one end communicating with the generating means and the other end communicating with the open respiratory gas supplying means. In the apparatus, in the middle of the gas supply conduit means, a space on one side of a diaphragm communicates with the gas supply conduit means, and the space on the other side of the diaphragm is connected to a tank means and a passage restrictor arranged in series. A respiratory gas supply device, comprising diaphragm pressure fluctuation detection means communicating with said gas supply conduit means via means. 4. A respiratory gas supply device according to claim 3, wherein the respiratory rate and / or respiratory pattern is obtained based on the detection result of the diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means and is converted into digital information as required. A respiratory gas supply device comprising a processing means and, if necessary, a communication means for transmitting information obtained by the information processing means. 5. The respiratory gas supply device according to claim 3, wherein the diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means is connected to the gas supply conduit means via an on-off valve means, and the on-off valve means is used only when breathing is measured. An open breathing gas supply. 6. (i) breathing gas generating means, and a breathing gas supply conduit means having one end communicating with the generating means and the other end communicating with the open breath gas supplying means; In the middle of the gas supply conduit means, a space on one side of the diaphragm communicates with the gas supply conduit means, and the space on the other side of the diaphragm is connected via a tank means and a passage restricting means arranged in series. Diaphragm type pressure fluctuation detecting means communicating with the gas supply conduit means, and information for obtaining a respiratory rate and / or a respiratory pattern based on the detection result of the detecting means and converting it into digital information as necessary. A respiratory gas supply device comprising processing means and first communication means for transmitting digital information obtained by the information processing means, and (ii) the digital information transmitted from the respiratory gas supply device Receive A second communication means for storing, the storage means for storing the digital information received from the second communication means, and a third communication means for transmitting the digital information by modem using a telephone line as necessary. A communication control device comprising, if necessary, a communication control means for transmitting the stored digital information via a third communication means;
A) a central information processing device having fourth communication means for receiving the digital information transmitted from the communication control device by modem.