JP3497791B2 - Ossicular reflex measurement 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 ossicle reflex measurement apparatus for measuring the ossicular reflex level based on a tympanogram.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional device for measuring the ossicle reflex of the ossicle retina has a predetermined measuring accuracy on the assumption that the earplug and the external auditory meatus of the subject are matched and the measuring probe including the earplug does not move during the measurement. To maintain. Then, when obtaining the tympanogram and measuring the ossicle reflex,
The set pressure in the ear canal is set to either the air pressure at which the acoustic compliance in the tympanogram shows the maximum or the atmospheric pressure, regardless of the measurement result of the tympanogram.

[0003]

However, in the conventional device for measuring the ossicle reflex of the ear, the earplug is matched to the external auditory meatus of the subject under an actual measurement environment (a laboratory such as a hospital or a clinic). Moreover, it is difficult to keep the measuring probe stationary during the measurement.

The tympanogram is a change curve in which the horizontal axis indicates the ear canal pressure change and the vertical axis indicates the acoustic compliance (usually expressed in equivalent volume ml) as shown in FIG. 5 (a). In most cases, the vertical axis is based on the acoustic compliance of +200 daPa, and the amount of change is recorded. The maximum value when expressed in this way is called "static compliance". This value is one of the indexes showing the ease with which acoustic energy is transferred from the external auditory meatus to the middle ear. For example, as shown in FIG. 5E, when the tympanogram measurement result has a large static compliance (maximum acoustic compliance in the tympanogram), a small pressure is applied during the measurement of the ossicle reflex. Even a change is detected as a compliance change, and so-called artifacts occur. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the tympanogram measurement result may cause the same artifact as above even when the static compliance pressure value is largely deviated from the atmospheric pressure.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art. The object of the present invention is to move the measuring probe a little during the measurement to change the pressure in the ear canal. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ossicle reflex measurement device that does not reduce the accuracy of the ossicle reflex measurement.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 provides a tympanogram measuring means for obtaining a tympanogram, and a sound in the tympanogram obtained by the tympanogram measuring means. When the air pressure detecting means for detecting the air pressure showing the maximum compliance and the air pressure detected by this air pressure detecting means are within a predetermined range, the ear canal pressure is set to the air pressure detected by the air pressure detecting means to suppress the ossicular muscle reflex. It is provided with a ossicle muscular reflex measuring means for measuring the ossicular reflex and setting the internal pressure of the external auditory meatus to the atmospheric pressure when it is not measured.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there are provided timpanogram measuring means for obtaining a tympanogram, and maximum value detecting means for detecting the maximum value of acoustic compliance in the tympanogram obtained by the tympanogram measuring means. , An air pressure detecting means for detecting an air pressure at which the acoustic compliance in the tympanogram obtained by the tympanogram measuring means exhibits a maximum value, and when the value detected by the maximum value detecting means exceeds a predetermined value, the ear canal pressure is increased. It is equipped with a ossicle muscular reflex measuring means for measuring the ossicular reflex by setting the atmospheric pressure to the air pressure detected by the air pressure detecting means when it is set to atmospheric pressure and measuring the ossicular reflex. is there.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an ossicle reflex measurement apparatus according to the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 4 are flowcharts of ossicle reflex measurement, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a tympanogram.

As shown in FIG. 1, an ear ossicle reflex measurement apparatus according to the present invention has an earplug 2 attached to seal the ear canal 1 so that the air inside the ear canal 1 of a subject does not leak to the outside.
An air pressure supply means 3 for supplying a predetermined air pressure into the ear canal 1, a test sound output means 4 for outputting two kinds of test sounds in the ear canal 1, and a sound pressure in the ear canal 1 to be detected as an electric signal. From the change in the output signal of the sound pressure detecting means 5 for converting, the acoustic compliance detecting means 6 for detecting the acoustic compliance of the middle ear of the subject from the electric signal output by the sound pressure detecting means 5, and the output signal of the sound pressure detecting means 5. The ossicle reflex reaction detection means 7 for detecting the ossicular muscle reflex, the sample hold circuit 8 for giving the acoustic compliance detection means 6 a sampling period of the output signal of the sound pressure detection means 5, each of the means or circuits 3,
It comprises a control means 9 for controlling 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and the like, a storage section 10 for storing various data, and a display section 11 for displaying various data.

By these means and the like, a tympanogram measuring means for obtaining a tympanogram, an air pressure detecting means for detecting an air pressure at which the acoustic compliance in the tympanogram shows a maximum, and a maximum value of acoustic compliance in the tympanogram are determined. The maximum value detecting means for detecting and the ear ossicle reflex measuring means for measuring the ossicle reflex of the otic bone by setting the internal pressure of the external auditory canal to the air pressure or the atmospheric pressure at which the acoustic compliance shows the maximum are constituted.

The air pressure supply means 3 is provided with an air pump or the like to control the pressure in the ear canal 1 from -200 daPa to +200 da.
A pressure variable mechanism 30 that can be continuously set in the range of Pa,
A tube 31 that guides the air pressure by the pressure varying mechanism 30 into the ear canal 1 and a pressure detector 32 that detects the pressure in the ear canal 1 and converts it into an electric signal.

The inspection sound output means 4 has a specific frequency (for example, 226 Hz) as an acoustic compliance measurement signal.
40 and a stimulation signal (for example, frequencies of 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz, and sound pressure levels of 80 dBSPL, 90 dBSPL, 1
00 dBSPL), a multiplier 42 that multiplies the output signal of the oscillator 40 by the output signal of the acoustic compliance detection means 6, and a summing amplifier 43 that adds and amplifies the output signal of the multiplier 42 and the stimulation signal. An ON / OFF switch 44 for turning on / off the input of the stimulation signal to the addition amplifier 43, an earphone 45 for converting the output signal of the addition amplifier 43 into sonic energy, and a tube 46 for guiding the output sound of the earphone 45 into the ear canal 1.

Here, a specific frequency (for example, 226H
The inspection sound based on the signal of z) is used as the first inspection sound, and the signal of the specific frequency (for example, 226 Hz) and the stimulation signal (for example,
Second check sound based on the signal with 500 Hz added)
Use the inspection sound. When the on / off switch 44 is turned off, the first inspection sound is emitted into the ear canal 1, and when the on / off switch 44 is turned on, the second inspection sound is emitted into the ear canal 1.

As the on / off switch 44, a contactless switch may be used instead of the contact switch. Further, without using the on / off switch 44, the oscillator 41 for generating the stimulation signal can be directly controlled by the control means 9 to generate the stimulation signal for a desired period.

The sound pressure detecting means 5 detects a sound pressure in the ear canal 1 and converts it into an electric signal, and a tube 51 for guiding the sound pressure in the ear canal 1 to the microphone 50.
The amplifier 52 that amplifies the output signal of the microphone 50 to a desired level, the band-pass filter 53 that passes only the component based on the signal of the specific frequency (for example, 226 Hz) in the output signal of the amplifier 52, and the band-pass filter 53. The output signal is composed of a rectifier 54 and the like.

The acoustic compliance detecting means 6 includes an A / D converter for A / D converting the output signal of the rectifier 54 and an acoustic compliance for converting the sound pressure signal data output from the A / D converter into an equivalent volume. It consists of a converter.

The ear ossicle muscle reflex reaction detecting means 7 supplies the output signal of the sound pressure detecting means 5 when the first inspection sound is supplied to the external auditory meatus 1 and the second inspection sound to the external auditory meatus 1 for a predetermined time. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the temporal change of the ossicular reflex and the level of the ossicular reflex are detected from the difference (change) from the output signal of the sound pressure detecting means 5.

The sample and hold circuit 8 samples the output signal of the sound pressure detecting means 5 or holds the sampled data in response to a command signal from the control means 9. The output signal of the sound pressure detecting means 5 sampled by the sample hold circuit 8 is input to the acoustic compliance detecting means 6.

The control means 9 sets a desired air pressure in the pressure varying mechanism 30, reads the output signal of the pressure detector 32, sets the frequencies and sound pressure levels of the oscillators 40 and 41, and turns on / off the switch. An on / off signal is output to 43, a sample period or a hold period of the sample hold circuit 8 is set, and the output signals of the acoustic compliance detection means 6 and the ossicle reflex response detection means 7 are read to read the ossicle reflex. Calculate the level and store 1
0 and the display unit 11 are controlled.

The storage unit 10 stores the air pressure in the external auditory canal 1 and the acoustic compliance (equivalent volume) in association with each other, or stores the frequency of the stimulating sound and the ossicle reflex level in association with each other.

The display unit 11 displays a sound compliance change curve (timpanogram) due to a change in the pressure of the ear canal, a change state of the sound compliance, an ossicular reflex level, and the like.

Then, the earplug 2, the tube 31 for supplying air pressure to the ear canal 1, and a specific frequency (for example, 2
26 Hz) signal and stimulus signal are converted into electroacoustic signals, a tube 46 for guiding the output sound of the earphone 45 to the ear canal 1, a microphone 50 for detecting the sound pressure of the ear canal 1, and a microphone 50 for detecting the sound pressure of the ear canal 1. The measuring probe 11 is composed of the tube 51 that leads to the.

As described above, in the measurement probe 11, since the earphone is composed of the conventional two to one earphone 45, the tube to be inserted into the earplug 2 is also the conventional four to three tubes 31 ,. It can be reduced to 46,51. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced, the frequency of tube clogging due to earwax can be reduced, and the measuring probe can be downsized.

The operation of the ossicle reflex measurement apparatus according to the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of ossicle reflex measurement shown in FIGS. When the pressure value of static compliance is determined to measure the ossicle reflex, as shown in FIG.
At P1, external ear canal pressure change (-200 daPa to +
The tympanogram is obtained as follows by measuring the change in compliance with 200 daPa).

First, the ear canal 2 is attached to the ear of the subject to seal the ear canal 1. Next, when a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the oscillator 40 outputs a specific frequency (for example,
A signal of 226 Hz is a stimulus signal (for example, a frequency of 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz) from the oscillator 41.
And the sound pressure level of each is 80 dBSPL, 90 dBSP
L, 100 dBSPL, etc.) occurs. Then, the measurement is started after a predetermined time. At this time, the on / off switch 4
4 is in the off state, and the sample hold circuit 8 is in the sampling period.

Then, a specific frequency (for example, 226H
Only the signal z) is amplified by the summing amplifier 43 via the multiplier 42, converted into sonic energy by the earphone 45 as the first inspection sound, and emitted into the ear canal 1 of the subject through the tube 46. Specific frequency (for example, 22
The first inspection sound based on the signal of 6 Hz) is always emitted into the ear canal 1 of the subject if the power switch is on.

At this time, the pressure varying mechanism 3 is provided in the ear canal 1.
0 is supplied with air through the tube 31, and the ear canal 1
The internal pressure changes in the range of -200 daPa to +200 daPa. Then, the sound wave energy emitted into the ear canal 1 is reflected by the eardrum and converted into an electric signal (reflected sound pressure signal) by the microphone 50 via the tube 51 as reflected sound energy, and the reflected sound pressure signal is amplified by the amplifier 52,
It is input to the sample hold circuit 8 via the filter 53 and the rectifier 54.

Next, the reflected sound pressure signal is converted into an equivalent volume by the acoustic compliance detecting means 6, and the equivalent volume is further multiplied by the multiplier 42 at a specific frequency (for example, 226H).
z) is multiplied by the output signal of the oscillator 40 which produces the signal.

Here, in order to make the sound pressure in the ear canal 1 by the first inspection sound constant (for example, 85 dBSPL), the multiplier 42 that multiplies the output signal of the oscillator 40 by the output signal of the acoustic compliance detecting means 6 is AGC. It constitutes the circuit.

Then, the equivalent volume converted by the acoustic compliance detecting section 6 is, in step SP2,
It is stored in the storage unit 10 in association with the air pressure in the ear canal 1. Furthermore, a tympanogram as shown in FIG. 5 in which the horizontal axis represents the ear canal pressure (daPa) and the vertical axis represents the equivalent volume (ml) is displayed on the display unit 11.

Next, in step SP3, it is determined whether or not the static compliance pressure value in the tympanogram obtained in step SP1 is within ± 100 daPa.

The pressure value of static compliance is ± 10
If it is within 0 daPa, in step SP4, the pressure setting value of the pressure varying mechanism 30 is set to the pressure value of static compliance. On the other hand, if the static compliance pressure value is not within ± 100 daPa, step S
In P5, the pressure setting value of the pressure variable mechanism 30 is set to atmospheric pressure.

Next, at step SP6, the air pump of the pressure varying mechanism 30 is controlled to bring the air pressure in the ear canal 1 to the pressure value of static compliance or atmospheric pressure.

Then, in step SP7, the ossicle reflex level is measured as follows. First, the on / off switch 44 is changed from the off state to the on state, and the sample hold circuit 8 is changed from the sample period to the hold period.

Then, a specific frequency (for example, 226H
z) signal and frequency is 500 Hz and sound pressure level is 80 d
The BSPL stimulus signal is additively amplified by the additive amplifier 43,
As the second inspection sound, it is converted into sonic energy by the earphone 45 and is emitted into the ear canal 1 of the subject through the tube 46.

The equivalent volume multiplied by the output signal of the oscillator 40 in the multiplier 42 is the output signal of the acoustic compliance detecting section 6 sampled in the immediately preceding sampling period. This output signal is input to the multiplier 42 during this hold period. Therefore, during the hold period, the sample hold circuit 8 keeps the sound pressure in the ear canal 1 constant (for example, 85d).
The AGC circuit for setting to BSPL) does not work.

Next, when the on / off switch 44 is turned on for a predetermined time and then the on / off switch 44 is turned off, the first inspection sound is replaced by the first inspection sound instead of the second inspection sound.
Is released into. Then, the ossicle reflexes reaction detecting means 7 detects the ossicle reflexes from the output signal of the sound pressure detecting means 5 after a predetermined time after the on / off switch 44 is turned off, that is, the output change amount of the rectifier 54.

Further, in the control means 9, the output signal of the ossicular reflex response detection means 7 (the output change amount of the rectifier 54).
And the output signal of the acoustic compliance detection unit 6 (equivalent volume in the immediately preceding sample period) are multiplied to obtain the ossicular reflex level.

Similarly, the frequency of the stimulation signal is 500H with the sample-hold circuit 8 kept in the hold period.
With z maintained, the sound pressure level is 90 dBSPL, 100
Even when set to dBSPL, the ossicle reflex is detected and the ossicle reflex level is obtained.

The measurement work is set to 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, etc. for the frequency of the stimulation signal, and the sound pressure levels are 80 dBSPL and 90 dB, respectively.
The SPL and 100 dBSPL are set and the measurement is completed.

Next, when determining the value of static compliance and measuring the ossicular reflex of the ossicle, as shown in FIG.
In step SP11, a tympanogram is calculated,
In step SP12, the timpanogram is stored in the storage unit 10. Since these operations are similar to those in step SP1 and step SP2 shown in FIG. 2, description thereof will be omitted.

Next, in step SP13, it is determined whether or not the static compliance in the tympanogram obtained in step SP11 is 1.5 ml or less.

If the static compliance is 1.5 ml or less, in step SP14, the pressure varying mechanism 30
Set the pressure setting value of to the pressure value of static compliance. On the other hand, if the static compliance is not less than 1.5 ml, in step SP15, the pressure varying mechanism 3
The pressure set value of 0 is set to atmospheric pressure.

Next, at step SP16, the air pump of the pressure varying mechanism 30 is controlled to bring the air pressure in the ear canal 1 to the pressure value of static compliance or atmospheric pressure. The ossicular reflex measurement in step SP17 is similar to step SP7 shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, step SP2
In step 3, the static compliance pressure value in the tympanogram obtained in step SP21 is ± 100.
It is determined whether it is within daPa, and then step SP24.
In, it is also possible to determine whether the static compliance in the tympanogram obtained in step SP21 is 1.5 ml or less.

Then, based on the result of the determination, the pressure variable mechanism 3
The pressure set value of 0 is determined (steps SP25, 26),
It is also possible to control the air pump of the pressure varying mechanism 30 to set the air pressure in the external auditory meatus 1 to a pressure value of static compliance or atmospheric pressure (step SP27), and perform ossicle reflex measurement (step SP28).

In the ossicle muscular reflex measurement apparatus according to the present invention, the ossicular muscular reflex that contracts in response to a strong acoustic stimulus (stimulation sound) is several hundred meters in the recovery process after the acoustic stimulus is stopped.
It takes advantage of the slow motion that it needs. Therefore, if a change in compliance due to acoustic reflex contraction of the ossicle muscularis after a lapse of a predetermined time from the stop of the acoustic stimulation is detected, the influence of the stimulation sound and the inspection sound output means 4 are configured by one earphone 45. It is possible to know the reflex level of the ossicle ossicles by eliminating the influence of the above.

[0048]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the range of the static compliance pressure value in the tympanogram is determined to set the pressure in the external auditory meatus during the measurement of the ossicular reflex. Therefore, even if the measurement probe moves a little during the measurement to change the air pressure in the external auditory meatus, it is possible to measure the ossicle reflex without deteriorating the accuracy of the measurement of the ossicle reflex.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the range of the static compliance value in the tympanogram is determined and the pressure in the external auditory meatus at the time of measuring the ossicle reflex is set, the measuring probe is set during the measurement. Even if the air pressure in the external auditory meatus changes with some movement, it is possible to measure the ossicle reflexes without degrading the accuracy of the ossicle reflex measurement.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an ossicle reflex measurement apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of ossicle reflex measurement (when determining a static compliance pressure value).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of ossicle reflex measurement (when determining a static compliance value).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of ossicle reflex measurement (when determining a static compliance pressure value and a static compliance value).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a tympanogram.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... External auditory meatus, 2 ... Earplugs, 3 ... Air pressure supply means, 4 ... Examination sound output means, 5 ... Sound pressure detection means, 6 ... Acoustic compliance detection means, 7 ... Ear ossicle reflex reaction detection means, 8 ... Sample hold Circuit, 9 ... Control means, 10 ... Storage unit, 1
1 ... Display unit, 40, 41 ... Oscillator, 44 ... On / off switch, 45 ... Earphone.

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-54-1673 (JP, A) Actually opened 60-184509 (JP, U) Actually opened 60-190302 (JP, U) Actually opened 57-182410 (JP , U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61B 5/12

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A tympanogram measuring means for obtaining a tympanogram, an air pressure detecting means for detecting an air pressure at which the acoustic compliance in the tympanogram obtained by the tympanogram measuring means is maximum, and this air pressure detecting means. When the detected air pressure is within a predetermined range, the ear canal pressure is set to the air pressure detected by the air pressure detecting means to measure the ossicular reflex, and when not, the ear canal pressure is set to atmospheric pressure and the ossicles An ossicle reflex measurement apparatus comprising a ossicle reflex measurement means for measuring a muscle reflex. 2. A tympanogram measuring means for obtaining a tympanogram, a maximum value detecting means for detecting a maximum value of acoustic compliance in the tympanogram obtained by the tympanogram measuring means, and the tympanogram measurement. When the value detected by the maximum value detection means exceeds a predetermined value, the ear canal pressure is set to atmospheric pressure and the ear pressure is detected by the means. The ossicle muscular reflex measurement means for measuring the ossicle reflex and measuring the ossicular reflex by setting the internal auditory canal pressure to the air pressure detected by the air pressure detecting means when it is not Reflection measuring device.