JP4068237B2 - Nasal permeability tester - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a nasal permeability test apparatus for diagnosing the degree of nasal obstruction, which is one of the symptoms of nasal diseases.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a nasal permeability test apparatus, for example, there is one disclosed in JP-A-10-80415. The nasal permeability test apparatus described in the publication includes a surface light source composed of a plurality of LEDs or the like below the inspection plate, and generates parallel light by the surface light source and is disposed between the inspection plate and the half mirror. The back surface of the inspection plate is illuminated through, and the light reflected by the inspection plate is reflected by the half mirror and guided to the photographing apparatus. The surface light source, the half mirror, and the imaging device are accommodated in a rectangular parallelepiped case, and the case has an upper portion that fixes the inspection plate and a facing surface to which the mouth of the subject should face. ing.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Such a nasal permeability test apparatus captures a group of water droplets generated by a subject's nasal breath on the upper surface of a test plate with a photographing device, thereby quantitatively determining the subject's nasal breath pattern in real time. It is excellent in that it can measure the nasal air permeability of the subject.
[0004]
Therefore, although it is useful to use this apparatus in a clinical field, in this case, it is desirable to be able to measure a nasal breath pattern with higher accuracy.
[0005]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a nasal permeability test apparatus that can measure a nasal breath pattern of a subject with higher accuracy.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present inventors diligently studied to achieve the above object. That is, in the nasal permeability test apparatus described in the above-mentioned conventional publication, the case has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, so that the angle formed by the upper surface of the test plate and the opposite surface of the case is a right angle, and the subject is in contact with the test plate. When trying to place the nose upward, the subject's mouth and jaw hit the case. Here, there is no problem if the subject does not move during the examination, but if the subject moves his mouth or jaw, the position of the nose will fluctuate, stabilizing the nasal breath pattern of the subject. As a result, the measurement accuracy of the nasal breath pattern is not always sufficient.
[0007]
Therefore, the present invention provides a nasal ventilation test apparatus that tests a nasal ventilation of a subject by photographing a nasal breath pattern formed of a water droplet group generated by blowing the nasal breath on the surface of the test plate. An optical system that irradiates the inspection plate with parallel light from the other side, a point light source that makes the light incident on the optical system, and the light emitted from the inspection plate is received through at least a part of the optical system to photograph a nasal breath pattern An imaging device that covers the optical system, the point light source, and the imaging device, and a case having a facing surface that is to face the subject's mouth when the subject places the nose facing the one surface of the test plate; The angle between the first surface of the inspection plate and the facing surface of the case is an acute angle.
[0008]
According to this configuration, when the subject blows nasal breath on one surface of the test plate, a nasal breath pattern composed of water droplets is generated on the one surface. When the light from the point light source is incident on the optical system, and the parallel light is irradiated on the inspection plate from the other side, the light from the inspection plate is photographed by the photographing device through the optical system, and the nasal breath pattern is photographed. Taken with the device. When the subject places the nose in a position facing one surface of the test plate, the angle between the one surface of the test plate and the facing surface of the case becomes an acute angle, so that the subject's mouth and jaw are less likely to hit the case. The nose can be stably arranged at an appropriate position facing one surface of the inspection plate. Further, by combining the point light source and the optical system that collimates the light, the space occupied by the point light source, the optical system, and the photographing apparatus can be reduced, and the case can be downsized and the apparatus can be downsized.
[0009]
In the nasal permeability test apparatus according to the present invention, the point light source may be arranged around the optical axis of the optical system, and the photographing apparatus may be arranged on the optical axis of the optical system. In this case, in a state where no water droplet group is attached due to nasal breathing, since the point light source is arranged around the optical axis of the optical system, the direct reflected light on one surface of the inspection plate returns to the periphery of the imaging device. Since the image is not photographed by the photographing device, the entire image is projected darkly. In a state where a water drop group due to nasal breath is attached, scattered light from the water drop group is photographed by the photographing device, and the nasal breath pattern is projected brightly in a dark field of view.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the nasal permeability test apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0011]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of the nasal permeability test apparatus of the present invention.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 1, the nasal permeability test apparatus 10 has a rectangular inspection plate 1 having a flat inspection surface (one surface) 1 a and a reverse surface (other surface) 1 b on the opposite side. When the subject's nasal breath is sprayed on the test surface 1a, a water droplet group W is generated, and the water droplet group W forms a nasal breath pattern. The inspection plate 1 is made of transparent glass.
[0013]
The nasal permeability test apparatus 10 includes an optical system 7 that irradiates the test plate 1 with parallel light from the back surface 1b side. The optical system 7 includes a Fresnel lens 2 below the inspection plate 1 for collimating light incident from below and irradiating the inspection plate 1 from the back surface 1b side. The Fresnel lens 2 is used in order to make the optical system 7 compact and to photograph a nasal breath pattern over a wide area. Here, the Fresnel lens 2 is preferably disposed in the vicinity of the back surface 1 b of the inspection plate 1 from the viewpoint of miniaturization of the apparatus 10. In addition, it is preferable to coat the back surface 1b of the inspection plate 1 and both surfaces of the Fresnel lens 2 with an antireflection film so as to suppress the surface reflection of incident light.
[0014]
A reflection mirror 3 that reflects light from the Fresnel lens 2 is disposed below the Fresnel lens 2. The reflection mirror 3 is arranged such that the reflection surface 3 a forms an acute angle with the inspection surface 1 a of the inspection plate 1. Here, the angle formed by the reflecting surface 3a and the inspection surface 1a is not particularly limited as long as it is an acute angle, but in the present embodiment, it is preferably 45 °.
[0015]
Further, a beam splitter is arranged in the direction of the light reflected by the reflection mirror 3. As the beam splitter, for example, the half mirror 4 is used, but a bottom surface of right angle prisms may be joined. The Fresnel lens 2, the reflection mirror 3, and the half mirror 4 constitute an optical system 7.
[0016]
One LED light source 5 is disposed as a point light source in the direction of light reflected by the half mirror 4. As this LED light source 5, what emits infrared light (light with a wavelength of 750 to 900 nm) is used, for example. On the other hand, a CCD camera 6 as a photographing device is arranged in the direction of light passing through the half mirror 4, and the CCD camera 6 includes a photographing lens 6a that collects light passing through the half mirror 4, and a photographing lens 6a. And a CCD element 6b disposed at the focal position. The CCD camera 6 is connected to an image processing device 15 for image processing of a nasal breath pattern photographed by the CCD camera 6. The image processing device 15 calculates the shape, area, time variation of the area of the nose breath pattern photographed by the CCD camera 6, and the position coordinates of characteristic end points.
[0017]
The optical system 7, the LED light source 5 and the CCD camera 6 are accommodated in a light-shielding case 8. The case 8 has an upper part 9, an opening 9 a is formed in the vicinity of the edge of the upper part 9, and the inspection plate 1 is fixed to the case 8 so as to close the opening 9 a from the inside of the case 8. The case 8 has a front portion 11 extending downward from the upper portion 9. The front portion 11 has a facing surface 11a that is opposed to the mouth M of the subject P and is disposed substantially parallel to the reflecting surface 3a. The facing surface 11a forms an acute angle with the inspection surface 1a of the inspection plate 1. . Here, the angle formed between the facing surface 11a and the inspection surface 1a is not particularly limited as long as it is an acute angle, but is preferably 35 to 60 °, and more preferably 45 °.
[0018]
Next, the operation of the above-described nasal permeability test apparatus 10 will be described.
[0019]
When the subject P places the nose N above the inspection surface 1 a of the inspection plate 1 and turns on the LED light source 5, the light emitted from the LED light source 5 is reflected by the half mirror 4 and then the reflection mirror. 3, the light is collimated by the Fresnel lens 2, and the inspection surface 1 a is irradiated with light from the back surface 1 b side of the inspection plate 1. At this time, in a state where the water droplet group W due to nasal breath is not applied, the direct reflected light from the inspection surface 1a is reflected by the reflecting mirror 3 and then passes through the half mirror 4 and is received by the CCD camera 6. Brightly projected. On the other hand, in the state where the water droplet group W due to nasal breath is attached, the scattered light from the water droplet group W is reflected by the reflection mirror 3 and then passes through the half mirror 4 but is not received by the CCD camera 6, so in a bright field of view. Nasal breath pattern appears dark. That is, the nasal breath pattern of the subject P is photographed in the bright field.
[0020]
Then, the image output of the nasal breath pattern photographed by the CCD camera 6 is processed by the image processing device 15, and the image processing device 15 calculates the shape, area, time variation of the nasal breath pattern and the position coordinates of characteristic end points. Is done.
[0021]
When the subject P places the nose N above the inspection surface 1a of the inspection plate 1, the angle formed by the inspection surface 1a and the opposing surface 11a of the case 8 is an acute angle. This makes it difficult for the mouth M and the jaw J to hit the case 8, and the nose N can be stably placed at an appropriate position above the inspection plate 1. For this reason, positioning of the nose N becomes easy at the time of measurement, position fluctuation of the nose N is prevented, and stable nasal breath pattern data can be acquired. Therefore, the nasal breath pattern of the subject P can be measured with higher accuracy than the conventional nasal air permeability test apparatus in which the angle formed between the test surface 1a of the test plate 1 and the facing surface 11a of the case 8 is a right angle. Can do.
[0022]
Furthermore, a conventional nasal air permeability test that generates parallel light by a surface light source composed of a plurality of LEDs and the like arranged below the test plate 1 by combining the LED light source 5 and the optical system 7 using the Fresnel lens 2. Compared with the apparatus, the space occupied by the point light source 5, the optical system 7, and the CCD camera 6 can be reduced, and the case 8 and the nasal air permeability test apparatus 10 can be downsized. Further, since the point light source 5 is used as the light source, the number of light sources used can be remarkably reduced as compared with a conventional nasal air permeability inspection device using a surface light source composed of a plurality of point light sources, and thus the weight of the device 10 is reduced. Also, labor saving can be achieved.
[0023]
Next, a second embodiment of the nasal permeability test apparatus of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the component same or equivalent to 1st Embodiment.
[0024]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the nasal permeability test apparatus 20 of the present embodiment. The nasal permeability test apparatus 20 differs from the first embodiment in that an optical system 7 is used in which the reflection mirror 3 is removed and the half mirror 4 is disposed below the Fresnel lens 2. In this case, the LED light source 5 is disposed below the half mirror 4, and the CCD camera 6 is disposed in the direction of light reflected by the reflection surface 4 a of the half mirror 4.
[0025]
According to this nasal permeability test apparatus 20, since the LED light source 5 is disposed below the half mirror 4, the angle formed by the upper surface 9 of the case 8 and the opposing surface 11a is larger than that in the first embodiment. Become. However, since there is only one LED light source 5, a conventional nasal ventilation is provided in which a surface light source is disposed below the half mirror 4 and the angle between the inspection surface 1 a of the inspection plate 1 and the facing surface 11 a of the case 8 is a right angle. Unlike the degree inspection device, the facing surface 11a of the case 8 can be at an acute angle (for example, 70 °) with the inspection surface 1a.
[0026]
Therefore, the nasal breath pattern of the subject P can be measured with higher accuracy than the conventional nasal permeability test apparatus. Further, since the reflecting mirror 3 is not required, the space occupied by the optical system 7 is reduced as compared with the case of the first embodiment, and the case 8 can be further downsized and the apparatus 20 can be further downsized. .
[0027]
Next, a third embodiment of the nasal permeability test apparatus of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the component same or equivalent to 1st Embodiment.
[0028]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the nasal permeability test apparatus 30 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the nasal air permeability inspection device 30 uses an optical system 7 in which the Fresnel lens 2 is replaced with a collimating lens 12, and the collimating lens 12 uses the half mirror 4 to emit light from the inspection plate 1 side. It differs in that it is arranged in the direction of reflection. The reason why the collimating lens 12 is used is that noise or the like due to the ring line of the Fresnel lens 12 can be eliminated as compared with the case where the Fresnel lens 2 is used, and the measurement accuracy of the nasal breath pattern can be improved. As the collimating lens 12, for example, a plano-convex lens is used.
[0029]
In addition, the nasal air permeability inspection device 30 includes a plurality of LED light sources 5 at a position facing the collimating lens 12 and around the optical axis 14 of the optical system 7. A field lens 12 is provided therebetween. Here, the optical axis 14 refers to the reflected optical axis 14 a of the reflected optical axis 14 a and the transmitted optical axis 14 b that are divided into two by the half mirror 4.
[0030]
Accordingly, the light emitted from the LED light source 5 is collimated by the collimator lens 12, reflected by the half mirror 4, reflected by the reflection mirror 3, and irradiated on the inspection plate 1 as parallel light. The light reflected by the inspection plate 1 is reflected by the reflection mirror 3, passes through the half mirror 4, passes through the field lens 13, and is received by the CCD camera 6. At this time, since the direct reflected light A on the inspection surface 1a of the inspection plate 1 is not received by the CCD camera 6 in a state where the water droplet group W due to nasal breath is not applied, the entire image is photographed dark. When the water drop group W due to the nasal breath is formed, the scattered light from the water drop group W is received by the CCD camera 6, so that the portion with the nasal breath is projected brightly in the dark field of view. That is, the nasal breath pattern of the subject P is photographed in the dark field.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the subject places the nose facing one surface of the test plate, it is possible to avoid the subject's mouth and jaw from colliding with the case. Positioning of the nose is facilitated, fluctuations in the position of the nose can be prevented, stable nasal breath pattern data can be acquired, and the nasal breath pattern of the subject can be measured with higher accuracy. In addition, a combination of a point light source and an optical system that generates parallel light can reduce the size of the case, and thus the size of the device. Furthermore, since a point light source is used as a light source, the number of light sources used can be significantly reduced as compared with a conventional nasal air permeability inspection device using a surface light source composed of a plurality of point light sources, and thus the device can be reduced in weight and labor. Can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of still another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inspection plate, 1a ... Inspection surface (one surface), 2 ... Fresnel lens (optical system), 3 ... Reflection mirror (optical system), 4 ... Half mirror (optical system), 5 ... LED light source (point light source), 6 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... CCD camera (imaging device), 7 ... Optical system, 8 ... Case, 11a ... Opposite surface, 12 ... Collimating lens, 13 ... Field lens (optical system), W ... Water droplet group, P ... Subject.

Claims (5)

In the nasal air permeability test apparatus for inspecting the nasal air permeability of the subject by photographing a nasal breath pattern consisting of a water droplet group generated by blowing the nasal breath on one surface of the inspection plate,
An optical system for irradiating the inspection plate with parallel light from the other surface side;
A point light source for allowing light to enter the optical system;
An imaging device that receives light emitted from the inspection plate via at least a part of the optical system and images the nasal breath pattern;
Covering the optical system, the point light source, and the imaging device, and having a facing surface to be opposed to the mouth of the subject when the subject places a nose facing the one surface of the examination plate With a case,
The nasal permeability test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an angle formed by the first surface of the test plate and the facing surface of the case is an acute angle. The nasal permeability test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical system includes a Fresnel lens that collimates light emitted from the point light source. The nasal cavity breathability inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical system includes a collimator lens that collimates light emitted from the point light source. The said point light source is arrange | positioned around the optical axis of the said optical system, and the said imaging device is arrange | positioned on the optical axis of the said optical system. Nasal air permeability tester. The optical system includes a reflection mirror or a beam splitter disposed at a position facing the inspection plate, and a reflection surface of the reflection mirror or the beam splitter forms an acute angle with the one surface of the inspection plate. The nasal permeability test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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