JP4097408B2 - Communication network system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information communication method, a communication network system, a computer program, and a recording medium for a user of a respiratory gas supply device such as a respiratory disease patient.
[0002]
In addition, since the breathing gas supply device is a device that normally supplies oxygen-concentrated gas to a respiratory disease patient, it may be simply referred to as an oxygen concentrator.
[0003]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, oxygen therapy to be supplied from an oxygen cylinder for patients with respiratory diseases has been performed, and recently, a respiratory gas supply device for separating and concentrating oxygen in the air to obtain an oxygen-enriched gas has been developed, Oxygen therapy using it is becoming increasingly popular.
[0004]
As such a breathing gas supply device, for example, an adsorption-type breathing gas supply device using an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing nitrogen as an oxygen concentration means, or a membrane type using an oxygen selective permeable membrane as an oxygen concentration means There is a breathing gas supply device. The former is mainly suitable for supplying a gas having an oxygen concentration of about 90% by volume, and the latter is mainly suitable for supplying a gas having an oxygen concentration of about 40% by volume. However, the boundaries are becoming vague as technology advances. In addition, an oxygen concentrator using a solid electrolyte method is also known.
[0005]
As another oxygen supply method in which oxygen therapy is used, there is also known a method of supplying oxygen evaporated from liquid oxygen at an appropriately controlled rate to a patient.
[0006]
Such a breathing gas supply apparatus is increasingly used not only in hospitals but also in homes for home medical care. These breathing gas supply devices are individually arranged in hospitals and homes, and the operation status is separately grasped and managed.
[0007]
For this reason, it becomes difficult for those who provide technical support for the breathing gas supply device (hereinafter referred to as breathing gas supply device technical supporter) to clearly grasp the target person and the content that they should support. It is assumed that it becomes difficult to procure necessary parts and provide necessary services to users of breathing gas supply devices at appropriate timing.
[0008]
From the viewpoint of the breathing gas supply device user, it is assumed that it is difficult to share sufficient information with the breathing gas supply device technical supporter when seeking advice.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the present invention, the breathing gas supply device user and the breathing gas supply device technical supporter are surely sure about the large number of breathing gas supply devices that are arranged individually and managed in this way. It is intended to provide a method and system for quickly sharing information and to solve the above problems.
[0010]
In particular, in the present invention, in the adsorption-type breathing gas supply device and the membrane-type breathing gas supply device, the breathing gas supply device user and the breathing gas supply device technical supporter reliably grasp the situation related to the device, It is intended to provide a method and system for quick sharing and to solve the above problems.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present inventors are sure that the breathing gas supply device user and the breathing gas supply device technical support person know the situation related to the individual breathing gas supply devices distributed in each home, As a result of intensive studies to provide a method for quickly sharing, the present invention has been conceived.
[0012]
That is, one aspect of the present invention is capable of transmitting and receiving information including at least one of image information, text information, and audio information, and includes facility information, operating condition information, and operating information of the breathing gas supply device. One of the one or more communication means A that can receive information from the recording means for electronically recording the information is used by a breathing gas supply device support engineer, and at least one of image information, text information, and voice information is used. Method for communicating with a predetermined information between one of the communication means A and the communication means B by using the communication means B that can transmit and receive information including the information of the breathing gas supply device user. And the predetermined information is the following information:
(1) Geographic position of the breathing gas supply device, model of the breathing gas supply device.
(2) Personal medical history of breathing gas supply device users.
Information communication method including at least one of the following information on the breathing gas supply device (3) Pressure and set value in the oxygen concentrating means.
(4) The temperature and humidity of the breathing gas.
(5) Respiratory gas flow rate and set value.
(6) Oxygen concentration in breathing gas and set value.
It is.
[0013]
Other aspects of the present invention include a communication network system for enabling such information processing, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which such a computer program is recorded.
[0014]
Here, the communication means A and the communication means B may use any known communication means. As a system for communication between the breathing gas supply device technical support person and the breathing gas supply device user using the communication means A and the communication means B, any known network system can be used. It is also possible to use an internet line.
[0015]
Such a function of transmitting and receiving can be made possible by attaching a computer to the communication means A and the communication means B.
[0016]
When a computer is used, a general-purpose personal computer or the like can be used by creating a computer program for executing the above communication method. If a computer-readable recording medium in which such a program is recorded is used, it is possible to easily cope with newly installing a breathing gas supply device.
[0017]
Normally, the breathing gas supply device is fixedly installed at home, etc., but due to factors such as renewal of equipment, new installation of breathing gas supply device, discontinuation of use, change of location of breathing gas supply device user, etc. Respiratory gas supply due to changes in the location and usage of the breathing gas supply device fairly frequently, and non-stationary changes in the contents of the above information related to the breathing gas supply device. It has been found that it can be a major cause that makes it difficult for a device technology support person to clearly grasp the target person and the contents to be supported. In addition, since the breathing gas supply device user is not familiar with the technology related to the breathing gas supply device, it is possible that the communication cannot be sufficiently achieved only by text information such as a telephone.
[0018]
It has been found that the above information is important for this communication.
[0019]
That is, first of all, the information communication method according to the present invention is provided with a recording means for electronically recording facility information, operating condition information, and operating information of the breathing gas supply device, and the breathing gas supply device user It is characterized in that information including at least one of image information, text information, and voice information can be transmitted to and received from a technical supporter of the breathing gas supply apparatus.
[0020]
Here, as the facility information of the breathing gas supply device, any information regarding the structure and software of the breathing gas supply device can be included. The operating condition information can include all conditions relating to pressure, temperature, humidity, volume, concentration, operating time, etc. used in the breathing gas supply device. In addition, the operation information can include actual values such as pressure, temperature, humidity, volume, concentration, and operation time corresponding to these operation conditions.
[0021]
A computer can be used as recording means for electronically recording facility information, operating condition information, and operating information of the breathing gas supply device. This recording means may be attached to the breathing gas supply device, or may be intensively installed as a collecting device in another place. This information can be used mainly for support activities by the technical supporter of the breathing gas supply device.
[0022]
As described above, using information including at least one of image information, text information, and voice information for communication is well-trained by the technical supporter for the breathing gas supply device and the technology for the breathing gas supply device. This is for the purpose of surely and promptly exchanging information with the user of the breathing gas supply apparatus.
[0023]
In this case, it is particularly desirable to communicate image information. And in order to use for that, it is desirable for the communication means A and / or B to attach the imaging means. Any means such as a digital camera or a video tape recorder can be used as the imaging means.
[0024]
Further, as a result of examining information useful for information exchange between the breathing gas supply device user and the breathing gas supply device technical support person, the geographical position of the breathing gas supply device, the breathing gas supply device, The personal history of the model and the user of the breathing gas supply device proved to be particularly important.
[0025]
In addition to these, the pressure and setting value in the oxygen concentrating means, the temperature and humidity of the breathing gas, the flow rate and setting value of the breathing gas, the oxygen concentration and setting value in the breathing gas are also communicated as information Proved useful.
[0026]
In addition, if possible, abnormal alarms related to the breathing gas supply device, operating time of the breathing gas supply device, overcurrent, malfunction of the computer when the breathing gas supply device has a built-in computer, and Information about power supply voltage anomalies is also useful.
Of course, facility information, operating condition information, and operating information of the breathing gas supply device provided by the recording means may be added to these information.
[0027]
That is, it is very useful for technical support for the breathing gas supply device technical supporter to receive the information on the facility information, the operating condition information, and the driving information of the breathing gas supply device. Although it is not always necessary for the supply device user, sometimes a necessary situation can be considered. Here, it is desirable that the information related to the facility information, operation condition information, and operation information of the breathing gas supply device includes not only current information but also past information.
[0028]
Among the above information, the geographical location of the breathing gas supply device is important, contrary to expectations, new installation, discontinuation of use of the breathing gas supply device, change of the location of the breathing gas supply device user This is because it is important to support the breathing gas supply device user to quickly grasp the latest information in response to such factors.
[0029]
Respiratory gas delivery device model information is important because, under rapidly changing technological innovations, not all breathing gas delivery device technical supporters are familiar with all breathing gas delivery device models This is because a case can be considered.
[0030]
It goes without saying that knowing the personal medical history of the breathing gas supply device user is useful for communication between the breathing gas supply device technical support person and the breathing gas supply device user.
[0031]
Moreover, about the other information, the following situations can be illustrated.
[0032]
The breathing gas supply device is usually a compressor for sending compressed air to the oxygen concentrating means, a cooling fan for removing heat generated by air compression, an adsorption type or membrane type oxygen concentrating means, oxygen concentrating Means for detecting the pressure in the means, means for measuring the flow rate of the breathing gas supplied to the breathing gas supply device user, means for measuring the oxygen concentration in the breathing gas supplied to the breathing gas supply device user When the pressure in the oxygen concentrating means, the flow rate of the breathing gas, and the oxygen concentration in the breathing gas are out of the predetermined range, it is determined that there is an abnormality. It has a computer system or the like that is used for the purpose of controlling the operating conditions of the breathing gas supply device, detecting and alarming the above-mentioned abnormality.
[0033]
Among cases where the pressure inside the oxygen concentrating means is outside the specified range, the case where the pressure inside the oxygen concentrating means falls below the lower limit corresponds to, for example, the case where something abnormal has occurred in the compressor itself, and the case where the pressure exceeds the upper limit. For example, a case where water is excessively adsorbed on the adsorbent in the oxygen concentrating means is applicable.
[0034]
Further, as a case where the flow rate of the breathing gas is out of a predetermined range, a case where the flow rate set by the doctor's instruction is less than the allowable lower limit flow rate can be considered. Specifically, if the allowable value is 50% or more with respect to the set value of 2 L / min, an abnormal alarm is issued at less than 50%.
[0035]
As a case where the oxygen concentration in the breathing gas deviates from the predetermined range, for example, when an oxygen concentration of 90% or more is set as a set value and 75% is set as a lower limit, an abnormal alarm is issued at less than 75%.
[0036]
It has been found that the temperature and humidity in the oxygen concentrating means can serve as an auxiliary means for detecting such abnormalities.
[0037]
The above information is useful for deepening the understanding between the breathing gas supply device technical support person and the breathing gas supply device user about such an abnormal state.
[0038]
In addition, although this information will be appropriately performed by the breathing gas supply device technical support person and the breathing gas supply device user, it is also important to take all possible measures to prevent the secret from leaking outside. . For this reason, it is preferable to perform encryption processing when transmitting information and perform decryption processing when receiving information.
[0039]
Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that part or all of the content of the information can be output to another display device.
[0040]
That is, the above information is primarily intended to be made available to a breathing gas supply device technical support person or a breathing gas supply device user, but in addition, the concentration of the operating status of the breathing gas supply device is concentrated. It may be desirable to make it available to those who are involved in grasping and centralized management (respiratory gas supply device manager).
[0041]
However, only the specific person should be allowed to access the information as described above, and it is necessary to strictly manage the output destination of such information. It is also useful to limit part of the information content.
[0042]
In addition, when the information content is output, if transmission / reception is necessary, it is also desirable for confidentiality to encrypt the transmission content.
[0043]
One of the preferable aspects of the present invention is that the information to be transmitted and received further includes the use start time of the breathing gas supply device, the facility information of the breathing gas supply device in the past, the operation condition information, and the operation information. It is. This is because the breathing gas supply device user and the breathing gas supply device technical supporter often need past information.
[0044]
Further, when the communication means B first transmits a signal for requesting communication to one of the communication means A, if there is no response for a predetermined period, the other communication means of the communication means A sequentially It is important that a signal for communication is transmitted. Respiratory gas supply device users are often physically weak and mentally unstable, so they should be able to contact the breathing gas supply device technical support as soon as possible. Is particularly important.
[0045]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the following is for showing a part of embodiment of this invention, and this invention is not restrict | limited by these description, As long as it agree | coincides with the meaning of this invention, other forms are also included. It goes without saying that it is included.
[0046]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a breathing gas supply device according to the present invention.
[0047]
In FIG. 1, one or more adsorption cylinders 13 filled with an adsorbent 12 capable of selectively adsorbing nitrogen in a breathing gas supply device 11 are oxygen-enriched gas whose oxygen concentration is increased from air. Is the main part of the oxygen concentrating means for separating.
[0048]
Compressed air is supplied from the compressor 14 to the adsorption cylinder 13 via the flow path switching valve 15.
[0049]
A gas containing oxygen that has not been adsorbed by the adsorption cylinder 13, that is, oxygen-enriched air, is stored in the surge tank 16, the oxygen supply amount is adjusted to be constant by the flow rate setting unit 17, and then humidified by the humidifier 18. The gas is supplied to the breathing gas supply device user via the cannula 19.
[0050]
Furthermore, a cooling fan 20 for generating cooling air for cooling pump means such as a compressor is provided as necessary.
[0051]
In the breathing gas supply device 11, the pressure in the oxygen concentrating means is detected at the position X, and the flow rate of breathing gas, the oxygen concentration in the breathing gas, the temperature and humidity of the breathing gas are detected at the position Y. be able to.
[0052]
Examples of the supply means for supplying the breathing gas to the user of the breathing gas supply apparatus include those equipped with conduit means, a nasal cannula, a mask, and the like.
[0053]
FIG. 2 is a model diagram for explaining an information communication method according to the present invention.
[0054]
In FIG. 2, information transmitted by the communication means under the breathing gas supply apparatus technical supporter 204 is received by the communication means attached to the breathing gas supply apparatus 201 and displayed on the display 201a.
[0055]
The information transmitted by the communication means attached to the breathing gas supply apparatus 201 is received by the communication means under the breathing gas supply apparatus technical supporter 204 and displayed on the display 204a. The reason why the breathing gas supply device technical supporter 204 is expressed in the form of a car is that the breathing gas supply device technical supporter often acts using the car. Accordingly, the communication means under the breathing gas supply device technical supporter 204 may actually be preferred to be attached to the automobile.
[0056]
Also, the breathing gas supply device technical supporter can receive information from the recording means 202 that electronically records facility information, operation condition information, and operation information of the breathing gas supply device.
[0057]
Information is displayed on the displays 201a and 204a, but when the breathing gas supply device manager needs it, displaying on the display 203 is also an option.
[0058]
In addition, if necessary, information exchange between the breathing gas supply device manager and the breathing gas supply device user can be added as shown in the figure.
[0059]
The transmitted information preferably includes information for identifying the breathing gas supply device user and / or the breathing gas supply device technical support person.
[0060]
These displays are used by the breathing gas supply device user and the breathing gas supply device technical support person for the purpose of mutual communication.
[0061]
FIG. 2 shows only one breathing gas supply device, but this is for simplification. In general, one breathing gas supply device technical support person provides technical support for many breathing gas supply devices.
[0062]
Further, FIG. 2 shows only two breathing gas supply device technical support personnel, but this is also for simplification.
[0063]
Even if there are a plurality of breathing gas supply device technical support personnel, the person who supports the breathing gas supply device user is fixed as much as possible. When a support request cannot be performed and a response request is sent without knowing it, and there is no response for a predetermined period, a request for communication is sent to other communication means in sequence. For example, it is useful because it can promptly receive assistance from another technical supporter of the breathing gas supply device.
[0064]
In addition, in this specification, it is needless to say that the term “attachment” does not necessarily mean a state of physical contact.
[0065]
FIG. 3 is an example of a visual display for displaying information exchanged by the information communication method of the present invention. In the present invention, a display other than the visual display, for example, an audio display can be used.
[0066]
In FIG. 3, as the Z point on the map, together with the geographical position of the breathing gas supply device, the name of the breathing gas supply device user, the medical history, the model of the breathing gas supply device, and information on the gas flow rate are displayed. Yes.
[0067]
For this geographical display, GPS (satellite navigation system) and other similar information can be used for information on the geographical position. Specifically, for example, when the user of the breathing gas supply device points the place where he / she is in this geographical display with the mouse as the Z point, the Z is displayed on the display of the technical supporter of the breathing gas supply device. It suffices if dots are shown.
[0068]
In the right shoulder portion of FIG. 3, a breathing gas supply device used by a breathing gas supply device user is shown. This image is taken by a user of the breathing gas supply device. Thus, when trouble occurs in the breathing gas supply device, the breathing gas supply device technical supporter and the breathing gas supply device user can exchange information while viewing this image. .
[0069]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the information exchange method of the present invention. The figure explains the case where the breathing gas supply device user starts transmission to the breathing gas supply device technical supporter.
[0070]
In FIG. 4, when the breathing gas supply device user transmits information to the breathing gas supply device technical supporter using the communication means (communication means B) under the breathing gas supply device user (S1), The communication means B determines whether or not there is a response from the breathing gas supply device technical supporter within a predetermined time after the information transmission (S2), and if there is a response, the processing ends without doing anything. In addition, this response can be performed when the breathing gas supply apparatus technical support person inputs to the communication means (one of the communication means A) at hand.
[0071]
If there is no response, the communication means B transmits information to the next breathing gas supply device technical supporter (S3). The order of transmission to the breathing gas supply device technical supporter can be determined in advance and stored in the communication means B.
[0072]
Then, within a predetermined time after the information transmission, the communication means B determines whether or not there is a response from the technical supporter for breathing gas supply device (S4). To do.
[0073]
If there is no response, the communication means B transmits information to the next breathing gas supply device technical supporter (S3).
[0074]
In this way, transmission is repeated until there is a breathing gas supply device technical support person who can respond.
[0075]
The contents of the present invention can be summarized as follows.
[0076]
(Supplementary note 1) A record that can transmit and receive information including at least one of image information, text information, and audio information, and electronically records facility information, operating condition information, and operating information of the breathing gas supply device One of the one or more communication means A capable of receiving information from the means is used by a breathing gas supply device support engineer,
The breathing gas supply device user uses the communication means B capable of transmitting and receiving information including at least one of image information, text information, and voice information.
A communication method for communicating predetermined information between one of the one or more communication means A and the communication means B, wherein the predetermined information is the following information:
(1) Geographic position of the breathing gas supply device, model of the breathing gas supply device.
(2) Personal medical history of breathing gas supply device users.
An information communication method including at least one of the following information regarding the breathing gas supply device.
(3) Pressure in oxygen concentrating means and set value.
(4) The temperature and humidity of the breathing gas.
(5) Respiratory gas flow rate and set value.
(6) Oxygen concentration in breathing gas and set value.
[0077]
(Supplementary note 2) The information communication method according to supplementary note 1, wherein the communication unit A and / or the communication unit B is provided with an imaging unit.
[0078]
(Supplementary note 3) The information communication method according to supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein the communication means A and / or the communication means B are provided with an input means for voice information and character information.
[0079]
(Additional remark 4) When the said communication means B transmits the signal which asks | requires communication with respect to one of the said communication means A first, when there is no response for a predetermined period, other communication of the said communication means A The information communication method according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein a signal for requesting communication is sequentially transmitted to the means.
[0080]
(Supplementary Note 5) Recording means for electronically recording facility information, operation condition information, and operation information of the breathing gas supply device;
One or more communication means A capable of transmitting and receiving information including at least one of image information, character information, and voice information, and receiving information from the recording means;
A communication network system including communication means B capable of transmitting and receiving information including at least one of image information, character information, and audio information.
[0081]
(Additional remark 6) The information communicated between one of the said communication means A and the communication means B is the following information,
(1) Geographic position of the breathing gas supply device, model of the breathing gas supply device.
(2) Personal medical history of breathing gas supply device users.
The communication network system according to appendix 5, including at least one of the following information regarding the breathing gas supply device:
(3) Pressure in oxygen concentrating means and set value.
(4) The temperature and humidity of the breathing gas.
(5) Respiratory gas flow rate and set value.
(6) Oxygen concentration in breathing gas and set value.
[0082]
(Supplementary note 7) The communication network system according to supplementary note 5 or 6, wherein the communication unit A and / or the communication unit B is provided with an imaging unit.
[0083]
(Supplementary note 8) The communication network system according to any one of supplementary notes 5 to 7, wherein the communication means A and / or the communication means B are provided with voice information and character information input means.
[0084]
(Supplementary note 9) Electronic recording means for electronically recording facility information, operating condition information, and operating information of a breathing gas supply device;
One or more communication means A receive from the electronic recording means any one of equipment information, operating condition information and operating information of the breathing gas supply device;
The communication means A transmits and receives information including at least one of image information, character information, and voice information to the communication means B and from the communication means B;
A computer program for causing the communication means B to execute on the communication network system the steps of transmitting to the communication means A and receiving information from the communication means A including at least one of image information, character information, and audio information. .
[0085]
(Additional remark 10) When the said communication means B transmits the signal which asks | requires communication with respect to one of the said communication means A first, when there is no response for a predetermined period, other communication of the said communication means A The computer program according to appendix 9, characterized in that it includes a step of sequentially transmitting a signal for requesting communication to the means.
[0086]
(Additional remark 11) The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the computer program concerning Additional remark 10 or 11.
[0087]
【The invention's effect】
According to the information communication method, system, computer program, and recording medium of the present invention, with respect to a large number of breathing gas supply devices that are independently arranged and whose operation is managed, It is possible to provide a method and an apparatus for communicating with a breathing gas supply apparatus technical supporter reliably, promptly and sufficiently.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a breathing gas supply device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a model diagram illustrating an information communication method according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an example of a visual display according to the information communication method of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an information communication method according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Breathing gas supply device 12 Adsorbent 13 Adsorption cylinder 14 Compressor 15 Flow path switching valve 16 Surge tank 17 Flow rate setting device 18 Humidifier 19 Nasal cannula 20 Cooling fan 201 Breathing gas supply device 201a Display 202 Recording means 203 Display 204 Breathing Gas Supply Equipment Technical Supporter 204a Display

Claims (6)

Recording means for electronically recording facility information, operation condition information, and operation information of the breathing gas supply device;
One or more breathing gas supply device support engineer communication means A capable of transmitting and receiving information including at least one of image information, text information, and voice information, and receiving information from the recording means;
Image information, character information, and at least one can send and receive information including communication breathing gas supply apparatus user means B of the voice information, one said communication means B of said communication means A A network system for communicating predetermined information with
Comprising a means for confirming the presence of the counterpart when the communication unit B transmits a signal for determining the communication to one of said communication means A, if the response is not a predetermined period, in advance before Symbol communication means B A communication network system, which is a communication unit that sequentially transmits a signal for requesting communication to other communication units of the communication unit A according to a stored order. Information and next information communicated between the one and the communication unit B of the communication unit A,
(1) geographical location, type of the breathing gas supply apparatus of the breathing gas supply apparatus.
(2) Personal medical history of breathing gas supply device users.
The communication network system according to claim 1 , comprising at least one of the following information regarding the breathing gas supply device .
(3) Pressure in the oxygen concentrating means and its set value.
(4) The temperature and humidity of the breathing gas.
(5) Respiratory gas flow rate and its set value.
(6) Oxygen concentration in the breathing gas and its set value. The communication network system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the communication unit A and / or the communication unit B is provided with an imaging unit. The communication network system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the communication means A and / or the communication means B are provided with voice information and character information input means.   The communication network system according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit A is mounted on a vehicle.   The communication means A and the communication means B have a GPS function, and have display means for displaying the geographical position of the breathing gas supply device and the model information of the breathing gas supply device on map information. The communication network system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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