JP5585955B2 - Jugular vein pressure calculation system and jugular vein pressure calculation method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a jugular vein pressure calculation system and a jugular vein pressure calculation method for measuring changes in internal ear canal pressure in order to grasp the right heart function of the heart.

  In order to diagnose and treat various diseases such as tricuspid stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, right heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, tricuspid regurgitation, heart failure, it is essential to accurately grasp the right heart function of the heart It is. Currently, there is no device that directly measures the right heart function of the heart noninvasively and noninvasively. Instead, the right heart function is indirectly monitored by a doctor visually observing the pulsation and anger of the jugular vein. A method of grasping and diagnosing the possibility of the above-mentioned various diseases is generally performed. As a method for accurately measuring the right heart function, there are a cardiac catheterization method in which a catheter is invasively inserted into the heart and a central venous catheterization method in which a catheter is invasively inserted into a central vein.

  Patent Document 1 describes a sealed external ear canal pressure measuring device as an invention relating to a device for noninvasively and noninvasively measuring the state of a subject. This sealed external ear canal pressure measuring device is a device for non-invasively detecting a change in the intracranial pressure of a subject to help treat intracranial diseases, a proof tip that is hermetically attached to an open portion of the ear canal, a tube, And a sealed external ear canal pressure detecting unit, a signal processing unit, a signal recording unit, and an internal pressure regulator for adding, adding, or subtracting a fixed amount of volume into the tube.

  According to this sealed external ear canal pressure measuring device, a certain amount of volume is injected and added to or subtracted from a sealed space including the external auditory canal via a tube by an internal pressure regulator to increase or decrease the pressure in the space. After confirming the sealed state of the space, the internal pressure change of the sealed external auditory canal is measured, so the pressure change in the sealed external auditory canal can be measured with high accuracy, and the intracranial pressure change is detected non-invasively be able to.

Japanese Patent No. 3033059

  However, visual observation of jugular vein pulsation and anger is highly dependent on the experience of the doctor, and the diagnostic results are inaccurate. In addition, there is an ultrasonic method as a method for observing a change in blood flow or blood flow volume, but the ultrasonic method cannot catch even pressure fluctuations in the jugular vein.

  In addition, cardiac catheterization or central venous catheterization requires very advanced techniques, and complications at the time of insertion and immediately after, such as arterial puncture, hematoma, pneumothorax, hemothorax, chylous pleural effusion, carotid plexus injury, arrhythmia, Air embolization, abnormal catheter position, etc. may occur. Furthermore, catheter obstruction, infection, thrombus, arteriovenous fistula, blood vessel / heart damage, etc. may occur after catheter insertion.

  Furthermore, since the sealed external ear canal pressure measuring device described in Patent Document 1 is intended for the treatment of intracranial diseases rather than the right heart function, conditions such as ensuring sealing, equal pressure inside and outside the tympanic membrane, and neutral position of the tympanic membrane are set. It is necessary to satisfy the measurement, and simply inserting the earpiece part of the ear canal pressure detection sensor into the ear canal increases the internal pressure of the ear canal. It is necessary to perform an operation to confirm whether the sealed state of the space including the ear canal is measurable with the internal pressure regulator. Furthermore, the measurement in a state in which the sealed state is maintained has a problem that the burden on the subject is large and it is difficult to measure continuously for a long time.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and accurately and easily grasps the right heart function of the heart noninvasively and noninvasively without relying on advanced techniques and experience by a doctor. It is an object of the present invention to provide a jugular vein pressure calculation system and a jugular vein pressure calculation method. In the present invention, the inventor understands the right heart function of the heart noninvasively and noninvasively by measuring the internal pressure of the external auditory canal, because the internal pressure change of the external auditory canal corresponds to the fluctuation of the jugular vein pressure. It was clarified experimentally for the first time.

In order to solve the above problems, a jugular vein pressure calculation system according to the present invention is provided on the subject side, and measures a state of the subject's external auditory canal pressure, a subject side unit, and the ear canal pressure measured by the subject side unit A monitoring-side unit for monitoring the ear-side unit, the subject-side unit being connected to the ear tip and measuring an internal pressure change of the ear canal via the ear tip. , An external auditory canal pressure measurement unit that outputs an analog electrical signal according to the measurement result, a conversion unit that converts the analog electrical signal output by the external ear pressure measurement unit into a digital electrical signal, and the digital electrical signal converted by the conversion unit A transmission unit for transmitting a signal to the outside, and the monitoring unit is connected to the transmission unit. A receiver for receiving a digital electrical signal transmitted Ri, and a data processing unit that acquire the data of the ear canal pressure change of the subject based on the digital electric signal received by the receiving unit, acquired by the data processing unit A waveform indicating the change in internal ear pressure based on the correspondence between the internal pressure waveform of the ear canal and the a wave, c wave, x wave, v wave, and y wave of the jugular vein pressure of the subject. And a calculation unit for obtaining a change in the jugular vein pressure from the change in the above .

In order to solve the above problems, the jugular vein pressure calculation method according to the present invention measures an internal pressure change of the ear canal via an ear tip inserted into the ear canal of a subject, and outputs an analog electric signal according to the measurement result. An external ear canal pressure measurement step to output, a conversion step for converting the analog electrical signal output by the external ear canal pressure measurement step into a digital electrical signal, and a transmission step for transmitting the digital electrical signal converted by the conversion step to the outside, a receiving step of receiving the digital electric signal transmitted by the transmission step, and a data processing step of get the data of the ear canal pressure change of the subject based on the digital electric signal received by the receiving step, the data processing step a display step of displaying the acquired data by the Based on the correspondence between the internal pressure waveform of the ear canal and the a-wave, c-wave, x-wave, v-wave, and y-wave of the subject's jugular vein pressure, the change in the jugular vein pressure from the change in the waveform indicating the change in the external ear canal pressure And a calculation step for obtaining the value by a calculation unit .

  According to the present invention, the right heart function of the heart can be grasped accurately, easily, non-invasively and noninvasively without relying on advanced techniques and experiences by a doctor.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the jugular vein pressure calculation system of the form of Example 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of a structure of the sensor and ear tip in the jugular vein pressure calculation system of the form of Example 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the ear tip and air tube in the jugular vein pressure calculation system of the form of Example 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of a structure of the sensor and ear tip in the jugular vein pressure calculation system of the form of Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the jugular vein pressure calculation system of the form of Example 1 of this invention. It is a graph which shows the waveform showing the external ear canal pressure change in the jugular vein pressure calculation system of the form of Example 1 of this invention. It is the graph which represented typically the one beat part of the waveform showing the external ear canal pressure change in the jugular vein pressure calculation system of the form of Example 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the jugular vein pressure calculation system of the form of Example 2 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of an external appearance when the test subject side unit is mounted | worn in the jugular vein pressure calculation system of the form of Example 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the jugular vein pressure calculation system of the form of Example 3 of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a jugular vein pressure calculation system and a jugular vein pressure calculation method of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a jugular vein pressure calculation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the sensor 12 and the ear tip 11 in the jugular vein pressure calculation system of the present embodiment. The configuration of the jugular vein pressure calculation system will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the jugular vein pressure calculation system according to the present embodiment includes a subject-side unit 1a and a monitoring-side unit 2a.

  The subject side unit 1 a is a unit that is provided on the subject side and measures the state of the inner ear pressure of the subject, and includes an ear tip 11, a sensor 12, and an A / D conversion device 13. The monitoring side unit 2 a is a unit that monitors the external ear canal pressure measured by the subject side unit 1 a and is configured by the information processing device 3.

  The ear tip 11 is inserted into the subject's ear (the ear canal). Examples of the material of the ear tip 11 include silicon resin and acrylic resin, but are not particularly limited as long as they have elasticity that does not damage the ear canal during insertion.

  The sensor 12 includes an acquisition unit 121, a comparison unit 122, an amplification unit 123, and a reference voltage storage device 124. This sensor 12 corresponds to the external ear canal pressure measuring unit of the present invention, is connected to the ear tip 11 inserted into the subject's external ear canal, measures the internal pressure change of the external ear canal via the ear tip 11, and responds to the measurement result. Outputs analog electrical signals.

  More specifically, the acquisition unit 121 acquires the internal pressure of the ear canal as a voltage value via the ear tip 11. The comparison unit 122 reads the reference voltage stored in the reference voltage storage device 124 and compares it with the voltage value acquired by the acquisition unit 121 to obtain a change in voltage. Further, the amplifying unit 123 amplifies an electric signal indicating a change in internal pressure of the ear canal obtained by the comparing unit 122.

  The A / D conversion device 13 includes an A / D conversion unit 131 and is connected to the sensor 12. The A / D conversion unit 131 corresponds to the conversion unit of the present invention, and converts the analog electrical signal output by the sensor 12 into a digital electrical signal. In this embodiment, the A / D conversion unit 131 also corresponds to the transmission unit of the present invention and transmits a digital electric signal to the outside.

  The subject side unit 1a can be configured as shown in FIG. 2, for example. In FIG. 2, the ear tip 11 is connected to the sensor 12 via the air tube 16. The sensor 12 can be attached to the ear of the subject using the hook 18. Here, the sensor 12 means a differential pressure sensor. As the differential pressure sensor, it is preferable to use a low frequency sensor (manufactured by St. Land Giken, SUA series). If it does not specifically limit.

  The ear tip 11 is a bell-shaped external ear canal insertion site of a commercially available earphone, and the space formed in the external ear canal when the external ear canal is inserted cannot be completely sealed. It is particularly preferable to use one having an air vent structure. The air vent structure referred to in the present invention means an air vent structure, and specifically refers to a structure in which grooves serving as air passages are formed on the surface of the ear tip 11. By providing the air vent structure, an increase in the internal pressure of the ear canal due to the insertion of the ear tip 11 into the ear canal can be suppressed more effectively, so that the subject can keep wearing the ear tip 11 for a long time, The change in internal pressure can be easily and continuously measured.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ear tip 11 and the air tube 16 in the jugular vein pressure calculation system of the present embodiment. In addition, the ear tip 11 and the air tube 16 in FIG. 3 correspond to a cross-sectional view seen from the AA direction in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the air tube 16 passes through the central axis of the ear tip 11 and reaches the tip of the ear tip 11, and no air pad is provided at the tip of the air tube 16, It remains open. That is, the subject side unit 1a in the jugular vein pressure calculation system of the present embodiment forms an ear canal cavity surrounded by the eardrum and the ear tip 11 by inserting the ear tip 11 into the ear canal of the subject. The sensor 12 measures a change in pressure in the airtight space formed by the ear canal cavity and the air tube 16 as a change in internal pressure in the ear canal.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the sensor 12 and the ear tip 11 in the jugular vein pressure calculation system of the present embodiment, which is slightly different from the case of FIG. In FIG. 4, the sensor 12 is configured integrally with the ear tip 11. In the jugular vein pressure calculation system of the present embodiment, an ear tip 11 and a sensor 12 having an integrated configuration as shown in FIG. 4 can also be used.

In general, the noise in the measurement data tends to increase as the distance between the measurement position and the sensor increases. Therefore, in the case where the configuration does not include the air tube 16 as shown in FIG. 4, the distance between the sensor 12 and the position to be measured is reduced by the length of the air tube 16, so as shown in FIGS. Compared with the case through the air tube 16, the jugular vein pressure calculation system having the configuration of FIG. 4 can further suppress the generation of noise in the measurement data. In addition, about the kind of sensor 12, the material of the ear tip 11, etc., the thing similar to what was shown in FIG. 2 can be used, and the ear tip 11 can also be equipped with the air vent structure on the surface.

  The information processing device 3 is a device that receives a digital electrical signal transmitted from the subject-side unit 1a and displays it as a measurement result. As shown in FIG. 1, the input / output interface 31, the CPU 32, the input / output interface 33, An input device 34, an output device 35, a display device 36, and a data storage device 37 are included.

  The input / output interface 31 corresponds to the receiving unit of the present invention, and receives the digital electrical signal transmitted by the A / D conversion unit 131.

  A CPU (arithmetic control device) 32 corresponds to the data processing unit of the present invention, and acquires data on the change in the external auditory canal pressure of the subject based on the digital electrical signal received by the input / output interface 31. As shown in FIG. 1, the CPU 32 includes a data processing unit 321 and a data display unit 322.

  In addition, the CPU 32 performs low-pass processing on the digital electrical signal received by the input / output interface 31. Specifically, the data processing unit 321 receives the data of the external auditory canal pressure change transmitted from the subject-side unit 1a via the input / output interface 31, removes noise by low-pass processing or band-pass processing, and the like. Store in the storage device 37. Further, the data display unit 322 reads out the data of the external ear canal pressure change from the data storage device 37 and displays it as waveform data on the screen of the display device 36 described later.

  Note that the CPU 32 physically includes an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) that performs an operation, a register (numerator) and a buffer (buffer storage device) that temporarily stores data, and a bus that transmits information such as data and instructions. (Information transport path), an interface for input / output with an external storage device (memory) and peripheral devices, a control part for controlling the entire CPU, a clock (clock) circuit for generating a clock signal necessary for this control, etc. The use of a microprocessor or the like is the same as that of a well-known computer system.

  The data storage device 37 is connected to the CPU 32 and stores data of changes in internal pressure of the ear canal. The input device 34 is a device for inputting instructions necessary for the user from the outside when calling the external ear canal pressure change data stored in the data storage device 37. Further, the output device 35 is a device that outputs data of changes in the external auditory canal pressure, and is a printer or the like.

  The display device 36 corresponds to the display unit of the present invention, and is a device such as a display that displays data acquired by the CPU 32. The input / output interface 33 mediates data when the input device 34, the output device 35, and the display device 36 exchange data with the CPU 32. That is, the information processing apparatus 3 has a structure similar to that of the Neumann computer system. Since FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a logical configuration, the data storage device 37 may be physically built in the CPU 32 or connected to the outside of the CPU 32. .

Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the jugular vein pressure calculation system of this embodiment. First, the subject (or the measurer) attaches the ear tip 11 as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 4 to the ear canal of the subject (step S101). Here, the posture of the subject at the time of measuring the internal pressure of the ear canal includes taking the posture of the supine position (the state in which the upper body is raised from the lying state), but is not limited thereto, and is not limited thereto. Measurements can be taken while sitting on a bed or lying on a bed.

  Next, the sensor 12 measures an internal pressure change in the ear canal via the ear tip 11 inserted into the ear canal of the subject, and outputs an analog electric signal corresponding to the measurement result (step S102). The operation of the sensor 12 corresponds to the external ear canal pressure measurement step of the present invention.

  Next, the A / D conversion unit 131 converts the analog electrical signal output by the sensor 12 into a digital electrical signal (step S103). The operation of the A / D converter 131 corresponds to the conversion step of the present invention. Further, the A / D converter 131 transmits a digital electric signal to the external monitoring unit 2a (step S104). The operation of the A / D converter 131 corresponds to the transmission step of the present invention.

  The A / D conversion unit 131 as a transmission unit sends a digital electric signal to the input / output interface 31 as a reception unit by at least one of an infrared method, a radio wave method, an optical communication method, and a wired communication method. Send. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the A / D converter 131 transmits a digital electric signal to the input / output interface 31 via the connection cord 17 by a wired communication method.

  Further, the A / D conversion unit 131 may transmit a digital electric signal to the input / output interface 31 via a communication line network including the Internet.

  The input / output interface 31 receives the digital electrical signal transmitted by the A / D converter 131 (step S105). The operation of the input / output interface 31 corresponds to the reception step of the present invention.

  Based on the digital electrical signal received by the input / output interface 31, the CPU 32 acquires data on the change in the external auditory canal pressure of the subject. The operation of the CPU 32 corresponds to the data processing step of the present invention.

  At that time, the CPU 32 performs low-pass processing on the digital electrical signal received by the input / output interface 31 (step S106). Specifically, the data processing unit 321 receives the data of the external auditory canal pressure change transmitted from the subject-side unit 1a via the input / output interface 31, removes noise by low-pass processing or band-pass processing, and the like. Store in the storage device 37.

  Next, the data display unit 322 reads out data of the external ear canal pressure change from the data storage device 37 and displays it as waveform data on the screen of the display device 36 (step S107). That is, the display device 36 displays the data acquired by the CPU 32 (corresponding to the display step of the present invention).

FIG. 6 is a graph showing waveforms representing changes in the external auditory canal pressure in the jugular vein pressure calculation system of the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, an example of a graph representing the change in the external auditory canal pressure of the subject obtained in the jugular vein pressure calculation system according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown as an external auditory canal pressure waveform e. Therefore, the waveform displayed on the display device 36 is the external ear canal pressure waveform e. Also shown are an electrocardiogram waveform f and a heart sound waveform g which were measured simultaneously with the external ear canal pressure. The horizontal axis of the graph in FIG. 6 is time (seconds), and the vertical axis is voltage (V).

FIG. 7 is a graph schematically showing one beat of a waveform representing a change in external auditory canal pressure in the jugular vein pressure calculation system of the present embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of waveforms for one beat of the jugular vein pressure waveform o, the ear canal pressure waveform e, and the electrocardiogram waveform f. The vertical axis (not shown) of the graph in FIG. Of the data shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the data excluding the jugular vein pressure waveform o was measured with the subject in the supine position. Further, the jugular vein pressure waveform o in FIG. 7 schematically represents a typical waveform measured by a conventionally known invasive catheter method. In the electrocardiogram waveform f in FIG. 6, it is known that a P wave is generated when the atrium contracts, a QRS wave is generated when the ventricle begins to contract, and a T wave is generated when the ventricular excitement subsides. In the heart sound waveform g, the I sound (I heart sound) closes the atrioventricular valve (tricuspid valve, mitral valve), and the II sound (second heart sound) closes the arterial valve (aortic valve, pulmonary valve). Is known to occur.

The external auditory canal pressure waveform e obtained in the jugular vein pressure calculation system according to the embodiment of the present invention is a wave, c wave, x wave, v wave, y wave of the jugular vein pressure waveform o as shown in FIG. It was found that a characteristic waveform corresponding to was shown. Here, in the jugular vein pressure waveform o, it is known that the a wave is generated when the right atrium contracts. More specifically, the a wave is generated by the right atrial pressure transmitted to the external jugular vein, reaches a peak at the time of or immediately before the first heart sound, and occurs before ventricular ejection. Right atrial dilation (relaxation) begins with the decrease of the a wave and usually ends with the generation of the c wave. The c wave is caused by the onset of right ventricular contraction and the closure of the tricuspid valve. Following the a and c waves, the falling wave x is caused by relaxation of the right atrium. It is also believed that during the right ventricular ejection, the downward displacement of the tricuspid valve leads to a decrease in right atrial pressure. The end of the descending wave x is a v-wave, which is caused by an increase in right atrial / external jugular vein pressure, blood flow into the venous system during ventricular contraction while the tricuspid valve is still closed. The peak of the v wave is immediately after the left ventricular contraction, and is usually coincident with the lowering of the internal carotid artery after the peak pressure has decreased. The early y-wave occurs during the rapid filling period of the right atrium, and the right heart system third heart sound coincides with the y-wave. It is known that an increase in a wave suggests tricuspid stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, right heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, and an increase in v wave suggests tricuspid regurgitation and heart failure.

As shown in FIG. 7, the external ear canal pressure waveform e obtained by using the jugular vein pressure calculation system according to the embodiment of the present invention has the characteristic a wave, c wave, x As shown in FIG. 6, the relationship between the electrocardiogram waveform f and the electrocardiogram waveform g is also related to the above-described jugular vein pressure waveform o, the electrocardiogram waveform f, and the electrocardiogram waveform g. As with the jugular vein pressure waveform o, the a-wave is the contraction of the right atrium, the c-wave is the bulge of the tricuspid valve to the right atrium, and the x-wave is It is considered that relaxation of the right atrium, v-wave indicates blood flow into the right atrium, and y-wave indicates blood inflow into the right ventricle.

That is, the jugular vein pressure calculation system according to the present embodiment continuously measures changes in the external auditory canal pressure by the sensor 12, thereby obtaining the same effect as measuring fluctuations in the jugular vein pressure. It is possible to capture the right heart function non-invasively and non-invasively from the waveform data.

As described above, the jugular vein pressure calculation system and the jugular vein pressure calculation method according to the first embodiment of the present invention are accurate, easy, non-invasive, and non-invasive without relying on advanced techniques and experience by a doctor. The right heart function of the heart can be grasped invasively.

  That is, a lot of experience and skill are required for visual inspection of the jugular vein, but the external ear canal pressure measurement system of this embodiment measures the change in the external ear canal pressure in a simple and non-invasive manner, and the right heart function of the heart. Since it can be captured, it can be used on a daily basis at the outpatient or bedside, and clinical value can be greatly expected.

  In addition, since the CPU 32 performs low-pass processing on the digital electrical signal received by the input / output interface 31 to remove noise, the CPU 32 can grasp the right heart function of the heart more accurately.

  Further, when the sensor 12 and the ear tip 11 are integrally configured, the distance between the sensor 12 and the position to be measured is shortened, so that there is an advantage that generation of noise in the measurement data can be suppressed.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the jugular vein pressure calculation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 1 differs from the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that the subject-side unit 1b includes a transmission wireless module 14 instead of the A / D conversion device 13, and the monitoring-side unit 2b includes a reception wireless module 21. It is a point equipped with.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the transmission wireless module 14 includes an A / D conversion unit 131 and a short-distance transmission unit 141, and transmits data measured by the sensor 12 to the monitoring-side unit 2b by short-distance wireless communication. To do.

  In the first embodiment, the A / D conversion unit 131 has the functions of both the conversion unit and the transmission unit of the present invention. However, the A / D conversion unit 131 in the present embodiment is the present invention. The analog electrical signal output from the sensor 12 is converted into a digital electrical signal.

  The short-range transmission unit 141 corresponds to the transmission unit of the present invention, and transmits the digital electric signal converted by the A / D conversion unit 131 to the external monitoring unit 2b. Here, the short-range transmission unit 141 transmits a digital electric signal to the reception wireless module 21 in the monitoring-side unit 2b by short-range wireless communication (wireless radio wave system).

  The reception wireless module 21 is connected to the information processing apparatus 3 via a USB port or the like, and includes a short-range reception unit 211. In the first embodiment, the input / output interface 31 corresponds to the receiving unit of the present invention, but in this embodiment, the short-range receiving unit 211 corresponds to the receiving unit of the present invention. The short distance receiving unit 211 receives the digital electrical signal transmitted by the short distance transmitting unit 141.

  Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and redundant description is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. The operations up to the operation by the A / D converter 131 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The short-range transmission unit 141 transmits the digital electric signal converted by the A / D conversion unit 131 to the external monitoring unit 2b by short-range wireless communication.

  The short distance receiver 211 in the reception wireless module 21 receives the digital electrical signal transmitted by the short distance transmitter 141 and outputs the received signal to the CPU 32 via the input / output interface 31.

  Based on the digital electrical signal received by the short distance receiving unit 211, the CPU 32 acquires data on the change in the external auditory canal pressure of the subject.

  Other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and redundant description is omitted.

As described above, according to the jugular vein pressure calculation system and the jugular vein pressure calculation method according to the form of the second embodiment of the present invention, not only can the same effect as the first embodiment be obtained, but also the subject can be monitored from the monitoring side unit 2b. The right heart function can be grasped even when away. That is, the subject-side unit 1b can wirelessly transmit the measured data of the external ear canal pressure change to the monitoring-side unit 2b at a relatively short distance.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of an appearance when the subject-side unit 1b is worn in the jugular vein pressure calculation system of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the ear tip 11 is inserted into the subject's ear (the ear canal), and the sensor 12 connected to the ear tip 11 through the air tube 16 is attached to the ear with a hook or the like. Further, the transmission wireless module 14 connected to the sensor 12 can be hung from the neck. The transmitting wireless module 14 has a space for storing a battery that serves as a power source for the sensor 12 and the transmitting wireless module 14 (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 9, since the subject can transmit data by short-range wireless communication, the subject can move more freely than when the subject-side unit 1b is connected to the monitoring-side unit 2b by wire. Is possible.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the jugular vein pressure calculation system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is that the subject unit 1 b includes a transmission wireless module 14 and a portable terminal 15 instead of the A / D conversion device 13.

  However, the transmission wireless module 14 is configured by the A / D conversion unit 131 and the short-range transmission unit 141 as in the second embodiment, and the data measured by the sensor 12 is transmitted to the portable terminal 15 by the short-range wireless communication. Send.

  In the first embodiment, the A / D conversion unit 131 has the functions of both the conversion unit and the transmission unit of the present invention. However, the A / D conversion unit 131 in the present embodiment is the present invention. The analog electrical signal output from the sensor 12 is converted into a digital electrical signal. In addition, the short-range transmission unit 141 transmits the digital electrical signal converted by the A / D conversion unit 131 to the portable terminal 15 by short-range wireless communication.

  Note that, for data transmission from the transmission wireless module 14 to the portable terminal 15, for example, a short-range communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be applied.

  The portable terminal 15 corresponds to the transmission unit of the present invention, and transmits the digital electric signal converted by the A / D conversion unit 131 to the outside. Specifically, the mobile terminal 15 once receives the data transmitted by the transmission wireless module 14, converts the communication protocol, and transmits the data again. The mobile terminal 15 includes a short-distance receiving unit 211, a protocol converting unit 152, and a long-distance transmitting unit 153. For example, a mobile phone can be used.

  The short distance receiving unit 211 in the mobile terminal 15 receives the digital electrical signal transmitted by the short distance transmitting unit 141. The protocol converter 152 converts the data communication protocol based on the digital electrical signal received by the short-range receiver 211 into the TCP / IP protocol.

  The long-distance transmission unit 153 transmits the data subjected to protocol conversion by the protocol conversion unit 152 to the Internet through a mobile line.

  On the other hand, the information processing device 3 of the monitoring side unit 2a is connected to, for example, a LAN, and receives data sent from the subject side unit 1c via the Internet when the LAN is connected to the Internet through a router. Can do.

  The input / output interface 31 in the information processing apparatus 3 corresponds to the receiving unit of the present invention as in the first embodiment, and receives a digital electrical signal transmitted from the portable terminal 15.

  Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and redundant description is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. The operations up to the operation by the A / D converter 131 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The short-range transmission unit 141 transmits the digital electric signal converted by the A / D conversion unit 131 to the portable terminal 15 by short-range wireless communication.

  The short distance receiving unit 211 in the portable terminal 15 receives the digital electrical signal transmitted by the short distance transmitting unit 141 and outputs the received signal to the protocol converting unit 152. The protocol converter 152 converts the data communication protocol based on the digital electrical signal received by the short-range receiver 211 into the TCP / IP protocol. Further, the long-distance transmission unit 153 transmits the data subjected to protocol conversion by the protocol conversion unit 152 to the Internet through a mobile line.

  The input / output interface 31 receives a digital electrical signal transmitted from the mobile terminal 15 via the Internet.

  Based on the digital electrical signal received by the input / output interface 31, the CPU 32 acquires data on the change in the external auditory canal pressure of the subject.

  Other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and redundant description is omitted.

As described above, according to the jugular vein pressure calculation system and the jugular vein pressure calculation method according to the form of the third embodiment of the present invention, not only the same effects as in the first and second embodiments can be obtained, but also in the subject-side unit 1c. Mobile terminal 15 transmits a signal to monitoring-side unit 2a via a communication network (Internet), so that subject-side unit 1c can be connected via Internet even if the subject and the person performing monitoring are located far away from each other. It is possible to transmit data to the monitoring side unit 2a.

  In particular, even if there are a plurality of subject-side units 1c, a person who performs monitoring, such as a doctor, has one monitoring-side unit 2a, so that the right mind of many subjects can be obtained through a communication network such as the Internet. Capability can be grasped.

  As described above, the present invention has been described by way of embodiments, modifications, and examples. However, it should not be understood that the description and drawings that constitute a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. From this, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

For example, in the jugular vein pressure calculation system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the subject-side unit includes an A / D converter (A / D converter), but the present invention is not limited to this, and the A / D converter is not limited thereto. May be provided in the monitoring unit. As described above, the present invention naturally includes various embodiments not described herein.

The jugular vein pressure calculation system according to the present invention can be used in a jugular vein pressure calculation system and a jugular vein pressure calculation method for measuring changes in the external auditory canal pressure in order to grasp the right heart function of the heart.

1a, 1b, 1c Subject side units 2a, 2b Monitoring side unit 3 Information processing device 11 Ear chip 12 Sensor 13 A / D conversion device 14 Radio module for transmission 15 Mobile terminal 16 Air tube 17 Connection cord 18 Hook 21 Radio module for reception 31, 33 I / O interface 32 Arithmetic control unit (CPU)
34 Input device 35 Output device 36 Display device 37 Data storage device 121 Acquisition unit 122 Comparison unit 123 Amplification unit 124 Reference voltage storage device 131 A / D conversion unit 141 Short range transmission unit 152 Protocol conversion unit 153 Long range transmission unit 211 Short range Reception unit 321 Data processing unit 322 Data display unit

Claims (8)

A subject-side unit that is provided on the subject side and measures the state of the ear canal pressure of the subject; and
A monitoring side unit that monitors the external ear canal pressure measured by the subject side unit,
The subject side unit is:
An ear tip inserted into the ear canal of the subject;
Connected to the ear tip, measures the change in internal pressure of the ear canal via the ear tip, and outputs an analog electrical signal according to the measurement result,
A conversion unit that converts the analog electrical signal output by the external ear canal pressure measurement unit into a digital electrical signal;
A transmission unit that transmits the digital electric signal converted by the conversion unit to the outside,
The monitoring unit is
A receiver that receives the digital electrical signal transmitted by the transmitter;
A data processing unit that acquire the data of the ear canal pressure change of the subject based on the digital electric signal received by the receiving unit,
A display unit for displaying data acquired by the data processing unit;
Based on the correspondence between the internal pressure waveform of the ear canal and the a-wave, c-wave, x-wave, v-wave, and y-wave of the subject's jugular vein pressure, the change in the jugular vein pressure from the change in the waveform indicating the change in the external ear canal pressure An arithmetic unit for obtaining
A jugular vein pressure calculation system comprising: The jugular vein pressure calculation system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing unit performs low-pass processing on the digital electrical signal received by the receiving unit. The jugular vein pressure calculation system according to claim 1, wherein the external ear canal pressure measuring unit is configured integrally with the ear tip. Comprising an air tube formed so as to penetrate the central axis of the ear tip and reach the tip of the ear tip and open at the tip.
3. The jugular vein pressure calculation system according to claim 1, wherein the ear tip is connected to the ear canal internal pressure measurement unit via the air tube. The external ear canal pressure measuring unit measures a pressure change in an airtight space formed by an ear canal cavity formed by the eardrum and the ear tip and the air tube when the ear tip is inserted into the ear canal of the subject. The jugular vein pressure calculation system according to claim 4, wherein the system is measured as a change in the internal pressure. 6. The jugular vein pressure calculation system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the digital electrical signal to the reception unit via a communication line network including the Internet. The transmission unit transmits the digital electrical signal to the reception unit by at least one of an infrared method, a radio wave method, an optical communication method, and a wired communication method. The jugular vein pressure calculation system according to claim 6. Measuring the internal pressure change of the ear canal via an ear tip inserted into the ear canal of the subject, and outputting an analog electric signal according to the measurement result,
A conversion step of converting the analog electrical signal output by the external ear canal pressure measurement step into a digital electrical signal;
A transmission step of transmitting the digital electric signal converted by the conversion step to the outside;
Receiving the digital electrical signal transmitted by the transmitting step; and
A data processing step of get the data of the ear canal pressure change of the subject based on the received digital electrical signal by the reception step,
A display step for displaying the data acquired by the data processing step;
Based on the correspondence between the internal pressure waveform of the ear canal and the a-wave, c-wave, x-wave, v-wave, and y-wave of the subject's jugular vein pressure, the change in the jugular vein pressure from the change in the waveform indicating the change in the external ear canal pressure Calculating step by the calculating unit;
A method of calculating jugular vein pressure, comprising :

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