JP7180153B2 - Inhalation determination device and inhalation determination system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention mainly relates to an inhalation determination device and an inhalation determination system for determining inhalation of medicine by a user using an inhaler.

Conventionally, for example, in the treatment of respiratory system patients such as asthma, drugs are administered using an inhaler. Usually, a user who is a patient at home or the like holds an inhaler in his/her mouth and performs an inhalation action to administer medicine into the body of the user. Here, the question arises as to whether or not the user is handling the inhaler properly. The user administers medication using an inhaler at a place other than a hospital, such as at home. Therefore, doctors, nurses, and the like cannot confirm the patient's medication status. In other words, doctors can check the inhaler later to confirm that the drug has been reduced, but if the user's symptoms do not improve, it is possible that the drug is not working, or that the inhalation is correct. It is not possible to distinguish whether it is because it is not made In addition, there is no way for the user himself to check whether the inhalation is performed properly.

Therefore, an inhaler that informs the user, who is a patient, of information by detecting droplets in the flow path of the inhaler has been disclosed (eg, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 4474318

The above-described inhaler is a dedicated device in which, when the user starts inhaling, liquid medicine discharge is started according to the negative pressure state detected by the negative pressure sensor. Therefore, inhalers on the market could not be used as they are.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an inhalation determination device that can be easily attached to an inhaler and that can determine an inhalation action by a user.

The present invention solves the above problems by means of the following solutions. In order to facilitate understanding, reference numerals corresponding to the embodiments of the present invention are used for explanation, but the present invention is not limited to these. Also, the configurations described with reference numerals may be improved as appropriate, and at least a part of them may be replaced with other components.

A first invention is an inhalation determination device for determining inhalation of a medicine by a user using an inhaler, wherein the user's sucking action on a mouthpiece provided in the inhaler for inhaling the medicine. and an inhaling motion determining means for determining an inhaling motion by the user after the holding motion determining means determines that the user is being held in the mouth. It is an inhalation determination device.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the inhalation determination device of the first aspect, the inhalation determination is characterized by further comprising a notifying means for notifying a determination result of at least one of the holding motion determining means and the inhalation motion determining means. It is a device.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the inhalation determination device of the second aspect, the inhalation motion determination means determines that the user is inhaling within a predetermined period of time after the holding motion determination means determines that the user is in the mouth. The inhalation determination device is characterized in that it determines whether or not there has been an action, and if the inhalation action by the user cannot be determined within the predetermined period of time, the notification means notifies.
In a fourth aspect of the invention, in the inhalation determination device according to any one of the first to third inventions, the determination result of at least one of the holding motion determination means and the inhalation motion determination means is transmitted via communication means. The inhalation determination device is characterized by comprising determination result transmission means for transmitting the determination result to an external device.
A fifth invention is the inhalation determination device according to any one of the first invention to the fourth invention, further comprising a first detection section provided in the vicinity of the mouthpiece, wherein the sucking motion determination means comprises: The inhalation determination device is characterized in that the user's mouth-holding motion is determined using data detected by the first detection unit.
In a sixth aspect based on the fifth aspect, in the inhalation determination device of the fifth aspect, the first detection unit includes a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of a portion that the user holds in his/her mouth, and a temperature detection unit that detects temperature when the user holds in the mouth. and a light quantity detection unit provided at a position in the user's mouth to detect the quantity of light.
A seventh invention is the inhalation determination device according to any one of the first invention to the sixth invention, wherein a sound acquisition unit is provided near the mouthpiece, and a reference sound that stores a reference sound at the time of inhalation. a storage unit; and sound acquisition means for acquiring, by the sound acquisition unit, a sound for a certain period of time after the sucking motion determination unit determines that the sucker is being held in the mouth, wherein the inhalation motion determination unit An inhalation determination device that compares a sound acquired by a sound acquisition unit with the reference sound stored in the reference sound storage unit, and determines an inhalation action by the user based on the comparison result. is.
According to an eighth invention, in the inhalation determination device of the seventh invention, when the inhalation motion determination means determines that the inhalation motion is correct, the sound acquired by the sound acquisition means is stored in an acquired sound storage unit. Acquired sound storage means is provided, and the inhalation action determination means then compares the sound acquired by the sound acquisition means with the sound stored in the acquired sound storage unit, and determines the use based on the comparison result. An inhalation determination device characterized by determining an inhalation action by a person.
A ninth aspect of the present invention is the inhalation determination device according to the seventh aspect, further comprising acquired sound storage means for storing the sound acquired by the sound acquisition means in an acquired sound storage unit, wherein the inhalation action determination means The inhalation determination device is characterized in that, as a result of comparing the sound acquired by means and the sound stored in the acquired sound storage unit, if there is a difference, it is determined as an abnormal value.
A tenth invention is the inhalation determination device according to any one of the first invention to the ninth invention, characterized in that it can be attached to the outer surface of the mouthpiece of the inhaler. It is a device.
An eleventh invention is the inhalation determination device according to any one of the first invention to the tenth invention, comprising a chest band that is worn around the user's chest and has a second detector, The inhalation determination device is characterized in that the determination means determines the inhalation action by the user based on the result of detection by the second detection section.
A twelfth invention is the inhalation determination device according to any one of the first invention to the eleventh invention, characterized by further comprising exhalation determination means for determining a component of the gas after determination by the inhalation action determination means. It is an inhalation determination device.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inhalation determination device that can be easily attached to an inhaler and that can determine an inhalation action by a user.

It is a figure for explaining the inhalation determination device according to the first embodiment. 1 is a diagram showing functional blocks of an inhalation determination device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main processing of the inhalation determination device according to the first embodiment; 7 is a flowchart showing a gripping motion determination process of the inhalation determination device according to the first embodiment; 4 is a flowchart showing inhalation motion determination processing of the inhalation determination device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an inhalation determination device according to a second embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing functional blocks of an inhalation determination device according to a second embodiment; 9 is a flowchart showing main processing of the inhalation determination device according to the second embodiment; 9 is a flow chart showing inhalation motion determination processing of the inhalation determination device according to the second embodiment. 9 is a flow chart showing exhalation determination processing of the inhalation determination device according to the second embodiment.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereafter, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated, referring a figure. This is just an example, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this.
(First embodiment)
<Inhalation determination device 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an inhalation determination device 1 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the inhalation determination device 1 according to the first embodiment.

The inhalation determination device 1 shown in FIG. 1(A) is a device provided in the vicinity of the mouthpiece 9a of the inhaler 9 and at a portion where the user P holds it in his or her mouth. The inhalation determination device 1 determines whether or not the inhalation by the inhaler 9 performed by the user P has been properly performed. In this example, the inhaler 9 is equipped with an aerosol can D containing medicine. However, the inhaler 9 is not limited to this, and may use, for example, powder medicine.

FIG. 1B is a view of the inhaler 9 viewed from the side of the mouthpiece 9a. As shown in FIG. 1(B), the inhalation determination device 1 is fitted to the outer circumference (outer surface) of the mouthpiece 9a. Here, the inhaler 9 is a general one distributed on the market. When the inhaler 9 is replaced, the inhalation determination device 1 can be removed from the previous inhaler 9 and attached to the new inhaler 9 .
As shown in FIG. 1C, the user P holds the inhaler 9 so that the mouthpiece 9a of the inhaler 9 faces downward and the aerosol can D faces upward. The medicine is inhaled while holding the mouth part 9a.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inhalation determination device 1 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 20, a power button 30, a speaker 31, a microphone 32 (sound acquisition unit), and a sensor unit 33 (first detection unit). and
The control unit 10 is a CPU (central processing unit) that controls the entire inhalation determination device 1 . The control unit 10 cooperates with the above-described hardware and executes various functions by appropriately reading and executing application programs and the like stored in the storage unit 20 .
The control unit 10 includes a gripping motion determination unit 11 (a gripping motion determination unit), an inhalation motion determination unit 12 (sound acquisition unit, inhalation motion determination unit), a notification unit 13 (notification unit), and acquired sound storage control. and a unit 14 (acquired sound storage means).

The holding motion determination unit 11 determines whether or not the user P has properly held the inhalation determination device 1 in the mouth. More specifically, the gripping motion determination unit 11 determines whether or not the gripping motion is appropriate based on detection data from the sensor unit 33, which will be described later, for example.
The inhalation motion determination unit 12 determines whether or not the next inhalation motion performed by the user P is appropriate when the gripping motion determination unit 11 determines that the gripping motion is appropriate. More specifically, for example, the inhalation motion determination unit 12 acquires a sound generated in the mouth of the user P accompanying the inhalation motion, and determines whether the inhalation motion is appropriate based on the acquired sound. judge.

The notification unit 13 notifies the user P of the determination results of the gripping motion determination unit 11 and the inhalation motion determination unit 12 . The notification unit 13 notifies the determination result by, for example, sound output from the speaker 31 . Note that the notification unit 13 may notify the user P of the determination result of at least one of the gripping motion determination unit 11 and the inhalation motion determination unit 12 . Further, the notification unit 13 may notify the user P only when the operation is not accurate according to the determination result. Further, the notification unit 13 may notify the user P even when the sucking motion is not detected within a predetermined time after determining the gripping motion.
The acquired sound storage control unit 14 stores the acquired sound during inhalation when the inhalation operation determination unit 12 determines that the inhalation operation is appropriate.
The details of each of these functions will be described later.

The storage unit 20 is a storage area such as a semiconductor memory device for storing programs, data, and the like necessary for executing the control unit 10 .
The storage unit 20 includes a program storage unit 21 , a reference sound storage unit 22 , an acquired sound storage unit 23 and a guide voice storage unit 24 .
The program storage unit 21 is a storage area that stores programs for executing each function of the control unit 10 .

The reference sound storage unit 22 is a storage area that stores reference sounds. Here, the reference sound is a sound generated at the time of inhalation, and refers to an inhalation sound when inhaling properly. The reference sound storage unit 22 may collect a plurality of inhalation sounds when inhaling appropriately, and store learning data obtained by learning the plurality of collected inhalation sounds as the reference sound. Further, the reference sound storage unit 22 may store result data obtained by frequency-analyzing the inhalation sound as the reference sound.
The acquired sound storage unit 23 is a storage area for storing sounds generated by the user P's inhalation action. The acquired sound storage unit 23 stores the acquired sound acquired during the inhalation motion when it is determined that the inhalation motion by the user P is appropriate.

That is, the reference sound storage unit 22 stores learning result data obtained by learning inhalation sounds acquired from a plurality of users. Therefore, what is stored in the reference sound storage unit 22 is leveled general sound data. On the other hand, the acquired sound storage unit 23 stores the data of the user P's inhalation sound. Therefore, what is stored in the acquired sound storage unit 23 is user P's unique sound data.
The guide voice storage unit 24 is a storage area that stores a guide voice that prompts the user P to perform an action or notifies the user of the action.

The power button 30 is for turning on or off the power of the inhalation determination device 1 . When the user P operates the power button 30, power is supplied from a battery (not shown), and the inhalation determination device 1 becomes ready for processing. It should be noted that the power supply may be automatically turned off according to the elapse of a specific period of time without receiving an operation.
The speaker 31 is a device that outputs a guide voice. When the user P holds the inhaler 9 to which the inhalation determination device 1 is attached, the speaker 31 is desirably provided outside the part of the user's mouth.
The microphone 32 is a device that receives sound. When the user P holds the inhaler 9 to which the inhalation determination device 1 is attached, the microphone 32 is desirably provided in a portion positioned inside the user P's mouth.

The sensor section 33 includes a temperature sensor 33a (temperature detection section) and a light amount sensor 33b (light amount detection section).
The temperature sensor 33 a detects temperature and outputs detection data to the control unit 10 . When the user P holds the inhaler 9 to which the inhalation determination device 1 is attached, the temperature sensor 33a is desirably provided at the lip of the user's mouth.
The light amount sensor 33b detects the amount of light and outputs detection data to the control section 10. FIG. It is desirable that the light quantity sensor 33b be provided in a portion positioned in the mouth of the user P when the user P holds the inhaler 9 to which the inhalation determination device 1 is attached.

A computer is an information processing device having a control unit, a storage device, etc. The inhalation determination device 1 is an information processing device having a control unit 10, a storage unit 20, etc., and is included in the concept of a computer. .

<Description of processing>
Next, processing in the inhalation determination device 1 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing main processing of the inhalation determination device 1 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the gripping motion determination process of the inhalation determination device 1 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the inhalation action determination process of the inhalation determination device 1 according to the first embodiment.

The main processing shown in FIG. 3 is started when the inhalation determination device 1 is powered on (ON) by the user P operating the power button 30 (see FIG. 2) of the inhalation determination device 1 .
At step S (hereinafter simply referred to as “S”) 10 in FIG. The guidance voice at the start of processing is, for example, "Please hold the inhaler."
The user P who hears this voice makes an action of holding the mouthpiece 9 a of the inhaler 9 .
In S11, the control unit 10 (the gripping motion determination unit 11) performs a gripping motion determination process.

Here, the gripping motion determination process will be described with reference to FIG.
In S20 of FIG. 4, the control unit 10 starts measuring time.
In S21, the control unit 10 (the gripping motion determination unit 11) acquires a detection value, which is detection data detected by the temperature sensor 33a, from the temperature sensor 33a.
In S22, the control unit 10 (the gripping motion determination unit 11) determines whether or not the detected temperature is within the threshold value. Here, when the user P bites the mouthpiece 9a of the inhaler 9, the temperature sensor 33a provided on the lips of the user P detects a temperature close to body temperature. Therefore, the threshold value can be, for example, 30° C. (degrees) or more and 38° C. or less. When the detected temperature is within the threshold value (S22: YES), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S23. On the other hand, when the detected temperature is not within the threshold value (S22: NO), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S26.

In S23, the control unit 10 (the gripping motion determination unit 11) acquires the detection value, which is the detection data detected by the light amount sensor 33b, from the light amount sensor 33b.
In S24, the control unit 10 (the gripping motion determination unit 11) determines whether or not the amount of light based on the detection value is equal to or less than the threshold. Here, if the user P holds the mouthpiece 9a of the inhaler 9 properly, the light quantity sensor 33b provided in the mouth of the user P is located at a position where light from the outside is blocked. No amount of light is detected, or very little amount of light is detected. On the other hand, if the user P does not hold the mouthpiece 9a of the inhaler 9 properly and there is a gap or the like, a light amount greater than the threshold value is detected. If the detected light amount is equal to or less than the threshold value (S24: YES), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S25. On the other hand, if the detected light quantity is not within the threshold value (S24: NO), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S26.

In S25, the control unit 10 (the gripping motion determination unit 11) determines that the gripping motion is appropriate. After that, the control unit 10 terminates this process and shifts the process to S12 in FIG.
On the other hand, in S26, the control unit 10 (the gripping motion determination unit 11) determines whether or not the first time has elapsed. Here, the first time is the time until the user P holds the mouthpiece 9a of the inhaler 9, and is set to 10 seconds, for example. If the first time has passed (S26: YES), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S27. On the other hand, if the first time has not elapsed (S26: NO), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S21.
In S27, the control unit 10 (the gripping motion determination unit 11) determines that the gripping motion is inappropriate. After that, the control unit 10 terminates this process and shifts the process to S12 in FIG.

In S12 of FIG. 3, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the gripping motion determined by the gripping motion determination process is correct. If the gripping motion is correct (S12: YES), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S13. On the other hand, if the gripping motion is not appropriate (S12: NO), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S19.
In S<b>13 , the control unit 10 (notification unit 13 ) outputs the guide voice for the next process stored in the guide voice storage unit 24 . The guide voice for the next process is, for example, "Please inhale."
The user P, who has heard this voice, performs an inhalation operation while holding the mouthpiece 9a of the inhaler 9 in his/her mouth.
In S14, the control unit 10 (the inhalation motion determination unit 12) performs an inhalation motion determination process.

Here, the inhalation motion determination process will be described based on FIG.
In S30 of FIG. 5, the control unit 10 starts measuring time.
In S<b>31 , the control unit 10 (the inhalation action determination unit 12 ) acquires sound from the microphone 32 for a certain period of time.
In S<b>32 , the control unit 10 (inhalation action determination unit 12 ) compares the acquired sound with the reference sound stored in the reference sound storage unit 22 . Then, as a result of the comparison, the control unit 10 (inhalation action determination unit 12) determines whether or not the acquired sound approximates the reference sound. In this processing, for example, a score is calculated by comparing the acquired sound with a reference sound, and it is determined whether or not the calculated score is approximate. Further, the comparison of sounds may be performed by comparing frequency data obtained by frequency analysis of sounds. Then, if the user P makes an appropriate inhalation action, the acquired sound approximates the reference sound. However, when the user P has not started the inhalation action or the inhalation force is low, the acquired sound does not approximate the reference sound. If the acquired sound is similar to the reference sound (S32: YES), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S33. On the other hand, if the acquired sound is not similar to the reference sound (S32: NO), the control section 10 moves the process to S38.

In S<b>33 , the control unit 10 (inhalation action determination unit 12 ) determines whether sound data is stored in the acquired sound storage unit 23 . When the inhalation determination device 1 is used for the first time, sound data is not stored in the acquired sound storage unit 23 . Further, even if the inhalation determination device 1 is used a plurality of times, if the acquired sound does not approximate the reference sound, the acquired sound storage unit 23 does not store the sound data. On the other hand, when the inhalation determination device 1 is obtained one or more times and the obtained sound is similar to the reference sound, the sound data is stored in the obtained sound storage unit 23 as described later. If sound data is stored in the acquired sound storage unit 23 (S33: YES), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S34. On the other hand, if sound data is not stored in the acquired sound storage unit 23 (S33: NO), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S35.

In S<b>34 , the control unit 10 (inhalation action determination unit 12 ) compares the acquired sound with the acquired sound stored in the acquired sound storage unit 23 . Then, as a result of the comparison, the control unit 10 (inhalation action determination unit 12) determines whether or not the acquired sound is similar to the acquired sound. In this process, similar to the comparison with the reference sound, for example, the acquired sound is compared with the stored acquired sound to calculate a score, and it is determined whether or not the calculated score is similar. If the acquired sound is similar to the acquired sound stored in the acquired sound storage unit 23 (S34: YES), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S35. On the other hand, if the acquired sound is not similar to the acquired sound stored in the acquired sound storage unit 23 (S34: NO), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S39.

In S35, the control unit 10 (inhalation motion determination unit 12) determines that the inhalation motion is appropriate.
In S<b>36 , the control unit 10 (acquired sound storage control unit 14 ) causes the acquired sound storage unit 23 to store the acquired sound. After that, the control unit 10 terminates this process and shifts the process to S15 in FIG.

On the other hand, in S38, the control unit 10 (the inhalation operation determination unit 12) determines whether or not the second time (predetermined time) has elapsed. Here, the second time is a grace period after the user P holds the mouthpiece 9a of the inhaler 9 in his/her mouth, and is, for example, 10 seconds. If the second time has passed (S38: YES), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S39. On the other hand, if the second time has not passed (S38: NO), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S31.
In S39, the control unit 10 (the inhalation motion determination unit 12) determines that the inhalation motion is inappropriate. After that, the control unit 10 terminates this process and shifts the process to S15 in FIG.

In S15 of FIG. 3, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the inhalation motion determined by the inhalation motion determination process is accurate. If the inhalation action is correct (S15: YES), the control unit 10 terminates this process. At that time, the control unit 10 may output a voice to the effect that the inhalation operation was properly performed. On the other hand, if the inhalation action is not accurate (S15: NO), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S19.
In S19, the control unit 10 (informing unit 13) notifies, by voice output, that the corresponding operation is not correct among the holding operation and the inhaling operation. After that, the control unit 10 terminates this process.

Thus, according to the first embodiment, the inhalation determination device 1 has the following effects.
(1) Since it is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the mouthpiece 9a of the inhaler 9, it can be applied to inhalers 9 on the market. Further, even when the inhaler 9 is replaced, the inhalation determining device 1 can be replaced, which is convenient. Furthermore, since it is attached to the mouthpiece 9a of the inhaler 9, the device can be made small.
(2) It is determined whether or not the gripping motion is appropriate, and if the gripping motion is appropriate, then it is determined whether the inhalation motion is appropriate. Therefore, if the inhalation motion is accurate, it can be determined that the series of motions from the gripping motion is accurate, and as a result, it can be determined that the medicine has been inhaled accurately into the body.
(3) When it is determined that the gripping motion is not appropriate or the inhalation motion is determined to be inappropriate, the user P can know whether the handling of the inhaler 9 is appropriate or not by notifying them. can be done.

(4) Since the gripping motion is determined by the temperature sensor 33a and the light intensity sensor 33b, it can be easily determined by various sensors whether or not the user P has properly performed the gripping motion.
(5) Since the inhalation action is determined by the inhalation sound generated during the inhalation action, it can be easily determined by the microphone 32 whether or not the user P has properly performed the inhalation action.
(6) By comparing the inhalation sound with the reference sound, it is determined whether or not the inhalation action is correct. Therefore, various inhalation actions of the user P can be judged.
(7) By comparing the inhalation sound with the acquired sound, which is the past inhalation sound of the user P, it is determined whether or not the inhalation action is appropriate. It can be judged that the action is different from usual and not accurate.

(Second embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the judgment by the inhalation judgment device will be explained using other data. In the following description, portions that perform the same functions as those of the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals or the same reference numerals at the end thereof, and overlapping explanations are omitted as appropriate.

<Inhalation determination device 201>
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an inhalation determination device 201 according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing functional blocks of an inhalation determination device 201 according to the second embodiment.
An inhalation determination device 201 shown in FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B) includes a ring device 204 and a chest band 205, which are portions corresponding to the inhalation determination device 1 of the first embodiment (FIG. 1(A)). , and an external device 206 .

As shown in FIG. 6(B), a user P wears an inhaler 209 (FIG. 6(A)) provided with a ring device 204 at the mouthpiece 9a while wearing a chest band 205 around the chest. Perform inhalation using The chest band 205 functions as an inhalation confirmation device.
After inhaling, the user P exhales to the external device 206 attached to the inhaler 209 by the band 206a. The external device 206 has a function as a breath confirmation device.
By doing so, the inhalation determination device 201 determines whether or not the user P has properly inhaled using the inhaler 209 .

As shown in FIG. 7, the ring device 204 includes a control section 210, a storage section 220, a power button 30, a speaker 31, a microphone 32, and a first sensor section 233 (first detection section). The chest band 205 also includes a second sensor section 235 (second detection section), and the external device 206 includes a third sensor section 236 .

The control unit 210 includes a gripping motion determination unit 11, an inhalation motion determination unit 212 (inhalation motion determination means), a notification unit 213 (notification unit), an acquired sound storage control unit 14, and an exhalation determination unit 215 (exhalation determination). means).
The inhalation motion determination unit 212 determines whether or not the next inhalation motion performed by the user P is appropriate when the gripping motion determination unit 11 determines that the gripping motion is appropriate. More specifically, the inhalation motion determination unit 212 determines whether or not the inhalation motion is accurate based on the sound generated in the mouth of the user P accompanying the inhalation motion, for example. Further, the inhalation motion determination unit 212 determines whether or not the inhalation motion is appropriate based on the detection data from the second sensor unit 235 attached to the chest band 205, for example.

The notification unit 213 notifies the user P of the determination results of the gripping motion determination unit 11, the inhalation motion determination unit 212, and the exhalation determination unit 215 described below.
When the inhalation motion determination unit 212 determines that the inhalation motion is appropriate, the exhalation determination unit 215 determines whether or not the next exhalation motion performed by the user P causes appropriate inhalation into the body. . More specifically, for example, when the user P brings the external device 206 close to the mouth and exhales, the exhalation determination unit 215 detects the detection data from the third sensor unit 236. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the drug has been properly inhaled into the body.

The storage unit 220 is a storage area such as a semiconductor memory device for storing programs, data, and the like necessary for executing the control unit 210 .
The storage unit 220 includes a program storage unit 221 , a reference sound storage unit 22 , an acquired sound storage unit 23 and a guide voice storage unit 24 .
The program storage unit 221 is a storage area that stores programs for executing each function of the control unit 210 .
The first sensor section 233 includes a temperature sensor 33a and a light amount sensor 33b.

The second sensor section 235 includes a pressure sensor 235a.
Air enters the lungs of the user P by the inhalation action, and the chest of the user P expands. Therefore, the pressure sensor 235 a attached to the chest band 205 detects the pressure of the chest and outputs the detection data to the control section 210 . Although not shown, the second sensor unit 235 has a communication function and, for example, transmits detection data to the ring device 204 by wireless communication.

The third sensor section 236 includes a gas determination sensor 236a.
When the user P exhales to the external device 206 , the gas determination sensor 236 a detects gas components contained in the exhalation and outputs detection data to the control unit 210 . Here, the gas determination sensor 236a uses, for example, a light scattering method for measuring light scattering of particles. Although not shown, the gas determination sensor 236a is provided with a light source and a light receiving unit, and determines the type and number of particles based on scattered light from the particles. Although not shown, the third sensor unit 236 has a communication function and, for example, transmits detection data to the ring device 204 by wireless communication.

<Description of processing>
Next, processing in the inhalation determination device 201 will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing main processing of the inhalation determination device 201 according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing inhalation action determination processing of the inhalation determination device 201 according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the ejection action determination process of the inhalation determination device 201 according to the second embodiment.

First, the user P wears the chest band 205 around the user P's chest before starting this process.
Next, processing by the inhalation determination device 201 will be described.
S210 to S213 in FIG. 8 are the same as S10 to S13 in the first embodiment (FIG. 3). Note that if S212 is NO, the control unit 210 moves the process to S219.
In S214, the control unit 210 (inhalation motion determination unit 212) performs an inhalation motion determination process.

Here, the inhalation motion determination process will be described with reference to FIG.
The processing from S230 to S234 and the processing at S238 in FIG. 9 are the same as the processing from S30 to S34 and the processing at S38 in the first embodiment (FIG. 5). If NO in S234 and YES in S238, the control unit 210 shifts the process to S239.
In S234a, the control unit 210 (inhalation operation determination unit 212) acquires the detection value, which is the detection data detected by the pressure sensor 235a, from the pressure sensor 235a.

In S234b, the control unit 210 (inhalation operation determination unit 212) determines whether or not the pressure based on the detected value is equal to or greater than the threshold. Here, when the user P inhales, the pressure sensor 235a in the chest band 205 attached to the chest of the user P expands due to the intake of air into the lungs of the user P. , to detect pressure above the threshold. As a result of the detection, when the pressure based on the detection value is equal to or higher than the threshold (S234b: YES), the control unit 210 shifts the process to S235. On the other hand, if the detected pressure is less than the threshold (S234b: NO), the control unit 210 shifts the process to S239.
The processing of S235, S236 and S239 is the same as S35, S36 and S39 of the first embodiment (FIG. 5).

Returning to FIG. 8, in S215, control unit 210 determines whether or not the inhalation motion determined by the inhalation motion determination process is accurate. If the inhalation action is correct (S215: YES), the control unit 210 moves the process to S216. On the other hand, if the inhalation motion is not accurate (S215: NO), the control unit 210 moves the process to S219.
In S<b>216 , the control unit 210 (notification unit 213 ) outputs the guide voice for the next process stored in the guide voice storage unit 24 . The guidance voice for the next process is, for example, "Please exhale through the exhalation confirmation device."
Upon hearing this voice, the user P stops holding the mouthpiece 9 a of the inhaler 209 and exhales to the external device 206 .
In S217, the control unit 210 (the expiration determination unit 215) performs an expiration determination process.

Here, the expiration determination process will be described with reference to FIG.
In S240 of FIG. 10, control unit 210 starts measuring time.
In S241, the control unit 210 (exhalation determination unit 215) acquires a detection value, which is detection data detected by the gas determination sensor 236a, from the gas determination sensor 236a.

In S242, control unit 210 (exhalation determination unit 215) determines whether or not the drug content based on the detected value is within the threshold range. Here, if the user P has properly inhaled the medicine, the medicine has entered the lungs of the user P appropriately. Therefore, the exhaled breath after that contains a small amount of the drug, even if it is contained. On the other hand, if the user P does not inhale properly, the medicine remains in the user P's mouth, for example. Therefore, exhaled breath after that contains a large amount of the drug, and the detected value of the drug content exceeds the threshold range. Further, when the user P does not spit it out or does not spit it out toward the external device 206, the medicine cannot be detected, and the detected value of the medicine content is less than the threshold range. Become. If the detected value of the drug content is within the threshold range (S242: YES), the control unit 210 shifts the process to S243. On the other hand, if the detected value of the drug content is not within the threshold range (S243: NO), the control unit 210 shifts the process to S244.

In S243, control unit 210 (exhalation determination unit 215) determines that inhalation has been properly performed. After that, the control unit 210 ends this process and moves the process to S218 in FIG.
On the other hand, in S244, control unit 210 (expiration determination unit 215) determines whether or not the third time has elapsed. Here, the third time is a grace period for the user P to exhale after the inhalation action, and is set to, for example, 10 seconds. If the third time has passed (S244: YES), control unit 210 shifts the process to S245. On the other hand, if the third time has not elapsed (S244: NO), control unit 210 shifts the process to S241.
In S245, control unit 210 (exhalation determination unit 215) determines that inhalation is not properly performed. After that, the control unit 210 ends this process and moves the process to S218 in FIG.

At S218, the control unit 210 determines whether or not it is determined by the expiration determination process that proper inhalation has been performed. If it is determined that the inhalation has been properly performed (S218: YES), the control unit 210 terminates this process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the inhalation is not properly performed (S218: NO), the control unit 210 shifts the process to S219.
In S219, the control unit 210 (notification unit 213) notifies, by voice output, that the corresponding operation is not appropriate when transition is made from the gripping motion or the inhaling motion. In addition, the control unit 210 (notification unit 213) notifies the user by voice output that inhalation is not properly performed when transition is made from the process of exhalation determination based on an exhalation action. After that, the control unit 210 terminates this process.

Thus, according to the second embodiment, the inhalation determination device 201 has the following effects.
(1) Whether or not the inhalation action is accurate is further determined based on the data detected by the pressure sensor 235a provided on the chest band 205. Therefore, the inhalation motion can be determined based on the swelling state of the lungs of the user P, and the inhalation motion can be determined with higher accuracy.
(2) Whether or not the medicine has properly entered the lungs (inside the body) of the user P is determined based on the data detected by the gas determination sensor 236a provided in the external device 206, even if the inhalation operation itself is accurate. Therefore, since it is determined whether or not the medicine has been appropriately inhaled into the body, more accurate determination can be made.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Moreover, the effects described in the embodiments are merely enumerations of the most suitable effects produced by the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments. The above-described embodiments and modifications described later can be used in combination as appropriate, but detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(deformed form)
(1) In the first and second embodiments, an example in which the determination result is notified by a guide voice has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the user can be notified, for example, an LED unit may be provided to notify by the color of the light, or by a buzzer sound or the like. Furthermore, you may alert|report by vibration (vibration).
(2) In addition, the inhalation determination device has a communication means for communicating with an external device, and the determination result is sent to, for example, a user's mobile information terminal, a terminal of a medical worker such as a doctor, etc. A determination result transmitting means for transmitting may be provided. The portable information terminal of the user or the terminal of a medical worker such as a doctor stores the received determination result so that the doctor can refer to it when treating the patient at the next medical examination.
Furthermore, the inhalation determination device has a communication means for communicating with an external device, and when the operation is not accurate, it notifies the portable information terminal of the user's family set in advance to that effect. You may do so. By notifying the personal digital assistant of the user's family when the operation is not appropriate, the user can receive guidance on the appropriate inhalation operation from the family.

(3) In each of the embodiments, the temperature sensor and the light amount sensor are used to determine the gripping motion, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a pressure sensor may be used to detect the pressure caused by holding in the mouth. Alternatively, the holding state may be confirmed by analyzing the image captured by the camera.
(4) In each of the embodiments, an acquired sound is used to determine the inhalation motion. can be

(5) In each embodiment, the acquired sound is stored in the acquired sound storage unit when it is determined that the inhalation action is correct. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A sound acquired from the microphone may be stored in the acquired sound storage unit each time, and an abnormal value may be determined when there is a difference from the sound accumulated in the acquired sound storage unit.

(6) In the second embodiment, the external device is attached to the inhaler, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be separate from the inhaler. Moreover, even if it is attached to the inhaler, its position is not limited to that of the second embodiment.
(7) In the second embodiment, the chest band is provided with a pressure sensor to determine the inhalation action, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the chest band may be equipped with a device, such as a stethoscope, that captures the sound of inhalation into the lungs to determine inhalation activity.

Reference Signs List 1, 201 inhalation determination device 9, 209 inhaler 9a mouthpiece 10, 210 control unit 11 gripping motion determination unit 12, 212 inhalation motion determination unit 13, 213 notification unit 14 acquired sound storage control unit 20, 220 storage unit 22 Reference sound storage unit 23 Acquired sound storage unit 24 Guide voice storage unit 31 Speaker 32 Microphone 33 Sensor unit 33a Temperature sensor 33b Light sensor 204 Ring device 205 Breast band 206 External device 215 Exhalation determination unit 233 First sensor unit 235 Second sensor Part 235a Pressure sensor 236 Third sensor part 236a Gas determination sensor P User

Claims (7)

An inhalation determination device that determines inhalation of a drug by a user using an inhaler,
a first detection unit provided in the vicinity of the mouthpiece provided in the inhaler for detecting the user's gripping action;
a sound acquisition unit provided in the vicinity of the mouthpiece and positioned in the mouth of the user when the user holds the mouthpiece;
a reference sound storage unit that stores a reference sound at the time of inhalation;
an acquired sound storage unit;
a CPU;
with
The CPU
using the data detected by the first detection unit to determine the user's sucking action on the mouthpiece;
The sound acquisition unit acquires a sound for a certain period of time after it is determined that it is held in the mouth,
comparing the sound acquired by the sound acquisition unit with the reference sound stored in the reference sound storage unit, and determining an inhalation action by the user based on the comparison result;
when it is determined that no sound is stored in the acquired sound storage unit and the inhalation action is correct, storing the sound acquired by the sound acquisition unit in the acquired sound storage unit;
When sound is stored in the acquired sound storage unit, next, the sound acquired by the sound acquisition unit is compared with the sound in the acquired sound storage unit, and based on the comparison result, the user performs determine the inhalation action,
An inhalation determination device that stores the sound acquired by the sound acquisition unit in the acquired sound storage unit when the inhalation operation is determined to be correct by comparison with the sound stored in the acquired sound storage unit. The inhalation determination device according to claim 1 ,
A sound output unit provided at a position outside the user's mouth when the user holds the mouthpiece,
The inhalation determination device, wherein the CPU notifies at least one of the determination result of the holding motion and the determination result of the inhalation motion by a sound output from the sound output unit. In the inhalation determination device according to claim 2 ,
The CPU
Determining whether or not the user has made an inhalation motion within a predetermined time after determining that the user is being held by the determination of the holding motion,
An inhalation determination device that notifies by a sound output from the sound output unit when an inhalation action by the user cannot be determined within the predetermined time. In the inhalation determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The inhalation determination device, wherein the CPU transmits at least one of a determination result of the holding motion and a determination result of the inhalation motion to an external device via communication means. In the inhalation determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The first detection unit includes a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the part where the user holds the mouth, and a temperature detection unit that detects the amount of light when the user holds the mouth in the user's mouth. an inhalation determination device, comprising: a light intensity detection unit; an inhalation determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ;
a chest band worn around the chest of the user;
An inhalation determination system comprising:
The chest band includes a second detection unit that detects pressure due to swelling of the user's chest,
The second detection unit is communicably connected to the inhalation determination device,
The inhalation determination system, wherein the CPU determines an inhalation action by the user using data detected by the second detection unit. an inhalation determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ;
an exhalation confirmation device for confirming exhalation exhaled by the user after the inhalation determination device determines the inhalation action;
An inhalation determination system comprising:
The breath confirmation device includes a third detection unit that is communicably connected to the inhalation determination device and detects a gas component,
The inhalation determination system, wherein the CPU determines the component of the gas using data detected by the third detection unit after determining that the inhalation operation is correct.

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