JP7469265B2 - Medical treatment device, control device, chair unit, and control method - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a medical treatment device, a control device, a chair unit, and a control method.

In order to prevent infections, etc., medical clinics clean and disinfect the medical equipment used after each patient. However, in order to treat the next patient, the power of the medical equipment is kept on while cleaning and disinfecting the equipment. As a result, there have been cases where the medical equipment was operated by mistake while working.

On the other hand, in order to prevent malfunctions such as sudden elevation and lowering of the examination table, which is a medical treatment device, due to the specific noise emitted by medical instruments such as electric scalpels and laser scalpels, a configuration has been proposed in which a safety switch is provided between the power source and the examination table attitude control switch (Patent Document 1).

Patent No. 4796762

However, the medical diagnostic device proposed in Patent Document 1 aims to prevent malfunctions caused by specific noises emitted by medical instruments, and the scope of malfunction prevention is limited to the range affected by the specific noise. In addition, it is necessary to operate a safety switch before performing any work, and the operation is cumbersome because the safety switch must be operated every time a patient's treatment is completed in order to perform tasks such as cleaning and disinfecting the medical diagnostic device. In particular, when cleaning, the operation of disabling the sensor to prevent water from being dispensed into a cup or the light from being turned on and off without permission is cumbersome.

This disclosure has been made to solve these problems, and aims to provide a medical treatment device, a control device, a chair unit, and a control method that can prevent malfunctions caused by tasks such as cleaning and disinfecting the medical treatment device.

The medical treatment device according to the present disclosure is a medical treatment device used for treating patients. The medical treatment device includes an operation unit that receives operations from a user, and a control unit that controls the medical treatment device based on the operations received by the operation unit and estimates the patient's exit from the medical treatment device. When the control unit estimates the patient's exit, it restricts the control of the medical treatment device, and releases the restriction on the control when a predetermined time has elapsed since the control was restricted, or when a predetermined operation is received by the operation unit.

The medical diagnostic device according to the present disclosure is a medical diagnostic device used for examining a patient. The medical diagnostic device includes an examination table for examining a patient, an operation panel having a plurality of switches and substantially flush with the operation panel for receiving operations by a user, and a control unit for controlling the medical diagnostic device based on the operation received by the operation panel. When the control unit estimates that the patient will leave the examination table by receiving an operation to move the examination table to a patient's exit position among the operations received by the operation panel , the control unit restricts the control of the medical diagnostic device based on the operation received by the operation panel, and releases the restriction on the control when a predetermined time has elapsed since the control was restricted or when a predetermined operation is received by the operation panel.

The control method according to the present disclosure is a control method for controlling a medical diagnostic device used for examining a patient, the control method including the steps of receiving operations on an operation panel on which a plurality of switches are provided and which is substantially flush with one another, controlling the medical diagnostic device based on the operations received on the operation panel, restricting control of the medical diagnostic device based on the operations received on the operation panel when an operation to move an examination table for examining the patient to a patient exit position is received from among the operations received on the operation panel and thus estimating that the patient will leave the examination table, and lifting the restriction on the control when a predetermined time has elapsed since the restriction on the control or when a predetermined operation is received on the operation panel.

The chair unit according to the present disclosure is a dental chair unit used for dental treatment of a patient. The chair unit includes a backrest, a seat, an operation panel having a plurality of switches for receiving user operations and being substantially flush with the operation panel, and a control unit for controlling the inclination of the backrest or the height of the seat based on the operation received by the operation panel. The control unit controls the backrest to be substantially balanced with the seat based on the operation received by the operation panel by receiving an operation to move the chair unit to a patient exit position among the operations received by the operation panel, controls the seat to a first height to place the chair unit in a first state, and then controls the backrest to stand up, and when the seat is controlled to a second height lower than the first height to place the chair unit in a second state, limits the control of the chair unit based on the operation received by the operation panel.

In the present disclosure, when the control unit estimates that the patient will leave, it restricts the control of the medical treatment device, and when a predetermined time has elapsed since the control restriction or when a predetermined operation is received by the operation unit, it releases the restriction on the control, thereby preventing malfunctions when performing tasks such as cleaning and disinfection on the medical treatment device.

1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of a medical diagnostic device according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a medical diagnostic device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a receipt computer according to an embodiment. 13 is a diagram for explaining icons on an operation panel provided on the examination table. FIG. 13 is a diagram to explain the operation of the examination table when the auto R switch is pressed. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining control of a medical diagnostic device according to an embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of a cup water dispenser according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a sensor provided in the lighting device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of history information collected by the medical diagnostic device according to the embodiment; FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.
A medical diagnostic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is installed in a clinic (e.g., a dental clinic). There are various types of medical diagnostic devices installed in a clinic, such as a treatment table that is a chair unit, an X-ray imaging device, a CT imaging device, etc. Since all of these medical diagnostic devices come into contact with or are in close proximity to patients, it is desirable to perform tasks such as cleaning and disinfection every time a patient's treatment is completed in order to prevent infection, etc.

To prevent malfunction of medical treatment equipment caused by cleaning, disinfection, and other tasks, and to perform the tasks safely, it is desirable to turn off the medical treatment equipment before performing the tasks. However, the operation of turning off the medical treatment equipment every time a patient is changed is cumbersome, and depending on the device, it can take a long time to start up from the OFF state.

In view of this, the medical diagnostic device according to the embodiment restricts control of the medical diagnostic device when it is estimated that the patient will leave the examination table, and releases the restriction on the control when a predetermined time has elapsed since the restriction on the control or when a predetermined operation is received at the operation unit. In the following embodiment, the control is described using the examination table as an example, but similar control can also be performed on other medical diagnostic devices such as X-ray imaging devices and CT imaging devices.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a medical treatment device according to an embodiment. In the medical treatment device shown in Figure 1, a treatment table 10 is shown that is connected to a receipt computer 20 that manages patient information. The treatment table 10, which is a medical treatment device, does not have to be connected to the receipt computer 20. In addition, multiple treatment tables 10 may be connected to the receipt computer 20.

First, the examination table 10 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the medical treatment device according to the embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the examination table 10, which is a medical treatment device, includes a treatment chair 1, a basin unit 2, a tray table 3, a foot controller 5, a display monitor 6, a lighting device (operating light) 7, an operation panel 8, a control device 9, and an instrument holder 50.

The treatment chair 1 includes a headrest 1a that supports the patient's head, a backrest 1b that supports the patient's back, a seat 1c that supports the patient's buttocks, a footrest 1d that supports the patient's feet, and a seat drive unit 11. The seat drive unit 11 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., mounted on a board (not shown), and controls the drive of each of the headrest 1a, backrest 1b, seat 1c, and footrest 1d.

For example, the seat 1c rises or falls based on the control of the seat drive unit 11. The headrest 1a, backrest 1b, and footrest 1d each move vertically or horizontally relative to the seat 1c based on the control of the seat drive unit 11. When the headrest 1a, backrest 1b, and footrest 1d move vertically relative to the seat 1c, the patient sitting on the treatment chair 1 assumes a sitting position. When the headrest 1a, backrest 1b, and footrest 1d move horizontally relative to the seat 1c, the patient sitting on the treatment chair 1 assumes a supine position. In this way, the seat drive unit 11 drives the headrest 1a, backrest 1b, seat 1c, and footrest 1d to change the position of the treatment chair 1.

The foot controller 5 has multiple switches (pedals) that are operated by the user's feet. The user can assign a specific function to each of these multiple switches.

For example, the user can assign a function to change the posture of the treatment chair 1 to a switch on the foot controller 5. When the user operates the switch to which the function to change the posture of the treatment chair 1 is assigned, the foot controller 5 outputs a control signal to the seat driver 11. Based on the control signal, the seat driver 11 drives the headrest 1a, backrest 1b, seat cushion 1c, and footrest 1d.

The user can also assign a function to drive the medical instrument 4, which will be described later, to a switch on the foot controller 5. When the user operates the switch to which the function to drive the medical instrument 4 is assigned, the foot controller 5 outputs a control signal to the medical instrument drive unit 14, which will be described later. The medical instrument drive unit 14 controls the drive of the medical instrument 4 based on the control signal.

The switch on the foot controller 5 can also be assigned other functions, such as controlling the lighting device 7 to turn on and off.

The tray table 3 is used as a storage table during treatment. The tray table 3 is connected to an arm (not shown) that extends from the treatment chair 1 or the floor. This allows the user to manually rotate, move horizontally, and move vertically the tray table 3 relative to the treatment chair 1.

The control device 9 is provided under the tray table 3. The control device 9 is connected to the treatment chair 1, the multiple treatment instruments 4, the instrument holder 50, the basin unit 2, the operation panel 8, and the display monitor 6. As described below, the control device 9 includes an operation control unit 12, a treatment instrument drive unit 14, a display monitor control unit 15, and a hold release determination unit 19. Each of these units is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, an input interface, an output interface, and the like, which are mounted on a board (not shown). The CPU of the control device 9 controls the treatment table 10 based on data input to the input interface, and also executes a program that can estimate the patient's exit from the treatment table 10.

The medical instrument 4 is, for example, an instrument for dental treatment, such as an air turbine handpiece, a micromotor handpiece, a scaler, a three-way syringe, and a vacuum syringe. Note that the medical instrument 4 is not limited to these, and may be an intraoral camera, a photopolymerization irradiator, a root canal length measuring instrument, a three-dimensional scanner, a root canal enlarger, or a non-driven instrument, such as a dental mirror, a syringe, or a filling instrument.

Five types of medical instruments, 4a to 4e, are used on the examination table 10. For example, medical instruments 4a and 4b are air turbine handpieces. Medical instrument 4c is a micromotor handpiece. Medical instrument 4d is a scaler. Medical instrument 4e is a three-way syringe.

Each medical instrument 4 is held by an instrument holder 50. When a medical instrument 4 is removed from the instrument holder 50, the instrument holder 50 releases the medical instrument 4 from its hold, and the medical instrument 4 enters a selected state (referred to as a selected state).

Each medical instrument 4 is connected to a medical instrument driving unit 14 included in the control device 9. The medical instrument driving unit 14 drives each medical instrument 4 based on the user's foot operation on the foot controller 5. For example, when the user steps on a switch for driving an air turbine handpiece on the foot controller 5, the medical instrument driving unit 14 rotates a cutting tool held in the head of the air turbine handpiece. In this way, the medical instrument driving unit 14 drives the medical instrument 4 based on the user's operation on the foot controller 5.

The instrument holder 50 is a holding member that holds each medical instrument 4. The instrument holder 50 is connected to the operation control unit 12 via a hold release identification unit 19 included in the control device 9. The hold release identification unit 19 identifies that the hold of the medical instrument 4 by the instrument holder 50 has been released, and outputs a signal indicating the identification result to the operation control unit 12. The operation control unit 12 identifies the medical instrument 4 in the selected state based on the signal from the hold release identification unit 19.

As shown in FIG. 1, the basin unit 2 is attached to the side of the treatment chair 1. The basin unit 2 includes a bowl 2a with a drain hole, a cup stand 2b on which a cup is placed, a water supply tap 2c for supplying water to the cup, and a main body 2d. The patient can gargle using the water supplied to the cup by the water supply tap 2c.

As shown in FIG. 2, the basin unit 2 includes a basin control unit 16 and a water supply sensor 22. The basin control unit 16 controls the flow of water and air used in the examination table 10. For example, when the water supply sensor 22 detects a cup, the basin control unit 16 starts supplying water to the cup from the water supply tap 2c. Furthermore, the basin unit 2 includes a lighting control unit 17. The lighting control unit 17 controls the lighting device 7 to be turned on and off based on the operation of the light switch 71. The light switch 71 may be included in the operation panel 8.

The basin unit 2 also includes a history collection unit 18 that collects history information within the examination table 10. For communication between the various controls within the examination table 10, related known technologies such as CAN (Controller Area Network) communication are applied. For this reason, the history collection unit 18 collects history information, for example, via CAN communication, from chair unit position control information sent from the seat drive unit 11, medical instrument 4 information sent from the operation control unit 12, cup water supply solenoid valve control information sent from the basin control unit 16, and lighting control information for the lighting device 7 sent from the lighting control unit 17. The history information collected by the history collection unit 18 includes at least the operation history of operations performed on the examination table 10 and the detection history detected by the examination table 10.

The basin unit 2 includes an input/output port 21 for communicatively connecting to an external device. When a receipt computer 20 is connected to the input/output port 21, the history collection unit 18 can output the collected history information to the receipt computer 20 via the input/output port 21. The receipt computer 20 stores the received history information in a medical device database. In addition, the control device 9 can input patient information from the receipt computer 20 via the input/output port 21.

As shown in FIG. 1, the display monitor 6 is mounted on an arm extending upward from the tray table 3. The display monitor 6 has a screen with a large display area. The display monitor 6 is connected to the operation control unit 12 via a display monitor control unit 15 provided in the control device 9. Based on instructions from the operation control unit 12, the display monitor control unit 15 causes the display monitor 6 to display images and related images related to the operation images.

Next, the receipt computer 20 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the receipt computer 20 according to the embodiment. The receipt computer 20 includes a CPU 200 that executes various programs including an operating system (OS), a memory unit 212 that temporarily stores data necessary for the execution of the programs by the CPU 200, and a hard disk (HDD: Hard Disk Drive) 210 that stores the programs executed by the CPU 200 in a non-volatile manner. In addition, the hard disk 210 stores in advance programs for implementing the analysis described below, and such programs are read from storage media such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) 214a by a CD-ROM drive 214 or the like.

The CPU 200 receives instructions from a user via an input unit 208 consisting of a keyboard, mouse, etc., and outputs analysis results obtained by executing a program to a display unit 204. Each unit is connected to each other via a bus 202. The interface unit 206 is also connected to an input/output port 21 of the examination table 10. The connection between the receipt computer 20 and the examination table 10 may be wired or wireless.

In the examination table 10 according to this embodiment, when it is estimated that the patient will leave the examination table 10, the control of the examination table 10 is restricted so that work such as cleaning and disinfection can be performed. Specifically, the examination table 10 can be set to estimate the patient's exit from the examination table 10 when, for example, the user presses an auto R switch that moves the examination table 10 to the entry/exit position.

Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the icons on the operation panel 8 provided on the examination table 10. Inside the operation panel 8, switches (not shown) for enabling the functions of each functional unit are arranged on a substrate. A plate-shaped panel is provided to cover the upper surface of the substrate. A plurality of icons are silk-screened on the surface of the panel using ink made of a light-diffusing material. When light is irradiated onto the icons from an LED (not shown) provided inside the operation panel 8, the icons are lit up and appear on the operation panel 8. In this way, in the operation panel 8, each switch is arranged on the plate-shaped panel so that it can be pressed by the user's finger, and an LED provided on the surface of the panel corresponding to the switch is lit up to indicate a switch that has been pressed by the user's finger and is in a functional state. In addition, since the operation panel 8 has a structure in which each switch and an LED display are provided inside the plate-shaped panel, there are no irregularities and the operation panel 8 is approximately flush. Therefore, the operation panel 8 is less likely to accumulate dirt on the surface of the panel, and it is easy for the user to wipe and disinfect the panel.

In the operation panel 8 shown in FIG. 4, all icons are shown lit on the panel. First, icons 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d are icons that are pressed when setting a function (also called chair auto function) for moving the treatment chair 1 to a specified position with one operation. The chair auto function is part of the functions provided by the seat drive unit 11.

Switches that realize the chair auto function include an Auto 1 switch that automatically moves the treatment chair 1 to a position with the optimum height and inclination angle for molar treatment with one operation, an Auto 2 switch that automatically moves the treatment chair 1 to a position with the optimum height and inclination angle for anterior tooth treatment with one operation, an Auto R switch that automatically moves the treatment chair 1 to a position with the optimum height and inclination angle for patient introduction or withdrawal with one operation, and an Auto S switch that automatically moves the treatment chair 1 to a position with the optimum height and inclination angle for the patient to gargle with one operation. Icon 8a corresponds to the Auto 1 switch. Icon 8b corresponds to the Auto 2 switch. Icon 8c corresponds to the Auto R switch. Icon 8d corresponds to the Auto S switch.

The position to which the treatment chair 1 is automatically moved by operating the Auto 1 switch, Auto 2 switch, or Auto S switch can be set by the user as desired.

Icons 8e, 8f, 8g, and 8h are icons that are pressed when setting a function (also called a chair manual function) that continuously changes either the position or the posture of the treatment chair 1. The chair manual function is part of the functions of the seat drive unit 11.

Switches that exercise the chair manual function include a stand-up switch that continuously raises the treatment chair 1 according to the operation time (duration of pressing), a tilt switch that continuously tilts the treatment chair 1 according to the operation time, an up switch that continuously raises the treatment chair 1 according to the operation time, and a down switch that continuously lowers the treatment chair 1 according to the operation time. Icon 8e corresponds to the stand-up switch. Icon 8f corresponds to the tilt switch. Icon 8g corresponds to the up switch. Icon 8h corresponds to the down switch.

The operation of the examination table 10 when the user presses the Auto R switch is explained using the diagram. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the examination table when the Auto R switch is pressed. When examining a patient, the examination chair 1 is in position P1. Position P1 is a position where the headrest 1a, backrest 1b, and footrest 1d move in a substantially horizontal direction relative to the seat sheet 1c, the patient is in a supine position, and the examination chair 1 has risen to a height where the user can easily perform treatment. Here, the height where the user can easily perform treatment is an appropriate height when the user, a dentist, sits in the dentist's chair and performs dental treatment on the oral cavity of a reclining patient.

When the user has finished treating the patient and operates icon 8c (auto R switch) on the operation panel 8, the backrest 1b moves in the direction of arrow S to stand up, and the seat 1c moves in the direction of arrow D to lower. The examination table 10 moves the treatment chair 1 to position P2, which is the patient's entry/exit position. Position P2 is the position where the headrest 1a, backrest 1b, and footrest 1d move vertically relative to the seat 1c, and the treatment chair 1 is lowered to a height where the patient is in a seated position and can easily stand up from the treatment chair 1.

Therefore, when the user operates the icon 8c (auto R switch) of the operation panel 8, the control device 9 can estimate that the patient has left the examination table 10, and restricts the control of the examination table 10 based on the operation received by the operation panel 8 so that cleaning, disinfection, and other tasks can be performed. In other words, even if the operation panel 8 is pressed for cleaning, disinfection, and other tasks, the control device 9 restricts the control so as not to perform the control corresponding to the pressed icon. Note that the control device 9 may also estimate that the patient has left the examination table 10 when the user does not operate the icon 8c (auto R switch) of the operation panel 8, but instead moves the examination chair 1 to position P2, which is the patient's introduction/exit position, using the icon of the chair manual function. Specifically, when the user presses the icon 8e (stand up switch) and then presses the icon 8h (down switch), the examination chair 1 moves to position P2. Furthermore, the control device 9 may estimate that the patient has left the examination couch 10 when a certain time (e.g., 5 minutes) has passed since the transition from a state in which the backrest 1b is approximately horizontal with respect to the seat sheet 1c in position P1 for medical treatment to a state in which the backrest b1 is upright in position P2 for introducing and removing the patient, and when the state remains the same (a state in which the examination couch 10 is not controlled by operations received by the operation panel 8 or signals from each sensor) until the certain time has passed. This allows the user to control the examination couch 10 just before the patient leaves the examination couch 10, in cases where the user wants to control the examination couch 10, and by providing a certain grace period without restricting the examination couch 10 immediately after the transition to position P2, the user's freedom of movement can be ensured.

The control device 9 releases the restriction that allows cleaning, disinfection, and other tasks when a predetermined time has elapsed (e.g., 5 minutes after the restriction began) or when a predetermined operation is received on the foot controller 5 or operation panel 8. The predetermined operation is an operation performed by a user who intends to release the restriction, and does not include operations that are performed accidentally by a user who does not intend to operate. The predetermined operation includes, for example, operating multiple operation switches simultaneously, and is not an operation that occurs accidentally due to a mistaken operation such as accidentally operating multiple adjacent operation switches simultaneously, but an operation that indicates the user's intention to release the restriction. Specifically, the predetermined operation is to step on a specific switch (pedal) on the foot controller 5 while pressing a specific icon on the operation panel 8.

Next, the above-mentioned control of the examination table 10 according to this embodiment will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the control of the medical examination device according to this embodiment. First, the control device 9 judges whether it is possible to estimate the patient's exit (step S101). Specifically, the control device 9 estimates the patient's exit based on whether the user has pressed the auto R switch or whether an operation similar to that performed when the auto R switch is manually pressed and functioning has been performed. If it is not possible to estimate the patient's exit (NO in step S101), the control device 9 returns the process to step S101.

On the other hand, if it is possible to predict that the patient will leave (YES in step S101), the control device 9 restricts the control of the examination table 10 corresponding to the operation received from the foot controller 5, the operation panel 8, etc. (step S102). This prevents the user from operating each switch to activate each function when cleaning and disinfecting the foot controller 5 or the operation panel 8. When restricting the control of the examination table 10, the user may be notified so that the user is aware of this. For example, a voice or buzzer sound may be output, or an LED lamp may be turned on. Furthermore, the output or lighting may be temporary, or may continue until the restriction is lifted in step S104, which will be described later.

The restricted control of the examination table 10 corresponds to the operation received by the foot controller 5 or the operation panel 8, but is not limited to this control. In particular, the operation unit is not limited to the foot controller 5 or the operation panel 8, but may include, for example, a sensor that detects whether a cup is placed on the cup stand 2b or a light switch 71 provided on the lighting device 7. Specifically, even if the control device 9 detects that a cup has been placed on the cup stand 2b, which is the cup water supply device, it may restrict the control of the cup water supply solenoid valve and restrict the water supply control from the water supply tap 2c. This prevents the sensor from detecting and supplying water when the user cleans and disinfects the area around the cup stand 2b.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a cup water supply device according to an embodiment. In the cup water supply device shown in Fig. 7, an infrared light source 22a provided on the bowl 2a side and a light receiving sensor 22b attached to the tip of the water supply tap 2c are used to determine whether a cup C is placed on the cup stand 2b and to start supplying water to the cup C. In other words, in the cup water supply device, when a cup C is not placed on the cup stand 2b, the light receiving sensor 22b can receive infrared rays from the light source 22a, but when a cup C is placed on the cup stand 2b, the infrared rays from the light source 22a are blocked by the cup C and cannot be received by the light receiving sensor 22b. When the light receiving sensor 22b can no longer receive infrared rays from the light source 22a, the cup water supply device determines that a cup C has been placed on the cup stand 2b and starts supplying water to the cup C.

When cleaning and disinfecting the cup water supply device, if the hand of the person cleaning and disinfecting blocks the infrared rays from the light source 22a, the cup water supply device will mistakenly determine that a cup C has been placed on the cup stand 2b and start supplying water. Therefore, when the control device 9 estimates that the patient has left, it limits the control of the cup water supply solenoid valve to limit the water supply control from the water supply tap 2c even when the infrared rays from the light source 22a cannot be received by the light receiving sensor 22b. In addition, when the control device 9 estimates that the patient has left, it may stop the functions of the light source 22a and the light receiving sensor 22b themselves, which determine whether or not a cup C has been placed on the cup stand 2b. Note that, although an example in which the water supply sensor 22 is configured with the light source 22a and the light receiving sensor 22b has been shown, the configuration of the water supply sensor 22 is not limited to this, and for example, the water supply sensor 22 may be configured to detect the weight of the cup C placed on the cup stand 2b by providing a load cell on the cup stand 2b.

Furthermore, even if a sensor is provided in the lighting device 7 instead of the light switch 71, the control device 9 may limit the lighting control of the lighting device 7 based on the detection of the sensor. If a touchless non-contact sensor is provided in place of the light switch 71 provided in the lighting device 7, the lighting device 7 can be turned on/off by detecting the movement of the user's hand with the non-contact sensor. The control device 9 may limit the control of turning on/off based on the non-contact sensor. In this way, even if the non-contact sensor detects the movement of the hand of the person cleaning/disinfecting the lighting device 7 when cleaning/disinfecting the lighting device 7, the control device 9 will not turn on/off the lighting device 7.

8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a sensor provided in a lighting device according to an embodiment. In the lighting device 7A shown in FIG. 8(a), a non-contact sensor 72 is provided on the underside of a housing part 73 including a light source and a mirror body. On the other hand, in the lighting device 7B shown in FIG. 8(b), a non-contact sensor 72 is provided on an arm 74 supporting the housing part 73. The non-contact sensor 72 is an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, or the like. When cleaning and disinfecting the lighting devices 7A and 7B, if the non-contact sensor 72 detects the movement of the hands of a person cleaning and disinfecting the lighting devices 7A and 7B, the lighting devices 7A and 7B are erroneously turned on. Therefore, when the control device 9 estimates the patient's exit, it limits the lighting of the lighting devices 7A and 7B even if the non-contact sensor 72 detects a person's hand. When the control device 9 estimates the patient's exit, it may stop the detection of the non-contact sensor 72 itself.

Furthermore, the control device 9 may limit the control of the examination table 10 based on operations received by operation units such as switches provided on the medical instruments 4 other than the operation panel 8, the touch panel of the display monitor 6, and the instrument holder 50. In other words, the control of the examination table 10 limited by the control device 9 broadly includes control of the examination table 10 where malfunctions need to be prevented by tasks such as cleaning and disinfection, and control of the examination table 10 where the safety of the said tasks needs to be ensured.

When the control of the examination couch 10 is restricted, the control device 9 judges whether a predetermined operation has been received from the foot controller 5, the operation panel 8, etc. (step S103). When a predetermined operation has been received (YES in step S103), the control device 9 releases the control restriction (step S104). Even during a period when the control of the examination couch 10 is restricted for cleaning, disinfection, or other work, there may be cases where a patient needs to be quickly introduced onto the examination couch 10 for treatment. In such cases, the user can perform a predetermined operation to forcibly release the restriction.

If the predetermined operation has not been received (NO in step S103), the control device 9 judges whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the control of the examination table 10 was restricted (step S105). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step S105), the control device 9 returns the process to step S102 and continues the control restriction. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S105), the control device 9 advances the process to step S104 and releases the control restriction. When the control device 9 releases the control restriction, it may notify the user so that the user can understand. For example, it may output a voice or a buzzer sound or light an LED lamp. Since the cleaning, disinfection, and other tasks are completed within a predetermined time, the control restriction is automatically released after the predetermined time has elapsed, and the examination table 10 is returned to a normal state in which the patient can be examined. This eliminates the need for complicated operations such as operating a switch every time a task such as cleaning or disinfection is performed on the examination table 10. Note that in this flowchart, only one of the judgment process in step S103 and the judgment process in step S105 may be executed.

(Variation 1)
In the above, it has been explained that the control device 9 estimates the patient's exit based on whether or not the user has pressed the auto R switch. However, this explanation is only one example of a method for estimating the patient's exit, and the method for estimating the patient's exit is not limited to this method. The method for estimating the patient's exit will be specifically explained below.

In the examination table 10, the history collection unit 18 collects history information including at least the operation history of operations performed on the examination table 10 and the detection history detected by the examination table 10. Therefore, the control device 9 may estimate the patient's exit using the history information collected by the history collection unit 18.

A specific example of history information collected by the history collection unit 18 is shown in the figure. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of history information collected by the medical treatment device according to the embodiment. The history collection unit 18 collects information such as "event code", "event parameter", "date", "time" and "chair No." sent from the seat drive unit 11, the operation control unit 12, and the basin control unit 16 via CAN communication as history information. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the history collection unit 18 collects information such as "event code" = "020035", "event parameter" = "1", "date" = ****/5/25, "time" = 9:00 and "chair No." = 1 as history information sent from the basin control unit 16 when the cup water supply solenoid valve control is in the ON state. The history collection unit 18 also collects the information "Event Code" = "030302", "Event Parameter" = "0", "Date" = ****/5/25, "Time" = 9:09, and "Chair No." = 2 as history information of the exit position of the chair unit position control sent from the seat drive unit 11. Note that the contents of the history information shown in FIG. 6 are only an example, and controls not shown are also stored as history information. For example, information from the hold release identification unit 19 indicating that the medical instrument 4 has been removed from the instrument holder 50, and information from the medical instrument drive unit 14 that has driven the air turbine handpiece may be stored in the history information.

The control device 9 estimates the patient's exit from the information of "time" = 9:22 and "chair No." = 1 from the history information shown in FIG. 9. Specifically, in the history information of "time" = 9:22 and "chair No." = 1, the "event parameter" is "0" for the exit position in the chair unit position control of "event code" = "030302", and then the "event parameter" is "0" for the OFF state in the operation light lighting control of "event code" = "020284". Therefore, the control device 9 can estimate that the patient has exited from the examination table 10 because the chair unit position is the exit position and the operation light lighting is OFF. In other words, the control device 9 estimates that the patient has entered or exited the examination table 10 based on the past history including the order of control of each hardware (chair unit, operation light, etc.) in a specific chair, the time from the start to the end of control of each hardware, and the time when not controlled, and the current status of each hardware. The control device 9 estimates that a patient has entered or left the examination couch 10 based on, for example, the level of similarity between past history and the current status of each piece of hardware.

The control device 9 is not limited to the chair unit position and the operation light being turned on, so long as it can determine from the history information whether a specific operation has been performed on the examination table 10 and estimate the patient's exit. In the case of the examination table 10, the specific operation may include at least the raising of the backrest 1b (backrest portion) of the examination table 10 and the lowering of the seating surface 1c of the examination table 10.

Of course, the method of estimating the patient's exit is not limited to the method of estimating from the operation of pressing a switch or historical information. For example, the examination table 10 may be provided with a sensor (e.g., a load sensor, a human presence sensor, etc.) that detects the patient, and the control device 9 may estimate the patient's exit based on the detection results from the sensor. In other words, the control device 9 estimates that the patient has entered or exited the examination table 10 based on the past history including the order, duration, and non-detection time of each sensor in a particular chair, and the current situation detected by each sensor. The control device 9 estimates that the patient has entered or exited the examination table 10 based on the past history and the current situation detected by each sensor, for example.

Furthermore, the control device 9 may estimate the patient's exit using information from the receipt computer 20. The control device 9 estimates the patient's exit based on patient information acquired from the receipt computer 20 (external device) communicably connected to the examination table 10. Specifically, the receipt record stored in the receipt computer 20 stores, for example, information on the "appointment time," "arrival time," "treatment information time," "medical record input time," "next appointment time," "accounting time," and "chair number" for each "patient number" information. Therefore, the control device 9 estimates that the patient's treatment has ended and the patient has exited the examination table 10 from, for example, the "medical record input time." Note that the receipt computer 20 is just one example, and any external device that holds patient information that can estimate the patient's exit may be used.

The receipt computer 20 may include a patient reservation system. By including a patient reservation system in the receipt computer 20, the patient's visit schedule can be grasped, and the control device 9 can identify the free time of the examination table 10 from the schedule. In other words, the control device 9 can grasp that a specific examination table 10 will not be used from "XXX:XXX" to "XX:XX" based on the patient's visit schedule obtained from the receipt computer 20, and can infer that the patient has entered or left the examination table 10. In addition, if it is a long time until the next use of a specific examination table 10, the control device 9 may increase the specified time for lifting the restriction accordingly. Note that a computer including a patient reservation system may be communicably connected to the examination table 10 without providing a receipt computer 20.

(Variation 2)
In the above embodiment, it has been described that the control device 9 restricts the control of the examination couch 10 when it is estimated that the patient will leave. However, depending on the situation in which the examination couch 10 is used, it is possible that the restriction of the control is unnecessary. Therefore, the control device 9 may be capable of switching between a cleaning mode (first mode) in which the control device 9 restricts the control of the examination couch 10 when it is estimated that the patient will leave, and a normal mode (second mode) in which the control device 9 does not restrict the control of the examination couch 10 even when it is estimated that the patient will leave. This allows the examination couch 10 to set the cleaning mode only when it is necessary.

(Variation 3)
In the above embodiment, the description was given on the assumption that the predetermined time or the predetermined operation for releasing the restriction is set and stored in advance in the examination table 10. However, the predetermined time or the predetermined operation may be changed depending on the situation in which the examination table 10 is used. In the case of a clinic where the patient change time is short, the control device 9 can change the predetermined time to, for example, 3 minutes from 5 minutes. The control device 9 may also change the predetermined time by learning from past history. For example, the time from the past control restriction (step S102) to the execution of the predetermined operation (step S103) may be set. In that case, the average time of the most recent predetermined number of times (for example, 5 times) may be set. Furthermore, the control device 9 changes the predetermined operation of simultaneously operating multiple operation switches to, for example, a predetermined operation of pressing a specific operation switch for 2 seconds or more. The buttons to be operated simultaneously may be changed arbitrarily by the user.

(Variation 4)
The control device 9 may use an AI (artificial intelligence) engine capable of machine learning such as deep learning for the process of estimating the patient's exit. The control device 9 estimates the patient's exit based on at least the operation content accepted by the operation unit (foot controller 5, operation panel 8, etc.), the operation time, the detection results of each sensor, and a machine-learned estimation model (including a neural network). The estimation model is machine-learned in advance by optimizing the parameters of the neural network using teacher data including the operation history accepted by the operation unit and the record of the patient's exit. The control device 9 can estimate the patient's exit with high accuracy by estimating the patient's exit based on the estimation model. Note that the artificial intelligence included in the estimation model is not limited to a neural network, and a known artificial intelligence may be adopted.

The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

1 Treatment chair, 2 Basin unit, 3 Tray table, 4 Treatment equipment, 5 Foot controller, 6 Display monitor, 7 Lighting device, 8 Operation panel, 9 Control device, 10, 10a Treatment equipment, 11 Seat drive unit, 12 Operation control unit, 14 Treatment equipment drive unit, 15 Display monitor control unit, 16 Basin control unit, 17 Lighting control unit, 18 History collection unit, 20 Receipt computer, 21 Input/output port.

Claims (16)

A medical diagnostic device for use in treating a patient, comprising:
A treatment table for treating the patient;
an operation panel having a plurality of switches for receiving operations by a user and being substantially flush with one another;
a control unit that controls the medical diagnostic device based on an operation received on the operation panel,
The control unit is
A medical treatment device that, when it predicts that the patient will leave the examination table by accepting an operation to move the examination table to the patient's exit position among operations accepted by the operation panel, restricts control of the medical treatment device based on the operation accepted by the operation panel, and releases the restriction on the control when a predetermined time has elapsed since restricting the control or when a predetermined operation is accepted by the operation panel. The medical treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of switching between a first mode in which control of the medical treatment device is restricted when it is estimated that the patient will leave, and a second mode in which such restriction is not imposed. The medical diagnostic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined operation includes operating multiple operation switches simultaneously. The medical treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit is capable of changing the predetermined time or the predetermined operation. The medical treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the medical treatment device is a dental treatment device used in dental treatment. The medical treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit estimates the patient's exit based on a predetermined operation of the medical treatment device. 7. The medical diagnostic device according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined motion includes at least a rising motion of a backrest of a diagnostic chair included in the diagnostic table , and a lowering motion of a seat of the diagnostic chair. a sensor for detecting the patient;
The medical diagnostic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit estimates the exit of the patient based on a detection result from the sensor. The medical treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit estimates the exit of the patient based on information about the patient obtained from an external device communicatively connected to the medical treatment device. The control unit estimates the exit of the patient based on at least the operation content received by the operation panel and an estimation model generated by machine learning;
The medical diagnostic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the estimation model is machine-learned based on a history of operations received on the operation panel and a record of the patient's exit. Further comprising a cup water supply device;
The medical diagnostic device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control unit limits water supply control of the cup water supply device when it is estimated that the patient will leave. Further comprising a lighting device;
The medical diagnostic device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the control unit limits lighting control of the illumination device when it is estimated that the patient will leave. A control device for controlling a medical diagnostic device used in the medical treatment of a patient,
A treatment table for treating the patient;
an input unit for inputting data related to operations received on a substantially flush operation panel provided with a plurality of switches in the medical diagnostic device;
a control unit that controls the medical diagnostic device based on the data input to the input unit,
The control unit is
A control device that, when it predicts that the patient will leave the examination table by accepting an operation to move the examination table to the patient's exit position among operations accepted by the operation panel, restricts control of the medical treatment device based on the operation accepted by the operation panel, and releases the restriction on the control when a predetermined time has elapsed since restricting the control or when a predetermined operation is accepted by the operation panel. A method for controlling a medical diagnostic device used in the diagnosis and treatment of a patient, comprising:
a step of receiving the signal on a substantially flush operation panel provided with a plurality of switches in the medical diagnostic device;
controlling the medical diagnostic device based on an operation received on the operation panel;
When it is estimated that the patient will leave the examination table by receiving an operation to move the examination table for treating the patient to a patient exit position among the operations received by the operation panel, limiting the control of the medical treatment device based on the operation received by the operation panel;
and releasing the restriction on the control when a predetermined time has elapsed since the restriction on the control was placed or when a predetermined operation is received on the operation panel. A dental chair unit for use in dental treatment of a patient, comprising:
With a backrest,
The seat and
an operation panel having a plurality of switches for receiving operations by a user and being substantially flush with one another;
A control unit that controls the inclination of the backrest or the height of the seat based on an operation received on the operation panel,
The control unit is
A chair unit which, based on an estimation of the patient's exit from the examination table by accepting an operation to move the chair unit to an exit position of the patient among operations accepted by the operation panel, controls the backrest to be approximately balanced with respect to the seat sheet, controls the seat sheet to a first height to put the chair unit in a first state, and then controls the backrest to be upright, and when the seat sheet is controlled to a second height lower than the first height to put the chair unit in a second state, restricts the control of the chair unit based on the operation accepted by the operation panel. The chair unit according to claim 15, wherein the control unit restricts the chair unit when a certain time has elapsed since the chair unit was put into the second state.

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