KR20230029152A - Automatic urine volume measurement device - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic urine volume measurement device, for continuously managing a health status of a patient, according to the present invention comprises: a urine storage unit which is connected to a urine pipe for urine to flow in and has a storage space for storing the urine flowing in through the urine pipe; and a urine amount measurement unit which measures the amount of urine stored in the urine storage unit and discharges the urine stored in the storage space to a urine collection unit based on the measured results, wherein the urine storage unit is provided with a level check unit that can rise or fall based on the level of urine stored in the storage space, and the urine amount measurement unit measures the amount of urine stored in the storage space based on a location of the level check unit.

Description

Automatic urine volume measurement device}

The present invention relates to an automatic urine measurement device, and more particularly, to an automatic urine measurement device capable of continuously measuring the patient's urine volume to accurately determine the patient's health condition.

The balance of body fluids in the human body is an essential requirement for maintaining health, and the assessment of water balance is very important.

In particular, in the case of a patient hospitalized in an intensive care unit, if the body fluid balance is broken, serious complications such as congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, and delirium may occur, leading to irreversible serious conditions.

There are three conventional methods for measuring body fluid balance.

Clinical test methods such as serum and urine osmolality, serum sodium concentration and natriuretic peptide, and subjective observation methods such as skin elasticity, thirst, and mucosal humidity, and finally, weight, intake and excretion (intake & excretion) There are objective and non-invasive methods such as output, I&O), and number of bowel movements.

In the past, a dedicated urine bag was attached to the patient to measure the amount of urine, and the urine contained in the urine bag was transferred to a beaker every hour and measured with a scale. However, recently, a urine bag with a scale for volume display is used Thus, it was possible to eliminate the trouble of transferring urine to the beaker every hour.

However, there was a problem in that it was difficult to determine the exact value when the Yurinbaek was tilted.

In addition, there is a problem in that nursing personnel require periodic labor because it is a method of measuring with the naked eye.

In addition, there was a problem in that it was difficult to immediately recognize an emergency situation based on a change in urine volume.

For the above reasons, although a technology for monitoring the amount of urine has been developed, such as Patent Registration No. 10-0810075 (monitoring system using a sensor for measuring urine amount), in that a load cell for measuring weight is used to measure the amount of urine There are bound to be limitations in accurately measuring the amount of urine.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for research on an automatic urine measurement device that can accurately and continuously determine the amount of urine to continuously manage the patient's health condition.

An object of the present invention is to continuously and accurately measure the amount of urine automatically and at the same time minimize the amount of residual urine that may be generated in the process of collecting the urine that has been measured, so that the patient's health condition can be continuously managed. to provide a measuring device.

An apparatus for automatically measuring the amount of urine according to the present invention includes: a urine storage unit connected to a urinary duct through which urine is introduced and having a storage space for storing the urine introduced through the urinary tract; and a urine amount measurement unit configured to measure the amount of urine stored in the urine storage unit after the urine storage unit is detachably mounted, and to discharge the urine stored in the storage space to the urine collection unit based on the measured result. The urine storage unit includes a water level check unit capable of rising or falling based on the level of urine stored in the storage space, and the urine amount measuring unit is located in the storage space based on the position of the water level check unit. It may be characterized by measuring the amount of the urine stored.

The urine amount measurement unit of the automatic urine measurement device according to the present invention includes a sensing unit for detecting the position of the water level check unit, and a plurality of the sensing units are arranged in a vertical direction to detect the level of urine stored in the storage space. It may be characterized by continuous sensing.

The sensing unit of the automatic urine measurement device according to the present invention may be characterized in that a plurality of sensing units are disposed to be spaced apart in the vertical direction, and the degree of separation in the vertical direction decreases toward the upper direction.

The urine storage unit of the automatic urine measurement device according to the present invention includes a space defining unit defining the storage space and a guide unit accommodating the water level check unit and guiding the rise or fall of the water level check unit, wherein the guide unit , It may be characterized in that the water level check unit can be raised or lowered by the urine flowing into the storage space through communication with the storage space.

The urine storage unit of the automatic urine measurement device according to the present invention includes a space defining unit defining the storage space, an outlet through which the urine stored in the storage space is discharged to the urine collection unit, and a location movement of the outlet. It may be characterized in that it has an opening and closing control unit for controlling whether to open or close.

The opening and closing control unit of the automatic urine measurement device according to the present invention may be characterized in that the location movement is realized by an external force provided from the outside of the urine storage unit.

The urine storage unit of the automatic urine measurement device according to the present invention is connected to the opening and closing control unit, and protrudes to the outside of the space defining unit to further include an external force transmission unit for transmitting the external force to the opening and closing control unit. can

The urine amount measuring unit of the automatic urine measurement device according to the present invention includes an external force providing unit for providing the external force, and the external force providing unit includes a driving unit for providing a driving force and an eccentric rotated eccentrically by the driving force, , The external force transmitting unit may be characterized in that the external force is applied by rotation of the eccentric unit.

The urine amount measurement unit of the automatic urine measurement device according to the present invention includes a sensing unit for detecting the position of the water level check unit, and a plurality of the sensing units are arranged spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction to measure the amount of urine stored in the storage space. The water level is discontinuously sensed, and when the position of the water level check part is sensed by a sensing part located at a specific height, the driving part provides the driving force so that the external force due to the rotation of the eccentric part is applied to the external force transmitting part. It can be characterized as doing.

According to the apparatus for automatically measuring the amount of urine according to the present invention, it is possible to continuously and accurately measure the amount of urine automatically.

In addition, it is possible to minimize the amount of residual urine that may be generated in the process of collecting urine that has been measured.

For this reason, according to the automatic urine measurement device according to the present invention, there is a remarkable effect of continuously checking and managing the patient's health condition.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing an automatic urine measurement device according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the inside is opened by rotating the cover portion of the urine amount measurement unit provided in the automatic urine measurement device according to the present invention with respect to the main body portion.
Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an exploded urine volume measurement unit and urine storage unit provided in the automatic urine measurement device according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB of the urine storage unit shown in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view along line AA of Figure 1;
6 to 9 are views for explaining a process in which urine stored in the urine storage unit is discharged to the urine collection unit.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the presented embodiments, and those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention may add, change, delete, etc. other elements within the scope of the same spirit, through other degenerative inventions or the present invention. Other embodiments included within the scope of the inventive idea can be easily proposed, but it will also be said to be included within the scope of the inventive concept.

In addition, components having the same function within the scope of the same idea appearing in the drawings of each embodiment are described using the same reference numerals.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing an automatic urine measurement device according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a state in which the inside is opened by rotating the cover of the urine measurement unit provided in the automatic urine measurement device according to the present invention with respect to the main body It is a schematic perspective view.

In addition, Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the urine amount measuring unit and the urine storage unit disassembled provided in the automatic urine measurement device according to the present invention, Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB of the urine storage unit shown in FIG. And, Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Figure 1.

1 to 5, the apparatus 10 for automatically measuring the amount of urine according to the present invention is a device that continuously measures the amount of urine of a patient to continuously manage the patient's health condition, and stores the patient's urine. It may include a urine storage unit 100 having a storage space for storage, and a urine amount measurement unit 200 for measuring the amount of urine stored in the urine storage unit 100.

The urine storage unit 100 may be connected to a urinary tube 300 through which urine of a patient flows in, and the urinary tube 300 may be a kind of medical tube connected to a Foley Catheter known in the medical field. there is.

The urine storage unit 100 includes a space defining unit 110 defining a storage space S for storing urine, and a water level check capable of rising or falling based on the level of urine stored in the storage space S. It may include a part 120, a guide part 130 for accommodating the water level checking part 120 and guiding the rising or falling of the water level checking part 120.

Here, the space defining part 110 may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the guide part 130 communicates with the storage space S to raise the water level by urine flowing into the storage space S. The check unit 120 may be raised or lowered.

Urine flowing into the storage space (S) is stored in the storage space (S), and when it reaches a specific water level in this process, it is discharged to a urine collection unit (not shown) through the outlet (E).

The discharge port (E) is a kind of hole through which the urine stored in the storage space (S) is discharged to the urine collection unit, and whether it is opened or closed can be controlled by moving the position of the opening and closing control unit 140.

The opening and closing control unit 140 closes the outlet (E) before the level of urine stored in the storage space (S) reaches the specific level, and the urine stored in the storage space (S) is the specific level. When the water level is reached, the position is moved by an external force to open the outlet (E).

Here, the urine storage unit 100 is connected to the opening and closing control unit 140, and the external force is transmitted to the opening and closing control unit 140 to define the space to implement the position movement of the opening and closing control unit 140. An external force transmission unit 150 provided to protrude outside the unit 110 may be further included.

The external force transmission unit 150 may be provided in a long rod shape, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The external force transmitter 150 and the opening/closing control unit 140 can automatically return to their original positions by the elastic part 160 when the external force is removed after being moved by the external force. The elastic part 160 ) may be a coil spring inserted into the external force transmission unit 150 protruding out of the space defining unit 110, and escape from the inserted state can be prevented by the end of the external force transmission unit 150. .

The position of the elastic part 160 for returning the opening/closing control part 140 and the external force transmission part 150 to the original position is not necessarily limited to the above-mentioned position, and for example, the outlet (E) It is also possible to realize automatic return to the original position by being located inside the defining partition wall.

Discharge of urine related to the movement of the opening/closing control unit 140 by the external force will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 .

The water level check unit 120 may be provided in the form of a ball capable of rising or falling within the guide unit 130 by the buoyancy of urine stored in the storage space S, and the buoyancy in terms of the material Any material that can be raised or lowered by

The urine amount measurement unit 200 measures the amount of urine stored in the urine storage unit 100 after the urine storage unit 100 is detachably mounted, and based on the measured result, the storage space (S ) It may be configured to discharge the urine stored in the urine collection unit.

The urine amount measuring unit 200 includes a main body 210 for mounting the urine storage unit 100 and the urine storage unit 100 when the urine storage unit 100 is mounted on the main body unit 210. It may include a cover part 220 for protection from the external environment.

The cover part 220 can be rotated based on the main body part 210, and the cover part 220 includes a switch 222 for opening the inside, a button 224 for operation, monitoring the operating situation, etc. A display 226 or the like may be provided to perform the operation.

At least one battery B for supplying power for operation may be detachably mounted on the main body 210, and the remaining amount of the battery B may be displayed on the display 226.

On the other hand, the urine amount measurement unit 200 uses a sensing unit 230 for measuring the amount of urine stored in the storage space S based on the position of the water level check unit 120 located in the guide unit 130. can include

The sensing unit 230 is provided in the body unit 210 to detect the position of the water level checking unit 120, and may be a photo sensor composed of a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, but is not necessarily limited thereto. , Any means capable of detecting the position of the water level check unit 120 located in the guide unit 130 is applicable.

The sensing unit 230 may be disposed in a plurality in a vertical direction (D) to detect the level of urine stored in the storage space (S).

Specifically, a plurality of the sensing units 230 may be disposed spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction D to discontinuously detect the level of urine stored in the storage space S.

Here, the degree of separation of the sensing unit 230 in the vertical direction D may decrease toward the upper direction. As a result, as the amount of urine stored in the storage space S increases, the detection of the amount of urine increases. spacing will decrease.

When the urine stored in the storage space (S) reaches a certain level, it is discharged to the urine collection unit through the outlet (E), and the accuracy of the discharge time is a very sensitive issue in relation to the capacity of the storage space (S). because it wins

On the other hand, in the above, it has been described that the sensing unit 230 is provided in plurality and disposed on the body unit 210 to be spaced apart from each other, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and the level of urine stored in the storage space (S) It should be noted that it may change continuously by detectable means.

Of course, even if the sensing unit 230 is provided in plurality and is spaced apart from each other, the distanced hardness is very small so that substantially the same effect as continuously detecting the level of urine stored in the storage space (S) is realized. Maybe.

6 to 9 are views for explaining a process in which urine stored in the urine storage unit is discharged to the urine collection unit.

When the patient's urine is introduced into the storage space (S) through the urinal tube (300), the water level check unit (120) rises within the guide unit (130) based on the level of urine in the storage space (S).

6 and 7, the sensing unit 230 detects the position of the water level check unit 120 that has risen by buoyancy, and the control unit (not shown) is based on the result detected by the sensing unit 230. As a result, the urine amount at the time of detection, the urine amount per unit time, the patient's urine discharge time point, the discharge end point, the discharge time, and/or the discharge time for a predetermined amount of urine can be calculated.

At least one of the result values calculated by the control unit may be transmitted to a terminal or server of a medical staff such as a doctor or nurse through a communication unit (not shown), and the medical staff automatically measures the patient's accurate urine volume per unit time. It is possible to effectively check and manage the patient's health condition, enabling immediate recognition and response in case of an emergency. At least one of the result values calculated by the control unit may be displayed on the display 226. .

In the case of critically ill patients suffering from kidney-related diseases, the amount of urine per unit time is a very important factor in relation to the function of the kidneys, and it should be checked and managed in real time by medical staff, and abnormal results on sudden amount of urine per unit time If this occurs, it is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

To this end, the control unit may determine whether or not it is an abnormal situation by comparing the calculated result values based on information on the amount of urine per unit time in a normal state for a specific patient, and the determination result is determined through a communication unit (not shown). It can be transmitted to a terminal or server of a medical staff such as a doctor or nurse so that the medical staff can check it.

Of course, the control unit may allow the medical staff to immediately recognize the determination result through an output means.

When the position of the water level checker 120 is detected by the sensing unit 230 located at a specific height among the sensing units 230, the control unit stores the information stored in the storage space S for reasons such as the capacity of the storage space S. A control signal for urine to be discharged to the urine collection unit is generated.

The sensing unit 230 located at the specific height may be, for example, the sensing unit 230 located on the uppermost side as shown in FIG. 8 .

In this case, the calculation process described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 by the controller and the transmission process by the communication unit may be equally applied.

When the control signal is generated by the controller, the outlet E is opened by the control signal.

Here, the outlet (E) can be opened by realizing the positional movement of the external force transmission unit 150 and the opening and closing control unit 140 by an external force provided, and the urine amount measuring unit ( 200) may include an external force providing unit 240.

The external force providing unit 240 may include a driving unit 242 for providing driving force and an eccentric unit 244 rotated eccentrically by the driving force.

The driving unit 242 may be a kind of step motor, and the eccentric unit 244 may be connected to the driving unit 242 by at least one gear G.

The at least one gear G may be a worm gear as shown in FIG. 8, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and any means capable of rotating the eccentric part 244 by the driving force may be applied.

The drive unit 242 generates a driving force by a control signal from the control unit, and the eccentric unit 244 is rotated 180 degrees by the driving force.

The exact rotation of 180 degrees of the eccentric part 244 can be precisely controlled through a sensor mounted on the rear side.

While the eccentric part 244 is rotating, the external force transmission unit 150 receives an external force, that is, a pressing force, and thereby moves downward, and as a result, the external force transmission unit 150 is opened and closed. The control unit 140 is also moved in a downward direction so that the outlet (E) is opened.

At this time, the elastic part 160 is elastically deformed by the pressing force.

Urine stored in the storage space (S) is discharged to the urine collection unit by the opening of the outlet (E), and the water level of the urine in the storage space (S) is gradually lowered.

When the level of urine in the storage space (S) is lowered, the water level check unit 120 in the guide unit 130 also gradually descends, and finally, by the sensing unit 230 located at the lowermost side among the sensing units 230. When the position of the water level check unit 120 is detected (see FIG. 6), the control unit generates a control signal for closing the discharge port E.

The drive unit 240 generates a driving force by a control signal from the control unit, and the eccentric unit 244 rotates 180 degrees again by the driving force.

In this case, the external force transmitting unit 150 and the opening/closing control unit 140 can be automatically returned to the state shown in FIG. 6 by the restoring force of the elastic part 160, and the outlet E is the opening/closing control unit. It is closed by part 140.

On the other hand, when the sensing unit 230 located at the lowermost side of the sensing unit 230 is located apart from the inner bottom surface of the space defining unit 110 as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, in the process of collecting urine after measurement is completed. In order to minimize the amount of residual urine in the storage space (S) that may be generated, the control unit may delay and generate a control signal for generating driving force of the driving unit 240 .

Since the principle of urine being discharged from the storage space (S) through the discharge port (E) is based on free fall due to gravity, the control unit is the sensing unit located at the bottom from the inner bottom surface of the space defining unit (110). It is possible to delay the generation of the control signal by a predetermined time for the amount of urine determined based on the distance to 230 to be discharged through the outlet (E) by free fall.

Of course, when the lowermost sensing unit 230 is located on the inner bottom surface of the space defining unit 110, the control unit will generate a control signal for generating driving force of the driving unit 240 without delay.

After that, the above-described operation is repeatedly performed.

In the above, the configuration and characteristics of the present invention have been described based on the embodiments according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various changes or modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is apparent to those skilled in the art, and therefore such changes or modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

10: Urine volume automatic measurement device
100: urine storage unit
110: space regulation unit
120: water level check unit
130: guide unit
140: opening and closing control unit
150: external force transmission unit
160: elastic part
200: urine amount measuring unit
210: body part
220: cover part
230: sensing unit
240: external force providing unit
300: urinary tube

Claims (9)

A urine storage unit connected to a urinary duct through which urine is introduced and having a storage space for storing the urine introduced through the urinary tract; and
A urine amount measurement unit for measuring the amount of urine stored in the urine storage unit after the urine storage unit is detachably mounted and discharging the urine stored in the storage space to the urine collection unit based on the measured result; Including,
The urine storage unit,
A water level check unit capable of rising or falling based on the level of urine stored in the storage space,
The urine amount measuring unit,
An automatic urine measurement device, characterized in that for measuring the amount of urine stored in the storage space based on the position of the water level check unit.
According to claim 1,
The urine amount measuring unit,
A sensing unit for detecting the position of the water level check unit is provided;
The sensing unit,
A device for automatically measuring the amount of urine, characterized in that the plurality is arranged in the vertical direction to detect the level of urine stored in the storage space.
According to claim 2,
The sensing unit,
A plurality of them are arranged spaced apart in the vertical direction,
The degree of separation in the vertical direction is,
An automatic device for measuring the amount of urine, characterized in that it decreases toward the upper direction.
According to claim 1,
The urine storage unit,
A space defining part defining the storage space, and a guide part accommodating the water level checking part and guiding the rising or falling of the water level checking part,
The guide part,
The apparatus for automatically measuring the amount of urine, characterized in that the water level check unit can be raised or lowered by the urine flowing into the storage space in communication with the storage space.
According to claim 1,
The urine storage unit,
A space defining unit defining the storage space, an outlet through which the urine stored in the storage space is discharged to the urine collection unit, and an opening/closing control unit for adjusting whether the outlet is opened or closed by moving the location. A device for automatically measuring the amount of urine.
According to claim 5,
The opening and closing control unit,
Automatic urine measurement device, characterized in that the position movement is implemented by an external force provided from the outside of the urine storage unit.
According to claim 6,
The urine storage unit,
The apparatus for automatically measuring urine amount, characterized in that it further comprises an external force transmission unit connected to the opening and closing control unit, protruding out of the space defining unit and transmitting the external force to the opening and closing control unit.
According to claim 7,
The urine amount measuring unit,
An external force providing unit for providing the external force,
The external force providing unit,
A driving unit for providing a driving force and an eccentric unit rotated eccentrically by the driving force,
The external force transmission unit,
Automatic urine measurement device, characterized in that for receiving the external force by the rotation of the eccentric portion.
According to claim 8,
The urine amount measuring unit,
A sensing unit for detecting the position of the water level check unit is provided;
The sensing unit,
A plurality of pieces are arranged spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction to discontinuously detect the level of urine stored in the storage space,
the driving unit,
When the position of the water level check unit is sensed by the sensing unit located at a specific height, the automatic urine measurement device characterized in that the driving force is provided so that the external force due to the rotation of the eccentric unit is applied to the external force transmission unit.

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