RU2791921C2 - Device for diagnostics and rehabilitation of olfactory disorders with possibility of computer control and integration with biofeedback system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medical equipment.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to medical equipment, namely to a device for diagnostics and rehabilitation of olfactory disorders with the possibility of computer control and integration with virtual reality systems and with a biofeedback system. The device consists of a compressor unit with a receiver and a reducer, made with the possibility of creation of pressure in a pneumatic channel system and a valve system. The device contains a valve system made with the possibility of adjustment of odorous substance supply and blowing and a pneumatic channel system made with the possibility of transportation of odorous substance to a patient’s mask. The device has a control system made with the possibility of control of change in odorous substance, an operational mode, exposure time, as well as with the possibility of selection of odorous substance from an odorous substance storage system, setting of a mode and time parameters of the valve system operation, blowing of the system before supply of new odorous substance, supply of a signal at the beginning of exposure of odorous substance by turning LED on a front panel of a control unit. The device includes an odorous substance storage system in the form of plastic containers. The device includes a patient’s mask attached on the head, with controllable inlet and outlet valves.

EFFECT: creation of an automated device with the possibility of complex study and restoration of an olfactory function, integrated with virtual reality systems and a biofeedback system for taking signals, settable modes and parameters of odorous substance supply.

7 cl, 7 dwg, 1 tbl

Description

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to medical equipment and can be used in otorhinolaryngology, otoneurology, neurology, occupational health and psychiatry for diagnostics and restoration of olfaction function.

Known olfactometer (RU 2151569 C1), which contains a vessel with an odorous substance, a plug-faucet, gas pipes and an olive for the nose. The key disadvantage of this device is the lack of opportunities:

- supply of odors without manipulations to replace the odorous substance;

- changing the mode of supply of odorous substances;

- the use of essential oils to create positive smells;

- setting the exposure time for the supply of odorous substance and purge;

- control from a personal computer.

The device under consideration does not allow for a comprehensive study of the function of smell due to the lack of the possibility of precise control of the modes of supply of an odorous substance, therefore it is impossible to determine the degree of hyposmia.

Also known is an olfactometer (RU 2333719 C1) containing a container with an odorous substance and a tube with a tip. This olfactometer is equipped with a blower, rotary gate and pointer. The purpose of the application is to determine the sharpness of smell with increased accuracy. The key disadvantage of this device is the lack of opportunities:

- supply of odors without manipulations to replace the odorous substance;

- changing the mode of supply of odorous substances;

- the use of essential oils to create positive smells;

- setting the exposure time for the supply of odorous substance and purge;

- control from a personal computer.

The device under consideration does not allow for a comprehensive study of the function of smell due to the lack of the ability to accurately control the modes of supply of an odorous substance, therefore it is impossible to determine the degree of hyposmia, and also does not have a functional purpose in the form of a device for restoring and training the function of smell.

As the closest analogue, a differential olfactometer (SU 1087051 A) was adopted, which contains tubes with jets, a rarefaction chamber, temperature sensors and an electronic control unit, with the possibility of synchronous introduction of stimuli.

The key disadvantage of this device is the lack of opportunities:

- supply of odors without manipulations to replace the odorous substance;

- changing the mode of supply of odorous substances;

- the use of essential oils to create positive smells;

- signaling at the moment of the beginning of the exposure of the odorous substance.

This device does not allow for a comprehensive study and within one session to stimulate the olfactory nerve, the sensitive portion of the trigeminal nerve, the tympanic string (CN VII) and the glossopharyngeal nerve.

The objective of the invention is to create an automated device with the ability to conduct a comprehensive study and restore the function of smell, integrated with systems of virtual reality and the removal of biofeedback signals, customizable modes and parameters of the supply of odorous substances.

The essence of the invention lies in the fact that the device for carrying out olfactometry, consisting of consisting of a compressor unit for creating pressure in the system; valve systems for controlling the supply of odorous substance and purge; systems of pneumatic channels for transporting odorous substances into the patient's mask; electronic control system for the change of substance, mode of operation, exposure time; storage systems for odorous substances in the form of plastic containers; a head-mounted mask for a patient with controlled inlet and outlet valves, has a replaceable cassette of containers with odorous substances, functions for setting the modes and parameters of the supply of odorous substances, the possibility of using inexpensive substances to create aromas.

In a nominal operating scenario, odors are delivered through the nose at a flow rate of 1.5 L/min for each nostril for 3 seconds using a fabricated device. The device delivers the scent to the patient's nose. To avoid tactile sensations when switching between odors, the odor puff is immersed in a continuous stream of air at a rate of 0.25 L/min for each nostril.

The pressure of the air supply to the line and the volume of the odorous substance mixed into the main flow are the control parameters for regulating the concentration of the odorous substance.

The device, the block diagram of which is shown in Fig. 1 functions as follows:

Compressor unit 1 with a receiver supplies compressed air (with pressure according to the position of the gearbox adjustment knob) to the first circuit of the pneumatic system to saturate it with odorous vapors.

Further, air under pressure enters the valve system 2.1, where, in the case of the open position of one of them, it passes through the line into the odorous substances storage system.

The odor storage system 3 consists of two types of containers - with conventional lids for storing substances from the Voyachek set (distilled water, alcohol, ammonia, valerian, vinegar) and containers with piezoelectric vaporizers (for use as essential oils as aromatics).

Air under pressure, saturated with odorous vapors, passes through the valve system 2.2 and enters the collector 4, where, depending on the selected mode of operation, it either mixes into the air flow from the compressor or fills the collector, from which it enters the patient's mask 5.

Control unit 6 is responsible for:

- selection of odorous substance from the storage system of odorous substances 3;

- setting the mode and time parameters of the valve system 2.1 and 2.2;

- purge the system before applying a new smell;

- signaling at the moment of the beginning of the exposure of the odorous substance by turning on the LED on the front panel of the control unit.

Unit 6 is equipped with a light indication and a display for controlling the supply of odorous substances with the possibility of supplying several types of odors to the test subject without manipulations to replace the odorous substance or change its concentration, and the ability to select the mode of supply of the odorous substance.

The control unit 6 has the ability to connect to a PC for remote control and integration of the invention into information systems with elements of virtual reality for training and restoring the function of smell. There is also the possibility of integration with devices for electroencephalography in order to register olfactory evoked potential and form biofeedback for the diagnosis and rehabilitation of neurological, psychiatric, ENT diseases, and the prevention of occupational diseases.

Connection to a PC implies the possibility of controlling the modes and parameters of the supply of odorous substances for a comprehensive and accurate study of the function of smell. It is supposed to implement on a PC an interface of a specialist (doctor, researcher) with the ability to adjust the time, frequency and concentration of an odorous substance mixed into the air flow.

Integration with biofeedback systems implies the possibility of correct interoperability with devices that allows recording EMG, ECG, EMG and other biological signals.

EFFECT: invention makes it possible to carry out a comprehensive study of the sense of smell and, within the framework of one session, stimulate the olfactory nerve, the sensitive portion of the trigeminal nerve, the string tympani (CN VII) and the glossopharyngeal nerve.

In FIG. 2-4 show examples of device implementation. In FIG. 5-6 shows the research process using the device. In FIG. 7 shows the circuit diagram of the device.

Claims (7)

1. A device for the diagnosis and rehabilitation of olfactory disorders with the possibility of computer control and integration with virtual reality systems and with a biofeedback system, consisting of a compressor unit with a receiver and a gearbox, configured to create pressure in the systems of the pneumatic channel system and the valve system; a valve system configured to control the supply of odorous substance and purge; a pneumatic duct system configured to transport an odorous substance into a patient's mask; control system, configured to control the change of odorous substance, operating mode, exposure time, as well as the ability to select an odorous substance from the odorous substances storage system, adjust the mode and time parameters of the valve system, purge the system before supplying a new odorous substance, send a signal to the moment of the beginning of the exposure of the odorous substance by turning on the LED on the front panel of the control unit; storage systems for odorous substances in the form of plastic containers; head-mounted patient mask with controlled inlet and outlet valves. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized by the possibility of supplying odors to the test subject without manipulations to replace the odorous substance or change its concentration. 3. The device according to p. 1, characterized by the possibility of choosing the mode of supply of odorous substances. 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized by the possibility of adjusting the exposure time for the supply of odorous substance and purge. 5. The device according to claim 1, characterized by the possibility of using essential oils to create positive odors. 6. The device according to claim 1, characterized by the ability to control from a PC in terms of setting the modes for supplying odors. 7. The device according to claim. 1, characterized by the possibility of integration with biofeedback systems.

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