WO2010018627A1

WO2010018627A1 - Patient's condition notification system

Info

Publication number: WO2010018627A1
Application number: PCT/JP2008/064528
Authority: WO
Inventors: 雅人志賀; 忠幸北原; 諭神子; 直人小島; 志郎福田
Original assignee: 株式会社MERSTech
Priority date: 2008-08-13
Filing date: 2008-08-13
Publication date: 2010-02-18
Also published as: JPWO2010018627A1; JP4441586B1

Abstract

A patient's condition notification system (100) comprises a pulse monitor (80) for detecting a condition of a patient (M), a MERS (30) connected to an AC power supply (20) and an illumination lamp (60), and a controller (40) connected to the pulse monitor (80) and the MERS (30) and adjusting the brightness of the illumination lamp (60) by changing the magnitude of the output voltage and the phase of the current of the MERS (30) according to the output signal from the pulse monitor (80).

Description

Patient condition notification system

The present invention relates to a patient condition notification system.

In recent years, care for patients in hospitals has become increasingly important. The biological state (condition) of the hospitalized patient is detected by various condition detection means such as a sphygmomanometer and an electrocardiograph, and is constantly monitored by a nurse resident near the hospitalized patient. And when the patient's condition changes suddenly, for example, when there is a big change in blood pressure or electrocardiogram, the anomaly alarm lamp placed near the patient's bed flashes, A sudden change in condition is immediately notified to the nurse by the abnormal signal output (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-38050

However, it is not desirable to separately install equipment such as an abnormality notification lamp or an abnormality notification system for patient abnormality notification. When installing an abnormality notification lamp, it is necessary to install it at a position where it can be easily seen from the nurse station, and the problem is that the degree of freedom of installation is limited. There is also a problem that it is impossible to report abnormality.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a patient condition notification system capable of notifying a change in the condition of a patient at low cost and with high visibility by using existing lighting equipment. Is an exemplary problem.

In order to solve the above problems, a patient condition notification system as an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a condition detection unit that detects a condition of a patient, a load power adjustment switch connected between a power source and an illumination lamp, Control means connected to the condition detection means and the load power adjustment switch, and for adjusting the brightness of the illumination lamp by changing the magnitude of the output voltage and the phase of the current of the load power adjustment switch based on the output signal from the condition detection means; It is characterized by having.

By using the load power adjustment switch and the control means, it is possible to construct a patient condition notification system using an existing illumination light. Therefore, system construction can be performed at low cost. By constructing this system using a lighting lamp in the patient's hospital room, for example, a fluorescent lamp for lighting, it is not necessary to prepare a separate lamp for notification, and the change in the brightness of the fluorescent lamp can be detected. Easy to see even at a nurse station away from the station. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the problem of visibility of the notification lamp, the problem of lamp burnout, and the like.

The load power adjustment switch has at least two reverse conducting semiconductor switches and a capacitor for accumulating the magnetic energy of the current at the time of current interruption and regenerating it to the illuminating lamp, and the gates of these reverse conducting semiconductor switches The load power supplied to the illuminating lamp may be adjusted by controlling the phase.

Since the brightness of the illuminating lamp is adjusted using the load power adjustment switch, there is no need to use an inverter circuit. Since the load power adjustment switch can be switched at zero voltage and zero current, the generation of harmonic noise is suppressed, and there is almost no adverse effect on precision equipment used in hospitals.

The condition detection means may be at least one of a sphygmomanometer, a pulse meter, an electrocardiograph, an electromyograph, an electroencephalograph, a respiratory detector, and an excretion detector.

By using these condition detection means, changes in the patient condition (blood pressure, pulse, electrocardiogram, myoelectricity, electroencephalogram, breathing, urine leakage and filth leakage) can be easily detected. And since the brightness | luminance of an illumination lamp can be adjusted according to the condition change, sufficient patient monitoring by a nurse is realizable, staying at a nurse station.

The patient condition notification system may further include condition determination means for determining an abnormal condition of the patient according to an output signal from the condition detection means, and outputting a condition abnormality signal indicating the condition abnormality when the condition is abnormal.

Since the control means can be configured to adjust the brightness of the illuminating lamp according to the determination result (that is, abnormal / normal) by the condition deciding means, the condition of the patient for the nurse who visually recognizes the light / dark state of the illuminating lamp. It is easy to judge whether is normal or abnormal. For example, when it is normal (when the judgment result does not indicate an abnormality), the illumination lamp lights up at a normal brightness, and when it is abnormal (when the judgment result indicates an abnormality, the illumination lamp changes light and dark). By repeating, it can be judged at a glance whether the patient's condition is normal or abnormal.

The patient condition notification system may further include an abnormality notification means for notifying abnormality based on a condition abnormality signal.

In addition to the notification by adjusting the brightness of the illuminating lamp, notification by a separate abnormality notification means (for example, voice notification at the nurse station, warning lamp notification, etc.) can be performed to further reliably monitor the patient.

Further objects and other features of the present invention will become apparent from the preferred embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

According to the present invention, it is possible to notify a change in the condition of a patient at low cost and with high visibility by adjusting the brightness of an illumination lamp using existing lighting equipment. Since the brightness of the illuminating lamp is adjusted without using an inverter circuit, the generation of harmonic noise is suppressed, and there is almost no adverse effect on precision equipment used in hospitals.

It is a figure which shows the basic composition of a MERS embedded system. FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are diagrams for explaining MERS switching control by the control unit. FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are diagrams for explaining MERS switching control by the control unit. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are diagrams for explaining MERS switching control by the control unit. FIGS. 5A, 5 B, 5 C, and 5 D are diagrams for explaining operation results of the MERS embedded system. It is a graph which shows load voltage / rated voltage when changing gate phase angle (alpha). It is a figure which shows the other aspect of MERS. It is a figure which shows the other aspect of MERS. It is a block block diagram which shows schematic structure of the patient condition alerting | reporting system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the patient condition alerting | reporting system which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

Ra: Patient room Rb: Nurse station M: Patient 10: MERS embedded system
20: AC power supply
30: Magnetic energy regenerative switch (MERS)
32, 33, 34, 35, 36: Capacitor
40: Control unit (control means)
50: Inductive load
60: Lighting
70: Light control unit
72: Condition judging means
73: Receiver 74: Reference value
80: Pulse meter (condition detection means)
90: Abnormal alarm buzzer (abnormal alarm means)
100: Patient condition notification system
SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4: Reverse conducting semiconductor switches D1, D2: Diodes

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted as appropriate. Further, the embodiments do not limit the invention but are exemplifications, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention.

A patient condition notification system according to the present embodiment is connected between a power source and an illuminating lamp, and is output from the power source to the illuminating lamp. The load power adjusting switch for adjusting the load power for lighting the illuminating lamp, and the load A control unit that controls the power adjustment switch; and a condition detection unit that is connected to the control unit and detects the condition of the patient. The load power adjustment switch is, for example, a magnetic energy regenerative switch (Magnetic Energy Recovery Switch: MERS) (hereinafter referred to as MERS).

MERS, for example, has four reverse-conduction-type elements that do not have reverse blocking capability, and can turn ON / OFF the current in both forward and reverse directions only by gate control, and the magnetic energy of the current when the current is cut off Is a switch that can regenerate magnetic energy without loss by discharging it to the load side through an element provided with an ON gate, and this switch is a magnetic energy regenerative switch with low loss that can be controlled in both forward and reverse directions. It is. (For example, refer to Japanese Patent No. 3634882. In this patent publication, a full bridge type MERS is disclosed.)

In the MERS, as an element having no reverse blocking capability, an element capable of forward control, such as a transistor having a power MOSFET or a diode connected in antiparallel, is used. The MERS is configured by connecting a bridge circuit composed of four semiconductor elements and a capacitor that absorbs and releases magnetic energy to the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the bridge circuit. And MERS can flow an electric current in either direction by controlling the gate phase of these four semiconductor elements.

In MERS, two semiconductor elements located on a diagonal line among four semiconductor elements connected in a bridge form a pair, and the ON / OFF switching operation of the two pairs is performed in synchronization with the frequency of the power source. When one pair is on, the other pair is turned off. In addition, the capacitor repeatedly charges and discharges magnetic energy in accordance with the ON / OFF switching timing.

Then, when an OFF gate is given to one pair and an ON gate is given to the other pair, the current conducted in the forward direction becomes the second diode of the other pair, the second diode of the other pair. It flows through a path called a diode, which charges the capacitor. That is, the magnetic energy of the circuit is stored in the capacitor. The magnetic energy of the circuit at the time of current interruption is stored in the capacitor until the voltage of the capacitor rises and the current becomes zero. When the capacitor voltage increases until the capacitor current reaches zero, the current interruption is complete. At this time, since the ON gate is already given to the other pair, the charge of the capacitor is discharged to the load side through the semiconductor element that is turned ON, and the magnetic energy accumulated in the capacitor is regenerated to the load side.

Thus, MERS controls the magnitude of the output voltage and the current phase of MERS by controlling the gate phase of two pairs of two semiconductor elements located on the diagonal line among the four semiconductor elements. It is possible to control arbitrarily.

The control unit also has a function of controlling the gate phase of the MERS in accordance with the detection result (output signal) from the condition detection means and adjusting the luminance of the illumination lamp. That is, a change in the condition of the patient can be notified to the outside by changing the luminance by changing the load power supplied to the illuminating lamp according to the condition of the patient.

First, the configuration and operation of MERS as a load power adjustment switch will be described. In this embodiment, a MERS embedded system in which MERS is connected in series between an AC power source and a dielectric load will be described as an example. In addition, MERS can comprise an alternating current power supply device by incorporating it into an alternating current power source, and can constitute a MERS built-in load by incorporating it into an inductive load.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of the MERS embedded system 10.

1, the MERS embedded system 10 includes an AC power supply 20 and an inductive load 50 having inductance. As the inductive load 50, two 40 W fluorescent lamps are connected in parallel. MERS 30 is inserted between AC power supply 20 and inductive load 50. The MERS embedded system 10 includes a control unit 40 that controls switching of the MERS 30.

The MERS 30 is a magnetic energy regenerative switch that can control currents in both forward and reverse directions and can regenerate magnetic energy to the load side without loss. The MERS 30 includes a bridge circuit composed of four reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4, and an energy storage capacitor 32 that absorbs magnetic energy of a current flowing through the circuit when the bridge circuit is switched off. Prepare.

In the bridge circuit, a reverse conducting semiconductor switch SW1 and a reverse conducting semiconductor switch SW4 are connected in series, a reverse conducting semiconductor switch SW2 and a reverse conducting semiconductor switch SW3 are connected in series, and they are connected in parallel. Is formed.

The capacitor 32 is at a connection point between the DC terminal DC (P) at the connection point between the reverse conduction type semiconductor switch SW1 and the reverse conduction type semiconductor switch SW3, and between the reverse conduction type semiconductor switch SW2 and the reverse conduction type semiconductor switch SW4. It is connected to a direct current terminal DC (N). Further, there is an alternating current between the AC terminal at the connection point between the reverse conduction type semiconductor switch SW1 and the reverse conduction type semiconductor switch SW4 and the AC terminal at the connection point between the reverse conduction type semiconductor switch SW2 and the reverse conduction type semiconductor switch SW3. The power supply 20 and the inductive load 50 are connected in series.

A first pair of reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW1 and SW2 located on the diagonal line disposed in the MERS 30 and a second pair of reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW3 and SW4 also located on the diagonal line are connected to the power source. It is turned ON / OFF alternately in synchronization with the frequency. That is, when one pair is ON, the other pair is OFF. Then, for example, when an OFF gate is given to the first pair and an ON gate is given to the second pair, the current conducted in the forward direction becomes the second pair of reverse conduction type semiconductor switches SW3-capacitors 32. The reverse conduction type semiconductor switch SW4 flows through the path, whereby the capacitor 32 is charged. That is, the magnetic energy of the circuit is stored in the capacitor 32.

The magnetic energy of the circuit at the time of current interruption is accumulated in the capacitor until the voltage of the capacitor 32 rises and the current becomes zero, and the current interruption is completed when the voltage of the capacitor 32 rises until the capacitor current becomes zero. . At this time, since the ON gate is already given to the second pair, the charge of the capacitor 32 is discharged to the inductive load 50 through the reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW3 and SW4 which are turned on and accumulated in the capacitor 32. Magnetic energy is regenerated to the inductive load 50.

When the current is turned on / off, a pulse voltage is applied to the inductive load 50. The magnitude of the voltage depends on the capacitance of the capacitor 32 and the reverse conduction type semiconductor switches SW1 to SW4 and the inductive load 50 are resistant to each other. It can be within the allowable voltage range. Further, unlike the conventional series power factor correction capacitor, a direct current capacitor can be used for MERS30. The reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW1 to SW4 are made of, for example, power MOSFETs and have gates G1, G2, G3, and G4, respectively. Body diodes (parasitic diodes) are connected in parallel to the channels of the reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW1 to SW4.

In addition to the body diode, a diode may be added in reverse parallel to the reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW1 to SW4. As the reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW1 to SW4, for example, an element such as an IGBT or a transistor having a diode connected in antiparallel can be used.

The control unit 40 controls switching of the reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW1 to SW4 of the MERS 30. Specifically, a pair ON / OFF operation composed of reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW1, SW2 located on a diagonal line in the bridge circuit of MERS 30 and a pair ON / OFF operation composed of reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW3, SW4 are provided. The control signal is transmitted to the gates G1 to G4 so that each of them is simultaneously performed every half cycle so that when one is ON, the other is OFF.

Subsequently, switching control of the MERS 30 by the control unit 40 will be described in detail. 2A, 2 B, 3 A, 3 B, 4 A, and 4 B are diagrams for explaining switching control of the MERS 30 by the control unit 40.

First, when the control unit 40 turns on the reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW1 and SW2 in a state where the capacitor 32 has no charging voltage, as shown in FIG. 2A, the current is reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW3 and SW1. And a path passing through the reverse conduction type semiconductor switches SW2 and SW4, and enters a parallel conduction state.

Next, the control unit 40 turns off the reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW1 and SW2 at a predetermined timing before the voltage of the AC power supply 20 is reversed, for example, about 2 ms. (This corresponds to a gate phase angle α for controlling the reverse conducting semiconductor switch of about 36 deg when the AC frequency is 50 Hz.) As a result, as shown in FIG. It flows through a path passing through the type semiconductor switch SW3-capacitor 32-reverse conducting type semiconductor switch SW4. As a result, the magnetic energy is absorbed (charged) in the capacitor 32. In this embodiment, the reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW3 and SW4 are turned on at the timing when the reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW1 and SW2 are turned off.

When the charging of the capacitor 32 is completed, that is, when the voltage of the capacitor 32 exceeds a predetermined value, the current is cut off. When the voltage of the AC power supply 20 is inverted, the reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW3 and SW4 are already ON, and the capacitor 32 has a charging voltage. Therefore, as shown in FIG. It flows through a path passing through the semiconductor switch SW4-capacitor 32-reverse conducting semiconductor switch SW3. Then, the magnetic energy accumulated in the capacitor 32 is released (discharged).

Next, when the discharge from the capacitor 32 is completed, as shown in FIG. 3B, the current flows through a path passing through the reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW1 and SW3 and a path passing through the reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW4 and SW2. The parallel conduction state is established.

Next, at a predetermined timing before the voltage of the AC power supply 20 is inverted, the control unit 40 turns off the reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW3 and SW4. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4A, the current flows through a path passing through the reverse conducting semiconductor switch SW1-capacitor 32-reverse conducting semiconductor switch SW2. As a result, the magnetic energy is absorbed by the capacitor 32. In this embodiment, the reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW1 and SW2 are turned on at the timing when the reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW3 and SW4 are turned off.

When the charging of the capacitor 32 is completed, the current is cut off, and when the voltage of the AC power supply 20 is inverted, the reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW1 and SW2 are already ON, and the capacitor 32 has a charging voltage. ), The current flows through the path through the reverse conducting semiconductor switch SW2-capacitor 32-reverse conducting semiconductor switch SW1. Then, the magnetic energy accumulated in the capacitor 32 is discharged. When the discharge from the capacitor 32 is completed, the parallel conduction state shown in FIG. Thus, the MERS 30 can flow a current in both directions by alternately bringing two pairs of opposing conductive semiconductor switches facing each other into a conductive state.

The following effects can be obtained by such switching control of the MERS 30. FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D show the MERS embedded system 10 in the case where the gate phase angle α for controlling the reverse conducting semiconductor switch is about 36 deg when the AC frequency is 50 Hz. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation result of. 5A shows the waveforms of the power supply voltage and current when the MERS 30 is not incorporated, and FIG. 5B shows the waveforms of the power supply voltage, current, and load voltage when the MERS 30 is incorporated. Yes. FIG. 5C shows the waveform of the capacitor voltage and the current flowing through the reverse conducting semiconductor switch SW1, and FIG. 5D shows the timing when the reverse conducting semiconductor switch SW1 is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 5A, when the MERS 30 is not incorporated, the phase of the current is delayed from the phase of the power supply voltage due to the influence of the inductive load 50. Therefore, the power factor of the AC power supply 20 is smaller than 1. On the other hand, when the MERS 30 is inserted in series between the AC power supply 20 and the inductive load 50, the phase of the current can be advanced as shown in FIG. Can be 1.

That is, the MERS 30 stores the magnetic energy of the inductive load 50 in the capacitor 32 by adjusting the gate phase of the two pairs on the diagonal line of the reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW1 to SW4, and advances the phase of the current. As a result, the power factor of the AC power supply 20 can be set to 1. In addition, the MERS 30 can not only advance the phase of the current but also can arbitrarily control the phase of the current, whereby the power factor can be arbitrarily adjusted. Furthermore, by storing the magnetic energy of the inductive load 50 in the capacitor 32 and regenerating the stored magnetic energy in the inductive load 50, the load voltage can be increased or decreased steplessly.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, when the reverse conducting semiconductor switch SW1 is turned on, the capacitor voltage is 0, and the current flowing through the reverse conducting semiconductor switch SW1 is parallel. This is a current that flows through the diode of the reverse conducting semiconductor switch SW1 when conducting. The capacitor voltage is 0 even when the reverse conducting semiconductor switch SW1 is turned off. That is, switching is performed at 0 voltage and 0 current, and therefore loss due to switching can be eliminated. Since the other three reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW2 to SW4 are switched in synchronization with the reverse conducting semiconductor switch SW1, the same result is obtained.

As described above, FIGS. 5A, 5 B, 5 C, and 5 D are obtained when the gate phase angle α for controlling the reverse conducting semiconductor switch is about 36 deg when the AC frequency is 50 Hz. Although the operation result of the MERS embedded system 10 is shown, the gate phase angle α for controlling the reverse conducting semiconductor switch of the MERS 30 can be continuously controlled from 0 deg to 180 deg. FIG. 6 shows measured values of load voltage / rated voltage when the gate phase angle α for controlling the reverse conducting semiconductor switch is changed when two 40 W fluorescent lamps are used as loads. The rated voltage is a voltage corresponding to 100% of the power supply voltage. The load voltage / rated voltage increases as the gate phase angle α increases from 0 deg, reaches a maximum value of about 140% at the gate phase angle α = about 90 deg, decreases as the gate phase angle α further increases, and decreases to the gate phase. At the angle α = 180 deg, it decreases to about 50%. On the way, the gate phase angle α = about 135 deg and the load voltage / rated voltage = 1. Therefore, the load voltage can be continuously controlled from about 60% to 130% of the power supply voltage by controlling the gate phase angle α of the MERS 30 by about ± 30 deg with respect to 135 deg.

The charging / discharging cycle of the capacitor 32 is a half cycle of the resonance cycle of the inductive load 50 and the capacitor 32. When the switching cycle is longer than the resonance cycle of the inductive load 50 and the capacitor 32, the MERS 30 has a gate phase angle α. Regardless of the case, zero voltage zero current switching, that is, soft switching is always possible.

Unlike the conventional voltage type inverter, the capacitor 32 used in the MERS 30 is only for storing the magnetic energy of the inductance in the circuit. For this reason, the capacitor capacity can be significantly reduced as compared with the voltage source capacitor of the conventional voltage type inverter. The capacitor capacity is selected so that the resonance period with the load is shorter than the switching frequency. For this reason, harmonic noise that tends to be a problem in the conventional voltage type inverter hardly occurs in the switching in the MERS 30. Therefore, adverse effects caused by harmonic noise on precision instruments and measuring instruments hardly occur in MERS 30, and MERS 30 can be used with peace of mind in hospitals and the like. Moreover, since it is soft switching, there is little power loss and there is also little heat_generation | fever.

Also, when the MERS 30 is used as a gate pulse generator, each MERS 30 can be given a unique ID number, and this can be used to control each MERS 30 by receiving an external control signal. For example, the MERS 30 can be wirelessly controlled by sending a control signal wirelessly using a communication line such as the Internet.

In the MERS embedded system 10 described above, the MERS 30 has a configuration including a bridge circuit formed by four reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW1 to SW4 and a capacitor 32 connected between the DC terminals of the bridge circuit. May have the following configuration.

7 and 8 are diagrams showing other modes of the MERS 30. FIG. The MERS 30 shown in FIG. 7 has two reverse-conducting semiconductor switches, two diodes and two full-conducting MERS 30 composed of the four reverse-conducting semiconductor switches SW1 to SW4 and one capacitor 32 described above. It is a vertical half-bridge type composed of two capacitors.

More specifically, the vertical half-bridge structure MERS 30 is provided in parallel with two reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW5 and SW6 connected in series, and the two reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW5 and SW6. It includes two

capacitors

33 and 34 connected in series, and two diodes D1 and D2 connected in parallel with the two

capacitors

33 and 34, respectively.

The MERS 30 shown in FIG. 8 is a horizontal half-bridge type. The horizontal half-bridge MERS is composed of two reverse conducting semiconductor switches and two capacitors.

More specifically, the horizontal half-bridge structure MERS 30 includes a reverse conducting semiconductor switch SW7 and a capacitor 35 provided in series on the first path, and a series on a second path parallel to the first path. Includes a reverse conducting semiconductor switch SW8 and a capacitor 36, and wirings connected in parallel to the first and second paths.

Subsequently, the patient condition notification system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the patient condition notification system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The patient condition notification system 100 is mainly used in a hospital room Ra for an inpatient M in a hospital. The patient condition notification system 100 may be configured using existing lighting equipment in the hospital room Ra.

As shown in FIG. 9, a patient condition notification system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a pulse meter (condition detection means) 80 that measures a patient's pulse, MERS 30, a dimming control unit 70, and an abnormality notification buzzer (abnormality notification means). ) 90, and an illuminating lamp (lighting fixture) 60 for a hospital room, an AC power source 20 and a MERS 30 are connected in series. Further, the dimming control unit 70 is configured to be connected to the pulse meter 80, the MERS 30, and the abnormality notification buzzer 90. Here, the illuminating lamp 60 is, for example, an illuminating lamp having an inductive load, an illuminating lamp connected to the inductive load, or an illuminating lamp having a resistive load. Examples of the illumination lamp having an inductive load include a discharge lamp. The discharge lamp is, for example, a fluorescent lamp, a mercury lamp, or a sodium lamp. Further, examples of the illuminating lamp connected to the inductive load include an incandescent lamp that does not have an inductive load, a light source such as an LED, and a reactor connected thereto. Moreover, an incandescent lamp, LED, etc. are mentioned as an illumination lamp which has a resistive load. As the illuminating lamp 60, an indoor lamp already installed in the hospital room Ra can be used. In this embodiment, a case where a discharge lamp is used as the illumination lamp 60 will be described as an example.

The pulse meter 80 is a precision measuring instrument for continuously measuring the pulse of the patient M and continuously outputting the measured value as an output signal. The pulse is one of the vital reaction values indicating the condition of the patient M. That is, it can be determined whether the condition of the patient M is good or bad according to the value of the pulse. In the present embodiment, the pulsometer 80 is used as the condition detecting means, but of course, a pulsometer that measures the pulse of the patient M, an electrocardiograph that measures the electrocardiogram, or the like may be used. An output signal from the pulse meter 80 is output to the dimming control unit 70.

As shown in FIG. 9, the dimming control unit 70 transmits a control signal to the gates G1 to G4 of the reverse conducting semiconductor switches SW1 to SW4, and controls the magnitude of the output voltage of the MERS 30 and the phase of the current ( Control means) 40. The brightness of the illuminating lamp 60 is adjusted by controlling the magnitude of the output voltage and the phase of the current. The control unit 40 is connected to the MERS 30 and is connected to the pulse meter 80 via the condition determination means 72. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the brightness of the illuminating lamp 60 by adjusting the magnitude of the output voltage of the MERS 30 and the phase of the current in accordance with the output signal from the pulse meter 80.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 40 causes the MERS 30 to turn on the illumination lamp 60 with a luminance sufficient to ensure the necessary illuminance during normal times (that is, when there is no abnormality in the condition of the patient M). The output voltage and current phase are adjusted. However, when there is an abnormality in the pulse of the patient M, an abnormality signal (condition abnormality signal) is received from the condition determination means 72. And the control part 40 is the magnitude | size of MERS30 output voltage so that the brightness and darkness may change periodically with the brightness | luminance which can ensure the required illumination intensity, and the brightness of a fraction (for example, 1/10). And the phase of the current are adjusted periodically.

Note that, by periodically adjusting the magnitude of the output voltage of the MERS 30 and the phase of the current, the illuminating lamp 60 periodically changes in brightness, but the illuminating lamp 60 is not turned off even in the dark. Therefore, it is possible to increase the periodic response speed of the change in brightness and to improve the durability of the lighting equipment.

The dimming control unit 70 further includes condition determination means 72. This condition determination means 72 determines the condition abnormality of the patient M according to the output signal from the pulse meter 80, and outputs a condition abnormality signal indicating the condition abnormality when the condition is abnormal. Specifically, the condition determination means 72 has a receiving unit 73 inside, and the receiving unit 73 receives an output signal (pulse rate) from the pulse meter 80. Here, the output signal (pulse rate) is, for example, a pulse value converted per minute, and is obtained as a numerical value such as 70 pulses / minute or 100 pulses / minute.

The condition determining means 72 has a reference value 74 inside, and constantly compares the pulse rate received from the pulse meter 80 with the reference value 74. For example, the reference value 74 is 20 pulses / minute. When the received pulse rate becomes less than the reference value 74, an abnormal signal indicating an abnormal condition (condition abnormal signal) is output to the control unit 40 and the abnormality notification buzzer 90.

The abnormality notification buzzer 90 is used to notify an abnormality when a sound is generated, and is installed in the nurse station Rb. Of course, it may be installed in the hospital room Ra of the patient M or in the hallway of the hospital. When the abnormality signal from the condition determining means 72 is received, the abnormality notification buzzer 90 generates a notification sound for notifying the abnormality.

Next, the operation of the patient condition notification system 100 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

When the patient condition notification system 100 is activated (step S1), the dimming control unit 70 increases the output voltage of the MERS 30 so that the load power to the illumination lamp 60 is lit with a luminance sufficient to ensure the necessary illuminance. And the phase of the current are adjusted (step S2). At this time, the illuminating lamp 60 is lit with a luminance sufficient to ensure the necessary illuminance.

The pulse meter 80 is set on the patient M and connected to the dimming control unit 70 (step S3). Thereby, the pulse of the patient M is continuously measured and output to the receiving unit 73 (step S4). At the same time, the received pulse rate is compared with the reference value 74 (step S5). If the pulse rate is greater than or equal to the reference value 74 (step S6), the condition determination means 72 does not output an abnormal signal (step S7).

However, when the pulse rate of the patient M becomes less than the reference value 74 (step S6), the condition determination means 72 outputs an abnormal signal to the control unit 40 and the abnormality notification buzzer 90 (step S8). When the abnormal signal is received from the condition determining means 72, the control unit 40 periodically adjusts the magnitude of the output voltage of the MERS 30 and the phase of the current (step S9). Thereby, the illumination lamp 60 periodically changes in brightness (step S10). Since the illumination lamp 60 of the hospital room Ra periodically changes in brightness, for example, a nurse in the nurse station Rb or a nurse walking in the hallway outside the hospital room Ra is likely to notice the abnormal condition of the patient M. In normal times (when the condition of the patient M is normal), the illumination lamp 60 is lit at normal brightness at the rated load power, and the illumination lamp 60 periodically changes in brightness when the condition is abnormal. It is easy to make an alternative decision. Furthermore, since the abnormality notification buzzer 90 that has received the abnormality signal notifies the abnormality with the notification sound (step S11), the condition abnormality of the patient M can be grasped more quickly and reliably.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications such as design changes can be added based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. The form can also be included in the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the present embodiment, the pulsometer 80 is used as the condition detecting means, and the condition determining means 72 has the reference value 74. Of course, the condition detecting means includes a sphygmomanometer, an electrocardiograph, and the like. It is possible to apply other measuring instruments. Further, depending on the type of measuring instrument, the reference value 74 may have a plurality of values (upper limit value and lower limit value) as well as a single value, or may have a predetermined reference range. In the case of an electrocardiograph or electromyograph, the reference value 74 may be a predetermined pattern or profile instead of a numerical value.

In the present embodiment, the pulsometer 80 is connected to the condition determination means 72, the condition determination means 72 is connected to the control unit 40, and the control unit 40 is based on the abnormal signal from the condition determination means 72. Are configured to adjust the magnitude of the output voltage and the phase of the current. However, the pulse meter 80 may be directly connected to the control unit 40, and the control unit 40 may be configured to adjust the magnitude of the output voltage of the MERS 30 and the phase of the current according to the pulse rate. In this case, the brightness of the illuminating lamp 60 may be adjusted so as to be proportional to the pulse rate. If comprised in this way, according to the brightness of the illumination light 60, the patient's M pulse rate can be estimated roughly.

In addition, as an apparatus capable of dimming the illumination lamp, for example, there is an inverter fluorescent lamp generally used in homes and offices. However, since the inverter circuit generates a large amount of electromagnetic noise, it can be used in precision hospitals and computer rooms. Use is restricted in environments where various electronic devices are used. For example, according to the result of measuring the harmonic distortion (THD) when the inverter fluorescent lamp is operated at the rated voltage (100 V) with a digital oscilloscope with a harmonic analysis function, the THD of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp (17 W): 128.2%, THD of a stand-type fluorescent lamp (15 W): 82.6%. In the incandescent lamp (60 W) for comparison, THD is 3.1%.

On the other hand, the THD of a circuit using MERS (two 40W fluorescent lamps connected in parallel as a load) was similarly measured with a digital oscilloscope with harmonic analysis function, and the capacitor value was completely resonant. When the state becomes 8.8 μF, the load voltage THD is 4.5%, the load current THD is 2.1%, and the capacitor value is about 10% less than the complete resonance state (7.9 μF). ), THD of load voltage: 14.1%, THD of load current: 3.7% (all values are only MERS circuit parts excluding inductive load itself), and generation of harmonics is very small.

Since the patient condition notification system according to the present invention does not generate harmonics, it can generally be used in hospitals. Of course, it can be used not only as a hospital but also as a notification system using various indoor lighting facilities.

Claims

Condition detecting means for detecting the condition of the patient;
A load power adjustment switch connected between the power source and the lamp, and
The brightness of the illuminating lamp is controlled by changing the magnitude of the output voltage and the current phase of the load power adjustment switch based on the output signal from the condition detection means, connected to the condition detection means and the load power adjustment switch. A patient condition notification system having control means for adjusting.
The load power adjustment switch includes at least two reverse conducting semiconductor switches and a capacitor for accumulating magnetic energy of current at the time of current interruption and regenerating the lighting lamp, and the reverse conducting semiconductor switch The patient condition notification system according to claim 1, wherein a load power supplied to the illuminating lamp is adjusted by controlling a gate phase of the patient.
The patient condition notification system according to claim 1, wherein the condition detection means is at least one of a sphygmomanometer, a pulse meter, an electrocardiograph, an electromyograph, an electroencephalograph, a respiratory detector, and an excretion detector. .
While determining an abnormal condition of the patient according to an output signal from the condition detection means,
The patient condition notifying system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising condition determining means for outputting a condition abnormality signal for indicating a condition abnormality when the condition is abnormal.
The patient condition notifying system according to claim 4, further comprising an abnormality notifying means for notifying an abnormality based on the condition abnormal signal.
6. The illumination lamp according to claim 1, wherein the illumination lamp is an illumination lamp having an inductive load, an illumination lamp connected to the inductive load, or an illumination lamp having a resistive load. The patient condition notification system described in 1.
The patient condition notification system according to claim 6, wherein the illuminating lamp having the inductive load is a discharge lamp.
The patient condition notification system according to claim 7, wherein the discharge lamp is a fluorescent lamp, a mercury lamp, or a sodium lamp.
The patient condition notification system according to claim 6, wherein the illuminating lamp connected to the inductive load is an incandescent lamp or an LED connected to a reactor.
The patient condition notification system according to claim 6, wherein the illuminating lamp having the resistive load is an incandescent lamp or an LED.