WO2019225243A1

WO2019225243A1 - Swallowing function evaluation method, program, swallowing function evaluation device, and swallowing function evaluation system

Info

Publication number: WO2019225243A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/016796
Authority: WO
Inventors: 絢子中嶋
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2018-05-23
Filing date: 2019-04-19
Publication date: 2019-11-28
Also published as: JPWO2019225243A1

Abstract

A swallowing function evaluation method that includes: an acquisition step (step S101) for acquiring an image that is contactlessly captured of the face or neck of an evaluee (U); a calculation step (step S102) for calculating a feature value from the acquired image; and an evaluation step (step S103) for evaluating the swallowing function of the evaluee (U) from the calculated feature value.

Description

Swallowing function evaluation method, program, swallowing function evaluation device, and swallowing function evaluation system

The present invention relates to a swallowing function evaluation method, a program, a swallowing function evaluation device, and a swallowing function evaluation system, which can evaluate a subject's swallowing function.

Eating dysphagia has risks such as aspiration, malnutrition, loss of eating pleasure, dehydration, weakness in physical strength and immunity, oral contamination and aspiration pneumonia, and prevent dysphagia Is required. Conventionally, by evaluating the swallowing function, for example, eating a meal with an appropriate dietary form, rehabilitation to recovering an appropriate function, etc. has been handled, There are various evaluation methods. For example, a device for evaluating the swallowing function is attached to the neck of the person to be evaluated, the pharyngeal movement feature quantity is acquired as a swallowing function evaluation index (marker), and the person's swallowing function is evaluated. A method for evaluation is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-23676

However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to attach an instrument to the person to be evaluated, which may give the person to be evaluated uncomfortable. In addition, the swallowing function can be evaluated by visual inspection, interview, or palpation by a specialist such as a dentist, dental hygienist, speech auditor, or internal medicine doctor. Diagnosis by experts after dysphagia becomes serious, such as when paralysis occurs or when a dysphagia is caused by surgery on an organ related to dysphagia (eg, tongue, soft palate or pharynx) There are many cases to do. However, due to the effects of aging, elderly people may be overlooked or spilled, but they may overlook a decline in swallowing function as a natural symptom because they are old. . By overlooking the lowering of swallowing, for example, undernutrition resulting from a decrease in the amount of meal is caused, and undernutrition causes a decrease in immunity. In addition, aspiration is easy, and aspiration and reduced immunity result in a vicious circle that can lead to aspiration pneumonia.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for evaluating a swallowing function that can easily evaluate the swallowing function of a person to be evaluated.

In the method for evaluating a swallowing function according to one aspect of the present invention, an acquisition step of acquiring an image obtained by imaging the face or neck of a person to be evaluated in a non-contact manner, and calculating a feature amount from the acquired image A calculation step, and an evaluation step for evaluating the swallowing function of the person to be evaluated from the calculated feature amount.

Also, a program according to an aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the above-described swallowing function evaluation method.

In addition, the swallowing function evaluation device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires an image obtained by imaging the face or neck of the person to be evaluated in a non-contact manner, and the image acquired by the acquisition unit A calculation unit that calculates a feature amount from the evaluation unit, an evaluation unit that evaluates the eating and swallowing function of the person to be evaluated from the feature amount calculated by the calculation unit, and an output unit that outputs an evaluation result evaluated by the evaluation unit And comprising.

In addition, a swallowing function evaluation system according to an aspect of the present invention includes the above swallowing function evaluation device and an imaging device that images the face or neck of the person to be evaluated in a non-contact manner. The acquisition unit of the swallowing function evaluation device acquires an image obtained by imaging the face or neck of the person to be evaluated in a non-contact manner by the imaging device.

According to the method for evaluating the swallowing function of the present invention, it is possible to easily evaluate the swallowing function of the person to be evaluated.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a swallowing function evaluation system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a characteristic functional configuration of the swallowing function evaluation system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for evaluating a person to be swallowed by the swallowing function evaluation method according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an image acquisition method obtained by imaging the face or neck of the person to be evaluated by the method for evaluating swallowing function according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the swallowing function in the preparation period, the oral period, and the pharyngeal period, and symptoms when each function decreases. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an evaluation result. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the evaluation result. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the evaluation result.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that each of the embodiments described below shows a comprehensive or specific example. Numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connection forms of constituent elements, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept are described as optional constituent elements.

Each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily shown strictly. Moreover, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the substantially same structure, and the overlapping description may be abbreviate | omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment)
[Swallowing function]
The present invention relates to a method for evaluating a swallowing function and the like. First, the swallowing function will be described.

The swallowing function is a function of the human body that is necessary for recognizing food, taking it into the mouth, and achieving a series of processes from the stomach to the stomach. The swallowing function consists of five stages: the early phase, the preparation phase, the oral phase, the pharyngeal phase, and the esophageal phase.

In the preceding period (also called the cognitive period) of swallowing, the shape, hardness, temperature, etc. of food are determined. The swallowing function in the preceding period is, for example, an eye viewing function. In the preceding period, the nature and condition of the food are recognized and the necessary preparations for eating such as how to eat, salivation and posture are made.

During the preparatory period for swallowing (also called chewing), food taken into the oral cavity is chewed with teeth, crushed (ie chewed), and the chewed food is mixed with saliva by the tongue And put together into a bolus. The swallowing function during the preparation period, for example, recognizes the motor function of facial muscles (such as lip muscles and cheek muscles) that take food into the oral cavity without spilling it, recognizes the taste of food, and recognizes hardness. Tongue recognition function, or tongue movement function to push food to teeth or mix finely mixed food with saliva, occlusal state of teeth to chew and crush food, tooth and The cheek movement function that prevents food from entering between the cheeks, the movement function of the masticatory muscles (such as the masseter and temporal muscles), which is the generic name of the muscles used for mastication, and the fine food For example, the saliva secretion function. The masticatory function is affected by the occlusal state of the teeth, the function of the masticatory muscles, the function of the tongue, and the like. Due to these swallowing functions during the preparation period, the bolus has physical properties that make it easy to swallow (size, lump, viscosity), and the bolus easily moves from the oral cavity through the pharynx to the stomach.

During the oral phase of swallowing, the tongue (tip of the tongue) is lifted and the bolus is moved from the oral cavity to the pharynx. The swallowing function in the oral phase includes, for example, a tongue movement function for moving the bolus to the pharynx, a soft palate raising function for closing the space between the pharynx and the nasal cavity, and the like.

In the pharyngeal phase during swallowing, when the bolus reaches the pharynx, a swallowing reflex occurs and the bolus is sent to the esophagus within a short time (about 1 second). Specifically, the soft palate is raised and the space between the nasal cavity and the pharynx is closed, the base of the tongue (specifically the hyoid bone that supports the base of the tongue) and the larynx are raised, and the bolus becomes the pharynx In that case, the epiglottis is inverted downward, the trachea entrance is blocked, and the bolus is sent to the esophagus so that aspiration does not occur. The swallowing function in the pharyngeal phase includes, for example, a pharyngeal motor function (specifically, a motor function that raises the soft palate) to close the space between the nasal cavity and the pharynx, and a tongue ( Specifically, when the bolus moves from the pharynx to the esophagus, or when the bolus flows into the pharynx, the glottis closes and closes the trachea, and the epiglottis from above reaches the entrance to the trachea It is a motor function of the larynx that is covered by hanging down.

In the esophageal phase of swallowing, peristaltic movement of the esophageal wall is induced, and the bolus is sent from the esophagus to the stomach. The swallowing function in the esophageal stage is, for example, a peristaltic function of the esophagus for moving the bolus to the stomach.

For example, as a person ages, he goes from a healthy state to a state requiring care through a pre-frail period and a flail period. Decreased swallowing function (also called oral flail) is said to begin to appear during the prefrail period. Decreased swallowing function can be a factor that accelerates the progression from the flail phase to the state of need for care. For this reason, we notice how the swallowing function has declined at the pre-frail stage, and by performing prevention and improvement in advance, it becomes difficult to fall into the nursing care state that continues from the flail stage, and a healthy and independent life You can keep it long.

According to the present invention, the eating and swallowing function of the person being evaluated can be evaluated from an image (still image or moving image) obtained by imaging the face or neck of the person being evaluated. Specific features are observed in the movement of the subject's face, etc., where the swallowing function has been reduced, or in the position of the laryngeal protuberance (throat Buddha) in the neck. This is because the swallowing function can be evaluated. In the following, the evaluation of the swallowing function in the preparation period, the oral period and the pharyngeal period will be described. The present invention relates to a method for evaluating a swallowing function, a program for causing a computer to execute the method, a swallowing function evaluating device that is an example of the computer, and a swallowing function evaluating system including the swallowing function evaluating device. Realized. Below, the swallowing function evaluation method etc. are demonstrated, showing the swallowing function evaluation system.

[Configuration of the swallowing function evaluation system]
The configuration of the swallowing function evaluation system according to the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a swallowing function evaluation system 200 according to an embodiment.

The swallowing function evaluation system 200 is a system for evaluating the swallowing function of the evaluation subject U by analyzing an image obtained by imaging the face or neck of the evaluation subject U. FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the swallowing function evaluation device 100 and the mobile terminal 300 are provided. In addition, the swallowing function evaluation system 200 may evaluate the eating / swallowing function of the person to be evaluated U by analyzing not only a still image but also a moving image. Hereinafter, one still image and a plurality of continuous images (moving images) may be simply referred to as images.

The swallowing function evaluation apparatus 100 acquires an image obtained by imaging the face or neck of the person to be evaluated U by the mobile terminal 300, and evaluates the swallowing function of the person to be evaluated U from the acquired image. Device.

The portable terminal 300 is an imaging device that images the face or neck of the person U to be evaluated in a non-contact manner, and outputs an image obtained by the imaging to the swallowing function evaluation device 100. For example, the mobile terminal 300 is a smartphone or a tablet having an imaging function (camera). The mobile terminal 300 is not limited to a smartphone or a tablet as long as it has an imaging function, and may be, for example, a notebook PC or a camera (for example, an RGB-D camera). Moreover, the swallowing function evaluation system 200 may include an imaging device (camera) instead of the mobile terminal 300. Moreover, although the swallowing function evaluation system 200 is mentioned later, you may be provided with the input interface for acquiring the to-be-evaluated person's U personal information. The input interface is not particularly limited as long as it has an input function such as a keyboard and a touch panel.

Further, the mobile terminal 300 may be a display device that has a display and displays an image or the like based on image data output from the swallowing function evaluation device 100. The display device may not be the portable terminal 300 but may be a monitor device configured by a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. That is, in this embodiment, the mobile terminal 300 is both an imaging device and a display device, but the imaging device (camera), the input interface, and the display device may be provided separately.

The swallowing function evaluation apparatus 100 and the portable terminal 300 may be capable of transmitting and receiving an image obtained by imaging or image data for displaying an image indicating an evaluation result to be described later, and may be connected by wire. They may be connected wirelessly.

The device for evaluating swallowing function 100 analyzes the movement of the face of the person being evaluated U or the position of the laryngeal protuberance at the neck based on the image obtained by the imaging by the mobile terminal 300, and the result of the analysis shows Evaluate the swallowing function and output the evaluation results. For example, the swallowing function evaluation apparatus 100 uses image data for displaying an image indicating the evaluation result, or data for making a proposal regarding swallowing for the person to be evaluated U generated based on the evaluation result. Output to the mobile terminal 300. In this way, the swallowing function evaluation device 100 can notify the person to be evaluated U of the degree of the swallowing function and the proposal for preventing the deterioration of the swallowing function. Can prevent or improve the deterioration of swallowing function.

Note that the swallowing function evaluation apparatus 100 is, for example, a personal computer, but may be a server apparatus. In addition, the swallowing function evaluation device 100 may be a portable terminal 300. That is, the portable terminal 300 may have the function of the swallowing function evaluation device 100 described below.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a characteristic functional configuration of the swallowing function evaluation system 200 according to the embodiment. The swallowing function evaluation apparatus 100 includes an acquisition unit 110, a calculation unit 120, an evaluation unit 130, an output unit 140, a suggestion unit 150, and a storage unit 160.

The acquisition unit 110 acquires an image obtained by imaging the face or neck of the person to be evaluated U in a non-contact manner. Further, the acquisition unit 110 may further acquire personal information of the person to be evaluated U. For example, personal information is information input to the mobile terminal 300, such as age, weight, height, sex, BMI (Body Mass Index), dental information (for example, number of teeth, presence of dentures, location of occlusal support, etc.) Serum albumin level or eating rate. The personal information may be acquired by a swallowing screening tool called EAT-10 (Eat Ten), a sacramental swallowing questionnaire or an interview. The acquisition unit 110 is, for example, a communication interface that performs wired communication or wireless communication.

The calculation unit 120 is a processing unit that analyzes the image acquired by the acquisition unit 110. Specifically, the calculating unit 120 is realized by a processor, a microcomputer, or a dedicated circuit.

The calculation unit 120 calculates a feature amount from the image acquired by the acquisition unit 110. The feature amount indicates a feature such as a face movement of the evaluated person U calculated from an image used by the evaluation unit 130 to evaluate the eating and swallowing function of the evaluated person U or a position of a laryngeal protuberance on the neck. It is a numerical value. Details of the calculation unit 120 will be described later.

The evaluation unit 130 compares the feature amount calculated by the calculation unit 120 with the reference data 161 stored in the storage unit 160, and evaluates the eating / swallowing function of the person to be evaluated U. For example, the evaluation unit 130 may evaluate the subject U's swallowing function after distinguishing whether it is a swallowing function in the preparation period, the oral period, or the pharyngeal stage. Specifically, the evaluation unit 130 is realized by a processor, a microcomputer, or a dedicated circuit. Details of the evaluation unit 130 will be described later.

The output unit 140 outputs the evaluation result of the swallowing function of the person to be evaluated U evaluated by the evaluation unit 130 to the suggestion unit 150. Further, the output unit 140 outputs the evaluation result to the storage unit 160, and the evaluation result is stored in the storage unit 160. Specifically, the output unit 140 is realized by a processor, a microcomputer, or a dedicated circuit.

The proposing unit 150 makes a proposal regarding swallowing to the person to be evaluated U by collating the evaluation result output by the output unit 140 with predetermined proposal data 162. In addition, the suggestion unit 150 may collate the personal information acquired by the acquisition unit 110 with the proposal data 162 and make a proposal regarding swallowing to the evaluated person U. Proposal unit 150 outputs the proposal to portable terminal 300. The proposing unit 150 is realized by, for example, a processor, a microcomputer or a dedicated circuit, and a communication interface that performs wired communication or wireless communication. Details of the proposal unit 150 will be described later.

The storage unit 160 includes reference data 161 that indicates the relationship between the feature amount and the person's swallowing function, proposal data 162 that indicates the relationship between the evaluation result of the swallowing function and the proposed content, The storage device stores personal information data 163 indicating personal information. The reference data 161 is referred to by the evaluation unit 130 when the degree of the swallowing function of the evaluation subject U is evaluated. The proposal data 162 is referred to by the suggestion unit 150 when a proposal related to swallowing for the person to be evaluated U is made. The personal information data 163 is data acquired via the acquisition unit 110, for example. The personal information data 163 may be stored in the storage unit 160 in advance. The storage unit 160 is realized by, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a semiconductor memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like.

In addition, the storage unit 160 stores the program executed by the calculation unit 120, the evaluation unit 130, the output unit 140, and the suggestion unit 150, and the evaluation result used when the evaluation result of the swallowing function of the person to be evaluated U is output. And data such as an image, a moving image, a voice or a text indicating the proposal content are also stored. The storage unit 160 may also store voice data for instructions that will be described later.

Although not shown, the swallowing function evaluation apparatus 100 may include an instruction unit for instructing the evaluated person U to image the face or neck of the evaluated person U. Specifically, the instruction unit acquires voice data for instruction and image data for instructing to image the face or neck of the person to be evaluated U stored in the storage unit 160, and obtains the voice The data and the image data are output to the portable terminal 300.

[Processing procedure for evaluating swallowing function]
Then, the specific process sequence in the swallowing function evaluation method which the swallowing function evaluation apparatus 100 performs is demonstrated.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for evaluating the swallowing function of the person to be evaluated U by the swallowing function evaluation method according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an image acquisition method obtained by imaging the face or neck of the person to be evaluated U by the swallowing function evaluation method according to the embodiment.

First, the instruction unit instructs to image the face or neck of the person to be evaluated U (step S100). For example, in step S <b> 100, the instruction unit acquires audio data for an instruction for instructing the user U, stored in the storage unit 160, and outputs the audio data to the mobile terminal 300. Then, as shown in (a) of FIG. 4, a voice for instructing the person to be evaluated U is output to the mobile terminal 300. In addition, in (a) of FIG. 4, the instructed content is “Please take a picture with your mouth wide open”, but “Please take a video while moving your mouth”, “Open your mouth” Shoot video while moving tongue "," shoot video while closing mouth and inflating cheeks "," shoot with biting teeth "," shoot with mouth angle raised " Or “Please take a picture of the throat Buddha”. Further, imaging may be performed by the person to be evaluated U himself or by an evaluator (family, doctor, etc.) who wants to evaluate the person to be evaluated U's swallowing function. Further, the instruction unit obtains image data of an image for instructing the person to be evaluated U stored in the storage unit 160 and outputs the image data to the portable terminal 300 to instruct imaging. The instruction may be given using an instruction image for instructing imaging without using the instruction voice. Further, the evaluator (family, doctor, etc.) may give the instruction to the person to be evaluated U with his / her own voice without using the instruction image and sound for instructing to take an image.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the acquisition unit 110 acquires an image of the face or neck of the evaluator U who received the instruction in step S <b> 100 via the mobile terminal 300 (step S <b> 101). As illustrated in FIG. 4B, in step S <b> 101, for example, the person to be evaluated U photographs his / her face with his mouth open using the mobile terminal 300. Thereby, the acquisition unit 110 acquires an image obtained by imaging the face of the person to be evaluated U.

Next, the calculation unit 120 calculates a feature amount from the image acquired by the acquisition unit 110 (step S102), and the evaluation unit 130 calculates the eating and swallowing function of the evaluated person U from the feature amount calculated by the calculation unit 120. Is evaluated (step S103).

For example, when the image acquired by the acquisition unit 110 is a plurality of continuous images obtained by imaging the mouth when the person to be evaluated U is moving his / her mouth, the calculation unit 120 calculates the continuous image (moving image). The movement of the mouth at is calculated as a feature amount. Specifically, the calculation unit 120 calculates a difference between the movement amount on the left side of the mouth and the movement amount on the right side (referred to as a mouth left / right difference) as a feature amount.

The reference data 161 includes a threshold value corresponding to the left-right difference of the mouth, and the evaluation unit 130 evaluates the swallowing function according to, for example, whether the left-right difference of the mouth is equal to or greater than the threshold value. .

A large difference between the left and right mouths (greater than or equal to the threshold value) indicates, for example, that there is paralysis on the left or right side of the mouth, that is, an expression for taking food into the oral cavity without spilling food during the preparation period. It shows that the motor function of the muscle has declined. That is, by evaluating the movement of the mouth of the person to be evaluated U, it is possible to evaluate the motor function of the facial muscles during the preparation period.

For example, when the image acquired by the acquisition unit 110 is an image obtained by imaging the mouth when the person to be evaluated U opens the mouth, the calculation unit 120 is characterized by the degree of opening of the mouth in the image. Calculate as a quantity.

The reference data 161 includes a threshold corresponding to the degree of opening of the mouth, and the evaluation unit 130 performs, for example, a swallowing function depending on whether the degree of opening of the mouth is equal to or greater than the threshold. evaluate.

Small mouth openness (below the threshold), that is, not opening the mouth wide, for example, during the preparation period, the facial muscle function and masseter muscles for taking food into the mouth without spilling It shows that the occlusal function of temporal muscles (masticatory muscles) is reduced. That is, by evaluating the degree of opening of the person to be evaluated U, the motor function of the facial muscles and the motor function of the masticatory muscles in the preparation period can be evaluated.

For example, in the case where the image acquired by the acquisition unit 110 is a plurality of continuous images obtained by imaging the tongue when the user U is moving the tongue while opening his mouth, the calculation unit 120 The movement of the tongue in a continuous image (moving image) is calculated as a feature amount. Specifically, the calculation unit 120 calculates the length that allows the tongue to be put out from the mouth as the feature amount. In addition, the calculation unit 120 calculates a difference between the amount of movement of the tongue on the left side and the amount of movement on the right side (referred to as tongue left-right difference) as a feature amount. Further, the calculation unit 120 calculates the approach amount of the tip of the tongue to the upper jaw behind the front teeth as a feature amount.

The reference data 161 includes a threshold value corresponding to the length of the tongue that can be taken out of the mouth, and the evaluation unit 130, for example, determines whether or not the length is greater than or equal to the threshold value. To evaluate. The reference data 161 includes a threshold value corresponding to the left-right difference of the tongue. For example, the evaluation unit 130 performs a swallowing function depending on whether the left-right difference of the tongue is equal to or greater than the threshold value. evaluate. The reference data 161 includes a threshold value corresponding to the approach amount, and the evaluation unit 130 evaluates the swallowing function according to, for example, whether the approach amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value. .

When the length of the tongue that can be taken out from the mouth is short (below the threshold), for example, the motor function of the tongue (specifically, the root of the tongue, more specifically, the suprahyoid muscle group) in the oral cavity is reduced. Indicates that In addition, a large difference between the left and right tongues (above a threshold value) indicates, for example, that the tongue is paralyzed. In other words, food in the preparation period is pressed against the teeth or fine food is saliva. It shows that the motor function of the tongue for mixing together is reduced. Moreover, that the said approach amount is small (being less than a threshold value) shows that the motor function of the tongue (superhyoid muscle group) in the oral cavity period is falling, for example. That is, the tongue movement function in the preparation period and the tongue movement function in the oral period can be evaluated by evaluating the movement of the tongue of the evaluation subject U.

For example, in the case where the image acquired by the acquisition unit 110 is a plurality of continuous images obtained by imaging the cheek when the person to be evaluated U closes his mouth and expands his cheek, the calculation unit 120 The cheek movement in a continuous image (moving image) is calculated as a feature amount. Specifically, the calculation unit 120 calculates whether or not the cheek bulge can be maintained as a feature amount.

The reference data 161 includes a threshold value corresponding to the maintenance degree of the cheek bulge, and the evaluation unit 130, for example, ingestion swallowing according to whether the cheek bulge degree is equal to or greater than the threshold value. Evaluate functionality.

Inability to maintain the swelling of the cheeks (below the threshold) indicates, for example, that the lips cannot be closed and that air is leaking from the inside of the mouth to the outside of the mouth (lip closure failure). It shows that the motor function of the facial muscles for taking the food into the oral cavity without spilling is reduced. In addition, the fact that the cheeks do not swell (below the threshold value) indicates that, for example, the space between the nasal cavity and the pharynx cannot be blocked, and air is leaking from the pharynx to the nasal cavity (nasal pharyngeal insufficiency) That is, the motor function of the pharynx (specifically, soft palate) for closing the space between the nasal cavity and the pharynx in the pharyngeal stage is reduced. That is, by evaluating the movement of the cheek of the person to be evaluated U, it is possible to evaluate the facial muscle function in the preparation period and the pharyngeal movement function in the pharynx stage.

For example, when the image acquired by the acquisition unit 110 is an image obtained by imaging the cheek of the person to be evaluated U when the person to be evaluated U is biting a tooth, the calculation unit 120 calculates the tooth in the image. The cheek muscle bulge caused by biting is calculated as a feature value. For example, when the image acquired by the acquisition unit 110 is an image obtained by imaging the cheek of the person to be evaluated U when the person to be evaluated U raises the mouth angle, the calculation unit 120 calculates the mouth angle in the image. The elevation of the muscles of the cheeks caused by raising is calculated as a feature amount.

The reference data 161 includes a threshold corresponding to the uplift, and the evaluation unit 130 evaluates the swallowing function depending on whether the uplift is equal to or higher than the threshold, for example.

The fact that the muscles of the cheeks do not rise (below the threshold value) indicates, for example, that the motor function (muscle strength) of the masticatory muscles during the preparation period is reduced. That is, by evaluating the bulge of the cheek muscles of the person to be evaluated U, the motor function of the masticatory muscles in the preparation period can be evaluated.

For example, when the image acquired by the acquisition unit 110 is an image obtained by imaging the neck of the person to be evaluated U, the calculation unit 120 calculates the position of the laryngeal protuberance of the person to be evaluated U in the image as a feature amount. To do.

The reference data 161 includes a threshold corresponding to the position of the laryngeal bump (for example, the distance from the face), and the evaluation unit 130 determines whether the position of the laryngeal bump is equal to or greater than the threshold, for example. Evaluate the swallowing function as appropriate.

The fact that the laryngeal protuberance is far from the face (beyond the threshold) indicates, for example, a state that requires extra effort to raise the laryngeal protuberance when swallowing a bolus, that is, the larynx in the pharyngeal phase (specifically, Indicates that the motor function of the subhyoid muscle group is reduced (in other words, the laryngeal state is deteriorated). When the state of the larynx deteriorates in this way, a person with poor swallowing function often has insufficient muscular strength, but the elevation of the laryngeal protuberance is further insufficient, and it can be avoided. By evaluating the position of the laryngeal protuberance of the subject U, the motor function during swallowing can be evaluated.

In this way, the evaluation unit 130 may provide the swallowing function of the person to be evaluated U, such as the tongue movement function in the “preparation period” or the tongue movement function in the “oral period”, We evaluate after distinguishing whether it is swallowing function in oral cavity stage or pharyngeal stage. For example, the reference data 161 includes a correspondence relationship between the type of feature quantity and the swallowing function in at least one stage of the preparation period, the oral period, and the pharyngeal period. For example, when attention is paid to the mouth left-right difference as the feature quantity, the mouth left-right difference is associated with the motor function of facial muscles in the preparation period. For this reason, the evaluation part 130 can evaluate the to-be-evaluated person's U swallowing function, after distinguishing whether it is a swallowing function in a preparation period, an oral cavity period, and a pharyngeal period. What kind of symptom is given to the subject U by evaluating the subject's U swallowing function after distinguishing whether it is a swallowing function in the preparation phase, oral phase or pharyngeal phase You can see if there is a risk of occurrence. This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing specific examples of the swallowing function in the preparation period, the oral period and the pharyngeal period, and symptoms when each function is lowered.

運動 Since the motor function of facial muscles declines during the preparation period, the symptoms of spilled food appear during swallowing. Decline in the motor function of the tongue and masticatory muscles during the preparation period leads to symptoms that the food cannot be chewed correctly (cannot chew or crush food) during swallowing. In addition, the motor function of the tongue in the oral phase and the pharyngeal and laryngeal motor functions in the pharyngeal phase may decrease, and the swallowing swallow may cause the bolus to swallow correctly into the pharynx and esophagus. become.

Since it is known that such a symptom is observed when the swallowing function in each stage is lowered, the swallowing function of the subject U can be set in any stage of the preparation stage, the oral stage and the pharyngeal stage. It is possible to make detailed countermeasures for each corresponding symptom by evaluating after distinguishing whether or not it is a swallowing function. Moreover, although mentioned later for details, the proposal part 150 can propose the countermeasure according to evaluation result to the to-be-evaluated person U. FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the output unit 140 outputs the evaluation result of the swallowing function of the person to be evaluated U evaluated by the evaluation unit 130 (step S104). The output unit 140 outputs the evaluation result of the swallowing function of the evaluated person U evaluated by the evaluation unit 130 to the suggestion unit 150. Note that the output unit 140 may output the evaluation result to the mobile terminal 300. In this case, the output unit 140 may include a communication interface that performs wired communication or wireless communication, for example. In this case, for example, the output unit 140 acquires image data of an image corresponding to the evaluation result from the storage unit 160 and transmits the acquired image data to the mobile terminal 300. An example of the image data (evaluation result) is shown in FIGS.

6 to 8 are diagrams showing an example of the evaluation result. For example, the evaluation result is a two-stage evaluation result of OK or NG. OK means normal and NG means abnormal. The evaluation result is not limited to a two-stage evaluation result, and may be a fine evaluation result in which the degree of evaluation is divided into three or more stages. That is, the threshold value corresponding to each feature amount included in the reference data 161 stored in the storage unit 160 is not limited to one threshold value, and may be a plurality of threshold values. Specifically, for a certain feature amount, the evaluation result is normal when it is equal to or greater than the first threshold, and the evaluation result is slightly abnormal when it is smaller than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold, and is equal to or less than the second threshold. In this case, the evaluation result may be abnormal. Further, a circle mark or the like may be shown instead of OK (normal), a triangle mark or the like may be shown instead of slightly abnormal, and a cross mark or the like may be shown instead of NG (abnormal). Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 16, normality and abnormality do not have to be shown for each swallowing function, and for example, only items that are suspected of lowering the swallowing function may be shown.

The image data of the image corresponding to the evaluation result is, for example, a table as shown in FIGS. The person to be evaluated U can confirm such a table showing the evaluation results after distinguishing whether the function is the swallowing function in the preparation stage, the oral stage or the pharyngeal stage. For example, if the person to be evaluated U knows in advance what measures should be taken when the function decreases for each of the swallowing functions in the preparation period, oral period and pharyngeal period, U can make detailed countermeasures by confirming such a table.

However, the to-be-evaluated U may not know in advance what countermeasures should be taken regarding swallowing when the swallowing function in each stage is reduced. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the proposing unit 150 makes a proposal regarding swallowing to the person to be evaluated U by collating the evaluation result output by the output unit 140 with predetermined proposal data 162. . (Step S105). For example, the proposal data 162 includes proposal contents regarding swallowing for the person to be evaluated U corresponding to each combination of evaluation results for the swallowing function in the preparation period, the oral period, and the pharyngeal period. In addition, the storage unit 160 includes data (for example, an image, a moving image, sound, text, etc.) indicating the proposal content. The suggestion unit 150 makes a proposal regarding swallowing to the person to be evaluated U using such data.

Below, the evaluation result evaluated after distinguishing whether the swallowing function of the to-be-evaluated U is the swallowing function in the preparation stage, the oral stage or the pharyngeal stage is shown in FIGS. The contents of the proposal in the case where the result is shown in FIG.

In the evaluation results shown in FIG. 6, the tongue motor function in the preparation period, the tongue motor function in the oral cavity period, and the pharyngeal motor function and the larynx motor function in the pharyngeal period are NG. The swallowing function is OK. In this case, there is a possibility that there is a problem in the chewing ability because the motor function of the tongue in the preparation period is NG. As a result, avoiding hard-to-eat foods can result in unbalanced nutrition and take time to eat. Moreover, there is a possibility that the swallowing of the bolus is problematic because the tongue motor function in the oral period and the motor function of the pharynx and larynx in the pharynx stage are NG. As a result, it takes time to swallow or swallow.

In contrast, the proposal unit 150 collates the combination of the evaluation results with the proposal data 162 to make a proposal corresponding to the combination. Specifically, the suggestion unit 150 proposes to reduce the amount of food put into the mouth at a time, such as softening a hard object. This is because by reducing the amount of food put into the mouth at a time, it becomes possible to chew without difficulty, and the bolus becomes smaller and it becomes easier to swallow the bolus. For example, the suggestion unit 150 may use the mobile terminal 300 by an image, text or voice, etc. “Reducing the amount to put into the mouth and eat slowly. Proposal of contents such as “maybe”. In addition, the suggestion unit 150 proposes to thicken the liquid contained in the food. By thickening the liquid, it becomes easy to chew food, and it is possible to prevent the liquid from flowing slowly in the pharynx. For example, the suggestion unit 150 proposes a content such as “Let's eat a soup or a liquid such as a soup” via an image, text, or voice via the mobile terminal 300.

In the evaluation results shown in FIG. 7, the motor function of the masticatory muscles in the preparation period is NG, and the other swallowing functions are OK. In this case, there is a possibility that there is a problem in the masticatory ability and the occlusal ability because the movement function of the masticatory muscles in the preparation period is NG. As a result, avoiding hard food can result in unbalanced nutrition and take time to eat.

In contrast, the proposal unit 150 collates the combination of the evaluation results with the proposal data 162 to make a proposal corresponding to the combination. Specifically, when eating hard food (vegetables, meat, etc.), it is proposed to make it fine or soft before eating. This is because even if there is a problem with the chewing ability and the occlusal ability, it becomes possible to eat hard food. For example, the suggestion unit 150 uses the mobile terminal 300 to display a content such as “let's chop it small if it is hard and difficult to eat”, or “because it is difficult to eat leafy vegetables. We recommend that you take it aggressively by softening, chopping, etc. so that you do n’t avoid eating, but rather nutrition.

In the evaluation results shown in FIG. 8, all swallowing functions are NG. In this case, the swallowing function may be reduced in the preparation period, the oral period, and the pharyngeal period. For example, the muscular strength of the lips declines due to the decline in the motor function of the facial muscles during the preparation period, the masseter muscles decline due to the decline in the movement function of the masticatory muscles during the preparation period, and the muscle strength of the tongue declines due to the decline of the tongue movement function during the oral period, The hypopharyngeal muscle group is expected to have declined due to the decline in laryngeal motor function in the pharyngeal phase, suggesting the possibility of sarcopenia.

In contrast, the proposal unit 150 collates the combination of the evaluation results with the proposal data 162 to make a proposal corresponding to the combination. Specifically, we suggest taking protein and rehabilitating. This is because the decrease in muscle strength can be eliminated. At this time, the suggestion unit 150 may use personal information (for example, age, weight) of the evaluated person U acquired by the acquisition unit 110. For example, the suggestion unit 150 uses an image, text or voice via the mobile terminal 300, “Let's take protein. Since the current weight is 60 kg, the protein is 20 g to 24 g per serving, 3 meals total. “Let ’s take 60g to 72g.” In order to avoid losing it when eating, let ’s eat with a thick liquid soup and soup. In addition, the proposal unit 150 proposes specific training content related to rehabilitation. For example, the suggestion unit 150 uses the mobile terminal 300 to perform muscle strength training for the whole body according to the age of the person to be evaluated U (such as training that repeats standing and sitting) and lip muscle strength recovery training (such as training that repeats standing and sitting). Examples such as training that repeats breath blowing and inhalation), recovery training of tongue muscle strength (training that moves the tongue in and out, movement up and down, left and right, etc.) are shown. For example, installation of an application for such rehabilitation may be proposed. In addition, details of training actually performed during rehabilitation may be recorded. Thereby, it is possible to reflect the recorded contents in rehabilitation by the specialists by confirming the recorded contents by a specialist (such as a doctor, a dentist, a speech therapist, or a nurse).

Note that the evaluation unit 130 does not need to evaluate the swallowing function of the person to be evaluated U after distinguishing whether the swallowing function is in the preparation period, the oral cavity period, or the pharyngeal period. That is, the evaluation unit 130 may evaluate what kind of swallowing function of the person to be evaluated U is deteriorated.

Other than that, although not shown, the suggestion unit 150 may make a proposal described below according to a combination of evaluation results for each swallowing function.

For example, when the suggestion unit 150 proposes meal contents, the suggestion unit 150 may present a code indicating a food form such as a code of “swallowing adjusted meal classification 2013” of the Japanese Society for Swallowing Rehabilitation. For example, when the person to be evaluated U purchases a product corresponding to a dysphagia, it is difficult to describe the “meal form” in words, but the code is used in a one-to-one correspondence with the code. Meals can be easily purchased. Moreover, the proposal part 150 may present the site for purchasing such goods, and may enable it to purchase using the internet. For example, after evaluating the swallowing function via the mobile terminal 300, the mobile terminal 300 may be used for purchase. Further, the suggestion unit 150 may present other products that supplement the nutrition so that the nutrition of the evaluated person U is not biased. At that time, the proposing unit 150 uses the personal information (for example, body weight, BMI (Body Mass Index), serum albumin value, eating rate, etc.) of the evaluated person U acquired by the acquiring unit 110, so that the evaluated person U After determining the nutritional status of the product, a product supplementing nutrition may be presented.

Further, for example, the suggestion unit 150 may propose a posture at the time of eating. This is because the ease of swallowing food varies depending on the posture. For example, the proposing unit 150 proposes to eat with a leaning posture in which the angle from the pharynx to the trachea is not likely to be a straight line.

Also, for example, the suggestion unit 150 may present a menu in consideration of nutritional bias due to a decrease in the swallowing function (present a menu site describing such a menu). A menu site is a site where ingredients and cooking procedures necessary for completing a menu are described. In that case, the proposal part 150 may present the menu which considered the bias | inclination of nutrition, considering the menu which the to-be-evaluated person U input by the to-be-evaluated person U and which the acquisition part 110 acquired. Further, the suggestion unit 150 may present a menu that is nutritionally balanced in a specific period over a specific period such as one week.

Also, for example, the suggestion unit 150 may transmit information indicating the degree to which food is fined or softened to a cooker that has been converted to IoT (Internet of Things). Thereby, food can be finely and softened correctly. In addition, it is possible to save time and effort for the person to be evaluated U to make food fine or soft.

[Effects]
As described above, the swallowing function evaluation method according to the present embodiment acquires an image obtained by imaging the face or neck of the person to be evaluated U in a non-contact manner, as shown in FIG. An acquisition step (step S101), a calculation step (step S102) for calculating a feature amount from the acquired image, an evaluation step (step S103) for evaluating the eating and swallowing function of the evaluation subject U from the calculated feature amount, ,including.

According to this, by obtaining an image of the face or neck of the person to be evaluated U that is suitable for evaluation of the swallowing function obtained by non-contact imaging, the swallowing of the person to be evaluated U can be easily performed. The function can be evaluated. That is, it is possible to evaluate the eating and swallowing function of the person to be evaluated U only by imaging the face or neck of the person to be evaluated U using an imaging device such as the portable terminal 300.

In the evaluation step, at least one of a facial muscle function, a tongue function, a masticatory function, a pharyngeal function, and a laryngeal function may be evaluated as a swallowing function.

According to this, for example, the facial muscle function in the preparation period, the tongue movement function in the preparation period, the masticatory muscle function in the preparation period, the tongue movement function in the oral period, the pharyngeal movement function in the pharynx stage, or The laryngeal motor function in the pharyngeal phase can be evaluated.

In the acquisition step, a plurality of continuous images obtained by imaging the mouth when the user U is moving the mouth is acquired, and in the calculation step, the movement of the mouth in the continuous images is calculated as a feature amount. May be.

According to this, simply by imaging the mouth when the evaluated person U is moving his / her mouth using an imaging device such as the portable terminal 300, the facial muscle function of the evaluated person U during the preparation period can be easily performed. Can be evaluated.

Further, in the obtaining step, an image obtained by imaging the mouth when the person to be evaluated U is opening the mouth may be obtained, and in the calculating step, the degree of opening of the mouth in the image may be calculated as a feature amount. .

According to this, simply by imaging the mouth when the person to be evaluated U is opening his / her mouth using an imaging device such as the portable terminal 300, the motor function of the facial muscles during the preparation period of the person to be evaluated U can be easily performed. Alternatively, the motor function of the masticatory muscles during the preparation period can be evaluated.

Further, in the acquisition step, a plurality of continuous images obtained by imaging the tongue when the user U is moving the tongue while opening his mouth are acquired, and in the calculation step, the movement of the tongue in the continuous image May be calculated as a feature amount.

According to this, the tongue in the preparation period of the person to be evaluated U can be simply captured by simply imaging the tongue when the person to be evaluated U is moving the tongue while opening the mouth using an imaging device such as the portable terminal 300. The motor function of the tongue or the motor function of the tongue in the oral phase can be evaluated.

Further, in the acquisition step, a plurality of continuous images obtained by imaging the cheek when the person to be evaluated U is inflating the cheek while closing his mouth is acquired, and in the calculation step, the movement of the cheek in the continuous image May be calculated as a feature amount.

According to this, just by imaging the cheek when the person to be evaluated U is inflating his cheek while closing his mouth using an imaging device such as the portable terminal 300, the facial expression of the person to be evaluated U in the preparation period can be easily obtained. The motor function of the muscle or the motor function of the pharynx in the pharyngeal stage can be evaluated.

Further, in the obtaining step, an image obtained by imaging the cheek of the person to be evaluated U when the person to be evaluated U is biting the teeth is obtained, and in the calculation step, the muscles of the cheek are raised by biting the teeth in the image. May be calculated as a feature amount.

According to this, just by imaging the cheek of the person to be evaluated U when the person to be evaluated U is biting a tooth using an imaging device such as the portable terminal 300, mastication in the preparation period of the person to be evaluated U can be easily performed. Can evaluate muscle motor function.

In the acquisition step, an image obtained by imaging the cheek of the person to be evaluated U when the person to be evaluated U raises the mouth corner is obtained. A bulge may be calculated as a feature amount.

According to this, simply by imaging the cheek of the person to be evaluated U when the person to be evaluated U raises the mouth angle using an imaging device such as the portable terminal 300, the chewing in the preparation period of the person to be evaluated U can be easily performed. Can evaluate muscle motor function.

Further, in the calculation step, the position of the evaluator U's laryngeal protuberance in the image may be calculated as a feature amount.

According to this, it is possible to simply evaluate the laryngeal motor function in the pharyngeal phase of the person to be evaluated U simply by imaging the laryngeal protuberance of the person to be evaluated U using an imaging device such as the portable terminal 300.

Moreover, the swallowing function evaluation method may further include an output step (step S104) for outputting an evaluation result.

According to this, the evaluation result can be confirmed.

In addition, the swallowing function evaluation method further includes a proposing step (step S105) of making a proposal regarding swallowing to the evaluated person U by collating the output evaluation result with predetermined data. May be.

According to this, the to-be-evaluated person U can receive a proposal as to what countermeasures should be taken regarding swallowing when the swallowing function at each stage is lowered. For example, it is possible to prevent aspiration pneumonia by suppressing aspiration by allowing the evaluated person U to perform rehabilitation based on the proposal or to take a diet based on the proposal. Can reduce malnutrition due to decline.

Further, in the suggestion step, at least one of a proposal related to a meal corresponding to the evaluation result of the swallowing function and a proposal related to exercise corresponding to the evaluation result of the swallowing function may be performed.

According to this, the to-be-evaluated person U can receive a suggestion of what kind of meal should be performed or what kind of exercise should be performed when the swallowing function is lowered.

In the acquisition step, personal information of the person to be evaluated U may be acquired.

According to this, for example, in a proposal related to swallowing, a more effective proposal can be made to the evaluated person U by combining the evaluation result of the swallowing function of the evaluated person U and personal information. Can do.

In addition, the swallowing function evaluation apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment acquires the acquisition unit 110 that acquires an image obtained by imaging the face or neck of the person to be evaluated U without contact, and the acquisition unit 110 acquires the image. The calculation unit 120 that calculates the feature amount from the image, the evaluation unit 130 that evaluates the swallowing function of the person to be evaluated U from the feature amount calculated by the calculation unit 120, and the evaluation result that the evaluation unit 130 evaluates are output. An output unit 140.

According to this, it is possible to provide the swallowing function evaluation device 100 that can easily evaluate the swallowing function of the person U to be evaluated.

In addition, the swallowing function evaluation system 200 according to the present embodiment includes a swallowing function evaluation device 100 and an imaging device that captures the face or neck of the person to be evaluated U in a non-contact manner (in this embodiment, a portable terminal) 300). The acquisition unit 110 of the swallowing function evaluation apparatus 100 acquires an image obtained by imaging the face or neck of the person to be evaluated U in a non-contact manner.

According to this, it is possible to provide the swallowing function evaluation system 200 that enables the evaluation of the swallowing function of the person to be evaluated U easily.

(Other embodiments)
As mentioned above, although the swallowing function evaluation method etc. which concern on embodiment were demonstrated, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment.

For example, the reference data 161 is predetermined data, but may be updated based on an evaluation result obtained when an expert actually diagnoses the swallowing function of the person to be evaluated U. Thereby, the evaluation precision of a swallowing function can be improved. Note that machine learning may be used to improve the evaluation accuracy of the swallowing function.

Further, for example, the proposal data 162 is predetermined data, but the evaluated person U may evaluate the proposal content and may be updated based on the evaluation result. That is, for example, when a proposal corresponding to the fact that the person to be evaluated U cannot chew based on a certain feature amount even though the person to be evaluated U can chew without problems, It is evaluated that it is wrong. Then, by updating the proposal data 162 based on the evaluation result, the erroneous proposal as described above is not made based on the same feature amount. Thus, the proposal content regarding swallowing for the person to be evaluated U can be made more effective. Note that machine learning may be used to make proposals related to swallowing more effective.

Also, for example, the evaluation result of the swallowing function may be stored as big data together with personal information and used for machine learning. Moreover, the proposal content regarding swallowing may be accumulated as big data together with personal information and used for machine learning.

Also, for example, in the above embodiment, the eating and swallowing function evaluation method includes the suggestion step (step S105) for making a suggestion regarding swallowing, but it may not be included. In other words, the swallowing function evaluation device 100 may not include the suggestion unit 150.

Also, for example, in the above embodiment, in the acquisition step (step S101), the personal information of the person to be evaluated U is acquired, but it is not necessary to acquire it. In other words, the acquisition unit 110 may not acquire the personal information of the evaluated person U.

Also, for example, the steps in the swallowing function evaluation method may be executed by a computer (computer system). The present invention can be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the steps included in these methods. Furthermore, the present invention can be realized as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM on which the program is recorded.

For example, when the present invention is realized by a program (software), each step is executed by executing the program using hardware resources such as a CPU, a memory, and an input / output circuit of a computer. . That is, each step is executed by the CPU obtaining data from a memory or an input / output circuit or the like, and outputting the calculation result to the memory or the input / output circuit or the like.

In addition, each component included in the swallowing function evaluation device 100 and the swallowing function evaluation system 200 of the above embodiment may be realized as a dedicated or general-purpose circuit.

In addition, each component included in the swallowing function evaluation apparatus 100 and the swallowing function evaluation system 200 of the above embodiment is realized as an LSI (Large Scale Integration) that is an integrated circuit (IC). Also good.

Further, the integrated circuit is not limited to an LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. A programmable FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or a reconfigurable processor in which connection and setting of circuit cells inside the LSI can be reconfigured may be used.

Furthermore, if integrated circuit technology that replaces LSI emerges as a result of advances in semiconductor technology or other technologies derived from it, it will naturally be included in the swallowing function evaluation device 100 and the swallowing function evaluation system 200 using that technology. Each component may be integrated into an integrated circuit.

Other forms obtained by subjecting the embodiments to various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions in the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Swallowing function evaluation apparatus 110 Acquisition part 120 Calculation part 130 Evaluation part 140 Output part 150 Proposal part 161 Reference data 162 Proposal data (data)
200 Eating and swallowing function evaluation system 300 Mobile terminal (imaging device)
U Evaluated person

Claims

An acquisition step of acquiring an image obtained by imaging the face or neck of the evaluator in a non-contact manner;
A calculation step of calculating a feature amount from the acquired image;
An evaluation step for evaluating the swallowing function of the person to be evaluated from the calculated feature amount,
Method for evaluating swallowing function.
In the evaluation step, as the swallowing function, at least one of a facial muscle function, a tongue function, a masticatory function, a pharyngeal function, and a laryngeal function is evaluated.
The method for evaluating a swallowing function according to claim 1.
In the obtaining step, a plurality of continuous images obtained by imaging the mouth when the person being evaluated is moving the mouth,
In the calculating step, the movement of the mouth in the continuous images is calculated as the feature amount.
The method for evaluating a swallowing function according to claim 1 or 2.
In the acquisition step, an image obtained by imaging the mouth when the person to be evaluated opens the mouth,
In the calculation step, the degree of opening of the mouth in the image is calculated as the feature amount.
The method for evaluating a swallowing function according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
In the obtaining step, a plurality of continuous images obtained by imaging the tongue when the evaluated person is moving the tongue while opening the mouth,
In the calculating step, the movement of the tongue in the continuous images is calculated as the feature amount.
The method for evaluating a swallowing function according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
In the obtaining step, a plurality of continuous images obtained by imaging the cheek when the subject is inflating the cheek while closing his mouth,
In the calculating step, the movement of the cheek in the continuous images is calculated as the feature amount.
The method for evaluating a swallowing function according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
In the obtaining step, an image obtained by imaging the cheek of the evaluator when the evaluator is biting teeth is obtained;
In the calculating step, the cheek muscle bulge due to the biting of the teeth in the image is calculated as the feature amount.
The method for evaluating a swallowing function according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
In the obtaining step, an image obtained by imaging the cheek of the evaluator when the evaluator is raising a mouth corner is obtained,
In the calculating step, the bulge of the cheek muscles by raising the mouth corner in the image is calculated as the feature amount.
The method for evaluating a swallowing function according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
In the calculating step, the position of the evaluator's laryngeal protuberance in the image is calculated as the feature amount.
The method for evaluating a swallowing function according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
The swallowing function evaluation method further includes an output step of outputting an evaluation result,
The method for evaluating a swallowing function according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
The method for evaluating swallowing function further includes a proposal step for making a proposal regarding swallowing for the evaluated person by comparing the output evaluation result with predetermined data.
The method for evaluating a swallowing function according to claim 10.
In the acquisition step, the personal information of the evaluated person is further acquired.
The method for evaluating a swallowing function according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
A program for causing a computer to execute the swallowing function evaluation method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
An acquisition unit for acquiring an image obtained by imaging the face or neck of the evaluator in a non-contact manner;
A calculation unit that calculates a feature amount from the image acquired by the acquisition unit;
An evaluation unit that evaluates the swallowing function of the person to be evaluated from the feature amount calculated by the calculation unit;
An output unit that outputs an evaluation result evaluated by the evaluation unit,
Ingestion swallowing function evaluation device.
The device for evaluating swallowing function according to claim 14,
An imaging device that images the face or neck of the person to be evaluated in a non-contact manner,
The acquisition unit of the swallowing function evaluation device acquires an image obtained by imaging the face or neck of the person to be evaluated in a non-contact manner by the imaging device.
A swallowing function evaluation system.