WO2023053902A1

WO2023053902A1 - Gas detection method, gas detection device, gas detection system, control program, and recording medium

Info

Publication number: WO2023053902A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/033855
Authority: WO
Inventors: 大輔上山; 真一阿部
Original assignee: 京セラ株式会社
Priority date: 2021-09-30
Filing date: 2022-09-09
Publication date: 2023-04-06
Also published as: JPWO2023053902A1

Abstract

The present invention improves gas detection accuracy. A gas detection method that includes: a first collection step in which a first sample gas released from a subject specimen is collected; a first detection step in which the concentrations of a first detection gas and a second detection gas that are included in the first sample gas are detected for each; a second collection step in which a second sample gas released from the specimen is collected after the first collection step; a second detection step in which the concentrations of the first detection gas and the second detection gas included in the first sample gas are detected, respectively; and a calculation step in which the concentrations of the first detection gas and the second detection gas during the period from when released from the subject specimen until the first sample gas is collected are calculated, respectively, on the basis of the change in first detection gas concentration calculated from the concentration of the first detection gas, detected in the first detection step and the second detection step.

Description

Gas detection method, gas detection device, gas detection system, control program, recording medium

The present disclosure relates to a gas detection method, a gas detection device, a gas detection system, and the like for analyzing gas.

In Patent Document 1 shown below, it is possible to detect hydrogen gas and odorous gas contained in defecation gas discharged into a toilet bowl, and output detection data in which the influence of hydrogen contained in the defecation gas is separated. A biometric information measurement system is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-143171

<1> In order to solve the above problems, a gas detection method according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a first collection of collecting a first sample gas released from a subject after the subject discharges the specimen. a first detection step of respectively detecting concentrations of a first gas to be detected and a second gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas; a second sampling step of sampling after the step; a second detecting step of detecting the concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas; Further, the first sample gas is collected after being released from the specimen discharged from the subject based on the change in the concentration of the first gas to be detected calculated from the concentration of the first gas to be detected. and a calculating step of calculating the concentrations of the first detectable gas and the second detectable gas during the period from .

<2> Further, a gas detection device according to an aspect of the present disclosure collects a sample gas released from a subject after the subject discharges the specimen, and collects the first gas to be detected contained in the sample gas. and a second gas to be detected, respectively, the concentration of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas sampled for the first time; a detection unit for detecting the concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in a second sample gas released from the same specimen after the first sampling; and the first gas to be detected detected from the first sample gas. and the concentration of the first detectable gas detected from the second sample gas, based on the change in the concentration of the first detectable gas, the specimen discharged from the subject a calculation unit that calculates concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected during a period from when the gas is released from the gas to when the first sample gas is sampled.

<3> Further, a gas detection system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the gas detection device according to <2> above, and the first sample gas is collected after being released from the specimen discharged from the subject. an estimating device comprising an estimating unit that estimates information about the health condition of the subject who discharged the specimen based on the concentrations of the first detectable gas and the second detectable gas until the The estimating unit calculates the ratio of the concentration of the first detected gas to the concentration of the second detected gas contained in the past sample gas emitted from the past specimen discharged from each of the plurality of subjects. is input data, and learning is performed using information about the health condition of each of the plurality of subjects at the time when the past specimen was discharged by each of the plurality of subjects as teacher data. is used to make the estimation.

<4> Further, the gas detection system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a first sample gas emitted from a specimen discharged from a subject, and a gas emitted from the specimen after the first sample gas is emitted. Each of the second sample gases is sampled, and the concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas and the concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas are determined. , the concentration of the first detectable gas detected from the first sample gas, and the concentration of the first detectable gas detected from the second sample gas. The first gas to be detected and the and a server device for calculating the concentration of the second gas to be detected.

The gas detection device and gas detection system according to each aspect of the present disclosure may be implemented by a computer. In this case, a control program for a gas detection device that implements the gas detection device and the gas detection system on a computer by operating a computer as each part (software element) included in the gas detection device and the gas detection system. , and a computer-readable recording medium recording it are also included in the scope of the present disclosure.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a gas detection system according to one embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of density information; It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of detection data. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of uncorrected density information; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of post-correction density information; It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of object person information. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of analysis result information. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of health information. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a gas detection device included in the gas detection system shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main part of a gas detection system; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a gas detection device; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing performed in the gas detection system; Fig. 10 is a graph plotting the decay amount of the concentration of H ₂ released from the specimen and the mass of the specimen (stool volume) after a predetermined time has passed. FIG. 10 is a graph plotting the amount of CO ₂ concentration decay emitted from a sample after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and the mass of the sample (stool volume); FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a gas detection system provided with a gas detection device according to another embodiment; 16 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the gas detection device shown in FIG. 15; FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a gas detection system provided with a gas detection device according to another embodiment; 18 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the gas detection device shown in FIG. 17; FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing performed in the gas detection system shown in FIG. 17; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a modification of the gas detection system; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a modification of the gas detection system;

[Embodiment 1]
<Scope of Application of Gas Detection System 100>
Conventional systems have room for improvement in terms of analytical accuracy with respect to the measurement of collected gases. One aspect of the present disclosure provides a gas detection method, a gas detection device, a gas detection system, and the like, with improved gas analysis accuracy.

The inventors have found that a plurality of gas components to be detected (hereinafter referred to as "detected gas") contained in the gas emitted from the specimen of the subject (hereinafter referred to as "sample gas") include at least the following We have found that (1) and (2) are involved.

(1) A detected gas (hereinafter referred to as a first detected gas) whose concentration in the sample gas emitted from the specimen greatly fluctuates (for example, decreases) over time.

(2) A detectable gas whose concentration in the sample gas emitted from the specimen does not fluctuate greatly over time (hereinafter referred to as a second detectable gas).

Then, the inventors focused on the concentrations of the first detectable gas and the second detectable gas, and the concentration ratio between the detectable gases, and focused on the gas detection method, the gas detection system 100, and the gas detection according to the present disclosure. I came to invent the device 1 and the like.

A "subject" is intended to be a person who uses the gas detection system 100 described later and whose health condition is managed and monitored. A "specimen" may be excrement excreted by a subject. For example, if the "specimen" is the subject's stool, the sample gas may be bowel gas. A "specimen" may also be a subject's secretion. For example, if the "analyte" is secretions from the subject's sebaceous glands, the sample gas may be the subject's body odor. A "specimen" may also be a portion of a subject's tissue.

In addition, the "detected gas" is intended to be a chemical substance to be detected and a chemical substance that can exist as a gas. "Detected gas concentration" means the concentration of the detected gas in the sample gas. Hereinafter, the gas to be detected is referred to as a "gas to be detected" or "each gas to be detected" unless it is specified whether it is the first gas to be detected or the second gas to be detected.

A gas detection system 100 according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a system capable of detecting the concentrations of a first detection target gas and a second detection target gas contained in a sample gas and correcting the concentrations of the detected detection target gases. . The corrected concentration of each gas to be detected can be used to estimate the health condition of the subject. In this specification, "correcting the concentration" means correcting the detected concentration (detection result) of each gas to be detected.

In the present specification, the concentration of each gas to be detected can be corrected from the detection results of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected contained in the sample gas emitted from feces discharged (excreted) from the subject. The gas detection system 100 will be described as an example.

<Configuration of gas detection system 100>
First, the configuration of a gas detection system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described using FIG. 1 while referring to FIGS. 2 to 8. FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a gas detection system 100 according to one embodiment. Each figure referred to in this specification is a schematic diagram showing only a part of members in a simplified manner for describing the embodiment for convenience of explanation. Accordingly, gas detection system 100 may include optional components not shown in the figures to which this specification refers. Also, the dimensions of the members in each drawing do not faithfully represent the actual dimensions of the constituent members, the dimensional ratios of the respective members, and the like.

The gas detection system 100 includes a gas detection device 1, a server device 2, and an electronic device 3. In the gas detection system 100, the gas detection device 1, the server device 2, and the electronic device 3 may be communicably connected to each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the server device 2 may be communicably connected to the gas detection device 1 and the electronic device 3 via a communication network. The gas detection device 1 and the server device 2, and the electronic device 3 and the server device 2 may be connected by wireless communication, or may be connected by wired communication.

(Gas detector 1)
The gas detection device 1 collects at least twice a sample gas discharged from a subject's stool, and detects the concentration of each gas to be detected contained in each of the collected sample gases. The gas detection device 1 corrects the concentration of each gas to be detected, and is a device capable of calculating the concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected emitted from the specimen discharged from the subject. is.

The gas detection device 1 may be a device that can be attached to the toilet bowl 4 used by the subject. The gas detection device 1 transmits concentration information including the corrected concentration of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected to the server device 2 . The gas detection device 1 may calculate the mass of the sample discharged by the subject based on changes in the concentration of the first gas to be detected, and transmit information indicating the mass together with the concentration information to the server device 2 .

[Density information]
Concentration information output from the gas detection device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of concentration information output from the gas detection device 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the concentration information may include subject ID, detection data D1, sample gas ID, uncorrected concentration information D2, and corrected concentration information D3.

The target person ID is identification information unique to the target person. The subject ID may be the subject's name and identification information unique to each subject. If the subject is a user who uses the gas detection system 100 , the subject ID may be a user ID given to each user who uses the gas detection system 100 .

The gas detection device 1 collects the sample gas multiple times (at least twice) at predetermined time intervals (eg, 30 seconds or 1 minute) for each bowel movement of the subject. A sample gas ID may be assigned to each of the collected sample gases. FIG. 2 illustrates concentration information output from the gas detection device 1 used by a subject whose subject ID is "xxxx". The sample gas sampled at "8:24 AM on dd, mm, 2021" has a sample ID of "samp1", and the sample gas sampled one minute later has a sample ID of "samp2". Granted.

The detection data D1 includes data indicating the concentration of the detected first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected for each sample gas. Gases to be detected may include hydrogen (H ₂ ), carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ), methane (CH ₄ ), sulfuric gases, and the like. Sulfurized gases may include hydrogen sulfide (H ₂ S), methyl mercaptan (CH ₃ SH), and the like. For example, H ₂ or CO ₂ corresponds to the first gas to be detected, and CH ₄ , sulfide-based gas, etc. correspond to the second gas to be detected. The detection data D1 may be a detection signal output from the gas sensor 143, which will be described later, or may include a numerical value indicating the concentration calculated from the detection signal.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of detection data D1. As shown in FIG. 3, the detection data D1 may include:
The concentration d11 of the first gas to be detected and the concentration d12 of the second gas to be detected detected from the sample gas with the sample ID "samp1".
The concentration d21 of the first gas to be detected and the concentration d22 of the second gas to be detected detected from the sample gas with the sample ID "samp2".

Also, the concentration information may further include a gas detection device ID unique to the gas detection device 1 . FIG. 2 shows concentration information including the gas detection device ID "ppp" of the gas detection device 1 used by a subject whose subject ID is "xxxx".

The uncorrected concentration information D2 is the uncorrected concentration of the first detected gas and the uncorrected concentration of the second detected gas, which are calculated from the detection data D1 without correction.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of uncorrected density information D2. As shown in FIG. 4, the uncorrected density information D2 may include the following.
The uncorrected concentration g11 of the first detected gas and the uncorrected concentration g12 of the second detected gas detected from the sample gas with the sample ID "samp1".
The uncorrected concentration g21 of the first detected gas and the uncorrected concentration g22 of the second detected gas detected from the sample gas with the sample ID "samp2".

The post-correction concentration information D3 is post-correction concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected calculated based on the detection data D1.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the post-correction density information D3. As shown in FIG. 7, the corrected density information D3 may include the following.
The corrected concentration c11 of the first detected gas and the corrected concentration c12 of the second detected gas detected from the sample gas with the sample ID "samp1".
The corrected concentration c21 of the first detected gas and the corrected concentration c22 of the second detected gas detected from the sample gas with the sample ID "samp2".

(Server device 2)
The server device 2 shown in FIG. 1 may be a computer managed by an administrator of the gas detection system 100 . The server device 2 generates analysis result information based on the concentration information acquired from the gas detection device 1 .

For example, the server device 2 holds subject information in which the ID of each subject, the gas detection device ID of the gas detection device 1 used by each subject, and the contact information of each subject are associated with each other. good too. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of subject information held in the server device 2. As shown in FIG. The subject's contact information may be the subject's email address. The server device 2 refers to the subject information, identifies the subject who uses the gas detection device 1, which is the source of the concentration information, from the subject ID included in the concentration information, 3 to send analysis result information. In the subject information shown in FIG. 6, the gas detection device ID of the gas detection device 1 used by the subject with the subject ID "xxxx" is "ppp", and the subject's contact information is "xxxx@xxx.xxx". ”.

Alternatively, the server device 2 may be configured to create a unique web page for each subject and allow each subject to view this web page. Each subject may be allowed to set a unique password or the like for viewing his/her own web page. In this case, the server device 2 refers to the target person information, identifies the target person from the target person ID, and transmits the URL of the web page or the like to the target person's electronic device 3 .

The server device 2 may have a function of estimating the subject's health condition from the concentration of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected.

[Analysis result information]
Analysis result information will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of analysis result information. As shown in FIG. 6, the analysis result information may include a subject ID, post-correction concentration information D3, and health information D4. Also, the analysis result information may include the sample gas ID.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the health information D4. As shown in FIG. 8, health information D4 may include evaluation, useful information, and remarks. Also, the health information ID assigned to each piece of health information may be included.

The evaluation is based on the determination result of the subject's health condition estimated by the server device 2 based on the corrected densities c11 and c21 of the first gas to be detected and the corrected densities c12 and c22 of the second gas to be detected. may be The evaluation is based on the corrected concentrations c11 and c21 of the first detectable gas and the corrected concentrations c12 and c22 of the second detectable gas. It may be a determination result about the state of For the evaluation of the subject's health condition, for example, three grades of A (good), B (within acceptable range), and C (caution required) may be applied. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the subject's health condition is evaluated as "B".

The server device 2 may be configured to estimate the subject's health condition based on the uncorrected concentration of the first gas to be detected and the uncorrected concentration of the second gas to be detected. That is, the evaluation is based on the health condition of the subject estimated by the server device 2 based on the uncorrected concentrations g11 and g21 of the first gas to be detected and the uncorrected concentrations g12 and g22 of the second gas to be detected. may be the determination result.

Useful information may be useful information that contributes to improving the subject's health condition. The useful information may include recommended foods (ingredients and dishes) for the subject, information on exercise, information on improving lifestyle habits, and the like.

Remarks can include various information provided to the subject. The remarks may include, for example, the following information.
・Contact information of a nutritionist who can consult on health issues.
・Access information to videos that introduce cooking methods using recommended ingredients.
・Information on mail-order sites where food and exercise equipment can be purchased.

(Electronic device 3)
Returning to FIG. 1, the electronic device 3 may be a computer used by the subject. Alternatively, the electronic device 3 may be a computer used by a person (for example, a family member) who monitors the subject's health condition. The electronic device 3 may be, for example, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smart phone, or the like.

The electronic device 3 has a communication function and can receive analysis result information from the server device 2 . The electronic device 3 may have, for example, a keyboard, a touch panel, an input unit such as a microphone, and a display unit such as a monitor. The electronic device 3 may be installed inside the toilet room in which the toilet bowl 4 is installed. In this case, the electronic device 3 may be taken outside the toilet room.

<Gas detector 1>
As described above, the gas detection device 1 collects a sample gas emitted from a specimen discharged from a subject, and determines the types and concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected contained in the sample gas. It is a device that detects each. Further, the gas detection device 1 collects a sample gas and detects each gas to be detected at least twice, corrects the concentration and the like of each gas to be detected based on each result, and transmits the result to the server device 2 . . The gas detection device 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the appearance of the gas detection device 1 included in the gas detection system 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the essential configuration of the gas detection system 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the gas detection device 1. As shown in FIG.

The gas detection device 1 is installed, for example, in a flush toilet bowl 4, as shown in FIG. The toilet 4 includes a toilet bowl 4A and a toilet seat 4B. The toilet bowl 4 can be installed in a toilet room such as a house or a hospital. The gas detection device 1 may be installed at any location on the toilet bowl 4 . As an example, the gas detection device 1 may be arranged from between the toilet bowl 4A and the toilet seat 4B to the outside of the toilet 4, as shown in FIG. Part of the gas detection device 1 may be embedded in the toilet seat 4B. A subject's stool can be discharged into the toilet bowl 4A of the toilet bowl 4. FIG. The gas detection device 1 can obtain a sample gas in which the gas generated from stool discharged into the toilet bowl 4A is mixed with the outside air. The gas detection device 1 can detect the type and concentration of each gas to be detected contained in the sample gas.

As shown in FIG. 10, the gas detection device 1 includes a control unit 10, a subject detection unit 11, a bowel movement detection unit 12, a collection system 13, an analysis system 14, a storage unit 15, and a communication unit 16. The control unit 10 controls the operation of each unit of the gas detection device 1 to detect each gas to be detected contained in the sample gas. Details of the control unit 10 will be described later.

The subject detection unit 11 may include at least one of an image camera, a personal identification switch, an infrared sensor, a pressure sensor, and the like. The subject detection unit 11 outputs the detection result to the control unit 10 . In addition, the subject detection unit 11 may include any sensor for authenticating the subject. Examples of such sensors include a load sensor that detects body weight, a sensor that detects sitting height, a sensor that detects pulse, a sensor that detects blood flow, a sensor that detects face, and a sensor that detects voice.

For example, when the target person detection unit 11 includes an infrared sensor, the object person detection unit 11 detects that the target person has entered the toilet room by detecting infrared light reflected from the object irradiated by the infrared sensor. can be detected. The target person detection unit 11 outputs a signal indicating that the target person has entered the toilet room to the control unit 10 as a detection result.

For example, when the subject detection unit 11 includes a pressure sensor, it detects that the subject has sat on the toilet seat 4B by detecting the pressure applied to the toilet seat 4B as shown in FIG. obtain. The target person detection unit 11 outputs a signal indicating that the target person has sat on the toilet seat 4B to the control unit 10 as a detection result.

For example, if the subject detection unit 11 includes a pressure sensor, it detects that the subject has stood up from the toilet seat 4B by detecting a decrease in the pressure applied to the toilet seat 4B as shown in FIG. can be detected. The target person detection unit 11 outputs a signal indicating that the target person has stood up from the toilet seat 4B to the control unit 10 as a detection result.

For example, when the target person detection unit 11 includes an image camera, etc., it collects data such as face images, sitting height, and weight. The target person detection unit 11 identifies and detects an individual from the collected data. The target person detection unit 11 outputs a signal indicating the identified individual to the control unit 10 as a detection result.

For example, if the subject detection unit 11 includes an individual identification switch or the like, it identifies (detects) an individual based on the operation of the individual identification switch. In this case, personal information may be registered (stored) in advance in the control unit 10 . The target person detection unit 11 outputs a signal indicating the specified individual to the control unit 10 as a detection result.

The defecation detection unit 12 is a member that detects the discharge of the specimen from the subject. Here, "specimen" is stool, and "exhaustion of specimen" is intended to defecate. The defecation detection unit 12 starts operating under the control of the main control unit 101, and upon detecting that the sample has been discharged into the toilet bowl 4A, sends a signal indicating that the sample has been discharged into the toilet bowl 4A to the control unit 10. Output. The defecation detection unit 12 may be, for example, a sensor that detects a sound when the specimen lands on the water stored in the toilet bowl 4A. In this case, the defecation detection unit 12 outputs a signal indicating information indicating the detected sound to the control unit 10 . Alternatively, the defecation detector 12 may be a pressure sensor capable of detecting that the specimen has fallen into the toilet bowl 4A.

The collection system 13 collects and stores the sample gas together with the outside air from the space inside the toilet bowl 4A. The collection system 13 may collect the sample gas, for example, by sucking the sample gas. The analysis system 14 uses the sample gas collected by the collection system 13 to detect the type and concentration of each gas to be detected contained in the sample gas. The details of the collection system 13 and analysis system 14 will be described later.

The storage unit 15 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor memory or a magnetic memory. The storage unit 15 stores various information, a program for operating the gas detection device 1, and the like. The storage unit 15 may function as a work memory. The storage unit 15 may also store estimation models used for various estimations performed by the control unit 10 .

The communication unit 16 may be capable of communicating with the server device 2. The communication method used for communication between the communication unit 16 and the server device 2 may be a short-range wireless communication standard, a wireless communication standard for connecting to a mobile phone network, or a wired communication standard. Near field communication standards may include, for example, WiFi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared and NFC (Near Field Communication), and the like. A wireless communication standard for connecting to a mobile phone network may include, for example, LTE (Long Term Evolution) or a mobile communication system of fourth generation or higher. The communication method used for communication between the communication unit 16 and the server device 2 may be a communication standard such as LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) or LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network).

The housing 30 accommodates various parts of the gas detection device 1 . Housing 30 may be constructed of any material. For example, the housing 30 may be made of a material such as metal or resin.

(collection system 13)
Details of the collection system 13 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 11, the collection system 13 has a first valve 131 and a first pump 132 . In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, each part of the collection system 13 is connected by

channels

31 and 32 .

The first valve 131 included in the collection system 13 is located on the flow path 31 and is a valve that operates under the control of the main controller 101 . The first valve 131 may be configured by an electromagnetically-driven, piezo-driven, motor-driven valve, or the like. The first valve 131 adjusts the degree of opening (degree of communication) of each channel according to the control of the main control unit 101, so that the space between the channel 31 and the channel 32 and between the channel 32 and the channel 36 (described later) can be adjusted. Thus, the flow of sample gas and purge gas into flow path 32 and sensor chamber 144 (discussed below) can be regulated.

The first pump 132 is provided between the

flow paths

31 and 32 and is connected to the sensor chamber 144 via the flow path 32 . The first pump 132 operates under the control of the main controller 101 . The first pump 132 sucks the sample gas in the toilet bowl 4A through the opening of the channel 31 that opens into the toilet bowl 4A and supplies it to the channel 32 . The first pump 132 shown in FIG. 11 may be composed of a piezo pump, a motor pump, or the like. The first pump 132 may also be used when supplying the purge gas to the flow path 32, as will be described later.

The channel 31 is a tubular member provided to connect between the toilet bowl 4A and the first pump 132. One end of the channel 31 has an opening that opens into the toilet bowl 4A and the opposite end is connected to the first pump 132 . Channel 32 is a channel provided between first pump 132 and sensor chamber 144 . By operating the first pump 132 with the first valve 131 open, gas can be supplied from the flow path 31 or the flow path 36 (described later) to the flow path 32 .

(Analysis system 14)
Details of the analysis system 14 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 11 , analysis system 14 includes second valve 141 , second pump 142 , gas sensor 143 and sensor chamber 144 . Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the analysis system 14 is connected to the outside through a discharge channel 33 and a channel 34 . Also, each part of the analysis system is connected by a channel 37 .

The second valve 141 is a valve provided on the channel 34 . The second valve 141 operates under the control of the main control unit 101, and can switch between a state in which the

flow paths

34 and 36 communicate with each other and a state in which the

flow paths

34 and 37 communicate with each other.

The second pump 142 is a pump provided on the channel 37 and connected to the sensor chamber 144 via the channel 37 . The second pump 142 operates under the control of the main controller 101 and can supply the outside air sucked from the flow path 34 to the sensor chamber 144 .

The gas sensor 143 may be any sensor that outputs different detection signals according to the concentration of the gas to be detected. In the following description, as the gas sensor 143, a sensor in which the intensity of the detection signal changes according to the concentration of the gas to be detected will be described as an example, but the gas sensor 143 is not limited to this. As an example, the gas sensor 143 can output a detection signal with an intensity corresponding to the concentration of the gas to be detected that can be contained in the sample gas. As shown in FIG. 11 , a plurality of gas sensors 143 may be positioned in the gas detection device 1 . Further, the plurality of gas sensors 143 may be capable of outputting detection signals corresponding to concentrations of different types of gas to be detected. Thereby, the gas detection device 1 can analyze the concentration of a plurality of kinds of gases to be detected.

Gas sensor 143 includes a sensor element and a resistance element. The sensor element and the resistive element are connected in series between the power terminal and the ground terminal. A constant voltage value _VC is applied between the power terminal and the ground terminal. The same current value _IS flows through each of the sensor element and the resistance element. The current value I _S can be determined according to the resistance value R _S of the sensor element and the resistance value R _L of the resistive element. The voltage output by the gas sensor 143 may be the voltage value _VS applied to the sensor element or the voltage value _VRL applied to the resistance element.

The power terminal is connected to a power source such as a battery provided in the gas detection device 1 . A ground terminal is connected to the ground of the gas detection device 1 . One end of the sensor element is connected to a power terminal. The opposite end of the sensor element is connected to one end of the resistive element. As an example, the sensor element is a semiconductor sensor. However, the sensor element is not limited to a semiconductor sensor. For example, the sensor element may be a catalytic combustion sensor, a solid electrolyte sensor, or the like.

The sensor element includes a gas sensitive portion. The gas sensitive portion contains a metal oxide semiconductor material corresponding to the type of gas sensor 143 . Examples of metal oxide semiconductor materials include tin oxide (such as _SnO2 ), indium oxide (such as _In2O3 ), zinc oxide (such as _ZnO ), tungsten oxide (such as _WO3 ) and iron oxide (such as _Fe2O3 ₎ . ) and the like. By appropriately adding impurities to the metal oxide semiconductor material of the gas-sensitive portion, the gas to be detected by the sensor element can be appropriately selected. The sensor element may further include a heater that heats the gas sensitive portion.

When the sensor element is exposed to the sample gas, the gas to be detected contained in the sample gas is replaced with oxygen adsorbed on the surface of the gas sensitive portion of the sensor element, and a reduction reaction can occur. Oxygen adsorbed on the surface of the gas-sensitive portion can be removed by the reduction reaction. When the oxygen adsorbed on the surface of the gas-sensing portion is removed, the resistance value R _s of the sensor element decreases, and the voltage value V _s applied to the sensor element can decrease. That is, when the sample gas is supplied to the gas sensor 143, the voltage value _VS applied to the sensor element can decrease according to the concentration of the gas to be detected contained in the sample gas. Here, the sum of the voltage value VS and the voltage value VRL is constant. Therefore, when the sample gas is supplied to the gas sensor 143, the voltage value _VRL can increase according to the concentration of the gas to be detected contained in the sample gas.

The resistance element is a variable resistance element. A resistance value _RL of the resistance element can be changed by a control signal from the control section 10 . One end of the resistive element is connected to the opposite end of the sensor element. The opposite end of the resistive element is connected to the ground terminal.

By adjusting the resistance value R _L of the resistive element, the voltage value V _S applied to the sensor element can be adjusted. For example, if the resistance value _RL is made equal to the resistance value _RS of the sensor element, the amplitude of the voltage value _VS applied to the sensor element can be close to the maximum value.

The sensor chamber 144 is a chamber that houses the gas sensor 143 inside. As shown in FIG. 11, sensor chamber 144 is connected to one end of channel 32 . In other words, sensor chamber 144 is connected to first pump 132 via flow path 32 . One end of the discharge path 33 and one end of the flow path 37 are connected to the sensor chamber 144 .

The discharge path 33 may be composed of a tubular member such as a resin tube or a metal or glass pipe. One end (first end) of the discharge path 33 is connected to the sensor chamber 144 , and the opposite end (second end) of the discharge path 33 is connected to the housing 30 of the gas detection device 1 . It is open to the outside. The discharge path 33 discharges the exhaust from the sensor chamber 144 to the outside of the gas detection device 1 by the operation of the first pump 132 . A part of the discharge passage 33 on the opening side can be exposed to the outside of the toilet bowl 4A as shown in FIG.

The channel 34 is a tubular member. One end of the flow path 34 has an opening that opens toward a space outside the toilet bowl 4A, and the opposite end of the flow path 34 is connected to the second valve 141. ing. As an example, the outside is the surroundings of the space in which the gas detection device 1 is located, such as the space inside the toilet room.

The filter 35 is a filter provided on the channel 34 . The filter 35 may be a filter capable of adsorbing unnecessary components contained in the outside air sucked from the opening of the flow path 34, such as each gas to be detected contained in the outside air. Since the filter 35 is a filter as described above, the outside air (purge gas) passing through the flow path 34 can be reduced in the contents of the components of each gas to be detected by passing through the filter 35 .

The flow path 36 has one end connected to the second valve 141 and the opposite end connected to the first valve 131 . One end of the flow path 37 is connected to the second valve 141 , and the opposite end is connected to the sensor chamber 144 .

When the first valve 131 and the second valve 141 are opened and the

flow paths

34, 36, and 32 are in communication, the first pump 132 operates to cause the flow from the first end of the flow path 34 to Air (purge gas) in the toilet room is sucked. Also, the sucked purge gas is purified by passing through the filter 35 , the purified purge gas passes through the

flow paths

36 and 32 , is supplied to the sensor chamber 144 , and then is discharged from the discharge path 33 . The purge gas passes through the channel 32 and is discharged together with the sample gas remaining in the channel 32, thereby cleaning the channel 32 through which the sample gas has passed. In addition, when the second valve 141 is opened and the flow path 34 and the flow path 37 are in communication, the second pump 142 operates to suck the purge gas in the toilet room from the opening of the flow path 34 . Also, the sucked purge gas is purified by passing through the filter 35 , and the purified purge gas passes through the flow path 37 and is supplied to the sensor chamber 144 .

(control unit 10)
Details of the control unit 10 will be described below with reference to FIG. 10 . As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 10 includes a main control unit 101, a detection unit 102, a first calculation unit 103, a sample estimation unit 104, and a second calculation unit 105 (calculation unit). The main control section 101 controls the operation of each section of the gas detection device 1 . Specifically, the main control unit 101 controls operations of the subject detection unit 11 , the defecation detection unit 12 , the first valve 131 , the first pump 132 , the second valve 141 and the second pump 142 . The main control unit 101 operates the subject detection unit 11 while power is being supplied to the gas detection device 1, and outputs a signal from the subject detection unit 11 indicating that the subject is seated on the toilet seat 4B. When acquired, the operation of the defecation detection unit 12 is started.

When the main control unit 101 acquires a signal from the defecation detection unit 12 indicating that the specimen has been discharged into the toilet bowl 4A, the main control unit 101 performs the first sampling of the sample gas in the toilet bowl 4A and the detection of each gas to be detected. let it start. Hereinafter, the sample gas that is sampled for the first time after the discharge of the specimen is detected will be referred to as "first sample gas".

Specifically, the main control unit 101 opens the first valve 131 so that the channel 31 and the channel 32 are in communication. Further, the main control unit 101 opens the second valve 141 so that the flow path 34 and the flow path 37 are in communication. In this state, the main control unit 101 alternately operates the first pump 132 and the second pump 142 for a predetermined period of time. As a result, the sample gas in the toilet bowl 4A is collected from the opening at the end of the flow path 31 on the toilet bowl 4A side, passes through the flow path 32 and is supplied to the sensor chamber 144 . Also, a purge gas is sucked from the outside and supplied to the sensor chamber 144 via the

channels

34 and 37 . As a result, predetermined amounts of sample gas and purge gas are alternately supplied to sensor chamber 144, and gas sensor 143 can output a signal corresponding to the type and concentration of each gas to be detected contained in each gas. The main controller 101 may cause the sample gas and the purge gas to be supplied to the sensor chamber 144 for, for example, 10 seconds, and then stop the operation of the first pump 132 and the second pump 142 .

Further, when the main control unit 101 acquires from the detection unit 102 the information indicating that the detection of the concentrations of the first target gas and the second target gas contained in the first sample gas has been completed, the main control unit 101 detects the first sample gas. It is determined whether a predetermined time has passed since the collection of the data. Hereinafter, "detection of the concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas" is also referred to as "detection using the first sample gas" or "first detection". The predetermined time is set, for example, within a range of 30 seconds to 1 minute. If a predetermined time or more has elapsed since the sampling of the first sample gas, the main control unit 101 operates the first pump 132 and the second pump 142 again to alternately supply the sample gas and the purge gas to the sensor chamber 144. You may let As a result, sampling of the sample gas for the second time and detection of the first gas to be detected are performed in the detection unit 102 . A sample gas sampled for the second time is referred to as a "second sample gas." The second sample gas is a gas emitted from the same sample as the sample from which the first sample gas was sampled, and is a gas sampled after the timing at which the first sample gas was sampled.

When the main control unit 101 acquires information indicating that the detection of the first gas to be detected using the second sample gas is completed from the detection unit 102, the main control unit 101 controls each unit to 32 cleaning. Specifically, the main control unit 101 controls the first valve 131 and the second valve 141 so that the flow path 34 , the flow path 36 , and the flow path 32 are in communication, and the first pump 132 is operated. As a result, the purge gas is supplied to the channel 32, and the sample gas remaining in the channel 32 passes through the sensor chamber 144 together with the purge gas and is discharged from the discharge channel 33, thereby cleaning the channel 32. FIG. Further, the main control unit 101 causes the sensor chamber 144 to be cleaned by controlling each unit. Specifically, the main control unit 101 controls the second valve 141 to bring the flow path 34 and the flow path 37 into communication with each other, and operates the second pump 142 . As a result, the purge gas is supplied to the sensor chamber 144 and exhausted from the exhaust path 33 to accomplish cleaning of the sensor chamber 144 . The main control unit 101 cleans the flow path 32 and the sensor chamber 144 as described above, and after the detection of each gas to be detected using the first sample gas is completed, sampling of the second sample gas is started. You can go before.

The detection unit 102 detects the type and concentration of each gas to be detected contained in the sample gas. The gas to be detected includes a first gas to be detected and a second gas to be detected, which is a gas other than the first gas to be detected and is a gas emitted from a specimen. Specifically, first, the detection unit 102 acquires a signal corresponding to the concentration of each gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas from the gas sensor 143 . Here, since the first sample gas containing a large amount of the gas to be detected and the purge gas containing a small amount of the gas to be detected are alternately supplied to the sensor chamber 144, the intensity of the signal acquired by the detection unit 102 is , to become waveform data indicating the concentration of the gas to be detected. The detection unit 102 estimates the type and concentration of the gas to be detected based on the waveform data. The estimation includes a trained estimation model that has been trained using a data set that includes multiple sets of waveform data as input data for learning and information indicating the type and concentration of the gas to be detected as teacher data. may be used. This estimation model learning process may be configured to be performed by the server device 2 or may be configured to be performed by an external computer different from the server device 2 . The detection unit 102 outputs information indicating the type and concentration of the detected gas to be detected to the first calculation unit 103 and the second calculation unit 105, and mainly outputs information indicating that the detection using the first sample gas has been completed. Output to the control unit 101 .

Further, the detection unit 102 acquires a signal corresponding to the concentration of the first target gas contained in the second sample gas from the gas sensor 143, and detects the first target gas contained in the second sample gas in the same manner as the first time. Detects the type and concentration of the detected gas. The detection unit 102 outputs information indicating the type and concentration of the first detected gas to be detected to the first calculation unit 103 and the second calculation unit 105, and information indicating that the detection using the second sample gas is completed. is output to the main control unit 101 . Further, the detection unit 102 may cause the storage unit 15 to store detection data D1 including each detected information. The detection data D1 contains information indicating the concentrations of the first detected gas and the second detected gas contained in the first sample gas, and information indicating the concentration of the first detected gas contained in the second sample gas. may be included. Further, the detection unit 102 may cause the storage unit 15 to store the detection data D1 and various types of information related to the detection data D1 in association with each other. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the detection unit 102 collects the detection data D1, the subject ID and sample gas ID indicating the subject from whom the sample gas was collected, and the date and time when these sample gases were collected. , and a gas detection device ID indicating the gas detection device 1 may be stored in association with each other. Here, the detection data D1 may include the following.
- 1st detection data which detected the 1st to-be-detected gas contained in the 1st sample gas.
• Second detection data obtained by detecting the second gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas.
- Third detection data obtained by detecting the first gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas sampled after the first sample gas is sampled.
• Fourth detection data obtained by detecting the second gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas.

The first calculation unit 103 first acquires information indicating the type and concentration of each gas to be detected from the detection unit 102 for two times. Next, the first calculator 103 calculates the concentration of the first detected gas contained in each of the detected gases in the detection using the first sample gas and the concentration in the detection using the second sample gas. Calculate the change between Specifically, the first calculator 103 calculates the difference between the concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas and the concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas. The first calculator 103 outputs information indicating a change between the concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas and the concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas to the analyte estimating unit. 104. Instead of the difference between the concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas and the concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas, the first calculator 103 calculates the ratio of these concentrations. You may In this case, in subsequent processes, instead of the difference between the concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas and the concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas, the ratio of these concentrations is used. Used.

The analyte estimating unit 104 acquires, from the first calculating unit 103, information indicating changes in concentration of the first gas to be detected detected using the first sample gas and the second sample gas. The specimen estimation unit 104 estimates the mass of the specimen based on the change in the concentration of the first gas to be detected. As an example, the analyte estimating unit 104 determines the difference between the concentration of H ₂ as the first detected gas in detection using the first sample gas and the concentration in detection using the second sample gas (H ₂ ), the mass of the analyte is estimated. For the estimation, a trained estimation model that has been learned in advance using input data and teacher data described below may be used.
・Input data: Depending on the time of the concentration of the first detected gas contained in each sample gas (past sample gas) collected from past specimens of a plurality of subjects (subjects may be included) Data indicating the amount of attenuation.
・Training data: Mass data obtained by actually measuring the mass of the specimen corresponding to each past sample gas. Here, "subject" means a person who has undergone analysis of the past sample gas released from the past sample gas, and who has measured the mass of the past sample gas at the time when the past sample gas was collected. are doing.

This estimation model learning process may be configured to be performed by the gas detection device 1 or may be configured to be performed by an external computer different from the gas detection device 1 . The specimen estimation unit 104 outputs information indicating the estimated mass of the specimen to the second calculation unit 105 . Further, the specimen estimation unit 104 may store the information indicating the estimated mass of the specimen in association with the concentration information as shown in FIG.

The second calculator 105 calculates the concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected based on the information indicating the mass of the specimen, and generates corrected concentration information D3. Specifically, the second calculator 105 acquires information indicating the type and concentration of each gas to be detected from the detector 102 . The respective detected gases include a first detected gas and a second detected gas, which is a gas other than the first detected gas and emitted from the specimen. Also, the second calculator 105 acquires information indicating the mass of the specimen from the specimen estimator 104 . The second calculator 105 calculates the concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected during the period from when the gas is released from the specimen discharged from the subject until when the first sample gas is collected. The second calculation unit 105 calculates the concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected during the period from when the specimen discharged from the subject is discharged to when the first sample gas is collected. and the change in the concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas. The second calculator 105 may correct the concentration of each of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas based on the mass of the specimen. The information indicating the concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected calculated by the second calculator 105 is also referred to as post-correction concentration information D3. The second calculation unit 105 may store the calculated post-correction density information D3 in the storage unit 15 in association with the density information. The second calculation unit 105 transmits the post-correction concentration information, the information indicating the type of gas detected as each gas to be detected, the information indicating the mass of the specimen, and the subject ID to the server device 2 via the communication unit 16. Send.

As described above, the second calculation unit 105 corrects the concentration of each of the plurality of types of detection target gas based on the change in the concentration of the first detection target gas, and determines the amount of the sample discharged from the subject. The concentration of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected are calculated during the period from to when the first sample gas is sampled.

The second calculator 105 may correct the concentration of the second gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas using the concentration of CO ₂ as the first gas to be detected. Specifically, the second calculator 105 calculates the first sample gas based on the difference between the concentration of CO ₂ detected using the first sample gas and the concentration of CO ₂ detected using the second sample gas. A degree of attenuation of the concentration of each gas to be detected in the detection using the second sample gas with respect to the concentration of each gas to be detected in the detection used may be estimated. The second calculation unit 105 calculates the concentration of each gas to be detected in the detection using the first sample gas based on the degree of attenuation of the concentration of the first gas to be detected by the estimation. It may be corrected to correspond to the gas concentration. As a result, the concentration before attenuation of the concentration of each gas to be detected can be calculated. The detection unit 102 may detect the concentration of the second gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas, and the second calculation unit 105 may detect the concentration of the second gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas. can be corrected. The second calculation unit 105 uses either the calculated concentration of the detected gas contained in the first sample gas or the calculated concentration of the detected gas contained in the second sample gas as corrected concentration information. It may be transmitted to the server device 2 . For example, the second calculation unit 105 sets the concentration of H ₂ in the detection using the first sample gas as the concentration of H 2 emitted from the specimen, and sets the concentration of H ₂ released from the specimen to the concentration of H 2 in the detection using the corrected second sample gas. may be the concentration of the sulfide-based gas released from the specimen.

Known gas sensors include gas sensors that react to H ₂ and gas sensors that do not react to H ₂ . A gas sensor that reacts to H ₂ may be employed as the gas sensor 143 . In this case, the gas sensor 143 may react greatly to H ₂ contained in the sample gas, making it difficult to read the reaction to substances other than H ₂ . Therefore, the second calculator 105 calculates the first sample gas contained in the first sample gas or the second sample gas based on the change between the concentration of the first detected gas in the first sample gas and the concentration in the second sample gas. It may be possible to correct the concentrations of the gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected. Specifically, the change is the concentration of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas, and the concentration of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas. It may be a difference from the concentration or a ratio. The gas detection device 1 may correct the concentration of each gas to be detected contained in an arbitrary sample gas out of the first sample gas and the second sample gas. As a result, from the result of the first detection, it is possible to accurately identify the concentration of a substance such as _H2 that decays quickly and reacts at a low concentration. Moreover, since the concentration of H ₂ is attenuated when the second sample gas is sampled, the concentration of other substances such as sulfide-based gas can be accurately specified from the second detection result.

The second calculation unit 105 may have a learning model generated by performing machine learning using the first teacher data. This learning model receives as input data the concentration of the first gas to be detected detected in the first sample gas and the second sample gas. Then, the learning model outputs the concentration of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected during the period from the release of the sample discharged from the subject until the collection of the first sample gas. Here, the first teacher data may include (1) to (3a) shown below.

(1) first detection data and second detection data obtained by detecting a first detection gas contained in a first sample gas sampled after the past specimens were discharged, which are sample gases emitted from a plurality of past specimens; Second detection data obtained by detecting the gas to be detected.

(2) third detection data obtained by detecting the first gas to be detected and fourth detection data obtained by detecting the second gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas sampled after the first sample gas is sampled;

(3a) The concentration of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas, and the concentration of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas.

The first teacher data further includes first correction data calculated based on the first detection data and the third detection data, and second correction data calculated based on the second detection data and the fourth detection data. may contain.

Alternatively, the second calculation unit 105 may have a learning model generated by performing machine learning using the second teacher data. This learning model receives as input data the concentration of the first gas to be detected detected in the first sample gas and the second sample gas. Then, the learning model outputs the concentration of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected during the period from the release of the sample discharged from the subject until the collection of the first sample gas. Here, the second teacher data may include (1) to (3b) shown below.

(3b) The concentration of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected contained in the third sample gas sampled from the past release from the specimen until the first sample gas was sampled.

<Server Device 2>
As shown in FIG. 10 , the server device 2 includes a communication module 21 , a control section 22 , and a storage section 23 , which are communication modules for communicating with the gas detection device 1 and the electronic device 3 . The control unit 22 controls the operation of each unit of the server device 2 . The control unit 22 also includes an estimation unit 221 .

The estimation unit 221 estimates the intestinal environment of the subject who excreted the specimen or information that can be estimated from the intestinal environment based on the types and concentrations of the multiple types of detected gases, and generates analysis result information. Specifically, the estimation unit 221 receives information such as the type of the gas to be detected, the concentration after correction, the mass of the specimen, and the subject ID from the gas detection device 1 via the communication unit 21 . Based on the information, the estimator 221 calculates the concentration ratio (composition ratio) between the plural kinds of detected gases. Hereinafter, the subject's intestinal environment estimated by the estimation unit 221 or information that can be estimated from the subject's intestinal environment will be referred to as "subject's health information."

The estimation unit 221 performs estimation using an estimation model stored in the storage unit 23 based on the type of each gas to be detected, the concentration ratio between a plurality of types of gas to be detected, and the mass of the specimen. The estimation model may be a trained estimation model that has been pre-learned using input data (1), at least one of input data (2) and (3), and teacher data described below.
・Input data (1): sample gas (past sample gas) collected from past specimens (past specimens) discharged from each of a plurality of subjects (subjects may be included) The type of each detected gas contained in each of
- Input data (2): Information indicating the concentration ratio between each detected gas contained in the past sample gas.
Input data (3): information indicating the mass of the specimen corresponding to each of the past sample gases.
- Teacher data: information indicating at least one of the composition of bacteria measured from the specimen corresponding to each past sample gas and the composition of metabolites of the bacteria.
Here, the "subject" is a person who has undergone analysis of the past sample gas released from the specimen in the past, and the health condition and the composition of bacteria etc. at the time when the past sample gas was collected were analyzed. intended for those who Further, when the above-described input data (3) is used as input data, the estimation model may be learned using information indicating the concentration value of each gas to be detected contained in the past sample gas as input data. good. In this case, the estimating unit 221 uses information indicating the concentration of each detected gas after correction calculated based on the first sample gas and the second sample gas emitted from the specimen of the subject in the above estimation. may

In addition, the above-mentioned teacher data is not limited to information indicating the composition of bacteria, and may be an index indicating the physical condition of the subject, an index indicating the state of the intestinal environment of the subject, etc., by each of a plurality of subjects. It may be information about the health condition of each subject at the time when the past sample was discharged. The information about the health condition may be information indicating the physical condition of each subject at the time when the specimen was discharged in the past by each of the plurality of subjects. The index indicating the physical condition of the subject may be an index set based on information measurable from the subject, such as body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate of the subject.

Here, the health condition of the subject is at least one of the composition of bacteria in the intestinal flora of the subject and the composition of metabolites of bacteria in the intestinal flora of the subject. good. That is, the "information about the subject's health condition" output by estimation is, for example, information indicating the state of the subject's intestinal environment, specifically whether the intestinal environment is in a good state or a bad state. It may be an index indicating In addition, the composition of bacteria in the specimen reflects the composition of bacteria in the intestinal flora of the subject who excreted the specimen. Therefore, the estimation unit 221 may estimate the composition of bacteria in the intestinal flora estimated from the composition of bacteria contained in the specimen of the subject, for example, an index indicating the balance between good bacteria and bad bacteria. In addition, the estimation unit 221 may estimate an index indicating the subject's physical condition, health condition, immunity, susceptibility to gaining weight, etc., which can be estimated from the subject's intestinal environment, based on the above-described information. Furthermore, the estimating unit 221 may output information indicating advice that encourages eating and exercising in order to improve the intestinal environment of the subject. In addition, the estimated information may include evaluation, useful information, and remarks. The estimation unit 221 transmits analysis result information including each estimated information to the electronic device 3 via the communication unit 21 . The estimation unit 221 may store the health information including the analysis result information in the storage unit 23 in association with the subject ID, the sample gas ID, and the post-correction concentration information D3.

The storage unit 23 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor memory or a magnetic memory. The storage unit 23 stores various information, programs for operating the server device 2, and the like. The storage unit 23 may function as a work memory. The storage unit 23 stores a learned estimation model used in estimation performed by the estimation unit 221 .

<Electronic device 3>
As shown in FIG. 10 , the electronic device 3 includes a communication section 311 which is a communication module for communicating with the server device 2 , a control section 312 which controls the operation of each section of the electronic device 3 , and a display section 313 . The control unit 312 can receive the estimation result from the server device 2 via the communication unit 311 by wireless communication or wired communication. The electronic device 3 can display the received estimation result on the display unit 313 . The display unit 313 may include a display capable of displaying characters and the like, and a touch screen capable of detecting contact with a user's (subject's) finger or the like. The display may include a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence display (OELD) or an inorganic electroluminescence display (IELD). . The detection method of the touch screen may be an arbitrary method such as a capacitance method, a resistive film method, a surface acoustic wave method (or an ultrasonic method), an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, or a load detection method.

<Example of flow of processing of gas detection system 100>
Next, the flow of processing (gas detection method) performed in the gas detection system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 12 . FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing performed in the gas detection system 100. As shown in FIG. In the following description, the gas detection device 1 is configured to include pressure sensors as the subject detection unit 11 and the defecation detection unit 12, respectively.

First, when the subject sits on the toilet seat 4B to discharge a specimen (ie, stool) into the toilet bowl 4, the subject detection unit 11 mainly controls a signal indicating that the subject has been seated on the toilet seat 4B. Output to the unit 101 . When acquiring the signal, the main control unit 101 detects that the subject has sat on the toilet seat 4B (S1), starts the operation of the defecation detection unit 12, and waits until defecation of the subject is detected (S2). ). The defecation detection unit 12 outputs to the main control unit 101 a signal indicating that the subject's excretion of the sample (that is, defecation) has been detected. When the main control unit 101 acquires the signal (YES in S2), the main control unit 101 controls the first valve 131 so that the flow path 31 and the flow path 32 are in communication. Further, the main control unit 101 operates the first pump 132 to collect the first sample gas from the opening of the flow path 31 on the toilet bowl 4A side (S3: first collection step), and the first sample gas is detected by the sensor. It is supplied to the chamber 144 (S4). Further, the main control unit 101 operates the first pump 132 for a predetermined period of time to supply a predetermined amount of the first sample gas to the sensor chamber 144, and then stops the first pump 132. Further, the main control unit 101 controls the first valve 131 so that the channel 31 and the channel 32 are not communicated with each other. After that, the main control unit 101 controls the second valve 141 and the second pump 142 to suck the purge gas in the toilet room from the flow path 34 and supply it to the sensor chamber 144 . The main controller 101 alternately supplies the first sample gas to the sensor chamber 144 by the first pump 132 and the purge gas to the sensor chamber 144 by the second pump 142 for about 10 seconds in total.

When the first sample gas or purge gas is supplied to the sensor chamber 144, the gas sensor 143 outputs a signal with an intensity corresponding to the type and concentration of each gas to be detected contained in these gases. Upon acquiring the signal, the detection unit 102 detects the type and concentration of each gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas (S5: first detection step). When the detection is completed, the detection unit 102 outputs information indicating the type and concentration of each gas to be detected contained in the detected first sample gas to the first calculation unit 103 and the second calculation unit 105 . Further, the detection unit 102 outputs information indicating that the first detection step has been completed to the main control unit 101 .

When the main control unit 101 acquires information indicating that the first detection step is completed, the main control unit 101 controls the first valve 131, the first pump 132, the second valve 141, and the second pump 142, and controls the flow path 32 and the sensor. Cleaning of the chamber 144 is performed.

Further, when the main control unit 101 acquires information indicating that the first detection step has been completed, the main control unit 101 determines whether or not a predetermined time period, for example, about 30 seconds, has elapsed since the sampling of the first sample gas (S6 ). If the predetermined time has passed since the sampling of the first sample gas, the main control unit 101 starts sampling of the second sample gas in the same manner as in the first sampling step (S3) (S7: second sampling step ). The second sample gas and the purge gas are alternately supplied to the sensor chamber 144 (S8), and the detector 102 detects the first gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas in the same manner as in the first detection step (S5). The type and concentration are detected (S9: second detection step). The detection unit 102 outputs information indicating the type and concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas detected in the second detection step to the first calculation unit 103 and the second calculation unit 105 .

Also, the detection unit 102 outputs information indicating that the second detection step has been completed to the main control unit 101 . After obtaining the information, the main control unit 101 controls the first valve 131 , the first pump 132 , the second valve 141 and the second pump 142 to clean the flow path 32 and the sensor chamber 144 .

The first calculator 103 calculates changes in the concentration of the first gas to be detected, for example, _H2 among the gas to be detected in each of the first detection step and the second detection step (S10). The first calculator 103 outputs information indicating the calculated change in concentration of the first gas to be detected to the analyte estimator 104 . When the specimen estimating unit 104 acquires the information indicating the change in the concentration of the first gas to be detected, the specimen estimating unit 104 estimates the mass of the specimen using the estimation model stored in the storage unit 15 based on the information (S11: Estimation step). The specimen estimation unit 104 outputs information indicating the estimated mass of the specimen to the second calculation unit 105 . However, as will be described later, the estimation step (S11) does not have to be executed when the gas detection device 1 does not include the analyte estimation unit 104. FIG. In this case, the gas detection system 100 uses other information that can be substituted for the information indicating the mass of the specimen, such as information indicating the difference in concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas and the second sample gas. may be

The second calculation unit 105 acquires from the detection unit 102 information indicating the type and concentration of each gas to be detected detected in each of the first detection step and the second detection step. Get information indicating Based on the mass of the specimen, the second calculation unit 105 calculates each of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected during the period from when the specimen discharged from the subject is released to when the first sample gas is collected. is calculated (S12: calculation step). The second calculation unit 105 transmits information indicating the calculated type and concentration of each gas to be detected and information indicating the mass of the sample to the server device 2 via the communication unit 16 .

The estimation unit 221 of the server device 2 receives information indicating the type and concentration of each detected gas calculated via the communication unit 21 from the gas detection device 1 . The estimation unit 221 may also be configured to receive information indicating the mass of the specimen from the gas detection device 1 . In the following, the server device 2 having a configuration for receiving the mass of the sample in addition to the information indicating the type and concentration of each gas to be detected will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the estimating section 221 can also estimate the subject's health condition, specifically the intestinal environment, etc., based only on the information indicating the type and concentration of each gas to be detected. The estimating unit 221 estimates the subject's health condition, specifically the intestinal environment, etc., using the received information indicating the type and concentration of each gas to be detected and the information indicating the mass of the sample (S13). ). The estimation unit 221 transmits information indicating the estimated health condition of the subject to the electronic device 3 via the communication unit 21 .

The control unit 312 of the electronic device 3 receives from the server device 2 via the communication unit 311 information indicating the health condition of the subject estimated based on the concentration of each gas to be detected contained in the sample gas emitted from the specimen. receive. The control unit 312 notifies the subject of the received information indicating the health condition of the subject by displaying it on the display unit 313, for example.

<Effect of gas detection system 100>
As described above, the gas detection method according to the present embodiment includes the first collection step (S3) of collecting the first sample gas released from the specimen discharged from the subject, and the first sample gas contained in the first sample gas. A first detection step (S5) of respectively detecting the concentrations of the first detection gas and the second detection gas, and a second collection step (S7) of collecting the second sample gas emitted from the specimen after the first collection step (S7). ), a second detection step (S9) of detecting the concentration of the first target gas contained in the second sample gas, and the concentration of the first target gas detected in the first detection step and the second detection step Based on the change in concentration of the first detectable gas calculated from the first detectable gas and the second detectable gas during the period from the release from the specimen discharged from the subject until the first sample gas is collected and a calculation step (S12) of calculating the concentration of the gas.

Further, the gas detection apparatus 1 for executing the gas detection method described above collects a sample gas emitted from a specimen discharged from a subject, and detects a first gas to be detected and a second gas to be detected contained in the sample gas. A gas detection device for detecting the concentration of each detected gas, wherein the concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas sampled for the first time, and the concentration of the first sample gas A detection unit 102 that detects the concentration of the first detection gas contained in the second sample gas released from the same specimen after that, the concentration of the first detection gas detected from the first sample gas, and the first 2, based on the concentration of the first detected gas detected from the sample gas and the change in the concentration of the first detected gas calculated based on the first sample gas after being released from the specimen discharged from the subject. and a second calculator 105 that calculates the concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected until is sampled.

FIG. 13 is a graph plotting the attenuation amount of the concentration of H ₂ released from the specimen and the mass of the specimen (stool volume) after a predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) has elapsed. FIG. 14 is a graph plotting the attenuation amount of the concentration of CO ₂ released from the specimen and the mass of the specimen (stool volume) after a predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) has elapsed. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, each gas to be detected (H ₂ , CO ₂ , CH ₄ , sulfide-based gas, etc.) released from the specimen passes the time from the time when the specimen is discharged by the subject. may attenuate with Therefore, the concentration of each gas to be detected detected in the first sample gas and the concentration ratio between each gas to be detected differ from those of each gas to be detected in the second sample gas.

Furthermore, the attenuation rate and the amount of attenuation vary with time depending on the type of gas to be detected. For example, H ₂ released from the specimen is more easily attenuated than sulfide-based gas (such as hydrogen sulfide). Here, according to the gas detection method according to the present embodiment, the concentration of each of the plurality of types of detection target gases contained in these sample gases is detected, so the change (attenuation) of the first detection target gas according to time amount/attenuation rate) can be specified. Further, based on the change, the concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected can be calculated from the release from the specimen discharged from the subject until the collection of the first sample gas. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the concentrations of the first detected gas and the second detected gas emitted from the specimen after being discharged from the subject (for example, immediately after discharge) can be calculated with high accuracy.

Further, in the gas detection method described above, in the calculating step, the difference or ratio between the concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas and the concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas is Based on this, the concentration of each of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas is corrected, and from the release from the specimen discharged from the subject until the first sample gas is collected You may calculate the density|concentration of the 1st to-be-detected gas and the 2nd to-be-detected gas between.

The concentration of the first detected gas contained in the second sample gas is lower than the concentration of the first detected gas contained in the first sample gas. Therefore, by performing correction based on the temporal concentration change of the first gas to be detected, it is possible to more accurately identify the concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected contained in the sample gas.

Further, the gas detection method described above may include an estimation step of estimating the mass of the specimen based on the concentration of the first gas to be detected. Further, in the method, the correcting step may correct the concentration of each of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected based on the information indicating the mass of the specimen estimated in the estimating step. Further, the gas detection device 1 estimates information indicating the mass of the specimen based on the change in the concentration of the first detection gas in the first sample gas from the concentration of the first detection gas in the second sample gas. An estimation unit 104 may be provided. The second calculator 105 may correct the concentrations of the first gas to be detected in the first sample gas and the concentration of the second gas to be detected in the first sample gas using the information indicating the mass of the specimen. By performing this correction, the second calculation unit 105 calculates the difference between the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected during the period from the release of the specimen discharged from the subject until the collection of the first sample gas. Concentration may be calculated.

For example, when the concentration of the first detectable gas in the second sample gas is lower than the concentration of the first detectable gas in the first sample gas, the change in the concentration of the first detectable gas It is calculated as the amount of attenuation of the detected gas concentration. The amount of attenuation (or rate of attenuation) of the concentration of the first gas to be detected within a predetermined period of time differs depending on the type of the first gas to be detected and also depends on the mass of the specimen. Therefore, if the relationship between the type of the first gas to be detected and the amount of attenuation of the concentration of the first gas to be detected (see FIGS. 13 and 14) is known, it is possible to generate an estimation model through machine learning of this relationship. . Then, in the trained estimation model, the concentration of the first detected gas in the first sample gas emitted from the subject's specimen and the concentration of the first detected gas in the second sample gas are calculated. By inputting the attenuation amount of one gas to be detected, it is possible to estimate the information indicating the mass of the specimen.

While the concentration of the first detectable gas in the first sample gas and the concentration of the first detectable gas in the second sample gas are actually measured values, the information indicating the mass of the specimen is output by the estimation model. is. In other words, the information indicating the mass of the specimen is derived using a specific relational expression from the concentration of the first detectable gas in the first sample gas and the concentration of the first detectable gas in the second sample gas. isn't it. Therefore, the information indicative of the mass of the analyte can be treated as an independent explanatory variable. Therefore, if the concentration of each gas to be detected is corrected using information indicating the mass of the specimen in addition to the attenuation amount of the first gas to be detected, the same effect as increasing the number of explanatory variables in the regression calculation can be expected. . Thereby, the measurement accuracy of each gas to be detected can be further improved.

Further, in the gas detection method described above, in the second sampling step, the second sample gas may be sampled after a period of time of 30 seconds or more and 1 minute or less has elapsed after the end of the first sampling step. Also, the predetermined time may be any time set in the range of about 30 seconds to 1 minute. According to this configuration, the first sampling step and the second sampling step are performed at approximately the same time intervals each time. By detecting each gas to be detected at the same time intervals each time, the mass of the specimen can be estimated relatively easily, and the accuracy of measurement can be improved.

In addition, in the gas detection method described above, the sample may be stool excreted by the subject. Furthermore, the first gas to be detected may include at least one of hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and the second gas to be detected may include at least one of methane, hydrogen sulfide, and methyl mercaptan. According to this configuration, detection can be performed by using the stool excreted by the subject as a sample, and the component contained in the gas released from the stool as each gas to be detected.

Further, the gas detection system 100 according to the present embodiment includes, in addition to the gas detection device 1 that executes the gas detection method described above, the amount of gas released from the specimen after being discharged from the subject, calculated by the gas detection device 1 . a server device (estimating device) 2 comprising an estimating unit 221 for estimating information related to the health condition of the subject who discharged the specimen based on the concentrations of the first detectable gas and the second detectable gas that have been detected; may be provided. In addition, the server device 2 determines the ratio of the concentration of the first detected gas to the concentration of the second detected gas contained in the past sample gas emitted from the past specimen after being discharged from each of the plurality of subjects. is used as input data, and information on the health status of each of the plurality of subjects at the time when the specimen was discharged in the past by each of the plurality of subjects is used as teacher data. Estimates may be made. According to this configuration, the health condition of the subject who discharged the specimen, for example, the intestinal environment such as the composition of bacteria in the intestinal flora of the subject, can be determined from the concentration of each gas to be detected detected by the gas detection device 1. can be estimated.

In addition, the estimating unit 221 calculates the ratio of the concentration of the first detected gas to the concentration of the second detected gas contained in the past sample gas emitted from the past specimen after being discharged from each of the plurality of subjects. , and information indicating the mass of past specimens as input data, and learning is performed using information about the health status of each of the plurality of subjects at the time when the past specimen was discharged by each of the plurality of subjects as teacher data. Estimation may be performed using a trained estimation model that has been learned. As a result, the amount of information used for estimation increases, so that the subject's intestinal condition and the like can be estimated more accurately.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the concentration and attenuation of each gas to be detected also change depending on the mass of the specimen. Conventionally, when estimating the composition of bacteria contained in a subject's sample based on the concentration of each gas to be detected, the mass of the sample was not considered. The concentration ratio between each gas to be detected was used. Here, in the gas detection system 100, the mass of the specimen can be calculated, and the information indicating the mass can be used for estimation. Therefore, in the estimation, the mass of the specimen and the concentration of each detectable gas are taken into account in the estimation, so that the value of the concentration of each detectable gas itself can be used when estimating the subject's health condition. . Therefore, the gas detection device 1 can more accurately estimate the subject's intestinal condition and the like.

[Embodiment 2]
Other embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. For convenience of description, members having the same functions as those of the members described in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a gas detection system 100A including a gas detection device 1A according to another embodiment. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the gas detection device 1A. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the gas detection apparatus 1A includes a control section 10A, a collection system 13A, and an analysis system 14A instead of the control section 10, collection system 13, and analysis system 14. different from 1. The controller 10A differs from the main controller 101 in that it includes a main controller 101A. The collection system 13A includes a first sample chamber (first reservoir) 38 in addition to the configuration of the collection system 13 . The analysis system 14A also includes a third valve 145 and a third pump 146 in addition to the configuration of the analysis system 14 .

The first sample chamber 38 is a chamber that can temporarily store the sample gas sampled by the operation of the first pump 132 . As shown in FIG. 16, first sample chamber 38 is provided between first pump 132 and sensor chamber 144 . First pump 132 and first sample chamber 38 are connected by channel 39 instead of channel 32 . Also, the first sample chamber 38 and the sensor chamber 144 are connected by a channel 40 . The first sample chamber 38 may be constructed of a flexible material that expands, contracts, or deforms to change its internal volume depending on the amount of gas stored therein.

The third valve 145 is a valve provided on the flow path 40 and operates under the control of the main control section 101A. The third pump 146 is a pump provided between the third valve 145 and the sensor chamber 144 on the flow path 40, and operates under the control of the main controller 101A.

The main control section 101A controls the operations of the third valve 145 and the third pump 146 in addition to the sections controlled by the main control section 101 . Also, the processing performed by the main control unit 101A is partially different from that of the main control unit 101, as will be described later. Specifically, the main control unit 101A controls the third valve 145 in addition to the first valve 131 and the first pump 132 in the first sampling step or the second sampling step. As a result, the first sample gas or the second sample gas is collected while the first sample chamber 38 and the sensor chamber 144 are not in communication with each other in the channel 40 . Thereby, the first sample gas or the second sample gas is stored in the first sample chamber 38 .

Also, the main control unit 101A controls the third valve 145 so that the first sample chamber 38 and the sensor chamber 144 are in communication. Also, the main control unit 101A operates the third pump 146 instead of the first pump 132 . Thereby, the sensor chamber 144 is supplied with the first sample gas or the second sample gas stored in the first sample chamber 38 . After supplying the first sample gas to the sensor chamber 144, the main controller 101A may start the second sampling step without waiting for the completion of the first detection step if a predetermined time has passed. This allows the second sample gas to accumulate in the first sample chamber 38 after the first sample gas has been exhausted from the first sample chamber 38 .

Further, when cleaning the channel 39 and the channel 40, the main control unit 101A controls the third valve 145 so that the first sample chamber 38 and the sensor chamber 144 are in communication with each other, and then the third pump is operated. 146 is activated. This cleans the first sample chamber 38 as well as the

channels

39 and 40 . Further, when cleaning the sensor chamber 144, the main control unit 101A controls the third valve 145 so that the first sample chamber 38 and the sensor chamber 144 are not communicated with each other. This reduces the possibility of backflow of purge gas from the sensor chamber 144 into the first sample chamber 38 .

<Effect of gas detection system 100A>
As described above, the gas detection system 100A includes the gas detection device 1A having the third valve 145 and the third pump 146. As shown in FIG. The gas detection device 1A also includes a first sample chamber (first storage tank) 38 capable of storing a first sample gas, and after discharging the first sample gas from the first storage tank, A second sample gas is stored in the chamber 38 . According to this configuration, the gas detection device 1A can sample the second sample gas after the first sampling step and before the first detection step is completed. Therefore, according to this configuration, even if the completion of the first detection step is delayed, the second sample gas can be collected, so that the detection can be performed twice more reliably.

[Embodiment 3]
<Configuration of gas detection system 100B>
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a gas detection system 100B including a gas detection device 1B according to another embodiment. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the gas detection device 1B. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the gas detection apparatus 1B includes a control section 10B, a collection system 13B, and an analysis system 14B instead of the control section 10, collection system 13, and analysis system 14. different from 1. The controller 10B differs from the main controller 101 in that it includes a main controller 101B. The collection system 13B includes, in addition to the configuration of the collection system 13, a first sample chamber (first reservoir) 38B, a second sample chamber (second reservoir) 41, and a fourth valve 133. Also, the analysis system 14A includes a third valve 145B and a third pump 146 in addition to the configuration of the analysis system 14 . The main control unit 101B controls the fourth valve 133 in addition to each unit controlled by the main control unit 101A. Further, the processing performed in main control unit 101B is different from that in

main control units

101 and 101A, as will be described later.

The first sample chamber 38B is provided between the first pump 132 and the sensor chamber 144, like the first sample chamber 38. The first sample chamber 38B differs from the first sample chamber 38 in that only the first sample gas can be stored.

The second sample chamber 41 is a chamber provided between the first pump 132 and the sensor chamber 144. The second sample chamber 41 is a chamber made of the same material as the first sample chamber 38B, and can store only the second sample gas. The second sample chamber 41 is connected with the first pump 132 by the channel 42 and with the sensor chamber 144 by the channel 43 .

The fourth valve 133 is a valve provided on the flow path 39 and the flow path 42, and operates under the control of the main control section 101B. The flow path 39 and the flow path 42 may be one flow path between the first pump 132 and the fourth valve 133 as shown in FIG. 18, or may be separate flow paths. The fourth valve 133 may be switchable between a state in which the first pump 132 and the first sample chamber 38 are in communication and a state in which the first pump 132 and the second sample chamber 41 are in communication.

The third valve 145B is a valve provided on the flow path 40 and the flow path 43, and operates under the control of the main control section 101B. Channel 40 and channel 43 may be a single channel or separate channels between sensor chamber 144 and fourth valve 133, as shown in FIG. The fourth valve 133 may be capable of switching between a state in which the first sample chamber 38B and the sensor chamber 144 communicate and a state in which the second sample chamber 41 and the sensor chamber 144 communicate.

<Example of flow of processing of gas detection system 100B>
FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing performed in the gas detection system 100B. An example of the flow of processing (gas detection method) performed in the gas detection system 100B will be described below with reference to FIG. First, the processes of S21 and S22 are performed in the gas detection device 1B. Since the processing is the same as the processing of S1 to S2 shown in FIG. 12, the description is omitted.

When the discharge of the specimen from the subject is detected (YES in S22), the main control unit 101B controls the first valve 131 and the fourth valve 133 so that the flow path 31 and the flow path 39 are communicated, and the flow path 31 The gas can flow into the first sample chamber 38B from the opening of . By operating the first pump 132 in this state, the main controller 101B collects the first sample gas (S23: first collection step) and stores it in the first sample chamber 38B.

After S23, the main controller 101B determines whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the sampling of the first sample gas (S24). If the predetermined time has passed since the sampling of the first sample gas (YES in S24), the main control unit 101B switches the channel through which the sample gas flows. Specifically, the main controller 101B controls the fourth valve 133 so that the first pump 132 and the second sample chamber 41 are in communication and the first sample chamber 38B is not in communication.

Subsequently, the main control unit 101B operates the first pump 132 to sample the second sample gas (S25: second sampling step). At this time, the second sample gas is stored in the second sample chamber 41 . The main controller 101B operates the first pump 132 for a predetermined time, and stops the first pump 132 when the second sample gas is sufficiently collected.

After S25, the main control unit 101B controls the third valve 145B and the fourth valve 133 so that the first pump 132 and the first sample chamber 38B do not communicate with each other, and the first sample chamber 38B and the sensor chamber 144 are in communication. In this state, the main controller 101B controls the second pump 142, the second valve 141, and the third pump 146 to alternately supply the first sample gas and the purge gas to the sensor chamber 144 (S26). After that, the process of S27 is performed. Since the processing of S27 is the same as the processing of S9 shown in FIG. 12, the description is omitted. After the process of S27, the main control unit 101B controls the second valve 141 to operate the second pump 142 in a state in which the

flow paths

34 and 37 are in communication. This cleans the sensor chamber 144 .

Subsequently, the main control unit 101B controls the third valve 145B and the fourth valve 133 so that the first pump 132 and the second sample chamber 41 are not in communication, and the second sample chamber 41 and the sensor chamber 144 are disconnected. Keep in communication. The main controller 101B controls the second pump 142, the second valve 141, and the third pump 146 in this state to alternately supply the second sample gas and the purge gas to the sensor chamber 144 (S28). After that, the process of S29 is performed. Since the processing of S29 is the same as the processing of S9 shown in FIG. 12, the description is omitted. After the process of S29, cleaning of the sensor chamber 144 is performed.

Subsequently, the processes of S30 to S33 are performed. Since the processing of S30 to S33 is the same as the processing of S10 to S13 shown in FIG. 12, the description is omitted. After each process in the gas detection device 1B is completed, cleaning of the first sample chamber 38B and the second sample chamber 41 is performed. The cleaning of the first sample chamber 38B and the second sample chamber 41 is not limited to this timing, and may be performed at any timing after S28 is completed.

The main control unit 101B controls the first valve 131, the second valve 141, the third valve 145B, and the fourth valve 133, and the flow path 34, the flow path 36, the flow path 39, and the flow path 40 communicate with each other. state. The main controller 101B operates the third pump 146 in this state. As a result, the purge gas passes through each channel, the first sample chamber 38B and the sensor chamber 144 and is exhausted to the outside through the exhaust channel 33, thereby cleaning the first sample chamber 38B, the channel 39 and the channel 40. . Further, the main control unit 101B controls the first valve 131, the second valve 141, the third valve 145B, and the fourth valve 133 so that the flow path 34, the flow path 36, the flow path 42, and the flow path 43 are Keep in communication. The main controller 101B operates the third pump 146 in this state. As a result, the purge gas passes through each channel, the second sample chamber 41 and the sensor chamber 144 and is exhausted to the outside through the exhaust channel 33, thereby cleaning the second sample chamber 41, the channel 42 and the channel 43. .

<Effect of gas detection system 100B>
As described above, the gas detection apparatus 1B includes a first sample chamber (first storage tank) 38B capable of storing a first sample gas and a second sample chamber (second storage tank) capable of storing a second sample gas chamber. 41. Thereby, the second sample gas can be collected even if the detection of the first sample gas is not completed. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably sample gas for two measurements. In addition, after the subject finishes using the toilet bowl 4 and cleans the toilet bowl 4 in order to leave the toilet bowl 4, the specimen is flushed and the sample gas cannot be collected. By storing the sample gas, the concentration of the first gas to be detected can be detected later.

<Modification>
In each of the above-described embodiments, the specimen estimation unit 104 does not have to estimate the mass of the specimen. In this case, the second calculation unit 105, instead of the information indicating the mass of the specimen, calculates the change in the concentration of the first gas to be detected twice, specifically the information indicating the difference or the ratio of the concentrations, to the mass of the specimen. may be used as information indicating to correct the concentration of each gas to be detected. Further, the second calculator 105 may use the waveform data itself acquired in the first and second detections as information indicating the mass of the specimen. In this case, the specimen estimation unit 104 becomes unnecessary.

In addition, when the estimation unit 221 of the server device 2 performs the estimation, instead of the information indicating the mass of the specimen, the information indicating the mass of the specimen indicates the change in the concentration of the first gas to be detected in the two detections. Information may be used. Alternatively, information indicating changes in concentration may be used in addition to information indicating the mass of the specimen. Also, the waveform data itself obtained in the first detection and the second detection may be used as the input data. The estimation model should be learned so as to correspond appropriately.

In the

gas detection systems

100, 100A, and 100B of the above-described embodiments, the

gas detection devices

1, 1A, and 1B correct the concentration of each gas to be detected, and the server device 2 estimates the intestinal environment of the subject. bottom. However,

gas detection systems

100, 100A, and 100B are not limited to this configuration. For example, the

gas detection device

1, 1A, or 1B may include the estimation unit 221 and perform the processing performed in the server device 2. FIG. In this case, the estimation of the subject's intestinal environment and the like from the collection of the sample gas can be completed only by the

gas detection device

1, 1A, or 1B. In this case,

gas detection system

100 , 100 A, or 100 B may not include server device 2 , and

gas detection device

1 , 1 A, or 1 B may transmit estimated information to electronic device 3 .

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a gas detection system 100C, which is a modified example of the gas detection system 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 20, the gas detection system 100C includes a gas detection device 1C and a server device 2C instead of the gas detection device 1 and the server device 2. As shown in FIG. In the gas detection system 100C, the gas detection device 1C may transmit detection information to the server device 2 instead of concentration information. Specifically, the gas detection device 1C may transmit, as the detection information, information indicating the concentration of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected. In this case, the server device 2C may correct the concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected based on the concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the concentrations of the second gas to be detected. In other words, in the gas detection system 100C, the gas detection device 1C may not include the second calculator 105, and the server device 2C may include the second calculator 105. FIG.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a gas detection system 100D that is a modification of the gas detection system 100. FIG. As shown in FIG. 21, the gas detection system 100D includes a gas detection device 1D and a server device 2D instead of the gas detection device 1 and the server device 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 21, the gas detection device 1 does not have to be communicably connected to the server device 2 via a communication network. In the gas detection system 100D, the gas detection device 1D is connected only to the electronic device 3 so as to be communicable. In this case, the gas detection device 1D may transmit various information such as concentration information to the electronic device 3, and the electronic device 3 may transmit the concentration information and the like received from the gas detection device 1D to the server device 2D. As an example, the gas detection device 1D transmits concentration information to the electronic device 3 via a communication device such as a LAN. Also, the electronic device 3 transmits the concentration information to the server device 2D. The server device 2D transmits the analysis result information to the electronic device 3 that is the transmission source of the concentration information.

[Example of realization by software]
The function of the

gas detection systems

100, 100A to 100D (hereinafter referred to as "system") is a program for causing a computer to function as the system, and each control block of the system (especially the

control units

10, 10A, 10B , and each part included in 22) by a program for causing a computer to function.

In this case, the system comprises a computer having at least one control device (eg processor) and at least one storage device (eg memory) as hardware for executing the program. Each function described in each of the above embodiments is realized by executing the above program using the control device and the storage device.

The above program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, not temporary. The recording medium may or may not be included in the device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the device via any transmission medium, wired or wireless.

Also, part or all of the functions of the above control blocks can be realized by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which logic circuits functioning as the above control blocks are formed is also included in the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, it is also possible to implement the functions of the control blocks described above by, for example, a quantum computer.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments is also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

1, 1A to 1D Gas detection device 2 Server device (estimation device)
38, 38B first sample chamber (first reservoir)
41 second sample chamber (second reservoir)
100, 100A to 100D gas detection system 102 detection unit 103 first calculation unit 104 specimen estimation unit 105 second calculation unit (calculation unit)
221 estimation unit S3, S23 first sampling step S5, S27 first detection step S7, S25 second sampling step S9, S29 second detection step S11, S31 estimation step S12, S32 calculation step

Claims

a first collection step of collecting a first sample gas emitted from the specimen after the specimen is expelled from the subject;
a first detection step of respectively detecting concentrations of a first gas to be detected and a second gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas;
a second sampling step of sampling a second sample gas emitted from the specimen after the first sampling step;
a second detection step of detecting the concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas;
The specimen discharged from the subject based on a change in the concentration of the first detectable gas calculated from the concentration of the first detectable gas detected in the first detection step and the second detection step. a calculation step of calculating the concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected during the period from when the gas is released from the gas to when the first sample gas is sampled;
A gas detection method comprising:
In the calculating step, based on the difference or ratio between the concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas and the concentration of the first gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas, the target 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected are calculated during a period from the release from the specimen discharged from the human body to the sampling of the first sample gas. Gas detection method.
In the calculating step, based on the difference or ratio between the concentration of the first detectable gas in the first sample gas and the concentration of the first detectable gas in the second sample gas, 2. The gas detection method according to claim 1, further comprising calculating the concentration of said second gas to be detected.
further comprising an estimation step of estimating the mass of the specimen based on the concentration of the first gas to be detected detected in the first detection step and the second detection step;
4. Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in said calculating step, the respective concentrations of said first gas to be detected and said second gas to be detected are corrected based on the mass of said specimen estimated in said estimating step. The gas detection method according to the item.
The gas detection method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the specimen is stool excreted by the subject.
the first gas to be detected includes at least one of hydrogen and carbon dioxide;
The gas detection method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second gas to be detected includes at least one of methane, hydrogen sulfide, and methyl mercaptan.
The calculating step includes:
(1) first detection data obtained by detecting the first gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas sampled after the discharge of the past specimens, which are sample gases emitted from a plurality of past specimens; and (2) second detection data for detecting a second gas to be detected; and (2) third detection data for detecting the first gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas sampled after the first sample gas is sampled. (3) the concentration of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas; A process executed by a learning model generated by performing machine learning using first teacher data including the concentration of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected contained in the sample gas. including
The learning model receives, as input data, the concentration of the first gas to be detected detected in the first sample gas and the second sample gas, and the 7. The gas detection method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the concentration of said first gas to be detected and the concentration of said second gas to be detected are output until the first sample gas is sampled.
The first teacher data includes first correction data calculated based on the first detection data and the third detection data, and second correction data calculated based on the second detection data and the fourth detection data. 8. The gas detection method of claim 7, further comprising: data.
The calculating step includes:
(1) first detection data obtained by detecting the first gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas sampled after the discharge of the past specimens, which are sample gases emitted from a plurality of past specimens; and (2) second detection data for detecting the second gas to be detected; and (2) third data for detecting the first gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas sampled after the first sample gas is sampled. Included in the detection data and the fourth detection data obtained by detecting the second gas to be detected, and (3) the third sample gas sampled from the past release from the specimen until the first sample gas is sampled including processing executed by a learning model generated by performing machine learning using second teacher data including the concentration of the first detectable gas and the concentration of the second detectable gas,
The learning model receives, as input data, the concentration of the first gas to be detected detected in the first sample gas and the second sample gas, and the 7. The gas detection method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the concentration of said first gas to be detected and the concentration of said second gas to be detected are output until the first sample gas is sampled.
A gas detection device for sampling a sample gas released from a specimen after the specimen is discharged from a subject, and detecting concentrations of a first gas to be detected and a second gas to be detected contained in the sample gas. hand,
Concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas sampled for the first time, and contained in the second sample gas released from the same specimen after the first sampling a detection unit that detects the concentration of the first gas to be detected;
of the first gas to be detected calculated based on the concentration of the first gas to be detected detected from the first sample gas and the concentration of the first gas to be detected detected from the second sample gas Concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected during a period from the release from the specimen discharged from the subject to the sampling of the first sample gas are calculated based on the change in concentration. and a gas detection device.
an analyte estimating unit for estimating information indicating the mass of the analyte based on a change in concentration of the first gas to be detected in the first sample gas from concentration of the first gas to be detected in the second sample gas; prepared,
The calculation unit uses information indicating the mass of the specimen to correct the concentrations of the first gas to be detected in the first sample gas and the concentration of the second gas to be detected in the first sample gas, 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the concentration of said first gas to be detected and said second gas to be detected are calculated during a period from being emitted from said specimen discharged from said subject until said first sample gas is collected. A gas detection device as described.
A first storage tank capable of storing the first sample gas,
12. The gas detection device according to claim 10, wherein the second sample gas is stored in the first reservoir after discharging the first sample gas from the first reservoir.
12. The gas detection device according to claim 10, further comprising a first storage tank capable of storing said first sample gas, and a second storage tank capable of storing said second sample gas.
The calculation unit
(1) first detection data obtained by detecting the first gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas sampled after the discharge of the past specimens, which are sample gases emitted from a plurality of past specimens; and (2) second detection data for detecting a second gas to be detected; and (2) third detection data for detecting the first gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas sampled after the first sample gas is sampled. (3) the concentration of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas; a learning model generated by performing machine learning using first teacher data including the concentration of the first detectable gas and the concentration of the second detectable gas contained in the sample gas;
The learning model receives, as input data, the concentrations of the first gas to be detected detected in the first sample gas and the second sample gas, respectively, and detects the concentration of the first gas after being emitted from the specimen discharged from the subject. 14. The gas detection device according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the concentration of said first gas to be detected and the concentration of said second gas to be detected are output until one sample gas is sampled.
The first teacher data includes first correction data calculated based on the first detection data and the third detection data, and second correction data calculated based on the second detection data and the fourth detection data. data and further comprising
15. The gas detection device according to claim 14.
(1) first detection data obtained by detecting the first gas to be detected contained in the first sample gas sampled after the discharge of the past specimens, which are sample gases emitted from a plurality of past specimens; and (2) second detection data for detecting a second gas to be detected; and (2) third detection data for detecting the first gas to be detected contained in the second sample gas sampled after the first sample gas is sampled. data and fourth detection data obtained by detecting the second gas to be detected; a learning model generated by performing machine learning using second teacher data including the concentration of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected;
The learning model receives, as input data, the concentrations of the first gas to be detected detected in the first sample gas and the second sample gas, respectively, and detects the concentration of the first gas after being emitted from the specimen discharged from the subject. 14. The gas detection device according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the concentration of said first gas to be detected and the concentration of said second gas to be detected are output until one sample gas is sampled.
a gas detection device according to any one of claims 10 to 16;
The ratio of the first gas to be detected and the second gas to be detected between the time when the gas is discharged from the subject and the time when the first sample gas is collected, calculated by the gas detection device an estimating device comprising an estimating unit that estimates information about the health condition of the subject who discharged the specimen based on the concentration;
The estimation unit
The ratio of the concentration of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected contained in the past sample gas emitted from the past specimen discharged from each of the plurality of subjects is used as input data, and the plurality of performing the estimation using a trained estimation model that has been trained using information about the health condition of each of the plurality of subjects at the time the subject expelled the past specimen as teacher data , gas detection system.
The estimating unit calculates a ratio of the concentration of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected contained in the past sample gas emitted from the past specimen discharged from each of a plurality of subjects, and Learning using information indicating the mass of the past specimen as input data and information about the health condition of each of the plurality of subjects at the time when the past specimen was discharged by each of the plurality of subjects as teacher data. 18. The gas detection system of claim 17, wherein the estimation is performed using a trained estimation model on which
17. The health condition of the subject is at least one of composition of bacteria in the intestinal flora of the subject and composition of metabolites of bacteria in the intestinal flora of the subject. Or the gas detection system according to 18.
A first sample gas emitted from a specimen discharged from a subject and a second sample gas emitted from the same specimen after the first sample gas was emitted are respectively sampled and converted into the first sample gas. a gas detection device for detecting concentrations of a first detected gas and a second detected gas contained and a concentration of the first detected gas contained in the second sample gas;
of the first gas to be detected calculated based on the concentration of the first gas to be detected detected from the first sample gas and the concentration of the first gas to be detected detected from the second sample gas Concentrations of the first gas to be detected and the concentration of the second gas to be detected during a period from the release from the specimen discharged from the subject to the sampling of the first sample gas are calculated based on the change in concentration. A gas detection system comprising: a server device that
A control program for causing a computer to function as the gas detection device according to any one of claims 10 to 16, the control program for causing the computer to function as the detection section and the calculation section.
A computer-readable recording medium recording the control program according to claim 21.