JP2008110139A - Breathing condition monitoring device, breathing data processor, and breathing data processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a breathing condition monitoring device, a breathing data processor, and a breathing data processing device capable of securely collecting data showing a sleeping condition during sleeping for example. <P>SOLUTION: In a step 190, it is determined whether or not the measured data in a predetermined period ΔT (two minutes for example) are proper data (for using for analyzing the sleeping condition). In a step 200, a counter (a proper data period counter) is incremented because the measured data (thus the breathing data) in the predetermined period ΔT is proper. In a step 210, all the breathing data are recorded and whether or not the recorded breathing data are the breathing data in proper periods is recorded. In a step 220, it is determined whether or not the proper breathing data for a needed time are accumulated. In a step 230, a movement showing tool 39 is driven to show "the measurement is normally completed" because the breathing data sufficient for analyzing the sleeping condition are recorded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a respiratory state monitoring device, a respiratory data processing device, a respiratory data processing device, a respiratory data processing device, and the like, which can check a respiratory state such as normal / abnormal breathing and snoring during sleep, for example, using a respiratory sensor using a piezoelectric film, for example. The present invention relates to a data processing method.

Conventionally, as a technique for examining a person's breathing state, a technique for attaching a thermistor to the mouth is known (see Patent Document 1).
A technique is also known in which body movement is detected by a piezoelectric element and the state of respiration is examined from the detection result (see Patent Document 2).

Furthermore, in recent years, a technique has been disclosed in which a PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) film is attached to the mouth and respiration is detected from the detection signal (see Patent Document 3).
Japanese Patent No. 2794196 (Page 2, Fig. 2) Japanese Patent No. 2803374 (first page, FIG. 2) US Pat. No. 5,311,875 (Page 1, Fig. 1)

  However, in the technique of the cited document described above, various sensors (respiratory sensors) for detecting a respiratory state are attached to the body and the respiratory sensor is connected to a measuring device for use. However, the measuring device is usually large. For example, screening for detecting apnea syndrome from many test subjects has a problem that it is difficult to use.

  In other words, in order to attach a measuring device to many people and easily detect abnormalities in each individual's breathing, it is necessary to reduce the size of the device and improve operability. Is not enough.

  For example, in the case of a device that starts measurement by operating a measurement start switch, if the user forgets to turn on the measurement start switch, data is not stored in the device even if a predetermined measurement time has elapsed. There was a problem that it was impossible to determine whether the data was recorded normally and the measurement was completed.

  In addition, in the case of a device in which the measurement ends when a predetermined time (for example, 10 hours) has elapsed since the start of measurement, even if some data is recorded in the memory of the device, the data is normally recorded for the subject. There has been a problem that it is impossible to determine whether or not the data has been recorded properly due to sensor detachment or the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a respiratory state monitoring device, a respiratory data processing device, and a respiratory data processing method capable of reliably collecting data indicating a respiratory state, for example, during sleep. Objective.

  (1) The invention of claim 1 is a respiratory state monitoring device (for example, a screener) in which respiratory data indicating a respiratory state (for example, presence or absence of breathing or snoring) obtained by a sensor capable of detecting human breathing is stored. Data determination means for determining whether the respiration data is appropriate respiration data as respiration data used for determination of the respiration state is provided.

  If respiratory data is obtained for the required time (for example, 3 hours), it is possible to analyze the respiratory state. For example, even if respiratory data obtained with the respiratory sensor removed from the body is accumulated for 3 hours, The state cannot be analyzed.

  Therefore, in the present invention, it is determined based on a signal input from a sensor, for example, whether the respiration data input to the respiration monitoring apparatus is appropriate respiration data obtained by normal measurement. Therefore, if a necessary amount of appropriate respiration data is accumulated, the respiration state can be accurately analyzed based on the accumulated respiration data.

In addition, what kind of respiration data is appropriate data may be obtained by experiments or the like, and the determination conditions may be determined in advance.
(2) The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that the determination is performed based on a change in a signal indicating the respiratory data.

  The present invention exemplifies signals used for the determination. As this signal, for example, a measurement waveform (respiration signal) indicating the magnitude of the voltage input from the respiration sensor to the respiration state monitoring device can be cited.

  The memory stores, for example, data for every predetermined period (for example, every 0.1 seconds) as respiration data, and the suitability of the respiration data is determined using the data for each predetermined period stored in this memory. May be.

(3) The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that the determination is performed based on the amplitude of the signal.
The amplitude of the signal indicating the breathing state (breathing signal) changes, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 according to changes in expiration or inspiration. Therefore, if the breathing state of a person is measured normally, an amplitude corresponding to the breathing can be obtained. However, for example, when an abnormality occurs such as the breathing sensor attached to the face is removed, it accompanies normal breathing. The amplitude of the signal cannot be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the data is appropriate based on the amplitude of the signal.

(4) The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that the determination is performed at predetermined time intervals based on the maximum and minimum amplitudes of the signal.
The present invention exemplifies a determination method.

  For example, when the respiration sensor attached to the face is removed, there is no change corresponding to respiration, and therefore the amplitude of the signal input from the respiration sensor is extremely small. Accordingly, when the width between the maximum value and the minimum value of the amplitude of the signal is larger than a predetermined value, for example, it can be determined that the signal is appropriate.

Therefore, since it is considered that the respiration data in this period (predetermined time interval) is appropriate, it is only necessary to accumulate a necessary amount of respiration data in this period.
(5) The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that the determination is performed based on the number of switching points between inspiration and expiration of the signal.

  When a signal (a signal indicating a breathing state) input from the sensor is appropriate, as shown in FIG. 8, the signal fluctuates according to expiration and inspiration and is switched at a predetermined reference line. Therefore, the suitability of the respiratory data can be determined based on the number of signal switching points according to the expiration and inspiration (for example, the number of switching points in a certain period).

In addition to the determination based on the switching point, the determination based on the signal amplitude described above is also preferable because the determination accuracy is further improved.
(6) The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that the determination based on the number of the switching points is performed at predetermined time intervals.

By performing the determination every predetermined time, the respiration data in that period can be accumulated as appropriate.
(7) The invention of claim 7 is characterized in that the respiration data is stored in a memory together with a determination result of the data determination means.

  In the present invention, breathing data is stored and a determination result of whether the breathing data is appropriate is also stored. Therefore, when analyzing the respiratory state, only appropriate respiratory data can be extracted from the respiratory data stored in the memory, and the respiratory data can be analyzed based on the appropriate respiratory data.

(8) The invention of claim 8 is characterized in that only appropriate respiration data is stored in a memory based on the determination result of the data determination means.
In the present invention, since only appropriate respiratory data is stored in the memory, the memory can be saved, and the respiratory state can be analyzed based on the respiratory data.

  (9) According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided data accumulation determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined amount of appropriate respiration data stored in the memory has been accumulated, and information based on a determination result by the data accumulation determination means. And a notification control means for notification.

  For example, when the respiration data is accumulated as much as necessary for the analysis of the respiration state, it is understood that the subject or the like may send the respiration data to the analysis by notifying that effect. On the other hand, for example, when the respiratory data is not accumulated as much as necessary for the analysis, the subject or the like needs to perform the measurement again (not sending the respiratory data to the analysis) by notifying that effect. I understand that. Therefore, there is an advantage that the overall work efficiency is improved.

  (10) In the invention of claim 10, the information to be notified is information indicating that the measurement has been normally completed, information indicating that the measurement has not been normally performed, or information indicating that a second measurement is prompted. It is characterized by being.

The present invention exemplifies notification contents.
(11) The invention of claim 11 is characterized in that the sensor is a respiration sensor using an element (for example, a piezoelectric element or a temperature element) whose signal changes in contact with a person's breath or inspiration.

  The present invention exemplifies a sensor used in a respiratory condition monitoring apparatus. As this respiration sensor, a sensor that is disposed in the vicinity of the mouth and nose and whose output changes in contact with both breaths from the mouth and nose is suitable. Examples of this element include a piezoelectric element whose output changes depending on pressure, and a temperature element whose output changes depending on temperature. An element such as PVDF having both functions is suitable.

  (12) According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the respiratory data processing device capable of analyzing the respiratory state based on respiratory data obtained by a sensor capable of detecting a human breath, the respiratory data is The apparatus further comprises data determining means for determining whether or not the breathing data is appropriate as the breathing data used for the determination of the breathing state.

  The present invention relates to a respiratory data processing device such as a personal computer that can analyze a respiratory state based on respiratory data. For example, the respiratory data is acquired from a portable measuring device that can accumulate respiratory data obtained from a respiratory sensor. Then, processing such as analysis of the respiratory state can be performed using appropriate respiratory data among the respiratory data.

  That is, in the present invention, since it is determined whether the obtained respiratory data is appropriate data obtained by normal measurement, it is possible to accurately analyze the respiratory state based on the appropriate respiratory data. Can do.

(13) The inventions of the thirteenth to seventeenth aspects (respiratory data processing devices) have the same effects as the inventions of the second to sixth aspects.
(14) The inventions of Claims 18 to 23 (respiration data processing method) have the same effects as the inventions of Claims 2 to 6, respectively.

  Next, an example (example) of the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.

The respiratory condition monitoring apparatus that performs the respiratory data processing method of the present embodiment is a portable apparatus that is used for extracting (screening) respiratory abnormalities for many subjects.
a) First, the configuration of the respiratory condition monitoring system will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a respiratory state monitoring system (sleep apnea screener) 1 is a system for detecting the respiratory state, specifically the presence or absence of breathing during sleep, and a respiratory sensor 3 attached to a subject, The respiration sensor 3 is detachably attached to the respiration state monitoring device 5 that records a signal from the respiration sensor 3.

  The respiration sensor 3 includes a sensor body 8 having a double structure of an approximately T-shaped inner cover 6 and an outer cover 7, a connecting portion 9 that connects the left and right lower ends of both covers 6, 7, and both covers 6 and 7, and a sensor-side connector 13 (see FIG. 2) attached to the tips of the lead wires 10 and 11.

  Among these, the covers 6 and 7 are thin film-like members made of polyester, for example, with the central portions 6a and 7a extending in the vertical direction of FIG. The respiration detecting unit 14 for detection and a pair of leg portions 16a and 16b projecting from both right and left ends on the rear end side (upper side in the figure) of the respiration detecting unit 14 are configured.

  A rectangular piezoelectric element (for example, a piezo element) 15 is attached to the front end side of the lower cover 6, and a projection position corresponding to the piezoelectric element 15 (on the front side of the drawing in FIG. 1) is attached to the front end side of the upper cover 7. ) Is formed with a plurality of slit-like ventilation holes 18.

  On the other hand, the breathing state monitoring device 5 is a lightweight portable device that can be worn on an arm or the like, and is housed in a substantially rectangular plastic casing 17 as shown in FIG. And an electronic control unit 19 (see FIG. 4).

  A device-side upper connector (modular jack) 21 into which the sensor-side connector 13 is fitted is provided on the upper surface of the respiratory condition monitoring device 5, and the first to fourth LEDs 23 to 29 are covered with a translucent cover 31. Has been.

  Further, a measurement start switch 33 for starting / stopping the measurement (monitoring) of the breathing state and turning on / off the breathing state monitoring device 5 is disposed on the left side surface of the breathing state monitoring device 5. In order to connect the monitoring device 5 to a base device (data collection device) 35 (see FIG. 5), a device-side lower connector (D-SUB connector) 37 is arranged.

A barcode seal (recording unit) 41 indicating the ID number of the respiratory condition monitoring device 5 itself is attached to the back surface of the respiratory condition monitoring device 5.
In particular, in the present embodiment, an operation indicator 39 is provided in front of the respiratory condition monitoring device 5 in order to clearly indicate the state of the device.

  The operation indicator 39 is a liquid crystal display device that can display a plurality of characters and the like, and can make the subject or the like pay attention to the display contents by blinking (or lighting) the backlight.

  Instead of blinking the backlight, for example, an LED or the like is arranged in the vicinity of the operation indicator 39, and the LED is caused to blink, for example, so as to call attention to the contents displayed on the operation indicator 39. Good.

Examples of the contents displayed on the operation indicator 39 include the following five kinds of contents.
-When notifying the operation mistake of the measurement start switch 33, the text "Please turn on the measurement start switch" is displayed.

・ When measurement is ongoing, the message “Measurement recording is in progress” is displayed. In this case, the blinking of the backlight is stopped so as not to disturb the sleep.
・ When measurement data from the respiration sensor 3 cannot be obtained (when an abnormality is reported), the text “Measurement abnormality, check the device” is displayed.

  ・ When notifying that necessary measurement data has not been obtained for the required time (for example, 3 hours) even if a predetermined time (for example, 10 hours) has passed, it is said that “measurement data is insufficiently accumulated.” Display characters.

・ When notifying that the measurement has been completed normally, the message “Measurement completed successfully” is displayed.
b) Next, the electrical configuration of the respiratory condition monitoring device 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic control device 19 of the respiratory condition monitoring device 5 includes a well-known A / D built-in microcomputer 43, a real-time clock 45 backed up by a battery (rechargeable battery) 63, a nonvolatile memory 47, and a flash memory 49. And a serial communication line 51, a charge amplifier (AMP) 53, a gain AMP 55, and a gain AMP 57.

The A / D built-in microcomputer 43 is connected to the first LED 23 of the battery exhaustion indicator 59 and the second to fourth LEDs 25 to 29 of the respiratory flow indicator 61.
Among these, 1st LED23 is a lamp | ramp which lights when the voltage of the rechargeable battery 63 falls. The second to fourth LEDs 25 to 29 are blinking lamps according to the respiratory state, the third LED 27 is turned on when the respiratory sensor 3 is connected to the respiratory state monitoring device 5, and the second LED 25 is inhaled. Turns on and the fourth LED 29 lights up when breathing out.

  Further, the A / D built-in microcomputer 43 is connected with an operation indicator 39 and a speaker 67 and an earphone jack 69 via an amplifier 65 having a voice synthesis function.

  The device-side lower connector 37 is connected to the device-side upper connector 21 via the rechargeable battery 63, and the device-side upper connector 21 is further connected to a power supply circuit 71 that supplies power to the electronic control device 19.

Here, the circuit from the rechargeable battery 63 to the power supply circuit 71 is normally open by the device-side upper connector 21.
That is, by attaching the sensor-side connector 13 of the respiration sensor 3 to the apparatus-side upper connector 21, power is supplied from the rechargeable battery 63 to the power supply circuit 71, and a signal from the respiration sensor 3 is transmitted to the respiration state monitoring device 5. It is configured to input to the A / D built-in microcomputer 43.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the respiratory condition monitoring device 5 is attached to the data collection device 35 so that the base side connector (D-SUB connector) 73 of the data collection device 35 is connected to the device side lower connector 37. The rechargeable battery 63 is charged via a dedicated charging terminal (not shown).

  It should be noted that a data collection device 35 on which a plurality of respiratory condition monitoring devices 5 are detachably mounted, a barcode reader 83 that reads a barcode of the respiratory condition monitoring device 5, and a personal computer that controls the barcode reader 83 and the data collection device 35. The overall management system 81 is composed of 85 and the like. The respiratory state can be analyzed using the respiratory data read into the personal computer 85.

c) Next, a method of using the respiratory condition monitoring system 1 will be described step by step.
(1) Outline of Respiratory State Measurement Method First, when measuring the respiratory state of each subject, the respiratory state monitoring device 5 is attached to the subject's arm. Moreover, the sensor main body 8 of the respiration sensor 3 is attached with a double-sided tape between the mouth and the nose.

  When the sensor-side connector 13 is attached to the device-side upper connector 21, the circuit from the rechargeable battery 63 to the power supply circuit 71 is closed, and power is supplied to the electronic control device 19 (power-on).

When the power is turned on, as will be described in detail later, the operation indicator 39 is driven to perform various displays according to the state of the apparatus.
In addition, when the measurement start switch 33 is operated to “ON”, processing of a signal from the respiration sensor 3 is started, and the second to fourth LEDs 23 to 29 are turned on according to the situation.

Furthermore, when 3 minutes have passed since the measurement start switch 33 was operated to “ON”, the second to fourth LEDs 25 to 29 are dimmed.
Then, the operation of storing the signal from the respiration sensor 3 in the flash memory 49 is started. Specifically, an analog signal (respiration signal) from the respiration sensor 3 is input, and a signal (amplitude value) every 0.1 seconds is stored as respiration data.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, instead of simply storing the respiration data unconditionally, appropriate respiration data is determined and extracted under a predetermined determination condition, and the respiration state is analyzed for a time (for example, at least 3 hours). Min)).

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, every predetermined time (ΔT: 2 minutes, for example), the difference ΔH between the maximum value and minimum value of the amplitude of the respiratory signal (the maximum peak of the convex on the upper side in FIG. 6). When the difference exceeds a predetermined reference value, the counter is incremented during this ΔT period, assuming that the respiratory state is normally measured.

Since this count number indicates the total period during which normal respiration data is obtained, it can be determined from this counter number whether or not a necessary amount (required time) of appropriate respiration data has been accumulated.
Since the determination result flag for each period indicating which period of respiration data is appropriate respiration data is also stored in the flash memory 49 together with the respiration data, the respiration data of the period to which the determination result flag is attached. Can be used to analyze the respiratory condition.

Thereafter, when 10 hours have elapsed since the measurement start switch 33 was turned on, the storage of the respiratory data is terminated, and the measurement of the respiratory state is terminated.
When the measurement is completed, the sensor body 8 is removed from the face and the respiration sensor 3 is removed from the respiration state monitoring device 5. The circuit from the rechargeable battery 63 to the power supply circuit 71 is opened by the removal operation of the respiration sensor 3 from the device.

  After that, when the respiratory condition monitoring device 5 is attached to the data collecting device 35, the respiratory data (only appropriate respiratory data here) stored in the respiratory condition monitoring device 5 by the operation of the personal computer 85 is converted into the data collecting device. 35 and stored in the storage device of the personal computer 85 or the like. Therefore, the personal computer 85 can analyze the respiratory state using the respiratory data for 3 hours.

  In addition, all the respiration data and the determination result flag accumulated in the respiration state monitoring device 5 are transmitted to the personal computer 85, and only the appropriate respiration data is extracted on the personal computer 85 side (using the determination result flag). It may be used for analysis.

(2) Processing contents from power-on Next, the main part of the processing contents of the electronic control unit 19 that is started when the power is turned on will be described in detail based on a flowchart.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the power is turned on, it is determined in step (S) 100 whether one minute or more has elapsed since the power was turned on. Here, if a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to step 110, and if a negative determination is made, the process waits.

  In step 110, it is determined whether or not the measurement start switch 33 is turned on. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 150, while if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 120.

  In step 120, since the measurement start switch 33 is not turned on even after one minute has elapsed since the power was turned on, it is determined that “the operation for turning on the measurement start switch 33 has been forgotten”. In order to notify the above, the operation indicator 39 is driven to display “Please turn on the measurement start switch”. At the same time, the backlight of the operation indicator 39 blinks to alert the subject and the like.

In the subsequent step 130, it is determined whether or not 5 minutes or more have elapsed since the power was turned on. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 150, while if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 140.
This process is for forcibly starting the measurement by proceeding to step 150 without turning on / off the measurement start switch 33 when 5 minutes or more have passed since the power was turned on.

  In step 140, it is determined again whether or not the measurement start switch 33 is turned on. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 150, whereas if a negative determination is made, the process returns to step 120.

  In step 150, where the determination is affirmative in steps 110, 130, and 140, the measurement is started. That is, a process of reading a respiration signal from the respiration sensor 3 into the A / D built-in microcomputer 43 is performed.

In the following step 160, the operation indicator 39 is driven to display “Measurement recording is in progress”.
In subsequent step 170, it is determined whether or not 10 hours or more have elapsed since the start of measurement. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 250, whereas if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 180.

  In step 180, in order to determine the occurrence of any abnormality, it is determined whether there is no input of measurement data for 10 minutes (or whether there is only a weak input different from the normal time). If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 240, whereas if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 190.

  In step 240, it is determined that the input signal becomes abnormal and normal measurement cannot be performed due to, for example, disconnection, the respiration sensor 3 coming off the body, or the subject wearing a futon. Then, the operation indicator 39 is driven to display “Measurement abnormality, check the device”, and the backlight is blinked to end the present process temporarily.

  On the other hand, in step 190, it is determined whether or not the measurement data in the predetermined period ΔT (for example, 2 minutes) shown in FIG. 6 is appropriate data (for use in analysis of the respiratory state). If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 200, whereas if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 210.

  Specifically, as described above, it is determined whether or not the difference ΔH between the maximum value and the minimum value of the respiratory signal in the predetermined period ΔT is greater than or equal to a predetermined determination value. That is, when the respiratory signal is normal, there is an amplitude corresponding to exhalation or inspiration. Therefore, when there is an amplitude greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the respiratory signal is normal. It is considered that there is some abnormality such as.

  As described above, the flash memory 49 stores a signal (amplitude value) every 0.1 seconds among the signals input to the electronic control device 19 as respiratory data. , And can be used as a signal used for the determination (whether the respiration data is appropriate).

  In step 200, since the measurement data (and hence respiration data) in the predetermined period ΔT is appropriate, the counter (appropriate data period counter) is incremented. That is, for example, if the counter value is 1, the breathing data for two minutes is appropriate, and thus it can be understood how much (time) appropriate breathing data has been accumulated by the counter value.

  In step 210, all the respiration data are stored regardless of the determination result in step 190, and whether the stored respiration data is respiration data in an appropriate period is stored.

  That is, a determination result flag is added and stored for each period (or for each individual respiration data) so that it can be understood which period of respiration data is appropriate. Inappropriate data may not be stored.

In the following step 220, it is determined whether or not the measurement switch 33 is on. If a negative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 250. If an affirmative determination is made, the process returns to step 150.
In step 250, since a prescribed measurement time (for example, 10 hours) has ended, it is determined whether or not the respiration data has been stored in the flash memory 49 for 3 hours. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the counter value of the appropriate data period counter has reached a value indicating 3 hours (90 counts). If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 270, while if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 260.

In step 270, since the respiration data sufficient for the analysis of the respiration state has been stored, the operation indicator 39 is driven to display "Measurement has been completed normally", and the present process is temporarily terminated.
On the other hand, in step 260, since the respiratory data is insufficient even after 10 hours of measurement, the operation indicator 39 is driven to display “Insufficient measurement data storage” and the backlight blinks. This processing is once finished.

d) Next, the effect of the present embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, in the respiratory condition monitoring device 5, whether or not the respiratory data input and stored in the respiratory condition monitoring device 5 from the respiratory sensor 3 is appropriate respiratory data obtained by normal measurement, The determination is made on the basis of the respiration signal input from the respiration sensor 3 for discrimination. Then, it is determined whether or not the appropriate respiration data is accumulated in a necessary amount for analysis of the respiration state, and the determination result is displayed.

  Therefore, there is an advantage that the subject can immediately know whether or not the measurement is successfully completed by looking at the display of the respiratory condition monitoring device 5 when waking up in the morning (for example, when measuring at night). Therefore, since it is known whether the measurement should be performed again or the respiratory data should be sent to the analysis, there is an effect that the work efficiency is improved.

Next, the second embodiment will be described, but the description of the same contents as the first embodiment will be omitted.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the determination method of the suitability of breathing data, and this point will be described.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, the respiratory signal fluctuates according to exhalation and inspiration. For example, when focusing on a switching point where the exhalation is switched to inspiration (or vice versa), when the respiration signal is normal, a predetermined period is set. The number of switching points in ΔT (for example, 2 minutes) is considered to be within a predetermined range.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when the number of switching points in the predetermined period is not within the predetermined range, specifically, when the number of switching points is excessively small (for example, 0 times) or excessively large, the respiration signal in the predetermined period is Consider it not normal. Other processes are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  This embodiment also has the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

Next, the third embodiment will be described, but the description of the same contents as the first embodiment will be omitted.
The present embodiment relates to a respiratory data processing apparatus. In addition, the figure number of the hardware configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  This respiratory data processing device is the personal computer 85, and here, as the respiratory state monitoring device 5, simply collects respiratory data over a predetermined measurement time (for example, 10 hours) (unlike the first and second embodiments). Use the device.

  In the present embodiment, breathing data from the breathing sensor 3 is accumulated in the breathing state monitoring device 5 over a predetermined measurement time at bedtime. After the measurement is completed, when the respiratory condition monitoring device 5 is attached to the data collecting device 35, the respiratory data stored in the respiratory condition monitoring device 5 is input to the personal computer 35 via the data collecting device 35. The personal computer 85 analyzes the respiratory data to analyze the respiratory state.

Hereinafter, a procedure processed by the personal computer 85 will be described.
The respiration data captured in the personal computer 85 is divided every predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes), and the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the respiration data is obtained at each predetermined time. Determine if.

  And when it is more than a predetermined judgment value, it judges that respiration data in this predetermined period is appropriate. Similar processing is performed for each predetermined period, and appropriate respiratory data is accumulated.

  Then, when there is adequate respiration data for the time necessary for analysis of the respiration state (for example, 3 hours), the presence of the necessary respiration data is notified using, for example, a display or a speaker of the personal computer 35. .

If the necessary amount of respiration data is not obtained, the contents indicating that the respiration is not normally measured and the contents for prompting the re-measurement are notified.
At the same time, the respiratory state is analyzed using the accumulated appropriate respiratory data, and the analysis result is similarly notified.

In this embodiment, there is an advantage that the burden on the respiratory condition monitoring device 5 is less than in the first and second embodiments.
Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be carried out in various modes without departing from the technical scope of the present invention.

  Further, as the data judging means of claim 1, for example, step 190 of FIG. Further, the data accumulation determining means of claim 6 includes, for example, step 250 of FIG. 7, and the notification control means includes, for example, steps 240, 250, 270 of FIG.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the respiratory condition monitoring system of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mounting state to the respiration condition monitoring apparatus of a respiration sensor. The respiratory condition monitoring apparatus is shown, (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a bottom view, (d) is a left side view, and (e) is a rear view. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a respiratory condition monitoring apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the system configuration | structure of a whole management system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the determination method of the respiration data in Example 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing of the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus of Example 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the determination method of the respiration data in Example 2. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Respiration state monitoring system 3 ... Respiration sensor 5 ... Respiration state monitoring device 15 ... Piezoelectric element 35 ... Data collection device 39 ... Operation indicator 85 ... Personal computer

Claims (23)

In a respiratory condition monitoring apparatus in which respiratory data indicating a respiratory condition obtained by a sensor capable of detecting a person's breathing is stored,
A respiratory condition monitoring apparatus comprising data determining means for determining whether or not the respiratory data is appropriate as respiratory data used for determining the respiratory condition.   The respiratory state monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination is performed based on a change in a signal indicating the respiratory data.   The respiratory state monitoring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determination is performed based on an amplitude of the signal.   The respiratory condition monitoring apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the determination is performed based on a width between a maximum value and a minimum value of the amplitude of the signal at predetermined time intervals.   The respiratory state monitoring apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the determination is performed based on the number of switching points between inspiration and expiration of the signal.   6. The respiratory state monitoring apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the determination is performed based on the number of the switching points at every predetermined time interval.   The respiratory state monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the respiratory data is stored in a memory together with a determination result of the data determination unit.   The respiratory state monitoring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein only the appropriate respiratory data is stored in a memory based on a determination result of the data determination unit. Data accumulation determination means for determining whether or not appropriate respiratory data stored in the memory has been accumulated in a prescribed amount;
Notification control means for notifying information based on the determination result by the data accumulation determination means;
The respiratory condition monitoring device according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising:   The information to be notified is information indicating that the measurement is normally completed, information indicating that the measurement is not normally performed, or information indicating that the measurement is prompted again. The respiratory condition monitoring device according to 1.   The respiratory state monitoring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the sensor is a respiratory sensor using an element that changes in contact with a person's exhalation or inspiration. In a respiratory data processing device capable of analyzing the respiratory state based on respiratory data obtained by a sensor capable of detecting a human breath,
A respiratory data processing apparatus comprising data determining means for determining whether the respiratory data is appropriate respiratory data as respiratory data used for determining the respiratory state.   The respiratory data processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the determination is performed based on a change in a signal indicating the respiratory data.   The respiratory data processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the determination is performed based on an amplitude of the signal.   15. The respiratory data processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the determination is performed based on a width between a maximum value and a minimum value of the amplitude of the signal at predetermined time intervals.   16. The respiratory data processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the determination is performed based on the number of switching points between inspiration and expiration of the signal.   The respiratory data processing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the determination based on the number of the switching points is performed at every predetermined time interval. In a breathing data processing method for processing breathing data indicating a breathing state obtained by a sensor capable of detecting human breathing,
A respiratory data processing method for performing data determination processing for determining whether or not the respiratory data is appropriate respiratory data as respiratory data used for determining the respiratory state.   19. The respiratory data processing method according to claim 18, wherein the determination is performed based on a change in a signal indicating the respiratory data.   The respiratory data processing method according to claim 19, wherein the determination is performed based on an amplitude of the signal.   21. The respiratory data processing method according to claim 20, wherein the determination is performed based on a width between a maximum value and a minimum value of the amplitude of the signal at predetermined time intervals.   The respiratory data processing method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the determination is performed based on the number of switching points between inspiration and expiration of the signal.   23. The respiratory data processing method according to claim 22, wherein the determination based on the number of the switching points is performed at predetermined time intervals.

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