Pelvic floor muscle state evaluation method and pelvic floor muscle state evaluation system

Abstract

The present disclosure presents quantitative evaluation results relating to the state of pelvic floor muscles to a user. The pelvic floor muscle state evaluation method includes an evaluation step and an evaluation value presentation step. In the evaluation step, one or more items of evaluation values relating to the state of pelvic floor muscles are calculated on the basis of parameters relating to the position of the bladder floor. In the evaluation value presentation step, the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation step is presented to a user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pelvic floor muscle status evaluation method and a pelvic floor muscle status evaluation system. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a device that transmits ultrasonic waves into the body of a subject to detect the bladder. The urination prediction device disclosed in Patent document 1 includes: a plurality of sensors that transmit ultrasonic waves into the body of a subject to detect the bladder; and an estimation unit that estimates the urination timing based on the expansion speed of the bladder obtained from the detection results of the plurality of sensors.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2018 / 185904 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] The device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is always intended to predict urination, and for this purpose, the bladder is detected by a plurality of sensors. Therefore, there is no concept of presenting quantitative evaluation results related to the state of the pelvic floor muscles to the user.

[0008] One of the purposes of the present disclosure is to present quantitative evaluation results related to the status of the pelvic floor muscles to the user.

[0009] Solutions for solving problems

[0010] A method for evaluating the state of pelvic floor muscles as one of the present disclosures includes:

[0011] an evaluation step of calculating one or more evaluation values ​​related to the state of the pelvic floor muscles based on the parameter related to the position of the bladder bottom; and

[0012] The evaluation value presenting step presents the evaluation value to the user.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] The technology involved in the present disclosure can present quantitative evaluation results related to the status of the pelvic floor muscles to the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is a block diagram schematically illustrating the electrical configuration of a monitoring device included in the state evaluation system of the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 It is used to illustrate Figure 1The diagram is an illustration of a situation in which the monitoring device is worn by a user.

[0017] Figure 3 It is used to conceptually illustrate the Figure 1 The monitoring device shown is an explanatory diagram of a state in which ultrasonic waves are irradiated to the bladder.

[0018] Figure 4 is exemplified by Figure 1 Flowchart of the flow of distance measurement control performed by the monitoring device shown.

[0019] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a waveform obtained by receiving a reflected wave by a receiving unit.

[0020] Figure 6 This is an explanation of the waveform obtained by receiving the reflected wave by the receiving unit. Figure 5 An illustration of different examples of waveforms.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the flow of evaluation control performed by the state evaluation system according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 8 is a graph showing an example of a waveform obtained by the first evaluation control.

[0023] Fig. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the first evaluation control and Figure 8 A graph of waveforms with examples of different waveforms.

[0024] Fig.10 is a graph showing an example of a waveform obtained by the second evaluation control.

[0025] Fig.11 is a graph showing the difference between the Fig.10 A graph of waveforms with examples of different waveforms.

[0026] Fig.12 is a graph showing the difference between the Fig.10 , Fig.11 A graph of waveforms with examples of different waveforms.

[0027] Fig.13 is a graph showing an example of a waveform obtained by the third evaluation control.

[0028] Fig.14 is a graph showing the relationship between the Fig.13 A graph of waveforms with examples of different waveforms.

[0029] Fig.15 is a graph showing the relationship between the Fig.13 , Fig.14 A graph of waveforms with examples of different waveforms.

[0030] Fig.16 is a graph showing an example of a waveform obtained by the fourth evaluation control.

[0031] Fig.17 is a graph showing the relationship between the Fig.16 A graph of waveforms with examples of different waveforms.

[0032] Fig.18 is a graph showing an example of a waveform obtained by the fifth evaluation control.

[0033] Fig.19 is a graph showing the relationship between the Fig.18 A graph of waveforms with examples of different waveforms.

[0034] Fig. 20 This is an explanatory diagram showing an output example in presentation control as an example of an image output process.

[0035] Fig.21 is an output example in presentation control and is related to Fig. 20 An explanatory diagram showing different examples of output examples.

[0036] Fig. 22 It is an explanatory diagram showing an output example in the shift output step.

[0037] Fig.23 is an output example in the shift output process and is Fig. 22 An explanatory diagram showing different examples of output examples.

[0038] Fig.24 It is an explanatory diagram showing an application example of the system according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] [1] A method for evaluating the condition of pelvic floor muscles, comprising the following steps:

[0040] an evaluation step of calculating one or more evaluation values ​​related to the state of the pelvic floor muscles based on the parameter related to the position of the bladder bottom; and

[0041] The evaluation value presenting step presents the evaluation value to the user.

[0042] In the pelvic floor muscle condition evaluation method described in [1], it is possible to present quantitative evaluation results related to the condition of the pelvic floor muscles to the user.

[0043] [2] A method for evaluating the condition of the pelvic floor muscles according to [1], wherein:

[0044] The following steps are performed using an ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit having an irradiating unit for irradiating ultrasonic waves and a receiving unit for receiving reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves:

[0045] an irradiation step of irradiating the ultrasonic wave into the body of the user from the irradiation unit;

[0046] A receiving step of receiving, by the receiving unit, the reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave reflected at the bottom of the bladder of the user; and

[0047] In the measuring step, the measuring unit measures the parameter based on the reception result of the receiving unit.

[0048] In the pelvic floor muscle status evaluation method described in [2], parameters related to the position of the bladder base can be measured based on the reception result obtained by irradiating ultrasonic waves into the user's body through the irradiation unit and receiving the reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves. Therefore, in this status evaluation method, parameters related to the position of the bladder base can be measured while suppressing invasion, and quantitative evaluation results related to the status of the pelvic floor muscles can be presented to the user.

[0049] [3] The method for evaluating the condition of the pelvic floor muscles according to [1] or [2], further comprising the following steps:

[0050] a determining step of determining, by a determining unit, a training method for the pelvic floor muscles based on the evaluation value calculated in the evaluating step; and

[0051] A training presenting step of presenting the training method for the pelvic floor muscles determined in the determining step to the user.

[0052] In the pelvic floor muscle state evaluation method described in [3], the pelvic floor muscle training method can be determined based on the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation process, so that the training method can be more appropriately determined by reflecting the quantitative evaluation result related to the pelvic floor muscle state. In addition, in the state evaluation method, the training method determined in this way can be presented to the user, so the user can adopt an appropriate training method obtained by reflecting the state of his or her pelvic floor muscles in his or her own training.

[0053] [4] A method for evaluating the condition of the pelvic floor muscles according to [3], wherein:

[0054] The determination unit includes a training determination method corresponding to the type of the evaluation value.

[0055] The training determination method is used to determine a training method that increases the evaluation value of the corresponding type, and is determined in such a way that a training method with a greater intensity is determined as the evaluation value of the corresponding type is lower.

[0056] In the determination step, a training method is determined according to the training determination method corresponding to a type of the evaluation value based on the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation step.

[0057] In the pelvic floor muscle status evaluation method described in [4], it is easy to determine a training method that improves the evaluation value of any type when the evaluation value of that type is calculated. Moreover, in this status evaluation method, it is easy to determine a training method with a higher intensity as the evaluation value is lower, so it is easy to determine a training method in accordance with the degree of the quantitative index (evaluation value) related to the status of the user's pelvic floor muscles.

[0058] [5] A method for evaluating the condition of the pelvic floor muscles according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein:

[0059] The parameter includes a movement distance between the position of the bladder bottom in the relaxed state and the position of the bladder bottom in the contracted state in the operation of switching the pelvic floor muscle between the relaxed state and the contracted state,

[0060] In the evaluation step, a maximum value among a plurality of the moving distances measured in a predetermined plurality of operations is calculated as the evaluation value.

[0061] In the pelvic floor muscle state evaluation method described in [5], it is possible to quantitatively evaluate the maximum extent to which the pelvic floor muscles can be moved when the user performs an action to switch the pelvic floor muscles between a relaxed state and a contracted state multiple times.

[0062] [6] A method for evaluating the condition of the pelvic floor muscles according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein:

[0063] The parameters include a movement distance of the bladder bottom based on the position of the bladder bottom in the relaxed state and an elapsed time from when the movement distance exceeds a threshold value in the action of switching the pelvic floor muscle between a relaxed state and a contracted state,

[0064] In the evaluation step, a ratio of the elapsed time to a predetermined time is calculated as the evaluation value.

[0065] In the pelvic floor muscle state evaluation method described in [6], when the user performs an action to switch the pelvic floor muscles between a relaxed state and a contracted state, it is possible to quantitatively evaluate how long the contracted state can be maintained such that the movement distance exceeds a threshold.

[0066] [7] A method for evaluating the condition of the pelvic floor muscles according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein:

[0067] The parameter includes information indicating the position of the bladder bottom when an action is performed to switch the pelvic floor muscle between a relaxed state and a contracted state within a predetermined time.

[0068] In the evaluation process, when the action is performed a specified number of times, based on the information indicating the position of the bladder base, whether the following conditions are satisfied is determined for each of the actions, and the number of times the conditions are satisfied is calculated as the evaluation value, wherein the conditions are maintained in a specified proximity state for a specified time and maintained in a specified separation state that is separated from the specified proximity state for a specified time.

[0069] In the pelvic floor muscle state evaluation method described in [7], it is possible to quantitatively evaluate the explosive power of a user when performing an action of switching the pelvic floor muscles between a relaxed state and a contracted state a predetermined number of times.

[0070] [8] A method for evaluating the condition of the pelvic floor muscles according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein:

[0071] The parameter includes information indicating the position of the bladder bottom in the relaxed state during the operation of switching the pelvic floor muscles between the relaxed state and the contracted state.

[0072] In the evaluation step, information on a position where the degree of contraction of the bladder base is the greatest among the positions of the bladder base in the respective relaxation states in the actions performed a predetermined number of times is calculated as an evaluation value.

[0073] In the pelvic floor muscle state evaluation method described in [8], when the user performs an action to switch the pelvic floor muscles between a relaxed state and a contracted state, it is possible to quantitatively evaluate the degree of relaxation in the relaxed state.

[0074] [9] A method for evaluating the condition of the pelvic floor muscles according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein:

[0075] The pelvic floor muscle condition evaluation method further includes an image output step of outputting an evaluation image reflecting the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation step.

[0076] In the pelvic floor muscle status evaluation method described in [9], an evaluation image reflecting the evaluation value can be output, so the user can visually understand the status of their own pelvic floor muscles through the evaluation image.

[0077]

[10] A method for evaluating the condition of the pelvic floor muscles according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein:

[0078] The pelvic floor muscle state evaluation method further includes a transition output step of outputting a transition of the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation step when the evaluation value of the user is measured a plurality of times in the evaluation step.

[0079] In the pelvic floor muscle status evaluation method described in

[10] , it is possible to quantitatively show how the status of the user's pelvic floor muscles changes.

[0080]

[11] A method for evaluating the condition of the pelvic floor muscles according to any one of [1] to

[10] , wherein:

[0081] The relative evaluation output step is performed using a recording unit that records the evaluation value data of each user among the plurality of users. In the relative evaluation output step, a relative evaluation for a target user among the plurality of users is output based on the data accumulated in the recording unit.

[0082] In the pelvic floor muscle condition evaluation method described in

[11] , a relative evaluation of the target user can be output, which can easily contribute to improving the condition of the target user.

[0083]

[12] A pelvic floor muscle status evaluation system, comprising: performing the pelvic floor muscle status evaluation method according to the above-mentioned [2],

[0084] The pelvic floor muscle status evaluation system includes: a wearable device having the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit, and the wearable device is worn on the user's body; the measuring unit; and an evaluation unit that performs the evaluation process.

[0085] The measuring unit is provided in the wearable device.

[0086] The evaluation unit is provided in at least one of the wearable device and an external device that communicates with the wearable device.

[0087] The pelvic floor muscle status evaluation system described in

[12] can measure parameters related to the position of the bladder base by wearing a wearable device having an ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit on the user. Therefore, it is easier for the user to exercise when measuring the parameters.

[0088] 1. First Implementation

[0089] 1-1. Basic structure of monitoring device 10 etc.

[0090] exist Figure 1 The monitoring device 10 and the like according to the first embodiment are exemplified in FIG. Figure 1 The monitoring device 10 shown is as follows Figure 2The wearable device worn on the body of the user 100 is used to monitor the inside of the body of the user 100. Specifically, Figure 3 As shown, the monitoring device 10 functions as a bladder fundus monitoring apparatus that irradiates ultrasonic waves into the body of the user 100 and monitors the movement of the bladder fundus 112 of the user 100 using the ultrasonic waves.

[0091] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the monitoring device 10 includes an ultrasonic wave generating element 20, a control unit 30, a transmission and reception circuit 40, a communication unit 32, and a notification unit 34. The monitoring device 10 can communicate with an external device 190. Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , the monitoring system 1 is configured to include a monitoring device 10 and an external device 190 .

[0092] The monitoring device 10 of the first embodiment includes a housing 14, and components ( Figure 1 The ultrasonic generating element 20, the control unit 30, the transmitting and receiving circuit 40, the communication unit 32, the notification unit 34, etc. shown in the figure) and the mounting portion for mounting the housing 14 on the user 100. Each component (the ultrasonic generating element 20, the control unit 30, the transmitting and receiving circuit 40, the communication unit 32, the notification unit 34, etc.) is accommodated inside the housing 14. Figure 3 In the example, the wearable body 12 is constituted by the housing 14. In addition, in the monitoring device 10 of the present embodiment, the housing 14 and the components (ultrasonic wave generating element 20, control unit 30, transmission and reception circuit 40, communication unit 32, notification unit 34, etc.) are integrally provided, but not limited to this, and the control unit 30, transmission and reception circuit 40, communication unit 32, notification unit 34, etc. among the components may also be provided separately from the housing 14.

[0093] exist Figure 2 , Figure 3 The mounting portion is omitted in the figure. The mounting portion is a fixing member (clip, belt, tape, etc.) that fixes the housing 14 to the body of the user 100 or the user's 100's clothing (clothing, etc.). The mounting portion can be any structure that can mount the monitoring device 10 on the user 100 in a predetermined configuration state. The predetermined configuration state refers to the ultrasonic wave emitted from the ultrasonic wave generating element 20 contacting the bladder fundus 112 ( Figure 3 ) configuration state. In addition, the bladder floor 112 is a portion in the body of the user 100 that is composed of a predetermined portion (bladder floor position) constituting the inner wall portion of the bladder 110 and a tissue group including the pelvic floor muscle group.

[0094] The ultrasonic generating element 20 is an element having a function as an ultrasonic element for transmitting waves and a function as an ultrasonic element for receiving waves, and is equivalent to an example of an ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit. The ultrasonic generating element 20 is equivalent to an example of an irradiating unit, and has a function of irradiating ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic generating element 20 is equivalent to an example of a receiving unit, and has a function of receiving the reflected wave (ultrasound wave) returned by the ultrasonic wave irradiated by the irradiating unit after being reflected by an object.

[0095] exist Figure 1 In the example, the ultrasonic generating element 20 is composed of a piezoelectric element. When a transmission signal (driving signal) of a specified resonant frequency is applied, ultrasonic waves based on the bending vibration of the vibrator are radiated. The ultrasonic generating element 20 releases ultrasonic waves corresponding to the above-mentioned transmission signal in a specified direction. When the ultrasonic waves released from the ultrasonic generating element 20 in a specified direction are reflected by an object existing in the above-mentioned specified direction, the reflected waves generated by the reflection are received by the ultrasonic generating element 20 (wave reception). The ultrasonic generating element 20 converts the reflected waves (ultrasonic waves) received by itself into electrical signals. In addition, a method for calculating the distance based on the received waveform will be described later.

[0096] The transmission and reception circuit 40 includes a signal generation circuit 42 and a reception circuit 44. The ultrasonic wave generating element 20 and the transmission and reception circuit 40 of the monitoring device 10 function as an ultrasonic sensor.

[0097] The signal generating circuit 42 includes a circuit for driving the ultrasonic generating element 20 to generate ultrasonic waves. The signal generating circuit 42 includes, for example, an oscillation circuit for generating an AC signal and an amplifier circuit for supplying an amplified signal obtained by amplifying the AC signal generated by the oscillation circuit to the ultrasonic generating element 20. The signal generating circuit 42 drives the ultrasonic generating element 20 according to an instruction from the control unit 30.

[0098] The receiving circuit 44 includes, for example, an amplifier circuit, a low-pass filter circuit, and an AD conversion circuit. The amplifier circuit generates an amplified signal obtained by amplifying the reception signal generated by the ultrasonic generating element 20 when the ultrasonic generating element 20 receives ultrasonic waves (e.g., reflected waves). The low-pass filter circuit performs low-pass filtering to remove high-frequency components from the amplified signal generated by the amplifier circuit. The AD conversion circuit converts the signal after the high-frequency components are removed by the low-pass filter circuit (see Figure 5 , Figure 6) (a signal indicating a reception result) is converted into digital data and provided to the control unit 30. The receiving circuit 44 described here is just an example, and any structure can be used as long as it can provide a signal indicating a reception waveform of the receiving unit to the control unit 30. For example, the receiving circuit 44 can also be configured to convert the amplified signal generated by the above-mentioned amplifier circuit into digital data and provide it to the control unit 30.

[0099] The control unit 30 functions as a control unit that controls the overall operation of the monitoring device 10. The control unit 30 is an information processing device having various information processing functions such as a calculation function, a storage function, an input / output function, and a reading function. The control unit 30 is configured, for example, as a control device including an MCU (Micro Controller Unit). The control unit 30 may also include a memory, a timer, and the like.

[0100] The communication unit 32 is a device that communicates with an external device in a known wireless communication method or a wired communication method. For example, the communication unit 32 can communicate with the external device 190 in a known wireless communication method. The communication unit 32 cooperates with the control unit 30 to send various information to the external device 190. In addition, the communication unit 32 cooperates with the control unit 30 to receive various information from the external device 190.

[0101] The external device 190 is an information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer. The external device 190 has a display device (image display, etc.), a sound output device (speaker, etc.), a storage device, a communication device, etc. The external device 190 communicates with the monitoring device 10, has a function of receiving information from the monitoring device 10, and has a function of sending information to the monitoring device 10.

[0102] The notification unit 34 includes a display device for displaying information such as numbers and symbols, and also includes a sound output device such as a speaker.

[0103] 1-2. Distance measurement control

[0104] The monitoring device 10 is capable of Figure 4 In the monitoring device 10, a memory unit provided inside or outside the control unit 30 stores a memory unit for executing the distance measurement control. Figure 4 The control unit 30 executes the above program when the specified starting conditions are met, and performs the above program. Figure 4The above-mentioned "prescribed starting condition" may be a prescribed operation on an unillustrated operating unit provided on the monitoring device 10, or other conditions may be met (for example, the power is turned on, a predetermined reservation time arrives, etc.). In this embodiment, executing each evaluation action described later is also one of the "prescribed starting conditions".

[0105] The control unit 30 starts the process according to the establishment of the above-mentioned "predetermined start condition". Figure 4 First, the process of step S1 is performed. The process of step S1 is a process of causing the ultrasonic generating element 20 to generate ultrasonic waves, which is equivalent to an example of the irradiation process. The control unit 30 provides an instruction to the signal generating circuit 42 to cause the signal generating circuit 42 to drive the ultrasonic generating element 20 (generate ultrasonic waves).

[0106] The control unit 30 performs the process of step S2 after step S1. The process of step S2 is as follows: immediately after the ultrasonic wave generating element 20 generates ultrasonic waves by the process of step S1, the "signal indicating the reception result of the ultrasonic wave generating element 20" provided by the receiving circuit 44 is obtained for a certain period of time (predetermined monitoring time). Figure 5 , Figure 6 The “signal indicating the reception result of the ultrasonic generating element 20 ” is exemplified in the above. Figure 5 , Figure 6 The “signal indicating the reception result of the ultrasonic wave generating element 20 ” shown in FIG. 1 is a signal obtained by removing high-frequency components from an amplified signal obtained by amplifying a reception signal generated by the ultrasonic wave generating element 20 when receiving ultrasonic waves.

[0107] The control unit 30 performs the process of step S3 after step S2. The process of step S3 is a process of detecting the distance to the bladder fundus 112 based on the "signal indicating the reception result of the ultrasonic generating element 20" obtained in the process of step S2. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the ultrasonic wave generating element 20 (irradiation unit) irradiates the bladder base 112 of the user 100 with ultrasonic wave Wa, the ultrasonic wave generating element 20 (receiving unit) receives the reflected wave Wb (ultrasound wave) from the bladder base 112 based on the ultrasonic wave Wa from the ultrasonic wave generating element 20. In this case, the “signal indicating the reception result of the ultrasonic wave generating element 20” includes time information indicating the distance from the ultrasonic wave generating element 20 to the bladder base 112. In addition, in Figure 3 The process of step S2 performed in such a state corresponds to an example of a receiving step, and is a step of receiving, by the receiving unit, a reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave reflected by the bladder fundus 112 of the user 100 .

[0108] Specifically, the control unit 30 analyzes the "signal indicating the reception result of the ultrasound generating element 20" obtained in step S2 to detect the elapsed time from the "predetermined reference time" to the "time when the reflected wave from the bladder fundus 112 is detected".

[0109] exist Figure 5 , Figure 6 It is shown in Figure 3 As shown, the monitoring device 10 is placed on the lower abdomen of the user 100 so that the ultrasound reaches the bladder fundus 112 , and a reflection waveform (a waveform of a signal indicating a reception result of the ultrasound generating element 20 ) is generated when ultrasound is irradiated from the ultrasound generating element 20 toward the bladder 110 . Figure 5 This is the normal state where the user 100 relaxes the pelvic floor muscles 120 ( Figure 3 The above reflection waveform when (solid line state). Figure 6 This is a state where the user 100 has tightened the pelvic floor muscles 120 ( Figure 3 The above reflection waveform when the double dotted line is in the state. Figure 5 , Figure 6 In FIG. 1 , the reflected waveform R2 on the side close to the body surface of the user 100 (the body surface close to the monitoring device 10) is a reflected waveform from muscles, subcutaneous fat, the anterior wall of the bladder, etc. Figure 5 , the reflection waveform R1 on the side far from the body surface of the user 100 (the body surface close to the monitoring device 10) represents the bladder fundus 112 and the body tissue behind the bladder fundus 112. Since there is urine in the bladder 110, there is almost no reflection, indicating that the amplitude of the reflection intensity is low.

[0110] exist Figure 4 in the control of Figure 5 , Figure 6In the above-mentioned reflected waveform (the waveform of the signal indicating the reception result of the ultrasonic generating element 20), the initial rise time of the reflected wave is set as the reference time P. Furthermore, the time (elapsed time) from the reference time P to the end time of the reflected waveform R2 is set as Tf, and the time (elapsed time) from the reference time P to the rise time of the reflected waveform R1 is set as Tb. Then, the waveform in the range from the reference time P to the elapsed time Tb is set as the waveform in the range within the bladder 110. The "waveform in the range within the bladder 110" is defined in this way, and the level (amplitude level) of the peak in the "waveform in the range within the bladder 110" is set as the reference peak level. Furthermore, in the reflected waveform R1 having multiple peaks with an amplitude level greater than or equal to a specified multiple (for example, greater than or equal to 2 times the reference peak level) indicating the reference peak level, the peak closest to the reference time P (the earliest peak) is set as the peak indicating the position of the bladder base 112 (bladder base peak). Furthermore, the time T from the reference time P to the bladder base peak is set as the "value indicating the distance from the monitoring device 10 to the bladder base 112". In Figure 5 In the example of the waveform, time T is T1. Figure 6 In the example of the waveform of , the time T is Tt. In step S3, the value (time T) representing the distance from the monitoring device 10 to the bladder fundus 112 is detected in this way.

[0111] The control unit 30 performs the process of step S4 after the process of step S3. The process of step S4 is to Figure 4 After the control starts, it is judged whether the specified end condition has been met. In the representative example described below, the specified end condition is from the start Figure 4 However, the specified termination condition is not limited to this example, and the termination condition may also be, for example, Figure 4 The control unit 30 returns the process to step S1 if it is determined in step S4 that the predetermined end condition is not satisfied, and terminates the process if it is determined that the predetermined end condition is satisfied. Figure 4 The monitoring device 10 can be controlled by Figure 4 By such control, a waveform showing the temporal change of the "value indicating the distance from the monitoring device 10 to the bladder fundus 112" during the period from the satisfaction of the above-mentioned start condition to the satisfaction of the above-mentioned end condition is obtained.

[0112] 1-3. Evaluation control

[0113] The monitoring device 10 is capable of Figure 7Evaluation control as shown. Evaluation control is a control for calculating one or more evaluation values ​​related to the state of the pelvic floor muscles based on the parameter related to the position of the bladder base and presenting the calculated evaluation values ​​to the user. Specifically, the process of the monitoring device 10 performing the processing of steps S11 to S15 is an evaluation process for calculating one or more evaluation values ​​related to the state of the pelvic floor muscles based on the parameter related to the position of the bladder base. Moreover, the process of the monitoring device 10 performing the processing of step S16 is an evaluation value presentation process for presenting the evaluation value to the user. The monitoring system 1 is equivalent to an example of a pelvic floor muscle state evaluation system, and implements a pelvic floor muscle state evaluation method including such an evaluation process and an evaluation value presentation process. The control unit 30 is equivalent to an example of an evaluation unit, and performs a function such as performing an evaluation process. In addition, the control unit 30 is equivalent to an example of a measuring unit, and performs a function such as measuring various parameters based on the reception results of the ultrasonic generating element 20 (receiving unit). The process of the monitoring device 10 performing the processing of steps S11 to S15 is equivalent to an example of a measurement process, and is a process for measuring parameters based on the reception results of the ultrasonic generating element 20 (receiving unit) by the control unit 30 (measuring unit).

[0114] In the monitoring device 10, a storage unit provided inside or outside the control unit 30 stores a program for executing Figure 7 The control unit 30 executes the above-mentioned program when the condition for starting the evaluation control is met, and performs the above-mentioned program. Figure 7 The condition for starting the evaluation control may be a predetermined operation on an operation unit (not shown) provided in the monitoring device 10, or other conditions may be satisfied (for example, power is turned on, a predetermined reservation time arrives, etc.).

[0115] When the condition for starting the evaluation control is satisfied, the control unit 30 executes Figure 7 In step S11, the first evaluation control is performed. Figure 4 The control unit 30 performs the distance measurement control shown above and then analyzes the waveform obtained by the distance measurement control to calculate the evaluation value. When performing the first evaluation control, the control unit 30 first performs the distance measurement control above to obtain waveform data indicating the correspondence between the elapsed time from the start of the distance measurement control and the "value indicating the distance from the monitoring device 10 to the bladder fundus 112". The waveform data can be expressed as Figure 8 This is the value that shows the distance to the bladder bottom at each time. Figure 8 , Fig. 9 In the graph of , the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time, and the vertical axis represents the value indicating the distance to the bottom of the bladder.

[0116] It is desirable that the control unit 30 cooperates with the notification unit 34 to provide the user with an instruction for measuring the maximum lift amount when the distance measurement control is performed in the first evaluation control. The instruction for measuring the maximum lift amount is an instruction to convey the action that the user should perform in step S11, and is an instruction to convey the action that the user should perform when performing the distance measurement for calculating the maximum lift amount. The control unit 30 performs the first sound instruction during the period from the start of the distance measurement control with the start of the first evaluation control to the end of the distance measurement control. The first sound instruction is, for example, an instruction to repeat the sound output after the sound output for indicating normal breathing is performed. The sound output for indicating normal breathing is, for example, a sound output of a message "Please breathe normally" issued by the notification unit 34. The repeated sound output is, for example, a sound output of the following actions performed for a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times): the action of waiting for a certain time (for example, 5 seconds) after the sound output of "inhale" by the notification unit 34 is repeated alternately, and the action of waiting for a certain time (for example, 5 seconds) after the sound output of "exhale" by the notification unit 34 is repeated.

[0117] After performing such a first sound instruction, the control unit 30 performs a second sound instruction. The second sound instruction is, for example, a sound instruction of waiting for a certain time (for example, 5 seconds) after the notification unit 34 outputs a sound instruction of "Please contract while exhaling" to instruct to contract the pelvic floor muscles. Then, the control unit 30 performs a third sound instruction after such a second sound instruction. The third sound instruction is, for example, a sound instruction of waiting for a certain time (for example, 5 seconds) after the notification unit 34 outputs a sound instruction of "Please inhale and relax" to instruct to relax the pelvic floor muscles. After performing the first sound instruction, the control unit 30 alternately repeats the second sound instruction and the third sound instruction a predetermined number of times (for example, 5 times), thereby providing the user with instructions for measuring the maximum lifting amount.

[0118] In this way, when the control unit 30 provides the user with an instruction for measuring the maximum lift amount in the distance measurement control in the first evaluation control, for example, the maximum lift amount measurement instruction is obtained during the period in which the maximum lift amount measurement instruction is provided. Figure 8 , Fig. 9 That kind of waveform. Figure 8 , Fig. 9In the waveform of , the "convex waveform" shown as rising 1 to 5 is a convex waveform obtained at each second sound indication, and the "value decreasing waveform" after each convex waveform is a decreasing waveform obtained at each third sound indication. In such an example, when the control unit 30 performs the evaluation value calculation process after the distance measurement control, the maximum value Y1 of the "convex waveform" during the second sound indication is obtained, the minimum value Y2 of the "value decreasing waveform" obtained at the third sound indication immediately after the second sound indication is obtained, and the value ΔY1 of Y1-Y2 which is the difference between the maximum value Y1 and the minimum value Y2 is obtained. In addition, when the maximum value Y1 of the "convex waveform" is obtained, the maximum value in the period from the second sound indication to the first predetermined time or until the next third sound indication is obtained may be set as Y1. In addition, when the minimum value Y2 of the "value decreasing waveform" is obtained, the minimum value in the period from the third sound indication to the second predetermined time or until the next second sound indication is obtained may be set as Y2. Then, ΔY1 obtained in this way is set as the lift amount in the contraction action that produces the maximum value Y1 and the minimum value Y2 for calculating the ΔY1. Then, the control unit 30 obtains such a value ΔY1 (lift amount) for each contraction action (each second sound indication) in each contraction action, and sets the maximum value of the multiple values ​​ΔY1 (lift amount) obtained by each contraction action (each second sound indication) as the maximum lift amount Ym. In the present embodiment, the lift amount ΔY1 is equivalent to an example of a parameter, and is equivalent to an example of "the moving distance between the position of the bladder bottom in the relaxed state and the position of the bladder bottom in the contracted state in the action of switching the pelvic floor muscles between the relaxed state and the contracted state". The maximum lift amount Ym is equivalent to an example of an evaluation value, and is equivalent to an example of "the maximum value of the multiple moving distances measured in the above-mentioned actions a predetermined number of times". In addition, Figure 8 is an example of a normal contraction and relaxation movement. Fig. 9 This is an example of insufficient relaxation due to excessive tension. In the first evaluation control, the maximum lift amount can be calculated, but for example, the lift amount in each contraction action, the maximum value and the minimum value in each contraction action can also be obtained. In addition, the control unit 30 can also calculate the average value Ya of each ΔY1 (each lift amount) obtained for each contraction action. For example, in Figure 8 , Fig. 9 In the example of , the average value of five lift amounts ΔY1 obtained in five contraction operations can be calculated as the average value Ya.

[0119] After the control unit 30 performs the first evaluation control in step S11, it performs the second evaluation control in step S12. The second evaluation control is performed after the first evaluation control is performed. Figure 4The control unit 30 performs the above-mentioned distance measurement control to analyze the waveform obtained by the distance measurement control to calculate the evaluation value. When performing the second evaluation control, the control unit 30 first performs the above-mentioned distance measurement control to obtain waveform data indicating the correspondence between the elapsed time from the start of the distance measurement control and the "value indicating the distance from the monitoring device 10 to the bladder fundus 112".

[0120] It is desirable that the control unit 30 cooperates with the notification unit 34 to provide the user with an instruction for holding time measurement when the distance measurement control is performed in the second evaluation control. The instruction for holding time measurement is an instruction to convey the action that the user should perform in step S12, and is an instruction to convey the action that the user should perform based on the calculation of the holding time. In this example, the control unit 30 performs a fourth sound instruction during the period from the start of the distance measurement control with the start of the second evaluation control to the end of the distance measurement control. The fourth sound instruction can be, for example, the same as the first sound instruction. In this case, the fourth sound instruction is an instruction to repeat the sound output after the sound output for indicating normal breathing is performed. In this example, the sound output for indicating normal breathing is, for example, a sound output of the message "Please breathe normally" issued by the notification unit 34. The repeated sound output is, for example, a sound output that performs the following actions for a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times): the action of waiting for a certain time (for example, 5 seconds) after the sound output of "inhale" by the notification unit 34 is repeated alternately, and the action of waiting for a certain time (for example, 5 seconds) after the sound output of "exhale" by the notification unit 34 is repeated.

[0121] The control unit 30 performs the fifth sound instruction after the fourth sound instruction. The fifth sound instruction is, for example, a sound instruction to stand by for a certain time Tb (for example, 10 seconds) after the sound output "Please hold your breath and contract" instructs the contraction of the pelvic floor muscles. Then, the control unit 30 performs the sixth sound instruction after the fifth sound instruction. The sixth sound instruction is, for example, a sound instruction to stand by for a certain time (for example, 10 seconds) after the sound output "Please inhale and relax" instructs the relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles.

[0122] When the control unit 30 provides the user with the above-mentioned instruction for holding time measurement during the period of distance measurement control in the second evaluation control, for example, the distance measurement control is obtained during the period. Figure 10 to Figure 12 In addition, Fig.10 This is an example of a waveform when the endurance is normal. Fig.11 This is an example of a waveform when the endurance is weak. Fig.12 This is an example of a waveform in an overstressed situation.

[0123] exist Figure 10 to Figure 12In the waveform, the "convex waveform" is a waveform obtained during the fifth indication action. The "value decreasing waveform" is a decreasing waveform obtained during the sixth sound indication. In such an example, the maximum value in the "value decreasing waveform" is set as the reference value Y3 (baseline). And, the value of a specified ratio of the average value Ya calculated in the above-mentioned first evaluation control (for example, a value of 60% of the average value Ya) is set as the threshold value Ys. After setting the premise value in this way, the control unit 30 calculates the time when the threshold value Ys is exceeded in the above-mentioned "convex waveform", and sets the time as the holding time Te. In the present embodiment, each value determined in the "convex waveform" obtained by the second evaluation control is equivalent to an example of a parameter, and is equivalent to an example of "the movement distance of the bladder bottom based on the position of the bladder bottom in the relaxed state in the action of switching the pelvic floor muscle between the relaxed state and the contracted state". Moreover, the holding time Te is equivalent to an example of a parameter, and is equivalent to an example of "the elapsed time since the movement distance of the bladder bottom exceeds the threshold value". When calculating the time that exceeds the threshold value Ys in the above-mentioned "convex waveform", it is sufficient to calculate the time that exceeds the threshold value Ys in the above-mentioned fixed time Tb (for example, 10 seconds) when the fifth sound is indicated as Te. Then, the ratio (Te / Tb) of the holding time Te during the fifth sound indication to the above-mentioned fixed time is calculated as the value E indicating the endurance. The ratio (Te / Tb) can also be expressed as (Te / Tb)×100(%). The value E indicating the endurance is equivalent to an example of an evaluation value, and is equivalent to an example of the ratio of the above-mentioned elapsed time (holding time Te) to the specified time (fixed time Tb).

[0124] After the control unit 30 performs the second evaluation control in step S12, it performs the third evaluation control in step S13. The third evaluation control is performed after the second evaluation control is performed. Figure 4 The control unit 30 performs the above-mentioned distance measurement control to analyze the waveform obtained by the distance measurement control to calculate the evaluation value. When performing the third evaluation control, the control unit 30 first performs the above-mentioned distance measurement control to obtain waveform data indicating the correspondence between the elapsed time from the start of the distance measurement control and the "value indicating the distance from the monitoring device 10 to the bladder fundus 112".

[0125] It is desirable that the control unit 30 cooperates with the notification unit 34 to provide the user with instructions for explosive force measurement when the distance measurement control is performed in the third evaluation control. The instruction for explosive force measurement is an instruction to convey the action that the user should perform in step S13, and is an instruction to convey the action that the user should perform based on the calculation of the value representing the explosive force. In this example, the control unit 30 performs the seventh sound instruction during the period from the start of the distance measurement control with the start of the third evaluation control to the end of the distance measurement control. The seventh sound instruction can be, for example, the same as the first sound instruction. In this case, the seventh sound instruction is an instruction to repeat the sound output after the sound output for indicating normal breathing is performed. In this example, the sound output for indicating normal breathing is, for example, a sound output of a message "Please breathe normally" issued by the notification unit 34. The repeated sound output is, for example, a sound output that performs the following actions for a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times): the action of waiting for a certain time (for example, 5 seconds) after the sound output of "inhale" by the notification unit 34 is repeated alternately, and the action of waiting for a certain time (for example, 5 seconds) after the sound output of "exhale" by the notification unit 34 is repeated.

[0126] The control unit 30 performs the eighth and ninth sound instructions alternately after the seventh sound instruction. The eighth sound instruction is, for example, a sound instruction to stand by for a certain time Tc (for example, 1 second) after instructing to contract the pelvic floor muscles by outputting the sound "Please contract without stopping breathing". The ninth sound instruction is, for example, a sound instruction to stand by for a certain time (for example, 1 second) after instructing to relax the pelvic floor muscles by outputting the sound "Please relax without stopping breathing". The control unit 30 repeats the action of alternately performing the eighth and ninth sound instructions for a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times).

[0127] When the control unit 30 provides the user with the above-mentioned instruction for measuring explosive force during the period of performing the distance measurement control in the third evaluation control, for example, the information obtained during the period Figure 13 to Figure 15 In addition, Fig.13 This is an example of a waveform when the explosive force is normal. Fig.14 This is an example of a waveform when the explosive force is weak. Fig.15 This is an example of a waveform that occurs when you are overly tense and have weak explosive power.

[0128] In such an example, the maximum value among the plurality of "waveforms of value reduction" obtained during the plurality of ninth sound indications is set as the reference value Y4 (baseline). Furthermore, the value of the first predetermined ratio of the maximum lift amount Ym calculated in the above-mentioned first evaluation control (for example, a value of 60% of the maximum lift amount Ym) is set as the first threshold value Ys1. Furthermore, the value of the second predetermined ratio of the maximum lift amount Ym (for example, a value of 10% of the maximum lift amount Ym) is set as the second threshold value Ys2. After setting the premise value in this way, the control unit 30 counts the number of times Xr that the following condition is satisfied, which is "a combination of a time when the 'convex waveform' corresponding to the eighth sound indication is above the first threshold value for a first time (for example, 0.2 seconds) or more, and a time when the 'waveform of value reduction' corresponding to the ninth sound indication immediately after the eighth sound indication is below the second threshold value for a second time (for example, 0.2 seconds) or more". Then, the ratio (Xr / Xa) of the above number of times Xr to the total number of times Xa (for example, 10 times) of the actions of alternately performing the eighth sound indication and the ninth sound indication is calculated as a value indicating the burst amount. The ratio (Xr / Xa) can also be expressed as (Xr / Xa)×100(%).

[0129] In the present embodiment, each value determined in the above-mentioned waveform obtained by the third evaluation control is equivalent to an example of a parameter, and is equivalent to an example of "information indicating the position of the bladder base when an action of switching the pelvic floor muscle between a relaxed state and a contracted state is performed within a specified time." When the control unit 30 performs the above-mentioned action a specified number of times (for example, 10 times) in the third evaluation control, the control unit 30 determines whether the condition of "maintaining the bladder base in a specified proximity state within a specified time, and maintaining the bladder base in a specified separation state separated from the specified proximity state within a specified time" is satisfied for each of the above-mentioned actions based on the information indicating the position of the bladder base. The number Xr is equivalent to an example of an evaluation value, and is equivalent to an example of "the number of times the above-mentioned conditions are satisfied." In addition, the ratio (Xr / Xa) of the number Xr to the total number Xa (for example, 10 times) is also equivalent to an example of an evaluation value.

[0130] The control unit 30 performs the fourth evaluation control in step S14 after performing the third evaluation control in step S13. Figure 4 The control unit 30 performs the above-mentioned distance measurement control to analyze the waveform obtained by the distance measurement control to calculate the evaluation value. When performing the fourth evaluation control, the control unit 30 first performs the above-mentioned distance measurement control to obtain waveform data indicating the correspondence between the elapsed time from the start of the distance measurement control and the "value indicating the distance from the monitoring device 10 to the bladder fundus 112".

[0131] It is desirable that the control unit 30 cooperates with the notification unit 34 to provide the user with an instruction for measuring the state of relaxation when the distance measurement control is performed in the fourth evaluation control. The instruction for measuring the state of relaxation is an instruction to convey the action that the user should perform in step S14, and is an instruction to convey the action that the user should perform after calculating the value indicating the state of relaxation. In this example, the control unit 30 performs the tenth sound instruction during the period from when the distance measurement control is started with the start of the fourth evaluation control to when the distance measurement control is ended. The tenth sound instruction can be, for example, the same as the first sound instruction. In this case, the tenth sound instruction is an instruction to repeat the sound output after the sound output for indicating normal breathing is performed. In this example, the sound output for indicating normal breathing is, for example, a sound output of a message "Please breathe normally" issued by the notification unit 34. The repeated sound output is, for example, a sound output that performs the following actions for a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times): the action of waiting for a certain time (for example, 5 seconds) after the sound output of "inhale" by the notification unit 34 is repeated alternately, and the action of waiting for a certain time (for example, 5 seconds) after the sound output of "exhale" by the notification unit 34 is repeated alternately.

[0132] The control unit 30 performs the eleventh and twelfth voice instructions alternately after the tenth voice instruction. The eleventh voice instruction is, for example, a voice instruction to stand by for a certain time Td (e.g., 5 seconds) after instructing to contract the pelvic floor muscles by voice outputting "Please contract while exhaling". The twelfth voice instruction is, for example, a voice instruction to stand by for a certain time (e.g., 5 seconds) after instructing to relax the pelvic floor muscles by voice outputting "Please inhale and relax". The control unit 30 repeats the action of alternately performing the eleventh and twelfth voice instructions for a predetermined number of times (e.g., 5 times).

[0133] When the control unit 30 provides the user with the above-mentioned instruction for measuring explosive force during the period of performing the distance measurement control in the fourth evaluation control, for example, the data obtained during the period Fig.16 , Fig.17 In addition, Fig.16 This is an example of a waveform when the relaxed state is normal. Fig.17 This is an example of a waveform when one is overly tense and has weak endurance.

[0134] In such an example, the maximum value of the "waveform whose value decreases" obtained during the tenth sound instruction is set as the reference value Y5 (baseline). Then, each difference ΔY2 between each maximum value Rx of each "waveform whose value decreases" during each twelfth sound instruction and the reference value Y5 is obtained. Then, the reciprocal R of the maximum value of each difference ΔY2 is set as a value indicating a relaxed state.

[0135] In the present embodiment, each value determined in the waveform obtained by the fourth evaluation control corresponds to an example of a parameter, and corresponds to an example of "information indicating the position of the bladder base in the relaxed state in the operation of switching the pelvic floor muscle between the relaxed state and the contracted state". Furthermore, the inverse number R corresponds to an example of an evaluation value, and corresponds to an example of "information indicating the position of the bladder base at the maximum contraction degree in each of the positions of the bladder base in the relaxed state in the above operation for a predetermined number of times (for example, 5 times)".

[0136] The control unit 30 performs the fifth evaluation control in step S15 after performing the fourth evaluation control in step S14. Figure 4 The control unit 30 performs the distance measurement control described above and then analyzes the waveform obtained by the distance measurement control to calculate the evaluation value. When performing the fifth evaluation control, the control unit 30 first performs the distance measurement control described above to obtain waveform data indicating the correspondence between the elapsed time from the start of the distance measurement control and the "value indicating the distance from the monitoring device 10 to the bladder fundus 112".

[0137] It is desirable that the control unit 30, when performing the distance measurement control in the fifth evaluation control, cooperates with the notification unit 34 to provide the user with an instruction for measuring the excessive stress state. The instruction for measuring the excessive stress state is an instruction to convey the action that the user should perform in step S15, and is an instruction to convey the action that the user should perform based on the calculation of the value indicating the excessive stress state. In this example, the control unit 30 performs the thirteenth sound instruction during the period from the start of the distance measurement control with the start of the fifth evaluation control to the end of the distance measurement control. The thirteenth sound instruction is, for example, an instruction to repeat the sound output after the sound output for instructing normal breathing is performed. In this example, the sound output for instructing normal breathing is, for example, a sound output of a message "Please breathe normally" issued by the notification unit 34. The repeated sound output is, for example, a sound output that performs the following actions for a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times): the action of waiting for a certain time (for example, 5 seconds) after the sound output of "Please exhale in a relaxed state" by the notification unit 34 is repeated alternately, and the action of waiting for a certain time (for example, 5 seconds) after the sound output of "Please inhale" by the notification unit 34 is repeated.

[0138] The control unit 30 performs the fourteenth and fifteenth voice instructions alternately after the thirteenth voice instruction. The fourteenth voice instruction is, for example, a voice instruction for standing by for a certain time Tf (for example, 5 seconds) after instructing to lower the pelvic floor muscles downward by voice outputting "Please push harder". The fifteenth voice instruction is, for example, a voice instruction for standing by for a certain time (for example, 5 seconds) after instructing to relax the pelvic floor muscles by voice outputting "Please do not push harder and relax". The control unit 30 repeats the action of alternately performing the fourteenth and fifteenth voice instructions a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times).

[0139] When the control unit 30 provides the user with the above-mentioned instruction for explosive force measurement during the period of distance measurement control in the fifth evaluation control, for example, the explosive force measurement result is obtained during the period. Fig.18 , Fig.19 In addition, Fig.18 This is an example of a normal waveform with low levels of overstress. Fig.19 This is an example of a waveform when the level of overstress is high.

[0140] In such an example, for example, the maximum value of the waveform obtained during the period of the thirteenth sound instruction is set as the reference value Y6 (baseline). Then, the maximum value of each "waveform with rising value" during each fifteenth sound instruction is set as the reference, and the difference ΔY2 between the maximum value and each minimum value of each "waveform with falling value" during each fourteenth sound instruction is calculated. Then, when the maximum value of these differences is greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that "the state is not tense", and when the maximum value of these differences is less than the predetermined threshold, it is determined that "the state is tense".

[0141] The control unit 30 performs presentation control in step S16 after step S15 to display the evaluation results obtained by the evaluation control of steps S11 to S15 on the display device included in the notification unit 34. The presentation control performed in step S16 is equivalent to an example of an image output process, which is a process of outputting an evaluation image reflecting the evaluation value calculated in the above-mentioned evaluation process. When the control unit 30 performs presentation control in step S16, the maximum lifting amount Ym is directly displayed or displayed after conversion as a value representing power, the value E representing stamina is directly displayed or displayed after conversion as a value representing stamina, the ratio of the number of times Xr (Xr / Xa) is directly displayed or displayed after conversion as a value representing explosive power, and the above-mentioned inverse R is directly displayed or displayed after conversion as a value representing relaxation. "Direct display" means displaying the value itself as a numerical value, and "display after conversion" means displaying the value as a level, or displaying it as a curve graph, etc. As display examples, for example, Fig. 20 Such display method, Fig.21 That's the display method. Fig. 20 , Fig.21 In the example of FIG. 1 , each value of each evaluation item measured by the evaluation control of steps S11 to S15 or a graph capable of identifying the level of each value is displayed in comparison with a target value of each evaluation item.

[0142] exist Fig. 20 , Fig.21 The image illustrated in exemplifies an example of an evaluation image reflecting the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation step.

[0143] The control unit 30 may also present a training method in step S16. In the present embodiment, the control unit 30 functioning as a determination unit has a training determination method corresponding to the type of evaluation value, and the training determination method is used to specify a training method that improves the evaluation value of the corresponding type, and is specified in a manner that the lower the evaluation value of the corresponding type, the greater the intensity of the training method is determined. For example, the training determination method corresponding to the maximum improvement amount is used to specify a training method that improves the evaluation value of the corresponding type (maximum improvement amount), and is specified in a manner that the lower the evaluation value of the corresponding type (maximum improvement amount), the greater the intensity of the training method is determined. Similarly, the training determination method corresponding to the value representing endurance is used to specify a training method that improves the evaluation value of the corresponding type (value representing endurance), and is specified in a manner that the lower the evaluation value of the corresponding type (value representing endurance), the greater the intensity of the training method is determined. Then, in the presentation control of step S16, which is equivalent to an example of the determination process and the training presentation process, the control unit 30 performs a determination process based on the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation process to determine the training method according to the training determination method corresponding to the type of the evaluation value, and performs a training presentation process of presenting the training method of the pelvic floor muscles determined in the determination process to the user. In this embodiment, "training time" is used as an indicator of the intensity of the training method. Therefore, a training method with a longer training time is a training method with a higher intensity.

[0144] For example, when the maximum lift amount Ym obtained in the evaluation process is less than the threshold value Yth, two sets of exercise programs A for increasing the maximum lift amount Ym may be presented as being added to the exercise menu, and when the maximum lift amount Ym obtained in the evaluation process is greater than the threshold value Yth, one set of exercise programs A for increasing the maximum lift amount Ym may be presented as being added to the exercise menu. In this way, in the evaluation process, when the maximum lift amount Ym is less than the threshold value Yth, a training method is determined in which the training time of the exercise program A is longer than when the maximum lift amount Ym is greater than the threshold value Yth, and when the maximum lift amount Ym is greater than the threshold value Yth, a training method is determined in which the training time of the exercise program A is relatively short, and the content of the training method determined in this way can be notified to the user through text information, messages, etc. using the display device and the sound output unit included in the notification unit 34. Alternatively, when the value E indicating the endurance obtained in the evaluation process is less than the threshold value Eth, two sets of exercise programs B for improving endurance may be presented as being added to the exercise menu, and when the value E obtained in the evaluation process is greater than the threshold value Eth, one set of exercise programs B for improving endurance may be presented as being added to the exercise menu. In this way, in the evaluation process, when the value E is less than the threshold value Eth, a training method is determined in which the training time of the exercise program B is longer than when the value E is greater than the threshold value Eth, and when the value E is greater than the threshold value Eth, a training method is determined in which the training time of the exercise program B is relatively shorter, and the training method determined in this way can be notified to the user using the display device and the sound output unit included in the notification unit 34. Alternatively, it may be that when the value indicating the explosive power obtained in the evaluation process (the ratio of the number of times Xr (Xr / Xa)) is less than the threshold value Zth, two sets of exercise programs C for improving explosive power are added to the exercise menu, and when the value indicating the explosive power obtained in the evaluation process is greater than the threshold value Zth, one set of exercise programs C for improving explosive power is added to the exercise menu. In this way, in the evaluation process, when the value indicating explosive power is less than the threshold value Zth, a training method is determined in which the training time of the exercise program C is longer than that in the case where the value indicating explosive power is greater than the threshold value Zth, and when the value indicating explosive power is greater than the threshold value Zth, a training method is determined in which the training time of the exercise program C is relatively shorter, and the display device and the sound output unit included in the notification unit 34 can be used to notify the user of the training method determined in this way. Alternatively, it can also be that when the value R indicating relaxation obtained in the evaluation process is less than the threshold value Rth, two sets of exercise programs D for improving the relaxation state are added to the exercise menu, and when the value R obtained in the evaluation process is greater than the threshold value Rth, one set of exercise programs D for improving the relaxation state is added to the exercise menu.In this way, in the evaluation process, when the value R indicating relaxation is less than the threshold value Rth, a training method is determined in which the training time of the exercise program D is longer than the case where the value R indicating relaxation is greater than the threshold value Rth, and when the value R indicating relaxation is greater than the threshold value Rth, a training method is determined in which the training time of the exercise program D is relatively shorter. The training method determined in this way can be notified to the user by using the display device and the sound output unit included in the notification unit 34. In addition, in the presentation control of step S16, the control unit 30 can also perform presentation control so that the specific contents of the exercise programs A, B, C, and D determined in this way are displayed in the display device included in the notification unit 34 at the same time or in sequence. In the above-mentioned specific example, "training time" is illustrated as an indicator of the intensity of the training method, but it is not limited to this example. The indicator of the intensity of the training method can be the number of training sessions or other indicators.

[0145] The control unit 30 may also perform a transition output process to output the transition of the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation process for the user when the evaluation value of the specific user is measured multiple times in the above-mentioned evaluation process. The timing of starting the transition output process may be the timing of the arrival of a predetermined period (predetermined time, etc.), the timing of performing a predetermined operation in the monitoring device 10, or other timings. For example, it may be the timing of starting the transition output process when the evaluation value of the specific user is measured intermittently for a long time. Figure 7 In the case of such evaluation control, the change of the evaluation value is displayed by the display device included in the notification unit 34, so that Fig. 22 , Fig.23 In this way, the values ​​of specific evaluation values ​​(for example, the maximum lift amount Ym, the value E indicating the endurance, etc.) at each period are shown in the graph. Fig. 22 The curve graph shows the change of an indicator (for example, the maximum lift amount Ym). Fig.23 The curve graph shows the changes of two indicators (for example, the maximum lift amount Ym and the value E indicating the endurance). Fig. 22 , Fig.23 This is an example of a method for displaying a transition. As long as it is a method that can display a transition, other methods (for example, Fig. 22 , Fig.23 various other types of graphs, tables, etc.).

[0146] The monitoring system 1, which is an example of a state evaluation system, may be configured to include a single wearable device (monitoring device 10), but may also be configured to include multiple wearable devices (monitoring device 10). Fig.24In this way, the system is configured to include multiple monitoring devices 10 and an external device 190. In this case, the external device 190 may be configured as a cloud server, for example. In this example, the external device 190 functions as a recording unit, and is capable of recording data of evaluation values ​​of multiple users. Moreover, the monitoring system 1 is also capable of performing a relative evaluation output process, in which the relative evaluation of a user as an object among multiple users is output based on the data accumulated in the external device 190 (recording unit). The timing for the monitoring system 1 to start the relative evaluation output process may be the timing of the arrival of a predetermined period (predetermined time, etc.), the timing of performing a predetermined operation in the monitoring device 10 or the external device 190, or other timings.

[0147] For example, the external device 190 can continuously acquire data (e.g., measured waveforms, data of evaluation items, answers to inquiries related to user conditions, etc.) from multiple monitoring devices 10 that can communicate with the external device 190, and perform statistical processing on the data obtained from each monitoring device 10. For example, the average value of each evaluation item in all monitoring devices 10 within a specified period may be calculated, or the best score, distribution, etc. of each evaluation item may be calculated. Alternatively, stratification and other processing may be performed for each user group. The external device 190 can send information indicating the result of such statistical processing to each monitoring device 10, and each monitoring device 10 may also display the result of the statistical processing on the display device included in the notification unit 34 based on the information provided from the external device 190. Fig.24 1 shows an example of classifying user groups, but the classification method is not particularly limited, and the user groups can be stratified by various methods based on the user's medical consultation content, attributes, measurement result values, etc. When the statistical processing results are displayed in the notification unit 34 of the monitoring device 10, Fig.24 The statistical data such as the average value, the best score, and the distribution of each evaluation item in all the monitoring devices 10 included in the monitoring system 1 are displayed on the notification unit 34 of the monitoring device 10 that performs the display. In this case, the monitoring device 10 that performs the display displays the evaluation value of each evaluation item of the user (target user) holding the monitoring device 10 through text information, graphics, etc., while displaying the above average value and the above statistical data, or in a manner that displays the above average value and the above statistical data separately, thereby being able to output information indicating the relative evaluation of the user.

[0148] 1-4. Effect examples

[0149] In the pelvic floor muscle status evaluation method involved in this embodiment, it is possible to calculate one or more evaluation values ​​related to the status of the pelvic floor muscles based on parameters related to the position of the bladder base, and present the evaluation values ​​to the user, thereby being able to present quantitative evaluation results related to the status of the pelvic floor muscles to the user.

[0150] In the state evaluation method according to the present embodiment, the parameters related to the position of the bladder base can be measured based on the reception result obtained by irradiating the user's body with ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic wave generating element 20 corresponding to the irradiation unit and receiving the reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves. Therefore, the state evaluation method can measure the parameters related to the position of the bladder base while suppressing invasion, and present the user with the quantitative evaluation results related to the state of the pelvic floor muscles.

[0151] In the state evaluation method involved in this embodiment, the training method of the pelvic floor muscles can be determined based on the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation process, so the training method can be more appropriately determined by reflecting the quantitative evaluation results related to the state of the pelvic floor muscles. In addition, in the state evaluation method, the training method determined in this way can be presented to the user, so the user can adopt an appropriate training method obtained by reflecting the state of his or her own pelvic floor muscles in his or her own training.

[0152] In the state evaluation method involved in this embodiment, it is easy to determine a training method that improves the evaluation value of any type when the evaluation value of that type is calculated. Moreover, in this state evaluation method, it is easy to determine a training method with a higher intensity as the evaluation value is lower, so it is easy to determine the training method in accordance with the degree of the quantitative index (evaluation value) related to the state of the user's pelvic floor muscles.

[0153] In the state evaluation method according to the present embodiment, by performing the first evaluation control, it is possible to quantitatively evaluate the maximum extent to which the pelvic floor muscles can be moved when the user performs the action of switching the pelvic floor muscles between the relaxed state and the contracted state a plurality of times.

[0154] The state evaluation method according to this embodiment performs the second evaluation control to quantitatively evaluate how long the contracted state can be maintained such that the movement distance exceeds the threshold when the user performs an action to switch the pelvic floor muscles between the relaxed state and the contracted state.

[0155] In the state evaluation method according to the present embodiment, by performing the third evaluation control, it is possible to quantitatively evaluate the explosive power of the user when performing an action of switching the pelvic floor muscles between the relaxed state and the contracted state a predetermined number of times.

[0156] In the state evaluation method according to the present embodiment, by performing the fourth evaluation control, it is possible to quantitatively evaluate the degree of relaxation in the relaxed state when the user performs an action to switch the pelvic floor muscles between the relaxed state and the contracted state.

[0157] In the condition evaluation method according to the present embodiment, an evaluation image reflecting the evaluation value can be output, so the user can visually understand the condition of his / her pelvic floor muscles through the evaluation image.

[0158] In the condition evaluation method according to the present embodiment, it is possible to quantitatively show how the condition of the user's pelvic floor muscles changes.

[0159] In the state evaluation method according to the present embodiment, the relative evaluation of the target user can be output, and thus it is easy to contribute to improving the state of the target user.

[0160] The monitoring system 1 can measure parameters related to the position of the bladder fundus by having the user wear a wearable device having an ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit. Therefore, it is easier for the user to exercise when measuring the parameters.

[0161] <Other Implementation Methods>

[0162] The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described in the above description and the accompanying drawings. For example, the features of the above or later embodiments can be combined in all ways within the scope of non-contradiction. In addition, any feature in the above or later embodiments can be omitted if it is not clearly indicated as a required feature. In addition, the above embodiments can also be changed as follows.

[0163] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the irradiation part and the receiving part are both constituted by a common ultrasonic wave generating element, but the present invention is not limited to this example. In any example, the piezoelectric element constituting the irradiation part and the piezoelectric element constituting the receiving part may be different.

[0164] In the evaluation method according to the above-mentioned embodiment, the first to fifth evaluation controls are performed according to Figure 7 However, the order of performing the first evaluation control to the fifth evaluation control may also be the same as Figure 7 In addition, any one of the first to fifth evaluation controls may be omitted.

[0165] In the above-described embodiment, an example of a method of measuring the distance to the bladder bottom based on the acquired waveform is shown, but the method of measuring the distance to the bladder bottom based on the waveform is not limited to this example, and other methods may be used.

[0166] The training decision method used in the state evaluation method involved in the above-mentioned embodiment is a method such as "the lower the evaluation value of the corresponding type, the greater the intensity of the training method is determined", but it is not limited to this example. For example, when the evaluation values ​​of the first type (for example, the maximum lift) and the second type (for example, the value representing endurance) are obtained, even when the evaluation value of the first type is low, the evaluation value of the second type can be given priority to determine the training method suitable for the evaluation value of the second type. In this decision method, it is not necessary to use a decision method such as "the lower the evaluation value of the first type, the training method is determined in a manner that increases the intensity of the 'training method that improves the evaluation value of the first type'", or a training method that improves the evaluation value of the first type may not be used. The example described here is just an example, and various decision methods can be used.

[0167] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the pelvic floor muscle status evaluation system (monitoring system 1) is configured with the external device 190, but the pelvic floor muscle status evaluation system may be configured without the external device 190. For example, the pelvic floor muscle status evaluation system may be configured with only the monitoring device 10.

[0168] In the above-described embodiment, the evaluation unit is provided in the monitoring device 10 (wearable device), but the evaluation unit may be provided in the external device 190 that communicates with the wearable device.

[0169] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the notification unit 34 is a structure including a display device and a sound output unit, but the notification unit 34 may also include a lamp, a vibration device, etc. In the case where the notification unit 34 includes a lamp, instructions and information can be conveyed to the outside through a flashing state, a flashing speed, a lit color, etc., and if it is a vibration device, instructions and information can be conveyed to the outside through a vibration pattern, a vibration intensity, etc.

[0170] The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0171] Description of Reference Numerals

[0172] 1: Monitoring system (pelvic floor muscle status evaluation system); 10: Monitoring device (wearable device); 12: Wearable body; 20: Ultrasonic wave generating element (irradiation unit, receiving unit, ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit); 30: Control unit (measuring unit, determining unit); 100: User; 110: Bladder; 112: Bladder base; 114: Bladder side wall; 190: External device.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating the state of pelvic floor muscles, comprising the following steps: an evaluation step of calculating one or more evaluation values ​​related to the state of the pelvic floor muscles based on the parameter related to the position of the bladder bottom; and The evaluation value presenting step presents the evaluation value to the user.

2. The method for evaluating the state of the pelvic floor muscles according to claim 1, wherein: The following steps are performed using an ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit having an irradiating unit for irradiating ultrasonic waves and a receiving unit for receiving reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves: an irradiation step of irradiating the ultrasonic wave from the irradiation portion; A receiving step of receiving, by the receiving unit, the reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave reflected at the bottom of the bladder of the user; and In the measuring step, the measuring unit measures the parameter based on the reception result of the receiving unit.

3. The method for evaluating the state of the pelvic floor muscles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: It also includes the following processes: a determining step of determining, by a determining unit, a training method for the pelvic floor muscles based on the evaluation value calculated in the evaluating step; as well as A training presenting step of presenting the training method for the pelvic floor muscles determined in the determining step to the user.

4. The method for evaluating the state of the pelvic floor muscles according to claim 3, wherein: The determination unit includes a training determination method corresponding to the type of the evaluation value. The training determination method is used to determine a training method that increases the evaluation value of the corresponding type, and is determined in such a way that a training method with a greater intensity is determined as the evaluation value of the corresponding type is lower. In the determination step, a training method is determined according to the training determination method corresponding to a type of the evaluation value based on the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation step.

5. The method for evaluating the state of the pelvic floor muscles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The parameter includes a movement distance between the position of the bladder bottom in the relaxed state and the position of the bladder bottom in the contracted state in the operation of switching the pelvic floor muscle between the relaxed state and the contracted state, In the evaluation step, a maximum value among a plurality of the moving distances measured in a predetermined plurality of operations is calculated as the evaluation value.

6. The method for evaluating the state of the pelvic floor muscles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The parameters include a movement distance of the bladder bottom based on the position of the bladder bottom in the relaxed state and an elapsed time from when the movement distance exceeds a threshold value in the action of switching the pelvic floor muscle between a relaxed state and a contracted state, In the evaluation step, a ratio of the elapsed time to a predetermined time is calculated as the evaluation value.

7. The method for evaluating the state of the pelvic floor muscles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The parameter includes information indicating the position of the bladder bottom when an action is performed to switch the pelvic floor muscle between a relaxed state and a contracted state within a predetermined time. In the evaluation process, when the action is performed a specified number of times, based on the information indicating the position of the bladder base, whether the following conditions are satisfied is determined for each of the actions, and the number of times the conditions are satisfied is calculated as the evaluation value, wherein the conditions are maintained in a specified proximity state for a specified time and maintained in a specified separation state that is separated from the specified proximity state for a specified time.

8. The method for evaluating the state of the pelvic floor muscles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The parameter includes information indicating the position of the bladder bottom in the relaxed state during the operation of switching the pelvic floor muscles between the relaxed state and the contracted state. In the evaluation step, information on a position where the degree of contraction of the bladder base is the greatest among the positions of the bladder base in the respective relaxation states in the actions performed a predetermined number of times is calculated as an evaluation value.

9. The method for evaluating the state of the pelvic floor muscles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The pelvic floor muscle condition evaluation method further includes an image output step of outputting an evaluation image reflecting the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation step.

10. The method for evaluating the state of the pelvic floor muscles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The pelvic floor muscle state evaluation method further includes a transition output step of outputting a transition of the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation step when the evaluation value of the user is measured a plurality of times in the evaluation step.

11. The method for evaluating the state of the pelvic floor muscles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The relative evaluation output step is performed using a recording unit that records the evaluation value data of each user among the plurality of users. In the relative evaluation output step, a relative evaluation for a target user among the plurality of users is output based on the data accumulated in the recording unit.

12. A pelvic floor muscle status evaluation system, comprising: performing the pelvic floor muscle status evaluation method according to claim 2, The pelvic floor muscle status evaluation system comprises: a wearable device having the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit, wherein the wearable device is worn on the body of the user; and the measuring unit; and an evaluation unit that performs the evaluation process, The measuring unit is provided in the wearable device. The evaluation unit is provided in at least one of the wearable device and an external device that communicates with the wearable device.

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