Humidification control system, respiration assistance system, humidification control method, and humidification control program

Abstract

To provide a humidification control system and the like capable of humidifying intake gas by suppressing running costs.SOLUTION: A humidification control system includes: an intake gas sensor 30 that measures a flow rate of intake gas G1; and a control device 32 that controls a humidifier 2 on the basis of a measurement value of the intake gas sensor 30. The control device 32 includes: an intake estimation unit that estimates intake start timing on the basis of the measurement value of the intake gas sensor 30; an exhalation estimation unit that estimates exhalation start timing on the basis of the measurement value of the intake gas sensor 30; a water supply instruction unit that starts supply of water from a pump of the humidifier 2 to a heater before the intake start on the basis of the estimated intake start timing; a heater output increase instruction unit that increases output of the heater before the intake start on the basis of the estimated intake start timing; and a heater output decrease instruction unit that decreases output of the heater before the exhalation start on the basis of the estimated exhalation start timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a humidification control system for controlling a humidification device in a respiratory assistance device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a respiratory therapy called "high flow oxygen therapy" to support the breathing of patients with some kind of respiratory problems. This respiratory therapy supplies humidified inhalation gas at a high flow rate to the patient, making it possible to reduce the patient's work of breathing.

[0003] Here, Patent Document 1 describes a respiratory assistance device used in high-flow oxygen therapy. As shown in Patent Document 1, this type of respiratory assistance device is provided with a humidifying device that is composed of a tank that stores liquid water and a heater that heats the water in the tank, in order to supply humidified inhaled gas to the patient. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-119922 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in conventional humidifiers such as those described in Patent Document 1, water vapor is generated by heating the entire water stored in the tank, and it is difficult to intentionally change the amount of water evaporation. In other words, it is difficult to generate water vapor at the timing when humidification is required, and water vapor is constantly generated, which wastes heater power. Furthermore, since water is constantly evaporating, the amount of water supplied is large, and the cost of preparing water is high when using pure water to prevent scale adhesion to the tank, for example. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides a humidification control system, a respiratory assistance system, a humidification control method, and a humidification control program that are capable of humidifying intake gas while reducing running costs.

[0007] A humidification control system according to one aspect of the present invention is a humidification control system that controls a humidification device that converts liquid water supplied by a pump into water vapor by electromagnetic induction heating in a heater and adds the water vapor to the inhaled gas supplied to the respiratory organs of a user, and includes a breathing sensor that measures at least one of the user's inhalation and exhalation, and a control device that controls the humidification device based on the measurement value of the breathing sensor, and the control device includes an inhalation estimation unit that estimates the timing of the inhalation based on the measurement value of the breathing sensor, an exhalation estimation unit that estimates the timing of the exhalation based on the measurement value of the breathing sensor, a water supply instruction unit that starts the supply of liquid water from the pump to the heater before the start of the inhalation based on the estimated timing of the inhalation, a heater output increase instruction unit that increases the output of the heater before the start of the inhalation based on the estimated timing of the inhalation, and a heater output decrease instruction unit that decreases the output of the heater before the start of the exhalation based on the estimated timing of the exhalation.

[0008] In the above-mentioned humidification control system, the control device may further include a water supply stop instruction unit that stops the supply of the liquid water from the pump to the heater before the start of the exhalation based on the estimated timing of the exhalation.

[0009] In the above humidification control system, the respiratory sensor may be a gas sensor that measures the pressure or flow rate of at least one of the inhaled gas and the exhaled gas of the user.

[0010] The above-mentioned humidification control system further includes an intake gas humidity sensor that measures the humidity of the intake gas after humidification by the humidification device, and the water supply stop instruction unit of the control device may adjust the timing for stopping the supply of the liquid water so that the measurement value of the intake gas humidity sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined target value when the user inhales.

[0011] In the above-mentioned humidification control system, the control device may further include a respiratory data generation unit that generates respiratory data of the user based on the measurement value of the respiratory sensor, and the respiratory data generation unit may update the respiratory data at predetermined time intervals.

[0012] In the above humidification control system, the heater output increase instructing unit may increase the output of the heater before the water supply instructing unit starts supplying water from the pump to the heater.

[0013] In the above humidification control system, the heater output reduction instructing unit may reduce the output of the heater after the water supply stop instructing unit stops the supply of water from the pump to the heater.

[0014] A respiratory assistance system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a respiratory assistance device that supplies inhaled gas to a user's respiratory organs, a humidifier that is constituted by a pump that pressurizes liquid water, a heater that heats the water from the pump by electromagnetic induction heating to generate water vapor, and a humidification space that brings the water vapor into contact with the inhaled gas, and the above-mentioned humidification control system that controls the humidifier.

[0015] A humidification control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a humidification control method for controlling a humidification device that converts liquid water supplied by a pump into water vapor by electromagnetic induction heating in a heater and adds the water vapor to the inhaled gas supplied to the respiratory organs of a user, and includes an inhalation estimation step of estimating the timing of the user's inhalation based on the measurement value of a breathing sensor, an exhalation estimation step of estimating the timing of the user's exhalation based on the measurement value of the breathing sensor, a water supply instruction step of starting the supply of liquid water from the pump to the heater before the start of the inhalation based on the estimated timing of the inhalation, a heater output increase instruction step of increasing the output of the heater before the start of the inhalation based on the estimated timing of the inhalation, and a heater output decrease instruction step of decreasing the output of the heater before the start of the exhalation based on the estimated timing of the exhalation.

[0016] A humidification control program according to one embodiment of the present invention causes a computer to function as an inhalation estimation means for estimating the timing of the user's inhalation based on the measurement value of a breathing sensor, an exhalation estimation means for estimating the timing of the user's exhalation based on the measurement value of the breathing sensor, a water supply instruction means for starting the supply of liquid water from the pump to the heater before the start of inhalation based on the estimated timing of the inhalation, a heater output increase instruction means for increasing the output of the heater before the start of inhalation based on the estimated timing of the inhalation, and a heater output decrease instruction means for decreasing the output of the heater before the start of exhalation based on the estimated timing of the exhalation, in order to convert liquid water supplied by a pump into water vapor by electromagnetic induction heating in a heater and add the water vapor to the inhaled gas supplied to the user's respiratory organs. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the above-described humidification control system, respiratory assistance system, humidification control method, and humidification control program, it is possible to humidify the intake gas while suppressing running costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a respiratory assistance system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a humidifier in the respiratory assistance system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a control device in the respiratory assistance system. [Figure 4] 4 is a timing chart showing the respiratory data acquired during humidification control in the respiratory assistance system, the humidity of the inhaled gas, and the timing of control of each device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. (Overall composition) 1, a respiratory assistance system 100 of this embodiment is used for respiratory therapy such as high-flow therapy. Specifically, the respiratory assistance system 100 includes a respiratory assistance device 1 that supplies inhaled gas G1 to the respiratory organs of a user U, a humidifier 2 that adds moisture to the inhaled gas G1, and a humidification control system 3 that controls the humidifier.

[0020] (breathing assistance device) The respiratory assistance device 1 includes a device main body 10 including a blower 11, a respiratory gas circuit 12 which is a conduit for guiding the inhaled gas G1 sent by the blower 11 toward a user U, and a respiratory interface 13 which can be worn by the user U and supplies the inhaled gas G1 from the respiratory gas circuit 12 to the respiratory organs of the user U. The respiratory interface 13 is arranged, for example, near the nose and / or mouth of the user U, and a nasal cannula, Venturi mask, or the like is used. In this embodiment, the exhaled gas G2 from the user U does not flow into the respiratory gas circuit 12, but is released directly into the atmosphere.

[0021] (humidifier) The humidifier 2 is provided between the device main body 10 and the breathing interface 13 in the respiratory gas circuit 12, and is a device that humidifies the intake gas G1 flowing through the respiratory gas circuit 12. As an example, as shown in Fig. 2, the humidifier 2 has a housing 20 that forms a humidification space S inside, an intake gas inlet section 21 and an intake gas outlet section 22 that are formed in the housing 20 and communicate with the humidification space S, a heater 23 that is arranged adjacent to the humidification space S in the housing 20, and a water supply section 24 that supplies liquid water W into the housing 20 toward the heater 23.

[0022] The inspiration gas inlet port 21 and the inspiration gas outlet port 22 are connected to the breathing gas circuit 12 . The water supply unit 24 has a tank 25 that stores water W in a liquid state, a pump (micropump) 26 that pumps the water W in the tank 25, and an actuator 27 such as a solenoid that switches between supplying and stopping the supply of water to the heater 23 by opening and closing a water flow path C between the pump 26 and the housing 20. The actuator 27 is controlled by a water supply instruction unit 303 and a water supply stop instruction unit 305 of the control device 32, which will be described in detail later.

[0023] The heater 23 is an IH heater that generates steam by heating water pumped by the pump 26 through electromagnetic induction, and is a heater with excellent responsiveness. That is, the heater 23 has a coil 200 that generates a magnetic field, a heating element 201 formed of, for example, a porous metal body, an insulator 202 that provides electrical insulation between the coil 200 and the heating element 201, and ferrite 203 that is a magnetic body that increases the efficiency of the magnetic coupling between the coil 200 and the heating element 201. When the water W pumped by the pump 26 comes into contact with the heating element 201, the generated heated steam flows into the humidifying space S and comes into contact with the intake gas G1, thereby humidifying and heating the intake gas G1.

[0024] (Humidification control system) Next, the humidification control system 3 will be described in detail. Returning to Figure 1, the humidification control system 3 includes an intake gas sensor 30 (breathing sensor) that measures the flow rate of the intake gas G1, an intake gas humidity sensor 31 that measures the humidity of the intake gas G1, and a control device 32 that controls the humidification device 2 based on the measurement values ​​of the intake gas sensor 30 and the intake gas humidity sensor 31.

[0025] The intake gas sensor 30 is provided between the blower 11 and the humidifier 2 in the respiratory gas circuit 12, and measures the flow rate of the intake gas G1 in real time.

[0026] The inhaled gas humidity sensor 31 is provided in the respiratory gas circuit 12 between the respiratory interface 13 and the humidifier 2, and measures the humidity of the inhaled gas G1 after it has been humidified by the humidifier 2 in real time.

[0027] The control device 32 is provided in the device body 10 of the respiratory assistance device 1, and acquires the measured values ​​of the inhaled gas sensor 30 and the inhaled gas humidity sensor 31 to control the humidifier 2 and also controls the blower 11. In other words, the control device 32 is a computer composed of a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., and executes various controls. The CPU is a so-called central processing unit, and executes various programs to realize various functions. The RAM is used as a working area and storage area for the CPU, and the ROM stores the operating system and programs executed by the CPU.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 32 in this embodiment includes a respiratory data generating unit 300, an inhalation estimation unit 301, an exhalation estimation unit 302, a water supply instruction unit 303, a heater output increase instruction unit 304, a water supply stop instruction unit 305, and a heater output decrease instruction unit 306.

[0029] The respiratory data generating unit 300 generates respiratory data related to the respiratory waveform of the user U based on the measurement value of the inhaled gas sensor 30. The respiratory data generating unit 300 corrects the deviation of the breathing timing by updating the respiratory data at predetermined time intervals. The respiratory data is, for example, rectangular wave data corresponding to the respiratory waveform, with a high level indicating the time of inhalation and a low level indicating the time of exhalation (see FIG. 4).

[0030] The inhalation estimation unit 301 estimates the timing (inhalation start timing) T1 of the inhalation by the user U based on the respiratory data generated by the respiratory data generation unit 300 (see FIG. 4).

[0031] The exhalation estimation unit 302 estimates the timing of exhalation (exhalation start timing) T2 by the user U based on the respiration data generated by the respiration data generation unit 300.

[0032] The water supply instruction unit 303 starts the supply of liquid water W from the pump 26 of the humidifier 2 to the heater 23 before the start of inhalation, based on the inhalation start timing T1 estimated by the inhalation estimation unit 301. That is, the actuator 27 in the humidifier 2 is operated to open the water flow path C, and the supply of water W from the pump 26 to the heater 23 is started.

[0033] The heater output increase instruction unit 304 increases the output of the heater 23 of the humidifier 2 before the start of intake, based on the intake start timing T1 estimated by the intake estimation unit 301. In this embodiment, the heater output increase instruction unit 304 turns on the power of the heater 23 before the start of intake, and starts supplying power to the heater 23, thereby increasing the output of the heater 23. Also, in this embodiment, the heater output increase instruction unit 304 turns on the power of the heater 23 before the water supply instruction unit 303 starts supplying water W (see FIG. 4).

[0034] The water supply stop instruction unit 305 stops the supply of liquid water W from the pump 26 of the humidifier 2 to the heater 23 before the start of exhalation, based on the exhalation start timing T2 estimated by the exhalation estimation unit 302. That is, it operates the actuator 27 in the humidifier 2 to close the water flow path C, and stops the supply of water W from the pump 26 to the heater 23. In this embodiment, the water supply stop instruction unit 305 adjusts the timing to stop the supply of liquid water W, i.e., the timing to operate the actuator 27, so that the measurement value of the intake gas humidity sensor 31 is maintained at or above a predetermined target value D at least during the intake of air by the user U (see FIG. 4).

[0035] The heater output reduction instruction unit 306 reduces the output of the heater 23 of the humidifier 2 before the start of exhalation, based on the exhalation start timing T2 estimated by the exhalation estimation unit 302. In this embodiment, the heater output reduction instruction unit 306 reduces the output of the heater 23 by turning off the power of the heater 23 before the start of exhalation and stopping the power supply to the heater 23. In this embodiment, the heater output reduction instruction unit 306 turns off the power of the heater 23 after the water supply stop instruction unit 305 operates the actuator 27 to close the water flow path C and stop the supply of water W to the heater 23 (see FIG. 4).

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the temperature of the intake gas G1 at the outlet of the humidifier 2 (intake gas outlet temperature) is measured by a temperature sensor not shown, and the temperature rises in response to an increase in the output of the heater 23 and the timing of water supply to the heater 23.

[0037] (Action and effect) According to the breathing assistance system 100 of the present embodiment described above, the humidifier 2 is controlled based on the breathing state of the user U measured by the inhaled gas sensor 30, and the inhaled gas G1 is humidified when the user U inhales. That is, the output of the heater 23 is increased before the start of inhalation to start humidifying the inhaled gas G1, and the output of the heater 23 is reduced before the start of exhalation to end humidifying the inhaled gas G1. Therefore, by humidifying the inhaled gas G1 in a pulsed (intermittent) manner only when inhalation is required, the power consumption of the heater 23 and the consumption of water used to humidify the inhaled gas G1 can be reduced, and the inhaled gas G1 can be humidified while keeping running costs down.

[0038] Furthermore, since the control device 32 includes the water supply stop instruction unit 305, water W does not need to be supplied to the heater 23 when humidification is not performed, so the supply amount (consumption amount) of water W can be reduced.

[0039] Furthermore, by measuring the breathing condition of the user U using the intake gas sensor 30, the breathing condition can be accurately grasped, the inhalation start timing T1 and exhalation start timing T2 of the user U can be accurately estimated, and the humidification time of the intake gas G1 can be minimized.

[0040] In addition, an intake gas humidity sensor 31 is provided to measure the humidity of the intake gas G1 after humidification, and the timing for stopping the supply of water W to the heater 23 is adjusted so that the measurement value of the intake gas humidity sensor 31 is equal to or greater than a predetermined target value when the user U inhales, thereby making it possible to minimize the humidification time while ensuring a sufficient amount of humidification, and further reducing the power consumption of the heater 23 and the consumption of water W used to humidify the intake gas G1.

[0041] Furthermore, by the respiratory data generating unit 300 of the control device 32 updating the respiratory data at predetermined time intervals, the inhalation start timing T1 and the exhalation start timing T2 can be accurately estimated at all times even if the respiratory condition of the user U changes.

[0042] In addition, the heater output increase instruction unit 304 of the control device 32 turns on the heater 23 to increase the output of the heater 23 before the supply of the water W to the heater 23 is started, so that the water W can be supplied to the heater 23 in a state in which the temperature of the heater 23 has been increased in advance. Therefore, the water W supplied to the heater 23 can be evaporated in a short time, and heated steam can be generated efficiently.

[0043] In addition, the heater output reduction instruction unit 306 of the control device 32 turns off the heater 23 after the supply of water W to the heater 23 is stopped, thereby reducing the output of the heater 23. Therefore, the supplied water W can be sufficiently heated in the heater 23, and heated steam can be generated efficiently.

[0044] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0045] For example, the sensor used to generate the respiratory data is not limited to the above-mentioned intake gas sensor 30 that measures the flow rate of the intake gas G1, but may be, for example, a pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the intake gas G1, an expiration gas sensor that measures the pressure or flow rate of the expiration gas G2, or an intake gas sensor and an expiration gas sensor may be used in combination. In this case, for example, the expiration gas sensor may be installed in a Venturi mask or the like as the respiratory interface 13.

[0046] The structure of the heater 23 is not limited to the above, and may be any structure that at least performs heating by electromagnetic induction.

[0047] Furthermore, the respiration data generating section 300 of the control device 32 may generate the respiration waveform of the user U itself as respiration data.

[0048] Also, the inhalation estimation unit 301 of the control device 32 is not necessarily limited to estimating the inhalation start timing T1, and may estimate any timing during inhalation. In this case, the water supply instruction unit 303 and the heater output increase instruction unit 304 of the control device 32 may estimate the inhalation start time from any timing during the estimated inhalation. Similarly, the exhalation estimation unit 302 of the control device 32 is not necessarily limited to estimating the exhalation start timing T2, and may estimate any timing during exhalation. In this case, the water supply stop instruction unit 305 and the heater output decrease instruction unit 306 of the control device 32 may estimate the exhalation start time from any timing during the estimated exhalation.

[0049] Furthermore, the water supply instruction unit 303 and the water supply stop instruction unit 305 of the control device 32 are not limited to controlling the operation of the actuator 27, and may supply and stop the supply of water W by directly controlling the operation of the pump 26. In particular, when the pump 26 is a pump capable of high-speed response, the pump 26 may be provided with the function of the actuator 27, such as a solenoid. [Industrial Applicability]

[0050] According to the humidification control system of the present invention, it is possible to humidify the intake gas while reducing running costs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1…Respiration assist device 2…humidifier 3. Humidification control system 11...Blower 23…Heater 26…Pump 30...Intake gas sensor (breathing sensor) 31...Intake gas humidity sensor 32...Control device 100…Respiratory support system 200…Coil 300...Respiration data generation unit 301…Intake estimation section 302… Exhaled breath estimation unit 303…Water supply instruction section 304...Heater output increase instruction unit 305…Water supply stop instruction unit 306…Heater output reduction indicator G1…Intake gas T1: Intake start timing T2: timing when exhalation begins U…User W…Water

Claims

1. A humidification control system for controlling a humidifier that converts liquid water supplied by a pump into water vapor by electromagnetic induction heating in a heater and adds the water vapor to an intake gas supplied to a respiratory organ of a user, comprising: A respiration sensor that measures at least one of the inhalation and exhalation of the user; A control device that controls the humidifier based on a measurement value of the respiration sensor; Equipped with The control device includes: an inhalation estimation unit that estimates the timing of the inhalation based on the measurement value of the respiration sensor; an exhalation estimation unit that estimates the timing of the exhalation based on the measurement value of the respiration sensor; a water supply instruction unit that starts a supply of liquid water from the pump to the heater before the intake is started based on the estimated intake timing; a heater output increase instruction unit that increases an output of the heater before the start of the intake based on the estimated intake timing; a heater output reduction instruction unit that reduces an output of the heater before the start of the exhalation based on the estimated timing of the exhalation; A humidification control system comprising:

2. The humidification control system according to claim 1 , wherein the control device further includes a water supply stop instruction unit that stops the supply of the liquid water from the pump to the heater before the start of the exhalation based on the estimated timing of the exhalation.

3. The humidification control system according to claim 1 , wherein the respiratory sensor is a gas sensor that measures a pressure or a flow rate of at least one of the inhaled gas and the exhaled gas of the user.

4. an intake gas humidity sensor for measuring the humidity of the intake gas after humidification by the humidifier; The humidification control system of claim 2, wherein the water supply stop instruction unit of the control device adjusts the timing for stopping the supply of the liquid water so that the measurement value of the intake gas humidity sensor becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined target value when the user inhales.

5. The control device further includes a respiration data generating unit that generates respiration data of the user based on the measurement value of the respiration sensor, The humidification control system according to claim 1 , wherein the respiration data generating unit updates the respiration data at predetermined time intervals.

6. The humidification control system according to claim 1 , wherein the heater output increase instruction unit increases the output of the heater before the water supply instruction unit starts supplying water from the pump to the heater.

7. The humidification control system according to claim 2 , wherein the heater output reduction instruction unit reduces the output of the heater after the water supply stop instruction unit stops the supply of water from the pump to the heater.

8. A breathing assistance device for supplying an inhaled gas to a user's respiratory tract; a humidifier including a pump for pumping liquid water, a heater for heating the water from the pump by electromagnetic induction heating to generate water vapor, and a humidifier space for bringing the water vapor into contact with the intake gas; A humidification control system according to claim 1 , which controls the humidification device; A respiratory assistance system comprising:

9. A humidification control method for controlling a humidifier that converts liquid water supplied by a pump into water vapor by electromagnetic induction heating in a heater and adds the water vapor to an intake gas supplied to a respiratory organ of a user, comprising: an inhalation estimation step of estimating an inhalation timing of the user based on a measurement value of a respiration sensor; an exhalation estimation step of estimating an exhalation timing of the user based on a measurement value of a respiration sensor; a water supply instruction step of starting a supply of liquid water from the pump to the heater before the start of the intake based on the estimated intake timing; a heater output increase instruction step of increasing an output of the heater before the start of the intake based on the estimated intake timing; a heater output reduction instruction step of reducing an output of the heater before the start of the exhalation based on the estimated timing of the exhalation; The humidification control method includes:

10. A computer is configured to convert liquid water supplied by a pump into steam by electromagnetic induction heating in a heater, and add the steam to an inhaled gas supplied to a respiratory tract of a user. an inhalation estimation means for estimating an inhalation timing of the user based on a measurement value of a respiration sensor; an exhalation estimation means for estimating an exhalation timing of the user based on a measurement value of a respiration sensor; a water supply instruction means for starting a supply of liquid water from the pump to the heater before the start of the intake based on the estimated intake timing; a heater output increase instruction means for increasing an output of the heater before the start of the intake based on the estimated timing of the intake; and a heater output reduction instruction means for reducing the output of the heater before the start of the exhalation based on the estimated timing of the exhalation; A humidification control program that functions as a

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