Pelvic floor muscle motion measuring apparatus

Abstract

To provide a pelvic floor muscle motion measuring apparatus which is easy to use and inexpensive and can accurately detect a motion of pelvic floor muscles.SOLUTION: The pelvic floor muscle motion measuring apparatus for detecting a motion of female pelvic floor muscles is constituted of: a pressure sensor sheet which comprises a flexible sheet and a plurality of pressure sensors arranged on the sheet, and is installed so as to be in contact with a body surface having the pelvic floor muscles of a subject positioned thereon; and an analysis device which derives the motion of the pelvic floor muscles of the subject based on pressure data detected by the pressure sensors. The analysis device comprises a calculation unit which detects the motion of the pelvic floor muscles based on pressure variation from the pelvic floor muscles, the right and left ischium, the pubic bone, and the coccyx of the subject.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device. [Background technology]

[0002] It has been reported that 30% to 50% of women in their 20s or older experience urinary incontinence, significantly impacting women's quality of life. While strengthening the pelvic floor muscles is effective in improving urinary incontinence, it is not easy for even women who experience urinary incontinence to train effectively. One reason for this is that it is difficult to be aware of the movement of the pelvic floor muscles, making it difficult to train them on one's own. In response to this, devices for visualizing the movement of the pelvic floor muscles have been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a system that detects pelvic floor muscle movement using a device that has an acceleration sensor and can be inserted into the vagina, and optimizes Kegel exercises (exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles). Patent Document 2 discloses a device that can be inserted into the anus and visualizes pelvic floor muscle movement using a measuring unit that measures internal pressure. Patent Document 3 discloses a device that grasps pelvic floor muscle movement by placing a tube made of a soft material that changes shape in response to external pressure and filled with a fluid under the pelvic floor muscles, and measuring the pressure applied to the tube.

[0004] On the other hand, devices have been disclosed that place multiple pressure sensors on the subject's clothing, the seat or back of the seating device on which the subject sits, or between the subject's body and bedding when sleeping, and detect the subject's posture, muscle condition, etc. based on pressure data detected by the pressure sensors (see, for example, Patent Documents 4 to 6).

[0005] Patent Document 4 discloses a device that places multiple pressure sensors on the subject's clothing and detects the subject's posture, etc. from the correlation between pressure detection data and muscle condition. Patent Document 5 discloses a device that places multiple pressure sensors on the seat and back of a seating device on which the subject sits and detects the subject's posture from detected pressure data. Patent Document 6 discloses a sheet-shaped device equipped with acceleration sensors and pressure sensors that is placed between the subject and bedding to detect the posture and pressure resistance of the subject while sleeping. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6758013 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 3472551 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 6022710 [Patent Document 4] Patent No. 6384789 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-14126 [Patent Document 6] Patent No. 6355180 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 for visualizing pelvic floor muscle movement, in which a measuring device is inserted into the vagina or anus, are difficult to use continuously due to the psychological hurdle of inserting a measuring device into the body and their high price.The device disclosed in Patent Document 3, in which a measuring device is brought into contact with the body surface, has low accuracy in detecting pelvic floor muscle movement, making it difficult to provide training tailored to the subject based on the detection results.

[0008] None of the devices disclosed in Patent Documents 4 to 6 disclose the placement of pressure sensors for detecting the movement of specific muscles in the body, and are therefore unable to detect the movement of the pelvic floor muscles.

[0009] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device that is easy to use, inexpensive, and capable of detecting the movement of the pelvic floor muscles with high accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A first aspect of the present invention is a pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device for detecting the movement of a woman's pelvic floor muscles, comprising a flexible sheet and a plurality of pressure sensors arranged on the sheet; a pressure sensor sheet that is placed so as to come into contact with the surface of the body where the subject's pelvic floor muscles are located; and an analysis device that derives the movement of the subject's pelvic floor muscles based on pressure data detected by the plurality of pressure sensors, wherein the analysis device has a calculation unit that detects the movement of the pelvic floor muscles based on pressure changes from the subject's pelvic floor muscles, left and right ischial bones, pubic bone, and coccyx.

[0011] In a first aspect of the present invention, the multiple pressure sensors are composed of one or more first pressure sensors, one or more second pressure sensors, one or more third pressure sensors, one or more fourth pressure sensors, and one or more fifth pressure sensors, and when the pressure sensor sheet is placed in contact with the surface of the body where the subject's pelvic floor muscles are located, the one or more first multiple sensors are placed in positions where they receive pressure from the subject's pelvic floor muscles, the one or more first multiple sensors are placed in positions where they receive pressure from the subject's pelvic floor muscles, the one or more second pressure sensors are placed in positions where they receive pressure from the left ischium, the one or more third pressure sensors are placed in positions where they receive pressure from the right ischium, the one or more fourth multiple pressure sensors are placed in positions where they receive pressure from the pubic bone, and the one or more fifth pressure sensors are placed in positions where they receive pressure from the coccyx.

[0012] In a first aspect of the present invention, a pressure sensor sheet comprises a sensor sheet including a plurality of conductive materials arranged at the positions of a plurality of pressure sensors, an insulating member having a plurality of through holes, a conductive sheet having a plurality of conductors, and a detection device that detects electrical resistance between the plurality of conductive materials and the plurality of conductors, wherein the detection device comprises a current source that supplies current to the plurality of conductive materials and the plurality of conductors, a first selection device that selects a conductive material from the plurality of conductive materials to be connected to the current source, a second selection device that selects a conductor from the plurality of conductors to be connected to the current source, and a control unit that controls the first selection device and the second selection device and detects the electrical resistance, and the insulating member may be arranged between the sensor sheet and the conductive sheet.

[0013] In a first aspect of the present invention, the analysis device may detect the movement of the pelvic floor muscles based on a pre-derived correlation between the movement of the pelvic floor muscles when the subject moves their own pelvic floor muscles and the amount of change in pressure values detected by multiple pressure sensors.

[0014] In the first aspect of the present invention, the analysis device may further detect the movement of the pelvic floor muscles by taking into consideration at least one of the subject's height, weight, pelvic size, and muscle mass.

[0015] In a first aspect of the present invention, the analysis device may generate pressure distribution data by interpolating pressure values at positions between adjacent pressure sensors among a plurality of pressure sensors, and use the pressure distribution data to derive the movement of the subject's pelvic floor muscles based on a pressure-muscle movement correspondence table.

[0016] In the first aspect of the present invention, the pressure sensor sheet may be attached onto the surface of the cushion.

[0017] In the first aspect of the present invention, the pressure sensor sheet may be attached to the subject's underwear.

[0018] In the first aspect of the present invention, the pressure sensor sheet may be removably attached to the subject's underwear.

[0019] In the first aspect of the present invention, the analysis device may further include a determination unit that compares the movement of the subject's pelvic floor muscles with a preferred pattern of pelvic floor muscle movement for training the pelvic floor muscles, and determines whether the pelvic floor muscle training is being performed appropriately. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pressure sensor sheet and a pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device that are easy to use, inexpensive, and capable of detecting pelvic floor muscle movement with high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a pelvic floor muscle exercise measuring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the state in which the pressure sensor sheet according to the first embodiment is installed in a seated position. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of the pressure sensor sheet according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the shape of a woman's pelvic floor muscles. [Figure 5] 2A to 2C are diagrams illustrating details of the pressure sensor sheet according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a block diagram of a detection device of a pressure sensor sheet according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an analysis device of a pelvic floor muscle exercise measuring device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating pressure data obtained by the pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device according to the first embodiment, and illustrates the pressure data displayed on the screen of a mobile terminal. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure for measuring pelvic floor muscle movement using the pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a top view of a pressure sensor sheet according to a comparative example. [Figure 11]FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an analysis device of a pelvic floor muscle exercise measuring device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings relating to the embodiment, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are schematic.

[0023] Furthermore, the embodiments are merely examples of devices and methods for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention does not limit the configuration, arrangement, layout, etc. of each component to those described below. The technical idea of the present invention can be modified in various ways within the technical scope defined by the claims.

[0024] (First embodiment) The pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a device that can check whether the pelvic floor muscles are moving and whether they are moving correctly when a subject 11 moves their pelvic floor muscles while in a seated position.

[0025] The pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device according to this embodiment will be described below. A schematic diagram of the pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device is shown in Figure 1. The pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device 1 according to this embodiment comprises a pressure sensor sheet 10, an analysis device 13, a transmission unit 14, and a display unit 15.

[0026] The pelvic floor muscle movement measurement device 1 according to this embodiment is a device that detects pelvic floor muscle movement by placing a pressure sensor sheet 10 between the pelvic floor muscles of a subject and the seat of a chair while the subject is seated in the chair, and applying pressure to the pressure sensor sheet 10 with the subject's pelvic floor muscles. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the pressure sensor sheet 10 may be attached to the upper surface of a cushion 21, which is placed on the seat of a chair 22, and the subject may sit on the cushion 21 as shown in FIG. 2(b). Alternatively, although not shown, the pressure sensor sheet 10 according to this embodiment may be attached to the inside of a lower garment worn by the subject, at the perineal region between the thighs, so that when the subject 20 sits on a chair or the like, the multiple pressure sensors 16 of the pressure sensor sheet 10 are positioned on the body surface where the pelvic floor muscles are located, and the subject wears the lower garment and sits on the chair or the like. Below, a configuration in which the pressure sensor sheet 10 is attached to the upper surface of the cushion 21 will be described.

[0027] 2(a) and 2(b), the pressure sensor sheet 10 is attached to the upper surface of a cushion 21. The cushion 21 is made of a cushioning material such as a urethane material, and the pressure sensor sheet 10 is fixed onto the surface of the cushioning material of the cushion 21. A cushion cover may be placed over the cushion 21. In FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the cushion cover is omitted to make it easier to understand the placement of the pressure sensor sheet 10. The cushion 21 has a shape of cushioning material that fits the buttocks so that the pressure sensor sheet 10 comes into close contact with the pelvic floor muscles.

[0028] The pressure sensor sheet 10 is composed of a flexible sheet and a plurality of pressure sensors 16 arranged on the sheet, and the plurality of pressure sensors 16 detect pressure applied to the pressure sensor sheet 10. The plurality of pressure sensors 16 are arranged on the flexible sheet so as to detect pressure from the pelvic floor muscles, left and right ischial bones, pubic bone, and coccyx of the subject 20. As shown by the arrows in Figure 1, the pressure sensor sheet 10 is attached to a cushion 21 so that the upper side of the paper faces the ventral side and the lower side faces the back.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), when a cushion 21 with a pressure sensor sheet 10 attached is placed on a chair 22 and a subject 20 sits on the cushion 21, the multiple pressure sensors 16 of the pressure sensor sheet 10 are sandwiched between the subject's 20 pelvic floor muscles, left and right ischial bones, and coccyx and the cushion 21, and receive pressure from the pelvic floor muscles, left and right ischial bones, and coccyx and the cushion 21 placed on the seat of the chair 22. In this state, when the subject 20 moves their pelvic floor muscles, the pressure values detected by the multiple pressure sensors 16 change in accordance with the movement of the pelvic floor muscles. The pressure sensor sheet 10 according to this embodiment can detect this change in pressure value and thereby derive the movement of the pelvic floor muscles.

[0030] The analysis device 13 is a variety of electronic computers (computational resources), such as a mobile terminal, a personal computer (PC), a mainframe, a workstation, a cloud computing system, etc. The analysis device 13 receives pressure data detected by the multiple pressure sensors 16 provided on the pressure sensor sheet 10, and derives the movement of the pelvic floor muscles 23 of the subject 20 based on the received pressure data.

[0031] The transmitting unit 14 transmits and receives data to and from the analyzing device 13. The transmitting unit 14 transmits pressure data detected by the multiple pressure sensors 16 to the analyzing device 13. The transmitting unit 14 also receives signals for controlling the multiple pressure sensors 16 from the analyzing device 13 and transmits the signals to the pressure sensor sheet 10. The means by which the transmitting unit 14 transmits and receives data between the pressure sensor sheet 10 and the analyzing device 13 may be either wired communication or wireless communication. The transmitting unit 14 may be equipped with an analog-to-digital converter, and may convert analog pressure data measured by the multiple pressure sensors 16 into digital format before transmitting the pressure data to the analyzing device 13.

[0032] The display unit 15 is a display device such as a display, and displays the results of calculations performed by the analysis device 13, etc.

[0033] A top view of an example of a pressure sensor sheet according to this embodiment is shown in Fig. 3. The pressure sensor sheet 30 shown in Fig. 3 is composed of a sheet member 31 such as cloth, a plurality of pressure sensors 32, data lines 33, and a detection device 34.

[0034] The multiple pressure sensors 32 are composed of a first pressure sensor 32a, a second pressure sensor 32b, a third pressure sensor 32c, a fourth pressure sensor 32d, and a fifth pressure sensor 32e. Each of the first pressure sensor 32a to the fifth pressure sensor 32e is composed of one or more pressure sensors.

[0035] The detection device 34 is connected to the multiple pressure sensors 32 via data lines 33, and controls the multiple pressure sensors 32 and receives pressure data from the multiple pressure sensors 32. The detection device 34 is connected to the transmission unit 14 shown in Figure 1, and the detection device 34 exchanges data with the analysis device 13 via the transmission unit 14.

[0036] The multiple pressure sensors 32 are arranged based on the shape of the pelvic floor muscles. Figure 4 shows a view of a woman's pelvic floor muscles from below. Pelvic floor muscles 41 are located in the area surrounded by dashed lines, and urethral opening 42, vaginal opening 43, and anus 44 are located within the pelvic floor muscles 41. Left and right ischial bones 45 and 46 are located on either side of pelvic floor muscles 41, and pubic bone 47 and coccyx 48 are located in front of and behind pelvic floor muscles 41.

[0037] As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the pressure sensor sheet 30 shown in Figure 3 is attached to a cushion 21, and then the cushion 21 is placed on a chair 22. When the subject 20 sits on the cushion 21, the first pressure sensor 32a is positioned at a position where it receives pressure from the pelvic floor muscles 41, the second pressure sensor 32b is positioned at a position where it receives pressure from the left ischium 45, the third pressure sensor 32c is positioned at a position where it receives pressure from the right ischium 46, the fourth pressure sensor 32d is positioned at a position where it receives pressure from the pubic bone 47, and the fifth pressure sensor 32e is positioned at a position where it receives pressure from the coccyx 48.

[0038] The pressure sensor sheet 30 shown in Fig. 3 is composed of 27 first pressure sensors 32a, 7 second pressure sensors 32b and 32c, and 1 fourth pressure sensor 32d and 32e, but these are just examples and the numbers of pressure sensors are not limited to these. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the first pressure sensors 32a are arranged at equal intervals, and the second pressure sensors 32b and 32c are arranged in a hexagonal shape, but the shape of the arrangement of the pressure sensors is not limited to these.

[0039] The pressure sensors 16 of the pressure sensor sheet 10 according to this embodiment may be any pressure sensor, such as a film, as long as they have a shape that does not interfere with the movement of the subject 20. In this embodiment, the pressure sensors 16 have the same shape as the pressure sensor sheet disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6653006, as shown in FIG.

[0040] Fig. 5 shows a pressure sensor sheet 50 according to this embodiment. The pressure sensor sheet 50 shown in Fig. 5 is composed of a sensor sheet 51, an insulating member 52, a conductive sheet 53, and a detection device 54. The insulating member 52 is disposed between the sensor sheet 51 and the conductive sheet 53. Although the pressure sensor sheet 50 shown in Fig. 5 shows the sensor sheet 51, the insulating member 52, and the conductive sheet 53 shifted from one another, in reality they are in close contact with one another.

[0041] The conductive sheet 53 includes a conductive material 58 on a base member 57 such as a cloth. The conductive material 58 may be, for example, a conductive fiber, a conductive paint, or a conductive thin film. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the conductive material 58 is a conductive fiber and multiple conductive materials 58 are woven into the base member 57 at regular intervals in the horizontal direction within the plane of FIG. 5, parallel to one another. The conductive material 58 may be attached to the conductive sheet 53 by sewing, weaving, painting, or gluing, for example.

[0042] 6, the conductive sheet 53 according to this embodiment is formed by weaving a plurality of conductive threads made of a conductive material in a linear pattern at regular intervals as conductive material 58. Each of the conductive materials 58 is connected to a detection device 54.

[0043] The sensor sheet 51 has sensor units 55 installed at positions corresponding to the positions of the multiple pressure sensors 32 in Fig. 3. The sensor units 55 can be formed, for example, by a conductive metal foil film, printing with conductive paint, or conductive fibers. A conductor 56 is connected to each of the multiple sensor units 55. The multiple conductors 56 may be, for example, conductive threads, and may be woven into the sensor sheet 51.

[0044] The plurality of conductors 56 are each connected to a detection device 54 .

[0045] The insulating member 52 is, for example, a mesh sheet, and is provided with a plurality of through holes 59. The plurality of through holes 59 are provided uniformly in the insulating member 52.

[0046] The insulating member 52 is disposed between the sensor sheet 51 and the conductive sheet 53. When a pressure equal to or greater than a certain level is applied to the pressure sensor sheet 10, the multiple sensor units 55 provided on the sensor sheet 51 and the conductive material 58 provided on the conductive sheet 53 come into contact with each other at the through-holes 59 of the insulating member 52. The contact area between the sensor units 55 and the conductive material 58 changes depending on the magnitude of the pressure applied to the pressure sensor sheet 10.

[0047] When a certain level of pressure or more is applied to the pressure sensor sheet 10, the sensor section 55 and the conductive material 58 come into contact with each other, and a current is passed by the detection device. This allows the electrical resistance of the sensor section 55 and the conductive material 58, which are in contact with each other, to be measured. The contact area between the sensor section 55 and the conductive material 58 is detected from the obtained electrical resistance value. The magnitude of the pressure applied to the pressure sensor sheet 10 can be obtained from the detected area.

[0048] The magnitude of the pressure applied to the pressure sensor sheet 10 is obtained by measuring the electrical resistance when the sensor section 55 and the conductive material 58 come into contact with each other. Therefore, the pressure sensor sheet 10 is designed so that the multiple conductors 56 do not come into contact with the conductive material 58 at the through-holes 59 in the insulating member 52. For example, the multiple conductors 56 may be installed so that they are not exposed on the surface of the sensor sheet 51 that comes into contact with the insulating member 52. For example, the multiple conductors 56 may be installed in the sensor sheet 51 so that they are located on the surface that does not come into contact with the insulating member 52. Alternatively, for example, the multiple through-holes 59 may be installed only in the portion of the insulating member 52 that comes into contact with the sensor section 55.

[0049] By adjusting the elasticity and thickness of the insulating member 52, the size of the through holes 59, the number per unit area, etc., it is possible to adjust the value of the contact area between the sensor section 55 and the conductive material 58 in response to the magnitude of pressure applied to the pressure sensor sheet 10. Furthermore, by adjusting the thickness, material, density relative to the base member, and installation form (i.e., the proportion of the conductive material 58 exposed on the surface of the conductive sheet 53 that contacts the insulating member 52, etc.) of the conductive material 58 installed on the conductive sheet 53, it is possible to adjust the value of the electrical resistance of the sensor section 55 and the conductive material 58 in contact with each other in response to the contact area between the sensor section 55 and the conductive material 58.

[0050] 6 shows a block diagram of the detection device 54 of the pressure sensor sheet 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the detection device 54 is composed of a first selection device 61, a second selection device 62, a current source 63, and a control unit 64.

[0051] The plurality of conductive wires 56 are connected to a first selection device 61, and the conductive material 58 is connected to a second selection device 62. A current source 63 is connected to the first selection device 61. The first selection device 61, the second selection device 62, and the current source 63 are connected to a control unit 64. The first selection device 61 connects the current source 63 to one of the plurality of conductive wires 56. The control unit 64 controls which of the plurality of conductive wires 56 the first selection device 61 connects the current source 63 to.

[0052] The second selection device 62 connects the control unit 64 to one of the plurality of conductive materials 58. The control unit 64 controls which conductor of the plurality of conductive materials 58 the second selection device 62 connects the control unit 64 to.

[0053] The current source 63 supplies current to one of the plurality of conductors 56 via the first selection device 61. The control unit 64 switches the connection between the first selection device 61 and the second selection device 62, and also measures the electrical resistance between the current source 63 and the second selection device 62. The control unit 64 switches the connection between the plurality of conductors 56 and the current source 63, and the connection between the control unit 64 and the plurality of conductive materials 58, thereby making it possible to measure the electrical resistance at a desired sensor portion 55 of the sensor sheet 51. After measuring the electrical resistance at a desired sensor portion 55 of the sensor sheet 51, the control unit 64 transmits the electrical resistance data and information about the portion of the sensor sheet 51 where the electrical resistance was measured to the analysis device 13 via the transmission unit 14.

[0054] Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of the analysis device 13 of the pelvic floor muscle movement measurement device 1. As shown in Figure 7, the analysis device 13 is made up of a CPU 71 for performing various calculations, a memory unit 72 for storing processing programs, data, etc., an I / O (input / output interface) 73, and an input unit 74.

[0055] The input unit 74 is an input device such as a keyboard, touch panel, or mouse, and accepts input from the user and transmits it to the CPU 71. The input unit 74 may, for example, accept user input of transmission data to be transmitted from the CPU 71 to the detection device 34 via the I / O 73 and the transmitter 14 of the pressure sensor sheet 10. The transmission data is, for example, data for setting the start, end, and measurement interval of pressure measurement by the multiple pressure sensors 16, and settings related to the transmission of pressure data from the pressure sensor sheet 10. Alternatively, the input unit 74 may accept user input of the test subject's height, weight, pelvic size, muscle mass, etc., which will be described in detail later and which are used when the calculation unit 76 derives the movement of the test subject's pelvic floor muscles.

[0056] The I / O 73 is a communication (transmission and reception) interface, buffer, etc., which receives pressure data detected by the multiple pressure sensors 16 from the transmission unit 14 and transmits it to the CPU 71. It also receives display data from the display generation unit 77, which will be described later, for displaying the subject's pelvic floor muscle movement derived by the calculation unit 76 on the display unit 15, and transmits it to the display unit 15.

[0057] The block diagram in Figure 7 shows the CPU 71 and the functional units in the storage unit 72. When each functional unit of the CPU 71 is realized by software, the CPU 71 realizes it by executing instructions of a program, which is software that realizes each function. In detail, the CPU 71 includes a control unit 75, a calculation unit 76, a display generation unit 77, etc. The storage unit 72 includes a correspondence table storage unit 78.

[0058] The control unit 75 transmits a signal for controlling the detection device 34 to the detection device 34 via the I / O 73 and the transmission unit 14 of the pressure sensor sheet 10 .

[0059] The correspondence table memory unit 78 stores a pressure-muscle movement correspondence table that has been derived in advance and describes the correlation between the movement of the pelvic floor muscles when the subject 20 moves their own pelvic floor muscles and the amount of change in pressure values detected by the multiple pressure sensors 16.

[0060] The calculation unit 76 derives the movement of the subject's pelvic floor muscles from the pressure data detected by the multiple pressure sensors 16, based on a pressure-muscle movement correspondence table.

[0061] The display generation unit 77 generates display data for displaying on the display unit 15 the pressure data detected by the multiple pressure sensors 16 and the movement of the subject's pelvic floor muscles derived by the calculation unit 76.

[0062] The subject 20 sits on a cushion 21 to which a pressure sensor sheet 10 is attached. The pressure sensor sheet 10 receives pressure from the body of the subject 20, and the pressure value is detected by each of the multiple pressure sensors 16. The pressure value detected at this time is assumed to be a state in which the subject 20 is not consciously moving his or her pelvic floor muscles.

[0063] When subject 20 consciously moves their pelvic floor muscles, a change occurs in the pressure values detected by each of the multiple pressure sensors 16 compared to when subject 20 is not consciously moving their pelvic floor muscles. From the amount of change in the pressure values when subject 20 is not consciously moving their pelvic floor muscles and when they are moving their pelvic floor muscles, the movement of the pelvic floor muscles of subject 20 can be determined based on the pressure-muscle movement correspondence table.

[0064] The pressure-muscle movement correspondence table is obtained by the following procedure. The test subjects are multiple women who can consciously move their pelvic floor muscles. The test subjects sit on a cushion to which the pressure sensor sheet 10 is attached. At this time, the test subjects are not consciously moving their pelvic floor muscles. The pressure at this time is measured by the multiple pressure sensors 16 on the pressure sensor sheet 10. Prior to measuring the pressure, the test subjects have an intravaginal vaginal pressure measuring device inserted into their vagina, and the probe of the ultrasound device is placed against the test subject's lower abdomen. At the same time as measuring the pressure, pressure measurements are taken inside the test subject's vagina and ultrasound measurements are taken of the test subject's lower abdomen.

[0065] The test subject was not consciously moving their pelvic floor muscles when pressure detection, vaginal pressure measurement, and lower abdominal ultrasound measurement were performed.The test subject then moved their pelvic floor muscles and pressure, vaginal pressure measurement, and lower abdominal ultrasound measurement were performed.As the test subject moved their pelvic floor muscles, the strength of force applied to the pelvic floor muscles and the part of the pelvic floor muscle where force was applied were changed, and measurements were taken for each pelvic floor muscle movement pattern for each test subject.

[0066] The state of the test subject's pelvic floor muscles in each state is obtained from intravaginal pressure measurements and lower abdominal ultrasound measurements when the pelvic floor muscles are not moving and when they are moved in multiple movement patterns. From the state of the pelvic floor muscles obtained in each state and the difference in pressure values between when the pelvic floor muscles are not moving and when they are moved in multiple movement patterns, it is possible to obtain a correlation between the change in pressure values obtained by the multiple pressure sensors 16 of the pressure sensor sheet 10 and the movement of the pelvic floor muscles.

[0067] Because the correlation between changes in pressure values obtained by the multiple pressure sensors 16 and pelvic floor muscle movement may differ depending on the test subject's height, weight, pelvic size, muscle mass, etc., the pressure-muscle movement correspondence table stored in the correspondence table storage unit 78 may describe the correlation between pelvic floor muscle movement and the test subject's height, weight, pelvic size, muscle mass, etc., in addition to the correlation between changes in pressure values detected by the multiple pressure sensors 16. When the calculation unit 76 derives the test subject's pelvic floor muscle movement, a more accurate pelvic floor muscle movement can be obtained by taking into account at least one of the test subject's height, weight, pelvic size, muscle mass, etc.

[0068] The CPU 71 may further include a pressure distribution generation unit 79. The pressure distribution generation unit 79 generates pressure distribution data by interpolating pressure values at positions between adjacent pressure sensors 16 based on pressure data detected by the multiple pressure sensors 16. The generated pressure distribution data may be sent to the display generation unit 77 and displayed on the display unit 15. When the calculation unit 76 derives the movement of the subject's pelvic floor muscles, the pressure distribution data may be used instead of the pressure data detected by the multiple pressure sensors 16 to derive the movement of the subject's pelvic floor muscles based on a pressure-muscle-movement correspondence table. In this case, the pressure-muscle-movement correspondence table describes the correlation between the movement of the pelvic floor muscles when the subject 20 moves their pelvic floor muscles and the amount of change in pressure distribution data generated from the pressure values detected by the multiple pressure sensors 16.

[0069] Fig. 8 shows an example of the pressure distribution obtained by the pressure distribution generating unit 79 of the pressure sensor sheet 10. Fig. 8 shows, as an example, the pressure distribution for multiple pressure sensors 16 displayed on the screen of a mobile terminal. In Fig. 8, the pressure level is expressed by the density of dots, but the method of expressing the pressure distribution is not limited to the dot density and may be expressed by color, for example.

[0070] The procedure for measuring pelvic floor muscle movement using the pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0071] In step S901, the input unit 74 receives input of physical characteristics of the subject 20, such as height, weight, size of the pelvis, muscle mass, etc.

[0072] In step S902, the input unit 74 transmits data describing information on physical characteristics of the subject 20, such as height, weight, size of the pelvis, muscle mass, etc., to the calculation unit 76 of the CPU 71.

[0073] In step S903, while the subject 20 is seated on the cushion 21 to which the pressure sensor sheet 10 is attached and is not consciously moving his or her pelvic floor muscles, the input unit 74 accepts an input to start pressure measurement using the multiple pressure sensors 16. The input unit 74 sends a signal to start measurement to the control unit 75. The control unit 75 sends the signal to start to the detection device 34 via the I / O 73 and the transmission unit 14.

[0074] In step S904, the control unit 75 performs pressure measurements using the multiple pressure sensors 16, and transmits the pressure data obtained by the measurements to the analysis device 13 via the transmission unit .

[0075] In step S905, the calculation unit 76 of the analysis device 13 receives the pressure data detected by the plurality of pressure sensors 16 as initial values.

[0076] In step S906, while the subject 20 is consciously moving their pelvic floor muscles, the input unit 74 receives an input to start pressure measurement using the multiple pressure sensors 16, and sends a measurement start signal to the control unit 75. The control unit 75 sends a measurement start signal to the detection device 34. Note that after the initial measurement has started, the pressure measurement may be set to be repeated automatically.

[0077] In step S907, the control unit 75 performs pressure measurements using the pressure sensors 16, and transmits the pressure data obtained by the measurements to the analysis device 13 via the transmission unit .

[0078] In step S908, the calculation unit 76 of the analysis device 13 compares the pressure data detected by the multiple pressure sensors 16 when the subject 20 consciously moves the pelvic floor muscles with the pressure data when the subject 20 does not consciously move the pelvic floor muscles, and determines the movement of the pelvic floor muscles of the subject 20 based on the pressure-muscle movement correspondence table.

[0079] When the pressure sensor sheet 10 according to this embodiment is attached to the inside of the undergarments worn by the subject, the pressure sensor sheet 10 may be removably attached to the subject's undergarments. For example, the pressure sensor sheet 10 may be attached to the subject's undergarments using hook-and-loop fasteners, snap buttons, etc. This allows the pressure sensor sheet 10 to be removed when washing the subject's undergarments, etc. Furthermore, it can be applied to various types of training wear.

[0080] As described above, the pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device according to this embodiment can provide a device that is easy to use, inexpensive, and capable of detecting pelvic floor muscle movement with high accuracy.

[0081] (Comparative Example) The multiple pressure sensors of the pressure sensor sheet 10 of the pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device according to the first embodiment were arranged on the flexible sheet so as to detect pressure from the subject's pelvic floor muscles, left and right ischial bones, pubis, and coccyx. Compared to the pressure sensor sheet 10 shown in Fig. 1, when the multiple pressure sensors of the pressure sensor sheet of the pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device were not arranged in positions to detect pressure from the subject's pubis and coccyx, as shown in Fig. 10, it was possible to observe changes in the pelvic floor muscles. It should be noted that the use of the pressure sensor sheet 10 shown in Fig. 3 made it possible to observe changes in the pelvic floor muscles in more detail.

[0082] (Second embodiment) The pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a device in which a function that enables the subject to efficiently train their pelvic floor muscles while in a seated position is added to the CPU 71 of the analysis device 13 of the pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device according to the first embodiment.

[0083] Fig. 11 shows an analysis device 110 according to this embodiment. Compared to analysis device 13 shown in Fig. 7, analysis device 110 shown in Fig. 11 further includes a training storage unit 111, a training determination unit 112, and a training determination result display unit 113.

[0084] The training storage unit 111 stores a training correspondence table that describes pre-derived patterns of pelvic floor muscle movement that are preferable for training the pelvic floor muscles.

[0085] The training determination unit 112 compares the movement of the subject's pelvic floor muscles with the preferred pelvic floor muscle movement patterns for training the pelvic floor muscles described in the training correspondence table, and determines whether the pelvic floor muscles are being trained appropriately.

[0086] The training judgment result display unit 113 displays the judgment result by the training judgment unit 112 on the display unit 15 .

[0087] As mentioned above, the present invention naturally includes various embodiments not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention-specifying matters according to the scope of the claims that are appropriate from the above description. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1. Pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device 10, 30, 50 pressure sensor sheet 13, 110 Analysis device 14 Transmitter 15 Display 16 Pressure Sensor 20 subjects 21 Cushion 22 chairs 31 Sheet material 32 Pressure Sensor 32a First pressure sensor 32b Second pressure sensor 32c Third pressure sensor 32d 4th pressure sensor 32e 5th pressure sensor 33 Data line 34 Detection Device 41 Pelvic floor muscles 42 Urethral meatus 43 Vaginal opening 44 Anal 45 Left ischium 46 Right ischium 47 Pubic bone 48 Coccyx 51 Sensor Sheet 52 Insulating material 53 Conductive sheet 54 Detection Device 55 Sensor section 56 Conductor 57 Base material 58 Conductive Materials 59 Through hole 59 61 First Choice Device 62 Second-choice device 63 Current source 64 Control Unit 71 CPU 72 Memory section 73 I / O 74 Input section 75 Control Unit 76 Calculation section 77 Display generation section 78 Correspondence table storage unit 111 Training Memory 112 Training Judgment Unit 113 Training judgment result display section

Claims

1. A pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device for detecting the movement of a woman's pelvic floor muscles, a pressure sensor sheet comprising a flexible sheet and a plurality of pressure sensors arranged on the sheet, the pressure sensor sheet being placed in contact with the surface of the body where the pelvic floor muscles of the subject are located; an analysis device that derives the movement of the subject's pelvic floor muscles based on the pressure data detected by the plurality of pressure sensors; It consists of The analysis device includes a calculation unit, The calculation unit detects the movement of the pelvic floor muscles based on pressure changes from the subject's pelvic floor muscles, left and right ischial bones, pubic bone, and coccyx.

2. the plurality of pressure sensors include one or more first pressure sensors, one or more second pressure sensors, one or more third pressure sensors, one or more fourth pressure sensors, and one or more fifth pressure sensors; 2. The pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device of claim 1, wherein, when the pressure sensor sheet is placed in contact with the surface of the body where the subject's pelvic floor muscles are located, the one or more first pressure sensors are positioned in positions where they receive pressure from the subject's pelvic floor muscles, the one or more second pressure sensors are positioned in positions where they receive pressure from the left ischium, the one or more third pressure sensors are positioned in positions where they receive pressure from the right ischium, the one or more fourth pressure sensors are positioned in positions where they receive pressure from the pubic bone, and the one or more fifth pressure sensors are positioned in positions where they receive pressure from the coccyx.

3. The pressure sensor sheet is a sensor sheet including a plurality of conductive materials disposed at the locations of the plurality of pressure sensors; an insulating member having a plurality of through holes; a conductive sheet having a plurality of conductive wires; a detection device for detecting electrical resistance between the plurality of conductive materials and the plurality of conductors; The detection device comprises: a current source that supplies current to the plurality of conductive materials and the plurality of conductors; a first selection device for selecting a conductive material from the plurality of conductive materials to be connected to the current source; a second selection device for selecting a conductor from the plurality of conductors to be connected to the current source; a control unit that controls the first selection device and the second selection device and detects electrical resistance; 2. The pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the insulating member is disposed between the sensor sheet and the conductive sheet.

4. The pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device of claim 1, characterized in that the analysis device detects pelvic floor muscle movement based on a pre-derived correlation between the movement of the pelvic floor muscles when the subject moves their pelvic floor muscles and the change in pressure values detected by the multiple pressure sensors.

5. The pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device according to claim 4, wherein the analysis device further detects the movement of the pelvic floor muscles by taking into account at least one of the subject's height, weight, pelvic size, and muscle mass.

6. The pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device of claim 1, characterized in that the analysis device generates pressure distribution data by interpolating pressure values at positions between adjacent pressure sensors of the plurality of pressure sensors, and uses the pressure distribution data to derive the movement of the subject's pelvic floor muscles based on a pressure-muscle movement correspondence table.

7. 2. The pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor sheet is attached to the surface of a cushion.

8. 2. The pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor sheet is attached to the subject's underwear.

9. 9. The pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device according to claim 8, wherein the pressure sensor sheet is removably attached to the subject's underwear.

10. The pelvic floor muscle movement measuring device of claim 1, characterized in that the analysis device further comprises a judgment unit that compares the movement of the subject's pelvic floor muscles with a preferred pattern of pelvic floor muscle movement for training the pelvic floor muscles, and determines whether the pelvic floor muscle training is being carried out appropriately.

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