Medical device

Abstract

To provide a medical device enhanced in safety and reliability.SOLUTION: The medical device of the present disclosure includes an air blower that generates an airflow to be delivered to an airway of a patient, a sensor that detects acceleration or posture, a water tank that retains water to be added to the airflow, and a controller that controls the operation of the medical device based on the acceleration or posture detected by the sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology of the present disclosure relates to medical devices, such as devices for treating sleep apnea syndrome. [Background technology]

[0002] Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is a condition in which breathing stops (apnea) or breathing becomes weak (hypopnea) intermittently and repeatedly during sleep. Patients with sleep apnea syndrome are unable to get enough sleep, which can lead to daytime sleepiness, impaired concentration, and serious accidents caused by drowsy driving. Most patients with sleep apnea syndrome also have symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when muscle tone decreases during inhalation, narrowing the upper airway.

[0003] Patients with obstructive sleep apnea may be given continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which is a treatment that prevents apnea while the patient sleeps by continuously sending air into the patient's airway to open it.

[0004] Conventionally, devices that perform CPAP therapy are called sleep apnea syndrome treatment devices or CPAP devices. In this specification, devices that perform CPAP therapy will be referred to as CPAP devices. CPAP devices are described in Patent Document 1, etc.

[0005] A CPAP device has a blower, a flow sensor, a control unit, etc., and is configured to generate an airflow suitable for widening a patient's airway. As described in Patent Document 1, some CPAP devices have a water tank and humidify the airflow sent to the patient to prevent the patient's airway from drying out. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-071739 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, when a CPAP device is used during sleep, the lights in the room are usually turned off and the room is kept dark. Therefore, before going to sleep and when waking up, the room is dark, so there is a possibility that the patient may accidentally bump into the CPAP device and cause it to fall over. Furthermore, the CPAP device may fall over due to the patient turning over in their sleep.

[0008] However, it cannot be said that sufficient consideration has been given to counter these issues in the past, and there have been insufficient problems in terms of safety and reliability.

[0009] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above points, and provides a medical device with improved safety and reliability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One aspect of the medical device of the present disclosure is a blower for generating an airflow to be delivered to the patient's airway; a sensor for detecting acceleration or attitude; Equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, a sensor for detecting acceleration or attitude is provided, so that drops, impacts, toppling, vibrations, etc. can be detected, and a medical device with improved safety and reliability can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] Diagram showing a patient with a CPAP device attached [Figure 2A]A perspective view of a CPAP device seen from diagonally above [Figure 2B] A perspective view of a CPAP device seen from diagonally above [Figure 3] CPAP device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] Schematic diagram showing air flow paths [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a CPAP device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart showing a control flow using an acceleration sensor according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the case where a CPAP device is dropped without tilting, where FIG. 7A shows the state where the CPAP device is dropped without tilting, and FIG. 7B shows the Z-axis component output from the acceleration sensor at that time. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining the case where a CPAP device is tilted and dropped, in which FIG. 8A shows the state where the CPAP device is tilted and dropped, and FIG. 8B shows the X-axis and / or Y-axis components output from the acceleration sensor at that time. [Figure 9A] A diagram showing the X-axis and / or Y-axis components output from the acceleration sensor when the CPAP device falls over. [Figure 9B] A diagram showing the X-axis and / or Y-axis components output from the acceleration sensor when the CPAP device is subjected to an impact. [Figure 9C] A diagram showing the X-axis and / or Y-axis components output from an acceleration sensor when a CPAP device is subjected to vibration. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a two-axis acceleration sensor can be used. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a two-axis acceleration sensor can be used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] <1> Configuration of the CPAP device according to the embodiment 1, a CPAP device 100 is connected via a tube 20 to a mask 10 worn on the face of a patient 1 suffering from sleep apnea syndrome, and sends a positive pressure airflow to the upper airway of the patient 1 to expand the upper airway. In this embodiment, the CPAP device 100 represents the CPAP device main body, and the CPAP device is configured to include the CPAP device 100 as the CPAP device main body, the mask 10, and the tube 20.

[0015] 2A and 2B are perspective views of the CPAP device 100 viewed from diagonally above. Here, the +Z direction in the figures indicates the upward direction of the CPAP device 100, and the -Z direction indicates the downward direction of the CPAP device 100. The +Y direction indicates the forward direction of the CPAP device 100, and the -Y direction indicates the backward direction of the CPAP device 100. The +X direction indicates the leftward direction of the CPAP device 100, and the -X direction indicates the leftward direction of the CPAP device 100.

[0016] As can be seen in Figure 2A, a tube connector 112 to which a tube 20 (Figure 1) is connected protrudes from the front side of the storage case 110 of the CPAP device 100. An operation panel 111 is provided on the top of the storage case 110. The operation panel 111 is provided with an operation input unit 111a including operation buttons and the like, and a display unit 111b.

[0017] 2B, the rear side of the storage case 110 is provided with an air intake 113 and a power connector 114. AC power is input to the power connector 114 via a power cable. In addition, a water tank 151 is removably attached to the side of the storage case 110.

[0018] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the CPAP device 100 of the present embodiment.

[0019] The CPAP device 100 mainly comprises a housing case 110, a circuit board 120, a flow path case 130, and a base unit 150.

[0020] The housing case 110 has a rectangular cylindrical shape, and is coupled to the base portion 150 from above to house the circuit board 120, the flow path case 130, and the like.

[0021] A CPU (Central Processing Unit), various driver circuits, etc. are provided on the circuit board 120. In addition, in this embodiment, an acceleration sensor 121 is provided on the circuit board 120.

[0022] The flow path case 130 is configured by fitting a lower case 130a and an upper case 130b together. A blower 131 serving as a first air blower is disposed inside the flow path case 130. A flow path 132 through which the air generated by the blower 131 passes is formed inside the flow path case 130.

[0023] A removable water tank 151 is disposed on the base 150. An air inlet 152a and an air outlet 152b are formed in a lid 152 of the water tank 151. The air inlet 152a communicates with the flow path 132 in the flow path case 130. The air outlet 152b communicates with the tube connector 112.

[0024] As a result, the air flow (indicated by the arrow in the figure) generated by the blower 131 passes through the flow path 132 (Figure 3) of the flow path case 130, as can be seen from the schematic diagram of Figure 4, enters the water tank 151 through the air inlet 152a, is discharged from the water tank 151 through the air outlet 152b, and is supplied to the patient via the tube connector 112.

[0025] A heater 153 is provided on the underside of the water tank 151. The water in the water tank 151 is heated by the heater 153, and as a result, the inside of the water tank 151 is made highly humid. Therefore, the air flow supplied to the patient is humidified inside the water tank 151. This prevents the airway of the patient 1 from drying out due to the air flow.

[0026] In addition, an AC / DC converter 154 is provided on the base 150. The AC / DC converter 154 receives external AC power from a power cord (not shown) connected to the power connector 114 (FIG. 2B), converts it into DC power, and supplies the converted DC power to the circuit board 120 and the like.

[0027] The multiple circuit components that make up the AC / DC converter 154 are covered below and on both the left and right sides by a sheet metal member 155 that has a U-shaped cross section taken along the XZ plane. The sheet metal member 155 extends in the Y direction. A fan 156 that serves as a second blower and cools the AC / DC converter 154 is provided on one end of the sheet metal member 155. The fan 156 is provided in a position facing the AC / DC converter 154.

[0028] As a result, AC / DC converter 154 is efficiently cooled by the airflow of fan 156 that flows through sheet metal member 155 in the extension direction of sheet metal member 155. In addition, electromagnetic noise generated from AC / DC converter 154 is shielded by sheet metal member 155.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the CPAP device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0030] In addition to the blower 131, the flow path 132 of the CPAP device 100 is provided with a filter 161, a temperature sensor 162, a humidity sensor 163, a flow sensor 164, and a pressure sensor 165. A temperature sensor 166 is attached to the heater 153 that heats the water tank 151, and a weight sensor 167 is attached to the water tank 151.

[0031] Circuit board 120 is provided with an acceleration sensor 121, control unit 122, heating control unit 123, respiratory waveform analysis unit 124, communication unit 125, and memory unit 126. In other words, circuit components for realizing the functions of acceleration sensor 121, control unit 122, heating control unit 123, respiratory waveform analysis unit 124, communication unit 125, and memory unit 126 are mounted on circuit board 120.

[0032] The control unit 122, heating control unit 123, and respiratory waveform analysis unit 124 each include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The CPU reads a program corresponding to the processing content from the ROM, loads it into the RAM, and works with the loaded program to realize the functions of the control unit 122, heating control unit 123, and respiratory waveform analysis unit 124. All or part of the control unit 122, heating control unit 123, and respiratory waveform analysis unit 124 may be formed using hardwired circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0033] When blower 131 operates, external air enters flow path 132 via intake port 113 and filter 161. The temperature and humidity of the air in flow path 132 are measured by temperature sensor 162 and humidity sensor 163, and the measured temperature and humidity are sent to heating control unit 123. Furthermore, heating control unit 123 receives as input a heating set value and a humidification set value (e.g., a target temperature and a target humidity) from operation input unit 111a, as well as temperature information of heater 153 from temperature sensor 166.

[0034] The heating control unit 123 controls the heater 153 based on information on the temperature and humidity measured by the temperature sensor 162 and the humidity sensor 163, heating and humidification set values ​​set by the user from the operation input unit 111a, and temperature information on the heater 153 from the temperature sensor 166. The heating control unit 123 controls the heater 153, for example, so that the temperature and humidity of the airflow supplied to the patient 1 approach the heating and humidification set values.

[0035] Furthermore, temperature information from a temperature sensor 168 provided in the tube 20 is input to the heating control unit 123. The heating control unit 123 controls a heater 169 provided in the tube 20 based on this temperature information, thereby suppressing condensation inside the tube 20.

[0036] The flow sensor 164 is a differential pressure sensor that measures the respiratory flow of the patient 1 and sends the measurement result to the respiratory waveform analysis unit 124. The respiratory waveform analysis unit 124 acquires the respiratory waveform of the patient 1 by analysis based on the respiratory flow and sends this respiratory waveform to the control unit 122 and the communication unit 125 as respiratory information.

[0037] Information about the pressure inside the flow path 132 measured by the pressure sensor 165 is sent to the control unit 122. In addition, pressure setting information (e.g., target pressure) is input from the operation input unit 111a to the control unit 122. The control unit 122 controls the pressure of the air flow supplied to the patient 1 by controlling the rotation of the blower 131 based on the pressure information measured by the pressure sensor 165, the respiratory information from the respiratory waveform analysis unit 124, and the pressure setting information from the operation input unit 111a set by the user.

[0038] Acceleration information (detected value) measured by acceleration sensor 121 is sent to control unit 122, communication unit 125, and storage unit 126.

[0039] Based on the acceleration information, the control unit 122 controls the operation of the CPAP device 100. Based on the acceleration information, the control unit 122 performs a fall determination, a tumble determination, an impact determination, a vibration determination, etc. of the CPAP device 100, and when it determines that the CPAP device 100 has fallen, tumbled, been impacted, or vibrated, the control unit 122 stops all or part of the operation of the CPAP device 100.

[0040] The communication unit 125 communicates with the external system 200. For example, respiratory information obtained by the respiratory waveform analysis unit 124 is transmitted to the external system 200 via the communication unit 125. This allows a medical professional located away from the CPAP device 100 to know that the patient 1 is experiencing apnea.

[0041] Furthermore, the acceleration obtained by the acceleration sensor 121, the determination results regarding the fall, toppling, impact, and vibration obtained by the control unit 122, and information regarding the operation stoppage performed by the control unit 122 are transmitted to the external system 200 via the communication unit 125. This allows the external system 200 to know the acceleration, fall, toppling, impact, vibration, and operation stoppage occurring in the CPAP device 100. As a result, if the external system 200 is a system server of a management company, this information can be used for maintenance work on the CPAP device 100.

[0042] <2> Processing using an acceleration sensor Next, a processing example using the acceleration sensor 121 in this embodiment will be specifically described.

[0043] 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of control using the acceleration sensor 121 according to this embodiment. In step S1, the control unit 122 starts the operation of the CPAP device 100 by controlling the driving of the blower 131, the heater 153, etc. After the operation starts, the control unit 122 constantly or periodically measures the amount of water in the water tank 151 and stores the result.

[0044] In the next step S2, the control unit 122 determines whether or not it has detected a drop, a tumble, a vibration, or an impact on the CPAP device 100. Specifically, based on the acceleration information from the acceleration sensor 121, the control unit 122 determines whether the CPAP device 100 has dropped, tumbled, vibrated by a predetermined value or more, or received an impact by a predetermined value or more.

[0045] If control unit 122 obtains a positive result in step S2 (step S2; YES), control unit 122 proceeds to step S3. In step S3, control unit 122 determines whether the amount of water in water tank 151 is equal to or greater than a threshold. In this embodiment, control unit 122 estimates the amount of water in water tank 151 based on the measurement result of weight sensor 167 and performs threshold determination.

[0046] If the control unit 122 obtains a positive result in step S3 (step S3; YES), the control unit 122 proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the control unit 122 determines that the CPAP device 100 is in an emergency state, and stops the blower 131 and the heaters 153 and 169.

[0047] 6, even if water overflowing from the water tank 151 enters the tube 20 when the CPAP device 100 is dropped, tipped over, or violently shaken, the water is not pressure-fed by the blower to the patient 1, thereby preventing the water overflowing from the water tank 151 from being mistakenly sent to the airway of the patient 1. Furthermore, when the CPAP device 100 is dropped, tipped over, or violently shaken, the heaters 153, 169 are stopped, thereby preventing damage to the heaters 153, 169 and burns to the user due to overheating of the heaters 153, 169 caused by, for example, running the heaters empty.

[0048] It should be noted that the process may proceed to step S4 if a positive result is obtained in step S2, without performing the process of step S3.

[0049] This makes it possible to realize a CPAP device 100 with improved safety and reliability.

[0050] For example, in countries such as Japan where people are accustomed to sleeping on the floor, the CPAP device 100 is often placed on the floor, which raises the risk of the patient or family accidentally kicking the CPAP device 100 and causing it to fall over. The CPAP device 100 may also be toppled over due to turning over in sleep. Meanwhile, in countries such as Europe and the United States where people are accustomed to sleeping on a bed, the CPAP device 100 is often placed higher than the floor, which raises the risk of the CPAP device 100 being dropped. Furthermore, in countries with frequent earthquakes, the CPAP device 100 may fall, tip over, or be subject to significant shaking due to an earthquake.

[0051] In such a case, the CPAP device 100 of this embodiment can prevent water from entering the tube 20, thereby preventing the tube 20 from becoming clogged with water. Even if water does enter the tube 20, the water can be prevented from being sent to the mask 10. Furthermore, damage to the heaters 153, 169 and burns to the user due to overheating of the heaters 153, 169 can be prevented.

[0052] Here, detection of a fall, impact, toppling, and vibration using acceleration information will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0053] 7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating a fall and the impact caused by the fall. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a case where the CPAP device 100 is dropped without tilting, and Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a case where the CPAP device 100 is dropped tilting.

[0054] Fig. 7A is a diagram showing the CPAP device 100 being dropped without tilting, and Fig. 7B is a diagram showing the Z-axis component output from the acceleration sensor 121 at that time. As can be seen from Fig. 7B, the drop of the CPAP device 100 and the impact caused by the drop can be detected from the position where the Z-axis component changes significantly. Note that in Fig. 7B, gravitational acceleration is constantly applied in the Z-axis direction.

[0055] FIG. 8A is a diagram showing the CPAP device 100 tilted and dropped, and FIG. 8B is a diagram showing the X-axis and / or Y-axis components output from the acceleration sensor 121 at that time. As can be seen from FIG. 8B, the impact caused by the CPAP device 100 being dropped can be detected from the position where the X-axis and / or Y-axis components change significantly. In other words, the impact caused by the drop can be detected even without the Z-axis component. Therefore, even if a 2-axis or 1-axis acceleration sensor is used as the acceleration sensor 121 instead of a 3-axis one, the impact caused by the drop can be detected. The use of a 2-axis or 1-axis acceleration sensor has the advantage that the acceleration sensor 121 can be configured simply and inexpensively.

[0056] Fig. 9A is a diagram showing the X-axis and / or Y-axis components output from the acceleration sensor 121 when the CPAP device 100 falls over. Fig. 9B is a diagram showing the X-axis and / or Y-axis components output from the acceleration sensor 121 when the CPAP device 100 receives an impact (for example, when the CPAP device 100 placed on the floor is kicked by a foot). Fig. 9C is a diagram showing the X-axis and / or Y-axis components output from the acceleration sensor 121 when the CPAP device 100 receives vibrations due to, for example, an earthquake.

[0057] The control unit 122 analyzes which of the waveform shapes in Figures 7B, 8B, 9A, 9B, and 9C the output of the acceleration sensor 121 corresponds to, and thereby determines whether the CPAP device 100 has been dropped, impacted, toppled, or vibrated.

[0058] Then, for example, when the control unit 122 determines that the CPAP device 100 has fallen over, it stops all or part of the operation of the CPAP device 100. Furthermore, when the control unit 122 determines that the CPAP device 100 has received an impact or is vibrating, for example, it stops all or part of the operation of the CPAP device 100 if the magnitude of the impact or vibration is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0059] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the control unit 122 may stop all or part of the operation of the CPAP device 100 when it is determined that the CPAP device 100 has fallen, and may not perform stop control when it is determined that the CPAP device 100 has received an impact or vibration. In other words, the safety of the CPAP device 100 is significantly reduced when the CPAP device 100 falls, so the control unit 122 stops the CPAP device 100, whereas the reduction in safety is less when the CPAP device 100 is simply impacted or vibrated, so the control unit 122 does not perform stop control. In this way, it is possible to prevent the CPAP device 100 from being stopped unnecessarily.

[0060] Next, an example in which a two-axis acceleration sensor, which has a simpler configuration than a three-axis acceleration sensor, can be used as the acceleration sensor 121 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0061] FIG. 10A shows the detection axes of an acceleration sensor. Here, assume that the detection axes of a triaxial acceleration sensor are the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, the detection axes of a biaxial acceleration sensor are the X-axis and Y-axis, and the detection axis of a uniaxial acceleration sensor is the X-axis. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C, when air inlet 152a and air outlet 152b on the top surface of water tank 151 are aligned along the direction indicated by the dashed-dotted line in the figure, it is preferable to detect acceleration in the direction indicated by the dashed-dotted line. In other words, in FIGS. 10B and 10C, it is preferable to arrange the acceleration sensor so that its detection axis (X-axis) is aligned along the dashed-dotted line, regardless of the number of detection axes. In this way, even a uniaxial acceleration sensor can detect water leakage from air inlet 152a and air outlet 152b, regardless of the number of detection axes.

[0062] When the center line (shown by the dashed line in the figure) of air inlet 152a and air outlet 152b on the top surface of water tank 151 is as shown in Figure 11B, by rotating the detection axis of the acceleration sensor to align it with the center line as shown in Figure 11A, it is possible to omit acceleration detection in the direction perpendicular to the center line (the direction of the arrow in the figure).

[0063] <3> summary As described above, one aspect of the CPAP device 100 of the embodiment includes a blower (blower 131) that generates an airflow to be sent into the patient's airway, an acceleration sensor 121, a water tank 151 that stores water to be added to the airflow, and a control unit 122 that controls the operation of the CPAP device 100 based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 121. This makes it possible to realize a CPAP device 100 with improved safety and reliability.

[0064] According to one aspect of the CPAP device 100 of the embodiment, the control unit 122 determines whether the CPAP device 100 has fallen over based on the acceleration, and when the determination result indicates that the CPAP device 100 has fallen over, stops all or part of the operation of the CPAP device 100. In this way, when the CPAP device 100 has fallen over, for example, by stopping the operation of the blower 131, it is possible to prevent water overflowing from the water tank 151 from being mistakenly sent to the mask 10 side.

[0065] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the CPAP device 100 of the embodiment, the control unit 122 controls the operation of the CPAP device 100 based on the acceleration and the amount of water in the water tank 151. Furthermore, according to one aspect of the CPAP device 100 of the embodiment, the control unit 122 stops all or part of the operation of the CPAP device 100 when the detected value of the acceleration is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and the detected value of the amount of water is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. This makes it possible to prevent the operation of the CPAP device 100 from being stopped if, for example, the amount of water is less than the threshold even if the acceleration is equal to or greater than a threshold, thereby reducing unnecessary operation stop control.

[0066] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the CPAP device 100 of the embodiment, the acceleration sensor 122 is provided at a position higher than the water tank 151. In the above-described embodiment, the acceleration sensor 121 is provided on the circuit board 120 higher than the water tank 151. In this way, when the CPAP device 100 is subjected to an impact or shaken, the impact and shaken received by the water tank 151 can be detected with high sensitivity by the acceleration sensor 121, thereby enabling safer and more reliable operation stop control to be performed.

[0067] Furthermore, the installation position of the acceleration sensor 122 is not limited to this. The acceleration sensor 122 may be placed at the center of gravity or central position of the CPAP device 100, the center of gravity or central position of the water tub 151, etc. Also, the acceleration sensor 122 may be placed at a position higher or lower than the center of gravity or central position of the CPAP device 100, or higher or lower than the center of gravity or central position of the water tub 151.

[0068] According to one aspect of the CPAP device 100 of the embodiment, the CPAP device 100 includes a memory unit 126 that stores information related to acceleration. Here, the information related to acceleration includes the acceleration itself, or information related to the determination of a fall, tumble, impact, or vibration, or information related to the shutdown of the CPAP device 100. Therefore, if a malfunction or other problem occurs in the CPAP device 100, the administrator can determine whether the malfunction is due to a fall, tumble, impact, or vibration of the CPAP device 100 by looking at the information related to acceleration stored in the memory unit 126. Furthermore, the information related to acceleration may be stored in association with a time. This allows the administrator to determine when the fall, tumble, impact, or vibration occurred.

[0069] According to one aspect of the CPAP device 100 of the embodiment, the CPAP device 100 includes a communication unit 125 that transmits information related to acceleration to an external device. This allows external devices to know the acceleration, fall, toppling, shock, vibration, and operation stoppage that have occurred in the CPAP device 100. As a result, for example, the maintainability of the CPAP device 100 is improved.

[0070] The above-described embodiments are merely examples of specific embodiments of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by these embodiments. In other words, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the gist or main characteristics thereof.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, the water volume in water tank 151 is estimated based on the measurement results of weight sensor 167, but this is not limiting. Without providing weight sensor 167, the water volume may be estimated based on the heating time by heater 153, the heating time by heater 153 and the temperature of heater 153, the water volume may be estimated based on the power consumption of heater 153, the water volume may be measured using a water level sensor, or the water volume may be estimated by other methods.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the case where the acceleration sensor 121 is provided has been described, but a posture sensor may be provided instead of or in addition to the acceleration sensor 121. The posture sensor may detect a fall or the like of the CPAP device 100. For example, when the posture sensor detects that the CPAP device 100 has tilted from a horizontal position, an alert may be output instructing the user to place the CPAP device 100 on a horizontal surface.

[0073] As the posture sensor, a sensor capable of detecting the installation state of the CPAP device 100, such as the tilt, can be used, for example, a gyro sensor, an angle sensor, a tilt sensor, or an angular acceleration sensor.

[0074] However, it is preferable to use an acceleration sensor as in the above-described embodiment, since it is possible to detect all of the drops, toppling, shocks, and vibrations of the CPAP device 100.

[0075] Furthermore, in addition to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, a sensor may be provided to detect flooding of the flow path 132, and when flooding occurs in the flow path 132, an alert may be output or the operation of the blower 131, etc. may be stopped. In this way, safety and reliability can be further improved.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to a CPAP device having a water tub 151, but it can also be applied to a CPAP device without a water tub. That is, even in a CPAP device without a water tub, if it is dropped, toppled, impacted, or vibrated, the tube 20 may bend or the device may malfunction, resulting in a decrease in safety and reliability. If the CPAP device is provided with an acceleration sensor 121, it can detect a drop, topple, impact, or vibration. Furthermore, if a drop, topple, impact, or vibration is detected, the control unit 122 can stop operation, and the detection information can be transmitted to an external device via the communication unit 125 or stored in the memory unit 126, thereby improving safety and reliability.

[0077] Furthermore, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to CPAP devices, but can also be applied to respiratory support devices such as ASV (Adaptive Servo Ventilation) devices and NHF (Nasal High Flow) devices, and can also be applied to other home medical devices.

[0078] (1) One aspect of the medical device disclosed herein includes a blower that generates an airflow to be blown into a patient's airway, and a sensor that detects acceleration or posture.

[0079] This makes it possible to detect drops, impacts, falls, vibrations, etc., and to realize medical equipment with improved safety and reliability.

[0080] (2) One aspect of the medical device of the present disclosure is the above (1), further comprising a water tank for storing water to be added to the air flow, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the medical device based on the detection results detected by the sensor.

[0081] This will help prevent the tank water from adversely affecting medical equipment.

[0082] (3) In one aspect of the medical device disclosed herein, in (2) above, the control unit determines whether the medical device has fallen based on the detection result, and if a determination result indicating that the medical device has fallen is obtained, stops all or part of the operation of the medical device.

[0083] This will help prevent the water in the tank from adversely affecting the medical equipment if it falls over.

[0084] (4) In one aspect of the medical device of the present disclosure, in the above (2), the control unit controls the operation of the medical device based on the acceleration and the amount of water in the water tank.

[0085] (5) In one aspect of the medical device of the present disclosure, in (4) above, the control unit stops the operation of all or part of the medical device when the detected value of acceleration is greater than or equal to a predetermined value and the detected value of water volume is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

[0086] This makes it possible to prevent the operation of a medical device from being stopped if the amount of water is less than the threshold even if the acceleration is equal to or greater than the threshold, thereby reducing unnecessary control to stop the operation of a medical device.

[0087] (6) In one aspect of the medical device of the present disclosure, in the above (3) or (5), the components that the control unit stops operating include a blower.

[0088] (7) In one aspect of the medical device of the present disclosure, in the above (3) or (5), a heater for heating the water in the tank is further provided, and the heater is included in the items that the control unit stops operating.

[0089] (8) In one aspect of the medical device of the present disclosure, in the above (2), the acceleration sensor is provided above the water tank.

[0090] (9) In one aspect of the medical device of the present disclosure, in the above (1), the medical device further includes a storage unit that stores information related to acceleration.

[0091] (10) In one aspect of the medical device of the present disclosure, in the above (1), the medical device further includes a communication unit that transmits information related to acceleration to an external device. [Industrial Applicability]

[0092] The present disclosure is widely applicable to medical devices such as sleep apnea syndrome treatment devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1 patient 10 Mask 20 tubes 100 CPAP machines 110 Storage Case 111 Operation Panel 112 Tube Connector 113 Air intake 114 Power Connector 120 Circuit Board 121 Accelerometer 130 Flow path case 131 Blower 132 Channel 150 Base 151 Aquarium 152 Lid 152a Air intake 152b Air outlet 153, 169 heater 154 AC / AD converter 155 Sheet Metal Components 156 fans 122 Control Unit 123 Heating control unit 125 Communications Department 126 Storage section

Claims

1. a blower for generating an airflow to be delivered to the patient's airway; a sensor for detecting acceleration or attitude; A medical device comprising:

2. a water tank in which moisture to be added to the air flow is stored; a control unit that controls the operation of the medical device based on the detection result detected by the sensor; Further provided with The medical device of claim 1.

3. The control unit determines whether the medical device has fallen based on the detection result, and when a determination result indicating that the medical device has fallen is obtained, stops all or part of the operation of the medical device. The medical device of claim 2.

4. The control unit controls the operation of the medical device based on the acceleration and the amount of water in the water tank. The medical device of claim 2.

5. the control unit stops all or part of the operation of the medical device when the detected value of the acceleration is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and the detected value of the water volume is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The medical device according to claim 4.

6. The components that the control unit stops operating include the blower. A medical device according to claim 3 or 5.

7. Further provided is a heater for heating the water in the water tank; The heater is included in the components that the control unit stops operating. A medical device according to claim 3 or 5.

8. The sensor includes an acceleration sensor, and the acceleration sensor is provided above the water tank. The medical device of claim 2.

9. Further comprising a storage unit that stores information related to the acceleration. The medical device of claim 1.

10. Further comprising a communication unit that transmits information related to the acceleration to an external device. The medical device of claim 1.

Images