Assistive device manufacturing support device, assistive device manufacturing support method, and assistive device manufacturing support program

Abstract

This invention provides a self-help device manufacturing support device that can create self-help devices that provide tactile stimulation tailored to the progression of each individual patient's sensory impairment. [Solution] A self-help device manufacturing support device is provided, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires evaluation values ​​of a user's sensory test; and a tactile stimulus determination unit that determines the tactile stimulation to be applied to the self-help device used by the user based on the evaluation values.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a self-help device manufacturing support apparatus, a self-help device manufacturing support method, and a self-help device manufacturing support program.

Background Art

[0002] As rehabilitation during the recovery and living periods for sensory disorders such as hemiplegia of one side of the body due to stroke or the like, sensory input, particularly input by tactile stimulation, is one of the important items. In particular, the goal of rehabilitation for sensory disorder patients during the recovery and living periods is to be able to live as they did in their daily lives before illness. Therefore, it is also generally known to use self-help devices as auxiliary tools for such rehabilitation. Patent Document 1 discloses a self-help device that improves a known self-help device and has good wearability on the user's hand and good retention of cutlery such as forks and spoons. Patent Document 2 discloses a daily gripping object that can promote muscle elongation and expand the joint range of motion by pressing the Pacinian corpuscles.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, most of the current self-help devices are commercially available products or products obtained by improving commercially available products, and there is no technology for manufacturing a self-help device that can provide tactile stimulation designed according to the progress of each patient.

[0005] This disclosure is made in view of the above points, and aims to provide an assistive device manufacturing support device, an assistive device manufacturing support method, and an assistive device manufacturing support program that can manufacture assistive devices that can provide tactile stimulation designed to match the progression of each individual patient with sensory impairment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect of this disclosure, an assistive device manufacturing support device is provided, comprising: an acquisition unit for acquiring evaluation values ​​of a user's sensory test; and a tactile stimulus determination unit for determining tactile stimuli to be applied to an assistive device used by the user based on the evaluation values.

[0007] The tactile stimulus determination unit may determine the material and surface shape for providing the assistive device with tactile stimulation tailored to the user by referring to a database that links tactile stimuli with materials and surface shapes using the evaluation value.

[0008] The above-described assistive device manufacturing support device may further include an output unit that outputs design data for applying the tactile stimulation determined by the tactile stimulation determination unit to the assistive device.

[0009] The output unit may output design data for the assistive device that reflects the material and surface shape of the part of the assistive device that touches the hand.

[0010] The output unit may output the design data of the assistive device as CAD data.

[0011] The above-described assistive device manufacturing support device may further include a transmission unit that transmits the design data along with a request for the manufacture of the assistive device to an external party.

[0012] The above assistive device manufacturing support apparatus may further include a scanning processing unit for acquiring data on the shape and dimensions of the user's hand.

[0013] The above-described assistive device manufacturing support device may further include an information input unit that inputs at least the user's information, the evaluation values ​​of the user's sensory test, and improvement goals, and a suggestion processing unit that suggests the type of assistive device based on the information input by the information input unit.

[0014] The assistive device may be an everyday item that the user can grasp with one or both hands.

[0015] In another aspect of this disclosure, a method for assisting the manufacture of assistive devices is provided, in which a processor obtains evaluation values ​​from a user's sensory test and performs a process to determine, based on the evaluation values, tactile stimuli to be applied to the assistive device used by the user.

[0016] In another aspect of this disclosure, a computer is provided with an assistive device manufacturing support program that performs a process to obtain evaluation values ​​of a user's sensory test and to determine, based on the evaluation values, tactile stimuli to be applied to the assistive device used by the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an assistive device manufacturing support device, an assistive device manufacturing support method, and an assistive device manufacturing support program that can manufacture assistive devices that can provide tactile stimulation designed to match the progression of each individual patient's sensory impairment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating a self-help device manufacturing support device according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an assistive device manufacturing support system. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an assistive device manufacturing support system. [Figure 4] This diagram shows an example of a database data structure. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the flow of the assistive device manufacturing support process using the assistive device manufacturing support device. [Figure 6]It is a flowchart showing the flow of the assistive device fabrication support process by the assistive device fabrication support apparatus.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the drawings, the same or equivalent components and parts are given the same reference numerals. Also, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may be different from the actual ratios.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an assistive device fabrication support apparatus according to the present embodiment. The assistive device fabrication support apparatus 10 is an apparatus that supports the creation of assistive devices that can apply tactile stimuli to patients with sensory disorders as assistive tools for rehabilitation during the recovery period or the living period in cases such as sensory disorders. A patient with a sensory disorder is an example of a user of the present disclosure. An assistive device is an article that can be grasped by a patient with one hand or both hands, and for example, daily necessities such as spoons, dishes, cups, toothbrushes, balls, smartphone cases, and chopsticks. Note that the assistive devices that can be supported for fabrication by the assistive device fabrication support apparatus 10 are not limited to such examples, and the users who use the assistive devices that can be supported for fabrication by the assistive device fabrication support apparatus 10 are not limited to patients with sensory disorders, and may be, for example, elderly people. That is, assistive devices that can be supported for fabrication by the assistive device fabrication support apparatus 10 and can apply tactile stimuli to users are used by, for example, people who require some rehabilitation, such as patients with sensory disorders due to cerebrovascular diseases, cerebral palsy, hypersensitivity, joint diseases, Parkinson's disease, and furthermore, elderly people who require assistance regardless of the presence or absence of diseases.

[0021] The assistive device manufacturing support device 10 according to this embodiment determines the tactile stimulation to be applied to the assistive device used by the user based on the evaluation values ​​of the user's sensory test. By determining the tactile stimulation to be applied to the assistive device used by the user based on the evaluation values ​​of the user's sensory test, the assistive device manufacturing support device 10 according to this embodiment can support the creation of a custom-made assistive device that can provide tactile stimulation suited to the user. Since the user can be provided with tactile stimulation that is effective for rehabilitation by using a custom-made assistive device, patients with diseases can expect to recover quickly, and elderly people who need assistance can expect to be able to live their daily lives more easily.

[0022] Here, the sensory tests performed on patients from which evaluation values ​​can be obtained may be any test. As evaluation values, for example, values ​​obtained from tests that measure the patient's tactile sensation, pain sensation, two-point discrimination, material identification, and rough / smooth discrimination may be used. An example of a sensory test performed on a patient is the test described in "An Attempt at Active Sensory Relearning for Chronic Stroke Patients with Severe Somatosensory Impairment in the Left Hand" (Keisuke Hanada, Miharu Katsuyama, Masashi Kono, Takashi Takebayashi, Kazumi Hirayama, Occupational Therapy 2021, Vol. 40, No. 4, pp. 503-511).

[0023] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the assistive device manufacturing support device 10.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the assistive device manufacturing support device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, storage 14, input unit 15, display unit 16, and communication interface (I / F) 17. Each component is connected to the others via a bus 19 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0025] The CPU 11 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls various parts. Specifically, the CPU 11 reads a program from the ROM 12 or storage 14 and executes the program using the RAM 13 as a workspace. The CPU 11 controls each of the above components and performs various calculations according to the program recorded in the ROM 12 or storage 14. In this embodiment, the ROM 12 or storage 14 stores a program that assists in the creation of assistive devices used by the user.

[0026] ROM12 stores various programs and data. RAM13 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. Storage14 consists of a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or flash memory, and stores various programs, including the operating system, and various data.

[0027] The input unit 15 includes a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and is used for various types of input.

[0028] The display unit 16 is, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays various information. The display unit 16 may also function as an input unit 15 by employing a touch panel system.

[0029] The communication interface 17 is an interface for communicating with other devices, and standards such as Ethernet®, FDDI, and Wi-Fi® can be used.

[0030] When executing the above assistive device manufacturing support program, the assistive device manufacturing support device 10 uses the above hardware resources to implement various functions. The functional configuration implemented by the assistive device manufacturing support device 10 will now be described.

[0031] Next, we will explain the functional configuration of the assistive device manufacturing support device 10.

[0032] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the assistive device manufacturing support device 10.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the assistive device manufacturing support device 10 has the following functional configuration: acquisition unit 101, tactile stimulus determination unit 102, output unit 103, transmission unit 104, scan processing unit 105, information input unit 106, and suggestion processing unit 107. Each functional configuration is realized by the CPU 11 reading and executing an assistive device manufacturing support program stored in the ROM 12 or storage 14. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the assistive device manufacturing support device 10 has a database 108. Note that the database 108 may reside inside the assistive device manufacturing support device 10, or it may reside in a device other than the assistive device manufacturing support device 10.

[0034] The acquisition unit 101 acquires evaluation values ​​from sensory tests performed on the patient. As described above, the sensory tests performed on the patient can be of any type, and the evaluation values ​​may be those obtained from tests that measure the patient's tactile sensation, pain sensation, two-point discrimination, material identification, or rough / smooth discrimination.

[0035] The tactile stimulus determination unit 102 uses the evaluation values ​​acquired by the acquisition unit 101 to determine the tactile stimulus to be applied to the assistive device used by the patient. Specifically, the tactile stimulus determination unit 102 compares the evaluation values ​​acquired by the acquisition unit 101 with the database 108 to determine the tactile stimulus to be applied to the assistive device used by the patient. Specifically, the tactile stimulus determination unit 102 determines the tactile stimulus to be applied to the part of the assistive device that the patient will hold.

[0036] Figure 4 shows an example of the data structure of database 108. Database 108 shown in Figure 4 is referenced by the tactile stimulus determination unit 102 when determining the tactile stimuli to be applied to the assistive device used by the patient. As shown in Figure 4, database 108 includes an evaluation value column, a tactile stimulus to be applied column, a material column for applying the tactile stimulus, and a surface shape column for applying the tactile stimulus. The evaluation value column is used to determine the tactile stimulus to be applied to the patient's hand, the material for applying the tactile stimulus, and the surface shape for applying the tactile stimulus, based on the evaluation values ​​of the sensory test performed on the patient. The tactile stimulus to be applied column stores information on the tactile stimulus to be applied to the patient for each evaluation value. The pattern of the tactile stimulus to be applied refers to the tactile sensation pattern of the assistive device, such as grip feel and unevenness, and the pattern of the tactile stimulus to be applied to the assistive device differs depending on the evaluation value. The material column for applying the tactile stimulus stores information on the material that realizes the tactile stimulus pattern in the same row. The surface shape column for providing tactile stimulation is a column that stores information about the surface shape that realizes the pattern of tactile stimulation in the same row.

[0037] For example, suppose a sensory test performed on a patient yields an evaluation score of 60. The tactile stimulus determination unit 102, based on the evaluation score of 60, determines that the tactile stimulus to be applied is pattern 2, the material to realize that pattern is pattern B, and the surface shape to realize that pattern is pattern II, by referring to the database 108. The material and surface shape for applying the tactile stimulus determined by the tactile stimulus determination unit 102 are reflected in the material and surface shape of the assistive device that the patient touches.

[0038] In this embodiment, for example, information on the material and surface shape is registered in the database 108 such that the higher the evaluation value, the stronger the tactile sensation such as grip and texture of the assistive device.

[0039] The tactile stimulus determination unit 102 determines the tactile stimulus to be applied to the assistive device used by the patient using the evaluation values ​​acquired by the acquisition unit 101. This allows the assistive device manufacturing support device 10 to apply tactile stimuli appropriate to the progression of sensory impairment and to support the creation of a custom-made assistive device that fits the patient's hand.

[0040] The output unit 103 outputs design data for applying the tactile stimuli determined by the tactile stimulus determination unit 102 to the assistive device used by the patient. The output unit 103 outputs the design data, for example, as CAD (Computer Aided Design) data.

[0041] The transmitting unit 104 transmits the design data for the assistive device output by the output unit 103, along with a request for the manufacture of the assistive device, to a manufacturer of the assistive device. The manufacturer manufactures the assistive device based on the design data and delivers the manufactured assistive device to the client.

[0042] The scanning processing unit 105 acquires data on the shape and dimensions of the patient's hand. The scanning processing unit 105 acquires data on the shape and dimensions of the patient's hand by, for example, performing image analysis using a camera or analysis using 3D scanning.

[0043] The information input unit 106 receives patient information, evaluation values ​​from sensory tests performed on the patient, and improvement goals, for example, from a healthcare professional responsible for the patient's treatment or rehabilitation. Examples of sensory test evaluation values ​​include values ​​from tests for touch, pain, two-point discrimination, material identification, and rough / smooth discrimination. Examples of patient information include disease name, sequelae name, age, sensory test evaluation values, rehabilitation period, rehabilitation content performed so far, and improvement goals. Examples of improvement goals include "being able to eat rice using chopsticks" and "being able to grasp and operate a smartphone."

[0044] The suggestion processing unit 107 proposes the type of assistive device the patient will use based on the information entered by the information input unit 106. For example, the suggestion processing unit 107 proposes the type of assistive device to be made based on the patient's improvement goals entered by the information input unit 106. For example, if the improvement goal is "to be able to eat using cutlery," the suggestion processing unit 107 will propose chopsticks, spoons, and other cutlery as assistive devices. If the improvement goal is "to be able to grasp and operate a smartphone," the suggestion processing unit 107 will propose a smartphone case as an assistive device.

[0045] The output unit 103 may output assistive device design data based on the tactile stimulation determined by the tactile stimulation determination unit 102, the assistive device proposed by the suggestion processing unit 107, and the shape of the patient's hand scanned by the scan processing unit 105. By outputting assistive device design data based on the tactile stimulation determined by the tactile stimulation determination unit 102, the assistive device proposed by the suggestion processing unit 107, and the shape of the patient's hand scanned by the scan processing unit 105, the assistive device manufacturing support device 10 can provide tactile stimulation that matches the progression of sensory impairment and support the creation of custom-made assistive devices that fit the patient's hand.

[0046] Next, the operation of the assistive device manufacturing support device 10 will be explained.

[0047] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the assistive device manufacturing support process by the assistive device manufacturing support device 10. The CPU 11 reads the assistive device manufacturing support program from the ROM 12 or storage 14, loads it into the RAM 13, and executes it, thereby performing the assistive device manufacturing support process.

[0048] In step S101, CPU11 obtains evaluation values ​​from the patient's sensory tests. Any type of sensory test performed on the patient may be used, and the evaluation values ​​may be those obtained from tests measuring the patient's tactile sensation, pain sensation, two-point discrimination, material identification, or rough / smooth discrimination.

[0049] Following step S101, in step S102, the CPU 11 uses the evaluation values ​​obtained in step S101 to determine the tactile stimulation to be applied to the assistive device used by the patient. Specifically, the CPU 11 compares the evaluation values ​​obtained in step S101 with the database 108 to determine the tactile stimulation to be applied to the assistive device used by the patient. By determining the tactile stimulation to be applied to the assistive device used by the patient, the CPU 11 determines the material and surface shape of the part of the assistive device that touches the patient's hand.

[0050] Following step S102, in step S103, the CPU 11 outputs design data for an assistive device that reflects the tactile stimuli determined in step S102.

[0051] By performing this process, the assistive device manufacturing support device 10 can provide tactile stimulation appropriate to the progression of sensory impairment and assist in the creation of custom-made assistive devices that fit the patient's hand.

[0052] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the assistive device manufacturing support process by the assistive device manufacturing support device 10. The CPU 11 reads the assistive device manufacturing support program from the ROM 12 or storage 14, loads it into the RAM 13, and executes it, thereby performing the assistive device manufacturing support process.

[0053] In the flowchart shown in Figure 6, the processes in steps S101 and S102 are identical to those in the flowchart shown in Figure 5, so their explanation is omitted.

[0054] Following step S102, in step S111, the CPU 11 accepts input for the patient's improvement goals. Examples of improvement goals include "being able to eat using cutlery" and "being able to grasp and operate a smartphone."

[0055] Following step S111, in step S112, CPU 11 proposes the type of assistive device to be made based on the patient's improvement goal entered in step S111. For example, if the improvement goal entered is "to be able to eat using cutlery," CPU 11 will propose chopsticks, spoons, and other cutlery as assistive devices. If the improvement goal entered is "to be able to grasp and operate a smartphone," CPU 11 will propose a smartphone case as an assistive device.

[0056] Following step S112, in step S113, the CPU 11 acquires data on the shape and dimensions of the patient's hand. The CPU 11 acquires data on the shape and dimensions of the patient's hand by, for example, performing image analysis using a camera or analysis using a 3D scan.

[0057] Following step S113, in step S114, the CPU 11 outputs design data for an assistive device in which the tactile stimuli determined in step S102 are applied to the assistive device proposed in step S112. At this time, the CPU 11 outputs the design data for the assistive device so that its size matches the shape and dimensions of the patient's hand obtained in step S113.

[0058] By performing this process, the assistive device manufacturing support device 10 can provide tactile stimulation appropriate to the progression of sensory impairment and assist in the creation of custom-made assistive devices that fit the patient's hand.

[0059] In this disclosure, the order of processes in the flowchart shown in Figure 6 may be rearranged as appropriate.

[0060] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person with ordinary skill in the art of the present disclosure may conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the technical idea set forth in the claims, and these modifications or alterations are also understood to fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0061] Furthermore, the effects described in the above embodiments are descriptive or illustrative, and are not limited to those described in the above embodiments. In other words, the technology relating to this disclosure may produce other effects that would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art of this disclosure from the descriptions in the above embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of the effects described in the above embodiments.

[0062] Furthermore, the assistive device manufacturing support processing, which is executed by the CPU after it reads the software (program) in each of the above embodiments, may also be executed by various processors other than the CPU. Examples of such processors include PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices) such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, and dedicated electrical circuits that are processors with circuit configurations specifically designed to execute specific processing, such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). In addition, the assistive device manufacturing support processing may be executed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, multiple FPGAs, and a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). More specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors is an electrical circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0063] Furthermore, while the above embodiments describe a configuration in which the program for assistive device manufacturing support processing is pre-stored (installed) in ROM or storage, the invention is not limited thereto. The program may be provided in a form recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), or USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The program may also be provided in a form that can be downloaded from an external device via a network. This disclosure may also be applied to program products. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 10. Assistive device manufacturing support device 101 Acquisition Department 102 Tactile Stimulus Determinant 103 Output section 104 Transmitter 105 Scanning Processing Unit 106 Information Input Section 107 Proposal Processing Section 108 Databases

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires evaluation values ​​for the user's sensory test, A tactile stimulus determination unit that determines the tactile stimulus to be applied to the assistive device used by the user based on the evaluation value, A device for assisting the creation of assistive devices, equipped with the necessary components.

2. The assistive device manufacturing support device according to claim 1, wherein the tactile stimulus determination unit determines the material and surface shape for providing the assistive device with tactile stimulation tailored to the user by referring to a database linking tactile stimuli with materials and surface shapes using the evaluation value.

3. The assistive device manufacturing support device according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit that outputs design data for applying the tactile stimulus determined by the tactile stimulus determination unit to the assistive device.

4. The assistive device manufacturing support device according to claim 3, wherein the output unit outputs design data of the assistive device that reflects the material and surface shape of the part of the assistive device that touches the hand.

5. The assistive device manufacturing support device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the output unit outputs the design data of the assistive device as CAD data.

6. The assistive device manufacturing support device according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising a transmission unit for transmitting the design data to an external party along with a request for the manufacture of the assistive device.

7. The assistive device manufacturing support device according to claim 1, further comprising a scanning processing unit for acquiring data on the shape and dimensions of the user's hand.

8. An information input unit that inputs at least the user's information, the evaluation values ​​of the user's sensory test, and improvement targets, A suggestion processing unit that suggests the type of assistive device based on the information input by the information input unit, The assistive device manufacturing support device according to claim 1, further comprising the above.

9. The assistive device manufacturing support device according to claim 1, wherein the assistive device is an everyday item that the user can grasp with one hand or both hands.

10. The processor, We obtain the evaluation values ​​from the user's sensory test, Based on the aforementioned evaluation values, the tactile stimulation to be applied to the assistive device used by the user is determined. A method for assisting in the creation of assistive devices that perform processing.

11. On the computer, We obtain the evaluation values ​​from the user's sensory test, Based on the aforementioned evaluation values, the tactile stimulation to be applied to the assistive device used by the user is determined. A program that supports the creation of assistive devices by executing the necessary processes.

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