Suction devices and auxiliary devices for existing suction devices

Abstract

This invention provides an auxiliary device that can add a function to save usage history to existing suction devices. [Solution] The auxiliary device 20 according to the present invention is a device used by being attached to an existing portable suction device 10 which is equipped with a pipe extending from a space S to be made negatively pressurized and a pump 11 connected to the pipe, and comprises an internal pressure sensor 30 that detects the internal pressure of the pipe and outputs an internal pressure signal relating to the internal pressure, a storage unit 32, a control unit 31 which stores in the storage unit 32 the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal output thereafter or the differential pressure obtained from the internal pressure, when the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal satisfies a predetermined first condition or when the differential pressure obtained from the internal pressure and a preset reference pressure satisfies a predetermined second condition, and a power supply unit 36 ​​which supplies power to at least the control unit 31.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an auxiliary device used by being attached to an existing portable suction device including a tube extending from a space to be under negative pressure and a pump connected to the tube, and a suction device including a tube extending from a space to be under negative pressure and a pump connected to the tube.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, suction devices have been used in various fields. For example, in the field of erectile dysfunction treatment, a suction device 10 as shown in FIG. 8 is used (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). The suction device 10 is a portable device operated by the user himself / herself as a patient, and includes a manual pump 11, a flexible tube 12, a cover 13 attached to the human body so as to cover the penis, and a negative pressure release valve 14. According to this suction device 10, by operating the lever 11a of the manual pump 11 with the cover 13 attached, the space S (the space to be under negative pressure) in the cover 13 and the space in the tube 12 connected thereto are made under negative pressure, and the blood flow in the penis can be activated to promote erection.

[0003] Suction devices are also used in the field of liposuction. In this case, the suction device is configured to include a cannula inserted into the suction site, a tube extending from the cannula, and a syringe (manual pump) provided at the tip of the tube. An electric pump may be used instead of the syringe.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Conventional suction devices cannot save usage history. Therefore, users instructed by their doctors to provide usage records had to take notes while using the suction device. Furthermore, doctors had to rely on potentially inaccurate notes from the users to determine whether the suction device was being used correctly.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide an auxiliary device that can add a function to save usage history to an existing suction device, and a suction device that can save usage history. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the auxiliary device according to the present invention is a device used by being attached to an existing portable suction device that has a pipe extending from a space to be made negatively pressurized and a pump connected to the pipe, and comprises an internal pressure sensor that measures the internal pressure of the pipe and outputs an internal pressure signal relating to the internal pressure, a storage unit, a control unit that stores in the storage unit the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal or the differential pressure determined from the internal pressure when the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal satisfies a predetermined first condition, or when the differential pressure obtained from the internal pressure and a preset reference pressure satisfies a predetermined second condition, and a power supply unit that supplies power to at least the control unit.

[0008] The storage unit of the above-mentioned auxiliary device is preferably a removable storage medium.

[0009] The above auxiliary device may further include a display unit. In this case, it is preferable that the control unit displays information on the display unit regarding the relationship between the time change of the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal and a predetermined time change, or the relationship between the time change of the differential pressure and a predetermined time change.

[0010] The above auxiliary device may further include a transmitting and receiving unit that receives measurement signals relating to one or more measured values ​​measured by an external device and outputs the measurement signals to the control unit. In this case, it is preferable that the control unit stores in a memory unit the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal or the differential pressure obtained from said internal pressure and the measured value indicated by the measurement signal in relation to each other.

[0011] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the suction device according to the present invention comprises a pipe extending from a space to be made negatively pressurized, a pump connected to the pipe, an internal pressure sensor that measures the internal pressure of the pipe and outputs an internal pressure signal relating to the internal pressure, a storage unit, and a control unit that, when the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal satisfies a predetermined first condition, or when the differential pressure obtained from the internal pressure and a preset reference pressure satisfies a predetermined second condition, stores in the storage unit the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal output thereafter or the differential pressure obtained from the internal pressure.

[0012] The storage unit of the above-mentioned suction device is preferably a removable storage medium.

[0013] The above-described suction device may further include a display unit. In this case, it is preferable that the control unit displays information on the display unit regarding the relationship between the time change of the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal and a predetermined time change, or the relationship between the time change of the differential pressure and a predetermined time change.

[0014] The above-described suction device may further include a transmitting and receiving unit that receives measurement signals relating to one or more measured values ​​measured by an external device and outputs the measurement signals to the control unit. In this case, it is preferable that the control unit stores in a memory unit the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal or the differential pressure obtained from said internal pressure and the measured value indicated by the measurement signal in relation to each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an auxiliary device that can add a function to save usage history to an existing suction device, and to provide a suction device that can save usage history.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of a suction device and an auxiliary device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of an auxiliary device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram of a suction device and an auxiliary device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of a usage history stored by a suction device and an auxiliary device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing another example of a usage history stored by a suction device and an auxiliary device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a block diagram of a suction device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a block diagram of a suction device and an auxiliary device according to a modification of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a schematic diagram of a conventional suction device.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of a suction device and an auxiliary device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a suction device 100A according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The suction device 100A is obtained by attaching an auxiliary device 20, a connecting pipe 40, and a branch pipe 41 to an existing suction device 10 including a manual pump 11, a pipe 12, a cover 13, and a negative pressure release valve 14. The suction device 100A is a portable device used for treating erectile dysfunction.

[0019] The manual pump 11 has a lever 11a and a connection part 11b. The manual pump 11 is configured to suck air from the connection part 11b when a user who is a patient pulls the lever 11a in the direction of the arrow.

[0020] The cover 13 is worn on the human body so as to cover the penis, and has a small-diameter opening end 13a and a large-diameter opening end 13b. The penis is inserted into the space S (the space to be negative pressure) in the cover 13 from the large-diameter opening end 13b.

[0021] The tube 12 has flexibility. The tube 12 has one end airtightly attached to the small-diameter opening end 13a of the cover 13 and the other end airtightly attached to one end of the branch tube 41 (main tube 41a).

[0022] The connecting tube 40 has one end airtightly attached to the other end of the branch tube 41 (main tube 41a) and the other end airtightly attached to one end of the negative pressure release valve 14. The connecting tube 40 preferably has flexibility.

[0023] The negative pressure release valve 14 has the aforementioned one end and the other end airtightly attached to the connection part 11b of the manual pump 11. When the user operates the negative pressure release valve 14, the space S and the internal spaces of the connecting tube 40, the branch tube 41, and the tube 12 continuous with the space S are opened to the atmosphere, and the negative pressure is released.

[0024] The branch tube 41 includes the aforementioned main tube 41a and a sub-tube 41b extending from the middle part of the main tube 41a. The main tube 41a and the sub-tube 41b preferably have flexibility.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the auxiliary device 20 includes a housing having an interface surface 21, a first surface 22, and a second surface 23.

[0026] On the interface surface 21, a display part 34 composed of a liquid crystal display and an operation part 33 composed of a plurality of buttons are arranged.

[0027] On the second surface 23, a sub-tube connection part 24 airtightly connected to the tip of the sub-tube 41b of the branch tube 41 is arranged.

[0028] The housing of the auxiliary device 20 further has a pump mounting portion 25 for attaching the auxiliary device 20 to the manual pump 11. The pump mounting portion 25 is a tunnel that opens on the first surface 22 and the second surface 23, and is configured such that when the manual pump 11 is inserted from the opening on the first surface 22 side, a part of the connection portion 11b is exposed from the opening on the second surface 23 side.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, in addition to the aforementioned housing, operation unit 33, and display unit 34, the auxiliary device 20 further includes an internal pressure sensor 30, a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a transmitting / receiving unit 35, and a power supply unit 36.

[0030] The internal pressure sensor 30 measures the internal pressure of the sub-pipe 41b connected to the sub-pipe connection section 24, that is, the pressure (internal pressure) of the space S inside the cover 13, and outputs an internal pressure signal related to the measured internal pressure to the control unit 31.

[0031] The control unit 31 consists of a microcomputer unit (MCU). When the differential pressure between the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal and the reference pressure set by the calibration described later (= reference pressure - internal pressure) satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, being negative), the control unit 31 stores the differential pressure calculated from the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signals output thereafter in the storage unit 32 at predetermined intervals (for example, every second) along with the current date and time. The control unit 31 also displays the differential pressure calculated from the internal pressure indicated by the latest internal pressure signal, i.e., the current differential pressure, on the display unit 34.

[0032] The memory unit 32 consists of a removable storage medium (for example, an SD card).

[0033] As mentioned above, the control unit 33 consists of multiple buttons. The control unit 33 is operated to switch the state of the control unit 31 from a power-saving state (a state with limited functionality but low power consumption compared to the normal state) to the normal state. The control unit 33 is also operated to perform calibration. Calibration is performed before operating the lever 11a of the manual pump 11, that is, when the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal is atmospheric pressure. When calibration is performed, the control unit 31 sets the internal pressure (atmospheric pressure) at that time as the reference pressure.

[0034] When the user operates the control unit 33, the state of the control unit 31 switches to the normal state, and then calibration may be performed automatically (i.e., without requiring any further operation by the user).

[0035] The transmitting / receiving unit 35 is connected to external devices or the cloud via wired or wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) and receives various signals from or transmits various signals to them.

[0036] An example of an external device that can be connected to the transmitting / receiving unit 35 is an environmental sensor that measures atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity. When an environmental sensor is connected, the transmitting / receiving unit 35 receives environmental signals related to atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity from the environmental sensor and outputs these environmental signals to the control unit 31. When the transmitting / receiving unit 35 is outputting environmental signals, the control unit 31 stores the differential pressure and the measured values ​​(atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity) indicated by the environmental signals, along with the current date and time, in the storage unit 32 at predetermined intervals.

[0037] Another example of an external device that can be connected to the transmitting / receiving unit 35 is a health sensor that measures the body temperature and heart rate of the patient user. When the health sensor is connected, the transmitting / receiving unit 35 receives health signals related to body temperature and heart rate from the health sensor and outputs these health signals to the control unit 31. When the transmitting / receiving unit 35 is outputting health signals, the control unit 31 stores the differential pressure and the measured values ​​(body temperature, heart rate) indicated by the health signals, along with the current date and time, in the storage unit 32 at predetermined intervals.

[0038] If the environmental sensor and health sensor are not connected to the transmitting / receiving unit 35, the storage unit 32 stores the usage history as shown in Figure 4. On the other hand, if the environmental sensor and health sensor are connected to the transmitting / receiving unit 35, the storage unit 32 stores the usage history as shown in Figure 5.

[0039] Another example of an external device that can be connected to the transmitting / receiving unit 35 is an external storage device capable of storing a large amount of data. The control unit 31 may store the same information stored in the storage unit 32 in the external storage device when the external storage device is connected to the transmitting / receiving unit 35. Similarly, the control unit 31 may store the same information stored in the storage unit 32 in the cloud when the transmitting / receiving unit 35 is connected to the cloud.

[0040] The power supply unit 36 ​​consists of a primary battery or a secondary battery. The power supply unit 36 ​​supplies the necessary power to each component of the auxiliary device 20.

[0041] According to the auxiliary device 20 of this embodiment, the detailed usage history of the existing suction device 10 can be saved to an SD card (storage unit 32), an external storage device, and the cloud. In other words, according to the auxiliary device 20 of this embodiment, the existing suction device 10 can be upgraded to a suction device 100A that has the function of saving a detailed usage history.

[0042] The SD card will be submitted to the physician. The physician can use a computer or other means to refer to the usage history stored on the SD card and provide advice regarding the degree of negative pressure (e.g., "the internal pressure is set too low") or the duration of negative pressure (e.g., "it is not advisable to maintain negative pressure for more than 15 minutes"). The physician can also provide advice based on usage history stored on an external storage device or in the cloud.

[0043] [Second Example] Figure 6 shows a suction device 100B according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The suction device 100B is a stationary device used for liposuction of the human body and comprises a cannula 16 inserted into the area to be suctioned, a main pipe 42a of a branch pipe 42 extending from the cannula 16, an electric pump 15 provided at the tip of the main pipe 42a, and a housing (not shown). The branch pipe 42 includes a sub-pipe 42b extending from the main pipe 42a.

[0044] When the electric pump 15 is activated, the space S inside the cannula 16 (the space to be under negative pressure) and the internal space of the branch pipe 42 connected to the space S become under negative pressure.

[0045] The suction device 100B further comprises an internal pressure sensor 50, a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, an operation unit 53, a display unit 54, and a transmitting / receiving unit 55. These are arranged within the aforementioned housing along with a portion of the sub-pipe 42b and the main pipe 42a. The remaining portion of the main pipe 42a (i.e., the portion exposed from the housing) is flexible.

[0046] The internal pressure sensor 50 measures the internal pressure of the sub-tube 42b, that is, the pressure (internal pressure) of the space S inside the cannula 16, and outputs an internal pressure signal related to the measured internal pressure to the control unit 51.

[0047] The control unit 51 consists of a microcomputer (MCU). Similar to the control unit 31, when the differential pressure between the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal and the reference pressure set by calibration (= reference pressure - internal pressure) satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, being negative), the control unit 51 stores the differential pressure calculated from the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal output thereafter, along with the current date and time, in the storage unit 52 at predetermined time intervals (for example, every second). The control unit 51 also displays the differential pressure calculated from the internal pressure indicated by the latest internal pressure signal, i.e., the current differential pressure, on the display unit 54, which consists of a liquid crystal display.

[0048] The memory unit 52 consists of a removable storage medium (for example, an SD card).

[0049] The control unit 53 consists of multiple buttons or a touch panel. The control unit 53 is operated to start / stop suction and change various settings. The control unit 53 is also operated to perform calibration.

[0050] When the control unit 53 is operated to start suction, the control unit 51 activates the electric pump 15. On the other hand, when the control unit 53 is operated to stop suction, the control unit 51 stops the electric pump 15.

[0051] The transmitting / receiving unit 55, like the transmitting / receiving unit 35, is connected to external devices or the cloud by wire or wireless connection, and receives various signals from or transmits various signals to them.

[0052] An example of an external device that can be connected to the transmitting / receiving unit 55 is the aforementioned environmental sensor. When the environmental sensor is connected, the transmitting / receiving unit 55 receives an environmental signal from the environmental sensor and outputs the environmental signal to the control unit 51. When the transmitting / receiving unit 55 is outputting an environmental signal, the control unit 51 stores the differential pressure and the measured value indicated by the environmental signal, along with the current date and time, in the storage unit 52 at predetermined intervals.

[0053] Another example of an external device that can be connected to the transmitting / receiving unit 55 is the health sensor mentioned above. When the health sensor is connected, the transmitting / receiving unit 55 receives a health signal from the health sensor and outputs the health signal to the control unit 51. When the transmitting / receiving unit 55 is outputting a health signal, the control unit 51 stores the differential pressure and the measured value indicated by the health signal, along with the current date and time, in the storage unit 32 at predetermined intervals.

[0054] Another example of an external device that can be connected to the transmitting / receiving unit 55 is an external storage device. The control unit 51 may store the same information stored in the storage unit 52 in the external storage device when the external storage device is connected to the transmitting / receiving unit 55. Similarly, the control unit 51 may store the same information stored in the storage unit 52 in the cloud when the transmitting / receiving unit 55 is connected to the cloud.

[0055] According to the suction device 100B of this embodiment, usage history can be saved to an SD card (storage unit 52), an external storage device, and the cloud.

[0056] [Differentiation] While embodiments of the suction device and auxiliary device according to the present invention have been described above, the configuration of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0057] For example, the auxiliary device according to the present invention may be used attached to a suction device other than a portable suction device used to treat erectile dysfunction. Furthermore, the suction device according to the present invention is not limited to a portable device used to treat erectile dysfunction or a stationary device used for liposuction.

[0058] Furthermore, the auxiliary device and suction device according to the present invention may further include environmental sensors 37 and 57, as shown in Figure 7, for example, the auxiliary device 20' and suction devices 100A' and 100B'. In this case, the control units 31' and 51' store the measured values ​​(atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity) indicated by the differential pressure and environmental signals output by the environmental sensors 37 and 57, and the measured values ​​(e.g., body temperature, heart rate) indicated by the measurement signals (e.g., health signals) output by the transmitting and receiving units 35 and 55, along with the current date and time, in the storage units 32 and 52 at predetermined intervals.

[0059] Furthermore, the auxiliary devices 20, 20' according to the present invention may further include means for detecting when the lever 11a of the manual pump 11 is operated. In this case, the control units 31, 31' may transition from a power-saving state to a normal state when the lever 11a is operated, and may perform functions such as saving the usage history to the storage unit 32. Similarly, each part of the auxiliary devices 20, 20' other than the control units 31, 31' may also be able to perform their respective functions when the lever 11a is operated. If a metal member moves inside the pump mounting section 25 in conjunction with the operation of the lever 11a, the operation of the lever 11a can be detected by providing a sensor that detects the movement of the metal member near the pump mounting section 25.

[0060] Furthermore, the control units 31, 31', 51, and 51' may store the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal, rather than the differential pressure, in the memory units 32 and 52, the external memory device, and the cloud.

[0061] Furthermore, the control units 31, 31', 51, and 51' may display information on the display units 34 and 54 regarding the relationship between the time change of differential pressure or internal pressure and a predetermined time change. For example, the control units 31, 31', 51, and 51' may display a mark on the display units 34 and 54 indicating whether the differential pressure or internal pressure is higher or lower than the ideal differential pressure or internal pressure. In this case, the patient user can know from the mark whether or not to operate the pumps 11 and 15 further. The control units 31, 31', 51, and 51' may also display a mark on the display units 34 and 54 indicating that the time spent under negative pressure has exceeded the ideal time. In this case, the patient user can operate the negative pressure release valve 14 or stop the pump 15 when the mark is displayed.

[0062] Furthermore, the sensors that can be connected to the transmitting / receiving units 35 and 55 are not limited to environmental sensors and health sensors. Any sensor that outputs a measurement signal (including the aforementioned environmental signal and health signal) related to the measured value at regular intervals can be connected to the transmitting / receiving units 35 and 55.

[0063] Furthermore, the suction devices 100A, 100A' (auxiliary devices 20, 20') do not need to be equipped with a transmitting / receiving unit 35. Similarly, the suction devices 100B, 100B' do not need to be equipped with a transmitting / receiving unit 55. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 10 (Existing) Suction Devices 11 Manual pump 11a Lever 11b Connection section 12 tubes 13 Cover 13a Small diameter opening end 13b Large diameter open end 14. Negative pressure relief valve 15 Electric pump 16 Cannulas 20 Auxiliary equipment 21 Interface side 22 Page 1 23 Side 2 24. Sub-pipe connection section 25 Pump mounting section 30,50 Internal pressure sensor 31,51 Control Unit 32,52 Storage part 33,53 Operation section 34,54 Display section 35,55 Transmitter / Receiver Section 36 Power supply section 37,57 Environmental Sensors 40 Connecting pipe 41 Branch pipe 41a Master 41b Secondary pipe 42 Branch pipes 42a master 42b Secondary pipe 100A, 100B (Suction device according to the present invention) S: Space to be under negative pressure

Claims

1. An auxiliary device used by being attached to an existing portable suction device, which comprises a tube extending from a space to be subjected to negative pressure and a pump connected to the tube, An internal pressure sensor that measures the internal pressure of the pipe and outputs an internal pressure signal related to the internal pressure, Memory unit and, A control unit that, triggered when the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal satisfies a predetermined first condition, or when the differential pressure obtained from the internal pressure and a preset reference pressure satisfies a predetermined second condition, stores the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal or the differential pressure obtained from the internal pressure in the storage unit thereafter. A power supply unit that supplies power to the control unit, An auxiliary device characterized by being equipped with

2. The storage unit is a removable storage medium. The auxiliary device according to feature 1.

3. It also includes a display unit, The control unit causes the display unit to display information regarding the relationship between the time change of the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal and a predetermined time change, or the relationship between the time change of the differential pressure and a predetermined time change. The auxiliary device according to feature 1.

4. The system further includes a transmitting and receiving unit that receives measurement signals relating to one or more measured values ​​measured by an external device and outputs the measurement signals to the control unit, The control unit stores in the storage unit the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal or the differential pressure obtained from the internal pressure, and the measured value indicated by the measurement signal, relating them to each other. The auxiliary device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A tube extending from a space that should be under negative pressure, A pump connected to the aforementioned pipe, An internal pressure sensor that measures the internal pressure of the pipe and outputs an internal pressure signal related to the internal pressure, Memory unit and, A control unit that, triggered when the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal satisfies a predetermined first condition, or when the differential pressure obtained from the internal pressure and a preset reference pressure satisfies a predetermined second condition, stores the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal or the differential pressure obtained from the internal pressure in the storage unit thereafter. A suction device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

6. The storage unit is a removable storage medium. The suction device according to feature 5.

7. It also includes a display unit, The control unit causes the display unit to display information regarding the relationship between the time change of the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal and a predetermined time change, or the relationship between the time change of the differential pressure and a predetermined time change. The suction device according to feature 5.

8. The system further includes a transmitting and receiving unit that receives measurement signals relating to one or more measured values ​​measured by an external device and outputs the measurement signals to the control unit, The control unit stores in the storage unit the internal pressure indicated by the internal pressure signal or the differential pressure obtained from the internal pressure, and the measured value indicated by the measurement signal, relating them to each other. A suction device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by the following:

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