Excretion management system and program

Abstract

To provide an excretion management system and program that makes it easier to understand trends in excretory health status. [Solution] The excretion management system 1 includes a seating information acquisition unit 22 that acquires seating information including the time the person being managed is seated on the toilet seat 5, a defecation information acquisition unit 23 that acquires defecation information including at least one of the person being managed's defecation time, amount of stool, number of defecations, and stool characteristics, and a display information generation unit 24 that generates time-series excretion status information based on the seating information and the defecation information, so that the seating information and the defecation information are displayed on the display unit 34 at predetermined time intervals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an excretion management system and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, devices and systems for managing defecation information of care recipients (management target persons) such as the elderly have been known. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, a sensor for detecting sitting and a sensor for detecting feces are provided, and an excretion information management system that displays the time required for defecation (the time from sitting to leaving) in a time series on a display device for each date and time of defecation is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the excretion information management system described in Patent Document 1 above, although it is possible to grasp the time from sitting to defecation for each date and time, there is a desire to make it easier to grasp the tendency of the excretion health state.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an excretion management system and a program that can make it easier to grasp the tendency of the excretion health state.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the excretion management system according to this disclosure is characterized by comprising: a seating information acquisition unit that acquires seating information including the time a person under management is seated on a toilet seat; a defecation information acquisition unit that acquires defecation information including at least one of the time a person under management is defecating, the amount of stool, the number of times a person is defecating, and the characteristics of the stool; and a display information generation unit that generates time-series excretion status information based on the seating information and the defecation information, so as to display the seating information and the defecation information on a display unit at predetermined time intervals.

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the program relating to this disclosure is characterized by causing a computer to execute: a seating information acquisition process that acquires seating information including the time a person under management is seated on the toilet seat; a defecation information acquisition process that acquires defecation information including at least one of the time a person under management is defecating, the amount of stool, the number of times a person is defecating, and the characteristics of the stool; a display information generation process that generates time-series defecation status information for displaying the seating information and the defecation information at predetermined time intervals based on the seating information and the defecation information; and a display process that causes the seating information and the defecation information at predetermined time intervals to be displayed on a display unit based on the time-series defecation status information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The excretion management system and program described herein, with the configuration described above, make it easier to grasp trends in excretory health status. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of an excretion management system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of a toilet (toilet equipment) to be applied to the excretion management system. [Figure 3] This is a schematic flowchart illustrating an example of the processes performed in the excretion management system. [Figure 4] This is a schematic plan view illustrating an example of a display unit based on an example of display information generated in the excretion management system. [Figure 5] (a) and (b) are schematic plan views illustrating an example of a part of the display unit, based on other examples of display information generated in the same excretion management system. [Figure 6] (a) and (b) are schematic plan views illustrating an example of a part of the display unit, based on other examples of display information generated in the same excretion management system. [Figure 7] (a) and (b) are schematic plan views illustrating an example of a part of the display unit, based on other examples of display information generated in the same excretion management system. [Figure 8] (a) and (b) are schematic plan views illustrating an example of a part of the display unit, based on other examples of display information generated in the same excretion management system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 8 schematically show an example of an excretion management system and an example of a program according to this embodiment. The excretion management system 1 according to this embodiment includes a seating information acquisition unit 22 that acquires seating information, including the time the person being managed is seated on the toilet seat 5 (see Figure 2), as shown in Figure 1. The excretion management system 1 also includes a defecation information acquisition unit (23) that acquires defecation information, including at least one of the person being managed's defecation time, amount of stool, number of defecations, and stool characteristics. The excretion management system 1 also includes a display information generation unit 24 that generates time-series excretion status information, which is displayed on a display unit (34) at predetermined time intervals based on the seating information and defecation information. With this configuration, the time-series excretion status information generated by the display information generation unit 24 can be used to display seating information and defecation information on the display unit (34) at predetermined time intervals, and relevant indicators for understanding trends in excretion health status can be simultaneously checked on the display unit (34). For example, as defecation information, the amount of formed stool and seating time can be displayed as predetermined stool characteristics, or the amount of diarrheal stool or watery stool and seating time can be displayed as predetermined stool characteristics. In addition, displaying at least one of the following on the display unit (34)—defecation time, stool volume, frequency of defecation, and stool consistency—along with the sitting time makes it easier to grasp trends in various excretory health conditions.

[0011] The excretion management system 1 may include a urination information acquisition unit (23) that acquires urination information including both or either the number of times and the amount of urine excreted by the person being managed (the person receiving care). In this embodiment, the excretion management system 1 includes an excretion information acquisition unit 23 that functions as both a defecation information acquisition unit (23) that acquires defecation information and a urination information acquisition unit (23) that acquires urination information. The excretion information acquisition unit 23, as will be described in detail later, may acquire urination and defecation information based on the detection of the excretion detection unit 10, which is installed in the toilet device 2 and detects excretion including urination and defecation, as shown in Figure 2. With this configuration, urination and defecation information can be acquired automatically when the person being cared for uses the toilet (toilet device 2). In addition, information on urination and defecation by the person being cared for using the toilet can be acquired. The excretion information acquisition unit 23 may acquire urination information and defecation information based on care record data that includes incontinence information. With this configuration, it is possible to acquire urination information and defecation information, including incontinence information that is difficult to acquire by the excretion detection unit 10 as described above.

[0012] The program according to this embodiment (excretion management program) causes the computer to execute a seating information acquisition process to acquire seating information, including the time the managed person sits on the toilet seat 5. The program causes the computer to execute a defecation information acquisition process to acquire defecation information, including at least one of the managed person's defecation time, stool volume, number of defecations, and stool characteristics. The program causes the computer to execute a display information generation process to generate time-series excretion status information for displaying seating information and defecation information at predetermined time intervals based on the seating information and defecation information. The program causes the computer to execute a display process to display seating information and defecation information at predetermined time intervals on the display unit (34) based on the time-series excretion status information. The program may also cause the computer to execute a urination information acquisition process to acquire urination information, including both or one of the number of urinations and the amount of urine excreted by the managed person.

[0013] The seating information acquisition process in the program may be performed in the seating information acquisition unit 22 described later. The excretion information acquisition process, including the defecation information acquisition process and the urination information acquisition process in the program, may be performed in the excretion information acquisition unit 23 described later. The display information generation process in the program may be performed in the display information generation unit 24 described later. The display process in the program may be performed in the display operation unit 34 described later. In this embodiment, the program is executed using the excretion management system 1, but it may also be executed by one or more computers included in the excretion management system 1 (more specifically, one or more control units (16, 21, 31) including the processor described later), or it may be executed by a computer (processor) outside the excretion management system 1. The program may be pre-stored on a suitable recording medium readable by a computer (for example, the storage units 17, 25, 32 described later), or it may be installed on a computer via a network.

[0014] As an example, the excretion management system 1 includes a server 20 that includes a control unit 21 that functions as a seating information acquisition unit 22, an excretion information acquisition unit 23, and a display information generation unit 24, as shown in Figure 1. Some or all of the functions of the seating information acquisition unit 22, the excretion information acquisition unit 23, and the display information generation unit 24 may be implemented by a control unit 16 on the toilet device 2 side or a control unit 31 on the caregiver terminal 30 side, as described later. Server 20 is capable of communicating via a network with the toilet device 2 used by the person receiving care and the caregiver terminal 30 used by the caregiver providing care to the person receiving care. The network may be a public network such as the internet, or a local network. In the diagram, an example is shown where there is one toilet device 2 and one caregiver terminal 30 connected to Server 20 via the network, but both or one of them may be multiple units.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 2, the toilet device 2 may be, for example, a sitting type toilet, and may include a toilet body 3 having a bowl portion (toilet bowl) 4, a toilet seat 5 on which the care recipient sits, a toilet lid 6 that opens and closes to cover the toilet seat 5, and a toilet seat device body 8 installed on the toilet body 3 and rotatably supporting the toilet seat 5 and the toilet lid 6. Further, the toilet device 2 may include a heater unit built into the toilet seat 5 to warm the toilet seat 5, a warm water cleaning device provided in the toilet seat device body 8 for performing local cleaning with warm water, and the like. This toilet device 2 may be installed in a toilet room or the like in the care recipient's living room (private room), or may be installed around the bed or the like. In the illustrated example, the toilet device 2 is an example of a toilet device with a low tank, but it may also be a toilet device without a low tank, or a pressure-fed toilet device equipped with a pressure pump or the like, or even a so-called portable toilet or the like. This toilet device 2 includes a seating detection unit 7 for detecting seating, an excretion detection unit 10 for detecting excretion including urination and defecation, and a control unit 15 that is wired or wirelessly connected to the seating detection unit 7 and the excretion detection unit 10 (see also Fig. 1).

[0016] The seating detection unit 7 is capable of detecting the care recipient's seating (start of use) on the toilet seat 5 and departure from the toilet seat 5 (end of use). Such a seating detection unit 7 may be, for example, a seating sensor capable of detecting the care recipient's seating and departure. Such a seating sensor may also be a sensor capable of detecting the position where the care recipient is sitting on the toilet seat 5 (front, rear, left-right deviation, etc.) or the pressure of the buttocks pressing on the toilet seat 5 (stronger pressing than usual, etc.). Further, the seating detection unit 7 is not limited to a sensor that directly detects such seating and departure, and may be a sensor that indirectly detects it. For example, the seating detection unit 7 may be a toilet lid sensor capable of detecting the opening and closing of the toilet lid 6, a human presence sensor capable of detecting the approach and departure from the toilet device 2, a sensor capable of detecting entry into and exit from the toilet room, or various other sensors. The excretion detection unit 10 includes an illumination unit 11 that illuminates the inside of the bowl unit 4 and an imaging unit 12 such as a camera that images excrement discharged into the bowl unit 4. In the illustrated example, the excretion detection unit 10 shows an example of being detachably attached to the upper peripheral edge of the bowl unit 4, but it is not limited to such an example, and one or both of the illumination unit 11 and the imaging unit 12 may be provided on the toilet seat 5 or the toilet seat device main body 8, or may be fixedly embedded in a suitable place such as the toilet body 3. Also, a seating detection unit 7 may be provided in the unitized excretion detection unit 10 as described above.

[0017] The control unit 15 includes a control unit 16 including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 16 may incorporate an appropriate timing unit such as a real-time clock that measures the time including the detection time of each detection unit. The control unit 15 includes a storage unit 17 including at least one of a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an SSD (Solid State Drive) and a HDD (Hard Disc Drive). The control unit 15 includes a communication unit 18 including a transmission unit and a reception unit that enable data transmission and reception via a network. In the illustrated example, the control unit 15 shows an example of being installed at a position separated from the toilet body 3 (for example, on a wall surface), but it may be provided on the toilet body 3 side. For example, at least a part of the control unit 16, the storage unit 17, and the communication unit 18 of the control unit 15 may be provided in the excretion detection unit 10 or the toilet seat device main body 8.

[0018] The control unit 16 expands the program stored in the storage unit 17 (for example, ROM) onto the storage unit 17 (for example, RAM) to control each unit, and transmits the seating information and the excretion information (urination information and defecation information) to the server 20. If there is no excretion information from the seating detection (start of use) to the leaving the seat detection (end of use), the control unit 16 transmits the non-excretion information to the server 20. These seating information, excretion information, and non-excretion information may be transmitted to the server 20 together with identification information such as an ID or name for identifying the cared-for person. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the control unit 16 starts timing (step S101) when it detects a seating position in the seating detection unit 7 (step S100), and transmits defecation information (step S103) when it detects defecation (step S102). Also, after detecting a seating position (step S100), if it detects urination (step S104), it transmits urination information (step S105). When it detects an exit from the seat in the seating detection unit 7 (step S106), it stops timing and transmits the seating time (step S107). This seating time may include the start time of sitting and the time of leaving the seat. The seating information may also include the number of times the user has sat down, the seating position (position of sitting (forward, backward, left or right bias, etc.)), and the seating pressure (pressure of the buttocks against the toilet seat (stronger pressure than usual, etc.)). For example, if the sitting time is long and there is strong pressure on the front side of the toilet seat 5, it is possible to clearly identify the possibility of a state where the upper body is leaning forward and straining (constipation). After detecting seating (step S100), if neither defecation nor urination is detected, then departure from the seat is detected (step S106). In other words, if neither defecation information nor urination information has been transmitted, then non-excretion information is transmitted (steps S107-S109). The non-excretion information may include a time (e.g., time of departure).

[0019] The urination and defecation information described above may be generated based on image data captured by the imaging unit 12. For example, if the seating detection unit 7 detects that a person is seated, the control unit 16 may turn on the illumination unit 11 and have the imaging unit 12 capture images at predetermined intervals, and store the captured image data in the storage unit 17 or transmit it to the server 20. The control unit 16 may also transmit defecation information to the server 20 if the excrement is feces, or urination information to the server 20 if the excrement is urine, based on the image data. The defecation information acquired by the excretion information acquisition unit 23 of the server 20, described later, and stored in the storage unit 25 may include the time of defecation (either the start time and the end time or both), the amount of feces, and the characteristics of the feces. The urination information may include the time of urination (either the start time and the end time or both) and the amount of urine.

[0020] The control unit 16 may perform known image analysis processing on the image data of the excrement to determine (estimate) whether the excrement is feces or urine. Furthermore, if the excrement is feces, the control unit 16 may also determine (estimate) the amount and consistency of the feces, and if the excrement is urine, it may also determine (estimate) the amount of urine. Machine learning may be used for such determinations. Such determination of excrement may be made by referring to, for example, the area and color of the excrement as it falls, the path it follows, or the area, shape, color, and presence or absence of floating matter of the excrement that has fallen into the bowl section 4. The determination of the consistency of the feces in the control unit 16 may be made by, for example, a 7-stage classification using the Bristol Stool Scale (hereinafter referred to as BS), or it can be done using known determination techniques for the consistency of feces. For example, feces determined to correspond to BS1 to 4 may be determined as formed feces, feces determined to correspond to BS5 may be determined as soft feces, and feces determined to correspond to BS6 or 7 may be determined as diarrheal feces. Alternatively, stools judged to correspond to BS1-5 may be classified as formed stools, those judged to correspond to BS6 as diarrheal stools, and those judged to correspond to BS7 as watery stools. Such classification of stool characteristics is not limited to three stages.

[0021] The control unit 16 may determine the amount of stool based on the area of ​​the excrement determined to be feces, classifying it into multiple levels, for example, small amount, medium amount, large amount, etc. Similarly, the control unit 16 may determine the amount of urine based on the area of ​​the excrement determined to be urine, classifying it into multiple levels, for example, small amount, medium amount, large amount, etc. The classification of stool and urine amounts is not limited to three levels; it may be two levels or four or more levels. In addition, instead of the control unit 16 on the toilet device 2 determining the amount of excrement as described above, the control unit 21 on the server 20 may determine the amount of excrement. Furthermore, if the toilet device 2 is installed in a common space, for example, it may be further equipped with a personal authentication unit to identify the person receiving care who uses the toilet device 2.

[0022] The caregiver terminal 30 may be a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone or tablet used by the caregiver to input care records of the person being cared for. The caregiver terminal 30 is not limited to such mobile information terminals, but may also be a personal computer, workstation, server, etc., installed in a care facility, etc., that collects care records transmitted from terminals used to input care records. As shown in Figure 1, the caregiver terminal 30 includes a control unit 31 including a processor such as a CPU, a storage unit 32 including at least one of ROM, RAM, SSD, HDD, etc., and a communication unit 33 including a transmission unit and a reception unit that enable data transmission and reception via a network. The caregiver terminal 30 also includes a display operation unit 34 that constitutes the display unit. As shown in Figure 4, in this example, the caregiver terminal 30 is shown as a portable information terminal and the display operation unit 34 is a touch panel, but the display unit may be configured with an appropriate display, etc., and the operation unit may be configured with an appropriate keyboard, etc.

[0023] This caregiver terminal 30 may have application software (programs) pre-installed for executing an excretion management program in cooperation with the server 20. The control unit 31 loads the program stored in the storage unit 32 (e.g., ROM) onto the storage unit 32 (e.g., RAM) to control each unit and transmits the care record data to the server 20. This care record data may be transmitted to the server 20 along with identification information such as an ID and name that identifies the person receiving care. The care record data may also be entered by the caregiver via the display operation unit 34 for each person receiving care. In this case, the care record data may be entered after an ID and password that identifies the person receiving care have been entered into the display operation unit 34. The various displays on the display operation unit 34 may be displayed by a dedicated application, or they may be displayed using a web browser via a web application on the server 20 side. Furthermore, if the care record for each person receiving care is written on paper, the care record data may be obtained by taking a picture of the care record with a camera or by scanning the image data and applying character recognition processing to it.

[0024] Care record data may include excretion information (urination information and defecation information), including incontinence information. This incontinence information may include urinary incontinence information, which constitutes urination information, and fecal incontinence information, which constitutes defecation information. Furthermore, urinary incontinence information may include the time when urinary incontinence was discovered, which constitutes the time of urination, and fecal incontinence information may include the time when fecal incontinence was discovered, which constitutes the time of defecation. In other words, the time when the caregiver discovers incontinence on the care recipient's bed sheets, diapers, incontinence pads, etc., may be considered the time of urination or defecation. Furthermore, urinary incontinence information may include the amount of urine (e.g., small, medium, and large). Furthermore, fecal incontinence information may include the amount of stool (e.g., small, medium, and large) and the consistency of the stool (e.g., formed stool, diarrheal stool, and watery stool). Care record data may also include the actual time when the care recipient was guided to the toilet, the time when the care recipient fell asleep, the time when they woke up, the time when they got up, the time when they ate and drank, etc., and may also include the content and amount of food and drink. Furthermore, care record data may include information such as medication details.

[0025] The excretion information (urination information and defecation information) acquired by the excretion information acquisition unit 23 is not limited to that based on the detection by the excretion detection unit 10 of the toilet device 2 or on care record data as described above. For example, it may also be excretion information (urination information and defecation information) detected by an incontinence detection sensor capable of detecting excretion, such as an odor sensor installed on the care recipient's bed or on diapers or incontinence pads worn by the care recipient. In this case, the detection information from this incontinence detection sensor may be transmitted to the server 20 by a control unit similar to the one described above, located around the bed or by the control unit 15 of the toilet device 2, to which the incontinence detection sensor is connected.

[0026] The server 20 comprises a control unit 21 including a processor such as a CPU, a storage unit 25 including at least one of ROM, RAM, SSD, HDD, etc., and a communication unit 26 including a transmission unit and a reception unit that enable sending and receiving data over a network. The server 20 may consist of a single piece of hardware or may consist of multiple pieces of hardware. This server 20 may be installed inside a facility such as a nursing home or may be installed outside a facility. The control unit 21 operates as the seating information acquisition unit 22, the excretion information acquisition unit 23, and the display information generation unit 24 by loading the program (excretion management program) stored in the storage unit 25 (for example, ROM) onto the storage unit 25 (for example, RAM) and controlling each unit, and performs the following processes.

[0027] When the control unit 21 receives the seating information, excretion information, and non-excretion information described above along with identification information, it stores this information in the storage unit 25 for each person receiving care. The control unit 21 then generates time-series information on the excretion status, including seating information and defecation information, for each person receiving care at predetermined intervals. The seating time at predetermined intervals included in the seating information is not limited to numerical values ​​such as seconds or minutes, but may be classified into multiple stages, for example, short time (e.g., less than 5 minutes), medium time (e.g., 5 minutes or more but less than 30 minutes), long time (e.g., 30 minutes or more), etc. The defecation information included in this defecation status time-series information may also be the amount of formed stool. With this configuration, the defecation status time-series information generated in the display information generation unit 24 can be used to display seating information and the amount of formed stool at predetermined time intervals on the display operation unit 34. This allows us to understand that if the seating time is long and the amount of formed stool tends to be small, it indicates a tendency towards constipation. This time-series information on excretion status may include the number of times a person has not excreted at predetermined intervals. With this configuration, the time-series information on excretion status generated by the display information generation unit 24 can be used to display the number of times a person has not excreted at predetermined intervals, along with seating information and defecation information. This makes it easier to understand tendencies toward constipation, improves the efficiency of toilet guidance in nursing care facilities, and helps to identify the possibility of defecation or urinary disorders.

[0028] The display information generation unit 24 may generate time-series information on excretion status so that seating information and defecation information are displayed on the display operation unit 34 within the same graph, as shown in Figure 4. With this configuration, the time-series information on excretion status generated by the display information generation unit 24 can be used to display seating information and defecation information at predetermined time intervals within the same graph, making it easier to grasp trends in excretory health status. In other words, the time-series timing of seating information and defecation information can be aligned to make it easier to view the progress, making it easier to grasp trends leading to the onset of various symptoms and the time-series positioning of excretory health status. The above-mentioned predetermined time may be any appropriate time from the perspective of understanding the changes and trends in the daily excretory health status over time, for example, it may be 12 hours or 24 hours, and in this example, it is set to 1 day (24 hours). In other words, the control unit 21 (display information generation unit 24) generates daily seating information and defecation information (and the number of times the user has not excreted) as time-series excretory status information to be displayed on the display operation unit 34. The control unit 21 may also generate daily seating information and defecation information (and the number of times the user has not excreted) as time-series excretory status information to be displayed on the display operation unit 34 over a predetermined period (for example, several days, one week, two weeks, etc.).

[0029] Figure 4 shows an example in which various information, including the care recipient's seating information and excretion information, is displayed on the display operation unit 34 of the caregiver terminal 30 based on the excretion status time-series information generated as described above. Note that when displaying the care recipient's excretion status time-series information on the display operation unit 34, it may be displayed after an ID and password that identify the care recipient have been entered. In this example, the caregiver terminal 30 is equipped with a personal information display unit (display area) 35 on its display operation unit 34, which displays personal information that can identify the person being cared for, such as their ID and name. In addition to the ID and name, the personal information display unit 35 may also display attribute information, display period length, sitting information including normal sitting time, and average values ​​related to excretion information. Furthermore, the display operation unit 34 is equipped with a related information display unit (display area) 36. The related information display unit 36 ​​may display handover information regarding the person being cared for, and records of the person's behavioral management (for example, fluid intake and intake time, food intake and meal time, medication information). By displaying such background information, including personal information and related information about the person being cared for, along with the time-series information on excretion status, it becomes possible to analyze the time-series information on excretion status while taking the background information into account, making it easier to grasp trends and consider the factors behind any worsening trends.

[0030] The display operation unit 34 is provided with an excretion information display unit (display area) 37 that displays information on the excretion status over time. In this example, the excretion information display unit 37 shows an example in which the sitting time as sitting information, the amount of formed stool as predetermined stool characteristics, and the number of times the person has not excreted each day. The excretion information display unit 37 is also provided with a first display unit (display area) 38 that displays the information on the excretion status over time in graph format, and a second display unit (display area) 39 that displays it in tabular format. The first display unit 38 shows an example where the horizontal axis is the time axis (date axis) and displays one week's worth of data, with the vertical axis representing the amount of stool and the time spent sitting, with the amount of stool displayed as a bar graph and the time spent sitting as a line graph. Note that the predetermined period for displaying the chronological information on the excretion status is not limited to one week, but may be other periods, and is not limited to a predetermined fixed period, but may be changeable. For example, it may be possible to switch between displaying the most recent week and the week prior to that, or to display them in parallel or superimposed. The first display unit 38 converts the amount of stool for each bowel movement into points according to a multi-level classification, and displays the total number of points per day in a bar graph. In other words, the longer the bar graph, the larger the amount of stool per day. The example shown displays a small amount as 1 point, a small to medium amount as 2 points, a medium amount as 3 points, and a large amount as 5 points. Furthermore, the first display unit 38 also shows an example where, if multiple bowel movements occur in a day, a thick horizontal line is displayed on the bar graph to indicate the boundary between each bowel movement, making it possible to recognize the number of bowel movements per day.

[0031] Furthermore, the first display unit 38 shows an example where formed stool is displayed as a solid bar graph with hatching, and the number of times stool has not been excreted is displayed as a white dashed block, stacked on top of the bar graph of formed stool. In addition, the first display unit 38 also shows an example where, if there are multiple instances of stool not being excreted in a day, a thick horizontal line is displayed to indicate the boundary between each instance of stool not being excreted, so that the number of instances can be recognized. Furthermore, the line graph showing seating time in the first display unit 38 shows an example where the total seating time per day is aggregated and calculated in minutes and its trend is displayed day by day. Note that the display of seating time per day is not limited to this form and may be displayed in multiple stages. For example, the total seating time per day may be displayed in three stages using a line graph: short time (less than 5 minutes), medium time (standard time) (5 minutes or more but less than 30 minutes), and long time (30 minutes or more).

[0032] The second display unit 39 displays information in a table format that is generally similar to that of the first display unit 38 described above. In this second display unit 39, an example is shown in which excretion information and sitting time for one week are displayed vertically for each day. This second display unit 39 is provided with columns for displaying the amount and frequency of formed stool, a column for displaying the number of times the user has not excreted, and a column for displaying sitting time. In the example, the amount of formed stool is displayed in four stages for each excretion: small, small to medium, medium, and large. In the example, the sitting time is displayed in stages rather than in minutes for the total sitting time per day. In the example shown, if the total sitting time per day is less than 5 minutes, it is displayed as "Short: Less than 5 minutes", if it is between 10 and 20 minutes, it is displayed as "10 to 20 minutes", and if it is 30 minutes or more, it is displayed as "Long: 30 minutes or more". The display method of sitting time in the second display unit 39 is not limited to this display method, and it may be displayed in other ways, such as in minutes.

[0033] If the control unit 21 determines that there is a worsening trend in the excretory health condition in either or both of the first display unit 38 and the second display unit 39, a display that allows recognition of the worsening trend (worsening trend warning display) may be provided. In the example shown, the second display unit 39 displays the column for the day on which a worsening trend was determined to exist in a textured manner so that it can be distinguished from other columns. In the example shown, the columns displaying the amount and frequency of formed stool and the sitting time on a day when there were multiple instances of non-excretion the previous day, multiple instances of small bowel movements on the current day, and a long sitting time are displayed in a textured manner. This allows the user to recognize that there is a tendency towards constipation on that day (September 7th in the example). Such a warning display that allows recognition of a worsening trend in the excretory health condition is not limited to the example shown, and may also be a warning mark, text such as "constipation," "diarrhea," or "dehydration," or other displays. Furthermore, the excretory health status may be scored, and the display method may be such that the score decreases as it deteriorates. Also, if there is a worsening trend, the score may be displayed in a different color, or the day in question may be displayed in a different color. In addition, a worsening trend in excretory health status may be judged as occurring if a predetermined standard is exceeded. For example, a standard may be set for each of the indicators acquired by the control unit 21 (seated information, excretion information, and non-excretion information), and if the standard is exceeded for multiple of these indicators, a worsening trend may be judged. Such standards may be set based on statistical values ​​from clinical trials, values ​​recognized by academic societies or guidelines, etc., or they may be set based on the individual average value for a predetermined period for each care recipient (for example, the most recent month or two weeks). Furthermore, the judgment of a worsening trend in excretory health status is not limited to judgments of constipation, diarrhea, dehydration, etc., but may also include judgments of other urinary or defecation disorders.

[0034] In addition, instead of simultaneously displaying the personal information display unit 35, related information display unit 36, first display unit 38, and second display unit 39 in the display operation unit 34 as described above, at least one of these may be switched and displayed in response to an appropriate input from the display switching operation unit. Furthermore, although an example is shown in which the first display unit 38 and the second display unit 39 are displayed on the excretion information display unit 37, a configuration in which only one of these can be displayed is also possible. The display modes in the display operation unit 34 include the various modifications described later, and various other modifications are possible. Furthermore, the display unit (34) that displays the time-series information on the excretion status is not limited to the display operation unit 34 of the caregiver terminal 30, but may also be the display unit of a terminal used by the person receiving care, or a display unit provided on the control unit 15 of the toilet device 2, etc. In this case, for example, the display unit may be capable of displaying messages from family members, etc. Also, the display unit (34) that displays the time-series information on the excretion status may be the display unit of a terminal owned by family members, etc. In this case, a step to obtain the consent of the person receiving care before displaying the information on the display unit, or a notification setting function to notify the terminal used by the person receiving care that the information will be displayed on another display unit, etc., may be provided.

[0035] Next, other examples of the time-series information on excretion status displayed on the display operation unit 34 (excretion information display unit) will be explained with reference to Figures 5 to 8. In each of the following modified examples, the differences from the previously described example will be mainly explained, and similar components will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted or simplified. In each of the following modified examples, the same effects and other aspects as in the previously described example will also be omitted or simplified. Note that the dates in each figure, including Figure 4 mentioned above, are not correlated and are included for convenience. Similarly, the changes in the time-series information on excretion status in each figure are also included for convenience as an example.

[0036] Figure 5(a) schematically shows a first modified example of the excretion status time-series information displayed on the excretion information display unit 37A. In this example, the first display unit 38A of the excretion information display unit 37A shows the word "Not excreted" within a white dashed line block indicating the number of times excretion has not occurred. This configuration makes it clearer that there has been an instance of non-excretion. In this example, on September 6th and 7th, the amount of formed stool decreased compared to September 5th, the number of times excretion was not occurred increased, and the sitting time also tended to lengthen. Therefore, the second display unit 39A displays a warning indication of a worsening trend, similar to the example above, on September 6th and 7th. This allows for the recognition of a tendency towards constipation and also serves as a warning about physical strain such as increased blood pressure due to straining. Furthermore, for example, in nursing care facilities, it can help recognize if the timing of toilet guidance was too early, allowing for corrective measures such as delaying toilet guidance.

[0037] Figure 5(b) schematically shows a second modified example of the time-series information on excretion status displayed in the excretion information display unit 37B. In this example, the defecation information included in the time-series data on excretion status includes the volume of formed stool, soft stool, and diarrheal stool. With this configuration, it is possible to grasp the trends in stool consistency and volume at predetermined intervals (1 day). This allows for the identification of tendencies towards constipation, diarrhea, or dehydration based on factors such as the length of sitting time and the volume of stool of each stool consistency. Furthermore, this example shows a configuration where the excretion information display unit 37B is equipped only with the first display unit 38B, without a second display unit. It also shows an example where the white dashed line blocks indicating the number of unexcreted bowel movements in the first display unit 38B are not stacked on the bar graph showing the amount of stool, but are instead displayed spaced apart above the bar graph. Additionally, while the example shows different hatching for formed stool, soft stool, and diarrheal stool, different colors may also be used. In this example, on September 2nd, the amount of loose stools and diarrhea increased, and the sitting time was short. Therefore, to prevent fecal incontinence, it is possible to take measures such as accelerating the timing of toilet guidance from September 3rd onward. In this example as well, for example, a warning sign indicating a worsening trend could be displayed at an appropriate location on September 2nd.

[0038] Figure 6(a) schematically shows a third modified example of the excretion status time-series information displayed in the excretion information display unit 37C. In this example, the graph showing defecation information in the first display unit 38C of the excretion information display unit 37C is different from the second modified example described above. In this example, a bar graph showing the amount of formed stool is displayed extending upward from the horizontal axis of the base point, and a bar graph showing the amount of soft stool and diarrheal stool is displayed extending downward from the horizontal axis of the base point. With this configuration, the excretion status according to the consistency of the stool can be easily recognized.

[0039] Figure 6(b) schematically shows a fourth modified example of the time-series information on excretion status displayed in the excretion information display unit 37D. In this example, the defecation information included in the time-series information on excretion status includes information on fecal incontinence. With this configuration, it is possible to grasp the trend of fecal incontinence. In this example, the first display unit 38D shows an example in which different hatching is used for each to distinguish between the amount of formed stool, the sum of soft stool and diarrheal stool, and the amount of fecal incontinence, but different colors may be used. Furthermore, the characteristics of fecal incontinence may also be displayed in a way that allows for understanding. Furthermore, the second display unit 39D, like the first display unit 38D, also has a column for displaying fecal incontinence information. In addition, the second display unit 39D displays a worsening trend warning similar to the example above for September 2-4, 6, and 7. In this example, from September 2 to 4, there was loose stools and diarrhea, fecal incontinence, and the sitting time was short. Therefore, in order to prevent further fecal incontinence, it is possible to take measures such as accelerating the timing of toilet guidance from September 5 onwards. Also, for September 6 and 7, it can be understood that there was a tendency towards constipation, as described above.

[0040] Figure 7(a) schematically shows a fifth modified example of the excretion status time-series information displayed on the excretion information display unit 37E. In this example, the time-series information on excretion status includes seating information and urination information at predetermined intervals. With this configuration, the time-series information on excretion status generated in the display information generation unit 24 can be used to display seating information and urination information at predetermined intervals on the display operation unit 34. This allows for, for example, warnings about dehydration or urinary disorders if the number or amount of urination as urination information shows a decreasing trend. Furthermore, by configuring the system to display the amount and number of defecations of formed stool as described above, it is possible to identify the possibility of constipation or urinary disorders. For example, if a person is constipated, the bladder and urethra may be compressed due to stool impaction in the rectum, making it difficult to urinate, or the pelvic floor muscles may be compressed, making it difficult to hold the urge to urinate and leading to urinary incontinence. This configuration allows for the identification of such tendencies. Furthermore, if the system is configured to display the amount of diarrheal stool as described above, and the frequency of diarrheal and watery stools as described below, it will be possible to more clearly identify a tendency toward dehydration if there is an increasing trend in diarrheal stools or diarrheal and watery stools, and a decreasing trend in the frequency or volume of urination.

[0041] In this example, the excretion information display unit 37E is provided with a first display unit 38E that displays urination information in graph format and a second display unit 39E that displays it in tabular format. The first display unit 38E displays the daily urine volume converted into points according to a multi-level classification system and shown as a bar graph. In other words, the longer the bar graph, the larger the daily urine volume. The example shown displays a small amount as 1 point, a moderate amount as 3 points, and a large amount as 5 points. In addition, similar to the example above, the first display unit 38E may also display thick horizontal lines on the bar graph to indicate the boundaries between urinations if multiple urinations occur in a day, so that the number of urinations per day can also be recognized. Furthermore, the second display unit 39E shows an example of displaying the daily urine volume in three stages: small, medium, and large. The second display unit 39E displays a worsening trend warning similar to the example above for September 6th and 7th. In this example, it shows that on September 6th and 7th, the urine volume is decreasing compared to September 5th, the number of times the patient does not urinate is increasing, and the time spent sitting is also tending to be longer. This allows, for example, nursing homes to recognize that the timing of toilet guidance was too early, and to take measures such as delaying the timing of toilet guidance. In this example, an example of displaying the daily urine volume is shown, but it may also be configured to display the number of times the patient urinates. Alternatively, it may be configured to display both the urine volume and the number of times the patient sits. For example, if the number of times the patient sits increases while the daily urine volume has not changed for several days, it may be possible to identify the possibility of overactive bladder. Also, if the number of times the patient sits has increased sharply while the daily urine volume has not changed since yesterday, it may be possible to identify the possibility of stress. The excretion information display unit 37E, which displays urination information, may be switched between and displayed with the excretion information display unit that displays defecation information as shown in each example, or it may be displayed in parallel or superimposed on it.

[0042] Figure 7(b) schematically shows a sixth modified example of the excretion status time-series information displayed on the excretion information display unit 37F. In this example, the defecation information included in the defecation status time series information is defined as the amount or number of times diarrheal and watery stools are passed. With this configuration, the defecation status time series information generated by the display information generation unit 24 can be used to display seating information and the amount or number of times diarrheal and watery stools are passed at predetermined time intervals on the display operation unit 34. This allows for the identification of a tendency towards diarrhea or dehydration if there is a tendency towards a large amount or frequency of diarrheal or watery stools. In this example, the excretion information display unit 37F is configured to display both defecation information and urination information. Furthermore, the excretion information display unit 37F is equipped with a first display unit 38F that displays defecation and urination information, and a second display unit 39F that displays seating time as seating information. In other words, in this example, seating time and defecation information are displayed in separate graphs.

[0043] In the first display unit 38F, the horizontal axis represents the number of urinations, and the vertical axis represents the number of diarrheal and watery stools. Furthermore, in the first display unit 38F, the number of urinations decreases as you move to the left of the horizontal axis, and the number of defecations increases as you move to the bottom of the horizontal axis. The first display unit 38F also shows an example where white circles and dates are displayed at the intersections of the number of urinations and the number of defecations each day, and lines connecting the white circles in chronological order are also displayed. In the example figure, there are white circles that are not located on the dashed lines shown in the grid, but these dashed lines in the grid may represent the number of occurrences, and the white circles may be displayed so that they are located at the intersections of these lines. The second display unit 39F shows an example where the horizontal axis represents the date and the vertical axis represents the seating time, displaying the seating time for each day as a line graph.

[0044] Furthermore, the first display unit 38F shows an example of displaying both a good condition indicator and a worsening trend warning indicator. In the example, the upper right area, where the frequency of urination is appropriate and the frequency of diarrhea and watery stools is low, is shown as an example of a good condition indicator with a light textured surface. The lower left area, where the frequency of urination is low and the frequency of diarrhea and watery stools is high, is shown as an example of a worsening trend warning indicator with a dark textured surface, and the area around it is shown as a worsening trend caution indicator with a light textured surface. With this configuration, if a white circle is located in the upper right area, it is possible to understand that the excretory condition is good, and if a white circle is located in the lower left area, it is possible that the condition is worsening, i.e., there is a possibility of dehydration. In the example, as we approach October 9th, the frequency of urination decreases, the frequency of diarrhea and watery stools increases, and the sitting time becomes shorter. Furthermore, the first display unit 38F shows an example where the words "Possible Dehydration" and a warning mark are displayed in the lower left area as a warning of a deteriorating trend. The display methods for good condition indications and warnings of a deteriorating trend are not limited to those shown in the figures, and various other methods can be adopted.

[0045] Figure 8(a) schematically shows the seventh modified example of the excretion status time-series information displayed in the excretion information display unit 37G. In this example, the excretion information display unit 37G is equipped with a first display unit 38G that displays seating time, defecation information, and urination information. In this first display unit 38G, the horizontal axis is the date axis, and the vertical axis displays the number of times diarrhea and watery stools occurred, as well as the seating time. With this configuration, seating time, defecation information, and urination information are displayed in the same graph, making it easier to grasp the trends in excretion status. Furthermore, in this first display unit 38G, an example is shown in which seating time is displayed as a dashed line graph, the number of times diarrhea and watery stools are displayed as a dashed line graph with finer lines than seating time, and the number of times urination is displayed as a solid line graph. In addition, an example is shown in which the first display unit 38G displays a warning mark, the words "Potential Dehydration," and an arrow as a warning of worsening trend. The example shows a case where a warning of worsening condition was displayed on November 6th, when the frequency of urination was decreasing, the frequency of diarrhea and watery stools was increasing, and the sitting time was decreasing.

[0046] Figure 8(b) schematically shows the eighth modified example of the excretion status time-series information displayed in the excretion information display unit 37H. In this example, the excretion information display unit 37H is equipped with a urination information display unit 38Ha for displaying urination information, a defecation information display unit 38Hb for displaying defecation information, and a seating time display unit 39H for displaying seating time. In other words, this example shows an example of displaying time-series excretion status information, similar to the seventh modified example described above, in parallel using three graphs. In each display unit 38Ha, 38Hb, and 39H, the horizontal axis is the date axis, and each date is displayed aligned vertically with the others. Furthermore, the urination information display unit 38Ha displays the number of urinations on the vertical axis, the defecation information display unit 38Hb displays the number of diarrheal and watery stools on the vertical axis, and the seating time display unit 39H displays the seating time on the vertical axis. Additionally, the urination information display unit 38Ha shows an example of displaying a worsening trend warning, similar to the seventh modified example described above.

[0047] The different configurations of the excretion status time-series information displayed in the excretion information display units 37 to 37H described in each of the above examples may be modified, rearranged, or combined as appropriate and necessary. Furthermore, while the examples described above show defecation information that displays predetermined stool characteristics and either the amount or frequency of defecation, the system is not limited to these configurations. For example, the system may display at least one of the following as defecation information: defecation time, stool volume, and frequency of defecation, without displaying stool characteristics. The example of processing operations performed according to the program executed in the excretion management system 1 described above is merely one example, and can be modified as appropriate. The excretion management system 1 described above and the programs executed therein may have various other configurations.

[0048] As described above, the excretion management system 1 and program of this disclosure enable caregivers to efficiently provide excretion care support to care recipients (managed persons) in the fields of institutional care and home care. In addition to excretion care support, it can also be used to support the health management of managed persons by caregivers and nurses, for example, by notifying caregivers and nurses if changes in the seating information and defecation information of managed persons over time (for example, every week or every month) deviate from predetermined values, indicating that a change in physical condition has occurred. Furthermore, the excretion management system and program of this disclosure may be used for health management of families in general households, infants and toddlers in childcare facilities, students in various educational institutions, and employees in workplaces. It may also be used for health management of animals such as pets and livestock.

[0049] <Note> The following technologies are disclosed based on the above description of embodiments. <Technology 1> An excretion management system comprising: a seating information acquisition unit that acquires seating information including the time a person under management is seated on the toilet seat; a defecation information acquisition unit that acquires defecation information including at least one of the time a person under management is defecating, the amount of stool, the number of times a person is defecating, and the characteristics of the stool; and a display information generation unit that generates time-series excretion status information based on the seating information and the defecation information, so as to display the seating information and the defecation information on a display unit at predetermined time intervals. <Technology 2> The excretion management system according to Technology 1, wherein the excretion information included in the aforementioned excretion status time-series information is the amount of tangible stool or the number of times of defecation. <Technology 3> The excretion management system according to Technology 1 or Technology 2, wherein the excretion information included in the aforementioned excretion status time-series information is the amount or number of times diarrheal stools and watery stools are excreted. <Technology 4> An excretion management system according to any one of the following technologies: A urination information acquisition unit that acquires urination information including both or either the number of times a person urinates and the amount of urine excreted, wherein the excretion status time-series information includes the seating information and the urination information at predetermined time intervals. <Technology 5> The excretion management system according to any one of the techniques 1 to 4, wherein the display information generation unit generates the excretion status time-series information so that the seating information and the defecation information are displayed on the display unit in the same graph. <Technology 6> The excretion management system according to any one of the technologies 1 to 5, wherein the excretion status time information includes the number of times the person has not excreted at each predetermined time interval. <Technology 7> A program that causes a computer to execute the following: a seating information acquisition process that acquires seating information including the time a person under management is seated on the toilet seat; a defecation information acquisition process that acquires defecation information including at least one of the time a person under management is defecating, the amount of stool, the number of times a person is defecating, and the characteristics of the stool; a display information generation process that generates time-series defecation status information for displaying the seating information and the defecation information at predetermined time intervals based on the seating information and the defecation information; and a display process that causes the seating information and the defecation information at predetermined time intervals to be displayed on a display unit based on the time-series defecation status information. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 1. Excretion Management System 22 Seating Information Acquisition Unit 23 Excretion information acquisition unit (defecation information acquisition unit, urination information acquisition unit) 24 Display information generation section 34 Display operation section (display section) 5 Toilet Seat

Claims

1. An excretion management system characterized by comprising: a seating information acquisition unit that acquires seating information including the time a person under management is seated on a toilet seat; a defecation information acquisition unit that acquires defecation information including at least one of the time a person under management is defecating, the amount of stool, the number of times a person is defecating, and the characteristics of the stool; and a display information generation unit that generates time-series excretion status information based on the seating information and the defecation information, so as to display the seating information and the defecation information on a display unit at predetermined time intervals.

2. In claim 1, An excretion management system characterized in that the defecation information included in the aforementioned time-series information on the state of excretion is the amount of tangible stool or the number of times defecation occurs.

3. In claim 1 or 2, An excretion management system characterized in that the defecation information included in the aforementioned defecation status time-series information is the amount or frequency of defecation of diarrheal stool and watery stool.

4. In claim 3, It is equipped with a urination information acquisition unit that acquires urination information including both or either the number of times and the amount of urine excreted by the managed person. The excretion management system is characterized in that the excretion status time-series information includes the seating information and urination information at predetermined time intervals.

5. In claim 1 or 2, The excretion management system is characterized in that the display information generation unit generates the excretion status time-series information so that the seating information and the defecation information are displayed on the display unit within the same graph.

6. In claim 1 or 2, The excretion management system is characterized in that the aforementioned excretion status time-series information includes the number of times excretion has not occurred at each predetermined time interval.

7. A program characterized by causing a computer to execute the following: a seating information acquisition process that acquires seating information including the time a person under management is seated on the toilet seat; a defecation information acquisition process that acquires defecation information including at least one of the time a person under management is defecating, the amount of stool, the number of times a person is defecating, and the characteristics of the stool; a display information generation process that generates time-series defecation status information for displaying the seating information and the defecation information at predetermined time intervals based on the seating information and the defecation information; and a display process that causes the seating information and the defecation information at predetermined time intervals to be displayed on a display unit based on the time-series defecation status information.

Images