Respiratory sound measuring device
The neckband-type breathing sound measuring device automatically starts measurement upon attachment and reduces power usage by using a proximity sensor, addressing switch forgetfulness and battery life issues for reliable sleep monitoring.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2020201104
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2020-12-03
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-12-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing neckband-type breathing sound measuring devices face issues with power switch forgetfulness, battery life, and power consumption when not in use, making it difficult to reliably measure breathing sounds during sleep.
The device automatically enters measurement mode when attached to the neck and includes a proximity sensor to confirm attachment, ensuring sound acquisition only after meeting predetermined criteria, reducing power consumption by transitioning to standby when not in use.
Ensures reliable breathing sound measurement during sleep by preventing switch forgetfulness and unnecessary power consumption, enhancing convenience and efficiency.
Smart Images

Figure 0007607902000001 
Figure 0007607902000002 
Figure 0007607902000003
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a neckband-type respiratory sound measuring device for measuring the sleep state of a subject. [Background technology]
[0002] Snoring during sleep can be a nuisance to people around you, and snoring can lead to apneic states that can lead to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Therefore, there is a demand for a respiratory sound measuring device that can measure the sleeping state of a subject.
[0003] Patent Document 1 shows a method of attaching a microphone around the neck of each patient and recording sounds received by the microphone while the patient is sleeping. Patent Document 2 discloses a neckband-type sleep condition measuring device for grasping the state of a user while sleeping. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-202939 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-201946 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] Incidentally, when measuring breathing during sleep using a respiratory sound measuring device, it is common to turn the power switch "on" before going to sleep and "off" when waking up to perform the measurement. However, it may happen that the user forgets to turn the switch "on" before going to sleep, or that the switch is not "on" even though the user intended to turn it "on", resulting in failure to measure breathing during sleep. In particular, a neckband-type sleep state measuring device has a problem in that it is attached to the subject's neck (cervical region), and therefore it is not possible to visually confirm that the switch is on after attaching the device to the neck.
[0006] In addition, the respiratory sound measuring device is required to be small and lightweight in order to reduce discomfort felt by the subject when wearing it, and it is preferable that the battery that can be mounted is small. On the other hand, it is desired that the device can be used for a long time on a single charge. Therefore, when the respiratory sound measuring device is not being used, it is desired that the device transitions from a measurement state to a low power consumption mode such as a sleep state as quickly as possible. However, in the case of a configuration provided with a power switch (e.g., a slide or push type), there is a risk that the user will forget to turn the switch off when waking up.
[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and has an object to provide a respiratory sound measuring device that automatically goes into measurement mode when worn around the neck of a subject, and that does not begin measurement even when the device is not worn around the neck. [Means for solving the problem]
[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, a neckband-type respiratory sound measuring device that is worn around the circumference of a subject's neck is provided, and the device includes a wearing state detection sensor that detects that the respiratory sound measuring device is worn around the subject's neck, a respiratory sound acquisition unit that acquires respiratory sounds by abutting the skin on the anterior neck of the subject when the respiratory sound measuring device is worn around the subject's neck, and a control unit that starts measuring the acquired sound as respiratory sound when the acquired sound from the respiratory sound acquisition unit satisfies a predetermined breathing determination criterion after it has been detected that the respiratory sound measuring device is worn around the subject's neck.
[0009] According to this aspect, when the respiratory sound measuring device is attached to the neck of the subject and it is determined that the respiratory sound has been acquired, the measurement of the respiratory sound is automatically started, so that it is possible to prevent a situation in which the subject forgets to turn on the switch to enter the measurement state and the respiratory sound cannot be measured, and it is possible to reliably measure the respiratory sound while sleeping. Furthermore, after it is detected that the device is attached, the measurement of the respiratory sound is started only when the acquired sound from the respiratory sound acquisition unit satisfies a predetermined breathing judgment criterion, so that the measurement is not performed even if the device is not attached to the neck.
[0010] In the respiratory sound measuring device of the above aspect, the control unit may be configured to switch the respiratory sound acquiring unit to the standby mode when it is detected that the respiratory sound measuring device is not attached to the subject's neck while the respiratory sound acquiring unit is operating in the measurement mode.
[0011] This not only reduces unnecessary power consumption, but also prevents unnecessary measurements, such as continuing to measure sounds picked up by a microphone even when the respiratory sound measuring device is not attached to the subject's neck. Effect of the Invention
[0012] According to the respiratory sound measuring device of the present invention, when the device is worn around the neck of the subject, the device automatically goes into measurement mode, thereby improving the convenience for the subject. Furthermore, after it is detected that the device is worn, the device starts measuring the respiratory sound when the acquired sound from the respiratory sound acquiring unit meets a predetermined breathing judgment criterion, so that the device does not start measuring the respiratory sound even when the device is not worn around the neck. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0013] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram showing how the respiratory sound measuring device is attached [Diagram 2] A perspective view of the respiratory sound measuring device from the upper right [Diagram 3] A diagram showing how the respiratory sound measuring device is attached [Figure 4] A block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a respiratory sound measuring device. [Diagram 5] Flowchart showing the respiratory sound measuring operation by the respiratory sound measuring device [Figure 6] Flowchart showing the respiratory sound measuring operation by the respiratory sound measuring device [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of respiration determination by a respiratory sound measuring device; [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining another example of respiration determination by the respiratory sound measuring device; [Figure 9]Flowchart showing the respiratory sound measuring operation by the respiratory sound measuring device [Figure 10] Flowchart showing manual power on / off process of the respiratory sound measuring device [Figure 11] A flowchart showing the operation of the respiratory sound measuring device by operating the power button DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following preferred embodiments are merely illustrative in nature and are not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.
[0015] <Configuration of respiratory sound measurement device> As shown in FIG. 1, the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is attached to the subject's neck Pn (hereinafter simply referred to as neck Pn) before the subject P goes to sleep, and is used to measure the inhalation and exhalation airflow sounds (hereinafter simply referred to as respiratory sounds) during sleep.
[0016] In the following description, the up-down direction and the left-right direction are defined based on the state in which the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is worn by the subject P. The front (chest) side of the subject P is defined as the front, and the back side is defined as the back. The "subject side" is defined based on the state in which the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is worn, and the subject side may be described as the "inner side" and the opposite side as the "outer side" when describing the neckband 30, the measuring unit 40, etc. The surface of the respiratory sound measuring device 1 on the subject's neck Pn side is called the "inner surface 11 of the respiratory sound measuring device 1." In other words, the "inner surface 11 of the respiratory sound measuring device 1" is a concept that includes the inner surface 411 of the housing case 41 described later in addition to the inner surface of the neckband 30.
[0017] The respiratory sound measuring device 1 is a neckband type device that is configured so that the subject can wear it around the neck with one hand. Specifically, the respiratory sound measuring device 1 has a configuration in which a neckband 30 and a measuring unit 40 for measuring respiratory sounds are connected by a hinge unit 60 of a known structure.
[0018] The respiratory sound measuring device 1 is configured so that the opening angle θ between both open ends in the expanded state exceeds 90° when viewed from the center. In other words, the external shape of the respiratory sound measuring device 1 in the expanded state (see FIG. 3) is configured so that it is less than 270° with respect to a virtual circle extending in the circumferential direction along the external shape. In FIG. 3, AX indicates the rotation axis.
[0019] Here, the expanded position is the position in which the measuring unit 40 is maximally opened outward. In the expanded position, the inner surface 11 of the respiratory sound measuring device 1 becomes substantially flat, and the respiratory sound measuring device 1 as a whole becomes an arc-shaped body.
[0020] 2 shows the respiratory sound measuring device 1 in a folded position. The folded position is a position where the measuring unit 40 is folded inward with respect to the neckband 30. The movable range between the unfolded position and the folded position is not particularly limited, but is, for example, about 40 degrees. A rotation range of about 40 degrees can accommodate subjects P of various body types.
[0021] Furthermore, the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is configured to be capable of bidirectional communication with an external terminal device 80 (see FIG. 1). The method of bidirectional communication is not particularly limited, and may be a direct connection by short-distance wireless communication conforming to a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or may be a connection via a network such as the Internet.
[0022] The neckband 30 is formed, for example, in an arc shape (for example, approximately C-shaped) so as to fit the subject's neck Pn. The neckband 30 (1) can be worn by the subject P spreading both open ends of the respiratory sound measuring device 1 with both hands or pressing the neck Pn from the back side of the neck Pn with one hand, (2) has an elastic force for pinching the neck Pn from the outside in the circumferential direction so that at least a part of the inner surface 11 of the respiratory sound measuring device 1 comes into close contact with the neck Pn when the subject P releases his / her hand, and (3) preferably has a strength sufficient to withstand continuous use. As long as the above conditions (1) to (3) are satisfied, the specific structure and constituent material of the neckband 30 are not particularly limited. For example, the neckband 30 may be made of an elastic structure in which a leaf spring is surrounded by elastomer resin, or may be made of elastic polypropylene resin.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the measuring unit 40. The measuring unit 40 has a housing case 41 with a housing space formed inside. The housing space of the housing case 41 houses an acceleration sensor 51, a microphone 52, a proximity sensor 53, a vibrator 50, a monitor lamp 55, a communication module 56, a board (not shown) on which electronic components such as a microprocessor are mounted, and a battery 59 that supplies power to the electronic components. The microprocessor has, for example, a CPU and a memory. The memory stores a program executed by the CPU and saves data of respiratory sounds acquired by the microphone 52. The CPU controls the operation of the respiratory sound measuring device 1 based on, for example, a program stored in the memory. The CPU is an example of a control unit 57 that controls the overall operation of the respiratory sound measuring device 1. The memory is an example of a storage unit 58 for storing the respiratory sound data acquired by the microphone 52.
[0024] The measuring unit 40 is provided with a contact part 70 that protrudes from the inner surface 411 of the housing case 41 toward the subject. A sound guide port 71 for introducing the respiratory sound of the subject P is formed at the tip of the contact part 70, and a ring-shaped contact surface 72 is formed to surround the sound guide port. The contact surface 72 contacts the neck Pn of the subject P when the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is worn. The sound guide port 71 is tapered so that the inner diameter gradually narrows toward the microphone 52 (not shown in FIG. 2) built into the measuring unit 40. The contact part 70 is supported in a manner that allows it to freely appear and disappear in the measuring unit 40, and may be biased in the protruding direction by an elastic member 78 such as a spring attached to the measuring unit 40. The respiratory sound acquiring unit is intended to acquire the respiratory sound by contacting the skin of the front neck Pf of the subject P when the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is worn on the subject P, and is composed of, for example, the contact part 70 and the microphone 52.
[0025] A rectangular opening 42 is formed on the inner surface 411 of the housing case 41 at a substantially central position in the circumferential direction and in the vertical direction. When the proximity sensor 53 is a photosensor, the opening 42 is used as a measurement window for passing measurement light of the photosensor. The proximity sensor 53 irradiates measurement light toward the inside of the respiratory sound measuring device 1, and detects that the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is attached to the subject's neck Pn based on the reflected light. The proximity sensor 53 is an example of a wearing state detection sensor. Note that the wearing state detection sensor is not limited to the proximity sensor 53. For example, various contact sensors that detect contact with the subject's skin may be used as the wearing state detection sensor, or a temperature sensor that measures the body temperature of the subject's neck Pn may be used. In addition, a sensor (e.g., a strain sensor) that detects the degree of deployment of the neckband or the hinge part 60 may be provided as the wearing state detection sensor.
[0026] A push button type power button 54 and a monitor lamp 55 are provided on the side (top) of the storage case 41. The subject can turn the power of the respiratory sound measuring device 1 on / off by pressing the power button 54. The monitor lamp 55 displays the power on / off state, communication state, charging state, etc. of the respiratory sound measuring device 1. Although not shown, a connector for communication with an external device and charging the battery may be provided on the side of the storage case 41.
[0027] The acceleration sensor 51 is for detecting the subject's body position / body movement, and may have a known structure. The body position / body movement of the subject detected by the acceleration sensor 51 may be transmitted to the terminal device 80 and displayed on the display screen 81 (see FIG. 4) thereof with the time axis aligned with that of the respiratory sound data. In this way, the subject can be informed of the body position / body movement when snoring or apnea occurs.
[0028] The vibrator 50 vibrates under the control of the control unit 57. A specific operation will be described later, but for example, when the subject P is in an apneic state or snoring loudly, the vibrator 50 transmits vibrations to the subject's neck Pn to change the subject's posture. Although not shown in the figures, the vibrator 50 is attached in intimate contact with the housing case 41 from the viewpoint of easily transmitting vibrations to the subject's neck Pn.
[0029] The communication module 56 is a wireless / wired module of known structure, and is configured to enable two-way communication with a communication module 82 of a terminal device 80 (see FIG. 4).
[0030] <Breath sound measurement operation> The respiratory sound measuring device 1 of this embodiment is configured not to perform unnecessary measurements when it is not attached to the neck Pn of the subject P, and to automatically enter a measuring state when it is attached to the neck of the subject P. In other words, the device is configured to proceed to actual respiratory sound measurement after confirming that the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is attached to the neck Pn of the subject P and that the respiratory sound can be acquired.
[0031] - Wearing status determination operation - FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation for determining the mounting state of the respiratory sound measuring device 1, which is performed before the respiratory sound measuring device 1 measures respiratory sounds.
[0032] In step S1, when the power button 54 is pressed and held while the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is in a power-off state, the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is started and goes into a standby mode in which no respiratory sound acquisition operation is performed (step S2). In the standby mode, for example, the proximity sensor 53 is turned on to enable detection of the wearing state, while components related to acquisition of respiratory sound data, such as the microphone 52, are turned off.
[0033] In the next step S3, the proximity sensor 53 checks whether the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is attached at a predetermined first period (e.g., every 20 seconds). Then, when it is detected that the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is attached to the neck Pn of the subject P (YES in step S31), the process proceeds to the next step S4.
[0034] In step S4, the proximity sensor 53 checks whether the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is still attached at a predetermined second period (e.g., 50 millisecond period) shorter than the first period. Then, when it is detected in step S4 that the respiratory sound measuring device 1 has been removed from the neck Pn of the subject P (NO in step S41), the process returns to step S3.
[0035] In this step S4, the components necessary to acquire the respiratory sounds of subject P (e.g., microphone 52) are turned on, and a "respiratory sound acquisition process" is executed to acquire respiratory sounds for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 10 seconds) via microphone 52 (step S42).
[0036] When the "breathing sound acquisition process" in step S4 is completed (YES in step S5), the process proceeds to the "breathing determination process" in step S6. FIG 6 shows an example of the "breathing determination process."
[0037] 6, the control unit 57 functions as a respiratory sound determination unit that determines whether the acquired sound acquired in step S4 satisfies a "determination value condition" for determining whether the acquired sound is a respiratory sound. The "determination value condition" can be set arbitrarily and is not particularly limited, but for example, it is determined whether the period during which the acquired sound acquired by the microphone 52 exceeds a predetermined threshold value is a predetermined cycle.
[0038] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a change over time of the acquired sound acquired in step S4. For example, the "judgment value condition" includes three conditions: (1) the number of times when the threshold value exceeds a predetermined threshold value (100 in FIG. 7) and the number of times when the threshold value falls below the predetermined threshold value are each about three times, and (2) the time width of the time period t11 to t13 when the threshold value is exceeded is within a predetermined error range, and (3) the time width of the time period t21 to t23 when the threshold value is less than the predetermined threshold value is within a predetermined error range. For example, when all of the above conditions (1) to (3) are satisfied, or when (1) and (2) or (1) and (3) are satisfied, the control unit 57 judges that the acquired sound acquired by the microphone 52 is a respiratory sound (step S63). Then, the next step S7 is judged as YES, and the respiratory sound measuring device 1 starts measuring the respiratory sound (step S8). When measuring the respiratory sound, the vibrator 50 may be vibrated to inform the subject P that the measurement of the respiratory sound has started.
[0039] On the other hand, if the condition (1) above is not satisfied (NO in step S61) or if the results are not within the predetermined error range for the conditions (2) to (3) above (NO in step S62), it is determined that the sounds acquired by microphone 52 are not respiratory sounds (step S64). In this case, the determination in the next step S7 is NO, and the process additionally executes "respiratory sound acquisition process" in step S4.
[0040] Fig. 8 shows an example in which the determination in step S7 is NO and the second "breath sound acquisition process" is executed. In this case, for example, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 8, in the "breathing determination process" in step S6, it is determined whether the sound acquired by microphone 52 is a breath sound using the first history and the sound acquired in the second "breath sound acquisition process". In this way, by using the history of the previous measurement or the measurement data from two times, it becomes easier to determine whether the sound is a breath sound.
[0041] -Measurement of breath sounds- FIG. 9 shows an example of the respiratory sound measuring operation in step S8 of FIG.
[0042] When the measurement of the respiratory sounds is started in step S8, the control unit 57 performs a measurement process of the respiratory sounds acquired by the microphone 52 (step S81). This measurement process of the respiratory sounds is continuously executed until the measurement is completed.
[0043] In parallel with the measurement of the respiratory sounds, the control unit 57 detects the body position of the subject P at predetermined time intervals based on the acceleration data obtained from the acceleration sensor 51 (step S82). Furthermore, in parallel with the measurement of the respiratory sounds, the control unit 57 determines the presence or absence of snoring and the occurrence of sleep apnea at predetermined time intervals based on the volume of the voice data (respiratory sounds) acquired by the microphone 52 (steps S83 and S84).
[0044] Fig. 10 shows an example of the results of measuring the respiratory sounds of a subject using the respiratory sound measuring device 1. The upper part of Fig. 10 shows a measured waveform of the voice data acquired from the microphone 52. In the measured waveform of Fig. 10, the horizontal axis represents the measurement time and the vertical axis represents the volume of the respiratory sound. The lower part of Fig. 10 shows the results of judging the sleep state based on the volume of the respiratory sound by the respiratory sound measuring device 1.
[0045] For example, the control unit 57 determines that the breathing sound acquired from the microphone 52 is snoring when the volume of the breathing sound acquired from the microphone 52 is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold Vt1. The control unit 57 also determines that the breathing sound acquired from the microphone 52 is apnea when the volume of the breathing sound acquired from the microphone 52 is less than a second threshold Vt2, and determines that the breathing sound acquired from the microphone 52 is in a normal sleep state (good sleep) when the volume is between the first threshold Vt1 and the second threshold Vt2.
[0046] In the next step S85, the control unit 57 performs a vibration determination of the vibrator 50. For example, when conditions are met based on the vibration mode sent from the terminal device 80 and the determination result of snoring and apnea, the control unit 57 proceeds to step S86 and vibrates the vibrator 50. For example, when the vibration mode is set to vibrate when snoring is determined, the control unit 57 vibrates the vibrator when it is determined that snoring is occurring.
[0047] Then, the control unit 57 stores the results of the judgment of the body position, snoring, and apnea and the measurement data of each sensor at predetermined time intervals (step S87). The storage destination is not particularly limited, but for example, the data is stored in the memory unit 58 built into the respiratory sound measuring device 1. In addition, the data may be transmitted to the terminal device 80 or the like via the communication module 56 at predetermined time intervals to be stored in a memory unit (not shown) in the terminal device 80, or the measurement results may be displayed on the display screen 81 of the terminal device 80.
[0048] Then, when a predetermined measurement time has elapsed or it is detected that the respiratory sound measuring device 1 has been removed from the neck Pn of the subject P, the determination in step S88 becomes YES, and the control unit 57 turns off the power of the respiratory sound measuring device 1 and ends the process. If the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is removed from the neck of the subject or the power button 54 is pressed and held down during measurement of the respiratory sounds, the determination results and the measurement data of each sensor up to that point are stored in the storage unit 58, the power of the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is turned off, and the process ends.
[0049] As described above, the respiratory sound measuring device 1 of the present embodiment includes the proximity sensor 53 that detects that the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is attached to the subject's neck Pn, the contact part 70 that contacts the skin of the anterior neck Pf of the subject P when the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is attached to the subject's neck Pn, the microphone 52 that acquires the respiratory sound, and the control unit 57. When it is detected that the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is attached to the subject's neck Pn, the control unit 57 starts the microphone 52 from a standby mode in which the respiratory sound is not acquired to a normal operation mode in which the respiratory sound is acquired. When the acquired sound acquired by the microphone 52 in the normal operation mode satisfies a predetermined breathing judgment criterion, the control unit 57 starts measuring the respiratory sound of the subject P. The respiratory sound data of the subject measured by the control unit 57 is stored in the storage unit 58.
[0050] With this configuration, when the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is attached to the subject's neck Pn, it automatically switches from standby mode to measurement mode and can start measuring the respiratory sound of the subject P. This can prevent a situation in which the subject P forgets to turn on the switch to enter the measurement state and is unable to measure the respiratory sound, and it becomes possible to reliably measure the respiratory sound while sleeping.
[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the microphone 52 is operating in the measurement mode, the control unit 57 puts the microphone 52 into standby mode if it detects that the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is not attached to the subject's neck Pn.
[0052] In this way, the proximity sensor 53 constantly monitors whether the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is worn around the neck, and if the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is not worn around the neck, the measurement can be stopped and the device can be put into standby mode (standby state). This can reduce unnecessary power consumption and prevent unnecessary measurement, such as measuring sounds captured by the microphone 52 even when the device is not worn.
[0053] As described above, the embodiment has been described as an example of the technology of the present disclosure. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and may be configured as follows.
[0054] For example, in addition to the operations of the above-described embodiment, the respiratory sound measurement may be started by operating the power button 54. Fig. 11 shows an example of the operation of the respiratory sound measuring device 1 by operating the power button 54.
[0055] In FIG. 11, when the power button 54 of the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is pressed and held down while the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is in a power-off state (step S11), the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is started up (step S12) and goes into a standby mode (step S13).
[0056] In the next step S14, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy: registered trademark), which is the communication module 56 of the respiratory sound measuring device 1, is turned on. Then, communication with the communication module 82 on the terminal device 80 side becomes possible, and for example, setting information set on a setting screen of the terminal device 80 is transmitted from the terminal device 80 to the respiratory sound measuring device 1.
[0057] Then, when the power button 54 is pressed and held, the communication module 56 is turned off and goes into a standby state, and the process proceeds to step S3 in Fig. 5. Then, in the process in Fig. 5, as described above, after confirming that the device is being worn by the proximity sensor 53 and whether the sound picked up by the microphone 52 satisfies a predetermined breathing determination criterion, measurement of the breathing sounds of the subject P is started.
[0058] Then, when the power button 54 is pressed and held again thereafter, the flow returns to step S13, and the respiratory sound measuring device 1 goes into a standby state. Note that, when it is detected in step S8 that the respiratory sound measuring device 1 has been removed from the subject's neck, the flow also returns to step S13. [Industrial Applicability]
[0059] The present invention is useful as an apparatus for measuring the respiratory sounds of a subject, mainly at home or the like. [Explanation of symbols]
[0060] 1. Respiratory sound measuring device 53 Photo sensor (attachment status detection sensor) 30 Mounting part 40 Measurement section 60 Hinge part 62 Actuation means
Claims
1. A neckband-type respiratory sound measuring device that is worn around the neck of a subject, a wearing state detection sensor for detecting whether the respiratory sound measuring device is worn on a subject's neck; a breath sound acquisition unit that acquires breath sounds by contacting the skin of the anterior neck of a subject when the breath sound measurement device is attached to the neck of the subject; a vibrator for vibrating the respiratory sound measuring device; After it is detected that the respiratory sound measuring device is attached to the neck of the subject, a state in which the volume of the acquired sound from the respiratory sound acquisition unit exceeds a predetermined threshold and a state in which the volume is below a predetermined threshold are repeated for a predetermined period of time, and during the predetermined period of time, (1) The number of times the predetermined threshold is exceeded or the number of times the predetermined threshold is below is a predetermined number, (2) the duration of the state in which the predetermined threshold is exceeded is within a predetermined error range, (3) the duration of the state in which the predetermined threshold is below the predetermined threshold is within a predetermined error range, and a control unit that, when a breathing determination criterion is satisfied, that is, all of the above conditions (1) to (3) are satisfied, or both (1) and (2) or both (1) and (3) are satisfied, vibrates the vibrator to notify the subject that measurement of the respiratory sound has started, and starts measuring the acquired sound as a respiratory sound. A respiratory sound measuring device characterized by:
2. 2. The respiratory sound measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches the respiratory sound acquiring unit to a standby mode when it detects that the respiratory sound measuring device is not attached to the subject's neck while the respiratory sound acquiring unit is operating in a measurement mode for acquiring respiratory sounds.
3. A power switch for turning on and off the power of the respiratory sound measuring device is further provided.
3. The respiratory sound measuring device according to claim 1, wherein when the power switch is turned on, the respiratory sound acquiring unit is activated in a standby mode in which the respiratory sound acquiring operation is not performed but the wearing state detection sensor detects the wearing state.
4. 2. The respiratory sound measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit vibrates the vibrator when it is determined that the volume of the respiratory sound is a snoring state where the volume of the respiratory sound is equal to or greater than a predetermined standard, or an apnea state where the volume of the respiratory sound is less than a predetermined threshold.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Respiration monitor apparatus
JP1983165823A
Stethoscopic apparatus
JP1985261439A
Breath sound visualizing monitor, breath sound visualization method, and breath sound visualization program
JP2004033254A
System and method for bioinformation management
JP2004166896A
Organism sound signal processing system
JP2005027751A