Inhalation volume measurement system

Abstract

To provide an inhalation amount measurement system capable of determining a quality of a time-series inspiration state.SOLUTION: An inhalation amount measurement system includes an air flow measuring unit 1 and a tablet terminal 4. The air flow measuring unit 1 measures largeness of an air flow generated by inspiration of a subject. The tablet terminal 4 includes a storage section 5, a display unit 6, and a control section 7. The storage section 5 stores largeness of a time-series inspiration flow to be reference as a reference inspiration pattern SP. The control section 7 allows the display unit 6 to display largeness of an air flow measured by the air flow measuring unit 1 as a time-series graph 6B. The control section 7 allows the display unit 6 to display the reference inspiration pattern SP stored in the storage section 5 by superimposition on the graph 6B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an inhalation measurement system. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to inhale medicine into the body efficiently using an inhaler, it is necessary to inhale the medicine at a specific inhalation amount (flow rate and flow velocity). For example, if the inhalation amount is small or the inhalation time is short, the medicine will not be taken into the body and will remain in the inhaler. In this case, there is a concern that not enough medicine will be inhaled into the body, and the medicine will not be effective.

[0003] For this reason, in order to train people on how to inhale medicine using an inhaler, the present applicant has proposed an inhalation amount measurement system as shown in Patent Document 1. This system measures the amount of inhalation over time (inhalation pattern) of the person undergoing training, and displays this inhalation pattern on a monitor screen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-61281 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, the inhalation amount measurement system described in Patent Document 1 displays a fixed reference value together with the measured inhalation pattern. Therefore, it is possible to check whether the amount of inhalation exceeds the reference value. However, there is a problem in that it is not possible to judge whether the entire inhalation pattern is good or bad, and it is not possible to grasp whether the measured inhalation pattern is a desirable inhalation pattern.

[0006] An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an inhalation amount measuring system capable of determining whether the inhalation state is good or bad over time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems , Books An inhalation volume measuring system according to one embodiment of the invention comprises an airflow measuring device which measures the magnitude of the airflow generated by the subject's inhalation, a reference inhalation flow memory means which stores a reference time-series inhalation flow magnitude as a reference inhalation pattern, and a display, and further comprises control means which causes the display to display the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device as a time-series graph and to display the reference inhalation pattern superimposed on this graph, and is characterized in that when it is detected that the flow direction of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device is different from the direction of inhalation, the control means causes the display to start displaying the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device. An inhalation volume measuring system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an airflow measuring device that measures the magnitude of the airflow generated by the subject's inhalation, a reference inhalation flow memory means that stores the reference time-series inhalation flow magnitude as a reference inhalation pattern, and a display, and further comprises a control means that causes the display to display the airflow magnitude measured by the airflow measuring device as a time-series graph and to display the reference inhalation pattern superimposed on this graph, the reference inhalation flow memory means storing a plurality of reference inhalation patterns corresponding to inhalers, and the control means causing the display to display the reference inhalation pattern corresponding to the inhaler to be used from the plurality of reference inhalation patterns stored in the reference inhalation flow memory means. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether the intake state is good or bad over time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view showing an inhalation amount measuring system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an inhalation amount measuring system. [Diagram 3] 13 is a flowchart showing an intake pattern measurement process. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a measurement result displayed on a display device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an inhalation amount measuring system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a reference intake pattern displayed on a display device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an inhalation amount measuring system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] 1 and 2 show an inhalation amount measuring system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the inhalation amount measuring system in the first embodiment includes an airflow measuring device 1 and a tablet terminal 4.

[0012] The airflow measuring device 1 measures the magnitude of the airflow generated by the subject's inhalation. The airflow measuring device 1 may be a flow sensor that detects the flow rate of the airflow, a flow velocity sensor that detects the flow velocity of the airflow, or a pressure sensor that detects the pressure difference generated by the airflow. The airflow measuring device 1 also detects the direction of the airflow. The airflow measuring device 1 outputs a flow rate signal according to the magnitude and direction of the airflow. The airflow measuring device 1 is connected to a tablet terminal 4 via a connection cable 3.

[0013] An inhalation resistor 2 is attached to the airflow measuring device 1. The inhalation resistor 2 is configured in a similar manner to the inhalation resistor disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. The inhalation resistor 2 applies an inhalation resistance to the airflow generated by the subject's inhalation that is equivalent to the inhalation resistance of an inhaler actually used in treatment.

[0014] At this time, the inhalation resistance of the inhalation resistor 2 is set to be the same as the inhalation resistance of an inhaler actually used in treatment. By using the inhalation resistor 2, inhalation through an inhaler can be simulated.

[0015] With the inhalation resistor 2 attached to the airflow measuring device 1, the subject holds the inhalation resistor 2 in their mouth and inhales. The airflow generated in the inhalation resistor 2 by this inhalation action is measured by the airflow measuring device 1. The airflow flow rate signal measured by the airflow measuring device 1 is input to the tablet terminal 4.

[0016] The tablet terminal 4 includes a storage unit 5, a display 6, and a control unit 7. The storage unit 5 is a memory such as a RAM, a ROM, etc., and constitutes a reference inhalation flow storage means. The storage unit 5 stores the magnitude of the reference time-series inhalation flow as a reference inhalation pattern SP (see FIG. 4). The reference inhalation pattern SP is an inhalation pattern that allows a subject to sufficiently inhale a drug when using an inhaler, for example. The reference inhalation pattern SP is determined by, for example, the type of inhaler, the type of drug, and the delivery site in the human body, such as the throat or lungs. For this reason, the reference inhalation pattern SP is preferably set by a person who can provide guidance on inhaling a drug using an inhaler, such as a doctor, a pharmacist, a pharmaceutical company, etc.

[0017] As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the display 6 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like. When the airflow measuring device 1 starts measuring the intake pattern, the display 6 displays the screen shown in Fig. 4. At this time, a flow meter 6A indicating the magnitude of the measured airflow is displayed on the screen of the display 6. In addition, the magnitude of the airflow is displayed as a graph (actual intake pattern) in a time series on the screen of the display 6. At this time, the vertical axis of the graph 6B is the magnitude of the airflow. The horizontal axis of the graph 6B is time. The reference intake pattern SP stored in the memory unit 5 is displayed on the screen of the display 6, superimposed on the graph 6B.

[0018] The control unit 7 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and constitutes a control means. The control unit 7 executes an intake pattern measurement process, which will be described later. A flow rate signal is input to the control unit 7 from the airflow measuring device 1. The control unit 7 causes the display unit 6 to display the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device 1 in a time series manner as a graph 6B. This graph 6B includes an actual intake pattern that indicates the change over time in the magnitude of the actually measured airflow. In addition to this, the control unit 7 reads out a reference intake pattern SP from the memory unit 5. The control unit 7 causes the display unit 6 to display the reference intake pattern SP superimposed on the actual intake pattern of the graph 6B.

[0019] Next, the intake pattern measurement process performed by the control unit 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0020] In step S1, the control unit 7 reads out the reference intake pattern SP from the memory unit 5, and displays the reference intake pattern SP on the display unit 6. In step S2, the airflow measurement by the airflow measurement instrument 1 is started. As a result, a flow rate signal from the airflow measurement instrument 1 is input to the control unit 7.

[0021] In the next step S3, the control unit 7 judges whether the airflow has changed based on the flow rate signal. That is, the control unit 7 judges whether a preparatory action for measuring the inhalation pattern has occurred based on whether the airflow has changed. At this time, the control unit 7 may judge that the airflow has increased, or may judge the direction of the airflow. When judging the direction of the airflow, for example, it judges whether the direction of the airflow is the direction in which the subject exhales air. Before the subject inhales air, the subject always exhales air. Therefore, by detecting the exhalation action of the subject, the airflow (inhalation flow) due to the subsequent inhalation action can be measured. When judging the direction of the airflow, for example, it may be judged whether the direction of the airflow has switched from the direction in which the subject exhales air to the direction in which the subject inhales air.

[0022] If the answer to step S3 is "NO," the change in airflow caused by the subject cannot be confirmed. Therefore, the process from step S1 onward is repeated to wait until the airflow changes.

[0023] On the other hand, if the determination in step S3 is "YES", the airflow has changed, so the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the control unit 7 causes the display unit 6 to display the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device 1 in a time series manner as a graph 6B. At this time, the graph 6B displays an actual intake pattern indicating the change in the magnitude of the airflow over time.

[0024] In the next step S5, it is determined whether a predetermined time T1 has elapsed. At this time, the predetermined time T1 is a preparation time for the subject to start the monitor test. Specifically, the predetermined time T1 is, for example, a time from when "YES" is determined in step S3 (preparatory movement starts) until the subject gets ready to inhale air.

[0025] When the answer is "YES" in step S5, it is considered that the subject is ready. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S6, where the control unit 7 notifies the subject to start inhalation. The notification of the start of inhalation may be made by displaying on the display unit 6 that it is time to start inhalation, or may be made by generating various sounds. Note that in step S6, the subject is notified to start inhalation only once, immediately after the predetermined time T1 has elapsed.

[0026] When step S6 is completed, the process proceeds to step S7. Also, when the determination in step S5 is "NO", the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, it is determined whether a predetermined time T2 has elapsed. At this time, the predetermined time T2 is, for example, the time required from the determination in step S3 of "YES" (preparatory operation is started) until the measurement of the air flow is completed. The predetermined time T2 is longer than the predetermined time T1.

[0027] If the determination in step S7 is "NO," the measurement of the airflow has not ended. Therefore, the control unit 7 repeats the processes in steps S4 and onward. On the other hand, if the determination in step S7 is "YES," the measurement of the airflow has ended. Therefore, the control unit 7 proceeds to step S8, and stops the measurement of the airflow by the airflow measuring device 1.

[0028] In the next step S9, the control unit 7 compares the actual inhalation pattern with the reference inhalation pattern SP to determine whether the actual inhalation pattern is within the range of the reference inhalation pattern SP. If the determination in step S9 is "YES", the actual inhalation pattern is within the range of the reference inhalation pattern SP, for example, over the entire period from the specified time T1 to the specified time T2. In this case, the actual inhalation pattern is considered to be a pattern suitable for inhaling medicine. Therefore, the control unit 7 proceeds to step S10 and causes the display 6 to display that the actual inhalation pattern by the subject is "passed".

[0029] On the other hand, if the determination in step S9 is "NO", for example, the actual inhalation pattern is outside the range of the reference inhalation pattern SP for the entire period from the predetermined time T1 to the predetermined time T2 or for part of the period. In this case, the actual inhalation pattern is considered to be an inappropriate pattern for inhaling medicine. Therefore, the control unit 7 proceeds to step S11 and causes the display 6 to display that the actual inhalation pattern by the subject is "unacceptable".

[0030] When step S10 or step S11 is completed, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the control unit 7 stores the measured actual inhalation pattern, the training date and time, and the pass / fail result in the storage unit 5. When step S12 is completed, the process returns.

[0031] Next, an example of the measurement result obtained using the inhalation amount measuring system according to this embodiment is shown in FIG.

[0032] Fig. 4 shows the screen of the display 6 when a subject performs a measurement using the inhalation amount measuring system according to this embodiment. For reference, a graph 6B in Fig. 4 displays two actual inhalation patterns P1 and P2 before training and one actual inhalation pattern P0 after training. The actual graph 6B displays one actual inhalation pattern according to the magnitude of the measured airflow.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, in the actual intake pattern P1 before training, the magnitude of the airflow increases rapidly after the start timing of the reference intake pattern SP has passed, but decreases in a short time. Therefore, in the first half of the reference intake pattern SP, the magnitude of the airflow of the actual intake pattern P1 is excessively large compared to the reference intake pattern SP. In the second half of the reference intake pattern SP, the magnitude of the airflow of the actual intake pattern P1 is insufficient compared to the reference intake pattern SP. In this way, the actual intake pattern P1 is outside the range of the reference intake pattern SP in most areas, and is an inappropriate intake pattern. At this time, the display 6 displays "Failed". This allows the subject to recognize that his or her intake pattern is an inappropriate intake pattern. Also, by comparing the actual intake pattern P1 with the reference intake pattern SP, the subject can grasp the difference between the two and improve the magnitude and time change of the airflow.

[0034] In the actual inhalation pattern P2 before training, the magnitude of the airflow gradually increases in accordance with the reference inhalation pattern SP after the start timing of the reference inhalation pattern SP has passed. However, from the middle to the latter half of the reference inhalation pattern SP, the magnitude of the airflow in the actual inhalation pattern P2 is less than that of the reference inhalation pattern SP. Therefore, the actual inhalation pattern P2 is outside the range of the reference inhalation pattern SP in the latter half of the reference inhalation pattern SP, making it an inappropriate inhalation pattern. At this time, the display 6 displays "Failed." This allows the subject to recognize that his or her own inhalation pattern is an inappropriate inhalation pattern.

[0035] In contrast, in the actual inhalation pattern P0 after training, the magnitude of the airflow changes according to the reference inhalation pattern SP. Specifically, after the start timing of the reference inhalation pattern SP has elapsed, the magnitude of the airflow in the actual inhalation pattern P0 increases so as to follow the reference inhalation pattern SP. Then, in the middle part of the reference inhalation pattern SP, the magnitude of the airflow in the actual inhalation pattern P0 is maintained so as to remain within the range of the reference inhalation pattern SP. In the latter part of the reference inhalation pattern SP, the magnitude of the airflow in the actual inhalation pattern P0 decreases so as to follow the reference inhalation pattern SP. As a result, the actual inhalation pattern P0 is within the range of the reference inhalation pattern SP in all areas of the reference inhalation pattern SP, and is an appropriate inhalation pattern. At this time, the display 6 displays "passed." This allows the subject to understand that his or her inhalation pattern has become an appropriate inhalation pattern for inhaling medicine.

[0036] However, in the inhalation amount measurement system described in Patent Document 1, a constant reference value is displayed together with the magnitude of the airflow over time measured by the flowmeter. Therefore, it is possible to check whether the magnitude of the airflow exceeds the reference value. However, since the reference data over time is not displayed, the subject cannot judge whether the overall airflow over time is good or bad.

[0037] In contrast, according to the first embodiment, the control unit 7 causes the display unit 6 to display the magnitude of the air flow measured by the air flow measuring instrument 1 in a time series manner as a graph 6B (actual intake pattern), and also displays the reference intake pattern SP superimposed on this graph 6B.

[0038] This makes it easy to check the deviation between the subject's actual time-series inhalation state and the reference inhalation pattern SP. As a result, the subject can easily grasp, for example, whether the inhalation force is weak or not, as well as whether the inhalation time is short or not, and can easily train how to inhale medicine using an inhaler.

[0039] In addition, the inhalation amount measurement system described in Patent Document 1 automatically starts displaying the inhalation amount when the power is turned on. This makes it difficult for the subject to grasp the timing of the start of inhalation, and acquisition of the magnitude of the airflow over time tends to become unstable. In addition, after a certain amount of time has passed since the power was turned on, it becomes difficult to display all the magnitudes of the airflow over time measured by the flowmeter.

[0040] In contrast, in the inhalation volume measuring system according to the first embodiment, when a change occurs in the magnitude of the air flow measured by the air flow measuring instrument 1, the control unit 7 causes the display unit 6 to start displaying the magnitude of the air flow measured by the air flow measuring instrument 1.

[0041] At this time, when the subject starts breathing, the display 6 starts to display the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device 1. As a result, the measurement of the inhalation can be performed at a timing desired by the subject, and the magnitude of the inhalation flow caused by the subject's inhalation over time can be displayed on the display 6. Furthermore, since the measurement of the inhalation is performed at a timing desired by the subject, it is possible to display all of the changes over time in the magnitude of the airflow (actual inhalation pattern) up to the end point of the reference inhalation pattern SP.

[0042] When the control unit 7 detects that the flow direction of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device 1 is different from the direction of intake air, it causes the display device 6 to start displaying the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device 1.

[0043] Before the subject inhales, the subject exhales. In response to this, when the subject exhales air, the control unit 7 starts displaying the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device 1 on the display 6. As a result, the subject can start inhaling in accordance with the reference inhalation pattern SP displayed on the display 6, and the subject can adjust the amount of inhalation in accordance with the reference inhalation pattern SP, for example, and can easily train inhalation.

[0044] The control unit 7 notifies the subject of the start timing of inhalation. This allows the subject to know the start time of inhalation. Therefore, the subject can adjust the amount of inhalation to match the standard inhalation pattern SP.

[0045] When the reference intake pattern SP stored in the memory unit 5 and the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device 1 do not have a predetermined relationship, the control unit 7 notifies the user of that fact.

[0046] The reference intake pattern SP is, for example, a time-series intake pattern having a predetermined tolerance range for the magnitude of airflow. For this reason, the control unit 7 judges whether or not the magnitude of airflow measured by, for example, the airflow measuring device 1 is within the range of the reference intake pattern SP from the start of intake to the end of the reference intake pattern SP. When the magnitude of airflow measured by the airflow measuring device 1 is outside the range of the reference intake pattern SP, the control unit 7 causes the display device 6 to display "fail." This allows the subject to understand that his or her actual intake pattern is inappropriate and to recognize the need for improvement, for example, in the intake method or intake amount.

[0047] In the first embodiment, when the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device 1 is outside the range of the reference intake pattern SP, the control unit 7 determines that the reference intake pattern SP and the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device 1 do not have a predetermined relationship, and notifies the subject of that fact. Specifically, when the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device 1 is outside the range of the reference intake pattern SP, the control unit 7 causes the display device 6 to display "fail."

[0048] The present invention is not limited to this, and the control unit 7 may notify the user when the rate of change of the airflow magnitude measured by the airflow measuring device 1 is lower than the rate of change of the airflow magnitude of the reference intake pattern stored in the memory unit 5.

[0049] For example, the control unit 7 obtains the minimum value of the rate of change of the magnitude of the airflow in the reference inhalation pattern (dQs / dt) and compares it with the rate of change of the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device 1 (dQ / dt) (see FIG. 4). If the rate of change of the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device 1 is lower than the minimum value of the rate of change of the magnitude of the airflow in the reference inhalation pattern, the control unit 7 causes the display device 6 to display "fail." This makes it possible to determine whether training for an inhaler is appropriate, even when the inhaler uses a drug that requires an inhalation speed above a certain level, such as a drug for pulmonary administration.

[0050] It is necessary to prevent erroneous determination based on a minute change in the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device 1. For this reason, a low-frequency filter process may be performed on the measured magnitude of the airflow to obtain the rate of change in the magnitude of the airflow.

[0051] Next, Figures 5 and 6 show a second embodiment. The second embodiment is characterized in that the control unit displays a reference inhalation pattern corresponding to the inhaler to be used among a plurality of reference inhalation patterns on the display. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference symbols, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0052] The inhalation amount measuring system in the second embodiment also includes an airflow measuring device 1 and a tablet terminal 4, like the inhalation amount measuring system in the first embodiment.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 5, the airflow measuring device 1 can be fitted with multiple types (e.g., three types) of inhalation resistors 21-23. The inhalation resistors 21-23 correspond to multiple types of inhalers actually used in treatment. For this reason, the inhalation resistors 21-23 do not need to have the same shape or size, and may have different shapes depending on the types of inhalers. The inhalation resistors 21-23 have different flow resistances depending on the multiple types of inhalers. Note that if a single inhalation resistor can provide flow resistances compatible with multiple types of inhalers, a single inhalation resistor may be used.

[0054] However, for example, inhalers having the same flow resistance but used for different drugs are also conceivable. In this case, the flow resistances of the inhalation resistors 21 to 23 may be the same. A selected one of the inhalation resistors 21 to 23 is attached to the airflow measuring device 1.

[0055] The tablet terminal 4 is configured similarly to the first embodiment, and includes a storage unit 24, a display 6, and a control unit 25. The storage unit 24 is configured similarly to the storage unit 5 according to the first embodiment. However, the storage unit 24 stores a plurality of reference inhalation patterns SP1 to SP3 corresponding to the inhaler (see FIG. 6). For example, the reference inhalation pattern SP1 has the same shape as the reference inhalation pattern SP according to the first embodiment.

[0056] The reference inhalation pattern SP2 is a pattern in which the size of the airflow increases steeply and inhalation ends in a short time compared to the reference inhalation pattern SP1. The reference inhalation pattern SP2 corresponds to an inhaler for use in which medicine is inhaled deeply in one go, for example.

[0057] The reference inhalation pattern SP3 is a pattern in which the magnitude of the airflow is smaller overall than that of the reference inhalation pattern SP1. The reference inhalation pattern SP3 corresponds to an inhaler for the purpose of adsorbing medicine in a shallow part of the airway, for example.

[0058] The control unit 25 is configured in the same manner as the control unit 7 according to the first embodiment. However, the control unit 25 selects and reads out one of the plurality of reference intake patterns SP1 to SP3 from the storage unit .

[0059] The control unit 25 causes the display unit 6 to display the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device 1 in a time series manner as a graph 6B. In addition, the control unit 25 causes the display unit 6 to display a reference inhalation pattern corresponding to the inhaler to be used, among the plurality of reference inhalation patterns SP1-SP3 stored in the memory unit 24, superimposed on the graph 6B. At this time, when the inhalation resistors 21-23 correspond to a plurality of inhalers, respectively, the control unit 25 causes the display unit 6 to display the reference inhalation pattern corresponding to the inhalation resistor attached to the airflow measuring device 1.

[0060] For example, when the inhalation resistor 21 is attached to the airflow measurement device 1, the control unit 25 causes the display unit 6 to display the reference inhalation pattern SP1. In this case, the actual inhalation pattern P0 according to the first embodiment falls within the range of the reference inhalation pattern SP1 in all areas. At this time, the control unit 25 causes the display unit 6 to display "Pass".

[0061] On the other hand, when the inhalation resistor 22 is attached to the airflow measuring device 1, the control unit 25 causes the display unit 6 to display the reference inhalation pattern SP2. In this case, the actual inhalation pattern P0 according to the first embodiment has an insufficient amount of airflow compared to the reference inhalation pattern SP2. Therefore, the actual inhalation pattern P0 is outside the range of the reference inhalation pattern SP2, making it an inappropriate inhalation pattern. At this time, the control unit 25 causes the display unit 6 to display "Fail."

[0062] Thus, the second embodiment can achieve substantially the same effects as the first embodiment. Moreover, according to the second embodiment, the flow rate can be measured when inhaling using the inhalation resistors 21-23 that apply substantially the same load as the inhaler used in actual inhalation therapy. Therefore, the inhalation resistors 21-23 can be used to measure substantially the same inhalation amount as when the subject uses the inhaler actually used in inhalation therapy. Therefore, the subject can undergo inhalation training without using an actual inhaler, medicine, or the like.

[0063] In addition, in the second embodiment, the control unit 25 causes the display 6 to display a reference inhalation pattern corresponding to the inhaler used among the plurality of reference inhalation patterns SP1 to SP3. Therefore, by causing the display 6 to display the reference inhalation pattern corresponding to the inhaler used by the subject, inhalation training suitable for the subject can be performed.

[0064] In each of the above-described embodiments, a tablet terminal 4 including a storage unit 5, 24, a display unit 6, and a control unit 7, 25 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and instead of a tablet terminal, a smartphone or a stationary personal computer may be used.

[0065] In each of the above-described embodiments, the airflow measuring device 1 is wired and connected to the tablet terminal 4 via the connection cable 3. The present invention is not limited to this, and the airflow measuring device 1 may be wirelessly connected to the tablet terminal 4.

[0066] Next, as an inhalation amount measuring system included in the above embodiment, for example, the following aspect is considered.

[0067] In a first aspect, the device comprises an airflow measuring device which measures the magnitude of the airflow generated by the subject's inhalation, a reference inhalation flow storage means which stores the reference time-series inhalation flow magnitude as a reference inhalation pattern, and a display device, and is characterized in that it is further equipped with a control means which causes the display device to display the airflow magnitude measured by the airflow measuring device as a time-series graph and to display the reference inhalation pattern superimposed on the graph.

[0068] As a second aspect, in the first aspect, the control means is characterized in that, when a change occurs in the magnitude of the air flow measured by the air flow measuring device, the control means causes the display device to start displaying the magnitude of the air flow measured by the air flow measuring device.

[0069] As a third aspect, in the first aspect, the control means is characterized in that, when it is detected that the flow direction of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device is different from the direction of intake air, the control means causes the display device to start displaying the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device.

[0070] As a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the control means notifies the subject of the start of inhalation.

[0071] As a fifth aspect, in any of the first to fourth aspects, the control means is characterized in that, when the reference intake pattern stored in the reference intake flow memory means and the magnitude of the air flow measured by the air flow measuring instrument do not have a predetermined relationship, the control means notifies that fact.

[0072] As a sixth aspect, in the fifth aspect, the control means is characterized in that when the rate of change of the air flow magnitude measured by the air flow measuring device is lower than the rate of change of the air flow magnitude of the reference intake flow pattern stored in the reference intake flow memory means, the control means notifies this fact.

[0073] As a seventh aspect, in any of the first to sixth aspects, the reference inhalation flow memory means stores a plurality of reference inhalation patterns corresponding to the inhaler, and the control means causes the display to display the reference inhalation pattern corresponding to the inhaler to be used from among the plurality of reference inhalation patterns stored in the reference inhalation flow memory means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1 Air flow meter 2,21~23 Inhalation resistor 4. Tablet devices 5, 24 Memory unit (reference intake flow memory means) 6 Display 6B Graph 7,25 Control section (control means) SP, SP1~SP3 Standard intake pattern

Claims

1. an airflow meter for measuring the magnitude of the airflow generated by the subject's inhalation; a reference intake flow storage means for storing a reference time-series intake flow magnitude as a reference intake pattern; A display device, a control means for controlling the display device to display the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device as a graph in time series and to display the reference intake pattern superimposed on the graph, The control means causes the display to start displaying the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device when it detects that the flow direction of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device is different from the direction of inhalation.

2. an airflow meter for measuring the magnitude of the airflow generated by the subject's inhalation; a reference intake flow storage means for storing a reference time-series intake flow magnitude as a reference intake pattern; A display device, a control means for controlling the display device to display the magnitude of the airflow measured by the airflow measuring device as a graph in time series and to display the reference intake pattern superimposed on the graph, the reference inhalation flow storage means stores a plurality of reference inhalation patterns corresponding to the inhaler; The inhalation volume measuring system is characterized in that the control means displays on the display a reference inhalation pattern corresponding to the inhaler being used from among the multiple reference inhalation patterns stored in the reference inhalation flow memory means.

3. 3. The inhalation amount measuring system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of inhalation resistors having different flow resistances are detachably provided in the airflow measuring device.

4. The inhalation volume measuring system according to claim 3, characterized in that the reference inhalation flow memory means stores the reference inhalation patterns corresponding to the plurality of inhalation resistors, and causes the display to display the reference inhalation pattern of the inhalation resistor attached to the air flow measuring device among the plurality of inhalation resistors.

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