Laryngeal elevation measuring device

Abstract

To grasp a position of a laryngeal prominence of a subject.SOLUTION: A larynx elevation measuring device 10 comprises a first displacement sensor 21, a second displacement sensor 22 and a control unit 101. The first displacement sensor 21 can be attached to the neck of the subject. The second displacement sensor 22 can be attached to a position separated from the first displacement sensor 21 by a prescribed distance P, on the neck of the subject. The control unit 101 acquires displacement amounts of the first displacement sensor 21 and the second displacement sensor 22. The control unit 101 estimates a positional change of a laryngeal prominence of the subject, on the basis of a secular change of the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor 21 and a secular change of the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22, and the prescribed distance P.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a laryngeal elevation measurement device. [Background technology]

[0002] The swallowing movement measuring device described in Patent Document 1 includes a sheet-like sensor, a pressing tool, and a measuring instrument. The sensor is a capacitance sensor. The capacitance sensor detects the movement of the subject's thyroid cartilage as a change in capacitance. The pressing tool is used to press a part of the sensor against the body surface of the subject's larynx. The swallowing movement measuring device measures the swallowing movement of the subject based on the change in capacitance of the sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-7091 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The sensor of the swallowing movement measuring device described in Patent Document 1 detects not only the movement of the larynx when the subject swallows, but also the change in capacitance according to the movement of the subject's neck. Therefore, the detected value of the sensor includes the subject's movements other than the swallowing movement. In other words, even if the detection result of the swallowing movement measuring device described in Patent Document 1 is referred to, it is difficult to accurately grasp only the swallowing movement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a laryngeal elevation measuring device comprising a first displacement sensor that can be attached to the neck of a subject, a second displacement sensor that can be attached to a location on the neck of the subject at a predetermined distance from the first displacement sensor, and a control unit that acquires the displacement amounts of the first displacement sensor and the second displacement sensor, wherein the control unit estimates a change in the position of the laryngeal prominence of the subject based on changes over time in the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor, changes over time in the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor, and the predetermined distance, and outputs the estimation result.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the position change of the laryngeal prominence is estimated by acquiring the change in displacement amount over time using the multiple displacement sensors. Based on the output estimation result of the position change of the laryngeal prominence, the user can grasp the state of the subject's laryngeal prominence in detail. This allows the swallowing movement to be grasped with high accuracy. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] It is possible to grasp the state of the subject's laryngeal prominence in detail and detect only swallowing movements. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall view of the laryngeal elevation measuring device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main body of the laryngeal elevation measuring device attached to a subject. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a series of image creation control processes executed by the control unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an example of an image created by the image creation control. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a series of processes of swallowing movement estimation control executed by the control unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a series of processes of swallowing movement estimation control executed by a control unit in a modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an overall view of a modified laryngeal elevation measuring device. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the main body of the modified laryngeal elevation measuring device attached to a subject. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows an example of an image created by image creation control in the modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of a laryngeal elevation measuring device will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings may show components enlarged for ease of understanding. The dimensional proportions of the components may differ from those in the actual device or from those in other drawings.

[0010] <Overall structure> 1, the laryngeal elevation measuring device 10 includes a main body 50 that is attached to a subject, and a control device 100 that is electrically connected to the main body 50. The main body 50 includes a sensor sheet 30, five displacement sensors 20, and a fixing member 40.

[0011] The sensor sheet 30 is a sheet having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. The sensor sheet 30 is made of a stretchable synthetic resin. The sensor sheet 30 preferably contains a material with a low elastic modulus, such as polyurethane, acrylic, or silicone resin.

[0012] Each displacement sensor 20 is attached to one main surface of the sensor sheet 30. Each displacement sensor 20 is generally strip-shaped. Each displacement sensor 20 extends along the long side of the sensor sheet 30. The five displacement sensors 20 are positioned apart from one another along the short side of the sensor sheet 30. The five displacement sensors 20 are also arranged parallel to one another. The five displacement sensors 20 are arranged at equal intervals.

[0013] Each displacement sensor 20 has a sensor section 20A and a detection section 20B. The sensor units 20A are strip-shaped and extend parallel to the long sides of the sensor sheet 30. Each sensor unit 20A is made of an electrical conductor. Each sensor unit 20A is made of a material that exhibits a large change in resistance value with respect to expansion and contraction. The material of each sensor unit 20A is, for example, a mixture of metal powder such as silver or copper and an elastomer resin such as silicone.

[0014] Each sensor unit 20A is elastically deformable. The resistance value of the sensor unit 20A changes as the length of the sensor unit 20A changes along the long axis of the sensor unit 20A due to elastic deformation. For example, each displacement sensor 20 is linear when no external force is applied. When an external force is applied, each displacement sensor 20 bends, increasing the resistance value.

[0015] The detection unit 20B is electrically connected to the sensor unit 20A. The detection unit 20B converts a change in the resistance value of the sensor unit 20A into a displacement amount. That is, the detection unit 20B detects the displacement amount when the sensor unit 20A is bent from a straight state. Then, the detection unit 20B transmits a signal corresponding to the displacement amount.

[0016] The fixing member 40 is sheet-shaped. The fixing member 40 is made of a material such as urethane rubber, silicone rubber nitrile rubber sponge, chloroprene rubber sponge, or ethylene rubber sponge. The fixing member 40 is located on the opposite side of the sensor sheet 30 from the displacement sensor 20. The fixing member 40 is attached to the sensor sheet 30. The fixing member 40 is also slightly larger than the sensor sheet 30. The fixing member 40 covers almost the entire sensor sheet 30. The surface of the fixing member 40 opposite to the side to which the sensor sheet 30 is attached is adhesive. Therefore, the main body 50 can be attached to the subject via the fixing member 40.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the five displacement sensors 20 are a first displacement sensor 21, a second displacement sensor 22, a third displacement sensor 23, a fourth displacement sensor 24, and a fifth displacement sensor 25. As shown in FIG. 2 , the five displacement sensors 20 are attached to the neck of the subject. The first displacement sensor 21 is located at the uppermost position of the five displacement sensors 20 in the direction along the subject's cervical vertebrae. In this embodiment, the first displacement sensor 21 is located above the position of the subject's laryngeal prominence in a normal state, i.e., above the position of the laryngeal prominence when the subject is not swallowing. The second displacement sensor 22 is attached below the first displacement sensor 21 at a predetermined distance P from the first displacement sensor 21. Further below the second displacement sensor 22, the third displacement sensor 23, the fourth displacement sensor 24, and the fifth displacement sensor 25 are located in this order, spaced apart from each other by the predetermined distance P. Therefore, when the subject is not swallowing, the laryngeal prominence corresponds to the position of any of the second displacement sensor 22 to the fifth displacement sensor 25. When the subject swallows and the laryngeal prominence moves upward, the laryngeal prominence is positioned near the first displacement sensor 21. That is, the first displacement sensor 21 is attached corresponding to the uppermost position within the range of movement of the pharyngeal prominence associated with the swallowing movement of the subject.

[0018] <About the control device> As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 100 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a notification unit 103.

[0019] The control unit 101 is connected to each displacement sensor 20 via a cord. The control unit 101 receives signals transmitted from each displacement sensor 20. That is, the control unit 101 acquires the amount of displacement from each displacement sensor 20. The control unit 101 also associates the amount of displacement acquired by each displacement sensor 20 with the time at which the amount of displacement was acquired and stores the information in the storage unit 102. The control unit 101 also estimates the position of the subject's laryngeal prominence based on the change over time in the amount of displacement of each displacement sensor 20. The control unit 101 then outputs the estimation result to the display 110 via the notification unit 103.

[0020] The control unit 101 includes circuitry including one or more processors. The control unit 101 may also be circuitry including one or more dedicated hardware circuits such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or a combination thereof.

[0021] The storage unit 102 is a storage medium readable by the control unit 101. The storage unit 102 stores various processes executed by the control unit 101 in the form of program data. The storage unit 102 also stores in advance control values ​​required for the various processes executed by the control unit 101. Furthermore, as described above, the storage unit 102 stores the acquired displacement amount of each displacement sensor 20 in association with the time at which the displacement amount was acquired, based on the processing of the control unit 101.

[0022] The notification unit 103 can communicate with the display 110 via a wired or wireless connection. As described above, the notification unit 103 displays the estimation result on the display 110 in accordance with various processes executed by the control unit 101. Although not shown in the drawings, the control device 100 also includes peripheral circuits such as a power supply circuit and a clock circuit.

[0023] <Image creation control> The control unit 101 executes each process of image creation control by executing an image creation program stored in the storage unit 102. Furthermore, the control unit 101 starts image creation control when the power of the control device 100 is switched from an off state to an on state, and repeatedly executes the image creation control at a predetermined control period until the power is turned off.

[0024] 3, when the control unit 101 starts image creation control, it first executes the process of step S11. In step S11, the control unit 101 acquires the amount of displacement from each displacement sensor 20. Then, the control unit 101 associates the amount of displacement acquired from each displacement sensor 20 with the time at which the amount of displacement was acquired, and stores the amount of displacement in the storage unit 102. In other words, the control unit 101 stores the change over time in the amount of displacement of each displacement sensor 20 in the storage unit 102. Thereafter, the control unit 101 executes the process of step S12.

[0025] In step S12, the control unit 101 estimates the position change of the laryngeal prominence based on the change over time in the amount of displacement of each displacement sensor 20 and the predetermined distance P. Specifically, the control unit 101 estimates the position of the laryngeal prominence in the direction along the cervical vertebrae of the subject as the up-down position. The control unit 101 also estimates the position of the tip of the laryngeal prominence in the anterior-posterior direction of the subject as the anteroposterior position. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, the control unit 101 creates a strip-shaped unit image UI as an estimation result of the up-down position and the anteroposterior position of the laryngeal prominence. In this unit image UI, the magnitude of the displacement amount is indicated by the density of black. Furthermore, positions along the longitudinal direction of the unit image UI correspond to the positions of the first displacement sensor 21 to the fifth displacement sensor 25. Specifically, the center of the longitudinal direction of the unit image UI shown in FIG. 4 is the position of the third displacement sensor 23. From the center of the longitudinal direction of the unit image UI, the positions of the second displacement sensor 22 and the first displacement sensor 21 are located in that order from the center toward the top, and the positions of the fourth displacement sensor 24 and the fifth displacement sensor 25 are located in that order toward the bottom. Therefore, the position of the darkest black part in one unit image UI indicates the estimated vertical position of the laryngeal prominence. Also, the darkness of the darkest black part in one unit image UI indicates the estimated anterior-posterior position of the laryngeal prominence.

[0026] When the control unit 101 creates a new unit image UI as described above, it combines it with the previously created unit image UI to create a new two-dimensional image IMG. Specifically, the control unit 101 arranges a plurality of unit image UIs from a certain period of time in chronological order to create one two-dimensional image IMG. The certain period is, for example, several seconds. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the two-dimensional image IMG is an image in a Cartesian coordinate system with the horizontal axis representing time and the vertical axis representing the vertical position of the laryngeal prominence. As described above, each unit image UI indicates the vertical position and the anterior-posterior position of the laryngeal prominence. Therefore, the two-dimensional image IMG indicates the change over time in the vertical position and the anterior-posterior position of the laryngeal prominence.

[0027] When the control unit 101 creates a new two-dimensional image IMG as described above, it stores it in the storage unit 102. At this time, the control unit 101 deletes the previously created two-dimensional image IMG from the storage unit 102. In other words, the control unit 101 updates the two-dimensional image IMG stored in the storage unit 102 with a new one. Thereafter, one cycle of the image creation control by the control unit 101 ends, and the control unit 101 starts image creation control again.

[0028] <Swallowing movement estimation control> The control unit 101 executes each process of swallowing movement estimation control by executing a swallowing movement estimation program stored in the storage unit 102. In addition, the control unit 101 executes swallowing movement estimation control only once when the power of the laryngeal elevation measuring device 10 is switched from an off state to an on state.

[0029] 5, when starting swallowing movement estimation control, the control unit 101 first executes the process of step S21. In step S21, the control unit 101 acquires the amount of displacement from each displacement sensor 20. Thereafter, the control unit 101 executes the process of step S22.

[0030] In step S22, the control unit 101 determines whether the displacement amount of each displacement sensor 20 is equal to or greater than a predetermined fourth threshold V4. The fourth threshold V4 is determined in advance through testing, simulation, or the like as a value slightly smaller than the minimum value of the displacement amount that will be detected when the displacement sensor 20 is attached to the neck of the subject. If the displacement amounts of all the displacement sensors 20 are equal to or greater than the fourth threshold V4, the control unit 101 makes a positive determination in step S22. If the displacement amount of at least one displacement sensor 20 is less than the fourth threshold V4, the control unit 101 makes a negative determination in step S22. If the determination in step S22 is negative, the control unit 101 executes the process of step S32.

[0031] In step S32, the control unit 101 outputs a notification signal to the display 110 via the notification unit 103 to notify the user. Upon receiving the notification signal, the display 110 displays a message indicating that the laryngeal elevation measuring device 10 cannot properly estimate the position of the subject's laryngeal prominence. Specifically, if the displacement amounts of all the displacement sensors 20 are less than the fourth threshold V4, the control unit 101 does not start estimating the position change of the laryngeal prominence. If the displacement amount of at least one of the displacement sensors 20 is less than the fourth threshold V4, the control unit 101 notifies the user that the position of the subject's laryngeal prominence cannot be properly estimated. Examples of the state in which the laryngeal elevation measuring device 10 cannot properly estimate the position of the subject's laryngeal prominence include a state in which the main body 50 is not attached to the subject, an abnormality in the displacement sensor 20, and the like. The control unit 101 then terminates the series of swallowing movement estimation control processes and turns off the power to the laryngeal elevation measuring device 10.

[0032] On the other hand, if the determination in step S22 is affirmative, the control unit 101 executes the process of step S23. In step S23, the control unit 101 starts estimating the swallowing movement based on the positional change of the subject's laryngeal prominence. Thereafter, the control unit 101 executes the process of step S24.

[0033] In step S24, the control unit 101 acquires the displacement amount from each displacement sensor 20. Then, the control unit 101 determines whether the acquired displacement amount of the first displacement sensor 21 is equal to or greater than a first threshold value V1. The first threshold value V1 is a value determined in advance through testing, simulation, etc., as a value slightly smaller than the displacement amount that the first displacement sensor 21 would detect when the subject performs a swallowing movement. If the determination in step S24 is negative, the control unit 101 executes the process of step S24 again. That is, the control unit 101 repeats the process of step S24 until the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor 21 becomes equal to or greater than the first threshold value V1. On the other hand, if the determination in step S24 is positive, the control unit 101 executes the process of step S25.

[0034] In step S25, the control unit 101 stores the time when the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor 21 becomes equal to or greater than the first threshold value V1 in the storage unit 102 as the specific timing T. In other words, the control unit 101 determines the specific timing T as the timing when the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor 21 changes from less than the first threshold value V1 to equal to or greater than the first threshold value V1. Then, the control unit 101 executes the process of step S26.

[0035] In step S26, the control unit 101 determines whether the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22 at the specific time T is equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold V2. The second threshold V2 is predetermined as a value less than the first threshold V1 and equal to or greater than a fourth threshold V4. The second threshold V2 is predetermined through testing, simulation, or the like as a lower limit appropriate for the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22 adjacent to the first displacement sensor 21 when the subject swallows. If the determination in step S26 is negative, the control unit 101 executes the process of step S32 described above. That is, if the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22 at the specific time T is less than the second threshold, the control unit 101 does not output the estimation result. Thereafter, the control unit 101 ends the series of swallowing movement estimation control processes and turns off the power to the laryngeal elevation measuring device 10.

[0036] On the other hand, if the determination in step S26 is affirmative, the control unit 101 executes the process of step S27. In step S27, the control unit 101 increments the number of swallowing movements stored in the memory unit 102 by one. That is, the control unit 101 counts the number of swallowing movements of the subject during the period in which the position of the laryngeal prominence is being estimated. Note that the number of swallowing movements stored in the memory unit 102 is reset each time swallowing movement estimation control is executed. Thereafter, the control unit 101 executes the process of step S28.

[0037] In step S28, the control unit 101 acquires the displacement amount from each displacement sensor 20. Then, the control unit 101 determines whether the acquired displacement amount of the first displacement sensor 21 is less than the first threshold V1. If the determination in step S28 is negative, the control unit 101 executes the process of step S28 again. That is, the control unit 101 repeats the process of step S28 until the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor 21 becomes less than the first threshold V1. On the other hand, if the determination in step S28 is positive, the control unit 101 executes the process of step S29.

[0038] In step S29, the control unit 101 calculates the swallowing duration, which is the time required for one swallowing movement. Specifically, the control unit 101 calculates the swallowing duration as the time from a specific timing T to the start of the processing in step S29. The control unit 101 also calculates the maximum movement distance of the laryngeal prominence in one swallowing movement. Specifically, the control unit 101 calculates the distance from the lowest position to the highest position among the positions where the amount of displacement is maximum at each time during the swallowing duration. Then, the control unit 101 associates the swallowing duration and the maximum movement distance with the number of swallows and stores them in the storage unit 102. Thereafter, the control unit 101 executes the processing in step S30.

[0039] In step S30, the control unit 101 outputs an estimation result for a first period including the time when the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor 21 changes from less than the first threshold V1 to equal to or greater than the first threshold V1. Specifically, the control unit 101 outputs a two-dimensional image IMG of the first period, which includes the specific time T and is a certain period before and after the specific time T, to the display 110 via the notification unit 103. The certain period is, for example, less than one second. Specifically, the control unit 101 waits until the certain period has elapsed since the specific time T. Thereafter, the control unit 101 outputs the two-dimensional image IMG created by the image creation control as an estimation result of the position change of the laryngeal prominence. Note that, as described above, the two-dimensional image IMG represents the position change of the laryngeal prominence over several seconds. Therefore, the two-dimensional image IMG of the first period includes the position change of the laryngeal prominence over a certain period before and after the specific time T. At this time, the control unit 101 displays the period in the two-dimensional image IMG during which the subject is swallowing, i.e., the swallowing duration, in a manner different from the period during which no swallowing occurs. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the control unit 101 displays the two-dimensional image IMG in a state in which the period during which the subject is swallowing is enclosed in a rectangular frame. The control unit 101 also displays the swallowing duration and maximum movement distance stored in step S29 on the display 110 as numerical values ​​in accordance with the display of the two-dimensional image IMG. Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 5, the control unit 101 executes the process of step S31.

[0040] In step S31, the control unit 101 determines whether the displacement amount of each displacement sensor 20 is less than the fourth threshold V4. If the displacement amount of at least one displacement sensor 20 is less than the fourth threshold V4, the control unit 101 makes a positive determination in step S31. If the displacement amounts of all displacement sensors 20 are equal to or greater than the fourth threshold V4, the control unit 101 makes a negative determination in step S31. If the determination is negative in step S31, the control unit 101 again executes the process of step S24. That is, the control unit 101 determines that each displacement sensor 20 is attached to the neck of the subject and starts estimating the next swallowing movement. On the other hand, if the determination is positive in step S31, the control unit 101 causes the display 110 to display the latest swallowing count stored in the memory unit 102 at this time point via the notification unit 103. Then, the control unit 101 ends the series of swallowing movement estimation control processes.

[0041] <Operation of this embodiment> Each of the five displacement sensors 20 detects the displacement of the neck at the position where it is attached. That is, the control unit 101 acquires the displacement of five locations on the neck at a certain timing. Then, taking into account the distances between the displacement sensors 20, these five displacement values ​​are approximated by an appropriate function. This makes it possible to calculate the position and displacement of the laryngeal prominence at a certain timing. The control unit 101 creates a strip-shaped unit image UI in the two-dimensional image IMG, reflecting these calculated positions and displacements of the laryngeal prominence.

[0042] Furthermore, the control unit 101 determines that the subject has performed a swallowing movement around the specific timing T, i.e., the timing when the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor 21 changes from less than the first threshold V1 to equal to or greater than the first threshold V1. When the swallowing movement begins, the subject's laryngeal prominence moves upward. That is, during the first period, the subject's laryngeal prominence is moving in a direction toward the first displacement sensor 21. During the first period, there is a high probability that the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22 adjacent to the first displacement sensor 21 is also equal to or greater than the second threshold V2. In other words, if the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22 during the first period is less than the second threshold V2, there is a possibility that an error has occurred in the second displacement sensor 22.

[0043] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) In the above embodiment, the position change of the laryngeal prominence is estimated by acquiring the change in displacement amount over time using the multiple displacement sensors 20. Based on the output estimation result of the position change of the laryngeal prominence, the user can grasp the state of the subject's laryngeal prominence in detail. This allows the swallowing movement to be grasped with high accuracy.

[0044] (2) In the above embodiment, a two-dimensional image IMG of a first period including the specific timing T is output on the condition that the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor 21 has changed from less than the first threshold V1 to equal to or greater than the first threshold V1. That is, in the above embodiment, a two-dimensional image IMG of a first period in which it is highly likely that the subject has performed a swallowing movement is output. Therefore, the user can obtain a two-dimensional image IMG of a period in which it is highly likely that a swallowing movement is reflected.

[0045] (3) In the above embodiment, the control unit 101 outputs a two-dimensional image IMG for a certain period including the specific time T, on the condition that the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22 at the specific time T is equal to or greater than the second threshold V2. If the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22 at the specific time T is equal to or greater than the second threshold V2, there is a high probability that the laryngeal elevation measuring device 10 is detecting the swallowing movement normally. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the output of a two-dimensional image IMG when the swallowing movement is not being detected normally.

[0046] (4) In the above embodiment, the control unit 101 outputs a notification signal when the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22 at the specific time T is less than the second threshold V2. If the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22 at the specific time T is less than the second threshold V2, there is a possibility that the second displacement sensor 22 is not functioning normally. Therefore, with this configuration, the user can know that there is a possibility that the second displacement sensor 22 is not functioning normally.

[0047] (5) In the above embodiment, the control unit 101 starts estimating a change in the position of the laryngeal prominence on the condition that the displacement amounts of all the displacement sensors 20 are equal to or greater than the fourth threshold V4. When the displacement amount of each displacement sensor 20 is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold V4, there is a high probability that each displacement sensor 20 is elastically deforming along the surface of the subject's neck. Therefore, with this configuration, swallowing movements can be estimated with each displacement sensor 20 properly attached.

[0048] (6) In the above embodiment, the control unit 101 outputs a notification signal to notify the user on condition that the displacement amount of any of the displacement sensors 20 is less than the fourth threshold V4. When the displacement amount of any of the displacement sensors 20 is less than the fourth threshold V4, it can be determined that the displacement sensor 20 is not installed correctly. This configuration allows the user to know that the displacement sensor 20 is not installed in an appropriate state.

[0049] (7) In the above embodiment, the control unit 101 outputs a two-dimensional image IMG in a Cartesian coordinate system with time as the horizontal axis and up-down position as the vertical axis as the estimation result. This configuration allows the user to intuitively recognize the positional change of the laryngeal prominence from the image.

[0050] (8) In the above embodiment, the two-dimensional image IMG is an image that expresses the anterior and posterior positions of the laryngeal prominence with changes in color. By using changes in color, it is possible to express pseudo-three-dimensional information in the two-dimensional image IMG.

[0051] (9) In the above embodiment, the control unit 101 displays the two-dimensional image IMG in such a manner that the period during which the subject is swallowing is enclosed in a rectangular frame. That is, the control unit 101 displays the period during which the subject is swallowing in a manner different from the period during which the subject is not swallowing. This configuration makes it easier to confirm the change in the position of the laryngeal prominence during the subject's swallowing.

[0052] <Example of change> The above-described embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the configuration of the main body 50 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. For example, the main body 50 may have multiple sensor sheets 30, and each displacement sensor 20 may be attached to a different sensor sheet 30. Also, for example, the main body 50 may omit the sensor sheets 30 and the fixing member 40, and each displacement sensor 20 may be attached to the neck area with adhesive tape or the like.

[0054] In the above embodiment, it is sufficient that there are two or more displacement sensors 20. That is, it is sufficient that the laryngeal elevation measuring device 10 includes a first displacement sensor 21 and a second displacement sensor 22. If at least two displacement sensors 20 are included, it is possible to estimate the positional change of the subject's laryngeal prominence based on the positional relationship between the first displacement sensor 21 and the second displacement sensor 22.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the sensor unit 20A is strip-shaped, but it may be linear, for example. In the above-described embodiment, the specific configuration of the displacement sensor 20 is not limited to the example of the above-described embodiment, as long as it can measure the amount of displacement. For example, the displacement sensor 20 may be a capacitance sensor having a pair of electrodes and a dielectric layer positioned between them, which measures the magnitude of distortion by detecting changes in capacitance. The displacement sensor 20 may also be one that detects the magnitude of distortion using light, a camera, or the like. The displacement sensor 20 may also be made of a piezoelectric film.

[0056] The control unit 101 may omit the swallowing movement estimation control. In that case, for example, every time the control unit 101 creates a new two-dimensional image IMG in the image creation control, the control unit 101 may output the new two-dimensional image IMG to the display 110. In this case, the display 110 displays a two-dimensional image IMG that changes over time, i.e., a moving image.

[0057] The control unit 101 can omit the process of step S24 in the swallowing movement estimation control. In other words, the control unit 101 may set the specific time T regardless of whether the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor 21 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value V1 or less than the first threshold value V1. In this case, for example, the user may input the specific time T according to the timing of the swallowing movement of the subject.

[0058] The control unit 101 can omit the processes of steps S22 and S31 in the swallowing movement estimation control. In this case, the control unit 101 may terminate the swallowing movement estimation control after, for example, a time period predetermined by the user has elapsed. Furthermore, when omitting the process of step S22, the control unit 101 may also omit the process of step S32.

[0059] In step S32 of the swallowing movement estimation control, the notification signal output by the control unit 101 may be in any form. Furthermore, the destination of the notification signal is not limited to the display 110. Any notification signal that can notify that the laryngeal elevation measuring device 10 is not in a state suitable for measuring swallowing movements and any destination for receiving the notification signal may be used.

[0060] The control unit 101 can omit the process of step S27 in the swallowing movement estimation control. That is, the control unit 101 may omit counting the number of swallowing movements of the subject. The control unit 101 may omit calculation of either the swallowing duration or the maximum movement amount of the laryngeal prominence in step S29 of the swallowing movement estimation control. Also, the control unit 101 may omit the processing of step S29 of the swallowing movement estimation control. In other words, the control unit 101 may omit calculation of both the swallowing duration and the maximum movement amount of the laryngeal prominence.

[0061] In the swallowing movement estimation control, if it is not necessary to estimate the end time of the swallowing movement, the control unit 101 may omit the process of step S28. The two-dimensional image IMG displayed on the display 110 in step S30 of the swallowing movement estimation control may be an image in which the front-to-back position is represented on the vertical axis and the up-down position is represented by a change in color. In this case, the change in color includes a change in hue, a change in brightness, a change in saturation, etc.

[0062] In step S30 of the swallowing movement estimation control, the control unit 101 may display periods in which the subject is swallowing in the two-dimensional image in a manner different from periods in which no swallowing movement occurs, using a method different from that of the above embodiment. For example, periods in which the subject is swallowing in the two-dimensional image may be displayed in a different color from periods in which no swallowing movement occurs. Furthermore, the control unit 101 may display periods in which the subject is swallowing and periods in which no swallowing movement occurs in the two-dimensional image without distinction.

[0063] The control unit 101 only needs to create a two-dimensional image that reflects at least the positional change of the laryngeal prominence. In other words, the two-dimensional image does not need to include changes in the magnitude of the displacement. In that case, for example, the control unit 101 can estimate the positional change of the laryngeal prominence by plotting the position at which the displacement is maximum at each time.

[0064] In step S26 of the swallowing movement estimation control, the control unit 101 determines whether the second displacement sensor 22 is functioning normally by comparing the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22 with the second threshold value V2. On the other hand, the control unit 101 may determine whether the second displacement sensor 22 is functioning normally by executing a process different from that in step S26 of the swallowing movement estimation control.

[0065] For example, in a modified example of swallowing movement estimation control shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 101 executes the process of step S46 instead of step S26 in the above embodiment. In step S46, the control unit 101 determines whether the maximum value of the slope of the change in the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22 over time during a first period including the specific timing T is equal to or greater than a third threshold V3. The control unit 101 calculates the slope of the change in the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22 over time by subtracting the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22 at a timing unit time before the specific timing from the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22 at a specific timing during the first period. The third threshold V3 is determined in advance through testing, simulation, etc. as a value corresponding to the maximum value of the slope of the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22 adjacent to the first displacement sensor 21 when the subject swallows. If the determination in step S46 is negative, the control unit 101 executes the process of step S32 in the above embodiment. That is, if the absolute value of the slope of the change over time in the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22 during the first period is less than the third threshold V3, the control unit 101 does not output an estimation result. Then, if the absolute value of the slope of the change over time in the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22 during the first period is less than the third threshold V3, the control unit 101 outputs a notification signal to notify the user that the position change of the subject's laryngeal prominence cannot be estimated. On the other hand, if the determination in step S46 is affirmative, the control unit 101 performs the processes from step S27 onward in the above embodiment. That is, the control unit 101 outputs an estimation result of the position change of the laryngeal prominence for a certain period including the specific time T, provided that the absolute value of the slope of the change over time in the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor 22 at the specific time T is equal to or greater than the third threshold V3.

[0066] In the above configuration, the slope of the change in the displacement amount over time may be of multiple types. For example, the slope of the change in the displacement amount over time may be a value calculated by differentiation. Alternatively, the slope of the change in the displacement amount over time may be a value obtained by drawing a tangent to a graph showing the time and the displacement amount. Alternatively, the slope of the change in the displacement amount over time may be a value obtained from the slope of a line drawn on the graph showing the time and the displacement amount, connecting a point before the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor 21 exceeds the first threshold V1 and a point after the displacement amount exceeds the first threshold V1.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the laryngeal elevation measuring device 10 may have a displacement sensor 20 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first displacement sensor 21. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the displacement sensor 20 includes a first lateral displacement sensor 61, a second lateral displacement sensor 62, a third lateral displacement sensor 63, a fourth lateral displacement sensor 64, and a fifth lateral displacement sensor 65 in addition to the first displacement sensor 21 to the fifth displacement sensor 25. Note that these lateral displacement sensors have the same structure as the displacement sensors 20 such as the first displacement sensor 21 described in the above embodiment.

[0068] The axis extending in the direction in which the first displacement sensor 21 and the second displacement sensor 22 are aligned is defined as the first axis X. The direction from the first displacement sensor 21 to the second displacement sensor 22 is defined as the first direction. The axis perpendicular to the first axis X and extending on the sensor sheet 30 is defined as the second axis Y. One of the directions along the second axis Y is defined as the second direction. In other words, the second direction intersects with the first direction. In this case, the first lateral displacement sensor 61 to the fifth lateral displacement sensor 65 are strip-shaped and extend along the first axis X. The second lateral displacement sensor 62 is attached at a location spaced apart from the first lateral displacement sensor 61 in the second direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8 , when viewed from the front of the subject, the second lateral displacement sensor 62 is located to the right of the first lateral displacement sensor 61. Further to the right of the second lateral displacement sensor 62, the third lateral displacement sensor 63, the fourth lateral displacement sensor 64, and the fifth lateral displacement sensor 65 are positioned in this order, spaced apart from one another. By attaching the first lateral displacement sensor 61 to the fifth lateral displacement sensor 65 in this manner, the control unit 101 can two-dimensionally estimate the change in position of the laryngeal prominence in the direction along the second axis Y.

[0069] In the above modification, the control unit 101 estimates the position of the laryngeal prominence of the subject based on the change over time in the displacement amounts of the first displacement sensor 21 to the fifth displacement sensor 25 and the change over time in the displacement amounts of the first lateral displacement sensor 61 to the fifth lateral displacement sensor 65. Specifically, the control unit 101 estimates the position of the laryngeal prominence of the subject on a virtual plane with the first axis X and the second axis Y as orthogonal axes, and outputs the estimation result.

[0070] For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 101 creates a two-dimensional image with the vertical axis as the first axis X and the horizontal axis as the second axis Y as the estimated results of the vertical and horizontal positions of the laryngeal prominence. In this image, the magnitude of the displacement is indicated by the depth of black. Positions along the first axis X correspond to the positions of the first displacement sensor 21 to the fifth displacement sensor 25. Positions along the second axis Y correspond to the positions of the first lateral displacement sensors 61 to the fifth lateral displacement sensors 65. The control unit 101 also creates multiple such images at predetermined time intervals. The control unit 101 then creates a video by combining these images taken at predetermined time intervals. This video shows changes over time in the position of the laryngeal prominence along the first axis X and along the second axis Y. In the example shown in FIG. 7, at least the first lateral displacement sensor 61 and the second lateral displacement sensor 62 are required as lateral displacement sensors.

[0071] In the above embodiment, each threshold value may be calculated for each measurement rather than being preset. For example, the first threshold value V1 may be calculated by multiplying a preset value by a coefficient determined by the temperature and humidity on the day of measurement.

[0072] <Additional Notes> The technical concepts that can be derived from the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described below. [1] A laryngeal elevation measuring device comprising: a first displacement sensor that can be attached to the neck of a subject; a second displacement sensor that can be attached to a location on the neck of the subject at a predetermined distance from the first displacement sensor; and a control unit that acquires the displacement amounts of the first displacement sensor and the second displacement sensor, wherein the control unit estimates a change in the position of the laryngeal prominence of the subject based on changes over time in the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor, changes over time in the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor, and the predetermined distance, and outputs the estimation result.

[0073] [2] The laryngeal elevation measuring device described in [1], wherein the control unit outputs the estimation result for a first period including the timing when the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor changes from less than a first threshold to greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0074] [3] The laryngeal elevation measuring device described in [2], wherein the control unit outputs the estimation result for the first period if the maximum value of the slope of the change in the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor over time in the first period is equal to or greater than a third threshold value, and does not output the estimation result if the maximum value is less than the third threshold value.

[0075] [4] The laryngeal elevation measuring device described in [2] or [3], wherein the control unit notifies the user that the position change of the subject's laryngeal prominence cannot be estimated if the maximum value of the slope of the change in displacement of the second displacement sensor over time during the first period is less than a third threshold value.

[0076] [5] A laryngeal elevation measuring device according to any one of [2] to [4], wherein when a timing at which the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor changes from less than a first threshold to greater than or equal to the first threshold is defined as a specific timing, the control unit outputs the estimation result for the previous first period if the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor at the specific timing is greater than or equal to a second threshold, which is a value less than the first threshold, and does not output the estimation result if the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor at the specific timing is less than the second threshold.

[0077] [6] A laryngeal elevation measuring device described in any one of [2] to [5], wherein the control unit starts estimating a change in the position of the laryngeal prominence on the condition that both the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor and the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor are equal to or greater than a fourth threshold value defined as a value less than the first threshold value, and does not start estimating a change in the position of the laryngeal prominence if one or both of the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor and the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor are less than the fourth threshold value.

[0078] [7] A laryngeal elevation measuring device according to any one of [2] to [6], which notifies the user that it is not possible to estimate the positional change of the subject's laryngeal prominence if one or both of the displacement amounts of the first displacement sensor and the second displacement sensor are less than a fourth threshold value defined as a value less than the first threshold value.

[0079] [8] A laryngeal elevation measuring device described in any one of [1] to [7], wherein when the position of the laryngeal prominence in the direction along the cervical vertebrae of the subject is defined as the up-down position, and the position of the tip of the laryngeal prominence in the anterior-posterior direction of the subject is defined as the anteroposterior position, the control unit outputs as the estimation result a two-dimensional image in which time is defined as the horizontal axis and either the up-down position or the anterior-posterior position is defined as the vertical axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, and the other of the up-down position and the anterior-posterior position is represented by a change in color.

[0080] [9] The laryngeal elevation measuring device described in [8], wherein the control unit displays one or more of the following numerical values ​​in accordance with the two-dimensional image: the number of swallowing movements of the subject during the period in which the position of the laryngeal prominence is being estimated, the swallowing duration which is the time required for one swallowing movement, and the maximum distance traveled by the laryngeal prominence in one swallowing movement.

[0081]

[10] A laryngeal elevation measuring device as described in [8] or [9], wherein the control unit displays periods in which the subject is swallowing in the two-dimensional image in a manner different from periods in which the subject is not swallowing.

[0082]

[11] A laryngeal elevation measuring device according to any one of [1] to

[10] , further comprising: a first lateral displacement sensor attachable to the neck of the subject; and a second lateral displacement sensor attachable to a location on the neck of the subject away from the first lateral displacement sensor in the second direction, where the direction from the first displacement sensor to the second displacement sensor is defined as a first direction and the direction intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, wherein the control unit estimates the position of the laryngeal prominence based on changes over time in the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor, changes over time in the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor, changes over time in the displacement amount of the first lateral displacement sensor, and changes over time in the displacement amount of the second lateral displacement sensor, and outputs the estimation result. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] IMG...2D image P…Predetermined distance T...specific timing V1: First threshold V2: Second threshold V3: Third threshold V4: Fourth threshold 10...Laryngeal elevation measuring device 20...Displacement sensor 21...First displacement sensor 22...Second displacement sensor 101...Control unit

Claims

1. a first displacement sensor attachable to the neck of the subject; a second displacement sensor that can be attached to a location on the neck of the subject at a predetermined distance from the first displacement sensor; a control unit that acquires a displacement amount of the first displacement sensor and a displacement amount of the second displacement sensor; Equipped with When the position of the laryngeal prominence in the direction along the cervical vertebrae of the subject is the up-down position, and the position of the tip of the laryngeal prominence in the front-back direction of the subject is the front-back position, The control unit estimating a position change of the laryngeal prominence based on a change over time in the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor, a change over time in the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor, and the predetermined distance; A two-dimensional image in which time is the horizontal axis and either the up-down position or the front-back position is the vertical axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, and the other of the up-down position and the front-back position is expressed by a change in color, is output as an estimation result of the position change. Laryngeal elevation measurement device.

2. The control unit outputs the estimation result for a first period including a timing when the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor changes from less than a first threshold to equal to or greater than the first threshold.

2. The laryngeal elevation measuring device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit If the maximum value of the gradient of the change over time of the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor in the first period is equal to or greater than a third threshold, the estimation result for the first period is output, and if the maximum value is less than the third threshold, the estimation result is not output.

3. The laryngeal elevation measuring device according to claim 2.

4. The control unit If the maximum value of the gradient of the change over time in the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor in the first period is less than a third threshold, the user is notified that the position change of the laryngeal prominence of the subject cannot be estimated.

3. The laryngeal elevation measuring device according to claim 2.

5. When a timing at which the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor changes from less than a first threshold to equal to or greater than the first threshold is defined as a specific timing, The control unit If the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor at the specific timing is equal to or greater than a second threshold value that is less than the first threshold value, outputting the estimation result for the previous first period; If the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor at the specific timing is less than the second threshold value, the estimation result is not output.

3. The laryngeal elevation measuring device according to claim 2.

6. The control unit starting to estimate a position change of the laryngeal prominence on the condition that both the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor and the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor are equal to or greater than a fourth threshold value that is set as a value less than the first threshold value; When one or both of the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor and the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor are less than the fourth threshold value, estimation of the position change of the laryngeal prominence is not started.

3. The laryngeal elevation measuring device according to claim 2.

7. The control unit If one or both of the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor and the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor are less than a fourth threshold value that is defined as a value less than the first threshold value, the user is notified that a position change of the laryngeal prominence of the subject cannot be estimated.

3. The laryngeal elevation measuring device according to claim 2.

8. The control unit One or more of the following selected from the number of swallowing movements of the subject during the period in which the position of the laryngeal prominence is estimated, the swallowing duration which is the time required for one swallowing movement, and the maximum movement distance of the laryngeal prominence in one swallowing movement are displayed numerically in accordance with the two-dimensional image.

2. The laryngeal elevation measuring device according to claim 1.

9. The control unit A period during which the subject is swallowing is displayed in the two-dimensional image in a manner different from a period during which the subject is not swallowing.

2. The laryngeal elevation measuring device according to claim 1.

10. When a direction from the first displacement sensor to the second displacement sensor is defined as a first direction and a direction intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, a first lateral displacement sensor attachable to the neck of the subject; a second lateral displacement sensor that can be attached to a location on the neck of the subject that is spaced apart in the second direction from the first lateral displacement sensor; Furthermore, The control unit The position of the laryngeal prominence is estimated based on the change over time of the displacement amount of the first displacement sensor, the change over time of the displacement amount of the second displacement sensor, the change over time of the displacement amount of the first lateral displacement sensor, and the change over time of the displacement amount of the second lateral displacement sensor, and the estimation result is output.

2. The laryngeal elevation measuring device according to claim 1.

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