Gas supply device for short-time respiration

Abstract

Provided is a gas supply device for short-time respiration that does not require skill and can make parasympathetic nerves dominant in a short time in order to suppress chronic stress without causing mood inhibition. A gas supply device 1 for short-time respiration comprises: a normal-pressure low-oxygen gas supply device 11 capable of supplying a normal-pressure gas having a predetermined oxygen concentration that does not cause mood inhibition when inhaled by a user for breathing; an oxygen saturation level detection device 32 capable of detecting an oxygen saturation level in the user; and a control device 20 which determines whether or not the oxygen saturation level in the user detected by the oxygen saturation level detection device 32 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and which, if it is determined that the oxygen saturation level in the user is less than the predetermined value, performs control to stop the normal-pressure low-oxygen gas supply device from producing and outputting the normal-pressure gas having the predetermined oxygen concentration to a gas output unit.

Description

Short-term breathing gas supply device

[0001] The present invention relates to a short-term breathing gas supply device for supplying gas used in short-term breathing to give dominance to the parasympathetic nervous system.

[0002] A characteristic of modern people is that they are constantly bombarded with unexpected stress, such as work and school deadlines, interpersonal relationships, and sudden troubles. Depending on how this stress is handled, it can become chronic, leading to a variety of vague symptoms, as well as social withdrawal and depression. Lifestyle factors such as pregnancy, childbirth, aging, and obesity can also contribute to chronic stress. Furthermore, athletes are prone to chronic fatigue and overtraining syndrome due to increased stress caused by intense training aimed at improving their competitive performance. Since there is no silver bullet for dealing with such chronic stress, therapies such as mindfulness (including meditation), biofeedback, and aerobic exercise have been gaining attention as part of psychological therapy, but their effectiveness has been limited.

[0003] Meditation and biofeedback require concentration and a quiet environment, as well as difficult breathing control, and require skill to perform. Meditation, in particular, is considered a difficult technique to master and practice. Furthermore, aerobic exercise requires continuous, long-term training rather than a one-off bout of exercise, and it is not easy to make the parasympathetic nervous system dominant. Therefore, an effective stress management method that can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, regardless of time or place, and does not require long-term practice, is needed, even for beginners.

[0004] Recently, long-term hypoxic training, which involves repeated hypoxic exposure and hypoxic release, has been used for the specific purpose of altitude acclimation prior to mountain climbing and has been shown to promote parasympathetic activation.

[0005] For example, Non-Patent Document 1 reports that hypoxic exposure for 1 hour per day for 10 days under hypoxic conditions equivalent to an altitude of 4,200 m, where the FIO2 (fraction of inspired oxygen) value is 12.3%, significantly increased the parasympathetic nervous system. Non-Patent Document 2 also reports that similar effects were obtained when hypoxic gas with an FIO2 value of 20.9%-10% was administered for 5 minutes in six sets per day, four times a week for a total of four weeks. Furthermore, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose devices and equipment for hypoxic training.

[0006] JP 2022-171200 A JP 2022-135296 A

[0007] ZZ Taralov, KV Terziyski, PK Dimov, BI Marinov, SS Kostianev: Assessment of the impact of 10-day intermittent hypoxia on the autonomic control measured by heart rate variability. Physiology International, 105(4), 386-396, 2018.DOI: 10.1556 / 2060.105.2018.4.31CA Lizamore, Kathiravel, J Elliott, J Hellemans, MJ Hamlin: The effect of short-term intermittent hypoxic exposure on heart rate variability in a sedentary population. Physiology International, 103(1), 75-85, 2016.DOI: 10.1556 / 036.103.2016.1.7

[0008] The above-mentioned Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2 report that long-term hypoxic training improves parasympathetic nervous activity, but like meditation and biofeedback, the problem is that it takes time and effort to achieve the effect. Furthermore, the devices described in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not reduce the time and effort required to achieve the effect, as in, for example, transient hypoxic training, which is short-term hypoxic exposure.

[0009] In other words, the above-mentioned conventional techniques are not transient normobaric hypoxic training protocols that can acutely promote parasympathetic activation in a short period of time regardless of time and place, but have problems such as environmental restrictions, difficult tasks, and the need for long-term intervention. Furthermore, conventional intermittent hypoxic training mainly involves exposing the body to a chronic hypoxic environment for a long period of time, which has problems related to its effects (acute mountain sickness, depression, etc.).

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a short-term breathing gas supply device that does not require skill, can be used in a short time, does not cause mood disturbances, and can make the parasympathetic nervous system dominant to suppress chronic stress.

[0011] The present invention relates to a short-term breathing gas supply device comprising: a normal pressure hypoxic gas supply device capable of supplying gas at a predetermined normal pressure oxygen concentration that is lower than the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere and that does not cause mood disturbance when inhaled and breathed by a user; a gas output unit that outputs the gas so that the user can breathe; an oxygen saturation detection device that can detect the oxygen saturation of the user; and a control device that controls the normal pressure hypoxic gas supply device to generate normal pressure gas at the predetermined oxygen concentration and output it to the gas output unit, determines whether the oxygen saturation of the user detected by the oxygen saturation detection device is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and, if it determines that the oxygen saturation of the user is less than the predetermined value, controls the normal pressure hypoxic gas supply device to stop generating normal pressure gas at the predetermined oxygen concentration and outputting it to the gas output unit.

[0012] Furthermore, it is preferable that the control device determines whether the gas output time during which the atmospheric pressure low-oxygen gas supply device generates gas with a predetermined oxygen concentration at atmospheric pressure and continues to output it to the gas output unit is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, and if the gas output time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, controls the atmospheric pressure low-oxygen gas supply device to stop generating gas with a predetermined oxygen concentration at atmospheric pressure and outputting it to the gas output unit.

[0013] The predetermined oxygen concentration is preferably 13% or more and 15% or less, the predetermined oxygen saturation level of the user is preferably 80% or more and 95% or less, and the predetermined time is preferably 30 minutes or less.

[0014] It is also preferable that the gas output unit is any one of a mask worn by the user, a helmet worn by the user, a room accommodating the user, or a capsule accommodating the user.

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a short-term breathing gas supply device that does not require skill, can be used in a short time, does not cause mood disorders, and can give dominance to the parasympathetic nervous system to suppress chronic stress.

[0016] 1 is a block diagram showing a short-term breathing gas supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control device of FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing control by the control device of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a graph showing changes in heart rate during and after use of a short-term breathing gas supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a graph showing changes in RMSSD during and after use of a short-term breathing gas supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a graph showing changes in SDNN during and after use of a short-term breathing gas supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a graph showing changes in reaction time in a Stroop Test during and after use of a short-term breathing gas supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a graph showing changes in reaction time / correct answer rate in a Stroop Test during and after use of a short-term breathing gas supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a graph showing a correlation between RMSSD and reaction time / correct answer rate during and after use of a short-term breathing gas supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a graph showing systolic blood pressure before and after use of a short-term breathing gas supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 10 is a graph showing diastolic blood pressure before and after use of a short-term breathing gas supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a graph showing changes in systolic blood pressure of each subject before and after use of a short-term breathing gas supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a graph showing the change in diastolic blood pressure of each subject before and after use of a short-breathing gas supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] The following describes an embodiment of the short-time breathing gas supply device 1 of the present invention. The short-time breathing gas supply device 1 is a device that allows a user of the short-time breathing gas supply device 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "user") to breathe normal pressure hypoxic gas instead of atmospheric air for a short period of time without feeling uncomfortable. As shown in Figure 1, the device includes a normal pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11, a control device 20, a gas output unit 31, and an oxygen saturation detection device 32.

[0018] The atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 is a device capable of supplying atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas. Here, atmospheric pressure refers to a pressure of 1 atmosphere. Hypoxic gas refers to a hypoxic gas having an inhaled oxygen concentration (FIO2) of 13% or more and 15% or less, containing 0.03% carbon dioxide and the remainder nitrogen. Hereinafter, atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas will be abbreviated as "hypoxic gas." As the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11, for example, the Hypoxico Everest Summit II manufactured by Sequal Technologies (San Diego, CA, USA) can be used. The hypoxic gas generated by the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 is temporarily stored in a large bag, such as a Douglas bag, that can be adjusted with a valve.

[0019] The gas output unit 31 is configured to output the hypoxic gas supplied by the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 in a manner that allows the user to breathe it. Specifically, the gas output unit 31 is connected in communication with the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 via a tubing member such as a hose so that the hypoxic gas from the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 flows to the gas output unit 31.

[0020] Specifically, the gas output unit 31 may be, for example, a mask that covers the nose and mouth and generates a hypoxic gas atmosphere around the nose and mouth, a helmet-type headgear that covers the entire head and generates a hypoxic gas atmosphere around the entire head, a capsule that can accommodate the entire body of a user and whose interior can be airtightly sealed from the outside, a room that can accommodate the entire bodies of multiple users and whose interior can be airtightly sealed from the outside, etc. The user inhales the hypoxic gas via the gas output unit 31 while maintaining a natural breathing pattern and in a comfortable position while sitting or lying on an ergometer, a chair, the floor, etc.

[0021] The oxygen saturation detector 32 is configured to measure arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) through the user's skin and detect the value. The oxygen saturation detector 32 is, for example, a device that can measure SpO2 and pulse rate by clamping the user's finger with a probe and detect these values.

[0022] The control device 20 is composed of a processor such as a CPU, a main memory device, a secondary memory device, etc., and is electrically connected to the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 and the oxygen saturation detection device 32 in a controllable manner. The control device 20 executes a program stored in the secondary memory device and controls the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 and the oxygen saturation detection device 32, thereby realizing the short-term breathing gas supply device 1.

[0023] 2, the control device 20 has a normal pressure hypoxic gas supply control unit 21, an oxygen saturation monitoring unit 22, and an elapsed time monitoring unit 23. The normal pressure hypoxic gas supply control unit 21 controls the normal pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 to generate hypoxic gas, output the gas to the gas output unit 31, or stop the output. The oxygen saturation monitoring unit 22 controls the oxygen saturation detection device 32 to measure the user's SpO2, detect the value, and output it.

[0024] The elapsed time monitoring unit 23 measures the time since the normal pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 starts supplying a hypoxic gas having a predetermined oxygen concentration value within a preset range of 13% to 15% to the user via the gas output unit 31. The elapsed time monitoring unit 23 can also measure the time since the user's SpO2 value detected by the oxygen saturation detection device 32 falls below a predetermined value within a preset range of 80% to 95%.

[0025] Next, the control of the control device 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 3. Before the control of the control device 20 starts, the user sets the oxygen concentration of the hypoxic gas to be supplied to the user from the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 via the gas output unit 31 within the range of 13% to 15% using an input device (not shown), such as a keyboard or touch panel, provided on the short-term breathing gas supply device 1.

[0026] The oxygen concentration value of the hypoxic gas is set to 13% or more because if it is less than 13%, the SpO2 value will drop too much, increasing the risk of the user experiencing mood disorders such as dizziness and nausea.The oxygen concentration value of the hypoxic gas is set to 15% or less because if it exceeds 15%, it is difficult to achieve the effect of parasympathetic nerve dominance, which will be described later.

[0027] The user also sets a predetermined value for the user's SpO2 value detected by the oxygen saturation monitoring unit 22 in advance, within the range of 80% to 95%, by inputting it via an input device (not shown). The reason why the predetermined value for the SpO2 value is set to 80% or more is because an SpO2 value of 80% increases the risk of the user experiencing mood disorders such as dizziness and nausea. It is more preferable that the predetermined value for the SpO2 value is set to 90% or more. The reason why the predetermined value for the SpO2 value is set to 95% or less is because an SpO2 value exceeding 95% makes it difficult to obtain the effect of parasympathetic dominance, which will be described later.

[0028] The user also sets in advance, via an input device (not shown), a predetermined time value within the range of 5 to 30 minutes from the start of supplying hypoxic gas to the user from the normal pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 via the gas output unit 31. The reason the predetermined time value is set to 5 minutes or more is because if it is less than 5 minutes, it is difficult to obtain the effect of parasympathetic nerve dominance, which will be described later. The reason the predetermined time value is set to 30 minutes or less is because even if it exceeds 30 minutes, the effect of parasympathetic nerve dominance, which will be described later, is not significantly different from the effect obtained if it is 30 minutes or less.

[0029] The user also prepares in advance to be able to breathe by inhaling the hypoxic gas output from the gas output unit 31. First, in step S11, the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply control unit 21 of the control device 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) controls the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 to generate hypoxic gas and output it to the gas output unit 31. This causes the user to begin breathing by inhaling the hypoxic gas. Then, control by the control device 20 proceeds to step S12.

[0030] In step S12, the oxygen saturation monitor 22 of the control device 20 controls the oxygen saturation detector 32 to measure the user's SpO2, detect the value, and output the measured value. At this time, the user's SpO2, which was close to 100% before the user started using the short-term breathing gas supply device 1, drops by about 5% to 7%.

[0031] The control device 20 then determines whether the user's SpO2 value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value within a preset range of 80% to 95%. If the control device 20 determines that the user's SpO2 value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value within a preset range of 80% to 95% (step S12: YES), control by the control device 20 proceeds to step S13. If the control device 20 determines that the user's SpO2 value is less than a predetermined value within a preset range of 80% to 95% (step S12: NO), control by the control device 20 proceeds to step S14.

[0032] In step S13, the elapsed time monitoring unit 23 of the control device 20 determines whether the time since the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply control unit 21 of the control device 20 started supplying hypoxic gas to the user from the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 via the gas output unit 31 in step S11, by controlling the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 to generate hypoxic gas and output it to the gas output unit 31, has elapsed a predetermined time.

[0033] If the elapsed time monitoring unit 23 determines that the time since the start of the supply of hypoxic gas has passed a predetermined time (step S13: YES), the control by the control device 20 proceeds to step S14. If the elapsed time monitoring unit 23 determines that the time since the start of the supply of hypoxic gas has not passed a predetermined time (step S13: NO), the control by the control device 20 returns to step S11.

[0034] In step S14, the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply control unit 21 of the control device 20 controls the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 to stop generating hypoxic gas and stop outputting it to the gas output unit 31. This causes the user to stop breathing the hypoxic gas. The control of the control device 20 then ends.

[0035] Next, an example of the short-term breathing gas supply device 1 will be described. In this example, the subject lay down on a bed prepared in advance in the room, rested for one minute, and then sat on the ergometer and wore a mask connected to a Douglas bag, which constitutes the gas output unit 31, on their face. In this example, to measure fluctuations in the autonomic nervous system, electrocardiogram electrodes were attached to the lower left rib cage, the upper sternum, and the right clavicle. This allows cardiac electrical activity to be observed from three different angles. The SpO2 value was also measured by clamping the fingers of the user's right hand with the probes of the oxygen saturation detector 32.

[0036] In this example, the baseline of the autonomic nervous system was measured via electrocardiogram for the first five minutes in an environment of 20.9% oxygen concentration gas (hereinafter referred to as "normoxia gas") in atmospheric air at normal pressure. After that, a separately prepared hose was connected to the mask constituting the gas output unit 31 to supply hypoxic gas, and the user was inhaled and breathed the hypoxic gas in a natural breathing pattern for 10 minutes. Here, the natural breathing pattern for 10 minutes refers to a breathing pattern in which an inhaled volume of approximately 100 to 150 liters is achieved based on an average adult respiratory rate of 15 breaths per minute.

[0037] After the user inhaled and breathed hypoxic gas in a natural breathing pattern for 10 minutes, the hose was removed to separate the Douglas bag from the mask, and the autonomic nervous system fluctuations were measured in a stable state for 20 minutes. In this example, side effects and mood depression due to hypoxic gas were evaluated at 5-minute intervals via a monitor installed in front of the ergometer where the user was seated.

[0038] First, an example of changes in heart rate when a user uses the short-term breathing gas supply device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 4. In this example, the FIO2 value of the short-term breathing gas supply device 1 was set to 13.5%, the predetermined value for the user's SpO2 value was set to 90%, and the predetermined time from the start of hypoxic gas supply was set to 10 minutes. The test users were 15 men and 6 women in their 20s (average age 23.71 ± 0.66 years).

[0039] To examine the change in heart rate over time in the present example, the average heart rate for every 5 minutes was plotted as shown in Figure 4. The "normoxibustion" in the graph of Figure 4 indicates the baseline result of a resting subject inhaling and continuously breathing 20.9% ambient air or sea-level oxygen, which is the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere. The "hypoxia" in the graph of Figure 4 indicates the results of this example, in which a resting subject inhaled and continuously breathed hypoxic gas supplied by the short-term breathing gas supply device 1.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, while the user is exposed to hypoxic gas, the heart rate in "hypoxia" continues to increase, but after 15 minutes of being released from hypoxic gas, the heart rate drops sharply, reaching a value lower than the heart rate in "normoxia" and then stopping. It can be seen that this lower value than the heart rate in "normoxia" continues to be maintained for a while.

[0041] Next, the change in RMSSD (mean square successive difference), an index of vagal tone strength, when a user uses the short-term breathing gas supply device 1 in an example is shown in Figure 5. In the example, the FIO2 value of the short-term breathing gas supply device 1 was set to 13.5%, the predetermined value for the user's SpO2 value was set to 90%, and the predetermined time from the start of hypoxic gas supply was set to 10 minutes. The test users were 15 men and 6 women in their 20s (average age 23.71 ± 0.66 years).

[0042] The results of the example were plotted as the average value of the root mean square of the difference between consecutive heartbeat intervals every 5 minutes, as shown in Figure 5. "Normal oxygen" in the graph of Figure 5 shows the baseline result of a resting subject inhaling and breathing 20.9% oxygen, which is the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere. "Hypoxic" in the graph of Figure 4 shows the result of this example, in which a resting subject inhaled and breathed hypoxic gas supplied by the short-term breathing gas supply device 1.

[0043] As shown in Figure 5, while the user is exposed to hypoxic gas, the RMSSD value in "hypoxia" continues to decrease, but after 15 minutes of being released from hypoxic gas, the RMSSD value increases rapidly, reaching a value higher than the RMSSD value in "normoxa" and then stagnating. It can be seen that this higher value than the RMSSD in "normoxa" continues to be maintained for a while.

[0044] Next, Fig. 6 shows the change in SDNN (standard deviation of NN intervals), which is the standard deviation of the R-R interval, which is the interval between the R wave and the peak of the next R wave, over 5 minutes when a user uses the above-mentioned short-breathing gas supply device 1 in an example. In this example, the FIO2 value of the short-breathing gas supply device 1 was set to 13.5%, the predetermined value for the user's SpO2 value was set to 90%, and the predetermined time from the start of hypoxic gas supply was set to 10 minutes. The test users were 15 men and 6 women in their 20s (average age 23.71 ± 0.66 years).

[0045] The results of the example were plotted every 5 minutes, as shown in Figure 6, showing the change in SDNN value. In the graph of Figure 6, "normoxibustion" indicates the baseline result of a resting subject inhaling and continuously breathing 20.9% oxygen, which is the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere. In the graph of Figure 6, "hypoxia" indicates the result of this example, in which a resting subject inhaled and continuously breathed hypoxic gas supplied by the short-term breathing gas supply device 1.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6, while the user is exposed to hypoxic gas, the SDNN value in "hypoxia" is lower than the SDNN value in "normoxia," and decreases significantly, particularly 5 to 10 minutes after the user begins inhaling hypoxic gas (10 to 15 minutes on the horizontal axis of the graph in Figure 6). 15 minutes after being released from hypoxic gas, the SDNN value increases rapidly, reaching a value higher than the SDNN value in "normoxia," before stopping. It can be seen that this higher value than the SDNN value in "normoxia" continues for a while.

[0047] As described above, multiple subjects used the short-term breathing gas supply device 1 to measure their heart rates, RMSSD, and SDNN. Although there were differences in the magnitude of the values, similar results were obtained in all cases. It was also confirmed that no mood disturbances such as nausea or dizziness occurred in any of the cases.

[0048] Next, a second embodiment of the short-term breathing gas supply device 1 will be described. In this second embodiment, the subject sits in a chair, closes his or her eyes, and remains at rest for the first five minutes in an environment of 20.9% oxygen concentration gas (hereinafter referred to as "normoxic gas") in atmospheric air at normal pressure. The subject then performs a 6.5-minute Color-Word Stroop Test (CWST) as a cognitive task. After that, the subject sits on an ergometer for one minute and wears a mask connected to a Douglas bag, which constitutes the gas output unit 31, on his or her face. To measure autonomic nervous system fluctuations, electrocardiogram electrodes are attached to the left lower rib cage, the upper sternum, and the right clavicle. This allows cardiac electrical activity to be monitored from three different angles. The user's right hand is clamped between the probes of the oxygen saturation detector 32 to detect SpO2.

[0049] Next, for the first five minutes, a separately prepared hose was connected to the mask constituting the gas output unit 31 to supply hypoxic gas, and the user was inhaled and breathed the hypoxic gas in a natural breathing pattern for five minutes. Here, the five-minute natural breathing pattern refers to a breathing pattern in which an inhaled volume of approximately 100 L to 150 L is taken based on an average adult breathing rate of 15 breaths per minute. Next, for the following five minutes, the user was inhaled and breathed normal oxygen gas in a natural breathing pattern for five minutes.

[0050] After one minute, the subject stepped off the ergometer and removed the mask connected to the Douglas bag, which constitutes the gas output unit 31, from their face. The electrocardiogram electrodes for measuring autonomic nervous system fluctuations were also removed, and the probe of the oxygen saturation detection device 32 was removed from the finger of the user's right hand. After that, the subject lay down on a bed prepared in advance in the room in a normoxic gas environment and rested for five minutes, after which they performed a 6.5-minute Color-Word Stroop Test (CWST) as a cognitive task.

[0051] In this example, the FIO2 value was set to 13.5% and the predetermined value for the user's SpO2 value was set to 88% in the short-term breathing gas supply device 1. The test subjects were 12 men and 14 women in their 20s (average age 21.31 ± 0.41 years).

[0052] In addition, instead of inhaling and breathing hypoxic gas for 5 minutes as in the above example, normal oxygen gas was inhaled and breathed for 5 minutes, but the other conditions were the same as in the above example, to provide a comparative example.

[0053] The changes in reaction time in the Stroop Test for the second example and the comparative example are shown in Figure 7. The results for the second example are shown as "NH condition," and the results for the comparative example are shown as "NN condition," as shown in Figure 7, and show the reaction time from visually recognizing the Stroop Test to reacting (answering) before (Pre) and after (Post) use of the short-term breathing gas supply device 1.

[0054] 7, in the second embodiment, the reaction time was approximately 210 ms to 240 ms before use of the short-time breathing gas supply device 1, but was shortened (reaction was faster) to approximately 120 ms to 170 ms after use of the short-time breathing gas supply device 1. In contrast, in the comparative example, the reaction time was approximately 170 ms to 210 ms in the Pre period, which corresponds to before use of the short-time breathing gas supply device 1 of the second embodiment, but was longer (reaction was slower) to approximately 180 ms to 230 ms in the Post period, which corresponds to after use of the short-time breathing gas supply device 1.

[0055] Next, the change in the difference in IES values ​​between the second example and the comparative example is shown in Figure 8. Here, IES means the quotient obtained by dividing the average reaction time by the correct answer rate (average reaction time / correct answer rate). As shown in Figure 8, the results for the second example are shown as "NH condition," and the results for the comparative example are shown as "NN condition."

[0056] As shown in Figure 8, in the second example, low IES values ​​of approximately 0 to -75 were obtained. This result indicates that the reaction time was short (fast) and / or the correct answer rate was high. In contrast, in the comparative example, high IES values ​​of approximately 0 to +25 were obtained. This result indicates that the reaction time was long (slow) and / or the correct answer rate was low.

[0057] Next, the correlation between the RMSSD and IES values ​​for the second embodiment and the comparative example is as shown in Figure 9. In the graph of Figure 9, the horizontal axis represents the RMSSD difference value, which is the RMSSD value after use of the short time breathing gas supply device 1 according to the second embodiment minus the RMSSD value before use of the short time breathing gas supply device 1, and the vertical axis represents the IES value according to the second embodiment.

[0058] As shown in Figure 9, in the second example, the larger the RMSSD difference value on the horizontal axis, the smaller the IES value on the vertical axis. The correlation coefficient r is -0.412. The p-value is 0.037, which is less than 0.05. These results indicate that there is a weak negative correlation between the RMSSD and IES values, and that there is a significant difference.

[0059] From the above, it can be seen that cognitive function performance is significantly improved after using the short-term breathing gas supply device 1 of the second embodiment compared to before using the short-term breathing gas supply device 1 of the second embodiment, and that cognitive function improves as the parasympathetic nervous system improves.

[0060] Next, a third embodiment of the short-term breathing gas supply device 1 will be described. In this third embodiment, the following test was conducted with all test subjects sitting in the same chair. First, the test subjects sat in a chair in a normal oxygen gas environment for 5 minutes, closed their eyes, and remained at rest to achieve an optimally stable state. Then, the test subjects' blood pressure was measured.

[0061] After that, the user wears a mask connected to a Douglas bag, which constitutes the gas output unit 31, on their face for one minute. To measure changes in the autonomic nervous system, electrocardiogram electrodes are attached to the lower left rib cage, the upper sternum, and the right clavicle. This allows cardiac electrical activity to be monitored from three different angles. The probes of the oxygen saturation detector 32 are then clamped to the fingers of the user's right hand to measure the SpO2 value.

[0062] Next, a separately prepared hose is connected to the mask constituting the gas output unit 31, and hypoxic gas is supplied, and the user is made to inhale and breathe the hypoxic gas for 10 minutes in the natural breathing pattern described above for 5 minutes.

[0063] After one minute, the mask connected to the Douglas bag, which constitutes the gas output unit 31, is removed from the face. The electrocardiogram electrodes for measuring fluctuations in the autonomic nervous system are also removed, and the probe of the oxygen saturation detection device 32 is removed from the finger of the user's right hand. After that, the patient sits quietly and rests in a normoxic gas environment for five minutes, after which blood pressure is measured.

[0064] In this example, the FIO2 value of the short-term breathing gas supply device 1 was set to 13.5%, and the predetermined value for the user's SpO2 value was set to 88%. The subjects, Users 1 to 8, were as follows: User 1 was a 29-year-old woman, User 2 was a 22-year-old man, User 3 was a 27-year-old man, User 4 was a 27-year-old man, User 5 was a 28-year-old man, User 6 was a 25-year-old man, User 7 was a 30-year-old man, and User 8 was a 23-year-old man.

[0065] The changes in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure from before to after hypoxic gas inhalation for users 1 to 8 in the third example are shown in Figures 10 to 13, and detailed values ​​are shown in Table 1 along with the average value, standard deviation (SD), and standard error (SE).

[0066] In the results of the third example, as shown in Figure 10, the black bar graph on the left shows the average systolic blood pressure of users 1 to 8 before inhaling hypoxic gas, and the white bar graph on the right shows the average systolic blood pressure of users 1 to 8 after inhaling hypoxic gas.

[0067] In addition, in the results of the third example, as shown in Figure 11, the black bar graph on the left shows the average diastolic (relaxed) blood pressure of users 1 to 8 before inhaling hypoxic gas, and the white bar graph on the right shows the average diastolic blood pressure of users 1 to 8 after inhaling hypoxic gas.

[0068] In addition, in the results of the third example, as shown in FIG. 12, each of graphs 1 to 8 shows the results for each of users 1 to 8, with the value at the left end of each of graphs 1 to 8 indicating the systolic blood pressure value of user 1 to user 8 before inhaling hypoxic gas, and the value at the right end of each of graphs 1 to 8 indicating the systolic blood pressure value of user 1 to user 8 after inhaling hypoxic gas.

[0069] In addition, in the results of the third example, as shown in FIG. 13, each of graphs 1 to 8 shows the results for each of users 1 to 8, with the value at the left end of each of graphs 1 to 8 indicating the diastolic blood pressure value of user 1 to user 8 before inhaling hypoxic gas, and the value at the right end of each of graphs 1 to 8 indicating the diastolic blood pressure value of user 1 to user 8 after inhaling hypoxic gas.

[0070] As shown in Figure 10, in the third embodiment, the average systolic blood pressure before using the short-term breathing gas supply device 1 was 124.3 mmHg, but after using the short-term breathing gas supply device 1, the average systolic blood pressure was 117.0 mmHg, which was 7.3 mmHg lower than before using the short-term breathing gas supply device 1.

[0071] The systolic blood pressure values ​​of each of users 1 to 8 are as shown in Figure 12. Of users 1 to 8, all seven except user 5 achieved lower systolic blood pressure values ​​after using the short-time breathing gas supply device 1. Furthermore, for users 1, 3, 4, 7, and 8, after using the short-time breathing gas supply device 1, they achieved values ​​that were 7 mmHg or less lower than before using the short-time breathing gas supply device 1, which shows that use of the short-time breathing gas supply device 1 significantly contributes to lowering their systolic blood pressure values.

[0072] In contrast, the diastolic blood pressure values ​​are as shown in Figure 11. Before using the short-term breathing gas supply device 1, the average diastolic blood pressure was 73.0 mmHg, but after using the short-term breathing gas supply device 1, the average systolic blood pressure was 72.4 mmHg, which was only 0.6 mmHg lower than before using the short-term breathing gas supply device 1.

[0073] The diastolic blood pressure values ​​of each of users 1 to 8 are shown in Figure 13. Of users 1 to 8, users 1 and 7 had low diastolic blood pressure values ​​after using the short-term breathing gas supply device 1, but for the other six users, after using the short-term breathing gas supply device 1, the diastolic blood pressure values ​​increased slightly compared to the diastolic blood pressure values ​​before using the short-term breathing gas supply device 1.

[0074] From the above, it can be seen that the use of the short-term breathing gas supply device 1 has a significant effect on lowering the systolic blood pressure value, but does not have any effect on lowering the diastolic blood pressure value.

[0075] The short-term breathing gas supply device 1 according to the embodiment configured as described above can achieve the following effects. As described above, the short-term breathing gas supply device 1 includes the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11, the gas output unit 31, the oxygen saturation detection device 32, and the control device 20. The control device 20 controls the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 to generate hypoxic gas and output it to the gas output unit 31. The predetermined oxygen concentration is a value between 13% and 15%.

[0076] Therefore, compared to breathing normal oxygen, a short, transient exposure to hypoxia for, for example, about 10 minutes can lower the heart rate, increase the RMSSD value, and increase the SDNN value, all under conditions that do not cause the user to feel unwell, such as dizziness or nausea, and these conditions can be maintained for some time thereafter. Heart rate variability is an important indicator of health and is associated with health conditions such as stress resistance, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, death, and dementia. According to this embodiment, heart rate variability can be improved.

[0077] Therefore, no skill is required, and it can be done in a short time while at rest without causing mood disturbance, improving heart rate variability, activating and dominating the parasympathetic nervous system, thereby elevating mood, reducing chronic stress, and improving autonomic nervous system regulation. As a result, it can be used in the following fields.

[0078] [Field of Optimal Hypoxic Gas Training Protocols] This technology can be applied to hypoxic training. It enhances parasympathetic activation after short-term hypoxic exposure, without side effects and even increases comfort. This could potentially be used as a stable, transient protocol as part of long-term intermittent hypoxic training.

[0079] [Field of Stress Management Methods] This technology is useful for stress management. For athletes who are prone to chronic fatigue and overtraining syndrome due to increased stress caused by intense training aimed at improving their competitive abilities, and for people who work in stressful workplaces or environments, this technology can be used as a means to reduce stress and maintain and improve their health. Because it produces results in a short period of time, this technology can be easily introduced into workplaces and environments. For example, in workplaces such as manufacturing and service industries, employees are prone to experiencing high levels of stress, and there are concerns that this can lead to reduced productivity. Introducing this technology into such workplaces can reduce employees' stress levels and contribute to maintaining and improving their physical and mental health, especially their mental health.

[0080] Furthermore, since the risk of workplace accidents is high in dangerous workplaces such as the transportation and construction industries, the introduction of this technology will also be useful in improving workplace safety and security levels.

[0081] This technology is also expected to be useful for people who are prone to stress, such as office workers and students. It is also expected to be useful for pregnant women who experience chronically high stress due to pregnancy and childbirth, elderly people with high blood cortisol levels due to aging, metabolic syndrome patients who experience chronically high stress due to lifestyle factors such as obesity, Parkinson's disease patients, diabetes patients, dementia patients, Alzheimer's disease patients, hypertension patients, children, and people experiencing post-traumatic syndrome (PTSD), who have been reported to have high hair cortisol levels and chronically high stress.

[0082] It is said that health care for pregnant women in particular can affect the next generation of children through later effects such as metabolism through epigenetics, and it has been suggested that pregnant women may fall into the category of HSPs (highly sensitive people), a term defined by Elaine N. Aron and other researchers to describe people with extremely high environmental sensitivity or sensory processing sensitivity, which is an indicator of their temperament and personality. For this reason, this technology is expected to be particularly useful for pregnant women.

[0083] [Health management application development field] This technology can be used for health management. It can be provided as a program to improve heart rate variability at medical institutions and health facilities. It can also be implemented by individuals at home. Improving heart rate variability can reduce stress and improve autonomic nervous system regulation. Utilizing this technology can help maintain health and prevent disease. It can also be used to develop applications that are useful for coaching athletes and for health management at the individual level.

[0084] [Medical Applications] This technology has the potential to become one of the non-pharmacological therapies for alleviating the decline in physical and mental vitality associated with chronic stress, such as indefinite complaints and adaptive depression. Furthermore, in people with lifestyle-related diseases or those at risk of developing them, sympathetic nervous activity is chronically elevated, often leading to the development of hypertension and other conditions. This technology has the potential to meet the health promotion needs of such people.

[0085] The control device 20 also determines whether the user's SpO2 detected by the oxygen saturation detection device 32 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If the control device 20 determines that the user's SpO2 is less than the predetermined value, it controls the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 to stop generating hypoxic gas and outputting it to the gas output unit 31.

[0086] The predetermined oxygen saturation level for the user is between 80% and 95%. This allows the user to be automatically released from hypoxic gas when the user's SpO2 falls below the predetermined level, making it unsafe for the user. This ensures the user's safety and allows them to safely inhale and breathe hypoxic gas.

[0087] The control device 20 also determines whether the gas output time during which the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 has continued to generate and output hypoxic gas to the gas output unit 31 is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. If the gas output time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the control device 20 controls the atmospheric pressure hypoxic gas supply device 11 to stop generating hypoxic gas and outputting it to the gas output unit 31.

[0088] This allows the user to be exposed to hypoxia for only the required period of time, thereby avoiding unnecessary long or extended periods of hypoxia exposure. The predetermined period of time is 30 minutes or less. This allows the user to be exposed to hypoxia for a short period of time when hypoxia is required.

[0089] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications are possible within the technical scope of the claims. For example, in the short-time breathing gas supply device 1, the supply of hypoxic gas is stopped when the control device 20 determines that the user's SpO2 value is below a predetermined value within a range of 80% to 95%. However, in addition to this, a warning configuration may be provided, such as by providing a red lamp that flashes. Furthermore, when the control device 20 determines that the user's SpO2 value is below a predetermined value within a range of 80% to 95% and a second predetermined time, which is different from the predetermined time since the start of the supply of hypoxic gas, has elapsed after the determination, the control device may perform control to stop the supply of hypoxic gas.

[0090] Although the short-term breathing gas supply device 1 has been used to activate the parasympathetic nervous system for a short period of time, it is not limited to this purpose and can also be used to achieve other effects, such as lowering blood pressure or improving cognitive function.

[0091] 1... Short-term breathing gas supply device 11... Normal pressure low oxygen gas supply device 20... Control device 21... Normal pressure low oxygen gas supply control unit 22... Oxygen saturation monitoring unit 23... Elapsed time monitoring unit 31... Gas output unit (mask, helmet-type headwear, capsule, room, etc.) 32... Oxygen saturation detection device

Claims

1. A low-oxygen gas supply device capable of supplying a gas at a predetermined oxygen concentration at atmospheric pressure that is lower than the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere, A gas output unit that outputs the gas in a way that allows a resting user to breathe it, An oxygen saturation detection device capable of detecting the oxygen saturation level of the user, A gas supply device comprising: a control device that controls the atmospheric pressure low oxygen gas supply device to generate gas with an oxygen concentration at atmospheric pressure within a set range of 13% to 15% and output it to the gas output unit; determines whether the oxygen saturation of the user detected by the oxygen saturation detection device is above a predetermined set value within the range of 80% to 95%; if it is determined that the oxygen saturation of the user is above the predetermined set value, it determines whether a predetermined set time, within the range of 5 minutes to 30 minutes, has elapsed since the gas output time was continued to the gas output unit; and if it is determined that the predetermined set time has not elapsed, it controls the atmospheric pressure low oxygen gas supply device to continue generating gas with a predetermined oxygen concentration at atmospheric pressure and outputting it to the gas output unit.

2. The gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the atmospheric pressure low oxygen gas supply device to stop generating and outputting gas at a predetermined oxygen concentration at atmospheric pressure to the gas output unit if the gas output time is longer than a predetermined time.

3. The gas supply device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the gas output unit is one of the following: a mask worn by the user, a helmet worn by the user, a room accommodating the user, or a capsule accommodating the user.