Drainage device, monitoring device for drainage circuit, method for monitoring level of liquid surface of cerebrospinal liquid accumulated inside chamber, and drainage system

Abstract

A drainage device (10) comprising a drainage circuit (20) and a monitoring device (50) for the drainage circuit (20), wherein: the drainage circuit (20) has a chamber (30) in which a body fluid (60) can be accumulated, and a body fluid introduction path (40) that is positioned in the chamber (30) and has a dripping port (41) through which the body fluid (60) is dripped into the chamber (30); the monitoring device (50) has a sensor unit (51); and the sensor unit (51) is configured to detect the presence of the body fluid (60) in the chamber (30) in a domain (D) above the dripping port (41).

Description

Drainage device, drainage circuit monitoring device, method for monitoring the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside a chamber, and drainage system

[0001] A first invention relates to a drainage device and a monitoring device for a drainage circuit.

[0002] The second invention relates to a drainage device used when draining cerebrospinal fluid, and a monitoring method for monitoring the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside a chamber using the drainage device.

[0003] The third invention relates to a drainage system used for draining cerebrospinal fluid.

[0004] Excess blood, ascites, cerebrospinal fluid, and other bodily fluids that accumulate in the body due to trauma, inflammation, cerebral hemorrhage, and other diseases must be excreted from the body for purposes such as removing sources of infection or reducing pressure. Furthermore, for patients with kidney disease or urinary disorders, or those who are unable to urinate on their own due to post-surgery, medical intervention is required to excrete urine. To excrete these bodily fluids, a drain is inserted into the patient's body and the fluid is excreted through the drain; this procedure is called drainage.

[0005] To safely perform drainage, it is important to confirm whether bodily fluids are being drained normally. Furthermore, the amount and condition of drained bodily fluids are important indicators for patient treatment, and therefore must be managed accordingly. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a low-flow meter that measures the flow rate of fluids in cases of low outflow rates, such as in intravenous drips, blood flow control, and urine excretion measurement. This low-flow meter uses electronic means to count the passage of each droplet from a droplet generator and calculates the flow rate and total volume of fluid by measuring the time interval between successive droplets.

[0006] When draining cerebrospinal fluid, a neurosurgical drainage chamber as described in Patent Document 2 has been used, in which an inlet tube and an outlet tube are attached in parallel to the bottom of a chamber body that is hung down and attached at a predetermined height, and an air vent tube with an air filter is attached to the top of the chamber body.

[0007] JP 2010-286482 A Registered Utility Model No. 3075613

[0008] To perform drainage, one end of a drain is inserted into the patient's body and the other end is connected to a chamber that collects bodily fluid, forming a drainage circuit. However, bodily fluid accumulated in the chamber must be drained from the chamber in a timely manner to prevent overflow. In particular, in the case of cerebrospinal fluid drainage, if the chamber becomes filled with bodily fluid or the filter installed in the chamber becomes clogged and becomes sealed, negative pressure is created within the chamber, causing overdrainage due to siphoning, which can lead to brain herniation and is extremely dangerous. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly check the level of the bodily fluid accumulated in the chamber relative to the chamber height, or whether bodily fluid is present at the top of the chamber due to malfunctions such as tilting or vibration. However, frequent chamber checks are a burden for medical professionals, and if overlooked, they can lead to serious accidents. Therefore, a device that can detect bodily fluid in the chamber is needed. However, conventional measuring devices such as those described in Patent Document 1 count the passage of each droplet emitted from the droplet generator, making it difficult to detect the presence of bodily fluid above a certain height in the chamber.

[0009] The first invention was made in consideration of the problems of the invention described in Patent Document 1 above, and the first problem corresponding to the first invention is to provide a drainage device and a drainage circuit monitoring device that can detect whether bodily fluid accumulated in the chamber of a drainage circuit is present at a height above a predetermined height of the chamber.

[0010] In the drainage chamber described in Patent Document 2, if excessive cerebrospinal fluid mixed with blood accumulates inside the chamber, causing the cerebrospinal fluid to contact and infiltrate the filter, resulting in clogging, or if the clamp is left open and ventilation through the air hole is not performed, negative pressure will build up inside the chamber, causing siphoning and resulting in overdrainage (excessive drainage of cerebrospinal fluid). Furthermore, if the patient removes a tube inserted into their head or if cerebrospinal fluid leaks from an unintended location, the level of the cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber will drop. To appropriately respond to such situations, medical professionals have traditionally visually checked the level of the cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber at regular intervals, the rise and fall of the cerebrospinal fluid level, the presence or absence of pulsation, and the presence or absence of dripping from the drip port inside the chamber. This required frequent visits to check the status of the cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber. Furthermore, forgetting to set the timer could result in forgetting to go and check the condition of the cerebrospinal fluid that had accumulated inside the chamber, which could delay the detection of any abnormalities and the treatment.

[0011] The second and third inventions were made in consideration of the problems with the invention described in Patent Document 2 above, and the second problem corresponding to the second and third inventions is to provide a drainage device that can reduce the number of times that it is necessary to check the status of the cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber, and can also make it easier to prevent delays in identifying abnormalities and treating them, as well as a method for monitoring the level of the cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber, and a drainage system.

[0012] A drainage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention that can solve the first problem is as follows: [1] A drainage device having a drainage circuit and a monitoring device for the drainage circuit, wherein the drainage circuit has a chamber capable of storing bodily fluid, and a bodily fluid introduction path disposed within the chamber and having a drip port through which bodily fluid is dripped into the chamber, and the monitoring device has a sensor unit that is configured to detect the presence of bodily fluid in the chamber in a region above the drip port.

[0013] The drainage device is configured to detect the presence of bodily fluid in the chamber above the drip port of the bodily fluid introduction channel, making it possible to detect whether bodily fluid is present in the chamber above the drip port. This makes it easy to determine the level of bodily fluid accumulated in the chamber relative to its height, allowing for measures such as draining the bodily fluid from the chamber as needed, thereby improving drainage safety. Furthermore, if bodily fluid is present above the drip port due to malfunctions such as chamber vibration or tilting, this can lead to medical accidents such as bodily fluid leakage or, depending on the type of drainage, overdrainage. However, using a drainage device with the above configuration can prevent such accidents. Furthermore, the drainage device can be configured to notify medical personnel when it detects the presence of bodily fluid above the drip port, thereby reducing the frequency with which medical personnel need to directly check the chamber and reducing the burden on medical personnel.

[0014] The drainage device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is preferably any one of the following [2] to

[12] . [2] The drainage device according to [1], wherein the sensor unit is located above the drip port. [3] The drainage device according to [1] or [2], wherein the sensor unit detects droplets and / or the liquid level of the bodily fluid in the chamber. [4] The drainage device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the monitoring device is detachable from the drainage circuit. [5] The drainage device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the monitoring device has an opening through which the inside of the chamber can be viewed from outside the monitoring device. [6] The drainage device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the bodily fluid introduction path is connected to the living body side via a drainage catheter. [7] The drainage device according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the chamber has an air hole above the drip port. [8] The drainage device according to [7], wherein the drainage circuit includes a filter disposed in the air hole. [9] The drainage device according to [8], wherein the sensor unit is configured to detect the presence of bodily fluid in the chamber in a region above the drip port and below the filter.

[10] The drainage device according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the chamber has an inlet below the drip port through which the bodily fluid inlet channel is introduced.

[11] The drainage device according to any one of [1] to

[10] , wherein the bodily fluid inlet channel has a bent portion above the drip port.

[12] The drainage device according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein the drainage circuit includes a disk member located above the drip port on the bodily fluid inlet channel and near the drip port.

[0015] The first invention also provides a monitoring device for a drainage circuit. The monitoring device according to an embodiment of the first invention is as follows:

[13] A monitoring device for a drainage circuit, wherein the drainage circuit has a chamber capable of storing bodily fluid, and a bodily fluid introduction path disposed in the chamber and having a drip port through which bodily fluid is dripped into the chamber, the monitoring device is detachable from the chamber, and the monitoring device has a sensor unit configured to detect the presence of bodily fluid in the chamber in a region above the drip port.

[0016] The monitoring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is preferably any one of the following

[14] to

[16] .

[14] The monitoring device according to

[13] , wherein the sensor unit is located above the drip port.

[15] The monitoring device according to

[13] or

[14] , wherein the sensor unit detects droplets and / or the liquid level of the bodily fluid in the chamber.

[16] The monitoring device according to any one of

[13] to

[15] , wherein the monitoring device has an opening that allows the inside of the chamber to be viewed from outside the monitoring device when the monitoring device is attached to the chamber.

[0017] A drainage device according to a second embodiment of the present invention that can solve the second problem is as follows:

[17] A drainage device comprising: a chamber capable of storing cerebrospinal fluid; and a monitoring device detachable from the chamber, the monitoring device having a sensor unit that detects the presence of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber.

[0018] In the drainage device, the monitoring device has a sensor unit that detects the presence of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber, making it possible to monitor whether the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber has reached a predetermined level or whether it has fallen below a predetermined level. This reduces the number of times medical professionals have to check the status of the cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber, and also makes it easier to prevent delays in identifying abnormalities and treating them due to forgetting to check. This reduces the burden on medical professionals of the daily tasks of monitoring and adjusting the chamber and recording, and improves efficiency.

[0019] The drainage device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is preferably any one of the following

[18] to

[29] .

[18] The drainage device according to

[17] , wherein the sensor unit detects droplets and / or a liquid level.

[19] The drainage device according to

[17] or

[18] , wherein the drainage device is disposed inside the chamber and includes an introduction channel having a drip port through which cerebrospinal fluid drips.

[20] The drainage device according to

[19] , wherein the monitoring device is attached above the drip port.

[21] The drainage device according to

[19] , wherein the monitoring device is attached below the drip port.

[22] The drainage device according to

[19] , wherein the chamber has an air hole above the drip port that connects the outside of the chamber with the inside of the chamber, a filter is disposed in the air hole, and the monitoring device is attached below the filter and above the lower end of the chamber.

[23] The drainage device according to

[19] , wherein the sensor unit includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element that receives light emitted by the light-emitting element, and the monitoring device is attached to the chamber so that the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are located below the drip opening.

[24] The drainage device according to any one of

[19] to

[23] , wherein the drainage device has an elongated member that is provided with a scale and extends vertically, the chamber is movable vertically relative to the elongated member, and cerebrospinal fluid drips from the drip opening when the chamber is positioned at a predetermined height vertically relative to the elongated member.

[25] The drainage device according to any one of

[17] to

[24] , wherein the monitoring device, when attached to the chamber, has a portion between the upper end and the lower end of the monitoring device that allows the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid inside the chamber to be visually observed.

[26] The drainage device according to any one of

[17] to

[25] , wherein the monitoring device has a first arm and a second arm, and the chamber is located between the first arm and the second arm when the monitoring device is attached to the chamber.

[27] The drainage device according to

[26] , wherein a distance sensor is provided on the first arm or the second arm to detect whether or not the chamber is in contact with the monitoring device.

[28] The drainage device according to

[26] , wherein a distance sensor is provided on the first arm or the second arm to detect the distance to the second arm or the first arm.

[29] The drainage device according to any one of

[17] to

[28] , wherein the monitoring device has a force point to which an external force is applied, an opening / closing part having first and second tip ends that abut against the force point when no external force is applied and that are spaced apart when an external force is applied to the force point, and a fulcrum part that serves as a fulcrum when the opening / closing part is opened or closed.

[0020] A method for monitoring the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside a chamber according to a second embodiment of the present invention that solves the second problem is as follows:

[30] A method for monitoring the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside a chamber using a drainage device including a chamber capable of storing cerebrospinal fluid and a monitoring device detachable from the chamber and including a sensor unit that detects the presence of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber, the method including a step of the sensor unit detecting the presence of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber.

[0021] The method for monitoring the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber includes a step in which a sensor detects the presence of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber, thereby making it possible to monitor the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber. This reduces the number of times medical professionals have to check the status of the cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber, and also makes it easier to prevent delays in identifying abnormalities and treating them due to forgetting to check. This reduces the burden on medical professionals of the daily tasks of monitoring and adjusting the chamber and of recording, and makes them more efficient.

[0022] The method for monitoring the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside a chamber according to an embodiment of the second invention is preferably any one of the following

[31] to

[33] .

[31] The monitoring method described in

[30] , wherein the drainage device has a control unit, and the control unit compares the level of the cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber with a predetermined level.

[32] The monitoring method described in

[31] , wherein the predetermined level includes a first predetermined level, and the control unit determines whether the level of the cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber is equal to or greater than the first predetermined level.

[33] The monitoring method described in

[32] , wherein the predetermined level includes a second predetermined level lower than the first predetermined level, and the control unit determines whether the level of the cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber is equal to or less than the second predetermined level.

[0023] A drainage system according to a third embodiment of the present invention that can solve the second problem is as follows:

[34] A drainage system comprising: a chamber capable of storing cerebrospinal fluid, a monitoring device detachable from the chamber and having a sensor unit that detects the level of the cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber, and a control unit configured to emit a first signal when the level of the cerebrospinal fluid reaches or exceeds a first predetermined level.

[0024] In the drainage system described above, the monitoring device includes a sensor unit that detects the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated in the chamber, thereby enabling monitoring of whether the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated in the chamber has reached a predetermined level or above. The control unit is configured to emit a first signal when the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated in the chamber reaches a first predetermined level or above. This allows medical personnel to simply visit the patient and provide treatment when the first signal is emitted. This reduces the number of times medical personnel need to check the status of the cerebrospinal fluid accumulated in the chamber and also helps prevent delays in identifying and treating abnormalities due to forgetting to check. This reduces the burden on medical personnel of the daily tasks of monitoring and adjusting the chamber and recording, thereby improving efficiency.

[0025] The drainage system according to the third embodiment of the present invention is preferably any one of the following

[35] to

[40] .

[35] The drainage system according to

[34] , wherein the drainage system includes an introduction channel disposed inside the chamber and having a drip port through which cerebrospinal fluid drips.

[36] The drainage system according to

[35] , wherein the chamber has an air hole communicating the outside of the chamber with the inside of the chamber above the drip port, a filter is disposed in the air hole, and the first predetermined height is located below the filter and above the lower end of the chamber.

[37] The drainage system according to any one of

[34] to

[36] , wherein the drainage system includes an elongated member having a scale and extending vertically, and the control unit is configured to determine a second height at which the sensor unit and the chamber should be located based on the amount of change in the height of the liquid when cerebrospinal fluid is dripped for a first predetermined time with the sensor unit and the chamber positioned at a first height.

[38] The drainage system according to any one of

[34] to

[37] , wherein the monitoring device has an output unit that converts the first signal into at least one of visual information, auditory information, and vibration information and outputs the converted information.

[39] The drainage system according to any one of

[34] to

[37] , wherein the drainage system has an output unit that is located at a position remote from the monitoring device and the chamber, and the output unit is a terminal that converts the first signal into at least one of visual information, auditory information, and vibration information and outputs the converted information.

[40] The drainage system according to

[39] , wherein the terminal has a monitor that displays information related to the location of the monitoring device and / or information related to the patient on whom the monitoring device is being used.

[0026] According to the drainage device and drainage circuit monitoring device of the first embodiment of the present invention, the sensor unit is configured to detect the presence of bodily fluid in the chamber in an area above the drip port of the bodily fluid introduction channel, making it possible to detect whether bodily fluid has accumulated in the chamber above the drip port or whether bodily fluid is present above the drip port due to a malfunction. As a result, it is easy to grasp the amount and state of bodily fluid accumulated in the chamber, improving drainage safety. Furthermore, it reduces the frequency at which medical personnel need to check the chamber, thereby reducing the burden on medical personnel.

[0027] The drainage device and method for monitoring the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber according to the second embodiment of the invention, and the drainage system according to the third embodiment of the invention, can reduce the number of times that it is necessary to check the status of the cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber, and can also make it easier to prevent delays in identifying abnormalities and treating them due to forgetting to check.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a side view of a drainage device according to an embodiment of the first invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of a drainage device according to another embodiment of the first invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of a drainage device according to yet another embodiment of the first invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of use of a monitoring device according to an embodiment of the first invention. FIG. 5 is a side view of a drainage device according to an embodiment of the second invention and a drainage system according to an embodiment of the third invention. FIG. 6 is a side view of a drainage device according to an embodiment of the second invention and a modified example of a drainage system according to an embodiment of the third invention. FIG. 7 is a side view of a drainage device according to an embodiment of the second invention and a modified example of a drainage system according to an embodiment of the third invention. FIG. 8 is a side view of a drainage device according to an embodiment of the second invention and a modified example of a drainage system according to an embodiment of the third invention. Fig. 9 is a plan view showing a monitoring device included in a drainage device according to an embodiment of the second invention. Fig. 10 is a plan view showing a monitoring device included in a drainage device according to an embodiment of the second invention. Fig. 11 is a flowchart of a method for monitoring the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside a chamber according to an embodiment of the second invention. Fig. 12 is a plan view showing a terminal used in a drainage system according to an embodiment of the third invention.

[0029] The present invention will be described below based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope of the above and below-described purposes, and all such modifications are included within the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, hatching and component symbols may be omitted in each drawing for convenience. In such cases, please refer to the specification or other drawings. Furthermore, the dimensions of various components in the drawings may differ from the actual dimensions, as priority is given to helping understand the features of the present invention.

[0030] (First Invention) First, the first invention will be described.

[0031] A drainage device and a drainage circuit monitoring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the drainage device 10 has a drainage circuit 20 and a monitoring device 50 for the drainage circuit 20. The drainage circuit 20 has a chamber 30 capable of storing a body fluid 60, and a body fluid inlet path 40 disposed within the chamber 30 and having a drip port 41 for dripping the body fluid 60 into the chamber 30. The monitoring device 50 for the drainage circuit 20 has a sensor unit 51, which is configured to detect the presence of body fluid 60 in the chamber 30 in a region D above the drip port 41.

[0033] The drainage circuit 20 is used to drain body fluid 60 from a living organism, and includes a chamber 30 and a body fluid introduction path 40. The body fluid introduction path 40 has a drip port 41, which is disposed within the chamber 30. The body fluid 60 drained from the living organism passes through the body fluid introduction path 40, drips from the drip port 41, and is stored within the chamber 30. Here, the "drainage circuit" refers to a line that forms a path through which the body fluid 60 flows when it is drained from the living organism. The drainage circuit 20 may include components other than the chamber 30 and the body fluid introduction path 40, such as a second chamber, a drain pipe, a drainage bag 80 (described later), and a drainage catheter 45.

[0034] The drainage circuit 20 may be a so-called open drainage circuit in which the body fluid 60 discharged from the living body is exposed to the atmosphere, or a so-called closed drainage circuit in which the body fluid 60 discharged from the living body is not exposed to the atmosphere. While an open drainage circuit requires caution regarding infection, a closed drainage circuit has the advantage of being relatively less susceptible to infection. The pressure in the drainage circuit 20 can be adjusted by adjusting the height of the drip port 41, or negative pressure can be applied artificially.

[0035] The body fluid 60 is a liquid excreted from a living body, and includes blood, urine, saliva, gastric juice, bile, pancreatic juice, ascites, pleural effusion, pus, exudate, digestive fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, etc. The body fluid 60 may be dripped from the drip port 41 as intermittent droplets 62, as continuous droplets 62, or as a continuous liquid that does not separate into droplets. Thus, in this specification, the term "dripping" is used to refer to the body fluid 60 being introduced into the chamber 30 from the drip port 41 in any state.

[0036] The bodily fluid introduction channel 40 constitutes a path through which the bodily fluid 60 discharged from the living body is stored in the chamber 30. The bodily fluid introduction channel 40 preferably includes a flexible tube made of a synthetic resin such as a silicone resin or a rubber such as a synthetic rubber. The tube may be made of a single member, or may be made up of multiple tubular members connected together.

[0037] Preferably, the end of bodily fluid introduction path 40 on the living body side is located outside chamber 30, and the portion including the end opposite to the living body side is located inside chamber 30, and has drip port 41 for dripping bodily fluid 60 into chamber 30. Drip port 41 may be the end of a tube that constitutes bodily fluid introduction path 40, or may be formed in a separate member connected to the end of the tube.

[0038] The chamber 30 is a container that can store the body fluid 60 that has passed through the body fluid introduction channel 40 and dripped from the drip port 41 .

[0039] The body fluid 60 introduced into the chamber 30 preferably accumulates within the chamber 30 to form a liquid level 61. By observing and / or detecting the liquid level 61, the amount of body fluid 60 accumulated within the chamber 30 can be determined. In the chamber 30, the direction in which the liquid level 61 rises as the body fluid 60 accumulates is referred to as the height direction h, and the side in the height direction h where the body fluid 60 accumulates is the lower side of the chamber 30, and the opposite side is the upper side of the chamber 30. As shown in FIG. 1 , the cylindrical chamber 30 is disposed vertically, and the body fluid 60 preferably drips from top to bottom in the height direction h.

[0040] 1, or may have any shape capable of storing a liquid, such as a bag shape. The shape of a cross section of chamber 30 perpendicular to the height direction h may be, for example, a circle, an ellipse, or other circular shape, a polygon, such as a square or a rectangle, a rounded polygon with rounded corners, a part of a circle, a polygon, or a rounded polygon, a combination of these, or an irregular shape.

[0041] The chamber 30 is preferably made of a light-transmitting material, which makes it easy to observe and / or detect the liquid level 61 from outside the chamber 30. The chamber 30 may be transparent or translucent, but is more preferably transparent. The chamber 30 can be made of a synthetic resin.

[0042] The chamber 30 may be formed with a scale 81. The scale 81 is preferably marked in the height direction h. This allows the amount of bodily fluid 60 collected in the chamber 30 to be known.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1 , the monitoring device 50 of the drainage circuit 20 includes a sensor unit 51 configured to detect the presence of bodily fluid 60 in the chamber 30 in a region D above the drip port 41. As the amount of bodily fluid 60 stored in the chamber 30 increases, the bodily fluid 60 will be present above the chamber 30 in the height direction h. If the amount of bodily fluid 60 exceeds the capacity of the chamber 30, the bodily fluid 60 will overflow from the chamber 30. Furthermore, in the case of cerebrospinal fluid drainage as shown in FIG. 3 (described below), there is a risk that the filter may become wet, causing the drainage circuit 20 to close, resulting in negative pressure and resulting in overdrainage. By detecting the presence of bodily fluid 60 in the chamber 30 in a region D above the drip port 41, the sensor unit 51 can prevent accidents such as overflow of the bodily fluid 60 and overdrainage.

[0044] Alternatively, due to factors other than an increase in the amount of bodily fluid 60 stored in chamber 30, for example, a malfunction such as vibration or tilting of chamber 30, bodily fluid 60 may end up in region D above drip port 41. This may cause bodily fluid 60 to leak from unintended locations, or may cause bodily fluid 60 to come into contact with or infiltrate filter 33 of chamber 30 or filter 83 of drainage bag 80 (described below), preventing breathability of filter 33 of chamber 30 or filter 83 of drainage bag 80 and clogging of drainage circuit 20. Even in such cases, sensor unit 51 can detect the presence of bodily fluid 60 in region D, thereby preventing leakage of bodily fluid 60 and clogging of drainage circuit 20.

[0045] When the sensor unit 51 detects bodily fluid 60 in the region D above the drip port 41 in the chamber 30, the monitoring device 50 preferably issues a notification such as a warning. By having the monitoring device 50 notify the monitoring information in this way, it becomes easier for medical personnel to grasp the amount of bodily fluid 60 stored in the chamber 30 and to detect abnormalities in the chamber 30, and they can take measures such as discharging the bodily fluid 60 from the chamber 30 or opening the drainage circuit 20 as necessary, thereby improving the safety of drainage. Furthermore, the burden on medical personnel can be reduced because the frequency with which medical personnel need to directly check the chamber 30 can be reduced.

[0046] The notification is preferably displayed via communication on a display device such as a terminal carried by a medical professional. A relay communication device is preferably used to relay communication between the monitoring device 50 and the terminal that notifies and / or displays the monitoring information from the monitoring device 50. For the purposes of improving the connection status between the monitoring device 50 and the terminal, improving safety by multiplexing the connection, expanding the communication range, and reducing power consumption required for communication, etc. A conceivable relay communication device is, for example, a device that obtains power directly from an outlet in a patient's room, transmits and receives monitoring information from the monitoring device 50 via Bluetooth (registered trademark), converts the information to Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication, transmits the information to a remote terminal or another relay point, and simultaneously transmits the location information of the relay communication device.

[0047] The warning notification from the monitoring device 50 is preferably a sound from a speaker, vibration by a vibrator, blinking of a flashlight, display on a display, etc. Furthermore, the notification from the monitoring device 50 preferably includes location information of the monitoring device 50, specifically the location and room number of the hospital room. This makes it easier for medical personnel to take prompt action when a notification is received from the monitoring device 50.

[0048] For example, an optical sensor, a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a millimeter / microwave sensor, a pressure sensor, a vibration sensor, a dielectric constant sensor, a temperature sensor, a microphone, or a combination thereof can be used as the sensor unit 51. Among these, it is preferable that the sensor unit 51 is an optical sensor and / or a camera.

[0049] When the sensor unit 51 is an optical sensor, the optical sensor preferably includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The presence or absence of body fluid 60 in the target area can be detected by measuring the intensity of transmitted light or reflected light emitted by the light-emitting element with the light-receiving element. The light-emitting element preferably emits light having wavelengths ranging from infrared light to visible light. One or more light-emitting elements having light sources of these wavelengths can be used. The light-receiving element is preferably an RGB sensor. By using an RGB sensor as the light-receiving element, color information of the body fluid 60 can be obtained if the body fluid 60 is present in the target area. The color information of the body fluid 60 can be used to determine the condition of the affected area, such as whether there is any abnormality, such as inflammation or infection.

[0050] Alternatively, if the sensor unit 51 is a camera, the liquid surface 61 and droplets 62 can be directly observed by the camera, and information about the position of the liquid surface 61, the state of the body fluid 60, such as its color, and pulsation can be easily obtained. Using a vibration sensor in combination with the above is also a preferred embodiment. The vibration sensor can easily detect the presence or absence of pulsation. However, since using a camera as the sensor unit 51 complicates the configuration of the monitoring device 50, it is preferable that the sensor unit 51 include an optical sensor, and that information including color information of the body fluid 60 be obtained by the optical sensor.

[0051] It is preferable that the sensor unit 51 does not come into direct contact with the body fluid 60, and it is preferable that the monitoring device 50 is disposed outside the chamber 30 and the sensor unit 51 detects the body fluid 60 while also being disposed outside the chamber 30. This prevents the sensor unit 51 from being contaminated by the body fluid 60.

[0052] 2 and 3 , the drainage device 10 may be configured so that the bodily fluid 60 accumulated in the chamber 30 is discharged into a drainage bag 80. By monitoring the presence of the bodily fluid 60 in the region D above the drip port 41 using the monitoring device 50, the bodily fluid 60 can be discharged from the chamber 30 into the drainage bag 80 by opening a clamp 70 provided below the outlet 34 of the chamber 30 before the bodily fluid 60 fills the chamber 30.

[0053] The drainage bag 80 preferably has a bag shape that can store the bodily fluid 60 discharged from the chamber 30. As shown in Figure 2, the drainage bag 80 may have a recess 85 in which the chamber 30 can be placed. This allows the shape of the drainage bag 80 and the chamber 30 to be made compact when connected, making it easy to place at the patient's bedside.

[0054] As shown in Figure 2, the drainage bag 80 is preferably a drainage bag with a measuring scale on which a scale 81 is formed. The scale 81 is preferably engraved in the height direction h. This allows the amount of body fluid 60 drained from the chamber 30 to be known. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the drainage bag is a drainage bag with a measuring scale on which the scale 81 is formed on the chamber 30. This allows the amount of body fluid 60 stored in the chamber 30 to be known more accurately.

[0055] The drainage bag 80 preferably has an air hole 82, and a filter 83 is preferably disposed in the air hole 82. The air hole 82 may be an opening formed in the drainage bag 80. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2 , the air hole 82 may be formed by a tubular member inserted into the body of the drainage bag 80. The tubular member may be formed of the same material as the drainage bag 80 or a different material. Preferably, one end of the tubular member is disposed inside the drainage bag 80 and the other end is disposed outside the drainage bag 80, thereby communicating the inside and outside of the drainage bag 80 via the air hole 82. A clamp 70 may be disposed in the tubular member forming the air hole 82, and opening and closing the clamp 70 allows communication between the inside and outside of the drainage bag 80 to be opened or closed.

[0056] The drainage circuit 20 configured to discharge body fluid 60 from the chamber 30 into a drainage bag 80 with a meter as shown in Figure 2 can be used for cerebrospinal fluid drainage by connecting a chamber 30 equipped with a body fluid introduction path 40 having a bent portion 42 as shown in Figure 3 described below as a second chamber, placed above the chamber 30 in Figure 2.

[0057] The drainage bag 80 preferably has a handle hole 84. By hooking a handle such as a hanger or string to the handle hole 84, the drainage bag 80 can be easily placed under the patient's bed.

[0058] 1, the sensor unit 51 is preferably disposed above the drip port 41. This makes it easier for the sensor unit 51 to detect the presence of bodily fluid 60 in the chamber 30 in the region D above the drip port 41.

[0059] 3, the entire monitoring device 50 itself may be disposed above the drip port 41. This allows the sensor unit 51 to be easily disposed above the drip port 41.

[0060] 1 and 2, at least a portion of the monitoring device 50 may be disposed above the drip port 41, and the other portion may be disposed below the drip port 41. Alternatively, although not shown, the entire monitoring device 50 may be disposed below the drip port 41.

[0061] Sensor unit 51 detects the presence of bodily fluid 60 in region D above drip port 41, and may also detect the presence of bodily fluid 60 in a region below drip port 41. In situations such as when bodily fluid inlet path 40 is clogged or removed from the living body, or when bodily fluid 60 leaks from an unintended location, abnormalities such as a rapid drop in the height of liquid level 61 in chamber 30, a halt in the rise in the height of liquid level 61, or no drip of bodily fluid 60 from drip port 41 can occur. However, these abnormalities can be discovered by sensor unit 51 detecting the presence of bodily fluid 60 in a region below drip port 41.

[0062] It is preferable that the sensor unit 51 detects droplets 62 and / or the liquid level 61 of the body fluid 60 in the chamber 30. If the sensor unit 51 can detect droplets 62 and / or the liquid level 61 of the body fluid 60, it is possible to discover abnormal behavior of the droplets 62 or an abnormal rise or fall of the liquid level 61, and events that cause these can be identified and addressed early, thereby improving the safety of drainage.

[0063] Events that can cause abnormalities include bending or blockage of the bodily fluid introduction path 40, changes in pressure due to changes in the height of the chamber 30, abnormalities in the clamps 70 provided on the chamber 30 or the bodily fluid introduction path 40, wetting of the filter 33 provided on the chamber 30, wetting of the filter 83 provided on the drainage bag 80 in which the bodily fluid 60 discharged from the chamber 30 accumulates, leakage from the wound where the bodily fluid 60 is discharged, etc. Because these abnormalities require immediate attention, monitoring the drainage circuit 20 with a monitoring device 50 is useful.

[0064] The monitoring device 50 is preferably detachable from the drainage circuit 20. The drainage circuit 20 is used disposably for each patient to prevent infection, but by making the monitoring device 50 detachable from the drainage circuit 20, the monitoring device 50 can be used to monitor different drainage circuits 20, allowing for efficient use. Furthermore, depending on the configuration of the drainage circuit 20 and the characteristics of the sensor unit 51, the monitoring device 50 can be easily attached to an appropriate position on the drainage circuit 20. The monitoring device 50 is preferably detachably attached to the outside of the chamber 30. As long as it can be detachably attached to the outside of the chamber 30, the shape of the monitoring device 50 is not particularly limited.

[0065] The monitoring device 50 can be attached to and detached from the drainage circuit 20 by, for example, clamping the chamber 30 with a clip-shaped monitoring device 50, inserting the chamber 30 into an insertion hole formed in the monitoring device 50, engaging with an engaging portion formed on the contact surface between the monitoring device 50 and the chamber 30, or fixing to the chamber 30 with a fixing member such as a belt attached to the monitoring device 50. That is, examples of the shape of the monitoring device 50 include a clip shape, a cylindrical shape, and a belt shape.

[0066] The shape of the monitoring device 50 may be any shape as long as it is attachable and detachable to the drainage circuit 20 as described above, but a rounded shape is preferable from the standpoint of ease of handling by medical personnel and reducing damage to other components.

[0067] The monitoring device 50 preferably has an opening 52 through which the inside of the chamber 30 can be seen from outside the monitoring device 50. This allows the sensor unit 51 of the monitoring device 50 to detect the presence of bodily fluid 60, and also allows the state inside the chamber 30 at the position where the monitoring device 50 is attached to be visually confirmed, making it easier to monitor the drainage circuit 20.

[0068] 1 , the opening 52 of the monitoring device 50 may be a window, for example, and the periphery of the opening 52 may be closed. Alternatively, the monitoring device 50 may be formed in a clip shape, and the space between both arms of the clip may form the opening 52. Alternatively, the monitoring device 50 may have a portion formed of a transparent member, and this portion may function as the actual opening 52.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 3 , the end of the body fluid introduction channel 40 opposite the drip port 41 is preferably connected directly or indirectly to the living body 90. The body fluid introduction channel 40 is preferably connected to the living body 90 via a drainage catheter 45. One end of the drainage catheter 45 is preferably inserted percutaneously or endoscopically into the target site from which the body fluid 60 is to be drained, and the other end is preferably connected to the body fluid introduction channel 40 via a three-way stopcock or the like. The end of the body fluid introduction channel 40 opposite the drip port 41 or the end of the drainage catheter 45 on the living body 90 side can be inserted through a small incision in the living body 90 into the thoracic cavity, abdominal cavity, pericardial cavity, bladder, intracranial cavity, joint cavity, etc. In the case of cerebrospinal fluid drainage, the opening at one end of the drainage catheter 45 inserted into the target site from which the body fluid 60 is to be drained is set to be lower than the drip port 41. 1, the body fluid inlet path 40 may be introduced from an inlet 31 located higher than a drip port 41 of the chamber 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the body fluid inlet path 40 may be introduced into the chamber 30 through the inlet 31 formed in the chamber 30.

[0070] The chamber 30 preferably has an air hole 32 above the drip port 41. By having the air hole 32 in the chamber 30, the drainage circuit 20 can be an open drainage circuit that can be used for, for example, cerebrospinal fluid drainage.

[0071] The air vent 32 may be an opening formed in the chamber 30. As shown in FIG. 3 , the opening may be provided at the tip of a tubular portion extending from the cylindrical main body of the chamber 30 where the body fluid 60 is collected. The tubular portion preferably has a smaller diameter than the main body of the chamber 30 and may have a bent portion. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1 , the air vent 32 may be formed from a tubular member inserted into the main body of the chamber 30 and having a smaller diameter than the main body of the chamber 30. The tubular member may be made of the same material as the chamber 30 or a different material. The tubular member may also have a bent portion. Preferably, one end of the tubular member is disposed inside the chamber 30 and the other end is disposed outside the chamber 30, thereby communicating the inside and outside of the chamber 30 via the air vent 32. A clamp 70 may be disposed on the main body side of the chamber 30 at the portion where the air vent 32 is located, such as the tubular portion or the tubular member, and opening and closing the clamp 70 allows communication between the inside and outside of the chamber 30 to be opened or closed.

[0072] The drainage circuit 20 preferably includes a filter 33 disposed in the air hole 32. The filter 33 allows air to pass through the air hole 32 while preventing foreign matter from entering the chamber 30.

[0073] 1 , the sensor unit 51 of the monitoring device 50 is preferably configured to detect the presence of bodily fluid 60 in the chamber 30 in an area D1 that is above the drip port 41 and below the filter 33. When the presence of bodily fluid 60 is detected in area D1, the monitoring device 50 issues a notification such as a warning, thereby making it possible to detect in advance abnormalities such as the bodily fluid 60 rising from the top of the chamber 30 to the air vent 32, the bodily fluid 60 coming into contact with or infiltrating the filter 33 and wetting the filter 33, or the bodily fluid 60 coagulating, thereby preventing over-drainage and leakage of the bodily fluid 60.

[0074] 3, chamber 30 preferably has inlet 31 through which bodily fluid inlet channel 40 is introduced, below drip port 41. This allows for a configuration in which bodily fluid inlet channel 40 is introduced from the bottom of chamber 30.

[0075] In the above case, the bodily fluid inlet channel 40 preferably has a bent portion 42 above the drip port 41. With this configuration, even if the bodily fluid inlet channel 40 is introduced from the bottom of the chamber 30, the drip direction of the bodily fluid 60 from the drip port 41 can be adjusted from top to bottom in the height direction h of the chamber 30. With this configuration, when performing CSF drainage, the height of the patient's external auditory canal is set as the zero point, and the height of the drip port 41 can be adjusted based on the zero point so that the intracranial pressure becomes the set pressure. This allows the drainage circuit 20 to be used as a CSF drainage circuit that maintains a constant intracranial pressure and drains only excess CSF. Monitoring the CSF drainage circuit with a monitoring device 50 can prevent overdrainage, which can lead to potentially fatal brain herniation, thereby improving the safety of CSF drainage. At this time, the bodily fluid 60 may be discharged from the chamber 30 and collected in a drainage bag 80, as shown in FIG. 3 . A clamp 70 is disposed between the chamber 30 and the drainage bag 80 , and the bodily fluid 60 can be drained from the chamber 30 to the drainage bag 80 by opening the clamp 70 .

[0076] 3, the drainage circuit 20 preferably has a disk member 43 located above the drip port 41 of the bodily fluid introduction path 40 and in the vicinity of the drip port 41. When the bodily fluid introduction path 40 has a bent portion 42, the disk member 43 is preferably disposed between the drip port 41 and the bent portion 42. The presence of the disk member 43 makes it difficult for the drip port 41 to come into contact with the inner wall of the chamber 30, making it easier to detect and visually observe the bodily fluid 60 dripping from the drip port 41 using the sensor unit 51. This makes it easier to check the flow and pulsation of the bodily fluid 60.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 3 , a handle 36 may be attached to the chamber 30. The handle 36 may be integrally formed with the chamber 30, or a separate member may be connected to a connection portion, such as a handle hole, provided in the chamber 30. By including the handle 36 on the chamber 30, it becomes easy to set the chamber 30 on a stand such as an IV stand and adjust the height of the drip port 41, for example, based on the external ear canal. The handle 36 may be set on the stand so that the chamber 30 is attached to a plate-like member having a scale. This makes it easy to grasp the height of the drip port 41.

[0078] The first invention also provides a monitoring device 50 for a drainage circuit 20, the drainage circuit 20 having a chamber 30 capable of storing a body fluid 60, and a body fluid inlet path 40 disposed within the chamber 30 and having a drip port 41 for dripping the body fluid 60 into the chamber 30, the monitoring device 50 being detachable from the chamber 30, the monitoring device 50 having a sensor unit 51 configured to detect the presence of body fluid 60 in the chamber 30 in a region D above the drip port 41.

[0079] Details of the monitoring device 50 can be understood by reference to the above detailed description of the drainage device 10, as the components of the drainage device 10 described above are numbered the same.

[0080] The sensor unit 51 is preferably located above the drip port 41. This makes it easier for the sensor unit 51 to detect the presence of the bodily fluid 60 in the chamber 30 in the region D above the drip port 41.

[0081] The sensor unit 51 preferably detects droplets 62 and / or a liquid surface 61 of the body fluid 60 in the chamber 30 .

[0082] It is preferable that the monitoring device 50 has an opening 52 through which the inside of the chamber 30 can be seen from the outside of the monitoring device 50 when the monitoring device 50 is attached to the chamber 30 .

[0083] Monitoring of the drainage circuit 20 by the monitoring device 50 can be performed, for example, according to a flowchart such as that shown in Fig. 4. First, the drainage circuit 20 is installed so that the body fluid 60 can be discharged from the target site of the living body, and the drainage circuit 20 starts draining the body fluid 60. For example, in the case of cerebrospinal fluid drainage, the clamp 70, which was closed when the drainage circuit 20 was installed, is opened according to a procedure, and the drainage circuit 20 starts draining the body fluid 60.

[0084] After drainage of the bodily fluid 60 begins, it is preferable for the sensor unit 51 of the monitoring device 50 to perform detection. This makes it possible to check, for example, whether the bodily fluid 60 is dripping normally from the drip port 41, and whether there is pulsation in the case of cerebrospinal fluid drainage or the like. If dripping or pulsation is not confirmed due to an abnormality such as blockage of the drainage circuit 20 or improper insertion of the drainage catheter 45, the drainage circuit 20 can be checked and the abnormality corrected. Note that since pulsation is not observed in closed-type drainage, checking for pulsation can be omitted.

[0085] It is preferable that the sensor unit 51 of the monitoring device 50 continues to perform detection even while the body fluid 60 is being drained. This makes it possible to obtain information such as the drainage amount, drainage speed, state of the drained body fluid 60, and any abnormalities in the chamber 30. The monitoring device 50 preferably issues an alarm when an abnormality is detected, which allows for countermeasures such as draining the body fluid 60 from the chamber 30. In addition to drainage, events that could be the cause of the abnormality detected by the sensor unit 51, such as incorrect operation of the clamp 70, wetting of the filter 33 and / or filter 83, blockage of the drainage circuit 20 due to bending of the body fluid introduction channel 40 and / or drainage catheter 45, pressure changes due to changes in the height of the chamber 30, and changes in the properties of the lesion, can be identified, and these events can be immediately addressed.

[0086] If the abnormality is resolved, drainage can be continued while monitoring is performed using the monitoring device 50. In this manner, drainage can be performed with improved safety while reducing the burden on medical personnel.

[0087] (Second and Third Inventions) Next, the second and third inventions will be described.

[0088] A drainage device and a method for monitoring the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside a chamber according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 11. Also, a drainage system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 12.

[0089] In the following description and in Figures 5 to 12, when the drainage device and drainage system are in use, the horizontal direction is indicated by x and the vertical direction is indicated by y. Furthermore, when each member or part is divided into two equal halves along the vertical direction y, the upper part of each member or part is referred to as the upper part of each member or part, and the lower part of each member or part is referred to as the lower part of each member or part. The lower end of each member or part is the end located at the lowest position of each member or part. The upper end of each member or part is the end located at the highest position of each member or part. The end includes the peripheral portion of the end. In other words, the lower end refers to the lower end and the peripheral portion of the lower end, and the upper end refers to the peripheral portion of the upper end and the proximal end.

[0090] First, a drainage device according to an embodiment of the second invention and a drainage system according to an embodiment of the third invention will be described.

[0091] The drainage device according to the second embodiment of the present invention has a chamber capable of storing cerebrospinal fluid, and a monitoring device that is detachable from the chamber and has a sensor unit that detects the presence of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber.

[0092] The drainage system according to the third embodiment of the present invention has a chamber capable of storing cerebrospinal fluid, a monitoring device detachable from the chamber and having a sensor unit for detecting the level of the cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber, and a control unit configured to emit a first signal when the level of the fluid reaches or exceeds a first predetermined level.

[0093] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the drainage device 10 includes a chamber 30 and a monitoring device 50.

[0094] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the drainage system 11 includes a chamber 30, a monitoring device 50, and a control unit 53.

[0095] The chamber 30 is a container capable of storing cerebrospinal fluid 60a. At least the cerebrospinal fluid 60a is stored in the chamber 30. The cerebrospinal fluid 60a may be mixed with blood or the like.

[0096] The monitoring device 50 has a sensor unit 51. The sensor unit 51 may detect the presence of cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30. The sensor unit 51 may detect the height of a liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30. For example, the drainage device 10 may use a sensor unit 51 that detects the presence of cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30. The drainage system 11 may use a sensor unit 51 that detects the height of a liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30. The monitoring device 50 is detachable from the chamber 30. By configuring the monitoring device 50 to be detachable from the chamber 30, the monitoring device 50 can be attached to the chamber 30 of another patient and used repeatedly. This makes the monitoring device 50 environmentally friendly and economical.

[0097] The control unit 53 provided in the drainage system 11 is configured to issue a first signal when the liquid level 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a reaches or exceeds a first predetermined height.

[0098] In the drainage device 10, the monitoring device 50 has a sensor unit 51 that detects the presence of cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30, making it possible to monitor whether the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 has reached a predetermined height or below a predetermined height. This reduces the number of times that medical personnel need to check the status of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30, and also makes it easier to prevent delays in identifying abnormalities and treating them due to forgetting to check. This reduces the burden on medical personnel of the daily tasks of monitoring and adjusting the chamber 30 and recording tasks, and improves efficiency.

[0099] In the drainage system 11, the monitoring device 50 includes a sensor unit 51 that detects the level of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30, thereby enabling monitoring of whether the level 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 has reached a predetermined level or higher. The control unit 53 is configured to emit a first signal when the level 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 reaches a first predetermined level or higher. This allows medical personnel to simply visit the patient and provide treatment when the first signal is emitted. This reduces the number of times medical personnel need to check the status of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 and also helps prevent delays in identifying and treating abnormalities due to forgetting to check. This reduces the burden on medical personnel of the daily tasks of monitoring and adjusting the chamber 30 and recording data, thereby improving efficiency.

[0100] The chamber 30 can have any shape that can store a liquid. For example, the chamber 30 may be cylindrical or bag-shaped. The outer shape of the chamber 30 in a cross section perpendicular to the vertical direction y may be, for example, a circle, an ellipse, or other circular shape; a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, or other polygonal shape; a rounded polygon with rounded corners; a combination of these; or an irregular shape.

[0101] The chamber 30 is preferably made of a light-transmitting material, which makes it easy to observe and / or detect the cerebrospinal fluid 60a from outside the chamber 30. The chamber 30 may be transparent or translucent, but is more preferably transparent. The chamber 30 can be made of synthetic resin, glass, or the like.

[0102] 5 and 8, a scale 81 may be formed on the chamber 30. The scale 81 on the chamber 30 is preferably marked in the vertical direction y. This makes it easier to visually check the amount of cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30.

[0103] The monitoring device 50 is configured to be detachable from the chamber 30. For example, the monitoring device 50 may be shaped like a clip. This allows the monitoring device 50 to clamp and grip the chamber 30, allowing it to be released. The monitoring device 50 may have a through-hole penetrating in the vertical direction y, and may be configured to be attached and detached by inserting and removing the chamber 30 into and from the through-hole. The monitoring device 50 may have a first fitting portion, and the chamber 30 may have a second fitting portion that fits into the first fitting portion, and the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion may be configured to be detachable, thereby making the monitoring device detachable from the chamber 30. The monitoring device 50 may have a fixing member such as a belt, and the fixing member may allow the monitoring device to be attached and detached from the chamber 30.

[0104] The shape of the monitoring device 50 may be any shape as long as it is detachable from the chamber 30 as described above, but a rounded shape is preferable from the standpoint of ease of handling by medical personnel and reducing damage to other components and instruments.

[0105] For example, an optical sensor, a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a millimeter / microwave sensor, a pressure sensor, a vibration sensor, a dielectric constant sensor, a temperature sensor, a microphone, or a combination thereof can be used as the sensor unit 51. Among these, it is preferable to use an optical sensor and / or a camera as the sensor unit 51.

[0106] When an optical sensor is used as the sensor unit 51, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the sensor unit 51 preferably includes a light-emitting element 51a and a light-receiving element 51b that receives light emitted by the light-emitting element 51a. The light-receiving element 51b measures the intensity of light emitted by the light-emitting element 51a after passing through the target area or the intensity of light emitted by the light-emitting element 51a after being reflected by the target area, thereby detecting whether cerebrospinal fluid 60a is present in the target area or the liquid level 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a. The light-emitting element 51a preferably emits light having a wavelength ranging from infrared light to visible light. Only one light-emitting element 51a may be provided, or multiple light-emitting elements 51a may be provided. The light-receiving element 51b may be an RGB sensor. By using the RGB sensor, information regarding the color of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a can be obtained if the cerebrospinal fluid 60a is present in the target area. The information regarding the color of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a can be used to determine the condition of the affected area, such as whether an abnormality such as inflammation or infection has occurred.

[0107] When a camera is used as the sensor unit 51, it is preferable that the sensor unit 51 includes an imaging element. The imaging element can capture images of the liquid surface 61 and droplets 62, making it possible to easily grasp the position of the liquid surface 61, the state of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a, such as the color, and the presence or absence of pulsation. However, since using a camera as the sensor unit 51 complicates the configuration of the monitoring device 50, it is preferable that the sensor unit 51 includes an optical sensor, and it is also preferable that information related to the color of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a be obtained by the optical sensor.

[0108] In addition to the optical sensor and camera, a vibration sensor can also be used, which can easily detect the presence or absence of heartbeat.

[0109] It is preferable that the sensor unit 51 does not come into direct contact with the cerebrospinal fluid 60a. It is more preferable that the presence of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a or the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a is detected with the entire monitoring device 50 disposed outside the chamber 30. This prevents the sensor unit 51 from being contaminated by the cerebrospinal fluid 60a.

[0110] The sensor unit 51 preferably detects droplets 62 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a and / or the liquid level 61. If the sensor unit 51 can detect the droplets 62 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a and / or the liquid level 61, it can confirm whether or not the droplets 62 have dropped and whether or not the liquid level 61 is abnormally rising or falling.

[0111] The drainage device 10 or the drainage system 11 preferably has an introduction path 40a arranged inside the chamber 30. The introduction path 40a is a portion inside the chamber 30 that constitutes a path through which the cerebrospinal fluid 60a is stored inside the chamber 30. The introduction path 40a has a drip port 41 through which the cerebrospinal fluid 60a is dripped into the chamber 30. It is preferable that the chamber 30 be capable of storing the cerebrospinal fluid 60a dripped from the drip port 41.

[0112] The introduction path 40a preferably includes a flexible tube made of synthetic resin such as silicone resin or rubber such as synthetic rubber. The tube may be made of only one tubular member, or may be made of multiple tubular members connected together.

[0113] The drainage device 10 or the drainage system 11 may include a drainage catheter 45 located outside the chamber 30 and connected to the inlet passage 40a, so that the inlet passage 40a can be indirectly connected to the human body via the drainage catheter 45.

[0114] One end of the drainage catheter 45 is preferably connected to the introduction path 40a, and the other end of the drainage catheter 45 is preferably inserted into the target site from which cerebrospinal fluid 60a is to be drained. More specifically, the end of the drainage catheter 45 opposite the end connected to the introduction path 40a is preferably inserted into the skull through a small incision made in the patient's head.

[0115] 5 to 7 is preferably capable of storing cerebrospinal fluid 60a dripped from drip port 41 and is positioned above the patient's outer ear. By attaching a monitoring device 50 to this chamber 30, it is possible to monitor whether the height of a liquid surface 61 of cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 has reached a predetermined height or has fallen below a predetermined height. This makes it possible to detect situations such as over-drainage, removal of the drainage catheter 45 inserted in the patient's head, or leakage of cerebrospinal fluid 60a from an unintended location.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 8 , the drainage device 10 may have a first chamber 301 and a second chamber 302 as the chamber 30 capable of storing the cerebrospinal fluid 60a dripped from the drip port 41. More specifically, the drainage device 10 may have the first chamber 301 positioned above the patient's outer ear and the second chamber 302 connected to the first chamber 301 and positioned below the patient's outer ear. By attaching a monitoring device 50 to the first chamber 301, it is possible to monitor whether the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the first chamber 301 has reached or fallen below a predetermined level. This makes it possible to detect over-drainage, removal of the drainage catheter 45 inserted in the patient's head, or leakage of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a from an unintended location. By attaching the monitoring device 50 to the second chamber 302, it is possible to monitor whether the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the second chamber 302 has reached a predetermined height or higher. This makes it possible to prevent the cerebrospinal fluid 60a from overflowing from the second chamber 302 and contaminating the floor of the hospital room.

[0117] 5 to 8, the chamber 30 has an air hole 32 above the drip port 41 that connects the outside of the chamber 30 with the inside of the chamber 30, and it is preferable that a filter 33 is disposed in the air hole 32. By disposing the filter 33 in the air hole 32, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the chamber 30 while allowing ventilation through the air hole 32.

[0118] 5 to 8, the air hole 32 is preferably located above the drip port 41. This makes it difficult for the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 to come into contact with the filter 33.

[0119] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the air hole 32 may be an opening 35 of the chamber 30. As shown in Figure 6, the opening 35 that forms the air hole 32 may be the end of a tubular portion 35a of the chamber 30. It is preferable that the tubular portion 35a has a bent portion. The material that forms the tubular portion 35a and the material that forms the rest of the chamber 30 other than the tubular portion 35a may be the same or different.

[0120] 6, a clamp 70 may be attached to the cylindrical portion 35a. By opening and closing the clamp 70, communication between the outside of the chamber 30 and the inside of the chamber 30 can be opened and closed.

[0121] The sensor unit 51 preferably has a function of measuring time intervals. This makes it possible to detect, during a predetermined time interval, whether the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 has not changed, whether the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a inside the chamber 30 has not exceeded a predetermined height, whether the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a inside the chamber 30 has not fallen below a predetermined height, etc. More specifically, it is possible to detect, during a predetermined time interval, whether the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 has not changed, whether the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a inside the chamber 30 has not exceeded a first predetermined height, whether the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a inside the chamber 30 has not fallen below a second predetermined height, etc.

[0122] 6, the monitoring device 50 is preferably attached above the drip port 41. By attaching the monitoring device 50 above the drip port 41, a relatively large amount of cerebrospinal fluid 60a can be stored in the chamber 30 until the sensor unit 51 detects the cerebrospinal fluid 60a. This makes it easier to reduce the number of times that medical personnel need to check the status inside the chamber 30.

[0123] 5, the monitoring device 50 is preferably attached below the drip port 41. By attaching the monitoring device 50 below the drip port 41, it becomes easier to detect earlier a significant rise or fall in the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30, or a halt in the change in the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a.

[0124] As shown in Figure 5, the monitoring device 50 is preferably attached below the filter 33 and above the lower end of the chamber 30. By attaching the monitoring device 50 below the filter 33, it becomes easier to detect when the fluid level has not yet reached the height at which the filter 33 is located. This makes it easier to prevent the filter 33 from clogging and causing over-drainage. It also makes it easier to prevent cerebrospinal fluid 60a from leaking beyond the filter 33 and through the air hole 32.

[0125] The position where the monitoring device 50 is attached is not particularly limited. As shown in Fig. 6, the monitoring device 50 may be attached to the chamber 30 so that the light-emitting element 51a and the light-receiving element 51b are positioned above the drip port 41. As shown in Fig. 8, the monitoring device 50 may be attached to the chamber 30 so that the light-emitting element 51a and the light-receiving element 51b are positioned below the drip port 41.

[0126] 7 , the sensor unit 51 may include an upper light-emitting element 511, an upper light-receiving element 512 that receives light emitted by the upper light-emitting element 511, a lower light-emitting element 513 that is located below the upper light-emitting element 511 and the upper light-receiving element 512, and a lower light-receiving element 514 that is located below the upper light-emitting element 511 and the upper light-receiving element 512 and receives light emitted by the lower light-emitting element 513. The monitoring device 50 is preferably attached to the chamber 30 so that the upper light-emitting element 511 and the upper light-receiving element 512 are located above the dripping port 41, and the lower light-emitting element 513 and the lower light-receiving element 514 are located below the dripping port 41. The upper light-emitting element 511 and the upper light-receiving element 512 can monitor whether the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 has reached a predetermined height or above, for example, a first predetermined height or above, thereby preventing over-drainage. The lower light-emitting element 513 and the lower light-receiving element 514 can monitor whether the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 has fallen below a predetermined height, for example, below a second predetermined height, making it easier to detect situations in which the patient may have removed the drainage catheter 45 inserted in the head, the cerebrospinal fluid 60a may have leaked from an unintended location, or the path to the drip port 41 may have been blocked.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 5 , the drainage device 10 preferably includes an elongated member 75 having a scale 81 and extending in the vertical direction y. Using the elongated member 75 allows for easy adjustment, monitoring, and recording of the drainage rate of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a and the intraventricular pressure. Furthermore, the chamber 30 can be moved in the vertical direction y relative to the elongated member 75. By positioning the chamber 30 at a predetermined height in the vertical direction y relative to the elongated member 75, the cerebrospinal fluid 60a drips from the drip port 41, thereby facilitating the appropriate dripping of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a from the drip port 41.

[0128] The monitoring device 50 has a first arm portion 501 and a second arm portion 502, and when the monitoring device 50 is attached to the chamber 30, it is preferable that the chamber 30 is located between the first arm portion 501 and the second arm portion 502. Figures 9 and 10 show plan views of the monitoring device 50. That is, they show a state in which only the monitoring device 50 is viewed from above when the drainage device 10 is in use.

[0129] 9 and 10 , it is preferable that the first arm unit 501 or the second arm unit 502 is provided with a distance sensor 515 that detects whether or not it is in contact with the chamber 30. This makes it possible to detect whether or not the monitoring device 50 is properly attached to the chamber 30.

[0130] 9 and 10 , it is preferable that the first arm unit 501 or the second arm unit 502 is provided with a distance sensor 515 that detects the distance to the second arm unit 502 or the first arm unit 501. This makes it possible to estimate the amount of cerebrospinal fluid 60a that can be stored in the chamber 30 to which the monitoring device 50 is attached, and the manufacturer and type of chamber 30 to which the monitoring device 50 is attached.

[0131] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the monitoring device 50 may have a force point portion 503 to which an external force is applied, an opening / closing portion 504 having a first tip portion 504 a and a second tip portion 504 b that are in contact when no external force is applied to the force point portion 503 and that are separated when an external force is applied to the force point portion 503, and a fulcrum portion 505 that serves as a fulcrum when the opening / closing portion 504 is opened or closed.

[0132] The monitoring device 50 preferably has an angle sensor that detects the angle α formed by the line segment L1 connecting the first tip 504a and the fulcrum 505 and the line segment L2 connecting the second tip 504b and the fulcrum 505. This makes it possible to estimate the amount of cerebrospinal fluid 60a that the chamber 30 to which the monitoring device 50 is attached can store, and the manufacturer and type of chamber 30 to which the monitoring device 50 is attached.

[0133] It is preferable that the first tip 504a or the second tip 504b is provided with a distance sensor 515 that detects the distance to the second tip 504b or the first tip 504a. This makes it possible to estimate the amount of cerebrospinal fluid 60a that can be stored in the chamber 30 to which the monitoring device 50 is attached, and the manufacturer and type of chamber 30 to which the monitoring device 50 is attached.

[0134] When the monitoring device 50 is attached to the chamber 30, it is preferable that the monitoring device 50 has a portion 52a (hereinafter referred to as the visible portion 52a) between the upper end of the monitoring device 50 and the lower end of the monitoring device 50, through which the storage state of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a inside the chamber 30 can be visually observed. This allows the sensor unit 51 of the monitoring device 50 to detect the presence of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a, and also allows the state inside the chamber 30 to be visually confirmed at the position where the monitoring device 50 is attached, making it easier to monitor the chamber 30.

[0135] The visible portion 52a may be an opening in the monitoring device 50 as shown in FIG. 5, or may be a gap between the upper and lower ends of the monitoring device 50 as shown in FIG. 7.

[0136] 8 , the drainage device 10 and the drainage system 11 may have a drainage bag 80. This allows the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 to be drained into the drainage bag 80. By monitoring the state of the dripped cerebrospinal fluid 60a with the monitoring device 50, the cerebrospinal fluid 60a can be drained from the chamber 30 into the drainage bag 80 by opening a clamp 70 provided at the lower end of the chamber 30 before the cerebrospinal fluid 60a overflows from the chamber 30.

[0137] The drainage bag 80 preferably has a bag shape that can store the cerebrospinal fluid 60a discharged from the chamber 30. As shown in Fig. 8, the drainage bag 80 may have a recess 85 in which the chamber 30 can be placed. This allows the shape of the drainage bag 80 when connected to the chamber 30 to be compact, making it easy to place at the patient's bedside.

[0138] 8, the drainage bag 80 is preferably provided with a scale 81. The scale 81 on the drainage bag 80 is preferably marked in the vertical direction y. This allows the amount of cerebrospinal fluid 60a discharged from the chamber 30 to be known.

[0139] The drainage bag 80 preferably has an air hole 82 that communicates between the interior and exterior of the drainage bag 80, and a filter 83 is preferably disposed in the air hole 82. The air hole 82 may be an opening formed in the drainage bag 80. The air hole 82 may be the inner cavity of a tubular member inserted into the drainage bag 80. The material constituting the tubular member may be the same as or different from the material constituting the drainage bag 80. One end of the tubular member is disposed inside the drainage bag 80, and the other end of the cylindrical member is disposed outside the drainage bag 80, thereby enabling the interior and exterior of the drainage bag 80 to communicate with each other via the air hole 82. A clamp 70 may be disposed in the tubular member constituting the air hole 82, and opening and closing the clamp 70 can open and close communication between the interior and exterior of the drainage bag 80.

[0140] The drainage bag 80 preferably has a handle hole 84. By hooking a handle such as a hanger or string through the handle hole 84, the drainage bag 80 can be easily placed below the patient's outer ear.

[0141] The drainage device 10 may have an output unit that outputs at least one of visual information, auditory information, and vibration information when the height of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 exceeds or falls below a predetermined level. This makes it easier for medical professionals to grasp the amount of cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 and to detect any abnormalities. Furthermore, this reduces the frequency with which medical professionals need to directly check the chamber 30, thereby reducing the burden on medical professionals.

[0142] Examples of the output unit include a terminal, a monitor, a light, a speaker, a vibrator, and the like.

[0143] The monitoring device 50 may have an output section.

[0144] The drainage device 10 may have an output located remotely from the monitoring device 50 and chamber 30 .

[0145] It is preferable to use a relay communication device that relays communication between the monitoring device 50 and the output unit, for the purposes of improving the connection status of communication between the output unit that outputs information regarding the accumulation status of cerebrospinal fluid 60a and the monitoring device 50, improving safety by multiplexing the connection, expanding the communication range, and reducing power consumption required for communication. As a relay communication device, for example, a device that secures power directly from an outlet in a hospital room, transmits and receives information regarding the accumulation status of cerebrospinal fluid 60a from the monitoring device 50 via Bluetooth (registered trademark), converts the information to Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication and transmits it to a remote terminal or another relay point, and simultaneously transmits information regarding the location of the monitoring device 50, can be used.

[0146] The first predetermined height is preferably located below the filter 33 and above the lower end of the chamber 30. By setting the first predetermined height below the filter 33, it is possible to easily detect when the liquid level has not yet reached the height at which the filter 33 is located. This makes it easier to prevent the filter 33 from clogging and causing over-drainage. It also makes it easier to prevent cerebrospinal fluid 60a from leaking beyond the filter 33 and through the air hole 32.

[0147] The first predetermined height is preferably located above the drip port 41. By setting the first predetermined height above the drip port 41, a relatively large amount of cerebrospinal fluid 60a can be stored in the chamber 30 before the cerebrospinal fluid 60a is detected. This makes it easier to reduce the number of times that medical personnel need to check the status inside the chamber 30.

[0148] The control unit 53 is preferably configured to issue a second signal when the level 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a falls below a second predetermined level, which is lower than the first predetermined level. If an incident occurs, such as when the patient removes the drainage catheter 45 inserted in the head or when the cerebrospinal fluid 60a leaks from an unintended location, the level 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 drops. Since the control unit 53 is configured to issue the second signal after the level 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 falls below the second predetermined level, medical personnel can be notified of the occurrence of such an incident when the second signal is issued. This makes it easier for medical personnel to reduce the number of times they need to check the level 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30.

[0149] The second predetermined height is preferably located below the drip port 41 and above the lower end of the chamber 30. By setting the second predetermined height below the drip port 41, it becomes easier to detect earlier a significant rise or fall in the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30, or a halt in the change in the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a.

[0150] 5 to 7 is preferably capable of storing cerebrospinal fluid 60a dripped from drip port 41 and is positioned above the patient's outer ear. By attaching a monitoring device 50 to this chamber 30, it is possible to monitor whether the height of a liquid surface 61 of cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 has reached or exceeded a first predetermined height. This makes it possible to detect situations such as over-drainage, removal of the drainage catheter 45 inserted in the patient's head, or leakage of cerebrospinal fluid 60a from an unintended location.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 8 , the drainage system 11 may have a first chamber 301 and a second chamber 302 as the chamber 30 capable of storing the cerebrospinal fluid 60a dripped from the drip port 41. More specifically, the drainage system 11 may have the first chamber 301 disposed above the patient's outer ear, and the second chamber 302 connected to the first chamber 301 and disposed below the patient's outer ear. By attaching a monitoring device 50 to the first chamber 301, it is possible to monitor whether the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the first chamber 301 has reached or exceeded a first predetermined height. This makes it possible to detect over-drainage, removal of the drainage catheter 45 inserted in the patient's head, or leakage of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a from an unintended location. By attaching the monitoring device 50 to the second chamber 302, it is possible to monitor whether the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the second chamber 302 has reached or exceeded a first predetermined height. This makes it possible to prevent the cerebrospinal fluid 60a from overflowing from the second chamber 302 and contaminating the floor of the hospital room.

[0152] For example, the upper light-emitting element 511 and the upper light-receiving element 512 may monitor whether the liquid level 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a has reached a first predetermined height or higher, and the lower light-emitting element 513 and the lower light-receiving element 514 may monitor whether the liquid level 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a has reached a second predetermined height or lower.

[0153] The drainage system 11 preferably includes an elongated member 75 having a scale 81 and extending in the vertical direction y. The elongated member 75 allows for easy adjustment, monitoring, and recording of the drainage rate of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a and the intraventricular pressure. The control unit 53 is preferably configured to determine a second height at which the sensor unit 51 and the chamber 30 should be positioned based on the amount of change in the height of the liquid surface 61 when the cerebrospinal fluid 60a is dripped for a first predetermined time while the sensor unit 51 and the chamber 30 are positioned at a first height. This allows a medical professional to determine the appropriate second height at which the chamber 30 should be positioned without having to perform calculations.

[0154] The second height may be calculated by a computer, or may be configured to derive a corresponding value from a database prepared in advance and stored in the memory unit 54.

[0155] In order to check the installation state and installation position of the chamber 30, the monitoring device 50 may have at least one of an air pressure sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a gyro sensor.

[0156] The drainage system 11 may have an output unit 55 that converts the first signal into at least one of visual information, auditory information, and vibration information and outputs the converted information, thereby making it easier for medical personnel to take prompt action.

[0157] Examples of the configuration of the output unit 55 that converts the first signal into visual information and outputs it include a terminal 65, a monitor, a light, and the like.

[0158] An example of the configuration of the output unit 55 that converts the first signal into auditory information and outputs it is a speaker.

[0159] An example of the configuration of the output unit 55 that converts the first signal into vibration information and outputs it is a vibrator.

[0160] The output unit 55 may convert the second signal into at least one of visual information, auditory information, and vibration information and output the converted signal, thereby making it easier for medical personnel to take prompt action.

[0161] As shown in FIG. 7, the monitoring device 50 may have an output unit 55 .

[0162] 5, the drainage system 11 may have an output unit 55 located at a position remote from the monitoring device 50 and the chamber 30. From the viewpoint of convenience, the output unit 55 is preferably a terminal 65 that converts the first signal into at least one of visual information, auditory information, and vibration information and outputs the converted information.

[0163] Examples of terminal 65 include a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet, a PHS, a mobile phone, a nurse call system, etc. As shown in Fig. 12, terminal 65 has a monitor 66, which preferably displays information related to the location where monitoring device 50 is located and / or information related to the patient on whose behalf monitoring device 50 is being used.

[0164] In addition to the above, the monitor 66 of the terminal 65 may display information relating to the retention status of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a from the monitoring device 50. For example, when a first signal is emitted, the monitor 66 may display information relating to the retention status of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a indicating that the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a has reached or exceeded a first predetermined height.

[0165] The information relating to the location where the monitoring device 50 is located is preferably the position of the monitoring device 50 shown on a map, or the name of the location where the monitoring device 50 is located. Examples of the name of the location where the monitoring device 50 is located include the room number or symbol of the hospital room where the monitoring device 50 is located, the name of the ward, the name of the room, or a combination of these.

[0166] A GPS sensor, Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), a magnetic sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or a combination of these can be used as a means for obtaining information regarding the location of the monitoring device 50.

[0167] The information relating to the patient using the monitoring device 50 may include the name, age, sex, name of the disease of the patient using the monitoring device 50, or a combination of these.

[0168] For the purposes of improving the connection status of communication between the monitoring device 50 and the output unit 55, which converts and outputs at least one of visual information, auditory information, and vibration information, improving safety by multiplexing the connection, expanding the communication range, and reducing power consumption required for communication, it is preferable to use a relay communication device that relays communication between the monitoring device 50 and the output unit 55. As the relay communication device, for example, a device that obtains power directly from an outlet in a hospital room, transmits and receives information regarding the accumulation status of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a from the monitoring device 50 (e.g., the first signal, the second signal, the level of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30, the amount of cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30, etc.) via Bluetooth (registered trademark), converts the information to Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication and transmits it to a remote terminal 65 or another relay point, and simultaneously transmits information regarding the location of the monitoring device 50 can be used.

[0169] Next, a method for monitoring the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside a chamber according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, the method for monitoring the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside a chamber may be simply referred to as a monitoring method. Note that the configuration of the drainage device according to the second embodiment of the present invention used in this monitoring method has already been described above, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0170] The method for monitoring the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside a chamber according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a method for monitoring the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside a chamber using a drainage device having a chamber capable of storing cerebrospinal fluid and a monitoring device that is detachable from the chamber and has a sensor unit that detects the presence of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber, and is characterized in that the sensor unit has a step of detecting the presence of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber.

[0171] In the monitoring method according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the drainage device 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above is used.

[0172] As shown in FIG. 11, the monitoring method includes a step in which the sensor unit 51 detects the presence of cerebrospinal fluid 60 a accumulated inside the chamber 30 .

[0173] The method for monitoring the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber includes a step in which the sensor unit 51 detects the presence of cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30, thereby making it possible to monitor the level 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30. This reduces the number of times that medical personnel have to check the status of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30, and also makes it easier to prevent delays in identifying abnormalities and treating them due to forgetting to check. This reduces the burden on medical personnel of the daily work of monitoring and adjusting the chamber 30 and the work of recording, and makes it possible to improve efficiency.

[0174] The drainage device 10 further includes a control unit 53, and preferably includes a step in which the control unit 53 compares the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 with a predetermined height. This makes it possible to monitor whether the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 has reached or exceeded the predetermined height or whether it has fallen below the predetermined height. This not only reduces the number of times that medical personnel need to check the status of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30, but also makes it easier to prevent delays in identifying abnormalities and treating them due to forgetting to check.

[0175] 7, the control unit 53 may be provided in the monitoring device 50. Although not shown, the control unit 53 may be provided in an apparatus provided in the drainage device 10, separate from the chamber 30 and the monitoring device 50.

[0176] The predetermined height may be stored in, for example, the memory unit 54 shown in Fig. 7. Although not shown, a device included in the drainage device 10, separate from the chamber 30 and the monitoring device 50, may have a memory unit 54, and the memory unit 54 may store the predetermined height.

[0177] The predetermined height preferably includes a first predetermined height, and the control unit 53 is configured to determine whether the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 is equal to or greater than the first predetermined height. By determining whether the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 is equal to or greater than the first predetermined height, the control unit 53 can monitor the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 to prevent it from exceeding the first predetermined height, thereby preventing over-drainage. This makes it easier to reduce the number of times medical personnel need to check the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30.

[0178] The monitoring method may further include a step of outputting at least one of visual information, auditory information, and vibration information. For example, it is preferable that the control unit 53 is configured to output at least one of visual information, auditory information, and vibration information when the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 is equal to or higher than a first predetermined height. This allows medical personnel to respond only when the information is output, thereby making it easier to reduce the number of times that medical personnel need to check the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30.

[0179] Preferably, the predetermined height includes a second predetermined height that is lower than the first predetermined height, and the control unit 53 is configured to determine whether the height of the liquid level 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated in the chamber 30 is equal to or less than the second predetermined height. By determining whether the height of the liquid level 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 is equal to or less than the second predetermined height, the control unit 53 can monitor the height of the liquid level 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 to ensure that it does not fall below the second predetermined height. This makes it easier to detect a drop in the liquid level, which may indicate an incident such as the patient removing the drainage catheter 45 inserted in the head or the cerebrospinal fluid 60a leaking from an unintended location. This makes it easier for medical personnel to reduce the number of times they need to check the height of the liquid level 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30.

[0180] The monitoring method may further include a step of outputting at least one of visual information, auditory information, and vibration information. For example, it is preferable that the control unit 53 is configured to output at least one of visual information, auditory information, and vibration information when the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30 is equal to or lower than a second predetermined height. This allows medical personnel to respond only when the information is output, thereby reducing the number of times that medical personnel need to check the height of the liquid surface 61 of the cerebrospinal fluid 60a accumulated inside the chamber 30.

[0181] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2023-204380 and 2023-204381, filed on December 4, 2023. The entire contents of the specifications of Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2023-204380 and 2023-204381, filed on December 4, 2023, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0182] 10: Drainage device 11: Drainage system 20: Drainage circuit 30: Chamber 301: First chamber 302: Second chamber 31: Inlet 32: Air hole 33: Filter 34: Outlet 35: Opening 35a: Tubular portion 36: Handle 40: Body fluid inlet path 40a: Inlet path 41: Drip port 42: Bent portion 43: Disk member 45: Drainage catheter 50: Monitoring device 501: First arm portion 502: Second arm portion 503: Point of force portion 504: Opening / closing portion 504a: First tip portion 504b: Second tip portion 505: Fulcrum portion 51: Sensor portion 51a: Light-emitting element 51b: Light-receiving element 511: Upper light-emitting element 512: Upper light-receiving element 513: Lower light-emitting element 514: Lower light-receiving element 515: Distance sensor 52: Opening 52a: Visible portion 53: Control unit 54: Memory unit 55: Output unit 60: Body fluid 60a: Cerebrospinal fluid 61: Liquid surface 62: Liquid droplet 65: Terminal 66: Monitor 70: Clamp 75: Elongated member 80: Drainage bag 81: Scale 82: Air hole 83: Filter 84: Handle hole 85: Recess 90: Living body

Claims

1. A drainage device having a drainage circuit and a monitoring device for the drainage circuit, wherein the drainage circuit has a chamber capable of storing bodily fluid, and a bodily fluid inlet passage disposed within the chamber and having a drip port for dripping bodily fluid into the chamber, and the monitoring device has a sensor unit configured to detect the presence of bodily fluid in the chamber in an area above the drip port.

2. The drainage device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor portion is positioned above the drip port.

3. A drainage device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor unit detects droplets and / or the liquid level of bodily fluid in the chamber.

4. A drainage device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the monitoring device is detachable from the drainage circuit.

5. A drainage device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the monitoring device has an opening through which the inside of the chamber can be viewed from outside the monitoring device.

6. A drainage device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the bodily fluid introduction path is connected to the living body side via a drainage catheter.

7. A drainage device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the chamber has an air hole above the drip port.

8. The drainage device of claim 7, wherein the drainage circuit includes a filter disposed in the air hole.

9. The drainage device of claim 8, wherein the sensor portion is configured to detect the presence of bodily fluid in the chamber in an area above the drip port and below the filter.

10. A drainage device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the chamber has an inlet through which the bodily fluid inlet path is introduced below the drip port.

11. A drainage device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the bodily fluid introduction path has a bent portion above the drip port.

12. A drainage device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the drainage circuit has a disk member located above the drip port of the body fluid introduction path and in the vicinity of the drip port.

13. A monitoring device for a drainage circuit, the drainage circuit having a chamber capable of storing bodily fluid, and a bodily fluid inlet path disposed within the chamber and having a drip port for dripping bodily fluid into the chamber, the monitoring device being detachable from the chamber, the monitoring device having a sensor unit, and the sensor unit being configured to detect the presence of bodily fluid in the chamber in an area above the drip port.

14. The monitoring device according to claim 13, wherein the sensor portion is positioned above the drip port.

15. A monitoring device as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the sensor unit detects droplets and / or the liquid level of the bodily fluid within the chamber.

16. A monitoring device as described in claim 13 or 14, having an opening through which the inside of the chamber can be viewed from outside the monitoring device when the monitoring device is attached to the chamber.

17. A drainage device having a chamber capable of storing cerebrospinal fluid, and a monitoring device having a sensor unit that detects the presence of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber and that is detachable from the chamber.

18. The drainage device according to claim 17, wherein the sensor portion detects liquid droplets and / or a liquid level.

19. The drainage device according to claim 17, further comprising an introduction passage disposed inside the chamber and having a drip port for dripping cerebrospinal fluid.

20. The drainage device of claim 19, wherein the monitoring device is mounted above the drip port.

21. The drainage device of claim 19, wherein the monitoring device is attached below the drip port.

22. A drainage device as described in claim 19, wherein the chamber has an air hole above the drip port that connects the outside of the chamber with the inside of the chamber, a filter is disposed in the air hole, and the monitoring device is attached below the filter and above the lower end of the chamber.

23. A drainage device as described in claim 19, wherein the sensor portion includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element that receives light emitted by the light-emitting element, and the monitoring device is attached to the chamber so that the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are positioned below the drip port.

24. A drainage device as described in claim 19, comprising an elongated member having a scale and extending vertically, the chamber being capable of being moved vertically relative to the elongated member, and cerebrospinal fluid being dripped from the drip port by positioning the chamber at a predetermined height in the vertical direction relative to the elongated member.

25. A drainage device as described in claim 17, wherein the monitoring device has a portion between the upper end and the lower end of the monitoring device that enables the storage status of cerebrospinal fluid inside the chamber to be visually observed when the monitoring device is attached to the chamber.

26. The drainage device of claim 17, wherein the monitoring device has a first arm portion and a second arm portion, and when the monitoring device is attached to the chamber, the chamber is located between the first arm portion and the second arm portion.

27. The drainage device according to claim 26, wherein the first arm portion or the second arm portion is provided with a distance sensor for detecting whether or not the first arm portion is in contact with the chamber.

28. The drainage device according to claim 26, wherein the first arm portion or the second arm portion is provided with a distance sensor that detects the distance to the second arm portion or the first arm portion.

29. The drainage device described in claim 17, wherein the monitoring device has a force point portion to which an external force is applied, an opening / closing portion having a first tip portion and a second tip portion that abut against the force point portion when no external force is applied and that are separated when an external force is applied to the force point portion, and a fulcrum portion that serves as a fulcrum when the opening / closing portion is opened and closed.

30. A method for monitoring the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside a chamber using a drainage device having a chamber capable of storing cerebrospinal fluid and a monitoring device having a sensor unit that detects the presence of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber and that is detachable from the chamber, wherein the method for monitoring the level of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber includes a step in which the sensor unit detects the presence of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber.

31. The monitoring method according to claim 30, wherein the drainage device has a control unit, and the control unit has a step of comparing the height of the cerebrospinal fluid level accumulated inside the chamber with a predetermined height.

32. The monitoring method described in claim 31, wherein the predetermined height includes a first predetermined height, and the control unit determines whether the height of the cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber is equal to or higher than the first predetermined height.

33. The monitoring method described in claim 32, wherein the predetermined height includes a second predetermined height lower than the first predetermined height, and the control unit determines whether the height of the cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber is equal to or lower than the second predetermined height.

34. A drainage system comprising: a chamber capable of storing cerebrospinal fluid; a monitoring device detachable from the chamber and having a sensor unit for detecting the level of the cerebrospinal fluid accumulated inside the chamber; and a control unit configured to emit a first signal when the level of the fluid reaches or exceeds a first predetermined level.

35. The drainage system according to claim 34, further comprising an introduction passage disposed inside the chamber and having a drip port for dripping cerebrospinal fluid.

36. A drainage system as described in claim 35, wherein the chamber has an air hole above the drip port that connects the outside of the chamber with the inside of the chamber, a filter is disposed in the air hole, and the first predetermined height is located below the filter and above the lower end of the chamber.

37. The drainage system of claim 34, wherein the drainage system has a vertically extending elongated member having a scale, and the control unit is configured to determine a second height at which to position the sensor unit and the chamber based on the amount of change in the height of the liquid surface when cerebrospinal fluid is dripped for a first predetermined period of time with the sensor unit and the chamber positioned at a first height.

38. A drainage system as described in any one of claims 34 to 37, wherein the monitoring device has an output unit, and the output unit converts the first signal into at least one of visual information, auditory information, and vibration information and outputs the converted information.

39. The drainage system according to any one of claims 34 to 37, further comprising an output unit located away from the monitoring device and the chamber, the output unit being a terminal that converts the first signal into at least one of visual information, auditory information and vibration information and outputs the converted information.

40. A drainage system as described in claim 39, wherein the terminal has a monitor, the monitor displaying information regarding the location where the monitoring device is located and / or information regarding the patient with whom the monitoring device is being used.

Images