Undressing sensor device and undressing detection method using same

Abstract

Provided is an undressing sensor device and an undressing detection method using the same which enable early detection of discomfort of a nursing-care recipient and a risk behavior such as an undressing behavior associated with the discomfort, in order to realize care without restraint even by a small number of human resources. In order to solve this problem, the present invention comprises: a waist belt 3 that is attached to a nursing-care recipient 110; an undressing sensor unit 4 that detects stretching and / or detachment of the waist belt 3; and a notification unit 7 that gives a notification to a nursing-care giver when the undressing sensor unit 4 detects stretching and / or detachment of the waist belt 3. An undressing sensor device 2 comprises: a storage unit 6 that stores a notification threshold value or pattern data of an act of undressing; and an undressing determination unit 5 that, when the stretching and / or the detachment of the waist belt 3 is detected, compares detection data of the undressing sensor unit 4 with the notification threshold value or the pattern data of the act of undressing and determines whether or not it is the act of undressing. The undressing detection method carries out: a step for attaching the undressing sensor device; a step for activating the undressing sensor unit; a step for detecting an act of undressing; and a step for giving a notification.

Description

Undressing sensor device and undressing detection method using the same

[0001] The present invention relates to an undressing sensor device that detects and prevents undressing behavior by patients or care recipients in medical care or nursing care, and to an undressing detection method using the same.

[0002] In clinical and nursing dementia care settings, it is known that physical restraints using restraint belts, mittens, etc. not only cause a decline in the physical and mental functions of the person receiving care, but also have a negative psychological and social impact on the caregivers, including their family members and staff involved, and efforts are underway to achieve zero physical restraints.

[0003] However, care recipients with impaired cognitive function engage in so-called risk behaviors such as undressing, removing diapers, and playing with their feces, and urinating while undressed makes it difficult for care recipients to maintain cleanliness and increases discomfort, while also placing a heavy burden on nurses and caregivers, such as assisting with changing clothes and changing sheets. Preventing this without physical restraints requires more manpower to guide users to excretion and increase patrol time, as well as to quickly notice discomfort in users that leads to risky behaviors such as undressing.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2021-163106 A) discloses a diaper change monitoring system that includes an RFID tag attached to a disposable diaper of a care recipient, a reader that reads information written in an IC chip of the RFID tag, and an external device that records a value calculated from the information read by the reader and performs predetermined processing. The reader acquires the information written in the IC chip when the disposable diaper is not wet, and calculates the time required for changing the disposable diaper as the time from the first time point to the second time point, where the time when the information reading is interrupted is defined as a first time point when the disposable diaper needs to be changed, and the time when information is acquired from the IC chip attached to a new disposable diaper after the disposable diaper change is defined as a second time point when the disposable diaper change is completed.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent No. 6929501) discloses a wetness detection sensor for detecting wetness of a urine absorption pad or diaper, in which a first electrode and either a urine absorption pad and a urine absorption pad cover, a urine absorption pad and a diaper, a urine absorption pad, a diaper and a diaper cover, a diaper, or a diaper and a diaper cover are worn on the human body in this order, and the human body-side electrode that is electrically connected to the human body is a second electrode opposite the first electrode, and the wetness detection sensor, wetness alarm device, and wetness leakage detection method are characterized by a capacitor structure.

[0006] JP 2021-163106 A Patent No. 6929501 A

[0007] The disposable diaper changing time monitoring system of Patent Document 1 must take into account various variables, such as weather changes, changes in food and drink intake and amounts, and changes in the care recipient's physical condition, in order to more accurately calculate the time required for disposable diaper changing. Because the caregiver only notices when the disposable diaper is wet, it is not possible to detect risky behaviors, such as undressing beforehand. It is also not possible to prevent stool play or defecation after undressing.

[0008] The wetness detection sensor, wetness alarm device, and wetness leakage detection method of Patent Document 2 are also designed so that the caregiver recognizes when a diaper, urine absorption pad, etc. detects wetness, and are unable to detect the risky behavior.

[0009] As Japan's society ages, there is a shortage of caregivers. It has been difficult for hospitals and nursing care facilities to provide non-constraint care with a limited number of staff. This problem is even more serious in home care. In light of this situation, the present invention aims to provide an undressing sensor device that enables early detection of discomfort in care recipients and associated risk behaviors, such as undressing behavior, and an undressing detection method using the device, in order to provide non-constraint care with a limited number of staff.

[0010] The present invention relates to an undressing sensor device comprising a waist belt that can be wrapped around the waist of a person being cared for, an undressing sensor unit that detects at least one of the stretching and detachment of the waist belt, and an alarm unit that alerts a caregiver when the undressing sensor unit detects at least one of the stretching and detachment of the waist belt.

[0011] The waist belt is wrapped around the waist of the care recipient and is deformed to a state where the waist circumference is stretched or the loop around the waist is separated when the care recipient begins to undress. The waist belt has a size and shape that allows it to be wrapped around the waist of the care recipient and can be either stretchable or non-stretchable in the waist circumference direction. The waist belt has a flexibility that does not impart unnecessary stress to the care recipient's body. The waist belt can be made of a breathable, stretchable mesh material, such as a bandage or surgical tape. The waist belt can be disposable and can be replaced with a new one after a single use or after multiple uses (e.g., one week).

[0012] The undressing sensor detects at least one of the extension and detachment of the waist belt. The undressing sensor may, for example, have a pair of electrodes to which power is applied. When the waist belt is worn, the electrodes are connected to conduct electricity, and when the waist belt is extended or detached, the electrodes are separated and power is cut off. The undressing sensor may also be an electromagnetic inductor with a magnet disposed at the center of a coil. When the waist belt is worn, the electromagnetic inductor does not generate power, but generates power when the waist belt is extended or detached. The undressing sensor may be disposable and replaced with a new one after a single use or after a number of uses (e.g., one week).

[0013] The undressing sensor may be a variable resistor with a rod-shaped slider electrode disposed at the center of a cylindrical resistor, with power applied between the resistor and the slider electrode, with the resistance being minimum when the waist belt is worn and the resistance being maximum or the slider electrode being detached from the resistor, thereby cutting off current when the waist belt is stretched or detached. The undressing sensor may be a strain gauge or strain sensor capable of detecting the stretching or detachment of the waist belt.

[0014] The undressing sensor unit may have a plurality of switches aligned in the direction of extension / retraction of the waist belt and a switch operating unit that sequentially closes / opens the switches as the waist belt extends or retracts, and the switch operating unit closes or opens a number of switches corresponding to the degree of extension of the waist belt and opens or closes a number of switches corresponding to the degree of contraction (shape restoration) of the waist belt, and when the waist belt is released, all of the switches are closed or opened. The undressing determiner may have a counting circuit that counts the number of open or closed switches of the undressing sensor unit and determine whether the waist belt is being extended or released and whether undressing is occurring based on the number of open or closed switches.

[0015] The undressing sensor units can be multiple (at least three) scattered around the waist of the care recipient. The undressing sensor units can be arranged on the left flank, front abdomen, and right flank of the care recipient's waist. Arrangement on the left flank shows the highest detection rate, followed by arrangement on the front abdomen. Arrangement on the right flank and front abdomen shows the lowest false alarm rate. To increase the detection rate, priority can be given to detection data from the left flank and front abdomen, and to reduce the false alarm rate, priority can be given to detection data from the right flank and front abdomen.

[0016] The undressing sensor unit can be placed on one of the left flank, front abdomen, or right flank around the waist of the care recipient. To increase the detection rate, it is placed on the left flank. To reduce the false alarm rate, it can be placed on the right flank or front abdomen.

[0017] The undressing sensor unit may be placed on the left flank and front abdomen of the care recipient around the waist, which allows for a higher detection rate of undressing behavior than detection data from the right flank. The undressing sensor unit may be placed on the left flank of the care recipient around the waist, which allows for a higher detection rate of undressing behavior than detection data from the front abdomen.

[0018] The undressing sensor unit may be located on at least one of the right flank or the front abdomen of the care recipient around the waist, which can reduce the false alarm rate for undressing activities more than the detection data on the left abdomen.

[0019] The notification unit may be configured to notify the caregiver when the undressing sensor detects that the care recipient is undressing, thereby enabling the caregiver to take action before the care recipient engages in risky behavior. The notification unit may be configured to notify the caregiver when the undressing sensor detects at least one of stretching and detachment of the waist belt. The notification unit may be configured to notify the caregiver when the undressing determination unit determines that the care recipient is undressing.

[0020] In the present invention, the waist belt and / or the undressing sensor may be provided with a joint that connects to the care recipient's clothing. Such a joint allows the undressing sensor, particularly the waist belt and the undressing sensor, to be integrated with the care recipient, eliminating the risk of the undressing sensor, particularly the waist belt, being left behind when the care recipient undresses or uses the toilet.

[0021] The connecting portion may be a magnetic member that can be attached to a magnetic member (e.g., a magnetic clip) attached to the care recipient's clothing, or may be a hook-and-loop fastener, clip, or hook that can be attached and detached to the care recipient's clothing. The connecting portion may be a magnetic member attached to the care recipient's clothing and a magnetic member attached to the waist belt and / or the undressing sensor. The connecting portion may be attached to the undressing sensor, the waist belt, or both. The connecting portion may be located on the front side of the care recipient's waist, near the undressing sensor, or in other locations, preferably at two or more locations around the care recipient's waist.

[0022] The present invention relates to an undressing sensor device that has a memory unit that stores pattern data or an alarm threshold for undressing activities, and an undressing determination unit that determines whether or not an undressing activity is occurring based on the detection data of the undressing sensor unit when at least one of stretching or removal of the waist belt is detected, wherein the undressing determination unit compares the detection data of the undressing sensor unit with the pattern data or alarm threshold for undressing activities, and determines that an undressing activity is occurring if there is a high degree of similarity with the pattern data or if the alarm threshold is reached, and when the undressing determination unit determines that an undressing activity is occurring, the alarm unit alerts the caregiver.

[0023] The memory unit stores pattern data of undressing activities detected by the undressing sensor unit. The pattern data can be data acquired from multiple people, data acquired from a care recipient, or standard data obtained from data acquired from multiple people. The pattern data of undressing activities can be voltage waveform data detected during undressing activities. The notification threshold can be data acquired from multiple people, data acquired from a care recipient, or standard threshold data obtained from data acquired from multiple people. The notification threshold can be a specific voltage value detected during undressing activities. The memory unit can be non-volatile memory, flash memory, a memory card, USB memory, RAM, ROM, HDD, SSD, etc.

[0024] The undressing determination unit compares detection data detected from the care recipient by the undressing sensor unit with pattern data of undressing behaviors stored in the memory unit to determine whether or not the care recipient is undressing. The undressing determination unit can compare detection data obtained from the care recipient's initial movements of the risky behavior with the pattern data of undressing behaviors stored in the memory unit to determine whether or not the care recipient is undressing at all stages leading up to the risky behavior. The undressing determination unit can be a microcomputer or other CPU equipped with software including an undressing determination program, a transmission / reception program, etc.

[0025] The present invention relates to an undressing sensor device in which the undressing sensor unit comprises a pair of electrodes provided on each end of the waist belt, a power source for applying a voltage between the pair of electrodes, and a voltmeter for detecting the voltage between the pair of electrodes, and both of the pair of electrodes are provided with magnetically attached portions having different magnetic polarities, and even if at least one of the waist belt being stretched or detached is detected, the pair of electrodes are reconnected if undressing does not occur.

[0026] The pair of electrodes has a detachable portion between it and the waist belt, and can be detachably attached to the waist belt. The power source applies a voltage between the pair of electrodes via a resistor. The voltmeter measures the voltage between the pair of electrodes. The power source and voltmeter can be integrated with the waist belt. The power source and voltmeter can be detachably attached to the waist belt. The power source and voltmeter can be wired and connected by a harness extending from the pair of electrodes.

[0027] The magnetic attachment unit applies a constant adhesive force between the pair of electrodes. The undressing sensor unit detects the voltage between the pair of electrodes, and when risky behavior is detected, the electrodes separate and the voltage becomes zero. If the subject does not undress, the magnetic attachment unit attracts the pair of electrodes together to restore the voltage. The undressing sensor unit determines that the subject is in the initial state of risky behavior when the pair of electrodes repeatedly separate and connect at short intervals two or more times. The undressing sensor unit can be configured to determine that the subject is undressed when the pair of electrodes separate and the voltage remains zero for a certain period of time (e.g., one to two minutes).

[0028] The magnetically attracted portion attracts the pair of electrodes with a constant attractive force. The magnetically attracted portion can be a permanent magnet with different magnetic poles arranged around the pair of electrodes. The magnetically attracted portion can be formed by applying magnetic forces with different magnetic poles to each of the pair of electrodes. The magnetically attracted portion can be an electromagnet.

[0029] The present invention relates to an undressing sensor device in which the notification unit includes a transmission module that outputs at least one of the detection data of the undressing sensor unit or the judgment signal of the undressing judgment unit, a control terminal that receives the output signal of the transmission module and outputs a notification, and a man-machine interface that receives the notification output from the control terminal.

[0030] The transmission module outputs at least one of the detection data from the undressing sensor unit and the determination signal from the undressing determiner to at least the control terminal. The transmission module can communicate with both the undressing determiner and the control terminal via wired or wireless communication. The transmission module can communicate between the undressing determiner and the control terminal via at least one relay station.

[0031] The control terminal outputs the determination information of the undressing determination unit received from the transmission module via a man-machine interface. The control terminal can process and store the data received from the transmission module. The control terminal can have software that controls the undressing sensor device of the present invention. The control terminal can be connected to a storage device, server, the Internet, cloud services, etc., and can store and analyze data.

[0032] The man-machine interface can be a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a telephone, a display, a speaker, a display panel, a nurse call system, or the like that notifies a caregiver of the occurrence of risky behavior.

[0033] The present invention relates to an undressing sensor device that includes a surveillance camera that captures images of the care recipient, a database that communicates with the control terminal and stores the ID data of the care recipient, and software that links at least one of the detection data of the undressing sensor unit or the judgment signal of the undressing judgment unit, together with its time information, to the ID data of the care recipient and stores them in the database, and further links the ID data, time information, the detection data of the undressing sensor unit or the judgment signal of the undressing judgment unit, the time information, and the ID data to image data from the surveillance camera for several tens of seconds before and after the detection of stretching or detachment of the waist belt and stores them in the database.

[0034] The ID data of the care recipient is information that identifies or specifies the individual care recipient. For example, it can include information such as name, age, sex, blood type, room number, bed number, and medical record number. The database communicates with the control terminal, analyzes, and stores the data. The surveillance camera constantly captures the care recipient and outputs the recorded images according to the software. The surveillance camera has memory and can overwrite recordings at regular intervals.

[0035] The present invention relates to an undressing detection method using the undressing sensor device, which includes a wearing step in which the undressing sensor unit is placed on at least one of the right flank or front abdomen around the waist of the care recipient and the waist belt is wrapped around the waist of the care recipient and worn by the care recipient; an activation step in which the undressing sensor unit is activated; a detection step in which the undressing sensor unit detects at least one of the stretching and detachment of the waist belt; and an alarm step in which the alarm unit outputs an alarm signal if the detection step detects an undressing activity.

[0036] In the wearing step, the waist belt is worn around the waist of the care recipient. For example, the caregiver wears the waist belt around the waist of the care recipient. If improving the detection rate or reducing the false alarm rate is not a consideration, the undressing sensor unit can be freely placed on any of the front abdomen, right flank, or left flank of the care recipient. When the undressing sensor unit is placed on at least one of the left flank or front abdomen of the care recipient, the detection rate of undressing activities is higher than when it is placed on the right flank. When the undressing sensor unit is placed on the left flank of the care recipient, the detection rate can be further increased compared to when it is placed on the front abdomen. When the undressing sensor unit is placed on at least one of the right flank or front abdomen of the care recipient, the false alarm rate of undressing activities can be further reduced compared to when it is placed on the left flank.

[0037] The activation step activates the undressing sensor device after the wearing step. The caregiver can activate the undressing sensor device by operating an activation switch provided on the waist removal belt, the clothing sensor unit, the alarm unit, or another location. In the activation step, the undressing sensor device can be remotely activated by the control terminal or man-machine interface. The control terminal or man-machine interface can be a smartphone or mobile terminal carried by the caregiver, or a terminal device such as a computer or nurse call master unit installed in a caregiver's waiting room, such as a nurse (staff) station.

[0038] In the detection step, the undressing sensor detects at least one of the waist belt being stretched or removed. In the notification step, when the detection step detects an undressing activity, the notification unit outputs a notification signal. The undressing sensor communicates with the notification unit via wired or wireless communication, and the notification unit further outputs a notification signal to the control terminal or man-machine interface.

[0039] The present invention relates to an undressing detection method that uses the undressing sensor device, which includes a detection step in which the undressing sensor unit detects at least one of stretching and detachment of the waist belt, an undressing determination step in which the undressing determination unit determines whether or not the activity is undressing if the undressing sensor unit detects at least one of stretching and detachment in the detection step, and an alarm step in which the alarm unit outputs an alarm signal if the undressing determination unit determines that the activity is undressing in the undressing determination step.

[0040] In the undressing determination step, if the undressing sensor detects at least one of stretching and undressing in the detection step, the undressing determiner determines whether the activity is undressing. If the undressing determiner determines that the activity is undressing in the undressing determination step, the undressing determiner outputs undressing activity determination information to the notification unit.

[0041] In the notification step, if the undressing determiner determines that the subject is undressing in the undressing determination step, the notification unit outputs a notification signal. The undressing determiner communicates with the notification unit via wired or wireless communication, and the notification unit further outputs a notification signal to the control terminal or man-machine interface.

[0042] The undressing sensor device and undressing detection method of the present invention enable non-constraint care with a small number of caregivers. It also provides undressing sensor technology that enables early detection of discomfort in the care recipient and associated risk behaviors, such as undressing. In particular, the undressing sensor device of the present invention can be worn as a waist belt, allowing it to be used without restricting the user's clothing.

[0043] (A) Block diagram of undressing notification system 1, (B) Conceptual diagram of undressing notification system 1. (A) Conceptual circuit diagram of undressing notification system 1, (B) Perspective diagram showing main parts of undressing sensor device 2. Photographs showing main parts of undressing sensor device 2: (A) Photograph of undressing sensor unit 4 (back side of electrodes), (B) Photograph of undressing sensor unit 4 (pair of electrodes), (C) Photograph of waist belt 3 and undressing sensor unit 4 in disassembled state, (D) to (H) Photographs of waist belt 3 with undressing sensor unit 4 attached. (J) Photograph of the undressing sensor device 2. Photographs showing the undressing sensor device 2 attached to a care recipient 110: (A) Photograph of the waist belt 3 wrapped around the waist 111, (B) to (D) Photographs of the undressing sensor unit 4 (pair of electrodes) combined, (E) to (F) Photographs of the waist belt 4 wrapped around the waist of a care garment 112. Examples of detected voltage waveforms: (A) Voltage waveform detected during undressing, (B) Voltage waveform detected during undressing. Modified versions of the undressing sensor device 2: (A) Perspective view of a modified version of the undressing sensor unit 4 (pair of electrodes 43), (B) Perspective view of a modified version of the waist belt 3. Still another modified version of the undressing sensor device 2: (A) Perspective view showing the main parts of the undressing sensor device 2, (B) Photograph showing the device attached to a care garment 112. Flowchart showing the undressing detection method of the present invention.

[0044] An undressing sensor device according to this embodiment of the present invention and an undressing detection method using the same will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The undressing sensor device 2 of the present invention includes a waist belt 3 that can be worn by wrapping it around the waist 111 of a care recipient 110, an undressing sensor unit 4 that detects at least one of stretching and detachment of the waist belt 3, and an alarm unit 7 that alerts a caregiver when the undressing sensor unit 4 detects at least one of stretching and detachment of the waist belt 3. This embodiment particularly includes a memory unit 6 that stores undressing activity pattern data or an alarm threshold, and an undressing determination unit 5 that, when at least one of stretching and detachment of the waist belt 3 is detected, compares the detection data of the undressing sensor unit 4 with the undressing activity pattern data or the alarm threshold to determine whether or not an undressing activity is occurring.

[0045] As shown in Figures 2(B), 3(A) to 3(J), and 4(A) to 4(F), the waist belt 3 is sized to be longer than the waist 111 of the care recipient 110 and comprises a base band 30 and an anti-slip sheet 31 that is overlaid and integrated onto the surface of the base band 30 that contacts the waist 111. The base band 30 is made of an elastic, stretchable, and flexible band material, such as surgical tape. The anti-slip sheet 31 is made of a high-friction, flexible sheet material such as soft rubber or synthetic resin, and may have an uneven surface that contacts the waist 111. One end of the waist belt 3 is a detachable end 32, and the other end opposite the detachable end 32, which overlaps with the detachable end 32 when the waist belt 3 is looped, has a waist size adjustment range 34.

[0046] The back surface of the detachable end 32 and the front surface of the size adjustment area 34 have hook-and-loop fasteners 33, which are a male-female combination. The back surface near the detachable end 32 has hook-and-loop fasteners 33 for attaching electrodes of the undressing sensor unit 4. The non-slip sheet 31 exposed on the back surface of the waist belt 3 excluding the hook-and-loop fasteners 33 increases friction with the clothing 112 of the care recipient 110 (nursing wear, pants, diaper, etc.). The hook-and-loop fasteners 33 can also be removably attached to the base band 30 (surgical tape), in which case the hook-and-loop fasteners 33 are not required on the base band 30 (the front surface).

[0047] The undressing sensor unit 4 has a pair of pole bases 40. The pair of pole bases 40 are set shorter than the dimensional adjustment range 34 and are made of hook-and-loop fasteners that can be attached and detached to the hook-and-loop fasteners 33 (and the surgical tape of the base material band 30) on the front and back surfaces. The electrode surface of each pole base 40 opposite the fastener surface of the hook-and-loop fastener is a magnetically attached portion 41 to which a flexible magnetic sheet (permanent magnet) is affixed. The electrode surfaces of the pair of pole bases 40 are attracted to each other by the magnetically attached portions 41 of different magnetic poles.

[0048] The pair of pole bases 40 have an exposed conductive film 42 made of aluminum tape midway through each magnetically attached portion 41, and each conductive film 42 has an electrode 43 that penetrates the pole base 40 and magnetically attached portion 41 in the thickness direction and has a connection plug 44 exposed on the fastener surface side. Terminals 46 of detection harnesses 45 are detachably connected to the connection plugs 44 of the pair of electrodes 43. The terminals 46 of each detection harness 45 are sandwiched between the hook-and-loop fastener of each pole base 40 and the dimensional adjustment range 34 of the waist belt 3 that are attached thereto and each hook-and-loop fastener 33 for attaching the electrodes.

[0049] The base ends of the pair of detection harnesses 45 opposite to the terminals 46 are connected to a sensor unit 47. The sensor unit 47 has a built-in power supply and a voltmeter. The sensor unit 47 is connected to a transmission module 48 by wire or wirelessly. The transmission module 48 has a built-in transceiver.

[0050] The pair of detection harnesses 45 and the sensor unit 47 may be integrated into the waist belt 3, and the sensor unit 47 and the transmission module 48 may communicate wirelessly. The pair of detection harnesses 45, the sensor unit 47, and the transmission module 48 may be integrated into the waist belt 3. The pair of detection harnesses 45, the sensor unit 47, the transmission module 48, and the control terminal 70 may be integrated into the waist belt 3.

[0051] In addition to the transceiver, the transmission module 48 includes an undressing assessment unit 5 and a memory unit 6. The memory unit 6 can be a memory that stores undressing activity pattern data or a notification threshold. The memory can be rewritten to update the undressing activity pattern data or notification threshold with the latest information or information that corresponds to the specifications of the undressing sensor unit 4, the mounting position, and other usage conditions. The undressing assessment unit 5 can be a microcomputer and software that compares the detection data from the undressing sensor unit 4 with the undressing activity pattern data or notification threshold stored in the memory 60, and determines that undressing activity is occurring if the data is highly similar to the pattern data or if the notification threshold is reached, and outputs a detection signal.

[0052] The notification unit 7 has the transmission module 48 and a control terminal 70 or man-machine interface 71 capable of communicating with the transmission module 48. The control terminal 70 can be a desktop PC, notebook PC, tablet PC, or the like that can be operated by the caregiver or an administrator of the undressing sensor device 2. The man-machine interface 71 can be a smartphone, tablet PC, mobile phone, or other portable terminal used by the caregiver. The man-machine interface 71 has the functions of the control terminal 70 and can also serve as the control terminal 70, in which case the control terminal 70 is unnecessary.

[0053] The undressing sensor device 2 includes a monitoring camera 8 that captures images of the care recipient 110. The monitoring camera 8 includes a control unit, memory, and transceiver that continuously records the care recipient 110 and periodically overwrites the image data. When the control terminal 70 receives a notification of the care recipient 110's undressing behavior from the transmission module 48 in accordance with the installed software, it receives image data from the memory of the monitoring camera 8 via the transceiver. The control terminal 70 includes a transceiver, and communication between the control terminal 70 and the transmission module 48 and the monitoring camera 8 can be established via a wireless repeater (e.g., Wi-Fi) 72 or a wired connection. The software can be replaced with a control circuit such as a photorelay or sequential control circuit. The image data can be used to observe triggers for undressing and defecation behavior and to improve future preventive care.

[0054] The undressing sensor device 2 can be part of an undressing notification system 1. In addition to the undressing sensor device 2, the undressing notification system 1 includes an external storage device 10, such as a server 11, a database 12, and an internet cloud 13, connected to the control terminal 70. The undressing notification system 1 includes a nurse call system (nurse call controller, transceiver) 14 between the control terminal 70 of the notification unit 7 of the undressing sensor device 2 and a man-machine interface 71, so that notifications from the control terminal 70 can be received by the man-machine interface 71 via the nurse call system 14.

[0055] 2A, the undressing notification system 1 may include, for example, a transmission module 48 (sensor unit 47, undressing sensor section 4) of the undressing sensor device 2, which are connected to a bus 15 by wire or wirelessly, a control terminal 70, a man-machine interface (mobile terminal) 71, a microcomputer, memory, and a monitoring camera 8. The bus 15 may also be connected to a server 11, an external storage device 10 such as a cloud 13 on the Internet, and a nurse call system 14.

[0056] 1(B), 2(B), 3(A) to 3(J), and 4(A) to 4(F), when the waist belt 3 is worn around the waist 111 of the care recipient 110, the terminals 46 of the detection harnesses 45 are connected to the connection plugs 44 of the electrodes 43 of each pole base 40 of the pair of undressing sensors 4. The pole bases 40 (hook and loop fasteners) of each undressing sensor 4 are attached to the hook and loop fasteners 33 of the waist belt 3. The undressing sensor 4 worn within the size adjustment range 34 is moved along the length of the waist belt 3 to adjust the size around the waist 111 of the care recipient 110, so that the conductive films 42 of the pair of undressing sensors 4 overlap without misalignment and the magnetic portions 41 are attracted to each other. 4(A), (B), (D), and (F), when the magnetically attached portions 41 are attracted to each other, the conductive films 42 (electrodes 43) are joined together and electricity flows. The hook-and-loop fastener 33 of the detachable end 32 is attached to the hook-and-loop fastener 33 or surgical tape surface of the size adjustment range 34, and the device is attached tightly around the waist 111 of the care recipient 110 over the diaper and nursing clothing.

[0057] When the undressing sensor device 2 detects that the care recipient 110 is undressing, the voltmeter 471 detects a voltage with a waveform as shown in Figures 5(A) and (B). If the voltage is stable at around 2.5 V, it can be determined that the undressing sensor unit 4 is energized and an undressing activity has not been detected. If the voltage is 0 V, it can be determined that the undressing sensor unit 4 has detached and an undressing activity has been detected. If the undressing activity is stopped midway, the undressing sensor unit 4 is reconnected by the attraction of the magnetic part 41. When the care recipient 110 is completely undressed, the magnetic part 41 detaches and cannot be reattached, and the connection to the undressing sensor unit 4 is lost for a certain period of time (e.g., several tens of seconds).

[0058] As shown in Figure 6 (A), the pair of undressing sensors 4 can be replaced by one consisting of a sheath pole 460 made of a conductive material having electrical resistance and magnetism and connected to one of the pair of detection harnesses 45, and a slider pole 461 made of a conductive material having electrical resistance and magnetism and inserted into the sheath pole 460 so as to be freely movable. The sheath pole 460 and the slider pole 461 are each provided with a hook-and-loop fastener and are detachably attached to positions near both ends of the waist belt 3. When the waist belt 3 is wrapped around the waist 111 of the care recipient 110, the slider pole 461 is inserted into the sheath pole 460. When the waist belt 3 is stretched by the act of undressing, the slider pole 461 moves in a direction to be detached from the sheath pole 460, changing the voltage between them. Furthermore, when the care recipient 110 stops undressing and the waist belt 3 shrinks to its original state without being removed, the slider pole portion 461 returns to being inserted into the sheath pole portion 460, and the voltage returns to a normal state.

[0059] (Countermeasures for non-detection during fecal manipulation) Non-detection has been reported in some cases where the waist belt 3 has shifted away from the pants 112 toward the chest, resulting in non-detection when the hand is placed inside the pants 112 over the undressing sensor 4, and the magnet does not come off. As a countermeasure to prevent this from occurring, as shown in Figure 6(B), a region 35, for example, 5 to 30 cm long, can be cut away from the middle portion of the waist belt 3 where the undressing sensor 4 is not located, and adhesive tape 37, such as medical adhesive tape, surgical tape, or clothing adhesive tape, can be placed between the cut ends 36 of the middle portion of the waist belt 3, spanning the middle portion 35 and the connecting region 38.

[0060] 6(B) is wound around the waist 111, the pair of electrodes 43 are overlapped with each other, and the hook-and-loop fastener 33 of the detachable end 32 is attached to the size adjustment range 34. The vicinity of the cut end 36 is pressed and held against the waist 111, and the adhesive tape 37 is attached between the cut ends 36, and the waist belt 3 is attached to the trousers 112 without any gaps.

[0061] If the intermediate region 35 of the waist belt 3 is replaced with an adhesive tape 37, the trousers 112 and the intermediate region 35 of the waist belt 3 are closely attached to each other, making it impossible for hands to get in between, thereby more reliably preventing non-detection.

[0062] 7 shows yet another embodiment of the undressing sensor device 2. (A) is a perspective view showing the main components of the undressing sensor device 2, and (B) is a photograph showing the device attached to a care garment 112. The undressing sensor device 2 according to this embodiment has two joints 39 on the waist belt 3. The joints 39 are composed of a garment-side magnetic member 39b that holds the care recipient's trousers 112 and a belt-side magnetic member 39a that is attached to the waist belt or the undressing sensor unit 4. In particular, the belt-side magnetic member 39a is sewn or integrated with the waist belt 3 and is detachably magnetically attached to the garment-side magnetic member 39b that is attached to the trousers 112 worn by the care recipient 110. Note that either of the joints 39 can also be attached to the undressing sensor unit 4 rather than the waist belt. By providing the joint 39b in this manner, when the care recipient undresses the pants 112, the waist belt 3 reliably follows the pants 112, preventing the waist belt 3 from remaining on the waist when the care recipient undresses. The joint 3 may be formed of a magnetic member using a magnetic material as shown in Figure 7, or may be formed of a hook-and-loop fastener, clip, or hook that can be attached and detached to the pants 112 worn by the care recipient. However, when the joint 3 is formed of a garment-side magnetic member 39b and a belt-side magnetic member 39a as shown in Figure 7, the waist belt 3 can be freely attached and detached in response to the movements of the care recipient 110, thereby releasing stress acting on the waist belt 3 and thereby preventing electrical disconnection of the undressing sensor 4 due to stress on the waist belt 3 caused by the care recipient's movements.

[0063] (Undressing Detection Method Using Undressing Sensor Device 2 of the Present Invention) Hereinafter, an undressing detection method will be described with reference to FIGS. 1(B), 2(B), 5(A), 5(B), and 8. FIG.

[0064] (Putting step 200) If priority is given to the detection rate of undressing activities, the undressing sensor unit 4 is placed on either the left flank or the front abdomen around the waist 111 of the care recipient 110, and if priority is given to reducing the rate of false alarms of undressing activities, the undressing sensor unit 4 is placed on the right flank, and the waist belt 3 is wrapped around the waist 111 of the care recipient 110 and put on 201. The monitoring camera 8 is activated 202.

[0065] (Activation Step 210) The sensor unit 47 of the undressing sensor device 2, the notification unit 7 (transmission module 48, control terminal 70), and the wireless repeater 72 are activated.

[0066] (Detection step 220) The undressing sensor device 2 begins detecting undressing activity. The voltmeter of the sensor unit 47 measures the voltage between the pair of electrodes 43, and if a change in voltage occurs, sends the detected data to the undressing determiner 5.

[0067] (Undressing determination step 230) The undressing determiner 5 stores pattern data or notification thresholds for undressing activities in advance in the memory unit 6. As shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B) , the pattern data or notification thresholds for undressing activities can be average or typical pattern data or notification thresholds for voltage changes associated with undressing activities (at least one of stretching and removing the waist belt 3) obtained through multiple experiments.

[0068] 5A and 5B, in a typical undressing session, the pattern data for the undressing activity repeats a waveform that changes from the energized (2.5 V) state to the undressed (0 V) state and then back to the energized (2.5 V) state multiple times from the start of the undressing activity until the user is completely undressed. Based on the pattern data, undressing activity can be determined when either the first or second waveform in the early stages of the undressing activity is detected.

[0069] 5A and 5B, when undressing typically begins, the waveform repeatedly changes from the energized (2.5V) state to the undressed (0V) state and then from the undressed (0V) state back to the energized (2.5V) state, but there is a concern that a single waveform change from the energized (2.5V) state to the undressed (0V) state could result in complete undressing. Even if there is a single change to the undressed (0V) state, if the duration of the undressed (0V) state is longer than that of typical undressing waveforms (for example, several tens of seconds or more), it can be determined that an undressing activity is occurring.

[0070] The undressing determination unit 5 compares the detection data received from the sensor unit 47 with the pattern data of the undressing activity or an alarm threshold, and determines that the activity is an undressing activity (e.g., determines 231 that the activity is in the early stages of undressing activity) if the detection data is highly similar to the pattern data or if the alarm threshold is reached.

[0071] (Notification process 240) When the undressing determination unit 5 determines that this is the initial action of undressing, it transmits to the control terminal 70 via the transmission module 48 (transmitter / receiver) the ID data of the care recipient 110 (room number, bed number, name, age, medical record number, other data that can identify the individual, etc.), the detection data received from the sensor unit 47, data on the time the undressing act occurred, and video recording data obtained from the surveillance camera 8 for several tens of seconds before and after the time of the occurrence.

[0072] The control terminal 70 receives the ID data, detection data, occurrence time data, and recording data, and stores 241 the detection data, occurrence time data, and recording data in the storage unit 6 (memory) or external storage device 10 (server 11, database 12, cloud 13 on the Internet) while linking the ID data to the detection data, occurrence time data, and recording data. The stored 241 data can be used to improve the accuracy of the undressing behavior pattern data or alarm threshold, which serve as the judgment criteria for the undressing behavior judgment unit 5, and to improve the detection rate of undressing behaviors in the future and reduce the false alarm rate.

[0073] At the same time as storing the data (241), the control terminal 70 notifies (242) the man-machine interface 71 (smartphone or tablet PC) carried by the caregiver in charge of the care recipient 110 of the ID data (room number, bed number, name, age, medical record number, etc.) of the care recipient 110 who is undressing.

[0074] (Response confirmation step 250) The control terminal 70 confirms whether the caregiver in charge who received the notification 242 has completed the response to the care recipient 110 and inputted the response completion into the man-machine interface 71 251. If the response completion is input, the control terminal 70 confirms the stop operation 252, and if the stop operation is performed, the control ends. If the stop operation is not performed, the process returns to the detection step 220 and continues the control. Experimental Example 1

[0075] (Study on the detection accuracy of undressing and defecation behaviors) The following conditions were studied to improve the detection accuracy of undressing and defecation behaviors by the undressing determination unit 5 of the undressing sensor device 2 shown in Figures 2(B), 3, and 4. (Study contents) Subjects: 31 healthy adults (corresponding to the care recipients 110) Study procedure: The undressing sensor device 2 was worn, and simulated undressing and defecation actions were performed. The state of the simulated actions and the detection response of the undressing sensor device 2 to the actions were observed.

[0076] (Evaluation items) Presence or absence of a detection response from the undressing sensor device 2 during each movement. The relationship between the size of the conductive area and the detection accuracy of the undressing sensor device 2. The relationship between the attachment position of the undressing sensor device 2 (right hip, front, left hip) during each movement and the detection accuracy of the undressing sensor device 2. The relationship between the subject's body shape and the detection accuracy of the undressing sensor device 2.

[0077] (Simulated action items for undressing) 1. Put the right hand inside the pants and pull them down. 2. Put the left hand inside the pants and pull them down. 3. Put both hands inside the pants and pull them down. 4. Grab the pants with the right hand and pull them down. 5. Grab the pants with the left hand and pull them down. 6. Grab the pants with both hands and pull them down. 7. Pull the pants down with the feet. 8. Pull the pants down in any way the subject can think of.

[0078] The installation position of the undressing sensor device 2 and the detection rate for each undressing behavior

[0079] Undressing 1: Put your right hand inside your pants and pull them down. Undressing 2: Put your left hand inside your pants and pull them down. Undressing 3: Put both hands inside your pants and pull them down.

[0080] Undressing 4: Grab your pants with your right hand and pull them down. Undressing 5: Grab your pants with your left hand and pull them down. Undressing 6: Grab your pants with both hands and pull them down.

[0081] Undressing 7: Pull down the pants with your feet. Undressing 8: Pull down the pants in any way that the subject (mentioned above) can think of (mostly by grabbing the waist of the pants or lifting their hips to pull down the pants). Experimental Example 2

[0082] 2B, 3 and 4 was used to check the detection status in the simulated action items of defecation behavior and activities of daily living, and to confirm the detection rate and accuracy. Defecation behavior 1. Put the right hand into the trousers from the front until it can reach the pubic area and buttocks 2. Put the left hand into the trousers from the front until it can reach the pubic area and buttocks 3. Put both hands into the trousers from the front until it can reach the pubic area and buttocks 4. Put the right hand into the trousers from the back until it can reach the pubic area and buttocks 5. Put the left hand into the trousers from the back until it can reach the pubic area and buttocks 6. Put both hands into the trousers from the back until it can reach the pubic area and buttocks Activities of daily living 1. Turning over in bed 2. Getting out of bed

[0083] The installation position of the undressing sensor device 2 and the detection rate for each defecation behavior

[0084] Toilet play 1: Insert your right hand from the front until it reaches the genitals and buttocks. Toilet play 2: Insert your left hand from the front until it reaches the genitals and buttocks. Toilet play 3: Insert both hands from the front until it reaches the genitals and buttocks.

[0085] Toilet play 4: Insert your right hand from behind as far as it can reach the genitals and buttocks. Toilet play 5: Insert your left hand from behind as far as it can reach the genitals and buttocks. Toilet play 6: Insert both hands from behind as far as it can reach the genitals and buttocks.

[0086] The relationship between the installation position of the undressing sensor device 2 and the false alarm rate during activities of daily living

[0087]

[0088] The installation position of the undressing sensor device 2 and the average detection rate and average false alarm rate

[0089] For both undressing and defecation activities, the highest detection rate was observed when the undressing sensor device 2 was attached to the left (the left flank), followed by the front (the front abdomen).For activities of daily living, the false alarm rate was low when the undressing sensor device 2 was attached to the right (the right flank) and the front (the front abdomen).

[0090] Installation position of the undressing sensor device 2 and detection rate / false alarm rate assuming hemiplegia

[0091] Undressing 1: Put your right hand inside your pants and pull them down. Undressing 2: Put your left hand inside your pants and pull them down. Undressing 4: Grab your pants with your right hand and pull them down. Undressing 5: Grab your pants with your left hand and pull them down. Playing with the toilet 1: Insert your right hand from the front until it reaches the genitals and buttocks. Playing with the toilet 2: Insert your left hand from the front until it reaches the genitals and buttocks. Playing with the toilet 4: Insert your right hand from behind until it reaches the genitals and buttocks. Playing with the toilet 5: Insert your left hand from behind until it reaches the genitals and buttocks.

[0092] (Considerations on detection rate and false alarm rate) The detection rate for undressing movements was around 90%, the detection rate for defecation movements was 78-93%, and the false alarm rate was 4-11%. The undressing sensor device 2 has a high detection rate and a low false alarm rate, and the most effective attachment position is the front, even in cases of paralysis. If the patient does not turn over much and defecation and movements are frequent, it is thought that attaching it to the left side is also effective. Experimental Example 3

[0093] In this experiment, the wearing comfort of the undressing sensor device 2 was evaluated in terms of weight, discomfort, and annoyance.

[0094] Other comments from the subjects (the above-mentioned subjects): The electrode cord (the above-mentioned detection harness 45) was bothersome (3 people); it did not come off even when I turned over in bed, so I was able to wear it with peace of mind (1 person). Experimental Example 4

[0095] Subjects (10 healthy adults) wearing patient clothing were given a clothing undressing sensor device with a joint attached to the waist belt as shown in Figure 7, and then they were asked to perform simulated activities such as undressing, defecation, and daily living activities, and the detection rate and false alarm rate for each activity were investigated.

[0096] The simulated actions of undressing are as follows: 1. Insert the right hand inside the pants and pull down the pants. 2. Insert the left hand inside the pants and pull down the pants. 3. Insert both hands inside the pants and pull down the pants. 4. Grab the pants with the right hand and pull down the pants. 5. Grab the pants with the left hand and pull down the pants. 6. Grab the pants with both hands and pull down the pants. 7. Insert the right hand from the foot side of the sensor and pull down the pants. 8. Insert the left hand from the foot side of the sensor and pull down the pants. 9. Insert both hands from the foot side of the sensor and pull down the pants. 10. Pull down the pants with the feet.

[0097] The simulated actions of fecal manipulation are as follows: 1. Put the right hand into the pants from the front. 2. Put the left hand into the pants from the front. 3. Put both hands into the pants from the front. 4. Put the right hand into the pants from the front, from the foot side of the sensor. 5. Put the left hand into the pants from the front, from the foot side of the sensor. 6. Put both hands into the pants from the front, from the foot side of the sensor. 7. Put the right hand into the pants from the back. 8. Put the left hand into the pants from the back. 9. Put both hands into the pants from the back.

[0098] The simulated daily activities (false alarm rate) were as follows: 1. Turning over in bed (4-5 times) 2. Sitting up When performing the above simulated activities, the detection rate for undressing was 97.0%, the detection rate for stooling was 95%, and the false alarm rate for daily activities was 5.0%. This improvement in detection rate was due to the fact that it was possible to prevent the act of putting one's hand under the belt from the foot side, which resulted in an even higher detection rate and improved accuracy.

[0099] The undressing sensor device of the present invention can be used in the fields of clinical medicine, nursing care, childcare, health and hygiene, etc., the manufacture and sale of nursing care products such as nursing wear, children's clothing, diapers, and urine absorption pads, and the manufacture and sale of electronic products such as sensors, computers, software, and communications.

[0100] 1 Undressing notification system 2 Undressing sensor device 3 Waist belt 30 Base material band 31 Non-slip sheet 32 ​​Detachable end 33 Hook-and-loop fastener 34 Dimension adjustment range 35 Mid-section range 36 Cut end 37 Adhesive tape 38 Connection range 4 Undressing sensor unit 40 Polarity base (hook-and-loop fastener) 41 Magnetic portion 42 Conductive film 43 Electrode 44 Connection plug 45 Detection harness 46 Terminal 460 Sheath pole portion 461 Slider pole portion 47 Sensor unit 48 Transmission module 5 Undressing determination unit 6 Memory unit 7 Notification unit 70 Control terminal 71 Man-machine interface 72 Wireless repeater 8 Surveillance camera 9 Database 10 External storage device 11 Server 12 Same database 13 Same, cloud on the internet 14 Same nurse call system (nurse call controller, transmitter / receiver) 15 Same bus 110 Care recipient 111 Waist 112 Care clothing (trousers, diaper) (Undressing detection method) 200 Putting on process 202 Activating monitoring camera 8 210 Activation process 220 Detection process 230 Undressing determination process 231 Initial stage and determination of undressing behavior 240 Notification process 241 Data accumulation 242 Notification to caregiver 250 Response confirmation process 251 Confirmation of response completion 252 Confirmation of stop operation

Claims

1. A strip-off sensor device comprising a waist belt that can be wound around the waist of a care recipient, a strip-off sensor unit that detects at least one of the extension or detachment of the waist belt, and a notification unit that notifies a caregiver when the strip-off sensor unit detects at least one of the extension or detachment of the waist belt.

2. The strip-off sensor device according to claim 1, wherein a joining portion that joins with the clothing of the care recipient is provided in the waist belt portion and / or the strip-off sensor unit.

3. A storage unit that stores pattern data or notification threshold values of strip-off actions, and a strip-off determination unit that determines whether it is a strip-off action based on the detection data of the strip-off sensor unit when at least one of the extension or detachment of the waist belt is detected. The strip-off determination unit compares the detection data of the strip-off sensor unit with the pattern data or notification threshold values of the strip-off action, and determines it is a strip-off action when the similarity with the pattern data is high or when the notification threshold value is reached. When the strip-off determination unit determines it is a strip-off action, the notification unit notifies the caregiver. The strip-off sensor device according to claim 1.

4. The strip-off sensor unit includes a pair of electrodes provided on both end sides of the waist belt, a power source that applies a voltage between the pair of electrodes, and a voltmeter that detects the voltage between the pair of electrodes. Magnetically adhering portions with different magnetic poles are provided on both of the pair of electrodes, and the pair of electrodes reconnect to each other even when at least one of the extension or detachment of the waist belt is detected but undressing has not occurred. The strip-off sensor device according to claim 1.

5. The notification unit includes a transmission module that outputs at least one of the detection data of the strip-off sensor unit or the determination signal of the strip-off determination unit, a control terminal that receives the output signal of the transmission module and outputs a notification, and a man-machine interface that receives the notification output from the control terminal. The strip-off sensor device according to claim 1.

6. A monitoring camera for photographing the care recipient, a database that communicates with the control terminal and stores the ID data of the care recipient, and at least one of the detection data of the undressing sensor unit or the determination signal of the undressing determination unit is associated with the ID data of the care recipient together with its time information and stored in the database. Further, for the ID data, time information, the detection data of the undressing sensor unit, or the determination signal of the undressing determination unit, the time information, and the ID data, when the extension or detachment of the waist belt is detected, the image data of the monitoring camera for several tens of seconds before and after is associated and stored in the database. The undressing sensor device according to claim 1, comprising software for storing in the database.

7. When prioritizing the detection rate of undressing behavior, the undressing sensor unit is arranged on either the left side or the front abdomen around the waist of the care recipient. When prioritizing the reduction of false alarm rate of undressing behavior, the undressing sensor unit is arranged on the right side. A wearing process of winding and wearing the waist belt around the waist of the care recipient, a starting process of starting the undressing sensor unit, a detecting process of the undressing sensor unit detecting at least one of the extension or detachment of the waist belt, and when the detecting process detects an undressing behavior, a notification process of the notification unit outputting a notification signal. The undressing detection method using the undressing sensor device according to claim 1.

8. A detecting process in which the undressing sensor unit detects at least one of the extension or detachment of the waist belt, and when the undressing sensor unit detects at least one of the extension or detachment in the detecting process, an undressing determination process in which the undressing determination unit determines whether it is an undressing behavior, and when the undressing determination unit determines that it is an undressing behavior in the undressing determination process, a notification process in which the notification unit outputs a notification signal. The undressing detection method using the undressing sensor device according to claim 2.

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