Drip detection device

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of accurately detecting dripping of liquid in a liquid container.　A drip detection device 1 has: a housing 2 and a pair of detection parts 3 for detecting pressing of an eye-drop container 9 serving as a liquid container mounted and installed in the housing 2. The pair of detection parts are disposed opposite one another such as to sandwich the eye-drop container 9, and are swingably attached to the housing 2.

Description

Drip detection device

[0001] The present invention relates to a drop detection device that can be attached to a container containing a liquid, for example.

[0002] A known conventional technology used when administering eye drops is an eye drop management device that includes a flexible band that can be wrapped around an eye drop container, a fixing part that fixes the band while wrapped around the eye drop container, and a sensor that is provided at a fixed position relative to the band and detects the user's movements relative to the eye drop container, the sensor including a pressure sensor attached to the band (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent No. 7173203

[0004] However, when there is only one pressure sensor that detects the user's actions on the eye drop container, as in the eye drop management device described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem in that, although the pressure sensor is intended to detect the user's eye drop action on the eye drop container, the pressure sensor may be unintentionally pressed when the eye drop management device is carried around, for example, in a bag, leading to the erroneous determination that the eye drop action has been performed.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can accurately detect when liquid in a liquid container has been dropped.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the drip detection device of the present invention may have a housing and a pair of detection units arranged opposite each other with a liquid container placed on the housing between them, attached so as to be swingable relative to the housing, and configured to detect pressure on the liquid container.

[0007] In the drop detection device according to the present invention, the detection unit may be positioned so as to overlap, in a side view, a portion of the liquid container that is pressed when the liquid container is pressed.

[0008] In the drop detection device according to the present invention, the detection unit may be flexible.

[0009] In the drop detection device according to the present invention, each of the pair of detection units may include a pressure sensor that detects a force with which the liquid container is pressed.

[0010] The drip detection device according to the present invention may detect that the liquid in the liquid container has been dripped based on the pressure on the liquid container detected simultaneously by each of the pair of detection units.

[0011] The drop detection device according to the present invention may include an LED that lights up in response to the state of the drop of liquid in the liquid container.

[0012] The drop detection device according to the present invention may further include a communication unit that transmits information based on the content detected by the detection unit to an external device.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect whether or not liquid in a liquid container has been dropped.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a drop detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the drop detection device of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front view of the drop detection device of Fig. 1 in a state where an eye drop container is placed on the drop detection device and a pair of detection units are open. Fig. 4 is a front view of the drop detection device of Fig. 1 in a state where each of the pair of detection units has been moved closer to the eye drop container from the state of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the drop detection device of Fig. 1 in a state where it is held by a user's hand when in use. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the drop detection device of Fig. 1 in a state where eye drops are being administered using the drop detection device.

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments, a case will be described in which a drop detection device according to the present invention is attached to an eye drop container 9 for use. Note that the eye drop container to which the drop detection device according to the present invention can be attached, in other words, to which the drop detection device according to the present invention can be applied, is not limited to the eye drop container 9 shown in the drawings, and the drop detection device according to the present invention can be attached to eye drop containers of various shapes and sizes for use.

[0016] The eye drop container 9 has a main body 91 containing eye drops 92, an eye drop opening 93 communicating with the main body 91 and allowing the eye drops 92 contained in the main body 91 to pass through, and a lid 94 detachably attached to the main body 91 and covering and protecting the eye drop opening 93 when attached to the main body 91.

[0017] (Overall Configuration) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a drop detection device 1 according to an embodiment, which is an example of a specific configuration of a drop detection device according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the drop detection device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0018] The drop detection device 1 according to the embodiment comprises a housing 2 and a pair of detection units 3 arranged opposite each other with an eye drop container 9 as a liquid container placed and installed on the housing 2 in between, attached so as to be swingable relative to the housing 2, and configured to detect pressure on the eye drop container 9 as a liquid container.

[0019] In the illustrated example, the housing 2 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 2 may also be formed in a cylindrical shape, for example.

[0020] A control unit 4 and a power supply unit 5 are provided inside the housing 2, and an LED 6 that emits light from the side of the housing 2 to the outside is provided inside or on the side of the housing 2. The position of the LED 6 is not limited to the position in the example shown in the figure.

[0021] Here, the control unit 4 and the power supply unit 5 may be provided on a single board and housed inside the housing 2, or the control unit 4, the power supply unit 5, and the LED 6 may be provided on a single board and housed inside the housing 2.

[0022] The control unit 4 controls the electronic and electrical components provided in the drop detection device 1, and controls the operation and functions of the drop detection device 1. The control unit 4 is electrically connected to at least the detection unit 3 and the LED 6 so as to be able to send and receive various data signals, control signals, and the like.

[0023] The control unit 4 may be configured to include, for example, a calculation means such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculation processing, a volatile memory (volatile storage means) such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that provides a working area (memory), and a non-volatile memory (non-volatile storage means) such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) that provides a memory area (storage) (none of the configurations of the control unit 4 are shown).

[0024] The control unit 4 receives, for example, the data signal output from the detection unit 3, and performs analysis and calculation processing based on the content of the transmitted data signal.

[0025] The control unit 4 also outputs a control signal to the LED 6 to turn it on or perform other operations based on the results of the analysis and calculation processes.

[0026] The power supply unit 5 supplies power to the electronic and electrical components included in the drop detection device 1. The power supply unit 5 may be a primary battery (specifically, for example, a coin battery or a button battery) or a secondary battery.

[0027] The drop detection device 1 may have a power switch that is physically operated to turn the power on and off, or may have a sleep function. If the sleep function is provided, for example, the drop detection device 1 may enter a sleep mode (i.e., a power-saving state) when a state in which no operation of the detection unit 3 is detected continues for a predetermined time, and the sleep mode may be canceled and the drop detection device 1 may operate when operation of the detection unit 3 is detected.

[0028] The LED 6 turns on, blinks, or goes out, for example, in accordance with a control signal transmitted from the control unit 4 in accordance with the status of eye drops being administered using the drop detection device 1 .

[0029] An eye drop container 9 is disposed between a pair of detectors 3 arranged opposite each other on the upper surface of the housing 2. That is, the eye drop container 9 is placed and installed on the upper surface of the housing 2, sandwiched between the pair of detectors 3 arranged opposite each other.

[0030] Each of the pair of detection units 3 has an arm unit 31 and a pressure sensor 32 .

[0031] The arm 31 is made of a flexible material (e.g., resin) and is formed in a strip shape. One end (referred to as the “base end”) of the strip-shaped arm 31 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the housing 2, specifically, it enters the inside of the housing 2 and is connected to the housing 2.

[0032] The arm unit 31 is attached at its base end to the housing 2 and extends above the housing 2, specifically, in the example shown in the figure, obliquely upward and outward from the housing 2 when no external force is acting on the arm unit 31. The arm unit 31 is attached to the housing 2 so as to be rotatable (in other words, swingable) with the base end serving as a fulcrum for rotation.

[0033] The pressure sensor 32 (in other words, a pressure-sensitive sensor) is provided adjacent to the other end (referred to as the "tip") of the rectangular arm portion 31 in the longitudinal direction.

[0034] The pressure sensor 32 is electrically connected to the control unit 4 provided inside the housing 2 via wiring arranged along the arm portion 31 so as to be able to send and receive various data signals, control signals, etc.

[0035] When the drop detection device 1 is in use, the pair of detection units 3, i.e., the two pressure sensors 32, are positioned on the side surfaces of the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9, facing each other.

[0036] Here, when the eye drops 92 in the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 are dripped into the eye from the eye drop opening 93, the user's hand (specifically, for example, two fingers) usually presses opposing locations on the side of the main body 91.

[0037] The pressure sensor 32 is positioned, in a side view, on the side (in other words, the side surface) of the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 so as to overlap a location or portion that is normally pressed by a user when the eye drops 92 in the main body 91 are dripped into the eye from the eye drop opening 93. Note that the length of the arm 31 may be adjusted, for example, to position the pressure sensor 32 in this way.

[0038] That is, the pair of detection units 3 (particularly the respective pressure sensors 32) are arranged to face each other, and then, when the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 is pressed to drip the liquid in the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9, they clamp the location or portion of the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 that is pressed, that is, they are arranged so that they overlap the location or portion of the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 that is pressed in a side view.

[0039] The pressure sensor 32 is preferably flexible. The pressure sensor 32 may be configured to be flexible by using, for example, a pressure-sensitive sensor sheet.

[0040] By making the pressure sensor 32 flexible in addition to the arm portion 31, the pressure sensor 32 can conform to the shape of the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 and make good (i.e., no gaps) contact with the outer surface of the side of the main body 91 and the surface of the user's finger (specifically, the distal part), thereby enabling the pressure applied to the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 to be accurately detected.

[0041] A restraining member 8 may be used to hold and secure the eye drop container 9 sandwiched between a pair of detection units 3 so that it does not unintentionally slip out from between the pair of detection units 3 and fall off the drop detection device 1.

[0042] The restraining member 8 may be, for example, a ring-shaped member made of an elastic material (for example, natural rubber) and formed to be stretchable.

[0043] Since the restraining member 8 is elastic and stretchable, the restraining member 8 can restrain, hold, and fix eye drop containers of various shapes and sizes.

[0044] The material of the restraining member 8 is preferably a material that is not slippery on the surface of the material expected to form the eye drop container 9 (i.e., a material that has a large coefficient of friction and can generate frictional force).

[0045] A strip-shaped member with a hook-and-loop fastener (preferably elastic and stretchable) or adhesive tape may be used as the restraining member 8. When adhesive tape is used, it is preferable that the adhesive tape has sufficient adhesive strength to prevent the eye drop container 9 from falling off, and also has peelability to prevent damage to the detection unit 3 when the eye drop container 9 is replaced.

[0046] The restraining member 8 is disposed outside the pair of detectors 3 that face each other and sandwich the eye drop container 9 placed and installed on the upper surface of the housing 2, and surrounds the eye drop container 9 and the pair of detectors 3 from the outside. The restraining member 8 restrains, holds, and fixes the eye drop container 9 and the pair of detectors 3 together so that the eye drop container 9 does not slip out from between the pair of detectors 3.

[0047] In the example shown in the figure, the position of the restraining member 8 is adjusted so that it is disposed outside (in other words, to the side) the arm portion 31 of each of the pair of detection units 3 so as not to press the pressure sensor 32 of the detection unit 3. By adjusting the position of the restraining member 8 so that it is disposed outside (in other words, to the side) the arm portion 31 of the detection unit 3, the restraining member 8 is positioned to the side of the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 and does not get in the way when attaching or detaching the lid 94 of the eye drop container 9.

[0048] (Dropping of eye drops) With the pair of detectors 3 arranged opposite each other spread apart (in other words, open) (see Figure 1), the eye drop container 9 is placed and installed on the top surface of the housing 2 (see Figure 3).

[0049] The eye drop container 9 is usually placed and installed on the upper surface of the housing 2 with the bottom of the main body 91 supported by the upper surface of the housing 2 and the eye drop opening 93 facing upward.

[0050] Each pressure sensor 32 of a pair of detection units 3 arranged opposite each other is brought closer to the eye drop container 9, and the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 is clamped between these two opposing pressure sensors 32 (see Figure 4).

[0051] With the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 clamped between two mutually opposing pressure sensors 32, the eye drop container 9 and the pair of detection units 3 may be restrained, held, and fixed together by a restraining member 8, if necessary.

[0052] When administering eye drops, the lid 94 of the eye drop container 9 (if the lid 94 is closed) is removed and the eye drop opening 93 is placed in a downward position.

[0053] The two pressure sensors 32 arranged opposite each other, and thus the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9, are grasped by, for example, the thumb (specifically, the distal knuckle) and index finger (specifically, the distal knuckle) of the hand of the user administering the eye drops (see Figure 5; note that the restraining member 8 is not shown in Figure 5).

[0054] Next, with the eye drop nozzle 93 facing downward above the user's face, the two pressure sensors 32, which are arranged opposite each other, are pressed by, for example, the thumb and index finger of the user administering the eye drops (see Figure 6; note that Figure 6 does not show the hand holding the restraining member 8 and the drop detection device 1).

[0055] That is, the pressure sensors 32 (themselves) of the pair of detecting units 3 arranged opposite each other are pressed by the fingers (specifically, the distal joints) of the user's hand. For this reason, it is preferable that the planar size of the pressure sensors 32 be an area that is just covered by the fingers (specifically, the surfaces of the distal joints) of a person's hand.

[0056] Then, the body 91 of the eye drop container 9 is pressed in opposite directions from both sides via two pressure sensors 32 arranged opposite to each other, and the eye drops 92 in the body 91 are dripped into the user's eye from the eye drop opening 93.

[0057] At this time, each of the two pressure sensors 32 arranged opposite each other simultaneously detects the force pressing on each of the pair of pressure sensors 32, and ultimately the force pressing on the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 from both sides in opposite directions, as pressure applied to the pressure sensor 32 (i.e., itself).

[0058] Each of the pair of pressure sensors 32 outputs a data signal indicating the detected pressure (i.e., the pressure applied to itself) to the control unit 4. Specifically, the data signal indicating the detected pressure (i.e., the pressure applied to itself) may be a data signal relating to an output voltage value or an output current value.

[0059] The control unit 4 performs analysis and calculation processing based on the contents of the data signals output from each of the pair of pressure sensors 32, which indicate the pressure applied to each of the pair of pressure sensors 32, and detects that the drip detection device 1 has been used to drip (i.e., instill) the eye drops 92 into the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9.

[0060] For example, if the magnitude of pressure detected by each of a pair of pressure sensors 32 at the same time is both equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, i.e., if they simultaneously reach or exceed a predetermined threshold, the control unit 4 may determine that the drip detection device 1 has been used to press the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 and cause the eye drops 92 in the main body 91 to drip.

[0061] The control unit 4 may also determine that the drip detection device 1 has been used to press the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 to drip the eye drops 92 from the main body 91 if the time series change in the magnitude of the pressure detected by each of a pair of pressure sensors 32 at the same time (for example, the difference between the detected pressure values ​​at 0.5 second intervals) is an increase of more than a predetermined threshold, i.e., if they simultaneously increase by more than a predetermined threshold.

[0062] That is, the control unit 4 may be configured to detect that the eye drops 92 have been dripped from the main body 91 of the eye drops container 9 based on the force (pressure) detected simultaneously by the pressure sensors 32 of each of the pair of detection units 3.

[0063] The threshold value for determining whether the eye drops 92 have been dispensed from the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 is not limited to a specific value, nor is it limited to being a fixed value. The threshold value for determining whether the eye drops 92 have been dispensed from the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 may be set, for example, according to the degree of hardness of the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 (in other words, the degree to which the main body 91 is susceptible to depression and deformation).

[0064] The drop detection device 1 may, for example, light up the LED 6 in red when it does not detect that the eye drops 92 have been dropped (i.e., instilled) within a predetermined time period or at predetermined time intervals set as a prescription for the eye drops 92. This alerts the user that they have forgotten to instill the eye drops, thereby preventing them from forgetting to administer the eye drops (eye drops).

[0065] In this case, the control unit 4 may have a clock function or a time function (e.g., a real time clock (RTC)), and may be configured to preset at least one of a predetermined time period and a predetermined time interval during which the eye drops 92 should be instilled, which are set as a prescription for the eye drops 92. In this case, the predetermined time period and the predetermined time interval during which the eye drops 92 should be instilled may be stored in a nonvolatile memory (nonvolatile storage means) (not shown) included in the control unit 4.

[0066] In addition, if the prescription for the eye drops 92 calls for the eye drops 92 to be instilled into both the right and left eyes, the user may be warned that they have forgotten to instill the eye drops if it is not detected that the eye drops 92 have been dripped (i.e., instilled) twice during the specified time period or at the specified time interval when the eye drops 92 should be instilled.

[0067] Here, the eye drops 92 in the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 to which the drop detection device 1 is attached are not limited to a specific type and may be, for example, various eye drops (eye drops), specifically, eye drops (eye drops) for glaucoma. Eye drops for glaucoma need to be administered every day without fail, and if the LED 6 of the drop detection device 1 has not detected that the eye drops 92 have been administered (i.e., instilled) within 24 hours, the LED 6 lights up in red, thereby preventing the user from forgetting to administer the eye drops and ultimately improving eye drop adherence (compliance with the medication regimen).

[0068] The drop detection device 1 may also be configured to light the LED 6 in blue, for example, for about 18 hours after detecting the drop (i.e., instillation) of the eye drops 92. This allows the user to confirm that the eye drops have been instilled even if the user is uncertain as to whether or not they have been instilled, thereby preventing overadministration of the eye drops (eye drops).

[0069] That is, the LED 6 may be configured to light up depending on the state of dripping of the liquid in the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 .

[0070] (Linkage with External Devices) A ​​communication unit (not shown) for communicatively connecting the drop detection device 1 to an external device may be further provided inside the housing 2. The communication unit may be configured with a wireless communication module such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi. Specifically, for example, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) may be used as the communication method between the drop detection device 1 and the external device.

[0071] In this case, the control unit 4 transmits information based on the content of the data signal transmitted from the detection unit 3 to the external device via the communication unit. Examples of external devices that receive information from the drop detection device 1 include a user's mobile information terminal such as a smartphone or a personal computer. The external device may be equipped with a display unit.

[0072] In this case, for example, when it is detected that the eye drops 92 have been dripped (i.e., instilled into the eye), data on the date and time and the number of drips of the eye drops may be transmitted from the drip detection device 1 to the external device via the communication unit. Note that the data transmitted from the drip detection device 1 may not include the date and time, and the external device that receives the data transmitted from the drip detection device 1 may acquire the date and time when the data was received.

[0073] In this case, the external device that receives the data transmitted from the drop detection device 1 may record, for example, the total number of times the eye drops 92 have been dropped for each time period of the day (specifically, for example, morning, afternoon, and night) as an eye drop history based on the content of the received data (information). In this case, the eye drop history for each time period of the day may be displayed on the display unit of the external device, thereby allowing the user to confirm and check the eye drop history for each time period of the day (for example, whether or not eye drops were dropped, the time, and the number of times dropped).

[0074] In this case, if data on the administration of eye drops is not received within a specified time period and it is determined that the eye drops 92 have not been administered according to the prescription, the external device may issue or transmit an alarm.

[0075] By linking the drop detection device 1 with an external device and recording the eye drop history in the external device, eye drop management linked to the user's eye drop actions can be performed mechanically and automatically.

[0076] (Effects) The drop detection device 1 according to the embodiment has a pair of pressure sensors 32 arranged opposite to each other, and detects the dripping (i.e., instillation) of the eye drops 92 based on the pressure of each of the pair of pressure sensors 32 at the same time. In other words, it is determined that the eye drops 92 have been dripped only when each of the pair of pressure sensors 32 arranged opposite to each other simultaneously performs a predetermined detection. This prevents the drop detection device 1 from erroneously determining that an eye drop operation has been performed when only one of the pressure sensors 32 is unintentionally pressed while the drop detection device 1 is being carried around in, for example, a bag, and makes it possible to accurately detect that the eye drops 92 have been dripped from the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 and instilled.

[0077] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention, but the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the present invention also includes forms in which modifications and changes are made to the above embodiments within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0078] For example, although the above embodiment includes one pair of pressure sensors 32 arranged opposite each other (i.e., two pressure sensors 32), it may include three or more pressure sensors 32. For example, when two pairs of pressure sensors 32 arranged opposite each other (i.e., four pressure sensors 32) are included, compared to when there is only one pair of pressure sensors 32, it is possible to eliminate the need for a user to carefully grasp the pressure sensor 32 when grasping the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9, and ultimately improve the accuracy with which the pressure sensor 32 is pressed. In addition, when there are two pairs of pressure sensors 32 arranged opposite each other, the combination of the pressure sensors 32 arranged opposite each other is predetermined, and when the pressures detected by each of the predetermined pairs of pressure sensors 32 arranged opposite each other (i.e., each of the pairs of pressure sensors 32 of one of the two sets) simultaneously reach or increase above a predetermined threshold value, it may be determined that the drip detection device 1 has been used to press the main body 91 of the eye drop container 9 and dripping (i.e., eye instillation) of the eye drops 92 in the main body 91 has been performed.

[0079] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the drop detection device 1 is attached to the eye drop container 9, which is a container of eye drops 92 (specifically, eye drops or eye drops), but the containers to which the drop detection device of the present invention can be attached, in other words, to which the drop detection device of the present invention can be applied, are not limited to eye drop (eye drop) containers. That is, the drop detection device of the present invention may be attached to (in other words, applied to) various liquid containers, particularly those that cause the liquid in the container to drip when pressed by a human hand.

[0080] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Drop detection device 2 Housing 3 Detection unit 31 Arm unit 32 Pressure sensor 4 Control unit 5 Power supply unit 6 LED 8 Restraint member 9 Eye drop container 91 Main body 92 Eye drop 93 Eye drop nozzle 94 Lid

Claims

1. A drip detection device comprising: a housing; and a pair of detection units arranged opposite each other with a liquid container placed on the housing sandwiched between them, attached to the housing so as to be able to swing relative to the housing, and configured to detect pressure on the liquid container.

2. The drip detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection unit is positioned so as to overlap, in a side view, with the location of the liquid container that is pressed when the liquid container is pressed.

3. The drop detection device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is flexible.

4. The drip detection device according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of detection units includes a pressure sensor that detects the force with which the liquid container is pressed.

5. The drip detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that it detects dripping of liquid from the liquid container based on pressure on the liquid container detected simultaneously by each of the pair of detection units.

6. The drip detection device according to claim 1, further comprising an LED that lights up depending on the state of dripping of liquid in the liquid container.

7. The drip detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit that transmits information based on the content detected by the detection unit to an external device.

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