Excrement analysis device, excrement analysis method, and intestinal environment estimation system
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
Smart Images
Figure JP2025001661_30072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Excretory Analyzer, Excretory Analysis Method, and Intestinal Environment Estimation System
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[0001] The present disclosure relates to an excretory analyzer, an excretory analysis method, and an intestinal environment estimation system.
[0002] Techniques for obtaining a living body's feces as biological information and examining its state for health management, pathological diagnosis, etc. are known. For example, observing the color, shape, smell, etc. of feces through visual inspection, camera photography, sensors, etc. provides clues for knowing the health state. By comparing the data related to these feces with standard data, personal health management, pathological diagnosis, etc. are performed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for extracting average data from the statistical data distributions of multiple people as standard data and evaluating an individual's biological information based on, for example, the degree of deviation from the average value.
[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-147248
[0004] However, the conventional techniques have the problem that they only evaluate the relationship between the color, shape, smell, etc. of feces and the statistical health state, and have not reached the techniques for analyzing the temperature distribution of feces or estimating the intestinal environment.
[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an excretory analyzer and an excretory analysis method capable of analyzing the state of excretions. Another object is to provide an intestinal environment estimation system capable of estimating the intestinal environment.
[0006] The excretory analyzer according to the present disclosure includes a temperature distribution acquisition unit that acquires the size and temperature distribution of excretions from infrared rays radiated from the excretions of a subject during excretion, a temperature distribution storage unit that stores the temperature distribution in time series, a combined temperature distribution calculation unit that combines the temperature distributions stored in time series and calculates a combined temperature distribution within a set time, a specific region analysis unit that analyzes a specific region in the combined temperature distribution, and an analysis result output unit that outputs the analysis result by the specific region analysis unit.
[0007] Other excrement analysis devices relating to this disclosure include a thermal image acquisition unit that acquires a thermal image of infrared radiation emitted from a mass of excrement immediately after a subject's excretion, a mass temperature distribution calculation unit that calculates the mass temperature distribution of the excrement mass from the thermal image, a singular region analysis unit that analyzes singular regions in the mass temperature distribution, and an analysis result output unit that outputs the analysis results from the singular region analysis unit.
[0008] The intestinal environment estimation system relating to this disclosure comprises a temperature distribution measuring instrument, a stool analysis device relating to this disclosure, and a rectal state estimation device that estimates the state of the rectum based on the analysis results from the stool analysis device.
[0009] The excrement analysis method according to this disclosure comprises the steps of: obtaining the size and temperature distribution of excrement from infrared radiation emitted from the excrement of a subject during excretion; storing the temperature distribution in a time series; combining the temperature distributions stored in the time series to calculate a combined temperature distribution within a set time; analyzing a singular region in the combined temperature distribution; and outputting the analysis results.
[0010] Other excrement analysis methods relating to this disclosure include the steps of: acquiring a thermal image of the excrement mass emitted by infrared radiation immediately after the subject's excretion; calculating the mass temperature distribution of the excrement mass from the thermal image; analyzing a specific region in the mass temperature distribution; and outputting the analysis results.
[0011] According to this disclosure, by analyzing unique regions in the combined temperature distribution over a set time period, which is obtained by combining the time-series temperature distributions of excrement acquired from infrared radiation emitted from excrement during excretion, or in the mass temperature distribution calculated from thermal images emitted from the mass of excrement immediately after excretion, health management and pathological diagnosis can be performed based on these unique regions.
[0012] This is a schematic block diagram showing the functions of the excrement analyzer according to Embodiment 1. This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the excrement analyzer according to Embodiment 1. This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the excrement analyzer according to Embodiment 1. This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the excrement analyzer according to Embodiment 1. This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the excrement analyzer according to Embodiment 1. This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the excrement analyzer according to Embodiment 1. This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the excrement analyzer according to Embodiment 1. This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the excrement analyzer according to Embodiment 1. This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the excrement analyzer according to Embodiment 1. This is an explanatory block diagram showing the functions of the excrement analyzer according to Embodiment 2. This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the excrement analyzer according to Embodiment 2. This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the excrement analyzer according to Embodiment 2. This is a schematic block diagram showing the functions of the excrement analyzer according to Embodiment 3. This is a schematic block diagram showing the functions of the intestinal environment estimation system according to Embodiment 4. This is a flowchart showing an example of an excrement analysis method according to Embodiment 5. This is a flowchart showing an example of an excrement analysis method according to Embodiment 5. This is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a processing circuit that realizes each function of the excrement analyzer according to Embodiment 5.
[0013] Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the same parts and corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions are omitted.
[0014] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the functions of the excrement analysis device 100 according to Embodiment 1. The excrement analysis device 100 includes a temperature distribution acquisition unit 11 that acquires the size and temperature distribution of the excrement 1 from infrared rays 201 emitted from the excrement 1 of a subject during excretion, a temperature distribution storage unit 12 that stores the temperature distribution in a time series, a combined temperature distribution calculation unit 13 that combines the temperature distributions stored in a time series and calculates a combined temperature distribution 111 within a set time, a singular region analysis unit 14 that analyzes singular regions 4 in the combined temperature distribution 111, and an analysis result output unit 15 that outputs the analysis results from the singular region analysis unit 14.
[0015] The temperature of the rectum 51 is higher than oral temperature, axillary temperature, etc., and more accurately reflects the internal temperature of the body, making it useful for health management and pathological diagnosis. For example, in cases of severe heatstroke, the temperature of the rectum 51 may rise to over 40°C. Therefore, a thermometer is inserted into the rectum 51 from the buttocks 6 to measure the rectal temperature, but this can be uncomfortable and may cause damage to the rectum 51. On the other hand, although the temperature of stool (hereinafter, a part of the stool is referred to as excrement 1, and the mass of it as excrement mass 2) is close to the rectal temperature, it is difficult to estimate the state of the rectum 51 from excrement 1 and excrement mass 2. As a result of diligent research, the inventors have realized the excrement analyzer 100 of this disclosure.
[0016] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the excrement analysis device 100, showing the operation of acquiring the size and temperature distribution of the excrement 1 over time during excretion. For example, an infrared array sensor 21 is used as the temperature distribution measuring instrument 20, and the infrared radiation distribution of the area of the excreted excrement 1 is acquired from the infrared radiation 201 emitted from the excrement 1 excreted from the buttocks 6 of the subject during excretion. The infrared radiation 201 acquired by the light receiving unit 211 of the infrared array sensor 21 is converted into a temperature distribution and taken into the temperature distribution acquisition unit 11 along with the size information. The temperature distribution acquired by the temperature distribution acquisition unit 11 is then stored in time series by the temperature distribution storage unit 12. Then, in the combined temperature distribution calculation unit 13, for example, the temperature distributions from time t ti to tn (i is a positive integer, n is a positive integer greater than i) are combined and the combined temperature distribution 111 in the area corresponding to the length of the excrement 1 (the sum of length Li to length Ln) within the set time Δt is calculated. Here, Δt = tn - ti. If t = tj is the time when the excretion of excrement 1 ends, then calculating the combined temperature distribution 111 from t = t0 to t = tj will give the temperature distribution of the region relative to the length of the excrement mass 2. The temperature of excrement 1 during excretion is close to the rectal temperature of the body, and is usually higher than the temperature of the buttocks 6. For example, the temperature of the buttocks 6 can be measured, and a temperature exceeding this can be set as the measurement start temperature. When a temperature above the measurement start temperature is included in the temperature distribution, the start of excretion (t = t0) can be defined. Then, for example, the temperature of the buttocks 6 can be set as the measurement end temperature, and when it falls below the measurement end temperature, the end of excretion (t = j) can be defined. The end of measurement can also be set by time. Since excrement 1 may be excreted as multiple excrement masses 2, for example, a set measurement time of about 1 to 5 minutes can be set, and the measurement can be continued from the start of excretion until the set measurement time is exceeded. The start of excretion can be defined as when the subject sits on the toilet seat 30, and the end of measurement can be defined as when the subject stands up from the toilet seat 30. The start and end of the measurement may be entered by the subject or examiner using a switch, button, or the like.
[0017] The temperature distribution of the excrement 1 differs at each time t, but the temperature distribution of the excrement 1 immediately after excretion largely reflects the temperature of the rectum 51. The temperature of the rectum 51 is said to be around 37.5 to 38.5°C in good health. The combined temperature distribution 111, obtained by combining the temperature distributions at each time point during the set time Δt of the excrement 1, is obtained as temperature data, for example, as shown in Figure 3. For example, by setting the extraction temperature to 36.5°C or higher and extracting the temperature, a temperature distribution shape corresponding to the shape of the excrement mass 2 is obtained, and the state of the excrement can be determined. In other words, the shape of the combined temperature distribution 111 corresponds to the shape of the excrement mass 2, and the temperature of each part corresponds to the temperature of the excrement mass 2. And, for example, in the example shown in Figure 3, all the temperatures in the combined temperature distribution 111 fall within the range of 37.5 to 38.5°C, so the singular region analysis unit 14 analyzes that there is no singular region 4. And from this analysis result, it is estimated that the subject's health condition is good. For example, in the case shown in Figure 4, the temperature due to the combined temperature distribution 111 is in the range of 38.5 to 40.5°C, and is generally high, so the singular region analysis unit 14 analyzes the entire combined temperature distribution 111 as singular region 4. It then estimates that the subject's health condition is not good. Furthermore, in the case shown in Figure 5, for example, the temperature due to the combined temperature distribution 111 is generally in the range of 37.5 to 38.5°C, but there is a part that is 38.1 to 40.2°C, so the singular region analysis unit 14 analyzes this part as singular region 4. It then estimates that there is an abnormality in the subject's health condition.
[0018] The temperature of the stool 1 is affected by the time it remains in the rectum 51 and the rectal temperature. For example, in cases of constipation, poor blood circulation in the intestines lowers the temperature in the rectum 51, which can lower the temperature of the stool 1. If the temperature of the stool 1 is abnormally high, it may be a sign of infection or inflammation. Furthermore, tumors generally show a high temperature. Various factors can explain the appearance of specific regions 4 in some areas. For example, if a low-temperature area is analyzed as specific region 4, as shown in Figure 6A, it can be estimated that this is an area with poor blood circulation due to decreased peristalsis, etc. If a high-temperature area is analyzed as specific region 4, as shown in Figure 6B and Figure 6C, it can be estimated that this is due to inflammation, a tumor, etc.
[0019] Furthermore, the unique region analysis unit 14 calculates the size of the unique region 4 from the temperature information of the combined temperature distribution 111. The combined temperature distribution calculation unit 13 calculates the length of the combined temperature distribution 111 of the excrement 1, and the unique region analysis unit 14 identifies the position of the unique region 4 relative to the length of the combined temperature distribution 111. The position of the unique region 4 in the combined temperature distribution 111 can be made to correspond to the position of the pathological area 41 in the rectum 51, which is closest to the anus, the end of the large intestine 5. Therefore, the position of the pathological area 41 in the rectum 51 can be estimated. For example, as shown in Figure 7, if the unique region 4 is located about 3 cm from the bottom of the combined temperature distribution 111 in excrement A and excrement B, which are 10 cm and 15 cm in length, it can be estimated that the pathological area 41 is located in the rectum 51 about 3 cm from the anus. This is also true even if the excrement is separated into two pieces of 5 cm in length, as in excrement C. The length of the excrement mass 2 corresponds to the length of the combined temperature distribution 111. If the excrement mass 2 is too fine or liquid, it may not be possible to determine its position. Therefore, it is preferable to estimate that there is an abnormality in the rectum 51 if the specific region 4 is in the same position more than a set number of times after multiple bowel movements by the subject.
[0020] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, by obtaining the temperature distribution of the subject's excrement 1 over time and analyzing the changes in the size, temperature, etc., of the specific region 4 corresponding to the position of the rectum 51, it is possible to estimate the changes in the extent of inflammation in the rectum 51 over time. For example, Figure 8A shows the position, size, and temperature of the specific region 4 in the combined temperature distribution 111 from the first measurement. If we take Figure 8A as the data for day 1 and look at the data for day 5 shown in Figure 8B, the position of the specific region 4 remains unchanged at 3 cm from the bottom, and there is no change in temperature, for example, represented by color, but the size of the specific region 4 has increased slightly. Looking at the data for day 10 shown in Figure 8C, the position and size of the specific region 4 remain unchanged, but the temperature has increased. Looking at the data for day 15 shown in Figure 8D, the position, size, and temperature of the specific region 4 remain unchanged. Looking at the data for day 20 shown in Figure 8E, the position and temperature of the specific region 4 remain unchanged, but the size has changed. Looking at the data for day 25, shown at 8F in Figure 8, the location, size, and temperature of the specific region 4 remain unchanged, suggesting that the inflammation has not subsided. Figure 8 is just one example; for instance, if the specific region 4 is tumor-based, it can be used to estimate its expansion by increasing the time interval, or to confirm the effectiveness of treatments such as radiation therapy.
[0021] Thus, by providing a temperature distribution acquisition unit 11 that acquires the size and temperature distribution of the excrement 1 from infrared rays 201 emitted from the excrement 1 of a subject during excretion, a temperature distribution storage unit 12 that stores the temperature distribution in a time series, a combined temperature distribution calculation unit 13 that combines the temperature distributions stored in a time series and calculates a combined temperature distribution 111 within a set time Δt, a unique region analysis unit 14 that analyzes a unique region 4 in the combined temperature distribution 111, and an analysis result output unit 15 that outputs the analysis results from the unique region analysis unit 14, health management and pathological judgment based on the unique region 4 can be performed. Furthermore, by acquiring the temperature distribution measured by a temperature distribution measuring instrument 20 that receives infrared rays 201 and determining the state of the excrement, including the size of the unique region 4, from the temperature information corresponding to the position of the combined temperature distribution 111, the state of the pathological area 41 in the rectum 51 can be estimated. Furthermore, by obtaining the temperature distribution of the subject's stool 1 multiple times and estimating an abnormality in the rectum 51 if a specific region 4 corresponding to the position of the rectum 51 is present in the same position for a set number of times or more, the reliability of the analysis results can be improved. In addition, by obtaining the temperature distribution of the subject's stool 1 over time and analyzing changes in at least one of the size and temperature of the specific region 4 corresponding to the position of the rectum 51, it is possible to estimate changes in the state of the rectum 51 over time, thereby tracking changes in inflammation, tumor size, etc., and understanding the worsening of the disease, the healing status, etc. In other words, it can help in the detection of disease and understanding the effectiveness of treatment.
[0022] Although an example using an infrared array sensor 21 as the temperature distribution measuring instrument 20 has been described, an infrared sensor 22 may also be used. A radiation thermometer may also be used. The temperature distribution measuring instrument 20 can be installed anywhere as long as it can receive the infrared radiation 201 emitted by the excrement 1, for example, the underside of the toilet seat 30, the edge of the toilet bowl, or the rim of the washing bowl 31. It is even preferable to have a function to change the position or angle of the light receiving unit 211 in order to adjust the amount of light received and the position of light receiving. An alignment function or a confirmation camera may also be provided. Since the light receiving unit 211 may become soiled with excrement 1, it is preferable to make it possible to automatically clean it with a washing nozzle or the like.
[0023] Embodiment 2. Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram showing the functions of the excrement analysis device 100 according to Embodiment 2. Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 in that it calculates the mass temperature distribution 112 of the excrement mass 2 from a thermal image of infrared radiation emitted from the excrement mass 2 immediately after the subject's excretion. Otherwise, it is the same as Embodiment 1. The excrement analysis device 100 includes a thermal image acquisition unit 16 that acquires a thermal image of infrared radiation 201 emitted from the excrement mass 2 immediately after the subject's excretion, a mass temperature distribution calculation unit 17 that calculates the mass temperature distribution 112 of the excrement mass 2 from the thermal image, a singular region analysis unit 14 that analyzes a singular region 4 in the mass temperature distribution 112, and an analysis result output unit 15 that outputs the analysis results from the singular region analysis unit 14. The device that receives the infrared radiation 201 and generates the thermal image is, for example, a temperature distribution measuring instrument 20 such as an infrared sensor 22.
[0024] The excrement analyzer 100 acquires a thermal image of the excrement mass 2 immediately after excretion, using infrared radiation 201 emitted from the excrement mass 2 that has been excreted into the toilet bowl 31 shown in Figure 10. The analyzer then calculates the mass temperature distribution 112 of the excrement mass 2 from the thermal image. The temperature distribution measuring instrument 20 starts measuring, for example, when the subject sits on the toilet seat 30, and measures the thermal image of the excrement mass 2 immediately after excretion. The thermal image of the entire excrement mass 2 may be acquired, or a thermal image of a portion of it may be acquired from the side where excretion began. If the temperature distribution measuring instrument 20 cannot cover the entire excrement mass 2 when acquiring a thermal image of the entire excrement mass 2, the light receiving unit 211 may be tilted, for example, to allow for automatic scanning. The light receiving unit 211 may also be moved. If a thermal image of a portion of it is acquired from the side where excretion began, the measurement direction may be determined by detecting the excrement 1 that has begun to be excreted, for example. The mass temperature distribution 112 is then calculated from the acquired thermal image, or by superimposing the thermal images. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 11, an inspection sheet 32 may be placed on the washing bowl 31 to acquire a thermal image of the infrared radiation 201 emitted from the excrement mass 2 on the inspection sheet 32. By placing the inspection sheet 32, it is possible to prevent the temperature from changing due to wetting with water on the washing bowl 31. Furthermore, if an inspection sheet 32 made of paper or polymer sheet with low thermal conductivity is used, temperature changes due to the passage of time after excretion can be suppressed.
[0025] The calculated mass temperature distribution 112 of the excrement mass 2 is then analyzed in the same manner as the combined temperature distribution 111 in Embodiment 1. If the specific region analysis unit 14 analyzes that there are no specific regions 4 in the mass temperature distribution 112, it is estimated that the subject's health is good. If the temperature of the entire mass temperature distribution 112 is high and the entire distribution is analyzed as a specific region 4, it is estimated that the subject's health is not good. Furthermore, if the temperature of the mass temperature distribution 112 is generally within a good range, but there are parts that are high or low, these parts are analyzed as specific regions 4, and it is estimated that there is an abnormality in the subject's health. Parts with low temperature suggest poor blood circulation, while parts with high temperature suggest the possibility of inflammation or tumors. In addition, by using the mass temperature distribution 112 calculated from the side where excretion began, the pathological part 41 of the rectum 51 can be estimated from the location of the specific region 4 in the mass temperature distribution 112.
[0026] Thus, by providing a thermal image acquisition unit 16 that acquires a thermal image of infrared rays 201 emitted from the excrement mass 2 immediately after the subject's excretion, a mass temperature distribution calculation unit 17 that calculates the mass temperature distribution 112 of the excrement mass 2 from the thermal image, a singular region analysis unit 14 that analyzes a singular region 4 in the mass temperature distribution 112, and an analysis result output unit 15 that outputs the analysis results from the singular region analysis unit 14, health management and pathological diagnosis based on the singular region 4 can be performed.
[0027] Embodiment 3. Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram showing the functions of the excrement analysis device 100 according to Embodiment 3. The excrement analysis device 100 in Embodiment 3 differs from Embodiments 1 and 2 in that it acquires events of a subject, calculates the degree of relevance between the events and the singular region 4, and analyzes them as factors of the singular region 4. Otherwise, it is the same as Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2. The excrement analysis device 100 includes an event acquisition unit 18 that acquires events of a subject, and a relevance calculation unit 181 that calculates the degree of relevance between the events and the singular region 4. The singular region analysis unit 14 analyzes the event as a factor of the singular region 4 when the degree of relevance is equal to or greater than the relevance threshold. The combined temperature distribution calculation unit 13 may store the temperature distribution acquired by the temperature distribution acquisition unit 11 in a time series by the temperature distribution storage unit 12 and calculate the combined temperature distribution 111 within a set time Δt, or the thermal image acquisition unit 16 may acquire a thermal image from the excrement mass 2 immediately after excretion and calculate the mass temperature distribution 112. The analysis of the unique region 4 of the combined temperature distribution 111 or the mass temperature distribution 112 by the unique region analysis unit 14 is the same as in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2. The length, width, and other properties of the excrement mass 2 may be calculated from the combined temperature distribution 111 or the mass temperature distribution 112.
[0028] Events include, for example, meal times, meal amounts, meal types, sleep duration, sleep quality, exercise amount, and exercise type, and are entered by subjects, examiners, etc., via the event input unit 19. For example, it is possible to estimate whether digestion is good or bad from meal times and meal amounts. Also, for example, if the amount of dietary fiber and vegetables is low, it can be associated with a deterioration of the intestinal environment. Similarly, if the sleep duration is short or the sleep quality is poor, it can be associated with a deterioration of the intestinal environment. Low exercise levels lead to poor blood circulation and a deterioration of metabolism, and can therefore be associated with the specific region 4. The database 119 may store data on the association between events of many people and the specific region 4, and the degree of association may be determined by statistical processing. Alternatively, the subject's own past data may be stored, and the degree of association may be determined based on empirical associations. An example has been shown in which the database 119 is installed inside the excrement analyzer 100, but it may also be installed outside the excrement analyzer 100, for example, in the cloud or on a server.
[0029] Thus, the system includes an event acquisition unit 18 that acquires events from a subject, and a relevance calculation unit 181 that calculates the degree of relevance between the events and the singular region 4. The singular region analysis unit 14 analyzes the events as factors in the singular region 4 when the degree of relevance is equal to or greater than the relevance threshold, thereby clarifying the factors in the singular region 4 and enabling health management and pathological diagnosis.
[0030] Embodiment 4. Figure 13 is a schematic block diagram showing the functions of the intestinal environment estimation system 1000 according to Embodiment 4. In Embodiments 1 and 2, an example was described in which the pathological part 41 of the rectum 51 was estimated from a specific region 4 in the combined temperature distribution 111 or mass temperature distribution 112 within the excrement analysis device 100. Embodiment 4 differs in that it uses a rectal state estimation device 200 for health management and pathological judgment. The intestinal environment estimation system 1000 comprises a temperature distribution measuring instrument 20, an excrement analysis device 100, and a rectal state estimation device 200 that estimates the state of the rectum based on the analysis results from the excrement analysis device 100. The temperature distribution measuring instrument 20 is a radiation thermometer, an infrared array sensor 21, an infrared sensor 22, etc., and the excrement analysis device 100 is one of the devices according to Embodiments 1 to 3. The rectal state estimation device 200 estimates the state of the rectum based on the specific region 4 analyzed by the excrement analysis device 100. Similar to embodiments 1 to 3, the rectal condition estimation device 200 may estimate the pathological area 41 in the rectum 51, or the subject's physical condition may be estimated from rectal temperature. Furthermore, a system may be used to manage a large amount of data in the database 119 and perform factor analysis.
[0031] Thus, by providing a temperature distribution measuring instrument 20, a stool analysis device 100, and a rectal condition estimation device 200 that estimates the state of the rectum based on the analysis results from the stool analysis device 100, the factors of the specific region 4 can be more clearly identified, enabling health management and pathological diagnosis.
[0032] In addition, in the intestinal environment estimation system 1000, a thermal image may be acquired from the temperature distribution measuring instrument 20 and the mass temperature distribution 112 may be calculated by the excrement analysis device 100. Alternatively, the temperature distribution measuring instrument 20 may be equipped with a function to calculate the mass temperature distribution 112, and the mass temperature distribution 112 may be acquired by the excrement analysis device 100.
[0033] Embodiment 5. The operation of the excrement analysis device 100 in Embodiment 5 will be described. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the excrement analysis method according to Embodiment 5. First, the size and temperature distribution of the excrement 1 are obtained from the infrared radiation 201 emitted from the excrement 1 of the subject during excretion (step S101). Then the temperature distribution is stored in time series (step S102). Then the temperature distributions stored in time series are combined to calculate the combined temperature distribution 111 within a set time Δt (step S103). Furthermore, the singular region 4 in the combined temperature distribution 111 is analyzed (step S104). Then the analysis results are output (step S105).
[0034] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an example of another excrement analysis method according to Embodiment 5. First, a thermal image is obtained using infrared radiation emitted from the excrement mass 2 immediately after the subject's excretion (step S201). Then, the mass temperature distribution 112 of the excrement mass 2 is calculated from the thermal image (step S202). Then, a singular region 4 in the mass temperature distribution 112 is analyzed (step S203). Finally, the analysis results are output (step S204).
[0035] Figure 16 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a processing circuit that realizes each function of the excrement analysis device 100 according to Embodiment 5. The excrement analysis device 100 is provided with a processor 90, a memory 91, and a communication interface 92. For example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) is used for the processor 90. The memory 91 transmits and receives data to and from the processor 90 and stores the data. Temperature distribution and thermal images are acquired from the temperature distribution measuring instrument 20 via the communication interface 92. Analysis results are also output from the analysis result output unit 15 via the communication interface 92. Each process, such as the calculation of the combined temperature distribution 111 by the combined temperature distribution calculation unit 13, the calculation of the mass temperature distribution 112 by the mass temperature distribution calculation unit 17, and the analysis of the singular region 4 by the singular region analysis unit 14, is executed by the processor 90. Temperature distribution, thermal images, reference data, calculation formulas, etc. are stored in the memory 91.
[0036] The processor 90 and memory 91 may be shared by a single unit, or there may be multiple units. The processor 90 may also be equipped with logic circuits using, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an IC (Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and various signal processing circuits. Multiple processors 90 of the same or different types may be provided, so that each process is divided and executed by multiple arithmetic processing units.
[0037] The memory 91 may include, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) configured to allow reading and writing of data from the processor 90, ROM (Read Only Memory) configured to allow reading of data from the processor 90, or a hard disk drive (HDD).
[0038] Each function of the excrement analyzer 100 is realized by the processor 90 executing software or programs stored in memory 91 and cooperating with the hardware. The data to be set may be stored in memory 91 as part of the software or program, or it may be entered by the user. A non-temporary recording medium 912 on which the excrement analysis program 911 is recorded may be distributed and installed in the excrement analyzer 100 (memory 91).
[0039] In this way, the size and temperature distribution of the excrement 1 of a subject during excretion are obtained from the infrared radiation 201 emitted from the excrement 1, and the combined temperature distribution 111 within a set time Δt, calculated by combining the temperature distributions stored in a time series, or the unique region 4 in the mass temperature distribution 112 of the excrement mass 2 calculated from a thermal image of the excrement mass 2 emitted from the infrared radiation 201 immediately after the subject's excretion, is analyzed and the analysis results are output, thereby enabling health management and pathological diagnosis based on the unique region 4.
[0040] While this disclosure describes various exemplary embodiments, the various features, aspects, and functions described in one or more embodiments are not limited to the application of a particular embodiment, but are applicable individually or in various combinations to the embodiments. Accordingly, countless variations not illustrated are envisioned within the scope of the art disclosed herein. These include, for example, modifying, adding or omitting at least one component, or even extracting at least one component and combining it with a component from another embodiment.
[0041] 1. Excreta, 2. Excreta mass, 4. Special region, 5. Large intestine, 6. Buttocks, 11. Temperature distribution acquisition unit, 12. Temperature distribution storage unit, 13. Combined temperature distribution calculation unit, 14. Special region analysis unit, 15. Analysis result output unit, 16. Thermal image acquisition unit, 17. Mass temperature distribution calculation unit, 18. Event acquisition unit, 19. Event input unit, 20. Temperature distribution measuring instrument, 21. Infrared array sensor, 22. Infrared sensor, 30. Toilet seat, 31. Washing bowl, 32. Examination sheet, 41. Pathology unit, 51. Rectum, 100. Excreta analysis device, 111. Combined temperature distribution, 112. Mass temperature distribution, 181. Correlation calculation unit, 119. Database, 200. Rectal state estimation device, 201. Infrared, 211. Light receiving unit, 1000. Intestinal environment estimation system
Claims
1. An excrement analysis device comprising: a temperature distribution acquisition unit that acquires the size and temperature distribution of excrement from infrared radiation emitted from the excrement of a subject during excretion; a temperature distribution storage unit that stores the temperature distribution in a time series; a combined temperature distribution calculation unit that combines the temperature distributions stored in a time series and calculates a combined temperature distribution within a set time; a singular region analysis unit that analyzes singular regions in the combined temperature distribution; and an analysis result output unit that outputs the analysis results from the singular region analysis unit.
2. The excrement analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the singular region analysis unit calculates the size of the singular region from the temperature information of the combined temperature distribution.
3. The excrement analysis apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the combined temperature distribution calculation unit calculates the length of the combined temperature distribution, the unique region analysis unit identifies the position of the unique region relative to the length of the combined temperature distribution, and estimates the position of the pathological area in the rectum by relating the identified position of the unique region to the rectum.
4. The excrement analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the temperature distribution acquisition unit acquires the temperature distribution of the subject's excrement multiple times, and the specific region analysis unit estimates that there is an abnormality in the rectum if the specific region corresponding to the location of the pathological part of the rectum exists in the same position for a set number of times or more.
5. The excrement analyzer according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the temperature distribution acquisition unit acquires the temperature distribution of the subject's excrement over time, and the specific region analysis unit analyzes changes in at least one of the size and temperature of the specific region corresponding to the location of the pathological area in the rectum to estimate the changes in the state of the rectum over time.
6. An excrement analysis device comprising: a thermal image acquisition unit that acquires a thermal image of infrared radiation emitted from a mass of excrement immediately after a subject's excretion; a mass temperature distribution calculation unit that calculates the mass temperature distribution of the excrement mass from the thermal image; a singular region analysis unit that analyzes singular regions in the mass temperature distribution; and an analysis result output unit that outputs the analysis results from the singular region analysis unit.
7. An excrement analysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising: an event acquisition unit that acquires events of the subject; and a correlation calculation unit that calculates the degree of correlation between the events and the singular region, wherein the singular region analysis unit analyzes the events as factors of the singular region when the degree of correlation is equal to or greater than a correlation threshold.
8. The excrement analyzer according to claim 7, wherein the event includes at least one of the amount of food eaten, the type of food eaten, the duration of sleep, the quality of sleep, the amount of exercise, and the type of exercise.
9. An intestinal environment estimation system comprising a temperature distribution measuring instrument, an excrement analysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a rectal state estimation device that estimates the state of the rectum based on the analysis results from the excrement analysis device.
10. A method for analyzing excrement, comprising the steps of: obtaining the size and temperature distribution of excrement from infrared radiation emitted from the excrement of a subject during excretion; storing the temperature distribution in a time series; combining the temperature distributions stored in a time series to calculate a combined temperature distribution within a set time; analyzing a singular region in the combined temperature distribution; and outputting the analysis results.
11. A method for analyzing excrement, comprising the steps of: acquiring a thermal image of infrared radiation emitted from a mass of excrement immediately after a subject's excretion; calculating the mass temperature distribution of the excrement mass from the thermal image; analyzing a specific region in the mass temperature distribution; and outputting the analysis results.