Intestinal sound analysis method

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an intestinal sound analysis method with which the condition of the intestines can be sufficiently analyzed on the basis of intestinal sounds, and with which information suited to diagnosis by a doctor or the like can be provided. [Solution] Intestinal sounds IS of a subject are measured over a long period, an intestinal sound IS having a duration ST of 1 ms or more and a duration ST of less than 20 ms is extracted from the measured intestinal sounds IS, and the extracted intestinal sound IS is analyzed. Due to this configuration, the intestinal sounds IS of a subject generated by the activity state in the intestine of the subject can be appropriately ascertained. In addition, the association between the intestinal sounds IS of the subject and the daily activity of the subject can be appropriately ascertained. Further, the intestinal sounds IS of the subject can be ascertained more accurately by simultaneously measuring activity information and / or symptoms of the subject, configuring the time to measure the intestinal sounds of the subject to include a sleep time of the subject, or simultaneously measuring a sleep state of the subject together with the intestinal sounds IS.

Description

Bowel sound analysis method

[0001] The present invention relates to a bowel sound analysis method.

[0002] When the intestine moves, sound is generated by the movement of the intestinal contents. This sound varies depending on the conditions of the intestinal contents (volume, fluidity, degree of gas mixing). Furthermore, when there are abnormalities such as stenosis or inflammation in the intestine, or when abnormalities occur in the motor function of the intestine that cause increased or decreased intestinal motility, the properties of the generated sound (sound quality and frequency of sound generation) differ from those in a normal state. Therefore, doctors and nurses can grasp the condition of the intestine by listening to bowel sounds through a stethoscope. For example, when intestinal obstruction (ileus) occurs, a characteristic metallic sound (a high-pitched keening metallic sound) is produced, so the occurrence of intestinal obstruction can be detected by listening to bowel sounds.

[0003] In recent years, techniques for evaluating gastrointestinal motility characteristics by measuring bowel sounds, instead of examination by doctors using a stethoscope, have also been developed (e.g., Patent Document 1).

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a system including a sensor that can be arranged near a body region of a subject and configured to detect acoustic energy and generate at least one acoustic energy signal representing the acoustic energy, and a processing unit configured to process the acoustic energy signal and determine the occurrence of at least one gastrointestinal parameter from the processing result. Patent Document 1 also describes that the system is effective when adopted for determining gastrointestinal parameters and events including gastrointestinal mixing, discharge of gastrointestinal contents, gastrointestinal contraction, gastrointestinal events including gastrointestinal propulsion and gastrointestinal transit time, or gastrointestinal system disorders including reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, constipation, diarrhea, and disorder of hypercontraction groups.

[0005] However, Patent Document 1 only grasps abnormalities based on the acoustic energy generated by gastrointestinal motility when gastrointestinal abnormality has already occurred, and it is difficult to grasp the abnormality unless measurement is performed in a situation where gastrointestinal abnormality has already occurred.

[0006] On the other hand, in functional disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), where there is no abnormality in the intestines themselves, but stress and other factors cause abnormalities in intestinal motility, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea and constipation, there is no abnormality in the intestines themselves. For this reason, abnormalities in intestinal motility do not always occur, and intestinal motility changes due to diurnal variations and the influence of the environment being evaluated, making it difficult to objectively evaluate abnormalities in intestinal motility with a short-term test. For this reason, while the technology in Patent Document 1 can identify IBS if measurements are taken when symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation happen to be occurring, in practice, it is difficult to identify IBS.

[0007] Currently, in cases of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diagnosis and assessment of the condition are based on the patient's self-reported symptoms, but objective diagnosis is difficult due to the self-reporting nature of the information. A definitive diagnosis is made by first confirming that there are no abnormalities such as inflammation or tumors in the intestines through endoscopy or X-ray examination, and then determining whether the self-reported symptoms match the diagnostic criteria for IBS (Rome IV International Criteria). Diagnostic methods for IBS include methods that evaluate abnormal bowel movements, such as radiopaque markers, MRI, and colon motility tests using manometry, as well as methods that evaluate intestinal hypersensitivity, such as the barostat test (measurement of hypersensitivity using a rectally inserted balloon). These are effective in understanding the condition. However, these tests are not performed in routine clinical practice because they are burdensome for patients and do not allow for easy quantification of abnormalities.

[0008] Incidentally, numerous technologies have been developed to understand the activity of the intestines through sound, not limited to irritable bowel syndrome. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a technology that understands and scores the activity of the intestines from acquired sounds, and then assesses the health status of the subject based on the score. Patent Document 3 discloses a technology that estimates the state of the intestines after stimulation, using the sound before stimulation as a reference, based on the correlation of the ratio of bowel sounds before stimulation to bowel sounds after stimulation, which is created using a normal intestine as a reference. Furthermore, Patent Document 4 discloses a technology that estimates the state of the intestines by acquiring characteristic data of the subject's bowel sounds, for example, when they are constipated, as reference data, and comparing the measured bowel sound characteristic data with the reference data. It also describes how to determine the characteristic data of bowel sounds on a frequency basis.

[0009] Special Publication No. 2011-519663 Publication WO2022 / 168827 Publication Patent No. 7627011 Publication Patent No. 7644456

[0010] However, even using the technology described in the above patent document, it is not possible to adequately analyze the condition of the intestines based on bowel sounds and provide information suitable for diagnosis by doctors and other medical professionals.

[0011] In view of these circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a bowel sound analysis method that can thoroughly analyze the condition of the intestines based on bowel sounds and provide information suitable for diagnosis by physicians and other medical professionals.

[0012] <Measurement Target> The bowel sound analysis method of the first invention is characterized by measuring the bowel sounds of a subject for a long period of time, extracting bowel sounds with a duration of 1 ms or more and a duration of less than 20 ms from the measured bowel sounds, and analyzing the extracted bowel sounds. The bowel sound analysis method of the second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the subject's activity information and / or symptoms are measured simultaneously. The bowel sound analysis method of the third invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the time for measuring the subject's bowel sounds includes the subject's sleep time. The bowel sound analysis method of the fourth invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the subject's sleep state is measured simultaneously. <Bowel Sound Analysis> The bowel sound analysis method of the fifth invention is characterized by calculating a bowel sound analysis index based on bowel sound data obtained by measuring the subject's bowel sounds for a long period of time, and calculating a bowel motility index representing the state of bowel movement based on the bowel sound analysis index. The bowel sound analysis method of the sixth invention is characterized in that, in the fifth invention, the bowel motility index is calculated based on the following formula 1. Formula 1: Intestinal motility index = Intestinal sound analysis index × Analysis coefficient Analysis coefficient: An index indicating the subject's condition, measurement conditions, and the state of the measuring equipment. The seventh invention's intestinal sound analysis method is characterized by calculating the subject's stress index from the intestinal index obtained from the measured intestinal sound values ​​of the subject, based on a correlation formula between the intestinal index obtained from the measured intestinal sound values ​​of the subject having IBS and stress. The eighth invention's intestinal sound analysis method is characterized by calculating an IBS severity index representing the subject's IBS condition from the intestinal index obtained from the measured intestinal sound values ​​of the subject, based on a correlation formula between the intestinal index obtained from the measured intestinal sound values ​​of the subject having IBS and IBS. The ninth invention's intestinal sound analysis method is characterized in that, in the seventh or eighth invention, the intestinal index is used as the intestinal sound analysis index obtained from the measured intestinal sounds of the subject or the intestinal motility index obtained from the intestinal sound analysis index.<Extraction of Abnormal Conditions> The bowel sound analysis method of the 10th invention is characterized by calculating bowel index at a predetermined timing, creating a correlation map showing the relationship between the calculated bowel index and the subject's activity information and / or symptoms at the timing in which the bowel index was calculated, calculating a standard bowel index for each predetermined timing, and calculating a state estimate indicating the subject's condition by comparing the bowel index obtained from the subject's bowel sounds measured at a predetermined timing with the standard bowel index at the predetermined timing. The bowel sound analysis method of the 11th invention is characterized by creating a standard fluctuation graph showing the time variation of a standard bowel index, creating a measurement fluctuation graph showing the time variation of a bowel index calculated based on measured bowel sounds, and estimating the subject's condition by comparing the measurement fluctuation graph with the standard fluctuation graph. The bowel sound analysis method of the 12th invention is characterized in that, in the 10th or 11th invention, the standard bowel index is calculated based on the progression of bowel sounds when the subject is not experiencing a predetermined symptom, and / or the standard bowel index is calculated based on the progression of bowel sounds of a healthy person, and / or the standard bowel index is calculated based on the progression of bowel sounds when a person with a predetermined symptom or lesion is not experiencing a predetermined symptom. The bowel sound analysis method of the 13th invention is characterized in that, in the 10th or 11th invention, the reference bowel index is calculated based on the progression of bowel sounds, including bowel sounds, when a subject with a predetermined symptom or lesion experiences a predetermined symptom, and / or, the reference bowel index is calculated based on the progression of bowel sounds, including bowel sounds, when a healthy person experiences a specific symptom, and / or, the reference bowel index is calculated based on the progression of bowel sounds, including bowel sounds, when a person with a predetermined symptom or lesion experiences a predetermined symptom. The bowel sound analysis method of the 14th invention is characterized in that, in the 13th invention, the measurement fluctuation graph is compared with the reference fluctuation graph to determine abnormal values ​​of the subject's bowel index. The bowel sound analysis method of the 15th invention is characterized in that, in the 10th or 11th invention, the bowel index is used as a bowel sound analysis index obtained from the measured bowel sounds of the subject or a bowel motility index obtained from the bowel sound analysis index.

[0013] <Method for Analyzing Bowel Sounds> According to Inventions 1 to 4, the bowel sounds of a subject, which are generated by the activity state of the subject's intestines, can be appropriately grasped. Furthermore, the relationship between the subject's bowel sounds and the subject's daily activities can be appropriately grasped. <Bowel Sound Analysis> According to Inventions 5 to 6, the state of the subject's bowel motility based on the subject's bowel sounds can be appropriately grasped. According to Inventions 7 to 9, the stress state and the state (severity) of IBS in a subject can be appropriately grasped. <Extraction of Abnormal Conditions> According to Invention 10, abnormalities in the subject's bowel motility can be appropriately grasped. According to Invention 11, the difference between the bowel motility of the subject in an asymptomatic state, healthy individuals, and others with predetermined symptoms or lesions, and the subject's current bowel motility can be grasped, thus appropriately grasping abnormalities in the subject's bowel motility. According to Inventions 12 to 14, the circumstances under which a subject with a predetermined lesion develops symptoms can be appropriately grasped. According to Invention 15, the state of the subject's bowel motility can be objectively grasped.

[0014] (A) is a figure showing the relationship between the waveform of measured bowel sounds IS and the bowel sound analysis index, (B) is a figure showing the relationship between the duration ST of bowel sounds IS and the energy SE of bowel sounds IS, and (C) is a graph showing the distribution of the duration ST of bowel sounds IS when bowel sounds IS is measured for a long period of time. (A) is a figure showing the temporal variation of the duration ST of bowel sounds IS after eating, and (B) is a figure showing the results of evaluating small bowel motility after eating using MRI. This figure compares the correlation between the bowel sound analysis index at rest and the bowel sound analysis index when stress is applied for IBS patients and healthy individuals. This figure shows the temporal change of the bowel sound analysis index, (A) is an image of the temporal change of the bowel sound analysis index for healthy individuals or IBS patients in a state without symptoms, (B) is an image of the temporal change of the bowel sound analysis index for diarrhea-type IBS patients experiencing abdominal pain, and (C) is an image of the temporal change of the bowel sound analysis index for constipation-type IBS patients experiencing abdominal pain. This is an illustrative diagram of a correlation map showing the relationship between intestinal indices in healthy individuals or IBS patients without symptoms, and the subject's activity and symptoms at the time the intestinal indices were calculated. This is an illustrative diagram of a correlation map showing the relationship between intestinal indices in diarrhea-type IBS patients with symptoms, and the subject's activity and symptoms at the time the intestinal indices were calculated. This is an illustrative diagram of a correlation map showing the relationship between intestinal indices in constipation-type IBS patients with symptoms, and the subject's activity and symptoms at the time the intestinal indices were calculated. This is the result of measuring the subject's bowel sound IS during a period including sleep. This is the result of measuring the subject's bowel sound IS during a period including sleep. This is a figure showing the correlation between IBS severity and bowel sound analysis indices by sleep state. This is a figure showing the correlation between stress and bowel sound analysis indices by sleep state. This is a schematic diagram of the device used to measure bowel sound IS. This is a graph showing an example of the temporal variation of bowel sound analysis indices when bowel sounds from diarrhea-type IBS patients were collected for 24 hours.

[0015] The bowel sound analysis method of the present invention is a method for analyzing bowel sounds (bowel sounds IS) of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (hereinafter simply referred to as "IBS patients"), and can estimate the state of the intestines and stress levels of IBS patients based on bowel sounds IS measured continuously over a long period of time.

[0016] In this specification, "long duration" in the context of "long-duration continuous measurement" means measuring bowel sounds continuously for 30 minutes. Furthermore, if you want to understand the continuous changes in bowel state during daytime activities (such as work or school activities) or during relaxed states such as sleep at home, continuous bowel sound measurement for 6 to 12 hours is necessary. This 6 to 12-hour period also falls under the definition of "long duration" in this specification, and measuring bowel sounds continuously for 6 to 12 hours also constitutes "long-duration continuous measurement." Additionally, if you want to understand the state of your bowel over multiple days, continuous bowel sound measurement for 24 hours or more is necessary. This 24-hour period also falls under the definition of "long duration" in this specification, and measuring bowel sounds continuously for 24 hours or more also constitutes "long-duration continuous measurement." In short, depending on the state of your bowel that you want to understand, a longer period than when checking bowel sounds during a hospital examination or test will be considered "long duration" in this specification, and continuously measuring bowel sounds during that period constitutes "long-duration continuous measurement."

[0017] In this specification, "continuous measurement" refers to any measurement that allows for the acquisition of bowel sound data continuously enough to extract bowel sounds with a length of 1 ms or more by analyzing the measured bowel sound data.

[0018] <Device for Measuring Bowel Sound IS> The bowel sound IS used in the bowel sound analysis method of the present invention can be, for example, a device 1 (bowel sound measuring device 1) having the configuration shown in Figure 12. As shown in Figure 12, the bowel sound measuring device 1 comprises a bowel sound measuring means 10 for measuring the bowel sound IS of an IBS patient and an analysis means 20 for analyzing the bowel sound IS measured by the bowel sound measuring means 10. The bowel sound measuring device 1 also comprises a storage means 40 for storing the bowel sound IS data measured by the bowel sound measuring means 10 and the analysis results analyzed by the analysis means 20. Furthermore, the bowel sound measuring device 1 comprises an input means 30 for inputting the activity status of the IBS patient.

[0019] <Storage means 40> First, the storage means 40 has the function of storing signals and data transmitted from the bowel sound measurement means 10, the analysis means 20, the input means 30, etc. The storage means 40 also has the function of storing signals and data transmitted from the bowel sound measurement means 10, the analysis means 20, the input means 30, etc., along with the time when the signals were transmitted. Furthermore, the storage means 40 has the function of providing the stored information to each means, etc., in accordance with commands from each means, etc. For example, the storage means 40 stores information necessary for the analysis means 20 to perform an analysis as described later based on the bowel sound IS, and when the analysis means 20 performs an analysis as described later, the storage means 40 has the function of providing the analysis means 20 with the necessary information and the data of the bowel sound IS to the bowel sound IS.

[0020] <Bowel Sound Measurement Means 10> The bowel sound measurement means 10 includes a sensor 11 that has the function of measuring bowel sound IS in a non-contact or non-direct contact state with the subject's body, such as a general microphone, and converting it into an electrical signal (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "bowel sound signal ISS"), and a transmitting unit 12 that transmits the bowel sound signal ISS to the analysis means 20. For example, the bowel sound measurement means 10 has the function of continuously measuring bowel sound IS and transmitting the bowel sound signal ISS as shown in Figures 8 and 9 to the analysis means 20 and the storage means 40.

[0021] <Input means 30> The input means 30 has the function of inputting activity information and / or symptoms of an IBS patient, and has the function of transmitting the input activity information to the analysis means 20 and the storage means 40. Activity information of an IBS patient means various activities in the daily life of an IBS patient, such as eating, exercising, bowel movements, and sleep. Symptoms of an IBS patient mean abdominal pain (may include location and severity), abdominal distension, abdominal discomfort, feeling of incomplete bowel emptying, and bowel movement abnormalities (diarrhea, constipation, etc., and may include frequency, stool characteristics, consistency, etc.). The input means 30 is not particularly limited as long as it has the function of transmitting information regarding the activity status of an IBS patient to the analysis means 20, etc. For example, a device that transmits activity information and / or symptoms entered by the IBS patient to the analysis means 20, etc. can be used as the input means 30. If the IBS patient enters information obtained by separately conducting tests or examinations, such as stress levels, using an application installed on a smartphone, etc., the smartphone, etc. can be used as the input means 30. Furthermore, if an IBS patient inputs their activity status using sounds detectable by the bowel sound measurement means 10, the bowel sound measurement means 10 can also function as the input means 30. A sensor or other device that has the function of detecting the activity status of an IBS patient and transmitting it to the analysis means 20, etc., can be used as the input means 30. For example, a device that detects the activity (walking, etc.) of an IBS patient can be used as the input means 30. Alternatively, a device that has the function of determining the sleep state (e.g., REM sleep, deep non-REM sleep, light non-REM sleep, etc.) based on the measured sleep state of an IBS patient can be used as the input means 30. In this case, the analysis means 20 should be provided with a function to analyze the measured sleep state and determine the sleep state.

[0022] <Analysis means 20> The analysis means 20 has the function of analyzing bowel sounds of IBS patients using the bowel sound analysis method of the present invention, and has a bowel sound analysis function 21 and an analysis function 22.

[0023] <Bowel Sound Analysis Function 21> The bowel sound analysis function 21 is a function that analyzes the bowel sound signal ISS measured by the bowel sound measurement means 10. Specifically, the bowel sound analysis function 21 has the function of analyzing the bowel sound signal ISS and calculating a bowel sound analysis index. The bowel sound analysis function 21 also has the function of calculating a bowel motility index based on the bowel sound analysis index. Furthermore, the bowel sound analysis function 21 has the function of associating the calculated bowel sound analysis index and bowel motility index with each other and transmitting them to the storage means 40 for storage. In addition, the bowel sound analysis function 21 has the function of associating the bowel sound analysis index and bowel motility index with the original bowel sound signal ISS and transmitting them to the storage means 40 for storage. The bowel sound analysis index and bowel motility index will be described later.

[0024] <Analysis Function 22> Analysis function 22 has the function of analyzing the intestinal state of IBS patients using the intestinal sound analysis index and intestinal motility index calculated by the intestinal sound analysis function 21. Specifically, analysis function 22 has the function of creating indexes and graphs that show the intestinal state of IBS patients, based on the intestinal sound analysis index and intestinal motility index. Furthermore, analysis function 22 also has the function of transmitting the calculated indexes and graphs to the memory means 40 for storage, associating them with the intestinal sound analysis index and intestinal motility index from which they were derived. The indexes and graphs calculated by analysis function 22 will be described later.

[0025] Since the bowel sound measurement device 1 has the configuration described above, measuring the bowel sounds of IBS patients with the bowel sound measurement device 1 allows doctors and IBS patients to objectively understand the state of the IBS patient's bowel as bowel sound analysis indicators and bowel motility indicators. Moreover, since indicators and graphs showing the state of the IBS patient's bowel are created using the bowel sound analysis indicators and bowel motility indicators, doctors and patients can appropriately understand the state of bowel motility. Furthermore, since data from long-term continuous measurement of the bowel sounds of IBS patients is used, the relationship between the IBS patient's daily activities and the state of bowel motility can be appropriately understood.

[0026] The subjects who undergo bowel sound IS measurement using the bowel sound measuring device 1 that implements the bowel sound analysis method of the present invention are primarily IBS patients, but subjects other than IBS patients can also be included. For example, in order to obtain data to determine whether a subject has IBS, the bowel sound IS may be measured using the bowel sound measuring device 1 and analyzed using the bowel sound analysis method of the present invention. In order to understand the symptoms of IBS patients, the bowel sound IS of subjects who do not have IBS may be measured and analyzed using the bowel sound analysis method of the present invention.

[0027] <About the analysis performed by the analysis means 20> The following describes the analysis performed by the analysis means 20, that is, the bowel sound analysis index and bowel motility index obtained by the analysis using the bowel sound analysis method of the present invention.

[0028] <Bowel Sound Analysis Indices> The bowel sound analysis function 21 of the analysis means 20 has the function of calculating bowel sound analysis indicators based on the bowel sound signal ISS of IBS patients, etc. The bowel sound analysis indicators obtained by the bowel sound analysis function 21 can include, for example, the following indicators. Note that the bowel sound analysis indicators are not limited to the following indicators. Furthermore, the method for calculating these bowel sound analysis indicators from the bowel sound signal ISS is not particularly limited, and various known methods can be applied to the bowel sound signal ISS to calculate each bowel sound analysis indicator.

[0029] 1) Bowel sound duration ST The bowel sound duration ST is the average duration of multiple bowel sound groups SG (see section X in Figure 9) within a predetermined time, assuming that multiple unit bowel sounds US (see Figure 1(A)) generated within a predetermined time constitute a continuous block of bowel sounds IS (hereinafter referred to as "bowel sound group SG"). The predetermined time for calculating the bowel sound duration ST is not particularly limited. For example, it can range from a few seconds to several tens of minutes. 2) Unit bowel sound energy SE The unit bowel sound energy SE is the average value of the energy possessed by the bowel sound group SG generated within a predetermined time. The predetermined time for calculating the unit bowel sound energy SE is not particularly limited. For example, it can range from a few seconds to several tens of minutes. 3) Short-time bowel sound energy STE The short-time bowel sound energy STE is the bowel sound energy of a bowel sound IS for a predetermined short period of time. The predetermined short period for calculating the short-time bowel sound energy STE can be set as appropriate, for example, to 1 ms. 4) Bowel Sound Interval SSI The bowel sound interval SSI is the average value of the interval between two adjacent bowel sound groups SG within a predetermined time (see Figure 1(A)). The predetermined time for calculating the bowel sound interval SSI is not particularly limited. For example, it can range from a few seconds to several tens of minutes. 5) Bowel Sound Occurrence Count SPM The bowel sound occurrence count SPM is the average value of the number of times a bowel sound group SG occurs per minute within a predetermined time. The predetermined time for calculating the bowel sound occurrence count SPM is not particularly limited. For example, it can range from one minute to several tens of minutes.

[0030] Here, as shown in Figure 1(A), the unit bowel sound US is a waveform consisting of two consecutive waveforms having a pair of peaks and troughs. Generally, the bowel sound group SG used as the bowel sound IS in the analysis described above includes multiple unit bowel sound US, and its duration ST is 20 ms or more. Bowel sound group SG with a duration ST of less than 20 ms is not usually used. However, in the analysis means 20 for implementing the bowel sound analysis method of the present invention, not only bowel sound group SG with a duration ST of 20 ms or more, but also bowel sound group SG with a duration ST of 1 ms or more and less than 20 ms or more is used in the analysis. As shown in Figure 1(C), when bowel sounds are measured continuously, in the distribution of bowel sound duration ST in the early morning fasting state with reduced gastrointestinal motility, approximately 68% of the bowel sound group SG has a duration ST of less than 20 ms, and approximately 32% has a duration ST of 20 ms or more. In other words, by using bowel sound groups SG with bowel sound duration STs of 1 ms or more but less than 20 ms in the analysis, it becomes possible to analyze the state of the intestines from approximately 68% of bowel sound ISs that have not been used until now. Moreover, bowel sound groups SG with bowel sound duration STs of 20 ms or less show a stronger correlation with bowel sound energy SE, which is considered to have a strong relationship with intestinal motility, than bowel sound groups SG with bowel sound duration STs of 20 ms or more (see Figure 1(B)). Therefore, when implementing the bowel sound analysis method of the present invention, the bowel sound analysis index may be calculated using bowel sound groups SGs of all bowel sound duration STs, but by using bowel sound groups SG with bowel sound duration STs of 1 ms or more but less than 20 ms, a bowel sound analysis index with a strong relationship with intestinal motility can be obtained.

[0031] <Intestinal Motility Index> The bowel sound analysis function 21 of the analysis means 20 has the function of calculating an intestinal motility index that represents the state of bowel movement in IBS patients using the bowel sound analysis index described above. It is known that there is a correlation between bowel sounds IS and intestinal motility. Figure 2(B) is a graph showing the results of an evaluation of gastric and small intestinal motility using MRI by Khalf et al. (Khalaf A, Hoad CL, Menys A, Nowak A, Taylor SA, Paparo S, Lingaya M, Falcone Y, Singh G, Spiller RC, Gowland PA, Marciani L, Moran GW. MRI assessment of the postprandial gastrointestinal motility and peptide response in healthy humans, Neurogastroenterol Motil. vol.30, no.1, 2018. Khalaf A, Nowak A, Menys A, Marciani L, Taylor SA, Spiller RC, Gowland PA, Moran GW, Hoad CL. Cine MRI assessment of motility in the unprepared small bowel in the fasting and fed state: Beyond the breath-hold., Neurogastroenterol Motil. vol.31, no.1, 2019.). Figure 2(A) is a graph showing the time change in the duration ST of bowel sounds (IS) after subjects consumed 400g of chicken cream soup, the reference meal used by Khalaf et al. when evaluating gastric and small intestinal motility using MRI, over a period of 20 minutes. The horizontal axis represents the time elapsed since eating, and the vertical axis represents the duration ST of bowel sounds at various time points after consuming the chicken cream soup. In Figure 2(A), the mean ± standard deviation is significantly increased (p < 0.05) for the first 45 minutes after eating compared to before eating. Comparing Figure 2(A) and Figure 2(B), it can be seen that bowel activity is more active immediately after eating, and the duration ST of bowel sounds is also longer.On the other hand, as time passes, intestinal activity decreases, and the duration of bowel sounds (ST) also shortens. Furthermore, the decrease in intestinal activity and the change in the duration of bowel sounds (ST) are similar. From this, it can be confirmed that there is a correlation between bowel sounds (IS) and bowel motility. Therefore, it is possible to estimate bowel motility indices based on bowel sound analysis indices. Bowel sounds are produced when the contents of the digestive tract (food, digestive juices, and air) mix together due to digestive tract motility. The main sites of origin are the ileocecal valve (the narrow boundary between the ileum and cecum) and the pylorus (the narrow boundary between the stomach and duodenum), and the sounds propagate through the body to the body surface, where they are collected by measuring devices on the body surface. For this reason, the collected sounds are affected by the distance from the site of origin and subcutaneous fat, and thin people have quieter bowel sounds than obese people. Therefore, by correcting for the effect of body size with a coefficient that represents the subject's condition, such as BMI (Body Mass Index, a value obtained by dividing weight (kg) by the square of height (m)), it becomes possible to compare with other people. Furthermore, since attaching the sound-collecting unit directly to the skin can cause skin irritation, the position and fixing method of the sound-collecting unit may be changed, such as attaching it over clothing like a shirt, for long-term measurements. In such cases, differences will occur in the collected sound, so correcting with a coefficient representing the measurement conditions allows for comparison with previous measurements even when changing the measurement conditions for the same person, and also allows for comparison with other people. Moreover, even when using the same bowel sound collection device, it may not be possible to evaluate the same sound due to differences in the device's settings or variations in the precision of the parts. In such cases, by setting a coefficient that corrects the loudness of the sound using the sound when bowel sounds are not being heard (white noise), it becomes possible to calculate a bowel motility index based on accurate sound measurement that is not affected by the measurement conditions. Based on the above, the bowel motility index can be calculated using the following formula: Formula 1: Bowel motility index = Bowel sound analysis index × Analysis coefficient Analysis coefficient: An index that indicates the subject's condition, measurement conditions, and the condition of the measuring device. Note that the analysis coefficient may be one of the above indicators used as the analysis coefficient, or it may be calculated using multiple indicators.

[0032] <Analysis of the state of the intestines by the analysis function 22> The analysis function 22 of the analysis means 20 has the function of performing the following analysis using the intestinal sound analysis index and intestinal motility index calculated by the intestinal sound analysis function 21.

[0033] <Stress Analysis Based on Bowel Sounds> Stress on a person changes the motility of the intestines and alters the bowel sounds (IS) emitted by the intestines. Therefore, by calculating bowel sound analysis indices and bowel motility indices obtained from bowel sound IS, it is possible to calculate evaluation values ​​that can be used to determine whether or not a person is experiencing stress. The analysis function 22 of the analysis means 20 has the function of calculating evaluation values ​​(stress evaluation values) to assess such stress.

[0034] Figure 3 shows the results of measuring bowel sounds (IS) at a position 6 cm to the right of the navel for 30 minutes continuously (10 minutes at rest, 10 minutes under stress, and 10 minutes in recovery) in subjects with IBS and subjects without IBS (N-IBS), under conditions of rest, stress, and recovery, after fasting for more than 6 hours and abstaining from fluids for more than 1 hour. The results then show the correlation between bowel sound analysis indices in the resting state and those in the stress state. The bowel sound analysis indices used were short-time bowel sound energy (STE), bowel sound interval (SSI), and bowel sound occurrence count (SPM). All measured bowel sound groups (SG), i.e., those with a bowel sound duration (ST) of less than 20 ms and those with a bowel sound duration (ST) of 20 ms or more, were used to calculate each bowel sound analysis index. The resting and recovery states were defined as subjects viewing images and sounds of flowing water, while the stress state was defined as subjects viewing binomial listening (listening to different music in the left and right ears).

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, IBS patients showed a high correlation with short-time bowel sound energy (STE), bowel sound interval (SSI), and bowel sound frequency (SPM), while N-IBS patients showed a weak correlation.

[0036] Therefore, if a correlation formula showing the correlation between bowel sound analysis index in a resting state and bowel sound analysis index under load is determined in advance and stored in the memory means 40 or the analysis function 22 of the analysis means 20, then by measuring the bowel sound IS of an IBS patient, a stress index can be calculated to determine the stress level of the IBS patient. In other words, by calculating the bowel sound analysis index from the bowel sound IS measured in an IBS patient, the analysis function 22 can calculate the stress index of the IBS patient by applying the bowel sound analysis index to the correlation formula.

[0037] <Confirming the relationship between the activity level and intestinal condition of IBS patients> In order to understand the symptoms of IBS patients and to take appropriate measures such as medication, it is important to understand the occurrence of symptoms in the daily lives of IBS patients and the behaviors that cause those symptoms. To this end, it is desirable to measure the intestinal condition related to the symptoms of IBS patients, that is, bowel sounds, over a long period of time and understand the relationship between the measurement results and the symptoms and behaviors of IBS patients. Therefore, analysis function 22 is equipped with a function to create correlation graphs and correlation maps that analyze the relationship between the symptoms and behaviors of IBS patients.

[0038] By creating correlation graphs and maps that display the relationship between IBS patients' behavior and bowel sounds (IS) over time, it is possible to visualize and understand the impact of IBS patients' behavior on their bowel condition. This allows physicians to potentially make more appropriate judgments about IBS patients' symptoms and how to manage them by reviewing the correlation graphs and maps. Below is an example of what might be expected when bowel sounds are measured and correlation graphs and maps are created for IBS patients.

[0039] <Correlation Graph> Figure 4 shows an example of a hypothetical correlation graph, focusing on the case of meal intake. In the correlation graph in Figure 4, the horizontal axis represents time T, and the vertical axis represents indicators such as bowel sound analysis indicators and bowel motility indicators (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "indicators"). In the correlation graph in Figure 4, the indicators are displayed so that they increase when bowel motility becomes more active. Furthermore, the indicators for each time period may be used as they are, or the average value of the indicators within a specified time period may be used.

[0040] First, Figure 4(A) is a correlation graph showing the relationship between the behavior and the index of healthy individuals (reference subjects) and IBS patients in a stable state without IBS symptoms (hereinafter, both may be collectively referred to as "reference subjects"). In reference subjects, when they eat, their bowel movements become more active, so the index increases, and as time passes after eating, bowel movements subside and the index decreases, resulting in fluctuations. A slight increase in the index is also observed just before defecation. Note that the graph in Figure 4(A) corresponds to the "reference fluctuation graph" as referred to in the patent claims. Furthermore, the index at each time point in the "reference fluctuation graph" corresponds to the "reference bowel index" as referred to in the patent claims. Therefore, the value of the "reference bowel index" changes depending on the time and the behavior of the reference subjects.

[0041] Next, Figures 4(B) and 4(C) are correlation graphs showing the relationship between the behavior, symptoms, and indicators of IBS patients experiencing IBS symptoms. The dotted line represents the graph of IBS patients experiencing IBS symptoms (measured fluctuation graph), and the solid line represents the fluctuation of the baseline fluctuation graph. The times in both graphs are displayed so that the baseline behaviors match. Therefore, the length of time between corresponding behaviors does not necessarily match. For example, in Figures 4(B) and 4(C), the timing of meals is matched, and for a certain period of time afterward (for example, about 2-3 hours), both graphs are matched in real time. However, after a certain period of time has elapsed, in order to match the timing of the next meal, the indicator for a certain time is removed from the baseline fluctuation graph or the measured fluctuation graph, or the time is shortened.

[0042] As shown in Figure 4(B), when an IBS patient experiences abdominal pain and defecates after eating, if the increase in the indicator immediately after eating is greater than the standard bowel indicator, or if a spike-like increase in the indicator (abnormal value) larger than the standard bowel indicator is observed, it can be determined that bowel motility is increased and diarrheal IBS symptoms have occurred in the IBS patient. In addition, patients with diarrheal IBS tend to have a shorter time from eating to defecation than standard subjects. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4(C), when an IBS patient experiences abdominal pain after eating but does not defecate, if the indicator is smaller than the standard bowel indicator, it can be determined that constipated IBS symptoms have occurred in the IBS patient. In addition, patients with constipated IBS tend to have smaller indicators overall and lower bowel activity compared to the standard fluctuation graph of standard subjects. Furthermore, if similar symptoms occur after two meals, it may be possible to more accurately understand the state of the IBS patient by examining the two measurement fluctuation graphs after meals. For example, as shown in Figure 4(B), IBS patients whose two measurement fluctuation graphs after meal intake show similar fluctuations may have different intestinal conditions even if they have the same symptoms. Furthermore, even among IBS patients, if the two measurement fluctuation graphs after meal intake show different fluctuations, it is possible that the patient's symptoms change depending on the circumstances of their diet (food consumed, timing, etc.). Therefore, by creating a correlation graph comparing the measurement fluctuation graph and the reference fluctuation graph, physicians can be presented with data to understand the symptoms and intestinal condition of IBS patients at the time of IBS symptom onset.

[0043] Furthermore, it is preferable to create both the baseline fluctuation graph and the measured fluctuation graph for the entire measurement time during which bowel sound IS is measured. By creating baseline fluctuation graphs and measured fluctuation graphs for the entire measurement time, it is possible to check not only the difference between the baseline fluctuation graph and the measured fluctuation graph when the same action is performed, but also the fluctuations of the indicators during that time. This allows for an understanding of the state before and after the onset of symptoms, thereby deepening the understanding of the symptoms of IBS patients.

[0044] Furthermore, when a reference fluctuation graph and a measured fluctuation graph are created over the entire measurement time, in the above-described example, the related graph is generated by superimposing the reference fluctuation graph and the measured fluctuation graph by aligning the timing of a predetermined action; however, the related graph may also be generated simply by aligning the time. That is, if the measurement start time is 0 o'clock, the start of the reference fluctuation graph and the measured fluctuation graph may be aligned at 0 o'clock, and the reference fluctuation graph showing the fluctuation of the indicator according to the measured time and the measured fluctuation graph may be superimposed to form a related map.

[0045] Furthermore, the reference fluctuation graph and the measured fluctuation graph may be created only for a predetermined period of time, that is, only for a period of time over which the reference fluctuation graph and the measured fluctuation graph can be compared. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4(B) and 4(C), the reference fluctuation graph and the measured fluctuation graph may be created only for a certain period of time from the start of a meal, and the two graphs may be compared with each other.

[0046] FIG. 13 is a graph showing an example of temporal fluctuation of a bowel sound analysis index of a subject when bowel sounds are collected for 24 hours from a patient with diarrhea-type IBS (hereinafter simply referred to as "the subject"). This graph illustrates an example in which abnormal intestinal motility, abdominal pain and diarrhea occurred due to mental stress during two examinations held in the morning and afternoon at school. In this graph, the short-time bowel sound energy STE, which is one of the bowel sound analysis indexes, is used to represent the intestinal motility state of the subject, the horizontal axis represents time T, and the vertical axis represents the short-time bowel sound energy STE.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 13, it can be confirmed that the short-time bowel sound energy STE exhibits temporal fluctuation in which peaks occur as appropriate over 24 hours. Among these, larger peaks of the index than those in other time periods occur after three meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner, and during the two examinations held in the morning and afternoon at school (the former are indicated by open inverted triangles, and the latter are indicated by black arrows). Furthermore, around the latter peaks, the subject had abdominal pain even before the peak occurred, and diarrhea occurred at the timing of the peak.

[0048] It is considered that the index increased after food intake because intestinal motility became active due to the meal. On the other hand, the index during the test is larger than the index after food intake. In addition, the subject had abdominal pain before the peak of the index during the test occurred, had diarrhea at the timing of the peak, the subject's abdominal pain disappeared immediately after defecation, and the index also decreased sharply, being lower than that before the onset of symptoms. From these changes in the index, it can be determined that during the test, intestinal motility became hyperactive due to the influence of mental stress, and the diarrhea-type IBS symptom occurred.

[0049] As described above, if bowel sounds are continuously analyzed while the subject carries out daily life, intestinal motility can be evaluated based on bowel sounds, and furthermore, the subject's behavior and fluctuations in intestinal motility (changes in the bowel sound analysis index) can be grasped in association with each other. In other words, intestinal motility before and after the onset of abdominal symptoms and defecation in an IBS patient who is the subject can be objectively analyzed and evaluated in association with the subject's behavior. Accordingly, there is also a possibility that the inducement for the onset of symptoms in IBS patients can be analyzed, and a drug that prevents the onset of symptoms can be taken orally.

[0050] <Correlation Map> An example of a correlation map is shown in FIG. 5(A), FIG. 6(A), and FIG. 7(A), and similarly to the aforementioned correlation graph, this is a correlation map focusing on the case when a meal is ingested. Hereinafter, an example of an assumed correlation map will be described. In the correlation maps of FIG. 5(A), FIG. 6(A), and FIG. 7(A), the horizontal axis represents time T. In addition, for the average value of the index over a fixed period of time (for example, 10 minutes, 1 hour, etc.), the index is shown as a relative evaluation value with respect to the average value of the reference intestinal index (that is, the average value of the index throughout the entire measurement time). In FIG. 5(A), FIG. 6(A), and FIG. 7(A), when the evaluation value of the reference intestinal index is set to "3", if the index (measurement index) calculated based on the measured bowel sound IS of an IBS patient is not less than a first threshold and less than a second threshold relative to the reference intestinal index, the evaluation value is "4"; further, if the measurement index is not less than the second threshold relative to the reference intestinal index, the evaluation value is "5". Conversely, if the measurement index is not more than a third threshold and greater than a fourth threshold relative to the reference intestinal index, the evaluation value is "2"; further, if the measurement index is not more than the fourth threshold relative to the reference intestinal index, the evaluation value is "1". The method for setting the evaluation value is not particularly limited.

[0051] Furthermore, the correlation map displays the timing of any outliers in the indicator. An outlier in an indicator refers to a case where the indicator value becomes sharply higher or lower compared to the preceding and succeeding values. In Figure 4(B), this would include the peak that occurs after the maximum peak following a meal.

[0052] First, Figure 5(A) is a correlation map showing the relationship between the behavior of a reference subject and the bowel sound analysis index. In the correlation map for the reference subject, the evaluation value is "3" when the subject is not engaging in any special activities in daily life, and rises to "4" when the bowel movements become more active after eating. Furthermore, no abnormal values ​​of the index occur. By creating a graph (evaluation histogram) summarizing this data (see Figure 5(B)) and displaying it together with the correlation map, doctors and other medical professionals can easily understand the bowel condition of the reference subject.

[0053] Figures 6 and 7 show correlation maps of IBS patients when symptoms are present. As shown in Figure 6(A), when an IBS patient experiences abdominal pain and defecation after eating, the evaluation value is "5," which is higher than the postprandial evaluation value of "4" in the correlation map of the control subjects, confirming that the IBS patient is experiencing diarrhea-type symptoms. Furthermore, in the evaluation histogram of the IBS patient in Figure 6(B), there are many higher evaluation values ​​compared to the evaluation histogram of the control subjects, and the presence of abnormal values ​​(spike-like increases in indicators) makes it immediately clear that the patient is experiencing diarrhea-type IBS symptoms.

[0054] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7(A), when an IBS patient experiences abdominal pain after eating but does not have a bowel movement, the evaluation value is "3," which is lower than the postprandial evaluation value of "4" in the correlation map for reference subjects. Since there is also no bowel movement, it can be concluded that the IBS patient has developed constipation. Furthermore, in the evaluation histogram of the IBS patient in Figure 7(B), there are many lower evaluation values ​​compared to the evaluation histogram of the reference subjects, and there are no abnormal values, so it can be immediately determined that the patient is experiencing diarrhea, a symptom of IBS. Therefore, by creating a correlation map, physicians can be presented with data to understand the symptoms and intestinal condition of IBS patients.

[0055] Furthermore, as a method for detecting abnormal values, a standard fluctuation graph and a measured fluctuation graph can be compared as shown in Figure 4. If the index in the measured fluctuation graph differs significantly from the index in the standard fluctuation graph, and the fluctuation between the index and the values ​​before and after that index is large, it can be considered an abnormal value. On the other hand, even if the standard subject is a healthy person (standard subject), abnormal values ​​may occur if abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation occurs due to the effects of diet (oily or spicy foods) or other diseases (such as acute gastritis or gallstones). Similarly, even if an IBS patient is not exhibiting IBS symptoms, abnormal values ​​may occur if abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation occurs due to the effects of other diseases (such as acute gastritis or gallstones). If such abnormal values ​​(pseudo-abnormal values) are judged to be indicative of IBS symptoms, it becomes impossible to make an appropriate judgment about the condition of the IBS patient. Therefore, as the standard bowel index mentioned above, even in healthy persons (standard subjects), bowel sound IS may be continuously measured to include a period of time when specific symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation occur, and the index calculated from the bowel sound IS when specific symptoms occur may be used as the standard bowel index (abnormal standard bowel index). In this case, even if there are indicators that appear abnormal in the data obtained from measuring bowel sound IS in IBS patients, if they fall within a certain range defined by the abnormal reference bowel index, it can be determined that they are not due to IBS symptoms, thus allowing for an appropriate assessment of IBS symptoms. Similarly, when IBS symptoms occur in the IBS patient themselves or in other IBS patients, bowel sound IS may be continuously measured, and the indicators calculated from that bowel sound IS may be used as the reference bowel index (abnormal reference bowel index). In this case, even if there are indicators that appear abnormal in the data obtained from measuring bowel sound IS in IBS patients, it can be determined whether or not they are truly due to IBS symptoms by comparing them with the abnormal reference bowel index. For example, if there are indicators that appear abnormal in the data obtained from measuring bowel sound IS in IBS patients, but they fall within a certain range defined by the abnormal reference bowel index, it can be determined that they are IBS symptoms. On the other hand, even if there are indicators that appear abnormal in the data obtained from measuring bowel sound IS in IBS patients, if they fall within a certain range defined by the abnormal reference bowel index, it can be determined that they are not due to IBS symptoms.By making judgments in this way, it becomes possible to accurately assess IBS symptoms.

[0056] <Analysis based on sleep state and bowel sound IS> Measuring bowel sound IS during rest allows for measurement of bowel sound IS in a state where there are fewer external and internal factors affecting the intestines. However, during bowel sound IS measurement, it can be difficult to remain in a restful state because the subject may become aware of the measurement. Therefore, measurement during sleep is considered effective in order to obtain measurements in a more restful state. When bowel sound IS is continuously measured during sleep, bowel sound signals ISS as shown in Figures 8 and 9 are obtained. Furthermore, the bowel sound analysis index calculated from bowel sound IS continuously measured during sleep correlates with the severity of IBS in patients.

[0057] Sleep consists of two stages: REM sleep, in which the brain is actively working, and non-REM sleep, in which the brain is at rest. Non-REM sleep has several stages depending on the depth of sleep. When comparing bowel sound analysis indices with the severity of IBS patients in each of these sleep stages—REM sleep, deep non-REM sleep, and light non-REM sleep—the relationship shown in Figure 10 is observed. In other words, in the deep non-REM sleep stage, a correlation is seen between bowel sound duration ST and unit bowel sound energy SE and the severity of IBS patients (IBS severity index).

[0058] Therefore, by determining the correlation between bowel sound analysis indices and the severity of IBS in IBS patients and forming a correlation equation, it is possible to calculate an estimated value of the severity of IBS in IBS patients (IBS severity index) by continuously measuring the bowel sound IS of IBS patients during sleep and calculating the bowel sound duration ST and unit bowel sound energy SE based on the bowel sound signal ISS.

[0059] Furthermore, the severity of IBS in patients can be determined by a severity index such as the IBS-SSS calculated based on their symptoms, and their sleep state can be measured using a known sleep state measuring device.

[0060] <Analysis of IBS Severity Based on Sleep State and Bowel Sound IS> By measuring bowel sound IS in IBS patients at rest, it is possible to measure bowel sound IS in a state where there are fewer external and internal factors affecting the intestines. Sleep is considered to be the state of highest rest. When bowel sound IS is continuously measured during sleep, bowel sound signals ISS as shown in Figures 8 and 9 are obtained. The bowel sound analysis index calculated from the bowel sound IS continuously measured during sleep correlates with the severity of IBS in patients.

[0061] Sleep consists of two stages: REM sleep, in which the brain is actively working, and non-REM sleep, in which the brain is at rest. Non-REM sleep has several stages depending on the depth of sleep. When comparing bowel sound analysis indices with the severity of IBS patients in each of these sleep stages—REM sleep, deep non-REM sleep, and light non-REM sleep—the relationship shown in Figure 10 is observed. In other words, in the deep non-REM sleep stage, a correlation is seen between bowel sound duration ST and unit bowel sound energy SE and the severity of IBS patients (IBS severity index).

[0062] Therefore, by determining the correlation between bowel sound duration ST and unit bowel sound energy SE and the severity of IBS in IBS patients and forming a correlation equation, it is possible to calculate an estimated value of the severity of IBS in IBS patients (IBS severity index) by calculating the bowel sound duration ST and unit bowel sound energy SE based on the bowel sound signal ISS obtained by continuously measuring the bowel sound IS of IBS patients during sleep.

[0063] Furthermore, the severity of IBS in patients can be determined by a severity index such as the IBS-SSS calculated based on their symptoms, and their sleep state can be measured using a known sleep state measuring device.

[0064] <Stress Analysis Based on Sleep State and Bowel Sound IS> While IBS symptoms are more likely to manifest when stress is applied, IBS patients inherently experience stress, and this stress influences their symptoms. Furthermore, the bowel sound analysis index calculated from bowel sound IS continuously measured during sleep correlates with the underlying stress experienced by IBS patients.

[0065] Sleep consists of two stages: REM sleep, in which the brain is actively working, and non-REM sleep, in which the brain is at rest. Non-REM sleep has several stages depending on the depth of sleep. When comparing bowel sound analysis indices with the potential stress of IBS patients in each of these sleep stages—REM sleep, deep non-REM sleep, and light non-REM sleep—the relationship shown in Figure 11 is observed. In other words, in deep non-REM sleep, a correlation is observed between bowel sound duration (ST) and bowel sound interval (SSI) and the stress (stress index) of IBS patients.

[0066] Therefore, by determining the correlation between bowel sound duration ST and bowel sound interval SSI and the stress index of IBS patients and forming a correlation equation, it is possible to calculate the stress (stress index) of IBS patients by calculating the bowel sound duration ST and bowel sound interval SSI based on the bowel sound signal ISS obtained by continuously measuring the bowel sound IS of IBS patients during sleep.

[0067] When calculating correlations, the stress index used can be the value obtained by performing the STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) test on IBS patients before sleep, but values ​​obtained from other tests that examine stress levels can also be used.

[0068] The bowel sound measuring device of the present invention is suitable for obtaining data to examine changes in the state of the intestines due to the effects of stress and other factors in diseases that cause abnormal bowel motility, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

[0069] 1. Bowel sound measuring device 10. Bowel sound measuring means 20. Analysis means 30. Input means

Claims

1. A method for analyzing bowel sounds, characterized by measuring the bowel sounds of a subject over a long period of time, extracting bowel sounds with a duration of 1 ms or more and a duration of less than 20 ms from the measured bowel sounds, and analyzing the extracted bowel sounds.

2. The bowel sound analysis method according to claim 1, characterized by simultaneously measuring the subject's activity information and / or symptoms.

3. The bowel sound analysis method according to claim 1, characterized in that the time for measuring the bowel sounds of the subject includes the subject's sleep time.

4. The bowel sound analysis method according to claim 1, characterized by simultaneously measuring the sleep state of the subject.

5. A method for analyzing bowel sounds, characterized by calculating a bowel sound analysis index based on bowel sound data obtained by measuring the bowel sounds of a subject over a long period of time, and calculating a bowel motility index representing the state of bowel movement based on the bowel sound analysis index.

6. The bowel sound analysis method according to claim 5, characterized in that the bowel motility index is calculated based on the following formula 1. Formula 1: Bowel motility index = Bowel sound analysis index × Analysis count Analysis count: An index indicating the state of the subject 7. A method for analyzing bowel sounds, characterized by calculating a subject's stress index from the measured bowel sound values ​​of a subject, based on a correlation formula between bowel index values ​​obtained from measured bowel sound values ​​of a subject with IBS and stress.

8. A bowel sound analysis method characterized by calculating an IBS severity index representing the state of a subject's IBS from the bowel index obtained from the measured bowel sound values ​​of a subject, based on a correlation formula between the bowel index obtained from measured bowel sound values ​​of a subject with IBS and IBS.

9. The bowel sound analysis method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that a bowel sound analysis index obtained from the bowel sounds of a measured subject or a bowel motility index obtained from the bowel sound analysis index is used as a bowel indicator.

10. A method for analyzing bowel sounds, characterized by calculating bowel indices at predetermined timings, creating a correlation map showing the relationship between the calculated bowel indices and the subject's activity and / or symptoms at the time the bowel indices were calculated, calculating a reference bowel indice for each predetermined timing, and calculating a state estimate indicating the subject's condition by comparing the bowel indices obtained from the measured bowel sounds of the subject measured at predetermined timings with the reference bowel indices at predetermined timings.

11. A method for analyzing bowel sounds, characterized by creating a reference variation graph showing the time variation of a standard bowel index, creating a measurement variation graph showing the time variation of a bowel index calculated based on measured bowel sounds, and estimating the subject's condition by comparing the measurement variation graph with the reference variation graph.

12. The bowel sound analysis method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the reference bowel index is calculated based on the progression of bowel sounds when the subject is not experiencing a predetermined symptom, and / or the reference bowel index is calculated based on the progression of bowel sounds in a healthy person, and / or the reference bowel index is calculated based on the progression of bowel sounds in a person having a predetermined symptom or lesion when the predetermined symptom is not present.

13. The bowel sound analysis method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the reference bowel index is calculated based on the progression of bowel sounds, including bowel sounds, when a subject with a predetermined symptom or lesion experiences a predetermined symptom, and / or the reference bowel index is calculated based on the progression of bowel sounds, including bowel sounds, when a healthy person experiences a specific symptom, and / or the reference bowel index is calculated based on the progression of bowel sounds, including bowel sounds, when a person with a predetermined symptom or lesion experiences a predetermined symptom.

14. The bowel sound analysis method according to claim 13, characterized in that the measurement fluctuation graph is compared with a reference fluctuation graph to determine abnormal values ​​of the subject's bowel indicators.

15. The bowel sound analysis method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a bowel sound analysis index obtained from the bowel sounds of a measured subject or a bowel motility index obtained from the bowel sound analysis index is used as a bowel indicator.

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