JP3254191B2 - Respiratory flow / velocity measurement device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a respiratory flow rate / velocity measuring device used for measuring lung capacity, air flow velocity, etc., and a turbine type device for measuring a respiratory flow rate using rotation of a rotating body by expiration or inspiration. The present invention relates to a respiratory flow / velocity measuring device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, among respiratory function tests, a ventilatory function test is one of the important measurement items, and is widely used in daily examinations. For this ventilation function test, a respiratory flow / flow rate measuring device that measures the ventilation volume of expiration or inspiration (hereinafter, expiration or inspiration is collectively referred to as respiration) is used.

Conventionally, as such a respiratory flow rate / velocity measuring device, exhaled air flows out or inspires through a tube into a bellows having a small contact resistance housed in a specific box, and the movement of the bellows moves the breath. A spirograph that measures a flow rate or a respiratory flow rate (hereinafter, referred to as a respiratory flow rate) has been used.

[0004] However, the spirograph requires the whole device to be large and the device must be fixed in an examination room or the like. For this reason, the place of use is limited to the examination room and the like, and the subject is restrained while the respiratory flow is being measured, resulting in a problem that the burden on the subject is large. In addition, there is a problem that a large examination device such as a spirograph requires a large installation space, and cannot be used in a small examination room.

[0005] For this reason, in recent years, a small and portable turbine type respiratory flow / velocity measuring apparatus has been attracting attention. Such a turbine-type respiratory flow / velocity measuring device is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, a measuring unit 101 including a turbine-type flow meter that can be attached to the mouth of the subject 100 or the like,
A circuit unit 1 which is attached to the waist and the like and is connected to the weighing unit 101 through a cable 102 and includes an arithmetic circuit, a transmission circuit, and the like
03. The turbine-type respiratory flow / velocity measuring device outputs a detection signal from the measuring unit 101 to the circuit unit 103 using the cable 102, and the circuit unit 103 calculates a respiratory flow based on the detection signal, and Is transmitted to the outside using electromagnetic waves such as radio waves and light.

[0006]

In the respiratory flow / velocity measuring apparatus according to the prior art described above, the measuring section 101 of the measuring section 101 and the circuit section 103, which are separate parts, is connected to the mouth of the subject 100. It is necessary to mount the circuit unit 103 on the waist or the like of the subject 100 in addition to mounting the circuit unit 103 on the waist. For this reason, there is a problem in simplicity and workability when attaching the measuring unit 101, the circuit unit 103, and the like.

Further, since the measuring section 101 and the circuit section 103 are connected by the cable 102, the cable 1
02 limits the degree of freedom of the upper body of the subject 100. Therefore, there is a problem that the subject 100 causes a feeling of restraint or discomfort, and it is difficult to measure the ventilation function during exercise such as walking or running. Furthermore, the subject 1 is not limited to the standing position, but is also in the lateral position, the supine position, and the like during measurement.
When 00 changes the body position, there is also a problem that the position of the circuit unit 103 needs to be adjusted.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to increase the degree of freedom of the subject and to reduce the respiration of the subject, which is hardly restricted by the installation place of the apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a flow / velocity measuring device.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an invention according to claim 1 includes a cylindrical casing having a flow passage through which expiration or inhalation flows, and an axially extending passage in the casing. A pair of deflecting members which are provided at intervals and use expiration or inspiration as a vortex, a rotator provided between the respective deflecting members and rotated by the vortex, and a rotator provided near the rotator and provided on the casing. A rotation sensor for detecting the rotation of the rotating body, and a detection signal attached to the casing, which converts a detection signal detected by the rotation sensor into a pulse train signal corresponding to the rotating speed and the rotating direction of the rotating body, and is provided at a remote place. consists of a transmitter for transmitting to the receiver, the transmission
The transceiver outputs a rotation speed signal using the detection signal.
A rotation speed signal output unit, and a rotation method using the detection signal.
A rotation direction signal output means for outputting a rotation direction signal;
According to the rotation speed and direction using the signal and rotation direction signal
Modulating means for modulating the pulse train signal.
The adjusting means depends on the rotation speed when the rotating body rotates forward.
Rotation recognition pulse train signal with different pulse intervals
When the rotating body rotates in the reverse direction, the
For setting a reverse rotation recognition pulse train signal with an interval
And that

[0010] By having such a configuration, when the flowing breath or inspiration in the flow path, since the expiration or inspiration becomes vortex by the deflecting member, the rotating body is rotated by receiving the vortex at the blade portion . At this time,
Since the rotation sensor detects the rotation of the rotating body, the transmitter converts the detection signal detected by the rotation sensor into a pulse train signal according to the rotating speed and the rotating direction of the rotating body, and receives the signal at a remote location. To the container. Also send
The transmitter is a rotation speed signal output means, a rotation direction signal output means and
And the modulating means, the rotation speed signal is output.
The force means uses the detection signal from the rotation sensor to
Output signal, and the rotation direction signal output means outputs a detection signal.
To output the rotation direction signal. And the modulating means
Rotation speed and rotation method using rotation speed signal and rotation direction signal
The pulse train signal according to the direction can be modulated. Further
The modulating means includes a forward rotation recognition pulse train corresponding to the rotation direction.
Signal and reverse rotation recognition pulse train signal
Forward rotation recognition pulse train signal with pulse interval according to speed
Signal, the reverse rotation recognition pulse train signal can be modulated.

According to the second aspect of the present invention , the normal rotation recognition
Loose train signal corresponds to the rotation speed when the rotating body rotates forward.
Of the first independent pulse signal with the same pulse interval
Therefore, the reverse rotation recognition pulse train signal is
The first pulse has a pulse interval corresponding to the rotation speed when rotating.
Collection of a second independent pulse signal different from the independent pulse signal of
It is composed by combination.

With this, the modulating means operates according to the rotational speed.
Rotation detection with a time interval between the first independent pulse signals
Modulates the pulse train signal, and
Reverse rotation recognition pattern having a time interval between two independent pulse signals
Since the pulse train signal is modulated and transmitted to the outside, the first and second
For a short period of time when the independent pulse signal of
Consumes most of the time,
Disappears. Therefore, power consumption can be reduced.
You.

According to the third aspect of the present invention , the rotation sensor
Rotates the light from the first light emitter and the light from the first light emitter
Intermittently receive light and output detection signals according to body rotation
A first rotation sensor comprising one light receiver and a second light emission
Light from the light emitting device and the second light emitting device according to the rotation of the rotating body.
Such as a second photodetector that intermittently receives light and outputs a detection signal
And a second rotation sensor.

[0014] Thereby, it is rotated by the flow of the respiratory gas in the flow path.
When the body rotates, the rotating body comprises a first light emitter and a first light receiver
And intermittently intercept the light between the
The light between the second light receiver and the second light receiver is intermittently blocked. others
Therefore, the first and second light receivers are provided by the first and second light emitters.
The rotation of the rotating body is detected by intermittently receiving light.
And outputs a detection signal. As a result, these first and
By using the detection signal from the two receivers, the rotation
The rotation speed and rotation direction of the body can be detected.

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A respiratory flow / velocity measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a stepped cylindrical casing. The casing 1 has a holder 2 for accommodating a deflecting member 4, a rotating body 6, and the like, which will be described later, and is attached to the holder 2 and will be described later. It is constituted by the rotation sensors 7 and 8 and the sensor mounting portion 3 that houses the transmission circuit 12 and the like.

The holder 2 is gripped by the subject at the time of measurement, accommodates a rotating body 6 described later, and has a large-diameter cylindrical holding cylinder 2A whose one end is open to the outside.
A small-diameter cylindrical mouthpiece portion 2 formed at the other end of the gripping cylindrical portion 2A so as to extend in the axial direction and to be attached to the mouth of the subject.
B. The gripping cylinder 2A is provided with a notch groove 2C at a position corresponding to the rotating body 6 by notching a midway position in the axial direction. The inner peripheral side of the casing 1 is a flow path 2D through which the respiratory air flows.

On the other hand, the sensor mounting portion 3 is detachably mounted in the notch groove 2C, and the sensor mounting portion 3 has a substantially C-shape opposed to the rotating body 6 to which rotation sensors 7, 8 described later are mounted. It comprises a sensor housing 3A, and a substantially box-shaped circuit housing 3B which is located at the center in the circumferential direction of the sensor housing 3A and houses a transmission circuit 12 and the like described later. Then, the sensor accommodating portion 3A of the sensor mounting portion 3 has the notch groove 2C.
, The sensor mounting part 3 is detachably mounted in the notch groove 2C.

Reference numerals 4 and 4 denote a pair of deflecting members provided at an intermediate position in the flow path 2D with an interval in the axial direction. Each of the deflecting members 4 is used when the respiratory air flows through the flow path 2D. Is converted into a vortex.

Here, each deflecting member 4 includes a hub 4A provided near the axis center of the flow path 2D and, for example, six spiral blades 4B spirally extending radially outward from the hub 4A. And a substantially cylindrical outer frame portion 4C provided on the tip side of the spiral blade portion 4B and attached to the inner peripheral surface of the rotating body housing portion 1A. Also, of the pair of deflecting members 4, the deflecting member 4 located on the mouthpiece portion 2B side is used.
Is provided with a filter 4D for preventing saliva and the like from scattering from the mouthpiece portion 2B side toward the rotating body 6.

Each deflecting member 4 is provided in the casing 1 at both ends in the axial direction of the notch groove 2C, and a pivot bearing 5 is fixed to a hub portion 4A. The two deflecting members 4 sandwich the rotating body 6 therebetween, and rotatably support the rotating body 6 by pivot bearings 5 facing each other.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a rotating body which is located between the pair of deflecting members 4 and 4 and is rotated by the vortex from the deflecting member 4. The rotating body 6 is located in the flow path 2D as shown in FIG. Rotary shaft 6 rotatably supported by pivot bearing 5 of deflection member 4
A and two flat blades 6B and 6C extending 180 ° in the radial direction about the rotation axis 6A.

The rotator 6 is disposed in the rotator accommodating portion 1A of the casing 1 and is provided at a position facing a notch groove 2C opened in a notch shape. And is facing.

The rotating body 6 is reduced in weight so that it can be rotated in the direction of arrow A or the direction of arrow B in FIG. For this reason, the rotating shaft 6
A is formed of, for example, a needle-like member made of metal as shown in FIG. 2 and is arranged on the axis OO of the flow path 2D, and both ends are sharpened to reduce frictional resistance. On the other hand, the two blade portions 6B and 6C are formed of, for example, a single metal plate-like member, and the rotation shaft 6A is inserted through a cut 6D provided at the center of the plate-like member, thereby forming the rotation shaft. It extends parallel to 6A. The blades 6B and 6C receive the eddy current by the deflecting member 4 as shown in the directions indicated by arrows A and B in FIG. 6, and rotate in the directions indicated by arrows A and B.

Here, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6, when the blades 6B and 6C are arranged vertically, the neutral position is set, and the angle between the neutral position and the blades 6B and 6C is rotated. The rotation angle θ of the body 6 is assumed. At this time, the rotating body 6 rotates over a rotation angle θ of 0 ° to 360 °.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a first rotation sensor mounted on the sensor accommodating portion 3A of the sensor mounting portion 3.
As shown in FIG. 6, a first light emitting device 7 </ b> A made of an LED (light emitting diode) or the like is provided at the center left side of the sensor housing 3 </ b> A extending substantially in a C shape, and provided at the left end of the sensor housing 3 </ b> A. And a first light receiver 7B including a phototransistor or the like that receives light from the light emitter 7A. Further, the light emitting device 7A is connected to a driving power supply 11 described later, and the light receiving device 7B is connected to the transmission circuit 12.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a second rotation sensor mounted on the sensor housing 3A of the sensor mounting portion 3. The second rotation sensor 8 is substantially the same as the first rotation sensor 7 and has a second light emitting device
A, a second light receiver 8B, the second light emitter 8A is provided at the right end of the sensor housing 3A, and the second light receiver 8B is provided at the center right side of the sensor housing 3A.
The light from A is received. The light emitting device 8A is connected to a driving power supply 11 described later, and the light receiving device 8B is
It is connected to the.

The second light emitting device 8A is provided at a position substantially symmetrical with the first light emitting device 7A about the rotation axis 6A. Therefore, the light from the first light emitter 7A and the light from the second light emitter 8A do not interfere with each other, and the light from the first light emitter 7A can be received by the first light receiver 7B, Light from the second light emitter 8A can be received by the second light receiver 8B.

Here, the light emitting devices 7A and 8A and the light receiving device 7B,
8B, the blade portions 6B and 6C of the rotating body 6 can pass therethrough. Therefore, when the rotating body 6 rotates, the light receivers 7B and 8B intermittently receive light from the light emitters 7A and 8A. When the light receivers 7B and 8B receive light from the light emitters 7A and 8A, the light receivers 7B and 8B enter, for example, an L state (Low state).
A and 8A are interrupted by the blades 6B and 6C of the rotating body 6, and the first and second detection signals become H state (High state) when light from the light emitters 7A and 8A is not received. It outputs S1 and S2.

The first and second rotation sensors 7 and 8 are:
They are arranged in a substantially C-shape symmetrical left and right. For this reason, the range of the rotation angle θ of the rotating body 6 that outputs the first detection signal S1 in which the first light receiver 7B is in the H state, and the second range in which the second light receiver 8B is in the H state. The range of the rotation angle θ of the rotating body 6 that outputs the detection signal S2 is different.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, for example, the first light receiver 7B has a rotation angle θ of the rotating body 6 of 15 ° or more.
In the range of 105 °, 195 ° to 285 °, the first detection signal S1 in the H state is output. On the other hand, the second light receiver 8B has a rotation angle θ of 75 ° to 16
In the range of 5 °, 255 ° to 345 °, the second detection signal S2 in the H state is output.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a circuit board mounted on the circuit accommodating section 3B of the sensor mounting section 3. The circuit board 9 has a plurality of electronic components 10 mounted thereon and a drive circuit comprising a button battery such as a lithium battery. Power supply 11 is attached. Further, the electronic component 10 constitutes a transmission circuit 12, and the transmission circuit 12 is connected to the rotation sensors 7, 8. And
The transmission circuit 12 generates a rotation speed signal Sv indicating the rotation speed of the rotating body 6 and a rotation direction signal Sd indicating the rotation direction based on the first and second detection signals S1 and S2 output from the rotation sensors 7 and 8. Is transmitted to the outside as an electromagnetic wave.

Here, a specific configuration of the transmission circuit 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 7, the transmission circuit 12 outputs a rotation direction signal Sd corresponding to the rotation direction of the rotator 6, and a rotation speed signal output circuit 13 corresponding to the rotation speed of the rotator 6. Rotational speed signal output circuit 14 for outputting Sv
A modulation circuit 15 for modulating a pulse train signal Sp according to the rotation direction and rotation speed of the rotating body 6 based on the rotation direction signal Sd and the rotation speed signal Sv, and amplifying the pulse train signal Sp and transmitting the signal via the transmission antenna 17 And a power amplifying circuit 16.

Further, the rotation direction signal output circuit 13 is provided as shown in FIG.
A set signal calculation circuit 18 for calculating a set signal Ss using the first and second detection signals S1 and S2 as shown in FIG.
A reset signal arithmetic circuit 19 for calculating the reset signal Sr using the first and second detection signals S1 and S2, and an RS flip-flop circuit 20 which is set and reset by the set signal Ss and the reset signal Sr. Have been.

Here, the set signal operation circuit 18 comprises a waveform shaping circuit 21, 22, a monostable multivibrator 23,
24 (hereinafter referred to as MMVs 23 and 24), AND circuit 2
5, 26, a NOT circuit 27, and an OR circuit 28. The input sides of the waveform shaping circuits 21 and 22 are connected to the first and second light receivers 7B and 8B. Then, the waveform shaping circuit 21 shapes the waveform of the first detection signal S1 from the first light receiver 7B, and the waveform shaping circuit 22 shapes the waveform of the second detection signal S2 from the second light receiver 8B. are doing.

Each of the MMVs 23 and 24 has its input side connected to the waveform shaping circuit 21 and its output side connected to A
It is connected to the input side of ND circuits 25 and 26. Also,
The MMV 23 outputs a first rising pulse signal Pa1 consisting of a single pulse signal when the first detection signal S1 from the first light receiver 7B rises. On the other hand, MMV24
When the first detection signal S1 from the first photodetector 7B falls, a first falling pulse signal Pb1 consisting of a single pulse signal is output.

The input side of the AND circuit 25 is connected to the MMV
23, and to the waveform shaping circuit 22 via a NOT circuit 27. On the other hand, the AND circuit 26
Is connected to the MMV 24 and to the waveform shaping circuit 22. And the AND circuit 25,
The output side of the OR circuit 26 is connected to the input side of the OR circuit 28.
The circuit 28 calculates and outputs the set signal Ss based on the output signals from the AND circuits 25 and 26. Thus, the set signal operation circuit 18 performs the operation shown in the following equation 1.

[0041]

(Equation 1)

On the other hand, the reset signal operation circuit 19 includes the waveform shaping circuits 21 and 22, the monostable multivibrator 29,
30 (hereinafter referred to as MMVs 29 and 30), AND circuit 3
1, 32, a NOT circuit 33, and an OR circuit 34. The MMVs 29 and 30 have their input sides connected to the waveform shaping circuit 22 and their output sides connected to the input sides of the AND circuits 31 and 32. When the first detection signal S2 from the second photodetector 8B rises, the MMV 29 generates a second pulse signal consisting of a single pulse signal.
Is output as the rising pulse signal Pa2. On the other hand, MMV30
Outputs a second falling pulse signal Pb2 consisting of a single pulse signal when the second detection signal S2 from the second light receiver 8B falls.

The input side of the AND circuit 31 is connected to the MMV
29, and to the waveform shaping circuit 21 via a NOT circuit 33. On the other hand, the AND circuit 32
Is connected to the MMV 30 and also to the waveform shaping circuit 21. And the AND circuit 31,
An output side of the OR circuit 32 is connected to an input side of the OR circuit 34.
The circuit 34 calculates and outputs a reset signal Sr based on output signals from the AND circuits 31 and 32. As a result, the reset signal operation circuit 19 performs the operation represented by the following equation (2).

[0044]

(Equation 2)

The first light receiver 7B outputs the first detection signal S1 in the H state when the rotation angle θ of the rotating body 6 is in the range of 15 ° to 105 ° and 195 ° to 285 °. . On the other hand, the second light receiver 8B outputs the second detection signal S2 in the H state when the rotation angle θ of the rotator 6 is in the range of 75 ° to 165 ° and 255 ° to 345 °, for example.
Further, the first rising pulse signal Pa1 indicates that the rotating body 6
When rotating in the direction of arrow A, the rotation angle θ is 15 °
Or it is output at 195 °. On the other hand, when the rotating body 6 rotates in the direction of arrow B in FIG.
For example, a shift of 90 ° occurs as compared with the case of rotating in the direction, and the rotation angle θ is output at 105 ° or 285 °. Similarly, the rotation angle θ at which the second rising pulse signal Pa2 and the first and second falling pulse signals Pb1 and Pb2 are output
Is about 9 when the rotating body 6 rotates in the directions indicated by arrows A and B.
A shift of 0 ° occurs.

Therefore, when the rotating body 6 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 6, that is, when exhalation flows in the flow path 2D, the set signal operation circuit 18 sets the set signal Ss as shown in FIG. Is output, whereas the reset signal operation circuit 19 does not output the reset signal Sr.

On the other hand, when the rotating body 6 rotates in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 6, that is, when the intake air flows through the flow path 2D,
The reset signal operation circuit 19 outputs the reset signal Sr as shown in FIG. 10, whereas the set signal operation circuit 18 does not output the set signal Ss.

As a result, the RS flip-flop circuit 20
Is in a set state when exhaled air flows through the flow path 2D and is in a reset state when inspired air flows.
From the rotation direction signal Sd output from the S flip-flop circuit 20, it is possible to recognize which of the expiration and the inspiration flows in the flow path 2D.

The MMV2 of the set signal operation circuit 18
The first falling pulse signal Pb1 output from the signal 4 is a signal corresponding to the rotation speed of the rotating body 6. That is, the first
The pulse interval of the falling pulse signal Pb1 becomes short when the rotation speed of the rotating body 6 is high, and becomes long when the rotation speed is low. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the MMV 24 also functions as the rotation speed signal output circuit 14. Note that the rotation speed signal output circuit 14 is
The MMVs 23, 29, and 30 may be used instead of the MMVs 23, 29, and 30, and may be provided separately from the MMVs 23, 24, 29, and 30.

The modulation circuit 15 includes, for example, a VCO
(Voltage controlled oscillator) and the like, as shown in FIG. 11, outputs a first pulse train signal Sp1 as a forward rotation recognition pulse train signal corresponding to expiration, and a second pulse train as a reverse rotation recognition pulse train signal corresponding to inspiration. The signal Sp2 is output.

Here, the first pulse train signal Sp1 has a predetermined frequency F over a predetermined time pulse width ΔT1.
It comprises a set of first independent pulse signals Sp10 oscillating at 1. On the other hand, the second pulse train signal Sp2 is
It is constituted by a set of second independent pulse signals Sp20 oscillating at a predetermined frequency F1 over a pulse width ΔT2 shorter than the pulse width ΔT1.

The time interval between the independent pulse signals Sp10 changes according to the rotation speed of the rotator 6, and the time interval between the independent pulse signals Sp20 also changes according to the rotation speed of the rotator 6. . As a result, the first and second pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2 form compression waves according to the rotation speed of the rotating body 6.

Further, the modulation circuit 15 outputs the rotation direction signal S
When d is in the H state, a first pulse train signal Sp1 consisting of an independent pulse signal Sp10 having a pulse width of .DELTA.T1 is output. When the rotation direction signal Sd is in the L state, an independent pulse signal having a pulse width .DELTA.T2 shorter than the pulse width .DELTA.T1 is output. A second pulse train signal Sp2 consisting of Sp20 is output. As a result, the modulation circuit 15 outputs pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2 including information on the rotation direction and rotation speed of the rotating body 6 as electromagnetic waves via the power amplification circuit 16 and the transmission antenna 17.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a receiving device which is arranged at a place remote from the respiratory flow / flow rate measuring device configured as described above and receives the pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2 transmitted from the transmitting circuit 12. The receiving device 35 is, for example, Receiving antenna 36, demodulation circuit 37, pulse shaping circuit 38, respiratory flow calculation circuit 3
9. Then, the receiving device 35
By demodulating the pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2 and calculating the rotation direction and rotation speed, a flow signal So1 corresponding to the flow rate of expiration and inspiration and a flow rate signal So2 corresponding to the flow rate are output.

The respiratory flow / velocity measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, and its operation will now be described.

First, when the respiratory flow is measured, the subject holds the mouthpiece 2B of the casing 1 in addition. Then, as the subject breathes, breathing air flows through the flow path 2D of the holder unit 2. At this time, since the deflecting member 4 is attached to the flow path 2D, the respiratory air flowing through the flow path 2D is converted into a vortex by the deflecting member 4 and flows between the two deflecting members 4. And this vortex is generated by the rotating body 6
When the exhaled breath flows, the rotating body 6 rotates in the direction of arrow A in FIG.
When the intake air flows, the rotating body 6 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG.

The rotating body 6 is provided with first and second rotation sensors 7 and 8 facing each other.
The blades 6B and 6C of the rotating body 6 intermittently block light between the light receiver 8A and the light receivers 7B and 8B. At this time, the blade 6
The time interval at which B and 6C block light from the light emitters 7A and 8A becomes longer when the rotation speed of the rotating body 6 is low, and becomes short when the rotation speed of the rotation body 6 is high. Therefore, the light receivers 7B and 8B
It outputs detection signals S1 and S2 in the form of rectangular waves whose time intervals change according to the rotation speed of the rotator 6.

Then, the first and second rotation sensors 7, 8
Are arranged in a substantially C-shape that is symmetrical left and right, so that the range of the rotation angle θ of the rotating body 6 that outputs the first detection signal S1 when the first light receiver 7B is in the H state is set. Is different from the range of the rotation angle θ of the rotating body 6 that outputs the second detection signal S2 when the second light receiver 8B is in the H state.

Therefore, the rotation direction signal output circuit 13 of the transmission circuit 12 outputs a rotation direction signal Sd corresponding to the rotation direction of the rotating body 6 using the first and second detection signals S 1 and S 2, The rotation speed signal output circuit 14 outputs a rotation speed signal Sv corresponding to the rotation speed of the rotating body 6. The modulation circuit 15 outputs the rotation direction signal Sd output from the rotation direction signal output circuit 13 and the rotation speed signal output circuit 14.
The first and second pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2 corresponding to the rotation direction and the rotation speed of the rotating body 6 are modulated based on the rotation speed signal Sv, and the pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2 are transmitted to the power amplifier circuit 16 for transmission. The receiving device 3 which is externally transmitted as an electromagnetic wave via the antenna 17 and is provided at a remote place
5 is transmitted. As a result, the receiving device 35 demodulates the first and second pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2, and calculates the rotation direction and the rotation speed, thereby obtaining the flow signal So1 corresponding to the flow rate of the exhalation and the inhalation and the flow rate signal So1. The flow rate signal So2 is output.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the casing 1 is provided with the holder 2 for accommodating the deflecting member 4, the rotating body 6, and the like.
The transmission circuit 12 for transmitting the pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2 according to the rotation direction and the rotation speed is integrated with the casing 1 by being constituted by the rotation sensor 7, 8 and the sensor mounting portion 3 accommodating the transmission circuit 12 and the like. Can be mounted on Therefore, the degree of freedom of the subject can be increased without restraining the subject by cables or the like as in the related art, and even when the posture of the subject changes during measurement, Can measure the respiratory flow.

Further, since the transmission circuit 12 is integrally attached to the casing 1, the whole respiratory flow / velocity measuring device can be reduced in size. For this reason, even in a small examination room where a large examination device such as a spirograph according to the prior art cannot be installed, the respiratory flow / flow velocity measuring device according to the present embodiment can be used, and the examination device can be used. Can be eliminated or reduced. Accordingly, the respiratory flow / flow velocity measuring device can be used even in a place where many desk-based inspection devices are installed, such as a clinic.

The transmission circuit 12 is constituted by a rotation direction signal output circuit 13, a rotation speed signal output circuit 14, a modulation circuit 15, and the like, so that the rotation speed signal output circuit 1
4 outputs a rotation speed signal Sv using the detection signal S1 from the first rotation sensor 7, and the rotation direction signal output circuit 13 uses the detection signals S1 and S2 from the first and second rotation sensors 7 and 8. And outputs a rotation direction signal Sd. The modulation circuit 15 modulates the first and second pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2 corresponding to the expiration and the inspiration including the information of the rotation speed and the rotation direction using the rotation speed signal Sv and the rotation direction signal Sd. it can.

On the other hand, the modulation circuit 15 outputs the rotation direction signal Sd
By using the rotation speed signal Sv to modulate the first and second pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2 corresponding to expiration and inspiration, a pulse width ΔT corresponding to the rotation direction signal Sd is obtained.
1. First and second pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2 composed of independent pulse signals Sp10 and Sp20 of ΔT2 are set, and
Each independent pulse signal Sp10, S corresponding to the rotation speed signal Sv
The pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2 having a time interval between p20 can be modulated. Accordingly, it is possible to detect which of the expiration and the inspiration flows into the flow path 2D from the rotation direction of the rotating body 6, and to detect the respiratory flow rate.

Further, the modulation circuit 15 modulates the pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2 having a time interval between the independent pulse signals Sp10 and Sp20 according to the rotation speed, and transmits the modulated signals to the outside via the power amplification circuit 16 and the like. The independent pulse signal Sp10,
The power for transmission is consumed only for a short time while Sp20 is output, and the power is hardly consumed in other times.
Therefore, power consumption can be reduced, and the life of the drive power supply 11 can be extended. In addition, drive power supply 1
Since 1 can be constituted by a small button battery or the like having a large capacity, the whole apparatus can be reduced in size and weight. Thereby, even when the subject wears the respiratory flow / flow velocity measuring device for a long time, the fatigue of the subject can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the modulation circuit 15
Are first and second pulse train signals S corresponding to expiration and inspiration.
As p1 and Sp2, first and second pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2 composed of independent pulse signals Sp10 and Sp20 having pulse widths .DELTA.T1 and .DELTA.T2 according to the rotation direction of the rotating body 6 are output. However, as in the modification shown in FIG.
The first and second pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2 corresponding to the intake air have different amplitudes A depending on the rotation direction of the rotating body 6.
A configuration may be adopted in which first and second pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2 composed of independent pulse signals Sp10 and Sp20 of A1 and A2 are output. Further, the modulation circuit 15 may be configured to output first and second pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2 including independent pulse signals Sp10 and Sp20 having different frequencies.

In the above embodiment, the modulation circuit 15
Is constituted by a VCO. For example, the modulation circuit is constituted by an oscillator oscillating a carrier wave having a constant amplitude and a constant frequency F1 and an AND circuit, and an AND operation of the rotation speed signal Sv and the carrier wave is performed. Can also output pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2. further,
Modulation circuit is PGA (programmable gain amplifier)
The amplitude of the carrier oscillated at the frequency F1 may be changed according to the rotation speed signal Sv.

In this embodiment, the pulse train signal S
Although p1 and Sp2 oscillate at a constant frequency F1,
A configuration may be adopted in which pulse train signals Sp1 and Sp2 having different frequencies are output for each respiratory flow / flow velocity measuring device. Thus, the respiratory flow rates of a plurality of subjects can be measured simultaneously.

In the above embodiment, the rotating body 6 is
Although one blade portion 6B is provided, the present invention is not limited to this, and may have a configuration having three or more blade portions.
Thus, when the number of blades is increased, the flow path 2D
Even when a smaller respiratory flow flows through the inside, the rotating body can be rotated, and the detection sensitivity can be improved.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the two pieces of blades 6B are formed by using one plate-shaped member has been exemplified, but the rotating shaft 6A is provided with a plurality of pieces of blades made of separate members. For example, it may be configured to be attached by means such as brazing or bonding.

[0070]

As described in detail above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the subject is restrained by providing the casing with a transmitter for transmitting a pulse train signal according to the rotation direction and the rotation speed. The degree of freedom of the subject can be increased without performing. Therefore, even when the posture of the subject changes during the measurement, the respiratory flow can be easily measured. Also, the transmitter is provided with a rotation direction signal output means, a rotation speed.
To be constituted by a signal output means and a modulation means.
Therefore, the rotation speed signal output means outputs the detection signal from the rotation sensor.
Output the rotation speed signal using the
The signal output means outputs a rotation direction signal using the detection signal.
Power. And the modulation converts the rotation speed signal and the rotation direction signal.
Modulates pulse train signal according to rotation speed and rotation direction using
can do. Further, the modulation means responds to the rotational direction.
Forward rotation recognition pulse train signal, reverse rotation recognition pulse train signal
And pulse interval according to the rotation speed
Forward rotation recognition pulse train signal and reverse rotation recognition pulse train signal
Can be modulated.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the modulating means
Is the time between the first independent pulse signals according to the rotation speed
While modulating the positive rotation recognition pulse train signal having a distance,
The time interval between the second independent pulse signals according to the rotation speed
Modulates the reverse rotation recognition pulse train signal
Therefore, the first and second independent pulse signals are output.
It consumes transmission power only for a short time, and
Almost no power is consumed. For this reason, power consumption
Reduce the power supply life.
The entire device can be configured with a small button battery, etc.
Can be reduced in size and weight. This allows the subject
Wears a respiratory flow / velocity measurement device for a long time
Even when the subject is tired, the fatigue of the subject can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the rotation sensor
The first rotary sensor consisting of the first light emitter and the first light receiver
And a second circuit comprising a second light emitter and a second light receiver.
Flow sensor, the flow of respiratory air in the flow path
When the rotator rotates, the rotator rotates with the first light emitter and the first light emitter.
Intermittently intercepts the light between the
The light between the light emitter and the second light receiver is intermittently blocked.
Therefore, the first and second light receivers are the first and second light emitters.
By intermittently receiving light from the
Inversion is detected and a detection signal is output. As a result, these
1, by using the detection signal from the second light receiver
To detect the rotation speed and direction of the rotating body.
it can.

[0073]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state in which a respiratory flow / velocity measuring device according to an embodiment is mounted and used.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a respiratory flow / velocity measuring device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of FIG. 2 showing the respiratory flow / velocity measuring device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded front view showing the respiratory flow / velocity measuring device according to the embodiment in an exploded manner.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a rotating body.

FIG. 6 is an arrow VI- in FIG. 2 showing a rotating body, a rotation sensor, and the like.
It is sectional drawing seen from the VI direction.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a transmission circuit.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a rotation direction signal output circuit.

FIG. 9 shows the first and second detection signals, the first and second rising pulse signals, the first and second falling pulse signals, the set signal, and the reset signal when expiration flows in the flow path. FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram shown.

FIG. 10 shows the first and second detection signals, the first and second rising pulse signals, the first and second falling pulse signals, the set signal, and the reset signal when the intake air flows in the flow path. FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram shown.

FIG. 11 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between respiratory flow rate, rotation speed signal, rotation direction signal, pulse train signal, and time.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a receiving device.

FIG. 13 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between respiratory flow rate, rotation speed signal, rotation direction signal, pulse train signal and time according to a modification.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a conventional respiratory flow / velocity measuring device is used.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Casing 2 Holder part 2D flow path 3 Sensor attachment part 4 Deflection member 6 Rotating body 7, 8 Rotation sensor 7A, 8A Light emitting device 7B, 8B Light receiving device 12 Transmission circuit (transmitter) 13 Rotation direction signal output circuit (Rotation direction signal) Output means) 14 rotation speed signal output circuit (rotation speed signal output means) 15 modulation circuit (modulation means) 35 receiving device (receiver)

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ identification symbol FI G01P 5/06 G01P 5/06 X 5/07 H 5/07 A61B 5/08 300 (58) Investigated field (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB G01F 1/115 A61B 5/091 G01D 5/36 G01P 5/06 G01P 5/07

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cylindrical casing having a flow path through which expiration or inhalation flows, a pair of deflecting members provided at intervals in the axial direction in the middle of the flow path of the casing, and configured to swirl the exhalation or inhalation; A rotating body provided between the deflecting members and rotated by a vortex; a rotation sensor provided near the rotating body and provided on the casing to detect rotation of the rotating body; and a rotation sensor attached to the casing. A transmitter that converts the detected detection signal into a pulse train signal corresponding to the rotation speed and rotation direction of the rotating body and transmits the signal to a receiver provided at a remote location , wherein the transmitter converts the detection signal to To output the rotation speed signal.
Using the rotation speed signal output means for applying the detection signal
A rotation direction signal output means for outputting a rotation direction signal;
Using the speed signal and the rotation direction signal,
And a modulating means for modulating the corresponding pulse train signal, wherein the modulating means has a rotational speed when the rotating body rotates forward.
Forward recognition pulse train signal with pulse interval according to
Set according to the rotation speed when the rotating body rotates in the reverse direction.
Set the reverse rotation recognition pulse train signal with pulse interval
A respiratory flow / velocity measurement device. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the forward rotation recognition pulse train signal is a rotating body.
With a pulse interval corresponding to the rotation speed when the
The first independent pulse signal set,
The rotation recognition pulse train signal is used for the rotation when the rotating body rotates in the reverse direction.
1st independent pulse signal with pulse interval according to rotation speed
And a set of second independent pulse signals different from
The respiratory flow / velocity measuring device according to claim 1, comprising: Wherein said rotation sensor, said a first light emitter first
The composed light from the first light emitter and a first light receiver for outputting intermittently received light detection signal in response to rotation of the rotating body
From the first rotation sensor, the second light emitter and the second light emitter
Light intermittently according to the rotation of the rotating body,
Second rotation sensor comprising a second light receiver for outputting a signal
Respiratory flow-velocity measuring apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 comprising constituted by the.