JP7631035B2 - Nasal respiration measuring device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a nasal respiration measurement device.

A sleep state determination system described in Patent Document 1 below has been known for some time. This sleep state determination system includes a respiration measuring device that is inserted into the left and right nostrils of the patient, and a data processing device that analyzes the data measured by the respiration measuring device to determine the sleep state (see Figure 2 of Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-260127 A

In the sleep state determination system, the respiration measuring device and the data processing device are connected by a cable. However, if the cable extending from the respiration measuring device attached to the patient's nose touches the patient's cheek, etc., there is a risk of causing discomfort to the patient. In addition, the sleep state determination system is not suitable for monitoring a patient's natural nasal breathing for a long period of time, for example, during the day, rather than during sleep, because the device is large in size. In order to conduct research related to phenomena with physiological periodicity in the nose, such as the nasal cycle, a device that can be used on a daily basis for long periods of time without feeling uncomfortable is required.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a nasal respiration measuring device that can be used on a daily basis for long periods of time without any discomfort.

A nasal respiration measuring device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a measuring unit that measures information about a patient's nasal respiration, a power supply unit that supplies power to the measuring unit, and a mounting unit that supports the measuring unit and the power supply unit and is mounted on the patient's nose.

In one aspect of the present invention, the nasal respiration measuring device has a size such that when the attachment unit is attached to the patient's nose, the portion of the device exposed outside the nose fits between the patient's nose and upper lip.

The nasal respiration measuring device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a communication unit that is supported by the attachment unit and communicates wirelessly with an external device.

In one aspect of the nasal respiration measurement device of the present invention, a part of the patient's nose is clamped in the attachment part.

In one aspect of the nasal respiration measurement device of the present invention, the attachment part has a pair of protrusions that pinch the patient's nasal septum.

In one aspect of the present invention, a nasal respiration measuring device is provided with a first measurement flow path that is fluidly connected to the patient's left nostril and a second measurement flow path that is independent of the first measurement flow path and is fluidly connected to the patient's right nostril, and the measuring unit includes a first measuring unit disposed in the first measurement flow path and a second measuring unit disposed in the second measurement flow path.

In one embodiment of the nasal respiration measurement device of the present invention, the openings of the first measurement flow path and the second measurement flow path are formed back-to-back on the left and right sides of the device.

In one aspect of the nasal respiration measurement device of the present invention, the measurement unit includes a pressure sensor.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a nasal respiration measurement device that can be used on a daily basis for long periods of time without any discomfort.

1 is a front view showing a nasal respiration measuring device according to an embodiment attached to a patient's nose; FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the nasal respiration measuring device according to one embodiment. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a nasal respiration measuring device according to an embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a mounting portion according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the mounting portion according to one embodiment. 11 is a graph showing an example of a measurement result of a nasal respiration measuring device according to an embodiment. 11 is a graph showing an example of measurement results of a nasal respiration measuring device according to an embodiment, which is an example of measurement results of (a) a pressure sensor and (b) a temperature sensor.

One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a nasal respiration measuring device 1 according to one embodiment attached to a nose 110 of a patient 100.
As shown in FIG. 1 , the nasal respiration measuring device 1 includes a measuring unit 2 , a power supply unit 3 , a communication unit 4 , and a mounting unit 5 .

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a patient, reference numeral 110 denotes the patient's nose, and reference numeral 120 denotes the patient's mouth. The nose 110 comprises left and right nostrils 111, a nasal septum 112 separating the left and right nostrils 111, a nasal tip 113 which is the tip of the nose 110, and nostrils 114 which bulge out to the left and right of the nose 110. The mouth 120 comprises an upper lip 121 and a lower lip 122.

The measurement unit 2 measures information related to the nasal breathing of the patient 100. In this embodiment, the measurement unit 2 is a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor measures pressure changes due to the airflow around the device as the patient 100 breathes through the nose. This pressure sensor is preferably an absolute pressure sensor. The measurement unit 2 may be a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor measures temperature changes of the device due to the airflow around the device as the patient 100 breathes through the nose. The measurement unit 2 may also be other sensors, such as a humidity sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a pulse wave sensor, or a flow sensor. The measurement unit 2 may also use multiple types of sensors in combination.

The power supply unit 3 supplies power to the measurement unit 2 and the communication unit 4. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 3 is an air battery. An air battery is a battery that uses oxygen in the air as the positive electrode active material and a metal as the negative electrode active material. Since the active material on the positive electrode side is oxygen, there is no need to fill the battery container with positive electrode active material, making it small and suitable for long-term use. The power supply unit 3 may be a normal primary battery in which the battery container is filled with positive electrode active material, or a rechargeable secondary battery.

The communication unit 4 is a wireless communication module that wirelessly communicates with an external device (not shown). The external device is, for example, a data processing device that receives the measurement results of the measurement unit 2 and calculates the nasal breathing state (flow rate, etc.) of the patient 100. The nasal breathing measuring device 1 may include a memory unit that stores the measurement results of the measurement unit 2 instead of or in addition to the communication unit 4. The memory unit is, for example, a non-volatile memory, and the measurement results stored in the memory may be retrieved when the device is removed from the patient 100.

The measurement unit 2, power supply unit 3, and communication unit 4 are mounted on a substrate 6. The attachment unit 5 supports the measurement unit 2, power supply unit 3, and communication unit 4 via the substrate 6, and is attached to the nose 110 of the patient 100. The attachment unit 5 clamps a part of the nose 110 of the patient 100. The attachment unit 5 of this embodiment is inserted into the left and right nostrils 111 of the patient 100, and clamps the nasal septum 112 within the nostrils 111. The attachment unit 5 may clamp the nasal tip 113 of the patient 100, or may be configured to clamp the nostrils 114 of the patient 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the nasal respiration measuring device 1 is sized so that when the attachment unit 5 is attached to the nose 110 of the patient 100, the portion of the device exposed outside the nose 110 fits between the nose 110 and the upper lip 121 of the patient 100. In other words, the exposed portion is sized to be equal to or smaller than the length of the patient's 100's philtrum (e.g., 20 mm). Preferably, the exposed portion is about 10 mm, and the overall height of the device (vertical dimension) is about 20 mm. This prevents the nasal respiration measuring device 1 attached to the nose 110 of the patient 100 from blocking the patient's 100's mouth 120 or interfering with eating or speaking.

In the following explanation, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is set, and the configuration and positional relationships of each component are explained with reference to this XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. Note that the X-axis direction is the left-right direction. The Y-axis direction is the front-back direction. The Z-axis direction is the up-down direction. The + side of the X-axis direction is the left side of the human body, and the - side is the right side. The + side of the Y-axis direction is the back side of the human body, and the - side is the front side. The + side of the Z-axis direction is the top side of the human body, and the - side is the bottom side.

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the nasal respiration measuring device 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the nasal respiration measuring device 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the mounting unit 5 according to an embodiment. Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the mounting unit 5 according to an embodiment.
2, the mounting portion 5 includes a pair of protrusions 10 and a connection portion 11 that connects between the pair of protrusions 10. The mounting portion 5 is formed in a substantially U-shape.

The attachment portion 5 is made of a material with a certain degree of rigidity, such as an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin. Note that all or part of the attachment portion 5 (e.g., the portion that holds the nasal septum 112) may be made of a material that is biocompatible and elastic, such as fluororesin (PTFE), PEEK resin, or silicone rubber.

The connection portion 11 extends in the X-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface 11a and the lower surface 11c of the connection portion 11 are formed parallel to the X-Y plane. The left and right side surfaces 11b of the connection portion 11 are inclined so that the dimension of the connection portion 11 in the X-axis direction decreases toward the lower side (-Z side).

The pair of protrusions 10 are spaced apart in the X-axis direction and extend upward (to the +Z side) from the connection portion 11. The pair of protrusions 10 have a tapered shape in which the dimensions in the X-axis direction (see FIG. 3) and the dimensions in the Y-axis direction (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 4) decrease toward the upper side.

As shown in FIG. 3, the opposing surfaces 10a of the pair of protrusions 10 facing each other in the X-axis direction come into contact with the nasal septum 112 of the patient 100. Meanwhile, the upper surface 11a of the connection part 11 comes into contact with the tip surface of the nasal septum 112 outside the nostril 111 of the patient 100. In other words, when the attachment part 5 is attached to the nose 110 of the patient 100, the pair of protrusions 10 are positioned inside the nostril 111, and the connection part 11 is positioned outside the nostril 111.

The opposing surface 10a of the protrusion 10 includes a first plane 10a1 and a second plane 10a2. The first plane 10a1 is a plane parallel to the Y-Z plane, and is formed at the tip of the opposing surface 10a of the protrusion 10. The first plane 10a1 contacts the nasal septum 112. Note that the tip of the opposing surface 10a of the protrusion 10 may be a rounded curved surface since it contacts the skin and mucous membrane that form the nasal septum 112.

The second plane 10a2 is inclined outward in the X-axis direction at an angle θ1 with respect to the first plane 10a1. The second plane 10a2 extends from the lower end of the first plane 10a1 to the upper surface 11a of the connection part 11. The second plane 10a2 may be in contact with the nasal septum 112, or may be separated from the nasal septum 112 to increase the contact pressure of the first plane 10a1 against the nasal septum 112.

At least a portion of the non-contact portion of the protrusion 10 that does not contact the nasal septum 112 is formed in a streamlined shape. In other words, all of the protrusion 10 may be streamlined except for the first plane 10a1 to the second plane 10a2. As shown in FIG. 3, the side surfaces 10b of the pair of protrusions 10 facing each other in the X-axis direction include a first curved surface 10b1 and a second curved surface 10b2.

The first curved surface 10b1 is formed from the tip to approximately the middle of the side 10b of the protrusion 10. The first curved surface 10b1 has a shape in which the angle θ2 with respect to the YZ plane gradually increases as it moves downward (to the -Z side). This allows the airflow in the patient's 100 nostril 111 to flow smoothly from the side of the nasal septum 112 to the side 10b of the protrusion 10, making it difficult for the airflow to separate, stagnate, or swirl at the tip of the protrusion 10.

The second curved surface 10b2 is connected to the lower end of the first curved surface 10b1, and is formed from approximately the middle of the side surface 10b of the protrusion 10 to the base of the protrusion 10 (the portion where it intersects with the connection portion 11). The first curved surface 10b1 has a shape in which the angle θ3 with respect to the Y-Z plane gradually decreases toward the lower side (-Z side). This prevents the pair of protrusions 10 from spreading left and right, and prevents the nostrils 111 into which the pair of protrusions 10 are inserted from narrowing.

The attachment part 5 is formed with a measurement flow path 12 that is fluidly connected to the nostril 111 of the patient 100. Note that "fluidly connected to the nostril" means that the measurement flow path 12 is not limited to being inside the nostril 111, but is connected to a position that is affected by the flow of fluid caused by nasal breathing, even if the measurement flow path 12 is located outside the nostril 111 as in this embodiment.

The measurement flow path 12 includes a measurement chamber 13 in which the measurement unit 2 is disposed, and a connection flow path 14 extending from the measurement chamber 13 to the side of the mounting unit 5. The measurement chamber 13 is formed on the lower surface 11c of the mounting unit 5. The connection flow path 14 includes a first flow path 14a extending in the Z-axis direction and connected to the measurement chamber 13, and a second flow path 14b extending in the X-axis direction, intersecting the first flow path 14a at a right angle and connecting to the side of the mounting unit 5 (side surface 11b of the connection unit 11). Note that the second flow path 14b does not necessarily have to intersect the first flow path 14a at a right angle.

As shown in FIG. 5, the measurement chamber 13 is formed in a circular shape when viewed from the bottom. The shape of the measurement chamber 13 is not limited to a circular shape when viewed from the bottom, and may be a rectangle, a polygon, or the like. The connection flow path 14 (first flow path 14a) is connected at an eccentric position relative to the measurement chamber 13. By positioning the axis of the first flow path 14a of the connection flow path 14 and the axis of the sensing part of the measurement unit 2 in a coincident positional relationship, the sensitivity of the measurement unit 2 can be increased. On the other hand, by not aligning the axes of the two, the durability and stability of the measurement unit 2 can be increased. This can be set arbitrarily by the device designer.

The opening 15 of the measurement flow path 12 is formed on the side surface 11b of the connection portion 11. The opening 15 of the measurement flow path 12 is formed in a direction that is approximately perpendicular to the flow of fluid caused by the patient's nasal breathing. This makes it difficult for the fluid caused by the patient's nasal breathing to flow into the second flow path 14b through the opening 15 of the measurement flow path 12, making it possible for the measurement unit 2 (pressure sensor) to measure static pressure. As is well known, static pressure is easily converted into flow rate. Note that when the fluid caused by the patient's nasal breathing flows into the measurement flow path 12, the measurement unit 2 may be configured to measure the total pressure.

The opening 15 of the measurement flow path 12 is located on the rear side (+Y side) of the attachment part 5 on the side surface 11b of the connection part 11. As shown in FIG. 5, the nostrils 111 often widen toward the rear side, although this depends on the individual. Therefore, by locating the opening 15 of the measurement flow path 12 on the rear side (+Y side), it becomes easier to measure the static pressure and total pressure of the fluid flowing approximately through the center of the nostrils 111, and the measurement accuracy of nasal breathing can be improved.

In the attachment part 5, as the above-mentioned measurement flow path 12, a first measurement flow path 12A that is fluidly connected to the left nostril 111 of the patient 100 and a second measurement flow path 12B that is independent of the first measurement flow path 12A and is fluidly connected to the right nostril 111 of the patient 100 are formed. As shown in FIG. 3, the measurement part 2 includes a first measurement part 2A arranged in the first measurement flow path 12A and a second measurement part 2B arranged in the second measurement flow path 12B. The openings 15 of the first measurement flow path 12A and the second measurement flow path 12B are formed back to back on the left and right side surfaces 11b of the attachment part 5.

The lower surface 11c of the mounting part 5 is joined to the substrate 6 via adhesive 20. The substrate 6 seals the bottom surface of the measurement chamber 13. A sealant 21 is disposed around the measurement chamber 13. The sealant 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the Z-axis direction, and is compressed when the mounting part 5 and the substrate 6 are joined together to ensure the airtightness of the measurement chamber 13.

According to the nasal breathing measuring device 1 configured as above, when the patient 100 breathes through his nose, fluid flows along the side surface 11b of the attachment part 5. An opening 15 of the measurement flow path 12 is formed on the side surface 11b of the attachment part 5, and the measurement part 2 can measure the pressure change (e.g., change in static pressure) around the device accompanying nasal breathing at a position away from the main flow of nasal breathing. In addition, the attachment part 5 is formed with a first measurement flow path 12A and a second measurement flow path 12B that are independent of each other and fluidly communicate with the left and right nostrils 111 of the patient 100, and the first measurement part 2A and the second measurement part 2B can acquire left and right nasal breathing information independently.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of a measurement result of the nasal respiration measuring device 1 according to one embodiment.
In FIG. 6, "Pressure(R)" indicates the measurement result (pressure) of the second measuring unit 2B. Also, "Pressure(L)" indicates the measurement result (pressure) of the first measuring unit 2A. "Flow rate" indicates the measurement result (flow rate) of a commercially available flow meter (SFM3300, manufactured by Sensirion) as a reference value. As shown in FIG. 6, it can be confirmed that "Pressure(R)" and "Pressure(L)" change in synchronization with the rhythm of nasal breathing and the flow rate of "Flow rate". Therefore, it can be seen that information on the left and right nasal breathing of the patient 100 can be obtained from "Pressure(R)" and "Pressure(L)".

FIG. 7 is a graph showing an example of the measurement results of the nasal respiration measuring device 1 according to one embodiment, which is an example of the measurement results of (a) the pressure sensor and (b) the temperature sensor.
As shown in Fig. 7, by using a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor in combination, it is possible to simultaneously measure pressure changes and temperature changes during nasal breathing. From the waveform of the measured value, it can be confirmed that both pressure and temperature change in accordance with nasal breathing. The temperature rises because the device is heated when air is exhaled. The temperature drops because the device is cooled when outside air is inhaled. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the patient 100 is exhaling or inhaling air from the temperature waveform. Incidentally, the average temperature gradually rises because the device is gradually heated by the body temperature of the patient 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the nasal respiration measuring device 1 of the present embodiment described above includes a measuring unit 2 that measures information about the nasal respiration of the patient 100, a power supply unit 3 that supplies power to the measuring unit 2, and a mounting unit 5 that supports the measuring unit 2 and the power supply unit 3 and is mounted on the nose 110 of the patient 100. With this configuration, the measuring unit 2, the power supply unit 3, and the mounting unit 5 are mounted on the nose 110 of the patient 100 as a whole, and information about nasal respiration can be measured by the device alone without connecting a cable or the like to the nasal respiration measuring device 1. Such a small nasal respiration measuring device 1 causes little discomfort to the patient 100 wearing it, and can be used on a daily basis for long periods of time without any discomfort.

In addition, the nasal respiration measuring device 1 of this embodiment is sized so that when the attachment unit 5 is attached to the nose 110 of the patient 100, the portion of the device exposed outside the nose 110 fits between the nose 110 and the upper lip 121 of the patient 100. This configuration prevents the nasal respiration measuring device 1 attached to the nose 110 of the patient 100 from blocking the mouth 120 of the patient 100 or interfering with eating or speaking.

The nasal respiration measuring device 1 of this embodiment is also equipped with a communication unit 4 that is supported by the attachment unit 5 and communicates wirelessly with an external device. With this configuration, the measurement results of the measurement unit 2 are sequentially transmitted wirelessly to the external device by the communication unit 4, which eliminates the need to provide a memory unit for storing the measurement results in the nasal respiration measuring device 1 itself, and allows the device to be made smaller.

In addition, in this embodiment, the attachment part 5 clamps a part of the nose 110 of the patient 100. With this configuration, the nasal respiration measuring device 1 can be easily attached to the nose 110 of the patient 100.

In addition, in this embodiment, the attachment unit 5 includes a pair of protrusions 10 that sandwich the nasal septum 112 of the patient 100. With this configuration, the attachment unit 5 can be attached to the nose 110 of the patient 100 by the pair of protrusions 10, so the device configuration of the attachment unit 5 is compact, and attachment stability can be improved compared to when the attachment unit is attached to the nasal tip 113 or nasal ala 114.

In addition, in this embodiment, a first measurement flow path 12A that is fluidly connected to the left nostril 111 of the patient 100 and a second measurement flow path 12B that is independent of the first measurement flow path 12A and is fluidly connected to the right nostril 111 of the patient 100 are formed, and the measurement unit 2 includes a first measurement unit 2A arranged in the first measurement flow path 12A and a second measurement unit 2B arranged in the second measurement flow path 12B. With this configuration, it is possible to obtain information regarding the left and right nasal breathing of the patient 100 independently. Therefore, the nasal cycle and the like can be monitored over a long period of time while minimizing stress on the patient 100.

In addition, in this embodiment, the openings 15 of the first measurement flow path 12A and the second measurement flow path 12B are formed facing away from the left and right side surfaces 11b of the device. With this configuration, breathing through either the left or right nose of the patient 100 is less likely to disturb the other, and information regarding breathing through the left and right nose of the patient 100 can be measured with high accuracy.

In addition, in this embodiment, the measurement unit 2 is equipped with a pressure sensor. With this configuration, information regarding the patient's nasal breathing can be obtained from pressure changes caused by the airflow around the device as the patient 100 breathes through the nose.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these are illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention should not be considered as limited by the foregoing description, but rather by the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Nasal respiration measuring device, 2... Measuring part, 2A... First measuring part, 2B... Second measuring part, 3... Power supply part, 4... Communication part, 5... Mounting part, 6... Substrate, 10... Protrusion part, 10a... Opposing surface, 10a1... First plane, 10a2...Second plane, 10b...Side surface, 10b1...First curved surface, 10b2...Second curved surface, 11...Connection part, 11a...Top surface, 11b...Side surface, 11c...Bottom surface, 12...Measurement channel, 12A...first measurement flow path, 12B...second measurement flow path, 13...measurement chamber, 14...connection flow path, 14a...first flow path, 14b...second flow path, 15...opening, 20...adhesive, 21...sealing material, 100...patient, 110...nose, 111...nostril, 112...nasal septum, 113...nasal tip, 114...nasal ala, 120...mouth, 121...upper lip, 122...lower lip, θ1...angle, θ2...angle, θ3...angle

Claims (7)

A measurement unit for measuring information regarding the patient's nasal breathing;
A power supply unit that supplies power to the measurement unit;
a mounting part that supports the measurement part and the power supply part and is mounted on the patient's nose ;
The attachment portion includes a pair of tapered projections that pinch the patient's nasal septum,
A nasal respiration measuring device , wherein the opposing side surfaces of the pair of protrusions are formed in a streamlined shape that smoothly connects to the side surfaces of the nasal septum . The side surfaces of the pair of protrusions facing each other are
a first curved surface having an angle with respect to a side surface of the nasal septum that gradually increases from the tip end of the pair of projections toward the middle portion;
2. The nasal respiration measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second curved surface connected to the first curved surface, the angle of which relative to the side of the nasal septum gradually decreases from the middle portion of the pair of projections toward the base portion. 3. The nasal respiration measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the device exposed outside the nose when the attachment part is attached to the patient's nose is sized to fit between the patient's nose and upper lip. The nasal respiration measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a communication section supported by the mounting section and capable of wirelessly communicating with an external device. a first measurement flow path in fluid communication with a left nostril of the patient;
a second measurement flow path independent of the first measurement flow path and in fluid communication with a right nostril of the patient;
The measurement unit includes:
A first measurement unit disposed in the first measurement flow path;
The nasal respiration measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , further comprising: a second measurement unit disposed in the second measurement flow path. The nasal respiration measuring device according to claim 5 , wherein the openings of the first measurement flow path and the second measurement flow path are formed back-to-back on left and right side surfaces of the device. The nasal respiration measuring device according to claim 1 , wherein the measuring unit includes a pressure sensor.

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