JP7810964B2 - Abdominal compression system, control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an abdominal compression system, a control method, and a program.

Patients with kidney damage may undergo dialysis. Dialysis is a technology that removes waste products and fluids from the body in place of damaged kidneys. During dialysis, fluid is removed from the blood flowing through the blood vessels, which often causes the patient's blood pressure to drop. If the patient's blood pressure drops too much, dialysis cannot be continued.

Therefore, currently, there is known technology that prevents a patient's blood pressure from dropping during dialysis. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a system that automatically raises the patient's toes to assume an emergency position when the patient's blood pressure drops during dialysis, raising the patient's feet above the level of the heart.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-225916

However, simply elevating the feet above the heart is unlikely to increase the patient's blood pressure. The reason for this is that simply elevating the legs causes blood returning to the trunk from the venous system of the lower limbs to pool in the inferior vena cava and abdominal visceral vessels, preventing an increase in cardiac output. For this reason, there is a need for technology to prevent a drop in a patient's blood pressure during dialysis.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an abdominal compression system, a control method, and a program that suppress a drop in a patient's blood pressure during dialysis.

In order to achieve the above object, an abdominal compression system according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes:
an abdominal compression means for compressing the patient's abdomen;
an elevation detection means for detecting elevation of the patient's lower limbs during dialysis;
and a compression control means for controlling the abdominal compression means to repeatedly compress the abdomen of the patient when the lift detection means detects that the patient's lower limbs have been lifted.

The lift detection means detects a lift height, which is a height to which the patient's lower limbs are lifted,
The compression control means may compress the abdomen of the patient with a compression force according to the elevation height detected by the elevation detection means.

Further provided is a height measuring means for measuring the lift height,
The lift detection means may acquire the lift height measured by the height measurement means.

An angle measuring means is further provided for measuring an elevation angle, which is an angle formed between a direction in which the patient's thigh extends and a horizontal plane,
The elevation detection means may acquire the elevation angle from the angle measurement means, and calculate the elevation height based on the elevation angle and the length of the patient's thigh.

a lower limb lifting means for lifting the lower limbs of the patient;
a blood pressure drop detection means for detecting a drop in blood pressure of the patient during artificial dialysis of the patient;
The device may further comprise lift control means for controlling the lower limb lifting means to lift the lower limbs of the patient when the blood pressure drop detection means detects a drop in blood pressure of the patient.

In order to achieve the above object, a control method according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes:
a step in which an elevation detection means in a control device that controls an abdominal compression device that compresses the abdomen of a patient detects elevation of the patient's lower limbs during artificial dialysis of the patient;
The control device includes a step in which, when the lift detection means detects that the patient's lower limbs have been lifted, the compression control means in the control device transmits control information to the abdominal compression device instructing the abdominal compression device to repeatedly compress the patient's abdomen.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to a third aspect of the present disclosure includes:
Computer,
an elevation detection means for detecting elevation of the patient's lower limbs during dialysis;
When the lifting detection means detects that the patient's lower limbs have been lifted, the means functions as a compression control means for repeatedly compressing the abdomen of the patient by controlling an abdominal compression means for compressing the abdomen of the patient.

This disclosure makes it possible to suppress a drop in a patient's blood pressure during dialysis.

Configuration diagram of an abdominal compression system according to embodiment 1 An explanatory diagram of the operation of the abdominal compression system according to the first embodiment. Configuration diagram of a control device according to the first embodiment Configuration diagram of an abdominal compression device according to embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is an external view of a compression garment according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Configuration diagram of a lower limb lifting device according to embodiment 1 Illustration of how to measure lift height Functional configuration diagram of an abdominal compression system according to embodiment 1 10 is a flowchart showing an abdominal compression process executed by the control device according to the first embodiment. Functional configuration diagram of an abdominal compression system according to embodiment 2 Illustration of how to measure the elevation angle

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that identical or equivalent parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an abdominal compression system 1000 according to a first embodiment. The abdominal compression system 1000 is a system that compresses the abdomen of a patient 500 undergoing dialysis so as to increase the blood pressure of the patient 500 when the patient's blood pressure drops. The patient 500 has kidney damage and reduced kidney function. The patient 500 has difficulty excreting waste products and water from the body using his or her own kidneys. Therefore, the patient 500 undergoes dialysis to excrete waste products and water from the body.

During dialysis, water is rapidly removed from the blood flowing through the blood vessels, which can cause a drop in the patient's 500 blood pressure. If the patient's 500 blood pressure drops too much, it can have adverse effects on the patient's body. Therefore, if the patient's 500 blood pressure drops during dialysis, the abdominal compression system 1000 repeatedly compresses the patient's 500 abdomen to increase the patient's 500 blood pressure. Specifically, the abdominal compression system 1000 elevates the patient's 500 lower limbs and then repeatedly compresses the patient's 500 abdomen. Note that elevating the patient's 500 lower limbs means raising the position of the patient's 500's feet above the position of the patient's 500's heart, as shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, compressing the patient's 500 abdomen means applying pressure to the patient's 500 abdomen from around the abdomen.

This action is expected to have the effect of raising the blood pressure of patient 500. In other words, when the lower limbs of patient 500 are raised, blood is more likely to return from the venous system of the patient's 500 lower limbs to the patient's 500 trunk. When the patient's 500 abdomen is then repeatedly compressed, the blood that has returned to the patient's 500 trunk is supplied to the heart. As a result, the cardiac output of patient 500 increases, and the patient's 500 blood pressure rises. In this way, raising the lower limbs while compressing the abdomen is expected to raise the blood pressure of patient 500.

However, raising the patient's 500 lower limbs without abdominal compression cannot be expected to sufficiently increase the patient's 500 blood pressure. Simply raising the patient's 500 lower limbs causes blood returning from the venous system of the patient's 500 lower limbs to the patient's 500 trunk to pool in the inferior vena cava and abdominal visceral blood vessels, preventing the patient's 500 cardiac output from increasing. The fact that the patient's 500 cardiac output does not increase simply by raising the lower limbs is described, for example, in the non-patent document, "Yamashita Masashi, Aikawa Takeshi, Kitama Masataka, Fundamental Study on Temporary Treatment for Dialysis Hypotension," Biomedical Engineering, 55(2), pp. 84-90, 2017."

As shown in FIG. 1, the abdominal compression system 1000 includes a control device 100, an abdominal compression device 200, a lower limb lifting device 300, a blood pressure sensor 410, and a distance measurement sensor 420. The control device 100 is communicatively connected to each of the abdominal compression device 200, the lower limb lifting device 300, the blood pressure sensor 410, and the distance measurement sensor 420. Note that FIG. 1 does not show the device that performs dialysis on the patient 500.

The control device 100 is a device that controls the overall operation of the abdominal compression system 1000. For example, the control device 100 acquires blood pressure information indicating the blood pressure of the patient 500 from the blood pressure sensor 410, and detects a drop in the patient's 500 blood pressure. Furthermore, when the control device 100 detects a drop in the patient's 500 blood pressure, it controls the lower limb lifting device 300 to lift the patient's 500 lower limbs. Furthermore, the control device 100 acquires height information indicating the lift height, which is the height to which the patient's 500 lower limbs are lifted, from the distance measurement sensor 420, and detects the lifting of the patient's 500 lower limbs. Furthermore, when the control device 100 detects the lifting of the patient's 500 lower limbs, it controls the abdominal compression device 200 to compress the patient's 500 abdomen.

The control device 100 may be a dedicated computer specialized for controlling the abdominal compression system 1000, or may be a general-purpose computer such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or laptop computer. As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 100 includes a control unit 11, a memory unit 12, a display unit 13, an operation reception unit 14, and a communication unit 15.

The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), RTC (Real Time Clock), etc. The CPU is also called a central processing unit, central arithmetic unit, processor, microprocessor, microcomputer, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc., and functions as a central processing unit that executes processing and calculations related to the control of the control device 100. In the control unit 11, the CPU reads programs and data stored in ROM and uses RAM as a work area to perform overall control of the control device 100. The RTC is, for example, an integrated circuit with a timekeeping function. The CPU can determine the current date and time from the time information read from the RTC.

The memory unit 12 is equipped with non-volatile semiconductor memory such as flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), or EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and serves as a so-called auxiliary storage device. The memory unit 12 stores programs and data used by the control unit 11 to execute various processes. The memory unit 12 also stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 11 as it executes various processes.

The display unit 13 displays various images under the control of the control unit 11. The display unit 13 includes a touch screen, a liquid crystal display, etc. The operation reception unit 14 receives various operations from the user and supplies information indicating the content of the received operations to the control unit 11. The operation reception unit 14 includes a touch screen, a button, a lever, etc.

The communication unit 15 communicates with various devices under the control of the control unit 11. The communication unit 15 communicates with various devices in accordance with various wireless communication standards or various wired communication standards. Various wireless communication standards include Wi-Fi (registered trademark), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), 5G (5th Generation), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and Zigbee (registered trademark). Various wired communication standards include USB (Universal Serial Bus, registered trademark) and Thunderbolt (registered trademark). The communication unit 15 is equipped with a communication interface that complies with various communication standards.

The abdominal compression device 200 is a device that compresses the abdomen of the patient 500. In this embodiment, the abdominal compression device 200 compresses the abdomen of the patient 500 by adjusting the air pressure inside a compression belt 220 attached around the abdomen of the patient 500. In this embodiment, the abdominal compression device 200 repeatedly compresses and releases the abdomen of the patient 500 at a predetermined cycle. This predetermined cycle is, for example, approximately the same as the respiratory cycle of the patient 500.

As shown in FIG. 4, the abdominal compression device 200 includes an air pressure control unit 210, a compression cuff 220, a display unit 230, an operation reception unit 240, a communication unit 250, a compressor 261, an air tank 262, a pressure reducer 263, an electro-pneumatic regulator 264, an exhaust valve 265, a relief valve 266, an air pressure sensor 267, and a compression pressure sensor 268. It should be noted that a compressed air cylinder may be used instead of the compressor 261 and the air tank 262.

The air pressure control unit 210 controls the overall operation of the abdominal compression device 200. For example, the air pressure control unit 210 controls each unit so that the compression pressure, which is the air pressure inside the compression belt 220 attached to the abdomen of the patient 500, becomes a pressure corresponding to the compression force instructed by the control device 100 via the communication unit 250. The air pressure control unit 210 repeatedly compresses and releases the abdomen of the patient 500. In other words, the air pressure control unit 210 increases and decreases the compression pressure at a predetermined cycle to repeatedly compress the abdomen of the patient 500.

In this embodiment, the compression pressure when compressing the abdomen of the patient 500, i.e., the compression pressure when the compression band 220 is inflated, will be referred to simply as the compression pressure, as appropriate. Similarly, the compression force when compressing the abdomen of the patient 500, i.e., the compression force when the compression band 220 is inflated, will be referred to simply as the compression force, as appropriate. The air pressure control unit 210 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, RTC, etc.

The compression cuff 220 is a belt-shaped member that is worn around the abdomen of the patient 500 to compress the abdomen of the patient 500. As shown in FIG. 5, the compression cuff 220 includes an inflation portion 221, an attachment portion 222, an attachment portion 223, and an air supply tube 224. The compression cuff 220 is formed by connecting the inflation portion 221, the attachment portion 222, and the attachment portion 223.

The inflation section 221 is a section that inflates to compress the abdomen of the patient 500. A bag 225 is provided inside the inflation section 221. An air supply tube 224 is connected to the bag 225. The bag 225 inflates with air supplied from the electropneumatic regulator 264 via the air supply tube 224, causing the inflation section 221 to expand. The inflation of the inflation section 221 compresses the abdomen of the patient 500. Furthermore, when air is released via the air supply tube 224, the bag 225 contracts, causing the inflation section 221 to contract. When the inflation section 221 contracts, compression of the abdomen of the patient 500 is released.

Attachment portion 222 and attachment portion 223 are portions for attaching inflation portion 221 to the abdomen of patient 500. Attachment portion 222 is provided at one end of inflation portion 221, and attachment portion 223 is provided at the other end of inflation portion 221. Attachment portions 222 and 223 are equipped with hook-and-loop fasteners. Air supply tube 224 is a tube for supplying air to bag body 225 and releasing air from bag body 225.

The compression belt 220 is wrapped around the abdomen of the patient 500, i.e., the lower part of the patient's 500 torso. When the compression belt 220 is wrapped around the abdomen of the patient 500, the attachment portions 222 and 223 wrap around the patient's 500 back. The hook-and-loop fasteners on the attachment portions 222 and 223 engage with each other, thereby securing the compression belt 220 to the abdomen of the patient 500. When the compression belt 220 is secured to the abdomen of the patient 500, the inflation portion 221 is positioned on the abdomen of the patient 500.

The display unit 230 displays various images in accordance with the control of the air pressure control unit 210. The display unit 230 includes a touch screen, an LCD display, etc. The operation reception unit 240 receives various operations from the user and supplies information indicating the content of the received operations to the air pressure control unit 210. The operation reception unit 240 includes a touch screen, buttons, levers, etc. The communication unit 250 communicates with various devices in accordance with the control of the air pressure control unit 210. The communication unit 250 communicates with various devices in accordance with various wireless communication standards or various wired communication standards. The communication unit 250 includes a communication interface that complies with various communication standards.

The compressor 261, air tank 262, pressure reducer 263, electropneumatic regulator 264, exhaust valve 265, and relief valve 266 constitute an air pressure system that inflates and deflates the compression garment 220 attached to the abdomen of the patient 500.

Compressor 261 compresses air and supplies the compressed air (hereinafter referred to as "first compressed air") to an air tank. Air tank 262 stores the first compressed air supplied from compressor 261. The first compressed air stored in air tank 262 is supplied to pressure reducer 263. Pressure reducer 263 reduces the pressure of the first compressed air supplied from air tank 262 to produce second compressed air. The air pressure of the second compressed air is lower than that of the first compressed air and higher than atmospheric pressure. The air pressure of the second compressed air is at a level that can be handled by electro-pneumatic regulator 264.

The electropneumatic regulator 264 supplies the second compressed air supplied from the pressure reducer 263 to the compression cuff 220. The electropneumatic regulator 264 also extracts the second compressed air from the compression cuff 220. In other words, the electropneumatic regulator 264 adjusts the amount of air inside the compression cuff 220. The exhaust valve 265 is an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes under the control of the air pressure control unit 210. When the exhaust valve 265 opens, the first compressed air inside the pneumatic system is discharged to the outside of the pneumatic system. The relief valve 266 releases the second compressed air supplied from the electropneumatic regulator 264 to the compression cuff 220 when the pressure of this second compressed air exceeds a threshold value. The relief valve 266 functions as a safety valve that prevents the air pressure of the second compressed air inside the compression cuff 220 from becoming excessively high.

The air pressure sensor 267 detects the air pressure of the first compressed air. The air pressure sensor 267 supplies air pressure information indicating the air pressure of the first compressed air to the air pressure control unit 210. The compression pressure sensor 268 detects the air pressure of the second compressed air. The compression pressure sensor 268 supplies compression pressure information indicating the air pressure of the second compressed air to the air pressure control unit 210. The air pressure of the second compressed air is the pressure of the air inside the compression cuff 220, and is appropriately referred to as the compression pressure. The air pressure sensor 267 and the compression pressure sensor 268 are, for example, semiconductor air pressure sensors.

The lower limb lifting device 300 is a device that lifts the lower limbs of a patient 500. In this embodiment, the lower limb lifting device 300 lifts the lower limbs of the patient 500 by lifting a portion of the placement table 320, on which the patient's 500 lower limbs are placed, from the floor. The lifting height, which is the height to which the patient's 500 lower limbs are lifted, may be predetermined or specified by the control device 100. For example, the control device 100 may determine the lifting height based on the degree of decrease in blood pressure of the patient 500. For example, the control device 100 may increase the lifting height as the degree of decrease in blood pressure of the patient 500 increases. As shown in FIG. 6 , the lower limb lifting device 300 includes a drive control unit 310, a placement table 320, a display unit 330, an operation reception unit 340, a communication unit 350, a drive circuit 360, a motor 370, and an encoder 380.

The drive control unit 310 controls the overall operation of the lower limb lifting device 300. For example, when the drive control unit 310 receives a lifting command from the control device 100 via the communication unit 350, it controls the drive circuit 360 that drives the motor 370 to lift part of the placement table 320 from the floor and lift the lower limbs of the patient 500. The drive control unit 310 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, RTC, etc.

The placement table 320 is a table on which the patient's 500 lower limbs are placed. As shown in FIG. 7 , the placement table 320 includes a fixed portion 321, an inclined portion 322, and an elevation portion 323. The fixed portion 321, the inclined portion 322, and the elevation portion 323 are plate-shaped members. When the elevation portion 323 is not raised from the floor, the placement table 320 is plate-shaped as a whole. The state of the placement table 320 changes when the motor 370 is driven.

The fixed part 321 is a member that is fixed to the floor. The state of the fixed part 321 does not change when the motor 370 is driven. In other words, the fixed part 321 remains positioned on the floor even when the motor 370 is driven. The buttocks 501 of the patient 500 are placed on the fixed part 321.

The inclined portion 322 is a member that inclines relative to the floor surface. Driven by the motor 370, the inclined portion 322 rotates relative to the fixed portion 321 around the rotation axis 324. Driven by the motor 370, the inclination angle of the inclined portion 322, which is the inclination relative to the floor surface, changes. The thigh 502 of the patient 500 is placed on the inclined portion 322.

The lifting/lowering unit 323 is a member that rises or falls when driven by the motor 370. When driven by the motor 370, the lifting/lowering unit 323 rotates relative to the inclined unit 322 around the rotation axis 325. The lifting/lowering unit 323 rises or falls while maintaining a state parallel to the floor surface. The lower leg 503 of the patient 500 is placed on the lifting/lowering unit 323. Note that Figure 7 does not show the mechanism for rotating or moving the inclined unit 322 and the lifting/lowering unit 323 when driven by the motor 370.

The display unit 330 displays various images under the control of the drive control unit 310. The display unit 330 includes a touch screen, an LCD display, etc. The operation reception unit 340 receives various operations from the user and supplies information indicating the content of the received operations to the drive control unit 310. The operation reception unit 340 includes a touch screen, buttons, levers, etc. The communication unit 350 communicates with various devices under the control of the drive control unit 310. The communication unit 350 communicates with various devices in accordance with various wireless communication standards or various wired communication standards. The communication unit 350 includes a communication interface that complies with various communication standards.

The drive circuit 360 is a circuit that drives the motor 370 in accordance with the control of the drive control unit 310. For example, the drive circuit 360 outputs a pulse signal to the motor 370 in accordance with a drive instruction from the drive control unit 310. The drive circuit 360 includes a driver IC (Integrated Circuit) for driving the motor 370.

Motor 370 is a device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. Motor 370 rotates in the forward or reverse direction in accordance with the pulse signal supplied from drive circuit 360. As motor 370 rotates, a portion of placement table 320 rotates or moves. Specifically, as motor 370 rotates, the inclination of inclined portion 322 changes, causing lifting portion 323 to rise or fall. When motor 370 rotates in the forward direction, the inclination of inclined portion 322 increases, causing lifting portion 323 to rise. When motor 370 rotates in the reverse direction, the inclination of inclined portion 322 decreases, causing lifting portion 323 to fall. Motor 370 is, for example, a stepping motor.

Encoder 380 is a sensor that detects changes in mechanical position and outputs an electrical signal indicating the detection result. In this embodiment, encoder 380 detects the angle that changes as motor 370 is driven, and supplies an electrical signal indicating the detected angle to drive control unit 310. Encoder 380 may detect the rotation angle of motor 370, or may detect the inclination angle of inclined portion 322 relative to the floor surface. Encoder 380 is, for example, a rotary encoder.

The blood pressure sensor 410 detects the blood pressure of the patient 500. The blood pressure sensor 410 is, for example, a blood pressure monitor attached to the arm of the patient 500 to detect the blood pressure of the patient's 500 upper body. The blood pressure sensor 410 supplies blood pressure information indicating the blood pressure of the patient 500 to the control device 100. How the blood pressure of the patient 500 is defined can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, the blood pressure of the patient 500 may be the systolic blood pressure, the diastolic blood pressure, or the mean blood pressure. The mean blood pressure is calculated, for example, using the formula (systolic blood pressure - diastolic blood pressure) / 3 + diastolic blood pressure. In this embodiment, the blood pressure of the patient 500 indicates the systolic blood pressure.

The ranging sensor 420 is a sensor that measures the distance to an object. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the ranging sensor 420 is installed on the lifting unit 323 and measures the distance to the floor. Alternatively, the ranging sensor 420 may be installed on the floor and measure the distance to the lifting unit 323. In this embodiment, the ranging sensor 420 measures the lift height, which is the distance from the floor to the lifting unit 323. In FIG. 7, the lift height is h1. The ranging sensor 420 transmits height information indicating the measured lift height to the control device 100. The ranging sensor 420 may be a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor, a RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor.

LiDAR sensors are sensors that determine the distance to an object using the phase difference of light, typically infrared light. LiDAR sensors calculate the distance to an object from the difference between the phase of the output optical signal and the phase of the reflected optical signal. RADAR sensors are sensors that determine the distance to an object using the propagation time of radio waves. RADAR sensors calculate the distance to an object from the time between transmitting and receiving radio waves. Ultrasonic sensors are sensors that determine the distance to an object using the propagation time of ultrasonic waves. Ultrasonic sensors calculate the distance to an object from the time between transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves.

Next, the functions of the abdominal compression system 1000 will be described with reference to Figure 8. Below, the functions of the control device 100 provided in the abdominal compression system 1000 will be mainly described. Functionally, the control device 100 includes a blood pressure drop detection unit 101, an elevation control unit 102, an elevation detection unit 103, and a compression control unit 104. Each of these functions is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in the ROM or memory unit 12. The CPU then executes the programs stored in the ROM or memory unit 12 to realize each of these functions.

The blood pressure drop detection unit 101 detects a drop in the patient's 500 blood pressure while the patient is undergoing dialysis. For example, the blood pressure drop detection unit 101 determines whether the blood pressure indicated by the blood pressure information acquired from the blood pressure sensor 410 is equal to or lower than the blood pressure threshold. In this embodiment, the blood pressure used to determine whether the patient's 500 blood pressure is lower than the blood pressure threshold is the patient's 500 systolic blood pressure. Therefore, the blood pressure drop detection unit 101 determines that a blood pressure drop has occurred if the systolic blood pressure is equal to or lower than the blood pressure threshold, and determines that a blood pressure drop has not occurred if the systolic blood pressure exceeds the blood pressure threshold. The value of the blood pressure threshold can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, the blood pressure threshold may be set to 90% of the patient's 500 systolic blood pressure under normal conditions. The blood pressure drop detection unit 101 is an example of a blood pressure drop detection means.

When the blood pressure drop detection unit 101 detects a drop in blood pressure in the patient 500, the lift control unit 102 controls the lower limb lifting device 300 to lift the lower limbs of the patient 500. For example, when the lift control unit 102 detects a drop in blood pressure, it transmits lift instruction information to the lower limb lifting device 300 to instruct the patient 500 to lift the lower limbs. Upon receiving the lift instruction information from the lift control unit 102, the lower limb lifting device 300 lifts the lower limbs of the patient 500. The lift control unit 102 is an example of lift control means. The lower limb lifting device 300 is an example of lower limb lifting means.

The elevation detection unit 103 detects elevation of the patient's 500 lower limbs while the patient is undergoing dialysis. The method by which the elevation detection unit 103 detects elevation of the patient's 500 lower limbs can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, the elevation detection unit 103 may determine whether the patient's 500 lower limbs are elevated based on the elevation height indicated by the height information acquired from the distance measurement sensor 420. For example, the elevation detection unit 103 may determine that the patient's 500 lower limbs are elevated if the elevation height is equal to or greater than a height threshold, and may determine that the patient's 500 lower limbs are not elevated if the elevation height is less than the height threshold. The height threshold can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, the height threshold may be 10 cm.

Alternatively, the lift detection unit 103 may determine whether the lower limbs of the patient 500 are lifted based on the lift state indicated by the lift state information acquired from the lift control unit 102. For example, the lift detection unit 103 may determine that the lower limbs of the patient 500 are lifted if the lift state is a raised state, and may determine that the lower limbs of the patient 500 are not lifted if the lift state is a lowered state. Note that the lift control unit 102 outputs lift state information indicating a raised state when the lower limbs of the patient 500 are lifted, and outputs lift state information indicating a lowered state when the lower limbs of the patient 500 are not lifted. The lift detection unit 103 is an example of a lift detection means.

When the lift detection unit 103 detects that the patient's 500 lower limbs have been lifted, the compression control unit 104 controls the abdominal compression device 200 to repeatedly compress the abdomen of the patient 500. For example, when the lift detection unit 103 detects that the patient's 500 lower limbs have been lifted, the compression control unit 104 transmits compression start instruction information to the abdominal compression device 200, instructing the abdominal compression device 200 to start compressing the abdomen of the patient 500. Upon receiving the compression start instruction information from the compression control unit 104, the abdominal compression device 200 repeatedly compresses the abdomen of the patient 500. The compression control unit 104 is an example of a compression control means. The abdominal compression device 200 is an example of an abdominal compression means.

The elevation detection unit 103 may detect the elevation height, which is the height to which the patient's 500 lower limbs are elevated, and detect the elevation of the patient's 500 lower limbs based on the elevation height. For example, the elevation detection unit 103 may identify the elevation height based on height information acquired from the distance measurement sensor 420, and determine that the patient's 500 lower limbs are elevated if this elevation height exceeds a height threshold. The distance measurement sensor 420 measures the elevation height and supplies height information indicating the measured elevation height to the elevation detection unit 103. Meanwhile, the elevation detection unit 103 acquires height information from the distance measurement sensor 420 and acquires the elevation height measured by the distance measurement sensor 420, as described above. The distance measurement sensor 420 is an example of a height measurement means.

Here, the compression control unit 104 may compress the abdomen of the patient 500 with a compression force according to the elevation height detected by the elevation detection unit 103. Specifically, the higher the elevation height, the stronger the compression force the compression control unit 104 applies. Note that the strength of the compression force corresponds to the compression pressure, which is the air pressure inside the compression cuff 220. Therefore, the higher the elevation height, the higher the compression pressure the compression control unit 104 applies. For example, the compression control unit 104 may increase the compression force in proportion to the elevation height. For example, where the elevation height is h, the compression pressure is p, and the coefficient is k, p = k × h may be used.

Alternatively, the compression control unit 104 may set the compression force in stages. For example, the above-mentioned height threshold is assumed to be the first height threshold, and a second height threshold greater than the first height threshold and a third height threshold greater than the second height threshold are assumed. First, if the detected elevation height is equal to or greater than the first height threshold and less than the second height threshold, the compression force applied to the abdomen of the patient 500 is set to the first compression force. Then, if the detected elevation height is equal to or greater than the second height threshold and less than the third height threshold, the compression force is set to the second compression force, which is stronger than the first compression force. Furthermore, if the detected elevation height is equal to or greater than the third height threshold, the compression force is set to the third compression force, which is stronger than the second compression force.

Next, the abdominal compression process executed by the control device 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 9. The abdominal compression process is executed, for example, when dialysis for the patient 500 is started and the control device 100 receives a start instruction from the user.

First, the control unit 11 included in the control device 100 acquires blood pressure information (step S101). For example, the control unit 11 acquires blood pressure information from the blood pressure sensor 410 via the communication unit 15. After completing the processing of step S101, the control unit 11 determines whether the blood pressure of the patient 500 is equal to or lower than the blood pressure threshold (step S102). For example, the control unit 11 determines whether the systolic blood pressure indicated by the acquired blood pressure information is equal to or lower than the blood pressure threshold. Information indicating the blood pressure threshold is stored, for example, in the memory unit 12.

If the control unit 11 determines that the patient's 500 blood pressure is not below the blood pressure threshold (step S102: NO), it returns the process to step S101. If the control unit 11 determines that the patient's 500 blood pressure is below the blood pressure threshold (step S102: YES), it instructs the patient 500 to lift the lower limbs (step S103). For example, the control unit 11 transmits lifting instruction information instructing the patient 500 to lift the lower limbs to the lower limb lifting device 300 via the communication unit 15. Upon receiving the lifting instruction information, the lower limb lifting device 300 lifts the lower limbs of the patient 500.

When the control unit 11 completes the processing of step S103, it acquires height information (step S104). For example, the control unit 11 acquires height information from the distance measurement sensor 420 via the communication unit 15. When the control unit 11 completes the processing of step S104, it determines whether the lift height is equal to or greater than a height threshold (step S105). For example, the control unit 11 determines whether the lift height indicated by the acquired height information is equal to or greater than a height threshold. Information indicating the height threshold is stored, for example, in the memory unit 12.

If the control unit 11 determines that the lift height is not equal to or greater than the height threshold (step S105: NO), it determines whether a certain amount of time has elapsed since the lift instruction was issued (step S106). This certain amount of time is, for example, slightly longer than the time required for the lower limb lifting device 300 to complete lifting of the patient's 500's lower limbs after receiving the lift instruction. Information indicating this certain amount of time is stored, for example, in the memory unit 12.

If the control unit 11 determines that a certain amount of time has not elapsed since the lifting instruction was issued (step S106: NO), it returns the process to step S104. If the control unit 11 determines that a certain amount of time has elapsed since the lifting instruction was issued (step S106: YES), it displays an error message (step S107). For example, the control unit 11 controls the display unit 13 to display an error message informing the user that the patient 500's lower limbs are not being lifted properly. When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S107, it ends the abdominal compression process.

When the control unit 11 determines that the elevation height is equal to or greater than the height threshold (step S105: YES), it determines a compression force corresponding to the elevation height (step S108). For example, the control unit 11 determines the compression pressure by multiplying the elevation height by a predetermined coefficient. When the control unit 11 completes the processing of step S108, it instructs the patient 500 to compress the abdomen with the determined compression force (step S109). For example, the control unit 11 transmits compression start instruction information to the abdominal compression device 200 via the communication unit 15, instructing the device 200 to start the process of repeatedly compressing the abdomen of the patient 500 with the determined compression pressure. When the abdominal compression device 200 receives this compression start instruction information, it repeatedly compresses the abdomen of the patient 500 with the compression pressure specified in the compression instruction information.

When the control unit 11 completes the processing of step S109, it acquires blood pressure information (step S110). When the control unit 11 completes the processing of step S110, it determines whether the blood pressure of the patient 500 is equal to or lower than the blood pressure threshold (step S111). When the control unit 11 determines that the blood pressure of the patient 500 is equal to or lower than the blood pressure threshold (step S111: YES), it returns the processing to step S110.

When the control unit 11 determines that the blood pressure of the patient 500 is not equal to or lower than the blood pressure threshold (step S111: NO), it instructs the end of compression of the patient 500's abdomen (step S112). For example, the control unit 11 transmits compression end instruction information, which instructs the end of compression of the patient 500's abdomen, to the abdominal compression device 200 via the communication unit 15. Upon receiving this compression end instruction information, the abdominal compression device 200 ends compression of the patient 500's abdomen.

When the control unit 11 completes the processing of step S112, it instructs the patient 500 to end lifting of the lower limbs (step S113). For example, the control unit 11 transmits lift end instruction information, which instructs the patient 500 to end lifting of the lower limbs, to the lower limb lift device 300 via the communication unit 15. When the lower limb lift device 300 receives this lift end instruction information, it ends lifting of the patient 500's lower limbs. When the control unit 11 completes the processing of step S113, it returns the processing to step S101.

In this embodiment, if the elevation of the patient's 500 lower limbs is detected during dialysis, the patient's 500 abdomen is repeatedly compressed. For example, if a nurse notices a drop in the patient's 500 blood pressure and raises the patient's 500 lower limbs, a process is executed to repeatedly compress the patient's 500 abdomen. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress a drop in the patient's 500 blood pressure during dialysis.

In addition, in this embodiment, the abdomen of the patient 500 is compressed with a pressure that corresponds to the elevation height, which is the height to which the patient's 500 lower limbs are elevated. Here, the higher the elevation height, the more likely blood is to pool in the inferior vena cava. Therefore, the higher the elevation height, the stronger the abdominal compression required, but it can be expected that the patient's 500 blood pressure will increase more. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to more appropriately suppress a drop in the patient's 500 blood pressure during dialysis.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the elevation detection unit 103 acquires the elevation height measured by the distance measurement sensor 420. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to accurately identify the elevation height used to determine the compression force.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the blood pressure drop detection unit 101 detects a drop in the patient's 500 blood pressure, the patient's 500 lower limbs are raised. Therefore, this embodiment can reduce the effort required of the user to prevent a drop in the patient's 500 blood pressure.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, an example in which the lift height is detected using the distance measurement sensor 420 has been described. The method for detecting the lift height is not limited to this method. In the present embodiment, a method for detecting the lift height from the lift angle will be described. Note that the description of the same configurations and functions as those in the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

The function of the abdominal compression system 1100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 10. The abdominal compression system 1100 has the same configuration as the abdominal compression system 1000, except that it does not include a distance measurement sensor 420 and includes a control device 110 instead of the control device 100. The control device 110 has the same configuration as the control device 100, except for the operation of the lift detection unit 103.

Encoder 380 measures the elevation angle, which is the angle between the direction in which patient 500's thigh 502 extends and the horizontal plane. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, encoder 380 is provided at the connection between fixed portion 321 and inclined portion 322, and measures the tilt angle, which is the angle at which inclined portion 322 is inclined relative to fixed portion 321. In other words, in this embodiment, encoder 380 measures the tilt angle of inclined portion 322, rather than the rotation angle of motor 370.

Here, the fixed portion 321 extends along a horizontal plane, and the direction in which the inclined portion 322 extends is substantially the same as the direction in which the thigh 502 of the patient 500 extends. Therefore, the inclination angle of the inclined portion 322 is essentially the elevation angle. The encoder 380 supplies angle information indicating the measured elevation angle to the control device 110. The encoder 380 is an example of an angle measurement means.

The elevation detection unit 103 acquires the elevation angle from the encoder 380 and calculates the elevation height based on the elevation angle and the length of the patient's 500 thigh 502. For example, assume that the elevation angle is θ1, the elevation height is h1, and the length of the thigh 502 is L1. In this case, h1 can be calculated using the formula h1 = L1 × sin θ1. Note that information indicating the length of the thigh 502 is stored, for example, in the memory unit 12. The length of the thigh 502 may also be considered to be approximately the same as the length of the inclined portion 322. In this case, it is sufficient that information indicating the length of the inclined portion 322 is stored in the memory unit 12.

In this embodiment, the lift height is calculated from the lift angle. Therefore, according to this embodiment, a distance measuring sensor 420 that measures the lift height is not required. For example, if the lower limb lifting device 300 is equipped with an encoder 380 that measures the lift angle, the lift height can be calculated without providing a distance measuring sensor 420 that measures the lift height.

(Modification)
Although the embodiments have been described above, modifications and applications in various forms are possible. It is up to the discretion of the individual to adopt any of the configurations, functions, and operations described in the above embodiments. Furthermore, in addition to the above-described configurations, functions, and operations, additional configurations, functions, and operations may be adopted. Furthermore, the configurations, functions, and operations described in the above embodiments can be freely combined.

In embodiment 1, an example has been described in which a control device 100 having a control function for controlling the operation of the entire system, an abdominal compression device 200 having an abdominal compression function for compressing the abdomen of a patient 500, and a lower limb lifting device 300 having a lower limb lifting function for lifting the lower limbs of a patient 500 work together. As long as the entire system has a control function, an abdominal compression function, and a lower limb lifting function, the system configuration is not limited to the configuration shown in embodiment 1. For example, if the abdominal compression device 200 has a control function in addition to the abdominal compression function, the control device 100 is not required. Also, if the lower limb lifting device 300 has a control function in addition to the lower limb lifting function, the control device 100 is not required. Also, a single device having a control function, an abdominal compression function, and a lower limb lifting function may be used.

In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the lower limb lifting device 300 lifts the lower limbs of the patient 500. The lifting of the lower limbs of the patient 500 may also be achieved manually. For example, when a nurse detects a drop in the blood pressure of the patient 500, the nurse may manually lift the lower limbs of the patient 500. In this case, the abdomen of the patient 500 may be compressed when the lifting of the lower limbs of the patient 500 is detected.

In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the lifting height of the lower limb lifting device 300 is constant regardless of the degree of decrease in blood pressure of the patient 500. The lifting height of the lower limb lifting device 300 may be adjusted depending on the degree of decrease in blood pressure of the patient 500. For example, the greater the degree of decrease in blood pressure of the patient 500, the higher the lifting height of the lower limb lifting device 300 may be adjusted.

In embodiment 1, an example was described in which the compression force applied to the abdomen of the patient 500 is adjusted depending on the elevation height. When elevation of the patient's 500 lower limbs is detected, the abdomen of the patient 500 may be compressed with a constant compression force regardless of the elevation height.

In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the lower leg 503 of the patient 500 is maintained horizontal when the lower leg of the patient 500 is raised, and the distance from the floor to the lower leg 503 is set as the lifting height. The setting of the lifting height can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, when the lower leg of the patient 500 is raised, the lower leg of the patient 500 is maintained in a straight extended state, and the lifting height may be set to the distance from the floor to the knee of the patient 500, the distance from the floor to the toe of the patient 500, the distance from the floor to the center of the lower leg 503 of the patient 500, or the like.

In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the abdomen of the patient 500 is compressed by inflating the inflation section 221 through the supply of air. The method of compressing the abdomen of the patient 500 is not limited to this example. For example, the abdomen of the patient 500 may be compressed by inflating the inflation section 221 through the supply of a gas other than air or a liquid. The abdomen of the patient 500 may also be compressed by tightening using an elastic body such as a spring or rubber.

In the above embodiment, the control unit 11 functions as each of the units shown in Figures 8 and 10 by having the CPU execute a program stored in the ROM or memory unit 12. However, in the present disclosure, the control unit 11 may be dedicated hardware. Dedicated hardware is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination of these. When the control unit 11 is dedicated hardware, the functions of each unit may be realized by individual hardware, or the functions of each unit may be realized collectively by a single piece of hardware. Furthermore, some of the functions of each unit may be realized by dedicated hardware, and other functions may be realized by software or firmware. In this way, the control unit 11 can realize each of the above-mentioned functions by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

By applying an operating program that defines the operation of the control device 100, 110 according to the present disclosure to a computer such as an existing personal computer or information terminal device, it is possible to cause the computer to function as the control device 100, 110 according to the present disclosure. Furthermore, such a program can be distributed in any manner; for example, it may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk ROM), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), MO (Magneto Optical Disk), or memory card, or it may be distributed via a communications network such as the Internet.

This disclosure allows for various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain the disclosure and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. In other words, the scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of equivalent disclosures are deemed to be within the scope of the disclosure.

11 Control unit, 12 Memory unit, 13, 230, 330 Display unit, 14, 240, 340 Operation reception unit, 15, 250, 350 Communication unit, 100, 110 Control device, 101 Blood pressure decrease detection unit, 102 Elevation control unit, 103 Elevation detection unit, 104 Compression control unit, 200 Abdominal compression device, 210 Air pressure control unit, 220 Compression cuff, 221 Inflation unit, 222, 223 Mounting unit, 224 Air supply tube, 225 Bag body, 261 Compressor, 262 Air tank, 263 Pressure reducer, 264 Electro-pneumatic regulator, 265 Exhaust valve, 266 Relief valve, 267 Air pressure sensor, 268 Compression pressure sensor, 300 Lower limb lifting device, 310 Drive control unit, 320 Placement stand, 321 Fixed part, 322 Inclined part, 323 Elevation part, 324, 325 Rotation shaft, 360 Drive circuit, 370 Motor, 380 Encoder, 410 Blood pressure sensor, 420 Distance measurement sensor, 500 Patient, 501 Buttocks, 502 Thigh, 503 Lower leg, 1000, 1100 Abdominal compression system

Claims (7)

an abdominal compression means for compressing the patient's abdomen;
an elevation detection means for detecting elevation of the patient's lower limbs during dialysis;
and a compression control means for controlling the abdominal compression means to repeatedly compress the abdomen of the patient when the lift detection means detects that the patient's lower limbs are being lifted.
Abdominal compression system. The lift detection means detects a lift height, which is a height to which the patient's lower limbs are lifted,
The compression control means compresses the abdomen of the patient with a compression force corresponding to the elevation height detected by the elevation detection means.
The abdominal compression system of claim 1 . Further provided is a height measuring means for measuring the lift height,
The lift detection means acquires the lift height measured by the height measurement means.
The abdominal compression system of claim 2 . An angle measuring means is further provided for measuring an elevation angle, which is an angle formed between a direction in which the patient's thigh extends and a horizontal plane,
The elevation detection means acquires the elevation angle from the angle measurement means, and calculates the elevation height based on the elevation angle and the length of the patient's thigh.
The abdominal compression system of claim 2 . a lower limb lifting means for lifting the lower limbs of the patient;
a blood pressure drop detection means for detecting a drop in blood pressure of the patient during artificial dialysis of the patient;
and an elevation control means for controlling the lower limb elevation means to elevate the lower limbs of the patient when the blood pressure decrease detection means detects a decrease in blood pressure of the patient.
An abdominal compression system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. a step in which an elevation detection means in a control device that controls an abdominal compression device that compresses the abdomen of a patient detects elevation of the patient's lower limbs during artificial dialysis of the patient;
a step in which the compression control means in the control device transmits control information to the abdominal compression device when the lift detection means detects that the patient's lower limbs are lifted, the control information instructing the abdominal compression device to repeatedly compress the patient's abdomen ;
Control method. Computer,
an elevation detection means for detecting elevation of the patient's lower limbs during dialysis;
When the lift detection means detects that the lower limbs of the patient are lifted, the lift detection means functions as a compression control means for repeatedly compressing the abdomen of the patient by controlling an abdominal compression means for compressing the abdomen of the patient.
program.