JPH062129B2 - Olfactory recognition judgment device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an olfactory recognition determining apparatus for determining the presence or absence of olfaction, the degree of recognition, and the like.

[Conventional technology]

The olfactory recognition determination device for objectively evaluating the olfaction,
It is known in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-79636, which is proposed by the present applicant. Here, the test gas is delivered to the subject in synchronism with the breathing action, the fluctuation of the electroencephalogram at this time is detected, and the analysis is performed to determine the presence or absence of the sense of smell. The breathing motion of the subject is detected by a thermistor mounted in the nasal cavity. The judgment test was performed in an odorless room adjusted to an odorless state, and the test gas was supplied to the subject in a partially open state via a funnel-shaped nose cone covering the outer surface of the nostril.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

The reason for conducting the judgment test in the odorless room is to avoid the influence of odorous substances other than the test gas, but preparing an odorless room as a test environment imposes a heavy financial burden on general hospitals, food manufacturers, and fragrances. The manufacturer could not easily carry out a judgment test.
Since the conventional apparatus discharges the sucked test gas into the room together with the exhaled air, it is necessary to remove the test gas each time the test is finished, which is also disadvantageous in that the judgment test cannot be continuously performed.

The response to the odor stimulus is detected as a change in the brain wave, that is, a change in the evoked potential on the electrode plate attached to the scalp, but the potential is extremely weak, and thus is easily disturbed. As a result of the experiment, the thermistor mounted in the nasal cavity also becomes a disturbance factor.
This is because the fluctuation of the current value due to the resistance change of the thermistor is captured as noise in the electroencephalogram signal.

The thermistor placed in the nasal cavity gives the subject a feeling of discomfort, and may be accompanied by pain such as itch and excessive reaction of the mucous membrane. Such a reaction is also included in the electroencephalogram signal as noise, which makes it difficult to analyze the detection data. Depending on the test subject, it may not be possible to perform the judgment test for a sufficient amount of time because the reaction is excessive.

As described above, the conventional device has problems in that the place of use is limited to an odorless room and lacks in practicality and responsiveness, disturbance by a sensor for detecting a breathing motion, and its usage form.

An object of the present invention is to obtain an olfactory recognition determination device which is excellent in practicability and responsiveness, which enables easy olfactory determination even in a room other than an odorless room and is capable of continuously performing tests.

Another object of the present invention is to obtain an olfactory recognition determination device equipped with a respiratory sensor that does not adversely affect the electroencephalogram signal and that does not give the subject a feeling of strangeness.

Yet another object of the present invention is to reduce the respiratory burden on the subject,
An object of the present invention is to obtain an olfactory recognition determination device that does not cause pain to the subject even when the test determination is performed for a long time.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

The olfactory recognition determination apparatus of the present invention includes a gas supply means 1 for supplying a breathing gas and a test gas to a subject A, and at least the outer surfaces of the nose and mouth of the subject A in a hermetically sealed manner, and the gas supply means 1 is provided. A mask 2 for supplying the gas sent from the subject A to the subject A. The mask 2 operates in association with the breathing motion of the subject A,
It is required that a breathing valve 13 that permits the suction of the breathing gas and separates and discharges the exhaled breath, and a breathing sensor 9 that detects the opening / closing operation of the breathing valve 13 are provided.

The breathing sensor 9 includes an optical sensor 29 that optically detects the opening / closing operation of the breathing valve 13.

The gas supply means 1 is configured to forcibly supply the breathing gas, and the scavenging means 2 is provided in the expiratory passage 21 connected to the mask 2.
5 and an exhalation bag 27 for temporarily storing scavenging air.

Here, the breathing gas includes all of a simple substance of oxygen gas and a mixed gas in which oxygen is mixed in addition to air. Further, the mask 2 also includes a helmet-like structure that covers the entire head in a sealed manner, and a form that individually covers the nose and mouth.

[Action]

Since gas is supplied to the subject A through the mask 2 that covers at least the outer surfaces of the nose and mouth, the influence of other odorous substances is completely eliminated even in an odorless environment, and the subject A receives only a predetermined odor stimulus. give.

For example, since the breathing motion of the subject A is detected in a non-contact manner using the optical sensor 29, the disturbance action due to the electromagnetic action of the breathing sensor 9 can be eliminated, and the breathing sensor 9
It is possible to eliminate the occurrence of a physiological reaction due to wearing the nasal cavity or the like.

To avoid rebreathing exhaled breath, mask 2 on breathing valve 1
When 3 is provided, the respiratory burden on the subject A increases when the breathing valve 13 is opened and closed by the fluctuation of the internal pressure of the mask 2. Gas supply means 1 for forcibly supplying breathing gas,
The scavenging means 25 and the expiratory bag 27 provided in the expiratory passage 21 are provided to reduce the respiratory burden.

〔Example〕

In FIG. 1, the olfactory recognition determination apparatus comprises a gas supply means 1 for supplying a test gas and a breathing gas to a subject A, and a subject A.
It includes a mask 2 which is attached to the face and supplies the gas supplied from the gas supply means 1, and a measurement means 3 which measures and analyzes the reaction of the subject A to the stimulus.

The gas supply means 1 includes an odor source 4 for supplying a test gas, an air source 5 for supplying a deodorized breathing gas, and a control device 6 for controlling the supply states of these gas supply sources 4 and 5. Therefore, the breathing air adjusted to a predetermined pressure is forcibly and intermittently supplied, and the supply gas diluted to a predetermined concentration with air is intermittently supplied in synchronization with the breathing operation of the subject A.

For that purpose, the control device 6 and the mask 2 are connected via the intake passage 7 and the test gas passage 8, and the output part of the respiratory sensor 9 for detecting the breathing motion of the subject A is further connected to the control device 6. . The control device 6 is composed of an operating section 6a composed of a large number of control valves and pressure regulating valves, and a control section 6b for controlling the operating state of the operating section 6a. You can freely change and set the supply amount. The test gas is supplied in the form of a pulse signal, and the test gas passage 8 after the supply is cleaned with an air flow. An air cylinder or a compressor is used as the air source 5, and in any case, odorless air is supplied under pressure.

The measuring means 3 includes a data processing circuit or the like that measures changes in brain waves caused by the olfactory reaction, analyzes the measured brain wave data based on the output signal from the respiration sensor 9, and performs necessary signal processing. The electroencephalogram data is captured as a change in the evoked potential via a plurality of electroencephalogram sensors 10 fixed to the head of the subject A. As the electroencephalogram sensor 10, a magnetic sensor using a superconducting material is used in addition to the commonly used electrode plate.

In FIG. 2, a mask 2 is a mask main body 12 made of an anesthesia mask, and a breathing valve 13 attached to the outer surface thereof.
The mask body 12 is attached to the subject A so as to cover the outer surfaces of the nose and mouth in a sealed manner.

In FIG. 2, the breathing valve 13 is configured as a valve that opens and closes in conjunction with the breathing motion of the subject A, and inside the valve case 15 made of a plastic molded product,
Both are provided with an inhalation valve 16 and an exhalation valve 17 which are one-way valves formed of a rubber film. The valve case 15 is provided with an intake port 18 and an expiratory port 19, and a breathing port 20 communicating with the inside of the mask main body 12. The inspiratory port 7 is connected to the inspiratory port 18 and the expiratory port 21 is connected to the expiratory port 19, respectively. is doing.

In FIG. 3, the inhalation valve 16 is formed by protruding a wedge-shaped valve portion 16b in the center of a circular flange portion 16a, and the valve portion 16b is provided between the intake port 18 and the breathing port 20. It is installed in a posture of projecting to the 20 side. Valve part 16b
The tip 16c of the is cut in a straight line, and when subject A inhales air, it opens in a petal-like manner as shown in FIG. 5, and when it exhales air, it adheres and prevents backflow.

The exhalation valve 17 is a kind of disc valve and is arranged between the breathing port 20 and the exhalation port 19 to open and close a valve port 22 which is radially opened. This valve 17 only allows passage of exhaled air, and closes the valve port 22 at the time of exhalation.

The sample gas passage 8 is made of a highly flexible silicon tube, and the lead-out end thereof is drawn into the mask body 12. During the test, the lead-out end faces the nostril of the subject A and is fixed with the adhesive tape 24. Since the olfactory cells are located deep inside the nasal cavity, only one test gas passage 8 is required in principle.

By providing the breathing valve 13, exhaled air can be separated and discharged, and re-inhalation thereof can be prevented. However, the breathing valve 13 opens and closes only when the pressure fluctuation in the mask body 12 reaches a certain value, and the subject A needs to perform a more aggressive breathing operation than in a normal breathing state. In order to reduce the respiratory burden on the subject A, the gas supply means 1 forcibly supplies the breathing air to assist the inspiratory operation. The expiratory passage 21 is a scavenging means 25 including a blower fan.
Is provided to assist the expiratory movement. The supply amount of breathing air and the scavenging amount of the expiratory passage 21 are adjusted according to the breathing amount of the subject A. At this time, the breathing air is intermittently supplied in synchronization with the breathing motion of the subject A, so there is no problem, but the scavenging means 25
Is operated continuously, and the scavenging amount tends to be excessive or insufficient. Therefore, the branch passage 26 was led out from the expiratory passage 21 near the expiratory port 19 of the breathing valve 13, and the expiratory bag 27 for temporarily storing the exhaled breath was attached to the outlet end.

The exhalation bag 27 is made of a plastic film bag having a certain capacity, is inflated by the exhaled air exhaled into the exhalation passage 21, and the exhaled air inside the expiratory means 2 is scavenging means 2.
It is sucked out at 5 and deflated. That is, the exhalation bag 27 absorbs the pressure fluctuation in the exhalation passage 21, and further prevents the exhalation valve 17 from opening except during the exhalation operation. Exhaled air discharged from the scavenging means 25 is discharged to the outside of the test chamber through a hose, a duct, etc. not shown.

A breathing sensor 9 is attached to the breathing valve 13 in order to detect the breathing motion of the subject A in a non-contact manner. The breathing sensor 9 is arranged at the back of the valve portion 16b of the inhalation valve 16 and outputs the signal light to the optical sensor 29 that optically detects the opening / closing operation of the valve and the obtained optical sensor. The sensor main body 30 includes a photoelectric converter that converts various detection signals into electric signals. As shown in FIG. 4, in the optical sensor 29, a light projecting cable 31 and a light receiving cable 32 each containing an optical fiber are arranged in parallel, and a light projecting port 33 at the tip of both cables 31 and 32 is arranged.
And the light receiving port 34 is fixed to the valve case 15 in a state of facing the adjacent inclined surfaces of the valve portion 16b. Signal light is always output to the light projecting cable 31, and the valve portion 16b
When is closed (during exhalation), the signal light is emitted from the valve unit 1
The light is repeatedly reflected by each inclined surface of 6b and enters the light receiving cable 32 through the light receiving port 34. However, when the valve portion 16b opens as shown in FIG. 5 in association with the intake operation, the angle of the inclined surface changes, and the shape of the inclined surface deforms from the flat end surface to the arc surface shape. Is dissipated and does not reach the light projecting cable 31. It is possible to accurately know that the exhalation operation has started and that the exhalation operation is continuing based on the signal state (light-shielding ON state) at this time. Exhaled breath exhaled from the body contains water vapor,
Since both the light projecting port 33 and the light receiving port 34 of the optical sensor 29 are arranged on the intake passage 7 side of the valve portion 16b, the light projecting / light receiving ports 33, 34 are not clouded by water vapor.

It is not necessary to perform the judgment test in the odorless room, but the EEG sensor 1
In order to avoid the intrusion of noise into 0, it is necessary for the environment in which there are no devices associated with electromagnetic action around the subject A. Devices such as the gas supply unit 1, the main body of the measuring unit 3, the sensor main body 30 of the breathing sensor 9, and the scavenging unit 25 are isolated at a position that does not affect the electroencephalogram sensor 10. An electromagnetically shielded chamber or chamber is a preferred test environment.

[Another embodiment example]

The mask 2 of the present invention can be configured to cover the entire head like a helmet worn in a space suit. In this case, it is possible to add an electromagnetic shield function to the helmet-shaped mask 2 to eliminate the influence on the brain wave sensor 10.

It is not necessary to attach the test gas passage 8 to the subject A, and the mask body 12 may be instructed so that the leading end of the test gas passage 8 is directed to the nostril. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a gas discharge pipe is provided inside the mask body 12 and the passage 8 is connected to the gas discharge pipe.

The optical sensor 29 can be composed of a light source provided on the breather 20 side and a light receiving cable 32. In addition to detecting the presence / absence of signal light feedback and the magnitude of the feedback amount, differences in the signal light feedback time may also be detected. If the operation of the breathing valve 13 is used, the detection principle is completely limited. Not done.

〔The invention's effect〕

According to the present invention, the breathing gas and the test gas are supplied through the mask 2 attached to the subject A so that the olfaction can be determined. Therefore, the subject A and the surrounding environment are completely separated, It is possible to eliminate the influence of other odor substances and give the subject A only predetermined odor stimulus. As a result, the judgment test can be performed in a normal environment other than the odorless room, and the olfactory judgment can be easily performed even in general hospitals, foods, fragrance makers, and the like. Further, by exchanging the mask 2 used last time or performing the deodorizing process, the determination test can be continuously performed, and the practicality and responsiveness of the olfactory recognition determination device can be improved as a whole.

Since the respiration valve 13 and the respiration sensor 9 for detecting the opening / closing operation of the valve 13 are provided in the mask 2, it is possible to detect the respiration operation in a non-contact manner without attaching the respiration sensor 9 to the subject A, and avoid the conventional device. It is possible to eliminate the adverse effects on the electroencephalogram signals by eliminating the occurrence of physiological reactions caused by wearing the respiratory sensor in the nasal cavity, such as uncomfortable feelings of itching and itching, or excessive reaction of mucous membranes.

In particular, since the optical sensor 29 detects the opening / closing operation of the breathing valve 13, there is no electromagnetic action in the sensor section, so that the disturbance of the brain wave signal by the breathing sensor 9 can be eliminated, and the S / N ratio of the brain wave signal as a whole can be reduced. Better and easier to analyze.

The breathing gas is forcibly supplied by the gas supply means 1, and the expiratory passage 21 is further provided with the scavenging means 25 and the expiratory bag 27 for temporarily storing expiratory air. The increase in the respiratory burden due to the breathing valve 13 can be reduced, and it is convenient for a judgment test of a test subject or the like who does not suffer from pain in the test subject A even when the test determination is performed for a long time.

[Brief description of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the olfactory recognition determination device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the entire device, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a mask, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a single intake valve, FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the arrangement structure of the optical sensor, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a state where the intake valve is opened. 1 ... Gas supply means, 2 ... Mask, 9 ... Breathing sensor, 13 ... Breathing valve, 21 ... Exhalation passage, 25 ... Scavenging means , 27 ... Exhalation bag, 29 ... Optical sensor.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-57418 (JP, B2)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A subject (A) receives a breathing gas and a test gas.
And a gas supply means (1) for supplying the gas supplied from the gas supply means (1) to the subject (A) by sealing at least the outer surfaces of the nose and mouth of the subject (A). The mask (2) includes a respiratory valve (13), which operates in conjunction with the breathing motion of the subject (A), permits suction of breathing gas, and separates and exhales exhaled air. An olfactory recognition determination device provided with a respiratory sensor (9) for detecting the opening / closing operation of a respiratory valve (13). 2. The olfactory recognition determining device according to claim 1, wherein the breathing sensor (9) includes an optical sensor (29) for optically detecting an opening / closing operation of the breathing valve (13). 3. A gas supply means (1) is configured to forcibly supply breathing gas, and a scavenging means (25) is provided in an expiratory passage (21) connected to the mask (2).
The olfactory recognition determination device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an exhalation bag (27) for temporarily storing exhaled breath.