WO2002103313A1

WO2002103313A1 - Contact pressure measuring device for human body

Info

Publication number: WO2002103313A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/005234
Authority: WO
Inventors: Makoto Takahashi
Original assignee: Harada Corporation
Priority date: 2001-06-19
Filing date: 2001-06-19
Publication date: 2002-12-27

Abstract

A measuring device comprising a balloon unit (200) placed under the portion to be measured of a patient lying on a bed, a measuring device body (100) for measuring the internal pressure of the balloon unit, and connecting paths (410, 420) for connecting the above two. The balloon unit has a bag-like member (210) having a flat-plate form and an enclosed inner space, and a flat-plate mat (220) disposed inside the bag-like member and constituted of a polyurethane foam. The internal pressure of the balloon unit placed under a patient is measured by a pressure sensor inside the measuring device body to be displayed on a display unit (110). A 3-way cock (300) is provided in the middle of the connecting paths to form a side-wise branch path, to which a syringe (500) is connected for regulating the internal pressure before measuring.

Description

Description Body contact pressure measuring device Technical field

The present invention relates to a device for measuring pressure, and more particularly, to a device for measuring the degree of compression of a predetermined portion of a patient lying on a bed. Background technology

Pressure ulcers are a serious problem for patients who remain in bed for extended periods of time. Pressure ulcer is an ulcer caused by applying a certain amount of contact pressure between a part of the body and the bed over a long period of time. Prevention of the pressure ulcer involves contact pressure between each part of the body and the bed. It is important to measure the pressure). Nurses and other clinical healthcare professionals can prevent pressure ulcers by measuring the contact pressure of each part of the patient as appropriate and adjusting the patient's posture according to the results.

For this purpose, a body contact pressure measuring device using a pressure sensor has been conventionally used. For example, a type that incorporates a force sensor in a bed tress and a type in which the probe part of a force sensor is laid under a patient are used in clinical practice. However, this type of measuring device that has been used in the past is a rather large device, and is inconvenient to handle and expensive to introduce. In order to address these problems, small and inexpensive simple measuring devices are being developed, but at present, sufficient measurement accuracy cannot be obtained, and there are problems with practicality. Remains.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a body contact pressure measuring device capable of obtaining sufficient measurement accuracy while being a small and inexpensive device. Disclosure of the invention

(1) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the first invention of the present application is directed to a body contact pressure measuring device for measuring a pressure applied between a measured portion of a body and a support base, the device being provided under a measured portion. A bag-shaped member that is formed of a deformable material and that has a closed internal space, and that is placed inside the bag-shaped member and has a thickness when a pressing force is applied. A flat mat having the property of being collapsed in the direction, but restoring to the original shape と ^ when the pressing force is lost, and a balloon portion having

(Bag) a pressure sensor that measures the internal pressure of the dog member, a display unit that displays the value measured by the pressure sensor, a control unit that controls the display operation of the display unit based on the output of the pressure sensor, and a pressure sensor. And a power supply for supplying power to the display unit and the control unit.

(Bag) (1) A connection path that connects between the bag I dog member and the pressure sensor so that air inside the dog member can be guided to the pressure sensor,

Is provided.

(2) The second invention of the present application is the body contact pressure measuring device according to the first invention described above,

A three-way cock provided in the middle of the connecting path to form a side branch, a pressure regulator connectable to the branch,

Is further provided,

The three-way stopcock allows bags to be arbitrarily set to conduct in three different ways: a bag to a dog member, a passage to a pressure sensor, a passage to a branch, and a bag-like member by a pressure regulator. The pressure inside can be adjusted.

(3) The third invention of the present application is the device for measuring body contact pressure according to the second invention,

As the pressure adjusting device, a syringe having a tip portion that can be fitted into the passage of the three-way cock into the branch passage is used. (4) The fourth invention of the present application is the device for measuring a body contact pressure according to the first invention,

A flat member is sandwiched between an upper sheet and a lower sheet that are arranged substantially in parallel, and the upper sheet and the lower sheet are adhered to the periphery to form a bag member.

(5) The fifth invention of the present application is the device for measuring body contact pressure according to the fourth invention described above,

This is a flat mat made of polymer foam.

(6) The sixth invention of the present application is the body contact pressure measuring device according to the fifth invention described above,

Polyurethane foam is used as the polymer foam.

(7) The seventh invention of the present application is the device for measuring body contact pressure according to the first invention,

A power supply switch for starting pressure measurement by a pressing operation and a hold switch for maintaining display of a pressure measurement value at the time of pressing are provided on the measuring device main body. Brief explanation of drawings

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a basic configuration of a body contact pressure measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention. '

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the measuring apparatus main body 100 in the measuring apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the balloon unit 200 in the measuring device shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a calibration operation procedure when precision measurement is performed using the measuring apparatus shown in FIG. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on basic embodiments. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration of a body contact pressure measuring device according to the basic embodiment. As shown, the measuring device according to this embodiment includes a measuring device main body 100, a balloon portion 200, a three-way cock 300, a connecting path 410, 420, and a pressure regulator. And 500. Hereinafter, each of these components will be described in order. First, as shown in the figure, the front panel of the measuring apparatus main body 100 has a display section 110 for displaying measured values, a power switch 120 for starting pressure measurement by a pressing operation, and a And a hold switch 130 for maintaining the display of the pressure measurement value. When the measurer turns on the power by pressing the power switch 120, the instantaneous instantaneous pressure measurement force is displayed on the display 110. Normally, the measured value displayed on the display unit 110 is a force ^s that fluctuates with time.When the hold switch 130 is pressed, the measured value at that moment is maintained on the display unit 110. . When you release your finger from the hold switch 130, the instantaneous pressure measurement will be displayed again. A connecting pipe 140 extends above the measuring apparatus main body 100, and a connecting path 420 is connected to the connecting pipe 140 so that the measuring apparatus main body 100 can be connected to the balloon section 200. Will be linked.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the main body 100 of the measuring apparatus. The display unit 110, power switch 120, hold switch 130, and connection pipe 140 in this block diagram are the same components as those shown in FIG. A pressure sensor 150 is connected to the inner end of the connection pipe 1'40, and the pressure inside the connection pipe 140 can be measured. The signal indicating the pressure measurement value by the pressure sensor 150 is transmitted to the control unit 160. The control unit 160 is a processor that controls the operation of the main body 100 of the measuring apparatus. The adjustment trimmer 170 is a means for electrically adjusting the zero point of the measured value of the pressure sensor 150, and includes a variable resistor element. And a variable capacitance element. The measurer adjusts the set value of the adjustment trimmer 170 with a screwdriver in the preparation stage of the measurement. The control unit 160 can electrically detect the set value, and performs a zero point adjustment to reflect the set value of the adjustment trimmer 170 on the measured value given from the pressure sensor 150. A process for displaying the adjusted pressure value on the display unit 110 is executed. The power supply 180 is a component that supplies power to the display unit 110, pressure sensor 150, and control unit 160.When the power switch 120 is turned on, power is supplied to each unit. Is performed.

In the case of this embodiment, in FIG. 2, a small liquid crystal display capable of displaying several digits is used as the display unit 110, and the power switch 120 and the hold switch 130 are used as the display unit 110. Uses a push button switch as shown in FIG. 1, uses a variable resistance element or a variable capacitance element as the adjustment trimmer 170 as described above, and uses a lithium battery as the power supply 180. Is used. In addition, a general semiconductor pressure sensor is used as the pressure sensor 150, and can measure a pressure within a range of 0 to 50 OmmHg with a resolution of 1 mmHg. As the control unit 160, a custom IC programmed with a processing function for executing a measurement procedure described later is used, and the display unit 110 is updated at a frequency of about once every 0.3 seconds. Can be displayed. More specifically, each component shown as a block in FIG. 2 may specifically use any component as long as it can perform the functions described above. On the other hand, the balloon section 200 shown in FIG. 1 is used to measure a part to be measured (a predetermined part such as a patient's buttocks and shoulders) and a support base when performing pressure measurement using this contact pressure measuring device. (For example, on the bed sheet) and functions as a probe that directly receives the contact pressure between rainy people. The balloon portion 200 has a flat plate shape suitable for being laid under the measured portion of the body, is made of a deformable material, and is a bag having a sealed internal space. 2 1 0 and this bag-shaped member 2 It is located inside of a flat mat, and has a flat shape that has the property of crushing in the thickness direction when a pressing force is applied, but restoring to the original shape when the pressing force is removed. . In the example shown in FIG. 1, (if Shimese the exact size, long axis 1 0 0 mm, minor axis 8 about 0 mm) balloon portion 2 0 0 planar shape oval force has a ^s, shape and size May be arbitrarily designed.

The structure of the balloon portion 200 is clearly shown in the side sectional view of FIG. That is, the bag-like member 210 is actually composed of an upper sheet 21OA and a lower sheet 210B arranged substantially parallel to each other. Both the upper sheet 21A and the lower sheet 210B are elliptical sheets having the same size in plan view, and a flat bag-shaped member 2 having a sealed internal space by bonding peripheral portions of both sheets. 10 forces are formed. The upper sheet 210A and the lower sheet 210B may be made of any material as long as they are deformable. In this embodiment, the polyurethane sheet having a thickness of about 0.5 mm is used. Sheets are used. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, a flat mat 220 is sandwiched between the upper sheet 21OA and the lower sheet 210B. The flat mat 220 is an elliptical mat slightly smaller than the bag-like member 210 as shown by a broken line in FIG. A material (elastic material) is used that has the property of crushing in the direction but recovering its original shape when the pressing force is removed. As a material having such properties, it is preferable to use a polymer foam. In particular, in this embodiment, a very favorable measurement result could be obtained by using a polyurethane foam having a thickness of about 3 mm. Polyurethane foam is a material with moderate elasticity, high density and low resilience, and has the function of storing air inside. Therefore, when the pressure applied in the thickness direction gradually increases, the internal air is gradually pushed out while deforming so as to be gradually crushed in the thickness direction. This results in extremely linear measurement results.

Ό As shown in FIG. 1, a connection path 410 is attached to the balloon portion 200. The connection path 410 is a flexible tube attached so as to communicate with the internal space of the bag-like member 210. As described above, the closed internal space is formed by the bag-like member 210, and this internal space communicates with the outside via the connection path 410. The connecting line 410 is connected to the connecting line 420 through a three-way stopcock 300, and finally to a pressure sensor 150 provided inside the measuring device main body 100. Will be connected. After all, the air inside the dog member 210 will be guided to the pressure sensor 150, and the pressure sensor 150 will measure the internal pressure of the bag member 210. .

If only the purpose of measuring the internal pressure of the bag-like member 210 is considered, it is sufficient to directly connect the connecting path 410 and the connecting path 420 without intervening the three-way cock 300. However, in this embodiment, in order to enable more precise measurement, a three-way cock 300 for forming a side branching path is provided in the middle of the connection paths 410, 420, Further, a pressure adjuster 500 that can be connected to this branch is prepared. The three-way stopcock 300 has three passages: a passage 310 to the bag-shaped member 210, a passage 320 to the pressure sensor 150, and a passage 330 to the side branch. The continuity state regarding can be arbitrarily set by operating the rotating lever 340. By using such a three-way cock 300 and the pressure adjuster 500, the pressure inside the bag-like member 210 can be adjusted, and a more accurate measurement value can be obtained. it can. In this embodiment, a syringe as shown is used as the pressure adjusting device 500. This syringe has a tip end that can be fitted into the passage 330 to the side branch of the three-way cock 300.

Next, the procedure for measuring the contact pressure using the body contact pressure measuring device shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, the procedure of a simple measurement method is shown. First, the measuring device shown in Fig. 1 is assembled. That is, one end of the connection path 420 is connected to the connection pipe 140, and the other end is connected to the passage 320 of the three-way cock 300. On the other hand, the free end of Connect the stopcock 300 to the passage 310. In this simple measurement method, no syringe 500 is used. Also, by operating the rotating lever 340 of the three-way cock 300, a setting is made so that the passage 310-320 becomes conductive and the passage 330 becomes sealed. . In this simple measurement method, the three-way stopcock 300 simply functions as a connection unit. Next, press the power switch 1 20 to switch the power to Ι Ν) Ι. Then, the internal pressure of the balloon section 200 at that time is displayed on the display section 110 as a measured value. At this time, the body pressure should not be applied to the balloon section 200 yet. Then, the adjusting trimmer 170 is adjusted with a screw dryno, and calibration is performed so that the measured value displayed on the display unit 110 becomes approximately 0 mmHg (within a predetermined allowable range). The preparation is above.

To actually perform the measurement, the balloon section 200 is inserted between the bed and the patient, and placed below the section to be measured. Then, a pressure to be measured is applied in the thickness direction of the balloon section 200, and the measurement result is displayed on the display section 110. Normally, the internal pressure of the balloon section 200 changes with time, so the measurement value displayed on the display section 110 also changes with time. Therefore, when it is determined that a stable measured value can be obtained, the hold switch 130 is pressed to maintain the measured value on the display 110 at a specific instantaneous value, and the measured value is read. This completes the measurement. If necessary, the balloon section 200 is moved, and pressure measurement is performed at another section to be measured. After the measurement is completed, the balloon section 200 is taken out from under the patient's body, and the thickness of the mat I 220 of the flat dog I enclosed inside the balloon section 200 is increased. Due to the restoring force, the balloon section 200 is inflated as before, and the measured value displayed on the display section 110 gradually returns to zero. To end the measurement operation, press the power switch 120 to switch the power supply to the OFF state.

Although a fairly accurate measurement is possible with the simple measurement method as described above, the embodiment shown here is capable of performing a more accurate and precise measurement. this In precision measurement, the calibration method differs from the simple measurement method described above. That is, in the simple measurement method described above, the electrical calibration was performed using the adjustment trimmer 170, but in the precision measurement method described below, the pressure adjuster 500 (in the case of this embodiment, the syringe ) Will be used for physical calibration.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a physical calibration procedure performed as a preparation stage of the precision measurement method. First, this measuring device is assembled in the same manner as in the case of performing the simple measuring method described above. At this time, the syringe 500 is left unattached. Then, in step S1, the stopcock 300 is set to a predetermined state. That is, the rotation lever 340 is operated to make the passages 310-330 conductive, and the passage 320 is sealed. Subsequently, in step S2, air is released from the balloon section 200. Specifically, the balloon unit 200 is placed on a flat surface such as a table, and a book or the like is placed on the top and crushed. Then, the flat mat 220 is crushed in the thickness direction, and comes out from the pneumatic ^s passage 330 in the bag 1) dog member 210.

Next, in step S3, the rotation lever 340 of the three-way activity 300 is operated to make the passage 330 sealed. The road can be in any state). In the following step S4, the syringe 500 is attached to the passage 330. Then, in step S5, the setting of the three-way cock 300 is operated so that all the passages 310, 320, 330 are in a conductive state. In the following step S6, the power switch 120 is pressed to set the ON state, and in the loop of steps S7 to S8, the pressure is adjusted while operating the syringe 500. That is, while observing the measured value displayed on the display section 110, air is injected from the syringe 500 so that the measured value is approximately O mmHg (within a predetermined allowable range), or Calibrate by inhaling air.

Preparation is now complete. The actual measurement procedure is the same as the simple measurement method described above. The same is true. The internal pressure of the balloon section 200 is calibrated by a physical method using a syringe 500, a force ^s that changes subtly under the influence of the surrounding environment such as room temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. Performing one shot makes it possible to perform precise measurements that are not affected by the surrounding environment. Industrial availability

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The body contact pressure measuring device according to the present invention can be used in clinical medicine for measuring the contact pressure between each part of a patient and a bed, and is effective in preventing pressure ulcers of a patient lying on the bed for a long period of time. Can be demonstrated. In particular, since the measuring device according to the present invention has a simple structure and can be downsized, the measuring device can be carried in a bottle and carried, and the contact pressure can be applied to the hand anywhere. Measurement becomes possible. In addition, it can be used not only in medical institutions but also in ordinary households because it can reduce manufacturing costs.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. a contact pressure measuring device for measuring a pressure applied between a measured part of a body and a support table,

A bag-shaped member (210) having a flat shape suitable for being laid under the part to be measured, made of a deformable material, and having a closed internal space; A balloon-shaped part (220) having a flat mat (220), which has a property of being collapsed in the thickness direction when a pressing force is applied, but restoring to its original shape when the pressing force is removed 2 00)

A pressure sensor (150) for measuring the internal pressure of the bag-like member, a display unit (110) for displaying a value measured by the pressure sensor, and a display unit (110) based on the output of the pressure sensor. A measurement device main body (100) having a control unit (160) for controlling a display operation; a power supply (180) for supplying power to the pressure sensor, the display unit, and the control unit;

(Bag) (1) a connection path (4110, 420) connecting between the bag-shaped member and the pressure sensor so that air inside the dog member can be guided to the pressure sensor. A body contact pressure measuring device characterized by the above-mentioned.

2. The measuring device according to claim 1,

A three-way stopcock (300) provided in the middle of the connecting path (410, 420) to form a side branching path;

A pressure regulator (500) connectable to the branch;

Further comprising

The three-way cock is used to arbitrarily determine the conduction state of three types of bags: a passage to the I-dog member (310), a passage to the pressure sensor (320), and a passage to the branch (330). The pressure inside the bag-shaped member by the pressure adjuster. A contact pressure measuring device for the body, characterized in that the body pressure can be adjusted.

3. The measuring device according to claim 2,

A body contact pressure measuring device, characterized in that a syringe having a tip that can be fitted in a passage (330) to a branch of a three-way cock (300) is used as the pressure regulator (500).

4. The measuring device according to claim 1,

A flat plate i (220) is sandwiched between the upper sheet (2 OA) and the lower sheet (210B) which are arranged substantially in parallel, and the upper sheet and the lower sheet are arranged around the sheet. A body contact pressure measuring device characterized in that a bag-like member (210) is formed by bonding.

5. The measuring device according to claim 4,

A body contact pressure measuring device characterized in that a flat mat (220) is made of polymer foam.

6. The measuring device according to claim 5,

A body contact pressure measurement device characterized by using a polyurethane foam as the polymer foam.

7. The measuring device according to claim 1,

The measurement device body (100) is provided with a power switch (120) for starting pressure measurement by pressing operation, and a hold switch (130) for maintaining display of pressure measurement value when pressed. Characteristic body contact pressure measuring device.