JP2006212271A - Respiration sensor, using method of respiration sensor and respiration state-monitoring device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a respiration sensor capable of reducing errors, miniaturizing a device and surely detecting even weak breath not only from the mouth but also from the nose or snores, a using method of the respiration sensor, and a respiration state monitoring device. <P>SOLUTION: A sensor body 3 is composed of a T-shaped moth respiration detection part 9 for detecting the breath from the mouth and a nose respiration detection part 11 bent perpendicularly to the mouth respiration detection part 9 so as to detect the breath of the nose. The mouth respiration detection part 9 is provided with a long-length distal end part 12 extended on a end side. The nose respiration detection part 11 is composed of a pair of left and right tabs 13 and 15. The sensor body 3 is composed of a roughly T-shaped and film-like piezoelectric element 16, and electrodes 19 and 21 composed of Ag foil are stuck to both upper and lower surfaces of a roughly T-shaped PVDF film 17 to obtain the piezoelectric element 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a respiration sensor, a method for using a respiration sensor, and a respiration condition monitoring apparatus that can check a respiration condition such as normal / abnormal respiration and snoring during sleep, for example, using a piezoelectric film.

Conventionally, as a technique for examining a person's breathing state, a technique for attaching a thermistor to the mouth is known (see Patent Document 1).
A technique is also known in which body movement is detected by a piezoelectric element and the state of respiration is examined from the detection result (see Patent Document 2).

Furthermore, a technique for detecting respiration by image processing using infrared rays is also known (see Patent Document 3).
In addition, in recent years, a technique has been disclosed in which a PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) film is attached to the mouth and respiration is detected from the detection signal (see Patent Document 4).
Japanese Patent No. 2794196 (Page 2, Fig. 2) Japanese Patent No. 2803374 (first page, FIG. 2) Japanese Patent No. 3390802 (first page, FIG. 1) US Pat. No. 5,311,875 (Page 1, Fig. 1)

However, the technique of the cited document 1 has a problem that an error due to the position of the thermistor is large.
Further, the techniques of the cited documents 2 and 3 have a problem that the apparatus is enlarged.

  Furthermore, in the technique of the cited document 4, since a flat film is stuck on the mouth, the breath from the mouth can be detected, but the breath coming out from the nose flows in parallel with the film, and the breath from the nose is surely secured. There was a problem that could not be detected.

Similarly, snoring has a problem that it cannot be detected stably by a simple method.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, has a small error, can reduce the size of the apparatus, can easily detect breath from the mouth and breath from the nose, for example, with similar signal levels, and snoring. It is an object of the present invention to provide a respiration sensor that can also detect the state of respiration, a method for using the respiration sensor, and a respiration condition monitoring device.

  (1) The invention of claim 1 is a respiration sensor for detecting a respiration state of a living body using a piezoelectric element that outputs a signal corresponding to at least one of the respiration and snoring of the living body. Has a plate-like mouth-side piezoelectric element that detects a breathing state on the mouth-side, and a plate-like nose-side piezoelectric element that is arranged on a plane that intersects the plane where the mouth-side piezoelectric element is arranged. And a nose breathing detector for detecting a breathing state on the nose side, and the mouth side piezoelectric element and the nose side piezoelectric element are electrically connected.

  In the present invention, the mouth-side piezoelectric element and the nose-side piezoelectric element are not arranged in parallel as in the prior art (by being integrated), but the mouth-side piezoelectric element and the nose-side piezoelectric element are on different planes. Is arranged. Therefore, when this breathing sensor is attached in the vicinity of the mouth and nose so as to breathe, the mouth side piezoelectric element can be arranged in front of the mouth, and the nose side piezoelectric element in front of the nose (nose). Can be arranged. Therefore, since the breath that has come out of the mouth can be arranged so as to strike the mouth-side piezoelectric element at a deep angle close to, for example, a right angle, breathing in the mouth can be detected with high accuracy. Moreover, since the breath that has come out of the nostril can be arranged so as to hit the nose side piezoelectric element at a deep angle close to, for example, a right angle, the breathing of the nose can be detected with high accuracy.

  Similarly, in the present invention, when snoring occurs with breathing, vibration of the sound can be efficiently caught by the mouth side piezoelectric element or the nose side piezoelectric element, so that snoring can be detected with high accuracy. Can do.

  As described above, in the present invention, since the breath from the mouth and nose can be detected with high accuracy, the respiratory state of the living body can be accurately determined even when breathing in either the mouth or the nose or when snoring occurs. There is a remarkable effect that it can be grasped.

  Examples of the piezoelectric element include those provided with electrodes on both sides of a plate-like piezoelectric body, and particularly those having thin film electrodes disposed on both sides of a film-like piezoelectric body. A piezoelectric body using an organic polymer material such as (polyvinylidene fluoride) can be employed.

(2) The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that the respiration sensor includes a plate-shaped mouth respiration detection unit and a plate-shaped nasal respiration detection unit erected from the mouth respiration detection unit.
In the present invention, the mouth breathing detection unit and the nasal breathing detection unit are not parallel as in the prior art, and are a three-dimensional shape in which the nasal breathing detection unit is erected from the mouth breathing detection unit. The piezoelectric element has a similar three-dimensional arrangement. Therefore, as in the first aspect of the present invention, when the breathing sensor is attached in the vicinity of the mouth and nose so as to breathe, the mouth breathing detector can be disposed in front of the mouth, and the nose (nasal passage) can be disposed. A nasal respiratory detection unit can be arranged in front (front).

  Therefore, since the breath from the mouth and nose can be detected with high accuracy, it is possible to accurately grasp the respiratory state of the living body even when breathing in either the mouth or nose or when snoring occurs. Has a remarkable effect.

(3) The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that the mouth breathing detection unit and the nasal breathing detection unit are formed of an integral member bent at the standing position.
Thereby, the structure of a respiration sensor can be simplified.

(4) The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that the mouth breathing detection unit and the nasal breathing detection unit are bent substantially vertically at the standing position.
The present invention illustrates how the respiration sensor is bent. Thereby, the mouth side piezoelectric element and the nose side piezoelectric element are arranged at substantially vertical positions. The angle at which the mouth breathing detector is perpendicular to the direction in which the breath flows from the mouth is desirable, and the direction in which the nasal breathing detector is perpendicular to the direction in which the breath flows from the nose is desirable. The mouth-side piezoelectric element and the nose-side piezoelectric element (particularly the mouth-breathing detection unit and the nasal-breathing detection unit) are preferably substantially vertical (for example, in the range of 45 to 100 degrees).

(5) The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that the mouth breathing detection unit and the nasal breathing detection unit are bent so as to bend at the standing position.
The present invention illustrates how the respiration sensor is bent.

(6) The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that the mouth-side piezoelectric element and the nose-side piezoelectric element are formed of an integral piezoelectric element.
The present invention exemplifies the configuration of a piezoelectric element to be used, and the configuration of a respiration sensor can be simplified by using an integral piezoelectric element.

(7) The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the mouth side piezoelectric element and the nose side piezoelectric element are composed of separate piezoelectric elements that are electrically connected.
The present invention exemplifies the configuration of a piezoelectric element to be used.

(8) The invention of claim 8 is characterized in that the mouth breathing detection unit is a long member that extends in the direction opposite to the side where the nasal breathing detection unit is provided and reaches the mouth position.
The present invention exemplifies a mouth breath detection unit. In this case, the mouth side piezoelectric element may constitute substantially the entire long mouth breathing detection unit, or the mouth side piezoelectric element may be arranged only in a portion where the mouth breaths.

(9) The invention of claim 9 is characterized in that the nasal respiration detecting unit includes a pair of tabs protruding in the standing direction and having a nasal piezoelectric element.
The present invention exemplifies a nasal respiration detection unit. Here, the nasal breath can be effectively detected by arranging the tab at the tip of the nostril. The entire tab may be constituted by a nose side piezoelectric element, or the nose side piezoelectric element may be disposed only in a portion where the nose breaths.

(10) The invention of claim 10 is characterized in that a holding member having a three-dimensional shape of the respiration sensor is provided on one or both surfaces of the mouth respiration detection unit and the nasal respiration detection unit.
Thereby, for example, even when the mouth breathing detection unit and the nasal breathing detection unit are film-like and it is difficult to maintain the bent shape, the three-dimensional shape can be easily retained. The holding member is preferably arranged at a position where the mouth and nose are not breathed so as not to disturb the operation of the piezoelectric element.

(11) The invention of claim 11 is characterized in that, on the nasal respiration detection unit side of the mouth respiration detection unit, a mouth bonding unit for attaching a respiration sensor to a living body is provided on the surface opposite to the standing direction.
For example, by sticking the mouth adhesive portion between the mouth and the nose, the respiration sensor can be easily attached to the face.

(12) The invention of claim 12 is characterized in that a buffer layer having a heat insulating property and a cushioning property is provided between the mouth breathing detecting portion and the mouth adhering portion.
Since this buffer layer (for example, sponge-like plate material) has cushioning properties, it has an advantage of high adhesion to a living body. Moreover, since it has heat insulation, it becomes difficult for heat to be transmitted from the living body to the piezoelectric element.

(13) The invention of claim 13 is characterized in that a nose attachment portion for attaching the respiration sensor to the head of the nose is extended on the opposite side of the nasal respiration detection portion from the mouth respiration detection portion side.
Therefore, the respiration sensor can be easily attached to the face by placing the nose attachment portion on the head of the nose and fixing it with an adhesive tape or the like.

(14) The invention of claim 14 is characterized in that a holding member that holds the three-dimensional shape of the respiration sensor is provided on one or both of the nose attachment portion, the nasal respiration detection portion, and the mouth respiration detection portion. And
Thereby, for example, even when the nose attachment part, the nasal respiration detection part, and the mouth respiration detection part are film-like and it is difficult to maintain the bent shape, the three-dimensional shape can be easily maintained. The holding member is preferably arranged at a position where the mouth and nose are not breathed so as not to disturb the operation of the piezoelectric element.

(15) The invention of claim 15 is characterized in that a conductive shield layer is disposed so as to cover a part or the whole of the surface of the respiratory sensor.
In the present invention, a shield layer having conductivity is arranged on the surface of the respiratory sensor, for example, the surface on the living body side or the surface opposite to the living body side. Therefore, since the electromagnetic wave can be shielded by connecting this shield layer to the ground, electrical noise to the piezoelectric element can be reduced. Moreover, charging of the sensor can be prevented. As a result, measurement accuracy is improved. The shield layer may be disposed so as not to contact the living body or the piezoelectric element, or may be disposed so as to be in contact with one electrode so as not to interfere with the output signal of the respiration sensor.

Here, as the shield layer, various materials such as a metal foil such as aluminum and a conductive paint can be used.
(16) The invention of claim 16 is characterized in that a shield layer is disposed between a respiration sensor and a member (for example, a mouth bonding portion) for attaching the respiration sensor to a living body.

The present invention exemplifies a preferred location of the shield layer.
(17) The invention of claim 17 is the method of using the respiratory sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the mouth side piezoelectric element is arranged in front of the mouth, and the nose side piezoelectric element is placed in front of the nostril. It arrange | positions at the feature.

By arranging the respiration sensor in this way, it is possible to reliably detect the breath of the mouth and nose. In addition, snoring can be reliably detected.
(18) The invention of claim 18 is characterized in that the respiration of the living body is detected based on signals from the mouth side piezoelectric element and the nose side piezoelectric element.

That is, respiration can be detected by signals from these piezoelectric elements.
(19) The invention of claim 19 is characterized in that snoring of a living body is detected based on signals from the mouth side piezoelectric element and the nose side piezoelectric element.

That is, snoring can be detected by signals from these piezoelectric elements.
(20) The invention of claim 20 is characterized in that the mouth adhesive part of the mouth breathing detecting part is pasted between the mouth and the nose.

Thereby, a respiration sensor can be easily attached between a mouth and a nose.
(21) The invention of claim 21 is a method of using the respiratory sensor according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the nose attachment portion is attached to the head of the nose, the mouth side piezoelectric element is disposed in front of the mouth, The nose side piezoelectric element is arranged in front of the nostril.

In the present invention, since the respiration sensor is fixed by sticking the nose attachment portion to the head of the nose, for example, even when there is a mustache, the respiration sensor can be easily attached.
(22) The invention of claim 22 is a respiratory condition monitoring apparatus for monitoring a respiratory condition of a living body using the signal of the respiratory sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 21, and amplifies the signal of the respiratory sensor. An amplifier unit and a storage device for storing signals are provided.

Therefore, the respiratory state can be easily detected by connecting the respiratory sensor and the respiratory state monitoring device.
(23) The invention of claim 23 is characterized in that a respiration sensor signal is identified by a frequency band, and a respiration signal representing respiration and a snore signal representing snoring are detected.

  The respiration signal obtained from the piezoelectric element by respiration and the snore signal obtained from the piezoelectric element by snoring have different frequencies. Therefore, it is possible to discriminate between breathing and snoring from the frequency of the signal.

(24) The invention of claim 24 is characterized in that a portable storage device is removable.
This facilitates data handling. As a portable storage device, various devices such as a memory card (flash card, SD card, etc.) and CD can be adopted.

(25) The invention of claim 25 is provided with a communication function for communicating data to the outside.
This facilitates data handling. As a communication function, wired or wireless (radio waves, infrared rays, etc.) can be adopted.

  Next, an example (example) of the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.

a) First, the configuration of the respiration sensor of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (FIG. 1 is a developed view and FIG. 2 is a perspective view), the respiration sensor 1 of the present embodiment mainly includes a sensor body 3 having a substantially T-shape bent at a right angle and a sensor. It is composed of a pair of lead wires 5 and 7 extending from the left and right of the main body 3.

  The sensor body 3 is a thin film-like member, and as shown in FIG. 2, a T-shaped mouth breathing detection unit 9 for detecting breath from the mouth and a breath from the nose are detected. And a nasal respiration detection unit 11 that is bent at a right angle at the end of the mouth respiration detection unit 9 (the end of the attachment portion of the lead wires 5 and 7).

  Of these, the mouth breathing detection unit 9 includes a wide base end portion 10 connected to the nasal breathing detection unit 11 and a long tip end portion 12 extending from the center of the base end portion 10 to the tip end side. The nasal respiration detection unit 11 includes a pair of left and right tabs 13 and 15.

  The sensor body 3 is mainly composed of a piezoelectric element 16 having substantially the same shape as the sensor body 3 and moisture-proof films 23 and 25 covering the surface thereof. The piezoelectric element 16 is a substantially T-shaped film-shaped member bent at a right angle. The mouth-side piezoelectric element section 6 has substantially the same shape as that of the mouth-breathing detection section 9 and substantially the same shape as the nasal-breathing detection section 11. The nose side piezoelectric element portion 8 extends perpendicularly to the mouth side piezoelectric element portion 6.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the piezoelectric element 16 includes electrodes 19 and 21 on both upper and lower surfaces of a substantially T-shaped PVDF film 17 that is a piezoelectric body. The electrodes 19 and 21 are formed by depositing a metal layer such as Ag, Pt, Au, or Ni by vapor deposition, thick film printing, or pasting a foil. The outer sides of the electrodes 19 and 21 are covered with the moisture-proof films 23 and 25.

  The left and right lead wires 5 and 7 are connected to one of the electrodes 19 and 21 by caulking terminals 27 and 29, respectively, as shown in FIGS. That is, one lead wire 5 is connected to the electrode 21 on the back side of FIG. 1 by the crimping terminal 27, and the other lead wire 7 is connected to the front electrode 19 (FIG. 1 in FIG. 1) by the crimping terminal 29. It is connected to the shaded area. In addition, the electrodes 19 and 21 on the unconnected side in the vicinity of the crimping terminals 27 and 29 are cut out in a square shape so as not to contact the crimping terminals 27 and 29.

And when actually using the respiration sensor 1, as shown in FIG. 5, the structure for sticking the respiration sensor 1 between a mouth and a nose is added.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, along the bent portion of the sensor body 3, the front side of the proximal end portion 10 of the mouth breathing detection unit 9 (above FIG. 5A) and the crimping terminal 27 and 29 and an adhesive tape 31 are attached so as to cover the left and right lead wires 5 and 7. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the double-sided tape 33 having the same shape as the adhesive tape 31 is connected to the back side of the proximal end portion 10 of the mouth breathing detection unit 9 (above FIG. , 29 and a part of the left and right lead wires 5, 7 are attached to the adhesive tape 31. That is, the base end portion 10 of the mouth breathing detection unit 9, the crimping terminals 27 and 29, and a part of the left and right lead wires 5 and 7 are sandwiched between the adhesive tape 31 and the double-sided tape 33.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, in order to keep the sensor body 3 bent at a right angle, the sensor body 3 has a shape bent at a right angle on the inner side (the concave side). The holding member 35 may be attached.

  The holding member 35 is a hard member made of plastic or metal (rather than the sensor main body 3), and has a rectangular plate material 37 corresponding to the shape of the base end portion 10 of the mouth breath detection unit 9 and the shapes of the tabs 13 and 15. Corresponding rectangular plates 39 and 41 are formed. Note that the holding member 35 has elasticity such that the tabs 13 and 15 become sufficient when the breath of the nose hits the tabs 13 and 15.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, a holding member 36 having a shape bent at a right angle may be attached to the outside (convex side) of the sensor body 3.
b) Next, the usage method of the respiration sensor 1 is demonstrated using FIG.7 and FIG.8.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the respiration sensor 1 is stuck between the mouth and the nose using the double-sided tape 33. That is, the respiratory sensor 1 is attached so that the distal end portion 12 of the respiratory sensor 1 is disposed in front of the mouth and the tabs 13 and 15 are positioned in front of the right and left nostrils.

And the lead wires 5 and 7 are connected to the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus 43 shown in FIG.
The breathing state monitoring device 43 includes a known amplifier 45, an A / D converter 47, a CPU 49, a storage device (such as a backup RAM) 51, a power source 53, and the like. In addition, a memory card or the like can be attached to and detached from the respiratory condition monitoring device 43. Furthermore, from the respiratory condition monitoring device 43, measurement data and the like can be transmitted to the outside by wire (or wireless).

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the breath from the mouth is applied at an angle close to the tip portion 12, the piezoelectric element 16 at the tip portion 12 bends, so that the voltage generated by the deflection is generated by the breathing state monitoring device 43. Can be detected, and thus breathing in the mouth can be detected. Similarly, when the breath from the nose is applied to the tabs 13 and 15 at an angle close to perpendicular to the tabs 13 and 15, the piezoelectric elements 16 of the tabs 13 and 15 bend, so that the nose breathing is detected from the voltage generated by the deflection. Can do.

Further, the PVDF of the piezoelectric element 16 also exhibits a pyroelectric effect, and therefore reacts to temperature changes. Therefore, since the temperature change accompanying respiration can also be detected, the accuracy when detecting respiration is improved.
c) Next, an experimental example performed to confirm the effect of this example will be described.

  (i) First, in the experimental example, the respiration sensor 1 was attached to a person's face, the respiration sensor 1 was connected to the respiration state monitoring device 43, and the respiration state of the person was actually examined. The result is shown in FIG. FIG. 9 shows a graph in which the sensor signal in the experiment is displayed with a known oscilloscope.

  9A shows an output signal of the respiration sensor 1 when breathing through the mouth, and FIG. 9B shows an output signal of the respiration sensor 1 when breathing through the nose (in this embodiment). (C) is an output signal of the respiration sensor 1 when breathing through the nose (in Prior Art 4), and FIG. 9D is an output signal of the respiration sensor 1 when there is no apnea.

As is apparent from FIG. 9, it can be seen that in this embodiment, breathing in the mouth and nose can be reliably detected.
As described above, in this embodiment, the film-shaped piezoelectric element 16 is laminated and the respiration sensor 1 bent at a right angle is used, the tip portion 12 thereof is arranged in front of the mouth, and the tabs 13 and 15 are arranged in the nostrils. Since it arrange | positions ahead, the respiration with a mouth and a nose can be detected reliably.

Next, the second embodiment will be described, but the description of the same contents as the first embodiment will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 10 (a), the sensor body 61 of the respiration sensor 69 of the present embodiment is bent at the mouth respiration detector 63 and the nasal respiration detector 65, but at right angles as in the first embodiment. For example, it is bent into an R shape with a radius of 2 to 3 mm so as to be curved.

Further, in order to hold the R shape, a plate-like holding member 67 bent into an R shape is attached to the inner side (the concave side) of the sensor body 61.
As shown in FIG. 10B, a plate-like holding member 68 bent in the same R shape may be attached to the outside (the convex side) of the sensor body 61.

As shown in FIG. 11, the respiration sensor 69 of the present embodiment is used by being stopped with an adhesive tape 71 between the mouth and the nose, as in the first embodiment.
Also in this embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment are obtained, and the film-like sensor body 61 is bent into an R shape, so that there is an advantage that the formation is easy and the bent portion is not easily damaged.

Next, the third embodiment will be described, but the description of the same contents as the first embodiment will be omitted.
Unlike the first embodiment, the respiration sensor of the present embodiment is of a type that is attached to the head of the nose.

As shown in FIG. 12, the respiration sensor 71 of the present embodiment is obtained by bending a sensor body 73 having a cross shape that is long in a deployed state into two right angles (or R shapes) in two steps.
That is, the sensor main body 73 includes a long mouth respiration detection unit 75 extending in the longitudinal direction of the sensor main body 73, a nasal respiration detection unit 77 that is bent at right angles to the mouth respiration detection unit 75 and protrudes left and right, and a nasal respiration detection. A long nose attachment portion 79 that is bent at right angles to the portion 77 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the sensor main body 73 is provided. Note that the nose extraction part 79 does not need to be provided with a piezoelectric element.

  A holding member 81 is attached to one surface of the sensor main body 73 (the upper surface in the figure). That is, a holding member 81 having a substantially three-dimensional shape (however, a small size) similar to that of the sensor main body 73 is attached. Note that the holding member 81 is shortened on the upper surface of the mouth breath detection unit 75.

As shown in FIG. 13, the respiration sensor 71 of the present embodiment uses the nose attachment portion 79 placed on the nose and is stopped from the holding member 81 with an adhesive tape 83.
Also in this embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment is obtained, and the respiration sensor 71 is fixed on the nose, which is suitable for attaching the respiration sensor 71 to the face when there is a mustache, for example.

Next, the fourth embodiment will be described, but the description of the same contents as the first embodiment will be omitted.
As in the first embodiment, the respiration sensor of the present embodiment is of a type that is attached between the mouth and the nose.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, in the respiration sensor 91 of the present embodiment, the mouth respiration detection unit 93 and the nasal respiration detection unit 95 are bent at right angles (or in an R shape), and the shape is held by the holding member 97. Has been.

  The holding member 97 is a thin plate-like member, and is formed by combining a plastic rectangular upper plate material 99 and a lower plate material 101 (having a similar shape). That is, from the upper side of the figure, the left and right nasal breathing detection units 95 are passed through the left and right slits 103 of the upper plate member 99, and the mouth breathing detection unit 93 is sandwiched between the upper plate member 99 and the lower plate member 101. The lower plate material 101 is coupled by a well-known locking mechanism such as a hook and a recess (not shown). In addition, you may join the upper board | plate material 99 and the lower board | plate material 101 with an adhesive agent.

Next, the fifth embodiment will be described, but the description of the same contents as the fourth embodiment will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 14B, in the respiration sensor 111 of the present embodiment, the mouth respiration detection unit 113 and the nasal respiration detection unit 115 are bent at a right angle (or in an R shape), and are substantially the same as the fourth embodiment. The shape is held by a plate-like holding member 117.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the holding member 117 protrudes from the standing position of the nasal respiration detection unit 115 to the rear (opposite the mouth respiration detection unit 113), for example, by about 3 to 10 mm.
As a result, the nasal respiration detection unit 115 and the nostril are kept at an appropriate distance by the protrusion 117, so that the nasal respiration detection unit 115 does not block the nostril. In addition, since the nasal respiration detection unit 115 and the nostril are kept at a constant distance, for example, even when the respiration sensor 111 is replaced, measurement can be performed under the same measurement conditions, thereby improving measurement accuracy. There is an advantage of doing.

Next, the sixth embodiment will be described, but the description of the same contents as the first embodiment will be omitted.
a) As shown in FIG. 15, the respiration sensor 121 of this embodiment includes a substantially T-shaped holding member 123 bent at a right angle, a substantially T-shaped sensor body 125 bent at a right angle, and a conductive shield layer. (For example, aluminum foil) 127, a base plate 129 made of the same material as the holding member 123, a sponge buffer 131 having a thickness of 2 to 3 mm having heat insulation and cushioning properties, and an adhesive sealing material (for example, double-sided tape) 133 is sequentially laminated.

  Among these, one lead wire 137 is connected to the electrode 135 on the upper surface of the sensor body 125. The other lead wire 139 is connected to the shield layer 127. The shield layer 127 is in contact with an electrode (not shown) on the lower surface and is grounded by the lead wire 139.

The holding member 123, the base plate 129, the buffer plate 131, and the sealing material 133 have insulating properties. Further, the members can be integrated by bonding with an adhesive.
Further, in this embodiment, the base plate 129 and the like protrude 3 to 10 mm, for example, rearward from the standing position of the nasal respiration detection unit 141 (on the side opposite to the mouth respiration detection unit 143).

And the respiration sensor 121 mentioned above is connected to the respiration condition monitoring apparatus 145, as shown in FIG.
The respiratory condition monitoring device 145 includes a low-pass filter 151 and a main amplifier 153 between the preamplifier 147 and the A / D converter 149, and also includes a high-pass filter 155 and a main amplifier 157. Further, a CPU 159, a storage device 161, a power source 163, and the like are provided. Further, a memory card or the like can be attached to and detached from the respiratory condition monitoring device 145. Note that the respiratory data monitoring device 145 can transmit measurement data and the like to the outside by wire (or wireless).

Among these, the low-pass filter 151 and the high-pass filter 155 are for detecting snoring.
In other words, as is clear from the following experimental example, the frequency of the output signal of the respiration sensor 121 is low in normal breathing motion (in the case of no snoring), and conversely, in the case of snoring, the output of the respiration sensor 121 is low. The frequency of the signal is increased. Therefore, snoring can be detected by identifying the magnitude of the frequency of the output signal of the respiration sensor 121 using the low-pass filter 151 and the high-pass filter 155.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the same effect as in the fourth embodiment is obtained, and since the grounded shield layer 127 is provided between the lower surface (the human body side) of the sensor main body 125, the charging of the respiration sensor 121 is performed. Can be prevented. Further, since the electromagnetic wave shielding is performed by the shield layer 127, it is possible to prevent the measurement accuracy from being lowered due to noise.

  Moreover, since the buffer layer 131 is provided between the sensor main body 125 and the sealing material 133, the respiration sensor 121 can be firmly attached to the human body. Moreover, since this buffer layer 131 is excellent in heat insulation, there is an advantage that the heat of the human body is not easily transmitted to the sensor body 125, and thus the measurement accuracy is high.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, not only normal respiration can be detected, but also the snoring detection can be performed.
b) Next, an experimental example performed to confirm the effect of this example will be described.

  (i) First, in Experimental Example 1, a microphone was brought close to a person's face, and sound accompanying breathing was measured. The result is shown in FIG. FIG. 17 shows a graph in which the microphone sound during the experiment is displayed on an oscilloscope.

17A shows a sound during breathing (breathing sound) when there is no snoring, FIG. 17B shows a snoring sound (snoring sound), and FIG. 17A shows a sound during apnea.
It can be seen from FIG. 17 that the sound varies depending on the presence or absence of snoring and the sound varies depending on the presence or absence of breathing.

  (ii) Next, in Experimental Example 2, a respiration sensor 121 was attached to a person's face, the respiration sensor 121 was connected to the respiration state monitoring device 43, and the respiration state of the person was actually examined. The results are shown in FIG.

  FIG. 18A shows an output signal of the respiration sensor 121 when it changes as “when breathing without snoring → when apnea → when snoring”, and FIG. It is a signal on the high frequency side that has passed through the high pass filter 155. As a result, a snore signal similar to that shown in FIG. 17 was obtained.

As can be seen from FIG. 18, since the output signal (particularly the frequency) of the respiration sensor 121 changes when the respiration state changes, the presence or absence of snoring can be detected from the output signal of the respiration sensor 121.
In other words, the frequency component of the output signal is different between when snoring occurs and when breathing without snoring.Specifically, the frequency component of the output signal increases when there is snoring compared to when there is no snoring. The presence or absence of snoring can be detected from the state.

Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be carried out in various modes without departing from the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) For example, in the above-described embodiment, an integrated piezoelectric element is used to detect respiration between the mouth and the nose, but separate piezoelectric elements may be used and electrically connected.

(2) In the above embodiment, the piezoelectric elements are arranged on almost the entire surface of the mouth breathing detection unit and the nasal breathing detection unit. However, the piezoelectric elements are arranged only on the front part of the mouth and the front part of the nostril. May be.
(3) A conductive shield layer may cover the entire lower surface of the respiratory sensor and the entire periphery of the respiratory sensor. The shield layer may not be connected to the one electrode, but may be separately connected to a ground wire while being insulated from the sensor body.

It is explanatory drawing which expand | deploys and shows the respiration sensor of Example 1. FIG. (A) The perspective view which shows the front side of the respiration sensor of Example 1, (b) The perspective view which shows the back side of the respiration sensor of Example 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which fractures | ruptures and shows the respiration sensor of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which decomposes | disassembles and shows the piezoelectric element of the respiration sensor of Example 1. FIG. (A) The perspective view which shows the front side of the respiration sensor provided with the tape of Example 1, (b) The perspective view which shows the back side of the respiration sensor provided with the tape of Example 1. (A) Explanatory drawing which shows the state which affixed the holding member on the respiration sensor of Example 1, (b) It is explanatory drawing which shows the application example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the usage method of the respiration sensor of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus used in Example 1. FIG. 4 is a graph showing experimental results of Example 1. (A) Explanatory drawing which shows the state which affixed the holding member on the respiration sensor of Example 2, (b) It is explanatory drawing which shows the application example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the usage method of the respiration sensor of Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which affixed the holding member on the respiration sensor of Example 3. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the usage method of the respiration sensor of Example 3. FIG. (A) The perspective view of the respiration sensor of Example 4, (b) is a perspective view of the respiration sensor of Example 5. FIG. (A) The disassembled perspective view of the respiration sensor of Example 6, (b) is the perspective view of the respiration sensor. It is explanatory drawing which shows the respiratory condition monitoring apparatus used in Example 6. FIG. 10 is a graph showing experimental results of Experimental Example 1 of Example 6. 10 is a graph showing experimental results of Experimental Example 2 of Example 6.

Explanation of symbols

1, 69, 71, 91, 111, 121 ... Respiration sensor 3, 61, 73, 125 ... Sensor body 5, 7 ... Lead wire 9, 63, 75, 93, 113, 143 ... Mouth breathing detection unit 11, 65, 77, 95, 115, 141 ... Nasal breathing detection unit 13, 15 ... Tab 16 ... Piezoelectric element 17 ... Piezoelectric body (PVDF film)
19, 21 ... Electrodes 35, 36, 67, 68, 81, 97, 117, 123 ... Holding members

Claims (25)

A respiratory sensor that detects a respiratory state of the living body using a piezoelectric element that outputs a signal corresponding to at least one of the respiratory state and snoring of the living body,
The respiration sensor includes a plate-like mouth-side piezoelectric element, a mouth-breathing detection unit that detects the breathing state on the mouth-side, and a plate-like nose arranged on a plane that intersects the plane on which the mouth-side piezoelectric element is arranged And a nasal breathing detector for detecting the breathing state on the nasal side, wherein the mouth side piezoelectric element and the nasal side piezoelectric element are electrically connected. Sensor.   The respiration sensor according to claim 1, wherein the respiration sensor includes a plate-shaped mouth respiration detection unit and a plate-shaped nasal respiration detection unit erected from the mouth respiration detection unit.   The respiration sensor according to claim 2, wherein the mouth respiration detection unit and the nasal respiration detection unit are formed of an integral member bent at the standing position.   The respiration sensor according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the mouth respiration detection unit and the nasal respiration detection unit are bent substantially vertically at the standing position.   The respiration sensor according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the mouth respiration detection unit and the nasal respiration detection unit are bent so as to bend at the standing position.   The respiratory sensor according to claim 1, wherein the mouth side piezoelectric element and the nose side piezoelectric element are formed of an integral piezoelectric element.   The respiratory sensor according to claim 1, wherein the mouth side piezoelectric element and the nose side piezoelectric element are separately connected piezoelectric elements.   The said mouth respiration detection part is a elongate member extended in the reverse direction to the side in which the said nasal respiration detection part was provided, and reaches the position of a mouth, The one of Claims 1-7 characterized by the above-mentioned. Respiration sensor.   The respiratory sensor according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the nasal respiration detection unit includes a pair of tabs protruding in a standing direction and having the nasal piezoelectric element.   The respiration according to claim 1, further comprising a holding member that holds a three-dimensional shape of the respiration sensor on one or both surfaces of the mouth respiration detection unit and the nasal respiration detection unit. Sensor.   11. The mouth adhering portion for adhering the respiration sensor to a living body on a surface opposite to the standing direction on the nasal respiration detecting portion side of the mouth respiration detecting portion. The respiration sensor of crab.   The respiratory sensor according to claim 11, further comprising a buffer layer having a heat insulating property and a cushioning property between the mouth breathing detection unit and the mouth bonding unit.   The respiration according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a nose attachment part for attaching the respiration sensor to the head of the nose is extended on the opposite side of the nasal respiration detection part to the mouth respiration detection part side. Sensor.   The holding member for holding the three-dimensional shape of the respiration sensor is provided on one surface or both surfaces of the nose attachment portion, the nasal respiration detection portion, and the mouth respiration detection portion. The respiratory sensor described.   The respiration sensor according to claim 1, wherein a shield layer having conductivity is disposed so as to cover a part or the whole of the surface of the respiration sensor.   The respiration sensor according to claim 15, wherein the shield layer is disposed between the respiration sensor and a member for attaching the respiration sensor to a living body. A method of using the respiration sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
A method of using a respiratory sensor, wherein the mouth side piezoelectric element is disposed in front of a mouth, and the nose side piezoelectric element is disposed in front of a nostril.   The method of using a respiration sensor according to claim 17, wherein respiration of the living body is detected based on signals from the mouth side piezoelectric element and the nose side piezoelectric element.   The method of using the respiratory sensor according to claim 17 or 18, wherein snoring of the living body is detected based on signals from the mouth side piezoelectric element and the nose side piezoelectric element.   The use method of the respiration sensor according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the mouth adhesion part of the mouth respiration detection part is stuck between a mouth and a nose. 15. A method of using the respiratory sensor according to claim 13 or 14,
A method of using a respiratory sensor, wherein the nose attachment portion is attached to a head of a nose, the mouth side piezoelectric element is disposed in front of the mouth, and the nose side piezoelectric element is disposed in front of a nostril. A respiratory condition monitoring device that monitors a respiratory condition of a living body using a signal from the respiratory sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 21,
A respiratory condition monitoring apparatus comprising: an amplifier that amplifies a signal of the respiratory sensor; and a storage device that stores the signal.   23. The respiratory condition monitoring apparatus according to claim 22, wherein a signal of the respiratory sensor is identified by a frequency band, and a respiratory signal representing the breath and a snore signal representing the snoring are detected.   The respiratory state monitoring apparatus according to claim 22 or 23, wherein a portable storage device is removable.   The respiratory condition monitoring device according to any one of claims 22 to 24, further comprising a communication function for communicating data to the outside.