TWI874097B - Respiratory measurement system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A respiratory measurement system and method are provided. The respiratory measurement system includes a non-invasive lung sensing unit, a lung numerical database, a monitoring unit, and a notification unit. The non-invasive lung unit includes a lung lobe sensing module, and a respiration sensing module. The lung lobe sensing module emits a sensing signal toward a lung lobe of a patient, and can receive the sensing signals reflected by the lung lobe to generate a lung lobe volume change data. The respiration sensing module senses an exhalation data at multiple time points. The lung numerical database includes a normal standard value. The monitoring unit calculates an actual judgment value, when the actual judgment value is less than the normal standard value, a notification command is issued. The notification unit sends a notification when receiving the notification command.

Description

Lung monitoring system and method thereof

The present invention relates to a monitoring system, and more particularly to a lung monitoring system and method thereof.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an obstructive lung disease characterized by persistent airflow limitation. The disease is common in smokers or people who are exposed to harmful gases or dust for a long time. In the prior art, patients must be assisted by professional medical personnel to perform lung function tests, imaging examinations, etc. in order to diagnose COPD.

However, none of the above methods are completely accurate or sensitive, and there are difficulties in monitoring (for example, people with limited mobility and residents in remote areas cannot often go to the hospital for examination).

In addition, since COPD is a chronic disease, symptoms may appear in daily life. However, these symptoms are too subtle to be easily ignored, resulting in the patient's condition often being very serious when COPD is diagnosed.

Therefore, the inventors of the present invention believe that the above defects can be improved, and have conducted intensive research and applied scientific principles to finally propose the present invention which has a reasonable design and effectively improves the above defects.

The present invention provides a lung monitoring system, including: a non-invasive sensing unit, including: a lung lobe sensing module, which can be used to be set on a patient, the lung lobe sensing module can emit a sensing signal toward a lung lobe of the patient at multiple time points, and the lung lobe sensing module can receive multiple sensing signals reflected by the lung lobe to generate lung lobe volume change data; and a breathing sensing module, which can be worn by the patient, the breathing sensing module can sense an exhalation data of the patient at multiple time points; a lung value database and a monitoring unit. The lung value database includes a normal standard value of the relationship between the lung lobe volume and the exhaled volume, the monitoring unit is connected to the lung value database, the lung lobe sensing module, and the respiration sensing module, the monitoring unit calculates an actual determination value of the relationship between the lung lobe volume and the exhaled volume using the lung lobe volume change data and a plurality of the exhalation data, and the monitoring unit issues a notification instruction when the actual determination value is less than the normal standard value; a notification unit is electrically coupled to the monitoring unit, and the notification unit issues a notification when receiving the notification instruction.

The present invention discloses a lung monitoring method, which is applied to a lung monitoring system. The detection method includes: transmitting a sensing signal to a lung lobe of a patient at multiple time points; receiving multiple sensing signals reflected by the lung lobe; calculating multiple sensing signals to obtain volume change data in a lung lobe; obtaining exhalation data of the patient at multiple time points; transmitting the lung lobe volume change data and the exhalation data to a monitoring unit; the monitoring unit calculates an actual judgment value of the relationship between the lung lobe volume and the exhaled volume using the lung lobe volume change data and the exhalation data; and the monitoring unit sends a notification instruction to a notification unit when the actual judgment value is less than a normal standard value in a lung value database.

In summary, the lung monitoring system and method disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention can be realized by "the lung lobe sensing module can transmit a sensing signal toward a lung lobe of the patient at multiple time points, and the lung lobe sensing module can receive multiple sensing signals reflected by the lung lobe to generate lung lobe volume change data", "the respiration sensing module can sense the exhalation of the patient at multiple time points, and the lung lobe ... The lung monitoring system and method thereof can enhance the sensitivity and accuracy of COPD detection and achieve real-time monitoring effect by using the lung lobe volume change data and a plurality of the exhalation data to calculate an actual determination value of the relationship between the lung lobe volume and the exhaled volume, and the monitoring unit issues a notification instruction when the actual determination value is less than the normal standard value.

To further understand the features and technical contents of the present invention, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings of the present invention. However, such description and drawings are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

The following is an explanation of the implementation of the "pulmonary monitoring system and method thereof" disclosed in the present invention through specific concrete embodiments. Technical personnel in this field can understand the advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in this specification. The present invention can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified and changed in various ways based on different viewpoints and applications without deviating from the concept of the present invention. In addition, the drawings of the present invention are only simple schematic illustrations and are not depicted according to actual sizes. Please note in advance. The following implementation will further explain the relevant technical contents of the present invention in detail, but the disclosed contents are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

It should be understood that, although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various components or signals, these components or signals should not be limited by these terms. These terms are mainly used to distinguish one component from another component, or one signal from another signal. In addition, the term "or" used herein may include any one or more combinations of the associated listed items depending on the actual situation.

[First embodiment]

Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, which are the first embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment discloses a lung monitoring system 100, which can be used to continuously detect the breathing condition of a patient 5. When the breathing of the patient 5 is abnormal (e.g., respiratory obstruction, shortness of breath), the lung monitoring system 100 will send a notification to medical staff. The lung monitoring system 100 includes a non-invasive sensing unit 1, a lung value database 2, a monitoring unit 3, and a notification unit 4.

Please refer to FIG. 2 , the non-invasive sensing unit 1 can be used to be set or worn on the patient 5. The non-invasive sensing unit 1 can sense the lungs and breathing state of the patient 5 to obtain a pulmonary lobe volume change data and an exhalation data, and the non-invasive sensing unit 1 can transmit the pulmonary lobe volume change data and the exhalation data to the lung value database 2 and the monitoring unit 3.

The non-invasive sensing unit 1 includes a lung lobe sensing module 11 and a breathing sensing module 12. The lung lobe sensing module 11 can be arranged on the patient 5, and the lung lobe sensing module 11 can transmit a sensing signal to each lung lobe of the patient 5 at multiple time points. The lung lobe sensing module 11 can receive multiple sensing signals reflected by the lung lobes to generate lung lobe volume change data.

In more detail, the lung lobe sensing module 11 further includes a sensing patch 111 and a sound receiving patch 112, and the sensing patch 111 and the sound receiving patch 112 can be attached to the chest of the patient 5 by adhesive. The sensing patch 111 can emit the sensing signal, and the multiple sensing signals reflected from the lung lobe can be used to determine the chest fluctuation of the patient 5 to further obtain the lung lobe volume change data of the patient 5. When the patient 5 is in an exhalation state and has emptied the gas in the lung lobe, the lung lobe volume is at a minimum value. On the contrary, when the patient 5 is in an inhalation state and has reached the maximum inhalation volume, the lung lobe volume is at a maximum value. The sound receiving patch 112 can receive a lung sound generated when the lung lobe changes between the exhalation state and the inhalation state. Accordingly, the lung lobe sensing module 11 can further analyze whether the breathing sound of the patient 5 in the inhalation state and the exhalation state is abnormal through the change of the lung sound.

The breathing sensing module 12 can be worn on the face of the patient 5, and the breathing sensing module 12 can sense the exhalation data of the patient 5 at multiple time points. Specifically, the breathing sensing module 12 includes a wearer 121 and an exhalation tube 122 disposed on the wearer 121. The wearer 121 (e.g., a hanging rope, a bracket) can be worn on the face of the patient 5. The exhalation tube 122 can be worn on the mouth of the patient 5 to collect the gas exhaled by the patient 5.

In more detail, the patient 5 wears the breathing sensing module 12 on the face, and the patient 5 holds the exhalation tube 122 in the mouth. When the patient 5 exhales, the breathing sensing module 12 can sense the exhalation volume of the patient 5 each time and record it as the exhalation data.

As shown in FIG3 , in this embodiment, the breathing sensing module 12 further includes an ultrasonic generator 123, an ultrasonic sensor 124 disposed on one side of the ultrasonic generator 123, and a vent 125 disposed adjacent to the ultrasonic sensor. The ultrasonic generator 123 can emit a plurality of ultrasonic signals in the gas when the patient 5 exhales the gas, and the ultrasonic sensor 124 can receive a plurality of the ultrasonic signals to convert them into the exhalation data. Then, the gas exhaled by the patient 5 is discharged through the vent 125.

Specifically, when the gas is exhaled from the mouth of the patient 5 and flows through the ultrasound generator 123, the ultrasound generator 123 emits a plurality of ultrasound signals into the gas, and the plurality of ultrasound signals are transmitted to the ultrasound sensor 124 at different time points. When the ultrasound sensor 124 receives the ultrasound signals at different time points, the ultrasound sensor 124 converts the time difference of the ultrasound signal due to the flow of the gas into a gas flow rate, and calculates the gas flow rate (i.e., the exhalation data) by combining the gas flow rate with a cross-sectional area of the exhalation tube 122. The larger the value of the time difference, the slower the gas flow rate, and vice versa, the smaller the value of the time difference, the faster the gas flow rate.

The monitoring unit 3 can convert the received pulmonary lobe volume change data and the exhalation data into a corresponding actual determination value. The exhalation data can be further calculated into the actual determination value according to the following formula: (expiratory volume in one second/total exhalation volume) and (expiratory volume in one second/expiratory volume predicted value).

When the value of the actual judgment value calculated by the monitoring unit 3 according to the above formula is lower, it means that the expiratory airflow of the patient 5 is more severely obstructed, that is, the degree of lung obstruction of the patient 5 is also more severe.

The lung value database 2 includes a normal standard value of the relationship between the lung lobe volume and the exhaled volume, and the lung value database 2 can automatically record the data of the patient 5 at each measurement, and transmit each measurement data to the monitoring unit 3 at the end of each measurement.

The monitoring unit 3 is connected to the lung value database 2, the lung lobe sensing module 11, and the breathing sensing module 12. The monitoring unit 3 uses the lung lobe volume change data and the multiple exhalation data to calculate the actual judgment value of the relationship between the lung lobe volume and the exhaled volume. After the monitoring unit 3 receives all the data sent from the lung value database 2 (for example: the normal standard value and the data measured last time, etc.), the monitoring unit 3 issues a notification command when the actual judgment value is less than the normal standard value or the actual judgment value is significantly different from the last measurement record.

The notification unit 4 is electrically coupled to the monitoring unit 3, and the notification unit 4 issues a notification when receiving the notification instruction. The notification can be sent to an electronic device of a medical staff or to a mobile device of the patient 5 for recording via wireless transmission.

[Second embodiment]

Please refer to FIG. 4 , which is a second embodiment of the present invention. Since this embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, the similarities between the two embodiments will not be described in detail, and the differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment are roughly described as follows:

In this embodiment, the breathing sensing module 12 may also include a blade 126 and an infrared sensor 127 disposed on one side of the blade 126. The infrared sensor 127 can sense a rotation rate generated when the gas passes through the blade 126, and convert the rotation rate into the exhalation data.

Specifically, when the gas is exhaled from the mouth of the patient 5 and flows through the blade 126, the blade 126 can be driven by the flow of the gas and change a rotation speed of the blade 126 according to the change in the flow rate of the gas. After the infrared sensor 127 senses the rotation of the blade 126, the infrared sensor 127 converts the rotation speed into the exhalation data and transmits it to the monitoring unit 3.

[Third Embodiment]

Please refer to FIG. 5 , which is a third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment discloses a lung monitoring method, which is applied to a lung monitoring system 100. The detection method includes steps S110 to S170. The lung monitoring system 100 includes a non-invasive sensing unit 1, a lung value database 2, a monitoring unit 3, and a notification unit 4. It must be noted that the order of each step and the actual operation method described in this embodiment can be adjusted according to needs and are not limited to those described in this embodiment.

The step S110 includes: the non-invasive sensing unit 1 transmits a sensing signal to a lung lobe of a patient 5 at multiple time points respectively.

The non-invasive sensing unit 1 includes a lung lobe sensing module 11, which can be placed on the patient 5, and the lung lobe sensing module 11 can transmit a sensing signal to each of the lung lobes of the patient 5 at multiple time points. The lung lobe sensing module 11 can receive multiple sensing signals reflected by the lung lobes to generate lung lobe volume change data.

In more detail, the lung lobe sensing module 11 further includes a sensing patch 111 and a sound receiving patch 112, and the sensing patch 111 and the sound receiving patch 112 can be attached to the chest of the patient 5 by adhesive. The sensing patch 111 can emit the sensing signal.

The step S120 includes: receiving a plurality of sensing signals reflected by the lung lobes. The lung lobes can reflect the sensing signals emitted by the sensing patch 111.

The step S130 includes: calculating a plurality of the sensing signals to obtain a pulmonary lobe volume change data. The plurality of sensing signals can be used to determine and sense the chest fluctuation change of the patient 5 to further obtain the pulmonary lobe volume change data of the patient 5.

More specifically, when the patient 5 is in an exhalation state and has emptied the gas in the lung lobe, the lung lobe volume is at a minimum value. Conversely, when the patient 5 is in an inhalation state and has reached the maximum inhalation volume, the lung lobe volume is at a maximum value.

The step S140 includes: obtaining a breath data of the patient at each of the plurality of time points. The non-invasive sensing unit 1 further includes a breathing sensing module 12.

The breathing sensing module 12 can be worn on the face of the patient 5, and the breathing sensing module 12 can sense the exhalation data of the patient 5 at multiple time points. The breathing sensing module 12 further includes a wearer 121 and an exhalation tube 122 disposed on the wearer 121. The wearer 121 (e.g., a hanging rope, a bracket) can be worn on the face of the patient 5. The exhalation tube 122 can be worn on the mouth of the patient 5 to collect the gas exhaled by the patient 5.

In more detail, the patient 5 wears the breathing sensing module 12 on the face, and the patient 5 holds the exhalation tube 122 in the mouth. When the patient 5 exhales, the breathing sensing module 12 can sense the exhalation volume of the patient 5 each time and record it as the exhalation data.

The step S150 includes: transmitting the lung lobe volume change data and the exhalation data to a monitoring unit.

The step S160 includes: the monitoring unit calculates an actual determination value of the relationship between the lobar volume and the exhaled volume using the lobar volume change data and the exhaled data.

The monitoring unit 3 can convert the received pulmonary lobe volume change data and the exhalation data into the corresponding actual determination value. The exhalation data can be further calculated into the actual determination value according to the following formula: (expiratory volume in one second/total exhalation volume) and (expiratory volume in one second/expiratory volume predicted value).

When the value of the actual judgment value calculated by the monitoring unit 3 according to the above formula is lower, it means that the expiratory airflow of the patient 5 is more severely obstructed, that is, the degree of lung obstruction of the patient 5 is also more severe.

The step S170 includes: the monitoring unit issues a notification command to a notification unit when the actual determination value is less than a normal standard value in a lung value database. The lung value database 2 includes the normal standard value of the relationship between the lung lobe volume and the expiratory volume, and the lung value database 2 can automatically record the data of the patient 5 at each measurement, and transmit each measurement data to the monitoring unit 3 at the end of each measurement.

The monitoring unit 3 is connected to the lung value database 2, the lung lobe sensing module 11, and the breathing sensing module 12. The monitoring unit 3 uses the lung lobe volume change data and the multiple exhalation data to calculate the actual judgment value of the relationship between the lung lobe volume and the exhaled volume, and after receiving all the data sent from the lung value database 2 (for example: the normal standard value and the data measured last time, etc.), the monitoring unit issues a notification command when the actual judgment value is less than the normal standard value or the actual judgment value is significantly different from the last measurement record.

The notification unit 4 is electrically coupled to the monitoring unit 3, and the notification unit 4 issues a notification when receiving the notification instruction. The notification can be sent to an electronic device of a medical staff or to a mobile device of the patient 5 for recording via wireless transmission.

[Technical Effects of the Embodiments of the Invention]

In summary, the lung monitoring system and method disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention can be realized by "the lung lobe sensing module can transmit a sensing signal toward a lung lobe of the patient at multiple time points, and the lung lobe sensing module can receive multiple sensing signals reflected by the lung lobe to generate lung lobe volume change data", "the respiration sensing module can sense the exhalation of the patient at multiple time points, and the lung lobe ... The lung monitoring system and method thereof can enhance the sensitivity and accuracy of COPD detection and achieve real-time monitoring effect by using the lung lobe volume change data and a plurality of the exhalation data to calculate an actual determination value of the relationship between the lung lobe volume and the exhaled volume, and the monitoring unit issues a notification instruction when the actual determination value is less than the normal standard value.

The above disclosed contents are only preferred feasible embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made using the contents of the specification and drawings of the present invention are included in the patent scope of the present invention.

100: Lung monitoring system 1: Non-invasive sensing unit 11: Lung lobe sensing module 111: Sensing patch 112: Radio patch 12: Breathing sensing module 121: Wearer 122: Exhalation tube 123: Ultrasound generator 124: Ultrasound sensor 125: Ventilation port 126: Blade 127: Infrared sensor 2: Lung value database 3: Monitoring unit 4: Notification unit 5: Patient

FIG1 is a block diagram of a lung monitoring system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the lung monitoring system of the present invention in use.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the breathing sensing module of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a breathing sensing module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG5 is a diagram of a lung monitoring method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

100: Lung monitoring system

1: Non-invasive sensing unit

11: Lung lobe sensing module

12: Breathing sensor module

2: Lung data database

3: Monitoring unit

4: Notification unit

Claims (6)

A lung monitoring system, comprising: A non-invasive sensing unit, comprising: A lung lobe sensing module, which can be used to be set on a patient, the lung lobe sensing module can emit a sensing signal toward a lung lobe of the patient at multiple time points, and the lung lobe sensing module can receive multiple sensing signals reflected by the lung lobe to generate lung lobe volume change data; and A breathing sensing module, which can be worn by the patient, the breathing sensing module can sense an exhalation data of the patient at multiple time points; A lung value database and a monitoring unit, wherein the lung value database includes a normal standard value of the relationship between the lung lobe volume and the exhaled volume, and the monitoring unit is connected to the lung value database, the lung lobe sensing module, and the breathing sensing module. The monitoring unit uses the lung lobe volume change data and a plurality of the exhaled data to calculate an actual judgment value of the relationship between the lung lobe volume and the exhaled volume, and the monitoring unit issues a notification instruction when the actual judgment value is less than the normal standard value; A notification unit, electrically coupled to the monitoring unit, and the notification unit issues a notification when receiving the notification instruction; The breathing sensing module further includes a wearer and an exhalation tube disposed on the wearer. The wearer is for the patient to wear on the face; the exhalation tube is for the patient to wear on the mouth and is used to collect the gas exhaled by the patient. A lung monitoring system as described in claim 1, wherein the lung lobe sensing module further comprises a sensing patch and a receiving patch, wherein the sensing patch can sense the rise and fall of the patient's chest cavity to detect changes in the volume of the lung lobe; and the receiving patch can receive a lung sound generated when the lung changes between an exhalation state and an inhalation state. A lung monitoring system as described in claim 1, wherein the respiratory sensing module further includes an ultrasound generator and an ultrasound sensor disposed on one side of the ultrasound generator, wherein the ultrasound generator emits an ultrasound signal into the gas when the patient exhales the gas; and the ultrasound sensor can receive the ultrasound signal and convert it into the exhalation data. A lung monitoring system as described in claim 1, wherein the respiratory sensing module further includes a blade and an infrared sensor disposed on one side of the blade, and the infrared sensor can sense a rotation rate generated when the gas passes through the blade to convert it into the exhalation data. A lung monitoring system as described in claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit is capable of converting the received lung lobe volume change data and the exhalation data into the corresponding actual judgment value. A lung monitoring method is applied to a lung monitoring system, the monitoring method comprising: emitting a sensing signal to a lung lobe of a patient at multiple time points; receiving multiple sensing signals reflected by the lung lobe; calculating multiple sensing signals to obtain volume change data of a lung lobe; obtaining exhalation data of a gas exhaled by the patient when exhaling at multiple time points; transmitting the lung lobe volume change data and the exhalation data to a monitoring unit; the monitoring unit uses the lung lobe volume change data and the exhalation data to calculate an actual determination value of the relationship between the lung lobe volume and the exhaled volume; And the monitoring unit sends a notification command to a notification unit when the actual judgment value is less than a normal standard value in a lung value database.

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