JP4323709B2 - Method for controlling inhaler and discharge head - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention Method for controlling inhaler and discharge head It is about.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the advancement of medicine and science, the average life span has been extended and it is becoming an aging society. On the other hand, new diseases and infectious diseases due to changes in eating habits and living environment, environmental pollution, viruses and fungi have been found, and people's health concerns are increasing. In particular, in countries called developed countries, an increase in patients with lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and hypertension is a problem.
[0003]
On the other hand, the number of medical institutions has not increased to accommodate the increase in patients, and there are areas where there are no medical institutions that can be visited, so there are concerns about future responses including policies.
[0004]
For this reason, telemedicine systems and home health management systems have been proposed in which elderly patients or patients with lifestyle-related diseases or chronic diseases can be diagnosed by a doctor without going to the hospital and can perform daily health management.
[0005]
A typical configuration of these systems is that a symmetrical individual installs a terminal at home or the like, connects to a server in a medical institution or center via a communication line such as the Internet, and answers to an inquiry from the terminal, blood pressure, Measurement values such as body temperature are input and transmitted, and the data collected on the server is checked by a nurse or doctor, and the presence or absence of an abnormality and a message are returned.
[0006]
In order to operate such a medical system, an electronic medical record in which medical records (medical records) of each user are electronically recorded, and a medical database in which electronic medical record data and various measured values are stored are required. However, various proposals have been made regarding this electronic medical record and medical database.
[0007]
In particular, electronic medical records are effective in preventing medical and medication errors that are currently a problem, and the contents of such information are also disclosed to patients and their families, thereby satisfying the patient's right to know. There is great interest.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As a form of the terminal used in the medical system as described above, a form of a normal personal computer having a display screen and an input device and a form of a dedicated terminal capable of measuring a specific value such as blood pressure, for example, There is.
[0009]
When a device such as a normal personal computer is used as a terminal, the setting and operation method of the device are complicated, and the usable targets are limited.
[0010]
In addition, in the case of a dedicated terminal, if the user has multiple illnesses and diseases and needs to perform various measurements, the measurement will be performed using a plurality of dedicated terminals. As a result, the burden on the user increases.
[0011]
Furthermore, in a conventionally proposed medical system, for example, when a user is suffering from a chronic disease or the like and it is necessary to administer a drug regularly, the administration and management of the drug are left to the user side. And does not have the functions supported by the system. For this reason, the problem that the burden regarding administration and management of a chemical | medical agent cannot be reduced for such a user arises.
[0012]
To explain with specific examples, among patients with diabetes that are currently on the rise, patients with insulin-dependent diabetes called type I do not secrete insulin from the pancreas, so it is necessary to administer insulin regularly. is there. Since insulin is currently administered by subcutaneous injection, the physical and mental burden on the patient is great.
[0013]
In order to reduce the burden on such patients, pen-type syringes that have thin needles and do not feel much pain have been developed. However, patients with type I diabetes need to administer insulin regularly. Since it often works like a healthy person, even if it is a pen type, since it is mentally resistant to injecting in public, it becomes difficult to administer at an appropriate time.
[0014]
For this reason, in order to facilitate administration by the patient himself, a method has been proposed in which the drug is discharged as a droplet instead of an injection so that the drug reaches the lung together with inhalation, and the drug is administered from the lung.
[0015]
However, such an inhalation method is not practical because it is difficult to efficiently reach the patient's lungs with the medicine ejected as droplets.
[0016]
The present invention has been made in view of the situation as described above, and makes it possible to improve inhalation efficiency when discharging a medicine with an inhaler. Method for controlling inhaler and discharge head The purpose is to provide.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention Inhaler Is medicine Agent Vomiting Take out Interest An inhaler for inhaling a user, An ejection head for ejecting the liquid droplets of the medicine; a sensor for detecting an inhalation profile including temporal changes in the amount of air inhaled by the user; Above In accordance with the inhalation profile detected by the sensor, an ejection condition including a change in ejection parameters at a plurality of times within the inhalation time is determined, and the ejection head removes the droplet within the inhalation time according to the ejection condition. The ejection head is controlled so as to eject in a plurality of times. Control means When Have
[0018]
Further, the present invention achieving the above object Discharge head control The method is medicine Agent Vomiting Take out Interest Inhaler for inhaling the user An ejection head for ejecting the liquid droplets of the medicine, a sensor for detecting an inhalation profile including a temporal change in the amount of inhalation of air by the user, and the ejection head according to a detection result of the sensor. Control of discharge head in inhaler having control means for controlling A method, A first step in which the sensor detects the inhalation profile; and the control means, Above Inhalation according to the inhalation profile detected in the first step In time Determine ejection conditions including changes in ejection parameters at a plurality of times, and control the ejection head so that the ejection head ejects the droplets in the plurality of times within the suction time according to the ejection conditions And a second step to .
[0019]
In this way, when the medicine is ejected by the inhaler, the inhalation efficiency can be improved by sending more medicine to the lungs by changing the parameters related to the medicine ejection, for example, according to the inspiratory speed or the like. it can.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, as an embodiment of the health management system of the present invention, a medical health management system will be described as an example.
[0021]
[overall structure]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the medical health management system of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, this embodiment includes a database 100, a medical institution terminal 110, a pharmaceutical company terminal 120, a store terminal 130, and user terminals 200A to 200N. Here, only one each of the database 100, the medical institution terminal 110, the pharmaceutical company terminal 120, and the dealer terminal 130 is shown, but this is only an example, and it goes without saying that there may be a plurality of each. Also, only four user terminals 200A to 200N (hereinafter simply referred to as 200) are shown, but a large number of user terminals are actually connected.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing data handled in the present embodiment. In this embodiment, basic data including address, name, date of birth, contact information, occupation, work place, etc., and ID (if a number is assigned to all citizens) are registered as data related to an individual. Biometrics such as fingerprints, voice prints, palm prints, faces, irises, retinal blood vessel patterns, etc.) Identification data including data, health insurance data including number, type, usage record, etc., and electronic medical treatment for each individual including examination records, prescriptions, medication data, hospitalization records, medical history, family medical history, etc. And prescription data (electronic medical records) and measurement data obtained by health examinations. In addition, data of designated medical institutions as emergency contact information, and inhaler setting data, which will be described later, are also handled as data relating to individuals.
[0023]
Also, as medical data, data of medical institutions including registration number, location, contact information, registered doctors, equipment, etc., pharmaceutical company data including registration number, location, contact information, drugs handled, scale, etc., registration number Drug store data including location, contact information, drugs handled, and pharmacist name, drug data including drug name, efficacy and precautions, and inhaler data including data on handling and maintenance of the inhaler ( (Not shown).
[0024]
All of these data are stored in the database 100, but the data relating to the individual is also stored in the form of a removable memory card in the user terminal 200 of each individual.
[0025]
The database 100 is a medical database server that is provided for each certain range such as an administrative district, for example, and stores data and medical data related to residents living in the area. The installation location of the database 100 may be a dedicated facility in the administrative region or a specified specific hospital. Each database is connected to each other, and is configured so that necessary data can be accessed when residents receive treatment or move in an area other than the place of residence.
[0026]
The medical institution terminal 110 is installed in each medical institution, is connected to the database 100, and includes a slot into which the memory card of the user terminal 200 is inserted. At the time of medical examination, a doctor or nurse who works at a medical institution inserts the memory card of the user terminal 200 brought by the patient into the medical institution terminal 110, and data about the individual patient who visits the clinic for reference of the medical examination. Is read. Also, the data in the database 100 and the electronic medical record data in the patient's memory card are updated based on the examination result.
[0027]
The prescription data recorded at this time also includes an expiration date, and the expiration date is reset as necessary when the patient is examined again within the expiration date.
[0028]
In addition, doctors refer to drug data in addition to data related to individual patients at the time of medical examination, and the content of prescriptions competes when the patient has a complex disease (such as a complication of a built-in disease and a cardiovascular disease). It will be used as a reference when making decisions. In such a case, information may be transmitted to the patient (informed consent), and the prescription desired by the patient may be given priority.
[0029]
Furthermore, if the patient's DNA analysis results are recorded in the patient's memory card or database 100, the prescription is determined by adopting a method called gene diagnosis or gene therapy instead of the conventional average / statistical method. You can also.
[0030]
The pharmaceutical company terminal 120 is installed in each pharmaceutical company and connected to the database 100. A person working for a pharmaceutical company accesses the database 100 from this terminal, checks the inventory data of medicines in medical institutions and drug dealers, updates the delivery data of delivered medicines, and based on these data To process production management data.
[0031]
The dealer terminal 130 is installed in each drug dealer, is connected to the database 100, and has a slot into which the memory card of the user terminal 200 is inserted. The person who works at the store inserts the memory card of the user terminal 200 brought when the customer visits the store and reads the prescription data of the customer. Also, the database 100 is accessed from this terminal, the prescription data of the visiting customer is read out and collated, and the medicine is sold after confirming that both data match. Then, the medication data in the database 100 and the customer's memory card is updated for the medicines sold.
[0032]
In this case, if the ID or biometric information of the person acting as the agent is registered in the database 100 in advance, a family member or a caregiver can receive the medicine as the agent in addition to the patient.
[0033]
Furthermore, if a contract for electronic commerce (EC) is negotiated with a financial institution or a credit card company in which the user has an account, the user terminal 200 can be used without actually paying the price on the spot. You can also make payments when you purchase medicines. The same applies to the examination fee and medicine fee paid to the medical institution.
[0034]
The user terminal 200 is small and light so that the user can always carry it and carry it. Each of the user terminals 200 is associated with a specific individual, and as described above, a removable memory for storing data related to the individual user. Store the card. Further, as will be described in detail later, it has a wireless communication function and an input / output device that supports user's health management, and is appropriately connected to the database 100 as needed by wireless communication.
[0035]
[User terminal]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the user terminal 200. A user terminal 200 according to the present embodiment includes a controller 201 including a CPU that controls the whole, an inhaler 202 as an input / output device that supports user health management, a communication unit 203 that supports wireless communication, a control program, and various Internal memory 204 for storing data, memory card 205 for storing personal data, I / O interface 206, key switch 207 including various switches such as numeric keys and emergency call (emergency) switch, liquid crystal display, microphone, speaker, etc. A display / voice input / output unit 208, a biometric authentication sensor 209, and a rechargeable battery (not shown) such as a secondary battery are provided as a power source.
[0036]
The inhaler 202 includes a tank 2022B in which a predetermined amount of liquid medicine is stored, a cartridge 2022 having a discharge head 2022A that discharges the medicine supplied from the tank as fine droplets, and a control unit 2021 that drives and controls the cartridge 2022. And a sensor 2023 for reading a code attached to the cartridge or the tank or detecting a user's inhalation state (negative pressure), and a liquid medicine based on an ink jet method using heat. It is ejected as a droplet to form a mist or aerosol, and a drug is administered into the body from the lungs during inspiration.
[0037]
As an alternative to administration by a syringe, this administration system facilitates administration of the drug by the patient himself and reduces the mental and physical burden.
[0038]
The communication unit 203 is configured so that a telephone call according to an appropriate communication method and data communication with the database 100 can be performed by radio using the numeric keypad of the key switch 207 and the display / audio output unit 208.
[0039]
The wireless communication method is not particularly described, but the method used in mobile communication (cellular phone, PHS, car phone, etc.) currently in practical use, the method via satellite, or the method using Bluetooth It may be.
[0040]
The internal memory 204 may be a read-only medium such as a ROM, but may be a rewritable storage medium so that the program can be updated or changed via the communication unit 203.
[0041]
The memory card 205 is a detachable storage medium such as a semiconductor storage medium, an MO, a CD-R, a CD-RW, or a small magnetic disk.
[0042]
The I / O interface 206 is used for various measurement sensors, printers, etc. when the user measures blood pressure, pulse, blood glucose level, body temperature, urine protein, etc. as necessary, or for printing his / her own measurement data. The external input / output device 250 can be selectively connected.
[0043]
The user terminal 200 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which an inhaler 202 is integrated, but this inhaler 202 is separately provided as one of the external input / output devices 250 in the same manner as other drug administration devices and the above measurement sensors. It may be configured to be removable as a body.
[0044]
The authentication sensor 209 is a sensor that performs biometric authentication of the user by any one of a fingerprint, a voice print, a palm print, a face, an iris, a retinal blood vessel pattern, and the like so that only a registered person can use the user terminal 200.
[0045]
Further, although not shown, the current position is detected using the strength of radio waves received from a base station of GPS or a wireless telephone network, and the route to the nearest medical institution or drug store is shown using map information. It has a navigation function.
[0046]
[Security measures]
The medical health management system of the present embodiment is fail-safe during operation in order to sufficiently protect data and prevent medical errors and operational errors because the data handled is related to privacy and important medical data. It is necessary to configure as follows.
[0047]
For example, the data stored in the database 100 is preferably only allowed to be additionally written (added), but the data that has become old to some extent may be overwritten after being backed up to another storage medium by a specific administrator. Good. The memory card of the user terminal 200 may be overwritten on data that has passed a predetermined number of years so as not to excessively increase the necessary capacity.
[0048]
The database 100 sets an access right for each data item for each of the medical institution terminal 110, the pharmaceutical company terminal 120, the store terminal 130, and the user terminal 200 to be connected.
[0049]
Specifically, all the data in the database 100 can be accessed from the medical institution terminal 110, but the data that can be written are a part of the data related to the medical institution and the use record of the health insurance of the visited patient. It is only data, electronic medical record data, and measured value data obtained by health examinations. The store terminal 130 can access the personal prescription data and medication data when the memory card of the customer's user terminal is inserted and the IDs match, but usually the drug data and the pharmaceutical company data are accessed. Only accessible. The pharmaceutical company terminal 130 can access only data related to medicines and data on the stock status of medical institutions and drug stores.
[0050]
Further, when operating each of these terminals, it is necessary to input an ID, a personal identification number, a password, and the like. Furthermore, biometric authentication using the same sensor as the user terminal 200 may be used in combination.
[0051]
Since the connection between the database 100 and the user terminal 200 is performed via wireless, it is necessary to take particularly strict security measures. The data that can be accessed from the user terminal 200 is only data relating to the individual to be used, and the data that can be written from the user terminal is only the use record of medicine (medication data) and the data measured by the individual user. When accessing the database 100 from the user terminal 200, biometric authentication is performed by the authentication sensor 209 in addition to alphanumeric characters such as an ID, a password, and a password. In addition, when communicating data, it is preferable to prevent leakage or interception (wiretapping) using an encryption technique.
[0052]
In the present embodiment, security measures are also taken for drugs prescribed by the user to prevent misuse, medication errors, and erroneous operations.
[0053]
The inhaler 202 of the user terminal 200 replaces either the cartridge 2022 or the tank 2022B for each administration. Accordingly, the cartridge or tank is individually packaged so that it can be easily opened / unopened. Depending on the medicine to be used and the discharge method, whichever may be replaced for each use, the tank 2022B is replaced in the following in order to simplify the description.
[0054]
When replacing only the tank every time, the ejection head will be used multiple times. However, in order to guarantee the ejection performance, if the number of times the cartridge has been used has become a predetermined number of times, or When a predetermined period has elapsed, a warning is given with a display or sound to prompt replacement with a new cartridge, and for example, the heater that generates heat energy is broken so that the actual suction operation cannot be performed. It is preferable to do so. When a new cartridge is installed, the user is reconfirmed by inputting the ID and password.
[0055]
In order to prevent the wrong administration of the medicine, an optically or electrically readable code is given to the tank 2022B, and the electronic medical record stored in the memory card 205 is attached to the user terminal 200. When a tank containing a drug different from the electronic medical record data is installed, and the patient tries to administer the dose exceeding the indicated dose by comparing the written drug data with the code information. If the proper interval is not met, a warning is given with a display or sound, and the actual inhalation operation should not be performed.
[0056]
Giving a similar code to the cartridge 2022 is also effective in preventing erroneous cartridge mounting. Further, since the cartridge is provided with an electrical terminal for connection with the control unit 2021, the type may be identified using this terminal.
[0057]
In addition, if the medicine is once again injected (refilled) into the tank once used and reused, there is a possibility that the purity of the chemical solution is lowered or contamination by bacteria occurs. For this reason, it is effective to make the outer wall of the tank non-injectable as a material such as metal, or to overwrite or rewrite the code so that the code cannot be read after the medicine is used. The tank and the drug itself are colored differently for each prescription so that the user can easily identify them, and when using a different drug, the entire inhaler part is replaced to prevent the drug from entering. It is also possible.
[0058]
Furthermore, it is preferable to notify the user of the timing of drug administration by display, sound, vibration or the like so that the drug is administered at an appropriate interval based on the prescription.
[0059]
When actually operating the inhaler, enter the ID and password to reconfirm the user, and if an incorrect operation is performed during operation or a device failure is detected, a display or sound It is desirable to give a warning and immediately stop the operation to act on the safe side.
[0060]
Since the user terminal of the present embodiment is battery-powered, in order to prevent the battery from running out during the inhalation operation, the remaining power of the battery is checked and if the remaining amount cannot be inhaled once. It is necessary to prevent the inhalation operation or to notify in advance that the battery will run out in a few more times. Further, when the remaining battery level is low, for example, it is possible to switch to a power saving mode that consumes less power than normal ejection, for example, by extending the ejection time.
[0061]
Furthermore, in order to protect the discharge surface (nozzles) of the discharge head and maintain the discharge performance from a hygienic viewpoint, the nozzle surface is capped to dry and fix the drug remaining on the surface and to leak unnecessary drugs. To prevent. This cap is preferably constructed integrally with the cap of the inhaler.
[0062]
[Emergency call]
The user terminal 200 according to the present embodiment continuously switches an emergency call (emergency) switch provided on the key switch 207 of the user terminal 200 for a predetermined time or more when the patient's state suddenly changes or an abnormal situation occurs. Press and hold to enter emergency call mode.
[0063]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the emergency call mode. As shown in the figure, the user terminal of the present embodiment displays a menu screen when entering the emergency call mode. If the user does not operate anything for a predetermined time after the menu screen is displayed, the situation is judged to be serious and an emergency call is made. In this emergency call, the ambulance is automatically requested to be dispatched immediately, and a preset contact information such as a family is automatically notified.
[0064]
Items on the emergency notification menu screen include contact with a designated doctor, notification of additional medical contents, instruction of first-aid treatment contents, navigation, emergency call, and the like.
[0065]
The emergency call is for contacting a first aid facility to convey symptoms and contacting a doctor or family member when the user himself / herself is able to talk.
[0066]
In addition, navigation is a function that indicates a route to a medical institution or drug store that can supply the nearest or patient-used medicine as described above based on medical data stored in the database 100.
[0067]
[Cartridge and tank]
The cartridge of this embodiment discharges a liquid medicine as fine droplets based on an ink jet system using heat. This is basically the same as the so-called bubble jet method, which has been put into practical use in recording devices such as printers. However, for medical use, the discharge head and tank are also different from the recording device. Have some.
[0068]
For example, as the constituent material of the ejection head, a material plated with gold, ceramic, glass or the like is used. In addition, the arrangement and shape of the ejection ports (nozzles) are different depending on the type of medicine to be ejected and the method of administration (whether it is necessary to reach the lung, etc.).
[0069]
The medicine stored in the tank may be colored so that the remaining amount can be confirmed visually, or saccharides and polysaccharides that are easily burnt may be mixed in advance so that the properties of the medicine are not changed by heating. . Furthermore, with regard to the volume of the medicine to be stored, the amount required for one administration is added to the amount necessary for the recovery process to be performed before or after inhalation when the ejection fails in the middle of the ejection, and the ejection is performed correctly. It is preferable to leave a certain amount when it is discharged.
[0070]
The tank of the present embodiment has a double structure, and an external wall made of metal or the like and an internal wall made of a flexible member whose shape changes according to the capacity of the stored medicine are integrated. Molded. Unlike an ink tank used in a normal ink jet system, there is no porous absorber inside, and no air communication port is provided.
[0071]
In addition, tanks are supplied, for example, in units of a predetermined number. At this time, it is preferable to enclose a discharge head such as a dropper or a sterilized gauze and an instrument or jig for maintaining the cap. .
[0072]
As described above, in this embodiment, the tank 2022B is replaced for each administration, and the cartridge 2022 is also replaced a predetermined number of times or at a certain period. The replaced cartridge or tank is effective as follows. Recycled.
[0073]
Cartridges and tanks are manufactured by pharmaceutical companies and supplied to patients at medical institution pharmacies or Ichii drug dealers according to prescriptions of electronic medical records written by doctors. When a patient obtains a cartridge or tank as described above, a memory card is inserted into the medical institution terminal 110 or the store terminal 130, and the prescription data stored in the memory card is compared with the prescription data in the database 100. Is done. Further, since medication data used in the past is recorded in the medication data, it can be easily understood whether the patient has already used the same cartridge or tank.
[0074]
Therefore, when the same cartridge or tank is already used, the used cartridge or tank is brought and replaced with a new one. In this case, if the cartridge or tank is collected or not is recorded in the medication data as a medicine use record, the collection can be made more reliable.
[0075]
Cartridges and tanks are collected by a pharmaceutical company via a medical institution or dealer, the appearance and functions are inspected, and those that can still be used are cleaned, sterilized, refilled with drugs, and the code information is rewritten. To be reused.
[0076]
[Inhalation operation]
Next, processing when performing an actual inhalation operation using the user terminal 200 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0077]
First, it is determined whether or not the adjustment relating to the medicine administration to be used has been completed (step S301). In the adjustment operation, initial settings for registering data such as a single dose of a medicine, an administration interval, etc. (step S302), a test inhalation for determining the discharge condition by measuring the amount and profile of each user's air inhalation (step S303). ) And whether or not the adjustment is correctly completed as a result of the test inhalation (step S304).
[0078]
This adjustment operation is performed under the guidance of a specialist such as a doctor, for example, when it is diagnosed that administration of a medicine is necessary.The measured amount and profile of air inhalation and the determined discharge conditions are: It is stored as inhaler setting data in both the database 100 and the memory card 205 of the user terminal 200.
[0079]
Next, in order to perform the actual suction operation, the cartridge and / or the tank are mounted on the inhaler 202 (step S305). Then, the user is authenticated from a combination of any one of the ID number, password, or password and biometric authentication means such as a fingerprint so that the operation can be performed (step S306).
[0080]
Before performing the actual suction operation, suction / recovery processing is performed using equipment such as a suction jig (step S307). Thereafter, the user holds the discharge port side end of the inhaler and performs an inhalation operation (step S308). The discharge of the medicine is started by detecting the user's inhalation with a negative pressure sensor or the like, and the user terminal may generate a signal sound or the like while the discharge is being performed. When a predetermined amount of medicine is discharged by repeating inhalation several times (step S309), the inhalation is finished. Also at this time, it is preferable to notify the end of inhalation by a signal sound or a display.
[0081]
[Discharge drive control]
In the present embodiment, a liquid medicine is ejected as fine droplets based on an ink jet method using heat. This method is suitable for applications in which the ejection amount is accurately managed because the number of droplets to be ejected can be controlled by the number of pulses by making the drive waveform pulsed.
[0082]
However, in the present embodiment, ejection control different from that of the recording apparatus is performed for use in medical use. That is, the recording apparatus performs recording by ejecting ink from above onto a recording medium such as paper. In the inhaler of this embodiment, the medicine is ejected so as to be in the form of mist or aerosol, and the medicine together with the inhaled air of the user. Needs to reach the lungs.
[0083]
For this reason, it is necessary to perform control so that the size of the droplet is much smaller than that of a normal recording apparatus, and an appropriate amount of such a small size droplet is reliably ejected. On the other hand, when the droplet size is reduced, the kinetic energy of the ejected droplet is small, so the ejection direction does not have to be almost one direction as in the recording apparatus, and the droplet ejected in various directions It may fly or the droplets may collide with each other.
[0084]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the drive parameter is changed according to the profile (pattern) of air intake. For example, at the time of air inhalation, the amount of inhalation per unit time is large at the start time and decreases just before the end. Accordingly, when a plurality of discharges are performed within the suction time (1 to 2 seconds), the discharge speed, the drive frequency, and the like are changed between the first discharge and the last discharge. It is also conceivable to change the ejection method or change the size of the droplets or the ratio of the main droplets / sub-droplets. The timing for changing these driving parameters is preferably stored in the memory card in association with the medicine to be used.
[0085]
Furthermore, the air inhalation profile has individual differences depending on age, gender, physique, and the like, so even if the prescription is the same, it is necessary to fine-tune (tune) according to the individual user. This is performed in the portion described above with reference to S302 to S304 in the flowchart of FIG.
[0086]
Further, in order to confirm that the ejection has been performed accurately, it is preferable to monitor the ejected liquid droplets by, for example, an optical detection means. In this case, it is preferable that an alarm be generated when ejection is not performed correctly. As a detection method, a method of detecting reflected light, refracted light, transmitted light, or scattered light, a method of detecting a colorant or a fluorescent agent mixed in a medicine, or a method using a laser can be considered.
[0087]
[Drug flow]
Here, the flow of the medicine (cartridge and tank) in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0088]
Drugs manufactured by pharmaceutical companies are delivered to medical institutions and dealers, respectively. When the user (patient) needs to administer a medicine according to the doctor's examination result, for example, at the first examination, the medicine for the prescribed number of days is received at the pharmacy of the medical institution that received the examination.
[0089]
In addition, when a medical examination is accompanied after the second time, the medicine is received at the pharmacy of the medical institution as described above. At this time, it is exchanged for the medicine received and used last time, and the newly delivered medicine data is written in the medication data of the electronic medical record.
[0090]
If you do not need to see a doctor, you can go to a drug store to receive the drug. In this case as well, the medicine received last time is exchanged with the used medicine, and the newly delivered medicine data is written in the electronic medical record medication data at the store terminal.
[0091]
Used medicines received from patients are collected from medical institutions and drug dealers to pharmaceutical companies and recycled as described above.
[0092]
[Data flow]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of the data flow in the present embodiment.
[0093]
As shown in the figure, the health management system of the present embodiment is configured around a database 100 that centrally manages data, but each terminal also manages necessary information in a distributed manner.
[0094]
The medical institution terminal 110 reads drug data from the database 100. At the time of medical examination, the patient's personal data is read from the memory card of the patient's user terminal 200 and collated with the data read from the database 100, and the health insurance data and the electronic medical record data are stored in the database 100 and the patient's memory. Write on the card.
[0095]
The pharmaceutical company terminal 120 reads the medicine inventory data of the medical institution or the dealer from the database 100 and writes the delivered medicine data into the database 100 as the delivery data. Also, drug data is written into the database 100 when a new drug is developed or when a new effect is discovered.
[0096]
The dealer terminal 130 reads the prescription data and the medication data from the memory card of the patient user terminal 200 when the patient visits, and collates with the prescription data read from the database 100. Then, the medication data regarding the medicine purchased by the patient is written in the memory card and the database 100.
[0097]
In the memory card of the user terminal 200 of the patient, measurement data measured using a tester other than the patient himself or a medical institution is written. This measurement data is appropriately written in the database 100 via wireless communication or the medical institution terminal 110. In response to a request from a patient, the electronic medical record data and navigation data about the nearest medical institution or drug store are read from the database.
[0098]
[Concrete example]
Hereinafter, a specific example in which the health management of some patients is performed using the medical health management system of the present embodiment will be described.
[0099]
In the following specific examples, all patients are issued by public institutions such as government offices or medical institutions that have undergone periodic medical examinations, and basic data, identification data, health insurance data, and measurement data are stored in memory cards. It is assumed that the user terminal 200 is already owned.
[0100]
(1) Patients treated with insulin
The flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8 show examples of processing performed at the time of diagnosis and medicine supply, respectively. Hereinafter, an example of a patient in need of insulin treatment will be described with reference to these flowcharts.
[0101]
Patient A was pointed out to have a high blood glucose level at regular checkups, and went to see a doctor at a nearby medical institution. I took out the memory card from my user terminal and gave it to the doctor. The doctor inserts the patient's memory card into the medical institution terminal (step S701) and receives a doctor's examination (step S702). As a result of the examination, type I diabetes was diagnosed, and regular administration of insulin became essential. The drugs to be prescribed were determined to be intermediate and fast-acting mixed preparations and required to take 20 units each within 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner. After consulting with a doctor, an electronic medical record was created by setting a standard intake time (step S703).
[0102]
This electronic medical chart data was written in the memory card of the patient user terminal 200 and the database 100. At this time, face photograph and fingerprint data were newly written as authentication data. Patient A selects pulmonary inhalation as a method of ingesting insulin (step S704), and uses the inhaler of the user terminal 200 for the first time.
[0103]
Under the guidance of the doctor, the inhaler setting data of the patient A is registered in the memory card and the database as described with respect to steps S302 to S304 in FIG. 4 (step S705).
[0104]
When the above process is completed, prescription data is created / updated (step S706), the patient's memory card is taken out from the medical institution terminal and returned (step S707), and the process at the time of the diagnosis is terminated.
[0105]
Patient A went to the pharmacy of the medical institution with the user terminal 200 to receive the medicine. The person in charge gave his memory card to the person in charge in the pharmacy, and the person in charge inserts the patient's memory card into the medical institution terminal in the pharmacy (step S801) and confirms the identity with the ID and fingerprint ( In step S802), the prescription in the memory card and the prescription in the database are collated and confirmed (step S803). If any of S802 and S803 is not correctly verified, the process is interrupted and the patient is notified.
[0106]
Since the collation of S802 and S803 was correctly performed, the person in charge handed insulin for one month to the patient A (step S804). This insulin is a cartridge-integrated type, and a suction jig is also housed in the received medicine box. It is confirmed that the medicine is supplied for the first time (step S805), and information such as the amount, date, expiration date, and period of insulin received as medication data is written to both the memory card and the database (step S807). The memory card was removed and returned to the patient (step S808).
[0107]
After returning home, a warning sound will sound to tell the standard setting time, and patient A takes out one individually packed cartridge from the received medicine box and carefully opens it to confirm that there is no leakage of medicine. Attached to the inhaler part. When the cartridge is loaded, the user terminal collates the prescription data written in the electronic medical record of the memory card with the information of the loaded cartridge, and the cartridge type and loading time are displayed on the display.
[0108]
Then, as described with reference to steps S306 to S309 in FIG. 4, after authenticating the user with an ID or fingerprint, performing a suction / recovery operation using a jig, inhaling insulin, Ingestion was terminated. At this time, the date and time when the inhalation operation was executed is stored in the memory card.
[0109]
After a few days after repeating the above inhalation operations regularly, you feel a physical abnormality on the road, go to the nearest drug store using the navigation function of the user terminal, and measure the blood sugar level The measurement result was stored in a memory card. Since the measured value was slightly higher than usual, the data stored in the memory card was transferred to the database, the emergency call function of the user terminal was used to contact the doctor in charge, and the call was directed. .
[0110]
Another day, I had less insulin on hand, so I tried to buy it at a local drug store, but it was out of stock. So I used the navigation function to search for the nearest drug store with insulin stock and went there. Similar to the above, a new cartridge was received according to the processing described in S801 to S804 of FIG. In this case, since the medicine is not supplied for the first time, the process proceeds from step S805 to step S806, and the used cartridge is returned. The medication data in the memory card and database and the drug inventory data were updated at the dealer terminal, and the memory card was returned to the patient.
[0111]
(2) Patients with erectile dysfunction
Next, an example of a patient with erectile dysfunction will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0112]
Patient B went to a medical institution for medical examination. I took out the memory card from my user terminal and gave it to the doctor. The doctor inserts the patient's memory card into the medical institution terminal (step S701) and conducts a diagnosis (step S702). As a result of the examination, erectile dysfunction was diagnosed, and gonadotropin was administered for 3 months by pulmonary inhalation based on consultation with a doctor. The supply of the drug was set as a weekly unit, and the intake was kept at a certain interval, and the patient himself decided as needed. The above information was written in the electronic medical record of the memory card and database (step S703).
[0113]
Under the guidance of the doctor, the inhaler setting data of the patient B is registered in the memory card and the database as described with respect to steps S302 to S304 in FIG. 4 (step S705). At the same time, new photo data and fingerprint data were written as authentication data.
[0114]
When the above process is completed, prescription data is created / updated (step S706), the patient's memory card is taken out from the medical institution terminal and returned (step S707), and the process at the time of the diagnosis is terminated.
[0115]
The patient B goes to the pharmacy of the medical institution with the user terminal 200 and gives his memory card to the person in charge in the pharmacy. The person in charge inserts the memory card into the medical institution terminal installed in the pharmacy (step S801), the ID and the face photograph confirm that the person is the person (step S802), the prescription in the memory card is checked against the prescription in the database (step S803), and the drug for one week is stored in patient B. (Step S804). This medicine is a tank exchange type, and a suction jig is also housed in the medicine box received. It is confirmed that the medicine is supplied for the first time (step S805), and information such as the received amount, date, expiration date, and period is written in both the memory card and the database (step S807). Was taken out and returned to the patient (step S808).
[0116]
Patient B removed the tank from the medicine box as needed and attached it to the cartridge, and self-ingested by inhalation in the same manner as in (1) above, in accordance with the desired time to demonstrate efficacy.
[0117]
One week later, patient B went to a drug store because the received drug was gone. Similar to the above, a new tank was received according to the processing described in S801 to S804 of FIG. In this case, since the supply of the medicine is not the first time, the process proceeds from step S805 to step S806, and the used tank is returned. The medication data in the memory card and database and the drug inventory data were updated at the dealer terminal, and the memory card was returned to the patient.
[0118]
(3) Those who wish to quit smoking
Next, an example of a person who wishes to quit smoking will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0119]
Patient C went to a medical institution for smoking cessation and received treatment. I took out the memory card from my user terminal and gave it to the doctor. The doctor inserts the patient's memory card into the medical institution terminal (step S701) and makes an inquiry (step S702). Based on the interview and consultation, nicotine intake was gradually reduced by lung inhalation. The supply of the drug was set as a weekly unit, and the maximum daily intake was determined according to a constant concentration decrease gradient. The above information was written in the electronic medical record of the memory card and database (step S703).
[0120]
Under the guidance of the doctor, the inhaler setting data of the patient C is registered in the memory card and the database as described with respect to steps S302 to S304 in FIG. 4 (step S705). At the same time, new photo data and fingerprint data were written as authentication data.
[0121]
In this case, when the inhaler performs inhalation at an interval equal to or less than a predetermined interval, the discharge amount of nicotine per one time is decreased and controlled so as not to exceed the maximum daily intake. Furthermore, even if the intake amount on the previous day is less than the maximum intake amount, the remaining amount is controlled so that it cannot be carried over to the next day.
[0122]
When the above process is completed, prescription data is created / updated (step S706), the patient's memory card is taken out from the medical institution terminal and returned (step S707), and the process at the time of the diagnosis is terminated.
[0123]
The patient C goes to the pharmacy of the medical institution with the user terminal 200 and gives his memory card to the person in charge in the pharmacy. The person in charge inserts the memory card into the medical institution terminal installed in the pharmacy (step S801), the ID and the face photograph are used to confirm the identity (step S802), and the prescription in the memory card is checked against the prescription in the database (step S803). (Step S804). This medicine is a tank exchange type, and a suction jig is also housed in the medicine box received. It is confirmed that the medicine is supplied for the first time (step S805), and information such as the received amount, date, expiration date, and period is written in both the memory card and the database (step S807). Was taken out and returned to the patient (step S808).
[0124]
Patient C took out the tank from the medicine box several times a day instead of smoking and attached it to the cartridge, and performed self-intake by inhalation as in (1) above.
[0125]
One week later, the patient C went to another medical institution because the received medicine was gone. The doctor inserts the memory card of the patient C into the medical institution terminal, reads out the electronic medical record of the patient C, and sets the maximum daily intake, the number of times of inhalation, etc. according to the set concentration decrease gradient. A prescription was written. The inhaler was also adjusted again according to the new prescription.
[0126]
In the same manner as described above, a new tank was received at the pharmacy of the medical institution according to the processing described in S801 to S804 in FIG. In this case, since the supply of the medicine is not the first time, the process proceeds from step S805 to step S806, and the used tank is returned. The medication data in the memory card and database and the drug inventory data were updated at the medical institution terminal of the pharmacy, and the memory card was returned to the patient.
[0127]
(4) Hospitalized patients
Next, an example of an inpatient will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0128]
Patient D was found to have gastric cancer in his regular health checkup at his workplace, and was sent to a medical institution to undergo removal surgery. At the medical institution, the patient's memory card was inserted into the medical institution terminal (step S1101), and the results of past health examinations and stomach X-ray images were read and diagnosed, and surgery was performed (step S1102).
[0129]
An electronic medical record including a postoperative treatment method is created based on the operation result (step S1103), and the memory card of the patient D is transferred to the bedside terminal provided in the hospitalized bed (step S1104). The person in charge such as is registered (step S1105).
[0130]
This bedside terminal is a modification of the medical institution terminal 110, and its configuration is substantially the same as that obtained by removing the inhaler 202 from the user terminal 200. However, the display screen such as a display is large so that it can be easily seen. On this display screen, the name of the patient and the name and symptoms of the disease are always displayed.
[0131]
In daily treatment performed by a doctor or nurse, the name and symptom displayed on the display screen are confirmed to identify the patient (step S1106), and the doctor's or nurse's ID is input to check the patient's electronic medical record. Reading (step S1107), round-trips and necessary examinations or measurements are performed (step S1108), and prescription data is updated based on the results (step S1109).
[0132]
After a certain period of time, the symptoms recovered and the patient was discharged (step S1110). At the time of discharge, the memory card was returned to the patient (step S1111).
[0133]
[Effect of the embodiment]
As described above, according to this embodiment, there are the following effects.
[0134]
(1) Efficient medical practice by sharing information can be expected by digitizing various personal data and medical data and storing them in a database.
[0135]
(2) By setting an access right to each terminal and performing personal identification, personal data concerning privacy can be protected.
[0136]
(3) Since the emergency call mode is provided in the user terminal, it is possible to respond appropriately and promptly in an emergency.
[0137]
(4) By administering a drug that has been conventionally administered by injection using the inhaler of the user terminal, the patient can easily administer the drug, and the mental and physical burden on the patient is reduced.
[0138]
(5) By changing the driving parameter according to the inhalation speed or the like when the medicine is driven to be discharged by the inhaler, more medicine can be sent to the lungs to improve the inhalation efficiency.
[0139]
(6) When a drug is administered with an inhaler, the drug can be efficiently administered by performing appropriate discharge control according to the inhalation amount and profile of each patient.
[0140]
(7) When a patient administers a drug by himself / herself, it is possible to attach a wrong drug or prevent an inhaler from being operated erroneously.
[0141]
(8) The dose of the medicine and the administration interval can be accurately managed according to the prescription data by the controller of the user terminal.
[0142]
(9) Since the supply and administration of medicines are recorded, the medicines and stocks used by each patient can be managed accurately. In addition, used cartridges and tanks can be collected accurately.
[0143]
(10) Since the prescription data is also stored in the memory card of the user terminal, by reading this data, it becomes possible to receive the medicine according to the prescription regardless of the region.
[0144]
(11) The navigation function of the user terminal facilitates access to the nearest or appropriate medical institution or drug store.
[0145]
[Other Embodiments]
In the above embodiment, the medical health management system has been described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to various other applications.
[0146]
For example, using a user terminal similar to the above and a terminal installed in a sports club or the like, a system for giving instructions to the user to regularly perform diet and exercise according to a preset program for beauty and health, In order to ingest vitamins and minerals necessary for the body other than drugs without excess or deficiency, it is also conceivable to use the inhaler of the above user terminal.
[0147]
When applied to such non-medical applications, the data stored in the database, each terminal, and the function of the user terminal are changed as necessary.
[0148]
Further, as a medical health management system, the inhaler of the above-described user terminal is used for inhalation treatment of asthma patients, or a drug currently administered into the body by injection or swallowing medicine is stored in the above-described user terminal. It may be administered into the body using an inhaler.
[0149]
Further, the configuration of the health management system is not limited to the above embodiment, and for example, a form in which a database is included in the medical institution terminal may be employed.
[0150]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when a medicine is ejected by an inhaler, more medicine is delivered to the lungs by changing a parameter related to the medicine ejection, for example, according to an inspiration speed or the like. This has the effect of improving the inhalation efficiency.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a medical health management system as an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing data handled in the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a user terminal in the embodiment of FIG.
4 is a flowchart showing an inhalation operation using the user terminal of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a view showing a flow of medicine in the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data flow in the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of a medical examination at a medical device terminal.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of medicine supply.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an emergency call mode.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing for hospitalized patients.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 database
110 Medical Institution Terminal
120 Pharmaceutical company terminal
130 Dealer terminal
200 User terminal
201 controller
202 inhaler
203 Communication Department
204 Internal memory
205 memory card
206 I / O interface
207 key switch
208 Display / Audio Input / Output Unit
209 Authentication sensor
250 External input / output equipment
2021 Control unit
2022 cartridge
2022A Discharge head
2022B tank
2023 sensor

Claims (13)

A inhaler to be taken in a Subscriber out ejection medicine agent,
An ejection head for ejecting droplets of the medicine;
A sensor for detecting an inhalation profile including a temporal change in the amount of air inhaled by the user;
In accordance with the inhalation profile detected by the sensor, an ejection condition including a plurality of changes in the ejection parameters within the inhalation time is determined, and the ejection head moves the droplet within the inhalation time according to the ejection condition. Control means for controlling the discharge head so as to discharge in a plurality of times ,
An inhaler characterized by comprising: The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the discharge parameter includes a discharge speed of the droplet. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the ejection parameter includes a driving frequency of the ejection head . The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the ejection parameter includes a size of the droplet ejected from the ejection head . The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the ejection parameter includes a ratio of main droplets / sub-droplets in the droplets ejected from the ejection head . The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the discharge parameter includes a discharge method of the discharge head . The discharge head, inhaler according to claim 1, utilizing thermal energy, characterized in <br/> that that discharges the liquid droplets. A inhaler to be taken in a Subscriber out ejection medicine agent, a sensor for detecting an ejection head that ejects liquid droplets of the medicament, the inhalation profile including the temporal change in the intake amount of air by the user And a control method of the discharge head in the inhaler having control means for controlling the discharge head according to the detection result of the sensor ,
A first step in which the sensor detects the inhalation profile;
The control means determines a discharge condition including a plurality of changes in the discharge parameter within the inhalation time according to the inhalation profile detected in the first step, and within the inhalation time according to the discharge condition. A second step of controlling the ejection head so that the ejection head ejects the droplets in a plurality of times;
A method for controlling an ejection head , comprising: It said discharge parameter control method for a discharge head according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a discharge speed of the droplet. It said discharge parameter control method for a discharge head according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a drive frequency of the discharge head. The method of controlling an ejection head according to claim 8 , wherein the ejection parameter includes a size of the droplet ejected from the ejection head . It said discharge parameter control method for a discharge head according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a percentage of the main droplet / sub-droplet in the liquid droplet ejected from the ejection head. 9. The ejection head control method according to claim 8 , wherein the ejection parameter includes an ejection method of the ejection head .

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