Patent Application
20160223550
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2015-017450 filed on Jan. 30, 2015, 2015-017451 filed on Jan. 30, 2015, 2015-232231 filed on Nov. 27, 2015 and 2015-232234 filed on Nov. 27, 2015, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a biological information measurement system, and more particularly to a biological information measurement system that measures physical condition of a test subject on the basis of defecation gas discharged in a bowl of a toilet installed in a toilet installation room.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a mortality rate caused by cancer extremely decreases due to evolution of a diagnosis technique for serious illness, such as cancer, and of a technique of cancer treatment, with evolution of medical technology. However, presenting to a hospital at regular intervals for diagnosis to prevent cancer burdens a patient. In contrast, many patients actually present to a hospital after realizing wrong physical condition, and thus unfortunately still many people have cancer. In addition, no practical device for preventing cancer has been developed yet, so that it cannot be said that cancer prevention is sufficiently achieved.
In light of the circumstances, the present inventors have studied for a long time with a strong desire for manufacturing a device that is really required in the market, such as a device capable of more simply and easily diagnosing serious illness, such as cancer, at home without presenting to a hospital, to achieve prevention or early treatment of serious illness.
The present applicants have developed devices, such as: a device that is mounted in a seat of a Western-style toilet to collect defecation gas discharged into a bowl when a test subject defecates to acquire the amount of stool discharged on the basis of a concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the defecation gas as a biological information index (refer to Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 5131646); and a device in which a deodorizing device assembled in a seat of a flush toilet sucks defecation gas that is discharged together when a test subject defecates so that a carbon dioxide gas sensor measures a concentration of carbon dioxide of the gas sucked to allow intestinal conditions of a test subject to be estimated on the basis of the measured concentration of carbon dioxide (refer to Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent No. 5019267). Unfortunately, these devices estimate only current intestinal conditions, so that it is impossible to achieve a purpose of the present inventors to enable serious illness, such as cancer, to be simply and easily diagnosed, as well as to enable a risk state of the serious illness to be simply and easily acquired. In addition, there is also known a fart detector in which gas sensor is arranged so as to be brought into contact with air near an excretory organ of a human to detect a fart on the basis of a peak value of output of the gas sensor (refer to Patent Literature 3: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-90812). In the fart detector, a tube inserted into an excretory organ of a patient staying in bed in a diaper or underwear worn by the patient is drawn, and air is sucked through the tube by a suction pump to collect a fart of the patient. In addition, the fart detector only distinguishes a fart and urination on the basis of a half-value width of a peak value of output of the gas sensor so that a doctor checks whether a fart is discharged after an appendix operation, or time to replace a diaper is detected, whereby it is impossible to achieve the purpose of the present inventors. Meanwhile, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-160049 (Patent Literature 4) discloses a portable type apparatus for measuring a risk of colorectal cancer that includes a sensor for measuring methyl mercaptan gas from components of a fart discharged by a test subject, a calculation unit for calculating a concentration of the methyl mercaptan gas measured by the sensor, and a display, to estimate a risk of acquiring colorectal cancer.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-43182 (Patent Literature 5) describes a biological monitoring device. In the biological monitoring device, a fabric T-bandage to which gas sensor is attached is provided so that the gas sensor is arranged near an anus to detect a fart discharged from the anus. A signal from the gas sensor is transmitted to a processor to be stored in a memory. It is also known that data stored in a memory is compared with previous data, and that a warning is displayed in a display device if there is abnormality, such as a large difference.
Japanese Patent No. 3525157 (Patent Literature 6) describes a method of measuring components of flatus. In the method of measuring components of flatus, a sampling tube is arranged at a portion in a seat of a toilet. When a person to be measured turns on a main switch of a device, a suction pump is operated to suck gas near an anus. An index gas detector always measures a concentration of carbonic acid gas in the gas sucked, and a control/arithmetic processing unit recognizes that a flatus has been diffused if the concentration measured steeply increases. If a flatus is diffused, another suction pump starts operating to allow a part of gas sucked to be inserted into a sample measuring tube. An inserted sample is fed into a column so that gas components are separated to be ionized. It is also known that the amount of ionization is converted into an electric signal so that a concentration of gas components of a detection object in the flatus is measured.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-206945 (Patent Literature 7) describes a health information utilization system. In the health information utilization system, personal health information on health management, inputted from a terminal device, is individually stored in a database of each of a plurality of data centers, and an analysis server device reads out the personal health information to analyze it. A big data creation server device searches the personal health information under a specific condition to create big data and store it. The health information utilization system allows health content based on knowledge in a special field to be browsed at a terminal device, and stores the personal health information in the plurality of data centers to manage it, as well as allows a health determination result acquired by applying automatic determination processing to the personal health information, and a health determination result acquired by determination processing applied by an expert, to be browsed at a terminal. The system described above is also known.
In order to develop a device capable of diagnosing serious illness, such as cancer, in recent years, it has been known that there is a correlation between a disease of colorectal cancer and components of a flatus contained in a fart and a stool. Specifically, colorectal cancer patients have more methyl mercaptan gas containing a sulfur component, in components of flatus, as compared with healthy people.
Components of flatus are discharged along with a stool, as a fart and defecation gas, during defecation. Thus, the present inventors, as published in Nihon Keizai Shimbun issued Jan. 5, 2015, have studied on the assumption that measuring a specific gas, such as methyl mercaptan gas, in a fart and defecation gas, discharged during defecation, enables colorectal cancer in the intestine to be found out, as with Patent Literature 4 above, and the like. However, a measuring device capable of accurately measuring only this specific gas, such as methyl mercaptan gas, is very expensive and large in size. In addition, methyl mercaptan gas is contained in minute amount in defecation gas, and is contained in less amount than the minute amount in a stage before getting cancer. As a result, it is very difficult to measure the methyl mercaptan gas, and thus the present inventors have been faced with a problem in which it is not realistic in cost and size that at least this kind of gas analyzer capable of accurate measurement is assembled in a household toilet device to be widely used as a consumer product.
However, the present inventors continue to study by having strong feeling for necessity of providing a device that is capable of allowing general consumers to readily purchase it, and capable of simply and easily performing diagnosis at home, in order to reduce the number of people who have a serious illness, such as cancer, as far as possible, and then finally find out a technical solution for realizing the device.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a diagnosis system that is capable of allowing general consumers to readily purchase it, as well as capable of measuring defecation gas at home to prevent people from having a serious disease, such as a cancer, or urging people to present to a hospital to receive treatment under a moderate condition, the diagnosis system being really required in the market, having high practicality.
In order to solve the aforementioned problem, the present invention is a biological information measurement system that measures physical condition of a test subject on the basis of defecation gas discharged into a bowl of a flush toilet having: a suction device that sucks gas in the bowl into which the defecation gas is discharged by the test subject; a gas detector provided with a gas sensor that is sensitive to methyl mercaptan gas that is odiferous gas containing a sulfur component and odiferous gas other than methyl mercaptan gas, included in the gas sucked by the suction device; a control device that controls the suction device and the gas detector; a data analyzer that analyzes the physical condition of the test subject on the basis of detection data detected by the gas detector; and an output device that outputs an analysis result by the data analyzer, wherein the data analyzer is provided with noise suppression means that suppresses influence of noise caused by a test subject other than discharge of defecation gas by the test subject, from the detection data detected by the gas detector.
Heretofore, there has been actually no effective device other than diagnosis at hospital for checking whether people have serious illness, such as cancer, or for checking people for prevention of serious illness. In contrast, according to the present invention, general consumers can simply and easily purchase the device to perform measurement at home. In addition, it is possible to allow a test subject to be prevented from having a serious disease, such as cancer, or to present to a hospital to receive treatment under a moderate condition, by only performing an excretory act as usual to measure defecation gas discharged during defecation without making an effort to perform additional measurement action. In this way, the present invention achieves an excellent effect of enabling a device that is really required in the market to be realized and a diagnosis system having high practicality to be provided.
Before advantageous effects of the present invention is specifically described, a technical idea of allowing a system to be widely used at standard home as a consumer product will be described. Key point of the idea are reverse thinking and effective simplified knowledge acquired by understanding characteristics of serious illness, such as cancer, and using the characteristics.
Specifically, one of key points of a system of the present invention is acquired by reverse thinking of a device installed at each home by which people are not diagnosed as having serious illness, such as cancer. That is, a test subject of general consumers, who purchases the device really wants to know whether to be in a stage before having cancer (hereinafter this stage is referred to as ahead-disease), instead of whether to have cancer, to recognize an increasing risk of cancer to improve a future life for preventing having cancer. Thus, it is thought that a device capable of allowing health people to accurately recognize a risk of cancer to improve physical condition for preventing having cancer is worth to a device required at standard home.
Another key point of the system of the present invention is acquired by a simplified idea that a device capable of diagnosing a specific kind of cancer, such as a rectal cancer, or diagnosing an increasing risk of a specific kind of cancer, is unnecessary. The idea is acquired from characteristics of a test subject who is anxious about any kind of cancer instead of about a specific kind of cancer, such as a rectal cancer. Thus, the inventors have simply thought that accuracy of measurement capable of identifying a kind of cancer is unnecessary, on the basis of an assumption that it is quite unnecessary to identify a kind of cancer instead of an assumption that device has a commercial value if diagnosing a specific kind of cancer.
Specific effects of a system in accordance with the present invention configured on the basis of the knowledge and the effective simplified idea described above will be described below.
In the present invention, since defecation gas discharged into a bowl of a toilet is measured to analyze physical condition of a test subject, it is possible to perform diagnosis by allowing a test subject to only defecate as usual without requiring an effort to perform measurement action. Requiring no effort allows the test subject to have no burden, so that it is possible to continue measurement for a long time to reliably acquire information on a change in health condition, and on a state where a risk of cancer is increasing.
In addition, in the present invention, no sensor for measuring methyl mercaptan gas at a pinpoint is used, and a sensor that is widely sensitive also to odiferous gas other than the methyl mercaptan gas, in defecation gas, is used. If the sensor for measuring methyl mercaptan gas at a pinpoint is used, it is possible to reliably detect a colorectal cancer because there is a correlation between the amount of methyl mercaptan gas and a colorectal cancer, and also to reliably find that a risk of cancer is increasing from the amount thereof. However, it is found that it is impossible to determine that a risk of cancer is increasing unless a risk of cancer increases to some extent to increase the amount of methyl mercaptan gas, whereby the sensor is unsuitable for the present invention having an object to prevent people from having cancer.
In contrast, the sensor that is widely sensitive to odiferous gas is capable of detecting not only a state where a risk of cancer is increasing, but also a risk of cancer from wrong physical condition. Specifically, first if a risk of cancer increases, a very strong odiferous gas containing a sulfur component, such as methyl mercaptan gas or hydrogen sulfide, increases in amount. Then, the sensor that is widely sensitive to odiferous gas is capable of detecting increase of this kind of gas. Thus, even if a sensor that is widely sensitive to odiferous gas other than methyl mercaptan gas in defecation gas is used, it is possible to determine that there is a risk of cancer to increase. Accordingly, the sensor that is widely sensitive also to odiferous gas serves also as a sensor for measuring methyl mercaptan gas at a pinpoint in this point.
The present invention uses a gas detector that is sensitive not only to methyl mercaptan gas but also to odiferous gas other than methyl mercaptan gas, in defecation gas, so that only the amount of odiferous gas in the defecation gas can be detected, but the amount of methyl mercaptan gas cannot be measured, whereby it is impossible to accurately identify a state of cancer. However, the present inventors find out that using gas detector that is sensitive not only to methyl mercaptan gas, but also to odiferous gas other than methyl mercaptan gas, in defecation gas, allows a device to effectively serve as a device for preventing a state where a risk of cancer increases in healthy people, and a risk, such as having cancer. Specifically, healthy people have a small total amount of methyl mercaptan gas and odiferous gas other than the methyl mercaptan gas. In contrast, a total amount of methyl mercaptan gas and odiferous gas other than the methyl mercaptan gas temporarily increases due to deterioration of intestinal environment other than having cancer. The deterioration of intestinal environment is specifically caused by the following, such as excessive obstipation, a kind of meal, lack of sleep, crapulence, excessive drinking, and excessive stress. It can be said that each of these causes is a bad living habit. The bad living habit will result in cancer, however, there is no means of recognizing a risk of cancer state even if the risk of cancer increases, and thus many people continue the bad living habit on the basis of a convenient assumption that the many people themselves survive.
In this way, performing the bad living habit as described above increases all or any one of odiferous gases in defecation gas, such as methyl mercaptan, hydrogen sulfide, acetic acid, trimethylamine, or ammonia. In contrast, the present invention analyzes physical condition on the basis of detection data acquired by gas detector that detects not only methyl mercaptan gas, but also odiferous gases other than methyl mercaptan gas, such as hydrogen sulfide, acetic acid, trimethylamine, or ammonia, in defecation gas. Thus, an analysis result based on a total amount of the odiferous gas in the defecation gas reflects a result caused by a wrong physical condition and a bad living habit, of a test subject, so that the analysis result is usable as an index based on objective data for improving a physical condition and a living habit in which this kind of risk of cancer may increase, or is usable as an effective index for maintaining a health condition to reduce a risk of having cancer, whereby it is found that the analysis result acts on the object of improving a living habit and reducing a risk of cancer in an extremely effective manner to achieve an excellent effect.
In this way, the present invention measures methyl mercaptan gas and odiferous gas other than the methyl mercaptan gas to enable measurement capable of notifying a state where a risk of cancer may increase, and a suitable warning of having cancer if this kind of state continues for a long time, to a test subject. The so-called reverse thinking allows knowledge suitable for the object of reducing people having cancer to be found out.
In addition, since the present invention uses a sensor that is widely sensitive not only to methyl mercaptan gas but also to odiferous gas other than the methyl mercaptan gas, a device can be manufactured at low cost, thereby enabling the device to be provided as a consumer product. Accordingly, it is possible to sufficiently satisfy a request of test subjects that diagnosis can be simply and easily performed at home to prevent having a serious disease, such as cancer, or they can be urged to present to a hospital to receive treatment under a moderate condition.
In the invention of the present application using the sensor which is widely sensitive to odiferous components, detection data is affected by odiferous gas components such as sweat and urea, or a perfume attached to a test subject, a stool attached to a toilet, odiferous gas and an aromatic remaining in a toilet space, an alcohol disinfectant or the like. In particular, when a perfume or an aromatic is strong, or as a body and a toilet space are more unsanitary, measurement precision is more likely to reduce. In a case where a test subject uses a toilet immediately after another person performs defecation, odiferous components such as defecation gas of the person who previously used the toilet and an odor attached to him or her are highly likely to remain in the toilet space, and it is conceivable that these components affect measurement even if the toilet space is not unsanitary.
An amount of the odiferous gas contained in defecation gas is extremely small, and the sensitivity of the gas sensor which detects the odiferous gas is set as extremely high. As the gas sensor, in order to provide the biological information measurement system as a consumer product, a gas sensor which is sensitive to methyl mercaptan gas which is odiferous gas containing a sulfur component as well as odiferous gas other than methyl mercaptan gas has to be used. Consequently, the gas sensor is also sensitive to the body odor of a test subject, a perfume of the test subject and the like, in addition to the defecation gas discharged by the test subject. According to the present invention configured as described above, the noise suppression means which suppresses the influence of noise caused by the test subject, other than discharge of defecation gas is provided. As a result, it becomes possible to detect an extremely small amount of odiferous gas in an environment with much noise such as an inside of a toilet installation room, even if the gas sensor which is sensitive to methyl mercaptan gas as well as other odiferous gas is used. Then, it is possible to provide a biological information measurement system at a cost, allowing general consumers to readily purchase it. According to the biological information measurement system of the present invention, it is possible to prevent people from having a serious disease, such as a cancer by measuring defecation gas at home, or to urge people to present to a hospital to receive treatment under a moderate condition.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the noise suppression means determines start of a defecation act of the test subject, at a previous stage of discharge of defecation gas, and analyzes physical condition of the test subject on the basis of detection data from which noise caused by the test subject after the start of the defecation act of the test subject is excluded.
As described above, in the present invention, the gas sensor which is sensitive to methyl mercaptan gas which is odiferous gas containing a sulfur component as well as other odiferous gas is used, so that the gas sensor also reacts to the body odor of a test subject, a perfume attached to the test subject and the like in addition to defecation gas, and the body odor, perfume and the like become noise to measurement of physical condition. However, the inventor of the present application has found a new knowledge that the noise components caused by the test subject like this becomes substantially stable by the time when the test subject starts a defecation act after the test subject enters the space where a flush toilet is installed, and thereafter do not vary greatly. According to the present invention configured as described above, the noise suppression means determines start of a defecation act of the test subject, so that it becomes possible to discriminate between the reaction of the gas sensor by defecation gas, and reaction of the gas sensor caused by the test subject other than defecation gas, and it becomes possible to remove noise by the test subject effectively.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the noise suppression means analyzes the physical condition of a test subject on the basis of an increase change from a detection data value of noise caused by the test subject after the start of the defecation act of the test subject.
As described above, the inventor of the present application has found out the knowledge that reaction of the gas sensor which is caused by other than defecation gas, and is brought about by a test subject, becomes substantially stable by the time when the test subject starts a defecation act, and does not vary greatly thereafter. Thus, it has become possible to discriminate noise that also contains noise caused by a test subject by analyzing the physical condition of the test subject, on the basis of the increase change from the detection data value of noise caused by the test subject after start of the defecation act of the test subject. According to the present invention configured as described above, the detection data before start of the defecation act can be all discriminated as due to the factors other than defecation gas, and by setting the detection data as a level of noise caused by the test subject, the detection data based on defecation gas can be effectively extracted.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the noise suppression means executes second control for increasing reliance of measurement, that is different from first control, when a level of noise caused by the test subject is at a predetermined value or more, and the first control is executed when the level of noise caused by the test subject is less than the predetermined value.
In the present invention configured in this way, the noise suppression means executes the first control which is normally executed when the level of noise caused by the test subject is less than the predetermined value. In contrast, when the level of noise caused by the test subject is at the predetermined value or more, the level of noise is high, and the possibility of the reliability of measurement reducing is high, so that the noise suppression means executes the second control different from the first control which is normally executed, in order to increase reliability. Accordingly, the analysis result based on the data with low reliability can be prevented from being directly presented to the test subject to apply an unnecessary mental burden to the test subject.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the second control sets reliability of an analysis result at a lower value, or stops measurement of physical condition or stops output of the analysis result.
According to the present invention configured in this way, in the second control which is executed when the level of noise is at the predetermined value or more, the reliability of the analysis result is reduced, so that a weight coefficient on the detection data acquired in the state with a high level of noise can be reduced, and an unnecessary mental burden can be prevented from being applied to the test subject on the basis of the data with low reliability. Alternatively, in the second control, measurement of physical condition is stopped, or output of the analysis result is stopped, so that the analysis result by the detection data which is acquired in the state of a high level of noise can be prevented from being presented to the test subject.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the second control notifies that the level of the noise caused by the test subject is large, by the output device.
According to the present invention configured in this way, in the case where the level of noise is at the predetermined value or more, the test subject is notified that the level of noise is large, so that the test subject can be encouraged to take a measure for reducing the level of noise.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the second control reduces reliability of an analysis result, or stops measurement of physical condition, and notifies that the level of noise caused by the test subject is large, by the output device.
According to the present invention configured in this way, it becomes possible to prevent an unnecessary mental burden from being applied to the test subject on the basis of the measurement of physical condition with a large detection error, and to encourage the test subject to take a measure for reducing the level of noise.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the biological information measurement system further has a private parts washing device mounted to the flush toilet, wherein the second control operates the private parts washing device, or notifies the test subject to perform private parts washing by the output device.
According to the present invention configured in this way, in the case where the level of noise is at a predetermined value or more, the private parts washing device is operated, or the test subject is notified to perform private parts washing, so that the level of noise caused by the test subject can be reduced, and measurement of physical condition with a small measurement error can be performed.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the noise suppression means determines whether or not the level of noise caused by the test subject is at the predetermined value or more on the basis of at least one of an absolute amount of noise, a rate of change of noise, or a noise variation rate, and executes the first control or the second control.
Since in the case where measurement is performed in the environment with a large absolute amount of noise, the odiferous gas contained in defecation gas is observed as an increment from a high level of noise, detection is performed in a region where the detection sensitivity of the gas sensor is insufficient, and there arise the fear that the detection precision reduces. In the case where measurement is performed in the environment where the rate of change and the variation rate of noise are large, there is the fear of reduction in precision of calculation that extracts data associated with defecation gas by removing noise components from the detection data of the gas sensor. According to the present invention configured in this way, the noise suppression means determines that the level of noise caused by the test subject is at the predetermined value or more and executes the second control in these cases, so that reduction in the measurement precision can be suppressed.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the noise suppression means notifies the test subject to wait for defecation by the output device, during measurement of the level of noise caused by the test subject.
According to the present invention configured in this way, the test subject is notified to wait for defecation during measurement of the level of noise, so that the defecation gas of the test subject is not erroneously recognized as noise, and measurement of physical condition with high precision can be performed.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the biological information measurement system further has a defecation act determining sensor that directly detects whether it is a defecation period after the test subject sits on a seat, or a defecation preparation period in which the test subject prepares for defecation before sitting on the seat, wherein the data analyzer is provided with physical condition analysis prohibition means that does not adopt the detection data as a first detection data for analyzing physical condition of the test subject even if the odiferous gas is detected by the gas detector when it is detected as the defecation preparation period by the defecation act determining sensor, and physical condition analysis prohibition cancel means wherein when a predetermined increase in the odiferous gas detected by the gas detector is detected, in a state where it is detected as the defecation period by the defecation act determining sensor, the physical condition analysis prohibition cancel means adopts the detection data after detection of the predetermined increase as the first detection data.
Although the prior art literature (Patent Literature 3 or the like) discloses odiferous gas being able to be measured by the odiferous gas sensor, as described above, the art is for detecting a fart in bed clothes or the like of a patient in bed for determination after an appendix operation. It has been found that there arises a peculiar problem if the art is adopted in a toilet. More specifically, it is meaningless to measure a serious illness such as colorectal cancer by defecation gas in bed clothes. A patient affected by illness in such an advanced stage as to be bedridden requires accurate measurement, and measurement of physical condition by detection of defecation gas is not suitable. Since the defecation gas measuring device is expected as the device which measures progress before being affected by a serious illness or in a low advanced state of colorectal cancer, the defecation gas measuring device is intended for healthy people, or a people who are relatively healthy after operations or the like and can perform defecation in toilets, and is required to be installed in a toilet. Accordingly, it is unreasonable to directly adopt the above described prior art.
Since the gas concentration in bed clothes hardly changes, and the gas stays in the bed clothes, the sensor for detection does not require high responsiveness, and a fart of a patient can be detected by ordinary measurement such as abrupt increase in gas concentration. However, if the knowledge is adopted in the measurement device installed in a toilet, the detection value of the sensor may abruptly increase by entrance of a test subject, the detection value may also change by the amount of a perfume of the test subject, and a contamination amount of the toilet, or the detection value may not increase in the state where the toilet is sanitary. The detection value may abruptly increase as a result that the test subject takes off underwear, or the detection value may change even when the test subject approaches a flush toilet. In addition, there are many people who perform an act of cleaning of seats by alcohol or the like, and in that case, the detection value also abruptly increases. Accordingly, by simply detecting that the detection value has abruptly increased, it is not easy to collect defecation gas as in the invention described in Patent Literature 3.
In addition, the problem has been found, which is peculiar to the measurement device installed in a flush toilet, that there is the fear of measuring erroneous odiferous gas with a device performing measurement and analysis of defecation gas on the spot, depending on the measurement device installed in a flush toilet. The problem is as follows: since odiferous gas components in defecation gas are light, the odiferous gas components immediately rise without staying in the bowl of the flush toilet into which the defecation gas is discharged, so that a sensor with very high sensitively is required for measurement; and in the case of using the sensor with high sensitivity like this, there is the fear of erroneously measuring change in the gas component attached to the test subject while preparing for defecation.
With respect to the problem, the present inventors have deeply studied on defecation acts of human beings to the toilets in toilet installation rooms, and have found that erroneous measurement can be prevented by only using a defecation act, and only defecation gas accompanying excretion can be accurately measured reliably.
Since in the defecation act to a toilet, at least a series of acts of an entrance act, a turn-back act of facing a back to the toilet, an act of taking off trousers and clothes, and a sitting act is performed, a time period of approximately ten seconds is always present in general as a time period for defecation preparation, and the concentration of odiferous gas detected changes in relation with the acts in this time period. The time period for defecation preparation is shorter in younger people, and is longer in older people, and is long in winter and short in summer. The time period greatly varies among individuals like this. Here, it has been found that the concentration of the odiferous gas detected changes in the time period of the defecation preparation, but does not change after the test subject sits on a seat or halfway through the sitting act. This is because of finding the knowledge that measurement of the maximum value of the concentration of the odiferous gas attached to the test subject can be completed in a period until seating, and only defecation gas increases in amount after seating. Urination does not generate ammonia in one defecation period, and is not measured as the odiferous gas amount. In the flush toilet, urea mixes into sealing water, and therefore does not generate ammonia, and does not coexist with defecation gas.
In the present invention, on the basis of the knowledge like this, on measurement of defecation gas with respect to a flush toilet, whether the defecation period or the defecation preparation period is determined by a simple configuration referred to as a defecation act determining sensor that directly detects a defecation act, instead of an elapsed time after entrance. In addition, measurement of physical condition without error measurement is realized by the configuration which prohibits adoption of detected data as the data for analyzing the physical condition of the test subject, in the defecation preparation period, even if change of odiferous gas is detected.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the data analyzer is further equipped with an odiferous noise reference value setting circuit that sets a reference value of odiferous noise on the basis of odiferous gas which is not caused by defecation gas of a test subject and is detected by the gas detector, in a state where it is detected as the defecation preparation period by the defecation act determining sensor, and the physical condition analysis prohibition cancel means uses detection data after a point of time at which a rate of change from the reference value of the odiferous noise becomes a predetermined positive value or more after shifting to the defecation period, in analysis of physical condition as the first detection data.
In the present invention configured in this way, the reference value of odiferous noise is set on the basis of odiferous gas other than the defecation gas, detected by the gas detector in the defecation preparation period. The detection data after the point of time at which the change of rate from the reference value of the odiferous noise becomes the predetermined positive value or more is used in analysis of physical condition, so that the influence of odiferous gas which is not caused by defecation gas is effectively eliminated, and the excretion act of the test subject can be accurately captured.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the defecation act determining sensor is configured by a seating detection sensor that detects whether or not the test subject sits on the seat, and the physical condition analysis prohibition means determines a point of time at which the seating detection sensor detects that the test subject is seated, as a starting point of the defecation period.
It can be estimated with extremely high probability that a test subject always sits on the seat before the test subject performs defecation, and increase in the odiferous gas in the bowl after the test subject is seated is caused by defecation and fart. According to the present invention configured as described above, the point of time at which seating of the test subject is detected by the seating detection sensor is determined as the starting point of the defecation period, and the following increase in the odiferous gas is adopted in analysis of physical condition, so that the starting point of the defecation period can be detected with the extremely simple configuration, and erroneous measurement can be effectively prevented.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the biological information measurement system further has a private parts washing device, the private parts washing device is provided with a sensor that detects that the test subject is seated on the seat, in order to determine whether spraying cleaning water for private parts washing is proper or improper, and the sensor is also used as the seating detection sensor.
According to the present invention configured in this way, the sensor which detects that the test subject is seated on the seat and is provided in the private parts washing device is also used as the seating detection sensor, so that the sensor which is necessarily provided in the private parts washing device can be utilized, and cost of the biological information measurement system can be suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to bring the biological information measurement system into wide use in general households.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the biological information measurement system further has toilet use preparation determination means that determines whether or not the defecation preparation period by the test subject is started, wherein the control device is configured to set a temperature of a detecting portion of the gas sensor at a first temperature at a time of performing measurement of odiferous gas, and set the temperature of the detecting portion at a second temperature lower than the first temperature during waiting, and the control device increases the temperature of the detecting portion to the first temperature from the second temperature before the seating detection sensor detects seating, when it is determined that the defecation preparation period is started by the toilet use preparation determination means, and the odiferous noise reference value setting circuit starts setting of the reference value of the odiferous noise.
The present inventor has found the problem that since the detecting portion of a gas sensor generally operates in a state heated to a high temperature, if the detecting portion is left in odiferous gas containing hydrogen sulfide for a long time period, the hydrogen sulfide is oxidized to be a sulfur dioxide difficult to remove. In the present invention configured as described above, the temperature of the detecting portion is set at the second temperature lower than the first temperature at the time of performing measurement during waiting, so that generation of a sulfur dioxide can be suppressed effectively. When it is determined that the defecation preparation period is started, the temperature of the detecting portion is increased to the first temperature before seating is detected by the seating detection sensor, so that it becomes possible to perform measurement of odiferous gas before seating. Accordingly, setting of the reference value of the odiferous noise is also enabled while generation of a sulfur dioxide is suppressed, and durability and high measurement precision of the gas sensor can be made compatible.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the physical condition analysis prohibition cancel means uses detection data associated with excretion at an early stage including initial excretion in which the rate of change from the reference value of the odiferous noise firstly becomes the predetermined positive value or more in the defecation period, in analysis of physical condition as the first detection data.
It has been found by the inventor of the present application that the defecation gas which is discharged in the initial excretion of a test subject in one defecation period is the gas which has existed in the body of the test subject for the longest period, and stayed near a rectum, and therefore is the gas which is the most useful for measuring the physical condition of the test subject, such as diagnosis of colorectal cancer. According to the present invention configured as described above, the detection data associated with the excretion at the early stage including the initial excretion in which the rate of change from the reference value of the odiferous noise in the defecation period, firstly becomes the positive predetermined value or more is used in analysis of physical condition, so that the physical condition of the test subject can be accurately measured.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the physical condition analysis prohibition cancel means adopts detection data associated with excretion at a time when the rate of change from the reference value, of the odiferous noise firstly becomes the predetermined positive value or more, and detection data associated with later excretion corresponding to a predetermined condition after such excretion, in the defecation period, in analysis of physical condition as the first detection data, and does not adopt detection data associated with excretion other than these excretions in the defecation period, in analysis of physical condition.
As described above, it has been found by the inventor of the present application that although the defecation gas in the first excretion of the test subject is the most useful gas for physical condition measurement, there are not a few cases where the amount of gas in the first excretion is small, and a large amount of defecation gas is discharged in the second excretion. According to the present invention configured as described above, the detection data associated with the first excretion and excretion corresponding to the predetermined condition after the first excretion are adopted in analysis of physical condition, and the detection data associated with the other excretions than these excretions is not adopted in analysis of physical condition, so that precision of measurement of physical condition can be more increased, and reduction in measurement precision by adoption of unnecessary detection data can be prevented.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the physical condition analysis prohibition cancel means adopts detection data of fart having an amount of gas of a predetermined amount or more in analysis of physical condition, the fart discharged within a predetermined times from the initial excretion, or discharged within a predetermined time is adopted by the physical condition analysis prohibition cancel means as excretion corresponding to the predetermined condition.
According to the present invention configured in this way, the fart with an amount of gas of the predetermined amount or more, that is excretion within the predetermined times determined in advance from the first excretion, or the excretion performed within the predetermined time, is adopted in analysis of physical condition, so that the data of useful defecation gas can be utilized in analysis of physical condition reliably while unnecessary detection data is excluded.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the physical analysis prohibition cancel means uses only detection data associated with excretion in which the rate of change from the reference value of the odiferous noise firstly becomes the predetermined positive value or more in the defecation period, in analysis of physical condition as the first detection data.
According to the present invention configured in this way, only the detection data associated with the first excretion is used in analysis of physical condition, so that unnecessary detection data can be excluded reliably. Even if the number of detection data is decreased by excluding the data other than the data on the first excretion, accurate physical condition measurement can be performed while erroneous measurement is avoided, because measurement of physical condition such as colorectal cancer is achieved by spending a long period of time and measurement of a large number of times.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the gas detector is configured to detect healthy-state gas composed of at least hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, methane gas, and acetic acid gas contained in defecation gas sucked by the suction device, the data analyzer is configured to analyze physical condition of the test subject on the basis of the first detection data associated with the odiferous gas and second detection data associated with the healthy-state gas, and the physical condition analysis prohibition cancel means uses the first detection data and the second detection data associated with the same excretion at an early stage in the defecation period, in analysis of physical condition.
The amount of odiferous gas contained in defecation gas is extremely small, and also varies depending on temporary physical condition of a test subject, and food taken in by the test subject. According to the present invention configured as described above, the physical condition of the test subject is analyzed on the basis of the first detection data associated with the odiferous gas and the second detection data associated with the healthy-state gas, so that the physical condition of the test subject can be evaluated from many aspects. The physical condition of the test subject is analyzed on the basis of the odiferous gas and the healthy-state gas associated with the same excretion at an early stage, so that the physical condition can be analyzed by using the correlation between the odiferous gas and the healthy-state gas contained in the defecation gas, and physical condition can be measured more accurately.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the biological information measurement system further has a noise measurement circuit that detects residual gas noise caused by gas remaining in the bowl, and test subject noise caused by a test subject, and first noise-responding means that reduces influence of the residual gas noise detected by the noise measurement circuit, wherein the first noise-responding means reduces the influence of the residual gas noise detected by the noise measurement circuit by an attention different from an attention of the noise suppression means.
According to the present invention configured in this way, the first noise-responding means which reduces the influence of the residual gas noise, and the noise suppression means which reduces the influence of the test subject noise by the attention different from the attention of the noise suppression means, so that it becomes possible to reduce the influence of noises from different causes effectively, and accordingly, it becomes possible to detect an extremely small amount of odiferous gas.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the biological information measurement system further has an entrance detection sensor that detects entrance of the test subject into a toilet installation room, wherein the first noise-responding means is executed when the entrance detection sensor does not detect entrance of the test subject, and the noise suppression means is executed when the entrance detection sensor detects entrance of the test subject.
According to the present invention configured in this way, the first noise-responding means is executed when the test subject does not enter the toilet installation room yet, and the noise suppression means is executed, when the test subject has entered the toilet installation room, so that noises from different causes can be discriminated by the entrance detection sensor, and the influence of noises can be reduced by a suitable measure to each of them.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the first noise-responding means reduces the influence of the residual gas noise by cleaning the bowl, or discharging gas in the bowl or in the toilet installation room, and the noise suppression means reduces the influence of test subject noise by notifying the test subject that noise caused by the test subject is large.
According to the present invention configured in this way, the residual gas noise is reduced by cleaning of the bowl or ventilation, and the test subject noise which is difficult to reduce is reduced by encouraging the test subject to reduce the test subject noise by notification, so that both noises can be effectively reduced.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the first noise-responding means and the noise suppression means notify the test subject of the influence onto a measurement result by the residual gas noise and the test subject noise, by the output device.
According to the present invention configured in this way, the influence of the residual gas noise and the test subject noise is notified to the test subject, so that the test subject can recognize the degree of influence of the noises onto the measurement value and causes of the noises, and can remove the causes of the noises.
According to the biological information measurement system of the present invention, the biological information measurement system with high practicality can be provided, which general consumers can readily purchase, prevents a user from being affected by a serious disease such as cancer by measurement of defecation gas in a household, or can encourage a user to present to a hospital and undergo medical treatment, in a mild state, and is truly required by the market.
One embodiment of a biological information measurement system of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to drawings.
As shown in
The biological information measurement system 1 of the present embodiment analyzes physical condition including determination of cancer on the basis of odiferous gas containing a sulfur component, particularly a methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) gas, in defecation gas discharged from a test subject during defecation. In addition, the biological information measurement system 1 of the present embodiment measures also healthy-state gas along with odiferous gas to improve analysis accuracy of physical condition on the basis of a correlation between the gases. The healthy-state gas originates from intestinal fermentation, and increases as an intestinal health degree increases. The healthy-state gas is specifically carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, short-chain fatty acid, and the like. In the present embodiment, a carbon dioxide gas and hydrogen gas, which are easy to be measured and are large in amount to enable reliability of measurement of a health index to be maintained at a high level, are measured as healthy-state gas. Each of the devices 10 on a test subject side is configured to display an analysis result during defecation of a test subject or immediately after the defecation. In contrast, the server 12 collects measurement results of a large number of test subjects to enable more detailed analysis by comparison with another test subject, and the like. In this way, in the biological information measurement system 1 of the present embodiment, the device 10 on a test subject side installed in the toilet installation room R performs a simple analysis, and the server 12 preforms a more detailed analysis.
Here, a measurement principle of physical condition in the biological information measurement system 1 of the present embodiment will be described. Documents and the like report that if people have cancer of digestive system, particularly colorectal cancer, odiferous gas containing a sulfur component, such as methyl mercaptan or hydrogen sulfide, are discharged from an affected portion simultaneously with defecation. The digestive system includes the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, large intestine, liver, the pancreas, and gallbladder. Although the large intestine also can be classified into the appendix, caecum, rectal, and colon, hereinafter the four portions are collectively called the large intestine. Cancer changes little on a daily basis, and gradually develops. If the cancer develops, the amount of odiferous gas containing a sulfur component, particularly methyl mercaptan, increases. That is, if the amount of odiferous gas containing a sulfur component increases, it can be determined that the cancer develops. In recent years, a concept of “ahead-disease” has spread, so that there is spread a concept of preventing a disease by improving physical condition at the time when the physical condition is deteriorated before falling sick. Thus, it is required to detect cancer, particularly progressive cancer, such as colorectal cancer, before having cancer, to improve physical condition.
Here, defecation gas discharged during defecation includes nitrogen, oxygen, argon, water vapor, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, acetic acid, trimethylamine, ammonia, propionic acid, methyl disulfide, methyl trisulfide, and the like, along with hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan. Among them, it is required to measure odiferous gas containing a sulfur-based component, particularly methyl mercaptan to determine disease of cancer. Each of the propionic acid, methyl disulfide, and methyl trisulfide, contained in defecation gas, is a very trace amount as compared with the methyl mercaptan, so that each of them does not matter to analysis of physical condition, such as determination of cancer, whereby it is possible to ignore them. However, it cannot be said that each of other gas components is a negligible trace amount. In order to accurately determine cancer, it is generally thought to use a sensor capable of detecting only odiferous gas containing a sulfur component. Unfortunately, the sensor for detecting only odiferous gas containing a sulfur component is large in size and very expensive, so that it is difficult to be configured as an apparatus for household use.
In contrast, the present inventors have diligently studied to reach an idea that a gas sensor that detects not only methyl mercaptan in defecation gas, but also odiferous gas including another odiferous gas, is used to enable an apparatus for household use to be configured at low cost. Specifically, the present inventors determine to use a general semiconductor gas sensor or a solid electrolyte sensor, sensitive not only to a sulfur-containing gas containing a sulfur component, but also to another odiferous gas, as a sensor for detecting gas.
If a risk of cancer increases, a very strong odiferous gas containing a sulfur component, such as methyl mercaptan gas, increases in amount. Then, a sensor, such as a semiconductor gas sensor, and a solid electrolyte sensor, widely sensitive to odiferous gas, is capable of always detecting increase of this kind of gas. Unfortunately, as described later, a sensor, such as a semiconductor gas sensor, and a solid electrolyte sensor, widely sensitive to an odiferous gas, detects also another odiferous gas, such as hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, acetic acid, trimethylamine, or ammonia, which increases when people have poor physical condition caused by a bad living habit. However, cancer is a disease developing for a long time, or a few years, so that a state of having an increased very strong odiferous gas containing a sulfur component, such as methyl mercaptan gas or hydrogen sulfide, continues for a long time if people have cancer. Thus, even if a general semiconductor gas sensor, or a solid electrolyte sensor, widely sensitive not only to sulfur-containing gas containing a sulfur component, but also to another odiferous gas, is used, it is possible to determine that there is a high possibility of disease of cancer to cause a risk of cancer to increase if the amount of gas is high for a long time.
In addition, a semiconductor sensor and a solid electrolyte sensor, using an oxidation-reduction reaction, detect not only methyl mercaptan gas, but also odiferous gas, such as acetic acid, trimethylamine, or ammonia, in defecation gas. However, the present inventors have discovered from experimental results that a mixed amount of odiferous gas, such as hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, acetic acid, trimethylamine, or ammonia, tends to increase if a bad living habit causes physical condition to be deteriorated, and tends to decrease if physical condition is good. Specifically, healthy people have a small total amount of methyl mercaptan gas and odiferous gas other than the methyl mercaptan gas. In contrast, a total amount of methyl mercaptan gas and odiferous gas other than the methyl mercaptan gas temporarily increases due to deterioration of intestinal environment caused by excessive obstipation, a kind of meal, lack of sleep, crapulence, excessive drinking, excessive stress, and the like.
Acetic acid in defecation gas tends to increase not only when physical condition is deteriorated due to diarrhea, and the like, but also when physical condition is good. That is, this tendency does not always agree with tendency of the amount of methyl mercaptan and another odiferous gas with change in physical condition described above. However, the amount of acetic acid contained in defecation gas is very small as compared with methyl mercaptan. Thus, even if the amount of acetic acid increases when physical condition is good, the amount of the increase is very small as compared with decrease in the amount of another odiferous gas. In addition, the amount of increase of acetic acid when physical condition is deteriorated due to diarrhea, and the like, is very large as compared with the amount of increase thereof when physical condition is good. Accordingly, the amount of odiferous gas contained in defecation gas tends to increase as a whole if physical condition is deteriorated due to a bad living habit, and tends to decrease if physical condition is good. Then, deterioration of intestinal environment due to this kind of bad living habit results in having cancer, so that the amount of odiferous gas contained in defecation gas is a suitable index to improve physical condition when people are still in a state before having cancer.
In the present embodiment, physical condition is analyzed on the basis of detection data acquired by a semiconductor sensor, or solid electrolyte sensor, sensitive not only to methyl mercaptan gas, but also to odiferous gas other than the methyl mercaptan gas, such as hydrogen sulfide, acetic acid, trimethylamine, ammonia, in defecation gas. Accordingly, it is possible to acquire an analysis result to which a result of a wrong physical condition and a bad living habit is reflected, and the analysis result is available as an index based on objective data for improving physical condition and a living habit that may increase a risk of cancer.
In addition, defecation gas contains not only odiferous gas, but also H2 and methane, so that if a semiconductor gas sensor, or a solid electrolyte sensor, is used for a gas sensor, the gas sensor also reacts to H2 and methane. Further, if a measuring device using a semiconductor gas sensor, or a solid electrolyte sensor, is set at each home, the sensor may react to an aromatic and a perfume.
In contrast, the present inventors, as described later in detail, achieve a method of removing influence of hydrogen and methane from detection data of a semiconductor gas sensor, or a solid electrolyte sensor, by using a hydrogen sensor, a methane sensor, and a column, and a method of removing influence of an aromatic and a perfume as noise by detecting defecation act. Accordingly, influence of hydrogen and methane, as well as influence of an aromatic and a perfume, is removed from data detected by the semiconductor gas sensor, or the solid electrolyte sensor, to enable the amount of only odiferous gas in defecation gas to be estimated.
The amount of methyl mercaptan and another odiferous gas contained in defecation gas is very small as compared with H2 and methane. Accordingly, even if a semiconductor gas sensor is used, the amount of the mixed odiferous gas may not be accurately measured.
In contrast, the present inventors have paid attention to that healthy people have acidic intestinal environment, and that cancer patients have intestinal environment in which odiferous gas containing a sulfur component occurs to increase in amount, so that the intestinal environment becomes alkaline to reduce bifidobacteria, and the like, in amount, whereby the amount of healthy-state gas of ferment-base components, such as CO2, H2, or fatty acid, reliably and continuously decreases inversely with increase of the amount of odiferous gas.
Accordingly, the inventors have thought that even if measurement accuracy at each measurement is not always high, monitoring a correlation between the amount of odiferous gas, such as methyl mercaptan and the amount of healthy-state gas components, such as CO2, or H2 during defecation every day may enable occurrence of advanced cancer to be detected.
Then, the present inventors have measured the amount of healthy-state gas and odiferous gas contained in defecation gas acquired from each of healthy people less than sixties, healthy people in sixties to seventies, patients having early cancer, and patients having advanced cancer, and then a result shown in
In addition,
As is evident from the measurement data shown in
When measured defecation gas, the present inventors found that the amount of defecation gas discharged with the first excretory act was large, and a large amount of odiferous gas was also contained in a case where an excretory act was performed multiple times during one defecation (action of discharging a fart once or a stool once). Thus, in the present embodiment, health condition of a test subject is analyzed on the basis of defecation gas acquired first to accurately measure odiferous gas in trace amount. Accordingly, although measurement may be affected by a stool and a fart discharged by the first excretory act when the amount of gas discharged during the second excretory act or later is measured, this influence can be reduced.
The biological information measurement system 1 of the present embodiment is formed on the basis of the measurement principle described above. In the description below, odiferous gas includes methyl mercaptan gas of odiferous gas containing a sulfur component, and odiferous gas, such as hydrogen sulfide other than the methyl mercaptan, methyl mercaptan, acetic acid, trimethylamine, or ammonia.
Next, a specific configuration of the biological information measurement system 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail.
As shown in
As shown in
The measuring device 6 includes a CPU 22a, and the control device 22 provided with a storage device 22b. The control device 22 is connected to a hydrogen gas sensor 24, an odiferous gas sensor 26, a carbon dioxide sensor 28, a humidity sensor 30, a temperature sensor 32, an entrance detection sensor 34, a seating detection sensor 36, a defecation/urination detection sensor 38, a toilet lid opening/closing device 40, a nozzle driving device 42, a nozzle cleaning device 44, a toilet cleaning device 46, a toilet disinfection device 48, an aromatic sprayer 50 of an aromatic injection device, a deodorizing air supply device 52, the suction device 18, a sensor heater 54, a transmitter-receiver 56, and a duct cleaner 58. As described later, the hydrogen gas sensor and the odiferous gas sensor may be formed into an integrated sensor.
The temperature sensor 32 measures temperature of a detecting portion of the odiferous gas sensor 26, and the like. The humidity sensor 30 measures humidity of gas sucked from the inside of the bowl 2a. Sensitivity of these sensors slightly varies depending on temperature of the detecting portion. Likewise, humidity change due to urination, and the like, affects sensitivity of the sensors. In the present embodiment, the amount of odiferous gas is very small in amount, so that the CPU 22a on a toilet side controls the sensor heater 54 described later, and a humidity adjuster 59 (refer to
The entrance detection sensor 34 is an infrared ray sensor, for example, and detects entrance and leaving of a test subject into and from the toilet installation room R.
The seating detection sensor 36 is an infrared ray sensor, a pressure sensor, or the like, for example, and detects whether a test subject sits on the seat 4 or not.
In the present embodiment, the defecation/urination detection sensor 38 is composed of a microwave sensor, and is configured to detect a state of defecation, such as whether a test subject has discharged urine or a stool, whether a stool floats or sinks in seal water, and whether a stool is a diarrhea state or not. Alternatively, the defecation/urination detection sensor 38 may be composed of a CCD, and a water level sensor that measures transition of seal water.
The toilet lid opening/closing device 40 is provided to open and close a toilet lid on the basis of a detection signal of the entrance detection sensor 34, and the like, and according to a situation.
The nozzle driving device 42 is used to clean anus, and cleans anus of a test subject after defecation. The nozzle driving device 42 is configured to drive a nozzle to clean the flush toilet 2.
The nozzle cleaning device 44 cleans a nozzle of the nozzle driving device 42, and in the present embodiment, is configured to create hypochlorous acid from tap water to clean the nozzle with the hypochlorous acid created.
The toilet cleaning device 46 discharges water or tap water stored in a cleaning water tank (not shown) into a toilet to clean the inside of the bowl 2a of the flush toilet 2. Although the toilet cleaning device 46 is usually operated by a test subject while operating the remote control 8 to clean the inside of the bowl 2a, as described later, it is automatically operated by the control device 22 according to a situation.
The toilet disinfection device 48, for example, creates disinfecting water, such as hypochlorous acid water, from tap water, and sprays the disinfecting water created onto the bowl 2a of the flush toilet 2 to disinfect the bowl 2a.
The aromatic sprayer 50 sprays a predetermined aromatic into the toilet installation room R to prevent a test subject from spraying an arbitrary aromatic into the toilet installation room R to prevent an odor component that may be a disturbance with respect to measurement from being sprayed. Providing the aromatic sprayer 50 enables the predetermined aromatic in predetermined amount that does not affect measurement to be sprayed in a predetermined period according to a situation, and then the biological information measurement system 1 is able to recognize that the aromatic is sprayed. Accordingly, a disturbance with respect to measurement of physical condition is reduced to stabilize analysis results, so that the aromatic sprayer 50 serves as output result stabilizing means.
The suction device 18 is provided with a fan for sucking gas in the bowl 2a of the flush toilet 2, and the sucked gas is deodorized by a deodorant filter after flowing through a detecting portion of the odiferous gas sensor 26, and the like. Details of a configuration of the suction device 18 will be described later.
The deodorizing air supply device 52 discharges air that is deodorized after being sucked by suction device 18 into the bowl 2a.
The sensor heater 54 is provided to apply thermal activation to a detecting portion of the odiferous gas sensor 26, and the like. Maintaining a detecting portion at a predetermined temperature enables each sensor to accurately detect a predetermined gas component.
The duct cleaner 58 is provided to clean the inside of a duct 18a attached to the suction device 18 with hypochlorous acid acquired by electrolysis of tap water, or the like, for example.
In the present embodiment shown in
Next, as shown in
In the present embodiment, the input device 64 and the display device 68 are configured as a touch panel to accept various kinds of input, such as identification information on a test subject, including a name of the test subject, and the like, as well as to display a variety of information items, such as measurement results of physical condition.
The speaker 70 is configured to output various kinds of alarm, message, and the like, issued by the biological information measurement system 1.
In the test subject identification device 62, identification information on a test subject, including a name of the test subject, and the like, is previously registered. When a test subject uses the biological information measurement system 1, names of registered test subjects are displayed in the touch panel, and then the test subject selects his or her own name.
The transmitter-receiver 66 on a remote control 8 side is communicatively connected to the server 12 through a network. The terminal 14 for a test subject is composed of a device capable of displaying data received by a smartphone, a tablet PC, a PC, or the like, for example.
The server 12 includes a defecation gas database. The defecation gas database records measurement data including the amount of odiferous gas and healthy-state gas in each excretory act, and reliability data, along with a measurement date and time, by being associated with identification information on each test subject using the biological information measurement system 1. The server 12 also stores a diagnosis table, and includes a data analysis circuit.
In addition, the server 12 is connected to the medical facility terminal 16 installed in a hospital, a health organization, and the like, through a network. The medical facility terminal 16 is composed of a PC, for example, to enable data recorded in the database of the server 12 to be browsed.
Subsequently, with reference to
First, in the biological information measurement system 1 of the present embodiment, a semiconductor gas sensor is used in the gas detector 20 as a gas sensor to detect odiferous gas and hydrogen gas. In addition, a solid electrolyte type sensor is used in the gas detector 20 to detect carbon dioxide.
The semiconductor gas sensor includes a detecting portion composed of a metal oxide film containing tin oxide, and the like. If the detecting portion is exposed to reducing gas while being heated at a few hundreds degrees, oxidation-reduction reaction occurs between oxygen adsorbed on a surface of the detecting portion and the reducing gas. The semiconductor gas sensor electrically detects change in resistance of the detecting portion by the oxidation-reduction reaction to enable reducing gas to be detected. Reducing gas that a semiconductor gas sensor can detect includes hydrogen gas, and odiferous gas. In the present embodiment, although a semiconductor gas sensor is used for both a sensor for detecting odiferous gas, and a sensor for detecting hydrogen gas, material component of each of detecting portions of the respective sensors is adjusted so that a detecting portion used in the odiferous gas sensor reacts strongly to odiferous gas, and a detecting portion used in the hydrogen gas sensor reacts strongly to hydrogen gas.
In this way, although the present embodiment uses a “semiconductor gas sensor” as an “odiferous gas sensor”, as described above, the “semiconductor gas sensor” is a general type that is sensitive not only to methyl mercaptan gas of a detection object, but also widely to odiferous gas other than that. In addition, as described later, although a solid electrolyte sensor is available for an “odiferous gas sensor”, as with a semiconductor gas sensor, a general type of a solid electrolyte sensor, sensitive to methyl mercaptan gas as well as widely to another odiferous gas other than the methyl mercaptan, may be used. That is, it is very difficult to manufacture a gas sensor that is sensitive only to methyl mercaptan gas, and even if the gas sensor can be manufactured, the gas sensor becomes very large in size and expensive. If this kind of large and expensive gas sensor is used, the gas sensor is feasible for a medical device used in advanced clinical examination, but it is impossible to manufacture a biological information measurement system at a cost enabling the system to be sold as a consumer product. The biological information measurement system of the present embodiment uses a simple and general gas sensor that is sensitive also to another odiferous gas other than methyl mercaptan gas of a detection object, as the “odiferous gas sensor”, to be feasible as a consumer product. As described above, although the gas sensor used in the present embodiment is sensitive to methyl mercaptan gas, as well as to odiferous gas other than the methyl mercaptan gas, the gas sensor is referred to as an “odiferous gas sensor” in the present specification, for convenience. The “odiferous gas sensor” used in the present embodiment is sensitive to odiferous gas that representatively includes methyl mercaptan gas, hydrogen sulfide gas, ammonia gas, and alcoholic gas.
Although the “odiferous gas sensor” used in the biological information measurement system 1 of the present embodiment is sensitive to methyl mercaptan gas of an object, as well as to odiferous gas other than that, a variety of devices described later enable even this kind of gas sensor to be used for measurement with necessary and sufficient accuracy as a consumer product. Specifically, the devices include a device to improve a measurement environment in a space of a toilet installation room where a variety of odiferous gases exist, a device for data processing of extracting data on defecation gas by assuming defecation act of a test subject from a detection signal provided by a gas sensor, a device to prevent an excessive mental burden from being applied to a test subject even if detection data with a large error is acquired, and the like. Each of the devices will be described later in detail.
Although the present embodiment describes a case where a semiconductor gas sensor is used for a sensor for detecting odiferous gas and hydrogen gas, a solid electrolyte sensor is also available instead of the semiconductor gas sensor. The solid electrolyte sensor, for example, detects gas on the basis of the amount of ions that penetrates its solid electrolyte, such as stabilized zirconia, while the solid electrolyte is heated. Gas which can be detected by the solid electrolyte sensor includes hydrogen gas, and odiferous gas. In the present embodiment, a solid electrolyte sensor is used as a sensor for detecting carbon dioxide. A carbon dioxide sensor is not limited to the sensor above, and an infrared sensor or the like may be available. The sensor for detecting carbon dioxide may be eliminated.
As shown in
The suction device 18 includes the duct 18a directed downward, an air intake passage 18b directed substantially in a horizontal direction, and a suction fan 18c arranged downstream of the air intake passage 18b. In the duct 18a, the duct cleaner 58, and the humidity adjuster 59, are provided.
The gas detector 20 includes a filter 72 arranged inside the air intake passage 18b, the odiferous gas sensor 26, the hydrogen gas sensor 24, and the carbon dioxide sensor 28. As shown in
In addition, the deodorant filter 78 is provided downstream of the odiferous gas sensor 26, so that the suction device 18 also serves as a deodorizing device by allowing the deodorant filter 78 to deodorize sucked gas.
Further, the humidity adjuster 59 is provided downstream of the deodorant filter 78. The humidity adjuster 59 is filled with a desiccant, and if it is required to reduce humidity in the bowl 2a, moisture is removed from air circulating in the bowl 2a by switching a flow channel so that the air passing through the deodorant filter 78 passes through the filled desiccant. Accordingly, the humidity in the bowl 2a is maintained at a proper value to maintain detection sensitivity of each gas sensor at an almost constant level. Thus, the humidity adjuster 59 serves as output result stabilizing means for preventing humidity change in the bowl 2a.
The suction fan 18c sucks stink gas containing odiferous gas, and the like, in the bowl 2a of the flush toilet 2, at a constant speed to deodorize the stink gas, and then returns the gas into the bowl 2a. The duct 18a for deodorization opens in the bowl 2a while its suction port is directed downward to prevent a splash of urine or the like from entering the inside of the duct 18a. Molecular weight of odiferous gas, such as methyl mercaptan, and of hydrogen gas, is small enough to allow the gases to rise immediately after defecation. In contrast, in the present embodiment, odiferous gas and hydrogen gas discharged is sucked by suction fan 18c through an inlet of the duct 18a, opening in the bowl 2a, so that it is possible to reliably guide the gases into the gas detector 20. In this way, the suction device 18 is operated before a test subject starts defecation, and brings gas at a constant flow velocity into contact with each gas sensor during defecation of the test subject. Accordingly, it is possible to acquire a steady measurement value. Thus, the suction device 18, and the control device 22 that allows the suction device 18 to operate, serve as output result stabilizing means.
The filter 72 does not have a deodorizing function, and is configured so as to allow odiferous gas, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide to pass therethrough, as well as to prevent foreign material, such as urine, and a cleaner from passing therethrough. For this kind of filter 72, a member for mechanically collecting the foreign material without using chemical reaction, such as a fine net-like member, is available. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the odiferous gas sensor 26, the hydrogen gas sensor 24, and the carbon dioxide sensor 28, from being contaminated by a urinary calculus, or the like.
The sensor heater 54 is provided upstream of each gas sensor, and downstream of the filter 72. As described above, the odiferous gas sensor 26 and the hydrogen gas sensor 24, each of which is a semiconductor gas sensor, are capable of detecting hydrogen and odiferous gases while each of their detecting portions is heated to a predetermined temperature. The sensor heater 54 is provided to heat the detecting portions of the odiferous gas sensor 26 and the hydrogen gas sensor 24. The carbon dioxide sensor 28 is also required to heat its solid electrolyte to a predetermined temperature, so that the sensor heater 54 is provided. The sensor heater 54 also serves as a stink removing device for thermally removing stink gas components attached to each of the sensors. Even if a solid electrolyte sensor is used as the odiferous gas sensor, and the hydrogen gas sensor, it is required to provide a sensor heater for heating a detecting portion.
The sensor heater 54 also serves as means for removing a deposit attached to each sensor. Although foreign material is removed from gas passing through the filter 72, the sucked gas contains various stink gas components. Such stink gas components are attached to each gas sensor, and may cause noise when odiferous gas in trace amount is measured. In contrast, the sensor heater 54 heats a detecting portion of a sensor to enable stink gas attached to the sensor to be thermally removed without providing an additional device. The control device 22 controls the sensor heater 54 before a test subject starts defecation act so as to allow temperature of each gas sensor to be constant. That is, the control device 22 controls the sensor heater 54 so as to prevent temperature of each gas sensor from decreasing due to contact of an air flow. Accordingly, it is possible to maintain sensitivity of each gas sensor at a predetermined value during defecation of a test subject to enable a measurement error of each gas sensor to be reduced. Thus, the control device 22 and the sensor heater 54 serve as output result stabilizing means for stabilizing analysis results to be outputted.
The deodorant filter 78 is a catalytic filter that adsorbs stink gas, such as odiferous gas. The deodorant filter 78 removes gas, such as odiferous gas, from air, and the air is returned to the bowl 2a. Then, if odiferous gas or the like is contained in the gas returned into the bowl 2a, the odiferous gas or the like flows into the bowl 2a may be sucked through the duct 18a again to be detected by the odiferous gas sensor 26 again. Thus, in the present embodiment, the deodorant filter 78 is arranged downstream of the odiferous gas sensor 26 to reliably remove odor components, such as odiferous gas, from gas returned into the bowl 2a.
If a test subject sits on the seat 4, a portion above the bowl 2a is closed by his or her underwear, or the like. If the inside of the bowl 2a is placed under negative pressure, stink gas components attached to a body, clothes, and the like, of the test subject, may be sucked into the bowl 2a. In the biological information measurement system 1 of the present embodiment, sensitivity of the odiferous gas sensor 26 is set very high to detect only a trace amount of odiferous gas contained in defecation gas, so that even stink gas components attached to a body, clothes, and the like, of a test subject, may be a disturbance with respect to measurement. In contrast, in the present embodiment, gas after deodorized is returned into the bowl 2a, so that the inside of the bowl 2a is not placed under negative pressure to enable gas components attached to a body, clothes, and the like, of a test subject, to be prevented from being sucked into the bowl 2a.
Here, the semiconductor gas sensor used as the odiferous gas sensor 26 detects not only odiferous gas but also hydrogen. Thus, it is required to separate influence of hydrogen gas from detection data acquired by the semiconductor gas sensor. In the present embodiment, as a hydrogen separation mechanism for separating this kind of influence of hydrogen gas, in the gas detector 20, a detection value of hydrogen gas detected by the hydrogen gas sensor 24 is subtracted from a detection value of odiferous gas detected by the semiconductor gas sensor to separate influence of hydrogen gas so that the calculated value is outputted as a detection value of the odiferous gas sensor 26. A configuration that is composed of this kind of hydrogen separation mechanism, the semiconductor gas sensor, and the hydrogen gas sensor 24, to output a detection value corresponding to the amount of odiferous gas and hydrogen gas, is referred to as a detection value output mechanism. Calculation processing of subtracting a detection value of hydrogen gas detected by the hydrogen gas sensor 24 from a detection value of odiferous gas detected by the semiconductor gas sensor described above may be performed in the data analyzer 60, or the like. Although the present embodiment describes the hydrogen separation mechanism for separating influence of hydrogen gas from detection data acquired by the semiconductor gas sensor, it is also possible to separate influence of methane from detection data acquired by the semiconductor gas sensor by providing a methane sensor for detecting methane. A semiconductor gas sensor with a detecting portion formed of material component adjusted so as to strongly react to methane may be used as the methane gas sensor.
Many people have no methane producer that produces methane in their intestine, or have very low amount thereof if existing, so that many people have a very low amount of methane contained in defecation gas. Thus, in the present embodiment, the hydrogen sensor 24 and the carbon dioxide sensor 26 are provided as a healthy-state gas sensor. However, a few people have a very large amount of methane producer in their intestines. Defecation gas of people having a very large amount of intestinal methane producer as described above contains a large amount of produced methane, but contains a low amount of produced hydrogen. Thus, if only the hydrogen sensor 24 and the carbon dioxide sensor 26 are provided, defecation gas of people having a very large amount of intestinal methane producer is unfavorably determined that there is a small amount of discharged healthy-state gas. In the present embodiment, although the hydrogen sensor 24 and the carbon dioxide sensor 26 are provided as a healthy-state gas sensor to fit with many people, a methane gas sensor instead of the hydrogen sensor 24 may be provided to fit with people having a large amount of methane gas. In addition, it is more preferable to provide the methane gas sensor in addition to the hydrogen sensor 24 and the carbon dioxide sensor 26 in advance to be able to correspond to any test subject.
As described above, defecation gas contains a large amount of hydrogen, and the semiconductor gas sensor detects not only odiferous gas but also hydrogen. For that, influence of hydrogen can be separated by subtracting the amount of hydrogen gas detected by the hydrogen gas sensor 24 from the amount of gas detected by the odiferous gas sensor 26 of a semiconductor gas sensor, so that it is possible to accurately measure the amount of odiferous gas.
In addition, hydrogen gas contained in defecation gas has very small molecular weight as compared with air to be easily released from the bowl 2a. For that, in the present embodiment, defecation gas is sucked by the fan 18c of the suction device 18 to enable defecation gas containing hydrogen gas to be reliably collected.
If sucked defecation gas is returned into the bowl 2a as it is, measurement accuracy by the odiferous gas sensor 26 decreases. In contrast, in the present embodiment, sucked defecation gas is deodorized by the deodorant filter 78 to be returned into the bowl to enable the amount of odiferous gas and hydrogen to be accurately measured. In addition, although the deodorant filter 78 as above is required to be arranged downstream of each sensor, if the deodorant filter 78 as above is provided downstream of each sensor, the sensor may be directly contaminated by foreign material. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the filter 72 without a deodorizing function is provided upstream of a sensor to enable contamination of the sensor by foreign material to be reduced without affecting measurement of odor components.
If gas is sucked into the bowl 2a, pressure in the bowl 2a decreases, and thus stink gas components attached to a body and clothes of a test subject may flow into the bowl 2a. In contrast, in the present embodiment, air after odor components have been deodorized is returned into the bowl 2a, so that stink gas components attached to a body and clothes of a test subject are prevented from flowing into the bowl 2a to enable accurate measurement.
A configuration in which air after being deodorized to remove odor components is returned into the bowl 2a is not essential. If the configuration in which air after being deodorized to remove odor components is returned into the bowl 2a as above is not used, stink gas components attached to a body and clothes of a test subject may flow into the bowl 2a. However, as described later with reference to
Next, with reference to
The biological information measurement system 1 of the present embodiment analyzes physical condition including determination of cancer on the basis of a correlation between odiferous gas and healthy-state gas, in defecation gas discharged by a test subject during defecation. In each device on a test subject side, it is preferable that an analysis result is displayed during defecation, or in a short time until leaving a toilet installation room after one defecation period has been finished. However, if analysis is performed in a short time, analysis accuracy may decrease. It is difficult that the suction device 18 sucks the whole of defecation gas discharged by a test subject, and a condition where the inside of a toilet or a toilet installation room is very unsanitary, or a measurement environment with a strong aromatic, becomes a disturbance that affects measurement accuracy so that it may decrease. Thus, when physical condition including whether there is a disease or not is notified to a test subject in each device on a test subject side, in consideration of a mental burden of the test subject, it is devised that not only an absolute amount of odiferous gas having a strong relationship with cancer, but also change in physical condition of a test subject, or change in intestinal conditions, is strongly notified to the test subject, on the basis of time-dependent results acquired by measurement performed during defecation act performed many times for a long time. In addition, also in consideration of a measurement error during each defecation act, in the present embodiment, it is devised that physical condition is notified to a test subject on the basis of measurement results during one defecation act so that the physical condition to be notified to the test subject does not largely changes. The device is based on using characteristics of disease of cancer that develops for a long time, because if the amount of odiferous gas having a strong relationship with cancer is largely changed for a short time, it is not caused by a strong relationship with cancer, but largely caused by a result of a bad living habit or influence of noise, whereby a large change in physical condition may apply unnecessary mental anxiety to the test subject.
In the light of the above matter, in the present embodiment, the device 10 on a test subject side simply analyzes health condition on the basis of measurement results of defecation gas discharged first in one defecation act, or defecation gas discharged during the first excretory act to display an analysis result of the health condition. In contrast, the server 12 is capable of a detailed analysis on the basis of a total amount of gas discharged during one defecation act by comparing it with that of other test subjects, and the like. Then, in the biological information measurement system 1 of the present embodiment, the device 10 on a test subject side installed in the toilet installation room R performs a simple analysis, and the server 12 performs a more detailed analysis.
As shown in
Step S1 of improving environment before measurement is performed before a test subject enters the toilet installation room R. The entrance detection sensor 34 (refer to
In step S1 of improving environment before measurement, the control device 22 on a seat side allows the sensor heater 54, the suction device 18, and the toilet lid opening/closing device 40, to switch to a measurement waiting mode to control them. The sensor heater 54 is controlled in the measurement waiting mode on the basis of temperature measured by the temperature sensor 32 so that temperature of a detecting portion of the odiferous gas sensor 26 becomes waiting temperature (such as 200° C.) lower than temperature when measurement is performed. The suction device 18 is controlled in the measurement waiting mode so that a flow rate of sucked air becomes minimum. The toilet lid opening/closing device 40 is controlled in the measurement waiting mode so that a toilet lid is closed.
In step Si of improving environment before measurement, although the detecting portion of the odiferous gas sensor 26 is at a temperature lower than an optimum temperature because the sensor heater 54 is in the measurement waiting mode, it is possible to measure concentration of odiferous gas. If there is an occurrence source of stink gas in the bowl 2a, such as a case where there is a stool attached to the flush toilet 2, or the like, concentration of gas measured by the odiferous gas sensor 26 becomes a predetermined value or more. The control device 22 allows toilet cleaning to be performed if the concentration of gas measured by the odiferous gas sensor 26 exceeds a predetermined value in step S1 of improving environment before measurement. Specifically, the control device 22 performs as follows: allows the nozzle driving device 42 to discharge cleaning water through a nozzle to clean the bowl 2a; allows the toilet cleaning device 46 to discharge water stored in a cleaning water tank into the bowl 2a to clean the inside of the bowl 2a; or allows the toilet disinfection device 48 to create disinfecting water, such as hypochlorous acid water, from tap water, or the like to spray disinfecting water created onto the bowl 2a to disinfect the bowl 2a.
If the concentration of gas measured by the odiferous gas sensor 26 is a predetermined value or more, the control device 22 also enables the suction device 18 to discharge gas in the bowl 2a to reduce concentration of gas. Gas sucked by the suction device 18 is deodorized by the deodorant filter 78, so that the suction device 18 and the deodorant filter 78 serve as a deodorizing device. The suction device 18 sucks gas while the toilet lid is opened to enable not only the inside of the bowl 2a but also the inside of the toilet installation room R to be deodorized, so that the suction device 18 and the deodorant filter 78 can also serve as a toilet installation room deodorizing device. Preferably, if the suction device 18 and the deodorant filter 78 serve as a deodorizing device, the amount of gas to be sucked by the suction device 18 is increased as compared with when measurement of physical condition is performed during defecation of a test subject.
Alternatively, the control device 22 may be configured so as to be able to control a ventilator (not shown) provided in the toilet installation room R to allow the ventilator to operate to reduce concentration of gas. In this way, concentration of odiferous gas remaining in the bowl 2a is reduced to reduce influence of residual gas noise caused by the gas remaining. Thus, cleaning or disinfection of the bowl 2a by the nozzle driving device 42, and the toilet cleaning device 46 or the toilet disinfection device 48, as well as ventilation and deodorizing inside the bowl 2a or the toilet installation room R, performed in step S1 of improving environment before measurement, serves as noise-responding means for reducing influence of residual gas noise, and residual gas removal means for reducing concentration of residual odiferous gas. The noise-responding means performed when a test subject does not enter the toilet installation room R, or in a period other than during defecation of a test subject, serves as first noise-responding means (circuit), as well as the residual gas removal means.
In step S1 of improving environment before measurement, if the amount of gas measured by the odiferous gas sensor 26 is not less than a predetermined value even if the toilet cleaning described above is performed, the control device 22 allows the transmitter-receiver 56 to transmit a cleaning warning command signal. When the transmitter-receiver 66 on the remote control 8 side receives the cleaning warning command signal, the display device 68 or the speaker 70 notifies a test subject that toilet cleaning should be performed.
In addition, in step S1 of improving environment before measurement, the control device 22 allows cleaning of suction environment to be performed at regular intervals. Specifically, the control device 22 allows the duct cleaner 58 to operate to spray cleaning water into the duct 18a of the suction device 18 to clean the duct 18a, and the like. Further, the sensor heater 54 heats each of detectors of the hydrogen gas sensor 24, the odiferous gas sensor 26, and the carbon dioxide sensor 28, to a high temperature of a cleaning temperature, to perform sensor cleaning of burning stink gas components attached to a surface of each of the detector of the gas sensors 24, 26, and 28.
Next, when the entrance detection sensor 34 detects entrance of a test subject, the control device 22 transmits a signal of starting step S2 of preparing starting measurement to the transmitter-receiver 66 on the remote control 8 side through the transmitter-receiver 56, and then step S2 of preparing starting measurement is performed in synchronization with the remote control side.
In step S2 of preparing starting measurement, first, the test subject identification device 62 built in the remote control 8 identifies a test subject. Specifically, in the biological information measurement system 1, a resident of a house in which the system is installed is registered, and a registered resident is displayed as a candidate of the test subject. That is, as shown in
In addition, in step S2 of preparing starting measurement, the data analyzer 60, as shown in
In step S2 of preparing starting measurement, the control device 22 on a toilet side allows the sensor heater 54, the suction device 18, and the toilet lid opening/closing device 40 to switch to a measurement mode. The sensor heater 54 is controlled in the measurement mode on the basis of temperature measured by the temperature sensor 32 so that the temperature of the detecting portion of the odiferous gas sensor 26 becomes a first temperature (for example, 400° C.) suitable for measurement. That is, although the temperature of the detecting portion of the odiferous gas sensor 26 is kept at a second temperature (for example, 200° C.) lower than the first temperature, in a waiting state before the test subject enters a toilet installation room, if entrance of the test subject is detected, the control device 22 increases the temperature of the detecting portion to the first temperature before the test subject sits on the seat 4. The suction device 18 is controlled in the measurement mode so that a flow rate of sucked air is increased to the extent that defecation gas does not leak to the outside of the bowl 2a to be constantly maintained at the extent so as not to vary. The toilet lid opening/closing device 40 is controlled in the measurement mode so that a toilet lid is opened.
If concentration of odiferous gas detected by the odiferous gas sensor 26 is high in step S2 of preparing starting measurement, the control device 22 allows the toilet disinfection device 48 to disinfect the inside of the bowl 2a.
In step S2 of preparing starting measurement, if humidity measured by the humidity sensor 30 is unsuitable for measurement of defecation gas by the odiferous gas sensor 26, the control device 22 transmits a signal to the humidity adjuster 59 to control it so that humidity in the bowl becomes a proper value.
In the step of preparing starting measurement, when the seat 4 is cleaned with a sheet or spraying, by using alcoholic disinfectant, the odiferous gas sensor 26 reacts to alcohol to suddenly increase concentration of gas. In this way, if concentration of gas measured by the odiferous gas sensor 26 suddenly increases, the data analyzer 60 allows the display device 68 to display a warning.
The data analyzer 60 stores a measurement value measured by the odiferous gas sensor 26, as an environment reference value of a noise level to be a basis of measurement of defecation gas. The data analyzer 60 then determines whether the measurement of defecation gas is possible or not on the basis of the environment reference value. If the data analyzer 60 determines that measurement of a noise level being performed, or the measurement of defecation gas is impossible, the display device 68 is allowed to display a message, such as “During measurement preparation. Wait for a while if possible”, as shown in a lower section of
Next, when the seating detection sensor 36 detects that a test subject sits on a seat, the control device 22 transmits a signal of starting step S3 of setting measurement reference values to the data analyzer 60 through the transmitter-receiver 56, and then step S3 of setting measurement reference values is performed in synchronization with the data analyzer 60. If the seating detection sensor 36 repeats detection and non-detection predetermined times, this state is caused by influence of cleaning of the seat by the test subject, whereby it is desirable to return to S1 in this kind of state.
In step S3 of setting measurement reference values, the data analyzer 60 determines noise of stink gas attached to a test subject, or a level of noise caused by a test subject, on the basis of a measurement value measured by the odiferous gas sensor 26. That is, if a measurement value measured by the odiferous gas sensor 26 is insufficiently reduced and is unstable, it is determined that there is a possibility that disinfection is performed by using alcoholic disinfectant or the like to continue the display, “During measurement preparation. Wait for a while if possible”, shown in the lower section of
In addition, in step S3 of setting measurement reference values, the data analyzer 60, as described later, sets a reference value for estimating the amount of gas, on the basis of concentration of gas measured by the odiferous gas sensor 26.
Next, the data analyzer 60, as described later, determines that a test subject performs an excretory act if detection data measured by the odiferous gas sensor 26 rises from the reference value of odiferous noise with a positive rate of change of a predetermined value or more, and proceeds to step S4 of measurement. The data analyzer 60 performs step S4 of measurement from when determining that the test subject performs an excretory act until when the seating detection sensor 36 detects that the test subject leaves the seat.
That is, it is estimated that in a period after the entrance detection sensor 34 detects entrance of the test subject until the seating detection sensor 36 detects seating of the test subject, the test subject shuts the door of the toilet installation room, approaches the flush toilet 2 to open the lid, turns back in such a manner as to face his or her back to the flush toilet 2, and thereafter, performs a preparatory act of defecation such as undressing. Consequently, in the present embodiment, the period after a test subject enters the toilet installation room until the test subject sits on the seat 4 is set as a “defecation preparation period”, and a period after the test subject sits on the seat until the test subject leaves the seat is set as a “defecation period”. Accordingly, the seating detection sensor 36 functions as a “defecation act determining sensor” that directly detects whether it is the defecation period after the test subject sits on the seat, or the defecation preparation period in which the test subject is preparing for defecation before the test subject sits on the seat. The entrance detection sensor 34 that detects entrance of the test subject functions as toilet use preparation determination means (circuit) for determining whether or not the “defecation preparation period” is started from a waiting state.
In the present embodiment, a private parts washing device (the nozzle driving device 42) is built in the seat 4, and a sensor for detecting seating, which is provided in the private parts washing device is also used as the seating detection sensor 36. That is, the private parts washing device is provided with the sensor to determine whether or not it is in a state capable of spraying cleaning water for private parts washing for cleaning anus, and is configured to spray the cleaning water for private parts washing only in a state where a user (a test subject) sits on the seat. In the biological information measurement system 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, a switch (the sensor) that detects seating, which is provided in the private parts washing device is shared by the seating detection sensor 36 (the defecation act determining sensor). The research by the inventor of the present application has clarified that the time period after a test subject enters a toilet installation room until the test subject starts defecation is approximately ten seconds in an average test subject. However, the time period greatly varies depending on the age, state of health, living habit, and state of clothing of a test subject, so that it is difficult to estimate whether or not the time shifts to the “defecation period” from the “defecation preparation period” on the basis of an elapsed time after entrance, and it is preferable to detect whether or not the time shifts to the “defecation period” from the “defecation preparation period” directly by the sensor. As the defecation act determining sensor for detecting shift to the “defecation period”, not only the seating detection sensor 36, but also various sensors can be used, such as a load sensor that detects load of seating of a test subject being seated, and a microwave sensor, an infrared sensor, and an image pickup sensor that detect approach of the test subject.
Further, in the present embodiment, start of the “defecation preparation period” is determined on the basis of the entrance detection sensor 34. However, when the present invention is applied to a portable flush toilet which is installed in a bedroom or the like, a test subject is present in the space where the flush toilet is installed before the test subject starts preparation for defecation, and start of the “defecation preparation period” cannot be determined by entrance to the room. In such a case, start of the “defecation preparation period” can be determined by approach of the test subject to the flush toilet 2, opening of the lid of the flush toilet 2, input to the test subject identification device 62, an exclusive switch for inputting start of preparation for defecation or the like, and these things are also allowed to function as the toilet use preparation determination means.
In step S4 of measurement, the control device 22 allows a storage device to store detection data for each test subject identified by test subject identification device 62, the detection data being measured by the hydrogen gas sensor 24, the odiferous gas sensor 26, the carbon dioxide sensor 28, the humidity sensor 30, the temperature sensor 32, the entrance detection sensor 34, the seating detection sensor 36, and the defecation/urination detection sensor 38. The control device 22 transmits these measurement values stored in the storage device to the data analyzer 60 through the transmitter-receiver 56, after step S4 of measurement is finished. In the present embodiment, although the measurement values are transmitted to the data analyzer 60 from the control device 22 after step S4 of measurement is finished, besides this, the measurement values may be transmitted in real time in parallel with measurement.
The control device 22 starts measurement of defecation gas even if a test subject inputs no information identifying the test subject into the test subject identification device 62. After then, if the test subject inputs information on the test subject during one defecation, detection data detected before the information is inputted is stored in the storage device in association with the inputted information on the test subject. This is a practical device corresponding to characteristics of defecation, in which a test subject is first allowed to perform no various kinds of input in an urgent situation of defecation, and to perform the input after calming down. In addition, if the test subject inputs no information on the test subject even if a predetermined time has elapsed after measurement has been started, the display device 68 and the speaker 70 output a message for urging the test subject to perform the input to notify the test subject. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a test subject from omitting input.
At the same time, as with step S3 of setting measurement reference values, the data analyzer 60 determines whether measurement is possible or not. If the data analyzer 60 determines that the measurement is possible, the data analyzer 60 allows the display device 68 to display a message that the measurement being performed to the test subject, such as “Subject: Mr. Taro Toto (identification information on a test subject)”, and “Measurement is ready. Measurement being performed”, as shown in the lower section of
Next, when the seating detection sensor 36 detects that a test subject leaves the seat, the control device 22 transmits a signal of starting step S5 of medical examination to the data analyzer 60 through the transmitter-receiver 56. When receiving the signal, the data analyzer 60 starts step S5 of medical examination.
The data analyzer 60 first calculates reliability of measurement that is described later, on the basis of a measurement value measured by each sensor.
On the other hand, if no information identifying a test subject is inputted after the test subject has left the seat, the control device 22 prohibits cleaning of the flush toilet 2. That is, if no information for identifying a test subject is inputted, the control device 22 does not allow the flush toilet 2 to discharge cleaning water and allows a message urging the test subject to perform input to be displayed even if the test subject operates a cleaning button (not shown) of the remote control 8. Accordingly, it is possible to strongly urge a test subject to input information for identifying a test subject.
The data analyzer 60, as described later in detail, also estimates the amount of odiferous gas and hydrogen gas (healthy-state gas).
In step S5 of medical examination, the data analyzer 60 performs calculation of results of a medical examination to analyze physical condition of a test subject on the basis of time-dependent change in a plurality of detection data items that is detected in defecation performed multiple times in a predetermined period and that is stored in a storage device, as well as performs time-dependent diagnosis based on stored values, and then selects advice contents based on the time-dependent diagnosis. The data analyzer 60, as shown in a third section from the top of
In a portion below that of the result of a medical examination, there is displayed the amount of healthy-state gas, such as hydrogen gas, or carbon dioxide gas, as well as the amount of wrong physical condition state gas, such as odiferous gas, in the measurement in this time. In a portion below that of the advice, measurement results of previous four times measurements are displayed together. If a test subject presses a button of “detailed screen” in a display screen, there is displayed a table showing change in physical condition of a test subject for the last one month. This display will be described later. In this way, analysis results displayed in the display device 68 of the remote control 8 include only a state of physical condition, an advice, and change in physical condition (history of measurement data), and include no notification related to a determination result of disease of cancer, such as displayed in the medical facility terminal 16. These analysis results may be notified in the terminal 14 for a test subject.
As shown in a lowermost section of
Next, when the entrance detection sensor 34 detects that a test subject leaves the toilet installation room R, the control device 22 transmits a signal of transmitting data to the data analyzer 60 through the transmitter-receiver 56. When receiving the signal, the data analyzer 60 performs step S6 of communication.
In step S6 of communication, the data analyzer 60 transmits the following to the server 12 through a network: information for distinguishing a test subject identified by the test subject identification device 62; data measured by various sensors; calculated reliability; information on a measurement date and time; stool condition information on at least one of the amount of stool and a state of the stool acquired by the defecation/urination detection sensor 38; and notifying data including defecation history information. The server 12 records the information received in a database.
The control device 22 also performs step S7 of improving environment after measurement after the entrance detection sensor 34 has detected that a test subject has left the toilet installation room R.
The control device 22 allows the odiferous gas sensor 26 to measure concentration of gas in step S7 of improving environment after measurement. If concentration of gas measured by the odiferous gas sensor 26 is larger than a predetermined value even if a predetermined time has elapsed after a defecation period has been finished, the control device 22 determines that there is a stool attached to the bowl 2a of the flush toilet 2 to allow the toilet cleaning device 46 to discharge cleaning water stored in a cleaning water tank into the bowl 2a to clean the inside of the bowl 2a, or to allow the toilet disinfection device 48 to create disinfecting water, such as hypochlorous acid water, from tap water, or the like to spray disinfecting water created onto the bowl 2a to disinfect the bowl 2a.
The additional toilet cleaning by the toilet cleaning device 46, as well as the disinfection of the bowl 2a by the toilet disinfection device 48, serves as residual gas removal means for reducing concentration of remaining odiferous gas. Preferably, toilet cleaning performed automatically by the residual gas removal means is set so that its cleaning capability is higher than that of usual toilet cleaning performed by allowing a test subject to operate a cleaning switch (not shown) of the remote control 8. Specifically, it is preferable that the toilet cleaning performed by the residual gas removal means is set to have a high frequency of discharge of cleaning water into the bowl 2a, or flow velocity of the cleaning water is set high. The disinfection of the bowl 2a performed by the residual gas removal means is set so that its disinfection capability is higher than that of usual disinfection of the bowl performed by allowing a test subject to operate a disinfection switch (not shown) of the remote control 8. Specifically, the disinfection of the bowl performed by the residual gas removal means is set so that water for disinfection of higher concentration as compared with usual disinfection is sprayed, or a large amount of water for disinfection is sprayed.
If concentration of gas measured by the odiferous gas sensor 26 is more than a predetermined value even if a predetermined time has elapsed after a defecation period has been finished, the residual gas removal means determines that there is a contamination in the duct 18a to allow the duct cleaner 58 to operate. The duct cleaner 58 cleans the inside of a duct 18a attached to the suction device 18 with hypochlorous acid acquired by electrolysis of tap water, or the like.
If concentration of gas measured by the odiferous gas sensor 26 does not decrease sufficiently and is still more than the predetermined value even if the cleaning and the disinfection processing, described above, are performed, the residual gas removal means allows the display device 68 to display a message of encouraging cleaning of the flush toilet 2.
Then, in step S7 of improving environment after measurement, the control device 22 allows the sensor heater 54, the suction device 18, and the toilet lid opening/closing device 40 to switch to the measurement waiting mode to finish one measurement.
Next, with reference to
As shown in
The physical condition display table sets regions of a plurality of stages corresponding to whether physical condition is good or wrong, in accordance with a relationship between the index related to healthy-state gas and the index related to odiferous gas, such as: a “disease suspicion level 2”, a “disease suspicion level 1”, an “insufficient physical condition level 2”, an “insufficient physical condition level 1”, and a “good physical condition”. As shown in
As above, in the present embodiment, two indexes of the index related to the amount of odiferous gas and the index related to the amount of healthy-state gas are used, so that it is possible to evaluate physical condition of a test subject and change in physical condition thereof in more detail. For example, even in a case where the amount of healthy-state gas showing a good physical condition is large, if the amount of odiferous gas is also large, evaluation is not the level of the best physical condition (the upper-right region in the physical condition display table).
Conversely, even in a case where the amount of healthy-state gas showing a good physical condition is very low, if the amount of odiferous gas is low, evaluation is not the level of the worst physical condition (the lower-left region in the physical condition display table).
For example, a boundary line between the “insufficient physical condition level 1” and the “insufficient physical condition level 2” showing a worse state than that of the level 1 is drawn rising diagonally up and to the right so that as the amount of the index related to healthy-state gas in the horizontal axis increases, the index related to the amount of odiferous gas in the vertical axis also increases, and the “insufficient physical condition level 2” showing a state where physical condition is wrong is distributed on a side of the boundary line where the index related to the amount of odiferous gas is large. The boundary line is set in this way, so that in the present embodiment, even if the amount of the index related to healthy-state gas in the horizontal axis is the same value, evaluation of physical condition varies depending on a value of the index related to the amount of odiferous gas in the vertical axis. In order to acquire the same evaluation, it is required that as a value of the amount of odiferous gas in the vertical axis increases, a value of the amount of healthy-state gas in the horizontal axis also increases.
The storage device on the remote control 8 side stores advices corresponding to the states of physical condition. Specifically, there are stored advices, such as: “Present to a hospital” corresponding to a state of physical condition, the “disease suspicion level 2”; “Recommend presenting to a hospital” corresponding to a state of physical condition, the “disease suspicion level 1”; “Concern for disease increases. Reduce stress and improve a living habit immediately” corresponding to a state of physical condition, the “insufficient physical condition level 2”; “Intestinal environment is wrong. Make an effort to have a healthy living” corresponding to a state of physical condition, the “insufficient physical condition level 1”; and “Physical condition is good” corresponding to a state of physical condition, the “good physical condition”. In the physical condition display table, plotted points showing physical condition of a test subject, as well as an advice corresponding to a region where the latest plotted point is positioned is displayed.
However, the display device 68 of the remote control 8 does not plot each of analysis results acquired by the data analyzer 60 as it is in the physical condition display table, and plots each of the analysis results at a position to which each of them is displaced after predetermined correction has been applied to each of them. It is assumed that the biological information measurement system 1 of the present embodiment detects disease, such as colorectal cancer, and this kind of disease does not steeply develop in a few days. Meanwhile, the biological information measurement system 1 of the present embodiment sucks defecation gas from the bowl 2a of the flush toilet 2 installed in the toilet installation room R to analyze the sucked gas, and it is impossible to collect all of the defecation gas. In addition, there is a possibility that various factors, such as that a test subject wears perfume, and that gas to which the odiferous gas sensor 26 is sensitive, such as odiferous gas, remains in the toilet installation room R, may cause an error in measurement results of physical condition.
Thus, if physical condition displayed on the basis of one measurement result of a test subject greatly inclines toward wrong physical condition, an unnecessary mental burden is applied to a test subject. In addition, if a measurement result of physical condition greatly varies for each measurement, it results in losing confidence of a test subject in a measurement result of physical condition. Thus, the biological information measurement system 1 of the present embodiment allows the data analyzer 60 to apply correction to an analysis result to prevent a measurement result to be displayed from greatly varying for each measurement. However, detection data stored in the storage device of the remote control 8 and detection data transmitted to the server 12 to be stored, to which no correction is applied, are stored along with reliability of the detection data. It is preferable that the storage device of the remote control 8 stores a coordinate of a display after correction in consideration of a next display. All of detection data acquired by the biological information measurement system 1 of the present embodiment in this way does not have high reliability. However, if data on daily defecation act is continuously acquired for a long period to be accumulated in the storage device of the remote control 8 and the server 12, it is possible to detect change in physical condition of a test subject for a long period. As a result, it is possible to call attention to a test subject before physical condition of the test subject is greatly deteriorated, to prevent the test subject from having a serious disease, such as colorectal cancer.
Correction applied to detection data in this way serves as output result stabilizing means for preventing an index of physical condition of a test subject to be outputted to the display device 68 from varying toward a wrong physical condition due to a detection error, and the like.
In the present embodiment, it is not always required to apply correction to detection data to be stored in the storage device of the remote control 8, and also detection data after the correction may be stored.
Next, with reference to
First, as shown in
If a very large noise is applied to the latest measurement of physical condition to very greatly shift the latest plotted point, it is thought that physical condition displayed may be greatly displaced toward the wrong physical condition side even if the correction described in
In addition, if displacement of the latest data exceeding this kind of 40% continues twice, a range in which the latest data can be displaced is eased to 60%. Accordingly, for example, if the coordinate value of the center G of an area is represented as (x, y), a range of coordinate values at which the latest data can be plotted is changed to that represented as (0.4x to 1.6x, 0.4y to 1.6y). Because it is thought that if a large displacement of the latest data as above occurs at high frequency, it is not a mere measurement error, but a reflection of some sort of change in physical condition of a test subject.
Next, with reference to
The diagnosis table displayed in the medical facility terminal 16 is different from the physical condition display table displayed in the display device 68 of a test subject as described above. As shown in
In a diagnosis table on the server side, set in this way, previous measurement data on a test subject is plotted in a time-dependent manner on the basis of a position of a plotted point to perform determination of disease of cancer, such as: “Large suspicion of colorectal cancer”, “Large suspicion of early colorectal cancer”, and “Suspicion of early colorectal cancer”. No correction as well as no limit is applied to a plotted point displayed in the diagnosis table on the server side, so that a doctor checks data displayed for diagnosis along with its reliability in a comprehensive manner. Since a diagnosis table and a determination result displayed in the medical facility terminal 16 are set based on the premise that a doctor refers to them, a name of disease, development thereof, and the like, are more specifically displayed. If plotted points are positioned, for example, in regions related disease of cancer, such as the “Large suspicion of colorectal cancer”, “Large suspicion of early colorectal cancer “, and “Suspicion of early colorectal cancer”, for a long time, a message of a high possibility of disease is displayed. A doctor is able to check plotted points shown, reliability of measurement, and the like, for diagnosis in a comprehensive manner to notify a test subject of a state of the physical condition. The medical facility terminal 16 is configured to be capable of also displaying reliability calculated by referring to a database, data measured by various sensors, information on stool condition related to at least one of the amount of stool and condition of stool, and defecation history information, along with a diagnosis table in which previous measurement data is plotted in a time-dependent manner.
A large number of devices 10 on a test subject side are connected to the server 12, a large number of measurement data items of test subjects are accumulated in the server 12. In addition, a database on the server 12 side also accumulates data on disease condition acquired from a result of detailed examination of a test subject, performed in a medical facility, after the test subject has had a medical examination in the medical facility on the basis of certain measurement data. Thus, it is possible to accumulate data acquired by associating data measured by the biological information measurement system 1 of the present embodiment with actual disease condition, on the server 12 side. The diagnosis table on the server side is sequentially updated on the basis of measurement data on a large number of test subjects accumulated in this way, so that it is possible to perform diagnosis with higher accuracy on the basis of the updated diagnosis table. It is also possible to update the physical condition display table on the basis of the data accumulated on the server side. The physical condition display table updated on the basis of the data on the server side is downloaded into each of the devices 10 on a test subject side through the Internet to be displayed in the display device 68 of the remote control 8. Even if the physical condition display table is updated, a message to be shown to a test subject is corrected to an appropriate content in the physical condition display table that is to be directly presented to the test subject.
Next, with reference to
Estimation of the amount of gas based on a detection signal of each of the sensors is performed by the data analyzer 60 serving as physical condition state discrimination means for discriminating a physical condition state, that is, by a CPU built in the remote control 8 and a storage device, or by a CPU of the server 12 and a storage device. In the data analyzer 60, there are preset a starting threshold value of a rate of change in the amount of gas for determining starting time of an excretory act, read out from storage means of the remote control 8, and a stability threshold value with respect to the amount of gas, capable of allowing stable measurement to be performed. The term, an excretory act, here includes a fart.
First, at time t1 of
When the entrance detection sensor 34 detects entrance of the test subject at the time t1, the odiferous gas sensor 26 and the suction device 18 are in a startup state. Accordingly, temperature of the sensor heater 54 of the odiferous gas sensor 26 increases, as well as a rotation speed of the fan of the suction device 18 increases to suck gas at a predetermined flow rate. As a result, a detection value by the temperature sensor 32 temporarily greatly increases, and then converges to a proper temperature (after the time ti of
In this way, when the test subject enters the toilet installation room, a detection signal detected by the odiferous gas sensor 26 rises. However, the “physical condition analysis prohibition means (circuit)” that is realized by a circuit built in the data analyzer 60 does not adopt the rise of the detection signal as the first detection data for use in analysis of physical condition of the test subject, during the “defecation preparation period”. That is, the rise of the detection signal of the odiferous gas sensor 26 before the test subject sits on the seat 4 is highly likely to be caused by a body odor or a perfume of the test subject, or disinfection by alcohol to the seat 4. The “physical condition analysis prohibition means” prohibits setting of the detection signal of the odiferous gas sensor 26 in the defecation preparation period as detection data for use in analysis of the physical condition of the test subject, and prevents erroneous detection of a body odor, a perfume and the like.
It is conceivable that the detection signal detected by the odiferous gas sensor 26 in the defecation preparation period is the result of reaction to odiferous noise by the odiferous gas remaining in the toilet installation room and the odiferous gas attached to the test subject. In the present embodiment, an “odiferous noise reference value setting circuit” built in the data analyzer 60 sets a noise level (a detection signal at a time t2 in
Next, when the seating detection sensor 36 detects that the test subject sits on the seat 4 at time t2 of
In an example shown in
If a steep rise of the detection data like this is detected, “physical condition analysis prohibition cancel means (circuit)” realized by a circuit built in the data analyzer 60 allows acquisition of detection data for measurement of physical condition, which has been prohibited by the “physical condition analysis prohibition means”. That is, it is highly possible that the steep rise of the detection data by the odiferous gas sensor 26 in the “defecation period” is caused by an excretory act of the test subject, so that if a rise like this is detected, the “physical condition analysis prohibition cancel means” adopts the detection data after the rise in analysis of the physical condition of the test subject as the first detection data.
When the excretory act is performed, the data analyzer 60 estimates the amount of odiferous gas discharged from the test subject on the basis of a fluctuation range of an increment of a detection value of the odiferous gas sensor 26 from the reference value of residual gas (a hatched area in a graph of detection values of the odiferous gas sensor 26). That is, the data analyzer 60 sets a value of detection data at the starting point of the defecation period of the test subject as the reference value of odiferous noise which is a noise level caused by the test subject to estimate the amount of odiferous gas by the first excretory act by integrating differences between the detection value detected by the odiferous gas sensor and the reference value with respect to time, from a starting point to an end point. In this way, since the data analyzer 60 estimates the amount of odiferous gas on the basis of the difference from the reference value, it is possible to suppress influence of the noise caused by the test subject. Thus, a circuit that is built in data analyzer 60 to perform this calculation serves as a noise reduction means, as well as serves as second noise-responding means for reducing influence of test subject noise. If a noise level caused by the test subject is a predetermined value or more, the data analyzer 60 allows the display device 68 to notify the fact. In this way, the noise suppression means (circuit) executes first control that is ordinary control when the noise level is less than a predetermined value, and executes second control different from the ordinary control when the noise level is at the predetermined value or more. Detailed estimation of the amount of odiferous gas will be described later. Likewise, the data analyzer 60 estimates the amount of hydrogen gas discharged from the test subject on the basis of an increment of a detection value of the hydrogen gas sensor 24 from a reference value of residual gas. After an excretory act of the test subject has been performed (after the time t5 of
In this way, if the test subject performs excretory acts multiple times after entering the toilet installation room, or if the amount of gas of a predetermined threshold value or more is detected multiple times, the amount of defecation gas by an excretory act of each time is estimated in like manner. When the amount of defecation gas of the second excretory act or later are calculate, the reference value may be changed for each excretory act in consideration of influence of floating stool in seal water in the bowl, and the like.
Subsequently, the seating detection sensor 36 detects that the test subject leaves the seat at the time t7 of
Each of the remote control 8 and the server 12 determines physical condition of the test subject on the basis of the amount of defecation gas measured in this way. In this case, it is desirable to enable measurements of physical condition to be displayed on the remote control 8 side during a defecation period, or immediately after the defecation period has been finished. Then, if excretory acts are performed multiple times, stools accumulate in the bowl 2a to reduce accuracy of measurement of the amount of defecation gas, based on odiferous gas. Meanwhile, in the first excretory act, defecation gas reaching the most downstream portion of the large intestine is discharged, so that it is possible to acquire most useful information for measurement of physical condition to increase reliability of the measurement. Based on the fact, on the remote control 8 side, when the amount of defecation gas (the amount of odiferous gas and hydrogen gas) by the first excretory act is estimated, physical condition of a test subject is measured on the basis of only the amount of defecation gas by the first excretory act to be displayed in the display device 68 of the remote control 8. Alternatively, it is also possible to measure a state of physical condition by allowing a weighting of a measurement value based on detection data on an initial excretory act in one defecation act to be higher than a weighting for a later excretory act.
The physical condition display table displayed in the display device 68 shows an odiferous gas concentration based on the first detection data in a vertical axis, and a hydrogen gas concentration based on the second detection data in a horizontal axis, and displays the physical condition state of a test subject as a plotted point in the table. Here, as described by
In contrast, on the server 12 side, it is desirable to accurately perform determination by using a total amount of defecation gas by excretory acts of multiple times. Thus, on the server 12 side, a state of physical condition of a test subject is determined on the basis of a total amount of defecation gas by excretory acts of multiple times (a total amount of odiferous gas and hydrogen gas), or more preferably, on the basis of a total amount of defecation gas by every excretory act included in one defecation period from sitting on a seat to leaving the seat. Although determination of a state of physical condition of a test subject on the server 12 side does not always require a total amount of defecation gas by every excretory act included in one defecation period, it is preferable that the determination is based on a total amount of defecation gas by every excretory act included in defecation periods of multiple times.
In the example shown in
The amount of odiferous gas is estimated on the basis of a difference from a reference value that is set by using the amount of residual gas before an excretory act, so that it is desirable that there is no large change in the reference value. Thus, if a rate of change of detection values detected by the odiferous gas sensor 26 before a starting point of an excretory act (or a rate of change of a reference value of an inclination of the auxiliary line A) is a first stability threshold value or less, the data analyzer 60 allows notification means composed of the display device 68 of the remote control 8 or the speaker 70 to notify the fact that estimation of the amount of defecation gas has high accuracy.
Meanwhile, if a spray aromatic is sprayed immediately before an excretory act, or a disinfecting sheet of an alcoholic toilet seat disinfectant or a disinfect spray is used, a detection value detected by the odiferous gas sensor 26 before the excretory act greatly varies. If a value in this kind of state is set as a reference value, it is impossible to estimate an accurate amount of odiferous gas. Thus, if a reference value of a noise level caused by a test subject is a predetermined value or more, or a rate of change of the reference value is a second stability threshold value or more, the data analyzer 60 allows the notification means composed of the display device 68 of the remote control 8 or the speaker 70 to notify the fact that estimation of the amount of defecation gas has low accuracy. If an excretory act is performed even if this kind of notification is performed, no measurement for analysis of physical condition is performed, or reliability of measurement is reduced.
Next, with reference to
First, after the entrance detection sensor 34 has detected entrance of a test subject at time t10, of
Subsequently, after the seating detection sensor 36 has detected that a test subject has sat on the seat at time t13, if the test subject operates the cleaning switch (not shown) of the remote control 8 to perform cleaning of the flush toilet 2, a disinfecting sheet floating in seal water in the bowl 2a is discharged to allow a detection value of the odiferous gas sensor 26 to steeply decrease. If an alcoholic disinfectant is used, the odiferous gas sensor 26 generally operates as above.
If a detection value of the odiferous gas sensor 26 steeply increases to a predetermined value or more, in a period after the entrance detection sensor 34 has detected entrance of a test subject, and before the seating detection sensor 36 detects that the test subject sits on the seat, a seat disinfection detection circuit built in the data analyzer 60 determines that the test subject disinfects the seat 4, or the like, by using an alcoholic disinfectant. The present inventors find out that it is possible to detect an act of disinfecting the seat 4 of a specific act performed by a test subject in the toilet installation room R from a detection signal of each of the entrance detection sensor 34, the seating detection sensor 36, and the odiferous gas sensor 26.
If no cleaning of the flush toilet 2 is performed for a predetermined time after the seat disinfection detection circuit has detected use of an alcoholic disinfectant and a test subject has sat on the seat, a disinfect noise-responding circuit built in the data analyzer 60 transmits a signal to the toilet cleaning device 46 to automatically perform toilet cleaning. In addition, if the seat disinfection detection circuit detects use of an alcoholic disinfectant, the disinfect noise-responding circuit allows the suction fan 18c to increase its rotation speed. Accordingly, the amount of gas sucked by the suction device 18 increases to allow alcohol components volatilized while the seat is disinfected to be actively deodorized by the deodorant filter 78, thereby enabling a detection value of the odiferous gas sensor 26 to be reduced. That is, if the seat disinfection detection circuit detects a disinfectant, the disinfect noise-responding circuit allows a deodorizing device to operate to reduce influence of noise caused by an alcoholic disinfectant.
In a state where the seat disinfection detection circuit detects use of an alcoholic disinfectant, and a detection value of the odiferous gas sensor 26 increases, the disinfect noise-responding circuit stops measurement of physical condition, and allows the display device 68 to display a message of waiting for defecation to notify a test subject of the message. Then, the disinfect noise-responding circuit allows the display device 68 to display a message of waiting for defecation until the measurement of physical condition becomes possible, to notify the test subject of the message. Accordingly, influence of noise caused by the alcoholic disinfectant is reduced. Meanwhile, a detection value of the odiferous gas sensor 26, which steeply increases by use of the alcoholic disinfectant, starts decreasing when the test subject finishes disinfection.
If a noise level detected by the odiferous gas sensor 26 is reversed to a downward tendency, the disinfect noise-responding circuit allows the display device 68 to delete the message of waiting for defecation displayed therein to notify the fact that the measurement becomes possible. That is, in a state where a noise level caused by an alcoholic disinfectant is in a downward tendency, it is possible to detect a rising edge of a detection value of the odiferous gas sensor 26, in the downward tendency. The data analyzer 60 detects a time point when a detection value of the odiferous gas sensor 26 in the downward tendency rises, as discharge of defecation gas by a test subject. In a state where the noise level detected by the odiferous gas sensor 26 decreases at a predetermined rate of change or more, the disinfect noise-responding circuit stops the measurement of physical condition to continue to display the message of waiting for defecation, because in a state where the noise level steeply decreases, a rise of a detection value by discharge of defecation gas is masked so that it is impossible to accurately detect discharge of defecation gas. In addition, it is desirable to stop the measurement in a state where a reference value greatly decreases, because a calculation error also may increase.
If a noise level is a predetermined value or more due to use of an alcoholic disinfectant, the disinfect noise-responding circuit stops measurement of physical condition, or reduces reliability of measurement. As described above, if the reliability of measurement is reduced, a plotted point in the physical condition display table described in
Meanwhile, if many stools are attached to the flush toilet 2, or a large amount of aromatics are used, an absolute value of the amount of gas detected by the odiferous gas sensor 26 increases, so that a detection value of the sensor may be saturated in some cases, or measurement accuracy may be out of a high measurement accuracy band. In this kind of state, it is difficult to accurately estimate a trace amount of odiferous gas. Thus, the data analyzer 60 performs no measurement of physical condition, or reduces reliability of measurement also in a case where an absolute amount of a reference value is a third stability threshold value or more.
In the database of the server 12, as described above, measurement data on the amount of odiferous gas and the amount of healthy-state gas of an additional test subject is sequentially accumulated. In addition, in the database of the server 12, a medical examination result for cancer acquired when a test subject has a medical examination at a medical facility is stored from the medical facility terminal 16 by being associated with identification information on the test subject. The server 12 updates a stored diagnosis table on the basis of this kind of medical examination result for cancer, and change in history of change in the amount of odiferous gas and healthy-state gas.
The server 12 also stores attribute information on a test subject, such as weight, age, and sex, and a plurality of physical condition display tables classified according to a tendency of history of change in measurement data on odiferous gas and healthy-state gas.
If more detailed analysis of physical condition is requested in the device 10 on a test subject side, identification information on a test subject as well as attribute information on the test subject, such as weight, age, and sex, is registered in the server 12. When measurement data on a test subject requesting such detailed analysis is accumulated in the server 12, the server 12 selects a physical condition display table of conditions close to attribute information on the test subject, and history of change in measurement data. The server 12 then transmits the selected physical condition display table to the device 10 on a test subject side through a network. When receiving an additional physical condition display table from the server 12, the device 10 on a test subject side changes a physical condition display table that is already stored to the received physical condition display table. Accordingly, it is possible to perform accurate analysis of physical condition in accordance with the attribute of the test subject and the history of measurement data in the device 10 on a test subject side.
Although the embodiment described above is configured to store history of measurement data also in the device 10 on a test subject side, besides this, the measurement data may be stored in only the database of the server 12 so that the device 10 on a test subject side reads out history of previous measurement data from the database of the server 12 to perform calculation of results of medical examination and time-dependent diagnosis in step S5 of medical examination.
Here, a method of calculating reliability in step S5 of medical examination in
Output of each of the hydrogen gas sensor 24, the odiferous gas sensor 26, the carbon dioxide sensor 28, the humidity sensor 30, the temperature sensor 32, the entrance detection sensor 34, the seating detection sensor 36, and the defecation/urination detection sensor 38, provided in the measuring device 6, is transmitted to the data analyzer 60 of the remote control 8.
The data analyzer 60 of the remote control 8 previously stores a plurality of reliability correction tables for calculating the reliability.
The semiconductor gas sensor used as the odiferous gas sensor 26 detects even stink noise (environmental noise) other than defecation gas attached to a test subject. If the amount of stink gas components attached to a test subject (the amount of noise) is large, it can be said that reliability of measurement is low. Thus, as shown in
When a test subject urinates, humidity in the bowl 2a rises to increase humidity of gas reaching a detector of the odiferous gas sensor 26. If humidity of gas reaching the odiferous gas sensor 26 increases, resistance of the odiferous gas sensor 26 changes to reduce its sensor sensitivity. In addition, if urine splashes on stool attached to the inside of the bowl 2a, the stool attached softens from a dry state so that much defecation gas may be temporarily discharged again from the stool attached while the urine splashes into the bowl 2a. The defecation gas discharged from the stool attached may be detected by the odiferous gas sensor as noise when defecation gas discharged from a test subject is measured. Thus, as shown in
The semiconductor gas sensor used as the odiferous gas sensor 26 detects odiferous gas in a state where its detecting portion formed of tin dioxide on the basis of an oxidation-reduction reaction between oxygen adsorbed on a surface of the detecting portion and reduction gas. Thus, if temperature of the detecting portion is higher or lower than a predetermined temperature range, sensor sensitivity decreases. For this reason, as shown in
As described above, if an excretory act is performed multiple times during one defecation period, the amount of defecation gas itself is large at the first excretory act (the amount of odiferous gas also increases), whereby accuracy of analysis in an early excretory act is higher than that in a later excretory act in the defecation period. Thus, as shown in
As shown in
When the test subject enters the toilet installation room at the time t1, detection data detected by the odiferous gas sensor 26 increases due to stink noise attached to the test subject, and then converges to a constant value. Subsequently, the seating detection sensor 36 detects that the test subject sits on the seat, at the time t2. The data analyzer 60 of the remote control 8 acquires a correction value corresponding to detection data measured by the odiferous gas sensor 26 in a non-defecation period before the seating detection sensor 36 detects that the test subject sits on the seat. In the present embodiment, a correction value of noise of stink gas attached to a test subject is 0.7.
Next, if the test subject urinates in a defecation period after the seating detection sensor 36 has detected that the test subject has sat on the seat, at the time t3, a detection value by the humidity sensor 30 rises. It is preferable that detection of the rise in humidity by the humidity sensor 30 may be performed based on, for example, humidity before a defecation period, or before the seating detection sensor 36 detects that the test subject sits on the seat. If the humidity sensor 30 detects the rise of detection data in this way, the data analyzer 60 acquires a correction value corresponding to the detection data that rises, for a period in which the detection data rises, with reference to the correction table for humidity. In the present embodiment, a partial correction value in a period in which detection data by the humidity sensor 30 rises (or from the time t3 to the time t4) is 0.6.
Subsequently, if a test subject performs an excretory act at the time t5, and the time t6, to cause a rate of change in difference between detection data detected by the odiferous gas sensor 26 and a reference value to be a predetermined value or more, the data analyzer 60 calculates the amount of gas with the excretory act. Accordingly, the data analyzer 60 acquires the following correction values according to a frequency of excretory acts in the defecation period with reference to a correction table for frequency of excretory acts: a correction value in a period corresponding to the first excretory act (or from time t5 to time t5′) is 1.5; and a correction value in a period corresponding to the second excretory act (or time t6 to time t6′) is 1.0.
Here, defecation gas or fart that is firstly discharged from a test subject, in one “defecation period” is gas which has stayed near a rectum of the test subject, and has stayed inside the body for the longest time, and therefore can be said as gas reflecting the intestinal state of a test subject most exactly. Thus, a point of time (namely, the time t5) at which the detection data of the odiferous gas sensor 26 has risen with a rate of change of a predetermined positive value or more initially from the reference value of the odiferous noise is estimated as a start of the first excretory act of the test subject in one “defecation period”, and detection data associated with an excretory act at an initial stage after this point of time (for example, detection data within a predetermined time from the time t5) is preferable for measurement of the state of health of the test subject. The “physical condition analysis prohibition cancel means” built in the data analyzer 60 adopts the detection data after the initial rise of the detection data for analysis of the physical condition of the test subject as the first detection data.
Although in the above described example, correction values are made smaller in sequence of the first excretion (the times t5 to t5′ of
The data analyzer 60 calculates reliability of measurement of gas detection with each excretory act on the basis of the whole correction value and the partial correction value, estimated in this way. In the present embodiment, reliability is based on 3, and reliability of measurement for each excretory act is calculated as the product of multiplying all corresponding partial correction values by the product of three times all whole correction values. Specifically, reliability of measurement of the first excretory act is acquired as follows: 3 (reference value)×0.9 (temperature correction value)×0.7 (test subject attached noise correction value×1.5 (frequency correction value)=2.84. Reliability of measurement of the second excretory act is acquired as follows: 3 (reference value)×0.9 (temperature correction value)×0.7(test subject attached noise correction value)×1.0 (frequency correction value)=1.89.
The reliability calculated in this way is then displayed in the display device 68 of the remote control 8 as described with reference to
It is also possible to correct detection data of the odiferous gas sensor 26 and the hydrogen gas sensor 24 on the basis of the reliability of measurement calculated in this way. Specifically, if the reliability of measurement is high, actual detection value is used, however, if the reliability of measurement is low, a detection value is corrected so as to be a value close to a previous detection value. For example, there is description below of a case where a detection value detected additionally is corrected so as to be close to previous measurement data stored in the storage device of the remote control 8 when physical condition is analyzed on the basis of detection data on defecation gas with the first excretory act, in the device 10 on a test subject side. As described above, it is calculated that the reliability with the first excretory act is 2.84.
The data analyzer 60 determines the amount of correction of a measurement value on the basis of the reliability calculated in this way.
In the example described above, the reliability of measurement of the first excretory act is 2.84. Thus, as described with reference to
Correction based on this kind of reliability may be performed on the server 12 side. If analysis of physical condition is performed on the server 12 side, for example, a detection value of odiferous gas and a detection value of hydrogen gas in an excretory act in which the reliability is a predetermined value or more in one defecation period is totaled so that analysis of physical condition may be performed on the basis of the totaled data. In addition, it is not always required to apply correction based on reliability of measurement to detection data to be stored in the storage device of the remote control 8, and also detection data after the correction may be stored.
The correction table is not limited to the correction table for noise of stink gas attached to a test subject, the correction table for temperature, and the correction table for humidity, described above. Each of
For example, if there is stink noise (environmental noise) other than defecation gas, such as an aromatic, in the toilet installation room, the odiferous gas sensor 26 may detect the stink noise to cause accuracy of measurement to be reduced. Then, the data analyzer 60 corrects reliability to evaluate influence of environmental noise. The amount of this kind of environmental noise can be evaluated on the basis of detection data detected by the odiferous gas sensor 26 before the entrance detection sensor 34 detects entrance of a test subject, for example.
In a case where detection data of the odiferous gas sensor 26 greatly varies when a reference value is set, such as a case where a spray aromatic is used, for example, and in a case where an inclination of a reference value set when the amount of gas is estimated is large, accuracy of the amount of gas estimated decreases. Then, the data analyzer 60 corrects reliability with reference to a correction table for stabilizing a reference value to evaluate influence of this kind of failure condition of stability of a reference value (referred to as stability failure of a reference value). The stability of a reference value can be evaluated on the basis of an inclination with respect to a time axis of the reference value in a non-defecation period, and a fluctuation of a detection value of the odiferous gas sensor 26 when the reference value is set, for example.
In a case where the seat is cleaned with a disinfecting sheet, for example, the odiferous gas sensor 26 detects even components, such as alcohol, contained in the disinfecting sheet. Although influence of the components, such as alcohol, contained in the disinfecting sheet, causes the odiferous gas sensor 26 to measure a large value immediately after the disinfecting sheet has been used, a value measured by the odiferous gas sensor 26 decreases for a short time because alcoholic has high volatility. Then, the data analyzer 60 corrects reliability depending on influence of seat disinfection, with reference to a correction table for cleaning of disinfecting toilet seat. Using of a disinfecting sheet can be detected by detecting, for example, a great variation of detection data of the odiferous gas sensor 26 from a predetermined value after the entrance detection sensor 34 has detected entrance of a test subject, and before the seating detection sensor 36 detects that the test subject sits on the seat.
Since a trace amount of odiferous gas is contained in defecation gas, analysis of physical condition can be more accurately performed with increase of odiferous gas discharged in a defecation period. Then, the data analyzer 60 corrects reliability on the basis of a total amount of odiferous gas, with reference to a correction value table for a total amount of defecation gas. The total amount of defecation gas can be evaluated from a total of the amount of gas estimated on the basis of detection data of the odiferous gas sensor in a defecation period.
When a fart occurs, a large amount of defecation gas is discharged into a bowl as compared with that during defecation, so that defecation gas by a fart is suitable for analysis of physical condition. Thus, if a fart from a test subject is detected, the data analyzer 60 corrects reliability during the fart on the basis of the amount of defecation gas contained in the fart, with reference to a correction value table for a fart. With respect to a fart act, it is possible to determined that a fart act is performed when it is detected that a difference between a detection value of the odiferous gas sensor 26 and a reference value steeply rises at a rate of change of a predetermined value or more after the seating detection sensor 36 has detected that a test subject has sat on the seat. In addition, a period from a time point, from which the difference described above steeply rises, until a detection value of the gas sensor 26 returns to the reference value again, may be set as a fart period. In order to more accurately detect that a fart act is performed, it is required to detect that detection data of the odiferous gas sensor 26 steeply rises at a rate of change of the predetermined value or more, and to allow a seal-water-amount sensor, or the like, to detect that no stool is discharged into the bowl.
If there are a large amount of stool in each excretory act, the amount of defecation gas increases to enable analysis of physical condition to be more accurately performed, however, if there a little amount of stool in the each excretory act, the amount of defecation gas decreases to reduce accuracy of the analysis of physical condition. Thus, the data analyzer 60 corrects reliability on the basis of the amount of stool during the each excretory act, with reference to a correction value table for the amount of stool. The amount of stool can be evaluated by a seal-water-amount sensor (device of measuring the amount of stool) for detecting change in the amount of seal water, in the defecation/urination detection sensor 38, for example.
For example, if stool is a diarrhea state, discharge time is too short to allow a sensor to sufficiently detect defecation gas. In addition, if stool after defecation floats in seal water, defecation gas is discharged from the stool floating in the seal water to deteriorate detection accuracy of defecation gas. Then, the data analyzer 60 corrects reliability depending on a kind of stool of each excretory act, with reference to a correction table for a kind of stool. The kind of stool can be detected on the basis of detection results acquired by using a CCD, a microwave sensor, or the like, of the defecation/urination detection sensor 38, as a stool state detector. In addition, providing a CCD, a microwave sensor, or the like, in the bowl, as a floating detector, enables floating of stool to be detected.
Usually, healthy people have defecation about once every day. In contrast, if gastrointestinal condition becomes worse due to food poisoning, or the like, defecation may be performed several times in a day. In this case, even if defecation is performed, the amount of defecation gas discharged during the defecation is also small. In addition, if frequency of defecation is low due to obstipation, or the like, the amount of defecation gas increases due to increase in creation time of odor components, or increase in the amount of stool. If an interval of defecation increases too much, accuracy of analysis of physical condition is deteriorated. Then, the data analyzer 60 corrects reliability on the basis of an interval of defecation, with reference to a correction table for an interval of defecation. The interval of defecation can be determined on the basis of a date and time of the previous defecation stored in the data analyzer 60, and the defecation history information inputted in step S2 of preparing starting measurement.
In determination of physical condition based on defecation gas, if gastrointestinal condition becomes worse due to crapulence of the previous day, or the like, for example, a state of physical condition is determined to be worse than a state of actual physical condition. Thus, a result of analysis of physical condition varies depending on daily living. Accordingly, for example, if a day with bad physical condition due to crapulence, or the like, expectedly continues when analysis of physical condition by the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment is started, only an analysis result of bad physical condition is displayed even if history of the physical condition is displayed. As a result, there is a possibility that a medical facility, or the like, cannot perform accurate determination of disease. Then, the data analyzer 60 corrects reliability depending on the number of previous measurement data items stored in the device on a test subject side, with reference to a correction table for the amount of accumulated data.
If the filter 72 provided in the duct 18a is clogged, a flow rate of air sucked into the duct 18a is reduced. For this reason, if a flow rate of gas to be fed to the odiferous gas sensor 26 and the hydrogen gas sensor 24 varies, detection data of the odiferous gas sensor 26 and the hydrogen gas sensor 24 may vary depending on the flow rate. In addition, if velocity of gas to be fed to the odiferous gas sensor 26 and the hydrogen gas sensor 24 is high, a period in which the gas is in contact with the sensors is so short that a detecting portion of each of the sensors does not sufficiently react to the gas. Thus, it is desirable that a flow rate of air fed to the odiferous gas sensor 26 and the hydrogen gas sensor 24 is constant. Then, the data analyzer 60 corrects reliability depending on a flow rate of gas (velocity of gas) to be fed to the odiferous gas sensor 26 and the hydrogen gas sensor 24, with reference to a correction value table for a flow rate of air. The flow rate of gas can be estimated on the basis of electric current and voltage, applied to the suction fan 18c provided in a deodorizing device, for example.
Defecation gas contains CO2 gas as well as hydrogen gas, as healthy-state gas. Thus, if a CO2 gas sensor detects a large amount of CO2, it means that a sensor device reliably detects defecation gas. Then, the data analyzer 60 corrects reliability on the basis of detection data on CO2 detected by the carbon dioxide sensor 28, with reference to a correction table for CO2.
In a case where analysis of physical condition is performed by using detection data of the hydrogen gas sensor as detection data on healthy-state gas, a correction table for H2 that is set so that a correction value increases with increase in a detection value detected by the hydrogen gas sensor 24 may be used instead of the correction table for CO2.
Defecation gas contains methane as well as hydrogen gas, as healthy-state gas. Thus, a methane gas sensor that is strongly sensitive to methane gas is provided in the duct 18a of the deodorizing device, for example, and if the methane gas sensor detects a large amount of methane, it means that a large amount of defecation gas is discharged. Then, the data analyzer 60 corrects reliability on the basis of the amount of methane gas detected by the methane gas sensor, with reference to a correction table for methane gas.
In the present embodiment, although reliability is corrected to be set high if a detection value of each of CO2 and methane is high, besides this, it is also possible to perform correction so that a detection value of hydrogen gas increases if a detection value of each of CO2 and methane is high.
If there is cancer in the intestines, hydrogen sulfide gas as well as odiferous gas is contained in defecation gas. Thus, a hydrogen sulfide gas sensor that is strongly sensitive to hydrogen sulfide gas is provided in the duct 18a of the deodorizing device, for example, and reliability is corrected on the basis of detection data on hydrogen sulfide gas detected by the hydrogen sulfide gas sensor.
Next, since detailed description related to a method of estimating the amount of gas is omitted in the example described with reference to
A semiconductor gas sensor, or a solid electrolyte sensor, is used as the odiferous gas sensor 26 for measuring odiferous gas. The gas sensors, such as the semiconductor gas sensor, the solid electrolyte sensor, and the hydrogen gas sensor, react not only to odiferous gas but also to alcohol contained in an aromatic, and a disinfecting sheet.
That is, even when a test subject is absent, detection data of the gas sensors includes environmental noise due to influence of an aromatic, and remaining stool attached to a bowl of a toilet, for example. This kind of influence of an aromatic, and remaining stool attached to a bowl of a toilet, does not vary with time.
When a test subject enters a toilet space, a detection value acquired by each of the gas sensors gradually increases due to influence of a body odor of a test subject, and stink gas components attached to a body and clothes of the test subject, such as perfume and hair liquid used by the test subject, and when the test subject sits on the seat, a portion above the bowl is covered with the test subject and the clothes, so that a data value detected by each of the gas sensors becomes stable, or gradually increases.
If a test subject cleans a seat with a disinfecting sheet, the amount of gas measured by a semiconductor gas sensor rapidly increases at the moment when the disinfecting sheet is used, and after the test subject sits on the seat, or after a while when the disinfecting sheet is used, a detection value measured by the gas sensor does not increase due to influence of the disinfecting sheet.
That is, after the test subject sits on the seat, a detection value of the gas sensor may gradually increase due to influence of stink gas attached to the body of the test subject, but does not rapidly increase.
In contrast, once the test subject starts an excretory act, the gas sensor reacts to odiferous gas and hydrogen gas, contained in defecation gas, at the time when each excretory act is performed, so that a detection value of the gas sensor rapidly increases to a peak, and then decreases.
Thus, the present inventors think that there is no sudden increase of a detection value of a gas sensor after a test subject sits on a seat, and that if the detection value is set as a reference value, odiferous gas and hydrogen gas, contained in defecation gas can be detected as a sudden increase from the reference value.
Then, in the present embodiment, as described with reference to
As with the odiferous gas sensor 26, the hydrogen gas sensor 24 and the carbon dioxide sensor 28 may be affected by stink noise other than defecation gas. Thus, also when the amount of hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas is estimated on the basis of detection data of the hydrogen gas sensor 24 and the carbon dioxide sensor 28, the estimate may be performed as with the estimate of defecation gas.
A method of estimating the amount of gas is not limited to the method described above. Then, a method of estimating the amount of gas in a biological information measurement system of a second embodiment will be described below. The second embodiment is only different in the method of estimating the amount of gas as compared with the first embodiment.
Also in the system of the present embodiment, as with the first embodiment, a semiconductor gas sensor or a solid electrolyte sensor is used as the odiferous gas sensor 26 for measuring odiferous gas. Since the semiconductor gas sensor or the solid electrolyte sensor measures the amount of gas by detecting an electric resistance of a detecting portion heated, its sensitivity is low. The hydrogen gas sensor 24 also has a low sensitivity as with the semiconductor gas sensor. In a case where this kind of gas sensor with a low sensitivity is used, there is the following problem. The following problem is not unique to the semiconductor gas sensor, and the same applies to the solid electrolyte sensor and the hydrogen gas sensor.
For example, as shown in
As shown in
On the basis of findings described above that an inclination of a detection waveform acquired by the semiconductor gas sensor is associated with a discharge rate of discharged gas per unit time (discharge concentration), and a reaching time to a peak of the detection waveform acquired by the semiconductor gas sensor is associated with a discharge time, the present inventors estimate the amount of gas on the basis of the product (gas sensor waveform area) of the inclination of the detection waveform acquired by the semiconductor gas sensor and the reaching time to the peak of the detection waveform.
Thus, in the present embodiment, as with the first embodiment described above, a reference value is set on the basis of detection data acquired by the odiferous gas sensor 26 in a period after a time point at which the seating detection sensor 36 detects that a test subject sits on a seat, and before an excretory act is started. Then, as shown in
Subsequently, the data analyzer 60 calculates a rate of change in a difference between detection data and the reference value, from the starting point to the finishing point of the excretory act. The data analyzer 60 also calculates a discharge time of defecation gas from the starting point to the finishing point of the excretory act. Then, the data analyzer 60 integrates the rate of change in a difference between detection data acquired from the starting point to the finishing point of the excretory act and the reference value, and the discharge time of defecation gas, and then estimates the integrated value as the amount of gas. Likewise, an estimation of the amount of hydrogen gas based on detection data of the hydrogen gas sensor 24, as well as an estimation of the amount of carbon dioxide gas based on detection data of the carbon dioxide sensor 28, can be performed. According to the method of estimating the amount of gas, described above, it is possible to more accurately estimate the amount of defecation gas without influence of a time constant of the gas sensor.
In addition, a study by the present inventors on a relationship between a discharge rate of defecation gas per unit time and a discharge time reveals that there is a little personal difference in a relationship between a discharge rate and a discharge time. That is, if a discharge rate of defecation gas per unit time is large, a discharge time becomes a certain relatively short time regardless of a test subject, and if the discharge rate of discharged defecation gas per unit time is small, a discharge time becomes a certain long time regardless of a test subject. Thus, the present inventors think that a discharge time of defecation gas (odiferous gas) can be estimated on the basis of a discharge rate per unit time of odiferous gas in defecation gas (a rate of change in a detection value acquired by the odiferous gas sensor 26). Likewise, a discharge time of defecation gas (hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide) can be estimated on the basis of a discharge rate per unit time of each of hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide (a rate of change in a detection value acquired by each of the hydrogen gas sensor 24 and the carbon dioxide sensor 28). In the present embodiment, although an area is estimated so that a correlation between the amount of healthy-state gas and the amount of odiferous gas is acquired, there is a correlation only between concentration of healthy-state gas and concentration of odiferous gas so that a similar result can be acquired, whereby it may be configured to acquire concentration from an inclination of a waveform of measurement values of each sensor. In this case, eliminating an estimation of an area enables measurement to be further simplified.
Then, a method of estimating the amount of gas in a biological information measurement system of a third embodiment, based on the findings described above, will be described below. The third embodiment is only different in the method of estimating the amount of gas as compared with the first and second embodiments. In the data analyzer 60, data on a rate of change versus a discharge period, related to a correspondence between a rate of change in a difference, and a discharge time of gas, is set in addition to a threshold value of a start of a rate of change in a difference, described in the embodiments above.
A reference value is set on the basis of detection data acquired by the odiferous gas sensor 26 in a period after a time point at which the seating detection sensor 36 detects that a test subject sits on a seat, and before an excretory act is started. Then, a time point, at which a rate of change in a difference between a detection value measured by the odiferous gas sensor 26 and a reference value exceeds a preset threshold value of a start, is set as a starting point of estimating the amount of defecation gas (or a starting point of an excretory act). Subsequently, the data analyzer 60 acquires data on a discharge period corresponding to a rate of change in a difference between a detection value at the starting point and the reference value, with reference to the data on a rate of change versus a discharge period. Then, the data analyzer 60 integrates the rate of change in a difference between detection data acquired at the starting point of the excretory act and the reference value, and the discharge time, and then estimates the integrated value as the amount of gas. Likewise, an estimation of the amount of hydrogen gas based on detection data of the hydrogen gas sensor 24, as well as an estimation of the amount of carbon dioxide gas based on detection data of the carbon dioxide sensor 28, can be performed. It is also possible to more accurately estimate the amount of defecation gas without influence of a time constant of the gas sensor, in accordance with the method of estimating the amount of gas, described above. While a case of using a semiconductor gas sensor as the odiferous gas sensor 26 is described in the method of estimating the amount of gas of each of the embodiments, a case of using a solid electrolyte sensor instead of the semiconductor gas sensor enables the amount of gas to be estimated. In the embodiments described above, while the data analyzer 60 acquires a rate of change in a difference between a detection value at the starting point and the reference value to acquire data on a discharge period corresponding to the rate of change in the difference, with reference to the data on a rate of change versus a discharge period, and then estimates the amount of gas on the basis of the rate of change and the discharge period, the present invention is not limited to the way above. For example, data on a rate of change versus the amount of gas, in which a rate of change in the difference and the amount of gas are associated with each other, may be previously stored so that a rate of change in the difference is acquired to directly estimate the amount of gas with reference to the data on a rate of change versus the amount of gas.
In the biological information measurement system of the first embodiment described with reference to
As shown in
The device body 180, as with the first embodiment, includes a hydrogen gas sensor, an odiferous gas sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, an entrance detection sensor, a seating detection sensor, a defecation/urination detection sensor, a suction device, a sensor heater, and a transmitter-receiver. Gas sucked through the duct 118a is deodorized and is discharged through a deodorized air outlet provided in a bottom face of the device body 180. In the duct 118a, there are provided the hydrogen gas sensor, the odiferous gas sensor, the carbon dioxide sensor, the humidity sensor, the temperature sensor, the sensor heater, and a fan. Arrangement of the sensors in the duct 118a is the same as that of the first embodiment, so that description thereof is omitted. According to this kind of configuration, the measuring device 106 of the present embodiment is also capable of acquiring detection data corresponding to the amount of odiferous gas, hydrogen gas, and carbon dioxide, contained in defecation gas, by using the odiferous gas sensor, the hydrogen gas sensor, and the carbon dioxide sensor.
It is desirable that the seat 104 to be used along with the measuring device 106 of the present embodiment is a seat with a cleaning function that includes a toilet lid opening/closing device, a nozzle driving device, a nozzle cleaning device, a toilet cleaning device, and a toilet disinfection device, the seat being capable of communicating with the measuring device 106. Using the measuring device 106 along with this kind of seat enables various cleaning operations and disinfecting operation to be performed when stink gas is detected.
In the first embodiment, as shown in
In the first embodiment, although a detection value of odiferous gas is calculated by subtracting a detection value acquired by the hydrogen gas sensor 24 from a detection value acquired by the odiferous gas sensor 26 to separate influence of hydrogen gas, the present invention is not limited to the way above. For example, as described below, influence of hydrogen gas can be also separated by varying a reaching time of each of hydrogen gas and odiferous gas to the odiferous gas sensor 26.
As with the first embodiment, the air intake passage 18b includes the filter 72, the deodorant filter 78 provided downstream of the filter 72, and the suction fan 18c, and the branch passage 283b branches on the downstream side of the filter 72. The filter 72 does not have a deodorizing function, and allows odiferous gas and hydrogen gas to pass therethrough, but prevents foreign material, such as urine, and a cleaner from passing therethrough. As with the first embodiment, the deodorant filter 78 is also a catalyst that adsorbs gas components of odiferous gas or the like.
Defecation gas in the bowl 2a of the toilet is sucked into the air intake passage 18b at a fixed flow rate by the suction fan 18c. The defecation gas sucked into the air intake passage 18b passes through the filter 72 so that foreign material, such as urine, and a cleaner, is removed, and then is returned into the bowl 2a of the toilet after gas components of odiferous gas or the like are removed by the deodorant filter 78.
The branch passage 283b includes a flow channel changeover valve 284, a column 286, a semiconductor gas sensor 288, and a pump 290, in order from an upstream side toward a downstream side.
The flow channel changeover valve 284 is opened in a partial time (a very short time) during an excretory act to allow a part of defecation gas flowing through the air intake passage 18b (for the partial time during the excretory act of a test subject) to be drawn into the branch passage 283b. The flow channel changeover valve 284 is provided at the most upstream portion of the branch passage 283b.
The column 286 is provided downstream of the flow channel changeover valve 284, and is formed by filling elongated piping with thin fibers and the like, for example. The column 286 has a mechanism in which passing time of gas varies in accordance with molecule size (molecular weight), according to a principle of gas chromatography.
The sensor heater 54 is provided upstream of the semiconductor gas sensor 288 to heat a detecting portion of the semiconductor gas sensor 288 to a predetermined temperature as well as remove stink gas components attached to the semiconductor gas sensor 288.
The flow channel changeover valve 284 allows defecation gas in trace amounts flowing through the air intake passage 18b after passing through the filter 72 to flow into the branch passage 283b. Then, when the pump 290 is driven, each of hydrogen and odiferous gas, contained in the defecation gas, passes through the column 286 for a different time in accordance with molecular weight, according to the principle of gas chromatography, to reach the semiconductor gas sensor 288. That is, hydrogen with a small molecular weight tends to easily pass through the column 286 to reach the semiconductor gas sensor 288 in a short time, and odiferous gas with a large molecular weight tends to be difficult to pass through the column 286 to reach the semiconductor gas sensor 288 in a longer time as compared with the hydrogen. The pump 290 is configured to suck defecation gas at a fixed flow velocity.
While the present embodiment allows the column 286 to vary a reaching time of each of hydrogen and odiferous gas, to the semiconductor gas sensor 288, it is a matter of course that it is also possible to vary a reaching time of methane contained in defecation gas. Accordingly, it is also possible to separate influence of not only hydrogen but also methane from detection data acquired by a semiconductor gas sensor.
According to the biological information measurement system of the embodiment of the present invention, the noise suppression means which suppresses the influence of noise caused by a test subject, other than discharge of defecation gas is provided, so that even in the environment with much noise of the inside of the toilet installation room R, it becomes possible to detect an extremely small amount of odiferous gas. That is, odiferous gas contained in defecation gas is in an extremely small amount, and the sensitivity of the odiferous gas sensor 26 which detects the odiferous gas is set to be extremely high. As the odiferous gas sensor 26, a general gas sensor that is also sensitive to methyl mercaptan gas that is odiferous gas containing a sulfur component and other odiferous gas is used. Consequently, the odiferous gas sensor 26 is also sensitive to a body odor of a test subject, a perfume the test subject has, and the like, besides the defecation gas discharged by the test subject. By providing the noise suppression means, the odiferous gas discharged from the test subject can be reliably detected even if a general gas sensor is used. Then, it is possible to provide a biological information measurement system at a cost, allowing general consumers to readily purchase it. According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent people from having a serious disease, such as a cancer by measuring defecation gas at home, or to urge people to present to a hospital to receive treatment under a moderate condition.
According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, the data analyzer 60 detects start of a defecation act (t2 to t7 in
According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, the detection data (t0 to t2 in
According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, analysis is performed on the basis of an increase change (a hatched are of the odiferous gas data in
According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, the start (t2 of
According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, in the case where a noise level is at a predetermined value or more, reliability of an analysis result (correction value (whole) of
According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, a test subject is notified that a noise level is large (in the lower section in
According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, in the case where the noise level is at the predetermined value or more, the nozzle driving device 42 as a private parts washing device is operated, or the test subject is notified to perform private parts washing, so that the level of noise caused by the test subject can be reduced, and measurement of physical condition with a very small measurement error can be performed.
According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, the test subject is notified to wait for defecation during measurement of a noise level (the lower section in
According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, at the time of measurement of defecation gas to the flush toilet 2, whether it is the defecation period (the times t2 to t8 in
According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, the reference value of the odiferous noise (the detection value of odiferous gas at the time t2 in
According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, the sensor which is provided in the private parts washing device (the nozzle driving device 42) and detects that the test subject sits on the seat 4 is also used as the seating detection sensor 36, so that the sensor which is necessarily provided in the private parts washing device can be also utilized, and cost of the biological information measurement system can be reduced. Accordingly, it becomes possible to put the biological information measurement system into widespread use in general households.
According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, during waiting (for example, S1 in
According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, the detection data associated with excretion at the initial stage including the first excretion (the times t5 to t5′ in
According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, the physical condition of a test subject is analyzed on the basis of the first detection data associated with odiferous gas and the second detection data associated with healthy-state gas (
According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, the first noise-responding means (ventilation/deodorizing inside the bowl 2a or the toilet installation room R) which reduces the influence of residual gas noise, and the noise suppression means (performing cleaning of anus and notification to encourage cleaning, estimation of the amount of odiferous gas based on the difference from the reference value by the data analyzer 60) are provided, so that it becomes possible to reduce the influence of noises due to different causes effectively, and thereby it becomes possible to detect an extremely small amount of odiferous gas.
According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, the first noise-responding means is executed when a test subject does not enter the toilet installation room yet (the times t0 to t1 in
According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, the residual gas noise is reduced by cleaning of the bowl 2a or ventilation, and the test subject is encouraged to reduce the test subject noise which is difficult to reduce, by notification, so that both of the noises can be effectively reduced.
According to the biological information measurement system of the present embodiment, the influences of the residual gas noise and the test subject noise are notified to the test subject (the lower section in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-017450 | Jan 2015 | JP | national |
| 2015-017451 | Jan 2015 | JP | national |
| 2015-232231 | Nov 2015 | JP | national |
| 2015-232234 | Nov 2015 | JP | national |
