• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    A device for detecting involuntary muscle contractions in the hand and arm region of a patient, in particular tremor, has a handpiece (1) with a housing (4), which essentially has the shape of a writing instrument with a grip region (5), which acts like a Pen is held. The housing (4) has at least one pressure sensor in the grip area (5), at least one gyroscopic sensor and at least one acceleration sensor, the sensors detecting different characteristics of the tremor. Furthermore, a data processing device and at least one means (3) for transmitting data are provided, which transmits data from the sensors (6, 7) of the handpiece (1) to the data processing device. With at least one sensor (6) for the skin resistance arranged on the housing (4), the skin conductivity of the patient is determined before the detection of the tremor characteristics.
    公开号:AT515976A1
    申请号:T502/2014
    申请日:2014-06-26
    公开日:2016-01-15
    发明作者:Tibor Zajki-Zechmeister；Johannes Dipl Ing Dr Techn Oberzaucher
    申请人:Forschungsgesellschaft Der Fachhochschule Kärnten Mbh；Tibor Zajki-Zechmeister；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    The invention relates to a device for detecting involuntary muscle contractions in the hand and arm area, in particular tremor, with a handpiece having a housing, which has substantially the form of a writing instrument with a handle portion, wherein the housing at least one pressure sensor in the handle region, at least one gyroscopic sensor and at least having an acceleration sensor, with a
    Data processing device and with at least one means for transmitting data.
    The invention further relates to a method of operating a device for detecting involuntary muscular contractions in the hand and arm region of a patient, in particular tremor, comprising a handpiece having a housing substantially in the form of a writing instrument with a grip region held like a pin. the housing having at least one pressure sensor in the gripping area, at least one gyroscopic sensor and at least one acceleration sensor, the sensors detecting different characteristics of the tremor, with one
    Data processing device and having at least one means for transmitting data, which transmits data from the sensors of the handpiece to the data processing device.
    There are several types of involuntary muscle contractions. Tremores, which can have different causes. However, for a human, it is only possible with a great deal of experience to differentiate individual types of tremores based on various parameters. Therefore, it often leads to misdiagnosis. To remedy this malady and objectify the diagnosis, approaches exist to detect muscle contractions, especially in the hand and arm area, by sensors to detect the differences in the various tremor types and strengths.
    As already disclosed in WO 2011/141734 A1, possible parameters that can be detected to aid in diagnosis are the frequency, orientation, amplitude of the tremor, as well as the power of the muscles, the ability to control the exercise of the muscles, and the typeface and ability to be specific Shape to draw. However, it does not take into account that the data collected in this case can be distorted by the situation of the measurement itself. Thus, situations that are felt by a subject whose possible symptoms are to be sensed as stress. This stress itself can be the cause of a tremor.
    The object of the invention is therefore to overcome the above-mentioned problems and to avoid or reduce falsification of measurement data.
    This object is achieved by a device of the type mentioned, which is characterized in that the housing at least a sensor for the skin resistance is arranged.
    This object is further achieved by a method of the type mentioned above, which is characterized in that with at least one sensor arranged on the housing for the skin resistance before detecting the characteristics of the skin conductivity of the patient is determined.
    By detecting the skin resistance, it can be recognized how much a subject is under stress. If an operator, in particular a physician, has recognized the subject's stress with the aid of the device according to the invention, this can be used to measure the various parameters for the determination of the tremor or for the evaluation of the measured values.
    Other factors that can be used to detect a possible falsification of the measurement results when detecting involuntary muscle contractions are pulse and blood flow of the subject or hand of the subject. On the one hand, the pulse rate can be a further indication of possible stress in the subject, on the other hand, even a meager supply of the muscles triggers a trembling of these. Therefore, in a preferred development of the invention, the device, in particular the handpiece of the device, has a plethysmograph, in particular a photoplethysmograph. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that dendiverse sensor types are often sensor groups.
    In a preferred development of the invention, the plethysmograph is arranged on the handpiece. By placing all the sensors on the handpiece, the part of the device which processes the data obtained by the sensors can be made more free. For example, the handpiece can be connected to a simple computer if all sensory elements are housed in the handpiece. The computer then only needs to be equipped with appropriate software to complete the device. As computers are already part of customary inventories in most practices, the purchase price for a device according to the invention can thus be considerably reduced, which makes the advantages of the invention more accessible to people. Furthermore, a handpiece according to the invention may also be operated in conjunction with a laptop. In this way, it is also possible to reach patients who are unable to visit a doctor who has diagnostic support for diagnostics, for example because they do not allow their state of health or live in a remote location.
    In a further development of the invention, it is also possible to record the various data from the sensors and transmit it to a remote data processing device, for example via an Internet connection. Since the device can also be used by an operator without special training, it is thus possible to record all the data and then to transmit it to a physician, in particular a neurologist, who uses the acquired data for diagnosis.
    In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises means for reproducing, preferably for visualization, data processed by the data processing device. Not only should the various tremor characteristics be known as well known in the art, but it also prefers the previously acquired stress levels. This can be done, for example, by displaying an offset to the detected tremor characteristics, which gives the physician an indication of which measured values he should otherwise evaluate. In addition to visual displays, others can be used. For example, acoustic signals can play the beginning and end of a measurement.
    In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for transmitting data is a means for wireless data transmission. In addition to the obvious advantages, such as increased convenience in using the device, another source of error in detecting tremor characteristics can be overcome. Cable on the hand piece hinder, although only partially to a small extent, the free movement of the handpiece. As a result, the measurements can be falsified. In contrast, a cordless handpiece is advantageous. Therefore, it is also provided in a development of the invention that the handpiece has a possibly rechargeable energy storage.
    It is particularly advantageous if the energy storage, for example, inductively, can be charged wirelessly. Thus, the handpiece can be made hermetically sealed, which greatly simplifies disinfecting the handpiece, as is often prescribed in medical applications.
    Further preferred and advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject of the remaining subclaims.
    Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings is described in more detail by way of example. It shows:
    Fig. 1 is a roughly schematic representation of a first
    Embodiment of a handpiece of a device according to the invention, which is connected to a data processing device,
    Fig. 2 is a roughly schematic representation of a second
    Embodiment of a handpiece of a device according to the invention,
    3 is a block diagram roughly outlining the function of the first embodiment;
    4 is a block diagram roughly outlining the function of the second embodiment;
    Fig. 5 is a flowchart outlining a possible procedure in the application of the two embodiments.
    Fig. 1 shows a rough schematic representation of a first embodiment of a handpiece 1 of a device 2 according to the invention, which is connected to a means 3 for transmitting data. The housing 4 has, analogous to a pin, a handle portion 5. In the handle portion 5 of the handpiece 1, there are arranged a sliding resistance sensors 6 which project through the housing 4 to the outside of the handpiece 1. Since these are usually made very thin, among the
    Hautleitwiderstandensensoren 6 pressure sensors (not shown) may be arranged. In order to achieve optimum positioning of the fingers of a patient's hand embracing the handpiece 1, it is preferred that the handle portion 5 be ergonomically shaped so as to guide the fingers to the desired positions relative to the sensors. This also increases the reproducibility of the measurements under conditions that are as constant as possible, since the positioning of the fingers relative to the sensors is crucial both for the measurement of the skin conductance and for the detection of the various activities of the pressure.
    Furthermore, in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the handpiece 1 has a sensor group 7. This may include, for example, three-dimensional acceleration sensors, three-dimensional gyroscopic sensors, and other sensors known in the art for detecting the characteristics of tremores, such as terrestrial magnetic field sensors or the like. All the sensors 6, 7 are connected via lines 8 to the means 3 for transmitting data, which serves in the illustrated embodiment at the same time as an energy source for the sensors 6, 7. From the means 3 for transmitting data, for example a USB interface, the data acquired by the sensors 6, 7 are forwarded to a data processing device (not shown), for example a computer.
    In addition, the illustrated embodiment has an external plethysmograph 9. In the embodiment shown, it is a photoplethysmograph. The values detected by the plethysmograph are also forwarded to the data processing device via the means 3 for transmitting data.
    Further, the handpiece 1 has a conductive tip 11. Thus, the handpiece 1 can be used in combination with almost all conventional touch-screen technologies. Thus, in addition to the other sensor information, there is the possibility of a machine-assisted handwriting analysis of the patient, which makes it particularly easier to quantify particular changes in typeface in the course of disease, which greatly simplifies diagnosis for a physician.
    Fig. 2 shows a rough schematic representation of a second embodiment of a handpiece of a device according to the invention. The second embodiment is constructed in principle as the first embodiment and differs from the first in three essential points, which will be particularly dealt with in the following the two embodiments have the same structure.
    The first essential difference from the first embodiment is that the handpiece 1 has a means for wireless data transmission 12. Thus, the handpiece can be used without cable affect the handling of the handpiece. A device for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data 13 is connected to the data processing device (not shown). The wireless data transmission means 12 and the wireless data transmission and reception means 13 share the task of the data transmission means 3 of the first embodiment.
    The second essential difference of the second embodiment of the first embodiment is that the (photo) plethysmograph 9 is placed directly in the handpiece 1. Thus, the patient can no longer be obstructed by the plethysmograph when using the handpiece. In addition, the transport of the device is further simplified.
    The third essential difference of the second embodiment of the first embodiment is that the second embodiment has an optionally rechargeable energy store 14. This is connected to and supplies power to the sensors 6, 7, 9 and the wireless data transmission means 12. Embodiments in which the wireless data transmission means 12 is powered by the wireless transmission and reception device 13, similar to the technology, which is used in RFIDs are just as unthinkable.
    Further, in the second embodiment, the tip 11 of the handpiece 1 is connected to the data processing device via the remaining sensors 7 and the data transfer means 3. By this optional development of the invention, it is possible to obtain further measurement data, such as the force with which the pen tip is inserted Write or draw is attached to capture.
    Fig. 3 is a block diagram roughly outlining the function of the first embodiment. The sensors 6, 7 in the handpiece, as well as the external sensor, the plethysmograph 9, acquire data and pass it on to the data processing device via the means for transmitting data. This may be, for example, a PC, a tablet or even a suitable smartphone. In the data processing device, the data is then processed in two significant ways. On the one hand, parameters describing the measured values are extracted. These may be, for example, the frequency, the direction of sweep and the size of the tremor. On the other hand, the measured values are visualized user-specifically.
    Fig. 4 is a block diagram roughly outlining the function of the second embodiment. Initially, all the data acquired by the sensors 6, 7, 9 in the handpiece converge in the means for the wireless transmission of data. There, the data is preprocessed, in particular converted into transferable data packets, and then transmitted wirelessly. The type of preprocessing depends on the type of transmission chosen. For example, Bluetooth connections require data characteristics other than connections over NFC. The expert can choose freely between the available transmission methods and the preprocessing of
    Adapt data accordingly. The wirelessly transmitted data is then received by the means for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data and transmitted to the data processing device. There, the data, optionally after being retransmitted from a transmission format, may be further processed as in the first embodiment.
    Even if it is not necessary for the actual function of the device that also data from the
    Data processing device can be transferred to the handpiece 1, this development - for both wireless and cabled embodiments - advantageous, for example, to calibrate the various components in the handpiece or, if necessary, to change a deposited in the means for wireless data transmission Bluetooth protocol.
    Fig. 5 is a flowchart outlining a possible procedure in the application of the two embodiments. The patient first takes the handpiece or the pen in a first hand and forms a fist around the pin. Optionally, depending on the embodiment, an external (photo) plethysmograph may be connected. The plethysmograph and the dragline sensors on the handpiece detect the skin conductance and pulse of the patient. From this data, a stress level of the patient is then determined. If it is below a predetermined threshold, the stress level has no further influence on the measurement; if the threshold is exceeded, it becomes an "offset". determined, which later flows into the further recorded measured values or their visualization.
    Then the patient takes the handpiece in the second (other) hand and forms a fist again. The device then determines on the basis of a first (coarse) measurement, which is the dominant tremor hand of the patient. This step greatly improves the measurement, since the patient's dominant hand (writing hand) is used, which does not necessarily have to be the dominant tremor hand, for which reason, for example, deteriorations are often recognized too late, even with electronic assistance. Optionally already at this point a visualization can take place, which for example gives an indication of which hand is preferred for the measurement.
    In the next step, the patient takes the handpiece or the sensor pen in the previously determined dominant tremor hand and draws with this, for example on a touch screen or touchpad, simple figures. In a further development of the invention, these figures can also be displayed on the touch screen and the patient follows the lines of the figures. This may be particularly helpful when the dominant hand and dominant tremor hand are not the same, as this may weaken uncertainty due to lack of exercise on the part of the patient. As the patient draws, the handpiece sensors sense the parameters relevant to the tremor and send it to the data processing device.
    In one development of the invention, the stress level can also be continuously determined during the actual measurement of the tremor parameters. If the stress level of the patient then increases during the measurement, the measurement can be stopped, for example. Alternatively, an "offset" may also be continuously updated. which is then displayed at a later time together with the measurement data in support of the diagnosis.
    Then, the acquired measurement data are merged and processed, whereupon these are presented user-specifically. For example, a caregiver who performs the measurement to then forward the diagnosis to a medical professional can obtain the information as to whether the measurement was successful. On the other hand, if the diagnosis is to take place immediately, all measured values can be displayed directly. In addition, the user can also specify an order of the measurement data according to their significance for the diagnosis. For example, if there is no fundamental cause for the tremor test yet, the frequency of the tremor is of great importance for the diagnosis. For example, tremors resulting from a disease of the muscles themselves have a measurably higher tremor frequency than, for example, tremors caused by Parkinson's disease. However, if the cause is already established, and the purpose of the measurement is, for example, the documentation of disease progression or the effectiveness of medicines, the tremor frequency will take a back seat and may be given a lower priority in the display by the user.
    If the measurement was successful, the process can be completed; if not, it must be restarted from the beginning.
    For example, it is largely irrelevant for the function of the invention whether the stress level is determined while the patient with the first or second hand forms a fist.
    权利要求:
    Claims (9)
    [1]
    Claims 1. Apparatus for detecting involuntary muscular contractions in the hand and arm region, in particular tremor, comprising a handpiece (1) having a housing (4) substantially in the form of a writing instrument with a grip region (5), the housing (4 ) comprising at least one pressure sensor in the grip region, at least one gyroscopic sensor and at least one acceleration sensor, with a data processing device and with at least one means (3) for transmitting data, characterized in that at least one sensor (6) for the skin resistance is arranged on the housing (4),
    [2]
    Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device comprises a plethysmograph (9), preferably a photoplethysmograph.
    [3]
    Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the plethysmograph (9) is arranged on the handpiece (1).
    [4]
    Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device comprises means for displaying, preferably for visualization, data processed by the data processing means.
    [5]
    Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the means (3) for transmitting data are wireless data transmission means.
    [6]
    6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the handpiece (1), optionally rechargeable, energy storage device (14).
    [7]
    A method of operating a device for detecting involuntary muscular contractions in the hand and arm region of a patient, especially a tremor, comprising a handpiece (1) having a housing (4) which is substantially in the form of a writing instrument having a handle portion (5) which acts like a handpiece Wherein the housing (4) comprises at least one pressure sensor in the handle region (5), at least one gyroscopic sensor and at least one acceleration sensor, the sensors detecting various characteristics of the tremor, a data processing device and at least one means (3) for transmitting data, which transmits data from the sensors (6, 7) of the handpiece (1) to the data processing device, characterized in that the skin conductivity of the patient is determined with at least one skin resistance sensor (6) prior to the detection of the characteristics.
    [8]
    Method according to claim 7, characterized in that, prior to the detection of the characteristics by a plethysmograph (9), preferably a photoplethysmograph, the pulse of the patient is detected.
    [9]
    A method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the data processed by the data processing means are reproduced by means for reproduction, preferably for visualization.
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    法律状态:
    2017-01-15| PC| Change of the owner|Owner name: TIBOR ZAJKI-ZECHMEISTER, AT Effective date: 20161130 Owner name: TREMITAS GMBH, AT Effective date: 20161130 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    ATA502/2014A|AT515976B1|2014-06-26|2014-06-26|Device for detecting tremors|ATA502/2014A| AT515976B1|2014-06-26|2014-06-26|Device for detecting tremors|
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