Patent Publication Number: US-2022218228-A1

Title: Respiration measurement device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a respiration measurement device, and more particularly to a respiration measurement device which has a reduced size so that the respiration volume of an examinee can be measured anytime and anywhere as well as at home or in a hospital, and allows a sensor configured to measure respiratory air flow and an air flow path configured to allow the respiratory air flow to be moved therethrough to be separately provided and then to be detachably coupled to each other, so that foreign substances produced in the sensor and the air flow path can be easily washed and removed. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In general, measurement devices used in pulmonary function tests are divided into two methods. In the first method, changes in a lung volume due to inflation and deflation of the lung, i.e., changes in the lung volume, are measured quantitatively, and more particularly, changes in the lung volume are directly measured while an examinee respires in a predetermined mode. In the second method, the respiration volume of an examinee is measured by sensing and measuring the flow of air flowing towards the inside and the outside of the lung while the examinee respires. 
     Conventionally, the first method in which changes in the lung volume are directly measured was mainly used in pulmonary function tests but a test device used in this method has a complicated structure and is difficult to move and thus causes inconvenience in use, and therefore, the second method in which respiratory air flow generated by respiration of an examinee is measured and a respiration measurement device using this method are mainly used now. 
     However, the above respiration measurement device configured to measure the respiratory air flow generally has a complicated inner structure and a very large size, and is thus difficult to carry around and may be used only at home or in a hospital. 
     Recently, air pollution caused by sandy dust, heavy metals and fine particles is rapidly increasing, infants, the old and the weak are very vulnerable to respiratory diseases in these circumstances, and thus, it is very important to continuously check the healthy state of the respiratory organs through measurement of the respiration volume. 
     However, there is a problem in that it is almost impossible to rapidly, conveniently and accurately measure the respiration volume of an examinee in an environment deviating from a hospital or home. 
     Further, in the conventional respiration measurement device, a sensor configured to measure respiratory air flow and an air flow path configured to allow the respiratory air flow to be moved therethrough are formed integrally with each other,and thus, it is difficult to wash and remove foreign substances produced in the sensor and the air flow path. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     TECHNICAL PROBLEM 
     Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a respiration measurement device which has a reduced size so that the respiration volume of an examinee can be measured anytime and anywhere as well as at home or in a hospital, and allows a sensor configured to measure respiratory air flow and an air flow path configured to allow the respiratory air flow to be moved therethrough to be separately provided and then to be detachably coupled to each other, so that foreignsubstances produced in the sensor and the air flow path can be easily washed and removed. It is another object of the present invention to provide a respiration measurement device which may increase sensitivity while having a simplified structure. 
     TECHNICAL SOLUTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a respiration measurement device including a first body configured to have an air flow path formed therein to allow air generated by respiration of a user to be introduced thereinto and moved therethrough, a part of the air flow path being opened to form an opening, a second body including a respiration measurement unit configured to measure a pressure of theair moved through the air flow path, formed to be detachably coupled to the first body and installed to close the opening formed through the first body, and a mouthpiece detachably coupled to an inlet side of the air flow path. 
     Here, the respiration measurement unit may include a respiration measurement sensor module formed to correspond to the opening of the air flow path and installed to close the opening of the air flow path by coupling between the first body and the second body, and a first differential pressure generation block configured to extend from the respiration measurement sensor module towards an inner center of the air flow path. 
     Further, the respiration measurement unit may further include a second differential pressure generation block disposed on the inner surface of the air flow path, configured to extend from an inner surface of the air flow path towards the inner center of the air flow path, and disposed opposite the first differential pressure generation block so as to correspond to the first differential pressure generation block. 
     The respiration measurementsensor module may include a sensing flow path configured to pass through an inside of the respiration measurement sensor module and provided with an inlet and an outlet formed at both sides of the first differential pressure generation block, and a sensing unit configured to sense a pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of the sensing flow path. 
     The respiration measurement device may further include a mouthpiece piing member installed between the mouthpiece and an inlet side of the air flow path, a metal body may be formed at one side of the mouthpiece coupling member, and a magnetic body may be formed at the mouthpiece so as to be detachably coupled to the metal body. 
     Further, the respiration measurement device may further include a filter installed in the mouthpiece coupling member so as to filter out contaminants from the inlet side of the air flow path. 
     The respiration measurement device may further include a respiratory pressure adjustment unit disposed between the inlet side of the air flow path and the mouthpiece coupling member so as to adjustthe pressure of respiratory air flow introduced into the air flow path by rotation. 
     The respiratory pressure djustment unit may include a rotating member provided with. a rotating shaft formed at a center thereof and installed to be rotatable by the rotating shaft, and a plurality of pressure adjustment holes installed to pass through the rotating member and disposed radially about the rotating shaft. 
     The pressure adjustment holes may be configured such that cross-sectional areas thereof are different. 
     ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS 
     A respiration measurement device according to the present invention has a reduced size so that the respiration volume of an examinee can be measured anytime and anywhere as well as at home or in a hospital, and allows a sensor configured to measure respiratory air flow and an air flow path configured to allow the respiratory air flow to be moved therethrough to be separately provided and then to be detachably coupled to each other, so that foreign substances produced in the sensor and the air flow path can be easily washed and removed. Further, one or more differential pressure generation blocks are formed in the air flow path, and thereby, the respiration measurement device may increase sensitivity while having a simplified structure. A respiratory pressure adjustment unit adjusts the pressure of the respiratory air flow introduced into the air flow path, and may thus provide a respiratory pressure suitable for the user&#39;s health condition during user&#39;s respiratory movement, thereby being capable of improving the respiratory movement effects of individuals. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of a respiration measurement device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view illustrating a first body of the respiration measurement device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the respiration measurement device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the respiration measurement device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a respiration measurement unit of the respiration measurement device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a respiratory pressure adjustment unit of the respiration measurement device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a view illustrating a mouthpiece of the respiration measurement device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a view illustrating a filter of the respiration measurement device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a view illustrating a principle of measuring a respiration volume using the respiration measurement device according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     MODE FOR INVENTION 
     Specific structural or functional descriptions in embodiments of the present invention set forth in the description which follows will be exemplarily given to describe the embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention may be embodied in many alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. 
     The embodiments of the present invention may be variously modified and changed, and thus specific embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the following description of the embodiments of the present invention. However, it will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention are provided only to completely disclose the invention and cover modifications, equivalents or alternatives which come within the scope and technical range of the invention. 
     In the following description of the embodiments, terms, such as “first” and “second”, are used only to describe various elements, and these elements should not be construed as being limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from other elements, and for example, a first element described hereinafter may be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element described hereinafter may be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     When an element is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element, there may be no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion, e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, singular forms may be intended to include plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprising”, “having”, etc. are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or combinations thereof. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all terms including technical and scientific terms used in the following description have the same meanings as those of terms generally understood by those skilled in the art. Terms defined in generally used dictionaries will be interpreted as having meanings coinciding with contextual meanings in the related technology, and are not to be interpreted as having ideal or excessively formal meanings unless defined clearly in the description. 
     Hereinafter, a respiration measurement device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     The respiration measurement device according to the present invention includes, as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , a first body  100  configured to have an air flow path  110  formed therein to allow air generated by respiration of a user to be introduced thereinto and moved therethrough, a p t of the air flow path  110  being opened to form an opening  120 , a second body  200  formed to be detachably coupled to the first body  100  and installed to close the opening  120  formed through the first body  100 , a respiration measurement unit  300  configured to measure the pressure of the air moved through the air flow path  110 , a mouthpiece coupling member  400  installed at an inlet side  111  of the air flow path  110 , and a mouthpiece  500  detachably coupled to the mouthpiece coupling member  400 . 
     First, the first body  100  is a hollow member in which the air flow path  110  is formed, and one side (a left side in  FIG. 1 , i.e., an air inlet side) and the other side (a right side in  FIG. 1 , i.e., an air outlet side) of the first body  10  are open so that the air flow path  110  communicates with the outside. Further, the opening  120  is formed by removing a part of the upper surface of the first body  100 , and thereby, the part of the upper surface of the air flow path  110  is open. 
     Further, the second body  200  is formed to have a length corresponding to the length of the first body  100 , and the lower part of the second body  200  is detachably coupled to the first body  100 . 
     The respiration measurement unit  300  includes, as shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , a respiration measurement sensor module  310  formed to correspond to the opening of the air flow path and installed to close the opening of the air flow path by coupling between the first body and the second body, a first differential pressure generation block  320  configured to extend from the respiration measurement sensor module  310  towards the inner center of the air flow path, and a second differential pressure generation block  330  disposed on the inner surface of the air flow path, configured to extend from the inner surface of the air flow path towards the inner center of the air flow path, and disposed opposite the first differential pressure generation block so as to correspond to the first differential pressure generation block. 
     The respiration measurement sensor module  310  is a member formed to the correspond to the opening  120  of the first body  100 , and the respiration measurement sensor module  310  closes the opening  120  when the first body  100  and the second body  200  are coupled to each other. That is, the respiration measurement sensor module  310 covers the opening  120  by coupling between the first body  100  and the second body  200 , thereby sealing the air flow path  110 . As described above, since the first body  100  and the second body  200  may be formed to be completely separated from each other and a part of the air flow path  110  may be open by separation between the first body  100  and the second body  200 , foreign substances may be easily removed from the inside of the air flow path  110  by washing the first body. Here, the respiration measurement sensor module  310  is disposed such that the lower surface of the respiration measurement sensor module  310  is located to be coplanar with the upper surface of the air flow path  110 . 
     The first differential pressure generation block  320  is a member having a designated thickness and height, is disposed at the center of the respiration measurement sensor module  310 , and protrudes from the surface of the respiration measurement sensor module  310  towards the inner center of the air flow path  110 . 
     The respiration measurement sensor module  310  may include a sensing flow path configured to pass through the inside of the respiration measurement sensor module and provided with an inlet and an outlet formed at both sides of the first differential pressure generation block, and a sensing unit configured to sense a pressure difference. More concretely, the sensing flow path  311  configured to measure the pressure of air passing through the air flow path is formed in the respiration measurement sensor module  310 , and the inlet and the outlet of the sensing flow path  311  are formed at both sides of the first differential pressure generation block  320  in the direction of air flow. Further, the sensing unit  312  is disposed in the sensing flow path  311 . The sensing unit  312  is a differential pressure sensor, and may sense a pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of the sensing flow path  311  and calculate a respiration volume based on the sensed pressure difference. 
     The respiration measurement sensor module  310  is installed on a circuit board  340 , and the circuit board  340  is mounted in the second body  200 . The respiration measurement sensor module  310  is installed to be exposed from the second body so as to close the opening  120  of the first body when the second body and the first body are coupled to each other (with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). 
     Further, the second differential pressure generation block  330  is provided as a member having a designated thickness and height and formed to correspond the first differential pressure generation block  320 , and is disposed on the inner surface of the air flow path  110 . Here, the second differential pressure generation block  330  is disposed so as to face the first differential pressure generation block  320 . 
     Further, the respiration measurement unit  300  according to the present invention may further include a third differential pressure generation block  350  and a fourth differential pressure generation block  360 . The third differential pressure generation block  350  and the fourth differential pressure generation block  360  may be formed at both sides of the air flow path  110 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The first to fourth differential pressure generation blocks are members having a shape having a designated thickness and height and, although the first to fourth differential pressure generation blocks have a rectangular shape in the present invention, the first to fourth differential pressure generation blocks may have various other shapes as long as they have a designated thickness and height and generate a differential pressure, as described above. 
     The respiration measurement unit  300  having the above-described configuration measures respiration of a user. 
     Hereinafter, the principle of the respiration volume of a user using the respiration measurement unit  300  according to the present invention will be described in detail. 
       FIG. 10  is a view illustrating pressure changes in an orifice pipe installed in a general flow path. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , Bernoulli&#39;s equation and the continuity equation are established between the cross-section a of an upstream region of the orifice pipe and the cross-section b of a narrowed region of the orifice pipe. 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 P 
                 1 
               
               + 
               
                 
                   
                     ρ 
                     1 
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   
                     V 
                     1 
                     2 
                   
                 
                 2 
               
             
             = 
             
               
                 P 
                 2 
               
               + 
               
                 
                   
                     ρ 
                     2 
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   
                     V 
                     2 
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                 2 
               
             
           
         
       
       
         
           
             
               
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               ⁢ 
               
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                 1 
               
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                 A 
                 1 
               
             
             = 
             
               
                 ρ 
                 2 
               
               ⁢ 
               
                 V 
                 2 
               
               ⁢ 
               
                 A 
                 2 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     (V: mean flow velocity, P: pressure, p: density of fluid) 
     The relationship between a volume flow rate Q of the fluid passing through the orifice pipe and a differential pressure (P 1 -P 2 ) is as follows. 
     
       
         
           
             Q 
             = 
             
               
                 
                   V 
                   2 
                 
                 ⁢ 
                 
                   A 
                   2 
                 
               
               = 
               
                 
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                 ⁢ 
                 
                   
                     
                       1 
                       
                         ( 
                         
                           1 
                           - 
                           
                             
                               ( 
                               
                                 
                                   A 
                                   2 
                                 
                                 / 
                                 
                                   A 
                                   1 
                                 
                               
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                               1 
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                               2 
                             
                           
                         
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                     ⁡ 
                     
                       [ 
                       
                         
                           1 
                           
                             ρ 
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                               2 
                             
                           
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                       ] 
                     
                   
                   
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     Therefore, when the values of P 1  and P 2  are given, the volume flow rate Q may be obtained. 
     In the present invention, the first differential pressure generation block  320 and the second differential pressure generation block  330  are substituted for the orifice pipe having the above-described measurement principle, and the values of P 1  and P 2  may be obtained by sensed results of the sensing unit  312  located in the sensing flow path  311 . 
     When the obtained values of P 1  and P 2  are substituted into the above equation, the respiration volume of the user may be measured. 
     The mouthpiece coupling member  400  may be provided between the first body and the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece coupling member  400  is provided as a plate having a designated thickness, installed at the inlet side  111  of the air flow path  110 , and coupled to the mouthpiece. Here, a metal body  410  is formed at one side of the mouthpiece coupling member  400  so as to be coupled to the mouthpiece  500 , and a filter  420  is formed so as to be interlocked with the inlet side  111 of the air flow path  110  (with reference to  FIG. 9 ). The filter  420  is provided as a general metal net or prefilter, and is installed so as to filter out foreign substances from the inlet side  111  of the air flow path  110 . The mouthpiece coupling member  400  may be provided separately from the first body, or may be formed integrally with the first body, as needed. 
     The mouthpiece  500  is a member provided with a respiration hole  520  formed therein and connected to the air flow path  110  so that the user may breathe into the respiration hole  520  in his/her mouth, and a magnetic body  510  is installed at one side of the mouthpiece  500  so as to be detachably coupled to the metal body  410  of the mouthpiece coupling member  400 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . As such, the mouthpiece  500  is detachably coupled to the mouthpiece coupling member, and thereby, the inside of the respiration hole  520  and the filter  520  may be easily cleaned. Here, the magnetic body and the metal body be interchangeably disposed at the mouthpiece coupling member and the mouthpiece. 
     The respiration measurement device may further include a respiratory pressure adjustment unit  600  configured to adjust the pressure of respiratory air flow introduced into the respiration measurement device, as needed. 
     The respiratory pressure adjustment unit  600  includes, as shown in  FIG. 7 , a rotating member  610 , a rotating shaft  620  and a plurality of pressure adjustment holes  630 . 
     The rotating member  610  is a circular plate having a designated thickness, and may be disposed between the inlet side  111  of the air flow path  110  and the mouthpiece coupling member  400 . Here, the rotating shaft  620  is provided at the center of the rotating member so that the rotating member  610  can be rotated by the rotating shaft  620 . 
     The pressure adjustment holes  630  are holes formed through the rotating member  610 , and are provided in plural so as to be disposed radially about the rotating shaft  620 . Here, the cross-sectional areas of the respective pressure adjustment holes  630  are different. 
     In the respiratory pressure adjustment unit  600  having the above-described configuration, a corresponding one of the different pressure adjustment holes  630  is interlocked with the air flow path  110  depending on rotation of the rotating member  610 , and the pressure of the respiratory air flow introduced into the air flow path  110  is adjusted depending on the cross-sectional area of the corresponding pressure adjustment hole  630 . 
     The respiration measurement device having the above-described configuration according to the present invention has a reduced size so that the respiration volume of an examinee can be measured anytime and anywhere as well as at home or in a hospital, and allows the respiration measurement sensor module  310  configured to measure the respiratory air flow and the air flow path  100  configured to allow the respiratory air flow to be moved therethrough to be separately provided and then to be detachably coupled to each other, so that foreign substances produced in the respiration measurement sensor module  310 and the air flow path  110  can be easily washed and removed. Particularly, the first body through which the user&#39;s respiratory air flow directly passes is configured to be separable from the second body so as to be very easily washed, and the respiration measurement sensor module of the second body is formed integrally with the sensing unit so that, even when attachment and detachment between the first and second bodies are repeated, a sensing error rarely occurs. 
     Further, one or more differential pressure generation blocks are formed in the air flow path as a substitute for the conventional orifice pipe, and thereby, the respiration measurement device may increase sensitivity while having a simplified structure. The respiratory pressure adjustment unit  600  may adjust the pressure of the respiratory air flow introduced into the air flow path  110  depending on the cross--sectional area of a corresponding one of the respective pressure adjustment holes  630 , and may thus provide a respiratory pressure suitable for the user&#39;s health condition during user&#39;s respiratory movement, thereby being capable of improving the respiratory movement effects of individuals. The respiration measurement device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described. 
     Although the above-described embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 
     (Description of Reference Numerals and Marks) 
       
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 100: first body 
                 110: air flow path 
               
               
                 120: opening 
                 200: second body 
               
               
                 300: respiration measurement unit 
                 310: respiration measurement 
               
               
                   
                 sensor module 
               
               
                 311: sensing flow path 
                 312: sensing unit 
               
               
                 320: first differential pressure 
                 330: second differential pressure 
               
               
                 generation block 
                 generation block 
               
               
                 340: substrate 
                 350: third differential pressure 
               
               
                   
                 generation block 
               
               
                 360: fourth differential pressure 
                 400: mouthpiece coupling member 
               
               
                 generation block 
               
               
                 410: metal body 
                 420: filter 
               
               
                 500: mouthpiece 
                 510: magnetic body 
               
               
                 520: respiration hole 
                 600: respiratory pressure 
               
               
                   
                 adjustment unit 
               
               
                 610: rotating member 
                 620: rotating shaft 
               
               
                 630: pressure adjustment hole