JP2001170020A - Intracorporeal adipometer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately find the body fat rate of the whole body by a simple structure regardless of the distribution of the body fat. SOLUTION: An impedance measuring part 4 between hands obtains the impedance between hands, and an impedance measuring part 8 between feet obtains the impedance between feet. The impedance between feet is transmitted from the impedance measuring part 8 to the impedance measuring part 4, and the impedance in the body is calculated based on the impedance between hands and the impedance between feet. Based on the impedance in the body, the body fat rate in the whole body is calculated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a body fat measuring device for measuring the amount of fat in a body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an accurate method for measuring fat mass in the body, there is an underwater weight weighing method for estimating fat mass by calculating body density from a measured value of body weight in water. However, since the underwater weight weighing method requires a large facility and a heavy burden on the subject, recently, a current is applied between both hands or between the feet of the subject, and the impedance value in the body existing between the both hands or between the feet. Is estimated from the measured impedance value in the body and the height and weight. Body density = a−k · weight / impedance / height ² (where a and k are measured by the underwater weight measurement method) A method of measuring the amount of fat in the body using a constant obtained by correlation with the obtained value) has been adopted.

[0003] Here, when the measurement site of the impedance value in the body is between both hands and between the legs,
Even if the values of the coefficients a and k used in the equation 1 are different from each other, the relationship between the body density and the obtained impedance value in the body may well correspond to the torso portion which greatly affects the impedance value in the body. It is desirable that the relationship between the impedance value for each individual and the actual distribution of tissue such as fat and muscle in the torso be as uniform as possible without variation among individuals.

A body fat measuring device for measuring body fat by a method using the impedance value in the body is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-62-169023.
Place the foot electrodes for contacting both feet on the surface of the scale, measure the weight value, apply a current between both feet, measure the impedance value in the body, and use the weight value and the impedance value in the body. There is proposed an apparatus for calculating the amount of fat in the body.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-13872 discloses a body weight measuring section (first measuring section) for measuring a body weight value, and an in-body body for measuring an impedance value between both hands by providing an electrode contacted with both hands. Impedance measurement unit (second measurement unit)
And a body fat measuring device that is connected by a cable. In this body fat measuring device, the weight value measured by the body weight measuring unit is transmitted to the body impedance measuring unit via the cable, and the body impedance measuring unit applies a current between both hands to measure the body impedance. The body fat mass is calculated using the measured body impedance value and the body weight value.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-128197 discloses a weight measuring section (first measuring section) for measuring a weight value,
Body fat measurement comprising a hand electrode detachably attached to the body weight measurement unit and a radio communication unit for taking in the body weight value, and a body impedance measurement unit (second measurement unit) on a bar, the hand electrode being brought into contact with both hands. A device has been proposed. The body fat measurement device is configured such that the body impedance measurement unit is attached to the body weight measurement unit when not in use or when measuring body weight alone, and the body impedance measurement unit is used when the body fat measurement is performed. It is used in a state where it is detached from. That is, when performing body fat measurement, a subject rides on the weight measurement unit while holding the impedance measurement unit in the body with both hands, the weight value is measured by the weight measurement unit, and the body weight is measured. After the impedance value in the body is measured by applying a current between both hands by the internal impedance measurement unit, the impedance measurement unit in the body fetches the weight value by wireless communication from the weight measurement unit, and the weight value and the body The body fat mass is calculated using the internal impedance value and is displayed. When the subject grips the body impedance measurement unit, the light receiving unit that reads the weight value of the body impedance measurement unit and the light emitting unit that transmits the weight value of the body measurement unit need to be arranged to face each other. There is.

[0007] As prior art related to the present invention,
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-510455 discloses a hand measuring device (first measuring unit) having two electrodes in contact with both hands and a foot measuring device having two electrodes in contact with both feet. (Second measuring unit), a body fat measuring device has been proposed, which is configured by connecting these hand measuring device and foot measuring device with a conductive wire. This body fat measuring device measures the voltage between the right hand and the right foot by flowing a current between the right hand and the left hand, obtains the impedance of the right arm, and measures the voltage between the left hand and the left foot by flowing a current between the right hand and the left hand. To determine the impedance of the left arm and apply a current between the left hand and left foot to
Measure the voltage between the right foot to determine the impedance of the torso,
By flowing a current between the right foot and the left foot, measuring the voltage between the right hand and the right foot to determine the impedance of the right foot, flowing a current between the right foot and the left foot, measuring the voltage between the left hand and the left foot, and determining the impedance of the left foot, The body fat mass is determined using the impedance of each part of the body thus obtained.

[0008]

However, in the body fat mass measuring apparatus described in each of the above publications, a constant current is applied to either one of both hands or between both feet to measure the impedance value in the body. Therefore, even in a person having the same body fat mass, the impedance value in the body varies due to the body fat distribution of the subject, that is, the body part varies depending on the distribution location and the measurement position of the tissue where the difference in fat content is large. Greatly affects the impedance estimation value. Therefore, when measuring the whole body fat mass, there is a problem in that different impedance values in the body are measured between the case where the measurement is performed between both hands and the case where the measurement is performed between the both legs, and the accurate calculation of the body fat amount is not performed.

FIG. 9A shows an equivalent circuit diagram in which the body tissue is replaced with impedance pieces. In the figure,
Ra is the right arm, Rb is left arm, Rc is the right foot, Rd represents the equivalent impedance pieces left _{foot, r 1, r 2, ····} r n
Is the body lateral impedance equivalent piece, r _1,1 , r
_{1,2, ···· r n-1,1,} r n-1,2 to the fuselage longitudinal equivalent impedance pieces.

In the relationship between the body density, particularly the relationship between the body density and the body tissue and the impedance, the relationship between the fat or muscle tissue content and the impedance value corresponds to each other. Since the torso is formed by the set, the density of the torso is considered to have the best correspondence between the set value of the impedance pieces and the body density if the set value of these impedance pieces can be obtained.

That is, the total impedance value R in the trunk
As e, if it is possible to determine _{Re = r 1 + r 2 +} ... + r n + r 1,1 + r 1,2 + ... + r n-1,2 ...... (Equation 2), to which the impedance values of both limbs was added R = Ra + Rb + Re + Rc + Rd (Equation 3) can be obtained as the in-body impedance value R. By using this in-body impedance value R in the above-described expression 1, the body density that reflects the body tissue content most accurately is obtained. be able to.

However, since there is no method for calculating the total impedance value Re in the trunk as expressed by the above equation 2, the body fat measuring apparatus described in each of the above publications uses both hands (AB).
A constant current is applied between both feet (CD) and both hands (A
B) By obtaining the impedance existing between the two legs or between the two legs (CD) as the combined impedance in the current adding direction, this value is defined as the total impedance in the torso. Substituting for body density.

Here, when a constant current is applied between both feet (CD), the impedance value Rx between PQ cannot be expressed by Equation 2, but the body tissue piece corresponding to the impedance piece depends on the constitution of each subject. If the fat content is uniformly different, the total impedance value in the body Re ≠ PQ
Since the impedance value Rx between the torso total impedance value ReＱPQ is maintained even when the impedance value Rx is between the body, the different body densities corresponding to the fat content can be obtained by using the predetermined coefficient of Equation 1. Can be led.

[0014] However, even if the impedance values of all the tissue pieces in the torso are summed up, even if the subjects have the same total value, even individuals with a fat in the upper torso and a fat in the lower torso are individuals. Individuals are thought to be based on the distribution of different types of organizations.

FIG. 9B shows an example of the impedance distribution in the torso of the subject. For example, when the impedance r ₁ ′ at the upper part of the trunk is equal to the impedance r ₂ ′ at the lower part of the trunk, and r ₁ ′ = r ₂ ′ = 5r, the total impedance Re in the trunk is as follows: Re = 26r (Equation 4) Is done. In the body fat measurement device of each of the above publications, if a constant current is applied between both hands (AB) or both feet (CD) to measure the impedance, the value is obtained by directly using Equation 2 as the total body impedance. Cannot be performed, and a combined impedance Rp between P'Q 'is obtained. When Rp is calculated, Rp = 2665/1128 · r = 2.363r (Equation 5) Therefore, the value of r varies depending on the individual, but for any r, always 26r / 2.363r = 11 = constant between the impedance according to Equation 2 and the combined impedance. The exact individual body density can be determined using the coefficients determined in the experiment.

On the other hand, the impedance r ₁ ′ of the upper body is different from the impedance r ₂ ′ of the lower body.
Fuselage total impedance Re are equal subjects, namely comparing the subject _{r 1 '= 3r, r 2} ' = subjects with _{r 1} of such distribution 5r '= 5r, _{r 2',} such as distribution of = 3r.

A constant current is applied between both feet (CD).
To obtain the body density, the subject's P '
Q 'combined impedance Rp₁Is Rp₁= 2.33
1r, the subject's P'Q '
Impedance Rp₂Is Rp ₂= 1.791 r.
Therefore, the tissue near the constant current input points P 'and Q'
When the impedance is low, the effect is
A pair that appears in the pedestals and is far from P ', Q'
It is clear that low weave impedance has little effect
It is. In addition, the impedance in the body that indicates the body density of each
The ratio of the dance to the subject is Re / Rp₁= 24
The subject with r / 2.331r = 10.296 had a Re of
/ Rp₂= 24r / 1.797r = 13.356
And both deviate from the constant value 11 in the above equation 6,
Obviously, the density cannot be determined exactly. Sand
The total impedance in the torso obtained during the measurement of the subject
The dance becomes 2.331r × 11 = 25.641r,
Body impedance obtained when measuring subjects
Is 1.797r × 11 = 19.767r.
The result obtained when measuring the subject was close to the actual value 24r,
The results obtained when measuring the subjects were almost
Far away.

As described above, even if persons having the same whole body fat mass have a large difference in fat mass between the arm and the leg, the result of measurement of the whole body fat mass of each subject by measurement between both hands or both feet is large. It is apparent that the problem is that it is difficult to measure the body fat amount accurately by affecting the body fat distribution of the subject.

In the body fat measuring device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-510455, which is cited as a prior art related to the present invention, an electrode through which a current flows and an electrode through which a voltage is measured are selected, respectively. Since the impedance of each part is determined one by one, there is a problem that it takes time until the amount of fat in the body is determined, and the configuration of the apparatus is large.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and it is possible to accurately obtain the amount of whole body fat irrespective of the body fat distribution with a very simple configuration.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a body fat measuring device which can have a function of measuring various physical data related to health such as a heart rate and a walking number in some cases.

[0021]

Means for Solving the Problems and Action / Effect In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a body fat measuring apparatus according to the present invention comprises: (a) a body fat measuring apparatus for measuring fat in a body; A first measuring unit that obtains an in-body impedance value existing between both feet by energizing at least between both feet of the subject; and (b) determining an in-body impedance value existing between both hands by energizing at least between both hands of the subject. Calculating means for calculating the amount of fat in the body using the obtained second measuring unit and (c) the in-body impedance value obtained by the first measuring unit and the in-body impedance value obtained by the second measuring unit And characterized in that:

In the present invention, the impedance value in the body existing between both feet (hereinafter referred to as the impedance value between both feet) is obtained by the first measurement unit, and the impedance value in the body existing between both hands is obtained by the second measurement unit. (Hereinafter, referred to as both-hand impedance value), and the fat amount in the body of the subject is calculated by the calculating means using the two-foot impedance value and the two-hand impedance value. In addition, the fat amount in the body (body fat amount) in the present invention may represent the fat amount of the subject by weight or may be represented as a body fat percentage.

According to the present invention, even if a person has a large difference in fat mass between the arms and legs or a person having a large difference in fat mass between the upper body and the lower body, the body fat mass of the whole body can be determined regardless of the fat distribution in the body. This has the effect that it can be determined accurately.

[0024] In the present invention, the arithmetic means includes an addition average value, a sum value, a load average value, or a geometric mean of the impedance value obtained by the first measurement unit and the in-body impedance value obtained by the second measurement unit. Preferably, any one of the values is calculated as an impedance value in the body, and the body fat amount of the whole body is calculated using the impedance value in the body (the invention according to claim 2). Using the impedance between both hands, which strongly reflects the tissue impedance value of the upper torso, and the impedance between both feet, which strongly reflects the tissue impedance value of the lower torso, the impedance in the body, which is the impedance of the whole body, is calculated by simple calculation. This has the effect of being able to calculate and accurately calculate the amount of body fat.

In the present invention, a transmitting means is provided to one of the first measuring unit and the second measuring unit so that the impedance value in the body by one of the first measuring unit and the second measuring unit is transmitted to the other. It is preferable that receiving means are provided on the other side (the invention according to claim 3). In this way, the impedance value in the body by the first measuring unit or the second measuring unit can be automatically transmitted to the second measuring unit or the first measuring unit, and the body fat amount can be obtained by an extremely simple operation.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the calculating means is provided in a measuring section provided with the receiving means (the invention according to claim 4). By doing so, a simpler structure can be achieved, and the cost can be reduced.

In the present invention, the calculating means calculates the body fat mass of the lower body using the impedance value in the body by the first measuring unit, and calculates the body fat amount of the upper body using the impedance value in the body by the second measuring unit. It is preferable to calculate the quantity (the invention according to claim 5). In this way, if the body fat mass on the upper body side and the body fat mass on the lower body side are individually calculated and the calculation results are displayed as required, the subject can recognize the uneven distribution of body fat.

In the present invention, the transmitting means is a power applying means for applying a current or a voltage corresponding to the impedance value in the body by the first measuring section or the second measuring section to the subject, and the receiving means is the power applying means. It is preferable to use a voltage measuring means for measuring a voltage generated in the body by the current or the voltage applied by (1) (the invention according to claim 6). By doing so, the first measuring section and the second measuring section can be physically separated, and the second measuring section can be handled as portable. Further, the impedance value in the body by the first measuring unit or the second measuring unit can be reliably transmitted, and the accuracy can be further improved. In addition, if at least the finally obtained body fat amount is displayed on the second measurement unit, the subject can easily read the body fat amount.

In the present invention, the transmitting means and the receiving means are connected by a conductor, and the impedance value in the body by one of the first measuring unit and the second measuring unit is transmitted to the other through the conducting wire. (The invention according to claim 7). Further, in the present invention, the transmitting means and the receiving means may be configured to transmit the impedance value in the body by one of the first measuring unit and the second measuring unit to the other by a wireless method. Invention according to Item 8).

In the present invention, it is preferable that the first measuring section includes a weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the subject (the invention according to claim 9). By performing the body weight measurement simultaneously with the measurement of the body fat amount in this way, the setting of the body weight value becomes unnecessary, the operability is improved, and the body fat amount can be obtained by using the accurate body weight value. Measurement accuracy can be further improved.

In the present invention, the upper body fat mass and the lower body fat mass are calculated based on the in-body impedance obtained by the first measuring unit and the second measuring unit, and the first measuring unit and the second measuring unit are calculated. It is preferable to display the upper body fat mass and the lower body fat mass simultaneously or selectively alternately on at least one of them (the invention according to claim 10). This has the effect that the subject can easily know the balance of upper body and lower body in how body fat is applied while comparing and contrasting.

[0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a specific embodiment of the body fat measuring device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a subject measures the amount of body fat using a body fat measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram of the impedance measuring unit, and FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram of the inter-foot impedance measuring unit of the body fat measuring device.

The body fat measuring apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is a two-handed impedance measuring section (fourth embodiment of the present invention) including four electrodes 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b that respectively contact two (one pair) with both hands of the subject. (Corresponds to 2 measurement units) 4
And a two-leg impedance measuring unit (corresponding to a first measuring unit in the present invention) including four electrodes 5a, 5b, 6a, and 6b that respectively contact two (one pair) with both feet of the subject. Have been.

The two-handed impedance measuring section 4 includes a set value input section (KEY) 8 for setting personal data (age, height, weight, etc.) of the subject and inputting a body fat mass measurement start signal. , A first display unit (DIS) 9 for displaying the measured body fat mass,
A constant current supply circuit 10 for applying a constant current between the electrodes 2a, 3a by one electrode 2a, 3a on each of the left and right sides of the electrode.
And the other electrodes 2b, 3b are connected to these electrodes 2a,
It is connected to a high-input-resistance differential amplifier circuit (corresponding to a receiving means in the present invention, that is, a voltage measuring means) 11 for measuring a voltage generated between 3a. In addition, the body fat amount may be expressed by the fat amount of the subject by weight,
Further, it may be expressed as a body fat percentage.

The high-input differential amplifier circuit 11 includes a rectifier circuit (REC) 12, a smoothing circuit (FIR) 13, and an A / D
It is connected to an I / O circuit 16 via a converter 14 or a comparator (CMP) 15. This I / O circuit 16
Is connected to a CPU 18 having a set value input section 8, a first display section 9, and a ROM / RAM memory (MEM) 17 for storing various data.

The constant current supply circuit 10 has a non-inverting input terminal.
Voltage V₁Is applied and the constant current I ₁Calculation to output
Connected to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 19
And the constant current I₁Is output
And a reference resistor Rs for limiting the circuit current.
Between the output terminal of the operational amplifier 19 and the electrode 3a.
And between the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 19 and the electrode 2a.
Analog switch AS₁, AS₂Is arranged
ing. Note that these analog switches AS₁, AS₂
Is opened and closed by the I / O circuit 16
I have.

The high input resistance differential amplifier circuit 11 includes three operational amplifiers 21a, 21b, 21c and seven resistances r.
_a ~r _g consists of a are such that almost no current flowing, the electrode - Voltage of labor of contact impedance and hand end portion of the tissue impedance obtained by removing the body imaginary point E, between F (see FIG. 4) Is measured as a differential voltage.

Next, the circuit configuration of the inter-foot impedance measuring section 7 will be described. The feet between the impedance measuring unit 7, the alternating current supply circuit (the applied lateral one by one electrode 5a of the electrode disposed on the upper surface thereof, a constant current _{I 2} of 50KHz~100KHz about high-frequency AC to 6a . transmitting means in the invention, i.e. corresponding to the power supply applying means) 22 is connected, the other electrode 5b, the electrodes 5a to 6b, the electrode occurring when the alternating current I ₂ is applied between 6a - the sole surface It is connected to a voltage measurement circuit 20 that measures the voltage between the virtual points G and H in the body (see FIG. 4) excluding the contact impedance and the tissue impedance of the hand terminal.

The AC current supply circuit 22 is configured to apply a constant AC voltage V ₂ to the non-inverting input terminal and
An operational amplifier 23 which outputs a _2, is connected to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 23 is constituted by the reference resistance Rs for limiting circuit current such that a constant alternating current I ₂ from the operational amplifier 23 is output ing. The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 23 is connected to an analog switch AS ₃
Power supplying the constant AC voltage V ₂ via a (not shown), which is connected to the ground through the analog switch AS _4, of the power supply or ground by opening and closing of the analog switches AS _3, AS ₄ It is designed to be connected to either one. An analog switch AS is provided between the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 23 and the electrode 5a and between the output terminal of the operational amplifier 23 and the electrode 6a.
₅ , AS ₆ are provided.

The voltage measuring circuit 20 includes a rectifying circuit (REC) 24, a smoothing circuit (FIR) 25, and an A / D
It is connected to an I / O circuit 27 via a converter 26.
The I / O circuit 27 has a ROM /
A CPU 29 having a RAM memory (MEM) 28 is connected, an external signal input unit 30 for performing a measurement start command and other operations and settings, and a second for displaying a measured value.
The display unit 31 is connected.

FIG. 4 shows an equivalent circuit diagram in which the body tissue of the subject when measuring the amount of fat in the body is replaced with impedance pieces. The electrodes 2a, applied current contact impedance 3a, arms impedance Ra, upper gut impedance _{R 1,} arms impedance Rb,
Flow through the contact impedance, the electrodes 5a, 6a
Current flows through the contact impedance, the leg impedance Rc, the lower visceral impedance R ₂ , the leg impedance Rd, and the contact impedance, and there is a current between the upper visceral impedance R ₁ and the lower visceral impedance R _2. The current flows through the body impedance Re, Rf in the longitudinal direction of the body. In general, if a body tissue is represented by an equivalent circuit of impedance, it becomes a complicated three-dimensional plane series circuit. Therefore, FIG. 4 shows a simplified equivalent circuit diagram, and the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b) show those subdivided according to the body tissue.

The body fat measuring device 1 configured as described above
In, the subject inputs personal data to the two-handed impedance measuring unit 4 and the pair of electrodes 2a, 2b, 3a, 3
b, while holding the impedance measuring unit 4 between both hands so as to contact the two hands, respectively, and a pair of electrodes 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b of the impedance measuring unit 7 between both feet.
The body fat measurement is started by bringing both feet into contact with each other and inputting a body fat mass measurement start signal from the set value input unit 9.

First, the two-leg impedance measuring unit 7
Is set to the transmission mode and the two-handed impedance measurement unit
4 is set to the reception mode. This foot-to-foot impedance
In the measurement mode, the measurement unit 7 is located between the virtual points G and H in the body.
Impedance value in the body (hereinafter referred to as impedance between
Value). That is, the CPU 29
Analog switch AS by control signal₃Is closed (ON)
State, analog switch AS₄Is open (OFF).
And the analog switch AS₅, AS ₆Is closed
(ON) state and an alternating current is applied between the electrodes 5a and 6a.
I₂Is applied. This alternating current I₂The application of
A set of contact impedance and the end of the toe of the pole-foot sole
Occurs between virtual points G and H in the body excluding the tissue impedance
The measured voltage is measured by the voltage measurement circuit 20. This
The output voltage signal from the pressure measurement circuit 20 is an AC signal
Rectified by the rectifier circuit (REC) 24, and
A / D converter which is smoothed by a path (FIR) 25
After being digitized by 26, the I / O circuit 27
And input to the CPU 29 through the₂The value of the
Is used to calculate the impedance value between both feet.

The digital value of the impedance value between both feet thus obtained is converted into an 8-bit ASCII code by the CPU 29 to create transmission data. In this transmission data, for example, when the impedance value between both feet is four digits, a numerical value of four digits is converted into an ASCII code, and each numerical value has a start bit at the beginning of an 8-bit code and a parity bit and a stop bit at the end. It is composed of 11 bits, and an 11-bit start text code (STX) and an end text code (ETX) are added before and after the four numerical digits, for a total of six digits, six digits.
It has a 6-bit data configuration.

When the transmission data of the impedance value between both feet is created by the CPU 29, the analog switches AS ₅ and AS ₆ are turned on by the I / O circuit 27, and thereafter, the analog switches AS ₅ are turned on in accordance with the transmission data. ₃ , ON / OFF of the AS ₄ is controlled. Until the transmission of the transmission data is completed, the analog switches AS ₁ and AS ₂ of the two-handed impedance measurement unit 4 are opened (OF).
In the state F), the equivalent circuit of the body and the constant current supply circuit 10 are electrically insulated.

The O of the analog switches AS ₃ and AS ₄
By the N-OFF control, a signal corresponding to the transmission data is applied between the electrodes 5a and 6a. That is, the transmission data is composed of 0 and 1, and when transmitting 0, the analog switch AS is transmitted for a fixed time t (msec).
₃ to the OFF state, the electrodes 5a and the analog switches AS ₄ to the ON state, a high-frequency alternating current _{I 2} so as not to applied between 6a, a certain time when sending is a 1 t (m
between analog switch AS ₃ of sec) in the ON state,
When the analog switch AS ₄ is turned off, the electrodes 5a,
So as to apply a high-frequency alternating current I ₂ between 6a.

As described above, the analog switches AS ₁ , AS
₂ is open (OFF) are in a state the electrode 2a, in a state where current _{I 1} is not applied between 3a, the electrode 5a, 6a
In the high-frequency alternating current I ₂ is applied, the current flowing through the lower viscera impedance R ₁ in the body, the longitudinal direction of the body impedance Re, Rf is small because the body part impedance Re compared to the cross-sectional direction of the impedance , flows into the upper gut impedance R ₂ through Rf, the voltage is generated in the upper ends of the viscera impedance R _2. Voltage generated in the upper ends of the viscera impedance R ₂ is measured by a high input resistance differential amplifier circuit 11 of the hands impedance between the measuring unit 4.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a procedure for receiving the transmission data and converting it into an impedance value between both feet. The transmission data (FIG. 5 (a)) a predetermined time in response to t (msec) the electrode 5a for each, application of the high-frequency alternating current I ₂ to the inter 6a is adjusted, the high input resistance differential amplifier circuit 11 voltage waveforms of the voltage generated at both ends of the upper gut impedance R ₂ (FIG. 5 (b)) is measured by.
The AC voltage measured by the high input resistance differential amplifier circuit 11 is input to the rectifier circuit (REC) 12 and converted to DC (FIG. 5 (c)), followed by the smoothing circuit (FIR).
13 and smoothed (FIG. 5D). The signal smoothed by the smoothing circuit 13 is input to the comparator (CMP) 15 and a predetermined threshold V
The signal is pulsed by comparison with s (FIG. 5 (e)) and input to the CPU 18 through the I / O circuit 16. The CPU 19 demodulates the pulsed signal into a serial bit signal (FIG. 5 (f)) and converts it into an impedance value between both feet.

The CPU 18 recognizes that the input of the transmission data has been started when STX is input from the comparator 15, and recognizes that the input of the transmission data has been completed when ETX is input from the comparator 15. Thus, a bit signal of a numerical digit is converted into an impedance value between both feet.

The impedance value between both feet measured by the impedance measurement section 7 between both feet is transmitted to the impedance measurement section between both hands 4, and the transmitted impedance value between both feet is stored in the ROM / R connected to the CPU 18.
It is stored in an AM memory (MEM) 17.

When the two-handed impedance measuring unit 4 receives the data from the two-footed impedance measuring unit 7,
To change the measurement mode after a timer time T _6, the body imaginary point E, within the body impedance value between F (hereinafter, referred to as both-hand impedance value.) Is measured. First, when the transmission of the impedance value between both feet is completed, the analog switches AS ₅ and AS _{6 are} opened (OFF),
Thereafter, the analog switches AS ₁ ,
AS ₂ is closed (ON) and the constant current supply circuit 10
Electrodes 2a, a constant current _{I 1} is applied between 3a from. The constant current I ₁ is the arms impedance Rc, in addition to Rd and the upper gut impedance R _2, electrodes - flows tissue impedance of contact impedance and hand end of labor.

[0053] voltage generated in the body by the application of the constant current I ₁ is determined by the high input differential amplifier circuit 11 connected electrodes 2b, the 3b. This high input differential amplifier circuit 11
Measures the voltage between the virtual points E and F in the body excluding the contact impedance between the electrode and the hand and the tissue impedance at the distal end of the hand because almost no current flows in the voltage measurement. The output voltage signal from the high input resistance differential amplifier circuit 11 is supplied to the rectifier circuit (RE
C) The DC signal is input to 12 and converted to DC, and then input to the smoothing circuit (FIR) 13 for smoothing. Voltage signal smoothed by the smoothing circuit 13, the input to the A / D converter 14 is digitized using the value of the constant current I ₁ is input to CPU18 through the I / O circuit 16 To calculate the impedance value between both hands. The two-handed impedance value thus obtained is stored in the ROM / RAM memory (MEM) 17 connected to the CPU 18.

FIG. 6 shows a two-handed impedance measuring section 4.
C of the CPU 18 and the impedance measurement unit 7 between both feet
ON of analog switches AS _{1 to} AS ₆ by PU29
An explanatory diagram for explaining the OFF control is shown. In addition,
In the present embodiment, the operation of the inter-foot impedance measurement unit 7 is mainly performed, and the operation of the inter-hand impedance measurement unit 4 is performed. The transmission from the inter-foot impedance measurement unit 7 is performed in the normal reception mode. The measurement operation is performed after a certain period of time only when data is received.

[0055] The According to CPU 29, insulated transmission mode M ₁ and body equivalent circuit for transmitting the feet between impedance values measured on both-hand impedance measuring unit 4 between both feet impedance value by the impedance measuring section 7 between both feet and standby mode M ₂ to maintain is set so that each switched alternately at predetermined time intervals T _1, T _2. If 100 to 150 msec are assigned to the times T ₁ and T ₂ , respectively, the sense of the subject is a simultaneous measurement.

The transmission mode M₁Then, the analog
IT AS₅, AS₆Is turned on, the analog switch
Switch AS₁, AS₂Is held in the OFF state, and
The impedance measurement unit 7 can be energized inside the subject
To be. This transmission mode M ₁Between the legs in the first half of
The impedance value is measured, and in the latter half the
Transmission data obtained based on the impedance value
Done. That is, the analog switch AS₃Is O
In the N state, the analog switch AS₄Is turned off.
The AC current I₂By constantly supplying both feet
The inter-impedance is measured. The impedance between the legs
After the end of the measurement of the₄Until the lapse of Ana
Log switch AS₃Is in OFF state, analog switch
AS₄Is kept in the ON state, and the body is temporarily de-energized.
To be. The transmission data based on the impedance value between both feet
Once the data has been created,
Sea urchin analog switch AS₃, AS₄ON / OFF
Is switched. These analog switches AS₃, AS₄
Voltage generated in the body by switching ON / OFF
The two-handed impedance measuring unit 4 measures
Data analysis and receive the impedance value between both feet
I do. Thus, the analog switch AS₃, AS ₄ON
・ When the OFF switching is completed, the analog switch A
S₃Is in the OFF state, the analog switch AS₄Is ON
The transmission mode M
₁To standby mode M₂Is switched to The standby mode
M₂Is switched to the analog switch AS₅,
AS₆Is held in the OFF state, and the analog
Switch AS₃Is in the ON state, the analog switch AS
₄Is switched to the OFF state.

On the other hand, the two-handed impedance measuring unit 4
According to the CPU 19, the ETX of the transmission data is recognized.
It has been a certain time T₆Analog switch AS after elapse₁,
AS ₂Is switched to the ON state, and the state is maintained for a certain time T
₇The held impedance is measured.
When the two-handed impedance measurement is completed, the analog
Switch AS₁, AS₂Is switched to the OFF state.
The CPU 19 recognizes the STX of the transmission data.
Fixed time only when ETX is recognized within specified time after
Interval T₆Analog switch AS₁, AS₂But
Switched to ON state, measurement of impedance between both hands
Done. Also, in the impedance measurement unit 7 between both feet,
Is the transmission mode M₁And standby mode M₂Are constant
Time interval T₁, T₂Automatically switched and repeated
You.

Next, the ROM / RA
Based on the M memory (MEM) 17 between both feet impedance value Rt ₁ stored in and both-hand impedance value Rt _2, the impedance of the whole body bodily impedance value Rt is calculated. The impedance value in the trunk measured by the inter-foot impedance measurement unit 7 is R
g, when the fuselage impedance values measured by both-hand impedance measurement unit 4 and Rh, wherein between both feet impedance value Rt ₁ can be expressed as _{Rt 1 = Ra + Rb + Rg} ...... ( Equation 7), the hands impedance between Value Rt ₂
Can be expressed as Rt ₂ = Rc + Rd + Rh (Equation 8). Thus, bodily impedance value Rt seeking can be expressed as _{Rt = (Rt 1 + Rt 2} ) / 2 = (Ra + Rb + Rg + Rc + Rd + Rh) / 2 = (Ra + Rb + Rc + Rd) / 2 + (Rg + Rh) / 2 ...... ( Equation 9). In the equation (9), (Ra + Rb + R
(c + Rd) / 2 represents the average value of the impedance values of the limbs, and (Rg + Rh) / 2 represents the average value of the impedance values in the body, which varies depending on the difference between the tissue distribution and the measurement site, that is, the total impedance value in the body. I have. In addition, the magnitude of the impedance value in the trunk can be proportionally represented without calculating the average value, even if the total value remains unchanged.

The CPU 17 calculates the impedance value Rt in the body using Equation 9, and uses the impedance value Rt in the body and personal data (sex, height, weight, age, etc.) input in advance. The body fat mass is calculated. The body fat mass obtained in this way is output to the first display unit 9 of the two-handed impedance measurement unit 4 and displayed as a digital value. The body fat amount can also be displayed on the second display unit 31 of the impedance measurement unit 7 between both feet.

According to [0060] this embodiment, using the feet between measured impedance Rt ₁ that reflects strongly tissue impedance value between both hands strongly reflects the tissue impedance value of the body in the upper impedance measurements Rt ₂ and the body subordinate unit Therefore, since the body fat mass of the whole body is calculated, it is possible to obtain an accurate body fat mass irrespective of the body fat uneven distribution of the subject.

According to this embodiment, since the transmission data is transmitted from the inter-foot impedance measurement unit 7 to the inter-hand impedance measurement unit 4 through the body of the subject, the two-hand impedance measurement unit 4 and the inter-foot impedance The measurement unit 7 can be physically separated, and the body fat amount displayed on the first display unit 9 can be easily read, and personal data can be easily input, so that operability is good. Also, the transmission of the transmission data is not affected by noise unlike the conventional wireless transmission, and there is no restriction on the opposing arrangement of the two-handed impedance measuring unit 4 and the two-footed impedance measuring unit 7.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the two-handed impedance measuring section 4 can be provided with a function of measuring various physical data relating to health such as a pedometer, a heart rate, a blood pressure, etc., and can be carried around at all times. it can.

In the present embodiment, the in-body impedance value Rt is calculated by adding and averaging the inter-foot impedance value Rt ₁ and the both-hand impedance value Rt _2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Rt ₁
And the appropriate coefficient k ₁ from each of the many test results so that the correlation between the two-handed impedance value Rt ₂ and the impedance value obtained from the underwater body density measuring device for which the actual body impedance is obtained is the most correlated. , performs weighting of _{k 2, Rt = (k 1} · Rt 1 + k 2 · Rt 2) / (k 1 + k 2) ...... so as to obtain a body in impedance value Rt by calculating as (equation 10) Alternatively, the impedance value Rt in the body may be obtained by an arithmetic operation as follows: Rt = (Rt ₁ · Rt ₂ ) ^1/2 (Equation 11)

The measurement by the impedance measurement unit 7 between the two feet results in a large body fat mass when the fat is unevenly distributed in the lower body, and the measurement by the impedance measurement unit 4 between the two hands results in a large fat mass when the fat is unevenly distributed in the upper body. Using the determined tendency, the body fat mass is calculated based on the inter-foot impedance value Rt ₁ and the both-hand impedance value Rt ₂ , respectively, and the first display is referred to as a lower body measurement body fat mass and an upper body measurement vs. fat mass. A display may be displayed on the display 9 (or the second display 31) to numerically indicate the existence of the difference in fat distribution to the subject. In this case, the first display 9 (or the second display 31) may simultaneously display the total fat content in the body, the lower body measured body fat amount, and the upper body measured body fat amount. The amount may be displayed. By doing so, the subject can easily know the balance between the upper body and the lower body of how body fat is applied while comparing and contrasting.

In this embodiment, a body weight measuring circuit can be incorporated in the inter-foot impedance measuring section 7. FIG. 7 shows a circuit diagram of a both-foot impedance measurement unit 7 'incorporating the weight measurement circuit 40. A weight sensor (load cell) 41 is connected to a mounting table (not shown) of the impedance measurement unit 7 for both feet, and the weight sensor 41 is sequentially connected via a weight signal amplifier 42, a smoothing circuit 43, and an A / D converter 44. It is connected to the I / O circuit 27. The weight sensor 41 measures the weight (weight) of the mounting table, and the weight signal output from the weight sensor 41 is amplified by the weight signal amplifier 42,
After being smoothed in 3, it is digitized by the A / D converter 44 and input to the CPU 29 via the I / O circuit 27. In this way, transmission data is created in the same manner as the inter-foot impedance value in accordance with the weight value input to the CPU 29, and the transmission data relating to the inter-foot impedance value is transmitted to (or transmitted to) the two-hand impedance measurement unit 4. The transmission data relating to the weight value is transmitted to the two-handed impedance measurement unit 4 in the same manner as described above before. Thus, the impedance measurement unit 7 between both feet
If the weight value is measured at, there is no need to input the weight value to the two-handed impedance measurement unit 4, and the measurement accuracy can be improved.

In this embodiment, the inter-foot impedance
Sent data about the weight value or weight value.
The data consists of 0 and 1 bits, and these transmission data are fixed.
AC current I every time t₂PC that adjusts the application of power and transmits
Although the M system is adopted, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, FIG.
The values from 0 to 9 are predetermined as shown in
Time t corresponding to the numerical value of₀, T₁, ... t₉Only
Analog switch AS ₃To the ON state,
Switch AS₄To OFF state, and represent between numeric digits
As a result, the analog switch is turned on for a predetermined time td.
Switch AS₃Is turned off and the analog switch AS₄
To the ON state to adjust the application of AC current.
And internal organ impedance R₁Read the voltage generated at
Pulse, and recognizes the pulse length and digitizes it
A method may be employed. Also, for example, replace 0 bit
10 KHz, 1 bit is 50 KHz, and each is read.
There are two kinds of demodulated
A transmission method corresponding to the frequency signal may be adopted.
No.

In this embodiment, a current corresponding to the transmission data is applied to the subject, and the voltage generated in the body of the subject due to the application of the current is read. Impedance measuring unit 7 to two-handed impedance measuring unit 4
It is configured to be voltage to, but is not limited to this,
By providing a wireless data receiving unit in the two-handed impedance measuring unit 4 and a wireless data transmitting unit in the two-footed impedance measuring unit, the two-legged impedance value or the weight value may be wirelessly communicated, The inter-foot impedance measurement unit 7 and the both-hand impedance measurement unit 4 may be connected by a cable, and the inter-foot impedance value or the weight value may be transmitted through the cable.

According to this embodiment, a constant current is applied between the two electrodes to measure the voltage between the virtual points E and F in the body or between the points G and H to determine the impedance value between both hands or between both feet. The four-terminal method of exchanging / calculating from the measured voltage value is adopted, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the two-terminal method or the two-terminal method is used to calculate the impedance value between both hands or the impedance value between both feet. It may be. The measurement method based on the two-terminal method is a method of applying a current between electrodes in contact with two body terminal tissues sandwiching a desired body tissue impedance, and firstly, an electrode existing outside the body. A current is applied only to the total portion of the contact impedance between the body and the skin surface and the body terminal tissue impedance to measure a voltage Va generated in the total impedance of the contact impedance and the body terminal tissue impedance. Then, a voltage Vb generated by applying a current to the total of the impedance of the body end tissue and the impedance of the body between both hands or the impedance of the body between both feet is measured. Then, a voltage value generated only in the impedance between both hands or the impedance between both feet is calculated by calculating the voltage Vb-Va, and the impedance between both hands or the impedance between both feet is calculated from the calculated value.

In this embodiment, the electrodes 5a, 6
a, an AC current is applied from the AC current supply circuit 22 to transmit transmission data corresponding to the impedance value between both feet or the body weight value. However, instead of the AC current, a constant voltage is applied to the electrode 5a. , 6a can transmit each transmission data. In this case, the voltage generated on said viscera impedance R _1, each electrode 5a, is different between both feet impedance signal or weight value signal by the contact impedance value between 6a and the body surface by the comparator 15 at the time of the input to CPU18 What is necessary is just to pulse correctly. Therefore, if remembering some gain to the high input resistance differential amplifier 11, the voltage generated in the viscera impedance R ₁ on the time of applying an alternating current corresponding to the transmission data is a difference in the contact impedance value Even if the input signal to the comparator 15 decreases and increases, if it is higher than the threshold value Vs, it is converted to a correct pulse signal.

[0070] Further, in the present embodiment is configured to between both feet impedance value Rt ₁ is transmitted from between both feet impedance measuring unit 7 to both-hand impedance measurement unit 4 is not limited to this, for example, both legs The two-handed impedance measuring unit is made identical to the circuit configuration of the two-handed impedance measuring unit 4, and the two-handed impedance measuring unit is made identical to the circuit configuration of the two-footed impedance measuring unit 7 to calculate the two-handed impedance value. May be configured to be transmitted to the inter-foot impedance measurement unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a subject measures a body fat mass using a body fat measurement device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating a two-handed impedance measuring unit of the body fat measuring device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of an inter-foot impedance measurement unit of the body fat measurement device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit diagram in which a body tissue of a subject is replaced with impedance pieces.

5 (a) to 5 (f) are explanatory diagrams illustrating a procedure for receiving transmission data.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating ON / OFF control of an analog switch.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a biped impedance measuring unit incorporating a weight measuring circuit;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another mode of a transmission method of transmission data.

9 (a) and 9 (b) are equivalent circuit diagrams in which a body tissue for explaining a conventional problem is replaced with an impedance piece.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Body fat measuring device 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b Electrode 4 Both hands impedance measurement part 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b Electrode 7 Both feet impedance measurement part 8 Set value input part 9 First display part 10 Constant current supply circuit 11 High Input differential amplifier circuit 12, 24 Rectifier circuit 13, 25 Smoothing circuit 14, 26 A / D converter 15 Comparator 16, 27 I / O circuit 17, 28 ROM / RAM memory 18, 29 CPU 19, 23 Operational amplifier 20 Voltage Measurement circuit 21a, 21b, 21c Operational amplifier 22 AC current supply circuit 30 External signal input unit 31 Second display unit 40 Weight measurement circuit

Claims (10)

[Claims] An apparatus for measuring fat mass in a body for measuring fat mass in a body, comprising: (a) a first measuring unit for obtaining an impedance value in a body existing between both legs by applying power to at least both legs of a subject; (B) a second measuring unit that obtains an impedance value in the body existing between both hands by energizing at least both hands of the subject; and (c) an impedance value in the body obtained by the first measuring unit and a second measurement. Calculating means for calculating the amount of fat in the body using the impedance value in the body obtained by the unit. 2. The arithmetic unit according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic mean is an average value, a sum value, a load average value, or a geometric mean of the body impedance value obtained by the first measurement unit and the body impedance value obtained by the second measurement unit. The body fat measurement device according to claim 1, wherein one of the values is calculated as an impedance value in the body, and the body fat mass of the whole body is calculated using the impedance value in the body. 3. A transmitting means for one of the first measuring unit and a receiving means for the other so that the impedance value in the body by one of the first measuring unit and the second measuring unit is transmitted to the other. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein each means is provided.
Or the body fat mass measurement device according to 2. 4. The body fat mass measurement device according to claim 3, wherein the calculation unit is provided in a measurement unit provided with the reception unit. 5. The calculating means calculates the body fat mass of the lower body using the impedance value in the body by the first measuring unit, and calculates the body fat mass of the upper body using the impedance value in the body by the second measuring unit. The body fat mass measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which performs a calculation. 6. The power supply means for applying a current or a voltage corresponding to the impedance value in the body by the first measurement unit or the second measurement unit to a subject, and the reception means applies the power supply means by the power supply means. The body fat measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the measuring device is a voltage measuring unit that measures a voltage generated in the body by the applied current or voltage. 7. The transmitting means and the receiving means are connected by a conducting wire, and the impedance value in the body by one of the first measuring unit and the second measuring unit is transmitted to the other through the conducting wire. 6. The body fat measuring device according to any one of 5. 8. The radio communication system according to claim 3, wherein the transmitting unit and the receiving unit transmit the impedance value in the body by one of the first measuring unit and the second measuring unit to the other by a wireless method. The body fat measurement device according to any one of the preceding claims. 9. The body fat measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first measuring unit includes a body weight measuring unit for measuring a body weight of the subject. 10. An upper body fat mass and a lower body fat mass are calculated on the basis of the in-body impedance obtained by the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit, and the first and second measurement units are calculated. The body fat measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the upper body fat mass and the lower body fat mass are displayed simultaneously or selectively alternately on at least one of them.