JP2003079622A - Examination apparatus using ultrasonic wave - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an examination apparatus using ultrasonic waves that permits a simple positioning of a probe and is capable of a highly reproducible examination. SOLUTION: A positioning member 5 is provided at the tip of a probe 3 sending and receiving ultrasonic waves. A positioning window 52 in which a translucent member 521 is mounted is provided adjacently to the tip of the probe 3, and a mark portion 522 is provided in the center of the translucent member 521. Pasting members 53 and 54 are provided in the surroundings of a hole 51 and the positioning window 52 on the examinee side of the positioning member 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an apparatus for inspecting the internal structure of a living body by ultrasonic waves.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an apparatus for inspecting the structure of the inside of such a living body, as shown in JP-A-61-220634, an ultrasonic pulse is transmitted to the inside of the body so that a fat layer and a muscle layer tissue are formed. There is a device that receives a reflection echo from the boundary surface and calculates the subcutaneous fat thickness based on the time interval of transmission and reception.

[0003]

However, in such a subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device, a special technique or accustoming is required for measurement, and the reproducibility of the measurement position is low. Further, in order to measure at the same position, the size of the human body is measured, and the measurement position is determined with reference to the size, so that it is difficult to realize stable measurement with respect to reproducibility of measurement results.

[0004] Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-104301 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-104302 disclose a device for measuring the subcutaneous fat thickness provided with a probe positioning means.
Positioning was not easy.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to use an ultrasonic wave capable of easily positioning a probe and performing inspection with high reproducibility. To provide the inspection device that was used.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an inspection apparatus for inspecting the internal structure of a living body using ultrasonic waves, wherein the transmitted ultrasonic waves are reflected from an object to be inspected. A probe having a sensor unit for detecting a wave and a reference alignment unit having an opening and arranged at a reference portion are provided, and the position of the probe at a predetermined relative position with respect to the reference alignment unit is determined. And a sticking means for sticking the positioning window portion to the reference portion.

Further, the present invention is an inspection apparatus for inspecting the internal structure of a living body using ultrasonic waves, comprising a probe having a sensor section for detecting a reflected wave of an ultrasonic wave transmitted from an inspection object, and an opening. And a positioning means for positioning the probe at a predetermined relative position with respect to the reference positioning means, and a reference positioning means arranged at a reference position, and integrally provided to the positioning means. Acoustic matching means having the function of matching the acoustic impedance of the transmitted and transmitted ultrasonic waves.

Further, the present invention is an inspection apparatus for inspecting the internal structure of a living body using ultrasonic waves, comprising a probe having a sensor section for detecting a reflected wave of an ultrasonic wave transmitted from an inspection object, and an opening. And a positioning means for positioning the probe at a predetermined relative position with respect to the reference positioning means, and a reference positioning means arranged at a reference position, and integrally provided to the positioning means. And a coupling material interposed between the sensor unit and the inspection target.

By using the alignment means provided with the reference alignment means having the opening as described above, it is possible to perform the alignment while visually checking the inspection object through the alignment means, so that it is simple and accurate. Can be adjusted to the reference position. Therefore, the positioning of the probe at a predetermined relative position with respect to the reference positioning means can be performed easily and accurately. Further, by providing the positioning means with the sticking means, the acoustic matching means, and the bonding material, the operability is further improved. Further, as a device for inspecting the internal structure of the living body, for example, there is a device for measuring the subcutaneous fat thickness, but the device is not limited to this.

It is preferable to provide a mark portion as a reference for alignment in the opening.

It is possible to more accurately perform visual alignment through the opening.

A storage means for storing the reference positioning means when not in use may be provided.

With this configuration, it is possible to improve the storability and reduce the possibility of being hit by an external object and being damaged as compared with the case where the external object is projected.

An expandable and contractable connecting means for connecting the reference position adjusting means and the probe may be provided.

By using the expandable / contractible connecting means in this way, it is possible to improve the storability when not in use.

The connecting means may include a transmitting means for transmitting a signal between the reference alignment means and the probe.

A determination means for determining whether or not the reference alignment means and the probe are in a predetermined relative position; and an informing means for informing that the reference alignment means and the probe are in a predetermined relative position. It is preferable to provide.

Judging means for judging whether or not the reference position adjusting means and the probe are in a predetermined relative position, and inspection control means for starting an inspection when the reference position adjusting means and the probe are in a predetermined relative position. And are preferably provided.

Further, the present invention is an inspection apparatus for inspecting the internal structure of a living body using ultrasonic waves, wherein a probe having a sensor section for detecting a reflected wave of an ultrasonic wave transmitted from an inspection object is used. Positioning means that is supported by being hooked on the protruding portion of the person and that determines the position of the probe with reference to the protruding portion.

By using the projecting portion of the user's body such as the neck, shoulder, or finger as a reference, the probe can be easily positioned.

The positioning means comprises a vertical positioning means for adjusting the position of the probe in the height direction of the user and a lateral positioning means for adjusting the position of the probe in a direction substantially orthogonal to the extending direction. May be.

The positioning means may include an annular member hooked on a projecting portion of the user and an extendable connecting means for connecting the probe.

Determination means for determining whether or not the probe is in a predetermined relative position with respect to the protruding portion of the user, and the probe has a predetermined relative position with respect to the protruding portion of the user. You may make it provide with the alerting | reporting means which alert | reports that it is in a position.

Determination means for determining whether or not the probe is in a predetermined relative position with respect to the projecting portion of the user; and the probe with a predetermined relative position with respect to the projecting portion of the user. Inspection control means for starting the inspection when it is in the position.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below based on the illustrated embodiments.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 (a) is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device as an inspection device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1 (b) is the same subcutaneous fat. It is the figure which looked at the probe part of the thickness measuring device from the inspection object side.

The subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device 1 mainly comprises a main body portion 2, a probe portion 3 and a cable 4 connecting them.

The main body section 1 comprises a display section 21 for displaying information such as measured values, and an input section 22 for inputting operation information and information necessary for measurement.

The probe unit 3 which outputs ultrasonic transmission pulses and receives reflected waves from the object to be inspected has a cylindrical shape, and a positioning member 5 is attached to the tip thereof. The positioning member 5 as a positioning means has an oval shape, and has a hole 51 for transmitting an ultrasonic wave from the tip of the probe portion 3 and a positioning window (reference positioning means).
52. The positioning window portion 52 includes a translucent member 521 attached to the opening, and a cross-shaped marker portion 522 arranged in the center thereof. Around the hole 51 and the positioning window 52 and on the inspection target side of the marker 522, adhesive members (adhering means) 53 and 54 for attaching the positioning member 5 to a living body such as a human body to be inspected are provided. ing.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the outline of the internal structure of the subcutaneous fat thickness measuring apparatus 1.

In the main body 2, mainly, a CPU 23 for controlling various parts of the apparatus and performing various information processing, a display unit 21 such as an LCD for displaying information such as a detection value, setting for setting information necessary for detection, etc. A switch 221, a power switch 222 for turning on / off the power of the entire measuring device, a memory 24 for storing information such as detected values and inspection programs,
A notification device 26 such as a buzzer or a lamp is provided to notify the user of information such as the completion of positioning, and signals and the like are transmitted and received to and from the transmission / reception circuit 31 of the probe 3 via the cable 4.

The probe unit 3 has a sensor unit 32 for outputting ultrasonic transmission pulses and receiving reflected waves, and a transmission / reception circuit 31 for transmitting / receiving signals to / from the main unit in accordance with instructions from the main unit 2. And a start switch 33 (not shown) for instructing the start of measurement.

Next, a positioning method by the subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device 1 will be described.

When the probe portion 3 is positioned, the positioning window portion 52 of the positioning member 5 has a light-transmitting property, and the positioning window portion 52 is provided with a cross-shaped marker portion 522. While confirming the site to be inspected through the positioning window part 52, the positioning window part 52 is moved so that the cross-shaped intersection part overlaps with a reference position such as the umbilicus or the vicinity thereof, and positioning is performed by the attaching members 54 and 53. Member 5
Is attached to the site to be inspected. With this configuration, the hole portion 51 through which the ultrasonic waves pass can be accurately positioned with the marker portion 522 of the positioning window portion 52 as a reference. Therefore, the position of the probe 3 does not shift each time measurement is performed, the reproducibility of measurement can be improved, and the reliability of measurement values can be improved. Further, since the attachment members 53 and 54 for fixing the probe unit 3 to the inspection target are provided on the inspection target side of the positioning member 5, the probe unit 3 can be stably fixed to the inspection target during measurement. Since it can be supported, highly accurate measurement becomes possible. As such an attaching member, a suction cup, an adhesive gel sheet, an adhesive tape, or the like can be used, but is not limited thereto. Further, it is not limited to the case where the sticking member is provided on the inspection target side of the positioning member, and the positioning member itself is formed of a hydrophilic resin, or the surface of the inspection target side is roughened to retain water to serve as a binder. By providing the function, it is possible to prevent bubbles and the like from intervening between the sensor unit and the inspection target, so that attenuation of ultrasonic waves is suppressed and efficient measurement becomes possible.

(Modification) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the relative position between the probe part 3 and the reference position is fixed by fixing the positioning member itself to the probe part 3, but the probe part and the positioning window part are different. It may be a body. For example,
The positioning window portion (reference positioning means) and the probe portion may be connected by an expandable cord (connecting means). The cord is wound around a reel provided in the probe unit and stored, and the cord is pulled out from the probe unit for use. The probe unit is provided with an encoder that detects the amount of rotation of the reel, and the distance between the probe unit and the positioning window is calculated from the amount of pulling out the cord. The probe unit can be positioned by displaying the calculated distance on the display unit and referring to this distance by the user. By storing the distance data determined in this way as personal data in the memory and pulling out the code so that the distance will be the stored distance from the next measurement, the subcutaneous fat thickness can be measured at the same position every time. , Reproducibility is improved. Further, the distance between the probe section and the positioning window section may be set to a predetermined value in advance, and the user may be informed by, for example, displaying on the display section that the code has been pulled up to that distance. . In this case, the user can measure the subcutaneous fat thickness at the same position every time by positioning the probe unit according to the information displayed on the display unit or notified, and the reproducibility of the measurement is improved. . Further, the cord may be marked, and the user may pull out the cord with reference to the mark, or the cord may be configured by a measure having a length along the cord. Further, the probe portion may be positioned in a state where the cord is always pulled out to a length where it can be pulled out. The reel and encoder described above may be provided on the side of the positioning window.

Further, the positioning member 5 can be formed by a molding member made of a resin material or the like, which has a rigidity that causes little deformation when brought into contact with the object to be inspected. However, as shown in FIG. It may be made of a material having a flexibility that is deformed according to the shape of the inspection target portion when it is brought into contact with the inspection target or a material whose shape is easily changed. As a material for such a positioning member 5, for example, silicon rubber, elastomer, polypropylene or the like can be used. Such materials are shown in FIG. 3, which will be described later, the positioning member 25 of the inspection device 10 according to the second embodiment, the positioning member 35 of the inspection device 20 according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and shown in FIG. The same can be applied to the positioning member 45 of the inspection device 30 according to the fourth embodiment.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 shows a subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device 1 as an inspection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
An overall configuration of 0 is shown. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

Subcutaneous fat thickness measuring apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment
Is the same as that of the first embodiment except the configuration of the positioning member. In the subcutaneous fat thickness measurement device 1, the probe tip end side of the oval positioning member (positioning means, acoustic matching means) 25 functions as an acoustic matching layer for matching the acoustic impedance to the ultrasonic waves emitted from the probe portion 3. Is covered by a member having. By providing such an acoustic matching layer integrally with the positioning member 25, the ultrasonic waves sent from the sensor unit 3 can be efficiently advanced.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 4 (a) shows the entire structure of a subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device 20 as an inspection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

Subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device 20 according to the present embodiment
Is the same as that of the first embodiment except the configuration of the positioning member. As shown in FIG. 4B, the positioning member (positioning means) 35 is a positioning window support portion 35 provided on the side wall of the distal end portion of the probe portion 3 of the subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device 20.
1 and a positioning window portion (reference position adjusting means) 352. The positioning window 352 has an annular frame member 352a.
And a translucent member 352 arranged on the inner circumference of the frame member 352a.
b and a cross-shaped marker portion 352c arranged in the center of the translucent member 352b. An attachment portion 352d for attaching to the positioning window portion supporting member 351 is provided on the outer periphery of the frame member 352a of the positioning window portion 352. The positioning window support member 351 is composed of two members 351 that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.
a and 351b, each member has a shape protruding from the side wall of the tip portion of the probe portion 3 and bent in the tip direction. The mounting portion 352d of the positioning window portion 352 is rotatably supported by the tip of the positioning window portion supporting member 351. The positioning window portion 352 is the positioning window portion support member 3
It can be held at an arbitrary rotation angle with respect to 51.
Further, the inner diameter of the frame member 352a of the positioning window portion 352 is
It is formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the tip portion 3a of the probe portion 3. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, the positioning window portion 352 is rotated to a position substantially parallel to the end surface of the probe portion 3 and used as a similar form to the positioning member 5 of the first embodiment. can do. In addition, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the positioning window 352 covers the end face of the probe unit 3 so that it can be used as a protective cover for the probe unit 3, and the positioning window 352 protruding from the probe unit 3 is provided on the probe unit 3 side. Since it is stored, the positioning window portion 352 can be hard to be damaged. Further, by setting the positioning window 352 at a desired angle with respect to the probe unit 3 in accordance with the surface shape of the inspection object, not only a flat portion such as the vicinity of the navel but also various surface shapes such as a flank. It is possible to accurately perform the positioning even in the region forming the.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 5 (a) shows the entire structure of a subcutaneous fat thickness measuring apparatus as an inspection apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

Subcutaneous fat thickness measuring apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment
Is a positioning window portion (reference positioning means) 4 on the main body portion 2.
5 is provided, and the main body portion 2 and the probe portion 3 are connected by a cable (coupling means) 4 having a positioning function and capable of being pulled out and wound up.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the positioning window portion 4
Reference numeral 5 has a substantially circular light-transmissive member 451 and a cross-shaped marker portion 452 arranged in the center thereof, and is rotatably attached via a hinge portion 271 provided at the lower end of the side surface of the main body portion 2. Has been. If the positioning window 45 is not used,
It can be rotated to the side surface side of the main body portion 2 and stored in a recess (storage means) 272 provided on the side surface of the main body portion 2.
The positioning window portion 45 can be held at an arbitrary angle with respect to the main body portion 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, it can be used by holding it at an angle such that it is parallel to the lower surface of the main body 2, or it can be held at a predetermined angle on the lower surface of the main body 2. Therefore, by setting the angle according to the shape of the site to be inspected, not only the flat site to be inspected but also the site to be inspected in various shapes such as a curved surface can be accurately positioned.

Since the positioning window portion 45 is provided in the main body portion 2 as described above, it is necessary to position the probe portion 3 with respect to the main body portion 2 in this embodiment. For this reason, the main body 2 is provided with a cable storage 28 including a reel for winding the cable 44 connecting the probe 3 and the main body 2.
By pulling out the cable 44 from the main body portion 2 and winding it around the main body portion 2, the distance between the probe portion 3 and the main body portion 2 is variable. As shown in FIG. 6 showing the internal configuration of the subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device, an encoder 281 for detecting the rotation amount of the reel is provided on the main body side, and the main body portion 2 and the probe portion are detected from the pulling amount of the cable 44. The distance from 3 can be calculated. The distance calculated in this way is displayed on the display unit 21, and the user can position the probe unit 3 by referring to this distance. The distance data determined in this way is stored in the memory 2
4 is stored as personal data, and by pulling out the cable 44 so that the distance is stored from the next measurement, the subcutaneous fat thickness can be measured at the same position every time,
Reproducibility is improved.

A processing procedure at the time of measurement in the subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the power switch 222 is turned on, the initial state is set, and the user sets personal information using the setting switch (step 1).

Next, the output value of the encoder 281 is read (step 2).

Next, it is determined whether or not the start switch 33 has been pressed (step 3).

In step 3, the start switch 3
When 3 is pressed, the position information is recorded in the memory 24 based on the output value of the encoder 281 (step 4).

Next, the transmission pulse is output (step 5), the detection result of the reception echo is analyzed (step 6),
Data such as the subcutaneous fat thickness is displayed on the LCD of the display unit 22 and the result is stored in the memory 24 (step 7),
Return to step 1.

In step 3, the start switch 3
If 3 is not pressed, the user is informed of the measurement position by the annunciator 26 or the display unit 22 (step 8), and it is determined whether or not 2 seconds have elapsed at the measurement position (step 9). ). If it is not the measurement position, or if it is the measurement position but the elapsed time is less than 2 seconds, the process returns to step 2, and if 2 seconds has elapsed at the measurement position, the process proceeds to step 5.

Here, the CPU 23 constitutes the judging means and the inspection control means.

A mark is attached to the cable 44,
The user may refer to the mark to pull out the cable 44 to a predetermined length, or the cable 44 may be always pulled out to a limit length for positioning.

In this embodiment, the reel and encoder 281 are provided on the main body 2, but the reel and encoder may be provided on the probe 3 side.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 8 shows a subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device 4 as an inspection device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
An overall configuration of 0 is shown. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 8A is a view of the device 40 seen from the tip of the probe 43, and FIG. 8B is a view of the device 40 seen from the lateral direction (direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction).

In the subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device 40, the probe 4
0 is formed integrally with the apparatus main body. A probe 40 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to one end of the device 40 in the longitudinal direction.
Is provided, and the start switch 33 is provided at the other end. A display unit 21 is provided on the side surface of the device.

The positioning member in this embodiment includes an annular member 65 having an inner diameter such that a finger or a palm can pass through it. The annular member 65 is connected to the apparatus body 41 by a cord (coupling means) 66, and is wound around a reel provided in the apparatus body 41 and stored.

The annular member 65 and the apparatus body 41 are cords 66.
8 (c), the user hooks the annular member 65 on the finger, and the cord 66, as shown in FIG.
The stopper 6 when pulled out to the specified position
7, the withdrawal of the cord 66 is restricted. At this time, a mark is attached to a predetermined position of the cord 66, and the mark confirmation window 412 provided in the apparatus body 41 confirms that the cord 66 has been pulled out to this mark, and then the pulling out of the cord 66 is stopped. The probe 43 can be positioned. The mark may be attached to the standard position of the code 66 in advance, or the mark may be attached to the position suitable for the user.

FIG. 9 schematically shows the internal structure of the subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device 40. The function of each block is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the probe is formed integrally with the apparatus and the annular member 65 is connected to the apparatus body 41.

Further, as in the fourth embodiment, an encoder for detecting the rotation amount of the reel is provided, the distance between the annular member 65 and the apparatus main body 41 is calculated from the pulling amount of the cord 66, and the calculated distance is calculated. Alternatively, the probe 43 may be displayed on the display unit 21 and the user may refer to this distance to position the probe 43. The distance data thus determined is stored in the memory 24 as personal data,
Code 6 so that the distance is remembered from the next measurement
By pulling out 6, the subcutaneous fat thickness can be measured at the same position every time, and the reproducibility is improved. Further, the distance between the annular member and the apparatus body is set to a predetermined value in advance, and the display unit 21 indicates that the cord 66 has been pulled out to that distance.
The information may be displayed on the display or the notification device 26 may notify the user. In this case, the user can measure the subcutaneous fat thickness at the same position every time by positioning the device body according to the information displayed or notified by the display unit 21, and the reproducibility of the measurement is improved. To do.

Here, the annular member 65 is hooked on the base of the finger or on the wrist to position the probe 43 with the base of the finger or the wrist as the reference position. The part on which the annular member 65 is hooked may be a toe or an ankle, and the inner diameter of the annular member may be set according to the part. It should be noted that such a positioning member is not limited to the annular member as long as it can be held on a part of the user's body which is the reference position.

Further, the code can be constructed using a storage medium capable of storing data by magnetism or the like. When such a storage medium is used, a recording means for writing and reading data is provided in the apparatus main body 41, and the user is specified at a position corresponding to the amount pulled out by the user for positioning. Write in a storage medium in association with information. At the time of measurement from the next time, the user is allowed to input information, the amount of withdrawal associated with the user is read out, and the state in which the user has the same amount of withdrawal of code every time by displaying or notifying on the display unit, that is, ,
Measurement can be performed with the distance between the annular member and the apparatus main body kept constant, and reproducibility is improved.

(Sixth Embodiment) FIG. 10 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
2 shows the overall configuration and usage state of a subcutaneous fat thickness measurement device 50 as an inspection device according to the embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device 50 includes a lateral positioning guide 56 and cords 57 and 58 in addition to the main body 2, the probe 3, and the cable 4.

Both ends of a cord 57 forming a loop are connected to the upper portion of the main body 2. A cord that supports a lateral positioning guide with respect to the main body 2 is provided below the main body 2. The cord 58, one end of which is connected to the lateral positioning guide 56, is locked to the lateral positioning guide 56 via the main body 2. At the end of the cord 58,
A locking member 59 for locking the cord 58 with a desired length with respect to the lateral positioning guide 56 is provided. The lateral positioning guide (horizontal positioning means) 56 is provided with a guide portion 561 for moving the probe unit 3 along the lateral positioning guide 56 and holding it at a desired position. The cord 58, the horizontal positioning guide 56 and the locking member 59 constitute a vertical positioning means.

A positioning method using the subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device will be described.

First, the user hangs the loop formed by the cord 57 connected to the main body 2 on the neck. The position of the lateral positioning guide 56 in the height direction of the user can be set by adjusting the position of the locking member 59 provided at the end of the cord 58 and adjusting the length to be left. By holding the horizontal positioning guide 56 substantially horizontally, the probe 3 can be positioned in the vertical direction. As described above, the probe unit 3 can be positioned in the horizontal direction by moving and holding the probe unit 3 along the lateral positioning guide 56. As described above, in this embodiment, the probe unit 3 is positioned independently in each of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Here, the length of the cord 57 connected to the main body 2 may be adjustable.

A mark is provided on the cord 59, and the locking member 59 is attached according to the mark so that the horizontal positioning guide 56 is always held at the same vertical position (the user's height direction). You can A mark is also attached to the guide portion 561 of the lateral positioning guide 56, and the probe unit 3 is moved in accordance with the mark,
The user can always hold the probe unit 3 at the same lateral position. With this configuration, the probe unit 3 can be positioned regardless of the body shape of the user or the site to be inspected. When the abdomen is the examination target site, the subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device 50 may be hung from the neck to the front side of the body as shown in FIG. 10. When the back is the examination site, the subcutaneous fat thickness measurement is performed. The device 50 may be hung from the neck to the back side.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inspection apparatus using an ultrasonic wave, which can easily position a probe and can perform inspection with high reproducibility.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 (a) is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a subcutaneous fat thickness measuring apparatus according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1 (b) shows a probe section of the apparatus as seen from an inspection object side. FIG.
(C) is a figure which shows the example of the other positioning member of the same apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the outline of the internal configuration of the subcutaneous fat thickness measurement device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a subcutaneous fat thickness measurement device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 (a) is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4B is a diagram of the probe unit of the same device as seen from the inspection target side, and FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating a state of the probe unit when the same device is not used.

FIG. 5 (a) shows an overall configuration of a subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 (b) is a view showing a positioning window portion of the same device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of an internal configuration of a subcutaneous fat thickness measurement device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure at the time of measurement in a subcutaneous fat thickness measurement device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 (a) is a view of a subcutaneous fat thickness measurement device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention seen from the tip of a probe,
FIG. 8B is a lateral view of the same device.
(C) is a figure explaining the use condition of the device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic internal configuration of a subcutaneous fat thickness measurement apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a subcutaneous fat thickness measurement device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 10, 30, 40, 50 Subcutaneous fat thickness measuring device 2 body 3 probe part 4 cables 5 Positioning member 25, 35, 52, 45 Positioning window 21 Display 26 Alarm 23 CPU 24 memory 32 sensor 43 probes 53,54 Sticking member 56 Horizontal positioning guide 57,58 code 59 Locking member 65 Annular member 272 recess 281 encoder 352a Positioning window 412 Positioning window

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takanobu Yamauchi             Shiokyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture             801 Doudocho Omron Life Co., Ltd.             Inside Science Institute (72) Inventor Satoshi Yamada             Shiokyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture             801 Doudocho Omron Life Co., Ltd.             Inside Science Institute F term (reference) 2F068 AA02 AA28 BB05 CC07 DD12                       FF03 KK04                 4C301 AA02 CC05 DD22 EE11 EE13                       EE20 GA01 GA06 GA07 GC01                       GC04 GC24 GD02 KK40 LL20                 4C601 BB01 DD01 DD02 EE09 EE11                       EE30 GA01 GA06 GA07 GA17                       GA18 GA21 GC01 GC03 GC21                       GC24 JC40 KK14 KK50 LL40                 5J083 AA02 AB17 AC23 AC29 AD04                       AD13 AE10 CA31

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An inspection apparatus for inspecting a structure inside a living body using ultrasonic waves, comprising a probe having a sensor section for detecting a reflected wave of an ultrasonic wave transmitted from an inspection object, and an opening and a reference. Positioning means for determining the position of the probe at a predetermined relative position with respect to the reference positioning means, and the positioning window portion for positioning the reference position. An inspection device including an attaching means for attaching. 2. An inspection apparatus for inspecting a structure inside a living body using ultrasonic waves, comprising a probe having a sensor section for detecting a reflected wave of the transmitted ultrasonic wave from an inspection object, and an opening and a reference. Positioning means for determining the position of the probe at a predetermined relative position with respect to the reference position adjusting means, and a reference position adjusting means arranged at a portion to be positioned Acoustic matching means having a function of matching acoustic impedance with respect to ultrasonic waves according to the present invention. 3. An inspection apparatus for inspecting a structure inside a living body using ultrasonic waves, comprising a probe having a sensor section for detecting a reflected wave of the transmitted ultrasonic waves from an inspection object, and an opening and a reference. A positioning means for determining the position of the probe at a predetermined relative position with respect to the reference positioning means, and a positioning means integrated with the positioning means. An inspection apparatus including a bonding material interposed between the section and the inspection target. 4. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a mark portion serving as a reference for alignment is provided in the opening. 5. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing the reference positioning means when not in use. 6. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an expandable / contractible connecting means for connecting the reference position adjusting means and the probe. 7. The inspection apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the connecting unit includes a transmitting unit that transmits a signal between the reference alignment unit and the probe. 8. A determination means for determining whether or not the reference alignment means and the probe are in a predetermined relative position, and an informing means for informing that the reference alignment means and the probe are in a predetermined relative position. The inspection apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: 9. A determination means for determining whether or not the reference alignment means and the probe are in a predetermined relative position, and an inspection for starting an inspection when the reference alignment means and the probe are in a predetermined relative position. The inspection device according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising: a control unit. 10. An inspection apparatus for inspecting a structure inside a living body using ultrasonic waves, comprising: a probe having a sensor section for detecting a reflected wave of an ultrasonic wave transmitted from an object to be inspected; An inspection apparatus, comprising: a positioning unit that is supported by being hooked on a part and that determines the position of the probe with the protruding part as a reference. 11. The positioning means comprises vertical positioning means for adjusting the position of the probe in the height direction of the user, and horizontal positioning means for adjusting the position of the probe in a direction substantially orthogonal to the extending direction. The inspection apparatus according to claim 10. 12. The inspection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the positioning unit includes an annular member hooked on a protruding portion of the user and an expandable / contractible connecting unit that connects the probe. 13. A determination unit that determines whether or not the probe is in a predetermined relative position with respect to a protruding portion of the user, and the probe is predetermined with respect to a protruding portion of the user. 13. The inspection device according to claim 10, further comprising: a notification unit that notifies that the vehicle is in the relative position. 14. A determination unit that determines whether or not the probe is in a predetermined relative position with respect to a protruding portion of the user, and the probe is predetermined with respect to a protruding portion of the user. The inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising: an inspection control unit that starts inspection when the relative position is.