JP2008206809A - Biomagnetism measuring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To measure weak magnetism generated at a neck region or a lumbar region without bending the neck or the lower back of a subject. <P>SOLUTION: A biomagnetism measuring apparatus is equipped with a dewar (1), a first sensor cylinder (2a) through a fourth sensor cylinder (2d) which protrude from the dewar (1) and have an upper surface being a bending part, and a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors (11) provided on the inner surface of each bending part of the first sensor cylinder (2a) through the fourth sensor cylinder (2d). The bending parts of the first through fourth sensor cylinders (2a)-(2d) are bent smoothly in a manner that central parts respectively protrude 0.5 cm, 1 cm, 2.5 cm, and 4 cm from both ends. Since the bending part is brought into close contact with the neck region or the lumbar region of the subject (H) without forcing to bend the neck or the back of the subject forward if the sensor cylinder having the bending part conforming to the subject (H), the weak magnetism generated at a spinal cord is appropriately measured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a biomagnetic measurement device, and more particularly to a biomagnetism measurement device that can suitably measure weak magnetism generated in the spinal cord without bending the neck and back of a subject forward.

Conventionally, a sensor array in which a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors are arranged in the y direction is arranged in the x direction by shifting the y-direction position with respect to the superconducting magnetic sensors in a plurality of rows and adjacent sensor arrays. There is known a superconducting magnetic measuring device that is installed on the inner surface of the tip of the above (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-337862 A

In the conventional superconducting magnetometer, since the tip of the sensor cylinder is a flat wall, the neck of the subject is bent slightly forward and the neck is straightened, and the tip of the sensor cylinder is placed on the subject. It was in close contact with the neck and the weak magnetism generated in the neck was measured. Similarly, with the waist of the subject bent slightly forward and the waist stretched straight, the tip of the sensor tube was brought into close contact with the waist of the subject, and the weak magnetism generated at the waist was measured. .
However, for example, the elderly have decreased spinal mobility (the range in which they can move) with age, cannot bend the neck and waist forward, and the subject's neck and waist remain naturally curved. Therefore, there is a problem that the center of the tip of the sensor cylinder is separated from the neck and waist of the subject and measurement cannot be performed well. In addition, if the neck or waist is bent forcibly, the magnetic field due to muscle activity becomes a noise source, which hinders measurement.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a biomagnetic measuring apparatus that can suitably measure the weak magnetism generated in the neck and waist without forcibly bending the neck and waist of the subject forward. is there.

In a first aspect, the present invention comprises a plurality of bending portions with different degrees of bending, and a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors installed on the inner surface of the bending portion. I will provide a.
In the biomagnetism measuring apparatus according to the first aspect, since the superconducting magnetic sensor is installed in the bending portion, even if the neck portion is naturally bent without bending the neck of the subject forward, the bending portion Can be brought into close contact with the neck of the subject to the extent necessary. In addition, even when the waist is naturally curved without bending the subject's waist forward, the curved portion can be brought into close contact with the waist of the subject to the extent necessary. That is, it is possible to suitably measure the weak magnetism generated in the spinal cord and spinal nerve even in a natural posture without bending the subject's neck or waist forward. However, because the degree of natural curvature of the neck and waist varies depending on age and individual differences, the degree of curvature of the curved portion may match one subject but may not fit another subject. On the other hand, since the biomagnetic measurement device according to the first aspect includes a plurality of bending portions having different degrees of bending, it is possible to select a bending portion that matches the subject. Since only one dewar is required to store the cryogenic liquid for cooling the superconducting magnetic sensor of each curved portion, the amount of cryogenic liquid stored can be saved.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a dewar for storing a cryogenic liquid, a plurality of sensor tubes each having a curved portion having a different degree of curvature, and the curved portions of the sensor tubes. There is provided a biomagnetism measuring device comprising a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors installed on the inner surface of the magnetic field sensor.
In the biomagnetic measurement apparatus according to the second aspect, a sensor cylinder having a curved portion that matches the subject can be selected. Further, since there are a plurality of sensor tubes, wiring work between the superconducting magnetic sensor and the outside becomes easy. And since only one dewar is required, the storage amount of the cryogenic liquid can be saved.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a dewar for storing a cryogenic liquid, a sensor tube protruding from the dewar, a plurality of bending portions provided on the sensor tube and having different degrees of bending, and the bending portions. There is provided a biomagnetism measuring device comprising a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors installed on the inner surface of the magnetic field sensor.
In the biomagnetism measuring apparatus according to the third aspect, it is possible to select a curved portion suitable for the subject. In addition, since the single sensor cylinder has a plurality of curved portions, the entire size can be reduced. And since only one dewar is required, the storage amount of the cryogenic liquid can be saved.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides the biomagnetic measurement device according to the second or third aspect, wherein the upper surface of the sensor cylinder is convexly curved in a direction perpendicular to the protruding direction of the sensor cylinder, A biomagnetism measuring device is provided that is not curved in the protruding direction of the sensor tube.
In the biomagnetism measuring apparatus according to the fourth aspect, since the subject only needs to sleep during measurement by using the upper surface of the sensor cylinder like a pillow or waist pillow, the burden on the subject can be reduced. .

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides the biomagnetic measurement device according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the bending portion is smoothly curved so that the center protrudes from 0.5 cm to 4 cm from both ends. There is provided a biomagnetism measuring device.
When this inventor tested, it turned out that it fits with respect to a person's neck if the center curves smoothly so that it may protrude 0.5 cm or more and 4 cm or less from both ends. Therefore, in the biomagnetism measuring device according to the fifth aspect, the bending portion can be brought into close contact with the neck of the subject while the neck is naturally bent without bending the person's neck forward.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention relates to a dua for storing a cryogenic liquid, a plurality of bending parts provided in the dua, each having a different degree of bending, and a plurality of superstructures installed on the inner surface of each bending part. A biomagnetism measuring device comprising a conduction magnetic sensor is provided.
In the biomagnetism measuring apparatus according to the sixth aspect, it is possible to select a curved portion provided in the dewar that matches the subject.

  According to the biomagnetic measurement apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to suitably measure weak magnetism generated in the spinal cord and spinal nerve of the subject.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited thereby.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the biomagnetic measurement device 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view of the same.
This biomagnetism measuring device 100 includes a dur 1 for storing a cryogenic liquid (for example, liquid nitrogen), a first sensor cylinder 2a to a fourth sensor cylinder 2d that protrude from the dur 1 and have a curved upper surface. And a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors 11 installed on the inner surfaces of the curved portions of the sensor cylinder 2a to the fourth sensor cylinder 2d.

  The first sensor cylinder 2a to the fourth sensor cylinder 2d have a length in the protruding direction from the dewar 1 of 40 cm, a height of 20 cm, and a width of 15 cm. The upper surface is curved in the width direction and curved in the protruding direction. Not.

The curved portion of the first sensor cylinder 2a is smoothly curved so that the center protrudes 0.5 cm from both ends.
The curved portion of the second sensor cylinder 2b is smoothly curved so that the center protrudes 1 cm from both ends.
The curved portion of the third sensor cylinder 2c is smoothly curved so that the center protrudes 2.5 cm from both ends.
The curved portion of the fourth sensor cylinder 2d is smoothly curved so that the center protrudes 4 cm from both ends.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, for example, the second sensor cylinder 2b having a curved portion that fits the subject H is selected, and the subject H is sleeping during measurement by using the upper surface of the sensor cylinder 2b like a pillow. Just do it.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the first sensor cylinder 2a.
The first sensor cylinder 2a includes an inner tank 10a and an outer tank 10b. A plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors 11 are disposed on the inner surface of the inner tank 10a.

  According to the biomagnetism measuring apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, even if the neck and waist are naturally bent without bending the neck and waist of the subject H forward, the curved portion is the neck and waist of the subject H. Can be adhered to. Therefore, the distance between the superconducting magnetic sensor 11 and the spinal cord can be made substantially constant. Since a plurality of bending portions having different degrees of bending are provided, a bending portion suitable for the subject H can be selected. Since only one dewar 1 is required, the amount of cryogenic liquid stored can be saved.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a planar superconducting magnetic sensor 11 may be used instead of the cylindrical superconducting magnetic sensor 11.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the biomagnetic measurement apparatus 200 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a top view of the same. FIG. 6 is a side view.
The biomagnetism measuring device 200 includes a sensor tube 3 that is a first curved portion 3a to a third curved portion 3c that protrudes from the dual 1 and has different upper surface curvatures. And a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors 11 installed on the inner surfaces of the bending portions 3a to 3c.

  The sensor cylinder 3 has a length in the protruding direction from the dewar 1 of 100 cm, a height of 20 cm, and a width of 15 cm. The upper surface is curved in the width direction and is not curved in the protruding direction.

The first bending portion 3a is smoothly curved so that the center protrudes 1 cm from both ends.
The second bending portion 3b is smoothly curved so that the center protrudes 2 cm from both ends.
The third bending portion 3c is smoothly curved so that the center protrudes 3 cm from both ends.

  As shown in FIG. 6, it is only necessary to select a curved portion that matches the subject H and use the curved portion like a pillow so that the subject H sleeps during measurement.

  According to the biomagnetism measuring apparatus 200 of the third embodiment, even when the neck and waist are naturally bent without bending the neck and waist of the subject H forward, the curved portion is the neck and waist of the subject H. Can be adhered to. Therefore, the distance between the superconducting magnetic sensor 11 and the spinal cord can be made substantially constant. Since a plurality of bending portions having different degrees of bending are provided, a bending portion suitable for the subject H can be selected. And since only one dewar 1 is required, the storage amount of the cryogenic liquid can be saved.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the biomagnetic measurement apparatus 300 according to the fourth embodiment.
This biomagnetic measuring device 300 is provided on the inner surfaces of the first curved portion 4a and the second curved portion 4b, and the first curved portion 4a and the second curved portion 4b, which are provided on the first and different degrees of curvature. And a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors 11 installed.

The first bending portion 4a has a degree of bending that can accommodate an adult's head.
The second bending portion 4b has a degree of bending that can accommodate the infant's head.

  Note that LD is a lid of the dewar 1, PA is packing, and ST is a refrigerant supply / exhaust double pipe. Further, 20 is an interface device for exchanging signals with the superconducting magnetic sensor 11, 30 is an information processing device for analyzing signals, and 40 is a display device for displaying analysis results.

  According to the biomagnetic measurement apparatus 300 of the fourth embodiment, since the plurality of bending portions 4a and 4b having different degrees of bending are provided, a bending portion that matches the subject H can be selected. And since only one dewar 1 is required, the storage amount of the cryogenic liquid can be saved.

  It can be used as a device for measuring weak magnetism generated in the human spinal cord and spinal nerve.

1 is a front view of a biomagnetic measurement device according to Example 1. FIG. 1 is a top view of a biomagnetic measurement apparatus according to Example 1. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sensor cylinder of a biomagnetic measuring device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the sensor cylinder of the biomagnetic measuring apparatus which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is a front view of the biomagnetic measuring device which concerns on Example 3. FIG. 6 is a top view of a biomagnetic measurement device according to Example 3. FIG. It is a side view of the biomagnetic measuring device which concerns on Example 3. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the biomagnetism measuring device which concerns on Example 4. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Dewar 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3 Sensor cylinder 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b Bending part 11 Superconducting magnetic sensor 100, 200, 300 Biomagnetic measuring device

Claims (6)

  A biomagnetism measuring apparatus comprising a plurality of bending portions with different degrees of bending and a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors installed on the inner surface of the bending portion.   A dewar for storing a cryogenic liquid, a plurality of sensor tubes having curved portions with different degrees of curvature, and a plurality of super tubes installed on the inner surface of each curved portion of each sensor tube; A biomagnetism measuring apparatus comprising a conduction magnetic sensor.   A dewar for storing a cryogenic liquid; a sensor cylinder projecting from the dewar; a plurality of bending sections provided on the sensor cylinder and having different degrees of bending; and a plurality of superstructures installed on an inner surface of each bending section A biomagnetism measuring apparatus comprising a conduction magnetic sensor.   4. The biomagnetic measurement apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the upper surface of the sensor cylinder is convexly curved in a direction orthogonal to the projecting direction of the sensor cylinder, and is curved in the projecting direction of the sensor cylinder. A biomagnetism measuring device, characterized by not.   The biomagnetism measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the bending portion is smoothly curved so that a center protrudes from 0.5 cm to 4 cm from both ends. Measuring device.   It comprises a dua for storing a cryogenic liquid, a plurality of bending parts provided in the dua, each having a different degree of bending, and a plurality of superconducting magnetic sensors installed on the inner surface of each bending part. A biomagnetic measuring device.

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