JP2014113467A - Biological examination apparatus and biological examination method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a biological examination apparatus and a biological examination method capable of noninvasively achieving health degree determination of hair of a living body as it is on the skin without removing it.SOLUTION: A biological examination apparatus includes a first light irradiation unit, a light detection unit, a calculation unit, and a determination unit. The first light irradiation unit emits light to the inside of a test object from the surface of a skin located in the neighborhood of a predetermined hair root. The light detection unit detects an amount of light given off from the surface of the skin of the test object. The calculation unit calculates first information concerning at least one of the shape and the size of the predetermined hair root based on the amount of light detected by the light detection unit. The determination unit determines the health degree of the hair of the test object based on the first information.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a biopsy device and a biopsy method for determining the health of living hair using light.

  In recent years, human hair has been thinned, and according to Aderans' 2011 survey report, 32.13%, which is about 1/3 of the global population, is thin. Japanese are ranked 14th in the world, but 1st in Asians, 26.78% of the population is reported.

  There is a correlation between thinning and hair loss, and the progress of thinning hair on the head can be estimated to some extent by detailed observation of the missing hair. 17 (a) to 17 (e) illustrate the shape of a typical hair loss root of hair loss. Normal hair falls off with a life of 5 to 6 years. The example of FIG. 17 (a) shows healthy hair that has slipped out naturally, has a thick hair shaft, and the hair root is thicker. In abnormal hair removal, FIG. 17 (b) showing chronic hair loss with a thin hair shaft, FIG. 17 (c) having a hair root shape of natural hair removal but having ischemic, fuzzy hair root, keratinized type Fig. 17 (d), which is diffuse hair loss and keratinizes to the inside of the pores, Fig. 17 (e), where the hair root part becomes thin (refractory hair loss with no hair root recognized. Not only the hair treatment of the scalp but also the body Fig. 17 (f), which is abnormal in shape and hair size (thin hair is thin and weak, with a hair tip of about several centimeters. There are typical examples such as hair.), Abnormal blood circulation of the scalp and abnormal properties due to lesions are observed. Abnormal hair loss promotes thinning. In this way, the hair that has come out of the scalp contains various information such as the progress of thinning and the urgency of coping. There have been many methods and devices for measuring the health of hair (resistance to hair loss and thinning hair) using hair that has been removed from the scalp (or artificially removed).

International Publication WO2005 / 102153

  However, the conventional methods relating to the determination of the health level of hair and the evaluation of the progress of thinning hair have the following problems. That is, by measurement / evaluation using naturally depilated hair, it is impossible to identify from which part the hair is basically removed. As is well known, the progress of thinning hair is often started from a specific position. Therefore, in order to obtain information on the hair at the position to be measured / evaluated, it is necessary to sample (artificial hair removal) from that position for examination, which is a non-invasive measurement for patients suffering from thinning hair. Absent. Conventionally, there is no method and apparatus that can determine the health level of hair and evaluate the progress of thinning hair while it is grown without being pulled out.

  On the other hand, various methods for measuring hair damage non-invasively have been conventionally proposed as methods close to methods for determining the health level of hair. For example, infrared light measurement, which is one of them, has an advantage that there is no problem of exposure, and a compound to be measured can be selected by selecting a wavelength. However, any of the conventional techniques is a method for analyzing and evaluating an exposed hair shaft portion, and does not measure or evaluate the health level of hair (resistance to hair loss and thinning hair).

  Similarly, a method for detecting body hair under the skin that is conscious of hair loss has been proposed as a method close to a method for determining the health level of hair. In this detection method, an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength range of about 700 nm to about 2000 nm is incident on the skin from a non-contact light source, and the electromagnetic wave is scattered in the skin, but is partially absorbed by the hair in the skin. For this reason, the detection method is a technique for imaging hair in the skin as a shadow with a non-contact imaging device. This shadow formation mainly depends on the difference in the shape of the hair and the refractive index of the hair and its surroundings (ie air or skin tissue). For the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave, a region where the absorption caused by the skin pigment is low is selected to avoid a contrast decrease due to skin color or freckles. Therefore, in the method for detecting body hair under skin in consideration of hair loss, the presence or absence of a hair root after hair removal can be detected, but the health level of hair (resistance to hair loss and thin hair) cannot be measured.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a biopsy device and a biopsy method that can non-invasively determine the health level of living hair while remaining in a hairless state.

  The biopsy apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a first light irradiation unit, a light detection unit, a calculation unit, and a determination unit. A 1st light irradiation unit irradiates light in a subject from the surface of the skin located in the vicinity of a predetermined hair root. The light detection unit detects the amount of light emitted from the surface of the subject's skin. The arithmetic unit calculates first information related to at least one of the shape and size of a predetermined hair root based on the light amount detected by the light detection unit. The determination unit determines the hair health level of the subject based on the first information.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the biopsy apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an example of a biological examination apparatus 1 composed of a stick-like biological interface device 2 and a personal computer 3. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the tip P of the biological interface device 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the hair health degree determination function. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing light absorption spectra of melanin and oxyhemoglobin. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing light absorption spectra of oxyhemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of an inspection using the hair health degree determination function. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the biological interface device 2 of the biological examination apparatus 1 according to the first modification. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the biopsy apparatus 1 according to the second modification. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a contact state between the probe 12 and the scalp of the biopsy device 1 according to the second modification. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the biopsy device 1 according to the third modification. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the biological examination apparatus 1 according to the fourth modification. FIG. 13 is a view showing the biometric interface device 2 of the biopsy apparatus 1 according to Modification 4. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the biological examination apparatus 1 according to the fifth modification. FIG. 15 is a view showing the biological interface device 2 of the biological examination apparatus 1 according to the modification 5. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the biological interface device 2 of the biological examination apparatus 1 according to Modification 5. FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrams for conceptually explaining the configuration of the optical probe 12 of the biological examination apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. 18A and 18B are diagrams for conceptually explaining the configuration of the optical probe 12 of the biological examination apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 19 shows an example in which a light source array and a detector array are configured by a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements and a plurality of semiconductor light receiving elements. FIG. 20 shows an example in which a light source array and a detector array are configured by a plurality of light emitting fibers and a plurality of light receiving optical fibers. FIG. 21 is an interaction diagram between various parameters and the average of detected light accuracy σ (T). FIG. 22 is an interaction diagram between the combination of various parameters and the average of the detected light accuracy σ (T). FIG. 23 is a conceptual diagram showing a procedure for creating a hair phantom. FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of a hair root inspection system assembled in a verification experiment. FIG. 25 shows an acrylic ferrule used in the verification experiment and an acrylic adapter to which the ferrule is fixed. FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining the conditions of the light intensity measurement. FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining the alignment of the ferrule and the hair root when the light intensity is measured in the verification experiment. FIG. 28 is a box-and-whisker diagram showing the results of five measurements of the light intensity of the reference before measurement, the sample u, and the reference after measurement of the sample t for three follicle phantoms. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a classification example of hair loss.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the biopsy apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the biological examination apparatus 1 includes an optical probe 12, a light source 16, a photodetector 20, an arithmetic circuit 22, an optical signal control unit 24, and a controller 26.

  The optical probe 12 includes a light irradiation unit IF121 and a light detection unit IF122, and is a component that is in close contact with the skin surface and effectively exchanges light with the inside of the skin. The light irradiation unit IF121 forms a light irradiation unit together with the light source 16, and irradiates light (near infrared light) generated by the light source 16 toward the subject. The light detection unit IF122 constitutes a light detection unit together with the light detector 20, for example, a detection surface that is configured by an end of an optical fiber and inputs light from inside the living body, and propagates the input light to the light detector 20. Having an optical waveguide. In addition, you may make it provide the contact part for performing the adhesiveness to skin and optical impedance matching in the contact surface to the biological body of the light irradiation part IF121 and the light detection part IF122 as needed.

  The light source 16 is a light emitting element such as a semiconductor laser, a light emitting diode, a solid state laser, or a gas laser that generates light of a specific wavelength. Here, the specific wavelength is, for example, a wavelength region (600 nm to 1200 nm) with high biological permeability, and is absorbed by components (melanin, keratin, etc.) contained in hair or components (hemoglobin, glucose, etc.) contained in blood. It is preferable to select the vicinity of the wavelength having. Various devices can be used as the light source 16 without any restrictions other than the wavelength, but LEDs and LDs are suitable because they need to be compact. The light generated in the light source 16 is supplied to the light irradiation unit IF121 through an optical waveguide unit configured by an optical fiber or a thin film optical waveguide (or through direct space propagation). The light source 16 may be integrated with the light irradiation unit IF121.

  Although various detectors can be used as the photodetector 20, it is simple and preferable to use a semiconductor optical sensor such as a photodiode or a phototransistor made of silicon, germanium, a compound semiconductor, or the like. The light detector 20 may be provided with a filter as necessary.

  The arithmetic circuit 22 calculates the light amount (light absorption amount) corresponding to each specific wavelength of the melanin measurement wavelength and the hemoglobin measurement wavelength.

  Under the control of the controller 26, the optical signal control unit 24 controls the light source 16 so that light is emitted from the light irradiation unit IF 121 at a predetermined timing, frequency, intensity, and intensity fluctuation period T. Further, the optical signal control unit 24 controls the arithmetic circuit 22 so that the calculation process is executed at a predetermined timing.

  The controller 26 controls each component in order to operate the biopsy apparatus 1 dynamically or statically. Further, the controller 26 acquires information such as hair shape, blood metabolism information, and the like, which will be described later, based on the calculated light amount, and determines the health level of the hair based on these.

  The controller 26, the arithmetic circuit 22, and the optical signal control unit 24 may be configured by any of hardware and computer application software. In the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the stick-shaped biological interface device 2 including the optical probe 12, the light source 16, the photodetector 20, the arithmetic circuit 22, and the optical signal control unit 24, and the controller 26 A personal computer 3 that realizes the function is used. However, this is only an example, and various modifications can be made as necessary. For example, the function of the controller 26 may be incorporated in the biological interface device 2 and the personal computer 3 may be responsible for functions such as power supply, display, and communication.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the tip P of the biological interface device 2 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the light source 16 and the light detection unit 20 are arranged closer to each other by optical fibers 13a and 13b. Tip ends of both optical fibers 13a and 13b are provided with tip contact portions 10a and 10b that improve the adhesion to a living body and take optical impedance matching. Both optical fibers 13a and 13b are fixed to an elastic support 14, and have a structure in which an excessive load is prevented from being applied to the optical fiber and at the same time the tip is brought into close contact with the skin with an appropriate load. Between the optical fibers 13a and 13b, a hair guide 17a (groove parallel to the optical fibers 13a and 13b in the example of FIG. 3) that guides hair and determines the measurement position on the skin is formed. In addition, in order to adjust the positions of the tips of both the optical fibers 13a and 13b and the hair, an imaging device for observing the inspection section and an optical part for the imaging device (hereinafter referred to as “imaging device 30”) are provided on the optical fibers 13a and 13b. It is arranged at a position away from the tip. In addition, in order to obtain a clear imaging screen without increasing noise, an LED device and an optical part (hereinafter referred to as “LED device 32”) that illuminate the inspection portion with light that is not in the visible light region and the inspection use wavelength are arranged. ing.

(Hair health level judgment function)
Next, the hair health determination function of the biopsy device 1 will be described. This function obtains information on hair root size and shape (information on hair shape, etc.), information on blood metabolism in the vicinity of the hair root (blood metabolism information), and uses the information on hair shape, etc. Is used to determine the future hair health level (for example, the possibility of a decrease in health level) using blood metabolism information, and to determine and evaluate the hair health level (thinning resistance) of a living body. In the following description, a case where both hair shape information and blood metabolism information are acquired and the current and future hair health levels are determined will be exemplified. However, if necessary, only the hair shape information (or blood metabolism information) may be acquired to determine the current hair health level (or future hair health level). Moreover, although a living body hair is made into a typical example as a test object, it is not restricted to the said example but it is possible to make all the body hair of a living body into a test object.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present hair health degree determination function. As shown in the figure, the light irradiation unit IF121 is brought into contact with the living skin near the hair root to irradiate light having a specific wavelength. The specific wavelength is a wavelength region (600 nm to 1200 nm) with high biological permeability, and the vicinity of the wavelength having absorption for components (melanin, keratin, etc.) contained in hair or components (hemoglobin, glucose, etc.) contained in blood Is selected. The light incident on the living body by the irradiation propagates through the optical path HR including the hair root H1. The propagated light is detected by the light detection unit IF123 brought into contact with the skin surface with the hair root H1 interposed therebetween.

  Light of a specific wavelength incident from the living skin is repeatedly scattered, diffused and absorbed in the living body, and a part of the light is emitted from the skin. This light scattering path is extremely complex, but the region near the surface of the sphere with a radius of ½ of the distance between the incident position and the detected position centered on the midpoint of the incident position and the detected position is the main (this The main scattering path is called “main optical path HR”). The hair shaft H2 and the hair root H1 existing in the range of about 2 mm below the skin from the center position of the sphere in the main light path HR are a major obstacle in light propagation. For example, if light having absorption in melanin is incident, a decrease in the amount of emitted light due to absorption of the hair shaft H2 and the hair root H1 can be quantified. In other words, there is a negative correlation between the hair shaft / hair root size and the optical signal intensity. Therefore, the calculation circuit 22 calculates the amount of decrease in the amount of emitted light due to the absorption of the hair shaft H2 and the hair root H1, and the controller 26, for example, based on the calculation result and the correspondence table between the light absorption amount and the hair root size acquired in advance. Information such as hair shape can be acquired.

  In addition, since the thickness of the hair is 0.06 to 0.1 mm, the lower limit of the distance between the light incident position and the detection position is about 0.2 mm, and conversely the position of the hair root is 2 to 2 below the skin surface. It is preferable that the upper limit is about 5 mm. In addition, when accurately determining single hair, the distance between the light incident position and the detection position is set to 0.8 to 1.8 mm based on the statistical density of hair (hair interval is about 0.9 mm). Is preferred.

  On the other hand, blood metabolism information near the hair root gives hair growth information. This is because hair in a region with low metabolism causes a growth disorder and is likely to change to a hair loss shape in the future. Therefore, for example, if light having absorption in hemoglobin is incident, a decrease in the amount of emitted light due to absorption of blood flow (that is, hemoglobin) existing in the main optical path HR can be quantified. It should be noted here that when the obstacle of the optical path due to the hair root or the like is large, the light absorption amount by hemoglobin apparently becomes small. In order to avoid this, it is effective to perform numerical correction based on the hair shaft / follicle size information, additional determination of the condition that there is no follicle in the optical path, correction, and the like in the arithmetic circuit 22 or the controller 26.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing light absorption spectra of melanin and oxyhemoglobin. As shown in the figure, the light absorption coefficient of melanin appropriately exists at a relatively small change rate in the wavelength range (600 nm to 1200 nm) of the living body window. In the present embodiment, the wavelength for measuring melanin is selected in the range of 650 to 750 nm centering on 700 nm where the light absorption of oxyhemoglobin is small.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing light absorption spectra of oxyhemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin. As shown in the figure, the light absorption coefficients of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin intersect in the vicinity of 800 nm within the wavelength range (600 nm to 1200 nm) of the biological window. In this embodiment, the wavelength for measuring hemoglobin is selected in the range of 750 to 950 nm with 800 nm as the center.

  The controller 26 determines the hair health using the light absorption amount corresponding to each specific wavelength of the melanin measurement wavelength and the hemoglobin measurement wavelength. The determination of the degree of hair health is performed in two stages, that is, calculation and evaluation of information such as hair shape, which is a characteristic value, and blood metabolism information. The calculation of the characteristic value is roughly divided into a method of directly calculating and deriving from the detected light absorption amount, and a method of fitting with reference to a numerical database from the detected light absorption amount. Evaluation is roughly divided into statistical analysis that examines and evaluates individual deviations from a statistical database of a large number of unspecified sample characteristic values, and individual transition analysis that creates individual characteristic value databases and evaluates their changes over time. . The hair health level can be determined by any combination.

  Next, the flow of the inspection using the hair health degree determination function of the biopsy device 1 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of an inspection using the hair health degree determination function. As shown in the figure, first, the subject holds the biological interface device 2 and images his / her scalp using the imaging device 30 in order to know the health level of his / her hair (step S1). The imaged scalp is displayed in real time on the screen of the personal computer 3 to which the biological interface device 2 is connected. The subject selects his / her sample hair while observing the displayed scalp image, puts the target hair in the guide 34, and performs measurement position alignment on the skin (step S2). After confirming that the contact is good and fixed at the correct position, the measurement button of the biological interface device 2 is pressed (step S3). In response to the operation of the measurement button, the controller 26 executes processing according to the above-described hair health degree determination function, and acquires hair shape information and blood metabolism information (step S4). In addition, the subject repeats the above-described processing as many times as desired for the part that feels necessary. The hair shape information and blood metabolism information acquired in step S4 are automatically recorded in the personal computer 3 and analyzed with reference to the analysis database. The analysis process is executed in the personal computer 3 in this embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and information such as hair shape and blood metabolism information may be transmitted to the service center via the network, and the results analyzed at the service center may be received. The obtained analysis result is provided to the subject in a predetermined form and timing (step S5). Thus, the subject can know the current diagnosis result.

  The biopsy device 1 according to the present embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows, for example.

(Modification 1)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the biological interface device 2 of the biological examination apparatus 1 according to the first modification. The main difference from FIG. 3 is that the tip contact portions 10a and 10b located at the tips of the optical fibers 13a and 13b are located on the surface of the support, and a hair guide that guides hair and determines the measurement position on the skin. The groove 17b is formed in parallel on the scalp surface so as to cross between the optical fibers 13a and 13b. For example, the subject can perform more suitable hair health determination by properly using the configuration shown in FIG. 3 and the configuration shown in FIG. 8 according to his / her own hair quality.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the biopsy apparatus 1 according to the second modification. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a contact state between the probe 12 and the scalp of the biopsy device 1 according to Modification 2. Compared with the example shown in FIG. 1, the biological examination apparatus 1 according to the second modification includes a waveguide from the light source 16 to the light irradiation unit IF121 and the light irradiation unit IF121 with the optical fiber 13a, the light detection unit IF123, and the light detection unit IF123. The waveguides from the light detection unit IF123 to the light detector 20 are respectively replaced with optical fibers 13b. As described above, the distance between the light incident position and the detection position is as short as 5 mm at the maximum. By using the thin optical fibers 13a and 13b for input and output as in the second modification, the distance between the light incident position and the detection position can be made shorter than when the device is directly surface mounted.

(Modification 3)
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the biopsy device 1 according to the third modification. In addition to the configuration of Modification 2, for example, the biopsy apparatus 1 according to Modification 3 uses a light source 16a for melanin measurement wavelength and a light source 16b for hemoglobin measurement wavelength to absorb light of melanin and hemoglobin. The measurement is performed with the same optical system. The two wavelengths for melanin and hemoglobin are mixed alternately, for example, in the optical mixer 15 and irradiated into the skin. The light detector 20 detects light emitted from the surface of the subject, and the arithmetic circuits 22a and 22b calculate the light absorption amount of melanin and the light absorption amount of hemoglobin, respectively, based on the detected light. The controller 26 acquires hair shape information and blood metabolism information based on the obtained light absorption amounts. Further, the controller 26 performs the above-described quantitative correction by feeding back the acquired hair shape information and blood metabolism information as necessary.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to obtain both hair shape information and blood metabolism information without burden in one operation.

(Modification 4)
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the biopsy device 1 according to the fourth modification. The biopsy apparatus 1 according to the fourth modification uses light irradiation into the subject at one place, whereas two or more light detection systems including the light detection unit IF and the optical fiber (in the example of FIG. 12). And 2) to detect light from the subject at a plurality of positions. In such a configuration, for example, the light detection system corresponding to the melanin measurement sandwiches the hair with respect to the light irradiation system, and the light detection system corresponding to the hemoglobin measurement is arranged to measure without holding the hair with respect to the light irradiation system. To. Thereby, the amount of blood metabolism can be quantitatively measured with high accuracy regardless of the hair shaft / hair root size. In addition, there is an advantage that a slight deviation of the irradiation position or the detection position can be automatically corrected by performing melanin measurement and hemoglobin measurement using light detected at a plurality of positions.

  FIG. 13 is a view showing the tip of the biological interface device 2 of the biological examination apparatus 1 according to Modification 4. The difference from FIG. 3 is that two optical detection units IF123 and optical fibers for detection 13b are arranged with the hair guide 17a symmetrical. By analyzing signals measured using the two light detection units IF123 and the receiving optical fiber 13b, accurate size information can be obtained even if the hair measurement position is slightly shifted.

(Modification 5)
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the biological examination apparatus 1 according to the fifth modification. The biopsy apparatus 1 according to the fifth modification includes a plurality of light irradiation units (two in the example of FIG. 14) having different light sources and one light detection system. As in the case of Modification 4 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, for example, the light irradiation unit corresponding to melanin measurement sandwiches the hair with respect to the light detection system, and the light irradiation unit corresponding to hemoglobin measurement is light detection. Arrange for measurement without pinching the hair against the system. Thereby, the amount of blood metabolism can be measured quantitatively irrespective of the hair shaft / hair root size. In addition, there is an advantage that a slight deviation in the irradiation position or the detection position can be automatically corrected by performing melanin measurement and hemoglobin measurement using a plurality of lights corresponding to different optical paths.

  FIG. 15 is a view showing the distal end of the biological interface device 2 of the biological examination apparatus 1 according to Modification 5. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a usage example of the biological interface device 2 shown in FIG. As can be seen by comparing FIG. 15 and FIG. 3, in the biological interface device 2 according to the fifth modification, the light irradiation system including the light irradiation unit IF121 and the irradiation optical fiber 13a makes the hair guide 17a symmetrical. Two are arranged. As shown in FIG. 16, the hair is inserted into the hair guide 17a. For example, the melanin measurement is performed by sandwiching the hair, and the hemoglobin measurement is performed without measuring the hair. Thereby, the amount of blood metabolism can be measured quantitatively irrespective of the hair shaft / hair root size. In addition, by sequentially analyzing the light from the two light irradiation systems, accurate size information can be obtained even if the hair measurement position is slightly shifted.

  According to the biopsy device described above, light is emitted from the vicinity of the hair root of the living hair while it is grown without hair loss, and the amount of light emitted from the skin via the optical path including the hair root is detected. Then, based on the detected light amount, information on hair shape and the like regarding at least one of the shape and size of the hair root is obtained, the current hair health level is determined based on this, and the result is presented to the subject. Therefore, the current hair health level can be grasped non-invasively without feeling physical distress and mental stress.

  Moreover, according to this biopsy apparatus, blood metabolism information in the vicinity of the hair root is acquired based on the detected light amount, the future hair health degree is determined based on this, and the result is presented to the subject. Therefore, the future hair health can be grasped non-invasively without feeling physical distress or mental stress.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 17A is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the optical probe 12 of the biological examination apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the biopsy apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of light sources 16 (light source array) arranged in a predetermined direction and a plurality of photodetectors 20 (detector array) arranged in a matrix. ). The hair to be measured is placed between the light source array and the detector array. Each light source 16 is provided with a light irradiation unit IF121, and each detector 20 is provided with a light detection unit IF123. In general, in order to analyze a small object such as hair, high spatial resolution is required. In order to increase spatial resolution in a living body with large light scattering, the light irradiation unit IF121 and the light detection unit IF123 preferably have a sufficiently small opening. Furthermore, the distance between the light source array and the detector array is preferably less than twice the skin thickness of the subject.

  The light emitted from the light source 16 shown in FIG. 17A is repeatedly scattered, diffused, and absorbed in the living body, and propagates through the region including the hair root as shown in FIG. Detected. Since the light detected by any one of the detectors 20 always passes through the hair root, the alignment of the hair root (or hair) between the light source 16 and the detector 203 can be simplified. Each detector 20 detects light reflecting the amount of light absorbed by the hair root. The distance of each detector 20 from the light source 16 corresponds to the depth of the region where light propagates. Therefore, by using a plurality of light detectors 20 arranged in a matrix, light reflecting the amount of light absorbed by the hair follicles at various depths is detected, and the change in thickness in the depth direction of the hair follicles is analyzed. be able to. As a result, compared with the case where only the light detected by the single light detector 20 is used, it is possible to realize a robust measurement with a simple detection operation and a hair health measurement with higher accuracy. it can.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 18A, the light emitted from another light source 16 is repeatedly scattered, diffused, and absorbed in the living body, and does not include the hair root as shown in FIG. 18B. , And is detected by each detector 20 at a position optically away from the hair root. Each detector 20 can detect, for each depth, light that has propagated through the subject (measurement site) without being affected by the hair root. By using these lights, the optical characteristics of the measurement site can be acquired, and more accurate measurement of hair health can be realized.

  Note that the photodetector arrays shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 are illustrated in which a plurality of photodetectors 20 are arranged in a matrix. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, similarly to the light source array shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, as a one-dimensional array in which detectors are arranged in a line along the direction away from the light source 16 (or the light source array). It may be configured. The light source array can also be configured by a matrix arrangement.

  The light source array and the detector array may be constituted by, for example, a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements and a plurality of semiconductor light receiving elements, respectively. FIG. 19 shows an example in which a light source array and a detector array are configured by a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements and a plurality of semiconductor light receiving elements in the living body inspection apparatus 1 using a PC. Each semiconductor light emitting element and each semiconductor light receiving element are supported by a support, and signal transmission / reception is performed by a signal line provided inside the support. Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the light source array and the detector array can be configured by, for example, a plurality of light emitting fibers and a plurality of receiving optical fibers, respectively. In any case, in order to obtain optical impedance matching, the light source unit is provided with a light irradiation unit IF121, and the detector array is provided with a light detection unit IF123. Furthermore, since the light irradiation unit IF121 and the light detection unit IF123 are in close contact with the subject on the surface, it is possible to suppress the incident angle dependent data error of light (which occurs because the light path (light scattering region) is shallow).

  Further, depending on the subject, the contact of the light irradiation unit IF121 or the light detection unit IF123 with the subject surface may not follow the unevenness of the skin surface. In such a case, if measurement is performed using the optical probe 12 including a single light source or a single detector, the measurement is performed in a state where the light irradiation unit IF121 or the light detection unit IF123 is not in close contact with the subject surface, and the measurement accuracy is improved. It may drop significantly or become impossible to measure. However, in the case of the optical probe 12 including the light source array and the light detection array, some light sources (that is, the light irradiation unit IF121) or some detectors (that is, the light detection unit IF123) are not in close contact with the subject. Even so, it is possible to exclude light measured using a part of the light sources or detectors that are not closely attached from the analysis. As a result, it is possible to realize a measurement with robustness by an easy detection operation and a measurement of hair health with higher accuracy regardless of individual differences of subjects and the skill of the measurer.

  The above configuration is adopted based on, for example, the following research results by the present inventors. That is, FIG. 21 shows the shape of the detector 20, the incident angle (of light), the position (Dec coordinate), the (opening) area (Dec area), the coordinates of the hair in the scalp, the thickness of the hair, the depth of the hair, It is an interaction diagram of each parameter of the angle where hair grows and the average of the accuracy σ (T) of the detected light. In the interaction diagram, it can be said that the larger the slope of the graph due to the change in the value of each parameter, the larger the interaction is (if the graph goes up to the right, there is a positive interaction, and the graph is In the case of a fall, there is a negative interaction). As can be seen from the figure, for example, the incident angle, position, and area of the detector can be said to be parameters having a large interaction. Moreover, although the small main effect is seen about the depth of hair and the angle which grows hair, the main effect is not seen with respect to the depth and the position of hair.

  FIG. 22 is a plot of light plotted for combinations of parameters consisting of detector 20 shape, angle of incidence, position, area, hair coordinates in the scalp, hair thickness, hair depth, hair growth angle. It is an average interaction diagram of accuracy σ (T). As can be seen from the plots surrounded by A and B in the figure, for example, there is a large interaction between the position of the detector, the shape of the hair, and the incident angle. In addition, a certain degree of altitude effect can also be seen with respect to area and hair thickness.

  From the examination of the above interaction, the inventors of the present invention use the light source array and the detector array to directly detect the position, the area, and the incident angle of the light of the detector. As a result, the hair shape, thickness, and depth can be indirectly controlled by adjusting the light propagation path.

  In order to verify the effect of the biopsy apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the inventors prepared a hair root phantom that simulates the head hair root by sampling and using actual hair, and has a light source with a wavelength of 680 nm. A hair follicle inspection system for measuring the light intensity of hair follicles was developed, and a light intensity measurement experiment for a follicle phantom was conducted using the follicle inspection system. Details of each step are as follows.

(Production of hair root phantom)
Of the agar phantom developed as a biological phantom for breast cancer, a hair root phantom was created using the part corresponding to the process of creating the surrounding tissue part. The agarose concentration was 5% to make the measurement jig of the hair root inspection system thin, thicker than the breast cancer phantom to prevent penetration, and harder. The used hair part was sampled with the consent of the collaborators, and only the head hair with a thickness of 90 μm and 110 μm measured by an optical microscope was extracted and used for preparing a hair phantom.

  FIG. 23 is a conceptual diagram showing a procedure for creating a hair phantom. As shown in the figure, 2.50 g of agarose (Solarna Agarose LowMP) and 83.4 g of water were weighed and mixed and melted in a water bath at 65 ° C. for 2 hours. 1.80 g of 5% ethanol aqueous solution of 0.005% IR-301 dye (Yamada Chemical Industries) prepared in advance, 5.0 g of intralipid (20%, Fresenius carb) and ethanol 4.91 g are weighed and the dispersion is stirred and mixed. The agarose sol is added to a 50 ° C. water bath cooled for 5 minutes, shaken to be uniform, and ultrasonicated in a 50 ° C. water bath for 1 minute. Irradiated to degas. The agarose sol defoamed in a plastic petri dish to which the hair was suspended and fixed was rotated so that the depth of the hair was 2 to 3 mm. Leave the hair fixed at room temperature for 30 minutes, and after confirming the solidification of the agarose, cut it using the blade edge of the eyelid just below the tape part, which is the fixed part of the hair, so that the hair does not move, and in the refrigerator A hair root phantom was prepared by cooling overnight.

  FIG. 24 is a schematic view of the hair root inspection system assembled in the above experiment. Light intensity was measured by guiding red-near infrared light having a wavelength of 680 nm from an LED light source to the surface of an acrylic ferrule, which is a measurement jig of a hair phantom, using an optical fiber. In addition, two different optical fibers are bonded to the acrylic ferrule, one is connected to the LED light source and the other is connected to the APD light detection system, and the light is guided from the ferrule surface to the APD light detection system. . From the APD light detection system, it was output to a PC through Pico 1216, and PicoLog was used as a measurement application on the PC. The ferrule was held by an acrylic adapter fixed to the XZ stage. Positioning of the hair and ferrule on the hair phantom was performed under a stereomicroscope with a magnification of 4 times, and measurement was performed after positioning as described below. FIG. 25 shows an acrylic ferrule used in this experiment and an acrylic adapter to which the ferrule is fixed.

  A fiber core was bonded to the center of the ferrule at intervals of 2 mm, from which three grooves with a thickness of 200 μm were formed at a pitch of 0.5 mm. It is considered that the position of the hair root can be easily adjusted by using the ferrule having the groove, and that the ferrule can be prevented from floating from the surface of the hair root phantom. In order to observe the effect of positional deviation on the depth between the optical fibers of the hair roots, a ferrule having three grooves was used.

(Light intensity measurement method with hair root phantom)
The light intensity measurement with the follicle phantom used in this experiment is as follows. That is, three follicle phantoms having two follicles having different thicknesses (90 μm and 110 μm, respectively, samples u and t) were produced, and the light intensity was measured.

  The conditions for measuring the light intensity are shown in FIG. Before the measurement, a 5-point light intensity measurement was performed using a position in the vicinity of the hair root where the influence of the hair does not occur as a reference. Thereafter, the hair was fixed to the grooves at three different distances from the optical fiber for the sample u or the sample t as described later, and the light intensity measurement was performed five times. Then, after measuring the light intensity of the different hair root samples t or u in the same manner, the 5-point light intensity measurement is performed using the position near the hair root where the hair does not affect as a reference. It was confirmed whether or not optical alteration occurred.

  FIG. 27 shows the alignment of the ferrule and the hair root when the light intensity is measured in this experiment. Since the fiber part cannot be visually confirmed within the stereoscopic microscope field of view, the center is visually confirmed with all the ferrules in the field of view, and the part that grows from the agarose of the hair root comes on the center line. Alignment was performed.

(Light intensity measurement result)
FIG. 28 shows a box-and-whisker plot of five measurement results of the light intensity of the reference before measurement, the sample u, and the reference after measurement of the sample t for three follicle phantoms. There was almost no change in the light intensity of the reference before and after the measurement. Further, when a two-sample t-test was performed between the samples u to t and the reference to the sample u, p to 0.0000 was obtained, and the significance of the difference was recognized between these measurement results. Since sample u uses hair with a thickness of 90 μm and sample t with a thickness of 110 μm, there are different factors. However, by using the biopsy device 1 according to the present embodiment, it can be said that the change in light intensity due to the difference in the thickness of the hair of 20 μm has significant significance, and improvement in measurement accuracy is realized. Is.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Biopsy apparatus 1, 2 ... Biointerface device, 3 ... Personal computer, 12 ... Optical probe, 13a, 13b ... Optical fiber, 14 ... Support body, 15 ... Optical mixer, 16, 16a, 16b ... Light source, 17a, 17b DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Hair guide, 20 ... Optical detector, 22 ... Arithmetic circuit, 24 ... Optical signal control part, 26 ... Controller, 30 ... Imaging device, 32 ... LED device, 34 ... Groove, 121 ... Light irradiation part IF, 122 ... Light Detection unit IF, 13a, 13b ... optical fiber

Claims (16)

A first light irradiation unit for irradiating light into the subject from the surface of the skin located in the vicinity of the predetermined hair root;
A light detection unit for detecting the amount of light emitted from the surface of the subject's skin;
An arithmetic unit that calculates first information related to at least one of the shape and size of the predetermined follicle based on the amount of light detected by the light detection unit;
A determination unit for determining a hair health level of the subject based on the first information;
A biopsy device characterized by comprising: The calculation unit calculates second information related to blood metabolism in the vicinity of the predetermined hair root based on the amount of light detected by the light detection unit,
The determination unit determines a hair health level of the subject based on the first information and the second information;
The biopsy device according to claim 1.   The determination unit determines the hair health level using a calculation using the light amount detected by the light detection unit or a correspondence table between the light amount detected by the light detection unit and the hair health level. The biological examination apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The said 1st light irradiation unit irradiates the light of the specific wavelength whose at least one of main wavelengths is a near-infrared wavelength range 650 nm or more and 750 nm or less. Biopsy device.   The said 1st light irradiation unit irradiates the light of the specific wavelength whose at least one of the main wavelengths is a near-infrared wavelength range 750 nm or more and 950 nm or less. Biopsy device.   A light guide interface for bringing the first light irradiation unit into close contact with the subject surface and at least one of the contact surface with the subject and the contact surface of the light detection unit with the subject is further provided. The biopsy device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: An imaging unit that captures an image of the contact surface of the first light irradiation unit with the subject and the contact surface of the light detection unit with the subject;
A display unit for displaying the image;
The biopsy device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:   Light having a shorter wavelength than the light emitted by the first light irradiation unit is applied to a region including the contact surface of the first light irradiation unit with the subject and the contact surface of the light detection unit with the subject. The biopsy apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a second light irradiation unit for irradiation.   The first light irradiation unit includes a plurality of light irradiation units, and the plurality of light irradiation units irradiate light into the subject from a plurality of positions. The biological examination apparatus as described in any one.   The light detection unit includes a plurality of light detection units, and detects the amount of light emitted from the surface of the subject's skin at a plurality of positions by the plurality of light detection units. The biological examination apparatus according to any one of 9.   The biopsy apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of the light detection units are arranged along a predetermined direction.   12. The biopsy device according to claim 11, wherein a width in the arrangement direction of the plurality of photodetection units arranged is not less than 1 micrometer and not more than 1800 micrometers.   The biopsy apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of the light detection units are arranged in a matrix.   14. The biopsy device according to claim 13, wherein the width of the light detection units arranged in a matrix in the arrangement direction away from the first light irradiation unit is not less than 1 micrometer and not more than 1800 micrometers.   The living body examination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a distance between the first light irradiation unit and the light detection unit is not less than 200 micrometers and not more than 1800 micrometers. Irradiating light from the surface of the skin located in the vicinity of a predetermined hair root into the subject;
Detecting the amount of light emitted from the surface of the subject's skin;
Based on the amount of light detected by the light detection unit, the first information regarding at least one of the shape and size of the predetermined hair root,
Determining a hair health level of the subject based on the first information;
A biological examination method comprising: