JP2016013232A - Biological sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To preferably suppress the deterioration of a detection sensitivity due to a contamination, etc., in a biological sensor.SOLUTION: A biological sensor includes: a light emission part 120 and a light reception part 130 for acquiring biological information through the use of light; a sensor holding part 100 for holding the light emission part 120 and the light reception part 130; a contact fixing part 200 for fixing the positions of the light emission part 120 and the light reception part 130 with respect to an organism by engagement with the sensor holding part 100; and first cleaning parts 230, second cleaning parts 240 for cleaning sensor parts when the sensor holding part 100 is engaged with the contact fixing part 200.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of a biosensor that detects various information related to a living body by, for example, irradiating the living body with light.

  As this type of device, for example, there is known a device that obtains information about a living body such as blood flow and pulse wave by irradiating the living body with light and detecting light reflected or transmitted by the living body. . For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an optical sensor having a reusable component.

Special table 2009-517192

  However, in a reusable sensor as described in Patent Document 1, the surface of the light emitting element and the light receiving element is contaminated by repeated use, and the detection sensitivity may be lowered. In addition, since the light emitting element and the light receiving element are connected by an elastic body, there is a technical problem that the mounting work is complicated.

  Examples of problems to be solved by the present invention include the above. An object of the present invention is to provide a biosensor capable of suppressing a decrease in sensitivity even when repeatedly used.

  A biosensor for solving the above-described problems is obtained by engaging a sensor unit that acquires information on a living body using light, a holding unit that holds the sensor unit, and the holding unit. A fixing unit that fixes the position with respect to the living body, and a cleaning unit that cleans the sensor unit when the holding unit and the fixing unit are engaged with each other.

It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the biosensor which concerns on 1st Example. It is a side view which shows the engagement method of the biosensor which concerns on 1st Example. It is a top view which shows the mode at the time of cleaning of the biosensor which concerns on 1st Example. It is a front view which shows the mode at the time of cleaning of the biosensor which concerns on 1st Example. It is a top view which shows the structure after the engagement of the biosensor which concerns on 1st Example. It is a side view (the 1) which shows the example of wearing of the living body sensor concerning the 1st example. It is a side view (the 2) which shows the example of wearing of the living body sensor concerning the 1st example. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the biosensor which concerns on 2nd Example. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the mounting part of the biosensor which concerns on 2nd Example. It is side sectional drawing which shows the engagement method of the biosensor which concerns on 2nd Example. It is side sectional drawing which shows the mode at the time of cleaning of the biosensor which concerns on 2nd Example. It is side sectional drawing which shows the structure after sensor part insertion of the biosensor which concerns on 2nd Example. It is side sectional drawing which shows the structure after the crimping | compression-bonding of the biosensor which concerns on 2nd Example.

<1>
The living body sensor according to the present embodiment includes a sensor unit that acquires information on a living body using light, a holding unit that holds the sensor unit, and the holding unit to engage the living body of the sensor unit. And a cleaning part that cleans the sensor part when the holding part and the fixing part engage with each other.

  According to the living body sensor of this embodiment, at the time of operation, acquisition of living body information using light is performed by the sensor unit. Specifically, for example, light to be measured is irradiated from an irradiation unit configured as a light emitting diode, and return light from the living body is received by a light receiving unit configured as, for example, a photodiode. Then, the return light received by the light receiving means is converted into a signal indicating information related to the living body, and for example, a blood flow velocity or a pulse wave of the living body is detected.

  The sensor unit described above is held by the holding unit. On the other hand, a fixing portion exists as a member that can be engaged with the holding portion, and the position of the sensor portion with respect to the living body is fixed by engaging the holding portion and the fixing portion. That is, by engaging the holding portion and the fixing portion, a state in which measurement using light by the sensor portion can be performed is realized. The engagement structure between the holding portion and the fixing portion is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the device can be easily attached and detached.

  The optical sensor according to the present embodiment further includes a cleaning unit that cleans the sensor unit when the holding unit and the fixing unit are engaged. The cleaning unit is made of, for example, a non-woven fabric containing alcohol, and removes dirt and the like adhering to the sensor unit by engaging the holding unit and the fixing unit.

  Here, in particular, the sensor unit that acquires biological information may be contaminated by repeated use, for example, and the detection sensitivity may decrease. However, in the present embodiment, the sensor unit is cleaned by the cleaning unit when the holding unit and the fixing unit are engaged (in other words, when the apparatus is attached / detached). Therefore, even when the sensor unit is used in a situation where it can be contaminated, cleaning is performed each time the sensor unit is attached and detached, and a decrease in sensitivity can be effectively suppressed. Further, since the cleaning is automatically performed by the attachment / detachment operation, it is possible to suppress the decrease in sensitivity very easily as compared with the case where the cleaning work is performed separately.

  As described above, according to the biosensor according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suitably suppress a decrease in sensitivity of the sensor unit.

<2>
In one aspect of the biosensor according to the present embodiment, the cleaning unit cleans the sensor unit by utilizing sliding when the holding unit and the fixing unit are engaged.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to clean the sensor part more easily and reliably by utilizing the sliding when the holding part and the fixing part are engaged.

<3>
In another aspect of the biosensor according to this embodiment, the cleaning unit is provided in the fixing unit.

  According to this aspect, when the holding part and the fixing part are engaged, the sensor part held by the holding part can be reliably cleaned by the cleaning part provided in the fixing part. In addition, the cleaning part may be provided in several places of the fixing | fixed part.

<4>
In another aspect of the biosensor according to this embodiment, the fixing portion is disposable (that is, a disposable member).

  According to this aspect, since the fixing portion is disposable, for example, the fixing portion that is used in contact with a living body can be kept clean. Moreover, when the cleaning part is provided in the fixed part, the cleaning part is also disposable like the fixed part, so that it is possible to prevent a reduction in cleaning ability.

<5>
In another aspect of the biosensor according to the present embodiment, the fixing portion has an opening for arranging the sensor portion so as to face the living body after engagement with the holding portion.

  According to this aspect, since the opening is provided in the fixing part, the sensor part is arranged so as to face the living body from the opening after engaging the holding part and the fixing part. For this reason, acquisition of biological information using light by the sensor unit can be suitably performed through the opening of the fixed unit.

<6>
In another aspect of the biological sensor according to the present embodiment, the sensor unit includes a light emitting unit that irradiates the light with the light and a light receiving unit that receives the light scattered by the living body.

  According to this aspect, the sensor unit emits light from the light emitting unit toward the living body, and receives light scattered by the living body in the light receiving unit. According to such a sensor unit, it is possible to acquire various information related to the living body by utilizing light scattering in the living body. A plurality of light emitting units and light receiving units may be provided.

<7>
In the aspect having the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion described above, the holding portion may be configured so that the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are arranged to face each other with the living body interposed therebetween when engaged with the fixing portion. You may hold.

  In this case, the light emitted from the light emitting unit passes through the living body and is received by the light receiving unit disposed on the side opposite to the light emitting unit when viewed from the living body. Thus, in this aspect, a so-called transmissive light sensor can be realized.

<8>
Alternatively, in an aspect having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, the holding portion is arranged so that the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are arranged side by side when viewed from the living body when engaged with the fixing portion. The sensor unit may be held.

  In this case, the light emitted from the light emitting unit is reflected by the living body and received by the light receiving unit disposed on the same side as the light emitting unit when viewed from the living body. Thus, in this aspect, a so-called reflective light sensor can be realized.

<9>
Or in the aspect which has a light emission part and a light-receiving part, the said cleaning part may be provided in the position which contacts the said light-emitting part and the said light-receiving part, respectively, when engaging the said holding | maintenance part and the said fixing | fixed part. .

  If comprised in this way, when engaging a holding | maintenance part and the said fixing | fixed part, each of a light emission part and a light-receiving part and a cleaning part contact. Therefore, it is possible to reliably clean both the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit.

  The operation and other gains of the biosensor according to this embodiment will be described in more detail in the following examples.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the biosensor will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First embodiment>
The biosensor according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Overall configuration>
First, the overall configuration of the biosensor according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the biosensor according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the biosensor according to the first embodiment includes a reusable sensor holding unit 100 and a disposable contact fixing unit 200.

  The sensor holding unit 100 is a specific example of a “holding unit”, and includes an electronic circuit board 110, a light emitting unit 120, and a light receiving unit 130.

  The electronic circuit board 110 includes an electronic circuit such as an amplifier, for example, and is connected to an external device (for example, a device for processing a detection result by a biosensor) via a wiring 115 connected to the connector. Has been. The electronic circuit board 110 is also connected to each of the light emitting unit 120 and the light receiving unit 130.

  The light emitting unit 120 includes, for example, a light emitting diode, and is configured to be able to irradiate a living body as a measurement target with irradiation light.

  The light receiving unit 130 includes, for example, a photodiode, and is configured to receive light scattered by a living body to be measured and to output a signal corresponding to the received light.

  The contact fixing unit 200 is a specific example of a “fixing unit”, and includes a first opening 210 and a second opening 220, and a first cleaning unit 230 and a second cleaning unit 240.

  The first opening 210 and the second opening 220 are openings that penetrate the outer side and the inner side of the contact fixing unit 200, and as described later, after engaging with the sensor holding unit 100, the light emitting unit 120 and the light receiving unit. The unit 130 is provided to face the living body.

  The first cleaning unit 230 and the second cleaning unit 240 serve as members for cleaning the light emitting unit 120 and the light receiving unit 130 when engaged with the sensor holding unit 100, and are lateral to the first opening 210 and the second opening 220. Each is provided. The 1st cleaning part 230 and the 2nd cleaning part 240 are constituted as the nonwoven fabric etc. which included alcohol, for example.

<Installation method>
Next, a biosensor mounting method according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the biosensor engaging method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a top view showing a state of cleaning the biosensor according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state of cleaning the biosensor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a top view showing a configuration after engagement of the biosensor according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, the biosensor according to the first embodiment is attached to, for example, a biological finger or the like to be measured by engaging the sensor holding unit 100 and the contact fixing unit 200. When the sensor holding unit 100 and the contact fixing unit 200 are engaged, for example, the sensor holding unit 100 is slid in the direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing with respect to the contact fixing unit 200 into which a biological finger is inserted. Just do it.

  The sensor holding part 100 is provided with a plurality of fixing claws 151, 152, and 153, and the engagement is realized by engaging these with the contact fixing part 200. The fixing claw 152 is disposed separately so as not to contact the first cleaning unit 230 in the contact fixing unit 200. Further, although not shown in FIG. 2, the fixing claws on the light receiving unit 130 side are similarly separated and arranged so as not to contact the second cleaning unit 240 (see FIG. 1 and the like).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the sensor holding unit 100 and the contact fixing unit 200 are engaged, the light emitting unit 120 and the first cleaning unit 230 are in contact with each other. For this reason, the light emission part 120 is cleaned by the 1st cleaning part 230 using the sliding at the time of engagement (for example, the sebum etc. which adhered to the surface are removed). Similarly, when the sensor holding unit 100 and the contact fixing unit 200 are engaged, the light receiving unit 130 and the second cleaning unit 240 are in contact with each other. For this reason, the light receiving unit 130 is cleaned by the second cleaning unit 240 by utilizing sliding at the time of engagement.

  Note that the first cleaning unit 230 and the second cleaning unit 240 are provided not only on the left side in FIG. 3 but also on the right side as viewed from the first opening 210 and the second opening 220. Therefore, even when the sensor holding unit 100 is engaged with the contact fixing unit 200 from the opposite side to the example shown in the drawing (for example, from the right side of FIG. 3), the light emitting unit 120 and the light receiving unit 130. Can be cleaned.

  As described above, in the biosensor according to the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 120 and the light receiving unit 130 are automatically cleaned at the time of engagement (that is, at the time of mounting). Therefore, it is possible to suitably suppress a decrease in detection sensitivity due to the fact. Such an effect is remarkably exhibited when the sensor holding unit 100 is reused.

  In FIG. 5, when the sensor holding unit 100 and the contact fixing unit 200 are engaged, the light emitting unit 120 and the light receiving unit 130 are connected to the contact fixing unit 200 via the first opening 210 and the second opening 220, respectively. Is disposed opposite to the inner side (that is, the measurement target). Accordingly, light can be suitably irradiated from the light emitting unit 120 to the measurement target, and light transmitted through the measurement target can be received by the light receiving unit 130.

<Installation example>
Next, a specific mounting example of the biosensor according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIGS. 6 and 7 are side views showing examples of mounting the biosensor according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the biosensor according to the present embodiment can be attached to a finger or the like of a living body. Here, in particular, as can be seen from the drawing, the engagement direction of the sensor holding unit 100 with respect to the contact fixing unit 200 is not limited to one direction. That is, the sensor holding part 100 can be engaged with the contact fixing part 200 into which the finger is inserted from the base of the finger or from the fingertip side. Therefore, for example, the direction in which the wiring 115 extends can be appropriately changed according to the use situation, which is very advantageous in practice.

  As described above, according to the biosensor according to the first embodiment, a decrease in detection sensitivity can be suitably suppressed by cleaning at the time of wearing. Further, it can be attached to a living body by an extremely simple method.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a biosensor according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above only in a part of the configuration, and many other configurations are the same as the first embodiment. For this reason, below, a different part from 1st Example is demonstrated in detail, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably about the overlapping part.

<Overall configuration>
First, the overall configuration of the biosensor according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the entire configuration of the biosensor according to the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, the biosensor according to the second embodiment is configured to include a reusable sensor unit 400 and a mounting unit 500 that is disposable.

  The sensor unit 400 is a specific example of the “holding unit”, and includes a light emitting unit 410 and a light receiving unit 420 (see FIGS. 10 to 13). In addition, the sensor unit 400 is connected to an external device via a wiring 405.

  The mounting portion 500 is a specific example of a “fixing portion”, and is configured so that the sensor portion 400 can be inserted (engaged) therein.

<Configuration of mounting part>
Below, the specific structure of the mounting part 500 is demonstrated in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the mounting portion of the biosensor according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the mounting portion 500 includes a cover member 510, a holding member 520, and a mount member 530.

  The cover member 510 is configured as a curved metal part, for example, and has a metal dome 610 used for pressure bonding described later. Note that the cover member 510 may be covered with a material such as cloth.

  The holding member 520 is a member disposed below the cover member 510 and has a function of holding the sensor unit 400 inserted into the mounting unit 500. The holding member 520 includes a third opening 620, a fourth opening 630, and a cleaning unit 650.

  The mount member 530 is a frame-type member disposed below the holding member 520. The mount member 530 has an adhesive applied to the lower surface, for example, and can be attached to the skin of a living body to be measured.

<Installation method>
Next, a biosensor mounting method according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing a biosensor engaging method according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state during cleaning of the biosensor according to the second embodiment. It is. FIG. 12 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the biosensor according to the second embodiment after insertion of the sensor part, and FIG. 13 is a side view showing the configuration of the biosensor according to the second embodiment after crimping. It is sectional drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the biosensor according to the second embodiment is mounted, the mounting unit 500 is first attached to the living body 700 and then the sensor unit 400 is inserted into the mounting unit 500. The sensor unit 400 is inserted between the cover member 510 and the holding member 520 in the mounting unit 500 as indicated by arrows in the drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the sensor unit 400 is inserted into the mounting unit 500, the light emitting unit 410 and the light receiving unit 420 are in contact with the cleaning unit 650. For this reason, the light emitting unit 410 and the light receiving unit 420 are cleaned by the cleaning unit 650 using sliding during insertion. That is, also in the biosensor according to the second example, the light emitting unit 410 and the light receiving unit 420 are cleaned by the operation at the time of wearing, as in the first example described above.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the sensor unit 400 is further inserted into the mounting unit 500, the light emitting unit 410 and the light receiving unit 420 face the living body 700 through the third opening 620 and the fourth opening 630. Are arranged as follows. Accordingly, light can be suitably irradiated from the light emitting unit 410 to the measurement target, and light reflected by the measurement target in the light receiving unit 420 can be received.

  As shown in FIG. 13, after the sensor unit 400 is inserted into the mounting unit 500 to an appropriate position, the sensor unit 400 is pressed against the living body 700 by pressing the metal dome 610. Thereby, the sensor part 400 and the mounting part 500 are fixed. In addition, the light emitting unit 410 and the light receiving unit 420 are arranged at a position closer to the living body 700. When removing the sensor unit 400 from the mounting unit 500, the metal dome 610 may be pushed back from the lower surface side of the mount member 530.

  As described above, according to the biosensor according to the second embodiment, similarly to the above-described first embodiment, a decrease in detection sensitivity can be suitably suppressed by cleaning at the time of wearing.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification. Moreover, it is included in the technical scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Sensor holding part 110 Electronic circuit board 115 Wiring 120 Light emission part 130 Light receiving part 151-155 Fixing claw 200 Contact fixing | fixed part 210 1st opening part 220 2nd opening part 230 1st cleaning part 240 2nd cleaning part 300 Finger 400 Sensor part 405 Wiring 410 Light emitting part 420 Light receiving part 500 Mounting part 510 Cover member 520 Holding member 530 Mount member 610 Metal dome 620 Third opening 630 Fourth opening 650 Cleaning part 700 Living body

Claims (9)

A sensor unit for acquiring biological information using light;
A holding unit for holding the sensor unit;
A fixing unit that fixes the position of the sensor unit with respect to the living body by engaging with the holding unit;
A biosensor comprising: a cleaning unit that cleans the sensor unit when the holding unit and the fixing unit are engaged.   The biosensor according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit cleans the sensor unit by utilizing sliding when the holding unit and the fixing unit are engaged with each other.   The biosensor according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit is provided in the fixing unit.   The biosensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fixing portion is disposable.   The said fixing | fixed part has an opening part for the said sensor part to be arrange | positioned so that the said biological body may be faced after the engagement with the said holding | maintenance part. The biological sensor according to 1.   The said sensor part has a light emission part which irradiates the said biological body with the said light, and a light-receiving part which light-receives the said light scattered by the said biological body, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Biosensor.   The said holding | maintenance part hold | maintains the said sensor part so that the said light emission part and the said light-receiving part may be opposingly arranged on both sides of the said biological body at the time of engagement with the said fixing | fixed part. The biological sensor according to 1.   The holding unit holds the sensor unit so that the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged side by side when viewed from the living body when engaged with the fixing unit. The biosensor according to claim 6.   The said cleaning part is each provided in the position which contacts the said light emission part and the said light-receiving part, when engaging the said holding | maintenance part and the said fixing | fixed part. The biological sensor according to one item.

Images