JP2022090842A - Measuring apparatus, its operation method and operation program - Google Patents

Abstract

To calculate a biological impedance that is changed according to the thickness of a living body region including the temporal muscle, and thereby rapidly grasp a change of a nutritional status and its sign of a subject.SOLUTION: A measuring apparatus includes: a first electrode part (4) worn in a setting position of a head of a subject (12), and comprising an application electrode for applying an electric signal to a head measurement region (14); a second electrode part (6) worn in a position opposite to the first electrode part through the measurement region, and comprising a receiving electrode for receiving the electric signal applied by the application electrode; a signal generation part (8) for generating the electric signal of set output, and making the electric signal applied from the first electrode part; and a measurement part (10) for calculating a biological impedance of a measurement region on the basis of the electric signal made to flow between the first electrode part and the second electrode part, and generating evaluation information of the nutritional status of the subject by using the biological impedance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for evaluating the biological condition of a person to be measured.

For grasping the state of biological function, for example, a method of making a judgment based on the nutritional state of the body is adopted. Deterioration of nutritional status may lead to deterioration or deterioration of living tissues such as the brain as well as muscles and bones. As one of the factors affecting such nutritional status, whether or not the jaw can be moved to open and close the mouth and the chewing motion can be performed is related. That is, if chewing is not possible, it becomes difficult to take in nutrition by eating and drinking, which affects the deterioration of the nutritional state of the body and brain tissue. The movement of the jaw is performed by utilizing the biological tissue including the temporal muscle on the side surface of the head. This temporal muscle decreases due to the effects of increasing age and insufficient nutrition due to illness. Furthermore, the continuation of such a difficult mastication state may lead to the onset and progression of dementia.

To grasp the condition inside the head, for example, a CT (Computed Tomography) device or an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) device is used to take a tomographic image of tissues such as muscle and body fat, and the image is judged. There is a method. In addition, there is a method of measuring weak electric signals and brain waves generated by the activity of muscle tissue when chewing by using a capacitance sensor attached to the head of the human body.
In addition, in measuring the body composition of muscle mass and fat mass of the whole body, it is known to use the so-called bioelectric impedance method in which weak electricity is passed to the part to be measured and the ease of electricity flow at that time is determined. ..

Regarding such a method for measuring the muscle mass of a living body, a support member made of a first electrode and a second electrode facing each other, a deformable dielectric provided between these electrodes, and a material harder than the dielectric. (For example, Patent Document 1) is known to have a capacitance type pressure sensor corresponding to the expansion and contraction of the muscle to be measured. In addition, it is equipped with an input signal generation unit that supplies electrical signals to the drive electrodes to multiple electrodes, and a bioimpression measurement unit from the output electrical signal output through the sensing electrode among the electrodes, and the input signal generation unit has a modulation unit that modulates the signal. It is known to be provided (for example, Patent Document 2). In addition, the impedance when a high-frequency alternating current is passed through the electrodes in contact with the body and the impedance when a low-frequency alternating current is passed are measured, and muscle development / muscle atrophy is determined from these impedance ratios. There is something (for example, Patent Document 3).

Republished WO 2013/073677 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-220136 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-210355

By the way, in order to measure the biological tissue of the head including the temporal muscle using a medical device such as a CT device, it is necessary to undergo a diagnosis or examination by a doctor at a medical facility such as a hospital. Since the state of physical condition is constantly changing, it is desirable that a plurality of data can be collected regularly, for example, for the measurement of living tissue. However, if the measurement location and data measurement opportunities are limited, it is not possible to collect data on a regular basis and it is not possible to grasp changes in nutritional status. For example, if the measurement is performed only when there is a chronic symptom of physical condition or when a decrease in the temporalis muscle is found accompanying other tests, the cause is the decrease in the temporalis muscle. There is a problem that it is difficult to quickly detect signs of physical condition changes. Further, in the CT device, since the measurement is performed by using radiation, it is not possible to perform the measurement many times in a short period of time.

Furthermore, in the measurement process, the installation position of sensors such as electrodes used for measurement affects the measurement results. It is necessary to install the sensor in the same state for the biological part including the temporal muscle which is the measurement part. In particular, the peripheral surface of the head is a curved surface, and there is a problem that it is difficult to fix the electrodes at the same position according to the position of the biological part including the temporalis muscle. In addition, if the mounting state and procedure of the measuring device are complicated in order to stabilize the installation position of the sensor, it becomes difficult to mount the sensor for, for example, a person who is bedridden or a person who needs assistance. There is a problem.
Therefore, the inventor of the present invention measures the data of the biological part affected by the thickness of the temporal muscle and the like by using the bioimpedance method that can estimate the muscle mass, and is linked to the masticatory movement from this value. We obtained the finding that it is possible to estimate the nutritional status of living organisms. In addition, by installing the sensor using the ear, the measurement position with respect to the living body part can be secured, so it is possible to grasp the state of the person to be measured by comparing with the reference data and comparing the measurement results with the passage of time. I got the knowledge of.
There are no disclosures or suggestions regarding such problems in Patent Documents 1 to 3, and the configurations disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 cannot solve such problems.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to determine the bioimpedance that changes according to the thickness of the biological part including the temporalis muscle by a measurement method using the bioimpedance method, and to change the nutritional state of the person to be measured and the change thereof. To quickly grasp the signs,
Another object of the present invention is to make it possible for the person to be measured to easily mount the measuring device at substantially the same position at the time of measurement, and to obtain the accuracy of the comparison data for grasping the change in nutritional status. It is to improve.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the measuring device of the present disclosure is a first electrode which is mounted at a set position of the head of a person to be measured and includes an application electrode for applying an electric signal to the measurement site of the head. A second electrode portion including a receiving electrode mounted at a position facing the first electrode portion via the measurement site and receiving the electric signal applied by the applied electrode, and a set output. The electric signal is generated based on the signal generation unit that generates the electric signal and applies the electric signal from the first electrode portion, and the electric signal that is passed between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion. It is provided with a measuring unit that calculates the biointensity of the measurement site and generates evaluation information of the person to be measured by using the bioimpedance.

In the measuring device, the measuring site is a biological tissue including at least the temporal muscle of the head, and the electrical signal applied from the applied electrode may flow to the receiving electrode through the biological tissue.
In the measuring device, the first electrode portion includes a first holding means for holding the applied electrode and arranging the transmitting electrode inside one ear hole of the person to be measured or in the opening of the ear hole. The second electrode portion may include a second holding means for holding the receiving electrode and arranging the receiving electrode on a part of the other ear or the head of the person to be measured.
The measuring device further includes a database including the identification information of the person to be measured and the evaluation information registered in association with the bioimperture, and the measuring unit uses the indexed bioimperture to obtain the evaluation information from the database. May be read.
The measuring device may further include an information presenting unit that presents the evaluation information.
The measuring device further includes an image acquisition unit that acquires an image representing the outer shape of the head, and the measuring unit compares the acquired image with a reference image to form the head shape of the person to be measured. The evaluation information may be generated by measuring the amount of change in the above and combining the amount of change with the extracted bioimpedance.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the measurement system of the present disclosure is a first electrode that is mounted at a measurement position on the head of a person to be measured and includes an application electrode that applies an electric signal to the measurement site of the head. A unit and an electrode unit including a second electrode portion mounted at a position facing the first electrode portion via the measurement site and including a receiving electrode for receiving the electric signal applied by the applied electrode. , The electric signal of the set output is generated and applied from the first electrode portion, and the measurement site is based on the electric signal passed between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion. It is provided with a measurement unit that calculates the biological impedance of the subject and uses the biological impedance to generate evaluation information on the nutritional status of the person to be measured.

In the measurement system, the measurement unit includes a database including identification information of the person to be measured and evaluation information registered in association with the reference bioimpedance, and the determined bioimpedance and the reference registered in the database. The evaluation information may be read out in comparison with the bioimpedance.
In the measurement system, in the measurement unit, the first electrode portion holds the application electrode, and the transmission electrode is arranged inside one ear hole of the person to be measured or in the opening of the ear hole. A holding means may be provided, and a second holding means may be provided in which the second electrode portion holds the receiving electrode and the receiving electrode is arranged on a part of the other ear or the head of the person to be measured.
The measurement system may further include information presenting means for presenting the evaluation information.
In the measurement system, the measurement unit includes a photographing unit that captures an image showing the external shape of the head, and measures the amount of change in the head shape of the person to be measured by comparing the image with a reference image. Then, the evaluation information may be generated by combining the amount of change and the extracted bioimpedance.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the operation method of the measuring device of the present disclosure is a first electrode portion including an application electrode for applying an electric signal to a measurement site on the head of a person to be measured, and the measurement. It is an operation method of a measuring device provided with a second electrode portion including a receiving electrode which is mounted at a position facing the first electrode portion via a portion and receives an electric signal transmitted from the applied electrode. The measurement site is based on the step of generating an electric signal of the set output and supplying it to the first electrode portion and the electric signal flowing between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion. It includes a step of determining the biometric impedance of the above, a step of comparing the biometric impedance with the reference biometric impedance, and a step of reading out and presenting the evaluation information of the nutritional state associated with the reference bioelectricity from the database based on the comparison result.

In the operation method of the measuring device, the step of reading the head image of the person to be measured taken by the photographing means and the change amount of the head shape of the person to be measured are compared with the head image and the reference image. It may include a step of generating the evaluation information by combining the measured change amount and the extracted bioimpedance.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the operation program of the present disclosure is the first electrode portion including an application electrode for applying an electric signal to the measurement portion of the head of the person to be measured, and the measurement portion via the measurement portion. It is an operation program to be executed by a computer of a measuring device provided with a second electrode portion including a receiving electrode for receiving the electric signal applied and transmitted from the applied electrode at a position facing the first electrode portion. The bioimpedance of the measurement site is calculated based on the function of generating an electric signal of the output output and supplying it to the applied electrode and the electric signal flowing between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion. The function includes a function of comparing the biometric impedance with the reference biometric impedance and reading out and presenting evaluation information of the nutritional status associated with the reference bioelectricity from the database based on the comparison result.

In the above operation program, the function of reading the head image of the person to be measured taken by the photographing means is compared with the head image and the reference image, and the amount of change in the head shape of the person to be measured is measured. It may include a function of generating the evaluation information by combining the change amount and the extracted bioimpedance.

According to the present invention, any of the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The nutritional status of the subject can be estimated from the value of the bioimpedance of the biological part including the temporal muscle in the head.
(2) Since a large number of measurement data can be easily collected, it becomes easy to manage the nutritional status of the subject.
(3) By periodically determining the bioimpedance and capturing changes in nutritional status, it is possible to grasp changes in the physical condition of the person being measured, their signs, or the progress since the change in physical condition occurred. It becomes.
(4) By mounting the electrode at a setting position that is easy to grasp, such as an ear canal, errors in the installation position can be reduced, measurement accuracy can be improved, or variation can be suppressed.

It is a figure which shows the functional composition example of the measuring apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation process of a measuring device. It is a figure which shows an example of the evaluation information database. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the measurement system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the functional composition example of a measuring device. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a control part. It is a figure which shows an example of a user database. It is a figure which shows an example of the measurement information database. It is a figure which shows an example of the evaluation result screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the transition state of a bioimpedance. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation process of a measuring device. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the measurement system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the acquisition state of the external shape change information of a measurement target. It is a figure which shows an example of the evaluation information database. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation process of a measuring device.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows an example of a functional configuration of a measuring device. The configuration shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
In this measuring device 2, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a biological part to be measured is interposed between the electrodes 4 and 6, and a weak electric signal is passed between these electrode parts 4 and 6 to cause the biological part. Determine the bioimpedance that indicates the difficulty of electricity flow. Then, the measuring device 2 uses the bioimpedance to generate an index indicating the nutritional status of the person to be measured. Further, the measuring device 2 may present information such as advice on the diet and living condition of the person to be measured, in addition to the index of the nutritional state.
The measuring device 2 includes, for example, the electrode units 4 and 6, the signal generation unit 8, and the measuring unit 10. The measuring device 2 determines the bioimpedance of a biological part including the measuring part 14 by, for example, passing an electric signal to a part or all of the measuring part 14 of the person to be measured 12. As the measurement site 14, a biological site including at least the temporalis muscle is set as a part of the head of the subject 12. The temporalis muscle is a skeletal muscle on both sides of the head, and is an example of a masticatory muscle that raises the mandible by a contraction motion and enables chewing. In addition to the temporal muscle, the measurement site 14 may include a nerve tissue in the head and a biological tissue such as fat, body fluid, blood, and bone.
The electric signal applied from the electrode portion 4 of the measuring device 2 flows to the electrode portion 6 side through the temporal muscle and other tissues at the measurement site 14.
The person to be measured 12 is not limited to a person who is being treated or followed up for a specific symptom, for example, but also includes a person who is living a normal life. Further, the person to be measured 12 is not distinguished by age, gender, or the like.

The electrode unit 4 is an example of the first electrode unit of the present disclosure that applies an electric signal toward a measurement target, and is connected to a signal generation unit 8 that generates an electric signal. The electrode unit 4 and the signal generation unit 8 may be integrally formed, for example, in one housing, or may be configured in separate housings and electrically connected by wire or wirelessly.
The electrode portion 6 is an example of the second electrode portion of the present disclosure, is mounted at a position facing the electrode portion 4 via the measurement portion 14, and receives an electric signal flowing through the measurement portion 14. As a result, the electric signal applied from the electrode portion 4 passes through the measurement portion 14 in the head of the person to be measured 12 and flows to the electrode portion 6, and the measurement portion 14 is a signal including the electrode portions 4 and 6. Form a path or part of an electrical circuit. The electrode unit 6 is connected to the measuring unit 10. The electrode unit 6 may be formed integrally with the measuring unit 10, for example, or may be configured in a separate housing.
The electrode portions 4 and 6 are attached by being adhered to or adsorbed to, for example, a part of the head of the subject 12 or by engaging with an engaging means such as a hook (not shown).

The signal generation unit 8 is an example of a means for generating an electric signal to be applied in a measurement process using, for example, a bioimpedance method, such as a power supply (not shown), an adjustment circuit for adjusting to a set current value, and an alternating current of a predetermined frequency. It is composed of a modulation circuit that adjusts to a signal. The signal generation unit 8 adjusts so that, for example, the electric signal applied from the electrode unit 4 toward the measurement site 14 or the voltage value applied from the electrode unit 4 becomes a set value.
The measuring unit 10 takes in the electric signal received by the electrode unit 6 and calculates the bioimpedance value by a predetermined calculation method, and evaluates the living body including the nutritional status of the person to be measured based on the bioimpedance value. To generate. The measuring unit 10 performs bioimpedance calculation processing using, for example, the voltage value between the electrode units 4 and 6 and the current value information of the electric signal set by the signal generation unit 8. The measuring unit 10 includes, for example, a modulation circuit that performs modulation processing of the received electric signal, a calculation unit that calculates bioimpedance from the electric signal, and the like. Further, the measurement unit 10 includes a generation function unit that generates evaluation information based on the calculated bioimpedance value, a notification unit that notifies the measured person, the caregiver, and other family members of the evaluation information.

FIG. 2 shows an example of operation processing of the measuring device. The processing content, processing process, and the like shown in FIG. 2 are examples, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
This operation process is an example of the operation method or program of the present disclosure, for example, reading information of the person to be measured (S101), inputting setting information (S102), confirming the installation of the electrode portion (S103), and generating an electric signal. And transmission (S104), acquisition of electrical signals (S105), determination of bioimpedance (S106), comparison (S107), generation of evaluation information (S108), presentation of evaluation information (S109), and the like.

Information reading of the person to be measured (S101): The measuring device 2 uses, for example, information registered in a storage unit (not shown), information input by an input means, information read from an external database, etc., and then Read the information of the person to be measured to perform the measurement process. The information to be read here includes, for example, personal information including the name and age of the subject, weight and gender, as well as past medical history and treatment history.
Input of setting information (S102): For example, setting information for performing measurement processing is input to the measuring device 2. The setting information is, for example, a measurement parameter and includes a set current value and a set frequency of the generated electric signal, time information for applying the electric signal, and the like. Further, the setting information may be set based on, for example, personal data including the past health condition, medical history, treatment history, and other information of the subject 12, as well as general data such as height, weight, and gender. .. Further, the setting information may be stored in, for example, the signal generation unit 8 and the measurement unit 10, respectively, or may be stored in a storage unit (not shown) or the like.
Confirmation of installation of electrode unit (S103): The measuring device 2 performs a confirmation process of whether or not the electrode units 4 and 6 are installed on the person to be measured 12. Here, for example, an electric signal set for the test may be passed between the electrodes 4 and 6, and the measured voltage value may be judged, or voice or text information may be given to the person to be measured 12 or the measurement assistant. Information prompting confirmation of mounting of the electrode portions 4 and 6 may be notified. The measuring device 2 waits until the electrodes 4 and 6 are attached to the person to be measured 12 (No in S103), and when the attachment is confirmed (YES in S103), the measurement process is started for the signal generation unit 8. Output instructions.

Generation and transmission of electric signal (S104): Upon receiving the instruction to start the measurement process, the signal generation unit 8 generates an electric signal having a set current value and adjusted to a set frequency based on the setting information, and the electrode unit 4 It flows to the measurement site 14 through.
Capturing an electric signal (S105): When the measuring unit 10 receives an electric signal flowing through the electrode unit 6, for example, the measuring unit 10 measures the current value and the voltage value between the electrode units 4 and 6. The measured current value and voltage value are stored in, for example, the measurement database of the storage unit.
Bioimpedance indexing (S106): The measuring unit 10 calculates or calculates from, for example, the acquired set current value, the voltage value and current value measured by the electrode units 4 and 6, and information such as the height and weight of the person to be measured 12. The bioimpedance is calculated by using the data such as the installation interval of the indexed electrode portions 4 and 6 and the size of the head.
Bioimpedance is calculated based on the following theory. That is, as an example of the impedance (Z) calculation process, it is the ratio of the high frequency current (I) and the potential difference (E) generated between the electrode portions 4 and 6 for voltage measurement, and can be expressed by the following equation.
Z = E / I ... (1)
Thereby, for example, the impedance may be calculated by using the set current value and the measured voltage value.
Further, the following estimation process may be performed as an analysis process for the size of the temporalis muscle of the measurement site 14. In the calculation process of the bioimpedance of the temporal muscle portion excluding fat and the like, it is calculated based on the following estimation principle, for example. For the measurement site 14, for example, a model assuming a cylindrical conductor is used. The impedance of this cylindrical conductor is calculated from the intrinsic resistance (volume resistivity: ρ) and the length and cross-sectional area of the conductor.
The electrical impedance (Z) when the high-frequency current (I) energizes the conductor is proportional to the length (L) of the cylinder and inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area (A). Therefore, for example, the following equation (2) is used. Can be represented.
Z = ρ × (L / A) ・ ・ ・ (2)

Here, the volume V of the cylinder has a relationship of V = A × L with respect to the length L and the cross-sectional area A. Therefore, the equation (2) can be transformed as follows.
A = (ρ × L) / Z
and,
V = {(ρ × L) / Z} × L
= Ρ × (L ² × Z) ・ ・ ・ (3)

The relationship is established. As a result, the volume of the conductor is proportional to the square of the length L of the conductor and inversely proportional to the impedance Z. In order to grasp the muscle tissue such as the temporal muscle, a cylindrical model for the muscle, fat, and other tissues contained in the measurement site 14 is generated, and the equation (3) is used to obtain the reference bioimpedance. The ratio may be calculated.

Contrast (S107): The measuring unit 10 reads out the reference bioimpedance as comparison information stored in, for example, a storage unit, and compares it with the calculated bioimpedance. The reference bioimpedance is stored in, for example, the evaluation information database 16 (FIG. 3), and is an example of comparative information set with age, gender, and other information as parameters. The reference bioimpedance is, for example, information set based on a general health index, bioimpedance of a person as a reference model and nutritional status information at that time, or the past nutritional status of the same subject 12. The health condition information included and the bioimpedance calculated at that time are used.
Generation of evaluation information (S108): The measurement unit 10 reads out the evaluation result of the evaluation information database 16 (FIG. 3) based on the comparison result between the calculated bioimpedance and the reference bioimpedance. Then, the measuring unit 10 generates evaluation information by using the read evaluation result. This evaluation information may include the calculated bioimpedance value and the evaluation result, as well as advice information on nutritional status and health.
Presentation of evaluation information (S109): The measuring device 2 transmits and displays an evaluation screen to a display unit of a terminal device possessed by, for example, a monitor (not shown) or a person to be measured 12.

<About evaluation information database 16>
FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the evaluation information database.
The evaluation information database 16 is an example of a database for storing, for example, the calculated comparison information for the bioimpedance and the evaluation information, and includes a plurality of evaluation information files 18A, 18B, ... 18N for each application condition. The measurement unit 10 uses the evaluation result stored in the evaluation information database 16 to generate a comparison with the bioimpedance and evaluation information.
The evaluation information files 18A, 18B, ... 18N include an application condition 20, a reference bioimpedance unit 22, and an evaluation result unit 24, respectively.
The application condition 20 stores, for example, condition information as to which evaluation information file 18A, 18B, ... 18N is selected and applied to the person to be measured 12. One applicable condition may be set for each file, or a plurality of conditions may be combined. For this application condition, for example, the name and ID (IDentification) of the subject 12 may be set as a dedicated condition, or information such as age, gender, height and weight, physique, and past health condition is set. You may.

The reference bioimpedance unit 22 is an example of comparison information with respect to the calculated bioimpedance, and stores classification information according to a predetermined standard for a health state that can be grasped from, for example, a nutritional state. This classification information includes, for example, bioimpedance range information when it is judged that the nutritional status is healthy, bioimpedance range information when the nutritional status is judged to be slightly poor, and it can be judged that there is a possibility of change in physical condition. The range information of the bioimpedance at the time may be stored.
The evaluation result unit 24 stores evaluation information such as nutritional status with respect to the range information of the reference bioimpedance unit 22. This evaluation information may store numerical values indicating nutritional status, or information indicating that nutritional status is good, information indicating that nutritional status tends to deteriorate, information prompting hospital visits, and the like are stored. May be good.

<Effect of the first embodiment>
According to such a configuration, the following effects can be expected.
(1) By calculating the bioimpedance from the electrical signal sent from the electrode part attached to the set position of the head of the person to be measured, it is possible to easily generate the evaluation information of the person to be measured based on the nutritional status and the like. ..
(2) Since a large number of measurement data can be easily collected, it becomes easy to manage the nutritional status of the subject.
(3) By evaluating the bioimpedance value using the evaluation information database 16 including the evaluation result associated with the bioimpedance value, the positioning process can be speeded up and the load of the evaluation information generation process can be increased. Can be reduced.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the measurement system according to the second embodiment and an example of the mounting state of the electrode portion. The configuration shown in FIG. 4 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
As shown in FIG. 4A, for example, the measurement system 30 applies an electric signal to the person to be measured 12, measures a voltage value to determine a bioimpedance, and generates evaluation information based on the bioimpedance. A measuring device 32 and a terminal device 40 connected to the measuring device 32 are provided.
The measuring device 32 includes, for example, mounting portions 34 and 36 mounted at a set position of the person to be measured 12, and a controller 38 that executes measurement processing.
The mounting portion 34 is an example of the first holding means of the present disclosure, and includes a housing that covers the periphery of the electrode component arranged inside and holds the tip portion that oscillates an electric signal so as to be arranged outside. .. As shown in B of FIG. 4, for example, the mounting portion 34 is formed in a so-called earphone shape, and is inserted into the hole of the ear 44 of the subject 12 or the tip portion is arranged toward the entrance of the hole. To. As a result, the wearing portion 34 can be attached to the ear 44, which is the set position, so that an electric signal can be applied to the measurement site 14 from the ear canal.
The mounting portion 36 is an example of the second holding means of the present disclosure, and is, for example, a housing in which at least a portion in contact with the subject 12 is formed in a flat surface or a shape close to the flat surface, and an electrode component is formed on the flat surface. It is provided with a housing for attaching and holding the electrode component or exposing a part of the electrode component from the flat surface portion. As shown in B of FIG. 4, for example, the mounting portion 36 has a part or all of a flat surface made of a suction member, and is coated with a gel-like adhesive or the like, and the head of the person to be measured 12 has a head. It is attached to the "forehead" portion, which is the front portion of the 42. As for the arrangement position of the attachment portion 36, for example, it is desirable that the measurement site 14 including the temporal muscle on the side surface of the head 42 intervenes in a straight line with respect to the ear 44 in which the attachment portion 34 is arranged. By arranging in this way, the mounting portion 36 can receive an electric signal applied from the electrode portion 4 held by the mounting portion 34, and the living tissue of the controller 38, which is a measuring device, and the measuring site 14 can be arranged. It becomes an electric circuit.

The controller 38 is an example of the main body functional unit of the measuring device 32, and is composed of, for example, a single housing. This controller 38 is based on, for example, measurement of voltage value between signal generation unit 8 and electrode units 4 and 6 for generating at least an electric signal, determination processing of bioimpedance using current value and voltage value, and bioimpedance. It is provided with a measuring unit 10 for generating evaluation information.
The terminal device 40 is capable of communicating with the controller 38, is a means for inputting information of the person to be measured 12, and is a means for receiving and displaying evaluation information and the like generated in the measurement process from the controller 38. This is an example. The terminal device 40 may be, for example, a dedicated device used for this measurement process, or may be a mobile phone, a mobile PC (Personal Computer), or the like. The terminal device 40 and the controller 38 are connected by, for example, a wired connection or a wireless communication connection, and are in a state where data can be transmitted and received.

The mounting portion 36 is not limited to the case where the mounting portion 36 is mounted on the “forehead” of the head 42, and is a part of the side surface opposite to the side surface of the head 42 on which the mounting portion 34 is installed. It may be adsorbed to. Further, the mounting portion 36 is not limited to the one provided with a flat surface portion for holding the electrode portion 6 for receiving the electric signal. The wearing portion 36 may be formed in the shape of an earphone that is inserted into the ear canal or has a tip arranged in the ear canal, as in the wearing portion 34 on the electric signal application side, for example.

<About the configuration example of the measuring device>
FIG. 5 shows an example of the functional configuration of the measuring device. The configuration shown in FIG. 5 is an example.
The controller 38 includes, for example, a current application unit 50, a power supply unit 52, a voltage measurement unit 54, and a control unit 56.
The current application unit 50 has a circuit configuration in which an electric signal having a set current value and a set frequency is generated and applied from the electrode unit 4 side, and is an example of the signal generation unit 8. The current application unit 50 is connected to, for example, a current application electrode 60-1 installed in the mounting unit 34 and a current application electrode 60-2 installed in the mounting unit 36. As a result, the mounting portions 34 and 36 are mounted at predetermined positions of the person to be measured 12, and an electric circuit having the measurement site 14 as a resistance is formed.
The power feeding unit 52 is connected to, for example, the current applying unit 50, and is an example of a means for taking in an AC commercial power source and supplying power to the current applying unit 50 via a storage means such as a battery or an external outlet. .. The power feeding unit 52 may include, for example, an inverter circuit that converts a direct current supplied from a power storage means into an alternating current.
The voltage measuring unit 54 is a circuit for measuring the potential difference between the electrode units 4 and 6, and is an example of the measuring unit 10. The voltage measuring unit 54 is connected to, for example, a voltage measuring electrode 62-1 installed in the mounting unit 34 and a voltage measuring electrode 62-2 installed in the mounting unit 36.
The control unit 56 is an example of means for controlling the operating operation of the measuring device 32, and includes a bioimpedance calculation unit 58. The control unit 56 is connected to the current application unit 50 and the voltage measurement unit 54, and outputs an electric signal generation instruction, an application instruction, or a voltage measurement instruction when the measurement process is executed. Further, the control unit 56 reads information such as the set current value and frequency information of the electric signal, the information of the person to be measured, and the measured voltage value, and the bioimpedance calculation unit 58 calculates the bioimpedance. Further, the control unit 56 uses the determined bioimpedance to generate evaluation information. The bioimpedance calculation unit 58 is an example of a functional unit formed by, for example, executing a measurement processing program in the control unit 56.

<About the control unit 56>
FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the control unit.
The controller 38 is composed of a computer. The control unit 56 of the controller 38 includes, for example, a processor 64, a storage unit 66, an information input unit 68, a communication unit 70, and an input / output unit (I / O) 72.
The processor 64 executes an OS (Operating System) and a measurement processing program in the storage unit 66 to execute the measurement processing, and constitutes functions such as the bioimpedance calculation unit 58.
The storage unit 66 is composed of a RAM (Random-Access Memory) 84, which is a calculation area of a program, a data area 88, which stores a program, and the like. The data area 88 is an example of a storage medium composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or an SSD (Solid State Drive). In the data storage area, for example, an operation control program such as an OS or a measurement processing program is stored, and as data used for the measurement processing, a user database 90 (FIG. 7), an evaluation information database 16, and a measurement information database 92 (FIG. 7) are stored. 8) and other databases are stored.
The data area 88 is not limited to the storage device mounted in the control unit 56, for example, and a program may be downloaded from an external database and used, or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard removable memory or the like. It may be composed of the storage medium of.

The information input unit 68 is an example of an input means using an operation means such as a touch panel, a keyboard, and a mouse integrated with a display unit (not shown), and is used for inputting user data and setting information of measurement processing.
The communication unit 70 is an example of a functional unit that connects to a wireless network such as Wi-Fi, or connects to a terminal device 40, an external database, or the like by infrared communication or the like.
The input / output unit (I / O) 72 is an example of an interface that enables the control unit 56 to send and receive data to and from the current application unit 50 and the voltage measurement unit 54. Further, the I / O 72 is connected to an information presentation unit 82 such as a timer 80 used for controlling the measurement process, a monitor mounted on the terminal device 40 or the controller 38, and receives and evaluates execution time information of the measurement process. It is used to notify the information presentation unit of information.

<About user database 90>
FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of a user database.
The user database 90 is an example of a personal database containing information about the subject 12, and is composed of a plurality of data files 90-1, 90-2, ... 90-N for each user.
In the user database 90, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a name part 93, a date of birth part 94, a gender part 95, a measurement date part 96, an age part 97, a height part 98, a weight part 99, and 100 others, evaluation results. It is composed of parts 101 and the like.
Information such as a name, ID, date of birth, and gender for identifying the person to be measured 12 is stored in the name section 93, the date of birth section 94, and the gender section 95.
The measurement day unit 96 stores information on the day and time when the measurement process is executed. For example, information from the timer 80 may be automatically input to the measurement date unit 96.
The age unit 97 stores age information at the time of execution of the measurement process. This age information is used, for example, as an application condition of the reference bioimpedance used for comparison with the calculated bioimpedance.
For example, the height part 98 and the weight part 99 may read preset information, or may input information measured by the user when performing a measurement process. Further, the height section 98 and the weight section 99 may store data received by, for example, an external measuring device such as a weight scale or a height scale, or an external database and the controller 38 by wired connection or wireless communication. These height information and weight information may be set as application conditions of the reference bioimpedance, for example, or in the calculation process of the bioimpedance when the muscle mass such as the temporal muscle is analyzed and calculated in detail, the electrode unit 4 , 6 may be used to determine the distance.
In the other 100, for example, information such as the past medical history, treatment history, and current health condition of the subject 12 is stored. This information may be used as weighting in, for example, in determining the application of the reference bioimpedance. This weighting may be used as an adjustment criterion when the same reference bioimpedance cannot be applied to each subject due to past medical history or other personalities, even if they are of the same age, gender, height or weight. ..
The evaluation result unit 101 stores the evaluation information obtained by using the evaluation information database 16.

<About measurement information database 92>
FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the measurement information database.
The measurement information database 92 stores the result of executing the measurement process and the like.
In the measurement information database 92, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a name unit 111, a measurement date / time unit 112, a current value unit 113, a measurement voltage value unit 114, a bioimpedance unit 115, a measuring device information unit 116, and an evaluation information unit 117 are included. Etc. are included.
The name unit 111 stores name information that identifies the person to be measured 12. Further, the name unit 111 may have ID information or other information. The name unit 111 may be linked to, for example, the information of the name unit 93 of the user database 90 read in the measurement process.
The measurement date / time unit 112 stores the date and time information when the measurement process is executed. The measurement date / time unit 112 may store information acquired from the timer 80 at the timing when measurement instructions, setting information, and the like are output from the control unit 56 to the current application unit 50 and the like. The information stored in the measurement date / time unit 112 may be linked to, for example, the measurement date / time unit 96 of the user database 90.
The current value unit 113 may measure and input, for example, the set current value information in the measurement processing program or the current value of the electric signal generated by the current application unit 50.
The measured voltage value unit 114 may store the voltage value information measured by the voltage measuring unit 54.
The bioimpedance unit 115 may store the calculated bioimpedance value.
The measuring device information unit 116 stores, for example, information about the electrodes 4 and 6 used for the measurement process. This information includes, for example, the installation positions of the mounting portions 34 and 36 with respect to the person to be measured 12, and stores information such as a combination of the earphone type and a so-called patch type to be attached to the "forehead", and a combination of earphone types. .. In the controller 38, for example, the size of the measurement site 14 through which the electric signal is passed and the state of the tissue differ due to the difference in the installation position of the mounting portions 34 and 36. The calculation process and the selection criteria for the reference bioimpedance may be different.
The evaluation information unit 117 stores the evaluation information extracted by comparing the determined bioimpedance with the reference bioimpedance.

<About evaluation information>
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the evaluation result screen.
The control unit 56 uses, for example, the evaluation information database 16 in the storage unit to extract the evaluation result for the bioimpedance calculated by the bioimpedance calculation unit 58. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 56 generates the evaluation screen 120 as the evaluation information generated by using the evaluation result. The evaluation screen 120 includes, for example, specific information 122 indicating the person to be measured 12, measurement date / time information 124, evaluation result 126, evaluation result history information 127, advice information 128, and the like.
In the evaluation result 126, for example, along with the current evaluation result, comparative information such as the previous evaluation result and the past average evaluation result may be displayed. This evaluation result is, for example, the value of bioimpedance, the information registered in the evaluation information database 16, or the information created for the person to be measured 12, and estimates the index indicating the nutritional state and the physical state. Information etc. are included.
In the evaluation result history information 127, for example, the bioimpedance values and evaluation information for several past times are displayed.
The advice information 128 displays, for example, information set according to the evaluation result, such as advice for maintaining the current state and advice for recommending an examination at a hospital.

In addition, the control unit 56 may monitor the transition state of the bioimpedance value stored in the measurement information database 92 and generate the advice information 128. In this transition state monitoring process, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, in a graph in which the number of measurements n is set on the horizontal axis and the bioimpedance value is set on the vertical axis, the nutritional state is based on the change tendency of the bioimpedance value. Changes may be monitored. In living tissues, adipose tissue has a low water content and therefore has low electrical conductivity, and tissues other than fat have a high electrolyte and water content and therefore have high electrical conductivity. As a result, at the measurement site 14 of the same subject 12, if the cross section of the muscular tissue is large, the impedance that is the electrical resistance is low, and if the cross section of the muscular tissue is small or the adipose tissue is large, the impedance is high. I can imagine. As a result, when the bioimpedance value measured at the number of measurements X1 is Y1 while the bioimpedance measured at the transition is increased to Y2, the control unit 56 is in a nutritional state based on a decrease in muscle tissue or the like. May be judged to be worsening. Further, the control unit 56 may set a threshold value P for the value of the bioimpedance, for example, and display warning information when the threshold value P is exceeded.

<Measurement processing>
FIG. 11 shows an example of the operation processing of the measuring device. The processing content, processing process, and the like shown in FIG. 11 are examples, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
In the measurement processing, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, initial setting processing (S201), user data setting processing (S202), mounting confirmation processing (S203) of mounting units 34 and 36, electrical signal generation processing (S204), Electrical signal application processing (S205), voltage detection processing (S206), bioimpedance calculation processing (S207), measurement information storage processing (S208), evaluation information readout processing (S209), confirmation of bioimpedance change tendency The process (S210) and the evaluation information display process (S211) are included.

Initial setting process (S201): The control unit 56 reads an OS, a measurement process program, and the like when the measuring device 32 is turned on or started, and also includes an initialization process for the voltage measuring unit 54 and the current applying unit 50. Perform initial setting processing.
User data setting process (S202): When the person to be measured 12 is designated, the control unit 56 accesses the user database 90 and reads the information of the person to be measured 12.
Mounting confirmation process (S203) of mounting units 34 and 36: The control unit 56 performs confirmation processing that the mounting units 34 and 36 are mounted at a set position such as the ear 44 of the person to be measured. In this confirmation process, for example, the same process as the confirmation process of the electrode portions 4 and 6 of S103 may be performed.
Electrical signal generation processing (S204): When the current application unit 50 of the controller 38 receives instruction information from, for example, the control unit 56, the power supply unit 52 starts power supply and adjusts the electric signal to the set current value and the set frequency. To generate.
Electrical signal application processing (S205): In the controller 38, when an electrical signal is generated, an electrical signal is applied between the current application electrode 60-1 of the mounting unit 34 and the current application electrode 60-2 of the mounting unit 36. ..

Voltage detection process (S206): When the application of the electric signal is started, the voltage measuring unit 54 receives, for example, the notification of the instruction information from the control unit 56, and the potential difference between the voltage measuring electrodes 62-1 and 62-2. To measure.
Bioimpedance calculation process (S207): The control unit 56 calculates the bioimpedance in the bioimpedance calculation unit 58 by a calculation process using a set current value, a frequency, and a measured voltage value.
Measurement information storage process (S208): Further, the control unit 56 acquires setting information and detection information from the current application unit 50 and the voltage measurement unit 54, and stores the acquired information in the measurement information database 92.
Evaluation information reading process (S209): The control unit 56 reads out the evaluation information database 16, performs comparison processing between the determined bioimpedance and the reference bioimpedance, and extracts the evaluation result associated with the bioimpedance.
Bioimpedance change tendency confirmation process (S210): The control unit 56 reads, for example, the user database 90 and the measurement information database 92, compares the past bioimpedance and evaluation results of the subject 12, and confirms the change tendency. do.
Evaluation information display processing (S211): The control unit 56 generates the evaluation screen 120 by combining the extracted evaluation results, past bioimpedance values, information on the tendency of change, and other information, and the terminal device 40. It is displayed on the display part of.

[Effect of the second embodiment]
According to such a configuration, the following effects can be expected.
(1) The same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.
(2) By displaying the evaluation result and the advice information based on the evaluation result on the evaluation screen 120, the person to be measured 12 can easily grasp the body, particularly the state of masticatory ability and the state of nutrition intake.
(3) By displaying the past measurement results on the evaluation screen 120, it is possible to intuitively grasp that the physical condition and the nutritional condition have changed.
(4) By monitoring the state of multiple bioimpedances and giving advice on the state of the body such as nutritional state based on the change tendency, it can be expected to detect changes in physical condition at an early stage and take measures.
(5) By inserting the earphone-shaped mounting part into the ear canal or engaging it with the ear, the installation positions of the current application electrodes 60-1 and 60-2 and the voltage measurement electrodes 62-1 and 62-2 are substantially the same. Can be maintained at.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 12 shows a configuration example of the measurement system according to the third embodiment. The configuration shown in FIG. 12 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. Further, in FIG. 12, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 5 are designated by the same reference numerals.
As shown in FIG. 12, for example, the controller 38 includes an image acquisition unit 130 that captures an external image of the person to be measured 12. The image acquisition unit 130 is connected to the terminal device 40 by wireless communication such as Wi-Fi or infrared communication, or by a cable such as a USB standard, and reads image information taken by the terminal device 40.
The terminal device 40 includes, for example, an image pickup unit 132, and the captured image is stored in the storage unit 134. Then, in the terminal device 40, for example, when a connection with the controller 38 or an image request from the control unit 56 is received, the control unit 136 reads an image from the storage unit 134 and transmits the image to the controller 38 side.
Further, the control unit 56 of the controller 38 is formed with an image comparison unit 138 for comparing the acquired image information with the reference image.
With such a configuration, in the measurement system 30 according to this embodiment, the change in nutritional state is estimated from the appearance state around the measurement site 14 of the person to be measured 12 as well as the bioimpedance of the measurement site.

When the person to be measured 12 activates the camera application or the measurement processing application of the terminal device 40 by himself / herself or a measurement assistant, for example, as shown in FIG. 13A, the head including the “temple” and the “forehead” corresponding to the measurement site 14. Take a picture of the appearance of the temple.
As shown in FIG. 13B, for example, when the measurement processing application is executed, the terminal device 40 reads the contour information of the head and face of the photographed subject, and at the same time, the contour information of the same subject 12 in the past is used. The formed reference line M is displayed. The control unit 136 of the terminal device 40, for example, compares the reference line M with the contour information captured for the “temple” corresponding to the measurement site 14, and extracts the deformation amount α of the contour. The temporal muscle, which is a part of the measurement site 14, is strongly affected by movements such as mastication strength, frequency, and frequency, or muscle changes due to nutritional status and age. This causes changes in protrusion or retractation of the contour of the face, especially in the "temporalis" portion, as the temporalis muscle increases or decreases. Therefore, it is possible to infer the nutritional status from the information on the change in the contour of the subject 12 as well.
In addition, the human face may be swollen or tightened due to the influence of the shooting time zone, the season, the climate, etc., for example. In addition, there is a risk that the magnification will fluctuate during shooting and the shooting reference position will shift. Therefore, the control unit 136 may display, for example, the reference position of the face at the time of shooting, or may display the reference line M with a part of the shot image as a reference.

<About evaluation information>
FIG. 14 shows a configuration example of the evaluation information database.
As shown in FIG. 14A, for example, the evaluation information database 140 includes a plurality of evaluation information files 142A, 142B, ... 142N for each application condition. In the evaluation information files 142A, 142B, ... 142N, for example, the reference bioimpedement unit 22 and the contour outer shape change amount unit 144 calculated from the image information are associated with each other, and the evaluation information unit 146 is based on the information. The evaluation result can be extracted.
Further, as shown in FIG. 14B, for example, the external shape change amount database 150 is composed of an external shape change amount unit 152 and an advice information unit 154 in which the contour deformation amount α is stored. That is, the external shape change amount database 150 extracts the evaluation result using only the contour deformation amount α, and as described in the first and second embodiments, the bioimpedance is used by using the evaluation information database 16. The evaluation information is generated by combining the evaluation results based on.
In the measurement process, for example, one or both of these evaluation information database 140 and external shape change amount database 150 may be used to generate an evaluation result based on the measured bioimpedance and contour deformation amount α.

<Measurement processing>
FIG. 15 shows an example of operation processing of the measuring device. The processing content, processing process, and the like shown in FIG. 15 are examples, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
In the measurement process, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, the start process (S301) of the controller 38 and the terminal device 40, the image request process (S302), the image acquisition process (S303), and the indexing process of the deformation amount α (S303) for the terminal device 40 (S). S304), the bioimpedance calculation process (S305), the evaluation information generation process (S306) using the evaluation information database 140, or the external change amount database 150, and the evaluation information notification process (S307) to the terminal device 40. included.

Startup processing of the controller 38 and the terminal device 40 (S301): In the controller 38, the control unit 56 activates the OS and the measurement processing program to perform initialization processing. For example, the terminal device 40 starts the imaging unit 132 and starts reading the measurement processing application in response to the activation of the controller 38.
Image request processing for the terminal device 40 (S302): The control unit 56 outputs an image request instruction to the terminal device 40. On the other hand, the terminal device 40 may display a guide screen for prompting the image of the contour image of the person to be measured 12 on, for example, a display unit.
Image acquisition process (S303): When the image pickup unit 132 takes an image, the terminal device 40 displays an image confirmation process and guide information for transmission to the controller 38. Then, the image acquisition unit 130 acquires an image from the terminal device 40.
Deformation amount α indexing process (S304): In the controller 38, the image comparison unit 138 of the control unit 56 extracts the deformation amount α between the reference line M of the image and the contour. The extracted deformation amount α is stored in, for example, the measurement information database 92.

Bioimpedance calculation process (S305): The controller 38 generates an electric signal with a set current value and frequency, applies it to the measurement site 14, and measures the potential difference between the mounting portions 34 and 36 to determine the bioimpedance. .. The bioimpedance calculation process is the same as the configuration and process shown in the first and second embodiments.
Evaluation information generation process (S306) using the evaluation information database 140 or the external change amount database 150: The control unit 56 of the controller 38 is, for example, the evaluation information database 140, or the evaluation information database 16 and the external change amount database 150. Select one of the combinations to perform the evaluation process. Such a selection process may be set by, for example, the person to be measured 12 at the start of the measurement process. In this evaluation process, for example, the bioimpedance value and the reference bioimpedance value are compared, and the deformation amount α and the external shape change amount are compared, and the respective evaluation results are extracted. Then, the evaluation screen 120 is generated based on the evaluation result.
Notification processing of evaluation information to the terminal device (S307): The control unit 56 transmits the generated evaluation screen 120 to the terminal device 40 and displays it.

[Effect of the third embodiment]
According to such a configuration, the following effects can be expected.
(1) The same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained.
(2) By combining the amount of deformation α of the contour of the subject 12, the accuracy of grasping the state of the measurement site 14 including the temporal muscle and the nutritional state accompanying the masticatory movement is improved.
(3) The transition of the nutritional status of the subject 12 can be grasped by the degree of the deformation amount α of the contour.

[Modification example]

Modifications of the embodiments described above are listed below.

(1) In the above embodiment, a case where a control instruction is output from the control unit 56 of the controller 38 to the current application unit 50, the power supply unit 52, and the voltage measurement unit 54 constituting the signal generation unit 8 is shown. Not exclusively. In the measurement system 30, for example, the terminal device 40 may execute an application program that performs measurement instructions and bioimpedance calculation processing, and may execute processing related to data transmission / reception such as setting information and measurement results to the controller 38.

(2) In the above embodiment, the mounting portions 34 and 36 are not limited to the case where a part of the wearing portions 34 and 36 is inserted into the ear canal of the subject 12 or arranged in the ear canal. The mounting portions 34, 36 include, for example, an engaging hook that engages with the helix or the back of the ear, whereby the electrode portion may be arranged at a predetermined position in the ear.

(3) In the above embodiment, the case where the evaluation information of the body based on the nutritional status of the subject 12 is generated by using the determined bioimpedance is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the measuring device 2, 32 or the measuring system 30, for example, it may be used as a means for estimating the result of training in which a weighted load is applied to strengthen the muscle strength of a body part such as an arm or a leg.
That is, dumbbell exercises and other weight training tend to clench teeth when lifting the weight. By continuing to clench the teeth in this way, the temporal muscles tend to be strengthened and the cross-sectional area tends to increase. As a result, for example, it may be used as an index indicating that the temporalis muscle is strengthened by lowering the value of bioimpedance.

(4) In the above embodiment, the case where the evaluation screen 120 is generated by combining the evaluation result based on the deformation amount α of the contour of the subject 12 and the evaluation result based on the calculated bioimpedance is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the measurement process, for example, when the evaluation result extracted based on the deformation amount α exceeds a predetermined threshold value, instead of the measurement by bioimpedance, the subject 12 is in an abnormal state or abnormality based on the nutritional state. The terminal device 40 may be notified of the advice information indicating the tendency.

(5) In the above embodiment, the case where the distance between the contour of the subject 12 and the reference line M is evaluated based on the deformation amount α is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. As the deformation amount α, the volume between the contour of the person to be measured 12 and the reference line M in the captured image information may be used. Further, the deformation amount α may be information such as the blood color (complexion color) and the swelling state of the person to be measured analyzed from the image information.

As described above, the most preferable embodiment of the present invention has been described. The present invention is not limited to the above description. Various modifications and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art based on the gist of the invention described in the claims or disclosed in the form for carrying out the invention. Needless to say, such modifications and modifications are included in the scope of the present invention.

According to the present invention, an electric signal is applied from the electrodes 4 and 6 attached to the ear or "forehead" of the person to be measured 12 to determine the bioimpedance of the measurement site 14 including the temporal muscle, thereby simply and It is useful because it can quickly evaluate the nutritional status related to mastication.

2, 32 Measuring device 4, 6 Electrode unit 8 Signal generation unit 10 Measurement unit 12 Measured person 14 Measurement site 16, 140 Evaluation information database 18A, 18B, ... 18N, 142A, 142B, ... 142N Evaluation information file 20 Applicable conditions 22 Reference bioimpedance unit 24 Evaluation result unit 30 Measurement system 34, 36 Mounting unit 38 Controller 40 Terminal device 42 Head 44 Ear 50 Current application unit 52 Feeding unit 54 Voltage measuring unit 56 Control unit 58 Bioimpedance calculation unit 60 -1, 60-2 Current application electrode 62-1, 62-2 Voltage measurement electrode 64 Processor 66 Storage unit 68 Information input unit 70 Communication unit 72 Input / output unit (I / O)
80 Timer 82 Information presentation unit 84 RAM
88 Data area 90 User database 90-1, 90-2, ... 90-N Data file 92 Measurement information database 93, 111 Name part 94 Date of birth 95 Gender part 96 Measurement day part 97 Age part 98 Height part 99 Weight part 100 Others 101 Evaluation result part 112 Measurement date and time part 113 Current value part 114 Measurement voltage value part 115 Bioimpedance part 116 Measuring device information part 117 Evaluation information part 120 Evaluation screen 122 Specific information 124 Measurement date and time information 126 Evaluation result 127 Evaluation result History information 128 Advice information 130 Image acquisition unit 132 Imaging unit 134 Storage unit 136 Control unit 138 Image comparison unit 144 External change amount unit 146 Evaluation information unit 150 External change amount database 152 External change amount unit 154 Advice information unit

Claims (15)

A first electrode portion mounted at a set position on the head of the person to be measured and including an application electrode for applying an electric signal to the measurement site of the head, and a first electrode portion.
A second electrode portion including a receiving electrode mounted at a position facing the first electrode portion via the measurement site and receiving the electric signal applied by the applied electrode, and a second electrode portion.
A signal generation unit that generates the electric signal of the set output and applies the electric signal from the first electrode unit.
The bioimpedance of the measurement site is calculated based on the electrical signal passed between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion, and the bioimpedance is used to obtain evaluation information on the nutritional status of the person to be measured. The measuring unit to be generated and
A measuring device characterized by being provided with. The measurement site is a living tissue including at least the temporal muscle of the head.
The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the electric signal applied from the applied electrode flows to the receiving electrode through the living tissue. The first electrode portion includes a first holding means for holding the applied electrode and arranging the transmitting electrode inside one ear hole of the person to be measured or in the opening of the ear hole.
The second electrode portion is characterized by comprising a second holding means for holding the receiving electrode and arranging the receiving electrode on a part of the other ear or the head of the person to be measured. Alternatively, the measuring device according to claim 2. Further, a database including the identification information of the subject and the evaluation information registered in association with the bioimpedance is provided.
The measuring unit reads the evaluation information from the database based on the determined bioimpedance.
The measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the measuring device is characterized in that. The measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an information presenting unit for presenting the evaluation information. Further, it is provided with an image acquisition unit that acquires an image representing the outer shape of the head.
The measuring unit measures the amount of change in the head shape of the person to be measured by comparing the acquired image with the reference image, and generates the evaluation information by combining the amount of change and the extracted bioimpedance. The measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the measuring device is characterized in that. A first electrode portion that is attached to the measurement position of the head of the person to be measured and includes an application electrode that applies an electric signal to the measurement portion of the head, and faces the first electrode portion via the measurement portion. An electrode unit provided with a second electrode portion, which is mounted at a position where the electrode is to be used and includes a receiving electrode for receiving the electric signal applied by the applied electrode.
The electric signal of the set output is generated and applied from the first electrode portion, and the measurement site is based on the electric signal passed between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion. A measurement unit that calculates the biological impedance and uses the biological impedance to generate evaluation information on the nutritional status of the person to be measured.
A measurement system characterized by being equipped with. The measurement unit includes a database including identification information of the person to be measured and evaluation information registered in association with the reference bioimpedance, and compares the determined bioimpedance with the reference bioimpedance registered in the database. The measurement system according to claim 7, wherein the evaluation information is read out. The measuring unit is
The first electrode portion holds the applied electrode, and includes a first holding means for arranging the transmitting electrode inside one ear hole of the person to be measured or in the opening of the ear hole, and the second holding means. 6. Described measurement system. The measurement system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising an information presenting means for presenting the evaluation information. The measuring unit includes a photographing unit that captures an image showing the outer shape of the head, compares the image with a reference image, measures the amount of change in the head shape of the person to be measured, and measures the amount of change. The measurement system according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the evaluation information is generated by combining the extracted bioimpedance. The first electrode portion including an application electrode for applying an electric signal to the measurement portion of the head of the person to be measured is mounted at a position facing the first electrode portion via the measurement portion. A method of operating a measuring device including a second electrode portion including a receiving electrode for receiving an electric signal transmitted from an applied electrode.
The process of generating an electric signal of the set output and supplying it to the first electrode portion, and
A step of determining the bioimpedance of the measurement site based on an electric signal passed between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion, and a step of determining the bioimpedance of the measurement site.
A step of comparing the bioimpedance with the reference bioimpedance and reading out and presenting the evaluation information of the nutritional state associated with the reference bioimpedance from the database based on the comparison result.
A method of operating a measuring device, which comprises. The process of reading the head image of the person to be measured taken by the photographing means, and
A step of measuring the amount of change in the head shape of the person to be measured by comparing the head image and the reference image, and combining the change amount with the extracted bioimpedance to generate the evaluation information.
12. The method of operating the measuring device according to claim 12. The application is transmitted from the application electrode at a position facing the first electrode portion via the measurement portion and the first electrode portion including the application electrode for applying the electric signal to the measurement portion of the head of the person to be measured. It is an operation program to be executed by the computer of the measuring device provided with the second electrode portion including the receiving electrode for receiving the electric signal.
The function of generating an electric signal of the set output and supplying it to the applied electrode,
A function of determining the bioimpedance of the measurement site based on the electrical signal passed between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion, and
The function of comparing the bioimpedance with the reference bioimpedance and reading and presenting the evaluation information of the nutritional state associated with the reference bioimpedance from the database based on the comparison result.
An operation program characterized by including. A function to read the head image of the person to be measured taken by the photographing means, and
A function of comparing the head image and the reference image to measure the amount of change in the head shape of the person to be measured, and combining the change amount with the extracted bioimpedance to generate the evaluation information.
The operation program according to claim 14, wherein the operation program comprises.

Images