JP4766425B2 - Living body related information measuring system, measuring device main body and external measuring device of the system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor for detecting a living body related signal and a living body related information measuring system for receiving a signal from the sensor via a connector and processing the signal to measure living body related information.

  The living body related information is a living body representing a state of the living body such as a light-absorbing substance concentration, respiratory related information, body temperature, blood pressure, cardiac output, transdermal gas concentration, electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, myoelectricity, brain evoked potential, and evoked myoelectricity. Information and the temperature of the extracorporeal circulating blood of the heart-lung machine, the temperature of the medium that controls the temperature, the information on the devices attached to the living body such as the anesthetic gas concentration, the inhaled oxygen flow rate, and the ambient temperature around the living body. Environmental information to give.

  As an apparatus for measuring the biological information, for example, there is a pulse oximeter for measuring oxygen saturation of arterial blood. Such an oxygen saturation measuring device is composed of a sensor and an oxygen saturation measuring device main body for processing the output signal of the sensor to calculate the oxygen saturation and displaying the result, which are connected to each other by a connector. Is done. However, since a sensor manufactured by one manufacturer and a sensor manufactured by another manufacturer generally have different standards, they cannot be used interchangeably. In addition, even if the sensor manufacturer is the same, in the case of sensors of different types, the standards may be different, so these cannot be used interchangeably.

  The above-mentioned problems are not limited to light-absorbing substance concentration measuring devices such as hemoglobin concentration measuring devices, pigment concentration measuring devices, bilirubin concentration measuring devices, and blood glucose level measuring devices, but are widely possessed by measuring devices for living body related information in general. ing.

  Therefore, for example, in the measurement of oxygen saturation, one sensor is disclosed that can change the spectral content of light to be irradiated and can be applied to a plurality of oxygen saturation measuring device bodies (Patent Document 1 and Patent). Reference 2).

  However, this sensor is specially constructed so as to have compatibility, and the existing sensor cannot be used for measurement as it is.

  On the other hand, Patent Literature 3 and Patent Literature 4 disclose that a sensor of a certain standard is used for a measuring device of another standard.

  However, according to this, after the output of a sensor of another standard different from a specific standard is processed by a measuring device corresponding to the sensor of the standard and the oxygen saturation is measured once, the oxygen saturation is measured. When the signal is input to the measurement device of the specific standard sensor, a signal is obtained so that the same value of oxygen saturation can be obtained, and the signal is input to the measurement device of the specific standard. In this measurement apparatus, the oxygen saturation is calculated again, and errors cannot be accumulated to display an accurate measurement result.

  When measuring respiratory related information as other biological information, respiratory related information includes respiratory rate, inspiratory oxygen concentration, end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration, respiratory flow rate, airway pressure, expiratory gas concentration, etc. The sensor type is different.

  For example, when measuring the respiration rate, Patent Document 5 shows a configuration in which a pressure pulse wave of an artery is measured by a sensor constituted by a plurality of pressure detection elements, and the respiration rate is calculated from the measured pressure pulse wave. Patent Document 6 discloses a configuration in which a thermistor senses a temperature change during respiration and detects a respiration rate.

  When measuring the inspiratory oxygen concentration, a sensor that can output an electric signal that is a voltage value or a current value corresponding to the oxygen concentration is used (see Patent Document 7), and when measuring the end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration, A probe having a light emitting part and a light receiving part is used (see Patent Document 8).

  When measuring the respiratory flow rate, a differential pressure generating mechanism is provided in a conduit for circulating the respiratory gas of the patient, the differential pressure is detected by a pressure sensor, converted into a flow rate (see Patent Document 9), and the airway pressure is measured. In this case, a semiconductor pressure sensor is used (see Patent Document 10).

  In the case of measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide in the exhaled gas, Patent Document 11 discloses a probe having a light emitting element and a light receiving element.

  When measuring body temperature as other biological information, a thermistor is generally used as a sensor, but a thermopile (see Patent Document 12) is also used.

  As an apparatus for measuring blood pressure as biological information, Patent Document 13 discloses that an ear canal is sealed, and a blood pressure change in an artery adjacent to the sealed ear canal generates a change in air pressure in the sealed ear canal. There is disclosed a blood pressure monitoring device comprising an earpiece means and a pressure detection means for measuring the change in air pressure in the sealed ear canal, wherein the pressure detection means includes a piezoelectric transducer, a strain gauge, and a ceramic converter. The use of a container is described.

  Measurement of cardiac output, which is biological information, is obtained by measuring the amount of heat loss due to blood flow of a thermistor that self-heats by energization of current (see Patent Document 14), blood volume in the aorta, and chest In order to estimate the change in the fluid volume of the body, what is obtained by measuring changes in the electrical impedance of the chest with a plurality of bioelectrodes (see Patent Document 15) has been conventionally known.

  As a sensor for measuring the transdermal gas concentration, which is biological information, a sensor having an electrode for electrochemically detecting gas generated by heating the skin has been conventionally known. The measurement is described in Patent Document 16, for example.

  In addition, as biological information, there are electrical signals generated in the living body such as electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram (including brain evoked potential), myoelectric (including evoked myoelectricity), and the biological information is measured using biological electrodes. Is done. Such biological electrodes are described in, for example, Patent Document 15, Patent Document 17, and Patent Document 18.

  Environmental information includes the temperature of circulating blood when performing extracorporeal circulation in cardiac surgery, the temperature of the medium for heating and cooling the circulating blood, the ambient temperature of the living body, or the concentration of anesthetic gas, etc. For the measurement of information, a thermistor is generally used. For the measurement of the anesthetic gas concentration, a probe having a light emitting element and a light receiving element is used as in the measurement of the carbon dioxide gas concentration described in Patent Document 11. It is done.

The aforementioned Patent Documents 5 to 18 do not describe measuring biological related information with a measuring device of a sensor of a specific standard using a sensor of another standard different from a specific standard. .
JP-A-10-305026 USP 5,827,182 specification Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2002-535026 USP 6,658,276 specification Japanese Patent No. 3219325 JP 2000-5145 A JP 9-51950 A JP 2003-315264 A JP 2000-175886 A Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-61065 JP 2004-321721 A JP 2002-214046 A Japanese National Patent Publication No. 11-514898 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-31475 JP 2003-220045 A JP-A-8-112271 JP 2003-230544 A JP 2003-52657 A

  The problem to be solved is that when a measurement is performed using a sensor with a standard different from that of a sensor related to a living body related information measuring apparatus that processes an output signal of a sensor with a specific standard, It is a point which cannot be displayed with the said biological body related information measuring device.

  An object of the present invention is a measurement system for measuring certain biological related information, including a measurement device body that processes an output signal of a sensor of a specific standard, and performing measurement using a sensor of a standard different from the sensor Even in such a case, it is to provide a measurement system capable of displaying the measurement result on the display unit of the measurement apparatus main body with high accuracy.

  Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a system having a measuring device main body that processes an output signal of a sensor of a specific standard, and an external measuring device that processes an output signal of a sensor of a standard different from the sensor and outputs display data. The measurement device main body provides a system for displaying data from the external measurement device when it is determined that the external measurement device is connected instead of the sensor of the specific standard.

  Furthermore, the objective of this invention is providing said system whose biological body relevant information is biological information or the information of the surrounding environment of a biological body.

  Furthermore, the objective of this invention is providing said system whose biological body relevant information is arterial blood oxygen saturation.

  It is a further object of the present invention to provide a measuring device body in the above system.

  It is a further object of the present invention to provide an external measuring device in the above system.

The present invention detects a living body related information and has a first standard sensor having a first connector;
A second connector for detecting the same biological related information as the biological related information, and a sensor of another standard different from the specific standard;
A third connector that is substantially connected to the first connector, and a digital-related biometric-related information obtained by processing an output signal of the sensor of the specific standard provided through the third connector; A measuring apparatus main body having one signal processing means and display means for displaying given data;
A fourth connector that is substantially connected to the second connector, and a digital-related biometric information is obtained by processing an output signal of the sensor of the other standard provided through the fourth connector; An external measuring device having two signal processing means and a fifth connector that is substantially connected to the third connector and outputs biological-related information obtained by the second signal processing means;
With
The third connector is configured to be alternatively connectable to the first connector and the fifth connector;
The third connector has a plurality of terminals including a first group of terminals and a second group of terminals, and the third connector is substantially connected to the first connector when the third connector is substantially connected to the first connector. The measuring device main body and the sensor of the specific standard are electrically connected via a terminal of one group,
When the third connector and the fifth connector are substantially connected, the measuring device main body and the external measuring device are electrically connected through the second group of terminals of the third connector. ,
The measurement apparatus main body causes the display means to display either one of data given from the first signal processing means and data given from the second group of terminals of the third connector. There is provided switching means for switching whether to connect the first signal processing means to the display means or to connect the second group of terminals of the third connector to the display means.

  Further, according to the present invention, the switching means determines whether the fifth connector is substantially connected to the third connector based on a state of a signal given to a terminal of the third connector. A determination unit for determining, and when the determination unit determines that the fifth connector is not substantially connected to the third connector, the first signal processing unit is connected to the display unit; When the determination unit determines that the fifth connector is substantially connected to the third connector, a switching unit that connects the second group of terminals of the third connector to the display means It is characterized by having.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the living body related information is living body information or information on the surrounding environment of the living body.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the biological information is arterial oxygen saturation.

  In addition, the present invention is characterized in that it is the measurement apparatus main body in the biological related information measurement system.

  In addition, the present invention is characterized in that it is the external measurement device in the biological related information measurement system.

  According to the present invention, on the display unit of the measuring apparatus main body that processes the output signal of a sensor of a specific standard, the living body related information measured by the output signal of the sensor of the standard and the sensor of a standard different from the sensor are displayed. Precise biological related information obtained by processing the output signal with an external measurement device can be selectively displayed, so that existing sensors can be used effectively.

  FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an oxygen saturation measurement system that is an example of a living body-related information measurement system of the present invention. This system includes a sensor 1 of a specific standard for measuring oxygen saturation, an oxygen saturation measuring device main body 2 for processing the output signal of the sensor 1 to calculate oxygen saturation, and displaying the result, and sensor 1. Is composed of a sensor 3 having different standards and an external measuring device 4 which is arranged outside the oxygen saturation measuring device main body 2 and calculates an oxygen saturation by processing an output signal of the sensor 3. The sensor 1 is provided with a connector 5 (first connector), and the oxygen saturation measuring device main body 2 is provided with a connector 6 (third connector) fitted to the connector 5. The sensor 3 is provided with a connector 7 (second connector), and the external measuring device 4 is provided with a sensor connector 8 (fourth connector) fitted to the connector 7. Further, the external measuring device 4 includes an output connector 9 (fifth connector). This output connector 9 can also be fitted with the connector 6 of the oxygen saturation measuring device main body 2.

  FIG. 2 shows details of each part. The sensor 1 includes a light emitting unit 11 that emits light and a light receiving unit 12 that receives the light through a living body and converts the light into an electrical signal. The light emitting unit 11 includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) having different wavelengths and irradiates the living body with the light. Output of a signal from the sensor 1 and power supply to the sensor 1 from the outside are performed via the connector 5.

  A connector 6 provided in the oxygen saturation measuring device main body 2 is adapted to be fitted to the connector 5 of the sensor 1. The connector 5 and the connector 6 shown in FIG. 2 are schematically shown. Specifically, for example, the connector 6 has a large number of female terminals (shown by black circles) as shown in the plan view of FIG. The connector 5 includes the same number of male terminals as the female terminals of the connector 6. These female terminals and male terminals are all fitted, but only a part of the electrical connection between the sensor 1 and the oxygen saturation measuring device main body 2 is used. For example, in the case of the connector 6, only the terminals of the terminal group 61 in the region surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 3 are used. On the other hand, the terminals of the terminal group 62 in the region surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 3 are not electrically connected to the sensor 1.

  Next, the oxygen saturation measuring device main body 2 will be described. The waveform detection unit 15 detects the waveform of the output signal of the sensor 1 given through a predetermined terminal of the terminal group 61 of the connector 6. Next, the waveform is converted into a digital value by the A / D converter 16, and based on this value, the oxygen saturation calculator 17 calculates the oxygen saturation. The calculated oxygen saturation is displayed on the display unit 21 via the switching unit 20.

  Another terminal of the terminal group 61 of the connector 6 is connected to the LED driving unit 18 that drives the LED of the light emitting unit 11 of the sensor 1.

  A predetermined terminal in the terminal group 62 of the connector 6 is connected to the sensor determination unit 19 and the switching unit 20. If any signal is given to the predetermined terminal in the terminal group 62, the sensor determination unit 19 determines that fact and sends a switching signal to the switching unit 20. When the switching signal is given, the switching unit 20 is switched to send a signal from the predetermined terminal to the display unit 21.

  The power supply unit 22 supplies power to each part in the oxygen saturation measuring device main body 2 and is connected to another terminal of the terminal group 62 of the connector 6 and supplies power to the outside through the terminal. Is.

  The sensor 3 includes a light emitting unit 31 that emits light and a light receiving unit 32 that receives the light through a living body and converts the light into an electrical signal. The light emitting unit 31 includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) having different wavelengths, and irradiates the living body with the light. Output of a signal from the sensor 3 and power supply to the sensor 3 from the outside are performed via the connector 7.

  A connector 8 provided in the external measuring device 4 is adapted to be fitted to the connector 7 of the sensor 3. The connector 7 and the connector 8 shown in FIG. 2 are schematically shown. For example, the number of terminals corresponding to the number of LEDs and the wiring of the light emitting unit 31 is provided on the connector 7 and the connector 8.

  Next, the external measuring device 4 will be described. The waveform of the output signal of the sensor 3 given through the connector 8 is detected by the waveform detector 35. Next, the waveform is converted into a digital value by the A / D converter 36, and the oxygen saturation calculator 37 calculates the oxygen saturation based on this value. The calculated oxygen saturation is given to the terminal of the connector 9. The LED driving unit 38 drives the LED of the light emitting unit 31 of the sensor 3, and its output is given to the terminal of the connector 8.

  The connector 9 includes the same number of male terminals as the female terminals of the connector 6 of the oxygen saturation measuring device main body 2, and these female terminals and male terminals are coupled to each other when the connector 9 and the connector 6 are fitted together. Are arranged to be.

  When the connector 9 and the connector 6 are fitted, the output of the oxygen saturation calculation unit 37 of the external measurement device 4 reaches the sensor determination unit 19 and the switching unit 20 of the oxygen saturation measurement device main body 2, and the power supply unit 22. Supplies power to each part of the external measuring device 4.

  According to the oxygen saturation measuring system configured as described above, when the connector 5 of the sensor 1 is fitted to the connector 6 of the oxygen saturation measuring device main body 2, the display unit 21 of the oxygen saturation measuring device main body 2 becomes the sensor. The oxygen saturation obtained based on the output signal of 1 is displayed. On the other hand, when the connector 7 of the sensor 3 is fitted to the connector 8 of the external measuring device 4 and the connector 9 of the external measuring device 4 is fitted to the connector 6 of the oxygen saturation measuring device main body 2, oxygen saturation is achieved. The display unit 21 of the degree measuring device main body 2 displays the oxygen saturation obtained based on the output signal of the sensor 3.

  In the above system, there is one sensor 3 of another standard and one external measuring device 4 corresponding to it. However, the sensor 3 of another standard is a plurality of sensors having different standards, and external measurement is performed. If the device 4 is also a plurality of external measuring devices corresponding to each sensor, a system in which sensors of various standards can be used can be obtained.

  In the above example, the switching unit 20 is controlled based on the presence / absence of the signal of the predetermined terminal in the terminal group 62 in order to determine the sensor. The switching unit 20 may be controlled based on the above. Further, the switching unit 20 may be switched manually without providing the sensor determination unit 19.

  Furthermore, in the above example, the connector 5 of the sensor 1 and the connector 6 of the oxygen saturation measuring device main body 2 are directly fitted, but a relay cable is connected between both the connectors 5 and 6, and the connectors 5 and 6 are connected. The relay cable may be fitted with connectors at both ends. By doing so, the connector 5 and the connector 6 are substantially connected. Similarly, the connector 9 and the connector 6 and the connector 7 and the connector 8 may be connected via a relay cable.

  Furthermore, in the above example, the present invention is applied to an oxygen saturation measurement system. However, the system of the present invention uses a similar sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part to measure hemoglobin concentration, dye concentration, bilirubin concentration. The present invention can be similarly applied to measurement of light-absorbing substance concentration such as measurement and blood glucose level measurement.

  When the present invention is applied to each measurement system for measuring these light-absorbing substance concentrations, the oxygen saturation measuring device main body 2 shown in FIG. 2 becomes a measuring device main body for measuring the corresponding light-absorbing material concentration, The oxygen saturation calculation units 17 and 37 are calculation units that calculate the respective light-absorbing substance concentrations.

  According to such a system, the measurement result can be accurately displayed on the display unit of the measuring apparatus body regardless of whether the sensor of a specific standard is used or the sensor of another standard is used in the measurement of the concentration of the light-absorbing substance. be able to.

  The above is a system for measuring the concentration of a light-absorbing substance, but the present invention is not limited to the measurement of the concentration of a light-absorbing substance, and can be widely applied to the measurement of biological information. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described as a system for measuring certain biological related information.

  A schematic configuration of this system is shown in FIG. This system includes a sensor 1A that detects a biological signal, a measurement device main body 2A that processes the output signal of the sensor 1A to measure biological information, and displays the result, and a sensor 3A having a different standard from the sensor 1A. And an external measuring device 4A that is arranged outside the measuring device main body 2A and processes the output signal of the sensor 3A to measure biological information. The sensor 1A is provided with a connector 5A (first connector), and the measuring apparatus main body 2A is provided with a connector 6A (third connector) that fits with the connector 5A. The sensor 3A is provided with a connector 7A (second connector), and the external measuring device 4A is provided with a sensor connector 8A (fourth connector) to be fitted to the connector 7A. The external measuring device 4A includes an output connector 9A (fifth connector). This output connector 9A can also be fitted with the connector 6A of the measuring apparatus main body 2A.

  More specifically, the connector 5A is connected to the cable 200 of the sensor 1A, the connector 7A is connected to the cable 300 of the sensor 3A, and the connector 9A is connected to the cable 400 of the external measuring device 4A. 6A is attached to the case 500 of the measuring apparatus main body 2A, and the connector 8A is attached to the case 600 of the external measuring apparatus 4A.

  FIG. 5 shows the configuration of each part of this system. The sensor 1A is a sensor of a specific standard, and detects a biological related signal related to biological related information to be measured. Output of a signal from the sensor 1A and power supply from the outside to the sensor 1A are performed via the connector 5A.

  A connector 6A provided on the measuring apparatus main body 2A is adapted to be fitted to the connector 5A of the sensor 1A. The connector 5A and the connector 6A shown in FIG. 5 are schematically shown. Specifically, for example, the connector 6A has a large number of female terminals (indicated by black circles as shown in the plan view of FIG. 6). The dotted line indicates that there are a plurality of female terminals.). On the other hand, the connector 5A includes the same number of male terminals as the female terminals of the connector 6A. These female terminals and male terminals are all fitted, but the electrical connection between the sensor 1A and the measuring apparatus main body 2A is made only through a part of these terminals. For example, in the case of the connector 6A, only the terminals of the terminal group 61A in the region surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 6 are electrically connected to the sensor 1A, and are in the region surrounded by the one-dot chain line in FIG. The terminals of the terminal group 62A are not electrically connected to the sensor 1A.

  Next, the measuring apparatus body 2A detects the waveform by the waveform detector 15A from the output signal of the sensor 1A given through the signal terminal in the terminal group 61A of the connector 6A. Next, the waveform is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 16A, and based on this, the biological processing related information is obtained by the signal processing unit 17A, and the biological related information is displayed on the display unit 21A via the switching unit 20A. To do.

  Sensor driving terminals in the terminal group 61A of the connector 6A are connected to a sensor driving unit 18A that drives the sensor 1A.

  Signal terminals in the terminal group 62A of the connector 6A are connected to the sensor determination unit 19A and the switching unit 20A. While a signal is given to the signal terminal in the terminal group 62A, the sensor determination unit 19A determines that fact and sends a switching signal to the switching unit 20A. The switching unit 20A switches whether to connect the signal terminal of the terminal group 62A or the signal processing unit 17A to the display unit 21A, and the switching signal is given from the sensor determination unit 19A. If not, the signal processing unit 17A is connected to the display unit 21A, and when the switching signal is given from the sensor determination unit 19A, the signal terminal of the terminal group 62A is connected to the display unit 21A.

  The power supply unit 22A supplies power to each unit in the measurement apparatus main body 2A and is connected to a power terminal in the terminal group 62A of the connector 6A, and supplies power to the outside through the terminal. is there.

  The sensor 3A is a sensor of a standard different from that of the sensor 1A, but detects a biological related signal related to biological related information of the same measurement target as the sensor 1A. Output of the signal from the sensor 3A and power supply from the outside to the sensor 3A are performed via the connector 7A.

  A connector 8A provided on the external measuring device 4A is adapted to be fitted to a connector 7A of the sensor 3A. The connector 7A and the connector 8A shown in FIG. 5 are schematically shown, and actually, a necessary number of terminals are provided on the connector 7A and the connector 8A.

  Next, the external measuring device 4A that processes the output signal of the sensor 3A will be described. The waveform of the output signal of the sensor 3A given via the connectors 7A and 8A is detected by the waveform detector 35A. Next, the waveform is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 36A, and based on the signal, the signal processing unit 37A obtains biological related information, which is converted into data that can be displayed on the display unit 21A of the measurement apparatus main body 2A. To do. This data is given to the data terminal of the connector 9A. On the other hand, the sensor drive unit 38A drives the sensor 3A, and the output is given to the power terminal of the connector 8A.

  The connector 9A includes the same number of male terminals as the female terminals of the connector 6A of the measuring apparatus main body 2A, and these female terminals and male terminals are coupled to each other when the connector 9A and the connector 6A are fitted. Has been placed. When the connector 9A is fitted with the connector 6A, all of the male terminals and the female terminals are fitted, but the electrical connection between the external measuring device 4A and the measuring device main body 2A is via a part of the terminals. It is just done. For example, referring to the connector 6A, only the terminals of the terminal group 62A shown in FIG. 6 are electrically connected to the external measuring device 4A, and the terminals of the terminal group 61A of the connector 6A are electrically connected to the external measuring device 4A. Not connected.

  When the connector 9A and the connector 6A are fitted, the output of the signal processing unit 37A of the external measuring device 4A reaches the sensor discriminating unit 19A and the switching unit 20A of the measuring device main body 2A, and the power supply unit 22A is connected to the external measuring device. Electric power is supplied to each part of 4A.

  In this system, the connectors 5A, 7A, 9A are so-called plugs having male terminals, and the connectors 6A, 8A are so-called receptacles having female terminals, but these may be reversed or fitted together. In one pair of connectors, one connector may include both a male terminal and a female terminal, and the other connector may include both a female terminal and a male terminal corresponding to those terminals.

  According to the measurement system configured as described above, when the connector 5A of the sensor 1A is fitted to the connector 6A of the measurement apparatus main body 2A, the display unit 21A of the measurement apparatus main body 2A is obtained based on the output signal of the sensor 1A. Display biological information. On the other hand, with the connector 5A removed from the connector 6A, the connector 9A of the external measuring device 4A is fitted to the connector 6A, and the connector 7A of the sensor 3A is fitted to the connector 8A of the external measuring device 4A. In the state, the display unit 21A of the measurement apparatus main body 2A displays biological related information obtained based on the output signal of the sensor 3A.

  In the above system, there is one sensor 3A of another standard and one external measuring device 4A corresponding to the sensor 3A. However, the sensor 3A of the other standard is a plurality of sensors having different standards, and external measurement is performed. If the device 4A is also a plurality of external measuring devices corresponding to each sensor, a system in which sensors of various standards can be used can be obtained.

  In the above example, in order to determine the sensor, the switching unit 20A is controlled based on the presence / absence of a signal given to the signal terminal in the terminal group 62A. However, any terminal of the connector 6A is used. The switching unit 20 </ b> A may be controlled based on a signal given to. Further, the switching unit 20A may be switched manually without providing the sensor determination unit 19A.

  Furthermore, in the above example, the connector 5A of the sensor 1A and the connector 6A of the measuring apparatus main body 2A are directly fitted, but as shown in FIG. 7, the relay cable 100 is provided between the connectors 5A and 6A, and the connector 5A and 6A may be fitted to connectors at both ends of the relay cable. In this case, of the connectors at both ends of the relay cable, the connector that fits with the connector 6A has the same structure as the connector 5A, and the connector that fits with the connector 5A has the same structure as the connector 6A. By doing so, the connector 5A and the connector 6A are substantially connected. Similarly, the connector 9A and the connector 6A, and the connector 7A and the connector 8A may be connected via a relay cable.

  In the system described above, it is necessary to drive the sensor by supplying power to the sensors 1A and 3A among the living body related information to be measured, such as breathing related information, temperature related information, blood pressure, cardiac output, and transdermal gas concentration. There can be biological related information. Each measurement system that measures each biological related information will be described.

  First, a measurement system in which the measurement target is respiratory-related information will be described. Respiratory information includes respiratory rate, inspiratory oxygen concentration, end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration, respiratory flow, airway pressure, etc., and the type of sensor used for the measurement is different. A sensor used for each measurement and a measurement using the sensor are conventionally known. Therefore, in order to make the system of the present invention a system for measuring each respiratory related information, the sensors 1A and 3A are used in the system shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, and the measuring apparatus body 2A and the external measuring apparatus are used. 4A processes the output signals of those sensors.

  For example, when measuring the respiration rate, the sensor uses a plurality of pressure detection elements for detecting the arterial pressure pulse wave in order to calculate the respiration rate from the arterial pressure pulse wave, and detects the respiratory temperature change during respiration. A thermistor for calculating the number is used. Further, when measuring the inspiratory oxygen concentration, an oxygen sensor that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the oxygen concentration is used, and when measuring the end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration, a probe having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion is used as the sensor. . Further, when measuring the respiratory flow, a differential pressure generating mechanism is provided in a conduit for circulating the patient's respiratory gas, and the pressure sensor for detecting the differential pressure is used to measure the respiratory flow based on the differential pressure. . Further, when measuring the airway pressure, a semiconductor pressure sensor is used.

  And according to this system which measures respiration related information, the output signal of sensor 3A of a standard different from sensor 1A of a specific standard can also be processed, and the obtained respiration related information can be The output signal of the sensor 1A can be displayed on the display unit 21A of the measurement apparatus main body 2A.

  Next, the system of the present invention in which the living body related information to be measured is temperature related information will be described. In addition to body temperature, temperature-related information includes the temperature of circulating blood when performing extracorporeal circulation during cardiac surgery, etc., and the temperature of the medium (extracorporeal circulating water) for heating and cooling the circulating blood. A thermopile is used. The system of the present invention using the biological related information as temperature related information uses such sensors as the sensors 1A and 3A in the system shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 and processes output signals of these sensors.

  And according to this system which measures temperature related information, the output signal of the sensor 3A of the standard different from the sensor 1A of the specific standard can be processed, and the obtained temperature related information is converted to the specific standard. The output signal of the sensor 1A can be displayed on the display unit 21A of the measurement apparatus main body 2A.

  Next, the system of the present invention in which the biological related information to be measured is blood pressure will be described. For example, a strain gauge is used as a sensor for measuring blood pressure. The system according to the present invention in which the biological information is blood pressure uses such sensors as the sensors 1A and 3A in the systems shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 and processes output signals of these sensors.

  According to the present system for measuring blood pressure, an output signal of a sensor 3A having a standard different from the sensor 1A having a specific standard can be processed, and the obtained blood pressure is output from the sensor 1A having the specific standard. The signal can be displayed on the display unit 21A of the measurement apparatus main body 2A.

  Next, the system of the present invention in which the living body related information to be measured is the cardiac output will be described. To measure cardiac output, in order to estimate changes in blood volume in the aorta and fluid volume in the chest, what is obtained by measuring the amount of heat loss due to blood flow of a thermistor that self-heats by energization of current, Conventionally, what is obtained by measuring changes in the electrical impedance of the thorax with a plurality of biological electrodes is known. The system of the present invention in which the biological information is the cardiac output is the system shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 that uses such sensors as the sensors 1A and 3A and processes the output signals of those sensors. It is.

  According to the present system for measuring the cardiac output, the output signal of the sensor 3A having a standard different from the sensor 1A having the specific standard can be processed, and the obtained cardiac output can be determined as the specific cardiac output. The output signal of the standard sensor 1A can be displayed on the display unit 21A of the measuring apparatus main body 2A.

  Next, the system of the present invention in which the living body related information to be measured is the transdermal gas concentration will be described. Sensors that measure transdermal gas concentrations include sensors that have electrodes that electrochemically detect gas generated by heating the skin. The system of the present invention in which the living body related information is the transdermal gas concentration uses such sensors as the sensors 1A and 3A in the systems shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 and processes their output signals.

  Then, according to the present system for measuring the transdermal gas concentration, the output signal of the sensor 3A having a standard different from the sensor 1A having the specific standard can be processed, and the obtained transdermal gas concentration is determined by the specific transdermal gas concentration. The output signal of the standard sensor 1A can be displayed on the display unit 21A of the measuring apparatus main body 2A.

  In the measurement systems described above, it is necessary to drive the sensor by supplying power to the sensors 1A and 3A, but there is a system that does not need to supply power to the sensor. For example, this is the case where the sensor is a bioelectrode that detects an electrical signal generated in the living body such as an electrocardiogram, an electroencephalogram, or myoelectricity. Hereinafter, such a system will be described. The schematic configuration of this system is the same as the schematic configuration of the system shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 shows the detailed configuration of the system of the present invention. The sensor 1B of a specific standard detects a biological signal related to biological related information to be measured. Output of a signal from the sensor 1B is performed via the connector 5B.

  A connector 6B provided on the measuring device main body 2B is adapted to be fitted to the connector 5B of the sensor 1B. The connector 5B and the connector 6B shown in FIG. 8 are schematically shown. Specifically, for example, the connector 6B has a large number of female terminals (indicated by black circles as shown in the plan view of FIG. The dotted line indicates that there are a plurality of female terminals.). On the other hand, the connector 5B includes the same number of male terminals as the female terminals of the connector 6B. All of these female terminals and male terminals are fitted, but the electrical connection between the sensor 1B and the measuring apparatus main body 2B is only made through a part of these terminals. For example, in the case of the connector 6B, only the terminals of the terminal group 61B in the region surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 9 are electrically connected to the sensor 1B, and are in the region surrounded by the one-dot chain line in FIG. The terminals of the terminal group 62B are not electrically connected to the sensor 1B.

  Next, the measuring apparatus main body 2B amplifies the signal from the output signal of the sensor 1B given through the signal terminal in the terminal group 61B of the connector 6B by the signal amplifying unit 15B. Next, the signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 16B, the biological processing related information is obtained by the signal processing unit 17B based on this signal, and the biological related information is obtained by the display unit 21B via the switching unit 20B. indicate.

  Signal terminals in the terminal group 62B of the connector 6B are connected to the sensor determination unit 19B and the switching unit 20B. The sensor discriminating unit 19B discriminates that while a signal is given to the signal terminal in the terminal group 62B, and sends a switching signal to the switching unit 20B. The switching unit 20B switches whether the signal terminal of the terminal group 62B or the signal processing unit 17B is connected to the display unit 21B, and the switching signal is given from the sensor determination unit 19B. If not, the signal processing unit 17B is connected to the display unit 21B, and when the switching signal is given from the sensor determination unit 19B, the signal terminal of the terminal group 62B is connected to the display unit 21B.

  The power supply unit 22B supplies power to each unit in the measurement apparatus main body 2B and is connected to a power terminal in the terminal group 62B of the connector 6B, and supplies power to the outside through the terminal. is there.

  The sensor 3B is a sensor having a standard different from that of the sensor 1B, but detects a biological signal related to biological related information of the same measurement target as the sensor 1B. The output of the signal from the sensor 3B is performed via the connector 7B.

  A connector 8B provided on the external measuring device 4B is adapted to be fitted to the connector 7B of the sensor 3B. The connector 7B and the connector 8B shown in FIG. 8 are schematically shown, and actually, a necessary number of terminals are provided on the connector 7B and the connector 8B.

  Next, the external measuring device 4B that processes the output signal of the sensor 3B will be described. The output signal of the sensor 3B given through the connectors 7B and 8B is amplified by the signal amplifying unit 35B. Next, the signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 36B, and based on this signal, the signal processing unit 37B obtains biological related information, which is used as display data on the display unit 21B of the measuring apparatus main body 2B. To do. This data is given to the terminal of the connector 9B.

  The connector 9B has the same number of male terminals as the female terminals of the connector 6B of the measuring apparatus main body 2B, and these female terminals and male terminals are coupled to each other when the connector 9B and the connector 6B are fitted. Has been placed. When the connector 9B is fitted to the connector 6B, all of the male terminals and the female terminals are fitted, but the electrical connection between the external measuring device 4B and the measuring device main body 2B is via a part of the terminals. It is just done. For example, in the connector 6B, only the terminals of the terminal group 62B shown in FIG. 9 are electrically connected to the external measuring device 4B, and the terminals of the terminal group 61B of the connector 6B are electrically connected to the external measuring device 4B. Not connected.

  When the connector 9B and the connector 6B are fitted, the output of the signal processing unit 37B of the external measurement device 4B reaches the sensor determination unit 19B and the switching unit 20B of the measurement device main body 2B, and the power supply unit 22B is connected to the external measurement device. Electric power is supplied to each part of 4B.

  In this system, the connectors 5B, 7B, and 9B are so-called plugs having male terminals, and the connectors 6B and 8B are so-called receptacles having female terminals. In one pair of connectors, one connector may include both a male terminal and a female terminal, and the other connector may include both a female terminal and a male terminal corresponding to those terminals.

  According to the measurement system configured as described above, when the connector 5B of the sensor 1B is fitted to the connector 6B of the measurement apparatus main body 2B, the display unit 21B of the measurement apparatus main body 2B is obtained based on the output signal of the sensor 1B. Display biological information. On the other hand, with the connector 5B removed from the connector 6B, the connector 9B of the external measuring device 4B is fitted to the connector 6B, and the connector 7B of the sensor 3B is fitted to the connector 8B of the external measuring device 4B. In the state, the display unit 21B of the measurement apparatus main body 2B displays the biological related information obtained based on the output signal of the sensor 3B.

  In the above system, there is one sensor 3B of another standard and one external measuring device 4B corresponding to it. However, the sensor 3B of the other standard is a plurality of sensors having different standards, and external measurement is performed. If the device 4B is also a plurality of external measuring devices corresponding to each sensor, a system in which sensors of various standards can be used can be obtained.

  In the above example, in order to determine the sensor, the switching unit 20B is controlled based on the presence / absence of a signal given to the signal terminal in the terminal group 62B. However, any terminal of the connector 6B is used. The switching unit 20B may be controlled on the basis of a signal given to. Further, the switching unit 20B may be switched manually without providing the sensor determination unit 19B.

  Further, as described in the measurement system shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, a relay cable may be provided between the connectors 5B and 6B, and the connectors 5B and 6B may be fitted to connectors at both ends of the relay cable. . In this case, of the connectors at both ends of the relay cable, the connector that fits with the connector 6B has the same structure as the connector 5B, and the connector that fits with the connector 5B has the same structure as the connector 6B. By doing so, the connector 5B and the connector 6B are substantially connected. Similarly, the connector 9B and the connector 6B, and the connector 7B and the connector 8B may also be connected via a relay cable.

  In this system, when the living body related information to be measured is an electrocardiogram or an electroencephalogram, a sensor composed of a plurality of living body electrodes is usually used as the sensors 1B and 3B.

  According to this system for measuring electrocardiogram or electroencephalogram, the output signal of the sensor 3B having a standard different from the sensor 1B having a specific standard can be processed to obtain electrocardiogram data or electroencephalogram data. The output signal of the sensor 1B of the specific standard can be displayed on the display unit 21B of the measuring apparatus main body 2B.

  In the present system, when the living body related information to be measured is myoelectric, bioelectric electrodes for detecting myoelectricity are used for the sensors 1B and 3B.

  According to this system for measuring myoelectricity, it is possible to obtain the myoelectric data by processing the output signal of the sensor 3B with a standard different from the sensor 1B with the specific standard, The output signal of the sensor 1B can be displayed on the display unit 21B of the measurement apparatus main body 2B.

  The living body related information measuring system of the present invention is not limited to the above living body related information, and can be applied to living body information representing various living body states and environmental information affecting the living body.

It is the figure which showed schematic structure of the oxygen saturation measuring system of this invention. It is the figure which showed the detail of each part shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the connector 6 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. It is the figure which showed schematic structure of the biological body relevant information measurement system of this invention. It is the figure which showed the detail of each part shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the connector 6A shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. It is a figure for demonstrating the relay cable used in the measurement system shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. It is the figure which showed the detailed structure of the other biological information measuring system of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the connector 6B shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1A, 1B sensor (specific sensor)
2. Oxygen saturation measuring device main body 2A, 2B Measuring device main body 3, 3A, 3B Sensor (sensor of other standards)
4, 4A, 4B External measuring device 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A, 9A, 5B, 6B, 7B, 8B, 9B, connector

Claims (6)

A sensor of a specific standard that detects biological information and has a first connector;
A second connector for detecting the same biological related information as the biological related information, and a sensor of another standard different from the specific standard;
A third connector that is substantially connected to the first connector, and a digital-related biometric-related information obtained by processing an output signal of the sensor of the specific standard provided through the third connector; A measuring apparatus main body having one signal processing means and display means for displaying given data;
A fourth connector that is substantially connected to the second connector, and a digital-related biometric information is obtained by processing an output signal of the sensor of the other standard provided through the fourth connector; An external measuring device having two signal processing means and a fifth connector that is substantially connected to the third connector and outputs biological-related information obtained by the second signal processing means;
With
The third connector is configured to be alternatively connectable to the first connector and the fifth connector;
The third connector has a plurality of terminals including a first group of terminals and a second group of terminals, and the third connector is substantially connected to the first connector when the third connector is substantially connected to the first connector. The measuring device main body and the sensor of the specific standard are electrically connected via a terminal of one group,
When the third connector and the fifth connector are substantially connected, the measuring device main body and the external measuring device are electrically connected through the second group of terminals of the third connector. ,
The measurement apparatus main body causes the display means to display either one of data given from the first signal processing means and data given from the second group of terminals of the third connector. A living body comprising: a switching means for switching whether the first signal processing means is connected to the display means or the second group terminal of the third connector is connected to the display means. Related information measurement system. The switching means, based on a state of a signal given to the terminal of the third connector, a determination unit for determining whether or not the fifth connector is substantially connected to the third connector; When the determination unit determines that the fifth connector is not substantially connected to the third connector, the first signal processing unit is connected to the display unit, and the determination unit is connected to the third connector. A switching unit for connecting the second group of terminals of the third connector to the display means when it is determined that the fifth connector is substantially connected to the connector. The living body related information measuring system according to claim 1. The living body related information measuring system according to claim 1, wherein the living body related information is living body information or information on a surrounding environment of the living body. The living body related information measuring system according to claim 1, wherein the living body related information is arterial blood oxygen saturation. The said measuring apparatus main body in the biological body related information measuring system as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4. The external measurement device in the living body related information measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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