JP5762790B2 - Biological information measuring sensor, biological information measuring apparatus, and biological information measuring method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a biological information measuring sensor, a biological information measuring device, and a biological information measuring method used to measure biological information such as respiratory information of a subject.

  In medical institutions (eg, hospitals), nursing homes, general households, etc., in order to understand the health status of subjects such as sick people, elderly people, healthy people, infants, etc. Measurement of biological information such as

  As sensors used for the measurement, JP 2009-112646 A, JP 2008-229361 A, JP 2008-229359 A, JP 2008-178738 A, JP 2008-178734 A, JP As described in 2008-99957, JP-A-2008-99747, JP-A-2008-67979, JP-A-2006-43445, JP-A-2005-253957, etc. The thing provided with the strain generating board (a laying board part and a receiving board part are included) arrange | positioned in the aspect extended in a left-right direction of a test subject under a test subject is known (refer patent documents 1-10).

  These sensors are configured such that the strain of the strain generating plate that occurs due to the biological activity of the subject is detected by a detection unit provided on the strain generating plate. The output signal from the detection unit is used for measuring the biological information of the subject.

  In these sensors, the strain plate is bent downward as the weight of the subject is applied to the strain plate. At this time, when the bent strain generating plate comes into contact with the bed surface, it becomes difficult for the strain generating plate to generate a strain corresponding to the biological activity of the subject, and as a result, the measurement accuracy of the biological information of the subject decreases. Therefore, it is desirable that the strain generating plate is supported so that it does not come into contact with the bed surface even if the strain generating plate is bent downward. Accordingly, in order to prevent the strain plate from coming into contact with the bed surface even if the strain plate is bent downward, for example, the strain plate may be supported at a high position with respect to the bed surface. Gets worse. Therefore, in order to improve the sleeping comfort of the subject, the height of the strain generating plate is desirably as low as possible, that is, the thickness of the sensor is desirably as thin as possible.

JP 2009-112646 A JP 2008-229361 A JP 2008-229359 A JP 2008-178738 A JP 2008-178734 A JP 2008-99957 A JP 2008-99747 A JP 2008-67979 A JP 2006-43445 A JP 2005-253957 A

  Therefore, the strain plate used in these sensors has a long length in the left-right direction. For this reason, the sensor becomes bulky when the sensor is stored when the sensor is not in use, and a large storage space is required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described technical background, and an object of the present invention is to use a biological information measurement sensor that can be stored in a compact state, a biological information measurement device including the sensor, and the sensor. It is to provide a biological information measuring method.

  The present invention provides the following means.

[1] Provided with a plurality of strain generating plates arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the subject on the lower side of the subject on the bed surface,
Each strain plate is provided with a detection unit that detects a strain of the strain plate and outputs a signal used to measure biological information of the subject.
A biological information measuring sensor, wherein strain-generating plates adjacent to each other in the left-right direction are connected to each other via a connecting part that can be bent.

[2] A detection unit is provided at the middle portion in the left-right direction of each strain plate,
It comprises a left pedestal and a right pedestal that support the left and right ends of each strain plate, respectively.
When a plurality of strain generating plates are arranged on the bed surface, the left end portion and the right end portion of each strain generating plate are in a state where the middle portion in the left-right direction of each strain generating plate is spaced upward from the bed surface. The biological information measuring sensor according to the preceding item 1, wherein each is supported by a left pedestal portion and a right pedestal portion.

[3] A belt-like flexible base sheet that is continuous from at least the position of the left end portion to the position of the right end portion of the strain generating plate group is disposed below the strain generating plate group including a plurality of strain generating plates.
On the upper surface of the base sheet, all left pedestal parts and right pedestal parts are provided in a fixed state,
3. The biological information measuring sensor according to item 2, wherein the connecting portion is formed from a part of the base sheet.

  [4] The biological information measurement sensor according to item 3, wherein the entire strain generating plate group and the base sheet are collectively covered with a cover body.

[5] The connecting portion includes a left pedestal portion supporting the left end portion of the right strain generating plate and a right pedestal portion supporting the right end portion of the left strain generating plate among the strain generating plates adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. Is provided in a fixed state,
The living body according to item 2, wherein the connecting portion is formed separately from a right pedestal portion that supports a right end portion of the right strain-generating plate and a left pedestal portion that supports a left end portion of the left-side strain generating plate. Information measurement sensor.

  [6] The living body according to item 5 above, wherein the strain generating plate group including a plurality of strain generating plates, all the connecting portions, and all of the left pedestal portion and the right pedestal portion are collectively covered with a flexible cover body. Information measurement sensor.

[7] The strain plate group including a plurality of strain plates and all of the left pedestal portion and the right pedestal portion are collectively covered with a flexible cover body,
The cover body has a lower cover portion arranged on the lower side of the strain plate group,
On the upper surface of the lower cover part, all left pedestal parts and right pedestal parts are provided in a fixed state,
3. The biological information measuring sensor according to item 2, wherein the connecting portion is formed from a part of the lower cover portion.

  [8] The biological information according to any one of 1 to 7 above, wherein a positioning concave portion for determining an arrangement position of a corresponding end portion of the strain generating plate is provided on an upper surface of each left pedestal portion and each right pedestal portion. Measuring sensor.

  [9] The biological information according to any one of 1 to 8 above, wherein the detection unit has one type or two or more types selected from the group consisting of a strain gauge, a piezoelectric element, a pressure sensitive element, and a conductive rubber. Measuring sensor.

[10] The biological information measurement sensor according to any one of 1 to 9 above,
A calculation unit that calculates biological information of the subject based on output signals from each detection unit of the sensor;
And a communication unit that transmits the biological information calculated by the calculation unit.

  [11] The biological information measuring apparatus according to item 10, wherein the communication unit transmits biological information to an air conditioner that air-conditions a room where the subject is present.

  [12] The biological information measuring device according to item 10 or 11, wherein the communication unit transmits biological information to the alarm device.

  [13] A biological information measuring method, comprising: measuring biological information of a subject using the biological information measuring sensor according to any one of 1 to 9 above.

  The present invention has the following effects.

  According to the biological information measuring sensor described in [1] above, when the sensor is used, a plurality of strain generating plates are arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the subject below the subject on the bed surface. And the distortion accompanying a test subject's biological activity generate | occur | produces in at least 1 strain generating board among several strain generating boards. This distortion is detected by the detection unit, and a signal used for measuring the biological information of the subject is output from the detection unit. The biological information of the subject is measured using this signal. In such a sensor, the strain-generating plates adjacent to each other in the left-right direction in the plurality of strain-generating plates are connected via a foldable connecting portion. The plate can be folded at the connecting portion. Therefore, the sensor can be stored in a compact state.

  In the sensor according to [2], the plurality of strain generating plates are arranged on the bed surface so that the middle portions in the left-right direction of the strain generating plates are separated from the bed surface upward. Since the left end portion and the right end portion of the strain generating plate are respectively supported by the left pedestal portion and the right pedestal portion, distortion is locally generated in the intermediate portion in the left-right direction of the strain generating plate with the biological activity of the subject. Therefore, by providing the detection unit at the intermediate portion in the left-right direction of the strain generating plate, the strain of the strain generating plate generated with the biological activity of the subject can be reliably detected by the detection unit.

  Furthermore, since the plurality of strain generating plates are arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the subject, the length of each strain generating plate in the left-right direction can be made shorter than the strain generating plate used in the conventional sensor. it can. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the amount of bending of the strain generating plate in the downward direction, which is caused by the subject's body weight being applied to the strain generating plate. Thereby, the thickness of the sensor can be reduced, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the subject's sleep comfort from being deteriorated due to the sensor being placed on the lower side of the subject.

  In the sensor described in [3] above, since all the left pedestal portions and right pedestal portions are fixedly provided on the upper surface of the base sheet, the left pedestal portion and the right pedestal portion of the strain generating plate are produced during the manufacture of the sensor. Can be easily arranged. Furthermore, since the connecting portion is formed from a part of the base sheet, it is not necessary to separately prepare the connecting portion when manufacturing the sensor. Therefore, the sensor can be easily manufactured.

  In the sensor described in [4], damage to the sensor (detection unit, strain plate, etc.) due to the subject's sweat, urine, or the like can be prevented by the cover body.

  In the sensor described in [5], the connecting portion is provided with a left pedestal portion supporting the left end portion of the right strain generating plate and a right pedestal portion supporting the right end portion of the left strain generating plate in a fixed state. The connecting portion is formed separately from the right pedestal portion that supports the right end portion of the right strain plate and the left pedestal portion that supports the left end portion of the left strain plate. Therefore, there is no base sheet below the middle part in the left-right direction of each strain generating plate. Thereby, the thickness of the sensor can be further reduced by the thickness of the base sheet. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent deterioration of the subject's sleeping comfort due to the sensor being disposed on the lower side of the subject.

  In the sensor described in [6], damage to the sensor (detection unit, strain plate, etc.) due to the subject's sweat, urine, or the like can be prevented by the cover body.

  In the sensor described in [7], damage to the sensor (detection unit, strain plate, etc.) due to the subject's sweat, urine, or the like can be prevented by the cover body.

  Furthermore, since all the left pedestal portions and the right pedestal portion are fixedly provided on the upper surface of the lower cover portion of the cover body, this sensor does not include a base sheet. Therefore, the thickness of the sensor can be further reduced by the thickness of the base sheet. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent deterioration of the subject's sleeping comfort due to the sensor being disposed on the lower side of the subject.

  Further, since it is not necessary to separately prepare a base sheet when manufacturing the sensor, the number of parts necessary for manufacturing the sensor can be reduced, and the sensor can be manufactured easily and inexpensively.

  In the sensor described in [8], the placement work (positioning work) on the left pedestal portion and the right pedestal portion of the strain generating plate can be more easily performed during the manufacture of the sensor. Therefore, the sensor can be manufactured more easily.

  In the sensor described in [9], the strain of the strain generating plate can be reliably detected by the detection unit.

  Since the biological information measuring device according to [10] includes the sensor, the same effect as the sensor can be obtained. Furthermore, the biological information of the subject can be transmitted to an external device or the like by the communication unit.

  In the biological information measuring device according to [11], the biological information of the subject can be transmitted to the air conditioner as an external device by the communication unit. Based on the biometric information thus transmitted, the air conditioner performs predetermined air conditioning on the room where the subject is present.

  In the biological information measuring device according to [12], the biological information of the subject can be transmitted to an alarm device as an external device by the communication unit. Based on the biometric information thus transmitted, the alarm device issues an alarm when the biometric information is abnormal.

  According to the biological information measuring method described in the preceding item [13], the same effect as that of the sensor can be obtained.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the biological information of a subject is measured using the biological information measuring device including the biological information measuring sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a plan view of the sensor. FIG. 2B is a side view of the sensor. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 2A. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. 2A. FIG. 5A is a plan view of the sensor with a cover body and a relay box of the sensor omitted. FIG. 5B is a side view of FIG. 5A. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state during the manufacture of the sensor. FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state during the manufacture of the sensor. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line ZZ in FIG. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the sensor in a state in which the entire strain generating plate group and the base sheet of the sensor are collectively covered with a cover body. FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway plan view showing the internal structure of the relay box. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the biological information measuring apparatus. FIG. 12A is a side view showing an example of the sensor folded in three. FIG. 12B is a side view showing another example of the sensor folded in three. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 in the biological information measurement sensor according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14A is a plan view of the sensor with the cover body and the relay box of the sensor omitted. FIG. 14B is a side view of FIG. 14A. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a state during the manufacture of the sensor. FIG. 16 is a side view showing a state during the manufacture of the sensor. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 in the biological information measurement sensor according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a state during the manufacture of the sensor. FIG. 19 is a side view showing a state during the manufacture of the sensor. FIG. 20 is a plan view of a strain generating plate showing a modification of the detection unit.

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

  1 to 12B are diagrams illustrating the biological information measuring sensor 1A and the biological information measuring device 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the biological information measuring device 30 of the first embodiment includes the biological information measuring sensor 1A, the controller 35, and the like of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the sensor 1A of the first embodiment is arranged in a manner extending in the left-right direction of the subject H below the chest (test site) of the subject H on the bed surface 41 of the bed 40. Has been used. The left-right direction of the subject H is the same as the width direction of the bed surface 41. As the subject H, a sick person, an elderly person, a healthy person, an infant, and the like are listed.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5B, the sensor 1A includes a plurality of strain generating plates 2, a plurality of detection units 10, a plurality of left pedestal units 3 and right pedestal units 4, a base sheet 7, a cover body 20, and the like. Yes. In the first embodiment, the number of strain generating plates 2 is three.

  These strain generating plates 2 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the subject H below the chest of the subject H on the bed surface 41. Further, there is a slight gap between the strain-generating plates 2 and 2 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction.

  These strain generating plates 2 have the same configuration, and the configuration of one of the strain generating plates 2 will be mainly described below.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the strain-generating plate 2 is made of a rectangular metal extending in the left-right direction in a plan view, and particularly made of aluminum (including an alloy thereof) is light in weight of the sensor 1A. This is desirable for reasons such as that it can be made uniform and that an appropriate bending stiffness can be obtained. However, in the present invention, the strain generating plate 2 is not limited to being made of aluminum, but may be made of resin, for example.

  The length of the strain generating plate 2 (that is, the length in the left-right direction of the strain generating plate 2) is not limited, but is preferably 100 to 500 mm, and specifically 220 mm, for example. The width of the strain generating plate 2 is not limited, but is particularly preferably 40 to 300 mm, and specifically 80 mm, for example. The thickness of the strain generating plate 2 is not limited, but is preferably 0.1 to 3 mm, specifically 1.5 mm, for example.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the detection unit 10 is provided in a fixed state at the middle portion in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the strain plate 2. The detection unit 10 detects distortion (and fluctuations) of the strain plate 2 caused by the biological activity of the subject H (e.g., breathing, heartbeat, turning activity) as the biological activity related information of the subject H. . The detection unit 10 outputs a signal used for measuring the biological information of the subject H (e.g., breathing, heartbeat, and turning activity information), and in particular, outputs a signal used for measuring the respiratory information as the biological information of the subject H. The

  In the first embodiment, two strain gauges 11 and 11 are used as the detection unit 10. These strain gauges 11 are affixed to an intermediate portion in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the strain generating plate 2 along the width direction of the strain generating plate 2 with an adhesive or the like. The upper surface of the plate 2 is fixed to the middle portion in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 11, these strain gauges 11 and 11 are incorporated in a bridge circuit (in detail, a Wheatstone bridge circuit) 17 together with two dummy gauges (dummy resistors) 16 and 16. That is, the bridge circuit 17 is formed by two strain gauges 11 and 11 and two dummy gauges 16 and 16. In the first embodiment, since the number of strain generating plates 2 is three, the number of bridge circuits 17 is also three. The dummy gauge 16 is disposed in the controller 35, and more specifically, is mounted on an electronic board disposed in the controller 35. In the figure, reference numeral 18 denotes a voltage input unit (voltage application unit) that inputs (applies) a voltage to each bridge circuit 17. This voltage input unit 18 is also arranged in the controller 35.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a flexible signal transmission cable 19 is electrically connected to the detection unit 10. As this cable 19, flexible printed circuit (FPC) is used in order to minimize asperities on the upper surface of the strain generating plate 2 caused by the cable 19 being disposed on the upper surface of the strain generating plate 2. In addition, a flexible flat cable (FFC) is used, and a multi-core cable or the like is further used.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the left end portion 2a and the right end portion 2b of the strain generating plate 2 are arranged when the strain generating plate 2 is disposed on the bed surface 41 (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3). The left pedestal portion 3 and the right pedestal are arranged so that the intermediate portion 2c in the left-right direction of the strain generating plate 2 is spaced upward with respect to the bed surface 41, that is, so that the strain generating plate 2 has a doubly supported beam shape. It is supported from below by the portion 4.

  The left pedestal portion 3 and the right pedestal portion 4 are each made of rubber. Further, positioning concave portions 5 for determining the arrangement position of the strain-generating plate 2 are provided on the upper surfaces (that is, the seating surfaces) of the left pedestal portion 3 and the right pedestal portion 4. That is, when the corresponding end portions 2a and 2b of the strain generating plate 2 are fitted into the recess 5, the position of the strain generating plate 2 in the horizontal direction is determined. The depth of the recess 5 is set to be substantially the same as or slightly smaller than the thickness of the strain generating plate 2.

  Furthermore, the left end portion 2a and the right end portion 2b of the strain generating plate 2 are fixed to the left pedestal portion 3 and the right pedestal portion 4 respectively by double-sided adhesive tapes 8 and 8 so as not to be displaced from the left and right pedestal portions 3 and 4. (See FIG. 4). In the first embodiment, the double-sided adhesive tape 8 is used as means for fixing the left end portion 2a and the right end portion 2b of the strain generating plate 2 to the left pedestal portion 3 and the right pedestal portion 4, respectively. In addition, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener may be used.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A, the left pedestal portion 3 is divided into two parts separated in the width direction of the strain generating plate 2, and a cable 19 extending from the detection unit 10 is provided in the separated part. Is passed. Similarly, the right pedestal portion 4 is also divided into two parts spaced apart in the width direction of the strain generating plate 2, and a cable 19 extending from the detection unit 10 is passed through this separated part.

  The base sheet 7 is disposed below the strain generating plate group 2G including the three strain generating plates 2, 2, and 2. The base sheet 7 is formed of a flexible sheet material, and specifically, for example, is formed of a flexible rubber sheet material. Therefore, the base sheet 7 can be bent at all locations in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the length of the base sheet 7 is set slightly larger than the length in the left-right direction of the strain generating plate group 2G. That is, the base sheet 7 is a belt-like shape extending in the left-right direction continuously from the position slightly left of the left end portion of the strain plate group 2G to the position slightly right of the right end portion of the strain plate group 2G. Is. Although the length of the base sheet 7 is not limited, it is specifically 800 mm, for example. The width of the base sheet 7 is not limited, but is set slightly larger than the width of the strain-generating plate 2, and specifically, for example, 100 mm. The thickness of the base sheet 7 is not limited, but is specifically 0.5 mm, for example.

  All the left pedestal portions 3 and the right pedestal portions 4 are fixedly provided on the upper surface of the base sheet 7. In the first embodiment, all the left pedestal portions 3 and the right pedestal portions 4 are fixed to the upper surface of the base sheet 7 with an adhesive or the like.

  In the strain generating plate group 2G, the left pedestal portion 3 that supports the left end portion 2a of the right strain generating plate 2 and the right end portion 2b of the left strain generating plate 2 among the strain generating plates 2, 2 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. A slight gap S is formed between the supporting right pedestal portion 4 (see FIG. 5A). The size of the gap S is, for example, 10 to 20 mm. The portion of the base sheet 7 existing in the gap S forms a connecting portion 6 that connects the right strain plate 2 and the left strain plate 2. Here, as described above, since the base sheet 7 is formed of a flexible sheet material, the connecting portion 6 can be bent. Accordingly, the two strain generating plates 2 and 2 are connected to each other via the connecting portion 6 and can be bent at the connecting portion 6. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the three strain generating plates 2, 2, and 2 are configured to be folded in three.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cover body 20 is waterproof and covers all of the strain generating plate group 2 </ b> G and the base sheet 7, and is formed of a flexible sheet material. Specifically, it is formed from a flexible resin sheet material such as polyvinyl chloride. For this reason, the cover body 20 can be bent at all positions in the left-right direction.

  The cover body 20 includes an upper cover portion 21 that covers the upper surface of the strain generating plate group 2G, a lower cover portion 22 that is disposed below the strain generating plate group 2G and covers the lower surface of the base sheet 7, and a strain generating plate. It has the outer periphery cover part 23 which covers the outer peripheral surface of the group 2G and the base sheet 7. The strain generating plate group 2G is covered with the upper cover portion 21 and the lower surface of the base sheet 7 is covered with the lower cover portion 22. Further, the outer peripheral edge portion of the upper cover portion 21 and the outer peripheral edge portion of the lower cover portion 22 are Are integrally welded to the outer peripheral cover portion 23. As a result, the entire strain generating plate group 2G and the base sheet 7 are collectively covered by the cover body 20. The thicknesses of the upper cover portion 21 and the lower cover portion 22 are each 0.1 mm, for example.

  The relay box 9 is disposed on one end side in the left-right direction of the strain generating plate group 2G. In the first embodiment, the relay box 9 is disposed on the right end side of the strain generating plate group 2G. The relay box 9 is attached to the right end portion of the cover body 20. Inside the relay box 9, a signal transmission cable 19 extending from each detection unit 10 and a signal transmission cable 37 extending from the controller 35 are electrically connected (see FIG. 10).

  The sensor 1A of the first embodiment is manufactured as follows. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, all the left pedestal portions 3 and the right pedestal portions 4 are fixed to the upper surface of the base sheet 7 at a predetermined interval. Double-sided adhesive tapes 8 and 8 are attached to the bottom surfaces of the positioning recesses 5 of the left and right pedestal portions 3 and 4 (see FIG. 8). Then, the left end 2a and the right end 2b of each strain generating plate 2 are arranged on the corresponding left pedestal 3 and right pedestal 4 respectively. At this time, the left end portion 2a and the right end portion 2b of each strain generating plate 2 are fitted in the positioning recess 5 of the left pedestal portion 3 and the positioning recess 5 of the right pedestal portion 4, respectively, so Positioning of the strain generating plate 2 on the left pedestal portion 3 and the right pedestal portion 4 in the length direction and width direction of the plate 2 is performed. Therefore, the placement work of the strain generating plate 2 on the left pedestal portion 3 and the right pedestal portion 4 can be easily performed. Further, the left end portion 2a and the right end portion 2b of the strain generating plate 2 are fixed to the left pedestal portion 3 and the right pedestal portion 4 by the double-sided adhesive tape 8, respectively.

  Two strain gauges 11, 11 as the detection unit 10 are attached to the middle portion in the left-right direction on the upper surface of each strain generating plate 2. Further, a cable 19 is electrically connected to each detection unit 10. The cable 19 is led out from each detection unit 10 to one end side in the left-right direction of the strain plate group 2G, and is led to the right end side of the strain plate group 2G in the first embodiment.

  Next, the entire strain generating plate group 2 </ b> G and the base sheet 7 are collectively covered with the cover body 20. That is, the upper cover portion 21 of the cover body 20 covers the upper surface of the strain generating plate group 2G, the lower cover portion 22 of the cover body 20 covers the lower surface of the base sheet 7, and the outer peripheral edge portion of the upper cover portion 21 The outer peripheral edge portion of the cover portion 22 is integrally welded to the outer peripheral cover portion 23 to be integrated. In FIG. 9, a portion 25 indicated by dot hatching is a heat welded portion with the outer peripheral cover portion 23 of the upper cover portion 21. At this time, the lead-out portion of the cable 19 in the upper cover portion 21 and the lower cover portion 22 is not thermally welded. Thus, the entire strain generating plate group 2G and the base sheet 7 are collectively covered by the cover body 20.

  Next, the relay box 9 is attached to the right end portion of the cover body 20. As shown in FIG. 10, the cable 19 extending from each detection unit 10 and the cable 37 extending from the controller 35 are electrically connected inside the relay box 9. In the figure, 9a is a connection board, 9b is a connector for a cable 19, and 9c is a holding member for a cable 37.

  With the above procedure, the sensor 1A of the first embodiment is manufactured.

  Next, the biological information measuring device 30 of the first embodiment will be described below.

  In this measuring apparatus 30, as shown in FIG. 11, the controller 35 includes an A / D conversion unit 31, a calculation unit 32, a storage unit 33, a communication unit 34, and the like, and further an electronic board (not shown). It has. A dummy gauge 16 incorporated in the bridge circuit 17 of each detection unit 10 of the sensor 1A is mounted on the electronic board. Further, the controller 35 is configured to operate with external power supplied from the power supply cord 38 (see FIG. 2A).

  And in this measuring device 30, if each detection part 10 of sensor 1A detects distortion of each distorted plate 2, electric signal (voltage) corresponding to the distortion concerned will be used for measurement of subject's H living body information. A signal is continuously output in time from each detector 10. This output signal is transmitted to the A / D converter 31 of the controller 35 through the cable 19 and the cable 37. The A / D converter 31 converts the transmitted signal from an analog signal to a digital signal continuously in time.

  The calculation unit 32 calculates the biological information of the subject H continuously in time based on the digital signal converted by the A / D conversion unit 31, and includes a computer having a CPU and the like.

  The memory | storage part 33 memorize | stores the biometric information of the test subject H calculated by the calculating part 32 continuously in time, and has a memory card (example: SD card).

  The communication unit 34 transmits the biological information of the subject H calculated by the calculation unit 32 to the external device 50 wirelessly or by wire. In the first embodiment, the communication unit 34 is a wireless communication unit such as an infrared communication unit. As shown in FIG. 1, an air conditioner (eg, an air conditioner, a cooler, (Heater, electric fan) 51, alarm device 52, etc. are transmitted wirelessly.

  The air conditioner 51 air-conditions the room in which the subject H is present so that the environment thereof becomes an appropriate temperature, humidity, or the like for the subject H, or the air conditioner 51 enters the power saving mode. The room where the subject H is present can be air-conditioned based on the biological information of the subject H transmitted from.

  The alarm device 52 is usually disposed outside the room where the subject H is present, and specifically, for example, in a filling station or an emergency call center where a caregiver who cares for the subject H is present. Based on the biological information transmitted from the communication unit 34, an alarm can be issued when the biological information of the subject H is abnormal.

  Further, the controller 35 includes a display unit (not shown) such as a display for displaying the biological information of the subject H calculated by the calculation unit 32, an operation unit (not shown) for the controller 35, and the like.

  Next, operations of the sensor 1A and the measurement device 30 according to the first embodiment will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor 1 </ b> A is disposed on the bed surface 41 of the bed 40 below the chest of the subject H so as to extend in the left-right direction of the subject H. When the weight of the subject H is added to at least one of the three strain plates 2, 2 and 2 of the sensor 1A, the left-right intermediate portion 2c is slightly bent downward. Further, distortion (and temporal variation thereof) locally occurs in the intermediate portion 2c in the left-right direction of the strain generating plate 2 due to the biological activity of the subject H (eg, breathing, heartbeat, turning activity). This distortion is detected by the detection unit 10. Then, an electrical signal (voltage) corresponding to the distortion is transmitted from the detection unit 10 to the controller 35 through the cable 19 and the cable 37 as a signal used for measuring the biological information of the subject H.

  The signal transmitted to the controller 35 is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 31 and transmitted to the calculation unit 32. Then, the biological information of the subject H is calculated by the calculation unit 32 based on the digital signal. The calculated biological information is stored in the storage unit 33 and transmitted to the air conditioner 51 and the alarm device 52 as the external device 50 by the communication unit 34.

  The air conditioner 51 air-conditions the room where the subject H is present based on the biological information of the subject H transmitted from the communication unit 34.

  The alarm device 52 issues an alarm to an alarm target person such as a caregiver or a monitor when there is an abnormality in the biological information of the subject H based on the biological information of the subject H transmitted from the communication unit 34.

  The sensor 1A of the first embodiment has the following advantages.

  In this sensor 1A, since the strain generating plates 2, 2 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction in the three strain generating plates 2, 2, 2 are connected via a connecting portion 6 that can be bent, FIGS. 12A and 12B. As shown in FIG. 3, when the sensor 1A is not used, the three strain generating plates 2, 2, and 2 can be folded into three by folding them at the respective connecting portions 6. Therefore, the sensor 1A can be stored in a compact state.

  Further, in this sensor 1A, when the three strain generating plates 2, 2, 2 are arranged on the bed surface 41 as shown in FIG. The left end portion 2a and the right end portion 2b of each strain generating plate 2 are supported by the left pedestal portion 3 and the right pedestal portion 4 respectively so as to be separated from each other. Therefore, distortion is locally generated in the left-right direction intermediate portion 2 c of the strain generating plate 2 with the biological activity of the subject H. Therefore, by providing the detection unit 10 in the intermediate portion 2c in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the strain generating plate 2, the strain of the strain generating plate 2 generated due to the biological activity of the subject H can be reliably detected by the detection unit 10. That is, the biological information of the subject H can be reliably measured.

  Further, since this type of sensor 1A is used by being placed below the subject H on the bed surface 41, if the sensor 1A is thick, the bed surface 41 and the sensor 1A A large step is generated between the upper surface and the result is that the sleeping comfort of the subject H deteriorates. On the other hand, in the sensor 1A of the first embodiment, the three strain generating plates 2, 2, and 2 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction of the subject H. Can be made shorter than the strain plate used in the conventional sensor. Therefore, the amount of downward bending of the strain plate 2 caused by the subject's H body weight being applied to the strain plate 2 can be reduced. Thereby, the height h of each of the left and right pedestals 3 and 4 can be reduced (see FIG. 4). This point is specifically shown below. That is, in the conventional sensor, the length of the strain generating plate in the left-right direction is, for example, 800 mm, and in such a long strain generating plate, when the middle portion in the left-right direction is bent downward, the portion becomes the bed surface. In order not to come into contact with 41, the height h of each of the left and right pedestals 3 and 4 needs to be 6 mm or more. On the other hand, in the sensor 1A of the first embodiment, when the length of the strain plate 2 in the left-right direction is 220 mm, for example, and the left-right direction intermediate portion 2c of the strain plate 2 is bent downward. In order to prevent the portion 2c from coming into contact with the bed surface 41, the height h of the left and right pedestal portions 3 and 4 may be about 1 mm. As described above, in the sensor 1A of the first embodiment, the height h of the left and right pedestals 3 and 4 can be reduced, that is, the thickness of the sensor 1A can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the sleeping comfort of the subject H due to the sensor 1A being disposed below the subject H.

  Furthermore, in this sensor 1A, since all the left pedestal portions 3 and the right pedestal portions 4 are fixed to the upper surface of the base sheet 7, the left pedestal portion 3 and the right pedestal 2 of the strain plate 2 are manufactured when the sensor 1A is manufactured. The arrangement work to the part 4 can be performed easily. Furthermore, since the connection part 6 is formed from a part of the base sheet 7, it is not necessary to separately prepare the connection part 6 when the sensor 1A is manufactured. Therefore, the sensor 1A can be easily manufactured.

  Further, since the entire strain generating plate group 2G and the base sheet 7 are collectively covered by the cover body 20, the sensor 1A (detection unit 10, strain generating plate 2, etc.) due to the subject's H sweat, urine, etc. Damage can be prevented by the cover body 20.

  Further, the upper surface of each left pedestal portion 3 and each right pedestal portion 4 is provided with positioning recesses 5 that determine the positions of the corresponding ends 2a and 2b of the strain generating plate 2, so that the sensor 1A is manufactured. In this case, the placement work (positioning work) on the left pedestal portion 3 and the right pedestal portion 4 of the strain generating plate 2 can be more easily performed. Therefore, the sensor 1A can be manufactured more easily.

  13-16 is a figure explaining the biometric information measurement sensor 1B which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. In these drawings, the same components as those of the sensor 1A of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, the configuration of the sensor 1B of the second embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the sensor 1A of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 to 14B, the sensor 1B of the second embodiment does not include the base sheet 7 of the sensor 1A of the first embodiment.

  That is, in this sensor 1B, the connecting portion 6 that connects the strain-generating plates 2 and 2 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction is formed of a bendable sheet material having a short length in the left-right direction. Is formed from a flexible rubber sheet material.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, on the upper surface of the connecting portion 6, the left pedestal portion 3 that supports the left end portion 2 a of the right strain generating plate 2 among the strain generating plates 2, 2 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. And the right pedestal 4 supporting the right end 2b of the left strain generating plate 2 are fixed by an adhesive or the like. Further, the connecting portion 6 is formed separately from the right pedestal portion 4 that supports the right end portion 2 b of the right strain generating plate 2 and the left pedestal portion 3 that supports the left end portion 2 a of the left strain generating plate 2. Has been. Accordingly, the base sheet 7 does not exist below the middle portion 2c in the left-right direction of each strain generating plate 2. Further, the left end portion 2a and the right end portion 2b of each strain generating plate 2 are fixed to the left pedestal portion 3 and the right pedestal portion 4 with double-sided adhesive tape, respectively.

  In the sensor 1B, as shown in FIG. 13, the strain generating plate group 2G including the three strain generating plates 2, 2, and 2, all (two) connecting portions 6, all the left pedestal portions 3 and the right The entirety of the pedestal portion 4 is collectively covered by the cover body 20.

  This sensor 1B is used similarly to the sensor 1A of the first embodiment.

  According to the sensor 1B of the second embodiment, the connecting portion 6 includes the left pedestal portion 3 that supports the left end portion 2a of the right strain generating plate 2 of the strain generating plates 2 and 2 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. And the right pedestal 4 supporting the right end 2b of the left strain generating plate 2 are fixed, and the connecting portion 6 supports the right pedestal 4 supporting the right end 2b of the right strain generating plate 2 and the left raised portion. It is formed separately from the left pedestal 3 that supports the left end 2a of the strain plate 2. Therefore, the base sheet 7 does not exist on the lower side of the right-side strain generating plate 2 in the left-right direction intermediate portion 2c and on the lower side of the left-side strain generating plate 2 in the left-right direction intermediate portion 2c. Thereby, the thickness of the sensor 1B can be further reduced by the thickness of the base sheet 7 of the sensor 1A of the first embodiment. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent deterioration of the sleeping comfort of the subject H due to the sensor 1B being disposed below the subject H.

  Furthermore, since the entire strain plate group 2G, all the connecting portions 6, all the left pedestal portions 3 and all the right pedestal portions 4 are collectively covered by the cover body 20, the subject H may sweat or urine, etc. The cover body 20 can prevent damage to the sensor 1B (the detection unit 10, the strain generating plate 2, etc.).

  17 to 19 are views for explaining a biological information measurement sensor 1C according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In these drawings, the same components as those of the sensor 1A of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, the configuration of the sensor 1C of the third embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the sensor 1A of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the sensor 1C of the third embodiment does not include the base sheet 7 of the sensor 1A of the first embodiment. In this sensor 1C, the entire strain generating plate group 2G composed of the three strain generating plates 2, 2, 2 and all of the left pedestal portion 3 and the right pedestal portion 4 are collectively covered by the cover body 20. Yes.

  All the left pedestal portions 3 and the right pedestal portions 4 are spaced from each other at a predetermined interval on the upper surface of the portion of the cover body 20 located below the strain generating plate group 2G, that is, the upper surface of the lower cover portion 22 of the cover body 20. And are directly fixed by an adhesive or the like.

  The left pedestal portion 3 that supports the left end portion 2a of the right strain generating plate 2 and the right pedestal portion 4 that supports the right end portion 2b of the left strain generating plate 2 among the strain generating plates 2 and 2 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. There is a slight gap S between the two. The portion 6 of the lower cover portion 22 existing in the gap S forms a foldable connecting portion 6 that connects the right and left strain generating plates 2, 2 to each other.

  The left end 2a and the right end 2b of each strain generating plate 2 are fixed to the left pedestal 3 and the right pedestal 4 with double-sided adhesive tape (not shown), respectively.

  18 and 19, the outer peripheral cover portion of the cover body 20 is not shown.

  This sensor 1C is used in the same manner as the sensor 1A of the first embodiment.

  According to the sensor 1C of the third embodiment, the entire strain generating plate group 2G and all of the left pedestal portion 3 and the right pedestal portion 4 are collectively covered by the cover body 20, so that the sweat of the subject H The cover body 20 can prevent damage to the sensor 1 </ b> C (the detection unit 10, the strain plate 2, etc.) due to urine and the like.

  Furthermore, all the left pedestal portions 3 and the right pedestal portions 4 are fixed to the upper surface of the portion of the cover body 20 located below the strain generating plate group 2G, that is, the upper surface of the lower cover portion 22 of the cover body 20. Therefore, the thickness of the sensor 1C can be further reduced by the thickness of the base sheet 7 of the sensor 1A of the first embodiment. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the deterioration of the sleeping comfort of the subject H due to the sensor 1C being disposed below the subject H.

  Further, since it is not necessary to prepare the base sheet 7 separately when manufacturing the sensor 1C, the number of parts required for manufacturing the sensor 1C can be reduced, and thus the sensor 1C can be manufactured easily and inexpensively. Can do.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to those shown in these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Is possible.

  For example, in the sensors 1A to 1C of the first to third embodiments, the number of strain gauges 11 as the detection units 10 provided on each strain generating plate 2 is two. However, in the sensor of the present invention, the strain gauge 11 The number of eleven is not limited to two, but may be four or one, for example. When the number of strain gauges is four, it is particularly desirable that the two strain gauges 11 are fixedly provided on the upper surface and the lower surface of the strain generating plate 2, respectively. In this case, four strain gauges are used without using dummy gauges. 11 forms a bridge circuit 17. Further, when the number of strain gauges 11 is one, it is particularly desirable that the bridge circuit 17 is formed by one strain gauge 11 and three dummy gauges 16.

  Furthermore, in the sensors 1A to 1C of the first to third embodiments, the strain gauge 11 is used as the detection unit 10. However, in the sensor of the present invention, the detection unit 10 is otherwise shown in FIG. In addition, the piezoelectric element 12, the pressure sensitive element 13, or the conductive rubber 14 may be used. In the figure, a piezoelectric element 12, a pressure sensitive element 13, or a conductive rubber 14 (specifically, a conductive rubber element) is attached to an intermediate portion in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the strain generating plate 2 with an adhesive or the like. The strain plate 2 shown in the figure is made of resin, for example. The piezoelectric element 12, the pressure sensitive element 13, or the conductive rubber 14 detects the distortion (and its variation) of the strain generating plate 2 and outputs a voltage corresponding thereto, and further, the piezoelectric element 12 and the pressure sensitive element 13. Alternatively, the load (and its variation) of the subject H applied to the conductive rubber 14 from above is detected and a voltage corresponding to this is output. The voltage output from the piezoelectric element 12, the pressure sensitive element 13, or the conductive rubber 14 is a signal used for measuring the biological information of the subject H. Therefore, the biological information of the subject H can be reliably measured by using the piezoelectric element 12, the pressure sensitive element 13, or the conductive rubber 14 as the detection unit 10.

  Further, in the present invention, the detection unit 10 may be one type selected from the group consisting of the strain gauge 11, the piezoelectric element 12, the pressure sensitive element 13, and the conductive rubber 14, or two or more types. good.

  In the sensors 1A to 1C of the first to third embodiments, the detection unit 10 is provided on the upper surface of the strain generating plate 2. However, in the sensor of the present invention, the detection unit 10 includes, for example, It may be provided on the lower surface of the strain generating plate 2, or may be provided on the upper surface and the lower surface of the strain generating plate 2, respectively.

  In the sensors 1A to 1C of the first to third embodiments, the plurality of strain generating plates 2 are arranged and used on the bed surface 41 of the bed 40. However, in the sensor of the present invention, the plurality of strain generating plates 2 are used. The strain plate 2 may be disposed and used on a bed surface 41 other than the bed 40.

  The sensor of the present invention may be configured by combining two or more of the technical ideas applied in the sensors 1A to 1C of the first to third embodiments.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a biological information measurement sensor, a biological information measurement device, and a biological information measurement method that are used to measure biological information (eg, breathing, heartbeat, and rollover activity information) of a subject.

1A, 1B, 1C: Biological information measurement sensor 2: Strain plate 2a: Strain plate left end 2b: Strain plate right end 2G: Strain plate group 3: Left pedestal portion 4: Right pedestal portion 5: Positioning Recess 6: Connecting part 7: Base sheet 10: Detection part 11: Strain gauge 12: Piezoelectric element 13: Pressure sensitive element 14: Conductive rubber 19: Signal transmission cable 20: Cover body 21: Upper cover part 22: Lower Cover unit 30: biological information measuring device 41: bed surface 50: external device 51: air conditioner 52: alarm device H: subject

Claims (12)

A plurality of strain plates arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the subject on the lower side of the subject on the bed surface,
In the middle part in the left-right direction of each strain plate , a detection unit that detects the strain of the strain plate and outputs a signal used to measure the biological information of the subject is provided.
The strain plates adjacent to each other in the left-right direction are connected via a connecting part that can be bent ,
It comprises a left pedestal and a right pedestal that support the left and right ends of each strain plate, respectively.
When a plurality of strain generating plates are arranged on the bed surface, the left end portion and the right end portion of each strain generating plate are in a state where the middle portion in the left-right direction of each strain generating plate is spaced upward from the bed surface. Are supported by the left and right pedestals respectively .
Below the strain plate group composed of a plurality of strain plates, a belt-like flexible base sheet that is continuous from the position of at least the left end of the strain plate group to the position of the right end is disposed.
On the upper surface of the base sheet, all left pedestal parts and right pedestal parts are provided in a fixed state,
Connecting portion is formed from a portion of the base sheet, the biological information measuring sensor. Biological information measuring sensor according to claim 1, wherein the covered collectively by the entire cover of the strain-generating plate group and the base sheet. A plurality of strain plates arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the subject on the lower side of the subject on the bed surface,
In the middle part in the left-right direction of each strain plate , a detection unit that detects the strain of the strain plate and outputs a signal used to measure the biological information of the subject is provided.
The strain plates adjacent to each other in the left-right direction are connected via a connecting part that can be bent ,
It comprises a left pedestal and a right pedestal that support the left and right ends of each strain plate, respectively.
When a plurality of strain generating plates are arranged on the bed surface, the left end portion and the right end portion of each strain generating plate are in a state where the middle portion in the left-right direction of each strain generating plate is spaced upward from the bed surface. Are supported by the left and right pedestals respectively .
The connecting part is fixed with the left pedestal supporting the left end of the right strain generating plate and the right pedestal supporting the right end of the left strain generating plate among the strain generating plates adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. And provided
Coupling portion is formed is separated respectively from the left seat part and which supports the left end portion of the strain inducing plate of the right base portion left for supporting the right end portion of the strain inducing plate of the right, the biological information measuring sensor . The biological information measurement according to claim 3, wherein the strain generating plate group including a plurality of strain generating plates, all the connecting portions, and all of the left pedestal portion and the right pedestal portion are collectively covered with a flexible cover body. Sensor. A plurality of strain plates arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the subject on the lower side of the subject on the bed surface,
In the middle part in the left-right direction of each strain plate , a detection unit that detects the strain of the strain plate and outputs a signal used to measure the biological information of the subject is provided.
The strain plates adjacent to each other in the left-right direction are connected via a connecting part that can be bent ,
It comprises a left pedestal and a right pedestal that support the left and right ends of each strain plate, respectively.
When a plurality of strain generating plates are arranged on the bed surface, the left end portion and the right end portion of each strain generating plate are in a state where the middle portion in the left-right direction of each strain generating plate is spaced upward from the bed surface. Are supported by the left and right pedestals respectively .
The entire strain generating plate group consisting of a plurality of strain generating plates and all the left pedestal portion and the right pedestal portion are collectively covered with a flexible cover body,
The cover body has a lower cover portion arranged on the lower side of the strain plate group,
On the upper surface of the lower cover part, all left pedestal parts and right pedestal parts are provided in a fixed state,
Connecting portion is formed from a portion of the lower cover portion, the biological information measuring sensor. The upper surface of each left seat portion and the right seat portion, the biological information measuring sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, positioning depression that determines the position of the corresponding ends of the strain plate is provided . A plurality of strain plates arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the subject on the lower side of the subject on the bed surface,
In the middle part in the left-right direction of each strain plate , a detection unit that detects the strain of the strain plate and outputs a signal used to measure the biological information of the subject is provided.
The strain plates adjacent to each other in the left-right direction are connected via a connecting part that can be bent ,
It comprises a left pedestal and a right pedestal that support the left and right ends of each strain plate, respectively.
When a plurality of strain generating plates are arranged on the bed surface, the left end portion and the right end portion of each strain generating plate are in a state where the middle portion in the left-right direction of each strain generating plate is spaced upward from the bed surface. Are supported by the left and right pedestals respectively .
The upper surface of each left seat portion and the right seat part, a positioning recess for determining the position of the corresponding ends of the strain plate is provided, the biological information measuring sensor. Detector, a strain gauge, a piezoelectric element, the biological information measuring sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which has one or more members selected from the group consisting of pressure-sensitive element and the conductive rubber . The biological information measurement sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
A calculation unit that calculates biological information of the subject based on output signals from each detection unit of the sensor;
And it includes a communication unit for transmitting the biometric information calculated by the calculating unit, a biological information measuring device. The biological information measuring device according to claim 9 , wherein the communication unit transmits biological information to an air conditioner that air-conditions a room where the subject is present. The biological information measuring device according to claim 9 or 10 , wherein the communication unit transmits biological information to an alarm device. BIOLOGICAL information measuring how to measure the biological information of a subject using a biological information measuring sensor according to any of claims 1-8.

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