JP6996224B2 - Blood flow analyzer, blood flow analysis method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for generating information about a fluid such as blood.

Techniques for measuring the blood flow of a living body have been conventionally proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, light that has passed through a blood vessel of a living body is received by a light receiving element, and the product of the power spectrum of a detection signal indicating the light receiving intensity and each numerical value of frequency is integrated within a range of 200 Hz or more and 15 kHz or less. By doing so, a configuration for measuring the blood flow rate of a living body is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-210321

By the way, shot noise evenly distributed over a wide range on the frequency axis can inevitably occur in the detection signal. Under the technique of Patent Document 1, since the product of the power spectrum of the detection signal and each numerical value of the frequency is integrated, the shot noise is emphasized in the higher frequency range. Therefore, there is a problem that the blood flow volume cannot be measured with high accuracy unless the integration range is strictly selected. In the above explanation, we focused on the measurement of blood flow, but similar problems are assumed in various situations when analyzing various fluids represented by blood. In consideration of the above circumstances, a preferred embodiment of the present invention aims to reduce the influence of shot noise on a detection signal and analyze a fluid such as blood with high accuracy.

In order to solve the above problems, in the blood flow analyzer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a component having a frequency within a predetermined processing band is processed with respect to a detection signal indicating the intensity of laser light passing through a blood vessel. An operation to generate information on blood flow in a blood vessel from a signal processing unit that executes filtering so as to be suppressed by comparing with a component having a frequency lower than the frequency at the lower end of the band, and a signal after the filtering. It is equipped with a processing unit. In the above embodiment, the detection signal is filtered so that the frequency component in the predetermined processing band is suppressed as compared with the frequency component lower than the frequency at the lower end of the processing band. Therefore, for example, high frequency. The effect of shot noise, which is particularly dominant on the side, is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to generate information on blood flow with high accuracy.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the arithmetic processing unit integrates the product of the intensity of each frequency in the intensity spectrum of the filtered signal and the frequency for a predetermined arithmetic range, thereby providing information on the blood flow. Is generated, and the processing band and the calculation range partially overlap each other. In the configuration in which the product (weighted intensity) of the intensity of each frequency in the intensity spectrum and the frequency is integrated, the shot noise on the high frequency side in the intensity spectrum is emphasized. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the processing band and the calculation range partially overlap each other, the calculation range is sufficiently set to include a part of the high frequency side band in which shot noise is dominant in the detection signal. Even if it is secured widely, the influence of shot noise on the high frequency side is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to generate information on blood flow with high accuracy.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the signal processing unit executes the filter processing on the detected signal so that a component having a higher frequency in the predetermined processing band is suppressed. In the above embodiment, the detection signal is filtered so that the component having a higher frequency is suppressed within a predetermined processing band, so that the effect of shot noise, which is particularly dominant on the high frequency side, is reduced. Can be realized more effectively.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the calculation range is a range between the first frequency and the second frequency above the first frequency, and the frequency at the lower end of the processing band is lower than the second frequency. In the above aspect, since the frequency at the lower end of the processing band is lower than the second frequency which is the upper end of the calculation range, even if the second frequency is set higher so that the calculation range is sufficiently secured, the high frequency side The effect of shot noise is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to generate information on blood flow with high accuracy.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the frequency at the lower end of the processing band exceeds the frequency higher than the first frequency by 1/2 of the calculation range. In the above aspect, since the frequency at the lower end of the processing band exceeds the frequency higher than the first frequency by 1/2 of the calculation range, the influence of shot noise on the detection signal is reduced and the fluid such as blood is highly accurate. The above-mentioned effect of analyzing the frequency can be realized more effectively.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the frequency at the lower end of the processing band is lower than the first frequency by 3/4 of the calculation range. In the above aspect, since the frequency at the lower end of the processing band is lower than the frequency higher than the first frequency by 3/4 of the calculation range, the influence of shot noise on the detection signal is reduced and the fluid such as blood is highly accurate. The above-mentioned effect of analyzing the frequency can be realized more effectively.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the frequency at the lower end of the processing band is higher than the first frequency by 2/3 of the calculation range. In the above embodiment, since the frequency at the lower end of the processing band is higher than the first frequency by 2/3 of the calculation range, the influence of shot noise on the detection signal is reduced and the fluid such as blood is highly accurate. The above-mentioned effect of analyzing the frequency can be realized more effectively.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the processing band is a range in which the suppression of the detected signal by the signal processing unit is 6 dB / Oct or more. In the above embodiment, the detection signal is suppressed by the frequency characteristic of 6 dB / Oct in the processing band. Therefore, it is possible to effectively reduce the influence of shot noise emphasized by multiplying the intensity of each frequency of the intensity spectrum by the frequency.

In the blood flow analysis method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the frequency component in a predetermined processing band is lower than the frequency at the lower end of the processing band with respect to the detection signal indicating the intensity of the laser light passing through the blood vessel. The filtering process is performed so as to be suppressed as compared with the component of, and the information regarding the blood flow in the blood vessel is generated from the signal after the filtering process. In the above embodiment, the detection signal is filtered so that the frequency component in the predetermined processing band is suppressed as compared with the frequency component lower than the frequency at the lower end of the processing band. Therefore, for example, high frequency. The effect of shot noise, which is particularly dominant on the side, is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to generate information on blood flow with high accuracy.

In a program according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with respect to a detection signal indicating the intensity of laser light that has passed through a blood vessel, a frequency component within a predetermined processing band is a frequency component lower than the frequency at the lower end of the processing band. The computer functions as a signal processing unit that executes filtering processing so as to be compared and suppressed, and an arithmetic processing unit that generates information on blood flow in the blood vessel from the signal after the filtering processing. In the above embodiment, the detection signal is filtered so that the frequency component in the predetermined processing band is suppressed as compared with the frequency component lower than the frequency at the lower end of the processing band. Therefore, for example, high frequency. The effect of shot noise, which is particularly dominant on the side, is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to generate information on blood flow with high accuracy.

It is a side view of the blood flow analysis apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram focusing on the function of the blood flow analysis device. It is a block diagram focusing on a light receiving part and an output circuit. It is a flowchart which illustrates the operation of the arithmetic processing part. This is the frequency characteristic of the filter processing by the signal processing unit. It is explanatory drawing focusing on the frequency of the lower end of a processing band. It is an intensity spectrum of a detection signal. It is explanatory drawing of the problem of shot noise in inverse proportion. It is explanatory drawing of the effect by 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of specifying the lower end frequency of a processing band. It is a figure which shows the example which obtains the lower end frequency of a processing band. It is a block diagram focusing on the light receiving part and the output circuit in 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the use example of the blood flow analysis apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other use example of the blood flow analysis apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the frequency spectrum in the supplement about the frequency of the lower end of a processing band. It is a graph which shows the frequency spectrum in the supplement about the frequency of the lower end of a processing band. It is a graph which shows the frequency spectrum in the supplement about the frequency of the lower end of a processing band. It is a block diagram which paid attention to the light receiving part and the output circuit in the modification. This is the frequency characteristic of the filter processing by the signal processing unit in the modified example. This is the frequency characteristic of the filter processing by the signal processing unit in the modified example. It is a block diagram of the blood flow analysis apparatus in the modification. It is a block diagram of the blood flow analysis apparatus in the modification. It is a block diagram of the blood flow analysis apparatus in the modification.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a side view of the blood flow analysis device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The blood flow analysis device 100 of the first embodiment is a biometric device that non-invasively generates information on blood flow in a blood vessel of a subject (exemplification of a living body) (hereinafter referred to as “blood flow information”), and is a biometric device of the subject. It is attached to the part of the body to be measured (hereinafter referred to as "measurement part") M. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the blood flow analysis device 100 of the first embodiment is a wristwatch-type portable device including a housing portion 12 and a belt 14. That is, the blood flow analysis device 100 is attached to the wrist of the subject by winding the belt 14 around the wrist which is an example of the measurement site M. The blood flow information of the first embodiment generates blood flow velocity of a subject (for example, the distance that red blood cells move in an artery within a unit time) as blood flow information.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram focusing on the function of the blood flow analysis device 100. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the blood flow analysis device 100 of the first embodiment includes a control device 20, a storage device 22, a display device 24, and a detection device 30. The control device 20 and the storage device 22 are installed inside the housing portion 12. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the display device 24 (for example, a liquid crystal display panel) is installed on the surface of the housing portion 12 opposite to the measurement portion M, and various images including the measurement results are produced by the control device 20. Display under control.

The detection device 30 in FIG. 2 is an optical sensor module that generates a detection signal Sd according to the state of the measurement site M. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the detection device 30 of the first embodiment includes a light emitting unit 31, a light receiving unit 32, a drive circuit 33, and an output circuit 34. The light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 are installed, for example, at a position facing the measurement portion M (typically, a surface in contact with the measurement portion M) in the housing portion 12. It is also possible to install one or both of the drive circuit 33 and the output circuit 34 as an external circuit separate from the detection device 30.

The light emitting unit 31 is a light source that irradiates the measurement site M with light. The light emitting unit 31 of the first embodiment irradiates the measurement site M with a coherent laser beam in a narrow band. For example, a light emitting element such as a VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting LASER) that emits laser light by resonance in a resonator is preferably used as the light emitting unit 31. The light emitting unit 31 of the first embodiment irradiates the measurement site M with light having a predetermined wavelength λ (λ = 800 nm to 1300 nm) in the near infrared region, for example. The drive circuit 33 of FIG. 2 causes the light emitting unit 31 to emit light under the control of the control device 20. It is also possible to use a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light having different wavelengths as the light emitting unit 31. Further, the wavelength λ of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 31 is not limited to the near infrared region.

The light emitted from the light emitting unit 31 and incident on the measurement portion M repeatedly reflects and scatters inside the measurement portion M, then exits to the housing portion 12 side and reaches the light receiving portion 32. Specifically, light that has passed through a blood vessel such as an artery (for example, a radial artery or an ulnar artery) existing inside the measurement site M and blood in the blood vessel reaches the light receiving portion 32. The light receiving unit 32 receives the light arriving from the measurement site M. The light receiving unit 32 of the first embodiment generates a detection signal Sa indicating the intensity of the light arriving from the measurement site M. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a light receiving element 321 such as a photodiode (PD) that generates an electric charge according to the light receiving intensity is suitably used as the light receiving unit 32. The detection signal Sa is an analog current signal according to the intensity of light received from the measurement site M. As can be understood from the above description, the detection device 30 of the first embodiment is a reflection type optical sensor in which the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 are located on one side of the measurement portion M.

The light reaching the light receiving unit 32 was reflected by a component reflected by a stationary tissue (stationary tissue) inside the measurement site M and an object (typically red blood cells) moving in an artery inside the measurement site M. Contains ingredients. The frequency of light does not change before and after the reflection in the quiescent tissue, but before and after the reflection in the erythrocytes, the amount of change proportional to the movement speed (that is, the blood flow velocity) of the erythrocytes (hereinafter referred to as "frequency shift amount") Δf Only the frequency of light changes. That is, the light that passes through the measurement portion M and reaches the light receiving unit 32 contains a component that fluctuates (frequency shifts) by the frequency shift amount Δf with respect to the frequency of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 31. The detection signal Sa of the first embodiment is an optical beat signal reflecting the frequency shift due to the blood flow inside the measurement site M.

The output circuit 34 of FIG. 2 generates a detection signal Sd from the detection signal Sa generated by the light receiving unit 32. The detection signal Sd is a digital voltage signal according to the intensity of light received by the light receiving unit 32. As described above, the light irradiated to the measurement site M passes through the blood vessels and blood inside the measurement site M and then reaches the light receiving unit 32. Therefore, the detection signal Sd can be paraphrased as a signal representing the intensity of light that has passed through the blood of the subject.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the light receiving unit 32 and the output circuit 34 in the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the output circuit 34 of the first embodiment includes a signal amplification unit 51, a signal processing unit 52, and an A / D conversion unit 53. The signal amplification unit 51 generates the detection signal Sb by converting the detection signal Sa supplied from the light receiving unit 32 into a voltage signal and amplifying the detection signal Sa. For example, the signal amplification unit 51 includes a current / voltage conversion circuit that converts the detection signal Sa into a voltage signal, and a voltage amplification circuit that amplifies the voltage signal.

The signal processing unit 52 generates a detection signal Sc by executing a predetermined filter process on the detection signal Sb (that is, a signal representing the intensity of the laser light that has passed through the blood vessel) supplied from the signal amplification unit 51. .. A specific example of the filter processing executed by the signal processing unit 52 will be described later. The A / D conversion unit 53 converts the analog detection signal Sc generated by the signal processing unit 52 into a digital detection signal Sd at a predetermined sampling frequency Fs. As understood from the above description, the detection signal S (Sa, Sb, Sc, Sd) is an optical beat signal reflecting the frequency shift due to the blood flow inside the measurement site M.

The control device 20 of FIG. 2 is an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and controls the entire blood flow analysis device 100. The storage device 22 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory, and stores a program executed by the control device 20 and various data used by the control device 20. It should be noted that a configuration in which the functions of the control device 20 are distributed in a plurality of integrated circuits, or a configuration in which some or all of the functions of the control device 20 are realized by a dedicated electronic circuit can also be adopted. Further, although the control device 20 and the storage device 22 are shown as separate elements in FIG. 2, the control device 20 including the storage device 22 can be realized by, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or the like.

The control device 20 of the first embodiment functions as an arithmetic processing unit 61 by executing a program (application program) stored in the storage device 22. The arithmetic processing unit 61 generates blood flow information of the subject from the detection signal Sd (that is, the signal processed by the signal processing unit 52) generated by the output circuit 34 of the detection device 30. As described above, the arithmetic processing unit 61 of the first embodiment calculates the blood flow velocity in the artery inside the measurement site M as blood flow information.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing for the arithmetic processing unit 61 to calculate the blood flow velocity. For example, the process of FIG. 4 is executed at predetermined time intervals. When the processing of FIG. 4 is started, the arithmetic processing unit 61 calculates the intensity spectrum X from the detection signal Sd (S1). The intensity spectrum X is a distribution of the intensity (power or amplitude) P (f) of the signal component corresponding to each frequency f on the frequency axis in the detection signal Sd. A known frequency analysis such as a discrete Fourier transform can be arbitrarily adopted for the calculation of the intensity spectrum X.

The arithmetic processing unit 61 calculates the blood flow velocity V (blood flow information) from the intensity spectrum X of the detection signal Sd (S2). Specifically, the arithmetic processing unit 61 of the first embodiment calculates the blood flow index F (so-called FLOW value) by the arithmetic of the following mathematical formula (1a), and separately estimates the blood vessel of the measurement site M. The blood flow velocity V (V = F / A) is calculated by dividing the blood flow index F by the area A. The blood flow index F is an index of the blood flow of the measurement site M (that is, the volume of blood moving in the artery within a unit time). It is also possible for the arithmetic processing unit 61 to generate the average value of the plurality of blood flow velocities V calculated at different time points as blood flow information.

数式(1a)は、検出信号Ｓdの各周波数ｆと当該周波数ｆにおける強度Ｐ(f)とから血流量指標Ｆを算定するための演算式である。記号＜Ｉ^２＞は、検出信号Ｓdの全帯域にわたる平均強度、または、強度スペクトルＸのうち０ｋＨｚにおける強度Ｐ(0)（すなわち直流成分の信号強度）である。

The mathematical formula (1a) is an arithmetic formula for calculating the blood flow index F from each frequency f of the detection signal Sd and the intensity P (f) at the frequency f. The symbol <I ² > is the average intensity over the entire band of the detection signal Sd, or the intensity P (0) (that is, the signal intensity of the DC component) at 0 kHz in the intensity spectrum X.

As understood from the equation (1a), the arithmetic processing unit 61 of the first embodiment calculates the product (f × P (f)) of the intensity P (f) of each frequency f in the intensity spectrum X and the frequency f. The blood flow index F is calculated by integrating a predetermined range (hereinafter referred to as "calculation range"). The product (f × P (f)) of the intensity P (f) of the intensity spectrum X and the frequency f means the intensity weighted by the frequency f (hereinafter referred to as “weighted intensity”). The calculation range corresponds to the integration range of the weighted intensity, and is a predetermined frequency on the frequency axis (hereinafter referred to as “lower end frequency”) f1 and a predetermined frequency exceeding the lower end frequency f1 (hereinafter referred to as “upper frequency”) f2. The range between. The lower end frequency f1 is an example of the first frequency, and the upper end frequency f2 is an example of the second frequency. As understood from the above description, the arithmetic processing unit 61 of the first embodiment generates blood flow information (blood flow velocity V) from the intensity spectrum X of the detection signal Sd generated by the detection device 30. The display device 24 of FIG. 2 displays blood flow information (blood flow velocity V) generated by the arithmetic processing unit 61.

The second index calculation unit 52 may calculate the blood flow index F by the calculation of the following mathematical formula (1b) in which the integral of the mathematical formula (1a) is replaced with the sum (Σ).

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the filter processing executed by the signal processing unit 52 of the first embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates the frequency characteristics (that is, the distribution of gain in the frequency domain) of the filter processing executed by the signal processing unit 52. As can be understood from FIG. 5, in the signal processing unit 52, the component of the frequency fH in the predetermined frequency band (hereinafter referred to as “processing band”) B is the component of the frequency fL lower than the frequency Fx at the lower end of the processing band B. Perform filtering so that it is compared and suppressed. Specifically, the filter processing is executed so that the component having a higher frequency in the processing band B is suppressed. The signal processing unit 52 of the first embodiment executes a filter processing in which the gain is continuously reduced so that the component having a higher frequency in the processing band B is suppressed. For example, a low-pass filter or a band-pass filter is preferably used as the signal processing unit 52. Specifically, the signal processing unit 52 is configured by combining a predetermined number (singular or plural) of the primary analog filter circuits.

The processing band B is a range in which the degree of suppression of the detection signal Sb by the signal processing unit 52 (that is, the frequency characteristic of the filter processing) is 6 dB / Oct (octave) or more, and is on the high frequency side with respect to the predetermined frequency Fx. It is a range. That is, in the processing band B, the components of each frequency f constituting the detection signal S are suppressed to a degree proportional to the frequency f (6 dB / Oct) or more. For example, assuming that the frequency characteristic of the filter processing is set to 6 dB / Oct in the processing band B, the gain at a specific frequency m × f (m is a natural number) in the processing band B is within the processing band B. It is set to 1 / m of the gain at the frequency f of. The frequency Fx corresponds to the lower end of the range in which the degree of suppression of the detection signal Sb is 6 dB / Oct or more (that is, the processing band B).

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the calculation range R applied to the calculation of the blood flow index F and the processing band B of the filter processing by the signal processing unit 52 partially overlap each other. Specifically, the high frequency side portion in the calculation range R and the low frequency side portion in the processing band B overlap each other. That is, the frequency Fx at the lower end of the processing band B is higher than the lower end frequency f1 of the calculation range R and is equal to or lower than the upper end frequency f2 of the calculation range R. FIG. 5 illustrates a case where the frequency Fx at the lower end of the processing band B is lower than the upper end frequency f2 of the calculation range R.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram focusing on the frequency Fx at the lower end of the processing band B. Specifically, the frequency Fx exceeds the frequency higher than the lower end frequency f1 by 1/2 of the calculation range R and falls below the upper end frequency f2. Preferably, the frequency Fx is higher than the lower end frequency f1 by 1/2 of the calculation range R and lower than the lower end frequency f1 by 3/4 of the calculation range R. FIG. 6 illustrates a case where a frequency higher than the first frequency by only 2/3 of the calculation range R is set as the frequency Fx.

Here, the upper end frequency f2 needs to be equal to or lower than the Nyquist frequency (Fs / 2) of the A / D conversion unit 53. That is, the upper end frequency f2 of the calculation range R is set to a numerical value between the frequency Fx at the lower end of the processing band B and the Nyquist frequency (Fs / 2) of the A / D conversion unit 53 (Fx ≦ f2 ≦ Fs /). 2). For example, assuming a configuration in which the frequency Fx of the processing band B is 45 kHz and the A / D converter 53 operates at a sampling frequency Fs of 100 kHz, the upper end frequency f2 is 45 kHz (= Fx) or more and 50 kHz (= Fs /). 2) It is set to an appropriate value (for example, 50 kHz) within the following range. On the other hand, the lower end frequency f1 is set to a sufficiently small value (for example, about 200 Hz) as compared with the upper end frequency f2. As can be understood from the above description, the arithmetic processing unit 61 of the first embodiment has a weighted intensity (f × P (f × P) with respect to the arithmetic range R including a part of the processing band B suppressed by the filter processing by the signal processing unit 52. The blood flow index F is calculated by integrating f)).

FIG. 7 shows the intensity spectrum X of the detection signal Sd. The detection signal Sd contains shot noise that is inevitably generated due to circuit elements such as the light receiving unit 32 and the output circuit 34. Shot noise is white noise that is evenly distributed over a wide range of frequencies f. On the other hand, the intensity of the signal component derived from the light passing through the measurement site M (that is, the original analysis target) tends to be lower toward the high frequency side. Therefore, as can be understood from FIG. 7, in the frequency band N on the high frequency side of the intensity spectrum X, the influence of shot noise is dominant on the light passing through the measurement site M. The frequency (hereinafter referred to as “high noise frequency”) Fn at the lower end of the frequency band N where the influence of shot noise is dominant may fluctuate depending on the state of blood vessels or blood at the measurement site M.

8 and 9 are distributions of weighted intensities (f × P (f)) on the frequency axis. FIG. 8 is a distribution of weighted intensities in a configuration (hereinafter referred to as “inverse proportion”) in which the filter processing by the signal processing unit 52 is omitted. FIG. 9 is a distribution of the weighted intensity in the first embodiment in which the signal processing unit 52 executes the filter processing for suppressing the signal component in the processing band B.

Now, from the viewpoint of measuring the blood flow index F with high accuracy by the calculation of the mathematical formula (1a), it is necessary to secure a wide calculation range R. That is, it is required to set the upper end frequency f2 higher. On the other hand, by multiplying the intensity P (f) of the intensity spectrum X by the frequency f, in inverse proportion, as can be seen from FIG. 8, the shot noise on the high frequency side in the intensity spectrum X is emphasized. Therefore, in the configuration in which the upper end frequency f2 is set higher, shot noise becomes dominant on the high frequency side of the calculation range R, and as a result, the highly accurate measurement of the blood flow index F is hindered. When the upper end frequency f2 is set low in order to solve the above problem, the calculation range R becomes excessively narrow, and as a result, the measurement accuracy of the blood flow index F may be rather lowered. As can be understood from the above explanation, in order to always measure the blood flow index F with high accuracy, it is necessary to change the upper end frequency f2 according to the state of the blood vessel or blood at the measurement site M. For example, when the high noise frequency Fn is high, the upper end frequency f2 is set higher, and when the high noise frequency Fn is low, the upper end frequency f2 is set lower.

In contrast to the inverse proportion described above, in the first embodiment, the signal component in the processing band B that partially overlaps the calculation range R in the detection signal Sb is suppressed by the filter processing. That is, as can be understood from FIG. 9, the influence of shot noise that should be emphasized by multiplying the intensity P (f) by the frequency f is reduced by the filter processing within the calculation range R regardless of the height of the upper end frequency f2. Will be done. Therefore, for example, even in a configuration in which the upper end frequency f2 is set high so that the calculation range R is sufficiently secured, the influence of the shot noise of the detection signal Sb can be reduced and the blood flow index F can be measured with high accuracy. It is possible. Further, since the above-mentioned process of changing the upper end frequency f2 according to the state of the blood vessel or blood at the measurement site M is unnecessary, there is an advantage that the load for generating blood flow information is reduced.

Next, the condition that is satisfied in the above-mentioned situation where the calculation range R and the processing band B partially overlap each other will be described. Now, it is assumed that the range of the blood flow velocity V according to the specifications that can be measured by the blood flow analyzer 100 is the range from the minimum value V1 to the maximum value V2. As described above, the frequency shift amount Δf caused by the light reflection in the red blood cells in the blood is proportional to the blood flow velocity V. Specifically, the frequency shift amount Δf is expressed by the following mathematical formula (2).

数式(2)の記号λは発光部３１が測定部位Ｍに照射する光の波長であり、記号θは、発光部３１から測定部位Ｍに入射する光の入射角である。実際の血流解析装置１００を想定すると、波長λは発光部３１が出射する光の波長として既知であり、入射角θは測定部位Ｍの表面に対する発光部３１の光軸の角度から確定される。また、記号ｎは測定部位Ｍ（特に動脈および血液）の屈折率であり、概略的には１．３３～１．３４の範囲内の既知の数値である。血流解析装置１００による測定が想定される血流速度Ｖの最大値Ｖ2を以上の各定数（λ，θ，ｎ）とともに数式(2)に代入すると、血流解析装置１００が測定可能な範囲内で最大の周波数シフト量Δｆ2を得ることができる。

The symbol λ in the equation (2) is the wavelength of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 31 to the measurement site M, and the symbol θ is the incident angle of the light incident on the measurement site M from the light emitting unit 31. Assuming an actual blood flow analyzer 100, the wavelength λ is known as the wavelength of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 31, and the incident angle θ is determined from the angle of the optical axis of the light emitting unit 31 with respect to the surface of the measurement site M. .. Further, the symbol n is the refractive index of the measurement site M (particularly arteries and blood), which is a known numerical value generally in the range of 1.33 to 1.34. Substituting the maximum value V2 of the blood flow velocity V, which is expected to be measured by the blood flow analyzer 100, into the mathematical formula (2) together with the above constants (λ, θ, n), the range that can be measured by the blood flow analyzer 100. The maximum frequency shift amount Δf2 can be obtained.

The maximum value V2 of the blood flow velocity V can be measured by a current meter using ultrasonic waves. When measuring the blood flow in an artery, for example, the maximum value V2 of the blood flow velocity V is 0.8 m / sec or more and 1.2 m / sec or less, and when measuring the blood flow in a capillary vessel, for example. Is known, for example, that the maximum value V2 of the blood flow velocity V is 2 mm / sec or more and 12 mm / sec or less.

Next, a method of determining the lower end frequency Fx of the processing band B will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method of specifying the lower end frequency Fx of the processing band B. As illustrated in FIG. 10, for example, a sine wave input signal is input to the signal processing unit 52 from the terminal I of the spectrum analyzer SA, and the power or voltage from the signal processing unit 52 is input to the terminal A as an output signal. Here, by changing the frequency of the input signal and acquiring the output signal for each frequency, the frequency characteristics as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9 can be obtained. The lower end frequency Fx of the processing band B is a frequency at which the output signal decreases as the frequency of the input signal increases. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the frequency at which the output signal decreases by 3 dB as the frequency of the input signal increases is defined as the lower end frequency Fx of the processing band B. Although FIG. 10 illustrates the case where the frequency characteristic is obtained from the relationship between the input signal and the output signal of the signal processing unit 52, the input signal may be input to the signal amplification unit 51, or the signal processing unit 52 may input the input signal. May also acquire an output signal from a subsequent element (for example, A / D conversion unit 53).

Further, in order to obtain more blood flow information, it is desirable to obtain blood flow information up to the maximum value V2 of the blood flow velocity V. In other words, it is desirable that the upper end frequency f2 is the frequency shift amount Δf2 or more (f2 ≧ Δf2). In this case, if the relationship (Fx <Δf2) that the frequency shift amount Δf2 exceeds the frequency Fx can be confirmed, the upper end frequency f2 is the frequency shift amount Δf2 or more (Δf2 ≦ f2), so that the upper end frequency f2 exceeds the frequency Fx ( Fx <f2). The fact that the upper end frequency f2 exceeds the frequency Fx (Fx <f2) means that the condition that the calculation range R and the processing band B partially overlap is satisfied.

<Second Embodiment>
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. For the elements whose actions or functions are the same as those of the first embodiment in each of the embodiments exemplified below, the reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment will be diverted and detailed description of each will be omitted as appropriate.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the light receiving unit 32 and the output circuit 34 in the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the light receiving unit 32 of the second embodiment includes a light receiving element 321 and a light receiving element 322 arranged at different positions. The light receiving element 321 generates a detection signal Sa1 according to the light receiving intensity from the measurement site M, and the light receiving element 322 generates a detection signal Sa2 according to the light receiving intensity from the measuring part M.

The signal amplification unit 51 of the second embodiment generates a detection signal Sb corresponding to the difference between the detection signal Sa1 generated by the light receiving element 321 and the detection signal Sa2 generated by the light receiving element 322. Therefore, the detection signal Sb in which the steady noise included in the detection signal Sa1 and the detection signal Sa2 is reduced is generated. For example, a differential amplifier circuit is preferably used as the signal amplification unit 51. The signal processing unit 52 executes the same filter processing as in the first embodiment on the detection signal Sb supplied from the signal amplification unit 51. The functions and actions of the other elements are the same as in the first embodiment.

The same effect as that of the first embodiment is realized in the second embodiment. Further, in the second embodiment, the detection signal Sb corresponding to the difference between the detection signal Sa1 generated by the light receiving element 321 and the detection signal Sa2 generated by the light receiving element 322 is generated. That is, the detection signal Sb having a high SN ratio with reduced noise commonly included in the detection signal Sa1 and the detection signal Sa2 is generated. Therefore, the effect of being able to generate blood flow information with high accuracy is particularly remarkable.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a usage example of the blood flow analysis device 100 in the third embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the blood flow analysis device 100 includes a detection unit 71 and a display unit 72 that are configured as separate bodies from each other. The detection unit 71 includes the detection device 30 exemplified in each of the above-described embodiments. FIG. 13 illustrates a detection unit 71 in a form worn on the upper arm of a subject. As illustrated in FIG. 14, a detection unit 71 worn on the wrist of the subject is also suitable.

The display unit 72 includes the display device 24 exemplified in each of the above-described embodiments. For example, an information terminal such as a mobile phone or a smartphone is a suitable example of the display unit 72. However, the specific form of the display unit 72 is arbitrary. For example, a wristwatch-type information terminal that can be carried by the subject, or a dedicated information terminal of the blood flow analysis device 100 may be used as the display unit 72.

The arithmetic processing unit 61 is mounted on the display unit 72, for example. The detection signal Sd generated by the detection device 30 of the detection unit 71 is transmitted to the display unit 72 by wire or wirelessly. The arithmetic processing unit of the display unit 72 calculates blood flow information from the detection signal Sd and displays it on the display device 24.

The arithmetic processing unit 61 may be mounted on the detection unit 71. The arithmetic processing unit 61 calculates blood flow information from the detection signal Sd generated by the detection device 30, and transmits data for displaying the blood flow information to the display unit 72 by wire or wirelessly. The display device 24 of the display unit 72 displays the blood flow information indicated by the data received from the detection unit 71.

<Supplementary information on frequency Fx>
As illustrated in each of the above-described embodiments, a preferred embodiment of the present invention employs a configuration (hereinafter referred to as “configuration A”) in which a filter process is executed so that a component having a higher frequency in the processing band B is suppressed. The behavior that can be observed from an actual blood flow analyzer (hereinafter referred to as "actual product") by adopting the configuration A will be described below.

First, N kinds of frequency spectra M (1) to M (N) are assumed. Each frequency spectrum M (1) to M (N) corresponds to the product of the frequency f and the intensity spectrum P (f). As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the first range O1 and the second range O2 are defined in the frequency domain. The second range O2 is located on the higher frequency side than the first range O1. The second range O2 is divided into N bands K (1) to K (N). The bandwidth of each band K (1) to K (N) is the same. Any one frequency spectrum M (n) is the component of the first range O1 and the nth (n = 1) of the N bands K (1) to K (N) in the second range O2. -N) includes the components of the band K (n). The intensities of the components of the band K (n) are common over the N frequency spectra M (1) to M (N). In the frequency spectrum M (n), the band other than the band K (n) in the second range O2 is 0. The shape of the first range O1 of the frequency spectra M (n) is arbitrary, but is common to N frequency spectra M (1) to M (N). Any one input signal Y (n) is a signal in the time domain in which the intensity distribution in the frequency domain is the frequency spectrum M (n). That is, the input signal Y (n) is generated by the inverse Fourier transform on the frequency spectrum M (n). A signal generator such as a pulse generator is used to generate the input signal Y (n).

It is assumed that each of the N types of input signals Y (1) to Y (N) is sequentially input to the wiring or terminal to which the detection signal Sb is supplied in the actual product. When the input signal Y (n) is supplied to the actual product, the blood flow index F (n) is displayed. As described above, the intensities of the components in the band K (n) are common to the N types of input signals Y (1) to Y (N). When the actual product adopts the configuration A, the component on the high frequency side in the processing band B is suppressed, so that the band K (n) of the input signal Y (n) is located on the high frequency side, the more blood is used. The flow rate index F (n) is a small numerical value. Therefore, in the case of "blood flow index F (1)> blood flow index F (2)> ...> blood flow index F (N)" (that is, when the component with a higher frequency is suppressed), the configuration A is adopted. It can be determined that it is.

Although the blood flow index F has been focused on in the above description, the blood flow index for determining whether or not the actual product adopts the configuration A is not limited to the above examples. For example, various blood flow indexes such as mean blood pressure, pulse pressure or blood volume index may be used. Further, when a software filter is used in the actual product, the blood flow rate index calculated by receiving light such that the input signal Y (n) is generated in the light receiving unit that generates the detection signal Sa in the actual product. F (n) may be used to determine whether or not the configuration A is adopted.

<Modification example>
Each of the above-exemplified forms can be variously modified. Specific modes of modification are illustrated below. It is also possible to appropriately merge two or more embodiments arbitrarily selected from the following examples.

(1) It is also possible to realize the blood flow analysis device 100 by a plurality of devices configured as separate bodies from each other. For example, the arithmetic processing unit 61 exemplified in each of the above-described embodiments can be realized by a general-purpose information terminal such as a mobile phone or a smartphone. Further, a configuration in which the blood flow information generated by the arithmetic processing unit 61 is displayed on the display device 24 provided in the information terminal may be adopted.

(2) The order of the plurality of elements constituting the output circuit 34 is not limited to the above-mentioned examples of each form. For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the detection signal Sc generated by the signal processing unit 52 is A / D converted by the A / D conversion unit 53. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the signal processing unit 52 and the A / D are used. It is also possible to reverse the order with the conversion unit 53. In the configuration of FIG. 18, the detection signal Sb amplified by the signal amplification unit 51 is converted from analog to digital by the A / D conversion unit 53, and the signal processing unit 52 converts the detection signal Sd by filtering the converted detection signal Sc. Generate. Therefore, a digital filter that suppresses a component in the processing band B of the detected signal Sc is used as the signal processing unit 52. It is also possible to realize the signal processing unit 52 by executing the program by the control device 20. That is, the signal processing unit 52 may be a software filter.

(3) In each of the above-described forms, the blood flow velocity V is exemplified as blood flow information, but the type of information regarding blood flow (blood flow information) is not limited to the above examples. For example, it is also possible to present the blood flow index F calculated by the above-mentioned mathematical formula (1a) to the subject as blood flow information. Further, the blood volume index (so-called MASS value) may be calculated from the detection signal Sd, and the blood volume index may be calculated as blood flow information. It is also possible to generate other biological information from blood flow information such as blood flow index F, blood flow index, and blood flow velocity V. For example, various biological information such as blood pressure, average blood pressure, pulse pressure, oxygen saturation (SpO2), blood vessel diameter, or blood vessel age (blood vessel hardness) can be used as blood flow such as blood flow index F and blood flow velocity V. Can be inferred from information.

(4) In each of the above-described embodiments, the filter processing (FIG. 5) in which the gain is continuously reduced so that the higher the frequency component in the processing band B is suppressed is executed, but the signal processing unit 52 executes it. The frequency characteristics of the filtering process are not limited to the above examples. As shown in FIG. 19, a filter process that gradually reduces the gain toward the high frequency side in the processing band B may be executed. The filter processing of FIGS. 5 and 19 is a filter processing in which a component having a higher frequency in the processing band B is suppressed (that is, a filter processing in which the gain is monotonically decreased as the frequency is higher). Further, as shown in FIG. 20, in the filter processing of FIG. 5, a range in which the gain is set to a specific value in the processing band B may be provided at predetermined intervals. In FIG. 20, a case where the range in which the gain is set to 0 is provided at predetermined intervals is illustrated, but the set gain may be 0 or more.

Furthermore, a plurality of filtering processes may be combined. For example, a filter process in which the gain is continuously reduced so that the component having a higher frequency in the processing band B is suppressed (FIG. 5), and a filter process in which the gain is gradually reduced toward the high frequency side (FIG. 19). And the filtering process (FIG. 20) in which the range in which the gain is set to 0 is provided at a predetermined interval, any plurality (two or three) of the filtering processes may be executed. As can be understood from the above description, if the filtering process is executed so that the component of the frequency fH in the processing band B is suppressed as compared with the component of the frequency fL lower than the frequency Fx at the lower end of the processing band B. , The frequency characteristics of the filtering process are arbitrary. However, according to each of the above-mentioned embodiments in which the gain is continuously changed so that the component having a higher frequency is suppressed in the processing band B (FIG. 5), the shot becomes particularly dominant on the high frequency side. The effect of reducing the influence of noise can be realized more effectively.

(5) In each of the above-described embodiments, the blood flow analysis device 100 configured as a single device is exemplified, but as shown in the following examples, the plurality of elements of the blood flow analysis device 100 are realized as separate devices from each other. Can be done.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the blood flow analysis device 100 including the detection device 30 is illustrated, but as illustrated in FIG. 21, a configuration in which the detection device 30 is separate from the blood flow analysis device 100 is also assumed. .. The detection device 30 is a portable optical sensor module mounted on a measurement site M such as a subject's wrist or upper arm. The blood flow analysis device 100 is realized by an information terminal such as a mobile phone or a smartphone. The blood flow analysis device 100 may be realized by a wristwatch type information terminal. The detection signal Sd generated by the detection device 30 is transmitted to the blood flow analysis device 100 by wire or wirelessly. The arithmetic processing unit 61 of the blood flow analysis device 100 calculates blood flow information from the detection signal Sd and displays it on the display device 24. As understood from the above description, the detection device 30 may be omitted from the blood flow analysis device 100.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the blood flow analysis device 100 including the display device 24 is illustrated, but as illustrated in FIG. 22, a configuration in which the display device 24 is separate from the blood flow analysis device 100 is also assumed. .. The arithmetic processing unit 61 of the blood flow analysis device 100 calculates blood flow information from the detection signal Sd, and transmits data for displaying the index to the display device 24. The display device 24 may be a dedicated display device, but may be mounted on, for example, an information terminal such as a mobile phone or a smartphone, or a wristwatch-type information terminal that can be carried by a subject. The blood flow information calculated by the arithmetic processing unit 61 of the blood flow analysis device 100 is transmitted to the display device 24 by wire or wirelessly. The display device 24 displays the blood flow information received from the blood flow analysis device 100. As understood from the above description, the display device 24 may be omitted from the blood flow analysis device 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 23, it is assumed that the detection device 30 and the display device 24 are separate from the blood flow analysis device 100 (bioanalysis unit). For example, the blood flow analysis device 100 (biological analysis unit) is mounted on an information terminal such as a mobile phone or a smartphone.

In a configuration in which the detection device 30 and the blood flow analysis device 100 are separated, it is possible to mount an element for calculating the intensity spectrum on the detection device 30. The intensity spectrum calculated by the detection device 30 is transmitted to the blood flow analysis device 100 by wire or wirelessly.

(6) In each of the above-described embodiments, the wristwatch-type blood flow analysis device 100 including the housing portion 12 and the belt 14 is exemplified, but the specific form of the blood flow analysis device 100 is arbitrary. For example, a patch type that can be attached to the subject's body, an earring type that can be attached to the subject's auricle, a finger-mounted type that can be attached to the subject's fingertips (for example, a nail-attached type), or a subject's head that can be attached. Any form of blood flow analyzer 100, such as a head-mounted type, can be adopted.

(7) In each of the above-described embodiments, the blood flow information of the subject is displayed on the display device 24, but the configuration for notifying the subject of the blood flow information is not limited to the above examples. For example, it is also possible to notify the subject of blood flow information by voice. In the ear-worn blood flow analysis device 100 that can be worn on the selvage of the subject, a configuration in which blood flow information is transmitted by voice is particularly suitable. In addition, it is not essential to notify the subject of blood flow information. For example, the blood flow information calculated by the blood flow analysis device 100 may be transmitted from the communication network to another communication device. Further, the blood flow information may be stored in a portable recording medium that can be attached to and detached from the storage device 22 of the blood flow analysis device 100 or the blood flow analysis device 100.

(8) In each of the above-described embodiments, the blood flow analysis device 100 for analyzing the blood flow of the subject is exemplified, but the scope to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the analysis of blood flow. For example, the present invention can be applied to an apparatus for analyzing the flow of various liquids other than blood (for example, a drug solution flowing in a tube). As can be understood from the above description, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a device for analyzing a fluid (fluid analysis device), and the blood flow analysis device 100 described in each of the above-described embodiments is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This is an example of the fluid analysis device according to the above.

(9) The blood flow analysis device 100 according to each of the above-mentioned forms is realized by the cooperation between the control device 20 and the program as in the above-mentioned example. The program according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be provided and installed in a computer in a form stored in a computer-readable recording medium. It is also possible to provide a program stored in a recording medium included in a distribution server to a computer in the form of distribution via a communication network. The recording medium is, for example, a non-transitory recording medium, and an optical recording medium (optical disc) such as a CD-ROM is a good example, but a known arbitrary such as a semiconductor recording medium or a magnetic recording medium. Can include recording media in the form of. The non-transient recording medium includes any recording medium other than the transient propagation signal (transitory, propagating signal), and does not exclude the volatile recording medium.

100 ... Blood flow analysis device, 12 ... Housing unit, 14 ... Belt, 20 ... Control device, 22 ... Storage device, 24 ... Display device, 30 ... Detection device, 31 ... Light emitting unit, 32 ... Light receiving unit, 321,322 ... light receiving element, 33 ... drive circuit, 34 ... output circuit, 51 ... signal amplification unit, 52 ... signal processing unit, 53 ... A / D conversion unit, 61 ... arithmetic processing unit.

Claims (6)

The detection signal indicating the intensity of the laser light that has passed through the blood vessel is filtered so that the frequency component in the predetermined processing band is suppressed as compared with the frequency component lower than the frequency at the lower end of the processing band. The signal processing unit to be executed and
By integrating the product of the intensity of each frequency in the intensity spectrum of the filtered signal and the frequency for the calculation range between the first frequency and the second frequency exceeding the first frequency, the inside of the blood vessel is used. It is equipped with an arithmetic processing unit that generates information about the blood flow of the blood vessel.
The second frequency is higher than the frequency at the lower end of the processing band and is closer to the frequency at the lower end of the processing band than the frequency at the upper end of the processing band within the processing band.
Blood flow analyzer. The blood flow analysis device according to claim 1 , wherein the frequency at the lower end of the processing band exceeds a frequency higher than the first frequency by 1/2 of the calculation range. The blood flow analysis device according to claim 2 , wherein the frequency at the lower end of the processing band is lower than the first frequency by 3/4 of the calculation range. The blood flow analysis device according to claim 3 , wherein the frequency at the lower end of the processing band is higher than the first frequency by 2/3 of the calculation range. The detection signal indicating the intensity of the laser light that has passed through the blood vessel is filtered so that the frequency component within the predetermined processing band is suppressed as compared with the frequency component lower than the frequency at the lower end of the processing band. Run and
By integrating the product of the intensity of each frequency in the intensity spectrum of the filtered signal and the frequency for the calculation range between the first frequency and the second frequency exceeding the first frequency, the inside of the blood vessel is used. Generate information about blood flow in
It is a blood flow analysis method
The second frequency is higher than the frequency at the lower end of the processing band and is closer to the frequency at the lower end of the processing band than the frequency at the upper end of the processing band within the processing band.
Blood flow analysis method. The detection signal indicating the intensity of the laser light that has passed through the blood vessel is filtered so that the frequency component in the predetermined processing band is suppressed as compared with the frequency component lower than the frequency at the lower end of the processing band. The signal processing unit to be executed, and
By integrating the product of the intensity of each frequency in the intensity spectrum of the filtered signal and the frequency for the calculation range between the first frequency and the second frequency exceeding the first frequency, the inside of the blood vessel is used. A program that makes a computer function as an arithmetic processing unit that generates information about blood vessels in the air.
The second frequency is higher than the frequency at the lower end of the processing band and is closer to the frequency at the lower end of the processing band than the frequency at the upper end of the processing band within the processing band.
program.

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