JP7403097B2 - Physiological measuring device and physiological measuring method for marine organisms - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a physiological measuring device and a physiological measuring method for marine organisms, and more specifically to a physiological measuring device and physiological measuring method for marine organisms that measure living marine organisms with electrodes inserted deep into the marine organisms. Regarding the method.

Japan's fishing industry, which is surrounded by the sea, plays a major role in solving food problems. In recent years, mechanization has progressed in the fields of agriculture, livestock, and fishing, and the use of IT, as exemplified by plant factories, has progressed, and in the fishing industry, aquaculture, which not only captures resources but also grows them, is progressing further. It is expected that However, if the farmed products are expensive, the business will not be viable, so technology that achieves higher productivity is important.
The same can be said not only for fishing for the purpose of supplying food, but also for the breeding of marine organisms.
Advances in aquaculture and rearing techniques for marine organisms that achieve high productivity may make it possible to cultivate and raise species that were previously impossible.

However, there are currently many unknowns about the ecology of fish and other marine organisms, which are difficult to directly observe and measure compared to terrestrial organisms. This is because people cannot easily go underwater because there is no air, and because seawater is conductive, radio waves cannot reach it, making information communication difficult.
In addition, efforts have been made to find less invasive physiological measurement methods (for example, see Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1), but compared to human measurement methods, there are few research examples and it lags behind. is the current situation.
There are various types of physiological information used for determining a person's physiological state, such as during a health checkup, among which electrocardiograms and electromyograms are representative. However, even if we try to apply human electrocardiogram or myoelectric measurements to marine organisms, the conductivity of seawater causes the biological electrodes to short-circuit, making it impossible to measure them.
Regarding physiological measurements in seawater, the inventors have discovered a method for easily and stably measuring a measurement target underwater using a bioelectrode (for example, see Non-Patent Documents 2 and 3).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-55799

Takato Kojima “Development of ECG derivation technology for fish and its application” Journal of the Japanese Society of Fisheries Science, Vol. 79 (2013) No. 3, p. 319-322 Published in 2013 Tsunemasa Saiki, Yukako Takizawa, Koji Murai, Hiroshi Fukuzo, Masakazu Arima “Electrocardiogram measurement in seawater” Transactions of the Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan C, Vol.139 No.6, p.757-758, published June 1, 2019 Tsunemasa Saiki, Yukako Takizawa, Koji Murai, Masakazu Arima “Underwater myoelectric potential sensor for diving” Journal of the Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan C, Vol.139 No.6, p.719-724, published June 1, 2019

In Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1 mentioned above, since a small measuring device is inserted into the abdominal cavity of the fish together with an electrode (for example, see claim 1 of Patent Document 1), specialized knowledge is required for the procedure, and the measurement target is The burden on the fish is also large.
Both of the above-mentioned non-patent documents 2 and 3 target humans. However, based on the knowledge obtained there, the inventors believed that it would be possible to establish a method suitable for physiological measurement of marine organisms, and as a result of intensive research, they arrived at this invention.
If it becomes possible to easily and stably measure the ecology of marine organisms, such as their health and stress, the physiological data obtained can be used to elucidate the biology of marine organisms and improve the productivity of aquaculture and rearing. It becomes possible.
This invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and is capable of simple and stable physiological measurement of marine organisms, and uses less invasive physiological measurement methods such as electrocardiograms and electromyograms. This is what we provide.

This invention provides a physiological measurement circuit having a measurement input section that receives a bioelectrical signal at a measurement site from a marine organism in electrolyte-containing water, a reference input section that receives an electric potential of the electrolyte-containing water containing the marine organism, and a measurement lead having a coating layer, one end of which is exposed from the coating layer to form a needle-shaped bioelectrode, and the other end of which is connected to the measurement input section; a reference lead connected to an input section, and with the bioelectrode and the coating layer adjacent to the bioelectrode penetrated into the marine organism, the measurement lead is inserted from the measurement site. electrically detects a bioelectrical signal and sends it to the physiological measurement circuit, and with the reference electrode placed in the electrolyte-containing water, the reference lead connects the physiological measurement circuit with the potential of the electrolyte-containing water as a reference potential. We provide equipment for measuring the physiology of marine organisms.
From a different perspective, the present invention provides a measurement lead that has a coating layer for insulation and has one end exposed from the coating layer and constitutes a bioelectrode. inserting the measurement lead into the interior of the marine organism, placing the marine organism into which one end of the measurement lead is inserted into electrolyte-containing water, and placing a reference lead having a reference electrode at one end in the electrolyte-containing water. and detecting a bioelectrical signal from the measurement site with the bioelectrode using the potential of the reference electrode as a reference to perform physiological measurement.

In the physiological measurement device according to the present invention, when the needle-shaped bioelectrode and the coating layer adjacent to the bioelectrode are penetrated into the marine organism, the measurement lead receives bioelectrical signals from the measurement site. It is electrically detected and sent to the physiological measurement circuit, and the reference lead uses the potential of electrolyte-containing water as the reference potential and sends it to the physiological measurement circuit, making it possible to perform simple and stable physiological measurements of marine organisms, and with low invasiveness. Physiological measurement methods such as electrocardiograms and electromyograms can be realized.
In other words, a bioelectrode and an adjoining coating layer are inserted into the interior of a marine organism and detected bioelectrical signals from the measurement site while insulated from the surrounding electrolyte-containing water. Electrodes can be used. Furthermore, since the electrolyte-containing water surrounding the marine organisms to be measured has an electromagnetic shielding effect, stable biological signals with less noise can be obtained.

Furthermore, it is only necessary to insert a measurement lead having a bioelectrode near the measurement site of a marine organism, and there is no need to insert a reference electrode, so less invasive physiological measurements can be achieved.
Therefore, by measuring the physiological reactions of marine organisms using the method of the present invention in, for example, aquaculture farms and aquariums, it is possible to manage the physical condition of marine organisms.
The same applies to the physiological measurement method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the basic configuration of fish physiological measurement in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the shape of a bioelectrode used in an experiment in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the locations where bioelectrodes for electrocardiographic measurement and myoelectrical measurement are inserted into a fish to be measured in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the approximate positions of the internal organs of the fish shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram showing an electrocardiographic waveform measured by the output of the biological amplifier in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram showing an electrocardiographic waveform obtained by processing the output of the biological amplifier by a waveform analysis device in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram showing a resting myoelectric waveform measured by the output of the biological amplifier in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram showing a myoelectric waveform during activity measured by the output of the biological amplifier in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram showing a resting myoelectric waveform obtained by processing the output of the biological amplifier with a waveform analysis device in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram showing a myoelectric waveform during activity in which the output of the biological amplifier is processed by the waveform analysis device in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing how bioelectrodes are attached to three locations near the heart of a fish and an electrocardiogram waveform is measured in Embodiment 2. FIG. 8 is a waveform diagram of electrocardiographic waveforms obtained by processing electrocardiographic waveforms measured at three measurement positions shown in FIG. 7 by a waveform analyzer. FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a mode of physiological measurement according to Embodiment 3; FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a physiological measurement device in Embodiment 3. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a system for remotely monitoring bioelectrical signals of fish, which is applied to fish farming and the like shown in FIG. 9. FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a mode of physiological measurement according to Embodiment 4. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a bioelectrode attached to a subject in the physiological measurement shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 13 is a waveform diagram showing waveforms during activity at measurement site V3 of physiological measurement shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 13 is a waveform diagram showing a waveform during activity at the measurement site BB of physiological measurement shown in FIG. 12. FIG. FIG. 13 is a waveform diagram showing waveforms during activity at the measurement site FC of physiological measurement shown in FIG. 12; 13 is a waveform diagram showing a waveform at rest at the measurement site EC of physiological measurement shown in FIG. 12. FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a bioelectrical circuit model for physiological measurement in this embodiment.

Hereinafter, this invention will be explained in further detail using the drawings. Note that the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the invention.
(Embodiment 1)
In this embodiment, as an example of a method for measuring the physiology of marine organisms, physiological measurement (bioelectrical measurement) of fish in a natural state under the sea, such as during swimming, will be described.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic configuration example of a fish physiological measuring device according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the physiological measurement device 10 includes a reference electrode 11, a needle-shaped bioelectrode 13, a bioelectrical amplifier 21 (also called a bioelectrical amplifier) that amplifies minute bioelectrical signals from the bioelectrode, and a bioelectrical amplifier 21 (also called a bioelectrical amplifier). A waveform analysis device 23 is provided for processing the output signal waveform from 21.
The waveform processing device in this embodiment is constituted by a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC) in which a data logger and software for waveform analysis are installed. Furthermore, in FIG. 1, an oscilloscope 25 for displaying the signal waveform output from the biological amplifier 21 is connected to the output of the biological amplifier 21.
The fish F to be measured is placed alive in seawater 29 (corresponding to electrolyte-containing water) filled in an aquarium 27, and physiological measurements are performed. In detail, the measurement is performed with the needle-shaped bioelectrode 13 inserted into the muscle near the heart of the fish F, which is the measurement site. The biological electrode 13 is connected to the biological amplifier 21 via a measurement lead 17. The bioelectrical signal detected by the bioelectrode 13 is input to one differential input of the biomedical amplifier 21 via the measurement lead 17 .

On the other hand, a reference electrode 11 is placed in seawater 29 containing fish F. The reference electrode 11 is a metal piece connected to the tip of the reference lead 15. The reference electrode 11 is connected to the other differential input of the biological amplifier 21 via the reference lead 15. Furthermore, the reference lead 15 is connected to the ground of the biological amplifier 21, so that the ground potential of the biological amplifier is matched to the potential of the seawater 29. By matching the ground potential of the biological amplifier 21 to the potential of the seawater 29, saturation of the output signal of the biological amplifier 21 can be prevented.
The biological amplifier 21 differentially amplifies the bioelectrical signal related to the heartbeat of the fish F detected by the biological electrode 13 with respect to the potential of the reference electrode 11, that is, the potential of the seawater 29 around the fish F.
The data logger of the waveform analysis device 23 records the output from the biological amplifier 21 as time series data. The PC of the waveform analysis device 23 takes in the time series data recorded in the data logger and processes it using software for waveform analysis.

≪Experiment example≫
The electrocardiographic waveform and myoelectric waveform of the fish were measured using the physiological measuring device shown in FIG.
The fish F to be measured is a cylindrical fish with a body length of about 20 centimeters. The water tank 27 has a diameter of 38 cm and a depth of 15 cm. Seawater 29 is natural seawater at room temperature.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the shape of the bioelectrode 13 used in the experiment. The bioelectrode 13 is a part approximately 12 mm from the tip of a silver wire having a diameter of 0.8 mm. The surface of the tip of the silver wire is not coated with insulation and is exposed, and functions as a bioelectrode 13. The bioelectrode 13 has two barbs 13a to prevent it from coming off. The other part of the silver wire is coated with insulating rubber paint and functions as the measurement lead 17. The end of the silver wire on the opposite side from the bioelectrode 13 is crimped to one end of the copper wire 17c with an AWG size of 24 (conductor cross-sectional area: 0.205 square mm, conductor outer diameter approximately 0.5 mm) using a crimping sleeve. has been done. Like the silver wire, the crimp sleeve is also coated with an insulating rubber paint. The other end of the copper wire 17c is connected to one of the differential inputs of the biological amplifier 21.
The bioelectrode 13 and the part of the insulating coat 17a adjacent thereto were inserted into the muscle above the gills of the fish F to the vicinity of the crimp sleeve 17b, and the electrocardiographic waveform was measured. Furthermore, a bioelectrode 14 having a similar structure was inserted into the muscle near the fish's tail, and the myoelectric waveform was measured. Similar to the electrocardiogram measurement, the bioelectrode 14 and the part of the insulating coat 18a adjacent thereto were inserted into the muscle of the tail close to the crimp sleeve 18b.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the locations where bioelectrodes for electrocardiogram measurement and myoelectric measurement are inserted into fish F. As shown in FIG. 3, a part of the insulation coat 17a of the measurement lead 17, the crimp sleeve 17b, and the copper wire 17c are exposed from the body surface of the fish F at the position where the bioelectrode for electrocardiographic measurement is inserted. Since the bioelectrode 13 and the portion of the insulating coat 17a adjacent thereto are located inside the body of the fish F, these portions are shown by chain lines in FIG. Similarly, a part of the insulating coat 18a of the measurement lead 18, the crimp sleeve 18b, and the copper wire 18c are exposed on the body surface of the fish F at the position where the bioelectrode for myoelectric measurement is inserted.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the approximate positions of the internal organs of the fish F shown in FIG. 3 by superimposing an anatomical diagram of the fish. It should be noted that this figure does not actually dissect the fish for which physiological measurements were taken, but merely superimposes an anatomical diagram of the fish, so it shows the approximate location of internal organs. The anatomical drawings were referred to from the New Illustrated Guide to Fish Anatomy, supervised by Kiyoshi Kimura, published by Midori Shobo Co., Ltd., June 10, 2010.
FIG. 4 shows the approximate positions of the gills 101, the heart 102, the kidneys 103, the liver 104, the stomach 105, and the testicles 106. Further, FIG. 4 shows the position of the muscle 107 exposed at the cut.
The Kyusen used for physiological measurements were alive for at least two weeks after the physiological measurements.
Although the bioelectrodes 13 and 14 used in the experiment have large shapes because they are prototypes, less invasive physiological measurements can be performed by using smaller bioelectrodes.

The equipment used for physiological measurement is as follows.
Biological amplifier: Manufactured by TEAC, model name BA1008
Data logger: Manufactured by Graphtech Co., Ltd. Model name GL900
Waveform analysis software: Self-made Oscilloscope: Manufactured by Tektronix, model name MSO2024
Resistance meter dedicated to bioelectrodes: Manufactured by Nihon Suntech Co., Ltd. Model name: MaP811
The experimental results are as follows.

1. Electrical resistance value Before attaching the bioelectrode 13 to the fish F, the electrical resistance between it and the reference electrode 11 was measured with the above resistance meter while it was placed in seawater 29.The resistance value was 0.6 kΩ. there were.
Next, as shown in Fig. 3, the bioelectrode 13 was inserted into the upper part of the gills of the fish F, and the electrical resistance between it and the reference electrode 11 was measured. It was 1.2 kΩ.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the bioelectrode 14 was inserted into the tail of the fish F and the electrical resistance between it and the reference electrode 11 was measured, and the value was 1.4 kΩ for both the first and second times.

2. Electrocardiographic waveform The electrocardiographic waveform of fish F measured with the bioelectrode 13 is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.
FIG. 5A shows a waveform of the output of the biological amplifier 21 measured by the oscilloscope 25. However, the scale on the vertical axis is converted to the voltage level of the input of the biological amplifier 21.
The filter settings of the biological amplifier 21 include a high-pass filter with a low cut-off frequency of 0.53 Hz, a low-pass filter with a high cut-off frequency of 30 Hz, and an amplification factor of 1000 times.
FIG. 5B shows a waveform obtained by processing the output of the biological amplifier 21 by the waveform analyzer 23. The waveform analysis device 23 further processes the output of the biological amplifier 21 using a digital filter (low-pass filter). The high cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter is 30 Hz.
From FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, it was demonstrated that the electrocardiographic waveform of the fish could be measured using the physiological measuring device shown in FIG.

3. Myoelectric waveforms The myoelectric waveforms of fish F measured with the bioelectrode 14 are shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D.
6A and 6B are waveforms of the output of the biological amplifier 21 measured by the oscilloscope 25. However, the scale on the vertical axis is converted to the voltage level of the input of the biological amplifier 21.
The filter settings of the biological amplifier 21 include a high-pass filter with a low cut-off frequency of 5.3 Hz, a low-pass filter with a high cut-off frequency of 3 kHz, and an amplification factor of 1000 times.
FIG. 6A shows myoelectric waveforms when fish F is at rest, and FIG. 6B shows electromyographic waveforms when fish F is active.

6C and 6D are waveforms obtained by processing the output of the biological amplifier 21 by the waveform analyzer 23. The waveform analysis device 23 further processes the output of the biological amplifier 21 using digital filters (low-pass filter, high-pass filter, and notch filter). The high cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter is 1 kHz. The low cutoff frequency of the high-pass filter is 10 Hz. The notch filter is for removing commercial power frequency noise, and has a median rejection frequency of 60 Hz.
From FIGS. 6A to 6D, it was demonstrated that the myoelectric waveform of a fish can be measured using the physiological measuring device shown in FIG.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, regarding electrocardiogram measurement, bioelectrodes were attached to multiple different positions to measure electrocardiographic waveforms, and the influence of measurement position was investigated.
≪Experiment example≫
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing how, in this embodiment, bioelectrodes similar to those in FIG. 2 are inserted into three locations near the heart and above the gills of fish F (Kyusen) to measure the electrocardiographic waveform. be.

As shown in FIG. 7, electrocardiographic waveforms were measured at measurement positions D1, D2, and D3 in order from the heart. The electrocardiographic waveform at the measurement position D1 is input to one channel of a biological amplifier (not shown in FIG. 7) via the measurement lead 31. Similarly, electrocardiographic waveforms at measurement positions D2 and D3 are input to individual channels of the biological amplifier via measurement leads 32 and 33, respectively. As shown in FIG. 7, the electrocardiographic waveform of fish F was measured for about one hour with the bioelectrode attached to fish F.
FIG. 8 shows an example of electrocardiographic waveforms measured at measurement positions D1, D2, and D3 shown in FIG. FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the amplitude of the electrocardiographic waveform decreases as the bioelectrode is located farther away from the heart.

The further away from the heart the more cells such as muscles exist between the heart and the electrodes. It is presumed that this increases the internal resistance, and as a result, the amplitude of the detected bioelectrical signal, ie, the electrocardiographic waveform, becomes smaller.
(Embodiment 3)
This embodiment is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which physiological measurements are performed by applying the knowledge obtained in Embodiments 1 and 2 to fish F such as cultured fish and breeding fish.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing aspects of physiological measurement according to this embodiment. In FIG. 9, the fish F is assumed to be a cultured fish larger than the Japanese cucumber shown in the first and second embodiments. However, it is not limited to this. A measurement lead 34 for measuring an electrocardiogram waveform, a measurement lead 35 for measuring a myoelectric waveform, and a reference electrode 11 are attached to the fish F. Furthermore, measurement leads 35 and 36 for measuring myoelectric waveforms are attached to different positions.
The bioelectrodes of each measurement lead 34 to 36 may have a structure similar to the bioelectrode shown in FIG. 2, but are preferably thinner and smaller using technology such as painless needles or MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) Less invasive methods are applied.

Each measurement lead 34 - 36 and reference electrode 11 are connected to a physiological measurement device 39 .
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the physiological measurement device shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 10, the physiological measurement device 39 includes a multi-channel biological amplifier, and each measurement lead 34-36 is connected to a different input channel. Furthermore, the physiological measurement device 39 is driven by a built-in battery and amplifies the bioelectrical signals detected by each of the measurement leads 34 to 36 based on the potential of the reference electrode 11.
Note that, as shown in FIG. 9, the reference electrode 11 may be attached to a different location from the physiological measurement device 39 on the fish F, but it is also possible to place the reference electrode 11 on the surface of the physiological measurement device 39 and to integrate both. may be done.
The physiological measurement device 39 has a data logger and records each amplified bioelectrical signal. Furthermore, the physiological measurement device 39 includes a microprocessor, a data memory, and a communication interface circuit, and transmits information related to physiological measurement to an external monitoring device. Using the physiological measuring device 39 configured in this manner, it becomes possible to record bioelectrical signals of swimming fish in a data memory, and later read out and analyze the recorded bioelectrical signals. Furthermore, by using underwater acoustic communication using ultrasonic waves or the like, it becomes possible to transmit information related to physiological measurements and sequentially monitor the condition of fish remotely.

Moreover, the physiological measurement device 39 has a mounting part for mounting on the fish F to be measured. The attachment part may be a space provided on the surface of the physiological measurement device 39 for attachment to the body surface of the fish F using preferably non-invasive or very small adhesive tape or adhesive. good. Alternatively, a slit or a fastener formed on the surface of the physiological measurement device 39 or a surface of the physiological measurement device 39 in order to clamp or hang a part of the body surface of the fish F (for example, the caudal fin part) and fix it. It may also be a string connected to the
This kind of physiological measurement device applies the technology used in AffordSense's biosensor (trade name: Vitalgram), which was developed for measuring human physiology on the ground, and has a waterproof structure and ultrasonic waves. This can be realized by adding an underwater communication means such as.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a system for remotely monitoring bioelectrical signals of fish F, which is applied to the cultivation of fish F shown in FIG. 9.
In FIG. 11, a fish F equipped with the physiological measuring device shown in FIG. 9 is cultured in seawater 29 surrounded by a net 47. The ends of the net 47 are fixed to a plurality of buoys 49.
An ultrasonic receiver 41 is arranged in the seawater 29 as one aspect of an underwater acoustic communication device, and relays underwater acoustic communication with the physiological measurement device 39 attached to the fish F. The bioelectrical signal of the fish F is delivered to the remote monitoring device 45 via underwater acoustic communication using the ultrasonic receiver 41 and wireless communication using the repeater 43. Here, underwater acoustic communication is not limited to ultrasonic waves, and communication using the repeater 43 is not limited to wireless communication.

The repeater 43 performs wireless remote communication using, for example, wireless LAN or mobile communication technology.
The remote monitoring device 45 records and analyzes the received bioelectrical signals, and is composed of, for example, a personal computer on which dedicated application software is installed.
The remote monitoring device 45 receives bioelectrical signals from one or more fish F equipped with the physiological measurement device 39 and analyzes the received bioelectrical signals to obtain the physiological state of the fish F.
With the above-mentioned remote monitoring system for bioelectrical signals of fish, etc., information regarding the health condition, stress, etc. of fish, etc. can be obtained instantly, remotely, easily, and with less impact on the living body.

(Embodiment 4)
In Embodiment 1, it is possible to detect an electrocardiogram waveform by attaching a bioelectrode to the muscle near the heart using the seawater around the fish as a reference potential, and to detect an electrocardiogram waveform by attaching a bioelectrode to the muscle of the tail. He said it was possible. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, it was shown that the amplitude decreases as the bioelectrode moves away from the heart, but the electrocardiographic waveform can be measured even at a certain distance from the heart.
This embodiment describes the possibility of attaching a bioelectrode to a muscle at a certain distance from the heart and detecting both electrocardiographic waveforms and myoelectric waveforms with the bioelectrode.
The inventors have obtained the following findings regarding human physiological measurements in seawater.

≪Experiment example≫
FIG. 12 shows the state of physiological measurement in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the inventors filled a bathtub with simulated seawater 51 whose electrical conductivity was adjusted to 5.3 Siemens/meter with an electrolyte, and detected human bioelectrical signals using the same method as in Non-Patent Document 2. I measured it. As a result, we discovered the possibility of observing multiple bioelectrical phenomena in one place.
Simulated seawater 51, bathtub 53, reference electrode 55, and subject H1 in FIG. 12 correspond to seawater 29, aquarium 27, reference electrode 11, and fish F in FIG. 1, respectively.

However, the bioelectrode attached to the subject was replaced with the one attached to the fish F (see FIG. 2), and a non-invasive one was used as in the same measurement as in Non-Patent Document 2. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the bioelectrode attached to the subject H1 in the physiological measurement shown in FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 13, the bioelectrode 57 is made by attaching an annular chloroprene sponge rubber 61 (outer diameter 20 mm, inner diameter 7 mm, thickness 5 mm, CSC2 hardness: 39) on the acrylic structure 59 using a silicone elastic adhesive. Attachment: Embed a commercially available silver/silver chloride plate electrode 63 (EPA-12, manufactured by Unique Medical, diameter 6 mm, thickness 3 mm) in the hollow part of the chloroprene sponge rubber 61, and fix it with epoxy adhesive (Manufactured by Nichiban, Araldite Rapid). I made it. This bioelectrode is pressed against the measurement location of the subject H1 using a handicraft woven rubber 65 (width 20 mm) passed through a hole in the acrylic structure.

When the subject H1 moves significantly in the simulated seawater 51, the simulated seawater 51 enters the cavity (gap) in front of the dish electrode 63 through the gap between the subject H1's skin and the chloroprene sponge rubber 61 pressed against it. However, when the subject is at rest or moves lightly, the simulated seawater 51 that has entered the cavity is isolated and insulated from the external simulated seawater 51 by the skin of the subject H1, the chloroprene sponge rubber 61 pressed against it, and the acrylic structure 59. Ru. The seawater in the cavity serves to reduce the electrical resistance between the dish electrode 63 and the skin.
Incidentally, the chloroprene sponge rubber 61 and the acrylic structure 59 have the function of isolating and insulating the dish electrode 63 inside the cavity and the simulated seawater 51 outside, and the bioelectrode 13 inserted into the muscle of the fish F (Fig. 1, This corresponds to the function of the insulating coats 17a and 18a (see FIG. 2) that insulates the seawater 29 (see FIG. 3) from the seawater 29.

As shown in FIG. 12, a bathtub 53 was filled with simulated seawater 51 at 35±1° C., and the subject H1 was asked to take a semi-sitting position (Fowler's position) in the bathtub 53 and soak up to his neck. Then, the V3 measurement position in the standard 12-lead method (the intersection of the left sternum border of the 4th intercostal space, the 5th intercostal space, and the left midclavicular line), above the center of the biceps brachii (BB) of the left arm, and on the radial hand. Bioelectrodes were attached to a total of four locations on the central part of the flexor carpi (FC) and the central part of the extensor carpi ulnaris (EC). Next, a brass plate serving as a reference electrode 55 was submerged approximately in the center of the bottom of the bathtub, that is, below the thighs of the subject.

While asking subject H1 to repeatedly move his right wrist, the body was measured at measurement position V3 of the chest, measurement position BB of the biceps brachii, measurement position FC of the flexor carpi radialis muscle of the forearm, and measurement position EC of the extensor carpi radialis muscle of the forearm. The electrical signal was measured.
The waveforms of the bioelectrical signals of the subject H1 measured in this manner are shown in FIGS. 14A to 14D. Looking at the waveform at measurement position V3 on the chest (FIG. 14A), the cardiac potentials of R, S, and T waves can be clearly confirmed.

Next, looking at the measured waveforms of the forearm in FIGS. 14C and 14D, rapidly changing voltages are observed alternately at FC and EC about every 1 second. These voltages are myoelectric potentials that correspond to the palmar flexion and dorsiflexion movements of the wrist joint of the subject H1.
In FIG. 14B, both an electrocardiogram and an electromyogram can be confirmed. Such cardiac potentials and myocardial potentials were also observed in subjects H2 and H3, who underwent similar measurements.
From the above, it has become clear that electrocardiographic waveforms and myoelectric waveforms can be measured with a single bioelectrode. According to this embodiment, measurement can be performed using about half as many bioelectrodes as in the case where bioelectrodes for electrocardiogram measurement and bioelectrode for myoelectric measurement are attached separately.

Here, the reason why this method has such characteristics will be considered based on the bioelectrical circuit model shown in FIG. 15. This bioelectrical circuit is modeled by considering a reference electrode as a number of virtual electrodes attached to the entire body surface. In this circuit, the internal resistance ΣR _Iα increases as the distance between the bioelectrical active site and the isolated electrode increases, and the potential component V _α detected by the bioelectrode attached to the subject due to this bioelectrical activity E _α becomes smaller. Become. If such electrical activities occur simultaneously at various locations within a living body, the bioelectrical activities are added together, and a total potential V _Total (=ΣV _α ) appears on one isolated electrode. From the above, by using this circuit model, it can be explained without contradiction that a plurality of bioelectrical activities can be observed simultaneously at a position away from the isolated electrode as shown in FIG. 13B, for example.

The above experimental examples are findings obtained from the measurement of human bioelectrical signals, but as described in Embodiments 1, 2, and 3, physiological measurements can be performed using a configuration similar in principle to this embodiment. If carried out, it is thought that it can be applied to measurements targeting marine organisms. This is because humans and marine animals have the same basic mechanisms, such as the heart and muscles.

As mentioned above,
(i) The physiological measuring device for marine organisms according to the present invention includes a measurement input section that receives bioelectrical signals at the measurement site from marine organisms in electrolyte-containing water, and a reference input section that receives the electric potential of the electrolyte-containing water containing the marine organisms. a physiological measurement circuit having: a measurement lead having a coating layer for insulation, one end of which is exposed from the coating layer to constitute a needle-shaped bioelectrode, and the other end of which is connected to the measurement input section; a reference lead having a reference electrode and the other end connected to the reference input section, and a state in which the bioelectrode and the coating layer adjacent to the bioelectrode are penetrated into the interior of the marine organism. The measurement lead electrically detects a bioelectrical signal from the measurement site and sends it to the physiological measurement circuit, and the reference lead is connected to the electrolyte-containing water while the reference electrode is placed in the electrolyte-containing water. It is characterized in that the potential is sent to the physiological measurement circuit as a reference potential.

In this invention, physiological measurement is also called biological measurement, and in order to objectively grasp the state of the living body, it includes bioelectrical signals related to breathing, heartbeat, and movement of the living body, as well as brain waves and electrooculography waveforms (e.g., electroretinograms). It is to measure bioelectrical signals such as ERG) and electrooculogram (EOG) waveforms). The specific aspect thereof is the measurement of electrocardiographic waveforms and myoelectric waveforms in the above-described embodiments, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may be any method that measures bioelectrical signals.
In this specification, "needle-like" is used in a broad sense, including, for example, a rod-like shape with a blunt tip, a shape with a plurality of branched tips, and the like. In short, any shape can be used as long as it can be inserted into the body of the object to be measured.
In addition to fish, marine organisms may also include marine mammals, seabirds, invertebrates, and the like.
Furthermore, electrolyte-containing water refers to water containing electrolytes, such as seawater. Electrolytes are substances such as salts that dissolve in water, dissociate into cations and anions, and conduct electricity.

The measurement site is a location where a bioelectrode is attached to measure bioelectrical signals. Preferably, a location that does not affect the living body or has a small impact on the living body is selected as the measurement location. For example, in measuring the electrocardiogram waveform in the embodiment described above, the bioelectrode is attached not to the heart but to a muscle close to the body surface in the vicinity thereof.
Furthermore, the physiological measurement circuit is a circuit that detects and processes biological signals using biological electrodes. A specific embodiment thereof is, for example, a biological amplifier. The biological amplifier preferably has a differential amplifier, but as shown in FIG. 9, if the biological amplifier is placed in electrolyte-containing water, radiation noise is shielded, so it does not need to be a differential amplifier. Further, it may be provided with a data logger, a function of waveform analysis processing, and a communication interface circuit for communicating with external equipment, but it is not necessary. Furthermore, a microcomputer, a memory, and a battery as a power source may be provided as hardware resources for realizing the functions of a data logger and waveform analysis processing, but these are not necessary. The physiological measurement device in Embodiment 3 is one aspect of a physiological measurement circuit.

The measurement lead is configured to have a biological electrode at one end and input a biological signal to the physiological measurement circuit at the other end.
Further, the reference lead is configured to have a reference electrode at one end that detects the potential of electrolyte-containing water around the living body as a reference potential, and the other end to provide the reference potential to the physiological measurement circuit. Note that the reference lead may be configured integrally with the physiological measurement circuit.
According to this invention, measurement can be performed using a common reference electrode for multiple measurement sites, so the number of electrodes is about half that of the conventional method in which physiological measurements are performed using paired electrodes for multiple measurement sites. Physiological measurements can be performed. Furthermore, it is conceivable that different types of bioelectrical phenomena can be measured with a single bioelectrode. Furthermore, according to this invention, due to the shielding effect of seawater, measurements with smaller external noise components can be made compared to conventional methods.

Furthermore, preferred embodiments of this invention will be explained.
(ii) The physiological measurement circuit has a plurality of measurement input sections corresponding to a plurality of measurement leads, each measurement lead electrically detects bioelectrical signals from different measurement sites, and each measurement input section corresponds to a plurality of measurement input sections. A bioelectrical signal from a measurement site may be received.
In this way, bioelectrical signals from multiple measurement sites can be measured in parallel, and the potential of electrolyte-containing water around marine organisms can be acquired using a single reference electrode. Compared to the conventional method, which uses a pair of electrodes to perform physiological measurements, physiological measurements can be performed using about half the number of electrodes. That is, a simple and less invasive physiological measuring device can be realized.

(iii) The physiological measurement circuit may be one or both of an electrocardiograph and an electromyograph.
In this way, electrocardiographic waveforms and myoelectric waveforms, which are general and basic bioelectrical signals, can be measured.

(iv) The physiological measurement circuit has an attachment part for performing physiological measurement while being attached to the marine organism to be measured, and a recording circuit for recording the detected bioelectrical signal, , a physiological measurement device having a reference electrode disposed on the surface thereof may be used.
In this way, it is possible to perform and record physiological measurements with the physiological measurement device attached to the marine organisms being measured, so by measuring the physiological reactions of living and active marine organisms, it is possible to You can manage your physical condition.

(v) The physiological measurement device may include a communication interface circuit that communicates with an external device, and provide information related to physiological measurement to an external remote monitoring device via the communication interface circuit.
In this way, the physiological reactions of living and active marine organisms can be measured remotely using a physiological measurement device having a communication function, and the physical condition of the marine organisms can be managed.

(vi) The measurement lead may further include a waveform analysis processing circuit that detects a bioelectrical signal including a plurality of bioelectrical phenomena and separates different bioelectrical phenomena from the detected bioelectrical phenomena.
In this way, information regarding a plurality of bioelectrical phenomena can be obtained from bioelectrical signals measured using one measurement lead.

(vii) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bioelectrode and the portion adjacent to the bioelectrode of the measurement lead having a coating layer for insulation and having one end exposed from the coating layer to constitute a bioelectrode are provided. inserting a coating layer into the marine organism; placing the marine organism into which one end of the measurement lead is inserted into electrolyte-containing water; and inserting a reference lead having a reference electrode at one end into the electrolyte-containing water. and detecting a bioelectrical signal from the measurement site with the bioelectrode using the potential of the reference electrode as a reference to perform physiological measurement of a marine organism.

Preferred embodiments of the invention include combinations of any of the above-mentioned embodiments.
In addition to the embodiments described above, there may be various modifications of this invention. Such variations are not to be construed as falling outside the scope of this invention. This invention should include the meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the said scope.

10: Physiological measurement device, 11, 55: Reference electrode, 13, 14, 57: Bioelectrode, 13a: Return, 15: Reference lead, 17, 18, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36: Measurement lead, 17a, 18a: insulation coat, 17b, 18b: crimp sleeve, 17c, 18c: copper wire, 21: biological amplifier, 23: waveform analyzer, 25: oscilloscope, 27: water tank, 29: seawater, 39: physiological measurement device 41 : Ultrasonic receiver, 43: Repeater, 45: Remote monitoring device, 47: Net, 49: Buoy, 51: Simulated seawater, 53: Bathtub, 59: Acrylic structure, 61: Chloroprene sponge rubber, 63: Dish electrode , 65: Woven rubber 101: Gills, 102: Heart, 103: Kidney, 104: Liver, 105: Stomach, 106: Testis, 107: Muscle BB, D1, D2, D3, EC, FC, V3: Measurement position, F : Fish, H1, H2, H3: Subject

Claims (7)

a physiological measurement circuit having a measurement input section that receives a bioelectrical signal at a measurement site from a marine organism in electrolyte-containing water and a reference input section that receives an electric potential of electrolyte-containing water containing the marine organism;
a measurement lead having a coating layer for insulation, one end side of which is exposed from the coating layer to constitute a needle-shaped bioelectrode, and the other end side of which is connected to the measurement input section;
a reference lead having a reference electrode at one end and connected to the reference input section at the other end;
With the bioelectrode and the coating layer adjacent to the bioelectrode inserted into the marine organism, the measurement lead electrically detects the bioelectrical signal from the measurement site and detects the physiological state. Send it to the measurement circuit,
The reference electrode has a plate-like shape, and in a state where the reference electrode is placed in the electrolyte-containing water, the reference lead sends the potential of the electrolyte-containing water as a reference potential to the physiological measurement circuit. The physiological measurement circuit has a plurality of measurement input sections corresponding to a plurality of measurement leads, each measurement lead electrically detects bioelectrical signals from different measurement sites, and each measurement input section corresponds to a corresponding measurement site. The physiological measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the physiological measuring device receives a bioelectrical signal from the. 2. The physiological measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the physiological measuring circuit is one or both of an electrocardiograph and an electromyograph. The physiological measuring device includes:
an attachment part for performing physiological measurements while being attached to a marine organism to be measured;
A physiological measurement device having a recording circuit for recording detected bioelectrical signals is provided as the physiological measurement circuit ,
The physiological measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the physiological measuring device has a reference electrode arranged on the surface thereof. The physiological measurement device includes a communication interface circuit that communicates with an external device,
The physiological measurement device according to claim 4, wherein information related to physiological measurement is provided to an external remote monitoring device via the communication interface circuit. The measurement lead detects a bioelectrical signal including a plurality of bioelectrical phenomena,
The physiological measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a waveform analysis processing circuit that separates different bioelectrical phenomena from the detected bioelectrical phenomena. Of a measurement lead that has a coating layer for insulation and has one end exposed from the coating layer and constitutes a bioelectrode, the bioelectrode and the coating layer of the portion adjacent to the bioelectrode are inserted into the inside of the marine organism. step and
placing the marine organism into which one end of the measurement lead is inserted in electrolyte-containing water;
placing a reference lead having a reference electrode at one end in the electrolyte-containing water;
A method for measuring the physiology of marine organisms, comprising the steps of: detecting a bioelectrical signal from a measurement site with the bioelectrode using the potential of the reference electrode as a reference, and performing physiological measurement.