JP7470960B2 - Biological information measuring device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a biometric information measuring device that measures a subject's biometric information.

Known biological information measuring devices include a respiratory sound measuring device for measuring respiratory sounds, a heart rate measuring device for measuring heart rate, and a device for measuring blood oxygen concentration. As a respiratory sound measuring device, for example, a method for detecting snoring using a mobile terminal or the like is known. Also, as shown in Patent Document 1, a method is known in which a microphone is attached around the neck of each patient and sounds received by the microphone while the patient is sleeping are recorded.

However, snoring during sleep can be a nuisance to people around you, and snoring can lead to apnea, which can lead to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Therefore, there is a demand for a respiratory sound measuring device that can measure snoring and sleep apnea.

JP 2007-202939 A

When using a respiratory sound measuring device to determine the breathing of a subject, it is not sufficient to simply distinguish between snoring sounds; it is necessary to distinguish between respiratory sounds in a normal sleep state, i.e., "a state in which there is faint respiratory sounds compared to snoring," and a sleep apnea state, i.e., "a state in which there is essentially no respiratory sounds." The volume of respiratory sounds during normal sleep is smaller than that of snoring, and is even smaller in the case of hypopnea. Therefore, it is difficult to distinguish between a normal sleep state (including hypopnea) and a sleep apnea state based on respiratory sounds using a mobile terminal or the like as described above, and it is preferable to obtain respiratory sounds from the airway directly from the subject's neck, etc.

However, when using a neckband microphone (e.g., Patent Document 1) to obtain biometric information (breathing sounds) directly from the subject's neck, etc., if the subject changes position while sleeping, for example by turning over, or if the angle of the neck changes due to the pillow used, etc., the neckband may deform and the breathing sound detector may float above the surface of the neck. This makes it impossible to measure breathing sounds accurately.

In addition, because the thickness and cross-sectional shape of the neck differ for each subject, even if an elastic member is used for the neckband, depending on the subject, the respiratory sound detection unit may not adhere well to the subject's neck, causing the respiratory sound measurement unit to float above the neck surface and reducing the accuracy of respiratory sound determination. It is possible to create a dedicated neckband for each subject, but this would pose the problem of deformation due to twisting of the neckband being impossible to eliminate, causing the measurement unit to float.

The present invention was made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a neckband-type respiratory sound measuring device that improves the adhesion of the respiratory sound acquisition unit to the subject's neck.

The bioinformation measuring device according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a neckband configured to be worn circumferentially around the neck of a subject, and a bioinformation acquiring unit that protrudes inward from the inner end surface of the neckband and has a contact surface that contacts the neck of the subject when the neckband is worn around the neck of the subject, and the bioinformation acquiring unit is configured such that the angle of the contact surface with respect to the inner surface of the neckband changes depending on an external force applied to the contact surface.

The bioinformation measuring device according to the second aspect of the present invention comprises a neckband configured to be worn circumferentially around the neck of a subject, and a bioinformation acquiring unit having a contact surface that protrudes inward from the inner end surface of the neckband and contacts the neck of the subject when the neckband is worn around the neck of the subject, and the bioinformation acquiring unit is configured such that the amount of protrusion of the contact surface relative to the inner surface of the neckband changes depending on the external force applied to the contact surface.

The bioinformation measuring device according to the third aspect of the present invention comprises a neckband configured to be worn circumferentially around the neck of a subject, and a bioinformation acquiring unit that protrudes inward from the inner end surface of the neckband and has a contact surface that comes into contact with the neck of the subject when the neckband is worn around the neck of the subject, and the bioinformation acquiring unit is configured such that the angle and amount of protrusion of the contact surface with respect to the inner surface of the neckband change depending on the external force applied to the contact surface.

According to the first to third aspects described above, for example, the angle and amount of protrusion of the biometric information acquisition unit with respect to the inner surface of the neckband changes depending on the force received from the subject's neck on the contact surface when the subject wears the neckband and the twisting of the neckband after wearing, and thus the contact surface acts to follow the movement and inclination of the skin surface of the subject's neck. This can increase the adhesion of the contact surface of the respiratory sound acquisition unit to the subject's neck and improve sound collection. Also, it can increase the adhesion of the contact surface of the biometric information acquisition unit to the subject's neck regardless of the subject's body type.

In the biometric information measuring device, the biometric information acquiring unit may be configured to change the inclination of the contact surface relative to the inner surface of the neckband in response to an external force applied to the contact surface.

The biometric information acquisition unit may be configured to change the amount of protrusion from the neckband depending on the external force applied to the contact surface.

As a result, for example, the inclination of the contact surface of the neckband and the amount of protrusion from the neckband change depending on the force received from the subject's neck on the contact surface when the subject wears the neckband and the twisting of the neckband after wearing it, so that the contact surface of the biometric information acquisition unit can be made to adhere closely to the subject's neck regardless of the subject's body type.

The biometric information measuring device may be provided with a biasing means for biasing the biometric information acquiring unit in a protruding direction.

This allows the contact surface of the respiratory sound acquisition unit to better adhere to the subject's neck.

The biometric information measuring device may include a circuit board on which a circuit for processing the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit is mounted, and a partition is provided between the biometric information acquisition unit and the circuit board to prevent foreign matter from entering.

This ensures the mobility of the biometric information acquisition unit while preventing foreign matter from entering the circuit board from the outside.

According to the present invention, the shape of the protruding portion of the biometric information acquisition section relative to the inner surface of the neckband changes depending on the external force applied to the subject's neck and the twisting of the neckband, thereby improving the adhesion of the respiratory sound measurement device to the subject's neck.

Schematic diagram showing how the respiratory sound measuring device is worn A perspective view of the respiratory sound measuring device from the upper right Top view of the respiratory sound measuring device Side view of the respiratory sound measuring device from the right front VI-VI line cross section of Figure 4 Enlarged view of the measurement area in Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of line VII-VII in FIG. Cross-sectional view of line VIII-VIII in FIG. IX-IX line cross section of FIG. A perspective view of the protrusion from the front side A schematic diagram showing an example of a subject with a standard neck size wearing a respiratory sound measurement device. A schematic diagram showing an example of a subject with a thin neck wearing a respiratory sound measurement device. A schematic diagram showing an example of a subject with a thick neck wearing a respiratory sound measurement device.

The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

<Configuration of Respiratory Sound Measuring Device>
1, the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is worn by a subject P around the neck Pn before going to sleep, and is used to measure the inhalation and exhalation airflow sounds (hereinafter simply referred to as respiratory sounds) during sleep. Specifically, the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is a neckband-type device that can be worn around the neck of the subject in the circumferential direction.

The respiratory sound measuring device 1 includes a neckband 10 and a protruding portion 70 (see FIG. 2) that protrudes from the inner surface 10a of the neckband 10 toward the inside (the side of the neck Pn of the subject P). The respiratory sound measuring device 1 of this embodiment acquires the respiratory sounds of the subject P by bringing the contact surface 71a (see FIG. 2) at the tip of the protruding portion 70 into contact with the skin of the subject's neck Pn.

The neckband 10 is formed, for example, in an arc shape (e.g., roughly C-shaped) so as to fit the subject's neck Pn. After the subject P opens the opening on both sides, the neckband 10 is worn from the rear side of the neck Pn toward the neck Pn, and is configured to sandwich the neck Pn from the outside in the circumferential direction.

In the following explanation, the up-down and left-right directions are defined based on the state in which the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is worn by the subject P. The front (chest) side of the subject P is defined as the front, and the back side is defined as the back. The "subject side" is defined based on the state in which the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is worn, and when explaining the wearing unit 30 (see Figure 2) and the measuring unit 40 (see Figure 2) described below, each subject side may be called the "inside" and the opposite side the "outside."

As shown in FIG. 2, the neckband 10 is configured with a fitting section 30 formed in an arc shape (e.g., a roughly semicircular shape) so that it can be fitted around the neck Pn in the circumferential direction, and a measuring section 40 that abuts against the neck Pn to measure the respiratory sounds of the subject P, which are connected by a hinge section 60 (see FIG. 6). When the measuring section 40, which will be described later, is in the deployed position, the neckband 10 as a whole is configured to be an arc-shaped body.

In other words, one end of the attachment section 30 constitutes one open end of the neckband 10. The base end of the measurement section 40 is connected to the other end of the attachment section 30 via the hinge section 60. In the following description, the surface of the neckband 10 facing the subject's neck Pn is referred to as the "inner surface 10a of the neckband 10" or simply the "inner surface 10a". In other words, the "inner surface 10a of the neckband 10" is a concept that includes the inner surface (neck Pn side) of the attachment section 30 and the inner surface (neck Pn side) of the measurement section 40 (see FIG. 2).

The attachment section 30 preferably has the following characteristics: (1) the subject P can wear the neckband 10 around the neck by spreading both open ends of the neckband 10 with both hands, (2) at least a part of the inner surface 10a of the neckband 10 fits closely to the subject's neck Pn when the subject P releases his/her hands, and (3) is strong enough to withstand continuous use. As long as the above (1) to (3) are satisfied, the specific structure and material of the neckband 10 are not particularly limited. For example, the attachment section 30 may have an elastic structure in which a leaf spring is surrounded by elastomer resin, or a general-purpose elastic polypropylene resin may be used. However, the technology disclosed herein is not limited to using a leaf spring structure or elastomer resin for the attachment section 30.

5 and 6, the measurement unit 40 has a storage case 41 in which an inner case 42 and an outer case 43 are fitted together to form a storage space Q therein. The storage space Q of the storage case 41 contains a first board 73 (see FIG. 6) to which a microphone 74 is attached, a second board 50 on which electronic components for processing the respiratory sounds acquired by the microphone 74 are mounted, and a battery 51 for supplying power to each component of the respiratory sound measuring device 1. The first board 73 and the second board 50 are connected by a flexible cable 76. The material forming the storage case 41 may be the same as that of the attachment unit 30, or may be different from each other.

Returning to FIG. 2, the inner case 42 of the storage case 41 has a bottom plate that is rounded so as to be convex outward, and side plates that rise outward from the top, bottom and tip ends of the bottom plate so as to surround the storage space Q described above.

A circular first opening 42a is formed in the bottom plate of the inner case 42 at approximately the center in the vertical direction on the tip side, and a rectangular second opening 42b is formed at approximately the center in the circumferential direction and the vertical direction. A protrusion 70 is inserted into the first opening 42a from the inside of the storage case 41 to prevent it from falling out. The second opening 42b is used as a measurement window for passing measurement light when an optical human detection sensor 59 is used to detect whether the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is attached to the subject's neck Pn. Note that the second opening 42b is not necessarily required, and is not required, for example, when the human detection sensor 59 is of a type other than optical type or when the human detection sensor 59 itself is not provided.

Although not shown, bearings are provided on the base end side (mounting unit 30 side) of both side walls of the inner case 42 to rotatably support the pivot shaft 61 (see FIG. 5) of the hinge unit 60 described below. The configuration of the bearings is not particularly limited, but for example, a shaft insertion hole that is slightly larger than the outer shape of the pivot shaft 61 is formed in the base end of both side walls of the inner case 42.

The outer case 43 of the storage case 41 has an upper plate arranged to face the bottom plate of the inner case 42, and side plates rising inward from the upper and lower ends and tip of the upper plate to surround the aforementioned storage space Q. The base end side of the upper plate of the outer case 43 is formed to cover part of the hinge portion. After aligning the inner case 42 and the outer case 43, the storage case 41 is fixed with screws 46 inserted into screw holes 45 formed in the bottom plate of the inner case 42 (see FIG. 6).

2, the protrusion 70 has a flat contact surface 71a at the tip (the end on the subject side) for contacting the neck Pn, and a protrusion body 71 integrally formed with a stopper 71b (see FIG. 10) at the base end for preventing the protrusion 70 from slipping out of the first opening 42a of the housing case 41. In this way, by providing the contact surface 71a on the protrusion 70, the contact area with the neck Pn can be increased. This prevents breathing sounds from leaking out and improves the sound collection effect. The protrusion body 71 is preferably strong enough to maintain the cylindrical shape of the second sound guide space RS2 described later. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, a hollow space 71d may be provided inside the protrusion body 71 to reduce weight while maintaining strength.

The material constituting the protrusion body 71 is not particularly limited as long as it has sufficient hardness (predetermined hardness) to maintain the cylindrical shape of the second sound-guiding space RS2. For example, a plastic resin (e.g., polyoxymethylene) can be used as the material constituting the protrusion body 71. In addition, for example, polypropylene or silicone resin with a hardness of 50 or more can also be used.

As shown in FIG. 2, a sound guide port 71e is opened at the tip of the protrusion main body 71 (protrusion 70) for introducing respiratory sounds from the subject's neck Pn when the neckband 10 is worn by the subject P. As shown in FIG. 10, the base end surface of the protrusion main body 71 has a generally rectangular recess in the center (see 71g), into which a rectangular first substrate 73 (see FIG. 6) is fitted. A microphone 74 (see FIG. 6) is attached to the approximate center of the inner surface of the first substrate 73.

As shown in FIG. 6, the protruding body 71 is provided with a sound guide space RS for guiding the breathing sound introduced from the sound guide port 71e to the microphone 74. Specifically, a sound guide hole 73a is formed in the first substrate 73 at a position corresponding to the microphone 74, penetrating in the front-back direction. The space formed by this sound guide hole 73a constitutes a part of the sound guide space RS and is called the first sound guide space RS1. In addition, the sound guide port 71e (see FIG. 2) of the protruding body 71 is provided with a tapered sound collection section 71f (see FIG. 2) whose inner diameter gradually narrows toward the microphone 74. The space formed by this sound collection section 71f constitutes a part of the sound guide space RS and is called the third sound guide space RS3. The first sound guide space RS1 and the third sound guide space RS3 are connected by a cylindrical second sound guide space RS2. A cylindrical sound insulation material 77 may be provided so as to abut against the inner wall surface of the second sound guide space RS2. By providing such sound-proofing material 77, vibrations caused by external shocks to the neckband 10 can be transmitted, and the generation of solid-borne sound in the sound guide space RS can be suppressed. Vibrations of the neckband 10 occur, for example, when the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is rubbed against bedding or the subject's hand when the subject P changes his or her body position while sleeping.

In this disclosure, the term microphone is used to broadly include devices, apparatus, and circuits that convert sound waves into electrical signals, as well as sound sensors such as MEMS microphones used in such devices, and the specific configuration is not particularly limited. Meanwhile, in this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the term "microphone" is used to refer to a sound sensor for acquiring breathing sounds, such as a MEMS microphone. However, this is done for convenience of explanation and is not intended to limit the meaning of the term "microphone."

The material from which the sound-insulating material 77 is made is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the material is one that absorbs solid vibrations from the neckband 10 while being less likely to absorb sound waves from breathing sounds acquired from the neck Pn and passing through the second sound-guiding space RS2. For example, an elastic material such as silicone rubber can be suitably used for the sound-insulating material 77.

A hook-shaped protrusion 71c (see FIG. 10) is provided at the base end of the protrusion body 71. A cover 75 that covers the first substrate 73 is attached to the protrusion 71c. A compression coil spring 78 is provided in the aforementioned storage space Q between the cover 75 and the top plate of the outer case 43. When the neckband 10 is attached to the subject's neck Pn, and a force from the subject's neck Pn is applied to the abutment surface 71a of the protrusion 70, the angle of the abutment surface 71a changes to conform to the shape of the subject's neck Pn due to the action of the compression coil spring, and the abutment surface 71a comes into close contact with the skin of the subject's neck Pn and is pressed with a force according to the elastic force of the compression coil spring 78. Furthermore, when the force from the neck Pn is stronger than the biasing force of the compression coil spring 78, the protrusion 70 is pushed into the storage space Q of the storage case 41, and the amount of protrusion of the protrusion 70 from the inner end surface of the neckband changes. This improves adhesion to the skin of the subject's neck Pn and reduces the risk of the protrusion 70 digging into the skin of the subject P. The movement of the protrusion 70 will be explained later with a specific example.

Here, no dustproof wall is provided between the protrusion 70 and the first opening 42a of the inner case 42 to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter such as the subject's sweat (including moisture), dust, and dirt (hereinafter simply referred to as foreign matter). This allows the mobility of the protrusion 70 to be increased. On the other hand, a partition wall 44a is provided in the storage space Q to separate the first opening 42a from electronic components such as the second board 50 and the battery 51, so that foreign matter that has infiltrated through the gap between the protrusion 70 and the first opening 42a of the inner case 42 when the protrusion 70 is pushed into the storage space Q does not infiltrate the second board 50 or the battery 51.

The second substrate 50 is arranged on the bottom plate (the plate on the subject side) of the inner case 42 so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the measurement unit 40 (the circumferential direction of the neckband 10).

In addition to the human detection sensor 59 mentioned above, the second board 50 is also equipped with a battery 51 for supplying power to each component of the respiratory sound measuring device 1, a memory unit (not shown) for storing the measurement results, a communication module 53 for transmitting the measurement results to an external device (e.g., terminal device 80), an acceleration sensor (not shown) for detecting body position/body movement, a connector 55 for communicating with external devices and charging the battery, a vibrator 56 for providing stimulation to the subject, a power button 57 (see Figure 2), and a monitor lamp 58 for the subject (see Figure 2).

Although not shown, the side panel of the measuring unit 40 has an insertion port that opens outward, and a communication/charging cable can be inserted into the connector 55 through the insertion port.

As shown in FIG. 5, the vibrator 56 is attached in close contact with the housing case 41 in order to transmit vibrations to the subject's neck Pn and facilitate a change in posture, for example, when the subject P is in an apneic state or snoring loudly.

As shown in FIG. 2, the power button 57 is configured, for example, as a push button that protrudes from the outside of the side panel of the measurement unit 40, allowing the subject P to turn the respiratory sound measurement device 1 on and off.

The monitor lamp 58 is composed of, for example, a light-emitting diode. For example, a translucent section composed of a translucent material is provided on the side panel of the measurement unit 40, and the subject P can check the power on/off state, communication state, charging state, etc. of the respiratory sound measurement device 1 by looking at the light emission state of the monitor lamp 58 through the translucent section.

The hinge portion 60 supports the measurement portion 40 so that it can rotate with respect to the attachment portion 30 between the unfolded position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 and the folded position shown by the virtual line in FIG. 3. The unfolded position is a position where the measurement portion 40 is maximally opened outward, and the inner surface 10a is substantially flat at the joint between the two. In the unfolded position, for example, the tip end of the attachment portion 30 and the base end of the measurement portion 40 abut against each other and are locked so as not to spread further outward. The folded position is a position where the measurement portion 40 is folded inward with respect to the attachment portion 30. In the folded position, for example, the base end of the measurement portion 40 abuts against the outer inner wall of the attachment portion 30 and is locked so as not to bend further inward. The rotation range R11 between the unfolded position and the folded position is not particularly limited, but is, for example, about 40 degrees. A rotation range of about 40 degrees can accommodate subjects P with a wide range of body types. However, the range of movement (rotation range) is not limited to approximately 40 degrees, and may be, for example, greater than 40 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 6, the hinge unit 60 includes a rotation axis unit 61 that constitutes the rotation axis AX, which is the central axis of the rotational movement, and a biasing means 62 that biases the measuring unit 40 toward the bent position. The configuration of the rotation axis unit 61 is not particularly limited, but can be realized, for example, as described above, by providing bearings on the base end side of both side walls of the inner case 42 and supporting the rotation axis unit 61 rotatably on the bearings. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which a torsion coil spring is used as the biasing means 62, but other biasing means may be used. Although not shown, the hinge unit 60 may be a so-called hinge spring in which a hinge and a spring are integrally configured.

Here, the biasing force of the biasing means 62 is configured to be greater than the biasing force of the compression coil spring 78. With this configuration, (1) the biasing means 62 performs a general positioning according to the body type of the subject (particularly the thickness of the neck), and (2) the compression biasing means 62 adjusts the angle of the abutting surface 71a of the protruding portion 70 so as to conform to the measurement location (skin surface) of the subject's neck Pn for the breath sounds. Here, a partition 44b may be provided in the storage space Q on the base end side of the measurement unit 40 to prevent foreign matter from entering from around the hinge portion 60. In this way, by providing the partition 44b on the storage space Q side, it is possible to increase the mobility of the hinge portion 60 while obtaining a dustproof effect. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, a partition 44 in which the partitions 44a and 44b are integrally configured may be provided. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the number of components and improve the workability of the assembly work.

Figures 11 to 13 show the wearing state of the respiratory sound measuring device 1 when subjects have different neck thicknesses. Figure 12 shows an example of the wearing state of a subject with a thin neck, and Figure 13 shows an example of the wearing state of a subject with a thick neck. Also, Figure 11 shows an example of the wearing state of a subject who is somewhere between the subjects in Figures 12 and 13 (hereinafter referred to as "normal build" for convenience). As shown in Figure 3, the external size of the wearing part 30 in the worn state is assumed to be an external diameter size φ1.

In FIG. 11, the subject's neck Pn fits exactly inside the attachment part 30, and when the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is attached, the attachment part 30 can be attached in an undeformed state (outer diameter size φ1). Also, in FIG. 11, the hinge part 60 is located in a substantially expanded position. Meanwhile, the amount of protrusion 70 protruding from the neckband 10 has changed. Specifically, the base end of the protrusion main body 71 enters the accommodation space Q, preventing the protrusion main body 71 from biting into the subject's neck Pn. Also, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 78 increases the adhesion of the contact surface 71a to the subject's neck Pn.

Figure 12 shows an example of a subject with a thinner neck than that shown in Figure 11. In the example of Figure 12, if the measurement unit 40 remains in the expanded position when the respiratory sound measurement device 1 is worn, the contact surface 71a of the protrusion 70 does not contact the subject's neck Pn (see the imaginary line in Figure 12). In this embodiment, the hinge unit 60 is biased toward the folded position, so the measurement unit 40 rotates toward the subject's neck Pn side (inside). Figure 12 shows an example of rotation by a rotation angle R12 (R11>R12). In addition, as the measurement unit 40 enters the subject's neck Pn side, the inner surface 10a of the neckband 10 near the subject's neck Pn also tilts toward the inside. In this embodiment, the angle of the contact surface 71a of the protrusion main body 71 changes depending on the force received by the contact surface 71a from the subject's neck Pn (see R21 in Figure 3 and R22 in Figure 12). That is, the angle of the contact surface 71a of the protruding body 71 changes to fit the subject's neck Pn. In addition, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 78 acts on the protruding body 71, which can increase the adhesion of the contact surface 71a to the subject's neck Pn. The location used as the "inner surface of the neckband 10" is not particularly limited; for example, the inner surface of the tip of the measuring unit 40 may be used as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3, or the inner surface around the middle of the measuring unit 40 may be used as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 3.

Figure 13 shows an example of a subject with a thicker neck than that shown in Figure 11. In the example of Figure 13, the subject's neck Pn does not fit completely inside the attachment part 30, but as described above, the neckband 10 does not open beyond the expanded position, so when the respiratory sound measuring device 1 is attached, the outer size of the attachment part 30 expands to an outer diameter size of φ2 (φ2>φ1). Then, most of the protruding part main body 71 enters the accommodation space Q, and the amount of protruding part main body 71 protruding from the neckband 10 is very small. This operation prevents the protruding part main body 71 from biting into the subject's neck Pn. Even in this case, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 78 acts to increase the adhesion of the contact surface 71a to the subject's neck Pn.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the protrusion body 71 is provided so as to protrude inward from the neckband 10 in order to contact the subject's neck Pn and acquire breath sounds, and the angle of the contact surface 71a of the protrusion body 71 is configured to change in response to the external force received from the subject's neck Pn and the twisting of the neckband. In other words, the contact surface 71a of the protrusion body 71 is configured to tilt in accordance with the movement and tilt of the skin surface of the subject's neck Pn. This allows the contact surface 71a of the protrusion body 71 to come into close contact with the subject's neck Pn, making it possible to acquire the subject's breath sounds with higher accuracy. This improves the accuracy of sleep apnea state determination by the breath sound measuring device 1.

<Other embodiments>
In the above embodiment, the shape of the neckband 10 is not limited to a substantially C-shape. The neckband 10 may be configured to be worn around the neck of the subject so that the respiratory sounds at the subject's neck can be measured by the microphone 2. For example, the neckband may be made of a soft material such as vinyl or fiber, wrapped around the neck, and fastened with a fastener such as a hook-and-loop fastener or an adjuster buckle.

In the above embodiment, a respiratory sound measuring device has been described, but the technology disclosed herein can also be applied to other bioinformation measuring devices. For example, in addition to a respiratory sound measuring device for measuring respiratory sounds, the technology disclosed herein can also be applied to a heart rate measuring device for measuring heart rate. The technology disclosed herein may also be applied to measuring blood oxygen concentration or blood flow. In this case, although not shown, an optical sensor or the like may be provided instead of the microphone 74. Conventionally known methods can be applied as specific methods for measuring blood oxygen concentration or blood flow.

The present invention is useful as a device for measuring breathing sounds while a subject is sleeping, primarily at home, etc.

1. Respiratory sound measuring device (biological information measuring device)
10 Neckband 50 Second board (circuit board)
70 Protrusion (biometric information acquisition unit)
71a: contact surface 78: compression coil spring (urging means)

Claims (2)

A biological information measuring device for measuring biological information of a subject, comprising:
A neckband configured to be worn around the subject's neck in a circumferential direction;
a biometric information acquisition unit that is formed of a circular member having a hat-shaped cross section corresponding to a circular opening formed on an inner end surface of the neckband, and that is configured to protrude toward the inside of the neckband through the opening, and that has a contact surface that comes into contact with the neck of the subject when the neckband is placed around the neck of the subject;
a biasing means for biasing the biometric information acquisition unit in a protruding direction,
the biometric information acquisition unit is configured such that an angle and a protrusion amount of the contact surface with respect to an inner surface of the neckband are changed in response to an external force applied to the contact surface;
the biasing means is a single compression coil spring that is provided at a center and rear side of the biometric information acquisition unit when viewed from a protruding direction and biases the biometric information acquisition unit in the protruding direction,
The biometric information acquisition unit is supported by the compression coil spring such that the hat-shaped brim portion of the cross section engages with the opening to prevent it from coming off, and the angle and the amount of protrusion of the circular member relative to the inner surface of the neckband change in response to an external force applied to the contact surface, thereby changing the angle and the amount of protrusion of the contact surface.
A biological information measuring device comprising: 2. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1,
a circuit board on which a circuit for processing the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit is mounted,
The biological information measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a partition for preventing intrusion of foreign matter between the biological information acquiring unit and the circuit.

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