JPWO2014006827A1 - Jaundice meter - Google Patents

Abstract

In the jaundice meter according to the present invention, a probe is provided on one end face in one direction in a box-shaped housing, and a display portion and a direction setting convex portion are provided on each surface facing each other in the housing, The direction in which the casing is held is determined by the direction setting projection so that the longitudinal direction of the finger of the user intersects the one direction of the casing.

Description

  The present invention relates to a jaundice meter, and more particularly to a jaundice meter that can reduce the contamination of a probe.

  In jaundice, bilirubin produced by the degradation of hemoglobin in red blood cells is not excreted from the living body due to any disorder, blood becomes hyperbilirubinemia, and bilirubin in the blood of this hyperbilirubinemia is deposited in living tissue. The tissue appears yellow and appears. Since bilirubin has a high affinity with elastic fibers, it deposits on skin, sclera, blood vessels and the like rich in elastic fibers. In addition, since fetuses in the fetal period are less efficient in exchanging oxygen by the placenta than exchanging oxygen by the lungs, their red blood cell count is about 1.5 to 2 times higher than that of adults to compensate for deficient oxygen. When pulmonary breathing becomes possible by birth, there are too many red blood cells in the blood and excess red blood cells are broken down. For this reason, a newborn baby becomes jaundice due to such a physiological phenomenon, and this jaundice is called a newborn jaundice.

  This newborn jaundice can sometimes be severe and can have a significant impact on the life and brain development of the newborn. For this reason, it is necessary to detect and treat neonatal jaundice appropriately at an early stage. Accurate determination of jaundice symptom intensity (degree of jaundice) should measure the bilirubin level in blood, but it is difficult and unrealistic to collect blood from all newborns.

  Therefore, conventionally, an optical jaundice meter that is non-invasive and capable of measuring in a relatively short time has been developed, and is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 and the like. The jaundice meter disclosed in Patent Document 1 is an instrument that measures the degree of jaundice based on the phenomenon that short wavelength side light is absorbed more than long wavelength side light by bilirubin deposited in subcutaneous tissue. is there. This optical jaundice meter emits measurement light and incident backscattered light of measurement light provided on a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing having one end tapered, and an end surface of the one end tapered in the casing. A probe and a display portion provided on one main surface of the casing are provided.

  By the way, in the jaundice meter, the degree of jaundice is measured by pressing the probe perpendicularly to a part of the human body of the person to be measured, and the user holds the jaundice meter so that the probe is in front and displays The measurement results displayed in the section are referenced. For this reason, in the jaundice meter having such a structure, when referring to the measurement result, the incident / exit surface of the probe hits the skin of the user's hand, wrist, arm, etc., and may be damaged. When this fouling occurs, the amount of incoming / outgoing light is reduced, which hinders measurement of jaundice in a normal state.

JP 2000-279398 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a jaundice meter capable of reducing the contamination of a probe.

  In the jaundice meter according to the present invention, a probe is provided on one end face in one direction in a box-shaped housing, and a display portion and a direction setting convex portion are provided on each surface facing each other in the housing, The direction in which the casing is held is determined by the direction setting projection so that the longitudinal direction of the finger of the user intersects the one direction of the casing. For this reason, since such a jaundice meter is provided with the direction setting convex part, it is possible to reduce the contamination of the probe.

  The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the jaundice meter in embodiment. It is a 6th page figure showing the appearance composition of the jaundice meter in a 1st embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the jaundice meter in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating how to hold the jaundice meter in 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the mode of the finger at the time of having the jaundice meter in 1st Embodiment. It is a back surface perspective view which shows the back surface external appearance of the jaundice meter in 2nd Embodiment. It is a back surface perspective view which shows the back surface external appearance of the jaundice meter in 3rd Embodiment. It is a front perspective view which shows the front external appearance of the jaundice meter in 4th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the structure which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in each figure shows that it is the same structure, The description is abbreviate | omitted suitably. Further, in this specification, when referring generically, it is indicated by a reference symbol without a suffix, and when referring to an individual configuration, it is indicated by a reference symbol with a suffix.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the jaundice meter according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a six-sided view illustrating an external configuration of the jaundice meter according to the first embodiment. 2A is a side view (left side view), FIG. 2B is a front view, FIG. 2C is the other side view (right side view), FIG. 2D is a rear view, and FIG. FIG. 2F is a rear end view, and FIG. 2F is a front end view seen from the entrance / exit. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the jaundice meter according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a front perspective view, and FIG. 3B is a rear perspective view. FIG. 4 is a view for explaining how to hold the jaundice meter according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is a diagram for explaining how to hold the jaundice meter when viewing the display on the touch panel or when performing an input operation on the touch panel, and FIG. 4B illustrates how to hold the jaundice meter when measuring with the jaundice meter. It is a figure for demonstrating. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a state of fingers when the jaundice meter is held in the first embodiment.

  The jaundice meter in this embodiment is an optical device that measures the degree of jaundice based on the phenomenon that light on the short wavelength side is absorbed more than light on the long wavelength side by bilirubin deposited in the subcutaneous tissue. . As shown in FIG. 1, the electrical configuration of such an optical jaundice meter Aa includes a measurement unit 1, a signal processing unit 2, an arithmetic control unit 3, an input unit 4, a display unit 5, An interface unit (hereinafter abbreviated as “IF unit”) 6 is provided.

  Under the control of the calculation control unit 3, the measurement unit 1 makes light incident on the skin, and scatters backscattered light emitted from the skin surface by being scattered by the fat layer in which bilirubin in the subcutaneous tissue is deposited. It is a device that receives light at two different wavelengths. The measurement unit 1 includes, for example, a light source that emits measurement light, a first light guide member that guides the measurement light emitted from the light source to the probe 11, and a first light guide that guides scattered light incident on the probe 11. The first and second light guide members, the first mirror that distributes the light guided by the second light guide member into two, and the first diffuser and the first optical light that is distributed by the first mirror. A first light receiving portion that receives light through the filter, a second light receiving portion that receives the other light distributed by the first mirror via the second diffusion plate and the second optical filter, and a third light guide member. A second mirror that distributes the emitted light into two, a third light receiving unit that receives one light distributed by the second mirror via the third diffusion plate and the third optical filter, and a second mirror A fourth light receiving portion for receiving the other distributed light through the fourth diffusion plate and the fourth optical filter; Eteiru. The light source is, for example, a cylindrical xenon lamp (xenon tube), and emits white light as flash light as measurement light. The first to third light guide members are, for example, optical fiber bundles in which a plurality of optical fibers are bundled. As shown in FIG. 2F, the emission surface 16 for emitting the measurement light in the first light guide member is formed in an annular shape (ring shape) so as to face the outside at the end surface of the probe 11 described later. As shown in FIG. 2F, the incident surface 15 on which the scattered light of the measurement light is incident on the light guide member has a circular shape inside the ring (ring shape) constituting the emission surface 16 of the first light guide member. The incident surface 17 on which the scattered light of the measurement light is incident on the third light guide member is formed on the end surface of the probe 11 as shown in FIG. 2F. It is formed on the outer side of the ring (ring shape) constituting the emission surface 16 of the optical member so as to face the outside at the end surface of the probe 11 in a ring shape. That is, the exit surface 16 of the first light guide member formed by a plurality of optical fibers and the entrance surfaces 15 and 17 of the second and third light guide members formed by a plurality of optical fibers are concentrically positioned. Yes. By arranging the exit surface 16 and the entrance surfaces 15 and 17 in the first to third light guide members in this way, the second light guide member can transmit the light propagated in the subcutaneous living body with a relatively long optical path length. The third light guide member can receive light that has propagated through the subcutaneous living body with a relatively short optical path length. The first and second mirrors are half mirrors (semi-transparent mirrors) or dichroic mirrors. When the first and second mirrors are dichroic mirrors, for example, the dichroic mirror reflects light including a blue light wavelength region and transmits light including a green light wavelength region. The first to fourth optical filters are band-pass filters that filter incident light and emit light of a predetermined transmission wavelength band. In the present embodiment, the first and third optical filters transmit blue light. Therefore, the center wavelength of the transmission wavelength band is set to 450 nm, and the center wavelength of the transmission wavelength band of the second and fourth optical filters is set to 500 nm in order to transmit green light. The first to fourth light receiving portions are photoelectric conversion elements that perform photoelectric conversion into a current having a magnitude corresponding to the amount of received light, and are, for example, silicon photodiodes. A measurement result (light reception signal) obtained by the measurement unit 1 is output to the signal processing unit 2.

  The signal processing unit 2 is a circuit that performs predetermined signal processing on the measurement result (light reception signal) obtained by the measurement unit 1 and outputs the result to the arithmetic control unit 3. The signal processing unit 2 includes first to fourth signal processing circuits corresponding to the first to fourth light receiving units in order to perform signal processing on the respective light receiving signals of the first to fourth light receiving units. Each of the signal processing circuits includes, for example, an IV conversion unit that converts a light reception signal of a current signal into a light reception signal of a voltage signal, an amplification unit that amplifies the output of the IV conversion unit at a predetermined amplification factor, An AD converter that converts an analog signal into a digital signal (AD conversion). Then, the AD converter outputs a digital signal as a result of the conversion to the arithmetic control unit 3. That is, the output of the measurement unit 1 (the light reception signals of the first to fourth light receiving units) is input to the arithmetic control unit 3 via the IV conversion unit, the amplification unit, and the AD conversion unit.

  The input unit 4a is a device that inputs various commands such as a command for instructing start of measurement of jaundice and various data associated with jaundice measurement such as input of an identifier (ID) of a measurement target to the jaundice meter Aa. is there. The display unit 5 is a device that outputs commands and data input from the input unit 4a and the degree of jaundice measured by the jaundice meter Aa. For example, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL display, and a plasma A display device such as a display. In this embodiment, the input unit 4a is a position input device that detects and inputs an operation position such as a resistance film method or a capacitance method, and a touch panel is formed by the position input device and the display unit 5 of the display device. Composed.

  In this touch panel, a position input device is provided on the display surface of the display device, one or more input content candidates that can be input to the display device are displayed, and the user touches the display position where the input content to be input is displayed. Then, the position is detected by the position input device, and the display content displayed at the detected position is input to the jaundice meter Aa as the operation input content of the user. In such a touch panel, since the user can easily understand the input operation intuitively, the jaundice meter Aa that is easy for the user to handle is provided. Then, by changing the display content displayed on the display device, various input contents can be input, and various operations can be performed on the jaundice meter Aa. In particular, the name, identifier (ID), etc. of the person to be measured can be input, and the jaundice meter Aa that can correspond to an electronic medical record can be provided.

  The IF unit 6 is a circuit for inputting / outputting data to / from an external device, and is, for example, an interface circuit using a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard.

  The calculation control unit 3 controls each part of the jaundice meter A according to the function of each part in order to obtain the degree of jaundice. The arithmetic control unit 3 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only) that stores various programs executed by the CPU and data necessary for the execution in advance. A non-volatile memory element such as Memory), a volatile memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) serving as a so-called working memory of the CPU, and a microcomputer including peripheral circuits thereof.

  As described above, the measurement unit 1 controls the calculation control unit 3 so that white measurement light is incident on the skin and scattered by the fat layer of the subcutaneous tissue. (Detection light) is received at two different wavelengths, and the measurement result is output to the arithmetic control unit 3 via the signal processing unit 2. Based on this measurement result (detection light), the calculation control unit 3 obtains the degree of jaundice for each measurement result of the long optical path length and the degree of jaundice for the measurement result of the short optical path length, and outputs them to the display unit 5 respectively. To do. More specifically, the arithmetic control unit 3 obtains the degree of jaundice from the difference between the light quantity of blue (center wavelength 450 nm) and the light quantity of green (center wavelength 550 nm). That is, the arithmetic control unit 3 measures the degree of yellow from the blue light amount (ratio of the blue light amount to the green light amount) with green as a reference. For example, if the degree of yellow is large, the amount of blue light based on green is low, so it is determined that the degree of jaundice is strong. On the other hand, if the degree of yellow is small, the amount of blue light based on green is high. It is determined that the degree of jaundice is weak. That is, the degree of yellowness of bilirubin present in the subcutaneous tissue of the living body is detected as an optical density difference between the two wavelength ranges of blue and green.

  In the jaundice meter Aa, the measurement unit 1, the signal processing unit 2, the calculation control unit 3, the input unit 4a, the display unit 5 and the IF unit 6 are used by a user (measuring person such as a measurer, a doctor or a nurse). And the like. The jaundice meter Aa is a handy type device.

  More specifically, in the jaundice meter Aa, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the casing H has a box-shaped casing in which one direction (direction indicated by an arrow AR) is long with respect to the other direction orthogonal thereto. A cylindrical probe 11 is provided on one end face of the one direction in which the measurement light is emitted and the detection light resulting from the measurement light is incident. More specifically, in the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the casing H has a shape that gradually tapers toward one end (tip) in the one direction, and the probe 11 is provided on the tapered tip surface. ing. The measurement light is white light in the above example, and the detection light is, for example, the above-described backscattered scattered light.

  The probe 11 is provided so as to be able to move in and out of the casing H as indicated by an arrow AR. The probe 11 is urged in a protruding direction (arrow direction AR) with respect to the casing H by an urging means (biasing member) (not shown) such as a spring member, and the user is a part of the human body of the person to be measured. For example, the probe 11 is pushed into the casing H against the urging force of the urging means when pressed perpendicularly to the forehead portion or the chest portion, and the light source of the measuring unit 1 emits light. When the light source emits light, the measurement light emitted from the light source is emitted from the end face of the probe 11 and enters the skin of the measurement subject, and the backscattered scattered light caused by the scattering is generated inside the casing H through the probe 11. The light enters the measuring unit 1. That is, the end surface of the probe 11 is an exit port that is an exit port that emits measurement light and an entrance port that receives scattered light. More specifically, as described above with reference to FIG. 2F, the end surface of the probe 11 is the exit surface 16 and the entrance surfaces 15 and 17 of the first to third light guide members arranged concentrically. .

  On the other end side (the rear end side of the upper surface) of the one main surface in the casing H, as shown in FIG. 2B, a touch panel including the input unit 4 and the display unit 5 is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, a power switch 12 for turning on / off the jaundice meter A is provided on the rear end side of one side surface (right side surface) of the casing H. A bar such as a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode such as a QR code (registered trademark) is provided on the other end side (the rear end side of the upper surface) of the other main surface of the casing H facing the one main surface. A bar code reader 18 for inputting the data represented by the bar code to the jaundice meter Aa by reading the code is provided as one of the input units 4.

  And the direction setting convex part which determines the direction which the longitudinal direction of the finger in the user crosses with the one direction of the casing H when the user holds the casing H by hand on the other main surface of the casing H 19a is provided. More specifically, the direction setting convex portion 19a is a truncated cone that is a truncated cone-shaped member, and includes a first region that includes a central portion that is a substantially central position in the one direction on the other main surface. Is provided.

  Further, the one side of the casing H is provided with a thumb position setting unit 20 that determines the position of the thumb of the user when the user holds the casing H by hand. More specifically, the casing H is raised higher than the display surface of the touch panel on the tip side from the display surface of the touch panel via a slope (taper surface) or a concave curved surface. Is the thumb position setting unit 20. That is, a step portion having a height difference with respect to the display surface of the touch panel is provided on the front end side of the display surface of the touch panel, and the step portion is formed by a slope (taper surface) or a concave curved surface, and the thumb. The position setting unit 20 is provided.

  Then, when the direction setting convex portion 19a is defined with the thumb position setting portion 20 as a starting point, the direction setting convex portion 19a has a remaining portion when the user's thumb is positioned at the position determined by the thumb position setting portion 20. It is provided in the second region where a plurality of fingers of the index finger or little finger can reach. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the first region provided with the direction setting convex portion 19 a is the remaining when the user's thumb is positioned at the position determined by the thumb position setting portion 20. It is also the second area where a plurality of fingers of the index finger or little finger can reach.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the direction setting convex portion 19 a and the thumb position setting portion 20 are formed integrally with the casing H.

  In the direction setting convex portion 19a having such a structure, when the user has the casing H by hand, the little finger, ring finger, middle finger, and index finger of the user's fingers are the little finger, ring finger, middle finger, and index finger, respectively. It is hung on the truncated cone of the direction setting convex portion 19a so that the truncated cone of the direction setting convex portion 19a fits into the recess of the hand formed by bending the joint. Therefore, the direction setting convex part 19a is formed in the magnitude | size which is wrapped in the recess of the hand.

  Since the jaundice meter Aa in this embodiment having such a configuration includes the direction setting convex portion 19a, the contamination of the probe 11 can be reduced. That is, if the other main surface facing the one main surface provided with the display unit 5 is flat, the user appropriately (freely) uses the jaundice meter Aa with the casing H. Therefore, there is a possibility that the incident / exit surface of the probe 11 may hit the skin of the user's hand, wrist, arm or the like. However, since the jaundice meter Aa having the above-described configuration includes the direction setting convex portion 19a, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 5, the user crosses the longitudinal direction of the finger of the user with one direction (longitudinal direction) of the housing. Thus, since the casing H is held, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the incident / exit surface of the probe 11 hits the skin of the user's hand, wrist, arm, etc., and to further reduce the contamination of the probe 11. it can. Further, in the jaundice meter Aa having the above-described configuration, when the user tries to remove the direction setting convex portion 19a, the direction setting convex portion 19a has a convex shape, so that it is difficult to hold and even unstable. End up. For this reason, after all, the user holds the jaundice meter Aa by placing a finger on the direction setting convex portion 19a. Therefore, also from such a viewpoint, the user holds the casing H such that the longitudinal direction of the finger of the user intersects with one direction of the casing H, so that the contamination of the probe 11 can be further reduced.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned jaundice meter Aa, since the direction setting convex part 19a is provided in the said 1st area | region, a user supports the jaundice meter Aa around the center part as shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. Therefore, it can be supported stably.

  Further, in the above-described jaundice meter Aa, since the direction setting convex portion 19a is provided in the second region (the first region in this example), when the thumb is positioned in the thumb position setting portion 20, the remaining amount is set. Since a plurality of fingers of the index finger or little finger are applied to the direction setting convex portion 19a, as shown in FIG. 4B, the jaundice meter Aa can be stably held with one hand, and the measurement operation can be performed reliably. .

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned jaundice meter Aa, the direction setting convex portion 19a is a truncated cone, so that the user's finger is familiar with (fits) the direction setting convex portion 19a, and it is easy to hold the jaundice meter Aa with one hand. .

  Moreover, since the above-described jaundice meter Aa is provided with the probe 11 on the tapered tip surface, the measurement site can be determined, and the measurement operation can be reliably performed at the desired measurement site. In particular, when the measurement is performed by pressing the probe vertically against the forehead portion or the chest portion of the newborn, the jaundice meter Aa having the above configuration is suitable because the desired measurement site has a relatively small area.

  Further, since the jaundice meter Aa includes the touch panel, the user can perform an input operation with the thumb while holding the jaundice meter Aa with one hand.

  Next, another embodiment will be described.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view showing the rear appearance of the jaundice meter according to the second embodiment. The jaundice meter Ab of the second embodiment is provided with a direction setting convex portion 19b of another shape instead of the direction setting convex portion 19a of the truncated cone in the jaundice meter Aa of the first embodiment. For this reason, the jaundice meter Ab of the second embodiment is the same as the jaundice meter Aa of the first embodiment, except for the shape of the direction setting convex portion 19b, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The direction setting convex part 19b in the jaundice meter Ab of the second embodiment is a structure composed of three or more small convex parts. More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the user holds the casing H by hand, the direction setting convex portion 19 b is configured so that the ring finger, the middle finger, and the index finger of the user's fingers are applied. Four first to fourth small convex portions 191b-1 to 191b-4 are provided. Each of the first to fourth small convex portions 191b-1 to 191b-4 is a rounded semi-columnar body extending in the other direction orthogonal to the one direction. The small convex portions 191b that are arranged side by side along one direction are connected to each other at their skirt portions. The first to fourth small convex portions 191b-1 to 191b-4 are formed so that the height gradually decreases from the front end toward the rear end. And in the direction setting convex part 19b in the jaundice meter Ab of 2nd Embodiment, the external shape of the cross section along the said one direction becomes a substantially sinusoidal wave shape.

  In the direction setting convex portion 19b having such a structure, when the user holds the casing H by hand, the ring finger, the middle finger, and the index finger of the user's fingers are the first small convex portion 191b-1 and the second small convex portion, respectively. The first concave portion between the first small convex portion 191b-1 and the second small convex portion 191b-2, the second small convex portion 191b-2, and the third small convex formed by the convex portion 191b-2. A second recess formed between the second small convex portion 191b-2 and the third small convex portion 191b-3, and the third small convex portion 191b-3 and the fourth small convex formed by the portion 191b-3. It is fitted and hung in a third recess formed between the third small convex portion 191b-3 and the fourth small convex portion 191b-4, which is formed by the convex portion 191b-4.

  For this reason, in the jaundice meter Ab in the second embodiment, since the direction setting convex portion 19b is a wave-shaped structure, the user's finger is preferably familiar with the direction setting convex portion 19b and supports the jaundice meter Ab with one hand. Easy to hold.

  Next, another embodiment will be described.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view showing the rear appearance of the jaundice meter according to the third embodiment. The jaundice meter Ac of the third embodiment is provided with a direction setting convex portion 19c of another shape instead of the direction setting convex portion 19a of the truncated cone in the jaundice meter Aa of the first embodiment. For this reason, the jaundice meter Ac of the third embodiment is the same as the jaundice meter Aa of the first embodiment, except for the shape of the direction setting convex portion 19c, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The direction setting convex part 19c in the jaundice meter Ac of the third embodiment is a partial sphere that is a member having a shape obtained by cutting out a part of a sphere, such as a hemisphere. In the direction setting convex portion 19c having such a structure, when the user holds the casing H by hand, the little finger, ring finger, middle finger, and index finger of the user's fingers are the little finger, ring finger, middle finger, and index finger, respectively. It is hung on the partial sphere of the direction setting convex portion 19c so that the partial sphere of the direction setting convex portion 19c fits into the recess formed by bending the joint.

  For this reason, in the jaundice meter Ac in the third embodiment, since the direction setting convex portion 19c is a part of a sphere, the user's finger is suitably familiar with the direction setting convex portion 19c, and it is easy to hold the jaundice meter Ac with one hand. .

  Next, another embodiment will be described.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a front perspective view showing the front appearance of the jaundice meter according to the fourth embodiment. In the jaundice meter Aa of the first embodiment, the position input device 4a of the touch panel is used as the input unit 4. However, in the jaundice meter Ad of the fourth embodiment, instead of the position input device 4a of the touch panel, or the position of the touch panel In addition to the input device 4 a, a plurality of mechanical switches 4 b are used as the input unit 4. For this reason, the jaundice meter Ad of the fourth embodiment is the same as the jaundice meter Aa of the first embodiment except for the point of the input unit 4b, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the input unit 4b in the jaundice meter Ad of the fourth embodiment includes a plurality of push button switches 4b. The plurality of push button switches 4b are arranged between the display unit 5 and the thumb position setting unit 20, and the switches are opened and closed when pressed. Predetermined input contents are set in advance in each push button switch 4b, and the input contents are input to the jaundice meter Ad when pressed. As described above, a plurality of switches 4 b may be used as the input unit 4.

  In the jaundice meters Aa, Ab, Ac, and Ad of the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the direction setting convex portion 19 is a truncated cone 19a, a wave-shaped structure 19b, and a partially spherical body 19c. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other modes are possible. For example, the direction setting convex part 19 is a part ellipsoid which is a member obtained by cutting out a part of an ellipsoid, an elliptic frustum which is a member having an elliptical frustum shape, and a member having a shape of a polygonal frustum. Any of the polygonal frustums may be used. Even in such an embodiment, when the user holds the casing H by hand, when the plurality of fingers of the index finger or little finger are put on the direction setting convex portion 19, the direction setting convex portion 19 has the above shape. As a result, the plurality of fingers are suitably adapted to the direction setting convex portion 19 and can easily hold the jaundice meter A with one hand.

  In particular, when the direction setting convex portion 19 is a partial ellipsoid or an elliptic frustum, preferably, the major axis direction of the partial ellipsoid or the elliptic frustum is the one direction of the casing H. Is within a range of ± 15 degrees. In the jaundice meter A having such a configuration, when the jaundice meter A is supported and held with one hand, it is possible to more reliably avoid the entrance / exit surface of the probe 11 from hitting the skin of the user's hand, wrist, arm, etc. The contamination of the probe 11 can be more reliably reduced. From this point of view, the major axis direction of the partial ellipsoid or elliptical truncated cone is preferably within a range of ± 10 degrees around the one direction of the casing H, and the partial ellipsoid or ellipse The major axis direction of the frustum is more preferably within a range of ± 5 degrees around the one direction of the casing.

  The present specification discloses various aspects of the technology as described above, and the main technologies are summarized below.

  A jaundice meter according to one aspect is provided on a box-shaped housing whose one direction is longer than the other direction, and an end surface of one end of the one-direction in the box-shaped housing, and emits measurement light to perform the measurement. A probe that receives detection light caused by light, a display unit that is provided on one surface of the box-shaped housing and displays a measurement result indicating a degree of jaundice obtained based on the detection light; Provided on the other side of the box-shaped casing facing the direction, and when the user holds the casing by hand, the user's finger has a longitudinal direction intersecting the one direction of the casing A direction setting convex portion for defining a direction.

  If the other surface facing the one surface provided with the display unit is flat, the user uses the jaundice meter with an appropriate housing, so the incident / exit surface of the probe is There is a possibility of hitting the skin of the user's hand, wrist or arm. However, since the jaundice meter includes a direction setting convex portion, the user holds the casing so that the longitudinal direction of the finger of the user intersects one direction (longitudinal direction) of the casing. It is possible to reduce the possibility that the entrance / exit surface hits the skin of the user's hand, wrist, arm, or the like, and the contamination of the probe can be further reduced. Further, in the jaundice meter, when the user tries to hold the direction setting convex portion, the direction setting convex portion is convex and is difficult to hold, and even if it is held, it becomes unstable. For this reason, after all, the user holds the jaundice meter by placing a finger on the direction setting convex portion. Therefore, also from this point of view, the user holds the casing such that the longitudinal direction of the finger of the user intersects with one direction of the casing, so that the contamination of the probe can be further reduced.

  Moreover, in another one aspect | mode, in these above-mentioned jaundice meters, the said direction setting convex part is provided in the 1st area | region including the center part in the said one direction in the said other surface.

  Since such a jaundice meter supports the jaundice meter around the center, it can be supported stably.

  According to another aspect, in the above-mentioned jaundice meter, a thumb position that is provided on one surface of the box-shaped housing and determines a thumb position of the user when the user holds the housing by hand. The direction setting convex portion further includes a setting portion, and the direction setting convex portion is a second region within a range in which a plurality of fingers of the remaining index finger or little finger can reach when the thumb is positioned at a position determined by the thumb position setting portion. Is provided.

  In the jaundice meter, as described above, the measurement operation is performed by pressing the probe perpendicularly to a part of the human body of the person to be measured. In the above jaundice meter, when the thumb is positioned at the thumb position setting unit, a plurality of fingers of the remaining index finger or little finger are applied to the direction setting convex portion, so that the jaundice meter can be stably held with one hand. The measurement operation can be performed reliably.

  Further, in another aspect, in the above-mentioned jaundice meter, the direction setting convex portion is a structure composed of three or more small convex portions, a partial sphere of a shape obtained by cutting a part of a sphere, an ellipsoid It is any one of a partial ellipsoid, a truncated cone, an elliptical truncated cone, and a polygonal truncated cone having a shape obtained by cutting a part.

  In such a jaundice meter, when a plurality of fingers of the index finger or little finger are put on the direction setting convex part, the direction setting convex part is the above-mentioned shape, and thus the plurality of fingers are preferably used as the direction setting convex part. Familiar (fit), easy to hold the jaundice meter with one hand.

  In another aspect, in the above-mentioned jaundice meter, the direction setting convex portion is a partial ellipsoid or an elliptic frustum having a shape obtained by cutting out a part of an ellipsoid, and the partial ellipsoid or The major axis direction of the elliptical truncated cone is within a range of ± 15 degrees around the one direction of the casing.

  Since such a jaundice meter is partly an ellipsoid or an elliptic frustum, the plurality of fingers are suitably adapted (fit) to the direction setting convex portion, and the jaundice meter is easily supported and held with one hand. When the jaundice meter is held with one hand in this way, the major axis direction of the partial ellipsoid or the elliptic frustum is within a range of ± 15 degrees around the one direction of the casing. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably avoid the incident / exit surface of the probe from hitting the skin of the user's hand, wrist, arm or the like, and to reduce the contamination of the probe more reliably. From such a viewpoint, the major axis direction of the partial ellipsoid or the elliptic frustum is preferably within a range of ± 10 degrees around the one direction of the casing, More preferably, the major axis direction of the elliptical truncated cone is within a range of ± 5 degrees around the one direction of the casing.

  Moreover, in another one aspect | mode, in the above-mentioned jaundice meter, the box-shaped housing has a shape that tapers toward one end in the one direction.

  Since such a jaundice meter is provided with a probe on a tapered tip surface, the measurement site can be determined, and the measurement operation can be reliably performed at the desired measurement site. In particular, when a measurement is performed by pressing a probe vertically against the forehead or chest of a newborn, the jaundice meter having the above-described configuration is suitable because a desired measurement site has a relatively small area.

  Moreover, in another one aspect | mode, in the above-mentioned jaundice meter, the said display part comprises the position input device on the display surface, and comprises the touchscreen.

  Such a jaundice meter is provided with a touch panel, so that an input operation can be performed with the thumb while holding the jaundice meter with one hand.

  This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-148419 filed on July 2, 2012, the contents of which are included in the present application.

  In order to express the present invention, the present invention has been properly and fully described through the embodiments with reference to the drawings. However, those skilled in the art can easily change and / or improve the above-described embodiments. It should be recognized that this is possible. Therefore, unless the modifications or improvements implemented by those skilled in the art are at a level that departs from the scope of the claims recited in the claims, the modifications or improvements are not covered by the claims. To be construed as inclusive.

  According to the present invention, a jaundice meter can be provided.

Claims (7)

A box-shaped housing whose one direction is longer than the other direction;
A probe that is provided on one end face in the one direction in the box-shaped housing, emits measurement light, and enters detection light caused by the measurement light;
A display unit that is provided on one surface of the box-shaped housing and displays a measurement result indicating a degree of jaundice obtained based on the detection light;
Provided on the other surface of the box-shaped housing facing the one surface, and when the user holds the housing by hand, the longitudinal direction of the finger of the user intersects the one direction of the housing A jaundice meter, comprising: a direction setting convex portion that determines a direction of the head. The jaundice meter according to claim 1, wherein the direction setting convex portion is provided in a first region including a central portion in the one direction on the other surface. Provided on one surface of the box-shaped housing, and further comprising a thumb position setting unit that determines the position of the thumb in the user when the user has the housing by hand,
The direction setting convex portion is provided in a second region within a range where a plurality of fingers of the remaining index finger or little finger can reach when the thumb is positioned at a position determined by the thumb position setting portion. The jaundice meter according to claim 1 or 2. The direction setting convex portion includes a structure composed of three or more small convex portions, a partial sphere having a shape obtained by cutting a part of a sphere, a partial ellipsoid having a shape obtained by cutting a part of an ellipsoid, and a truncated cone. The jaundice meter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the jaundice meter is one of an elliptical frustum and a polygonal frustum. The direction setting convex part is a partial ellipsoid or an elliptic frustum of a shape obtained by cutting a part of an ellipsoid,
The major axis direction of the partial ellipsoid or the elliptical truncated cone is within a range of ± 15 degrees around the one direction of the casing. Jaundice meter according to item. The jaundice meter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the box-shaped casing is tapered toward one end in the one direction. The jaundice meter according to claim 1, wherein the display unit includes a position input device on a display surface to form a touch panel.

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