WO2014162341A1

WO2014162341A1 - Body moisture meter, detection device, methods for controlling same, and storage medium

Info

Publication number: WO2014162341A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/002251
Authority: WO
Inventors: 圭本田; 美雪小山; 佑輔関根
Original assignee: テルモ株式会社
Priority date: 2013-04-01
Filing date: 2013-04-01
Publication date: 2014-10-09

Abstract

Disclosed is a body moisture meter that measures the amount of moisture in the body of a subject by bringing a sensor unit into contact with the surface of the subject's body, the body moisture meter comprising: a measurement unit that measures a moisture adherence amount, which is the amount of moisture adhering to an electrode unit that is arranged on the contact surface of the sensor unit; a determination unit that determines whether or not the body moisture meter is in a state capable of measuring the amount of moisture on the basis of the moisture adherence amount measured by the measurement unit; and a notification unit that notifies that the body moisture meter is in a state capable of measurement if it is determined, by the determination unit, that the body moisture meter is in a state capable of measurement.

Description

Body moisture meter, detection device, control method thereof, and storage medium

The present invention relates to an in-vivo moisture meter, a detection device, a control method thereof, and a storage medium.

It is important to measure the amount of water in the subject's body. Dehydration in the living body is a pathological condition in which water in the living body decreases, and it is often expressed during exercise when high water is discharged from the body due to sweating or body temperature rise or when the temperature is high. In particular, in the case of an elderly person, the water retention ability of the living body itself is reduced, and thus dehydration is more likely to occur than in a normal healthy person.

Usually, it is said that body temperature regulation is impaired when water in the body loses 3% or more of body weight. When a body temperature regulation disorder occurs and the body temperature rises, it causes a further decrease in water in the living body and falls into a vicious circle, eventually leading to a disease state called heat stroke. Heat stroke has pathological conditions such as heat convulsions, heat fatigue, and heat stroke, and sometimes systemic organ damage may occur. For this reason, it is important to accurately grasp the amount of water in the living body in order to avoid the risk of heat stroke.

Patent Document 1 discloses a moisture meter that measures the amount of moisture in a living body while being held under the armpit of a subject.

JP 2012-71055 A

However, in the moisture meter described in Patent Document 1, when the moisture meter is used continuously, a secretion liquid such as sweat adhered to the tip detection unit at the time of the last measurement, or alcohol used when the tip detection unit is wiped after the measurement. Or water may remain in the tip detection unit without drying. When the next measurement is performed in this state, a measurement value higher than the true measurement value is obtained.

Also, since there is no way for the user to know that the tip detection unit is measurable and has dried to some extent, it cannot be determined whether or not the measurement has been performed correctly. Further, in order to dry the tip detection unit, increasing the standby time until the next measurement more than necessary leads to an increase in work load.

In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables a user to recognize whether or not the moisture meter in the body is dry enough to be measured.

The in-vivo moisture meter according to the present invention that achieves the above-described object,
A body moisture meter that measures the amount of moisture in the body of the subject by contacting a sensor unit to the body surface of the subject,
Measuring means for measuring the amount of moisture adhering to the electrode portion disposed on the contact surface of the sensor portion;
Determination means for determining whether or not the in-vivo moisture meter is in a state in which the moisture content can be measured based on the moisture adhesion amount measured by the measurement means;
Informing means for informing that the measurable state when the judging means determines that the measurable state is present; and
It is characterized by providing.

According to the present invention, it becomes possible for the user to recognize whether or not the moisture meter in the body is dry enough to be measured. Therefore, the measurement error can be reduced, and the waiting time until the next measurement is not unnecessarily long, and the work load can be reduced.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The accompanying drawings are included in the specification, constitute a part thereof, show an embodiment of the present invention, and are used to explain the principle of the present invention together with the description.
It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the moisture meter in a body concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the contact surface of the sensor part of the moisture meter in a body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the moisture meter in a body concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the measuring circuit of the moisture meter in a body concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the software function structure of the moisture meter in a body concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement (measurement availability determination processing; without lock control) of the moisture meter in a body concerning the 1st this embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement (measuring availability determination processing; with lock control) of the moisture meter in a body concerning the 1st this embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the software function structure of the moisture meter in a body which concerns on 2nd this embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement (measuring availability determination processing; without lock control) of the moisture meter in a body concerning 2nd this embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement (measuring availability determination processing; with lock control) of the moisture meter in a body concerning 2nd this embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the detection apparatus with which the moisture meter in a body concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention is mounted | worn. It is a block diagram which shows the software function structure of the detection apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement (measurement availability determination process) of the detection apparatus which concerns on 3rd this embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. As long as there is no description of the effect, it is not restricted to these aspects.

(First embodiment)
In the first embodiment, when the amount of moisture adhering to the sensor unit of the moisture meter in the body that contacts the body surface of the subject is measured, and the moisture adhering amount is less than the threshold value, the sensor unit is sufficiently used from the previous use. An example will be described in which it is determined that the moisture meter in the body is dry and the user can be measured and notified to the user.

The water in the “water adhesion amount” as used in the present invention refers to a solvent component of a coating agent such as an ointment or a cream applied to the subject, in addition to the secretion fluid such as sweat from the subject, and the body. It is not necessarily limited to water such as alcohol when the tip of the moisture meter is disinfected with alcohol.

In addition, the moisture meter in the body is used to measure the amount of moisture in the subject's body, and to check whether the actual measurement is possible without contacting the subject. Determination) can be performed. In the measurement of the moisture adhesion amount in the present embodiment, this empty measurement will be described as an example.

<1. External structure of moisture meter in the body>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external configuration of a moisture meter 100 in the body according to the present embodiment. The moisture meter 100 in the body brings the sensor part 121 into contact with the skin of the axilla, which is the body surface of the subject, and detects the physical quantity according to the electric signal supplied from the sensor part 121 to thereby determine the amount of moisture in the subject's body. Is detected. In the body moisture meter 100 according to the present embodiment, by measuring the subject's capacitance as the physical quantity (data on moisture in the living body), the wetness of the skin of the axilla is detected, and the moisture content in the body is determined. calculate.

As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vivo moisture meter 100 includes a main body portion 110 and an insertion portion 120. The main body 110 has an upper surface 114, a lower surface 115, and

side surfaces

116 and 117 that are formed substantially parallel to the major axis direction (not shown), respectively, and are formed in a straight line as a whole. Various user interfaces are arranged on the surface of the casing of the main body 110, and an electronic circuit for calculating the amount of moisture in the body is housed inside the casing.

In the example of FIG. 1, a power switch 111 and a display unit 112 are shown as user interfaces. The power switch 111 is disposed in a recess in the rear end surface 113 of the main body 110. By adopting a configuration in which the power switch 111 is arranged in the recess in this way, an erroneous operation of the power switch 111 can be prevented. When the power switch 111 is turned on, power supply from the power supply unit 311 (FIG. 3), which will be described later, to each part of the moisture meter 100 in the body is started, and the moisture meter 100 in the body enters an operating state.

The display unit 112 is arranged on the side surface 117 of the main body unit 110 slightly forward in the long axis direction. This is because when the moisture content in the body of the subject is measured using the moisture meter 100 in the body, even if the measurer grips the grip region 118, the display unit 112 is completely held by the hand gripped by the measurer. This is so as not to be covered (so that the measurement result can be visually recognized even in a gripped state).

The display unit 112 displays the current moisture content measurement result 131. For reference, the previous measurement result 132 is also displayed. Further, the display unit 112 displays that the moisture meter 100 in the body can measure the amount of water.

Furthermore, the battery display unit 133 displays the remaining amount of the battery (power supply unit 311 in FIG. 3). In addition, when an invalid measurement result is obtained or a measurement error is detected, “E” is displayed on the display unit 112 and the user is notified of this. Note that characters and the like displayed on the display unit 112 are displayed with the upper surface 114 side of the main body unit 110 as the upper side and the lower surface 115 side as the lower side.

The upper portion 124 and the lower surface 125 of the insertion portion 120 of the moisture meter 100 in the body have a curved shape, and are gently curved downward as a whole with respect to the main body portion 110. The sensor unit 121 is slidably held on the distal end surface 122 of the insertion unit 120.

The sensor unit 121 has a contact surface 123 that is substantially parallel to the distal end surface 122. In order to ensure the pressure for ensuring the close contact of the sensor unit 121 with the skin, a spring (not shown) It is biased in the direction (for example, a biasing force of about 150 gf). The entire contact surface 123 of the sensor unit 121 is evenly pressed against the skin of the subject's axilla, and the sensor unit 121 is in the direction of the arrow 141a (the direction substantially perpendicular to the tip surface 122, that is, the tip surface 122). Measurement is started when a predetermined amount (for example, 1 mm to 10 mm, 3 mm in this embodiment) is slid in the normal direction (hereinafter, the direction of the arrow 141a is referred to as a slide direction).

Specifically, after the user turns on the power switch 111 to put the moisture meter 100 in the operating state, the entire contact surface 123 of the sensor unit 121 is evenly applied to the subject's axilla with a predetermined load (for example, 20 gf to 200 gf, More preferably, when it is detected that the pressure is 100 gf to 190 gf (150 gf in this embodiment), measurement of the body water content is started. Alternatively, after the user turns on the power switch 111 to set the moisture meter 100 in the operation state, the power supply from the power supply unit 311 starts and the power supply unit 311 is turned on at the same time. When the sensor unit 121 is pushed in the direction of the arrow 141a by a predetermined amount or more, the control unit 301 starts measuring the body water content.

With such a mechanism, the degree of contact of the contact surface 123 of the sensor unit 121 with the axilla during measurement can be made constant. The detailed configuration of the contact surface 123 of the sensor unit 121 will be described later.

<2. Detailed configuration of the contact surface of the sensor of the moisture meter in the body>
Next, a detailed configuration of the contact surface 123 of the sensor unit 121 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially rectangular moisture amount detection unit 200 is disposed on the contact surface 123 of the sensor unit 121 of the moisture meter 100 in the body according to the present embodiment.

The moisture amount detection unit 200 is formed by arranging comb-shaped electrodes 220 and comb-shaped electrodes 221 on the printed circuit board 210 so that the respective comb teeth are arranged alternately. In the example of FIG. 2, each of the comb-shaped

electrodes

220 and 221 has a configuration in which nine comb teeth are arranged. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be between four and sixteen. Well, preferably 10 is desirable.

<3. Functional configuration of body moisture meter>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the moisture meter 100 in the body according to the present embodiment. 3, the control unit 301 includes a CPU 302 and a memory 303. The CPU 302 reads out and executes a program stored in the memory 303 (storage medium), thereby executing various controls in the moisture meter 100 in the body. .

For example, the CPU 302 executes display control of the display unit 112, drive control of the buzzer 322 and LED lamp 323, measurement of the amount of moisture in the body (capacitance measurement in the present embodiment), and the like. The memory 303 includes a nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory. The nonvolatile memory is used as a program memory, and the volatile memory is used as a working memory for the CPU 302.

The power supply unit 311 has a replaceable button-type battery or a rechargeable battery, and supplies power to each unit of the moisture meter 100 in the body. The voltage regulator 312 supplies a constant voltage (for example, 2.3 V) to the control unit 301 and the like. The battery remaining amount detection unit 313 detects the remaining amount of the battery based on the voltage value supplied from the power supply unit 311 and notifies the control unit 301 of the detection result. The control unit 301 controls display on the battery display unit 133 based on the remaining battery level detection signal from the remaining battery level detection unit 313.

When the power switch 111 is pressed, power supply from the power supply unit 311 to each unit is started. And if the control part 301 detects that the user's pressing of the power switch 111 continued for 1 second or more, it will maintain the power supply to each part from the power supply part 311, and will make the moisture meter 100 in a body into an operation state. As described above, the measurement switch 314 measures the amount of water when the sensor unit 121 is pressed in the direction of the arrow 141a by a predetermined amount or more (that is, functions as a press detection unit that detects a pressed state). In order to prevent exhaustion of the power supply unit 311, if the moisture content measurement is not started even after a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) has passed since the moisture meter 100 in the body is in an operating state, the control unit 301 automatically Thus, the moisture meter 100 in the body is shifted to a power-off state.

The measurement circuit 321 is connected to the moisture amount detection unit 200 and measures the capacitance. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the measurement circuit 321 and the water content detection unit 200. As shown in FIG. 4, a CR oscillation circuit is formed by the

inverters

401 and 402, the resistors 403 and 404, and the subject capacitor 410. Since the oscillation frequency of the output signal 405 varies depending on the subject volume 410, the control unit 301 calculates the subject volume 410 by measuring the frequency of the output signal 405.

3, the display unit 112 performs display as described in FIG. 1 under the control of the control unit 301. The buzzer 322 rings when the measurement of the moisture content in the body is started or when the measurement is completed, and notifies the user of the start or completion of the measurement. The LED lamp 323 also performs the same notification as the buzzer 322. That is, the LED lamp 323 is lit when the measurement of the moisture content in the body is started or when the measurement is completed, and notifies the user of the start or completion of the measurement. The timer unit 324 operates by receiving power from the power source unit 311 even when the power is off, and notifies the control unit 301 of the time in the operating state.

<4. Software function configuration of body moisture meter>
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a software functional configuration of the moisture meter 100 in the body according to the present embodiment. The moisture meter 100 in the body includes a capacitance measuring unit 501, a change amount calculating unit 502, a determining unit 503, and a notifying unit 504. 5, the moisture meter 100 in the body also includes a lock control unit 505. However, as will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the lock control unit 505 is not included in the case of FIG. In this case, it is assumed that the lock control unit 505 is included.

The capacitance measuring unit 501 measures the capacitance of the electrode units (the comb electrode 220 and the comb electrode 221) arranged on the contact surface of the sensor unit 121. The change amount calculation unit 502 calculates the change amount of the capacitance measured continuously by the capacitance measurement unit 501. When the change amount calculated by the change amount calculation unit 502 is less than the threshold value, the determination unit 503 determines that the in-vivo moisture meter 100 is in a state in which the water amount can be measured. That the amount of change has settled below the threshold indicates that the water remaining on the electrode part at the time of previous use has sufficiently evaporated and has been dried to a degree sufficient to measure the amount of water with the moisture meter 100 in the body. Yes.

When the determination unit 503 determines that the in-vivo moisture meter 100 is in a state where the moisture content can be measured, the notification unit 504 notifies the user that the measurement is possible. The notification unit 504 indicates that the measurement is possible by at least one of vibration in the body moisture meter 100 itself, sound from the buzzer 322, light from the LED lamp 323, and display on the display unit 112 provided in the body moisture meter 100. Notification by one. In addition, the lock control unit 505 performs a lock so as not to start measuring the moisture content of the subject by the moisture meter 100 in the body. The start of measurement may be locked by a circuit configuration, or a lock mechanism is provided for locking so that the measurement switch 314 is not physically pressed, that is, the sensor unit 121 cannot be moved in the direction of the arrow 141a in FIG. Also good.

<5. Operation of body moisture meter>
Hereinafter, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6, the operation (measuring availability determination process) of the moisture meter 100 in the body according to the present embodiment will be described.

In step S601, the power switch 111 is pressed to turn on the power, and supply of power from the power supply unit 311 to each unit is started. Alternatively, the measurement of the moisture content is reset by pressing the power switch 111.

In step S602, the capacitance measuring unit 501 measures the capacitance of the electrode portions (the comb electrode 220 and the comb electrode 221) disposed on the contact surface of the sensor unit 121. For example, the capacitance is measured by measuring the frequency with a multivibrator.

In step S603, the change amount calculation unit 502 calculates the change amount of the capacitance measured continuously by the capacitance measurement unit 501.

In step S604, the determination unit 503 determines whether or not the change amount calculated by the change amount calculation unit 502 is less than a threshold value (first threshold value). When it is determined that the amount of change is less than the threshold (S604; YES), it is determined that the moisture meter 100 in the body can measure the amount of water, and the process proceeds to step S605. On the other hand, when it is determined that the amount of change is equal to or greater than the threshold (S604; NO), the in-vivo moisture meter 100 determines that the amount of moisture is not yet measurable, and returns to step S602. As an example of the threshold value, the amount of change in the oscillation frequency of the output signal 405 is preferably less than 4000 Hz, and more preferably less than 2000 Hz.

In step S605, the notification unit 504 notifies the user that the moisture meter 100 in the body is capable of measuring the amount of water. Thus, each process of the flowchart of FIG. 6 ends.

By the above processing, the user can recognize whether or not the moisture meter in the body has been dried to the extent that it can be measured. Therefore, the measurement of the amount of water is not started before it is completely dried, and the measurement error can be reduced. In addition, since the user can measure the next moisture amount in response to the notification, the waiting time until the next measurement is not unnecessarily long, and the work load can be reduced.

Next, the operation of the moisture meter 100 in the body according to the present embodiment (measurement availability determination process) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The difference from the flowchart of FIG. 6 is that the operation of the lock control unit 505 is added.

7 are the same as the processes in steps S601 to S605 in FIG. 6 and will not be described. Differences from FIG. 6 will be described.

In step S 702, the lock control unit 505 resets the measurement of the moisture amount when the power switch 111 is pressed in S 701 and the supply of power from the power supply unit 311 to each unit is started or when the power switch 111 is pressed. In response to this, the lock is performed so as not to start the measurement of the moisture content by the moisture meter 100 in the body.

Thereafter, after each process of steps S703 to S705, when the notification unit 504 notifies the user that the moisture meter 100 in the body is capable of measuring the amount of water in step S706, the lock control unit 505 in step S707, The lock executed in step S702 is released. Thereby, the user can measure the amount of water using the in-vivo moisture meter 100 thereafter.

By the above processing, it is possible to effectively prevent the measurement of the moisture content from being started next before the moisture content is completely dried after the previous moisture content measurement.

In the above description, the description has been given by taking the blank measurement as an example, but the embodiment of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the blank measurement. As a separate body from the sensor unit that performs the actual measurement, the moisture meter in the body may be provided with another configuration for measuring the “water adhesion amount” to the sensor unit.

(Second Embodiment)
In 1st Embodiment, the structure which determines whether the moisture meter in a body was in the state which can measure a moisture content by the comparison with the variation | change_quantity of an electrostatic capacitance and a threshold value was demonstrated. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, a configuration in which the capacitance value itself is compared with a threshold value will be described.

The device configuration of the moisture meter in the body according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

<1. Software function configuration of body moisture meter>
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a software functional configuration of the in-vivo moisture meter 100 according to the present embodiment. The moisture meter 100 in the body includes a capacitance measuring unit 801, a determining unit 802, and a notifying unit 803. As in the first embodiment, in FIG. 8, the moisture meter 100 in the body also includes a lock control unit 804. However, as will be described later with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the lock control is performed in the case of FIG. The unit 505 is not included, and the lock control unit 505 is included in the case of FIG.

The capacitance measuring unit 801 measures the capacitance of the electrode portions (the comb electrode 220 and the comb electrode 221) arranged on the contact surface of the sensor unit 121. For example, the capacitance is measured by measuring the frequency with a multivibrator.

The determination unit 802 determines that the in-vivo moisture meter 100 is in a state where the moisture content can be measured when the capacitance measured by the capacitance measurement unit 801 is less than the threshold value. The fact that the capacitance settled below the threshold value means that the water remaining on the electrode portion during the previous use was sufficiently evaporated and dried to a degree sufficient to measure the amount of water with the moisture meter 100 in the body. It is shown that.

The notification unit 803 notifies the user that it is in a measurable state when the determination unit 802 determines that the in-vivo moisture meter 100 is in a state capable of measuring the amount of water, as in the first embodiment. The notification unit 803 indicates that the measurement is possible by at least one of vibration of the moisture meter 100 itself, sound from the buzzer 322, light from the LED lamp 323, and display on the display unit 112 provided in the moisture meter 100 in the body. Notification by one. In addition, the lock control unit 804 locks so as not to start the measurement of the moisture content by the moisture meter 100 in the body. The start of measurement may be locked by a circuit configuration, or a lock mechanism that locks the measurement switch 314 so that the measurement switch 314 is not pressed down physically may be provided.

<2. Operation of body moisture meter>
Hereinafter, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9, the operation of the in-vivo moisture meter 100 according to the present embodiment (measurement availability determination process) will be described.

In step S901, the power switch 111 is pressed to turn on the power, and supply of power from the power supply unit 311 to each unit is started. Alternatively, the measurement of moisture content is reset by pressing the power switch 111.

In step S902, the capacitance measuring unit 801 measures the capacitance of the electrode portions (the comb electrode 220 and the comb electrode 221) disposed on the contact surface of the sensor unit 121.

In step S903, the determination unit 802 determines whether or not the capacitance measured by the capacitance measurement unit 801 is less than a threshold (second threshold). When it is determined that the capacitance is less than the threshold (S903; YES), it is determined that the moisture meter 100 in the body is in a state where the moisture content can be measured, and the process proceeds to step S904. On the other hand, if it is determined that the capacitance is equal to or greater than the threshold (S903; NO), the moisture meter 100 in the body determines that the moisture content is not yet measurable, and the process returns to step S902. Here, as an example of the threshold value, the measured value of the oscillation frequency of the output signal 405 is preferably less than 330 kHz, and more preferably less than 110 kHz.

Note that the capacitance measurement in S902 may be continuously performed even after the capacitance becomes less than the threshold, and the process may proceed to step S904 when the capacitance becomes less than the threshold for a predetermined time. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a situation where the measurement is inadvertently reported when the capacitance instantaneously becomes less than the threshold value, and determination with higher reliability can be performed.

In step S904, the notification unit 803 notifies the user that the moisture meter 100 in the body is capable of measuring the amount of water. Thus, each process of the flowchart of FIG. 9 ends.

In the first embodiment, it is determined that the in-vivo moisture meter is in a state in which the moisture content can be measured because the capacitance variation (that is, the moisture content variation) has settled below the threshold. By paying attention to the amount of change, the influence of the surrounding environment such as humidity can be eliminated. On the other hand, as in this embodiment, when the capacitance value itself (that is, the amount of water) has settled below the threshold, it is determined that the moisture meter in the body is in a state in which the amount of water can be measured. Since the amount is not calculated, determination with simpler processing becomes possible.

Next, the operation of the moisture meter 100 in the body according to the present embodiment (measurement availability determination process) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The difference from the flowchart of FIG. 9 is that the operation of the lock control unit 804 is added.

10 are the same as steps S901 to S904 in FIG. 9 and will not be described, and differences from FIG. 9 will be described.

In step S 1002, the lock control unit 804 resets the measurement of the moisture amount when the power switch 111 is pressed in S 1001 and the supply of power from the power supply unit 311 to each unit is started, or when the power switch 111 is pressed. In response to this, the lock is performed so as not to start the measurement of the moisture content by the moisture meter 100 in the body.

Thereafter, after each process of steps S1003 to S1004, in step S1005, when the notification unit 803 notifies the user that the moisture meter 100 in the body is capable of measuring the moisture content, in step S1006, the lock control unit 804 The lock executed in step S1002 is released. Thereby, the user can measure the amount of water using the in-vivo moisture meter 100 thereafter.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the in-vivo moisture meter 100 measures the capacitance is described as an example of the method of measuring the moisture content of the subject and the moisture content of the electrode unit disposed in the sensor unit. went. However, in addition to the capacitance, the measurement may be performed based on, for example, the temperature accompanying the evaporation of moisture, the resistance value of the electrode portion, the change in weight due to moisture attached to the electrode portion, or the like. That is, any method may be used as long as the amount of moisture attached to the electrode portion arranged in the sensor portion can be measured. What is necessary is just to provide the structure which alert | reports that the moisture meter in a body was in the state which can be measured according to the moisture adhesion amount becoming less than a threshold value.

(Third embodiment)
In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the body part of the moisture meter in the body measures the moisture content of the electrode part arranged in the sensor part has been described as an example. However, a separate detection device that can be attached as a cap may be provided in the sensor portion at the tip of the moisture meter in the body, and the detection device may have the above-described function.

<1. External configuration of detection device>
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external configuration of a detection device 1100 attached to the moisture meter in the body according to the third embodiment. The detection device 1100 includes a detection unit 1101, a display unit 1102, a buzzer 1103, and an LED lamp 1104.

The detection unit 1101 detects the amount of water in the electrode unit of the sensor unit 121 included in the moisture meter 100 in the body. The detection unit 1101 includes a type in which the moisture adhesion area of the electrode unit is detected by a camera, an optical moisture detection type using a near infrared ray, a microwave, a semiconductor laser, etc., a type using a chemical sensor whose hue changes with moisture, etc. Any method may be used.

The display unit 1102 notifies the display that the moisture meter 100 in the body is ready for measurement. The buzzer 1103 notifies by sound that the moisture meter 100 in the body is ready for measurement. The LED lamp 1104 notifies by light that the moisture meter 100 in the body is ready for measurement. Note that the notification may be performed by at least one of the vibration of the moisture meter 100 itself, the display on the display unit 1102, the buzzer 1103, and the LED lamp 1104.

<2. Software function configuration of detection device>
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a software functional configuration of the detection apparatus 1100 according to this embodiment. The detection device 1100 includes a detection unit 1101, a determination unit 1201, and a notification unit 1202. The operation of each processing unit is controlled by a CPU (not shown).

The detection unit 1101 measures the amount of moisture adhering to the electrode unit included in the sensor unit 121 of the moisture meter 100 in the body. The determination unit 1201 determines that the in-vivo moisture meter 100 is capable of measuring the in-vivo moisture content of the subject when the moisture adhesion amount measured by the detection unit 1101 is less than the threshold value. When the determination unit 1201 determines that the moisture meter 100 in the body is in a state in which the moisture content can be measured, the notification unit 1202 notifies the user that the measurement is possible. The notification unit 1202 notifies the measurable state by at least one of vibration of the moisture meter 100 itself, sound from the buzzer 1103, light from the LED lamp 1104, or display on the display unit 1102.

<3. Operation of detection device>
Hereinafter, the operation (measurement availability determination process) of the detection apparatus 1100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S1301, the user attaches the detection device 1100 to the moisture meter 100 in the body. In step S 1302, the detection unit 1101 measures the amount of moisture attached to the electrode unit disposed on the contact surface of the sensor unit 121.

In step S1303, the determination unit 1201 determines whether the moisture adhesion amount measured by the detection unit 1101 is less than a threshold value. When it is determined that the moisture adhesion amount is less than the threshold (S1303; YES), it is determined that the moisture meter 100 in the body is in a state where the moisture content can be measured, and the process proceeds to step S1304. On the other hand, if it is determined that the moisture adhesion amount is equal to or greater than the threshold (S1303; NO), the in-vivo moisture meter 100 determines that the moisture content is not yet measurable, and the process returns to step S1302.

In step S1304, the notification unit 1202 notifies the user that the moisture meter 100 in the body is capable of measuring the amount of moisture. Thus, the processes in the flowchart of FIG. 13 are completed.

By the above processing, the user can recognize whether or not the moisture meter in the body has been dried to the extent that it can be measured. Therefore, the measurement of the amount of water is not started before it is completely dried, and the measurement error can be reduced. In addition, since the user can measure the next moisture amount in response to the notification, the waiting time until the next measurement is not unnecessarily long, and the work load can be reduced. In addition, unlike the above-described embodiments, the determination is performed by a separate detection device attached to the moisture meter in the body, and therefore, it can be applied to any moisture meter in the body.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, in order to make the scope of the present invention public, the following claims are attached.

Claims

A body moisture meter that measures the amount of moisture in the body of the subject by contacting a sensor unit to the body surface of the subject,
Measuring means for measuring the amount of moisture adhering to the electrode portion disposed on the contact surface of the sensor portion;
Determination means for determining whether or not the in-vivo moisture meter is in a state in which the moisture content can be measured based on the moisture adhesion amount measured by the measurement means;
Informing means for informing that the measurable state when the judging means determines that the measurable state is present; and
A body moisture meter characterized by comprising:
The in-vivo moisture meter according to claim 1, wherein the measuring means measures the moisture adhesion amount by measuring a capacitance of an electrode portion disposed on a contact surface of the sensor portion.
The in-vivo moisture meter according to claim 2, wherein the measuring means measures the capacitance of the electrode unit in response to power-on or measurement reset of the in-vivo moisture meter.
Further comprising a change amount calculating means for calculating a change amount of the capacitance measured continuously by the measuring means,
The in-vivo moisture meter according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the determination unit determines that the state is measurable when the amount of change is less than a threshold value.
The in-vivo moisture meter according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the measuring means measures the capacitance based on a frequency by a multivibrator.
The in-vivo moisture meter according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit determines that the measurement is possible when the capacitance measured by the measurement unit is less than a threshold value.
The in-vivo moisture meter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising lock control means for locking so as not to start measuring the amount of moisture by the in-vivo moisture meter.
The lock control means includes
In response to power-on or measurement reset of the moisture meter in the body, the measurement of the moisture content of the moisture meter in the body is locked,
The in-vivo moisture meter according to claim 7, wherein the lock is released when it is determined by the determination means that the measurable state.
The informing means informs that it is in the measurable state by at least one of vibration, sound, light of the moisture meter in the body, or display on a display unit provided in the moisture meter in the body. The in-vivo moisture meter according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
A method for controlling an in-vivo moisture meter that includes a measuring means, a determining means, and an informing means, and that measures the amount of water in the subject's body by bringing a sensor portion into contact with the body surface of the subject. There,
A measuring step in which the measuring means measures the amount of moisture adhering to the electrode portion disposed on the contact surface of the sensor portion;
A determination step of determining whether or not the in-vivo moisture meter is capable of measuring a moisture content based on the moisture adhesion amount measured by the measurement step;
A notification step of notifying the measurable state when the notification means is determined to be in the measurable state by the determination step;
A method for controlling an in-vivo moisture meter, comprising:
A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the method for controlling a moisture meter in a body according to claim 10.
A detection device that can be attached to an in-vivo moisture meter that measures the amount of moisture in the subject's body by bringing a sensor portion into contact with the body surface of the subject,
Measuring means for measuring the amount of moisture adhering to the electrode portion disposed on the contact surface of the sensor portion;
Determination means for determining whether or not the in-vivo moisture meter is in a state in which the moisture content can be measured based on the moisture adhesion amount measured by the measurement means;
Informing means for informing that the measurable state when the judging means determines that the measurable state is present; and
A detection apparatus comprising:
A measuring means, a determining means, and a notifying means are provided, and can be attached to an in-vivo moisture meter that measures the amount of moisture in the subject's body by bringing the sensor portion into contact with the body surface of the subject. A method for controlling a detection device, comprising:
A measuring step in which the measuring means measures the amount of moisture adhering to the electrode portion disposed on the contact surface of the sensor portion;
A determination step of determining whether or not the in-vivo moisture meter is capable of measuring a moisture content based on the moisture adhesion amount measured by the measurement step;
A notification step of notifying the measurable state when the notification means is determined to be in the measurable state by the determination step;
A control method for a detection apparatus, comprising:
A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method of the detection apparatus according to claim 13.