JP2000237189A - Ultrasonic living body tissue measuring method and ultrasonic living body tissue measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and inexpensively measure a thickness of a fat tissue by making ultrasonic signals having plural mutually different frequencies incident toward the other surface from one surface of a living body, and measuring a thickness of a living body tissue by taking out only an absorbing effect by the living body tissue of the respective ultrasonic signals. SOLUTION: A device body 10 of this ultrasonic living body tissue measuring device makes two kinds of ultrasonic signals having respectively prescribed strength incident in a living body 1 from one surface of the living body 1 via an ultrasonic probe 2 to receive the respective ultrasonic signals passing through into the living body 1 from the other surface of the living body 1 via an ultrasonic probe 3. The strength ratio at in vivo incident time of the other ultrasonic signal to one ultrasonic signal among two kinds of ultrasonic signals and the strength ratio at receiving time after passing through into the living body are determined, and a distance up to the other surface from one surface of the living body 1 is determined from arrival time of the ultrasonic signals to the reception side from the transmission side to arithmetically operate respective thicknesses of a fat tissue and a fat removed tissue in the living body 1 on the basis of these values.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic living tissue measuring method and apparatus for measuring the thickness of a plurality of living tissues having different acoustic impedances in a living body, and more particularly to measuring the thickness of fat tissue in a living body. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic living tissue measuring method and apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, methods for measuring fat percentage (amount) in a living body include clinical tests 42 (4) 413-416,1998 and ClinicalEngin.
As described in eering9 (1) 34-39,1998, there are various methods. That is, the body density method for estimating the fat percentage from the body density by utilizing the difference in the density of adipose tissue and non-fat lean tissue, and assuming that the lean tissue has a constant composition and moisture content, Body weight method to measure fat from a tracer such as deuterium to determine fat mass, body K40 measurement method to calculate lean mass from K40 assuming constant potassium content of lean mass, body weight squared by height Body measurement method to obtain body mass ratio (BMI) by dividing by two, double X-ray absorption method using difference of X-ray transmittance of two energies, imaging method such as X-ray CT tomogram, caliper and near red There are a local method of measuring the thickness of subcutaneous fat at a specific site using an external method, an electric impedance method of estimating a body fat percentage from a difference in electric resistance between adipose tissue and lean tissue, and the like.

[0003] Further, in a method of obtaining the thickness of adipose tissue using ultrasonic waves, an ultrasonic pulse is emitted toward a living body, and this ultrasonic pulse is applied to the interface between subcutaneous adipose tissue and muscle tissue. A method for measuring the subcutaneous fat thickness by detecting reflected echoes and returning echoes is known. As a device for simply measuring, for example, an ultrasonic sebum thickness measuring device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-292214 and so on.

[0004]

However, as described above, there are various conventional techniques for measuring fat, but each has the following problems. In the body density method, it is not easy to accurately determine the volume, and the subject must be submerged in water or a dedicated chamber is required.
The measurement using the X-ray method and the X-ray measurement method requires a dedicated large-scale apparatus, and thus has a problem that the apparatus becomes large. In addition, these measurements have problems that the measurement is not simple, that the measurement by an expert is required, and that the cost is high. Further, there is a problem that visceral fat cannot be measured except for measurement using X-rays. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to estimate the visceral fat by the local method or the electric impedance method for measuring the subcutaneous fat thickness.
There is also a simple method of measuring the body size (BMI) as a simple method, which is simple and inexpensive. However, fat and muscle fat cannot be distinguished, and it is difficult to estimate visceral fat. . In addition, the conventional method of obtaining the thickness of subcutaneous fat using ultrasound has a problem that it is difficult to estimate visceral fat.

Accordingly, the present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and does not require a large-sized device, and can easily and inexpensively measure the thickness of a living tissue, particularly the thickness of a fat tissue. A first object is to provide an ultrasonic living tissue measurement method and apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a small, simple and inexpensive ultrasonic living tissue measuring method and apparatus which can estimate the thickness of visceral fat in adipose tissue.
The purpose of.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic biological tissue measuring method according to the present invention provides a method for measuring a plurality of living bodies having different acoustic impedances from one surface to another surface of a living body. An ultrasonic biological tissue measurement method for measuring the thickness of a biological tissue, wherein the ultrasonic signal having a plurality of different frequencies from the number of the biological tissue is incident on the living body from the one surface and the other Detecting on the surface, determining the intensity ratio at the time of detection of the plurality of ultrasonic signals, determining the distance from one surface of the plurality of living bodies to another surface, and at the time of incidence of the ultrasonic signal The thickness of each living tissue in the living body from the one surface to the other surface based on the logarithmic value of the intensity ratio and the logarithmic value of the intensity ratio at the time of detection and the distance from one surface of the living body to the other surface To calculate And wherein the Mukoto. By taking the logarithmic value of the intensity ratio of the ultrasonic signal at different frequencies after transmission through the biological tissue, the attenuation of each ultrasonic signal due to reflection at each interface between the biological tissues is canceled, and only the absorption effect by the biological tissue Therefore, the thickness of the living tissue can be measured by the ultrasonic living tissue measuring method according to the present invention.

In the ultrasonic living tissue measuring method according to the present invention, a method using an ultrasonic signal can be used to determine the distance from one surface of the living body to another surface. The method may include measuring an arrival time of an ultrasonic signal of the signal from one surface of the living body to another surface, and determining a distance from the one surface to the other surface based on the measurement time.

Further, in the ultrasonic living tissue measuring method according to the present invention, when measuring a distance using an ultrasonic signal, one ultrasonic signal of the plurality of ultrasonic signals may be measured from one surface of the living body. It is preferable to measure the time of arrival to another surface, so that it is not necessary to use a separate ultrasonic signal to measure the time of arrival.

[0010] In the ultrasonic living tissue measuring method according to the present invention, the plurality of living tissues may be composed of two tissues, adipose tissue and lean tissue other than adipose tissue, and the fat thickness of the adipose tissue may be determined. May be used.

Further, when the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring method according to the present invention is used as a method for determining the fat thickness of the adipose tissue in a biological tissue composed of two tissues, adipose tissue and lean tissue other than the adipose tissue, 2 as multiple ultrasonic signals
It can be measured using two ultrasonic signals.

Further, in the ultrasonic living tissue measuring method according to the present invention, the thickness of the subcutaneous fat in the fat tissue is obtained, and the thickness of the subcutaneous fat is subtracted from the thickness of the fat tissue. Determining the thickness of visceral fat.

Still further, in the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring method according to the present invention, the thickness of the subcutaneous fat may be adjusted such that an ultrasonic pulse is incident from the one surface and the other surface, and the subcutaneous fat and the subcutaneous fat are irradiated from the time of incidence. Measure the time until the ultrasonic pulse reflected at the boundary with the living tissue adjacent to the subcutaneous fat is detected on the one surface or the other surface, and measure the thickness of the subcutaneous fat based on the time can do.

An ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the present invention comprises a first ultrasonic probe, a second ultrasonic probe, and an apparatus main body connected to the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe. Means for measuring a distance from one surface of the living body to another surface, wherein the main body of the apparatus has different frequencies from each other via the first ultrasonic probe, A plurality of ultrasonic signals are incident on a living body from one surface, and the plurality of ultrasonic signals transmitted through the living body are received on the other surface of the living body via the second ultrasonic probe. Obtaining the intensity ratio at the time of receiving the plurality of ultrasonic signals, the logarithmic value of the obtained intensity ratio at the time of reception of the ultrasonic signal, and one surface of the living body obtained by the means for measuring the distance To the other surface and the body value of the intensity ratio at the time of incidence of the plurality of ultrasonic signals. Zui and wherein the calculating and outputting the respective thicknesses of the plurality of biological tissue in the in vivo leading to the other surface from the first surface. With this configuration, by taking the logarithmic value of the intensity ratio of the ultrasonic signals at different frequencies at the time of transmission through the living tissue, the attenuation due to the reflection of each ultrasonic signal at each interface between the living tissues is cancelled, and Only the absorption effect of the living tissue can be taken out, and the thickness of the living tissue can be measured.

Further, in the ultrasonic living tissue measuring apparatus according to the present invention, the distance measuring means uses a distance measuring ultrasonic signal, and the apparatus main body is connected to the ultrasonic measuring apparatus through the first ultrasonic probe. An ultrasonic signal for distance measurement incident from one surface of the living body is received on the other surface through the second ultrasonic probe, and the ultrasonic signal for distance measurement is transmitted from the one surface to the other surface. Measure the time to reach the surface of the
The distance from one surface to another surface may be obtained based on the measured time.

Further, in the ultrasonic living tissue measuring apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable to use one or more of the plurality of ultrasonic signals as the ultrasonic signals for distance measurement.

Further, the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the plurality of biological tissues are composed of two tissues, adipose tissue and lean tissue other than adipose tissue, and the fat thickness of the adipose tissue is determined. Can be used.

In the case where the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the present invention is used as an apparatus for determining the fat thickness of adipose tissue in a biological tissue consisting of adipose tissue and lean tissue other than adipose tissue, Two ultrasonic signals may be used as a plurality of ultrasonic signals.

Further, in the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the present invention, means for determining the thickness of subcutaneous fat in the adipose tissue is further provided, and the thickness of the subcutaneous fat is subtracted from the thickness of the adipose tissue. Thus, the thickness of the visceral fat may be determined.

In the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the present invention, the means for obtaining the thickness of the subcutaneous fat uses an ultrasonic signal, and the apparatus main body further includes the first ultrasonic probe and the ultrasonic probe. Ultrasonic pulses are incident on the one surface and the other surface via the second ultrasonic probe, respectively, and a boundary between the subcutaneous fat of the adipose tissue and the living tissue adjacent to the subcutaneous fat is received. The ultrasonic pulse reflected on the one surface or the other surface is received via the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe, respectively, from the incidence of each ultrasonic pulse Measure the time until reception,
The thickness of each subcutaneous fat may be measured based on the time.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic biological tissue measurement device according to the first embodiment includes:
As shown in FIG. 1, two ultrasonic probes 2 and 3 applied to one surface and another surface of a living body (human) 1 to be measured, and connected to the ultrasonic probes 2 and 3. And an apparatus main body 10. Here, in the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus of the first embodiment, the apparatus main body 10 has two types of ultrasonic signals having different frequencies and each having a predetermined intensity via the ultrasonic probe 2. Is incident on the living body 1 from one surface of the living body 1, and each ultrasonic signal transmitted through the living body 1 is
From the other surface through the ultrasonic probe 3. Then, the intensity ratio of one of the two types of ultrasonic signals to the other ultrasonic signal at the time of incidence into the living body and the intensity ratio at the time of reception after transmission through the living body are determined. The distance from the surface to the other surface is determined from the arrival time of the ultrasonic signal from the transmitting side to the receiving side, and the fat tissue and lean body in the living body 1 from one surface to the other surface are determined based on the determined values. The thickness of each tissue is calculated and output.

More specifically, in the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment, each of the ultrasonic probes 2 and 3 converts an electric signal into an ultrasonic signal or converts an ultrasonic signal into an electric signal. Consisting of an ultrasonic transducer. In the first embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 2
Generates an ultrasonic signal according to the transmission electric signal input from the transmission control unit 12 of the apparatus main body, and enters the living body 1 from one surface of the living body 1. The ultrasonic probe 3 receives an ultrasonic signal incident from the ultrasonic probe 2 and transmitted through the living body 1 via another surface of the living body 1 and converts the received ultrasonic signal into an electric signal. After conversion, the wave reception control unit 13 of the apparatus main body 10
To enter.

The apparatus body 10 includes a transmission control unit 12, a reception control unit 13, a signal processing unit 11, and a display unit 14, and each unit is configured to operate as follows. That is, the transmission controller 12 outputs an electric signal for generating an ultrasonic signal to the ultrasonic probe 2 to the ultrasonic probe 2, and outputs a signal including frequency information and amplitude information of the electric signal. Is output to the signal processing unit 11. Here, in the first embodiment, the transmission controller 12 causes the ultrasonic probe 2 to generate two types of ultrasonic signals having different frequencies, for example, by temporally switching.

The ultrasonic probe 3 converts an ultrasonic signal transmitted through the living body 1 into an electric signal, and the wave receiving control unit 13 amplifies and filters an output signal of the ultrasonic probe 3. Output to the signal processing unit 11. And the signal processing unit 11
Is used when two types of ultrasonic signals generated by the ultrasonic probe 2 are incident using an electric signal input from the transmission control unit 12 and an electric signal input from the reception control unit 13. An intensity ratio and an intensity ratio at the time of reception (at the time of reception by the ultrasonic probe 3) are obtained, and based on the obtained values, two in the living body 1 from one surface to another surface are described later in detail. The thickness of each type of living tissue (adipose tissue and lean tissue) is calculated and output to the display unit 14. Then, the display unit 14 composed of, for example, a display displays the calculated thicknesses of the living tissues using figures, figures, or the like.

Next, a measuring method used in the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment and its principle will be described.
When an ultrasonic wave penetrates a living body, the ultrasonic wave is absorbed by the tissue or reflected at an interface between the tissues having different acoustic impedances and attenuated. The absorption of the ultrasonic wave by the tissue is expressed by the following equation (1).

[0026]

(Equation 1)

In the equation (1), A is the ultrasonic vibration.
Width, A₀Is the amplitude of the ultrasonic wave when entering the living body 1, x
Is the ultrasonic transmission distance, and α is the absorption coefficient (dB) related to the amplitude.
・ Cm ^-1), Which depends on the frequency f and the living tissue.
Is a number. Next, take the logarithm of both sides of this equation (1)
Gives the following equation (2).

[0028]

(Equation 2)

FIG. 2 shows this equation (2) in a graph. That is, the logarithm lnA of the amplitude of the ultrasonic wave and the living body 1
The propagation distance x of the ultrasonic wave within the line has a linear relationship, the inclination of the line is −α, and the y-intercept is lnA ₀ . Next, a case of an ultrasonic signal transmitted through a living body composed of the living tissue 1 and the living tissue 2 having different acoustic impedances will be described. First, as described above, the absorption coefficient α related to the amplitude
(DB · cm ⁻¹ ) is a constant mainly depending on the frequency f of the ultrasonic signal and the living tissue. In addition, the attenuation rate of the transmitted ultrasonic signal due to reflection at the biological tissue interface (for example, the interface between fat tissue and lean tissue) in a living body can be regarded as constant regardless of the frequency of the ultrasonic signal.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a case where two types of ultrasonic signals having the frequencies f1 and f2 pass through the two living tissues 1 and 2. That is,
The ultrasonic signal is absorbed by the tissue 1 and the tissue 2 according to the equation (2), and is linearly attenuated. Further, two types of ultrasonic signals having the frequencies f1 and f2 at the interface between the tissue 1 and the tissue 2 are attenuated as shown in FIG. 3, but due to the reflection of the transmitted ultrasonic signal at the biological tissue interface in the living body. Since the attenuation rate can be considered constant regardless of the frequency of the ultrasonic signal, the attenuation rate _Δf1 and the attenuation rate _Δf2 are equal to each other. Here, the attenuation rate _Δf1 is the attenuation rate due to the reflection of the ultrasonic signal having the frequency f1 at the interface, and the attenuation rate _Δf2 is the attenuation rate due to the reflection at the interface of the ultrasonic signal having the frequency f2. Therefore, the frequency f1
The amplitudes of the ultrasonic signal having the frequency f2 and the ultrasonic signal having the frequency f2 are A _f1 and A _f2 , respectively, and ln (A _f1 / A _f2 )
Is obtained, the following equation (3) is obtained because the attenuation rate _Δf1 = the attenuation rate _Δf2 .

[0031]

(Equation 3)

Here, α _1f1 is the absorption coefficient of the ultrasonic signal of the frequency f1 in the tissue 1, and α _1f2 is the tissue 1
Is the absorption coefficient of the ultrasonic signal of frequency f2 at
_2f1 is the absorption coefficient of the ultrasonic signal of the frequency f1 in the tissue 2, and α _2f2 is the absorption coefficient of the ultrasonic signal of the frequency f2 in the tissue 2. Further, x ₁ and x ₂ are the distances between the tissue 1 and the tissue 2, respectively, and A _0f1 and A _0f2 are the ultrasonic signal having the frequency f1 and the frequency f2, respectively.
Is the amplitude of the ultrasonic signal having the following when incident on the living tissue. FIG. 4 shows the equation (3) in a graph.

That is, the expression (3) and FIG. 4 show that the amplitude of the ultrasonic signal transmitted through the living tissue is obtained by taking the logarithmic value of the intensity ratio of the two types of ultrasonic signals having different frequencies. This means that the attenuation at the interface can be canceled and only the absorption effect by the tissue can be taken out. Therefore, assuming that the living tissue is a fat tissue and other lean tissue, if the tissue 1 in FIG. 4 is a fat tissue and the tissue 2 in FIG. 4 is a lean tissue, an ultrasonic wave transmitted through the two living tissues will be described. The amplitude ratio of the signal can be represented as shown in FIG. Further, assuming that the living tissue is two types of tissues as described above, the sum of the distance L between the fat tissues and the distance between the lean tissues is equal to the distance D of the whole living body through which the ultrasonic signal passes. Therefore, the distance of the lean tissue is represented by DL. From the above, when the living tissue is the fat tissue and the other lean tissue as described above, the expression (3) can be eventually expressed by the following expression (4).

[0034]

(Equation 4)

In the equation (4), the frequency in the fat tissue is
The absorption coefficient of the ultrasonic signal of the number f1 is α _Lf1On adipose tissue
Α is the absorption coefficient of the ultrasonic signal of frequency f2_Lf2, Degreasing
The absorption coefficient of the ultrasonic signal of frequency f1 in the fatty tissue is α
_Mf1Absorption of ultrasonic signals of frequency f2 in lean tissue
Yield coefficient α_Mf2It is expressed as Here, equation (4) is examined.
Considering that, the absorption coefficient α of adipose tissue_Lf1, Α_Lf2, Lean body
Weave absorption coefficient α_Mf1, Α_Mf2Can be determined experimentally
Is known. Also, the whole that the ultrasonic signal is transmitted
The distance D of the living body is almost the same for any tissue in the living body.
Since it has the same transmission speed for the same ultrasonic wave,
By measuring the time of arrival from the receiver to the receiver
You can ask. Furthermore, the vibration of the ultrasonic signal at the time of incidence
Width A_0f1, A_0f2Each generate an ultrasonic signal
Of the electric signal applied to the ultrasonic probe 2 for
Determined by the conversion efficiency at each frequency of the acoustic probes 2 and 3
The conversion efficiency can be determined in advance.
Therefore, the intensity of the electric signal applied to the ultrasonic probe 2
Can be calculated. Also, the vibration of the ultrasonic signal after passing through the living body
Width A_f1, A_f2Are each measurable quantities. Follow
Therefore, two ultrasonic signals having different frequencies are
Permeates the living body consisting of living tissue (adipose tissue and lean tissue)
And the amplitude A of the ultrasonic signal after transmission_f1, A_f2Measure
Then, the thickness of adipose tissue is measured by using equation (4).
Can be specified.

The method described above can also be applied to a case where adipose tissue is distributed in a plurality of places. In this case, when an ultrasonic wave is transmitted through a living body, it is reflected and attenuated at many interfaces, but the logarithmic value of the intensity ratio after transmission of two types of ultrasonic signals having different frequencies transmitted through the same path is taken. Thus, the attenuation due to the reflection at each tissue interface can be canceled. In addition, even if subcutaneous fat or visceral fat is present in a plurality of locations, the acoustic impedance of the adipose tissue with respect to the ultrasonic signal takes a relatively similar value. Can be regarded as a single organization. Further, even when tissues having different acoustic impedances, such as muscle tissues, bones, and visceral tissues, are mixed, the entire lean tissue can be regarded as one tissue by using the average acoustic impedance. .

As described above, even when adipose tissue is present at a plurality of locations and lean tissue is mixed with tissues having different acoustic impedances such as muscle tissue, bone, and visceral tissue, the plurality of adipose tissues are regarded as one unit. By viewing muscle tissue, bone, visceral tissue, and the like as one fat-free tissue as one fat tissue, the distance as the fat tissue hull and the distance as the whole lean tissue can be measured. still,
In the case where adipose tissue is present at a plurality of locations and lean tissue is mixed with tissues having different acoustic impedances such as muscle tissue, bone, and visceral tissue, the distance (thickness) of each fat tissue and The distance (thickness) of each living tissue of the lean tissue can be measured, and details will be described later in Embodiment 2 and below. The above is the principle of measuring the distance between the two types of living tissues in the first embodiment.

The operation of the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described based on the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring method described above. In the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the first _embodiment , a first ultrasonic signal having a frequency f1 and an amplitude A _0f1 is incident on a living body 1 from an ultrasonic probe 2 via one surface. The incident first ultrasonic signal is transmitted through the living body 1 and received by the ultrasonic probe 3 on another surface. The received first ultrasonic signal is converted by the ultrasonic probe 3 into a first electric signal having frequency information and amplitude (intensity) information of the first ultrasonic signal, and is converted into a first electric signal. Is input to the signal processing unit 11 through the wave reception control unit 13.

Similarly, a second ultrasonic signal having a frequency f2 and an amplitude A _0f2 enters the living body 1 from the ultrasonic probe 2 via one surface. The incident second ultrasonic signal transmits through the living body 1 and is received by the ultrasonic probe 3 on another surface. Then, the received second ultrasonic signal is converted by the ultrasonic probe 3 into a second electric signal having frequency information and amplitude (intensity) information of the second ultrasonic signal, and is converted into a second electric signal. Is input to the signal processing unit 11 through the wave reception control unit 13.

Further, under the control of the transmission controller 12, an ultrasonic pulse is incident on the living body 1 from the ultrasonic probe 2 via one surface. The ultrasonic pulse incident into the living body 1 is
After a time corresponding to the distance D of the living body 1 has passed through the living body 1, it is received by the ultrasonic probe 3 on another surface. Note that switching between the first ultrasonic signal, the second ultrasonic signal, and the ultrasonic pulse generated by the ultrasonic probe 2 is as follows.
This is performed by the transmission controller 12.

[0041] The signal processing unit 11 is configured to output the ultrasonic pulse
The distance D through which the ultrasonic signal passes through the living body 1 is calculated based on the transmission time inside the living body 1, and the distance D, the amplitude A _{0f1 of the} first ultrasonic signal entering the living body 1 and the transmission through the living body 1. The amplitude A _f1 when received and the amplitude A _0f2 when the second ultrasonic signal is incident on the living body 1 and the amplitude A _f2 when transmitted through the living body 1 and received are described above (4). ), The distance (thickness) L of the fat tissue and the distance (thickness) of the lean tissue are calculated and displayed on the display unit 14. The conversion efficiency at each frequency of the ultrasonic probes 2 and 3 for calculating the amplitude A ₀ when the ultrasonic signal enters the living body 1 can be determined in advance by the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring device. This is a unique value, which is stored in advance in a memory in the signal processing unit 11, and data can be read and used as needed. In addition, the absorption coefficient of adipose tissue α _Lf1 ,
alpha _Lf2, absorption coefficient alpha _Mf1 of lean tissue, alpha _Mf2 is stores the absorption coefficient in advance general each biological tissue in a memory in the known ones deli, the signal processing unit 11 which can be experimentally determined The data can be read and used as needed, or the data obtained from the living body to be measured may be input at the time of measurement.

The ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus of the first embodiment configured as described above uses the first and second ultrasonic signals having different frequencies from each other, and uses the first and second ultrasonic signals at the time of incidence on the living body 1. 2 based on the intensity ratio of the ultrasonic signal, the first and second intensity ratios at the time of reception, and the distance from one surface of the living body to the other surface. The distance (thickness) L and the distance (thickness) of the lean tissue can be measured, and have the following features. That is, in the ultrasonic biological tissue measurement device of the first embodiment, the device main body 10 can be configured by a simple reception and transmission control unit and a simple signal processing unit, and can be extremely miniaturized.

In the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment, the apparatus main body 10 is configured by using the reception control unit 13, the transmission control unit 12, the signal processing unit 11, and the display unit 14. However, the present invention is not limited to this, two kinds of ultrasonic signals having different frequencies are incident on the living body 1 from one surface of the living body 1 via the ultrasonic probe 2,
Each ultrasonic signal transmitted through the living body 1 is received from the other surface of the living body 1 via the ultrasonic probe 3, and the other ultrasonic wave corresponding to one of the two types of ultrasonic signals A method for calculating an intensity ratio at the time of incidence of a signal and an intensity ratio at the time of reception, and calculating respective thicknesses of fat tissue and lean tissue in the living body 1 from one surface to another surface based on the obtained values. If so, any configuration may be used.

In the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment, the apparatus main body 10 can be realized with a relatively simple configuration as described above and does not require complicated signal processing. it can. Further, the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment can measure the thickness of a living tissue such as a fat tissue and a lean tissue by an extremely simple operation.

Although the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment measures using two types of ultrasonic signals having different frequencies from each other, the present invention is not limited to this. You may comprise so that it may measure using three or more types of ultrasonic signals. For example, when three types of first, second, and third ultrasonic signals are used, a combination of the first and second ultrasonic signals, a combination of the first and third ultrasonic signals, and a combination of the second and third ultrasonic signals. In each of the combinations of the ultrasonic signals, the thickness of each living tissue is measured by measuring the thickness of the two living tissues in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and averaging the obtained measured values. I do. In this way, by averaging a plurality of measured values to determine the thickness of each living tissue, errors due to noise can be reduced, and the thickness of the living tissue such as the distance L between fat tissues can be accurately obtained.

In the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment, the ultrasonic signal transmitted through the living body may be a pulse or a continuous wave. Embodiment 1
In order to output an ultrasonic signal having a different frequency from the ultrasonic probe 2 in the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus of the above, the ultrasonic signal of a different frequency is switched and generated. The signals may be generated simultaneously and analyzed by the signal processing unit 11. The present invention also uses a so-called chirp signal having a continuously changing frequency, and performs measurement at the same timing as the measurement described in the first embodiment at the mutually different frequencies f1 and f2 at the continuously changing frequency. The calculation may be performed by using The same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained in the above manner.

Further, in the first embodiment, the ultrasonic signals of two kinds of frequencies are transmitted from the same ultrasonic probe 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. Ultrasounds of a plurality of frequencies may be transmitted using a plurality of ultrasound probes as probes, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained in this case. The ultrasonic probe 3 that receives ultrasonic waves may also receive ultrasonic waves of a plurality of frequencies using a plurality of ultrasonic probes.

In the first embodiment, the ultrasonic probes 2 and 3 for measuring the thickness of the living tissue are used for measuring the distance D in the living body through which the ultrasonic signal passes. The invention is not limited to this, and an ultrasonic probe for measuring the distance D in the living body may be provided separately from the ultrasonic probes 2 and 3.
The means for measuring the distance D of the ultrasonic wave transmitted through the living body is not limited to the method using the ultrasonic pulse described in the first embodiment. Since the distance D can be measured outside the living body using a caliper, a measure, a ruler, or the like, any distance can be used as long as the distance can be measured.

Embodiment 2 In the first embodiment, an apparatus and a method for measuring the thickness of each of the two living tissues, namely, adipose tissue and other lean tissues, have been described in the first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, the living body contains adipose tissue. In the case of having the above n living tissues, the thickness of each living tissue is determined by using the absorption coefficient of each living tissue and k ultrasonic signals of different frequencies which are equal to or more than the number (n) of types of living tissues. An ultrasonic biological tissue measuring method and an ultrasonic biological tissue measuring device to be measured. In the second embodiment, the thickness of each living tissue can be calculated and obtained by using the absorption coefficient for each living tissue as compared with the first embodiment, so that the thickness (distance) of each fat tissue can be obtained. Can be determined more accurately.

The principle of the apparatus and method according to the second embodiment will be described below. Absorption coefficient α in the living body to be measured
Assuming that n living tissues can be obtained, the distance of each living tissue is an unknown number, but the distance D of the ultrasonic wave of the living body can be easily measured by the method described in the first embodiment. Since the number of unknowns can be reduced by one using the distance D, the number of unknowns becomes (n-1). When the intensity of the ultrasonic wave after transmitting the ultrasonic signal of the k kinds of frequencies through the living body is measured, the same as the independent (k-1) equations (3) including (n-1) unknowns, respectively, is obtained. Can be obtained. Therefore, by setting the number k of types of ultrasonic signals to n or more, it is possible to obtain a simultaneous equation consisting of equations (n-1) and more, and to obtain the distance (thickness) of each living tissue. .

The ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the second embodiment can be configured by modifying the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment as follows. That is, in the apparatus of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the number of frequencies controlled by the wave transmission control unit 12 and output from the ultrasonic probe 2 is equal to or more than the number n of living tissues to be measured. Then, the wave receiving control unit 13 measures the intensity of each ultrasonic signal after passing through the living body, and the signal processing unit 11 solves the above-described simultaneous equation including the equation (n-1) to thereby obtain the distance between each living tissue. By calculating (thickness), the distance between each living tissue is measured.

The ultrasonic living tissue measuring apparatus according to the second embodiment configured as described above measures the intensities of a plurality of ultrasonic signals after passing through the living body, and obtains the known absorption coefficients α and α of each living tissue. The distance (thickness) of each living tissue can be obtained using the transmission distance D of the ultrasonic signal in the living body. Since the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the second embodiment calculates the distance (thickness) of each living tissue using the absorption coefficient α of each living tissue, it is necessary to measure the thickness of each individual tissue. And each distance of the living tissue can be measured with higher accuracy.

In the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the second embodiment, the number of frequencies output from the ultrasonic probe 2 is set to be larger than the number n of the biological tissues to be measured.
It is preferable that a plurality of calculated values of the distance of each living tissue are obtained, and the distance of each living tissue is calculated by the averaging process. In this way, the influence of noise can be reduced and the distance between the living tissues with high accuracy can be obtained. Alternatively, a chirp signal may be used as an ultrasonic signal, and a plurality of frequencies may be measured in the chirp signal to determine the distance between the living tissues.

The ultrasonic probe may be a single probe or a plurality of probes for transmission and reception. In addition, the ultrasonic probe used to measure the intensity of the ultrasonic wave transmitted through the living tissue using the ultrasonic wave for measuring the transmission distance of the ultrasonic wave is used, or a dedicated ultrasonic probe for measuring the distance You can use a child. As a means for measuring the transmission distance of the ultrasonic wave in the living body, other than the ultrasonic wave, any other means that can measure the distance of a caliper, a measure, a ruler, and the like may be used.

Embodiment 3 In the second embodiment, the distance (thickness) of each living tissue when three or more n living tissues including adipose tissue exist in the living body to be measured is determined. If it is known or can be easily estimated by another method from the ultrasonic transmission distance D or the like, the number of unknown signals should be reduced because the number of unknowns is smaller than that in the second embodiment. Can be. The third embodiment is an apparatus and a method in such a case.

More specifically, assuming that a living tissue is three or more n tissues including adipose tissue, and the number of tissues for which the tissue distance can be estimated is m, the number k of ultrasonic signals having different frequencies from each other is m. (Nm-1) or more,
The distance (thickness) of each living tissue can be obtained by measuring each intensity of each ultrasonic signal after passing through the living body.

FIG. 6 shows an example in which a living tissue is assumed to be three tissues (n = 3, m = 1) of a lean tissue 1 from which the distance of the living tissue can be estimated to adipose tissue and a lean tissue 2 other than that.
It is a schematic diagram in the case of performing measurement using the type (nm = 2) frequency. The unknown is only the distance L of the adipose tissue
(nm-1 = 1), and the value of 1 shown in the following equation (5) was obtained by measurement.
By solving these equations, the distance L between living tissues such as unknown fat tissues can be obtained.

[0058]

(Equation 5)

Here, in the expression (5), the lean tissue 1
As the absorption coefficients α _M1f1 , α _M1f2 , α _M2f1 , and α _M2f2 of the ultrasonic signals having the frequencies f1 and f2 at and 2, numerical values obtained experimentally or empirically are used. d _M1 is lean tissue 1
, And DL-d _M1 is the distance of the lean tissue 2. The other parameters are the same as in equation (4).

The ultrasonic living tissue measuring apparatus according to the third embodiment configured as described above has the same effect as that of the second embodiment, and includes the number of types of ultrasonic signals for obtaining the distance between unknown living tissues. Can be reduced.

Also in the third embodiment, one ultrasonic probe may be used for transmission and one for reception, or a plurality of ultrasonic probes may be used for transmission and reception. A child may be used. Also, a chirp signal may be used as the ultrasonic signal. Ultrasound may be used for measuring the transmission distance of the ultrasonic wave. In this case, the ultrasonic probe for measuring the transmission distance uses the ultrasonic wave used to measure the intensity of the ultrasonic signal transmitted through the living tissue. The probe may be shared, or a dedicated ultrasonic probe for measuring the distance may be used. As a means for measuring the transmission distance of the ultrasonic wave in the living body, other than the ultrasonic wave, any other means that can measure the distance of a caliper, a measure, a ruler, and the like may be used.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 7 is a block diagram conceptually showing a configuration of an ultrasonic biological tissue measurement device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 7, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the first to third embodiments, further comprising measuring the thickness of visceral fat and the thickness of subcutaneous fat in adipose tissue, which is one of the biological tissues. It is configured to be able to. That is, the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring device of the fourth embodiment is different from the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring device of the first embodiment in that the transmitting and receiving control units 22 and 23, the signal processing unit 21, and the display unit are replaced with the device main body 10. 14, and each part is configured as follows.

The transmission / reception control units 22 and 23 are configured to perform the same functions as the transmission control unit 12 and the reception control unit 23 of the first embodiment, respectively, and are further provided with the following functions. I have. The transmission / reception control unit 22 uses the ultrasonic probe 2 to input an ultrasonic pulse toward the inside of a living body to measure the thickness of the subcutaneous fat 4 shown in FIG. For example, an echo reflected and returned at a boundary surface with a living tissue such as a muscle tissue is detected, the time required from the input of the ultrasonic pulse to the detection of the echo is measured, and measured by the signal processing unit 21. Enter the time. Transmission / reception control unit 2
Similarly, in order to measure the thickness of the subcutaneous fat 4 shown in FIG. 8, an ultrasonic pulse is directed toward the inside of a living body using the ultrasonic probe 3 to measure the thickness of the subcutaneous fat tissue. The echo reflected from the interface with the living tissue such as muscle tissue is detected and returned, and the time required from the input of the ultrasonic pulse to the detection of the echo is measured, and the time measured by the signal processing unit 21 is measured. input.

The signal processing unit 21 is used in the first embodiment.
The distance (thickness) of each living tissue is calculated by calculating the thickness of each living tissue by any one of the methods (1) to (3), and further, from the incidence of the ultrasonic pulse input from the transmission / reception control units 22 and 23. Subcutaneous fat 4 based on the time required to detect the echo
Is calculated. Further, the signal processing unit 21 calculates the thickness of the visceral fat by subtracting the thickness of the subcutaneous fat from the distance (thickness) of the fat tissue, which is one of a plurality of living tissues,
The thickness of each living tissue, the thickness of subcutaneous fat, and the thickness of visceral fat are output via the display unit 14. FIG. 8 is a schematic view conceptually showing a method for obtaining subcutaneous fat and visceral fat in the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. In the figure, the portion described as fat thickness measurement indicates that the thickness of each biological tissue determined by any of the methods of Embodiments 1 to 3 is obtained, and the portion described as subcutaneous fat measurement is This shows a function newly added in the embodiment.

The ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus of the fourth embodiment configured as described above has the same effects as the first to third embodiments, and furthermore, the thickness of the visceral fat and the subcutaneous fat in the adipose tissue. Can be identified and measured.

In the fourth embodiment, the three types of measurement, namely, the measurement of the intensity ratio of the ultrasonic wave transmitted through the living tissue, the measurement of the distance to the living body, and the measurement of the subcutaneous fat thickness were all performed using the same ultrasonic probe. However, different ultrasonic probes may be used,
Alternatively, two of the three types may use the same ultrasonic probe, and another measurement may use a different ultrasonic probe. As a means for measuring the subcutaneous fat thickness, other methods such as a caliper and a near-infrared method may be used in addition to the ultrasonic wave. Even with the above configuration, the visceral fat thickness and the subcutaneous fat thickness can be identified and determined. As a means for measuring the transmission distance of the ultrasonic wave in the living body, other than the ultrasonic wave, any other means that can measure the distance of a caliper, a measure, a ruler, and the like may be used.

[0067]

As described above in detail, in the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring method according to the present invention, ultrasonic signals having a plurality of different frequencies, which are equal to or greater than the number of assumed biological tissues, are transmitted from one surface of the living body to another. Incident on the surface of the living body, the intensity ratio at the time of reception is obtained, the distance from one surface of the living body to the other surface is obtained, the logarithmic value of the obtained intensity ratio at the time of reception, and the obtained living body The distance from one surface to the other surface and the thickness of each living tissue in the living body from the one surface to the other surface based on the logarithmic value of the intensity ratio at the time of incidence of the plurality of ultrasonic signals. The calculation cancels the attenuation of each ultrasonic signal due to reflection at each interface between the living tissues, extracts only the absorption effect by the living tissues, and measures the thickness of the living tissues. Thus, according to the ultrasonic living tissue measuring method according to the present invention, the thickness of the living tissue can be simply and inexpensively measured without using a large-sized device.

Further, the ultrasonic living tissue measuring method according to the present invention further includes a method for obtaining a distance from one surface of a living body to another surface, wherein the ultrasonic signal is used to measure the distance from one surface of the living body to another surface. Measuring the arrival time of the ultrasonic signal and determining the distance from the one surface to the other surface based on the measured time, thereby obtaining the thickness of the living tissue and the distance from the one surface to the other surface. Can be easily obtained.

Further, in the ultrasonic living tissue measuring method according to the present invention, an ultrasonic signal is used in a method for obtaining a distance from one surface of a living body to another surface, and one of the plurality of ultrasonic signals is used. By measuring the arrival time of the sound wave signal from one surface of the living body to another surface, it is not necessary to separately use an ultrasonic signal to measure the arrival time, and the thickness of the living tissue and the The distance from one surface to another can be determined.

Further, in the ultrasonic living tissue measuring method according to the present invention, the intensity ratio at the time of incidence and the intensity ratio at the time of reception of the ultrasonic signal are obtained, and the logarithmic value of the intensity ratio at the time of incidence and the intensity at the time of reception are obtained. Since the thickness of each living tissue in the living body from the one surface to the other surface is calculated based on the logarithmic value of the ratio, the living body is composed of two tissues, adipose tissue and lean tissue other than adipose tissue. Can be used as a method for obtaining the fat thickness of the adipose tissue.

Further, in the case where the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring method according to the present invention is used as a method for determining the fat thickness of the adipose tissue in a biological tissue consisting of adipose tissue and lean tissue other than the adipose tissue, 2 as multiple ultrasonic signals
It can be measured using two ultrasonic signals.

Further, in the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring method according to the present invention, the thickness of the subcutaneous fat in the fat tissue is obtained, and the thickness of the subcutaneous fat is subtracted from the thickness of the fat tissue. By obtaining the thickness of visceral fat, it is possible to estimate the thickness of subcutaneous fat and the thickness of visceral fat in adipose tissue, and to provide a small, simple, and inexpensive ultrasonic biological tissue measurement method. Can be.

Further, in the ultrasonic living tissue measuring method according to the present invention, an ultrasonic pulse is incident from the one surface and the other surface, and the subcutaneous fat and the living tissue adjacent to the subcutaneous fat are irradiated from the time of incidence. By measuring the time until the ultrasonic pulse reflected at the boundary is detected on the one surface or the other surface, and measuring the thickness of the subcutaneous fat based on the time, the subcutaneous fat can be easily measured. Can be measured.

Further, the ultrasonic living tissue measuring apparatus according to the present invention comprises a means for measuring the distance between the first and second ultrasonic probes and one surface of the living body to another surface, A plurality of ultrasonic signals having different frequencies are incident on the living body from the one surface through the ultrasonic probe, and the transmitted ultrasonic signals are transmitted from the other surface of the living body to the second ultrasonic probe. Received via a stylus to determine the intensity ratio at the time of receiving the plurality of ultrasonic signals, the logarithmic value of the determined intensity ratio at the time of reception and the distance from one surface of the living body to the other surface Each thickness of the plurality of living tissues in the living body from the one surface to the other surface based on the distance determined by the measuring means and the logarithmic value of the intensity ratio at the time of incidence of the plurality of ultrasonic signals. And a device main body for calculating and outputting the calculated value. Thereby, according to the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring device according to the present invention, since the handling of the device can be simplified without requiring a large-sized device, the thickness of the biological tissue can be easily measured at low cost and A small ultrasonic biological tissue measuring device can be provided.

The ultrasonic living tissue measuring apparatus according to the present invention uses an ultrasonic signal in the means for determining the distance from one surface of the living body to another surface, and the first ultrasonic wave in the main body of the apparatus. An ultrasonic signal for distance measurement incident from one surface of the living body via the probe is received on the other surface via the second ultrasonic probe, and the ultrasonic signal for distance measurement is received by the second ultrasonic probe. It is necessary to input the distance from the outside by measuring the time from the one surface to the other surface and obtaining the distance from the one surface to the other surface based on the measured time. Since it is not available, it can be handled more easily.

In the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the present invention, one or more of the plurality of ultrasonic signals may be used as the distance measuring ultrasonic signal, so that the ultrasonic signal to be used may be used. And the structure of the apparatus can be simplified.

Further, the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the present invention can be used simply as an apparatus for determining the fat thickness of the adipose tissue in a biological tissue composed of two types of adipose tissue and lean tissue other than the adipose tissue. The fat thickness can be measured.

When obtaining the thicknesses of fat tissue and lean tissue other than fat tissue using the ultrasonic living tissue measuring apparatus according to the present invention, two ultrasonic signals are used as the plurality of ultrasonic signals. Thus, the number of ultrasonic signals to be used can be minimized, and the structure of the apparatus can be simplified.

Further, in the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the present invention, there is further provided means for determining the thickness of the subcutaneous fat in the fat tissue, and the thickness of the subcutaneous fat is subtracted from the thickness of the fat tissue. By obtaining the thickness of the visceral fat, it is possible to estimate the thickness of the subcutaneous fat and the thickness of the visceral fat in adipose tissue, and to provide a small, simple, and inexpensive ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus. be able to.

Further, in the ultrasonic living tissue measuring apparatus according to the present invention, an ultrasonic signal is used as means for obtaining a distance from one surface of the living body to another surface, and the apparatus main body further comprises the first ultrasonic wave. An ultrasonic pulse is incident from the one surface and the other surface via the ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe, respectively, and reflected at the boundary between the subcutaneous fat and the adjacent biological tissue. Receiving the ultrasonic pulse, measuring the time from the incidence to reception of each ultrasonic pulse, and measuring the thickness of each subcutaneous fat based on the time, easily subcutaneously. Since the thickness of fat can be measured, the thickness of visceral fat can be measured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing a configuration of an ultrasonic biological tissue measurement device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing a logarithmic value of an amplitude with respect to a propagation distance of an ultrasonic signal when one living tissue is used.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a logarithmic value of an amplitude with respect to a propagation distance of an ultrasonic signal when two living tissues are used.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a logarithmic value of an amplitude ratio of two ultrasonic signals to a propagation distance when two living tissues are used.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a logarithmic value of an amplitude ratio of two ultrasonic signals to a propagation distance when two living tissues are adipose tissue and lean tissue.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing a logarithmic value of an amplitude ratio of two ultrasonic signals to a propagation distance when three living tissues are used.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram conceptually showing a configuration of an ultrasonic biological tissue measurement device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing a method of obtaining subcutaneous fat and visceral fat in the ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 living body, 2, 3 ultrasonic probe, 4 subcutaneous fat, 1
0,20 main unit, 11,21 signal processing unit, 12
Transmission control unit, 13 reception control unit, 14 display unit, 22,
23 Transmission / reception control unit.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Michio Nakajima, 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsui Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Akira Watanabe 2-3-2, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 2-3 Rishi Electric Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2F068 AA06 AA28 CC07 FF14 FF16 FF24 FF25 GG01 KK15 PP11 QQ07 4C301 AA03 DD15 DD18 DD21 DD22 EE16 EE17 JB23 JB32

Claims (14)

[Claims] An ultrasonic living tissue measuring method for measuring the thickness of a plurality of living tissues having a different acoustic impedance from one surface of a living body to another surface, the method comprising: A plurality of ultrasonic signals having different frequencies are incident on the living body from the one surface and detected on the other surface, and an intensity ratio at the time of detection of the plurality of ultrasonic signals is obtained; Calculating a distance from one surface of the living body to another surface; and a logarithmic value of an intensity ratio at the time of incidence of the plurality of ultrasonic signals, a logarithmic value of an intensity ratio at the time of detection, and the other surface from the one surface of the living body. Calculating a thickness of each living tissue in the living body from the one surface to the other surface based on the distance to the living body tissue. 2. The method of determining a distance from one surface of the living body to another surface is a method using an ultrasonic signal, wherein an ultrasonic signal of the ultrasonic signal from one surface of the living body to another surface is obtained. 2. The ultrasonic biological tissue measuring method according to claim 1, further comprising measuring a time of arrival of the sound wave signal, and obtaining a distance from the one surface to another surface based on the measured time. 3. The ultrasonic biological tissue measuring method according to claim 2, wherein the arrival time from one surface of the living body to another surface is measured using one of the plurality of ultrasonic signals. 4. The adipose tissue according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of living tissues are composed of a fat tissue and a lean tissue other than the fat tissue, and the fat thickness of the fat tissue is determined. Ultrasonic biological tissue measurement method. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein two ultrasonic signals are used as the plurality of ultrasonic signals. 6. The ultrasonic living tissue measuring method according to claim 1, further comprising:
Finding the thickness of the subcutaneous fat in the adipose tissue,
6. The ultrasonic biological tissue measurement method according to claim 4, further comprising obtaining a thickness of visceral fat by subtracting a thickness of the subcutaneous fat from a thickness of the fat tissue. 7. The thickness of the subcutaneous fat is reflected at a boundary between the subcutaneous fat and a living tissue adjacent to the subcutaneous fat from the time of incidence of an ultrasonic pulse from the one surface and the other surface. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising measuring a time until the ultrasonic pulse is detected on the one surface or the other surface, and measuring the thickness of the subcutaneous fat based on the time. 8. The first and second ultrasonic probes and the first and second ultrasonic probes.
And a device main body connected to the second ultrasonic probe, and means for measuring a distance from one surface of the living body to another surface, wherein the device main body is connected to the first ultrasonic probe. A plurality of ultrasonic signals having a different frequency from each other through a child and entering the living body from one surface, the plurality of ultrasonic signals being equal to or more than the number of the living tissue, and transmitting the plurality of ultrasonic signals transmitted through the living body to the other living body. Received on the surface via the second ultrasonic probe to obtain an intensity ratio at the time of reception of the plurality of ultrasonic signals, and a logarithmic value of the obtained intensity ratio at the time of reception of the ultrasonic signal. And the distance from one surface of the living body to another surface determined by the means for measuring the distance, and from the one surface based on the body value of the intensity ratio at the time of incidence of the plurality of ultrasonic signals. Calculate and output the thickness of each of a plurality of living tissues in the living body reaching the other surface. An ultrasonic biological tissue measurement device characterized by applying force. 9. The distance measuring means which uses a distance measuring ultrasonic signal in the means for measuring the distance and which is incident on one surface of the living body through the first ultrasonic probe in the apparatus main body. The ultrasonic signal is applied to the second surface on the other surface.
Received through the ultrasonic probe, the distance measuring ultrasonic signal measures the time from the one surface to the other surface, based on the measured time from the one surface to another 9. The ultrasonic biological tissue measurement device according to claim 8, wherein a distance to the surface is obtained. 10. The ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to claim 9, wherein one or more of said plurality of ultrasonic signals are used as said distance measuring ultrasonic signals. 11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of living tissues are composed of a fat tissue and a lean tissue other than the fat tissue, and the fat thickness of the fat tissue is determined. Ultrasonic biological tissue measurement device. 12. The ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus according to claim 11, wherein two ultrasonic signals are used as said plurality of ultrasonic signals. 13. The ultrasonic biological tissue measuring apparatus further includes means for determining the thickness of subcutaneous fat in the fat tissue, and subtracting the thickness of the subcutaneous fat from the thickness of the fat tissue. The ultrasonic biological tissue measuring device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the thickness of the visceral fat is determined. 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for determining the thickness of subcutaneous fat uses an ultrasonic signal, and said apparatus main body further receives said ultrasonic signal via said first ultrasonic probe and said second ultrasonic probe. An ultrasonic pulse is incident from the one surface and the other surface, and the ultrasonic pulse reflected at a boundary between subcutaneous fat of the fat tissue and a living tissue adjacent to the subcutaneous fat is subjected to the one surface. Or on the other surface respectively the first
Receiving through the ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe, measuring the time from the incident to the reception of each ultrasonic pulse, based on the time, the thickness of each subcutaneous fat The ultrasonic biological tissue measuring device according to claim 13, which measures the following.