JP2005013597A - Bioinformation measuring instrument and method for measuring bioinformation from subject - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bioinformation measuring instrument noninvasively, quickly and highly precisely measuring biochemical information or physical property information of a subject and analyzing precisely tissue properties of the subject. <P>SOLUTION: This bioinformation measuring instrument applies a substantially monochromatic light to the subject, detects acoustic signals generated in the subject and noninvasively measures the biochemical information and the physical property information. Biological features of the subject, for example, the biological feature data such as the fingerprints, the palm prints and the earlobes and their position data are measured and stored as position information of the measured portions. When measuring in the next time, the position information is compared based on the biological feature data and the subject and the measuring instrument are relatively moved and aligned. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a biological information measuring apparatus for measuring and analyzing biological information by photoacoustic spectroscopy for health management or disease treatment, and a method for measuring biological information from the subject. The present invention relates to a non-invasive biological information measuring apparatus that non-invasively measures biochemical information or physical property information, etc. and analyzes the tissue properties of a subject accurately, and a method of measuring biological information from the subject.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a typical biological information measuring device for measuring the component or concentration of a substance present in a subject, a blood glucose meter that measures glucose concentration (blood glucose level) in blood or body fluid is conventionally known. Currently, a widely used blood glucose meter uses a small amount of blood sample collected by inserting a needle into a part of a subject's finger or arm, and the glucose in the collected blood undergoes a chemical reaction. The concentration is measured. The most common method for measuring glucose concentration is a method using an enzyme electrode. The enzyme used for glucose detection is an enzyme called glucose oxidase (GOD), which is immobilized on a polymer membrane or the like, and oxygen in the analyte substance is consumed by the glucose in the analyte contacting the GOD immobilization membrane. Glucose concentration is quantified by capturing changes in oxygen. Such a blood collection type blood glucose meter has a portable size and is used for managing blood glucose levels of diabetic patients.
[0003]
In such a conventional measurement method, it is necessary to puncture a part of a finger, arm, etc. for blood collection, which is a test method that damages the skin of the subject and causes pain to the subject. . Although this test method is a painful test method although it is desirable to measure 5 or more times a day in order to strictly control the blood glucose level of a diabetic patient, The number of measurements is limited to a few times. For the purpose of reducing the skin damage and pain of the subject, a method of measuring a minute amount of cell interstitial fluid by opening a minute hole on the skin surface using a fine needle or laser, without causing pain, Alternatively, methods for extracting and measuring exudate such as cell interstitial fluid by applying voltage and ultrasonic waves to the skin surface to improve skin exudation permeability have been studied, but have not been put to practical use. .
On the other hand, as a non-invasive glucose measurement method that does not require blood collection or extraction of cell interstitial fluid, there is a method using near infrared light as disclosed in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 23. Here, an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength band of about 380 to 770 nm is visible light, an electromagnetic wave of about 770 to 1,500 nm is near infrared light, an electromagnetic wave of about 1,500 to 3,000 nm is mid-infrared light, and 3,000. Electromagnetic waves of about ˜25,000 nm are taken as far infrared light.
[0004]
In this patent document 1 or patent document 2, near infrared light having a plurality of different wavelengths is irradiated on the skin surface of a subject, the detection signals are divided into a reference signal and a measurement signal, and these values are processed. By doing so, the glucose concentration is measured. In this method, as a light source of near infrared light, light emitted from a white light source such as a tungsten / halogen lamp is split into a predetermined wavelength by a spectral means such as an interference filter, or monochromatic light or a semiconductor close thereto. A laser (LD) or light emitting diode (LED) is used as a light source. A light receiving element such as a photodiode (PD) is used as a detector for near-infrared light transmitted and diffused through the subject.
[0005]
As another non-invasive glucose measurement method, a method and apparatus for irradiating a subject with light such as near infrared light and detecting an acoustic signal generated by glucose in the subject absorbing the energy of the irradiation light Are disclosed in Patent Literature 3, Patent Literature 4 and Patent Literature 5.
[0006]
In addition to the methods described above, various methods and apparatuses for non-invasively measuring cholesterol, neutral fat, hemoglobin, bilirubin, oxygen content, and the like of a subject have been developed.
[0007]
In any of the above non-invasive glucose measurement methods, it is desirable that the measurement sites are the same. However, at present, as disclosed in Patent Document 5, only a method for fixing a measurement site by forming a groove for placing a finger in the apparatus has been proposed.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 3-47099
[0009]
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-58735
[0010]
[Patent Document 3]
US Pat. No. 5,348,002
[0011]
[Patent Document 4]
JP-A-10-189
[0012]
[Patent Document 5]
JP 11-235331 A
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Non-invasive spectroscopic analysis of biological materials using near-infrared light and further visible light as disclosed in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 is a method that has attracted attention in recent years. Compared with spectroscopic analysis, the absorption of water, which occupies most of the living body as a constituent element, is small, so that it is possible to analyze an aqueous solution system and to have a high ability to permeate the living body. On the other hand, the signal attributed to molecular vibration is as small as about 1/100 compared with the mid-infrared light region, and the signal attribute is difficult to identify. That is, when detecting a signal of a target biological substance in the near infrared region, there is a problem that the signal corresponding to the concentration change of the target biological substance is very small and the attribution of the signal is often not clear. is there.
[0014]
In the photoacoustic spectroscopic techniques disclosed in Patent Document 3, Patent Document 4 and Patent Document 5, generally, a piezoelectric vibrator such as a microphone or a zircon-lead titanate ceramic (PZT) is used to detect an acoustic signal. It is used. However, an acoustic signal generated from a substance such as glucose by incident energy at a level that does not damage the subject is very weak. Even if processing such as addition averaging by repeated measurement is performed, glucose in the subject still remains. There is a problem that signal detection ability sufficient for measuring concentration and the like cannot be obtained.
[0015]
Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 5, the method of fixing the measurement site by forming a groove for placing a finger on the device has a problem that the measurement site is limited and a desired measurement site cannot be selected. . In addition, it is said that sufficient restraint for the subject is necessary in order to perform measurement at the same site with high reproducibility, with great constraints on the subject.
[0016]
An object of the present invention is to provide a biological information measuring apparatus capable of non-invasively measuring biochemical information or physical property information of a subject non-invasively and accurately and analyzing the tissue characteristics of the subject accurately.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to this invention,
A light source that emits monochromatic light and irradiates the subject;
A detector that generates an acoustic signal generated in the subject based on irradiation of the monochromatic light to the subject, or a detection signal that detects the absorbance of the emitted monochromatic light;
A processing unit that outputs biological information about the subject obtained by processing the detection signal;
A measurement unit that measures and outputs biometric features and positions at a specific part of the subject as first measurement information and second measurement information, respectively, during the first measurement of the subject and the second measurement thereafter;
A storage unit for storing the first measurement information;
An alignment mechanism for relatively moving the subject and the detection unit to substantially match the first measurement information and the second measurement information;
A biological information measuring device is provided.
[0018]
Moreover, according to this invention,
At the time of the first measurement, the first measurement information including the biological feature and position in the specific part of the subject is measured and output,
Storing first measurement information of the biological feature;
During the first measurement, monochromatic light is generated to irradiate the subject,
An acoustic signal generated in the subject based on the irradiation of the monochromatic light on the subject, or a first detection signal for detecting the absorbance of the emitted monochromatic light,
Outputting first biological information relating to the subject obtained by processing the first detection signal;
During the second measurement, the second measurement information including the biological feature and position in the specific part of the subject is measured and output,
Moving the subject relatively such that the first measurement information and the second measurement information substantially match,
During the second measurement, the monochromatic light is generated to irradiate the subject,
An acoustic signal generated in the subject based on irradiation of the monochromatic light to the subject, or a second detection signal is generated by detecting the absorbance of the emitted monochromatic light;
There is provided a method for measuring biological information from a subject, characterized in that second biological information relating to the subject obtained by processing the second detection signal is output.
[0019]
Here, the biological information is the concentration of the substance component contained in the body fluid such as blood and cell fluid of the subject or the biological tissue of the subject, for example, water, glucose, cholesterol, neutral fat contained in the body fluid or the biological tissue. , Hemoglobin, bilirubin, collagen and other substance concentrations, oxygen and carbon dioxide gas concentrations and alcohol and drug concentration information, and biological tissue degeneration, eg, burns, tumors such as skin cancer or breast cancer, atopic skin It shall include biochemical information related to the degeneration of biological tissues such as flame and arteriosclerosis. The light includes visible light, near infrared light, or mid infrared light, and the analysis includes not only qualitative analysis of tissue properties but also quantitative analysis.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A biological information measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the biological information measuring apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the interface unit shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the biological information measuring apparatus includes a light source unit 5 that generates one monochromatic light having a desired wavelength, a plurality of monochromatic lights, or light close thereto. In this specification, monochromatic light or light close to it is defined as substantially monochromatic light, and when simply described as light, it means this substantially monochromatic light.
[0021]
The light emitted from the light source unit 5, that is, the light beam or the light beam is guided to the light irradiation unit 13 provided in the interface unit 8 by an optical fiber or the like. In the light source unit 5, an electrical reference light signal proportional to the emission intensity of each substantially monochromatic light guided to the light irradiation unit 13 is generated, and this reference light signal is supplied to the signal processing unit 6.
[0022]
The light guided to the irradiation unit 13 is irradiated from the irradiation unit 13 to a desired part of the subject 10. In the subject due to the irradiation of light, an acoustic wave is generated by absorbing the energy of the irradiation light by a desired substance in the subject, and the acoustic wave is detected by an acoustic signal detection unit provided in the interface unit 8. 14 and converted into an electrical detection signal. The detection signal includes information such as a component and concentration of a substance existing on the surface of the subject or in the subject, or biochemical information or physical property information relating to the tissue property of the subject. Such biological information is collected or extracted by processing, and the biological information is output from the signal processing unit 6. The acoustic signal detection unit 14 is configured by a piezoelectric element such as a piezoelectric single crystal, piezoelectric ceramics, or a polymer piezoelectric body.
[0023]
In addition to the light irradiation unit 13 and the acoustic signal detection unit 14, the interface unit 8 controls the contact pressure detection unit 11 that detects the contact pressure at which the subject 10 is in contact with the interface unit 8, and controls the temperature of the measurement site of the subject. And a pressure control actuator 15 for controlling the contact pressure Pa between the subject 10 and the interface unit 8. The temperature controller 12 is disposed in the vicinity of a desired measurement site of the subject 10 and includes a temperature control element that controls the temperature of the measurement site. As the temperature control element, a thermoelectric conversion device that can control the temperature by varying the applied current or applied voltage, such as a Peltier element, can be used. For example, the temperature of the measurement site can be controlled to a desired temperature, for example, a substantially constant temperature in the range of 20 ° C. to 40 ° C. by the Peltier element. Since the photoacoustic measurement in the interface unit 8 is affected by the measurement temperature condition, by providing such a temperature control unit 12, the measurement temperature condition of the measurement site of the subject 10 can be kept constant, and the measurement accuracy can be improved. Can be improved. Further, since the contact pressure between the measurement site of the subject 10 and the interface unit 8 also affects the photoacoustic measurement, a contact pressure detection unit 11 that detects the contact pressure between the measurement site of the subject 10 and the interface unit 8 is provided. Then, the pressure control actuator 15 controls the measurement site of the subject 10 and the contact pressure Pa of the interface unit 8 to be in a desired condition based on the contact pressure detection signal from the contact pressure detection unit 11.
[0024]
When there is no object (subject 10) in contact with the interface unit 8, the control unit 3 is provided with a mechanism for controlling the irradiation unit 13 not to emit the irradiation light to the outside of the apparatus. It is possible to take safety measures to avoid dangers such as eyeball damage to the living body.
For example, the contact pressure detection unit 11 can use an element that detects the contact pressure of the measurement site from a change in pressure or electrical resistance. The pressure control actuator 15 can maintain the contact pressure between the measurement site of the subject 10 and the interface unit 8 within a predetermined range by using an electromagnetic actuator, a piezoelectric actuator, or the like.
[0025]
The acoustic signal detected by the acoustic signal detection unit 14 in the interface unit 8 is subjected to desired signal processing in the signal processing unit 6, and the processing result is stored in the data storage unit 4 and if necessary. Desired information is displayed on the display unit 1.
[0026]
As the information display method of the display unit 1, in addition to visual information transmission means by display on a screen or the like, auditory information transmission means by voice or the like or tactile information transmission means by vibration or the like can be used. Furthermore, it is possible to use a plurality of these means in combination.
[0027]
As the biological information measuring device, a desired operation device suitable for the user of the device, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a button, a touch key panel, and a voice provided in the operation unit 2 is used. The control unit 3 includes a display unit 1, a data storage unit 4, a signal processing unit 6, a light source unit, based on an operation instruction signal from the operation unit 2 operated by a user of the apparatus, an output signal from the contact pressure detection unit 11, and the like. 5. Control the operation of the device such as the temperature controller 12.
As a light source for generating monochromatic light or light close to it used in the light source unit 5, a small light emitting element such as a semiconductor laser (LD) or a light emitting diode (LED) is desirable. One or more can be used. For example, when measuring the glucose concentration in the subject, the subject 10 is irradiated with a plurality of lights having wavelengths in the range of 400 to 2,500 nm. The LD or LED that generates such light is made of InGaAlP when the emission wavelength is about 550 to 650 nm, GaAlAs when the emission wavelength is about 650 to 900 nm, and InGaAs or InGaAsP when the emission wavelength is about 900 to 2300 nm. The used LD and LED can be used. Recently, a light-emitting element using InGaN that emits light with a wavelength of 550 nm or less is becoming available.
[0028]
For example, a circular beam having a substantially uniform light intensity distribution with a diameter of about 0.4 mm is used as the size of the light beam irradiated to the subject 10 from the light irradiation unit 13, that is, the light beam. The intensity of the irradiated light is set so as not to damage the living tissue of the subject. For example, in the case of using laser light, the maximum allowable exposure amount defined in JIS C 6802 “Laser Product Radiation Safety Standard” ( MPE) The following strength is assumed.
[0029]
The biometric feature measuring unit 7 is a device that measures biometric features of a specific part of a living body such as a fingerprint, a palm print, an earlobe, and the like. It is comprised by the device which measures. For example, when using a sensor that detects the unevenness of a human fingerprint as a difference in capacitance, the capacitance between the finger surface and the electrode when the finger is in contact with or close to the matrix or array electrode The size of the read capacitance is inversely proportional to the distance between the finger surface and the electrode, and can be regarded as infinite capacitance when the finger is in direct contact with the electrode, so that a fingerprint image can be measured.
[0030]
The interface unit 8 is provided with a position control actuator 9 for aligning the site of the subject 10 with a predetermined position of the interface unit 8, and the actuator 9 finely moves the subject 10 to move the site to a predetermined position. ing. As this actuator, a general motor, a stepping motor, a piezoelectric actuator or the like having a relatively large stroke is desirable.
[0031]
3 is a side view showing an example of a specific structure of the biological information measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. In the following embodiment, an example in which a two-dimensional fingerprint image is referred to as a biometric feature will be described. That is, it is assumed that the biometric feature measurement unit 7 that measures biometric features is a fingerprint sensor, and the subject 10 is a finger.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 4, the base 8 has a V block structure having a V groove into which a finger can be inserted so that the position in the height direction of the finger can be easily specified. On the base 8, a light irradiation unit 13 and an acoustic signal detection unit 14 are installed at positions as shown in FIG.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 3, the center of the biological feature measurement unit 7 and the center of the light irradiation unit 13 and the acoustic signal detection unit 14 are arranged with an interval of a distance d1 along the long palm direction of the finger. In the first measurement, a finger is placed on the base 8 and a photoacoustic wave is measured at a part separated from the fingerprint image 20 and the fingerprint image 20 by a distance d1. In the second and subsequent measurements, first, the fingerprint image 21 is measured when the finger is placed on the base 8. Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the positional change Δy between the fingerprint image 20 measured for the first time and the fingerprint image 21 measured this time is calculated. In this calculation, for example, the overlapping position of fingerprint images is obtained by changing the position of the fingerprint image 21 measured this time by the distance y ′, and the best matching distance y ′ becomes the distance Δy. Next, the base 8 is moved by the distance Δy using the position control actuator 9, and the photoacoustic wave is measured. As described above, by making the measurement position constant, it is possible to measure the photoacoustic wave accurately at the same site every time with good reproducibility. When the base 8 having the V block structure is used, the position (x) of the fingerprint image 21 along the direction orthogonal to the long palm direction of the finger can be regarded as substantially constant. It is not necessary to adjust the position of the finger by the actuator 9. When coincidence is required in the x direction with respect to the overlapping fingerprint images, the slopes that define the V block structure of the base 8 may be moved individually.
[0034]
In the above-described embodiment, alignment is performed in the X and Y directions so that the position in the Z direction and the rotation θ direction of the finger can be determined to some extent using the V block structure, but with respect to the X, Y, and Z directions, It is also possible to perform alignment in the same manner, or to perform alignment in the Y direction and θ direction.
[0035]
The present invention can be implemented with various modifications other than those described above. For example, by arranging a photodetector such as a photodiode in the vicinity of the acoustic signal detector 14, the irradiation light can be applied to the surface of the subject 10 or the inside thereof. It is also possible to measure the optical signal returned after being scattered or reflected at the same time as the acoustic signal, and use the information of the optical signal together with the acoustic signal for quantitative analysis or qualitative analysis of the tissue properties of the subject.
[0036]
With reference to FIG.6 and FIG.7, the procedure of the photoacoustic measuring method in the biological information measuring device shown in FIGS. 1-5 is demonstrated. Here, FIG. 6 shows the first measurement procedure described above, and FIG. 7 shows the second and subsequent measurement procedures. In the procedures of FIGS. 6 and 7, the measurement position is specified by the fingerprint image.
[0037]
When the first measurement is started as shown in step S10, the finger is first placed on the base 8 as shown in step S11, and the fingerprint image 20 as a reference image is read by the biometric feature measurement unit 7. . The read image 20 is set as a reference position, and coordinates (x, y) of the reference position are obtained by calculation as shown in step S12. Here, as already described, the coordinates (x, y) of the reference position correspond to the distance from the center of the light irradiation unit 13 and the acoustic signal detection unit 14 to the center of the biological feature measurement unit 7, and the longitudinal direction of the finger Only the distance y1 along the line is measured, and the distance x orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the finger need not be measured. The coordinates (x, y) of the reference position of the fingerprint image are temporarily stored in a memory (not shown), and the reference image together with the fingerprint image 20 is stored in the data storage unit 4 such as a hard disk as shown in step S22 described later. Stored as position information.
[0038]
Next, as shown in step S13, the temperature control unit 12 measures the temperature of the finger. Whether the measured temperature is the predetermined temperature T is confirmed in step S14. If the measured temperature is not the predetermined temperature T, the temperature control element of the temperature control unit 12, for example, a Peltier element is controlled so that the finger temperature becomes the predetermined temperature T as shown in step S15. When the temperature of the finger is the predetermined temperature T, the contact pressure detection unit 11 detects the contact pressure of the finger placed on the base 8 as shown in step S16. Whether the finger contact pressure is a predetermined pressure is determined in step S17. If the contact pressure is not a predetermined pressure, the contact pressure control actuator 15 is operated until a predetermined pressure is applied to the finger in step S18. .
[0039]
In step S17, when a predetermined pressure is applied to the finger, the finger as the subject is irradiated with light from the light irradiation unit 13, and an acoustic signal is generated in the tissue therein. This acoustic signal is detected by the acoustic signal detector 14 as shown in step S20.
[0040]
As shown in step S21, the acoustic signal from the acoustic signal detection unit 14 is stored in the memory, and then the acoustic signal is stored in the data storage unit 4 together with the fingerprint image 20 and the reference position (x, y) of the fingerprint image 20 in step S22. As shown, it is stored as the first measurement data. The stored acoustic signal data is corrected in the signal processing unit 6 based on the reference light signal and converted into biological information data. The biological information data is stored again in the data storage unit 4 and controlled. It is displayed on the display unit 1 by the unit 3. After this data processing, a series of processing ends as shown in step S23.
[0041]
In steps 13 to 17, it is confirmed whether or not the measurement temperature and the measurement pressure are the predetermined temperature and the predetermined pressure at the time of the first measurement, but the measured temperature and the pressure are within a range that does not hinder a normal inspection operation ( The predetermined temperature range and the predetermined pressure range), the temperature and pressure are stored in the storage unit without being controlled to the predetermined temperature and pressure, and the temperature and pressure are set as the predetermined temperature and the predetermined pressure as a reference for the next measurement. Also good.
[0042]
After the first measurement process, after the first measurement process, for example, in the second measurement process, a series of processes (steps S31 to S46) shown in FIG. 7 are executed. That is, when the process is started as shown in step S31, the biometric feature measurement unit 7 reads the fingerprint image 21 as the subject 10 as shown in step S32. The fingerprint image 20 read for the first time is transferred from the data storage unit 4 to the memory as a reference image as shown in step S34. In step S33, the read fingerprint image 20 and the fingerprint image 21 as a reference image are displayed. Comparison is made as shown in FIG. As a result of this comparison, a distance Δy is obtained as the amount of change necessary for the read fingerprint image 20 and the fingerprint image 21 as the reference image to substantially coincide with each other. As shown in step S35, only the distance Δy is obtained. The position control actuator 9 operates to move the finger 10. By this movement, the measurement site of the first finger 10 and the measurement site after the first time are substantially matched.
[0043]
After that, as shown in step S36, the temperature control unit 12 measures the temperature of the finger, and it is confirmed in step S37 whether the measured temperature is the predetermined temperature T. If the measured temperature is not the predetermined temperature T, the temperature control element of the temperature control unit 12, for example, a Peltier element is controlled so that the finger temperature becomes the predetermined temperature T as shown in step S38. When the temperature of the finger is the predetermined temperature T, the contact pressure detection unit 11 detects the contact pressure of the finger placed on the base 8 as shown in step S39. Whether or not the finger contact pressure is a predetermined pressure is determined in step S40. If the contact pressure is not a predetermined pressure, the contact pressure control actuator 15 is operated until a predetermined pressure is applied to the finger in step S41. .
[0044]
In step S40, when a predetermined pressure is applied to the finger, light is emitted from the light irradiation unit 13 to the finger as the subject, and an acoustic signal is generated in the tissue therein. This acoustic signal is detected by the acoustic signal detector 14 as shown in step S43.
[0045]
As shown in step S44, the acoustic signal from the acoustic signal detection unit 14 is stored in the memory, and the acoustic signal is stored in the data storage unit 4 as first and subsequent measurement data as shown in step S45. The stored acoustic signal data is corrected in the signal processing unit 6 based on the reference light signal and converted into biological information data. The biological information data is stored again in the data storage unit 4 and controlled. It is displayed on the display unit 1 by the unit 3. After this data processing, a series of processing ends as shown in step S46.
[0046]
When the measurement site of the subject 10 is changed, the first processing shown in FIG. 6 is executed if the measurement site is the first time, and then the next processing is performed if the measurement site is the next time. Executed.
[0047]
As described above, by always keeping the measurement position constant, it is possible to accurately measure the photoacoustic wave at the same site each time with good reproducibility, and to accurately analyze the tissue properties of the subject.
[0048]
In the embodiment described above, the finger is the measurement object as the subject 10, but the earlobe 30 is the measurement object, and the biological characteristics of the earlobe 30 are measured, and the light is accurately and accurately reproduced at the same site each time. An embodiment of a biological information measuring device that measures an acoustic wave will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0049]
As shown in FIG. 8, the biological information measuring apparatus includes a fixed camera 31 that captures an ear image in order to detect a biological feature of the earlobe 30 as the biological feature measuring unit 7 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 9, the position of the interface unit 8 is moved by the position control arm 33 controlled by the control unit 32, so that the light irradiation unit 13 and the acoustic signal detection unit 14 are connected as shown in FIG. It arrange | positions in the vicinity of the earlobe 30 so that it may mutually oppose through the earlobe 30.
[0050]
In the biological information measuring apparatus shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, first, an ear image is taken and read by the fixed camera 31 as the biological feature measuring unit 7 instead of the fingerprint image, as shown in FIG. The position of the read image is set as a reference position, and coordinates (x, y, z) of the reference position are obtained by calculation. Here, the coordinates (x, y, z) of the reference position correspond to the distance from the center of the light irradiation unit 13 and the acoustic signal detection unit 14 to the central axis of the fixed camera 31, and along the axial direction of the human head. The position control arm 33 is represented by a distance y and a distance x perpendicular to the head axis and along the plane where the earlobe 30 is disposed and a distance z to the fixed camera 31 with respect to the xy plane. After the earlobe 30 is disposed between the unit 13 and the acoustic signal detection unit 14, the light irradiation unit 13 and the acoustic signal detection unit 14 are arranged in the coordinate plane (in the xy plane and the yz plane). It shall be able to move. The coordinates (x, y, z) of the reference position of the ear image are temporarily stored in a memory (not shown) together with the ear image, and stored together with the ear image 20 in the data storage unit 4 such as a hard disk.
[0051]
Next, as shown in step S <b> 13 of FIG. 6, the temperature of the earlobe 30 is measured by the temperature control unit 12 provided in the interface unit 8. Whether the measured temperature is the predetermined temperature T is confirmed in step S14. If the measured temperature is not the predetermined temperature T, the temperature control element of the temperature control unit 12 is controlled so that the temperature of the earlobe 30 becomes the predetermined temperature T as shown in step S15. When the temperature of the earlobe 30 is the predetermined temperature T, the contact pressure detection unit 11 detects the contact pressure of the earlobe arranged in the interface unit 8. It is determined whether the contact pressure of the earlobe 30 is a predetermined pressure. If the contact pressure is not the predetermined pressure, the contact pressure control actuator 15 provided in the interface unit 8 is operated until the predetermined pressure is applied to the earlobe 30. Is done.
[0052]
When a predetermined pressure is applied to the earlobe 30, light is emitted from the light irradiation unit 13 to the earlobe 30 as the subject, and an acoustic signal is generated in the tissue therein. This acoustic signal is detected by the acoustic signal detector 14 as shown in step S20 of FIG.
[0053]
As in step S21 of FIG. 6, the acoustic signal from the acoustic signal detection unit 14 is stored in the memory, and then the acoustic signal is stored in the data storage unit 4 together with the ear image 20 and the reference position (x, y) of the ear image. It is stored as the first measurement data. The stored acoustic signal data is corrected in the signal processing unit 6 based on the reference light signal and converted into biological information data. The biological information data is stored again in the data storage unit 4 and controlled. It is displayed on the display unit 1 by the unit 3.
[0054]
After the first measurement process, a series of processes (steps S31 to S46) similar to those shown in FIG. 7 are executed after the first measurement, for example, in the second measurement process. That is, when the process is started, an ear image as the subject 10 is read by the biometric feature measurement unit 7. The ear image read for the first time is transferred from the data storage unit 4 to the memory as a reference image, and the read ear image and the ear image as the reference image are compared as shown in FIG. By this comparison, the distance Δx, the distance Δx, and the distance Δy are obtained as the amounts of change necessary for the read ear image and the ear image as the reference image to substantially match, and the distance Δx and the distance Δx are obtained. The position control arm 33 is operated by the distance Δy, and the interface unit 8 is moved. By this movement, the measurement site of the first ear 10 and the measurement site after the first time are substantially matched.
[0055]
Thereafter, the temperature control unit 12 measures the temperature of the earlobe 30 and confirms whether the measured temperature is a predetermined temperature T. If the measured temperature is not the predetermined temperature T, the temperature control element of the temperature control unit 12 is controlled so that the temperature of the earlobe 30 becomes the predetermined temperature T. When the temperature of the earlobe 30 is a predetermined temperature T, the contact pressure of the earlobe 30 to the interface unit 8 is detected by the contact pressure detection unit 11. It is determined whether the contact pressure of the earlobe 30 is a predetermined pressure. If the contact pressure is not a predetermined pressure, the contact pressure control actuator 15 is operated until the predetermined pressure is applied to the earlobe 30.
[0056]
When a predetermined pressure is applied to the earlobe 30, light is emitted from the light irradiation unit 13 to the earlobe 30 as the subject, and an acoustic signal is generated in the tissue therein. This acoustic signal is detected by the acoustic signal detector 14. The acoustic signal from the acoustic signal detection unit 14 is stored in the memory, and the acoustic signal is stored in the data storage unit 4 as the first and subsequent measurement data. The stored acoustic signal data is corrected in the signal processing unit 6 based on the reference light signal and converted into biological information data. The biological information data is stored again in the data storage unit 4 and controlled. It is displayed on the display unit 1 by the unit 3.
[0057]
As described above, by always using the ear image and making the earlobe measurement position constant, the photoacoustic wave can be accurately measured at the same site each time with high reproducibility, and the earlobe as the subject can be accurately measured. Organizational properties can be analyzed.
[0058]
Furthermore, the hand 42 or the palm as the subject 10 is set as a measurement target, and the palm print or the vein pattern of the palm is measured as a biometric feature so that the photoacoustic wave can be accurately measured at the same site each time with high reproducibility. An embodiment of a biological information measuring apparatus that can be used will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0059]
As shown in FIG. 11, the biological information measuring apparatus includes a hand 42 or a fixed camera 41 that captures an image of the palm as the biological feature measuring unit 7 shown in FIG. 1 in order to detect a biological feature of the palm. The fixed camera 41 takes a palm pattern or palm vein pattern and stores the image in the data storage unit 4 via the control device 3 in the same manner as described above. When the palm print of a palm is photographed, the palm is directed to the fixed camera 41 and the palm print of the palm is photographed, and the palm print of the palm is extracted by image processing and stored in the data storage unit 4 unlike FIG. . When the palm vein pattern is photographed, the back or palm of the hand 42 is directed to the fixed camera 42, and contrast is given to the palm vein pattern in which the hand 42 is illuminated from the opposite side of the camera 42. Then, the vein pattern of the palm is photographed, and this vein pattern image is stored in the data storage unit 4.
[0060]
As shown in FIG. 11, the interface unit 8 is provided on the base 16 on which the back of the hand 42 or the palm is placed, and the base 16 is controlled by the positioning actuator 9 controlled by the control unit 32. It is moved as shown by an arrow 43 substantially parallel to the plane (xy plane). Therefore, even if the palm placed on the base 16 is different from the initial or previous position, the palm can be placed at the initial or previous position by moving the base 42. Further, the contact pressure between the palm and the base 42, more precisely, the interface unit 8 may be different for each measurement, but is detected by the contact pressure detection unit 11 in the interface unit 8 and The contact pressure control actuator 15 is actuated in accordance with the detected pressure while the position 42 is kept in that position, and the interface portion 8 is moved up and down as indicated by an arrow 44 to contact pressure between the palm and the interface portion 8. Pa is maintained substantially constant.
[0061]
When the palm is brought into contact with the base 16 as shown in FIG. 11, the palm vein pattern is usually photographed, and the vein pattern of the palm photographed for the first time and the vein pattern photographed after the first time are shown. 12 are compared. If there is a difference Δx in the x direction and a difference Δy in the y direction, the actuator 9 for alignment is operated to adjust the palm to the initial palm position. Thereafter, the inspection and measurement after the first time are executed. At the time of inspection / measurement, as shown in FIG. 13, the palm is irradiated with substantially monochromatic light, for example, near-infrared light 17, and the near-infrared light that has passed through the palm or diffused within the palm. External light is detected by the light detector 18. In the light detection unit 18, the absorbance of the irradiation light is substantially detected, and a detection signal depending on the absorbance of the irradiation light detected by the light detection unit 18, that is, a detection signal depending on the light intensity is a signal from the light detection unit 18. Output to the processing unit. In the signal processing unit 6, the detection signal is processed to analyze biological information such as biochemical information or physical property information relating to the component or concentration of the substance present on the surface of the subject or in the subject, or the tissue properties of the subject.
[0062]
The interface unit 8 shown in FIG. 13 is provided with a light detection unit 18 as a detection unit, but similarly to the case shown in FIG. 2, an acoustic signal detection unit 14 is provided instead of the light detection unit 18, Obviously, an acoustic signal may be detected by the acoustic signal detector 14.
[0063]
The biological information measuring apparatus shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is operated in substantially the same manner as the biological information measuring apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to acquire biological information. Therefore, the detailed operation is clear from the description of FIG. 6 and FIG. 6 and 7, the acoustic signal can be easily read by replacing the light detection signal from the photodetector with the palm instead of the finger and the palm print or the vein pattern of the palm instead of the fingerprint. The operation is understandable.
[0064]
As described above, according to the biological information measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the biochemical information or physical property information of the subject can be measured quickly and accurately in a non-invasive manner, and the accurate tissue characteristics of the subject can be obtained. Can be analyzed.
[0065]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment as it is, In an implementation stage, a component can be deform | transformed and embodied in the range which does not deviate from the summary. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the pressure control is performed after the temperature control, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the temperature control may be performed after the pressure control.
[0066]
Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine the component covering different embodiment suitably.
[0067]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the subject is irradiated with monochromatic light having at least one wavelength or desired light close thereto, and the desired substance absorbs the energy of the irradiation light in the subject. In a biological information measuring apparatus for detecting non-invasively biochemical information and physical property information relating to a component or concentration of a substance present on the surface of a subject or in a subject, or a tissue property of a subject by detecting a generated acoustic signal A biometric feature measuring means for measuring biometric features such as fingerprints, palm prints, earlobes, etc., measuring the biometric features around the measurement site when measuring the biometric information, storing the position information of the measurement site, and measuring the next measurement By comparing the position information with the stored position information and performing the measurement at the same location during each measurement, the reproducibility of the acoustic signal can be improved and the measurement accuracy can be improved. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a biological information measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an interface unit of the biological information measuring apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing an example of a specific structure of the biological information measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing along the line AA ′ shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining alignment processing based on biological features in the biological information measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a measurement processing operation in the first measurement in the biological information measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a measurement processing operation in the measurement after the first time in the biological information measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a biological information measuring apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a block diagram showing a position control arm and related parts of the biological information measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 8. FIG.
10 is a schematic diagram for explaining alignment processing based on biological features in the biological information measuring apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a biological information measuring apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a schematic diagram for explaining alignment processing based on biological features in the biological information measuring apparatus shown in FIG.
13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an interface unit of the biological information measuring apparatus shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. . . 1. Display unit . . 2. operation unit; . . 4. control unit; . . Light source section, 6. . . 6. signal processing unit; . . 7. biometric feature measurement unit; . . Interface section, 9. . . 9. position control actuator; . . Subject 11. . . Contact pressure detector, 12. . . 12. temperature controller; . . Light irradiation unit, 14. . . Acoustic signal detector, 15. . . Pressure control actuator, 16. . . Base, 18. . . Light detection unit, 20. . . Stored fingerprint image, 21. . . Input fingerprint image, 31. . . Camera, 32. . . Control unit, 33. . . Position control arm, 41. . . Camera, 42. . . palm

Claims (7)

A light source that emits monochromatic light and irradiates the subject;
A detector that generates an acoustic signal generated in the subject based on irradiation of the monochromatic light to the subject, or a detection signal that detects the absorbance of the emitted monochromatic light;
A processing unit that outputs biological information about the subject obtained by processing the detection signal;
A measurement unit that measures and outputs biometric features and positions at a specific part of the subject as first measurement information and second measurement information, respectively, during the first measurement of the subject and the second measurement thereafter;
A storage unit for storing the first measurement information;
An alignment mechanism for relatively moving the subject and the detection unit to substantially match the first measurement information and the second measurement information;
A biological information measuring device comprising: The alignment mechanism calculates a difference between the positions of the first and second measurement information necessary to substantially match the biometric feature information of the first and second measurement information, and according to the difference, The biological information measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specimen and the detection unit are relatively moved. The measurement unit includes a fingerprint measurement unit device that captures image data of a fingerprint along with its position as the biometric feature,
The storage means stores fingerprint image data and first position data for verification as the first measurement information,
The second measurement information includes fingerprint image data for verification and second position data from the fingerprint measurement unit device,
The difference between the first and second position data necessary for comparing and substantially matching the fingerprint image data for verification and the fingerprint image data for verification is calculated. The biological information measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specimen and the detection unit are relatively moved. The measurement unit includes a palm print measurement device that captures palm print image data as the biometric feature along with its position,
The storage means stores palmprint image data for comparison and first position data as the first measurement information,
The second measurement information includes palmprint image data for verification and second position data from the palmprint measurement unit device,
The difference between the first and second position data necessary for comparing the palm pattern image data for verification with the palm pattern image data for verification and substantially matching them is calculated. The biological information measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specimen and the detection unit are relatively moved. The measurement unit includes a vein pattern measurement unit that captures palm vein image data as the biometric feature along with its position,
The storage means stores vein image data for comparison and first position data as the first measurement information,
The second measurement information includes verification vein image data and second position data from the vein pattern measurement unit device,
The difference between the first and second position data necessary for comparing and substantially matching the vein image data for verification and the vein image data for verification is calculated, and the target image is calculated according to the difference. The biological information measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specimen and the detection unit are relatively moved. The measurement unit includes an ear image measurement unit device that captures ear image data as the biological feature along with its position,
The storage means stores ear image data for comparison and first position data as the first measurement information,
The second measurement information includes matching ear image data and second position data from the ear image measurement unit device,
The difference between the first and second position data necessary for comparing the ear image data for comparison with the ear image data for comparison and substantially matching them is calculated, and the target object is calculated according to the difference. The biological information measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specimen and the detection unit are relatively moved. At the time of the first measurement, the first measurement information including the biological feature and position in the specific part of the subject is measured and output,
Storing first measurement information of the biological feature;
During the first measurement, monochromatic light is generated to irradiate the subject,
An acoustic signal generated in the subject based on the irradiation of the monochromatic light on the subject, or a first detection signal for detecting the absorbance of the emitted monochromatic light,
Outputting first biological information relating to the subject obtained by processing the first detection signal;
During the second measurement, the second measurement information including the biological feature and position in the specific part of the subject is measured and output,
Moving the subject relatively such that the first measurement information and the second measurement information substantially match,
During the second measurement, the monochromatic light is generated to irradiate the subject,
An acoustic signal generated in the subject based on irradiation of the monochromatic light to the subject, or a second detection signal is generated by detecting the absorbance of the emitted monochromatic light;
A method for measuring biological information from a subject, wherein the second biological information on the subject obtained by processing the second detection signal is output.

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