JP2008086361A - Biological information detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance an accuracy of a detected result by sensing electrodes for a biological information detecting device for detecting especially myoelectric potential. <P>SOLUTION: The biological information detecting device 10 is equipped with a pair of mutually parallel sensing electrodes 12, 12 for detecting myoelectric potential which are arranged so that their extending direction is perpendicular to the length direction of muscle fibers and reference electrodes 13, 13 for detecting reference potential to the potential detected by the pair of sensing electrodes 12, 12. The sensing electrodes 12, 12 and the reference electrodes 13, 13 are arranged not to be superposed in the direction perpendicular to the extensional direction of the sensing electrodes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a biological information detection apparatus, and more particularly to a biological information detection apparatus that detects myoelectric potential.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, biological information measurement systems that measure changes in biological information such as myoelectric potential, pulse, blood pressure, and body temperature are known. This biological information measurement system is widely used not only as a medical device but also for the purpose of maintaining health and grasping an exercise state.

  In such a biological information measurement system, an electromyograph is provided as a biological information detection device that detects myoelectric potential, and biological information is acquired based on the myoelectric potential obtained by the myoelectric meter. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the electromyograph, a pair of metal detection electrodes and a reference electrode (ground electrode) are provided in contact with the human skin to detect myoelectric potential, and the myoelectric potential is detected by the potential difference between the electrodes. It has become so.
JP 2000-232A

  And it is desired to make the value of the myoelectric potential detected by the pair of reference electrodes more accurate. The subject of this invention is improving the accuracy of the detection result by a detection electrode.

The biological information detection apparatus (for example, the myoelectric detection apparatus of FIG. 1) according to the invention of claim 1 is provided.
A pair of myoelectric potential detection electrodes (for example, the detection electrode 12 in FIG. 2) parallel to each other and arranged so that the extending direction thereof is substantially orthogonal to the length direction of the muscle fibers;
A reference electrode (for example, the reference electrode 13 in FIG. 2) for detecting a reference potential with respect to the potential detected by the pair of detection electrodes;
A substrate (for example, the substrate 14 in FIG. 3) on which the pair of detection electrodes and the reference electrode are mounted;
The pair of detection electrodes and the reference electrode are arranged so as not to overlap with a direction orthogonal to the extending direction.

The invention according to claim 2 is the biological information detection apparatus according to claim 1,
An amplifier (for example, 113 in FIG. 4) for amplifying the myoelectric potential detected by the pair of detection electrodes is further provided.

The invention according to claim 3 is the biological information detection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
It further includes a transmission unit (for example, the transmission / reception unit 130 in FIG. 4) that transmits detection results detected by the pair of detection electrodes to the outside.

The invention according to claim 4 is the biological information detection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A biological information detection unit (for example, the measurement unit 110 in FIG. 4) that detects myoelectric potential detected by the pair of detection electrodes as biological information;
It further includes a transmission unit (for example, the transmission / reception unit 130 in FIG. 4) that transmits the biological information calculated by the biological information detection unit to the outside.

Invention of Claim 5 is a biological information detection apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-4,
A housing (for example, the housing 11 in FIG. 2) that stores the substrate so as to expose the pair of detection electrodes and the reference electrode;
One end portion of the reference electrode exposed from the housing protrudes ahead of one end portion of the pair of detection electrodes.

Invention of Claim 6 is a biological information detection apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5,
The housing is characterized by having flexibility.

The invention described in claim 7 is the biological information detecting apparatus according to claim 6,
The substrate is characterized by having flexibility.

Invention of Claim 8 is a biological information detection apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-4,
A housing for storing the substrate so as to expose the pair of detection electrodes (for example, the housing 11 in FIG. 2);
A holding unit (for example, the holding unit 40 in FIG. 9) that holds the reference electrode that is electrically connected to the substrate;
The holding portion is connected to the housing so that the position thereof can be freely changed.

The invention according to claim 9 is the biological information detecting apparatus according to claim 8,
The holding part itself is the reference electrode.

The invention described in claim 10 is the biological information detecting device according to claim 9,
The holding portion is flexible.

Invention of Claim 11 is a biological information detection apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-10,
An exchange part (for example, the exchange part 22 in FIG. 3) for exchanging a battery (for example, the battery 21 in FIG. 3) is provided on the other side of the substrate different from the one side on which the pair of detection electrodes and the reference electrode are mounted. It is characterized by arranging.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the pair of detection electrodes and the pair of reference electrodes are arranged so as not to overlap with the direction orthogonal to the extending direction. The potential can be detected accurately and reliably without being disturbed by the pair of reference electrodes, that is, without being disturbed. Therefore, it is possible to detect an accurate myoelectric potential.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the myoelectric potential detected by the pair of detection electrodes can be amplified by the amplifier.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, the detection result detected by the pair of detection electrodes can be transmitted to an external device by the transmitter.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the myoelectric potential detected by the pair of detection electrodes can be detected as the biological information by the biological information detection unit. Then, the biological information can be transmitted to an external device by a transmitter.

  In the invention according to claim 5, since the one end portion of the reference electrode exposed from the housing protrudes ahead of the one end portion of the pair of detection electrodes, each of the detection electrode and the reference electrode is curved along the curvature of the human body surface. Since one end portion is located, each electrode can be brought into close contact with the skin.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the casing has flexibility, the casing can be deformed along the curvature of the human body surface.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, since the substrate has flexibility, the substrate can also be bent according to the deformation state of the housing.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the holding portion is connected to the housing so that the position of the holding portion can be changed, one end of each of the reference electrode held by the holding portion and the pair of detection electrodes exposed from the housing. The part can be arranged along the curvature of the human body surface. Accordingly, each electrode can be brought into close contact with the skin.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the holding portion itself can be used as the reference electrode.

  According to the tenth aspect of the invention, since the holding portion has flexibility, the holding portion can be curved along the human body surface.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, an exchange part for exchanging the battery is arranged on the other side of the substrate different from the one side on which the pair of detection electrodes and the reference electrode are mounted. Can be prevented from being transmitted.

  Hereinafter, in order to describe a preferred embodiment of the biological information detection device of the present invention, a muscle activity measurement system including the biological information detection device will be described as an example. In the following description, an example in which myoelectric potential during cycling exercise is measured as biological information will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a user wears a muscle activity measurement system 1. This muscular activity measurement system 1 includes a myoelectric detection device 10 as a biological information detection device according to the present invention that can be attached to each part of a user's body, and is separate from the myoelectric detection device 10. It is comprised with the wristwatch-type control apparatus 30 in which data communication is possible. When measuring the myoelectric potential during cycling exercise with the muscle activity measuring system 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the myoelectric detection device 10 is attached to the outer vastus muscle of the quadriceps of either leg. Then, the control device 30 is attached to the arm.

At the time of wearing, the user attaches the myoelectric detection device 10 to the outer vastus muscle of the quadriceps of the foot and fixes it with a band or the like, and attaches the control device 30 to the wrist. By mounting the myoelectric detection device 10, a pair of detection electrodes 12 (described later) provided in the myoelectric detection device 10 are arranged so that the extending direction thereof is substantially orthogonal to the length direction of the muscle fibers M. (See FIG. 2). Then, the user operates the control device 30 to start measuring myoelectric potential, and then depresses the pedal to start exercise. Alternatively, the user can also start measuring myoelectric potential during exercise.
When performing such a cycling exercise, the muscles of the foot repeat the activity and the rest. Therefore, if the active state and the resting state of the muscle are detected by the myoelectric potential, the muscle activity cycle can be obtained.
[Device configuration]

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the myoelectric detection device 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the myoelectric detection device 10 includes a housing 11, a pair of detection electrodes 12 for detecting myoelectric potential that are arranged in parallel to each other and are exposed to the outside from one surface of the housing 11, In order to detect a reference potential with respect to the potential detected by the pair of detection electrodes 12, a reference electrode 13 exposed to the outside from one surface of the housing 11 is provided. The reference electrode 13 extends between the pair of detection electrodes 12 in the extending direction so as not to overlap the pair of detection electrodes 12 with respect to a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the pair of detection electrodes 12. They are arranged in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the direction. The pair of detection electrodes 12 and the reference electrode 13 are made of a conductive resin.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. The myoelectric detection device 10 is provided with a single substrate 14 on which a pair of detection electrodes 12 and a reference electrode 13 are mounted. A conductive pattern 15 that is electrically connected to the pair of detection electrodes 12 and the reference electrode 13 is formed on one surface of the substrate 14. Various electronic components 16 are mounted on the other surface of the substrate 14 different from the one surface on which the pair of detection electrodes 12 and the reference electrode 13 are mounted. An exchange part 22 for exchanging the battery 21 is disposed on the other surface side of the substrate 14.

The detection electrode 12 is formed in a convex shape in a cross-sectional view, and one end portion 121 on the narrow side thereof is formed in a square shape in the cross-sectional view. The housing 11 is provided with a slit 17 having the same shape as that of the longitudinal section of the one end 121 of the detection electrode 12. The slit 17 causes the one end 121 of the detection electrode 12 to protrude outside the housing 11.
Similarly to the detection electrode 12, one reference electrode 13 is fitted into a slit 18 (see FIG. 2) provided in the housing 11 and is pressed against the reference electrode conductive pattern 15. Is exposed to the outside.

[Control configuration]

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control configuration of the myoelectric detection device 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the myoelectric detection device 10 includes a measurement unit 110, a CPU 120, a transmission / reception unit 130, and a storage unit 140.

  Among them, the measurement unit 110 is a biological information detection unit according to the present invention that measures myoelectric potential as muscle activity information, and includes a pair of detection electrodes 12, a reference electrode 13, and the pair of detection electrodes 12 and the reference electrode 13. The impedance converter 112 that converts the potential difference detected by the low impedance and outputs the signal difference, the amplifier 113 that amplifies the signal input from the impedance converter 112 to a predetermined signal level, and outputs the amplified signal. A filter 114 that passes a signal in a predetermined frequency range and removes out-of-range frequency components, and an A / D converter 115 that performs A / D conversion on the signal input from the filter 114, It consists of

  FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the amplifier 113. As shown in FIG. 5, a series circuit of a resistor 131 and a capacitor 132 is connected to the amplifier 113. With this series circuit, a function for setting a gain when the myoelectric potential input from the pair of detection electrodes 12 is amplified and a high level of removing noise included in the myoelectric potential input from the pair of detection electrodes 12 before amplification. A function as a band-pass filter is realized. The amplifier 113 includes a non-inverting amplifier 143 and a differential amplifier 144. The non-inverting amplifier 143 includes an external resistor 131 and a capacitor 132, operational amplifiers 133 and 134, resistors 135 and 136, and the like. The differential amplifier 144 includes resistors 137, 138, 141, 142 and an operational amplifier 139.

The potential change between the two points detected by the pair of detection electrodes 12 is several tens of μV to several mV, and the myoelectric potential frequency band is 2 to 10 KHz. In general, since the impedance of a living body is very high, impedance conversion is performed by an impedance converter (for example, a voltage follow type circuit) 112. Next, the amplifier (for example, operational amplifier) 113 amplifies the voltage to about 100 times so that the myoelectric waveform can be processed. Various noises are superimposed on the waveform amplified by the amplifier 113. Therefore, the frequency component outside the range to be processed as the myoelectric waveform is removed by the filter 114 in the next stage. Next, the signal (analog signal) input from the filter 114 is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter (for example, a 12-bit A / D converter) 115.
Although an analog filter is used as the filter 114 here, a digital filter may be used instead of the analog filter. In this case, the digital filter is provided after the A / D converter 115.

  The CPU 120 performs instructions and data transfer to each functional unit in the myoelectric detection device 10 based on programs and data stored in the storage unit 140, data transmitted from the control device 30, etc. The apparatus 10 is controlled. In order to realize the present embodiment, the CPU 120 measures the muscle activity state (muscle activity state) based on the myoelectric potential (muscle activity information) continuously measured by the measurement unit 110, and the measurement result is controlled by the control device. The muscle activity state measurement process transmitted to 30 is executed.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
First, when the myoelectric detection device 10 is mounted, the user arranges the myoelectric detection device 10 so that the muscle fibers M are substantially orthogonal to the extending direction of the pair of detection electrodes 12. Here, “arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal” is preferably arranged so as to be completely orthogonal to the muscle fibers M. However, since the muscle fibers themselves are curved in some places, at least the muscle fibers are also curved. It also includes the case where it is tilted from the orthogonal direction within a range where there is no problem in accuracy in detecting the potential.

  At this time, since the pair of detection electrodes 12 and the reference electrode 13 protrude from one surface of the housing 11, the electrodes 12 and 13 are in close contact with the skin.

After that, when a start instruction is input from the control device 30 via the transmission / reception unit, the CPU 120 controls the myoelectric detection device 10 by giving instructions and data transfer to each functional unit in the myoelectric detection device 10. To do. In order to realize the present embodiment, the CPU 120 measures the muscle activity state (muscle activity state) based on the myoelectric potential (muscle activity information) continuously measured by the measurement unit 110, and the measurement result is controlled by the control device. The muscle activity state measurement process transmitted to 30 is executed.
The control device 30 notifies the user of the measurement result sent from the myoelectric detection device 10.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the pair of detection electrodes 12 and the pair of reference electrodes 13 are arranged so as not to overlap with the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the pair of detection electrodes 12. The myoelectric potential to be detected by the pair of detection electrodes can be accurately and reliably detected without being disturbed by the pair of reference electrodes, that is, without being disturbed. Therefore, it is possible to detect an accurate myoelectric potential.

  Further, since the myoelectric detection device 10 is provided with the amplifier 113, the myoelectric potential detected by the pair of detection electrodes 12 by the amplifier 113 can be amplified.

  Since the myoelectric detection device 10 is provided with the measurement unit 110 and the transmission / reception unit 130, the measurement unit 110 can detect the myoelectric potential detected by the pair of detection electrodes 12 as biological information, and the biological information. Can be transmitted to the control device 30 by the transceiver 130.

  Moreover, since the replacement part 22 for replacing the battery 21 is disposed on the other surface side of the substrate 14, it is possible to suppress moisture from being transmitted to the battery 21 due to sweat or the like.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate.
For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the reference electrode 13 is arranged so as to sandwich the pair of detection electrodes 12 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the arrangement position of the reference electrode 13 is a pair. It suffices that they are arranged so as not to overlap at least in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the detection electrodes 12. Further, the number and shape of the reference electrodes may be arbitrary. For example, as in the myoelectric detection device 10A shown in FIG. 6, there is a case where one elliptical reference electrode 13a is arranged on one side between the pair of detection electrodes 12. That is, the reference electrode 13a may be disposed in a region other than a region (shaded portion N in FIG. 6) in which the detection electrode 12 is extended in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the detection electrode 12.

Moreover, it is preferable that the housing | casing 11 has a softness | flexibility. As a result, the housing 11 can be deformed along the curvature of the human body surface.
Further, the substrate 14 is preferably flexible. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the case where the casing 11 and the flexible substrate 14b having flexibility are used. (A) shows a contact state with the human body H, and (b) is a dotted line of (a). 4 is an enlarged view of a part T. FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, when the substrate is a flexible substrate 14b, the flexible substrate 14b can be curved according to the deformed state of the housing 11, and the adhesion between the electrodes 12 and 13 and the skin can be improved.

  Further, it is preferable that one end portion of the reference electrode 13 exposed from the housing 11 protrudes ahead of one end portion of the pair of detection electrodes 12. Thereby, each one end part of the detection electrode 12 and the reference electrode 13 will be located along the curve of the human body surface, and can make the electrodes 12 and 13 adhere more closely to skin. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example in a case where one end portion of the reference electrode 13 protrudes ahead of one end portion of the pair of detection electrodes 12. For example, in FIG. 8A, one end of the reference electrode 13 is longer than one end of the detection electrode 12 so that the one end of the reference electrode 13 is ahead of the one end of the pair of detection electrodes 12. The case where it protrudes is shown. In FIG. 8B, the reference electrode 13 and the detection electrode 12 having the same length at each end are used, but the casing 11 and the substrate 14 are bent near the outside of the detection electrode 12. Thus, the case where one end portion of the reference electrode 13 protrudes ahead of one end portion of the pair of detection electrodes 12 is shown. In FIG. 8C, the reference electrode 13 is inclined so that the surface of the reference electrode 13 is gradually separated from the housing 11 toward the outside, so that one end of the reference electrode 13 is ahead of one end of the pair of detection electrodes 12. The case where it protrudes is shown. In the case of FIGS. 8B and 8C, the surface of the reference electrode 13 and the surface of the detection electrode 12 are arranged in a substantially arc shape, so that it is easier to adhere to the skin. In FIG. 8D, the reference electrode 13 has a concave curved surface so that the surface of the reference electrode 13 is gradually separated from the housing 11 toward the outside, so that one end of the reference electrode 13 is more than one end of the pair of detection electrodes 12. The case where it protrudes ahead is shown. In this case, since the surface of the reference electrode 13 is a concave curved surface, it is easier to adhere to the skin.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the pair of detection electrodes 12 and the reference electrode 13 are integrally stored in the housing 11 is illustrated, but the reference electrode is provided outside the housing. Also good. FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating an example of the myoelectric detection device in which the reference electrode is provided outside the housing. The myoelectric detection device 10B shown in FIG. 9 includes a housing 11b that stores the substrate 14 so as to expose the pair of detection electrodes 12, and a holding unit that holds the reference electrode 13b that is electrically connected to the substrate 14. 40. The holding portion 40 is formed in a belt shape, and both end portions thereof are pivotally supported by the housing 11 b so as to be rotatable by shafts 41. Thereby, the holding | maintenance part 40 is connected with respect to a housing | casing so that a position change is possible. And the housing | casing 11b can be mounted | worn with a human body by winding the holding | maintenance part 40 around an arm or a thigh. A reference electrode 13b is embedded inside the holding portion 40, so that the reference electrode 13b comes into contact with the skin. Since the holding unit 40 is thus connected to the housing 11b so that the position thereof can be changed, one end of each of the reference electrode 13b held by the holding unit 40 and the pair of detection electrodes 12 exposed from the housing 11b. Can be arranged along the curvature of the human body surface, and the electrodes 12, 13b can be more closely attached to the skin.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, the holding part 40c itself may be used as the reference electrode 13c. In such a case, it is possible to secure a wider contact area between the reference electrode 13c and the skin.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the transmission / reception unit 130 communicates with the control device 30 wirelessly has been described as an example, but a transmission / reception unit that communicates with the control device 30 by wire may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the transmission / reception unit 130 transmits the biological information detected by the measurement unit 110 to the control device 30 has been described as an example, but the detection result detected by the pair of detection electrodes 12 is transmitted / received. 130 may transmit directly to the control device 30.

It is a figure which shows the muscular activity measuring system provided with the biological information detection apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of a myoelectric detection device as a living body information detection device of an embodiment of the present invention. It is AA sectional drawing of the myoelectric detection apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is an overall circuit block diagram illustrating an example of a control configuration of the myoelectric detection device of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of an amplifier provided in the myoelectric detection device of FIG. 4. It is a top view showing the 1st modification of the myoelectric detection apparatus of FIG. (A) And (b) is sectional drawing showing the 2nd modification of the myoelectric detection apparatus of FIG. 2, and a principal part expanded sectional view. (A)-(d) is a front view showing the 3rd modification of the myoelectric detection apparatus of FIG. It is a front view showing the 4th modification of the myoelectric detection apparatus of FIG. It is a front view showing the 5th modification of the myoelectric detection apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Muscle Activity Measurement System 10 Myoelectric Detection Device (Biological Information Detection Device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Case 12 Detection electrode 13 Reference electrode 14 Board | substrate 15 Conductive pattern 16 Electronic component 17 Slit 18 Slit 21 Battery 22 Replacement part 30 Control apparatus 40 Holding part 110 Measuring part (Biological information detection part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 112 Impedance converter 113 Amplifier 114 Filter 115 A / D converter 121 One end part 130 Transmission / reception part (transmission part)
M muscle fiber

Claims (11)

A pair of myoelectric potential detection electrodes parallel to each other arranged so that the extending direction thereof is substantially orthogonal to the length direction of the muscle fibers;
A reference electrode for detecting a reference potential with respect to the potential detected by the pair of detection electrodes;
A substrate on which the pair of detection electrodes and the reference electrode are mounted;
The biological information detection apparatus, wherein the pair of detection electrodes and the reference electrode are arranged so as not to overlap with a direction orthogonal to the extending direction. The biological information detection apparatus according to claim 1,
The biological information detection apparatus further comprising an amplifier for amplifying the myoelectric potential detected by the pair of detection electrodes. The biological information detection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The biological information detection apparatus further comprising a transmission unit that transmits a detection result detected by the pair of detection electrodes to the outside. The biological information detection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A biological information detection unit that detects myoelectric potential detected by the pair of detection electrodes as biological information;
A biological information detection apparatus, further comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the biological information calculated by the biological information detection unit to the outside. In the living body information detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A housing for storing the substrate so as to expose the pair of detection electrodes and the reference electrode;
One end part of the said reference electrode exposed from the said housing | casing protrudes ahead rather than the one end part of a pair of said detection electrode, The biological information detection apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. In the living body information detecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The biological information detection apparatus, wherein the casing has flexibility. The biological information detection apparatus according to claim 6,
The biological information detection apparatus, wherein the substrate has flexibility. In the living body information detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A housing for storing the substrate so as to expose the pair of detection electrodes;
A holding part for holding the reference electrode electrically connected to the substrate,
The biological information detecting apparatus, wherein the holding unit is connected to the housing in a position-changeable manner. The biological information detection apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
The biological information detection apparatus, wherein the holding unit itself is the reference electrode. The biological information detection apparatus according to claim 9,
The biological information detection apparatus, wherein the holding part has flexibility. In the living body information detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A biological information detection apparatus, wherein an exchange part for exchanging a battery is arranged on the other side of the substrate different from the one side on which the pair of detection electrodes and the reference electrode are mounted.

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