JP2008086364A - Biological information detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance accuracy of detected myoelectric potential by reducing the influence by sweat. <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 the extensional direction is perpendicular to the length direction of muscle fibers and a casing 11 for housing a base material so as to expose the sensing electrodes 12, 12. Grooves for suppressing perspiration are formed in the neighborhood of the pair of sensing electrodes 12, 12 on one surface of the casing 11 from which the pair of sensing electrodes 12, 12 are exposed. <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. (For example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

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 2003-169781 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-237828

Here, if an attempt is made to detect a myoelectric potential during exercise, sweat may enter between each electrode and the skin, which may prevent accurate detection.
An object of the present invention is to increase the accuracy of detected myoelectric potential by reducing the influence of sweat.

The biological information detection apparatus (for example, the myoelectric detection apparatus of FIG. 1) in the invention of claim 1
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 substrate (for example, the substrate 14 of FIG. 3) on which the pair of detection electrodes are mounted;
A housing for storing the substrate so as to expose the pair of detection electrodes (for example, the housing 11 in FIG. 2);
An antiperspirant groove (for example, groove D in FIG. 2) is formed on one surface of the casing where the pair of detection electrodes are exposed, in the vicinity of the pair of detection electrodes.

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,
The groove is provided along a direction orthogonal to the extending direction.

Invention of Claim 6 is a biological information detection apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5,
A reference electrode that is mounted on the substrate so as not to overlap with a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the pair of detection electrodes and detects a reference potential for evaluating the potential detected by the pair of detection electrodes (For example, the reference electrode 13 of FIG. 2),
The housing exposes the reference electrode from the same plane as the pair of detection electrodes,
The groove is formed between the pair of detection electrodes and the reference electrode.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the antiperspirant groove is formed in the vicinity of the pair of detection electrodes on one surface of the casing where the pair of detection electrodes are exposed. The air will flow inside and sweat will evaporate. As a result, the amount of sweat reaching the detection electrode is suppressed, and the influence of sweat on the detection electrode can be reduced. Therefore, the accuracy of the detected myoelectric potential can be improved.

  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.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the groove is provided along the direction orthogonal to the extending direction, it is more efficient when the traveling direction and the extending direction during movement are along. It becomes possible to flow air in the groove.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the groove is formed between the pair of detection electrodes and the reference electrode, the amount of sweat reaching not only the detection electrode but also the reference electrode can be suppressed, and the amount of sweat against the reference electrode can be reduced. The influence can be reduced. Therefore, the accuracy of the detected myoelectric potential can be improved.

  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]

  2A and 2B are explanatory views showing a schematic configuration of the myoelectric detection device 10, wherein FIG. 2A is a front view and FIG. 2B is a bottom view. 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.

  On one surface of the housing 11 where the pair of detection electrodes 12 are exposed, an antiperspirant groove D is formed as shown in FIG. In the following description, the extending direction of the detection electrode 12 is the X direction (arrow X in FIG. 2A), and the extending direction of the reference electrode 13 orthogonal to the X direction is the Y direction (FIG. 2A). (Arrow Y) The grooves D are grooves D1 to D4 penetrating through the housing 11 in parallel to the Y direction near the respective reference electrodes 13, and both ends of the grooves D1 and D2 along the X direction. The grooves D5 and D6, the grooves D7 and D8 that connect both ends of the grooves D3 and D4 along the X direction, and the grooves D2 and D2 along the X direction so as to sandwich the pair of detection electrodes 12 in the Y direction. The grooves D9 to D12 connect the grooves D3, and the grooves D13 connect the grooves D2 and D3 along the X direction between the grooves D10 and D11.

  In other words, the grooves D 1, D 2, D 5, D 6 and the grooves D 3, D 4, D 7, D 8 are arranged at positions near the reference electrode 13 and so as to cover the periphery of the reference electrode 13. Further, the grooves D2, D3, D9, and D10 and the grooves D2, D3, D11, and D12 are arranged at positions near the detection electrodes 12 and so as to cover the periphery of the reference electrode 13. The grooves D2 and D3 are disposed between the detection electrode 12 and the reference electrode 13.

  Since the groove D is formed in this way, when the myoelectric detection device 10 is attached to the human body, a gap is formed between the skin S (dotted line portion in FIG. 2B) and the housing 11. Become. By forming the gap in this way, the antiperspirant action is exhibited. Here, “antiperspiring” not only suppresses sweating but also includes transpiration of sweat that has come out of the skin S.

  3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in 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.

  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. At this time, since the gap is formed between the casing 11 and the skin S by the groove D as described above, the skin S and the casing 11 are not in close contact with each other in the gap portion, and sweating is suppressed. be able to. Among the grooves D, since the grooves D1 to D4 penetrate the housing 11, air flows in and out of these grooves D1 to D4, and an air flow is generated in the grooves D. As a result, the sweating of the skin S is further suppressed, and the sweat that emerges from the skin S is also evaporated. In particular, as shown in FIG. 6, when the extending direction of the grooves D1 to D4 is along the traveling direction G due to the rotation of the legs during cycling, air becomes easier to flow into the grooves D1 to D4, and the antiperspirant action Will be demonstrated.

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 antiperspirant groove D is formed in the vicinity of the pair of detection electrodes 12 and the reference electrode 13 on one surface in contact with the skin S of the housing 11. During exercise, air flows in the groove D, and sweat is evaporated. As a result, the amount of sweat reaching the detection electrode 12 and the reference electrode 13 is suppressed, and the influence of sweat on these electrodes 12 and 13 can be reduced. Therefore, the accuracy of the detected myoelectric potential can be improved.

  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.

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 pair of detection electrodes 12 and the reference electrode 13 are integrally provided in the housing 11 has been described as an example, but the detection electrode 12 and the reference electrode 13 are separately provided. It may be provided. In that case, the housing 11 is preferably provided with a groove E in the vicinity of the detection electrode 12. Specifically, the groove E of the myoelectric detection device 10E shown in FIG. 7A includes grooves E1, E2 penetrating the casing 11E in parallel to the Y direction on the side of the detection electrode 12E, and a pair of detection electrodes 12E. Between the groove E1 and the groove E2 along the X direction, and between the groove E4 and the groove E5, the groove E7 between the groove E1 and the groove E2 along the X direction. The case where it consists of is mentioned. Even in this case, as shown in FIG. 7B, a gap is formed between the housing 11E and the skin S so that the antiperspirant action is exhibited.

  Moreover, you may form the groove | channel F which penetrates not only a Y direction but a X direction. Specifically, the groove F of the myoelectric detection device 10F shown in FIG. 8 includes grooves F1 and F2 penetrating the housing 11F in parallel to the Y direction on the side of the detection electrode 12F, and a pair of detection electrodes 12F in the Y direction. Through the housing 11 along the X direction, and through the housing 11 along the X direction between the grooves F3 to F6 connecting the grooves F1 and F2, and the grooves F4 and F5, And the case where it comprises from the groove | channel F1 which connects the groove | channel F1 and the groove | channel F2 is mentioned. Thereby, an air flow is easily generated in the groove F, and the antiperspirant action can be enhanced.

  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. (A) And (b) is the top view and side view of a myoelectric detection apparatus as a biological information detection apparatus of embodiment of this 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 explanatory drawing showing the case where an airflow generate | occur | produces in the housing | casing of the myoelectric detection apparatus of FIG. (A) And (b) is the front view and side sectional drawing showing the 1st modification of the myoelectric detection apparatus of FIG. It is a front view showing the 2nd 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 Opening 19 Adhesive layer 30 Control apparatus 110 Measuring part (biological information detection part)
112 Impedance converter 113 Amplifier 114 Filter 115 A / D converter 130 Transmitter / receiver (transmitter)
D groove M muscle fiber

Claims (6)

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 substrate on which the pair of detection electrodes are mounted;
A housing for storing the substrate so as to expose the pair of detection electrodes;
A biological information detecting apparatus, wherein an antiperspirant groove is formed in a vicinity of the pair of detection electrodes on one surface of the casing where the pair of detection electrodes are exposed. 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,
The biological information detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the groove is provided along a direction orthogonal to the extending direction. In the living body information detecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A reference electrode that is mounted on the substrate so as not to overlap with a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the pair of detection electrodes and detects a reference potential for evaluating the potential detected by the pair of detection electrodes With
The housing exposes the reference electrode from the same plane as the pair of detection electrodes,
The biological information detection apparatus, wherein the groove is formed between the pair of detection electrodes and the reference electrode.

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