JP2008295882A - Body fat measuring instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small-sized body fat measuring instrument using a bio-impedance method capable of simply and automatically measuring the circumferential length of a body part. <P>SOLUTION: The body fat measuring instrument 1A is equipped with an impedance measuring abdominal part mounting unit 100A including a long strip-like member and a plurality of electrodes, an impedance measuring part 12 for measuring the bio-impedance of a subject using a plurality of the electrodes, a body part circumferential length measuring part 24 for measuring the body part circumferential length of the subject using the strip-like member and a body fat amount calculation part 13 for calculating the body fat amount of the subject on the basis of the bio-impedance measured by the impedance measuring part 12 and the body part circumferential length measured by the body part circumferential length measuring part 24. The strip-like member has a bar code for specifying the body part circumferential length of the subject and the body part circumferential length measuring part 24 includes a photoelectric sensor for reading the bar code to specify the body part circumferential length of the subject. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a body fat measurement device that calculates the body fat mass of a subject by measuring bioelectrical impedance using a plurality of electrodes arranged in contact with the torso of the subject, and in particular, visceral fat mass, subcutaneous fat mass, etc. The present invention relates to a body fat measurement device capable of individually calculating.

  In recent years, body fat mass has attracted attention as an index for knowing the health condition of a subject. In particular, visceral fat mass is attracting attention as an index for determining whether or not it is visceral fat type obesity. This visceral fat-type obesity is said to induce lifestyle-related diseases that easily cause arteriosclerosis such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, and utilization of the above index is expected from the viewpoint of prevention of these diseases. Here, the visceral fat is fat accumulated around the viscera inside the abdominal muscles, and is distinguished from subcutaneous fat accumulated in the surface layer of the abdomen. In general, as an index indicating the visceral fat amount, an area occupied by visceral fat in the abdominal cross section corresponding to the umbilicus position (hereinafter referred to as visceral fat area) is adopted.

  Usually, in order to measure visceral fat mass, an image analysis method using an abdominal tomographic image taken using X-ray CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is employed. In this image analysis method, the visceral fat area is calculated from the acquired abdominal tomographic image. However, in order to use such a method, large equipment such as the X-ray CT and MRI as installed in a medical facility is necessary, and it is very difficult to measure the visceral fat amount on a daily basis. It is. In addition, when X-ray CT is used, there is a problem of exposure, which is not necessarily a preferable measurement method.

  Application of the bioimpedance method has been studied as an alternative measurement method. The bioimpedance method is a method for measuring the amount of body fat that is widely used in home body fat measuring devices, and is measured by bringing electrodes into contact with the extremities and measuring the bioimpedance using these electrodes. The body fat mass is calculated from the bioelectrical impedance. The above-described body fat measuring device can accurately measure the accumulation degree of body fat for each part of the body such as the whole body, limbs, and trunk (trunk), and is widely used in homes as described above.

  However, as described above, the conventional body fat measuring device is for measuring the body fat accumulation degree for each body part such as the whole body, limbs, and torso, and the visceral fat accumulation degree and subcutaneous fat accumulation degree. The degree cannot be extracted and measured accurately. This is because, as described above, the torso includes not only visceral fat but also subcutaneous fat. Therefore, it is possible to measure the visceral fat amount and the subcutaneous fat amount individually and accurately. It was difficult.

  Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, an electrode is directly brought into contact with the trunk, and the bioimpedance is measured using the electrode, and the visceral fat mass and the subcutaneous fat mass are individually and accurately measured based on the bioimpedance. It is being considered. For example, in JP-A-2002-369806 (Patent Document 1), an electrode is provided on an inner peripheral surface of a belt member, and the belt member is wound around and fixed to a body portion so that the electrode is attached to the body portion. A body fat measurement device configured to be placed in contact with each other is disclosed. In the body fat measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 1, high accuracy, which has been difficult in the past, is measured by measuring bioimpedance using an electrode placed in contact with the torso of a subject using a belt member. It is trying to make it possible to measure the visceral fat mass and subcutaneous fat mass.

  In general, when the body fat mass is calculated using the bioimpedance method, the measured bioimpedance value is substituted into a predetermined arithmetic expression. In addition to this, the subject is included in the above arithmetic expression. It is necessary to substitute physique information such as height and weight of the child. Calculation of visceral fat mass and subcutaneous fat mass using the bioimpedance method is no exception, and it is necessary to substitute the trunk size as the physique information described above into a predetermined arithmetic expression. Examples of the trunk size include a trunk width, a trunk thickness, and a trunk circumference (waist length) at the umbilicus position of the subject. Among these, the trunk circumference is often used.

  Therefore, in a body fat measuring device capable of measuring visceral fat mass and subcutaneous fat mass, it is common to provide an operation unit capable of inputting the value of the circumference of the torso of the subject. Even in the body fat measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a scale is provided on the belt member provided with the electrode, and the circumference of the torso is configured to be confirmed by the user visually recognizing the scale. A measurement technique in which the user inputs the value to the body fat measurement device using the operation unit is adopted.

  However, when such a measurement method for the circumference of the torso is adopted, not only the reading and input work becomes complicated, but also an incorrect cylinder due to a mistake in reading the scale of the user or an operation mistake at the time of input. When the circumference of the head is input, a large error is caused in the measurement result of the visceral fat mass or the subcutaneous fat mass in the abdomen.

Therefore, it has been studied to provide a body fat measuring device with a function of automatically measuring the circumference of the torso. For example, in the body fat measurement device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-296770 (Patent Document 2), a reel body that supports a belt-like string wound around the trunk portion so as to be wound is provided, and the rotation angle of the reel body A configuration that automatically measures the circumference of the torso is adopted. Thus, if the body fat measuring device is provided with the automatic measurement function of the circumference of the torso, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of errors due to the erroneous recognition of the scale or the erroneous operation of the operation unit. Note that the body fat measurement device disclosed in Patent Document 2 is not a body fat measurement device using the bioimpedance method using the electrodes described above, but the body fat mass of the subject using near infrared light or ultrasound. It is a method of measuring.
JP 2002-369806 A JP 2006-296770 A

  However, when the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2 is adopted, it is necessary to provide a reel mechanism in the body fat measurement device, and there is a problem that the body fat measurement device is increased in size. In particular, the larger the torso length of the torso is to be measured, in order to enable the application to a larger number of subjects, from subjects having a large torso circumference to subjects having a torso circumference small, the reel The length of the belt member wound around the body also increases, resulting in a problem that the reel mechanism becomes larger.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a body fat measurement device using a bioimpedance method that can automatically measure the circumference of the torso in a small and simple manner. Objective.

  A body fat measurement device according to the present invention includes an impedance measurement trunk mounting unit including a long band-shaped member and a plurality of electrodes, an impedance measurement unit that measures a biological impedance of a subject using the plurality of electrodes, The trunk circumference measuring unit for measuring the trunk circumference of the subject using the band-shaped member, the bioelectrical impedance measured by the impedance measuring unit, and the trunk circumference measured by the trunk circumference measuring unit And a body fat mass calculating unit for calculating the body fat mass of the subject. In the impedance measuring body mounting unit, the belt-like member is wound around the body of the subject and a portion near the other end of the belt-like member is held by a holding part provided at one end of the belt-like member. Thus, the plurality of electrodes are brought into contact with the torso of the subject. The belt-shaped member has a marker for identifying the torso circumference of the subject, and the torso circumference measuring unit has a reading unit for identifying the torso circumference of the subject by reading the marker. Contains.

  By comprising in this way, the measurement of a trunk | drum circumference length can be automated by reading the marker provided in the strip | belt-shaped member using a reading means. In general, the reading means is very small, and if the above configuration is adopted, a body fat measuring device using a bioimpedance method that can automatically measure the circumference of the torso is small and simple.

  In the body fat measurement device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the reading unit is provided in the holding unit.

  By configuring in this way, in a state where the impedance measurement body mounting unit is mounted, it becomes possible to read the marker by the reading means at the position where the belt-shaped member goes around the body of the subject in the circumferential direction. It is possible to accurately measure the circumference of the trunk without error.

  In the body fat measurement device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the holding portion has an insertion path through which a portion near the other end of the band-shaped member can be inserted. The reading means specifies the circumference of the torso of the subject by measuring the length of the portion near the other end of the band-shaped member that has passed through the insertion path when the impedance measurement torso mounting unit is mounted. It is preferable that it is comprised.

  By configuring in this way, it becomes possible to automatically measure the circumference of the torso when mounting the torso mounting unit for impedance measurement, so that the body fat measuring device has excellent handling properties. Can do.

  In the body fat measurement device according to the present invention, the marker is preferably constituted by a barcode, and in that case, the reading means is constituted by a photo interrupter for reading the barcode. It is preferable.

  By comprising in this way, the body fat measuring device provided with the automatic measurement function of the trunk circumference length can be constituted very small.

  In the body fat measurement device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the body fat measurement device further includes a rotating body that is engaged with the belt-like member and is rotated as the belt-like member moves. In that case, it is preferable that the torso circumference measuring unit further includes a rotation angle detecting means for specifying a torso circumference of the subject by detecting a rotation angle amount of the rotating body. In this case, the torso circumference measuring unit may be configured to identify the torso circumference of the subject based on the information read by the reading unit and the information detected by the rotation angle detecting unit. preferable.

  By configuring in this manner, the trunk circumference is measured using two types of means, so that the trunk circumference can be measured with higher accuracy and precision. In addition, the said rotary body only engages with a strip | belt-shaped member, and is not a thing of the structure which winds up a strip | belt-shaped member. Therefore, even when the above configuration is adopted, the apparatus is not significantly increased in size.

  In the body fat measuring device based on the said invention, it is preferable that the said rotary body is provided in the said holding | maintenance part.

  By comprising in this way, the structure of an impedance measurement trunk | drum mounting unit can be simplified compared with the case where it is set as the structure which provides a rotary body in the other position of the impedance measurement trunk | drum mounting unit.

  In the body fat measurement device according to the present invention, the torso circumference measuring unit is configured to rotate the rotation angle until the torso circumference is specified by reading the marker by the reading means. It is preferable that the information detected by the detection means is discarded and the detection of the rotation angle of the rotating body is started again using the rotation angle detection means.

  In general, when length measurement is performed using the reading means as described above, precise length measurement becomes difficult, and the resolution of length measurement may be reduced. Therefore, if the configuration as described above is adopted, precise length measurement that is difficult by the length measurement mechanism using the reading means is supplemented by length measurement by the length measurement mechanism using the rotation angle detection means. Therefore, it becomes possible to automatically measure the circumference of the trunk more precisely and simply.

  In the body fat measurement device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the rotation angle detection means is constituted by a rotary encoder.

  By configuring in this way, the body fat measuring device can be configured in a small size even when the torso circumference length can be precisely and automatically measured using the two types of means described above.

  In the body fat measurement device according to the present invention, the holding unit follows a change in the circumference of the torso accompanying the breathing motion of the subject, and sets the holding position of the portion near the other end of the belt-like member. A configuration that can be held variably is preferable.

  By configuring in this way, the winding length of the impedance measurement torso mounting unit around the subject's abdomen changes following the subject's breathing movement, which may give the subject an excessive feeling of pressure. It can be set as the impedance measurement trunk | drum mounting | wearing unit which is lost and does not give a pain to a test subject.

  In the body fat measuring device according to the present invention, the body fat measuring device detects the fluctuation of the winding length of the belt-like member wound around the torso of the subject to detect the circumference of the torso of the subject. A torso circumference variation measuring unit for detecting fluctuations, and a breathing state detecting unit for detecting the breathing state of the subject based on the changes in the torso circumference of the subject measured by the torso circumference variation measuring unit. In that case, the body fat mass calculation unit preferably includes the bioelectrical impedance measured by the impedance measurement unit, the trunk circumference measured by the trunk circumference measurement unit, and the breathing. It is preferable that the body fat mass of the subject is calculated based on the information on the respiratory state detected by the state detection unit.

  By configuring in this way, it is possible to detect a subject's breathing state with high accuracy with a simple configuration of detecting fluctuations in the winding length of the belt-like member of the impedance measurement trunk mounting unit during measurement. become. If such a detection method is used, a change in the circumference of the torso of the subject associated with the breathing motion can be captured with high accuracy, and thus a body fat measurement device capable of calculating body fat mass with high accuracy is provided. be able to.

  In the body fat measurement device according to the present invention, the body fat mass calculation unit is based on the expiratory motion detected by the respiratory state detection unit from the time series data of bioimpedance measured by the impedance measurement unit. It is preferable that the bioimpedance measured at the timing of transition to the inspiratory operation is extracted, and the body fat mass of the subject is calculated from the extracted bioimpedance.

  By configuring in this way, it is possible to measure the bioimpedance by excluding the influence of fluctuations in the bioimpedance caused by the breathing motion, so that the body fat measurement that can calculate the body fat mass with high accuracy It can be a device.

  In the body fat measurement device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the body fat mass calculating unit includes a visceral fat mass calculating unit for calculating the visceral fat mass of the subject.

  In order to measure the visceral fat mass with high accuracy, it is essential to measure the bioimpedance by placing electrodes in contact with the torso of the subject. In particular, the visceral fat mass can be calculated with high accuracy.

  In the body fat measurement device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the body fat mass calculation unit includes a subcutaneous fat mass calculation unit that calculates the subcutaneous fat mass in the abdomen of the subject.

  In order to measure the amount of subcutaneous fat in the abdomen with high accuracy, it is essential to measure the bioimpedance by placing electrodes in contact with the body of the subject. This makes it possible to calculate the amount of subcutaneous fat in the abdomen with particularly high accuracy.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can be set as the body fat measuring apparatus using the bioimpedance method which can measure the trunk | drum circumference easily automatically in small size.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The body fat measurement device according to each embodiment shown below includes an abdomen attachment unit for impedance measurement as an impedance measurement body attachment unit. The body fat measuring devices in Embodiments 1 to 3 shown below are capable of individually measuring visceral fat mass and subcutaneous fat mass, as well as whole body fat mass (total fat mass) and body identification. Is a body fat measuring device configured to be able to measure the amount of fat for each part (the amount of fat in each of the upper limb and the lower limb, the amount of fat in the torso, etc.). This is a body fat measurement device configured to be able to individually measure only the fat mass and the subcutaneous fat mass. In the following embodiments, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and description thereof will not be repeated.

  First, before describing the body fat measurement device according to each embodiment of the present invention, various terms representing a body part are defined. The “torso” is a portion excluding the head, neck and limbs of the body, and corresponds to a so-called trunk including the chest and abdomen. The “abdomen” is a part located on the lower limb side of the trunk divided into a part located on the neck side (that is, the chest) and a part located on the lower limb side, and includes the front of the abdomen and the back of the abdomen. . “Abdomen front” refers to the body surface of the surface of the subject's abdomen that is visible when the subject is observed from the front side. “Abdomen rear surface” refers to the body surface of a portion of the surface of the subject's abdomen that is visible when the subject is observed from the back side. The “part away from the abdomen” means the upper limb consisting of the upper arm, forearm, wrist and fingers, the chest more than a predetermined distance (for example, approximately 10 cm) from the portion where the diaphragm is located, the neck and head, and the thigh , Lower leg composed of lower leg, ankle and toe. Further, the “body axis” refers to an axis extending in a substantially vertical direction with respect to the cross section of the abdomen of the subject.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the body fat measurement device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. First, with reference to this FIG. 1, the structure of the functional block of the body fat measuring device 1A in this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a body fat measurement device 1A according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 10, a constant current generation unit 21, a terminal switching unit 22, a potential difference detection unit 23, and a torso circumference measurement unit 24. A subject information input unit 25, a display unit 26, an operation unit 27, a power supply unit 28, a memory unit 29, and a plurality of electrodes A11, A12, A21, A22, H11, H12, H21 attached to the body. , H22, F11, F12, F21, and F22. The control unit 10 includes an arithmetic processing unit 11. The arithmetic processing unit 11 includes an impedance measurement unit 12 and a body fat mass calculation unit 13.

  The control part 10 is comprised by CPU (central processor unit), for example, and performs whole control of the body fat measuring device 1A. Specifically, the control unit 10 sends commands to the various functional blocks described above and performs various arithmetic processes based on the obtained information. Among these, various arithmetic processes are performed by the arithmetic processing unit 11 provided in the control unit 10 described above.

  The plurality of electrodes include abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, and A22 attached to the subject's abdomen, upper limb electrodes H11, H12, H21, and H22 attached to the subject's upper limbs, and a lower limb attached to the subject's lower limbs. Electrodes F11, F12, F21, and F22 are included.

  The abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, A22 are provided on the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100A including the belt-like member 110 (see FIGS. 3, 4, and 7) wound around the trunk of the portion including the abdomen of the subject. By mounting the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100A on the subject's abdomen, the respective electrodes are attached to the surface of the subject's abdomen in a state of being aligned along the body axis direction. Here, the abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, and A22 may be mounted on the front side of the abdomen of the subject or may be mounted on the back side of the abdomen of the subject. Further, a plurality of abdominal electrode groups each including the four abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, and A22 as a set may be mounted in parallel to each other. In that case, all sets of abdominal electrode groups may be configured to be attached only to either the front or back of the abdomen, or some sets of abdominal electrodes may remain on the front of the abdomen. A group of abdominal electrodes may be mounted on the back of the abdomen. The detailed structure of the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100A provided with abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, and A22 will be described later.

  The upper limb electrodes H11, H12, H21, and H22 are attached to any part of the upper limb corresponding to the part away from the abdomen of the subject, and preferably the surface of the wrist of the right hand and the surface of the wrist of the left hand One pair is attached to each. The lower limb electrodes F11, F12, F21, and F22 are attached to any part of the lower limb corresponding to the part away from the subject's abdomen, and preferably the surface of the ankle of the right foot and the surface of the ankle of the left foot One pair is attached to each.

  The abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, A22, the upper limb electrodes H11, H12, H21, H22 and the lower limb electrodes F11, F12, F21, F22 are electrically connected to the terminal switching unit 22, respectively.

  The terminal switching unit 22 is configured by, for example, a relay circuit, and electrically connects the specific electrode selected from the plurality of electrodes described above and the constant current generation unit 21 based on a command input from the control unit 10. At the same time, a specific electrode selected from the plurality of electrodes described above and the potential difference detection unit 23 are electrically connected. Thereby, the electrode electrically connected to the constant current generating unit 21 by the terminal switching unit 22 functions as a constant current application electrode, and is electrically connected to the potential difference detecting unit 23 by the terminal switching unit 22. The electrode functions as a potential difference detection electrode. The electrical connection by the terminal switching unit 22 is variously switched during the measurement operation. Normally, the constant current application electrode and the potential difference detection electrode are each constituted by a pair of electrodes, but each of the pair of electrodes referred to here includes both a single electrode or a plurality of electrodes. In other words, each of the pair of electrodes may be configured by treating the electrodes provided separately and independently in an electrically equivalent manner.

  The constant current generation unit 21 generates a constant current based on a command input from the control unit 10 and supplies the generated constant current to the above-described constant current application electrode via the terminal switching unit 22. As the constant current generated in the constant current generator 21, a high-frequency current (for example, 50 kHz, 500 μA) that is preferably used for measuring body composition information is selected. Thereby, a constant current is applied to the subject via the constant current application electrode.

  The potential difference detection unit 23 detects a potential difference between electrodes (that is, potential difference detection electrodes) electrically connected to the potential difference detection unit 23 by the terminal switching unit 22, and outputs the detected potential difference to the control unit 10. Thereby, the potential difference between the potential difference detection electrodes in a state where the above-described constant current is applied to the subject is detected.

  The torso circumference measurement unit 24 and the subject information input unit 25 are parts for obtaining subject information used for the arithmetic processing performed in the body fat mass calculation unit 13 included in the arithmetic processing unit 11. The torso circumference measuring unit 24 is a part that automatically measures the torso circumference of the subject, and outputs information on the detected torso circumference to the control unit 10. On the other hand, the subject information input unit 25 is a part for inputting subject information, and outputs the input subject information to the control unit 10.

  Here, “subject information” means information about the subject, and includes at least one of information such as age, gender, or physique information. The “physique information” refers to information on the size of a specific part of the subject's body (for example, information including at least one of the circumference of the torso, the abdomen width, the abdomen thickness, the height, etc.), the weight, etc. Contains information. However, in the body fat measurement device 1A according to the present embodiment, as described above, the torso circumference length in the physique information is automatically measured by the torso circumference measurement unit 24, so that the subject information input unit 25 is used. There is no need to enter the trunk circumference.

  In addition, in the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 1, although the case where it comprised so that only the trunk | drum circumference length among physique information might be measured automatically was illustrated, it is comprised so that other physique information may be measured automatically May be. Further, in the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 1, the case where the subject information input unit 25 is provided in the body fat measurement device 1A is illustrated, but the subject information input unit 25 is not an essential configuration. Absent. Whether or not to provide the subject information input unit 25 is appropriately selected based on the type of subject information used for the arithmetic processing performed in the arithmetic processing unit 11 of the control unit 10.

  The arithmetic processing unit 11 includes the impedance measurement unit 12 and the body fat mass calculation unit 13 as described above. The impedance measuring unit 12 performs various biological activities based on the current value of the constant current generated by the constant current generation unit 21 described above and the potential difference information detected by the potential difference detection unit 23 and input to the control unit 10. Calculate the impedance. The body fat mass calculation unit 13 is input from the biometric impedance obtained by the impedance measurement unit 12, the trunk circumference input from the trunk circumference measurement unit 24, and the subject information input unit 25 as necessary. Various body fat masses are calculated based on the subject information. In the body fat measurement device 1A according to the present embodiment, the body fat mass calculation unit 13 calculates the visceral fat mass calculation unit 16 that calculates the visceral fat mass of the subject and the subcutaneous fat that calculates the subcutaneous fat mass in the abdomen of the subject. In addition to this, the total fat amount calculating unit 14 that calculates the body fat amount of the whole body of the subject, and the part-specific fat amount calculating unit that calculates the fat amount for each specific part of the subject's body 15.

  The display unit 26 displays information on various body fat masses calculated by the body fat mass calculating unit 13 described above. As the display unit 26, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) can be used. The fat amount displayed on the display unit 26 is, for example, the total fat amount that is the fat amount of the whole body of the subject, the fat amount by part that is the fat amount by specific part of the subject's body, the visceral fat amount, or the abdomen. Subcutaneous fat amount and the like. Here, the “fat amount” means an index indicating the amount of fat represented by, for example, fat weight, fat area, fat volume, fat level and the like. In particular, “visceral fat mass” means an index expressed by at least one of visceral fat weight, visceral fat area, visceral fat volume and visceral fat level, and “subcutaneous fat mass” means subcutaneous fat mass, subcutaneous fat mass, It means an index expressed by at least one of subcutaneous fat volume and subcutaneous fat level.

  The operation unit 27 is a part for the subject to input a command to the body fat measurement device 1A, and is configured by, for example, a key that can be pressed by the subject.

  The power supply unit 28 is a part for supplying power to the control unit 10, and includes an internal power supply such as a battery, an external power supply such as a commercial power supply, and the like.

  The memory unit 29 is a part for storing various data and programs related to the body fat measurement device 1A. For example, the above-described subject information, various body fat amounts calculated, and body fat measurement processing described later are executed. The body fat measurement program etc. are memorized.

  Next, an example of arithmetic processing performed in the body fat measurement device 1A in the present embodiment will be described. As described above, in the body fat measurement device 1A according to the present embodiment, various body fat masses can be measured by the body fat mass calculating unit 13, but in the following, the internal organs as an index indicating the visceral fat mass A description is given by exemplifying arithmetic processing performed in the calculation of each of the fat area and the body fat percentage as an index indicating the relationship between the body fat mass and the body weight as an index indicating the fat volume and the subcutaneous fat mass. Do.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the impedance measuring unit 12 calculates two types of bioelectrical impedances based on the current value of the constant current generated by the constant current generating unit 21 and the potential difference detected by the potential difference detecting unit 23. To do. One of the two types of bioimpedances is bioimpedance Zt that reflects the lean mass in the subject's abdomen, and the other is bioimpedance Zs that reflects the subcutaneous fat mass in the subject's abdomen.

The visceral fat amount calculation unit 16 calculates the visceral fat area Sv (unit: cm) of the subject based on the two types of calculated bioelectrical impedances Zt and Zs and the torso circumference length W which is one of the physique information of the subject. ² ) Calculate. Specifically, for example, the visceral fat area Sv is calculated by the following equation (1) representing the relationship between the two types of bioimpedances Zt and Zs and the torso circumference length W of the subject and the visceral fat area Sv. The

^{Sv = a × W 2 -b ×} (1 / Zt) -c × W × Zs-d ... (1)
(Where a, b, c, d are coefficients)
The subcutaneous fat mass calculation unit 17 calculates the subcutaneous fat area Ss (unit: cm ² ) of the subject based on the calculated bioelectrical impedance Zs and the trunk circumference W which is one of the physique information of the subject. calculate. Specifically, for example, the subcutaneous fat area Ss is calculated by the following equation (2) representing the relationship between the bioelectrical impedance Zs and the torso circumference length W of the subject and the subcutaneous fat area Ss.

Ss = e × W × Zs + f (2)
(Where e, f are coefficients)
Further, the total fat mass calculation unit 14 calculates the lean mass FFM (unit: kg) based on the calculated bioelectrical impedance Zt and the height H which is one of the physique information of the subject. Specifically, for example, the fat free mass FFM is calculated by the following equation (3) representing the relationship between the bioelectrical impedance Zt and the subject's height H and the fat free mass FFM.

FFM = i × H ² / Zt + j (3)
(Where i, j are coefficients)
The coefficients in each of the above formulas (1), (2), and (3) are determined by, for example, a regression formula based on a measurement result by MRI. Moreover, the coefficient in each of Formula (1), (2), (3) may be defined for every age and / or sex.

  Although not directly related to the calculation of the visceral fat area Sv and the calculation of the subcutaneous fat area Ss described above, when calculating the body fat mass of the whole body of the subject, the total fat mass calculation unit 14 calculates the calculated value. Based on the fat mass FFM and the body weight information Wt, the body fat mass of the subject, for example, the body fat percentage (%) is calculated. Specifically, for example, the body fat percentage is calculated by the following equation (4) based on the lean mass FFM and the weight Wt of the subject.

Body fat percentage = (Wt−FFM) / Wt × 100 (4)
Although specific explanation is omitted, the body fat mass by body part is also determined based on the bioimpedance obtained by variously switching the current application electrode and the potential difference detection electrode and the physique information of the subject. Calculation is possible.

  FIG. 2 is a view showing an external structure of the body fat measurement device according to the present embodiment, and is a perspective view showing a state in which various attachment units included in the body fat measurement device are attached to a subject. Next, with reference to this FIG. 2, the external structure of the body fat measuring device 1A in the present embodiment and the posture that the subject should take in the measurement will be described. The body fat measuring device 1A shown below is the body fat measuring device shown in FIG. 1, and four sets of abdominal electrode groups each including four illustrated abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, A22 are parallel to each other. It is arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the body fat measurement device 1 </ b> A according to the present embodiment includes an impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100 </ b> A attached to the abdomen 301 of the subject 300 and a pair of impedance measurements attached to the upper limbs of the subject 300. The upper limb mounting units 172A and 172B, a pair of impedance measurement lower limb mounting units 173A and 173B mounted on the lower limb of the subject 300, and these various mounting units 100A, 172A, 172B, 173A, and 173B are connected via the connection cable 180. The apparatus main body 165 is provided.

  The impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100 </ b> A is configured by a belt-like member that can be wound around the abdomen 301. Each of the impedance measurement upper limb mounting units 172A and 172B and the impedance measurement lower limb mounting units 173A and 173B is configured by a clip-like member that can hold the upper limb or the lower limb of the subject 300. The impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100A has abdominal electrodes (the abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, and A22 described above) that can be placed in contact with the surface of the abdomen of the subject. Further, each of the impedance measurement upper limb mounting units 172A, 172B has upper limb electrodes (the above-mentioned upper limb electrodes H11, H12, H21, H22) that can be placed in contact with the surface of the upper limb of the subject. Further, each of the impedance measurement lower limb mounting units 173A and 173B has lower limb electrodes (the lower limb electrodes F11, F12, F21, and F22 described above) that can be placed in contact with the surface of the lower limb of the subject.

  The apparatus main body 165 includes the control unit 10, the constant current generation unit 21, the terminal switching unit 22, the potential difference detection unit 23, the subject information input unit 25, the display unit 26, the operation unit 27, the memory unit 29, and the like described above. The constant current generating unit 21, the terminal switching unit 22, the potential difference detecting unit 23, and the like provided in the apparatus main body 165 can be provided in the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100A as necessary. The trunk circumference measuring unit 24 described above is provided in the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100A.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when measuring various body fat masses, the subject 300 takes a supine position on the bed surface 400 (that is, a posture lying on his back). Then, the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100A is attached to the abdomen 301 of the subject 300, the impedance measurement upper limb attachment units 172A and 172B are attached to the upper limbs (preferably wrists 302A and 302B) of the subject 300, and the impedance measurement lower limbs. The mounting units 173A and 173B are mounted on the lower limbs (preferably ankles 303A and 303B) of the subject 300. By mounting the various mounting units 100A, 172A, 172B, 173A, 173B, the electrodes provided on the various mounting units 100, 172A, 172B, 173A, 173B are brought into contact with the body surface of the subject 300. During measurement of various body fat amounts, the subject 300 maintains the above-mentioned supine position.

  3 and 4 are views showing the external structure of the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit of the body fat measurement device according to the present embodiment, FIG. 3 is a perspective view, and FIG. 4 is a bottom view. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 along the line VV shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the detailed structure of the holding portion of the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Next, the structure of the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100A of the body fat measurement device 1A according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 6, the casing of the holding portion 115 is partially omitted for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100 </ b> A includes a long belt-like member 110 constituted by a sheet-like part 111 and a belt part 140. The sheet-like part 111 has a substantially rectangular outer shape in plan view. On the other hand, the belt portion 140 is formed of a long member having one end connected to the sheet-like portion 111. An electrode support mechanism accommodating portion 112 is provided on the upper surface of the sheet-like portion 111, and a plurality of electrodes 113 are arranged on the lower surface of the sheet-like portion 111 so that a part thereof is exposed. A holding portion 115 is provided on the upper surface of one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the sheet-like portion 111 (that is, equivalent to one end portion 110 a of the belt-like member 110).

  As shown in FIG. 3, one end of the belt portion 140 is formed into a sheet shape by a fixing portion 114 provided on the other end portion on the opposite side to the one end portion on the side where the holding portion 115 of the sheet-like portion 111 is provided. It is fixed to the part 111. The belt portion 140 is fixed to the sheet-like portion 111 by, for example, holding one end of the belt portion 140 between the sheet-like portion 111 and a plate-like member that is screwed to the sheet-like portion 111 or the like.

  The sheet-like portion 111 is configured by a member that does not substantially have elasticity, and is formed of a flexible material so as to fit the surface of the abdomen of the subject in the mounted state. On the other hand, the belt part 140 has a long and narrow shape that is narrower than that of the sheet-like part 111, and is constituted by a member that does not substantially have stretchability in the longitudinal direction. . The belt part 140 is formed of a flexible material so as to fit the surface of the abdomen of the subject in the wearing state.

  As shown in FIG. 5, each of the plurality of electrodes 113 provided on the belt-like member 110 has a rod portion 113a extending in a rod shape and a plate-like portion 113b provided at the tip of the rod portion 113a. . The rod portion 113 a is inserted into an insertion hole provided in the sheet-like portion 111. The plate-like portion 113 b is exposed on the lower surface side of the sheet-like portion 111. The main surface of the plate-like portion 113b on the side not connected to the rod portion 113a is a contact surface that contacts the abdomen of the subject. Each of the plurality of electrodes 113 is formed of a metal material excellent in biocompatibility. The plurality of electrodes 113 are arranged in a matrix on the lower surface of the sheet-like portion 111, and each of these electrodes 113 corresponds to each of the above-described abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, A22.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the electrode support mechanism accommodating portion 112 is configured by a box-shaped member, and an electrode support mechanism for movably supporting each of the plurality of electrodes 113 in a specific direction. Has inside. The electrode support mechanism accommodating portion 112 is provided for each of the four abdominal electrode groups each including the abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, and A22 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the electrode support mechanism provided inside the electrode support mechanism housing portion 112 includes a base body 116a fixed to the sheet-like portion 111 and a lid body 116b fixed to the base body 116a with screws or the like. The guide frame 116 and a coil spring 117 disposed in a space formed inside the guide frame 116 are configured. An insertion hole is provided in each of the base body 116a and the lid body 116b constituting the guide frame 116, and the rod portion 113a of the electrode 113 is inserted into the insertion hole, whereby the electrode 113 is inserted into the hollow portion of the coil spring 117. The rod portion 113a is inserted and arranged. One end of the coil spring 117 is in contact with the lid body 116 b, and the other end is in contact with the flange portion 113 a 1 provided on the rod portion 113 a of the electrode 113. As a result, the plurality of electrodes 113 are movably supported by the electrode support mechanism, move only in a direction substantially perpendicular to the subject's abdominal surface in the mounted state, and are urged toward the abdomen by the urging force of the coil spring 117. become.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, a holding portion 115 is provided on the upper surface of one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the sheet-like portion 111 (one end portion 110 a of the band-like member 110). An insertion path for inserting a portion closer to the other end of the belt portion 140 on the side not connected to the sheet-like portion 111 (that corresponds to the other end portion 110b of the belt-like member 110) at a predetermined position of the holding portion 115. Is provided. The holding portion 115 is provided with a lock member 115a, and the lock member 115a can fix the belt portion 140 inserted into the above-described insertion path so as not to move. More specifically, the lock member 115a is pivotally supported in the casing of the holding portion 115 so as to be pivoted between the front end of the lock member 115a and a predetermined position of the casing of the holding portion 115 in the locked state. By clamping the belt portion 140, the belt portion 140 is frictionally locked so as not to move.

  Photoelectric sensors (more specifically, photo interrupters) 124A and 124B are provided at predetermined positions of the casing of the holding unit 115. The photoelectric sensors 124A and 124B are arranged on the bottom surface of the casing of the holding unit 115 so as to face the insertion path provided in the holding unit 115, and the belt unit 140 is configured to pass therethrough. The photoelectric sensors 124 </ b> A and 124 </ b> B constitute a part of the above-described trunk portion circumference length measuring unit 24, and details thereof will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a connector 118 for attaching a connection cable 180 that relays the above-described various mounting units 100A, 172A, 172B, 173A, 173B and the apparatus main body 165 is provided at a predetermined position of the sheet-like portion 111. It has been. As shown in FIG. 4, a positioning through-hole 119 that is aligned with the subject's umbilicus position in order to position the electrode 113 with respect to the abdomen at the time of wearing is provided at the substantially central portion of the sheet-like portion 111. Is provided.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the above-described impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit is attached to the abdomen of the subject, and is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII shown in FIG. Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a state in which the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100A of the body fat measurement device 1A in the present embodiment is attached to the abdomen of the subject will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in a state where the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100 </ b> A is attached to the abdomen 301 of the subject 300, the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100 </ b> A including the band-shaped member 110 is wound around the abdomen 301 of the subject 300. Installed in condition. Here, when mounting, the sheet-like part 111 is positioned so that the positioning through-hole 119 provided in the sheet-like part 111 matches the umbilical position of the subject 300 and placed on the abdomen 301 of the subject 300, The belt 140 is wound around the flank and the back of the abdomen of the subject 300 in the state where the positioning is performed. And the part near the other end (the other end part 110b of the band-like member 110) on the side not connected to the sheet-like part 111 of the belt part 140 is one end part in the longitudinal direction of the sheet-like part 111 (one end of the band-like member 110). The impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100A is attached to the abdomen 301 of the subject 300 by being held by the holding part 115 provided in the part 110a). Accordingly, the plate-like portions 113b of the plurality of electrodes 113 provided on the lower surface side (the inner peripheral surface side in the mounted state) of the sheet-like portion 111 are arranged in contact with the front surface of the abdomen of the subject 300.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the torso circumference measurement unit of the body fat measurement device according to the present embodiment and the mechanism in which the torso circumference of the subject is automatically measured by the torso circumference measurement unit. It is. Next, referring to FIG. 8, the configuration of the trunk circumference measurement unit 24 of the body fat measurement device 1 </ b> A in the present embodiment and the trunk circumference of the subject are automatically measured by the trunk circumference measurement unit 24. It explains in detail about the mechanism.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the trunk circumference measurement unit 24 includes the above-described photoelectric sensors 124 </ b> A and 124 </ b> B and a trunk circumference measurement circuit 161. On the other hand, an encoder strip 144 is attached to the lower surface of the belt portion 140 (the main surface on the side facing the abdomen of the subject in the mounted state). The encoder strip 144 extends from the other end (the other end portion 110b of the belt-like member 110) on the side not connected to the sheet-like portion 111 of the belt portion 140 toward the sheet-like portion 111 side (on the one end portion 110a side of the belt-like member 110). (Toward) provided to extend to a predetermined position. The encoder strip 144 has a barcode 145 as a marker on its main surface. As described above, since the photoelectric sensors 124A and 124B are provided in the holding unit 115, when the belt unit 140 is inserted into the holding unit 115, the encoder strip 144 is included in the photoelectric sensor 124A, It will be arranged facing 124B.

  The photoelectric sensors 124 </ b> A and 124 </ b> B are reading means for reading a barcode provided on the encoder strip 144. Each of the photoelectric sensors 124A and 124B includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and the light emitted from the light emitting unit is irradiated onto the encoder strip 144, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving unit. The presence / absence of a barcode is detected based on the light quantity difference. The photoelectric sensors 124 </ b> A and 124 </ b> B output an electrical signal by photoelectrically converting the received light, and the output electrical signal is input to the trunk circumference measuring circuit 161. The torso circumference measuring circuit 161 specifies the torso circumference of the subject based on the input electrical signal, and inputs the specified torso circumference to the control unit 10.

  More specifically, the bar code provided on the encoder strip 144 has a bar code group of two columns of I column and II column shown in FIG. The bar codes included in the I column include an identifier for indicating positional information of the belt portion 140 in the portion to which the bar code is attached, and are detected by the photoelectric sensor 124A. The bar code included in the II column is an identifier for indicating the detection timing of the bar code included in the I column, and is detected by the photoelectric sensor 124B.

  Each of the two groups of barcodes of the I row and the II row has sections equally divided by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the belt portion 140. In the body fat measurement device 1A in the present embodiment, the length of each section is 16 mm. The barcode included in the I column of each section includes a header and a footer, and a position mark. The header is located on the other end 110b side of the belt-like member 110 and indicates the beginning of the section. The footer is located on the one end 110a side of the belt-like member 110 and indicates the end of the section. The position mark is located between the header and the footer, and indicates the position information of the belt portion 140 at the start position of each section. On the other hand, the barcodes included in the II column of each section are arranged with a predetermined interval so that the presence or absence of the barcode is alternately repeated in the reading direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing. In the body fat measurement device 1A according to the present embodiment, the position mark is written in one-digit octal bit display, and the barcodes included in the II column are arranged every other bit.

  The position information of the belt part 140 at the start position of each section indicates the distance from the one end part 110a side of the belt-like member 110 to the part. Therefore, the distance corresponds to the winding length in a state where the belt-shaped member 110 is wound. Therefore, by fitting the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100A to the subject's abdomen without any gaps in the attached state, the distance represents the torso circumference of the subject.

  As described above, the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100A is attached by inserting the other end portion 110b of the strip member 110 into the holding portion 115 provided at the one end portion 110a of the strip member 110. Therefore, the photoelectric sensors 124A and 124B read the barcode along the reading direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing when the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100A is attached.

  At that time, the presence / absence information of the barcode included in the I row detected by the photoelectric sensor 124A and the information on the presence / absence of the barcode included in the II row detected by the photoelectric sensor 124B are synchronized with each other around the trunk. Input to the length measurement circuit 161. The torso circumference measurement circuit 161 determines the timing for recognizing information detected by the photoelectric sensor 124A as position information based on information detected by the photoelectric sensor 124B among the input information. Then, the torso circumference measurement circuit 161 extracts information related to the position mark from the information detected by the photoelectric sensor 124A by associating the information detected by the photoelectric sensor 124A with the above-described timing, and based on the position mark. To identify location information. Thus, the winding length of the belt-shaped member 110 around the abdomen of the subject is specified by the torso circumference measuring circuit 161. As described above, the torso circumference of the subject is automatically measured by the torso circumference measuring unit 24.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart that defines the operation procedure of the body fat measurement device when measuring the visceral fat area, the subcutaneous fat area, and the body fat percentage using the body fat measurement device according to the present embodiment. Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the operation of the body fat measuring device 1A when measuring the visceral fat area, the subcutaneous fat area, and the body fat percentage using the body fat measuring device 1A will be described.

  The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is stored in advance in the memory unit 29 as a program, and the control unit 10 including the arithmetic processing unit 11 reads out and executes this program, whereby visceral fat area measurement processing, subcutaneous fat area The functions of the measurement process and the body fat percentage measurement process are realized. The operation procedure shown below is a configuration in which four sets of abdominal electrode groups each including four illustrated abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, and A22 are arranged in parallel in the body fat measurement device shown in FIG. It is an operation procedure in the case of.

  Referring to FIG. 9, control unit 10 receives input of subject information including height H, weight Wt, and the like as physique information (step S1). The subject information received here is temporarily stored in the memory unit 29, for example.

  Next, the control part 10 starts measurement operation | movement of the trunk | drum circumference length W (step 2). Specifically, the photoelectric sensors 124A and 124B start to operate based on a command from the control unit 10, and the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit is attached to the subject while the photoelectric sensors 124A and 124B are in operation. Like that.

  Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not there is an instruction to start measurement (step S3). The control unit 10 waits until an instruction to start measurement is received (NO in step S3), and when the instruction to start measurement is detected (YES in step S3), information on the trunk circumference detected in this state. Is determined as the torso circumference W of the subject (step S4). The determined trunk circumference W is temporarily stored in the memory unit 29, for example.

  Next, the control unit 10 performs electrode setting (step S5). Here, in step S5, the control unit 10 selects, for example, the pair of upper limb electrodes H11 and the lower limb electrodes F11 and the pair of upper limb electrodes H21 and the lower limb electrodes F21 as current application electrode pairs, and among the four sets of abdominal electrode groups, A pair of abdominal electrodes A11 and A21 included in one abdominal electrode group is selected as a potential difference detection electrode pair. The terminal switching unit 22 electrically connects the pair of upper limb electrodes H11, the lower limb electrode F11, the pair of upper limb electrodes H21, and the lower limb electrode F21 to the constant current generating unit 21 based on the control of the control unit 10, and The abdominal electrodes A11 and A21 are electrically connected to the potential difference detector 23. Here, the terminal switching unit 22 disconnects the electrical connection between the non-selected electrode and the constant current generation unit 21 and the potential difference detection unit 23 based on the control of the control unit 10.

  The constant current generation unit 21 causes a constant current to flow between the upper limb and the lower limb based on the control of the control unit 10. For example, the constant current generation unit 21 causes a constant current to flow from the upper limb electrode H11 and the upper limb electrode H21 to the lower limb electrode F11 and the lower limb electrode F21 (step S6). In this case, the terminal switching unit 22 is preferably configured to short-circuit the upper limb electrode H11 and the upper limb electrode H21 and to short-circuit the lower limb electrode F11 and the lower limb electrode F21. The constant current generating unit 21 and the terminal switching unit 22 may be configured to flow a constant current from any one of the upper limb electrodes H11 and H21 to any one of the lower limb electrodes F11 and F21.

  In this state, the potential difference detector 23 detects a potential difference between the abdominal electrodes A11 and A21 based on the control of the controller 10 (step S7).

  Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the detection of the potential difference is completed for all predetermined combinations of electrode pairs (step S8). When the control unit 10 determines that the detection of the potential difference has not been completed for all combinations of predetermined electrode pairs (NO in step S8), the control unit 10 proceeds to step S5 described above. When it is determined that the detection of the potential difference has been completed for all combinations of predetermined electrode pairs (YES in step S8), control unit 10 proceeds to step S9 described later.

  In this way, the control unit 10 sequentially selects the abdominal electrodes A11 and A21 included in the other abdominal electrode groups as potential difference detection electrode pairs. That is, the terminal switching unit 22 electrically connects the abdominal electrodes A11 and A21 included in the other abdominal electrode groups in order with the potential difference detection unit 23 based on the control of the control unit 10 (step S5). Then, the potential difference detector 23 sequentially detects potential differences between the abdominal electrodes A11 and A21 included in the other abdominal electrode groups based on the control of the control unit 10 (step S7).

  The impedance measuring unit 12 generates a constant current generated by the constant current generating unit 21 and applied to the body after detection of the potential difference with respect to the combination of the abdominal electrodes A11 and A21 included in all the abdominal electrode groups (YES in step S8). The bioelectrical impedances Zt1 to Zt4 are calculated on the basis of the current values and the potential differences detected by the potential difference detection unit 23 (step S9). The values of the biological impedances Zt1 to Zt4 calculated by the impedance measuring unit 12 are temporarily stored in the memory unit 29, for example.

  Next, the control unit 10 sets electrodes again (step S10). More specifically, the control unit 10 selects a pair of abdominal electrodes A11 and A21 included in one abdominal electrode group among the four abdominal electrode groups as a current application electrode pair, and is included in the abdominal electrode group. A pair of abdominal electrodes A12, A22 are selected as a potential difference detection electrode pair. The terminal switching unit 22 electrically connects the pair of abdominal electrodes A11 and A21 to the constant current generation unit 21 and electrically connects the pair of abdominal electrodes A12 and A22 to the potential difference detection unit 23 based on the control of the control unit 10. Connect. Here, the terminal switching unit 22 disconnects the electrical connection between the abdominal electrode, the upper limb electrode, and the lower limb electrode that are not selected and the constant current generation unit 21 and the potential difference detection unit 23 based on the control of the control unit 10. To do.

  The constant current generator 21 causes a constant current to flow between the abdominal electrodes A11 and A21 based on the control of the controller 10 (step S11).

  In this state, the potential difference detector 23 detects a potential difference between the abdominal electrodes A12 and A22 based on the control of the controller 10 (step S12).

  Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the detection of the potential difference is completed for all predetermined combinations of electrode pairs (step S13). When the control unit 10 determines that the detection of the potential difference has not been completed for all combinations of predetermined electrode pairs (NO in step S13), the control unit 10 proceeds to step S10 described above. When the control unit 10 determines that the detection of the potential difference has been completed for all predetermined combinations of electrode pairs (YES in step S13), the control unit 10 proceeds to step S14 described later.

  In this way, the control unit 10 selects the abdominal electrodes A11 and A21 included in the other abdominal electrode groups as current application electrodes, and sequentially selects the abdominal electrodes A12 and A22 included in the abdominal electrode group. Choose as a pair. That is, the terminal switching unit 22 electrically connects the abdominal electrodes A11 and A21 included in the other abdominal electrode groups to the constant current generation unit 21 in order based on the control of the control unit 10, and the abdominal electrode group Are sequentially electrically connected to the potential difference detector 23 (step S10). Based on the control of the control unit 10, the potential difference detection unit 23 causes a constant current to flow between the abdominal electrodes A11 and A21 included in the other abdominal electrode group (step S11), and the abdominal electrode included in the abdominal electrode group. The potential difference between A12 and A22 is detected in turn (step S12).

  The impedance measurement unit 12 generates the constant current generated by the constant current generation unit 21 and flows to the body after the application of the current to the combination of electrode pairs included in all the abdominal electrode groups and the detection of the potential difference are completed (YES in step S13). Based on the current value of the current and each potential difference detected by the potential difference detection unit 23, bioimpedances Zs1 to Zs4 are calculated (step S14). The values of the biological impedances Zs1 to Zs4 calculated by the impedance measuring unit 12 are temporarily stored in the memory unit 29, for example.

  Next, the visceral fat amount calculation unit 16 calculates the visceral fat area Sv based on the trunk circumference length W specified in step S4 and the calculated bioelectric impedances Zt1 to Zt4 and the bioelectrical impedances Zs1 to Zs4. (Step S15). The visceral fat area Sv is calculated by substituting the trunk circumference length W and the calculated bioelectrical impedances Zt and Zs into the above equation (1). In addition, when it is set as the structure which has arrange | positioned 4 sets of abdominal electrode group which makes 4 sets of abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, and A22 in parallel mutually as mentioned above, for example, four bioimpedances Zt1-Zt4 The average value and the average value of the four bioelectrical impedances Zs1 to Zs4 are respectively substituted into the equation (1).

  Next, the subcutaneous fat mass calculation unit 17 calculates the subcutaneous fat area Ss based on the trunk circumference W specified in step S4 and the calculated bioelectric impedances Zs1 to Zs4 (step S16). The subcutaneous fat area Ss is calculated by substituting the torso circumference length W and the calculated bioelectrical impedance Zs into the above equation (2). In addition, when it is set as the structure which has arrange | positioned four sets of abdominal electrode groups which make four sets of abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, and A22 in parallel mutually as mentioned above, for example, four bioimpedances Zs1-Zs4 The average value is substituted into bioimpedance Zs in equation (2).

  Next, the total fat mass calculation unit 14 calculates the lean mass FFM based on the height H in the physique information received by the control unit 10 in step S1 and the calculated bioelectrical impedance Zt (step S17). ). The lean mass FFM is calculated by the above equation (3).

  Further, the total fat mass calculating unit 14 is based on the body weight Wt in the physique information received by the control unit 10 in step S1 and the lean mass FFM calculated by the total fat mass calculating unit 14 in step S15. The fat percentage is calculated (step S18). The body fat percentage is calculated by the above equation (4).

  And the display part 26 displays each measurement result based on control of the control part 10 (step S19).

  Thus, the body fat measurement device 1A finishes the body fat mass measurement process including the visceral fat area measurement process, the subcutaneous fat area measurement process, and the body fat percentage measurement process. The typical values of the bioelectrical impedances Zt1 to Zt4 are about 5Ω each. Further, typical values of the bioelectrical impedances Zs1 to Zs4 are about 80Ω respectively.

  By using the body fat measuring device 1A according to the present embodiment described above, the torso circumference of the subject can be automatically measured by the torso circumference measuring unit 24 including the photoelectric sensors 124A and 124B as reading means. . In general, a photoelectric sensor is very small. Therefore, if the above-described configuration is adopted, a body fat measuring device using a bioimpedance method that can automatically measure the circumference of the torso is small and simple. Further, the barcode as a marker indicating the position information can be simply configured by attaching an encoder strip to the belt-like member 110, and the apparatus configuration is not complicated and the apparatus is not enlarged at all.

  Further, in the body fat measurement device 1A according to the present embodiment described above, the photoelectric sensors 124A and 124B are provided in the holding portion 115 provided in the one end portion 110a of the belt-like member 110. Therefore, since the barcode can be detected at the position where the belt-shaped member 110 goes around the torso of the subject in the circumferential direction in the state in which the abdomen attachment unit 100A for impedance measurement is attached, the circumference of the torso can be set without error. It can be measured accurately.

  In the body fat measurement device 1A according to the present embodiment described above, the case where each section is configured to be 16 mm is exemplified, but if the length of this section is made smaller, the circumference of the torso is more precisely Can be measured. However, as the width of the barcode attached to the belt-like member 110 becomes smaller, the detection tends to be difficult. In the body fat measurement device 1A according to the above-described embodiment, the barcode position mark included in the I column is indicated by the octal 1-digit bit display. By variously changing this, It becomes possible to widen the measurable range or increase the measurable resolution. FIG. 10 is a diagram specifically showing one example of the change, and shows a configuration example of a barcode when the position mark is displayed in octal three digits.

  As shown in FIG. 10, if the position mark is displayed in octal 3 digits, each digit can be arranged in a direction orthogonal to the reading direction. Therefore, compared with the case where the position mark is displayed in octal 1 digit, The resolution in the reading direction can be improved. Specifically, in the above-described body fat measurement device according to the present embodiment, 1 bit is 1 mm, and 1 section is 16 bits including header, footer, and position mark, so 1 section is 16 mm. It was. If the position mark is displayed in octal 3 digits as shown in FIG. 10, even if 1 bit is 1 mm, the position mark can be displayed in 3 bits in the reading direction, and the position mark included in 1 section can be read. It can be expressed in 3 mm in the direction. However, in this case, a total of four photoelectric sensors, one photoelectric sensor for detecting a bar code indicating timing and three photoelectric sensors for detecting each of three-digit bar codes indicating position information, are used. A photoelectric sensor is required.

  In the modification shown in FIG. 10, the case where the header and the footer are not arranged before and after the position mark in the reading direction is shown. However, the header and the footer can be omitted in this way. . However, when the header and footer are omitted, it is necessary to make a configuration so that the bar code is always detected from the end of the encoder strip 144 when measuring the circumference of the body portion. With this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a header and a footer, so that the apparatus configuration can be simplified and the resolution of measurement of the trunk circumference can be improved.

  Further, the body fat measurement device 1A according to the present embodiment described above includes the position mark in the barcode so that the barcode itself has the position information on the portion to which the barcode is attached. It is composed. However, as described above, when the bar code is always detected from the end of the encoder strip 144 when measuring the circumference of the body portion, only the bar code group in the II row shown in FIG. It is also possible to provide a configuration in which the I-line barcode group shown in FIG. 8 is not provided. In such a configuration, the trunk circumference measuring circuit 161 counts the number of barcodes detected by the photoelectric sensor 124B, so that the trunk circumference can be specified based on the count amount. It becomes. When configured in this way, the reading means can be configured with only one photoelectric sensor, which simplifies the apparatus configuration and eliminates the need to provide position marks, headers, and footers, thereby measuring the circumference of the body. It is possible to improve the resolution.

  Furthermore, in addition to the above-described reading means using the photoelectric sensor, a rotation angle detection means represented by a rotary encoder or the like is further provided in the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100A, thereby measuring the circumference of the torso. It is also possible to increase the resolution or omit the bar code group indicating the timing of measurement (that is, the bar code group in column II shown in FIG. 8). Hereinafter, an example of such a configuration will be described in detail as a modification of the present embodiment.

  11 and 12 are views showing the structure of the holding unit of the body fat measurement device according to the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a perspective view, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the torso circumference measurement unit of the body fat measurement device according to the modified example of the present embodiment. In FIG. 11, the casing of the holding portion 115 is partially omitted for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, in the body fat measurement device according to this modification, the belt portion 140 of the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100A has one surface (the main part on the side not facing the abdomen of the subject in the attached state). It comprises a toothed belt (timing belt) with teeth formed on the surface). In addition to the photoelectric sensor 124, a toothed pulley 121 as a rotating body and a rotary encoder 122 as a rotation angle detection unit are provided inside the holding unit 115. The toothed pulley 121 faces an insertion passage provided in the holding portion 115 and meshes with teeth provided in the belt portion 140 in a state where the belt portion 140 is inserted through the insertion passage. The detection shaft 123 of the rotary encoder 122 is fixed to the toothed pulley 121 described above.

  As described above, the toothed pulley 121 meshes with the belt portion 140 in a state where the belt portion 140 is inserted through the insertion passage. For this reason, when the belt part 140 moves in the insertion path provided in the holding part 115, the toothed pulley 121 is driven to rotate. As the toothed pulley 121 rotates, the detection shaft 123 of the rotary encoder 122 also rotates. As a result, the feed amount of the belt portion 140 is detected as the rotation angle amount of the detection shaft 123 by the rotary encoder 122.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the body fat measurement device according to this modification, the torso circumference measurement unit 24 includes the above-described rotary encoder 122 and photoelectric sensor 124, and a torso circumference measurement circuit 161. ing. The rotary encoder 122 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the detected rotation angle amount, and inputs the electrical signal to the trunk circumference measurement circuit 161. The photoelectric sensor 124 photoelectrically converts the received light to output an electrical signal and inputs it to the trunk circumference measuring circuit 161. The torso circumference measurement circuit 161 specifies the torso circumference of the subject based on the electrical signals input from the rotary encoder 122 and the photoelectric sensor 124, and inputs the specified torso circumference to the control unit 10.

  Here, in the body fat measurement device according to the present modification, only the I-line barcode group (that is, the barcode group including position information) shown in FIG. 8 is provided in the encoder strip 144. This is because a pulse based on the rotation angle amount is input from the rotary encoder 122 to the trunk circumference measuring circuit 161. Information on the presence / absence of the barcode detected by the photoelectric sensor 124 and the rotary encoder 122 are input. This is because the information to be synchronized is input to the trunk circumference measuring circuit 161 in synchronization. That is, the torso circumference measuring circuit 161 determines the timing for recognizing information detected by the photoelectric sensor 124 as position information based on information input from the rotary encoder 122 among the input information. This is because information related to the position mark is extracted from the information detected by the photoelectric sensor 124A by associating the information detected by the photoelectric sensor 124A with this timing, and the position information is specified based on the position mark. Note that when the configuration according to this modification is employed, the barcode group attached to the belt unit 140 is in a line, so that only one photoelectric sensor 124 provided in the holding unit 115 is sufficient.

  Further, when the configuration according to this modification is adopted, the photoelectric sensor 124 as the reading unit and the rotary encoder 122 as the rotation angle detection unit are used as a unit for measuring the circumference of the body part. Therefore, it becomes possible to measure the circumference of the body more precisely and precisely. Specifically, for example, every time the position mark of the belt part 140 is read by the photoelectric sensor, the trunk circumference measuring circuit 161 discards information that has been detected and input by the rotary encoder 122 so far, and the rotary part is rotated again. By configuring the encoder 122 to start detecting the amount of rotation angle of the toothed pulley 121, a more precise measurement of the circumference of the body can be performed. That is, by adopting the above-described configuration, the barrel circumference length is obtained by adding the amount of movement of the belt portion 140 detected by the rotary encoder 122 to the barrel circumference length specified using the photoelectric sensor 124. Therefore, precise length measurement that is difficult by the length measurement mechanism using the photoelectric sensor 124 is complemented by length measurement by the length measurement mechanism using the rotary encoder 122. Thus, it becomes possible to measure the precise circumference of the torso.

  In the present modification, the case where the holding member 115 is not provided with a lock member for fixing the belt portion 140 is illustrated, but this is because the torque for rotating the detection shaft 123 of the rotary encoder 122 is increased. This is because the detection shaft can be given a role equivalent to that of the lock member by setting it to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value. However, when it is difficult to set the torque, it is necessary to provide the holding portion 115 with a lock member as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 described above.

(Embodiment 2)
The subject's torso circumference varies slightly with breathing motion. Therefore, as in the body fat measurement device 1A shown in the first embodiment of the present invention described above, a configuration is adopted in which the portion near the other end 110b of the belt-like member 110 is fixed so as to be immovable by the holding portion 115 during measurement. In some cases, the belt-shaped member 110 may bite into the abdomen of the subject during the inhalation operation and may give the subject an excessive feeling of pressure.

  Therefore, in the body fat measurement device 1B according to the present embodiment described below, the portion near the other end 110b of the belt-like member 110 is held so as to be relatively movable with respect to the holding unit 115. In other words, this problem is solved by configuring the holding unit 115 so that the holding position of the belt-like member 110 can be variably held following the fluctuation of the circumference of the torso accompanying the breathing motion of the subject. . The details will be described below.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the body fat measurement device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. First, the functional block configuration of the body fat measurement device 1B according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the body fat measurement device 1B according to the present embodiment includes various functional blocks provided in the body fat measurement device 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above. The arithmetic processing unit 11 has a respiratory state detection unit 18. Here, in addition to the function shown in the above-described first embodiment, the torso circumference measuring unit 24 is performing a measurement operation of the variation in the winding length of the belt-like member 110 wound around the torso of the subject. By always detecting, it also has a function as a torso circumference variation measuring unit for detecting a torso circumference variation of the subject.

  The breathing state detection unit 18 detects the breathing state of the subject during the measurement operation based on the information about the trunk circumference of the subject measured by the trunk circumference measuring unit 24 and input to the control unit 10. The body fat mass calculation unit 13 is based on the bioelectrical impedance obtained by the impedance measurement unit 12, the respiratory state information obtained by the respiratory state detection unit 18, and the subject information input from the subject information input unit 25. Various body fat masses are calculated.

  FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the external structure of the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit of the body fat measurement device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 16A and 16B are perspective views for explaining the detailed structure of the holding portion of the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the mounting portion of the holding portion. Further, FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit shown in FIG. 15 is attached to the abdomen of the subject. In the following, referring to FIG. 15, FIG. 16 (A), FIG. 16 (B), FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the structure of impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100B of body fat measurement device 1B in the present embodiment. In addition, a detailed structure of the holding unit 115 provided in the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100B and a mechanism in which the belt unit 140 is held by the holding unit 115 will be described, and the body fat measurement device 1B according to the present embodiment includes A state in which the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100B to be attached to the abdomen of the subject will be described. In FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 17, some or all of the casings of both the belt feeding unit 120 and the attachment unit 130 are omitted for easy understanding. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100B provided in the body fat measurement device 1B according to the present embodiment, the belt part 140 has one surface (the main part on the side not facing the abdomen of the subject in the attached state). It comprises a toothed belt (timing belt) with teeth formed on the surface). On the other hand, the holding portion 115 provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the sheet-like portion 111 (the end on the side where the fixing portion 114 is not provided) has a belt feeding portion 120 and an attachment portion 130. ing.

  Each of the belt feeding portion 120 and the attachment portion 130 includes an insertion passage through which the belt portion 140 is inserted at a predetermined position. The belt feeding portion 120 is fixed to the sheet-like portion 111, and holds the inserted belt portion 140 so as to be able to go in and out. On the other hand, the attachment portion 130 has a fixing mechanism that can be fixedly attached to an arbitrary position of the belt portion 140 into which the attachment portion 130 is inserted (details will be described later). It can be detachably attached at any position. The holding part 115 serves to hold the vicinity of the end of the belt part 140, which is a part near the other end part 110 b of the belt-like member 110, in a mounted state so as to be movable relative to the holding part 115.

  As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the belt feeding portion 120 provided in the sheet-like portion 111 has a toothed pulley 121 therein. The toothed pulley 121 is rotatably supported in a state of facing the insertion passage provided in the belt feeding portion 120 and meshes with the teeth of the belt portion 140 inserted in the insertion passage. In addition, a hook portion 125 formed in a hook shape is provided on the outer surface of the belt feeding portion 120.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 16 (A), 16 (B), and 17, the attachment portion 130 that is detachably attached to the belt portion 140 mainly includes a band winding mechanism 131 and a fixing mechanism 136. ing.

  The band winding mechanism 131 is a mechanism corresponding to an urging means for urging the attachment portion 130 and the belt feeding portion 120 in the direction in which the band winding mechanism 131 is attached. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 17, the band winding mechanism 131 includes a reel body 132, a band 133, and a spring spring 134a accommodated in a spring accommodating portion 134. And mainly. The reel body 132 is rotatably supported in the mounting portion 130. The band 133 is made of a non-stretchable long belt-like member, and one end thereof is fixed to the reel body 132 and is wound around the reel body 132. A spring spring 134a as a spring member is stored in the spring storage portion 134. One end portion of the spring spring 134a is fixed to the casing of the spring storage portion 134, and the other end is fixed to the rotation shaft of the reel body 132. ing.

  The reel body 132, the band 133 and the spring 134a constitute a band winding mechanism 131. As a result, the band 133 is configured to be able to be pulled out from the reel body 132, and the band 133 is made to move to the reel body 132 by the elastic force of the spring 134a that functions as an elastic force developing member when no force is applied to the band 133. It will be wound on. A buckle portion 135 is attached to an end portion of the band 133 that is not fixed to the reel body 132. The buckle portion 135 has a locking hole that can be engaged with the hook portion 125 provided in the belt feeding portion 120 described above.

  The fixing mechanism 136 is a mechanism for fixedly attaching the attachment portion 130 to an arbitrary position of the belt portion 140 as described above. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 17, the fixing mechanism 136 includes a push button 137, a relay member 138 that moves up and down in conjunction with the push button 137, and The rotation lock member 139 is disposed mainly so that one end of the relay member 138 comes into contact with the relay member 138, and a spring 138a that biases the relay member. A locking claw portion 139 a that can mesh with teeth provided on the surface of the belt portion 140 is provided at the tip of the rotation lock member 139. The rotation lock member 139 is rotated by the operation of the relay member 138 that moves up and down in conjunction with the operation of the push button 137, and the locking claw portion 139 a provided at the tip of the rotation lock member 139 has teeth of the belt portion 140. The attachment portion 130 is fixedly attached to an arbitrary position of the belt portion 140 by engaging or disengaging with each other.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 16 (A) and FIG. 16 (B), the work procedure for hold | maintaining the part near the other end part 110b of the strip | belt-shaped member 110 with the holding | maintenance part 115 is demonstrated. The work procedure shown below is performed after the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100A is wound around the abdomen of the subject, and the attachment state as shown in FIG. 18 is realized through the work procedure.

  In order to hold the vicinity of the end portion of the belt portion 140, which is a portion near the other end portion 110b of the belt-like member 110, by the holding portion 115, first, as shown in FIG. The other end of the inserted belt portion 140 is inserted into the insertion path of the belt feeding portion 120 in the direction of arrow A in the figure. As a result, the teeth provided on the inserted belt portion 140 mesh with the teeth of the toothed pulley 121 provided on the belt feeding portion 120.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16A, the attachment portion 130 that has been attached to the belt portion 140 in a movable manner in advance is fixedly attached to a predetermined position of the belt portion 140 by using a fixing mechanism 136. . At this time, the position of the attachment portion 130 is adjusted in the direction of arrow B in the figure, but the attachment position is a position separated from the belt feed portion 120 by a sufficient distance.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16B, the band 133 provided on the attachment portion 130 is pulled out in the direction of arrow C in the figure, and the buckle portion 135 attached to the tip of the band 133 is removed from the belt feeding portion 120. The hook portion 125 is provided on the hook. The locking at that time is performed by hooking a locking hole provided in the buckle portion 135 to the hook-shaped hook portion 125.

  Through the above operation procedure, the holding of the vicinity of the end portion of the belt portion 140 that is a portion near the other end portion 110b of the belt-like member 110 by the holding portion 115 as shown in FIG. 18 is completed. In the mounting state realized through the above-described work procedure, the portion near the other end 110b of the belt-like member 110 is elastically attached to the attachment portion 130 fixedly attached to a predetermined position of the belt portion 140 and the attachment portion 130. The belt-like member 110 is fixed to one end of the sheet-like portion 111 that is near the one end 110a of the belt-like member 110 via the connected belt feeding portion 120.

  In the wearing state, when the subject performs an inhalation operation, the subject's torso circumference increases, and accordingly, the band 133 is reeled against the urging force of the spring spring 134a as an elastic force developing member. It will be pulled from 132. Accordingly, the belt portion 140 is fed from the belt feeding portion 120 in the direction of the arrow D1 shown in FIG. 16B, and the belt portion is moved away from the attachment portion 130 and the belt feeding portion 120. The winding length with respect to the 140 test subject's abdomen will increase.

  On the other hand, when the subject performs an exhalation operation, the circumference of the torso of the subject decreases, and accordingly, the band 133 is wound around the reel body 132 by the urging force of the spring spring 134a as an elastic force developing member. It will be. Accordingly, the belt portion 140 is fed out from the belt feeding portion 120 in the direction of the arrow D2 shown in FIG. 16B, and the belt portion is shortened as the distance between the attachment portion 130 and the belt feeding portion 120 decreases. The winding length with respect to the 140 test subject's abdomen will decrease.

  By adopting a configuration like the above-described impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100B in the present embodiment, the other end portion 110b of the belt-like member 110 is closer to the biasing force by the winding device (that is, the elastic force of the spring spring 134a). The vicinity of the other end of the belt portion 140 that is the portion of the belt portion 140 can be always pulled toward the belt feeding portion 120 side. Therefore, the abdomen of the subject is tightened with a substantially constant tightening strength by the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100B based on the urging force of the spring spring 134a. The electrode 113 can be pressed. In addition, when the pressing strength of the electrode 113 against the abdomen of the subject is optimized, the tensile load applied to the belt-like member 110 including the sheet-like portion 111 and the belt portion 140 is approximately 1.0 kgf to 2.0 kgf. Yes, preferably 1.5 kgf.

  Next, an example of arithmetic processing performed in the body fat measurement device 1B in the present embodiment will be described. The body fat measurement device 1B in the present embodiment also performs basically the same arithmetic processing as the body fat measurement device 1A in the above-described first embodiment. The point which is always measured during the measurement operation by the circumference measuring unit 24 is calculated and used, and the values of the bioimpedances Zt and Zs used for various calculation processes are detected by the above-described respiratory state detection unit 18. It differs from the body fat measurement device 1A in the first embodiment described above in that the values of the bioelectrical impedances Zt and Zs obtained in association with the respiratory state information are used.

  The impedance measuring unit 12 calculates two types of bioimpedances Zt and Zs based on the current value of the constant current generated by the constant current generating unit 21 and the potential difference detected by the potential difference detecting unit 23. The bioimpedance Zt reflecting the lean body mass in the abdomen and the bioimpedance Zs reflecting the subcutaneous fat mass in the subject's abdomen change from moment to moment according to the breathing motion of the subject.

  FIG. 19 is a graph showing the relationship between fluctuation of the torso circumference of the subject and bioimpedance that changes from moment to moment. In FIG. 19, the horizontal axis indicates time, the vertical axis in (A) indicates the trunk circumference, and the vertical axis in (B) indicates bioimpedance.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, the torso circumference W of the subject fluctuates in accordance with the breathing motion of the subject, and when the subject inhales, the torso circumference W increases and the subject When the operation is performed, the trunk circumferential length W decreases. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 19B, the bioelectrical impedance Z also fluctuates in accordance with the subject's breathing motion, and when the subject performs an inhalation motion, the value generally decreases. In general, the value increases when the operation is performed.

  In the body fat measurement device 1B according to the present embodiment, for example, the following processing is performed on the acquired data in order to exclude such fluctuations associated with the breathing motion of the bioelectrical impedance Z as error components. First, the potential difference between the potential difference detection electrodes is measured a plurality of times at a predetermined interval for a predetermined period, and the obtained potential difference data is obtained as time series data. Next, the time series data of the bioelectric impedance Z is obtained from the time series data of the potential difference obtained by the impedance measuring unit 12. In parallel with this, the torso circumference length W of the subject in the same period as the period in which the potential difference was detected is acquired by the torso circumference measurement unit 24 as time series data.

  Next, the acquired time series data of the bioelectrical impedance Z and the time series data of the trunk circumference W are synchronized. Subsequently, the respiratory state detection unit 18 calculates dW / dt at each time based on the time series data of the torso circumference length W. When the calculated dW / dt takes a positive value (that is, when dW / dt> 0), it is determined that the subject is in the expiration operation (for example, the period from t2 to t3 shown in FIG. 19A), When the calculated dW / dt takes a negative value (that is, when dW / dt <0), it is determined that the subject is in the inspiratory operation (for example, t1 to t2, t3 to t4 shown in FIG. 19A). Period). Then, the time (ie, the time when dW / dt = 0 or the time when dW / dt has changed from a negative value to a positive value) from the expiration operation to the inspiration operation is specified (for example, in FIG. 19A). Time t2, t4).

  Next, the bioimpedance (for example, the bioimpedance indicated by a white circle in FIG. 19B) acquired at the time closest to or the same as the time when the breathing operation is shifted to the inhaling operation is used as the bioimpedance described above. Z is extracted from the time series data of Z, and an average value of the extracted data is determined as a representative value of the bioelectrical impedance Z. In addition, the average value of the trunk circumference obtained at the time closest to or at the same time as the transition from the expiratory action to the inspiratory action is determined as the representative value of the trunk circumference W of the subject.

  Note that the method for determining the representative value of the bioelectrical impedance Z described above is merely an example. In the above, the case where the bioelectrical impedance acquired at the timing of transition from the exhalation operation to the inspiratory operation is exemplified as the representative value. For example, the bioelectrical impedance acquired at the timing of transition from the inspiratory operation to the exhalation operation is used as the representative value. It is also possible to adopt as. Further, as described above, instead of simply extracting specific data from the time series data of the bioelectrical impedance Z and obtaining the average value thereof to determine the representative value, the representative value is determined by adding other calculations or the like. It is good as well. In any case, the representative value of the bioelectrical impedance Z may be determined in association with the subject's breathing motion detected from the fluctuation of the subject's trunk circumference.

  In the body fat measurement device 1B according to the present embodiment, various fat masses are calculated using the representative values of the trunk circumference W and the representative values of the bioimpedances Zt and Zs thus obtained. Note that the equations (1) to (4) illustrated in the first embodiment are used as equations for the calculation.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart that defines the operation procedure of the body fat measurement device when measuring the visceral fat area, the subcutaneous fat area, and the body fat percentage using the body fat measurement device according to the present embodiment. The same steps as those in the first embodiment are given the same step numbers in the drawing, and detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

  Referring to FIG. 20, control unit 10 receives input of subject information including height H, weight Wt, and the like as physique information excluding torso circumference length W (step S1). The subject information received here is temporarily stored in the memory unit 29, for example.

  Next, the control unit 10 outputs a command for starting torso circumference measurement to the torso circumference measuring unit 24, and based on this, the torso circumference measuring unit 24 measures the torso circumference W. Is started (step S2).

  Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not there is an instruction to start measurement (step S3). Control unit 10 waits for an instruction to start measurement (NO in step S3). When the control unit 10 detects a measurement start instruction (YES in step S3), the control unit 10 proceeds to step S5.

  Next, the control unit 10 sets an electrode (step S5), and the constant current generation unit 21 passes a constant current between the upper limb and the lower limb based on the control of the control unit 10 (step S6). In this state, the potential difference detection unit 23 detects a potential difference between the abdominal electrodes as the selected potential difference detection electrodes over a predetermined period and a plurality of times based on the control of the control unit 10. (Step S7).

  Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the detection of the potential difference is completed for all combinations of the abdominal electrode pairs as the predetermined potential difference detection electrode pairs (step S8). When it is determined that the detection of the potential difference has not been completed for all combinations of the abdominal electrode pairs as the predetermined potential difference detection electrode pairs (NO in step S8), the control unit 10 performs the process of step S5 described above. And the selection of an unselected abdominal electrode pair is performed. In this way, the control unit 10 sequentially detects the potential difference between the abdominal electrodes included in each of the plurality of pairs of potential difference detection electrodes.

  The impedance measurement unit 12 generates a constant current generated by the constant current generation unit 21 and flows to the body after detection of potential differences for all combinations of abdominal electrode pairs as predetermined potential difference detection electrode pairs is completed (YES in step S8). Based on the current value of the current and the time series data of each potential difference detected by the potential difference detection unit 23, time series data of the bioelectrical impedances Zt1 to Zt4 is calculated (step S9). The time series data of the bioelectrical impedances Zt1 to Zt4 calculated by the impedance measuring unit 12 is associated with the time series data of the trunk circumference length W measured by the trunk circumference measurement unit 24 and temporarily stored in, for example, the memory unit 29. Saved.

  Next, the control unit 10 sets the electrodes again (step S10), and the constant current generation unit 21 generates a constant current between the abdominal electrodes as the selected constant current application electrodes based on the control of the control unit 10. Flow (step S11). In this state, the potential difference detection unit 23 detects the potential difference between the abdominal electrodes as the selected potential difference detection electrodes over a predetermined period and a plurality of times based on the control of the control unit 10. (Step S12).

  Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not constant current application and potential difference detection have been completed for all combinations of a constant current application electrode pair and a potential difference detection electrode pair determined in advance (step S13). When the control unit 10 determines that the constant current application and the potential difference detection are not completed for all combinations of the constant current application electrode pair and the potential difference detection electrode pair determined in advance (NO in step S13), The process proceeds to step S10 described above, and an unselected electrode pair is selected. In this manner, the control unit 10 performs constant current application and potential difference detection in order for all combinations of predetermined constant current application electrode pairs and potential difference detection electrode pairs.

  After the constant current application and the potential difference detection are completed for all combinations of the constant current application electrode pair and the potential difference detection electrode pair determined in advance (YES in step S13), the impedance measurement unit 12 Based on the current value of the constant current generated and passed through the body and the time series data of each potential difference detected by the potential difference detector 23, time series data of the bioelectrical impedances Zs1 to Zs4 is calculated (step S14). The time series data of the bioelectrical impedances Zs1 to Zs4 calculated by the impedance measurement unit 12 is associated with the time series data of the trunk circumference length W measured by the trunk circumference measurement unit 24 and temporarily stored in, for example, the memory unit 29. Saved.

  Next, the control unit 10 outputs a command to end the trunk circumference measurement to the trunk circumference measuring unit 24, and based on this, the trunk circumference measuring unit 24 measures the trunk circumference W. Is terminated (step S14A). Thereafter, the body fat mass calculation unit 13 temporarily stores the bioimpedances Zt1 to Zt4 in time series data and the bioimpedances Zs1 to Zs4, which are temporarily stored in the memory unit 29 and associated with the time series data of the waist circumference W. Based on the time series data, the representative values of the bioelectrical impedances Zt1 to Zt4 and the bioelectrical impedances Zs1 to Zs4 are determined, and the representative value of the torso circumference length W is determined (step S14B). The method for determining the representative value is as described above.

  Next, the visceral fat mass calculation unit 16 is based on the measured representative value of the torso circumference length W, the representative values of the calculated bioelectric impedances Zt1 to Zt4, and the representative values of the bioelectrical impedances Zs1 to Zs4. The fat area Sv is calculated (step S15). The visceral fat area Sv is calculated by the above formula (1). In addition, when it is set as the structure which has arrange | positioned 4 sets of abdominal electrode group which makes 4 sets of abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, and A22 in parallel mutually as mentioned above, for example, four bioimpedances Zt1-Zt4 of The average value of the representative values and the average value of the representative values of the four bioelectrical impedances Zs1 to Zs4 are respectively substituted into the equation (1).

  Next, the subcutaneous fat mass calculation unit 17 calculates the subcutaneous fat area Ss based on the measured representative value of the torso circumference W and the representative values of the calculated bioelectric impedances Zs1 to Zs4 (step S16). ). The subcutaneous fat area Ss is calculated by substituting the torso circumference length W and the calculated bioelectrical impedance Zs into the above equation (2). In addition, when it is set as the structure which has arrange | positioned four sets of abdominal electrode groups which make four sets of abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, and A22 in parallel mutually as mentioned above, for example, four bioimpedances Zs1-Zs4 The average value of the representative values is substituted into the bioelectrical impedance Zs in Equation (2).

  Next, the total fat mass calculation unit 14 calculates the lean mass FFM based on the height H in the physique information received by the control unit 10 in step S1 and the representative value of the calculated bioelectrical impedance Zt. (Step S17). The lean mass FFM is calculated by the above equation (3). In addition, when it is set as the structure which has arrange | positioned 4 sets of abdominal electrode group which makes 4 sets of abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, and A22 in parallel mutually as mentioned above, for example, four bioimpedances Zt1-Zt4 The average value of the representative values is substituted for the bioelectrical impedance Zt in the equation (3).

  Further, the total fat mass calculating unit 14 is based on the weight Wt in the physique information received by the control unit 10 in step S1 and the lean mass FFM calculated by the total fat mass calculating unit 14 in step S17. The fat percentage is calculated (step S18). The body fat percentage is calculated by the above equation (4).

  And the display part 26 displays each measurement result based on control of the control part 10 (step S19).

  The body fat measurement device 1B thus ends the body fat mass measurement process including the visceral fat area measurement process, the subcutaneous fat area measurement process, and the body fat percentage measurement process.

  By using the body fat measuring device 1B as described above, in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment, the subject can be adjusted by appropriately adjusting the urging force (that is, the elastic force of the spring spring 134a) by the winding device. Since the winding length of the band-shaped member 110 of the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100B changes following the breathing movement of the subject, it does not give the subject an excessive feeling of pressure and may cause pain to the subject. In addition to the effect of eliminating the influence of the fluctuation of the bioelectrical impedance caused by the breathing operation by always detecting the winding length of the belt-like member 110 of the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100B at the time of measurement. The effect of being able to accurately measure bioimpedance can be obtained . Therefore, a high-performance and high-accuracy body fat measurement device can be easily configured.

(Embodiment 3)
In the body fat measurement device 1C according to the third embodiment of the present invention, as in the body fat measurement device 1B according to the second embodiment described above, the holding unit 115 follows the fluctuation of the trunk circumference due to the breathing motion of the subject. Thus, the holding position of the belt-shaped member 110 can be variably held. However, the specific configuration is different from the body fat measurement device 1B in the second embodiment described above. The details will be described below.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the body fat measurement device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. First, the functional block configuration of the body fat measurement device 1C according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the body fat measurement device 1C according to the present embodiment includes various functional blocks provided in the body fat measurement device 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above. A displacement amount detection unit 30, a winding length adjustment mechanism 32, a winding length adjustment mechanism control unit 19, and a respiratory state detection unit 18 are provided. Among these, the winding length adjustment mechanism control unit 19 is provided in the control unit 10, and the respiratory state detection unit 18 is provided in the arithmetic processing unit 11 of the control unit 10. In addition to the function shown in the above-described first embodiment, the torso circumference measurement unit 24 always measures the fluctuation of the winding length of the belt-like member 110 wound around the torso of the subject during the measurement operation. By detecting it, it also has a function as a torso circumference variation measuring unit for detecting a torso circumference variation of the subject.

  The displacement amount detection unit 30 detects the displacement amount in the longitudinal direction of the belt portion 140 included in the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100 </ b> C, and outputs the detected displacement amount to the control unit 10. The winding length adjusting mechanism 32 is a part that adjusts the winding length of the belt-shaped member 110 around the abdomen of the subject, and its operation is controlled by the winding length adjusting mechanism control unit 19. The winding length adjustment mechanism control unit 19 controls the operation of the winding length adjustment mechanism 32 based on the information detected by the displacement amount detection unit 30. Thereby, the winding length with respect to the test subject's abdomen of the strip | belt-shaped member 110 is adjusted.

  The breathing state detection unit 18 detects the breathing state of the subject during the measurement operation based on the information about the trunk circumference of the subject measured by the trunk circumference measuring unit 24 and input to the control unit 10. The body fat mass calculation unit 13 is based on the bioelectrical impedance obtained by the impedance measurement unit 12, the respiratory state information obtained by the respiratory state detection unit 18, and the subject information input from the subject information input unit 25. Various body fat masses are calculated.

  FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing an external structure of the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit of the body fat measurement device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 23 is a perspective view for explaining the detailed structure of the holding portion of the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit shown in FIG. 24 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit shown in FIG. 22 is attached to the abdomen of the subject. Next, with reference to FIGS. 22 to 24, the structure of the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100C of the body fat measurement device 1C in the present embodiment and the holding unit 115 provided in the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100C. While explaining a detailed structure, the state which mounted | wore the test subject's abdomen with the said impedance measurement abdomen mounting | wearing unit 100C is demonstrated. In FIG. 23, the casing of the holding portion 115 is partially omitted for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIG. 22, in the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100 </ b> C provided in the body fat measurement device 1 </ b> C in the present embodiment, the belt part 140 has one surface (the main part on the side not facing the subject's abdomen in the attached state). It comprises a toothed belt (timing belt) with teeth formed on the surface). On the other hand, a holding portion 115 is provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the sheet-like portion 111 (the end on the side where the fixing portion 114 is not provided). A displacement amount detection unit 150 is provided at the end (the end on the side where the fixed portion 114 is provided).

  The displacement amount detection unit 150 is fixed so as not to move relative to the sheet-like portion 111. An insertion passage for inserting the belt portion 140 is provided at a predetermined position of the displacement amount detection unit 150, and a portion near one end of the belt portion 140 is inserted through the insertion passage. An expansion / contraction region that extends and contracts in the longitudinal direction of the belt portion 140 is provided at a portion of the belt portion 140 that is inserted into the displacement amount detection unit 150. The detailed structure of the stretchable region and the vicinity thereof will be described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the holding portion 115 is fixed so as not to move relative to the sheet-like portion 111. An insertion path for inserting the belt part 140 is provided at a predetermined position of the holding part 115. As shown in FIG. 23, the holding unit 115 has a servo motor 126 therein, and a toothed pulley 121 is attached to a rotating shaft 127 (see FIG. 25) of the servo motor 126.

  The toothed pulley 121 is disposed so as to face the insertion passage provided in the holding portion 115 and can mesh with the teeth of the belt portion 140 inserted into the insertion passage. The holding portion 115 is fixed to the sheet-like portion 111, and holds the inserted belt portion 140 so as to be able to go in and out. That is, the holding portion 115 serves to hold the vicinity of the end portion of the belt portion 140 that is a portion near the other end portion 110 b of the belt-like member 110 in a mounted state so as to be movable relative to the holding portion 115.

  In addition, in order to hold | maintain the edge part vicinity of the belt part 140 which is a part near the other end part 110b of the strip | belt-shaped member 110 with the holding | maintenance part 115, as shown in FIG. Is inserted in the direction of arrow A in the figure. As a result, the teeth provided on the inserted belt portion 140 mesh with the teeth of the toothed pulley 121 provided on the holding portion 115, whereby the vicinity of the other end of the belt portion 140 is held by the holding portion 115. Will be held by.

  Through the above operation procedure, the holding of the vicinity of the end portion of the belt portion 140, which is a portion near the other end portion 110b of the belt-like member 110, is completed by the holding portion 115 as shown in FIG. In the mounting state realized through the above-described work procedure, the portion of the belt-like member 110 near the other end portion 110b is held so as to be movable relative to the holding portion 115.

  FIG. 25 is a functional block diagram showing a specific configuration of the displacement amount detection unit and the winding length adjustment mechanism of the body fat measurement device according to the present embodiment. Below, with reference to this figure, the specific structure of the displacement amount detection part 30 of the body fat measuring device 1C in this Embodiment and the winding length adjustment mechanism 32 is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the belt part 140 wound around the abdomen of the subject is divided into two at the predetermined position. The two divided belt portions are connected to each other by a movable iron core 151 and a spring 153 disposed therebetween. Specifically, the movable iron core 151 and the spring 153 are connected in series, and each end of the belt portion in which both ends of the members including the movable iron core 151 and the spring 153 connected in series are divided into two parts, respectively. As a result, the belt portion divided into two is coupled by the movable iron core 151 and the spring 153.

  More specifically, one end of a spring 153 is connected to a belt portion including one end fixed to the sheet-like portion 111 by the fixing portion 114 described above, and the other belt portion is movable. One end of the iron core 151 is connected. The movable iron core 151 and the spring 153 are arranged inside the displacement amount detection unit 150 described above, and the spring 153 among them constitutes an expansion / contraction region of the belt portion 140. Therefore, the stretchable region of the belt part 140 can be elastically deformed in the longitudinal direction.

  The displacement amount detection unit 30 includes a movable iron core 151 provided at an intermediate position of the belt 140 described above, a detection coil 152 wound around the movable iron core 151 so as to pass through the inside, and the detection coil 152. And a displacement amount detection circuit 162 electrically connected to. For example, the displacement detection circuit 162 applies a high-frequency current to the detection coil 152, and detects a change in impedance that occurs when the movable iron core 151 moves in the insertion direction in the detection coil 152. Is detected. The displacement amount of the movable iron core 151 detected by the displacement amount detection circuit 162 is input to the control unit 10.

  The winding length adjustment mechanism 32 includes a servo motor 126 provided in the above-described holding unit 115 and a motor drive circuit 163 that controls the operation of the servo motor 126. The motor drive circuit 163 controls the operation of the servo motor 126 based on a command from the winding length adjustment mechanism control unit 19 included in the control unit 10. More specifically, the motor drive circuit 163 adjusts the rotation direction of the rotary shaft 127 of the servo motor 126 by adjusting an electric signal input to the servo motor 126 (for example, adjusting the magnitude of the drive voltage or drive current). Switch between forward / reverse and adjust the amount of rotation.

  By adopting the above configuration, it is possible to automatically adjust the winding length of the belt 140 around the abdomen of the subject based on the detected displacement of the belt 140. That is, the displacement amount of the belt portion 140 detected by the displacement amount detection unit 30 is input to the control unit 10, and the winding length adjustment mechanism control unit 19 drives the servo motor 126 based on the input displacement amount information. In the holding unit 115, the belt unit 140 is fed in the direction of the arrow D1 or D2 shown in FIG. As a result, the holding position of the belt part 140 in the holding part 115 is adjusted, and the winding length of the belt part 140 around the abdomen of the subject is adjusted.

  At that time, if the winding length of the belt portion 140 is controlled so that the displacement amount detected by the displacement amount detection unit 30 is always a predetermined value, the belt portion 140 is always kept at a constant winding strength. It becomes possible to wrap around the abdomen of the subject. Therefore, the plurality of electrodes 113 can always be pressed against the abdomen of the subject with a constant load by the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100C. Here, by setting the predetermined value to a value that causes the electrode 113 to be pressed against the abdomen of the subject with an optimal load suitable for measurement, the optimal pressing strength is always maintained during the measurement. The electrode 113 is pressed against the abdomen of the subject. In addition, when the pressing strength of the electrode 113 against the abdomen of the subject is optimized, the tensile load applied to the belt-like member 110 including the sheet-like portion 111 and the belt portion 140 is approximately 1.0 kgf to 2.0 kgf. Yes, preferably 1.5 kgf.

  Such automatic adjustment of the winding length of the belt 140 around the subject's abdomen is performed either during the mounting operation of mounting the impedance measurement abdomen mounting unit 100C on the subject's abdomen or during the measurement operation of the bioelectrical impedance. Are also preferably implemented. That is, at the time of the mounting operation, the above-described automatic adjustment of the winding length is performed after the other end of the belt portion 140 is inserted into the holding portion 115, so that the excess portion of the belt portion 140 is shown in FIG. By being sent out by the servo motor 126 in the direction of the arrow D2, the belt portion 140 comes into close contact with the subject's abdomen and is wound around the subject's abdomen with an appropriate tightening strength. On the other hand, during the measurement operation, the belt portion 140 is always at an appropriate tightening strength by adjusting the winding length of the belt portion 140 around the abdomen of the subject as the waist length varies with the subject's breathing motion. It will be wrapped around the subject's abdomen.

  In addition, in the above, although demonstrated as an example of the connection structure using the movable iron core 151 and the spring 153 connected in series as the connection structure of the belt portion divided into two, other connection structures are described. It is also possible to adopt. For example, the belt portion divided into two may be simply connected by one spring. In that case, the movable iron core may be separately attached to the belt portion, and the movable iron core may be configured to move following the displacement of the belt portion.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart that defines the operation procedure of the body fat measurement device when measuring the visceral fat area, the subcutaneous fat area, and the body fat percentage using the body fat measurement device according to the present embodiment. The same steps as those in the first embodiment are given the same step numbers in the drawing, and detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

  Referring to FIG. 26, control unit 10 receives input of subject information including height H, weight Wt, and the like as physique information excluding torso circumference W (step S1). The subject information received here is temporarily stored in the memory unit 29, for example.

  Next, the control unit 10 outputs a command for starting torso circumference measurement to the torso circumference measuring unit 24, and based on this, the torso circumference measuring unit 24 measures the torso circumference W. Is started (step S2).

  Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not there is an instruction to start measurement (step S3). Control unit 10 waits for an instruction to start measurement (NO in step S3). When the control unit 10 detects an instruction to start measurement (YES in step S3), the control unit 10 starts automatic adjustment of the winding length of the belt-shaped member 110 (step S3A). Specifically, the winding length adjustment mechanism control unit 19 included in the control unit 10 starts servo control of the winding length adjustment mechanism 32 based on the displacement amount detected by the displacement amount detection unit 30. For the servo control, a table indicating the relationship between the displacement amount and the drive signal stored in the memory unit 29 in advance is preferably used.

  Next, the control unit 10 sets an electrode (step S5), and the constant current generation unit 21 passes a constant current between the upper limb and the lower limb based on the control of the control unit 10 (step S6). In this state, the potential difference detection unit 23 detects a potential difference between the abdominal electrodes as the selected potential difference detection electrodes over a predetermined period and a plurality of times based on the control of the control unit 10. (Step S7).

  Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the detection of the potential difference is completed for all combinations of the abdominal electrode pairs as the predetermined potential difference detection electrode pairs (step S8). When it is determined that the detection of the potential difference has not been completed for all combinations of the abdominal electrode pairs as the predetermined potential difference detection electrode pairs (NO in step S8), the control unit 10 performs the process of step S5 described above. And the selection of an unselected abdominal electrode pair is performed. In this way, the control unit 10 sequentially detects the potential difference between the abdominal electrodes included in each of the plurality of pairs of potential difference detection electrodes.

  The impedance measurement unit 12 generates a constant current generated by the constant current generation unit 21 and flows to the body after detection of potential differences for all combinations of abdominal electrode pairs as predetermined potential difference detection electrode pairs is completed (YES in step S8). Based on the current value of the current and the time series data of each potential difference detected by the potential difference detection unit 23, time series data of the bioelectrical impedances Zt1 to Zt4 is calculated (step S9). The time series data of the bioelectrical impedances Zt1 to Zt4 calculated by the impedance measuring unit 12 is associated with the time series data of the trunk circumference length W measured by the trunk circumference measurement unit 24 and temporarily stored in, for example, the memory unit 29. Saved.

  Next, the control unit 10 sets the electrodes again (step S10), and the constant current generation unit 21 generates a constant current between the abdominal electrodes as the selected constant current application electrodes based on the control of the control unit 10. Flow (step S11). In this state, the potential difference detection unit 23 detects the potential difference between the abdominal electrodes as the selected potential difference detection electrodes over a predetermined period and a plurality of times based on the control of the control unit 10. (Step S12).

  Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not constant current application and potential difference detection have been completed for all combinations of a constant current application electrode pair and a potential difference detection electrode pair determined in advance (step S13). When the control unit 10 determines that the constant current application and the potential difference detection are not completed for all combinations of the constant current application electrode pair and the potential difference detection electrode pair determined in advance (NO in step S13), The process proceeds to step S10 described above, and an unselected electrode pair is selected. In this manner, the control unit 10 performs constant current application and potential difference detection in order for all combinations of predetermined constant current application electrode pairs and potential difference detection electrode pairs.

  After the constant current application and the potential difference detection are completed for all combinations of the constant current application electrode pair and the potential difference detection electrode pair determined in advance (YES in step S13), the impedance measurement unit 12 Based on the current value of the constant current generated and passed through the body and the time series data of each potential difference detected by the potential difference detector 23, time series data of the bioelectrical impedances Zs1 to Zs4 is calculated (step S14). The time series data of the bioelectrical impedances Zs1 to Zs4 calculated by the impedance measurement unit 12 is associated with the time series data of the trunk circumference length W measured by the trunk circumference measurement unit 24 and temporarily stored in, for example, the memory unit 29. Saved.

  Next, the control unit 10 outputs a command to end the trunk circumference measurement to the trunk circumference measuring unit 24, and based on this, the trunk circumference measuring unit 24 measures the trunk circumference W. Is terminated (step S14A). Thereafter, the body fat mass calculation unit 13 temporarily stores the bioimpedances Zt1 to Zt4 in time series data and the bioimpedances Zs1 to Zs4, which are temporarily stored in the memory unit 29 and associated with the time series data of the waist circumference W. Based on the time series data, the representative values of the bioelectrical impedances Zt1 to Zt4 and the bioelectrical impedances Zs1 to Zs4 are determined, and the representative value of the torso circumference length W is determined (step S14B). The method for determining the representative value is the same as that in the case of the body fat measurement device 100B in the second embodiment. Thereafter, the control unit 10 ends the automatic adjustment of the winding length of the belt unit 140 (step S14C).

  Next, the visceral fat mass calculation unit 16 is based on the measured representative value of the torso circumference length W, the representative values of the calculated bioelectric impedances Zt1 to Zt4, and the representative values of the bioelectrical impedances Zs1 to Zs4. The fat area Sv is calculated (step S15). The visceral fat area Sv is calculated by the above formula (1). In addition, when it is set as the structure which has arrange | positioned 4 sets of abdominal electrode group which makes 4 sets of abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, and A22 in parallel mutually as mentioned above, for example, four bioimpedances Zt1-Zt4 of The average value of the representative values and the average value of the representative values of the four bioelectrical impedances Zs1 to Zs4 are respectively substituted into the equation (1).

  Next, the subcutaneous fat mass calculation unit 17 calculates the subcutaneous fat area Ss based on the measured representative value of the torso circumference W and the representative values of the calculated bioelectric impedances Zs1 to Zs4 (step S16). ). The subcutaneous fat area Ss is calculated by substituting the torso circumference length W and the calculated bioelectrical impedance Zs into the above equation (2). In addition, when it is set as the structure which has arrange | positioned four sets of abdominal electrode groups which make four sets of abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, and A22 in parallel mutually as mentioned above, for example, four bioimpedances Zs1-Zs4 The average value of the representative values is substituted into the bioelectrical impedance Zs in Equation (2).

  Next, the total fat mass calculation unit 14 calculates the lean mass FFM based on the height H in the physique information received by the control unit 10 in step S1 and the representative value of the calculated bioelectrical impedance Zt. (Step S17). The lean mass FFM is calculated by the above equation (3). In addition, when it is set as the structure which has arrange | positioned 4 sets of abdominal electrode group which makes 4 sets of abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, and A22 in parallel mutually as mentioned above, for example, four bioimpedances Zt1-Zt4 The average value of the representative values is substituted for the bioelectrical impedance Zt in the equation (3).

  Further, the total fat mass calculating unit 14 is based on the weight Wt in the physique information received by the control unit 10 in step S1 and the lean mass FFM calculated by the total fat mass calculating unit 14 in step S17. The fat percentage is calculated (step S18). The body fat percentage is calculated by the above equation (4).

  And the display part 26 displays each measurement result based on control of the control part 10 (step S19).

  Thus, the body fat measurement device 1 </ b> C ends the body fat mass measurement process including the visceral fat area measurement process, the subcutaneous fat area measurement process, and the body fat percentage measurement process.

  By using the body fat measurement device 1C as described above, in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment, the belt-like member 110 of the bioelectrical impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100C is wound around the subject's breathing motion. Since the length is changed, it is possible to obtain an effect that the subject is not excessively pressed and pain is not given to the subject, and the band member of the abdomen attachment unit 100C for impedance measurement at the time of measurement is obtained. By always detecting the winding length of 110, it is possible to obtain an effect that the bioimpedance can be accurately measured by excluding the influence of the fluctuation of the bioimpedance caused by the breathing motion. Therefore, a high-performance and high-accuracy body fat measurement device can be easily configured.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 27 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the body fat measurement device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing the external structure of the body fat measurement device according to the fourth embodiment. Below, with reference to these FIG. 27 and FIG. 28, it demonstrates in full detail about the body fat measuring apparatus 1D in this Embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, body fat measurement device 1D in the present embodiment is different from body fat measurement devices 1A-1C in Embodiments 1 to 3 described above, and includes an impedance measurement upper limb mounting unit and lower limb mounting. As a unit that is not equipped with a unit and is attached to the subject, only the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100D is provided. Therefore, the only electrode that is brought into contact with the body surface of the subject is the abdominal electrode provided in the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100D. The body fat measurement device 1D in the present embodiment is a simple body fat measurement device configured such that a subject can easily measure body fat mass in a standing position (standing posture).

  As shown in FIG. 27, the body fat measurement device 1D according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 10, a constant current generation unit 21, a terminal switching unit 22, a potential difference detection unit 23, and a torso circumference measurement unit 24. A subject information input unit 25, a display unit 26, an operation unit 27, a power supply unit 28, a memory unit 29, and a plurality of upper limb electrodes A11, A12, A21, A22. The control unit 10 includes an arithmetic processing unit 11, and the arithmetic processing unit 11 includes an impedance measuring unit 12 and a body fat mass calculating unit 13. The body fat mass calculation unit 13 includes a visceral fat mass calculation unit 16 and a subcutaneous fat mass calculation unit 17.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the body fat measurement device 1D according to the present embodiment includes an impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100D attached to the abdomen of the subject and a main body 165. The impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit 100D mainly has a belt part 140 as a belt-like member and a holding part 115 provided on the belt part 140. The main body portion 165 described above is attached to the belt portion 140.

  The belt part 140 is comprised with the member which does not have a stretching property substantially, and is formed with the flexible material so that it may fit the surface of a test subject's abdomen in a mounting state. A plurality of electrodes 113 are provided so as to protrude from a predetermined position on the inner peripheral surface of the belt 140 (the main surface facing the abdomen of the subject in the mounted state). The plurality of electrodes 113 correspond to the abdominal electrodes A11, A12, A21, and A22 described above.

  The holding portion 115 is provided at one end portion 110a in the longitudinal direction of the belt portion 140, and has an insertion passage for inserting a portion near the other end portion 110b in the longitudinal direction of the belt portion 140 therein. Yes. In addition, a photoelectric sensor as a reading unit is provided in a portion facing the insertion path inside the holding unit 115. The holding part 115 has a lock member 115b. By operating the lock member 115b, a portion from the other end 110b of the belt portion 140 inserted through the holding portion 115 is fixed so as not to move.

  An encoder strip 144 is attached to the outer peripheral surface (the main surface on the side not facing the abdomen of the subject in the mounted state) of the belt portion 140 near the other end portion 110b in the longitudinal direction. The encoder strip 144 has a bar code 145 as a marker, and the configuration thereof is the same as that in the first to third embodiments. As described above, since the photoelectric sensor is provided in the holding unit 115, the encoder strip 144 is located in the holding unit 115 in a state where the portion near the other end 110 b of the belt unit 140 is inserted into the holding unit 115. It will be arranged facing the photoelectric sensor.

  Even when the body fat measuring device 1D having the above-described configuration is used, the same effect as that obtained when the body fat measuring device 1A according to the first embodiment is used can be obtained. That is, since the trunk circumference measurement unit 24 similar to the body fat measurement device 1A in the first embodiment is provided, the circumference of the trunk can be automatically measured at the time of wearing. Note that, also in the body fat measurement device 1D in the present embodiment, a regression equation based on a measurement result by MRI is used when calculating the visceral fat mass and the subcutaneous fat mass. However, compared to the body fat measuring devices 1A to 1C configured as in the first to third embodiments, the whole body bioelectrical impedance is measured and is not used for the calculation of visceral fat mass or subcutaneous fat mass. Measurement accuracy is slightly lower.

  In Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention described above, a case where a photoelectric sensor is used as a reading unit and a barcode is used as a marker has been described as an example, but other units may be used. Is possible. As other means, for example, a magnetic sensor is used as a reading means, and a magnetic marker is used as a marker. Also in this case, it is possible to automatically measure the circumference of the trunk.

  Further, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, a body fat measurement device intended for a subject to be in a supine position or a standing position at the time of measurement, and a bioelectrical impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit provided therein The present invention is applied to the body fat measuring device in which the subject is intended to take a posture other than the supine position or the standing position, such as the prone position, the lying position, and the sitting position. Of course, the present invention can be applied to the bioelectrical impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit.

  Further, as shown in the above-described second and third embodiments of the present invention, the configuration in which the holding position by the holding portion of the belt-like member is variable following the fluctuation of the circumference of the torso accompanying the breathing motion of the subject, Of course, it is also possible to apply to a simple body fat measuring apparatus as in the fourth embodiment.

  Thus, the above-described embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a figure which shows the functional block of the body fat measuring apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the body fat measuring device in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and is a perspective view which shows the state which mounted | wore the test subject with the various mounting units contained in a body fat measuring device. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the abdomen attachment unit for impedance measurement of the body fat measuring device in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a bottom view which shows the external appearance structure of the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit of the body fat measuring device in Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 along the line VV shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a detailed structure of a holding portion of the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is attached to the abdomen of a subject. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the structure of the trunk | drum circumference measurement part of the body fat measuring device in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the structure by which the trunk | drum circumference of a test subject is automatically measured by the said trunk | drum circumference measurement part. is there. It is the flowchart which defined the operation | movement procedure of the body fat measuring device at the time of measuring a visceral fat area, a subcutaneous fat area, and a body fat rate using the body fat measuring device in Embodiment 1 of this invention. In the body fat measuring device in Embodiment 1 of this invention, it is the figure which showed concretely one of the example of a change of the position mark contained in a barcode. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the holding | maintenance part of the body fat measuring device based on the modification in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the holding | maintenance part of the body fat measuring device based on the modification in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the structure of the trunk | drum circumference measurement part of the body fat measuring device based on the modification in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the functional block of the body fat measuring apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the abdominal part mounting unit for impedance measurement of the body fat measuring device in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the detailed structure of the holding | maintenance part of the abdomen mounting unit for impedance measurement shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the attaching part among the holding | maintenance parts of the abdominal part mounting unit for impedance measurement shown in FIG. It is a schematic cross section which shows the state which mounted | wore the test subject's abdomen with the impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit shown in FIG. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the fluctuation | variation of a test subject's trunk | drum circumference, and the bioimpedance which changes every moment. It is the flowchart which defined the operation | movement procedure of the body fat measuring device at the time of measuring a visceral fat area, a subcutaneous fat area, and a body fat rate using the body fat measuring device in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the functional block of the body fat measuring apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the abdomen attachment unit for impedance measurement of the body fat measuring device in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the detailed structure of the holding | maintenance part of the abdominal part mounting unit for impedance measurement shown in FIG. It is a schematic cross section which shows the state which mounted | wore the test subject's abdomen with the impedance measurement abdomen mounting unit shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the specific structure of the displacement amount detection part and winding length adjustment mechanism of the body fat measuring apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is the flowchart which defined the operation | movement procedure of the body fat measuring device at the time of measuring a visceral fat area, a subcutaneous fat area, and a body fat rate using the body fat measuring device in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the functional block of the body fat measuring apparatus in Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the body fat measuring apparatus in Embodiment 4 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1A to 1D Body fat measurement device, 10 control unit, 11 calculation processing unit, 12 impedance measurement unit, 13 body fat mass calculation unit, 14 total fat mass calculation unit, 15 site-specific fat mass calculation unit, 16 visceral fat mass calculation unit , 17 Subcutaneous fat amount calculation unit, 18 Respiratory state detection unit, 19 Winding length adjustment mechanism control unit, 21 Constant current generation unit, 22 Terminal switching unit, 23 Potential difference detection unit, 24 Torso circumference measurement unit, 25 Subjects Information input unit, 26 display unit, 27 operation unit, 28 power supply unit, 29 memory unit, 30 displacement amount detection unit, 32 winding length adjustment mechanism, 100A to 100D impedance measurement abdomen attachment unit, 110 band member, 110a one end Part, 110b other end, 111 sheet-like part, 112 electrode support mechanism accommodating part, 113 electrode, 113a rod part, 113a1 collar part, 13b Plate-shaped part, 114 Fixing part, 115 Holding part, 115a, 115b Lock member, 116 Guide frame, 116a Base body, 116b Cover body, 117 Coil spring, 118 Connector, 119 Positioning through hole, 120 Belt feed part, 121 With teeth Pulley, 122 rotary encoder, 123 detection shaft, 124, 124A, 124B photoelectric sensor, 125 hook portion, 126 servo motor, 127 rotating shaft, 130 mounting portion, 131 band winding mechanism, 132 reel body, 133 band, 134 spring accommodation Part, 134a spring spring, 135 buckle part, 136 fixing mechanism, 137 push button, 138 relay member, 138a spring, 139 rotation locking member, 139a locking claw part, 140 belt part, 144 encoder strip, 145 bar 150, displacement detection unit, 151 movable iron core, 152 detection coil, 153 spring, 161 trunk circumference measurement circuit, 162 displacement detection circuit, 163 motor drive circuit, 165 device body, 172A, 172B Impedance measurement upper limb Mounting unit, 173A, 173B Impedance measurement lower limb mounting unit, 180 connection cable, 300 Subject, 301 Abdomen, 302A, 302B Wrist, 303A, 303B Ankle, 400 Bed surface, A11, A12, A21, A22 Abdominal electrode, F11, F12 , F21, F22 Lower limb electrode, H11, H12, H21, H22 Upper limb electrode.

Claims (13)

A body mounting unit for impedance measurement including a long belt-like member and a plurality of electrodes;
An impedance measuring unit that measures the bioimpedance of the subject using the plurality of electrodes;
A torso circumference measuring unit for measuring a torso circumference of a subject using the belt-shaped member;
A body fat mass calculating unit that calculates the body fat mass of the subject based on the bioelectrical impedance measured by the impedance measuring unit and the torso circumference measured by the torso circumference measuring unit;
In the impedance measurement body mounting unit, the belt-like member is wound around the body of the subject, and a portion near the other end of the belt-like member is held by a holding part provided at one end of the belt-like member. Thus, the plurality of electrodes are brought into contact with the torso of the subject,
The band-shaped member has a marker for identifying the subject's torso circumference,
The torso circumference measuring unit includes a reading unit that identifies a torso circumference of a subject by reading the marker.   The body fat measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit is provided in the holding unit. The holding portion has an insertion passage through which a portion near the other end of the belt-like member can be inserted;
The reading means specifies the circumference of the torso of the subject by measuring the length of the band-like member near the other end that has passed through the insertion path when the impedance measurement torso mounting unit is mounted. The body fat measuring device according to claim 2. The marker is a barcode;
The body fat measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit is a photo interrupter for reading the barcode. A rotating body that engages with the belt-like member and rotates following the belt-like member moving;
The torso circumference measuring unit further includes a rotation angle detection unit that identifies a torso circumference of the subject by detecting a rotation angle amount of the rotating body, and the information read by the reading unit and the rotation angle detection The body fat measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the torso circumference length of the subject is specified based on the information detected by the means.   The body fat measurement device according to claim 5, wherein the rotating body is provided in the holding unit.   The trunk circumference measuring unit discards the information detected by the rotation angle detection means each time the circumference of the trunk is specified by reading the marker by the reading means, and the rotation angle is newly determined. The body fat measurement device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein detection of a rotation angle of the rotating body is started using a detecting means.   The body fat measurement device according to claim 5, wherein the rotation angle detection means is a rotary encoder.   The said holding | maintenance part can hold | maintain the holding position of the part near the said other end part of the said strip | belt-shaped member variably according to the fluctuation | variation of the trunk | drum circumference accompanying the test subject's breathing movement. The body fat measuring device according to claim 1. A torso circumference variation measuring unit for detecting a torso circumference fluctuation by detecting a change in a winding length of the belt-like member wound around the torso of the subject; and
A breathing state detection unit for detecting the breathing state of the subject based on fluctuations in the torso circumference of the subject measured by the torso circumference variation measuring unit;
The body fat mass calculation unit is based on the bioelectrical impedance measured by the impedance measurement unit, the trunk circumference measured by the trunk circumference measurement unit, and the respiratory state information detected by the respiratory state detection unit. The body fat measuring device according to claim 9, wherein the body fat amount of the subject is calculated.   The body fat mass calculation unit calculates the bioimpedance measured at the timing of transition from the expiration operation to the inspiration operation detected by the breathing state detection unit from the time series data of the bioimpedance measured by the impedance measurement unit. The body fat measuring device according to claim 10, wherein the body fat mass of the subject is calculated from the extracted bioelectrical impedance.   The body fat measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the body fat mass calculation unit includes a visceral fat mass calculation unit that calculates a visceral fat mass of a subject.   The body fat measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the body fat mass calculation unit includes a subcutaneous fat mass calculation unit that calculates the subcutaneous fat mass in the abdomen of the subject.

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