JP2009072481A - Device for holding upper limb for blood vessel parameter measurement of living body - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for holding an upper limb for blood vessel parameter measurement of living body, capable of improving measurement accuracy when measuring a blood vessel parameter. <P>SOLUTION: On a base 74 to which a first support part 82 and a second support part 84 projected to the upper side at a prescribed interval are fixed, a movable support member 76 integrally having a first receiving member 96, second receiving members 102 and 137 and a connection part 104 for connecting the first receiving member 96 and the second receiving members 102 and 137 is supported so that one end part and the other end part thereof can be turned by the first support part 82 and the second support part 84, and a turning fixing device 78 capable of fixing the movable support member 76 at any turning position is provided. Thus, by fixing the movable support member 76 by the turning fixing device 78 at the turning position at which measurement signals obtained from a hybrid probe unit 24 have a few noise patterns 134, highly accurate measurement is performed when measuring the blood vessel parameter of a living body 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a biovascular parameter measurement upper limb holding device for placing an upper limb of a living body when an ultrasonic sensor is brought into contact with the skin of the upper limb of the living body to measure a blood vessel parameter of a blood vessel in the upper limb. Is.

  Measurement of blood vessel parameters such as blood vessel diameter, inner film thickness, plaque, blood flow velocity of blood vessels in the upper limb by bringing a fixed ultrasonic sensor into contact with the skin of the upper limb of a living body is performed. . The measurement of the blood vessel parameter is performed by time difference processing of the reflected signal of the ultrasonic wave from the boundary between the blood vessel and another tissue, or distance measurement on the ultrasonic image synthesized from the reflected signal.

When measuring the blood vessel parameters of the upper limb of the living body, it is necessary to prevent the relative movement of the upper limb of the living body with respect to the position-fixed ultrasonic sensor. A holding device was used. For example, it is an upper limb holding device used in the vascular endothelial function testing device shown in Patent Document 1.
JP 2007-61182 A

  By the way, in the measurement of the blood vessel parameters described above, the measurement signal obtained from the ultrasonic sensor is not limited to the reflection signal from the boundary of the part to be measured, but also the multiple reflection signal and the reflection signal from another part. In some cases, possible noise may be mixed, and sufficient measurement accuracy may not be obtained.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a biological vascular parameter measurement upper limb holding device capable of increasing measurement accuracy when measuring vascular parameters of a biological upper limb. is there.

  As a result of various studies on the background of the above circumstances, the present inventors have experienced a phenomenon in which noise is significantly reduced when the relative position of the upper limb is slightly shifted with respect to the position-fixed ultrasonic sensor. Thus, if an upper limb holding device capable of slightly shifting the relative position of the upper limb with respect to the ultrasonic sensor with the longitudinal direction of the upper limb as the rotation axis is prototyped, it can greatly contribute to increase the measurement accuracy of the blood vessel parameters. I found it. The present invention has been made based on this finding.

  That is, an upper limb holding apparatus for measuring a biological blood vessel parameter according to the first aspect of the invention for achieving the above object comprises: (a) pressing a fixed ultrasonic sensor on the skin of an upper limb of a living body to An upper limb holding device for measuring a biological blood vessel parameter for placing an upper limb of the living body when measuring a blood vessel parameter of the blood vessel, and (b) a first support member and a second support member protruding upward at a predetermined interval And (c) a first receiving part for receiving the hand or wrist of the upper limb, a second receiving part for receiving an intermediate part of the upper limb, and the first receiving member and the second receiving member. A movable support member integrally provided with a coupling portion to be coupled, one end portion of which is rotatably supported by the first support portion and the other end portion of which is rotatably supported by the second support portion; (d) Turn the movable support member to any rotation position. In addition, a rotation fixing device that can be fixed is included.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the upper limb holding apparatus for measuring a biological blood vessel parameter according to the first aspect of the present invention. (E) The second receiving portion is interposed through a concave surface formed on the upper surface of the second supporting portion. (F) the movable support member is rotated about a rotation axis that passes above the second receiving portion. Features.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the upper limb holding device for measuring a biological blood vessel parameter according to the first or second aspect of the present invention. (G) The first receiving portion is provided with a grip grasped by the hand of the upper limb. It is provided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the upper limb holding device for measuring a biological blood vessel parameter according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein (h) one end of the movable support member is provided with the first receiving member. A bracket that protrudes upward and is pivotally connected to and supported by the first support part, and (i) the movable support member is below the upper end of the first receiving part. It is characterized in that it can be rotated around an oblique rotation axis passing through the upper side of the second receiving part.

  The biological vascular parameter measurement upper limb holding device of the invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein (j) the bracket has a rotation axis concentric with the rotation axis in the first receiving portion. A cylindrical bearing through which the rotation shaft penetrates is fixed to the first support portion, and (k) the rotation fixing device includes the cylinder A rod-like handle provided at the front end of the rotating shaft through the shaft-shaped bearing so as to be rotatable between a lock position and a release position around an axis perpendicular to the axis of the rotating shaft; And a cam portion that is formed to be engageable with the end surface of the cylindrical bearing at the base portion of the rod-like handle and increases the pressing force against the end surface as it rotates from the release position to the lock position. Features.

  According to the biological limb parameter measurement upper limb holding device of the invention according to claim 1, the hand or wrist of the upper limb is mounted on the base on which the first support portion and the second support portion protruding upward with a predetermined interval are fixed. A movable support member integrally including a first receiving member that receives the first receiving member, a second receiving member that receives an intermediate portion of the upper limb, and a connecting portion that interconnects the first receiving member and the second receiving member. And the other end portion is rotatably supported by the second support portion, and the movable support member can be rotated at any rotation position. Since the rotation fixing device that can be fixed is provided, the rotation position of the upper arm is changed while rotating the movable support member, and the measurement signal obtained from the ultrasonic sensor is the rotation position with the least noise. It can be moved by a rotation fixing device. By fixing the rotation of the support member, it is possible to measure with high accuracy when measuring vascular parameters of a biological limb.

  According to the biological vascular parameter measurement upper limb holding device of the invention according to claim 2, the second receiving part is slidable in the rotational direction through a concave surface formed on the upper surface of the second support part. Since the movable support member is supported around the rotation axis passing through the upper side of the second receiving part, the movable support member is rotated around the rotation axis passing through the middle part of the upper limb. Since the upper limb is rotated, the displacement of the blood vessel immediately below the position-fixed ultrasonic sensor is suppressed.

  According to the biological vascular parameter measurement upper limb holding device of the invention of claim 3, since the grip that is grasped by the hand of the upper limb is erected on the first receiving portion, the rotation of the movable support member is performed. The relationship between movement and upper limb rotation is further enhanced.

  According to the biological limb parameter measurement upper limb holding device of the invention according to claim 4, the one end portion of the movable support member protrudes upward and lower than the first receiving portion, and rotates to the first support portion. A bracket that is movably connected and supported is provided, and the movable support member is an oblique rotation axis that is below the upper end of the first receiving portion and passes above the second receiving portion. Since the upper limb is rotated around the oblique rotation axis passing through the middle part of the upper limb from the lower side than the above-mentioned hand, it is directly below the position-fixed ultrasonic sensor. The displacement of the blood vessel is suppressed.

  According to the biological vascular parameter measurement upper limb holding device of the invention of claim 5, the bracket is provided with a rotating shaft concentric with the rotating shaft that protrudes on the opposite side to the first receiving portion. In addition, a cylindrical bearing through which the rotation shaft passes is fixed to the first support portion, and the rotation fixing device has a tip end portion of the rotation shaft protruding from the cylindrical bearing. A rod-like handle that is pivotable between a lock position and a release position around an axis in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pivot shaft, and an end face of the cylindrical bearing at the base of the rod-like handle The rotation fixing device includes a cam portion that is formed so as to be engageable and that increases a pressing force against the end surface in accordance with the rotation from the release position to the lock position. Rotating projecting from the cylindrical bearing located below Since is provided in the distal portion, with the base of the rod-shaped handle is brought into position on the lower side, since a state that the rod-like handle being defeated by locking position, is prevented from the trouble of measuring operations.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the drawings are appropriately simplified or modified, and the dimensional ratios, shapes, and the like of the respective parts are not necessarily drawn accurately.

  FIG. 1 includes an upper limb holding apparatus 10 for measuring a biological blood vessel parameter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and measures blood vessel parameters such as a blood vessel diameter, inner film thickness, plaque, and blood flow velocity of a blood vessel 12 in the upper limb 11. It is a figure which shows the whole vascular endothelial function test | inspection apparatus 13 to do. The vascular endothelial function testing device 13 is a biovascular parameter measurement upper limb placed on a measurement table 20 on which an upper limb 11 protruding to the side of a person (living body) 16 lying on a bed 14 is placed. Using the holding device 10 and the hybrid probe unit 24 held by the sensor holder 22, a transverse cross-sectional image (short axis image) or a vertical cross-sectional image of the blood vessel 12 positioned directly above the skin 26 from the skin 26 of the upper limb 11. It is comprised with the blood-vessel ultrasonic image measuring apparatus 30 by which (long-axis image) is measured.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of the vascular ultrasound image measurement apparatus 30 of FIG. The hybrid probe unit 24 functions as an ultrasonic sensor for detecting biological information related to the blood vessel 12, that is, a blood vessel parameter, and includes two rows of first short-axis ultrasonic array probes A parallel to each other. And the second short-axis ultrasonic array probe B and the long-axis ultrasonic array probe C connecting the central portions in the longitudinal direction thereof on a flat or flat probe surface. A type ultrasonic probe 32 and a multi-axis drive device (positioning device) 34 for positioning the ultrasonic probe 32 are provided. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the ultrasonic probe 32 and the blood vessel 12. The first short-axis ultrasonic array probe A, the second short-axis ultrasonic array probe B, and the long-axis ultrasonic array probe C are, for example, a large number of piezoelectric ceramics. It is configured respectively in the longitudinal shape by the ultrasonic transducer (ultrasonic oscillator) a ₁ ~a _n are linearly arranged.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the right upper arm 36 of the upper limb 11 as viewed from the wrist 92 side. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper arm 36 includes the brachial artery E, the biceps F muscle, the triceps G muscle, the humerus H, the brachial muscle I, the triceps long head J, and the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the blood vessel 12 that is the brachial artery E has a three-layer structure including an intima L ₁ , a media L ₂ , and an adventitia L ₃ . In an image obtained using ultrasonic waves, the inner membrane L ₁ and the outer membrane L ₃ are displayed because the reflection from the media L ₂ is extremely weak. The actual image, the blood vessel 12 and the tunica media L ₂ is displayed in black, is displayed the intima L ₁ and the adventitia L ₃ white, tissue is displayed with spots of black and white. The intima L ₁ is displayed to be much thinner than the outer membrane L ₃ and is relatively difficult to display in the image. However, when evaluating the FMD (blood flow-dependent vasodilatation reaction), the diameter of the intima L ₁ It is desirable to use the rate of change.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the blood vessel ultrasonic image measuring device 30 includes an electronic control device 38 constituted by a so-called microcomputer, an image display device 40, an ultrasonic drive control circuit 42, and a drive motor control circuit 44. ing. A drive signal is supplied from the ultrasonic drive control circuit 42 by the electronic control unit 38, and the first short axis ultrasonic array probe A and the second short axis ultrasonic array of the ultrasonic probe 32 of the hybrid probe unit 24 are provided. Ultrasonic waves are emitted from the probe B and the long-axis ultrasonic array probe C, and the first short-axis ultrasonic array probe A, the second short-axis ultrasonic array probe B, Then, the ultrasonic reflection signal detected by the long axis ultrasonic array probe C is received and the ultrasonic reflection signal is processed, so that an ultrasonic image under the skin 26 is generated, and the image display device 40. Is displayed.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8 described later, the image display device 40 includes a first short-axis image display area S1 for displaying an ultrasonic image by the first short-axis ultrasonic array probe A, and a second short-axis image display area S1. A second short-axis image display area S2 for displaying an ultrasonic image by the ultrasonic array probe for axis B, and a long-axis image display area S3 for displaying an ultrasonic image by the ultrasonic array probe for long axis C. have. Further, the first short-axis image display area S1, the second short-axis image display area S2, and the long-axis image display area S3 are provided with a common vertical axis indicating the depth dimension from the skin 26. Further, when an ultrasonic image of the blood vessel 12 is generated as described above, the ultrasonic probe 32 supplies a drive signal from the drive motor control circuit 44 by the electronic control unit 38 so as to be in a predetermined position with respect to the blood vessel 12. The multi-axis drive device 34 is positioned by driving. The predetermined position is a position where the first short-axis ultrasonic array probe A and the second short-axis ultrasonic array probe B are orthogonal to the blood vessel 12, and a long-axis ultrasonic wave. This is a position where the array probe C is parallel to the blood vessel 12.

  As shown in FIG. 7 to be described later, the sensor holder 22 deforms the blood vessel 12 located immediately below the skin 26 from above the skin 26 of the upper arm 36 of the living body 16 at a desired position in the three-dimensional space, that is, a predetermined position. The hybrid probe unit 24 is held in a desired posture in a state where it is lightly touched to such an extent that it does not. The ultrasonic probe 32 is generally well-known between the end face of the ultrasonic probe 32 of the hybrid probe unit 24 and the skin 26 in order to clarify an ultrasonic image by suppressing attenuation of ultrasonic waves and reflection and scattering at the boundary surface. A coupling agent such as jelly (ultrasonic jelly) 46 is interposed. This jelly 46 is a gel-like water-absorbing polymer containing water at a high rate such as agar, for example, and has a sufficiently higher specific impedance (= sound speed × density) than air to suppress attenuation of ultrasonic transmission / reception signals. To do. Further, instead of the jelly 46, a water bag in which water is confined in a resin bag, olive oil, glycerin, or the like can be used.

  The sensor holder 22 includes, for example, a magnet base 48 that is fixed to a desk, a pedestal, etc. by magnetic attraction, a unit fixture 50 to which the hybrid probe unit 24 is fixed, a magnet base 48 and the unit fixture 50. Connecting members 54 and 56 each having a tip 52 that is fixed at one end and formed in a spherical shape, and the magnet base 48 and the unit fixture 50 are connected and supported through the connecting members 54 and 56 so as to be relatively movable. And a free arm 58 for performing the above operation. The universal arm 58 includes two links 60 and 62 that are pivotably connected to each other, and a distal end portion 52 of which a predetermined resistance is urged to each distal end portion 52 at one end of the links 60 and 62. And the other ends of the links 60 and 62 are connected to each other so that they can rotate relative to each other. And a rotating joint 72 that is made relatively unrotatable by a fastening force obtained by tightening a male threaded fixing knob 70 screwed into a screw hole penetrating through the connecting portion.

  FIG. 6A is a front view showing an overall configuration of the biological vascular parameter measurement upper limb holding device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line bb of FIG. 6A, FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line cc of FIG. 6A, and FIG. It is a dd view sectional view of (a). The biological limb parameter measurement upper limb holding device 10 includes a base 74, a movable support member 76, and a rotation fixing device 78. Among these, the base 74 is separated from the base portion 80 made of a long plate material installed on the measurement table 20 arranged in parallel with the bed 14 by a predetermined interval in the longitudinal L direction of the base portion 80. A first support part 82 and a second support part 84 made of a plate material fixed in parallel so as to protrude upward are provided. The predetermined interval is set to be suitable for the length of the upper limb 11 to be measured. For example, the predetermined interval is set to be slightly longer than the length from the elbow 98 to the fingertip of the longest upper limb 11 that can be considered as the measurement target. The The apparatus of the present embodiment is usually installed on a substantially horizontal table, and the upper side (upper side) is based on the direction perpendicular to the table (measurement table 20) on which the base unit 80 is installed. The same applies to the description. The first support portion 82 forms a predetermined inclination angle on the surface opposite to the second support portion 84 such that the axis W is inclined toward the left side in FIG. A cylindrical bearing 86 fixed in this manner is provided. Moreover, the 2nd support part 84 has the concave surface sliding part (concave surface) 88 formed in the partial cylindrical concave shape on the upper surface.

  The movable support member 76 includes a first receiving member 96 having a first receiving portion 94 that receives the hand 90 or the wrist 92 of the upper limb 11 via the cushioning material 89, and an elbow (intermediate portion) of the upper limb 11 via the cushioning material 97. A second receiving member 102 having a second receiving portion 100 for receiving 98 and a connecting portion 104 for connecting the first receiving member 96 and the second receiving member 102 to each other are integrally provided. The first receiving member 96 is formed by bending a first column 108 made of a rectangular column having a rectangular first through-hole 106 provided in the L direction at the lower end, and a plate material, on the upper surface of the first column 108. A first grip 94 that has a cylindrical convex surface that is fixed and has a center of curvature in the L direction, and a first grip that is gripped by the hand 90 of the upper limb 11 that is erected and placed on the upper surface of the first receiver 94 ( Grip) 110. The second receiving member 102 is formed by bending a second column 114 made of a rectangular column having a rectangular second through-hole 112 provided in the L direction at the lower end, and a plate material. A second receiving portion 100 having a cylindrical convex surface that is fixed and has a center of curvature in the L direction is provided, and the cylindrical convex surface of the second receiving portion 100 and the concave sliding portion 88 are brought into sliding contact with each other. The connecting portion 104 is made of a bar having a rectangular cross-sectional shape and having a longitudinal direction as the L direction, and is slidably fitted into the first through hole 106 and the second through hole 112. The member 96 and the second receiving member 102 are coupled so as to be relatively movable in the L direction. Further, one end of the movable support member 76, that is, one end of the connecting portion 104 penetrating from the first through hole 106 to the opposite side of the second through hole 112, protrudes upwards lower than the upper surface of the first receiving portion 94. A bracket 116 is fixed. A rotating shaft 118 that is concentric with the axial center W of the cylindrical bearing 86 and penetrates the cylindrical bearing 86 is provided on the bracket 116 so as to protrude from the side opposite to the first receiving portion 94. The distal end portion of the rotating shaft 118 has a first pin hole 120 that penetrates in a direction orthogonal to the axis W of the rotating shaft 118.

  The rotation shaft 118 and the bracket 116 positioned at one end of the movable support member 76 are connected and supported by a first support portion 82 having a cylindrical bearing 86 so as to be rotatable around the axis W of the cylindrical bearing 86. Yes. Further, the cylindrical convex surface which is the lower surface of the second receiving portion 100 located at the other end portion of the movable support member 76 is formed by the second support portion 84 via the concave slide portion 88 and the axial center W of the cylindrical bearing 86. It is supported so as to be able to turn around and to be slidable in the turning direction. Here, the axis of the cylindrical bearing 86 or the axis of the rotation shaft 118 is used as the rotation axis W, and the same applies hereinafter. The predetermined inclination angle formed between the axial direction W and the L direction of the cylindrical bearing 86 is lower than the upper surface, which is the upper end of the first receiving portion 94, and the second receiving angle. It is set so as to pass above the upper surface, which is the upper end of the part 100, and further, the rotation axis W is set so as to pass near the blood vessel 12 immediately below the ultrasonic probe 32.

  The rotation fixing device 78 includes a rod-like handle 122 and a pin 124. The rod-shaped handle 122 has two fork ends (base portions) 126 arranged in parallel across the tip end portion of the rotation shaft 118 and is concentric with the first pin hole 120 at the tip end portion of the rotation shaft 118. A U-shaped metal fitting 130 having a two-pin hole 128 and a second grip 132 standing on the bottom of the U-shaped metal fitting 130 and gripped when the movable support member 76 is rotated. The rod-like handle 122 can be rotated around an axis in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis W of the movable support member 76 by a pin 124 inserted through the first pin hole 120 and the second pin hole 128. It is connected to. Further, the cam portion 133 formed by the side surface on the end surface side of the cylindrical bearing 86 of the forked end portions 126 and the front end surface gradually increases from the center of the second pin hole 128 toward the front end surface from the side surface. It is formed to be large. That is, as the bar-shaped handle 122 rotates from the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 6A (hereinafter referred to as the release position) to the state indicated by the two-dotted line (hereinafter referred to as the lock position), the cylindrical bearing A gap between the end face 86 and the side faces of the bifurcated end portions 126 is formed so as to be gradually reduced, and the cam portion 133 has a shape that can be engaged at a locked position. In the rotation fixing device 78, the movable support member 76 is rotated about the rotation axis W at the release position, and the bar-shaped handle 122 is locked from the release position to the lock position at any rotation position of the movable support member 76. The rotation of the movable support member 76 can be fixed by increasing the pressing force on the end surface of the cylindrical bearing 86 as it is rotated to the right.

When measuring blood vessel parameters, in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic drive control circuit 42 is arranged according to a command from the electronic control unit 38, for example, a plurality of arrays arranged in a line constituting the first short-axis ultrasonic array probe A, for example. number of ultrasonic transducers a ₁ ~a _n, the ultrasonic transducer a ₁ et of the end, a predetermined phase difference to a predetermined number of ultrasonic transducer groups for example, every fifteen a ₁ ~a ₁₅ impart However, by performing beam forming driving simultaneously driven at a frequency of about 10 MHz, a convergent ultrasonic beam is sequentially emitted toward the blood vessel 12 in the arrangement direction of the ultrasonic transducers, and the ultrasonic transducers are shifted one by one. A reflected wave for each radiation when the ultrasonic beam is scanned is scanned and input to the electronic control unit 38. The acoustic above the radiating surface of the first ultrasonic array probe A for short axis (not shown) for converging the ultrasonic beams in a direction perpendicular to the array direction of the ultrasonic transducer a ₁ ~a _n A lens is provided. The ultrasound beams and convergence by beamforming drive and the acoustic lens as described above, the longitudinal-shaped convergent cross section is formed in the direction orthogonal to the array direction of the ultrasonic transducer a ₁ ~a _n . Longitudinal direction of the converging cross-section, the arrangement direction of the ultrasonic transducer a ₁ ~a _n in plan view, and with respect to the radial direction of the beam, which is a direction orthogonal respectively. The electronic control unit 38 synthesizes an image based on the reflected wave, generates a transverse cross-sectional image (short axis image) or a vertical cross-sectional image (long axis image) of the blood vessel 12 under the skin 26, and displays the image display device. 40.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the right upper arm 36 placed on the biological blood vessel parameter measurement upper limb holding device 10 when measuring blood vessel parameters, as viewed from the wrist 92 side, and FIG. 8 shows the state shown in FIG. It is the display screen of the image display apparatus 40 which displayed the image measured and produced | generated by this. The blood vessel images of the first short-axis image display area S1, the second short-axis image display area S2, and the long-axis image display area S3 shown in FIG. 8 are only reflected signals from the boundary of the blood vessel 12 to be measured. However, noise that seems to be a multiple reflection signal or a reflection signal from other parts has been mixed. That is, many multiple reflections occur due to reflection of ultrasonic waves at the boundary of the triceps long head J intervening in the path from the ultrasonic probe 32 to the blood vessel 12, and appear as a noise pattern 134 in the blood vessel image. Yes. Here, the movable support member 76 is rotated around the rotation axis W by the rod-like handle 122 at the release position of the rotation fixing device 78, and the upper limb 11 placed on the movable support member 76 is interlocked with the rotation. It can be rotated. The upper limb 11 is rotated around an oblique rotation axis W that is below the upper surface (upper end) of the first receiving unit 94 and passes above the upper surface (upper end) of the second receiving unit 100. It is done. At this time, while the display screen of the image display device 40 is confirmed, a rotation position where a blood vessel image with the least noise pattern 134 can be obtained is searched. Next, the rod-like handle 122 of the rotation fixing device 78 is operated to the lock position at the searched rotation position, and the movable support member 76 is fixed to the base 74 so as not to rotate. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the state, and FIG. 10 is a display screen of the image display device 40 on which an image measured and generated in the state shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. In the path from the ultrasonic probe 32 to the blood vessel 12, it is considered that there are few tissues that generate multiple reflections, so that the intima of the blood vessel 12 and the like are clearly displayed.

  From the blood vessel image with few noise patterns 134 obtained as described above, the diameter of the blood vessel 12 or the diameter of the endothelium 135 (inner diameter) is calculated. Further, in order to evaluate the vascular endothelial function, the change rate (%) of blood vessel diameter representing FMD (blood flow-dependent vasodilatation reaction) after ischemic reactive hyperemia [= 100 × (dmax−d) / d]. Where d is the resting vessel diameter and dmax is the maximum vessel diameter after release of ischemia. When the inner diameter of the blood vessel 12 is calculated, an accurate flow cross-sectional area of the blood vessel 12 is calculated, and an accurate blood flow rate is calculated using, for example, a blood flow velocity detected by an ultrasonic Doppler device.

  As described above, according to the biological vascular parameter measurement upper limb holding device 10 of the present embodiment, the first support portion 82 and the second support portion 84 that protrude upward with a predetermined interval are fixed to the base 74. The first receiving portion 94 that receives the hand 90 or the wrist 92 of the upper limb 11, the second receiving portion 100 that receives the elbow (intermediate portion) 98 of the upper limb 11, and the first receiving member 96 and the second receiving member 102 are mutually connected. A movable support member 76 that is integrally provided with a connecting portion 104 to be connected is rotatably supported at one end by the first support portion 82 and rotated at the other end by the second support portion 84. Since a rotation fixing device 78 is provided that can be supported and can fix the rotation of the movable support member 76 at any rotation position, the rotation position of the upper arm 36 is set to the movable support member 76. Change while rotating By fixing the rotation of the movable support member 76 by the rotation fixing device 78 at a rotation position where the measurement signal obtained from the hybrid probe unit (ultrasonic sensor) 24 has the least noise pattern (noise) 134, a living body can be obtained. Measurement of blood vessel parameters of the 16 upper limbs 11 can be performed with high accuracy.

  Further, according to the biological vascular parameter measurement upper limb holding device 10 of the present embodiment, the second receiving portion 100 is rotated in the direction of rotation via the concave sliding portion (concave surface) 88 formed on the upper surface of the second support portion 84. Since the movable support member 76 is rotated around the rotation axis W passing through the upper side of the second receiving portion 100, the middle of the upper limb 11 is supported. Since the upper limb 11 is rotated around the rotation axis W passing through the inside of the unit, the positional deviation of the blood vessel 12 directly below the position-fixed hybrid probe unit (ultrasonic sensor) 24 is suppressed.

  Further, according to the living vascular parameter measurement upper limb holding device 10 of the present embodiment, the first receiving portion 94 is provided with the first grip (grip) 110 that is gripped by the hand 90 of the upper limb 11. The relevance between the rotation of the movable support member 76 and the rotation of the upper limb 11 is further enhanced.

  Further, according to the upper limb holding device 10 for measuring the biological blood vessel parameters of the present embodiment, one end of the movable support member 76 protrudes upward and lower than the first receiving portion 94 and can turn to the first supporting portion 82. The movable support member 76 is connected to and supported by the bracket 116, and the movable support member 76 is an oblique rotation shaft that is below the upper end of the first receiving portion 94 and passes above the second receiving portion 100. Since it is rotated around the heart W, the upper limb 11 is rotated around the oblique rotation axis W passing through the middle part of the upper limb 11 from below the hand 90, so that the position is fixed. The displacement of the blood vessel 12 immediately below the hybrid probe unit 24 is suppressed.

  Further, according to the biological vascular parameter measurement upper limb holding device 10 of the present embodiment, the bracket 116 is provided with the rotation shaft 118 concentric with the rotation axis W on the opposite side to the first receiving portion 94. In addition, a cylindrical bearing 86 through which the rotation shaft 118 passes is fixed to the first support portion 82, and the rotation fixing device 78 is provided with the rotation shaft 118 protruding from the cylindrical bearing 86. A rod-like handle 122 provided at the tip of the rod-shaped handle 122 so as to be rotatable between a lock position and a release position around an axis perpendicular to the axis W of the pivot shaft 118, and a base 126 of the rod-like handle 122. The cam portion 133 is formed so as to be engageable with the end surface of the cylindrical bearing 86 and increases the pressing force against the end surface as it rotates from the release position to the lock position. The dynamic fixing device 78 is the first Since it is provided at the distal end portion of the rotating shaft 118 that is located below the upper end of the portion 94 and protrudes from the cylindrical bearing 86, the base portion 126 of the rod-like handle 122 is positioned below, At the locked position, the rod-like handle 122 is brought into a tilted state, thereby preventing the measurement operation from being hindered.

  Further, according to the biological vascular parameter measurement upper limb holding device 10 of the present embodiment, the connecting portion 104 is made of a rod having a rectangular cross-sectional shape and having the longitudinal direction as the L direction. Since the first receiving member 96 and the second receiving member 102 are connected to each other so as to be relatively movable in the L direction, the length of the upper limb 11 is changed every measurement. In addition, by adjusting the distance between the first receiving member 96 and the second receiving member 102 and placing the arm in a natural state, that is, in a relaxed state, high-accuracy measurement is possible.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, portions that are the same as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 11 (a) is a front view showing the entire configuration of a biological blood vessel parameter measurement upper limb holding device 136 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 (b) is a diagram bc in FIG. 11 (a). FIG. 11C is a side view taken along arrow bc in FIG. 11A, and shows a state in which the movable support member 76 is rotated around the rotation axis W. ing. The second receiving member 137 is formed by bending a plate member and a second support column 138 made of a rectangular column standing vertically on the upper surface of one end of the connecting portion 104, and is fixed to the upper surface of the second support column 138. And a third receiving part 140 having a cylindrical convex surface with a center line of curvature in the L direction, and a curved plate material. The third receiving part 140 is adjacent to the upper surface of the third receiving part 140 and has a center line of curvature of the third receiving part 140. A second receiving portion 141 having a cylindrical convex surface coaxial with the center of curvature of the cylindrical convex surface, and the cylindrical convex surface of the third receiving portion 140 and the concave sliding portion 88 of the second support portion 84 slide. It is touched. Further, a rack 142 having a longitudinal direction in the standing direction of the second support column 138 and having one end fixed to the cylindrical convex surface of the second receiving portion 141, the rack 142 being engaged with the rack 142, and a third receiving portion A pinion (spur gear) 146 provided on a fixed frame 144 fixed to the cylindrical convex surface of 140 is rotatable about a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the L direction of the rack 142, and is concentric with the axis of the pinion 146. And a handle 150 having a shape that is formed by a round bar penetrating the pinion 146 and is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the axis while maintaining one end that is parallel to the other end. A two-receiving unit vertical movement device 148 is provided. In the second receiving part vertical movement device 148, the pinion 146 is rotated around its axis by the handle 150, whereby the second receiving part 141 fixing the rack 142 engaged with the pinion 146 is the base 74. It functions as a rack and pinion mechanism that moves up and down.

  FIG. 11 shows a state in which the upper limb 11 having the maximum thickness among the upper limbs 11 that can be considered as measurement targets is placed, but FIG. 12A shows a relatively thin upper limb 11 placed. 12 (b) is a side view as seen from the arrow bc in FIG. 12 (a), and FIG. 12 (c) is a side view as seen from the arrow bc in FIG. 12 (a). A state in which the movable support member 76 is rotated around the rotation axis W is shown. FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the weight of the living body 16 and the upper arm diameter D, and it can be seen that there is a correlation between the weight and the upper arm diameter D. The brachial artery E (blood vessel 12) is located immediately below the skin 26 by 10 to 15 mm regardless of the thickness of the arm. The face plate 152 provided on the fixed frame 144 with the rotation axis of the handle 150 shown in FIG. 14 as the center position is a function using the above relationship, that is, the numerical value of the face plate 152 corresponding to the weight of the living body 16. When the handle 150 is rotated so as to instruct, the function of determining the vertical position of the second receiving portion 141 so that the rotational axis W passes through the vicinity of the blood vessel 12 is provided. That is, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the distance h from the center of the blood vessel 12 to the upper surface of the base portion 80 is constant regardless of the upper arm diameter D, and the vicinity of the blood vessel 12 directly below the ultrasonic probe 32 is a rotation axis. It is adjusted so that the heart W passes.

  According to the biological vascular parameter measurement upper limb holding device 136 of the present embodiment, a rack 142 having a longitudinal direction in the standing direction of the second support column 138 and having one end fixed to the cylindrical convex surface of the second receiving portion 141; A pinion (spur gear) 146 provided on a fixed frame 144 engaged with the rack 142 and fixed to the third receiving portion 140 so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal direction of the rack 142 and the direction orthogonal to the L direction; , Consisting of a round bar concentric with the axis of the pinion 146 and penetrating through the pinion 146, with one end penetrating the pinion 146 being displaced in a direction perpendicular to the axis while keeping parallel to the other end. Since the second receiving unit vertical movement device 148 including the handle 150 having the shape is provided, the pinion 146 is rotated and the rack 142 moves up and down with respect to the base 74. Accordingly, the height of the second receiving portion 141 to which the rack 142 is fixed so that the rotation axis W passes through the vicinity of the blood vessel 12 in accordance with the thickness (upper arm portion diameter D) of the upper limb 11 that is changed every measurement. Can be adjusted. Accordingly, since the upper limb 11 is rotated around the rotation axis W passing through the vicinity of the blood vessel 12 in the same manner every time, the positional deviation of the blood vessel 12 immediately below the position-fixed hybrid probe unit 24 is suppressed.

  Further, according to the biological vascular parameter measurement upper limb holding device 136 of the present embodiment, the rotation axis W is obtained by turning the handle 150 so as to indicate the numerical value of the face plate 152 corresponding to the weight of the living body 16. Since the face plate 152 having the function of determining the vertical position of the second receiving portion 141 so as to pass through the vicinity of the blood vessel 12 is provided, the rotation axis can be obtained without knowing the weight and performing other special preliminary measurements. The height of the second receiving portion 141 can be adjusted so that the heart W passes in the vicinity of the blood vessel 12, and the displacement of the blood vessel 12 immediately below the position-fixed hybrid probe unit 24 is suppressed.

  As mentioned above, although one Example of this invention was described in detail with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to this Example, It can implement in another aspect.

  For example, it is desirable that the rotation axis W passes through the vicinity of the blood vessel 12 immediately below the ultrasonic probe 32 in view of the fact that it is possible to perform stable measurement without moving the ultrasonic image. However, it is not always necessary to pass through the vicinity of the blood vessel 12. Still, a temporary effect can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the rotation axis W is an oblique axis that is below the upper surface of the first receiving portion 94 and passes above the upper surfaces of the second receiving portions 100 and 141. However, it may be an oblique or horizontal axis that is above the upper surface of the first receiving portion 94 and passes above the upper surfaces of the second receiving portions 100, 141. Furthermore, it may be an axial center that passes below the upper surface of the second receiving parts 100 and 141.

  In the above-described embodiment, the second receiving portions 100 and 141 receive the elbow 98 that is the intermediate portion of the upper limb 11 via the cushioning material 97, but the elbow side portion of the upper arm 36 and the elbow side of the forearm portion. Even if it receives the elbow 98 vicinity, such as a part, it does not interfere.

  In the above-described embodiment, the upper surface of the first receiving portion 94 is provided with the first grip (grip) 110 that is gripped by the hand 90 of the placed upper limb 11, but a belt or the like is provided. There is no problem.

  In the above-described embodiment, the connecting portion 104 connects the first receiving member 96 and the second receiving member 137 so as to be relatively movable in the L direction. There is no problem. The unnaturalness of the placement state due to the difference in the length of the upper limb 11 that accompanies it can be solved by providing the first receiving portion 94 of the first receiving member 96 long in the L direction.

  In the above-described embodiment, one end portion of the movable support member 76 is connected and supported by the first support portion 82 so as to be rotatable around the axis W of the cylindrical bearing 86. There is no problem even if it is rotatably connected and supported by a sleeve or the like.

  In the above-described embodiment, the second support portion 84 has a concave sliding portion (concave surface) 88 formed in a partially cylindrical concave shape on the upper surface thereof. For example, it may be a V-shaped groove.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the mechanical configuration of the rotation fixing device 78 is disclosed as an example, and can be realized by other mechanical configurations.

  In the above-described embodiment, the brachial artery E is measured. However, for measurement of blood vessel parameters such as arteries and veins that can be measured from the epidermis surface such as the forearm and the toe bone artery, or other lower limb blood vessels. Even useful.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 32 includes two rows of the first short-axis ultrasonic array probe A and the second short-axis ultrasonic array probe B that are parallel to each other and their longitudinal directions. Although an H-type hybrid type having a long-axis ultrasonic array probe C connecting the central portions on one plane is used, an in-line type or other probes may be used.

  It should be noted that the above description is merely an embodiment, and other examples are not illustrated. However, the present invention is implemented in variously modified and improved modes based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention. Can do.

An vascular endothelial function testing device for measuring a blood vessel parameter such as a blood vessel diameter, an inner film thickness, a plaque, and a blood flow velocity of a blood vessel in the upper limb, which is provided with a biological vascular parameter measurement upper limb holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the whole. It is a figure explaining the whole structure of the blood-vessel ultrasonic image measuring apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the ultrasonic probe and the blood vessel which are positioned by the positioning apparatus of the hybrid probe unit of the vascular ultrasonic image measuring apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing which looked at the upper arm of the upper limb from the palm side. It is an enlarged view for demonstrating the multilayer film structure of the blood vessel displayed on a blood vessel image. It is a figure explaining the whole structure of the upper limb holding | maintenance apparatus for biological blood vessel parameter measurement of FIG. It is a cross-sectional view seen from the palm side of the upper right arm placed on the upper limb holding device for measuring the blood vessel parameters when measuring the blood vessel parameters, and a tissue such as the triceps long head between the ultrasound probe and the blood vessel Shows a state where is interposed. FIG. 8 is a display screen of an image display device that displays an image measured and generated in the state shown in FIG. 7, and shows a blood vessel image on which a noise pattern is drawn. It is a cross-sectional view seen from the palm side of the upper right arm placed on the upper limb holding device for measuring the blood vessel parameters at the time of measuring the blood vessel parameters, and the rod-like handle is at the rotation position where the blood vessel image with the least noise pattern is obtained. The state where the rotation of the movable support member is fixed by being operated to the lock position is shown. 9 is a display screen of an image display device on which an image measured and generated in the state shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, and shows a blood vessel image with a small noise pattern. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the upper limb holding | maintenance apparatus for biological blood-vessel parameter measurement in the other Example of this invention, and the state by which the upper limb which has the largest thickness was mounted in the upper limb which can be considered as a measuring object. Show. 11 shows a state in which the upper limb thinner than the upper limb of FIG. 11 is placed on the biological vascular parameter measurement upper limb holding device in the embodiment of FIG. 11 and the height of the second receiving part is adjusted. It is the graph which showed the relationship (correlation) of the body weight and the diameter of an upper arm. It is a front view which shows the 2nd support part periphery in the Example of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10, 136: Upper limb holding device for biological blood vessel parameter measurement 11: Upper limb 12: Blood vessel 16: Person to be measured (biological body)
24: Hybrid probe unit (ultrasonic sensor)
74: base 76: movable support member 78: rotation fixing device 82: first support portion 84: second support portion 86: cylindrical bearing 88: concave sliding portion (concave surface)
90: Hand 92: Wrist 94: First receiving part 96: First receiving member 98: Elbow (intermediate part)
100, 141: second receiving portion 102, 137: second receiving member 104: connecting portion 110: first grip (grip)
116: Bracket 118: Rotating shaft 122: Bar-shaped handle 126: Bifurcated both ends (base)
133: Cam portion 134: Noise pattern (noise)

Claims (5)

An upper limb holding device for measuring a biological blood vessel parameter for placing an upper limb of a living body when a blood vessel parameter of a blood vessel in the upper limb is measured by contacting a position-fixed ultrasonic sensor on the skin of the upper limb of the living body And
A base on which a first support part and a second support part projecting upward at a predetermined interval are fixed;
A first receiving member that receives the hand or wrist of the upper limb, a second receiving member that receives an intermediate portion of the upper limb, and a connecting portion that interconnects the first receiving member and the second receiving member are integrally provided, and A movable support member whose portion is rotatably supported by the first support portion and whose other end portion is rotatably supported by the second support portion;
An upper limb holding device for measuring biological blood vessel parameters, comprising: a rotation fixing device capable of fixing the rotation of the movable support member at any rotation position. The second receiving portion is supported so as to be slidable in the rotation direction via a concave surface formed on the upper surface of the second support portion,
2. The upper limb holding device for measuring a biological blood vessel parameter according to claim 1, wherein the movable support member is rotated about a rotation axis passing through an upper side of the second receiving portion.   The upper limb holding device for measuring a biological blood vessel parameter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a grip that is grasped by a hand of the upper limb is provided on the first receiving portion. One end of the movable support member is provided with a bracket that protrudes upward and lower than the first receiving part and is rotatably connected to the first support part.
The movable support member is rotated about an oblique rotation axis that is below the upper end of the first receiving part and passes above the second receiving part. The upper limb holding device for measuring a biological blood vessel parameter according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The bracket has a pivot shaft concentric with the pivot shaft that protrudes to the opposite side of the first receiving portion, and the first support portion has a cylindrical shape through which the pivot shaft passes. The bearing is fixed,
The rotation fixing device can be rotated between a lock position and a release position around an axis in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rotation shaft at a tip portion of the rotation shaft through the cylindrical bearing. And a bar-shaped handle provided on the bar-shaped handle, and formed at the base of the bar-shaped handle so as to be engageable with the end surface of the cylindrical bearing to increase the pressing force on the end surface with the rotation from the release position to the lock position. The upper limb holding device for measuring a biological blood vessel parameter according to claim 4, comprising a cam portion.

Images