JP2010069225A - Visceral fat measuring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a visceral fat measuring apparatus capable of easily measuring a visceral fat amount. <P>SOLUTION: The visceral fat measuring apparatus calculates the visceral fat amount on the basis of body measurement information, the impedance information of the entire body and the impedance information of a body surface part. A clip 200 to be attached to a hand or a foot has a pinching parts 211 and 221 comprising a pair of members energized in the direction of pinching the hand or the foot around a support shaft 230, an electrode E is provided on the inner surface of one of the pair of members, and the other one of the pair of members is configured so as to expose the electrode E provided on the inner surface of the one member from the side of the other member in the state that external force is not acting on the clip 200. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a visceral fat measuring device.

  Conventionally, methods for measuring visceral fat mass from tomographic images taken using X-ray CT or MRI are known. According to such a measuring method, although the visceral fat mass can be measured with high accuracy, a large-scale facility is required, and it can be measured only at a medical facility where X-ray CT or MRI is installed. Therefore, it is not realistic to measure visceral fat mass on a daily basis by such a measurement method. X-ray CT can take a finer image than MRI, but it involves exposure risk.

  Therefore, realization of an apparatus capable of measuring visceral fat mass easily and non-invasively is desired.

As a related technique, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1.
JP 2002-369806 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a visceral fat measuring apparatus that enables simple and noninvasive measurement of visceral fat mass.

  The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems.

That is, the visceral fat measuring device of the present invention is
Torso measurement information that is the basis for calculating the torso cross-sectional area of the torso through the abdomen and perpendicular to the body axis of the torso,
By attaching clips with electrodes to the limbs respectively, current flows through the torso from the limbs, and impedance information of the entire torso obtained by measuring a partial potential difference on the torso surface,
Impedance information on the fuselage surface layer obtained by passing a current so that it passes through the surface of the fuselage and measuring the potential difference on a part of the fuselage surface,
A visceral fat measuring device for calculating a visceral fat amount based on
The clip has a sandwiching portion composed of a pair of members biased in a direction to sandwich a hand or a foot around a support shaft,
An electrode is provided on the inner surface of one of the pair of members,
The other member of the pair of members is configured to expose an electrode provided on the inner surface of the one member from the other member side in a state where an external force is not acting on the clip. It is characterized by that.

  The “visceral fat mass” in the present invention includes an index indicating the visceral fat mass, such as the visceral fat cross-sectional area, the visceral fat volume, and the ratio of the visceral fat cross-sectional area to the trunk cross-sectional area.

According to the present invention, the visceral fat mass can be measured from the trunk measurement information that is the basis for calculating the trunk cross-sectional area, the impedance information of the entire trunk, and the impedance information of the trunk surface layer. Here, as the body measurement information serving as a basis for calculating the body cross-sectional area, the circumference of the waist (waist length) and the length and width of the body can be mentioned, and these can be easily measured. Moreover, impedance information can be easily obtained because impedance information is obtained by measuring a potential difference in a state where current is passed through a human body (living body). Therefore, the visceral fat amount can be measured relatively easily and non-invasively.

  In addition, according to the present invention, a clip having an electrode is used to pass a current from the limbs through the torso. And this clip has the clamping part comprised from a pair of member, and the electrode is provided in the inner surface of one member of this pair of members. When the clip configured as described above is attached to a hand or a foot, it is desirable to use a cream having excellent conductivity applied to the electrode in order to flow a current stably to the human body. In the present invention, the other member of the pair of members is configured to expose an electrode provided on the inner surface of the one member from the other member side in a state where no external force is applied to the clip. Therefore, even when the cream as described above is applied to the electrode, it can be applied easily.

  Here, when measuring the potential difference of a part of the body surface, the potential difference on the back side may be measured.

  Moreover, when measuring the potential difference of a part of the body surface, the potential difference in the body axis direction of the body may be measured.

  Here, it is preferable that at least a part of the other member of the pair of members is configured to have a width smaller than that of the one member so as to expose the electrode.

  It is also preferable that the other member of the pair of members is provided with an opening at the center in the width direction so that the electrode is exposed.

  It is also preferable that at least a part of the other member of the pair of members is composed of a linear member so as to expose the electrode.

  The fat-free cross-sectional area excluding fat is calculated from the impedance information of the entire body, the subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area is calculated from the impedance information of the body surface layer portion, and these lean-decomposition sections are calculated from the body cross-sectional area calculated from the body measurement information. The internal fat cross-sectional area may be calculated by reducing the area and the subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area.

  That is, the impedance of the entire torso is greatly affected by the amount of lean (external organs, muscles, and skeleton) excluding fat, and the fat free cross section can be calculated from this impedance. The impedance of the body surface layer is greatly affected by the amount of subcutaneous fat, and the subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area can be calculated from this impedance. Note that subcutaneous fat generally accumulates more from the flank to the back than from the ventral side of the trunk, so that the cross-sectional area of the subcutaneous fat can be measured more accurately by measuring the impedance on the back side. The visceral fat cross-sectional area is obtained by subtracting these areas from the trunk cross-sectional area using the thus obtained lean body cross-sectional area and subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area.

  In addition, said each structure can be employ | adopted combining as much as possible.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily measure the visceral fat mass.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be exemplarily described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified. .

(Example)
With reference to FIGS. 1-11, the visceral fat measuring apparatus based on the Example of this invention is demonstrated.

<Principle of visceral fat measurement>
With reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2, the measurement principle of the visceral fat in the visceral fat measuring apparatus based on the Example of this invention is demonstrated. 1 and 2 are schematic views showing a state when impedance is measured. In addition, in FIG.1 and FIG.2, the mode seen from the back side of the user who measures visceral fat is shown.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which impedance information of the entire body is obtained. As shown, electrodes EILa ₁₀ and EIRa ₁₀ are attached to both hands of a user who measures visceral fat, respectively. Electrodes EILb ₁₀ and EIRb ₁₀ are also attached to both feet of the user. Then, a pair of electrodes provided at positions on the back side of the user's torso so as to be aligned in the body axis direction of the torso are attached at four locations in the width direction of the torso. That is, a total of eight electrodes EVa ₁₁ , EVb ₁₁ , EVa ₁₂ , EVb ₁₂ , EVa ₁₃ , EVb ₁₃ , EVa ₁₄ , EVb ₁₄ are attached.

In this state, a current I ₁₀ passing through the trunk is passed using the electrodes EILa ₁₀ , EIRa _10, EILb ₁₀ , EIRb ₁₀ attached to both hands and feet. Then, the potential difference V ₁₁ is measured using the pair of electrodes EVa ₁₁ and EVb ₁₁ , the potential difference V ₁₂ is measured using the pair of electrodes EVa ₁₂ and EVb ₁₂ , and the potential difference using the pair of electrodes EVa ₁₃ and EVb _13. V ₁₃ is measured, and the potential difference V ₁₄ is measured using the pair of electrodes EVa ₁₄ and EVb ₁₄ . That is, the potential difference of part of the body surface is measured at four locations on the back side.

The impedance Zt of the entire trunk is calculated from the potential difference thus measured. The potential differences V ₁₁ , V ₁₂ , V ₁₃ , V ₁₄ are measured at four locations, and the average of these is used to calculate the impedance of the entire trunk, thereby reducing the effects of variations in fat distribution within the trunk. Can be made.

Here, when the current I ₁₀ is passed from both hands and feet away from the torso, most of the current I ₁₀ passes through a portion having a low electrical resistance, that is, a portion other than fat. Therefore, the impedance Zt of the entire trunk calculated from the potential differences V ₁₁ , V ₁₂ , V ₁₃ , and V ₁₄ measured using the current I ₁₀ is the fat free (visceral, muscle, and skeleton) excluding fat. The effect of quantity is great. Therefore, the lean body sectional area Sa (estimated value) can be calculated from the impedance Zt.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which impedance information of the body surface layer on the back side of the body is obtained. As shown in the drawing, a pair of electrodes provided on the back side of the user's torso so as to be aligned in the body axis direction of the torso are attached at four locations in the width direction of the torso. That is, a total of eight electrodes EIa ₂₁ , EIb ₂₁ , EVa ₂₁ , EVb ₂₁ , EIa ₂₂ , EIb ₂₂ , EVa ₂₂ , EVb ₂₂ are attached.

In this state, the current I ₂₁ is supplied using the pair of electrodes EIa ₂₁ and EIb ₂₁ , and the current I ₂₂ is supplied using the pair of electrodes EIa ₂₂ and EIb ₂₂ . Note that the current value of the current I _{21 and} the current value of the current I ₂₂ are the same. Then, the potential difference V ₂₁ is measured using the pair of electrodes EVa ₂₁ and EVb ₂₁ , and the potential difference V ₂₂ is measured using the pair of electrodes EVa ₂₂ and EVb ₂₂ . That is, the potential difference of a part of the body surface is measured at two locations on the back side.

From the potential difference thus measured, the impedance Zs of the body surface layer on the back side of the body is calculated. In addition, by measuring the potential differences V ₂₁ and V ₂₂ at two locations and calculating the impedance Zs of the body surface layer using these average values, it is possible to reduce the influence of variations in subcutaneous fat and the like. In addition, the potential difference is measured at four locations by switching the circuit so that the electrode through which the current is flowing is the electrode for measuring the potential difference and the electrode for which the potential difference is being measured is the electrode for flowing the current. It is also possible. By doing so, it is possible to further reduce the influence of variations in subcutaneous fat and the like.

Here, when the currents I ₂₁ and I ₂₂ are passed by a pair of electrodes attached to the back side of the abdomen of the back, most of the currents I ₂₁ and I ₂₂ pass through the surface layer of the trunk. Therefore, the impedance Zs of the body surface layer portion calculated from the potential differences V ₂₁ and V ₂₂ measured using the currents I ₂₁ and I ₂₂ is greatly affected by the subcutaneous fat mass. Therefore, the subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area Sb (estimated value) can be calculated from the impedance Zs.

Therefore, when the torso cross-sectional area (the area of the cross-section passing through the abdomen of the torso and perpendicular to the body axis of the torso) is St, the visceral fat cross-sectional area Sx is:
Sx = St-Sa-Sb
Thus, the visceral fat cross-sectional area Sx can be calculated.

  Here, the torso sectional area St can be calculated from the circumference of the waist (waist length) and the length and width of the torso (near the abdomen). For example, when calculating from the vertical and horizontal width of the fuselage, if the horizontal width of the fuselage is 2a and the vertical width is 2b, the cross-sectional area of the fuselage is approximately π × a × b because the cross-section of the fuselage is approximately elliptical. However, since this value has a large error, a more accurate body cross-sectional area St can be obtained by multiplying by a coefficient for correcting the error. As this coefficient, for example, based on a large number of X-ray CT image samples, St ′ = α × π × a × b is obtained from the relationship between the trunk cross-sectional area St ′ obtained from the X-ray CT image and a and b. An optimum value of α that satisfies the requirement can be obtained.

  Thereby, based on the horizontal width 2a and the vertical width 2b of the fuselage, the fuselage cross-sectional area St (= α × π × a × b) with less error can be calculated. As for α to be multiplied for the above correction, an optimum value may be appropriately changed depending on gender, age group, height, weight, etc. (hereinafter referred to as user information). By changing the value of, it becomes possible to calculate a more accurate fuselage cross-sectional area St.

Further, as described above, the lean body sectional area Sa can be calculated from the impedance Zt of the entire trunk. However, the lean body sectional area Sa cannot be calculated only by the impedance Zt of the entire trunk. That is, the lean body sectional area Sa is proportional to the size of the trunk, and the value obtained from the impedance Zt needs to be converted into the lean body sectional area Sa. More specifically, for example, the lean body sectional area Sa is
Sa = β × a × (1 / Zt)
Can be expressed as

  Here, a is a half value of the width of the body as described above, and is a value related to the size of the body. With respect to this value, not limited to this, for example, (a × b) may be used so that the vertical and horizontal width values of the trunk are reflected, the trunk cross-sectional area St may be used, and the circumference of the waist You may use long (waist length).

Β is a coefficient for conversion to the lean body sectional area Sa, and an optimum value can be obtained from a number of X-ray CT image samples in the same manner as when α is obtained. That is, based on a large number of X-ray CT image samples, the lean body cross-sectional area Sa ′ obtained from the X-ray CT image, a, and the impedance Zt of the entire torso of the person to be imaged of the X-ray CT image From this relationship, an optimum value of β that satisfies Sa ′ = β × a × (1 / Zt) can be obtained.

Furthermore, as described above, the subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area Sb can be calculated from the impedance Zs of the body surface layer at the position on the back side of the abdomen of the back. However, the subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area Sb cannot be calculated only by the impedance Zs of the surface layer portion. That is, the subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area Sb is proportional to the size of the trunk, and the value obtained from the impedance Zs needs to be converted into the subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area Sb. More specifically, for example, the subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area Sb is
Sb = γ × a × Zs
Can be expressed as

  Here, a is a half value of the width of the body as described above, and is a value related to the size of the body. With respect to this value, not limited to this, for example, (a × b) may be used so that the vertical and horizontal width values of the trunk are reflected, the trunk cross-sectional area St may be used, and the circumference of the waist You may use long (waist length).

  Further, γ is a coefficient for conversion to the subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area Sb, and an optimum value can be obtained from a large number of X-ray CT image samples as in the case of obtaining α. That is, based on a large number of X-ray CT image samples, the subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area Sb ′ obtained from the X-ray CT image, a, and the impedance Zs of the torso surface layer portion of the person to be imaged of the X-ray CT image From this relationship, an optimal value of γ that satisfies Sb ′ = γ × a × Zs can be obtained.

  Note that the above-described β and γ may have different optimum values depending on the user information as in the case of α used for obtaining the cross-sectional area of the abdomen. Therefore, by changing the values of β and γ according to the user to be measured, it is possible to calculate a more accurate lean body sectional area Sa and subcutaneous fat sectional area Sb.

  As described above, in the visceral fat measuring device according to the present embodiment, based on the torso sectional area St, the lean body sectional area Sa calculated based on the impedance Zt of the entire torso, and the impedance Zs of the torso surface layer part. The visceral fat cross-sectional area Sx is calculated from the calculated subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area Sb.

That is,
Sx = St-Sa-Sb
It is represented by

  Here, St = α × π × a × b, Sa = β × a × (1 / Zt), and Sb = γ × a × Zs. A is half the width of the body, and b is half the length of the body. Further, α, β, and γ are coefficients for obtaining the optimum values of St, Sa, and Sb obtained based on a large number of X-ray CT image samples. These coefficients can be changed according to user information as described above.

  As can be seen from the above equation, the amount of visceral fat measured (calculated) is the visceral fat cross-sectional area. However, the visceral fat amount as a measurement result is not limited to the visceral fat cross-sectional area, but may be a ratio of the visceral fat cross-sectional area to the trunk cross-sectional area or a visceral fat volume converted from the visceral fat cross-sectional area.

  In the visceral fat measurement principle of the visceral fat measuring apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, as can be seen from the above formula, the visceral fat cross-sectional area Sx is calculated from the trunk cross-sectional area St to the lean body cross-sectional area Sa and the subcutaneous fat section. This is based on the idea that it can be obtained by reducing the area Sb.

  However, the visceral fat measurement device according to the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described formula Sx = St-Sa-Sb applied as it is, and includes a device applying such a principle.

For example,
Sx = St−Sa−Sb + δ (δ is a correction amount)
From this, the visceral fat cross-sectional area Sx can also be obtained. In other words, the correction amount δ can be added based on a large number of X-ray CT image samples by the same method as when α, β, and γ are obtained.

Also,
Sx = St-F (Zt, Zs, a, b)
From this, the visceral fat cross-sectional area Sx can also be obtained. Note that F (Zt, Zs, a, b) is a function having Zt, Zs, a, b as parameters.

  That is, the total value of the lean body sectional area Sa and the subcutaneous fat sectional area Sb correlates with the impedance Zt of the entire trunk, the impedance Zs of the trunk surface layer portion, and the trunk size (in this embodiment, the longitudinal and lateral width of the trunk). is there. Accordingly, the total value of the lean body sectional area Sa and the subcutaneous fat sectional area Sb can be obtained from a function F (Zt, Zs, a, b) having t, Zs, a, b as parameters. Note that this function F (Zt, Zs, a, b) can also be derived from a large number of X-ray CT image samples.

<Overall configuration of visceral fat measuring device>
With reference to FIG. 3, the overall configuration of the visceral fat measurement device according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of the visceral fat measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The visceral fat measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an apparatus main body 100, four clips 201, 202, 203, and 204 for attaching electrodes to the limbs, a belt 300 for attaching electrodes to the back, and the vertical and horizontal directions of the torso. A measurement unit 400 for measuring the width and an outlet 500 for supplying power to the apparatus main body 100 are provided.

  The apparatus main body 100 includes a display unit 110 for displaying various input information and measurement results, and an operation unit 120 for turning on or off the apparatus main body 100 and inputting various information.

Each of the clips 201, 202, 203, and 204 includes an electrode. And by attaching these clips 201, 202, 203, 204 so as to be sandwiched between limbs (preferably wrist and ankle), the electrodes can be brought into close contact with the limb. The electrode provided respectively on the clip 201, 202, 203, 204 corresponding to the electrode _{EILa 10, EIRa 10, EILb 10} , EIRb 10 shown in FIG.

The belt 300 includes a pressing member 310 that presses against the back of a user who is a measurement target, a belt portion 321 that is fixed to each side of the pressing member 310, and a buckle 322 that fixes the belt portion 321. ing. The pressing member 310 is provided with a total of eight electrodes E. The belt 300 configured in this manner is wound around the waist so that the pressing member 310 hits the upper part of the tailbone slightly, so that the eight electrodes E
Can be brought into close contact with the back side of the abdomen of the user's back. These eight electrodes E include the eight electrodes EVa ₁₁ , EVB ₁₁ , EVa ₁₂ , EVb ₁₂ , EVa ₁₃ , EVb ₁₃ , EVa ₁₄ , EVb ₁₄ shown in FIG. 1 and the eight electrodes shown in FIG. This corresponds to the electrodes EIa ₂₁ , EIb ₂₁ , EVa ₂₁ , EVb ₂₁ , EIa ₂₂ , EIb ₂₂ , EVa ₂₂ , EVb ₂₂ . That is, the role of the eight electrodes E can be changed by switching the electric circuit in the apparatus main body 100 between the case of calculating the impedance Zt of the entire body and the case of calculating the impedance Zs of the body surface layer portion. .

  The measurement unit 400 includes a cursor support unit 401 that includes a horizontal width measurement cursor portion 401a and a vertical width measurement cursor portion 401b. The cursor support unit 401 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Using this measurement unit 400, for example, in a state where the user lies on the bed, the cursor support unit 401 is positioned at a position where the horizontal width measurement cursor portion 401a and the vertical width measurement cursor portion 401b are brought into contact with the flank and the umbilical region, respectively. The horizontal width 2a and vertical width 2b of the fuselage can be measured by moving. In the present embodiment, the apparatus main body 100 is configured such that the horizontal width 2a and the vertical width 2b of the trunk are obtained as electrical information (data) based on the position information of the cursor support portion 401. The fact that the torso cross-sectional area is calculated from the information on the lateral width 2a and the longitudinal width 2b of the trunk thus obtained is as described in the visceral fat measurement principle.

  In the present embodiment, the visceral fat measuring apparatus is provided with a measuring unit 400, and the measuring unit 400 is configured to automatically measure the vertical and horizontal widths and the torso sectional area of the torso. However, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a value obtained by measurement or calculation by another measuring device or by a human hand is input to the device main body 100.

<Control configuration of visceral fat measuring device>
With reference to FIG. 4, the control configuration of the visceral fat measurement device according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the visceral fat measuring apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the visceral fat measurement device according to the present embodiment, the device main body 100B includes a control unit (CPU) 130B, a display unit 110B, an operation unit 120B, a power supply unit 140B, a memory unit 150B, and a potential difference detection unit 160B. A circuit switching unit 170B, a constant current generation unit 180B, and a user information input unit 190B are provided.

  The display unit 110B plays a role of displaying input information from the operation unit 120B and the user information input unit 190B, measurement results, and the like, and includes a liquid crystal display or the like. The operation unit 120B plays a role for allowing a user or the like to input various types of information, and includes various buttons and a touch panel. In this embodiment, in addition to the input of user information from the operation unit 120B, the user information is input from a barcode reader, a card reader, or a USB memory via the user information input unit 190B. Has been.

  The power supply unit 140B plays a role of supplying power to the control unit 10 and the like. When the power source is turned on by the operation unit 120B, power is supplied to each unit, and when the power source is turned off, power is supplied. Stop. The memory unit 150B stores various data and programs for measuring visceral fat.

  The electrode E provided on each of the clips 201, 202, 203, and 204 and the electrode E provided on the belt are electrically connected to a circuit switching unit 170B provided on the apparatus main body 100B. In addition, a physique information measurement unit 400B provided in the measurement unit 400 is electrically connected to a control unit 130B provided in the apparatus main body 100B.

  The control unit 130B plays a role of controlling the entire visceral fat measurement device. Further, the control unit 130B includes an arithmetic processing unit 131B. The arithmetic processing unit 131B includes an impedance calculation unit 131Ba that calculates impedance based on various information sent to the control unit 130B, and various fat amounts that calculate various fat amounts based on the calculated impedance. And a calculation unit 131Bb.

  The circuit switching unit 170B is configured by a plurality of relay circuits, for example. The circuit switching unit 170B plays a role of changing the electric circuit based on a command from the control unit 130B. That is, as described above, when obtaining impedance information of the entire body, the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 1 is used, and when obtaining impedance information of the body layer on the back side, the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 2 is used. Change the electrical circuit.

The constant current generation unit 180B flows a high-frequency current (for example, 50 kHz, 500 μA) based on a command from the control unit 130B. More specifically, in the case of the electric circuit shown in FIG. 1, a current I ₁₀ is passed between the electrodes EILa ₁₀ and EIRa ₁₀ and the electrodes EILb ₁₀ and EIRb ₁₀ . In the case of the electric circuit shown in FIG. 2, currents I ₂₁ and I ₂₂ are passed between the electrode EIa ₂₁ and the electrode EIb ₂₁ and between the electrode EIa ₂₂ and the electrode EIb ₂₂ , respectively.

The potential difference detection unit 160B detects a potential difference between predetermined electrodes while the current is passed by the constant current generation unit 180B. More specifically, in the case of the electric circuit shown in FIG. 1 detects a potential difference _{V 11} between the electrodes _{EVa 11} and the electrode _{EVb 11,} a potential difference _{V 12} between the electrode _{EVa 12} and the electrode _{EVb 12} detecting, detects a potential difference _{V 13} between the electrodes _{EVa 13} and the electrode _{EVb 13,} detects the potential difference _{V 14} between the electrodes _{EVa 14} and the electrode _{EVb 14.} In the case of the electric circuit shown in FIG. 2 detects a potential difference _{V 21} between the electrode _{EVa 21} and the electrode _{EVb 21,} detects the potential difference _{V 22} between the electrode _{EVa 22} and the electrode _{EVb 22.}

  The potential difference information detected by the potential difference detection unit 160B is sent to the control unit 130B.

  The physique information obtained by the measurement unit 400 is sent from the physique information measurement unit 400B to the control unit 130B of the apparatus main body 100B. In addition, the physique information in a present Example is the information regarding the dimension of the horizontal width 2a of the trunk | drum, and the dimension of the vertical width 2b as above-mentioned.

  In the arithmetic processing unit 131B in the control unit 130B, the impedance calculation unit 131Ba calculates the impedance Zt of the entire trunk and the impedance Zs of the trunk surface layer based on the potential difference information sent from the potential difference detection unit 160B. In the arithmetic processing unit 131B, the calculated overall body impedance Zt and body surface layer impedance Zs, the physique information sent from the physique information measurement unit 400B, and the operation unit 120B and the user information input unit 190B are sent. Based on various information, various fat amounts (including the visceral fat cross-sectional area) are calculated by various fat amount calculation units 131Bb.

  Next, a measurement procedure in the visceral fat measurement device according to the present embodiment will be briefly described.

  First, a user who performs visceral fat measurement or a person who performs measurement of the user turns on the power of the apparatus main body 100 (100B) and inputs user information. Then, the measurement unit 400 measures the vertical and horizontal widths of the user's torso. Thereby, the information regarding the horizontal width 2a and the vertical width 2b of the user's trunk is sent to the apparatus main body 100 (100B). The apparatus main body 100 (100B) calculates the trunk cross-sectional area St (= α × π × a × b) based on these pieces of information. Α is read from the memory unit 150B.

  Next, the clips 201, 202, 203, and 204 are attached to the user's limbs, and the belt 300 is wound around the user's waist. Then, measurement of impedance is started.

  In the present embodiment, first, the circuit switching unit 170B controls the electric circuit shown in FIG. As a result, the impedance Zt of the entire trunk is calculated by the impedance calculation unit 131Ba of the control unit 130B. The fat-free cross-sectional area Sa (= β × a) is calculated from the calculated impedance Zt by the various fat mass calculation units 131Bb, a obtained by measurement by the measurement unit 400, and β stored in the memory unit 150B. X (1 / Zt)) is calculated.

  Next, the circuit switching unit 170B controls the electric circuit shown in FIG. As a result, the impedance Zs of the body surface layer is calculated by the impedance calculator 131Ba of the controller 130B. Then, from the calculated impedance Zs by the various fat mass calculation units 131Bb, a obtained by measurement by the measurement unit 400, and γ stored in the memory unit 150B, the subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area Sb (= γ × a XZs) is calculated.

  Then, the control unit 130B uses the arithmetic processing unit 131B to calculate the visceral fat cross-sectional area Sx (= St−Sa−Sb) from the trunk cross-sectional area St, lean body cross-sectional area Sa, and subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area Sb obtained as described above. ) And a value such as the visceral fat cross-sectional area Sx is displayed on the display unit 110 (110B) as a measurement result. In this measurement procedure, the case where the various fat mass calculation units obtain the visceral fat cross-sectional area Sx using Sx = St-Sa-Sb has been described, but as described in the visceral fat measurement principle, Sx The visceral fat cross-sectional area Sx may be obtained using = St-Sa-Sb + δ or Sx = St-F (Zt, Zs, a, b).

<Clip>
The clip will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  First, a specific example 1 of a clip will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of a clip (specific example 1) of the visceral fat measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5 and 6 are different in the viewing direction.

  The clip 200 according to the present embodiment includes a pair of members (hereinafter, referred to as a first member 210 and a second member 220) configured to be rotatable only within a certain angle around the support shaft 230. . One end sides of the first member 210 and the second member 220 are configured by clamping portions 211 and 221 for sandwiching a user's hand or foot. In addition, the other end side of the first member 210 and the second member 220 has a grip portion 212, which is a portion to which force is applied with fingers or the like to open the grip portions 211 and 221 when the clip 200 is sandwiched between hands or feet. 222. An electrode E is provided on the inner surface of the first member 210.

  The clip 200 is provided with a leaf spring 231 so that the support shaft 230 is inserted. The leaf springs 231 bias the clamping portions 211 and 221 in a direction in which a hand or a leg is sandwiched. Therefore, when the clip 200 is attached to a hand or a foot, an operation of applying force to the grip portions 212 and 222 to open the holding portions 211 and 221 against the urging force of the leaf spring 231. Is required.

Here, in a state where the clip 200 is attached to a hand or a foot, the electrode E provided on the clip 200 must be reliably electrically connected to the human body. Therefore, the first member 210 provided with the electrode E is configured by a member having a certain width so that the first member 210 is in close contact with a hand or a foot. Further, the urging force of the leaf spring 231 is set to be increased to some extent so that the electrode E is more closely attached to the human body.

  Furthermore, it is desirable that the electrode E be used in a state where a cream having excellent conductivity is applied to the electrode E so that a current flows stably to the human body. In this case, for example, the cream is applied to the surface of the electrode E by the tube 250 shown in FIG.

  Here, as in the case of a clip for a general bioelectrode, the second member 220 also adopts the same shape as the first member 210 and has the same width as the first member 210. When the cream is applied to the surface of E, the second member 220 gets in the way. Therefore, it is necessary to apply a cream in a state where the holding portions 211 and 221 are opened by applying force to the grip portions 212 and 222. Therefore, as described above, the urging force of the leaf spring 231 is high to some extent, and the work of applying this cream becomes a serious work.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the lateral width of the clamping part 221 in the second member 220 is configured to be narrower than that of the clamping part 211 in the first member 210. Accordingly, the electrode E provided on the inner surface of the first member 210 from the second member 220 side in a state in which no external force is applied to the clip 200 (a state in which no force is applied to the grip portions 212 and 222). Is exposed. Therefore, it is possible to easily apply the cream to the surface of the electrode E without applying force to the gripping portions 212 and 222 and opening the holding portions 211 and 221.

  In the case of the specific example 1 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the sandwiching portion 221 of the second member 220 is configured so that the lateral width is narrower than the sandwiching portion 211 of the first member 210 in the width direction. Has been.

  Next, a specific example 2 of the clip will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a clip (specific example 2) of the visceral fat measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a difference in function between the clip of the visceral fat measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention and a general clip.

  Similarly to the clip 200 according to the first specific example, the clip 200a according to the second specific example also has a pair of members (hereinafter referred to as a first member) configured to be rotatable only within a certain angle around the support shaft 230a. 1 member 210a and second member 220a). And the one end side of these 1st member 210a and the 2nd member 220a is comprised by the clamping parts 211a and 221a for pinching a user's hand or leg | foot. In addition, the other end sides of the first member 210a and the second member 220a are grip portions 212a, which are portions to which force is applied with fingers or the like to open the grip portions 211a and 221a when the clip 200a is sandwiched between hands or feet. 222a. An electrode E is provided on the inner surface of the first member 210a. The clip 200a is provided with a leaf spring 231a so that the support shaft 230a is inserted.

  The difference between the clip 200a according to the specific example 2 and the clip 200 according to the specific example 1 is the shape of the narrowed portion of the clamping portion 221a in the second member 220a. That is, in the clip 200a according to the second specific example, the sandwiching portion 221a of the second member 220a is narrower than the sandwiching portion 211a of the first member 210a so that only one of the sandwiching portions 221a is opened in the width direction. It is configured as follows.

Also in the case of the clip 200a according to the specific example 2, the electrode E provided on the inner surface of the first member 210a is exposed from the second member 220a side in a state where no external force is applied to the clip 200a. It has become. Therefore, it is possible to easily apply the cream to the surface of the electrode E without applying force to the gripping portions 212a and 222a and opening the holding portions 211a and 221a.

  Further, in the case of the clip 200a according to the specific example 2, since the sandwiching portion 221a of the second member 220a is biased to one side in the width direction with respect to the first member 210a, Even when the change in the thickness of the ankle portion is large, there is an advantage that the electrode E provided on the first member 210a can be more closely attached to the human body. This point will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 8, M in the drawing schematically shows a wrist, an ankle and the like to which a clip is attached. Depending on the person, the change in the thickness of the wrist or ankle may be large. In this case, in the case of a clip X for a general bioelectrode, as shown in FIG. 8B, the clip X is in contact with the thicker side of the wrist (or ankle) M, and the clip X is on the thinner side. A gap is likely to occur without contact. On the other hand, in the case of the clip 200a according to the second specific example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the clip 200a is inclined so that the first member 210a side is in close contact with the wrist (or ankle) M. Can be attached to the wrist (or ankle) M.

  As described above, in the case of the clip 200a according to the specific example 2, the electrode E provided on the first member 210a is more appropriately connected to the human body even when the thickness of the wrist or ankle portion to which the clip 220a is attached is large. There is an advantage that it can be closely attached to.

  Next, specific example 3 of the clip will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a clip (specific example 3) of the visceral fat measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Similarly to the clip 200 according to the first specific example, the clip 200b according to the third specific example also has a pair of members configured to be rotatable only within a certain angle around the support shaft 230b (hereinafter referred to as the first example). 1 member 210b and second member 220b). And the one end side of these 1st member 210b and the 2nd member 220b is comprised by the clamping parts 211b and 221b for pinching a user's hand or a leg | foot. Further, the other ends of the first member 210b and the second member 220b are gripping portions 212b, which are portions to which force is applied with fingers to open the holding portions 211b and 221b when the clip 200b is sandwiched between hands or feet. 222b. An electrode E is provided on the inner surface of the first member 210b. The clip 200b is provided with a leaf spring 231b so that the support shaft 2310 is inserted.

  The difference between the clip 200b according to the specific example 3 and the clip 200 according to the specific example 1 is the shape of the narrowed portion of the clamping portion 221b in the second member 220b. That is, in the clip 200b according to the third specific example, the sandwiching portion 221b of the second member 220b is only a part in the longitudinal direction so as to open only the vicinity of the electrode E provided on the inner surface of the first member 210a. The lateral width is configured to be partially smaller than the sandwiching portion 211b of the first member 210b.

  Also in the case of the clip 200b according to the third specific example, the electrode E provided on the inner surface of the first member 210b is exposed from the second member 220b side in the state where no external force is applied to the clip 200b. It has become. Therefore, cream can be easily applied to the surface of the electrode E without applying force to the gripping portions 212b and 222b and opening the holding portions 211b and 221b.

Next, a specific example 4 of the clip will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a clip (specific example 4) of the visceral fat measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Similarly to the clip 200 according to the first specific example, the clip 200c according to the fourth specific example also has a pair of members configured to be rotatable only within a certain angle around the support shaft 230c (hereinafter referred to as a first member). 1 member 210c and second member 220c). And the one end side of these 1st member 210c and the 2nd member 220c is comprised by the clamping parts 211c and 221c for pinching a user's hand or leg | foot. Further, the other ends of the first member 210c and the second member 220c are gripping portions 212c, which are portions to which force is applied with fingers or the like to open the holding portions 211c, 221c when the clip 200c is sandwiched between hands or feet. 222c. An electrode E is provided on the inner surface of the first member 210c. The clip 200c is provided with a leaf spring 231c so that the support shaft 230c is inserted.

  The difference between the clip 200c according to the specific example 4 and the clip 200 according to the specific example 1 is the configuration of the clamping portion 221c in the second member 220c. That is, in the specific example 1, the configuration in which the sandwiching portion 221 is narrowed is adopted. However, the clip 200c according to the specific example 4 employs a configuration in which the opening 221c ′ is provided near the center of the sandwiching portion 221c. ing.

  Also in the case of the clip 200c according to the fourth specific example, the opening 221c ′ is provided, so that an external force is not acting on the clip 200c and the inner surface of the first member 210c from the second member 220c side. The provided electrode E is exposed. Therefore, it is possible to easily apply the cream to the surface of the electrode E without applying force to the gripping portions 212c and 222c and opening the holding portions 211c and 221c.

  Next, a specific example 5 of the clip will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a clip (specific example 5) of the visceral fat measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Similarly to the clip 200 according to the first specific example, the clip 200d according to the fifth specific example also has a pair of members configured to be rotatable only within a certain angle around the support shaft 230d (hereinafter referred to as the first clip). 1 member 210d and second member 220d). And the one end side of these 1st member 210d and the 2nd member 220d is comprised by the clamping parts 211d and 221d for pinching a user's hand or a leg | foot. Further, the other ends of the first member 210d and the second member 220d are gripping portions 212d, which are portions to which force is applied with fingers to open the holding portions 211d and 221d when the clip 200d is sandwiched between hands or feet. 222d. An electrode E is provided on the inner surface of the first member 210d. The clip 200d is provided with a leaf spring 231d so that the support shaft 230d is inserted.

  The difference between the clip 200d according to the specific example 5 and the clip 200 according to the specific example 1 is the configuration of the holding portion 221d in the second member 220d. That is, in the specific example 1 described above, a configuration in which the sandwiching portion 221 is narrowed is employed, but in the clip 200d according to the specific example 5, the sandwiching portion 221d is configured by a linear member. Note that the sandwiching portion 221d made of this linear member is configured to have substantially the same shape as the portion corresponding to the outer edge of the sandwiching portion 211d in the first member 210d.

Also in the case of the clip 200d according to the fifth specific example, the electrode E provided on the inner surface of the first member 210d is exposed from the second member 220d side with no external force acting on the clip 200d. It has become. Therefore, cream can be easily applied to the surface of the electrode E without applying force to the gripping portions 212d and 222d and opening the holding portions 211d and 221d.

<Others>
As described above, in the visceral fat measuring device according to the present embodiment, since it is necessary to attach electrodes of both hands and feet, four clips 201, 202, 203, and 204 are provided. These are for the right hand, left hand, right foot, and left foot, respectively, and need to be correctly attached in order to perform proper measurements. Therefore, it is desirable that each clip 201, 202, 203, 204 is attached with a seal or a seal such as a right hand, a left hand, a right foot, and a left foot so that the attachment locations of the clips 201, 202, 203, and 204 are not mistaken. Thereby, the mistake of an attachment location can be suppressed. In this embodiment, it is not necessary to distinguish between the right hand and the left hand, and it is not necessary to distinguish between the right foot and the left foot. Therefore, since it is only necessary to distinguish between the limbs, it is possible to suppress a mistake in the attachment location by attaching a hand mark and a foot mark to the clip.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state when impedance is measured. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state when impedance is measured. FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of the visceral fat measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the visceral fat measuring apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a clip (specific example 1) of the visceral fat measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a clip (specific example 1) of the visceral fat measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a clip (specific example 2) of the visceral fat measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a difference in function between the clip of the visceral fat measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention and a general clip. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a clip (specific example 3) of the visceral fat measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a clip (specific example 4) of the visceral fat measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a clip (specific example 5) of the visceral fat measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

100, 100B device main body 110, 110B display unit 120, 120B operation unit 130B control unit 131B arithmetic processing unit 131Ba impedance calculation unit 131Bb various fat amount calculation unit 140B power supply unit 150B memory unit 160B potential difference detection unit 170B circuit switching unit 180B constant current generation Part 190B User information input part 201, 202, 203, 204 Clip 200, 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d Clip 210, 210a, 210b, 210c, 210d First member 211, 211a, 211b, 211c, 211d Clamping part 212, 212a , 212b, 212c, 212d Gripping part 220, 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d Second member 221, 221a, 221b, 221c, 221d Holding part 221c 'Opening part 222, 222a, 222b, 222c, 222d Grasping part 230, 230a, 230b, 230c, 230d Support shafts 231, 231a, 231b, 231c, 231d Leaf spring 250 Tube 300 Belt 310 Pressing member 321 Belt part 322 Buckle 400 Measurement unit 400B Physique information measurement unit 401 Cursor support unit 401a Width measurement cursor unit 401b Vertical width measurement cursor unit 500 Outlet E Electrode

Claims (7)

Torso measurement information that is the basis for calculating the torso cross-sectional area of the torso through the abdomen and perpendicular to the body axis of the torso,
By attaching clips with electrodes to the limbs respectively, current flows through the torso from the limbs, and impedance information of the entire torso obtained by measuring a partial potential difference on the torso surface,
Impedance information on the fuselage surface layer obtained by passing a current so that it passes through the surface of the fuselage and measuring the potential difference on a part of the fuselage surface,
A visceral fat measuring device for calculating a visceral fat amount based on
The clip has a sandwiching portion composed of a pair of members biased in a direction to sandwich a hand or a foot around a support shaft,
An electrode is provided on the inner surface of one of the pair of members,
The other member of the pair of members is configured to expose an electrode provided on the inner surface of the one member from the other member side in a state where an external force is not acting on the clip. A visceral fat measuring device characterized by the above.   The visceral fat measuring device according to claim 1, wherein when measuring a potential difference on a part of the body surface, a potential difference on the back side is measured.   The visceral fat measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when measuring a potential difference of a part of the body surface, a potential difference in a body axis direction of the trunk is measured.   4. The structure according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the other member of the pair of members is configured to have a width smaller than that of the one member so as to expose the electrode. Visceral fat measuring device.   4. The visceral fat measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the other member of the pair of members is provided with an opening at the center in the width direction so as to expose the electrode.   4. The visceral fat measuring device according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the other member of the pair of members is composed of a linear member so as to expose the electrode.   The fat-free cross-sectional area excluding fat is calculated from the impedance information of the entire body, the subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area is calculated from the impedance information of the body surface layer portion, and these lean-decomposition sections are calculated from the body cross-sectional area calculated from the body measurement information. The visceral fat measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the internal fat cross-sectional area is calculated by reducing the area and the subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area.

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