JP2013244285A - Specimen information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a specimen information processor, which does not require accuracy of a positional relationship between a sensor and a blood vessel, has directivity in sensing, and is applicable to the detection of pulsating signals of the blood vessel and the detection of external pressure signals generated corresponding to external stimulation signals from the pulsating signals.SOLUTION: A specimen information processor includes: a specimen information detection unit having a housing part 21 provided with a space structure where a cavity 23 is provided, an opening 22 having an opening diameter of 3 to 10 mm is provided and the cavity 23 is closed in the state of being mounted on a specimen 91, an external stimulation supply source 31 for supplying external stimulation signals to a blood vessel 93, and a first sensor 41 for detecting pulsating signals of the blood vessel 93 in the specimen 91 affected by the external stimulation signals at a part capable of avoiding influence by the external stimulation signals; and a signal separation part for separating external pressure signals generated in accordance with the external stimulation signals from pulsating signal output detected by the first sensor 41.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample information processing apparatus that detects sample information and processes the sample information.

  Sensors that detect pulsating signals of arms with relatively thick blood vessels in them or fingertips with capillaries stretched like a net have a structure with a closed space. The heart is transmitted through the blood vessel by applying pressure to the skin of the arm or fingertip at a very weak level that does not obstruct the flow of blood vessels, and placing a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone on the other side. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a pressure sensor device that detects a pulse wave caused by a pulsation of a current with a good S / N ratio as a pressure change in a closed space.

  In Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-0154153), a finite volume cavity having an opening formed by the detection body at a contact portion with the detection body, an omnidirectional microphone installed in the cavity, and There is disclosed a sensor for detecting an expansion change or a contraction change of an object to be detected as a pressure change in the cavity with the omnidirectional microphone.

  In Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-115431), a housing having a cavity is mounted on the skin surface by a mounting member, an opening in a part of the mounting surface is sealed by the skin, and vibration of the skin surface due to body sound is generated. A body sound acquisition device is disclosed that is directly transmitted to air in a cavity and can be acquired by a microphone.

  In Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-55501), a pulse wave of a detection target person is detected using an optical reflective sensor composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element as a pulse wave sensor, and the detected pulse wave signal is signaled. It is disclosed to detect the depth of respiration by processing to detect intrathoracic pressure.

By intermittently irradiating the sample surface with light including the intrinsic absorption wavelength of the target substance, the target substance in the sample absorbs the light and releases heat. A photoacoustic method is known in which a pressure fluctuation (acoustic wave) generated in a sample is detected by a microphone or a piezoelectric element by intermittently generated heat energy.
In addition, glucose concentration (blood glucose) in blood is measured noninvasively in a specimen, particularly a human tissue, using a photoacoustic method.

JP 63-0154153 A JP 2010-115431 A JP 2006-55501 A

In the case of Patent Document 1, the opening of the pressure sensor is large enough to insert a finger, and there is a problem that it is difficult to detect vibration of a blood vessel at a specific part of a specimen with high directivity.
In the case of the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, the in-vivo sound acquisition device has a hole diameter of 1 mm or 3 mm, and is not devised to measure the vibration of a thin blood vessel without a microphone directly above it.
In the case of the above-mentioned Patent Document 3, a respiratory signal is generated by obtaining an envelope of a detection signal from a pulse wave signal, and the respiratory signal that modulates the pulse wave is used in the S / N ratio of the respiratory signal obtained by this method. What accurately reflected the signal was not obtained.

ECM (electret condenser microphone, hereinafter also referred to as ECM) is designed to have low signal sensitivity in the low frequency range for reasons such as wind protection, but none of the above documents mentions this characteristic of ECM. .
Further, in the conventional photoacoustic method, the measurement associated with the measurement of the pulsation signal of the blood vessel of the specimen has not been performed.

  The present invention was devised in view of such a problem, does not require the accuracy of the positional relationship between the sensor and the blood vessel, has directivity for sensing, and detects the pulsation signal of the blood vessel, An object of the present invention is to provide a sample information processing apparatus applicable to detection of an external pressure signal generated according to an external stimulus signal from the pulsation signal.

  In order to achieve the above object, the sample information processing apparatus of the present invention has a cavity inside and an opening having a diameter of 3 mm to 10 mm at a portion facing the sample, and the opening is formed in the sample. A housing part having a space structure in which the cavity is closed in a state of being mounted on the specimen so as to be opposed to each other, and provided in the housing part, passing through the cavity of the housing, and An external stimulus supply source that supplies an external stimulus signal toward the blood vessel of the specimen through the opening, and a portion that can avoid the influence of the external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source in the housing portion, A specimen information detection unit comprising: a first sensor that detects a pulsation signal of a blood vessel in the specimen affected by the stimulus signal as pressure information that propagates in the cavity due to the pulsation signal; and the specimen By the first sensor of the information detection unit A signal separation unit that separates an external pressure signal generated according to the external stimulus signal from the detected pulsation signal output, and at least a pulsation volume signal and pulsation by performing frequency correction processing on the pulsation signal output And a signal processing unit having a signal correction unit for extracting one of the sag speed signal and the pulsation acceleration signal.

  Another gist of the present invention is that it has a cavity inside and has an opening having a diameter of 3 mm to 10 mm at a portion facing the sample, and is attached to the sample with the opening facing the sample. A housing part having a spatial structure in which the cavity is closed in a state, and provided in the housing part, passing through the opening of the housing part through the opening of the housing part, to the blood vessel of the specimen The external stimulation source that supplies the external stimulation signal toward the region, and the portion that can avoid the influence of the external stimulation signal from the external stimulation supply source in the housing portion, A specimen information detection unit having a first sensor that detects a pulsation signal of a blood vessel in a specimen as pressure information caused by the pulsation signal and propagating in the cavity, and detected by the first sensor of the specimen information detection unit From the generated pulsation signal output, A signal separation unit that separates an external pressure signal generated in response to an external stimulus signal, and a frequency demodulation unit that extracts a respiratory signal included in the pulsation signal output by performing frequency demodulation processing on the pulsation signal output; The sample information processing apparatus is characterized by comprising a signal processing unit having

  Another gist of the present invention is that it has a cavity inside and has an opening having a diameter of 3 mm to 10 mm at a portion facing the sample, and is attached to the sample with the opening facing the sample. A housing part having a spatial structure in which the cavity is closed in a state, and provided in the housing part, passing through the opening of the housing part through the opening of the housing part, to the blood vessel of the specimen The external stimulation source that supplies the external stimulation signal toward the region, and the portion that can avoid the influence of the external stimulation signal from the external stimulation supply source in the housing portion, A specimen information detection unit having a first sensor that detects a pulsation signal of a blood vessel in a specimen as pressure information caused by the pulsation signal and propagating in the cavity, and detected by the first sensor of the specimen information detection unit From the generated pulsation signal output, A signal separation unit that separates an external pressure signal generated according to an external stimulus signal, and a frequency correction process on the output of the pulsation signal to thereby at least include a pulsatile volume signal, a pulsation velocity signal, and a pulsation acceleration signal A signal processing unit having a signal correction unit that extracts one signal and a frequency demodulation unit that extracts a respiratory signal included in the pulsation signal output by performing frequency demodulation processing on the pulsation signal. The present invention resides in a specimen information processing apparatus.

  Here, in the sample information processing apparatus of the present invention, the signal correction unit performs at least one of an amplification operation, an integration operation, and a differentiation operation at a frequency of the pulsation signal, so that at least the pulsation described above is performed. It may be configured to retrieve one of a volumetric signal, a pulsatile velocity signal, and a pulsatile acceleration signal.

  In the sample information processing apparatus of the present invention, the signal separation unit separates the external pressure signal from a pulsation signal at a position avoiding a peak position of the pulse wave in the pulse wave waveform of the pulsation signal output. Also good.

  In the sample information processing apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of the first sensors are provided at a plurality of different parts that can avoid the influence of the external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source in the casing. May be.

  In the sample information processing apparatus of the present invention, the signal processing unit performs the separation processing, correction processing, and extraction based on a signal obtained by adding the pulsating signal outputs from the plurality of first sensors. Processing may be performed.

In the sample information processing apparatus of the present invention, the external stimulus supply source is provided to face the opening in the casing, and the opening of the casing passes through the cavity of the casing. Configured as a light source that supplies an intermittent optical signal as the external stimulation signal to the specimen through the section, and the first sensor is located at a position shifted from the position of the light source in the casing. You may comprise as a capacitor | condenser microphone which detects the sound pressure information resulting from a pulsation signal.
In the sample information processing apparatus of the present invention, the condenser microphone may be configured by a MEMS type ECM.

In the sample information processing apparatus of the present invention, a second sensor that detects a signal other than the pulsation signal may be provided in the casing.
In the sample information processing apparatus of the present invention, the second sensor may be configured as a temperature sensor that detects temperature information in the casing.
In the sample information processing apparatus of the present invention, the signal processing unit may be used as correction information when processing the output from the second sensor.
In the sample information processing apparatus of the present invention, the diameter of the opening may be not more than 5 times the diameter of the arterial blood vessel.

Moreover, the sample information processing apparatus of the present invention is based on a level detection unit that detects an output level from the first sensor that changes as the sample information detection unit moves, and a detection result of the level detection unit. A level display unit for displaying output level change information, and the level display unit is provided in the sample information detection unit.
The sample information processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized by having a signal analysis unit that analyzes the blood component of the blood vessel from the external pressure signal.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while detecting a pulsation signal, the sample information processing apparatus which isolate | separates the external pressure signal generated according to an external stimulus signal from a pulsation signal can be provided. In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sample information processing apparatus that has a mechanism that does not require the accuracy of the positional relationship between a sensor and a blood vessel and that detects a pulsation signal of the blood vessel. Further, the sample information processing apparatus of the present invention has a narrow sensing range as a pressure sensor, and can have high directivity (or spatial resolution). In the present invention, the S / N ratio and sensitivity of the pulsation signal can be improved by detecting the pulsation signal at a position close to the blood vessel using the directivity of the sample information processing apparatus.

It is a figure which represents typically the structure of the sample information processing apparatus concerning 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which represents typically the structure of the sample information processing apparatus concerning 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which represents typically the structure of the sample information processing apparatus concerning 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the function structure of the sample information processing apparatus concerning 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the function structure of the sample information processing apparatus concerning 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the function structure of the sample information processing apparatus concerning 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the function structure of the sample information processing apparatus concerning 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the function structure of the sample information processing apparatus concerning 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the function structure of the sample information processing apparatus concerning 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the sample information processing in a sample information processing apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the sample information processing in a sample information processing apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the sample information processing in a sample information processing apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the sample information processing in a sample information processing apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the sample information processing in a sample information processing apparatus. It is a figure which represents typically the structure of the sample information processing apparatus concerning the 1st modification of this invention. It is a figure which represents typically the structure of the sample information processing apparatus concerning the 2nd modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the relationship between the aperture diameter of a sample information processing apparatus, and the strength of a signal. It is a block diagram for demonstrating an example of a function structure of a frequency demodulation part. It is a figure showing an example of the frequency response at the time of making it the open state of a microphone. It is a figure showing an example of the frequency response at the time of making it the closed state of a microphone. It is a figure which represents typically an example of a structure of ECM. It is a figure which represents typically an example of the structure which looked at the inside of MEMS-ECM from the upper part. It is a figure which represents typically an example of a structure of the diaphragm of a MEMS-ECM, and a backplate part. It is a figure showing an example of the circuit structure of MEMS-ECM. It is the figure which represented typically the structure of the apparatus for demonstrating an example of the measuring method of the frequency characteristic of MEMS-ECM. It is a figure showing an example of the frequency characteristic in the low frequency area at the time of closed cavity formation of MEMS-ECM. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the method of the frequency correction process of the output from MEMS-ECM. It is a figure which shows an example of the analog circuit for implement | achieving a frequency correction process. It is a figure which shows an example of the frequency characteristic of the pulse wave after the frequency correction measured by MEMS-ECM. It is a figure which shows the waveform measured using MEMS-ECM, Comprising: (a) is a figure showing an example of the volume pulse wave waveform in the wrist rib measured using MEMS-ECM, (b) is MEMS-ECM. The figure showing an example of the velocity pulse wave waveform in the wrist rib measured using, (c) is a figure showing an example of the acceleration pulse wave waveform in the wrist rib measured using MEMS-ECM. It is a figure which shows the waveform measured using the piezoelectric element, Comprising: (a) is a figure showing the volume pulse wave of the carotid artery measured using the piezoelectric element, (b) is the velocity pulse of the carotid artery measured using the piezoelectric element. FIG. 6C is a diagram showing an acceleration pulse wave of the carotid artery measured using a piezoelectric element. It is a figure showing an example of the change of the pulse wave in the sample information processing apparatus using MEMS-ECM. It is a block diagram showing an example of the function structure in the signal processing accompanying the change of a pulse wave. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example which followed the artery of the palm of the left hand. It is a figure which represents typically an example of a structure of the sample information detection unit in the sample information processing apparatus concerning this invention. It is a figure which represents typically the other example of a structure of the sample information detection unit in the sample information processing apparatus concerning this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the function structure of the sample information processing apparatus concerning 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the function structure of the sample information processing apparatus concerning 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the function structure of the sample information processing apparatus concerning 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the function structure of the sample information processing apparatus concerning the 1st modification of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the process of the signal detected by the 2nd sensor which concerns on the 1st modification of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[A1. Description of First Embodiment of the Present Invention]
[1. Sample Information Processing Device]
[1-1. Sample configuration of sample information processing apparatus]
<Configuration of specimen information processing apparatus>

  As an example, the sample information processing apparatus 1 (hereinafter also referred to as this apparatus) according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a sample information detection unit 11 and a signal processing unit 61 as shown in FIG. Yes.

  The sample information detection unit 11 detects a pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the sample 91 affected by the external stimulus signal supplied from the external stimulus supply source 31, and outputs the pulsation signal to the signal processing unit 61. And it has the housing | casing part 21, the external stimulus supply source 31, and the 1st sensor 41. FIG.

  The housing portion 21 is a portion that comes into contact with the skin 92 of the sample 91 via the rubber O-ring 24 when the sample information processing apparatus 1 is mounted on the sample 91, and the housing 25 of the housing portion 21. Has a cavity (Cavity) 23 and an opening 22 at a portion facing the specimen 91, and the cavity 23 is closed with the opening 22 attached to the skin 92 of the specimen 91. Have a spatial structure. The closed spatial structure formed by the cavity 23 in this way is sometimes referred to as “Closed Cavity”. In addition, a communication path 26 is provided in the casing 25 of the casing unit 21, and an external stimulation signal from the external stimulus supply source 31 passes through the cavity 23 and the opening 22 via the communication path 26, and the specimen 91. It is supplied toward the blood vessel 93. The casing 25 of the casing 21 is, for example, in the shape of a cylinder or a prism (for example, a right prism) having a cavity inside.

  The external stimulus supply source 31 is provided in the housing unit 21 and supplies an external stimulation signal to the blood vessel 93 of the specimen 91 through the cavity 23 of the housing unit 21 and the opening 22 of the housing unit 21. . The external stimulus supply source 31 is configured to receive a signal from the signal processing unit 61 and generate an external stimulus signal.

  The external stimulus supply source 31 is preferably a light source that supplies intermittent light signals, and for example, a laser diode or an LED (Light Emitting Diode) can be used. When the external stimulus supply source 31 is a laser diode, it is preferably configured to oscillate pulsed light as a pulse oscillation source.

  As the external stimulus supply source 31, a light source that mainly emits light in the infrared region is used, but it is preferable to select a light source that emits a wavelength of light that is absorbed by a substance to be analyzed included in the specimen 91. If the glucose concentration in the blood vessel 93 is to be measured, it is preferable to use a light source that supplies an optical signal having a maximum in the absorption wavelength of the C—H group or O—H group of the glucose molecule.

  The external stimulus supply source 31 is preferably provided to face the opening 22 in the housing portion 21 in order to effectively apply an external stimulus signal to the blood vessel 93 immediately below the skin 92 of the specimen 91. . When the housing 25 of the housing portion 21 has a cylindrical shape, an external stimulus supply source 31 is provided on one end face of the housing 25, and the opening portion 22 is provided on the other end face of the housing 25 to be brought into contact with the specimen 91. Is preferred. When the housing 25 of the housing 21 has a right prism shape, an external stimulus supply source 31 is provided on one end face of the housing 25, and the opening 91 is provided on the other end face of the housing 25 to contact the specimen 91. It is preferable. In addition, the external stimulus supply source 31 is preferably provided such that the supply direction of the external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31 and the central axis of the housing portion 21 coincide.

The first sensor 41 detects the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the specimen 91 affected by the external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31 as pressure information propagating in the cavity 23 due to the pulsation signal. Is. The sensor housing 45 of the first sensor 41 is provided with a pressure information capturing portion 42, and the cavity 23 of the housing portion 21, the pressure information capturing portion 42 of the first sensor 41, and the sensor housing. The air chamber 44 which is a space inside the body 45 is in communication. A sensor element 43 is provided in the air chamber 44.
The first sensor 41 is provided in a part where the influence of the external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31 in the housing part 21 can be avoided.

  The first sensor 41 can be freely provided as long as it can avoid the influence of the external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31 in the housing unit 21. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the first sensor 41 is provided so as to penetrate the housing 25 of the housing portion 21, and a part of the first sensor 41 and the pressure information capturing portion 42 of the first sensor 41 are provided. And the other of the first sensor 41 may be exposed to the outside of the housing part 21. Alternatively, the first sensor 41 may be provided in close contact with the interior of the housing 25 of the housing portion 21. Further, the first sensor 41 is provided in close contact with the outside of the wall surface of the housing 25 of the housing unit 21, and the first sensor 41 is connected to the cavity 23 of the housing unit 21 through the hole formed in the wall surface of the housing 25 of the housing unit 21. You may make it connect with the taking-in part 42 of the pressure information of 1 sensor 41. FIG.

  The signal processing unit 61 performs signal processing on the pulsation signal output detected by the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11, and includes a signal separation unit 71 and a signal correction unit 72. Yes.

  The signal separation unit 71 performs an external pressure signal separation process on the pulsation signal output detected by the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11, thereby causing a pressure signal resulting from an external signal uttered in response to the external stimulus signal (Hereinafter also referred to as “external pressure signal”). That is, the signal separation unit 71 is obtained by separating the external pressure signal included in the pulsation signal.

  The signal correction unit 72 performs a frequency correction process on the pulsation signal output detected by the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11, thereby at least among the pulsatile volume signal, the pulsation velocity signal, and the pulsation acceleration signal. One signal is taken out.

  The sample information processing apparatus 1 is connected to an external computer 81 and a waveform display 82 via a wired or wireless line.

  The computer 81 receives the signal processed by the signal processing unit 61 and processes or stores the signal. The computer 81 can analyze the blood component of the blood vessel 93 using the external pressure signal separated by the signal separation unit 71. Further, the computer 81 can diagnose the health condition of the specimen 91 from the waveform of each signal using the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, or the pulsating acceleration signal extracted by the signal correction unit 72. .

  The waveform display unit 82 receives the signal output from the signal processing unit 61 and displays the signal waveform. When the external pressure signal is output from the signal separation unit 71 of the signal processing unit 61 to the waveform display unit 82, the waveform display unit 82 displays the waveform of the external pressure signal. When the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, or the pulsating acceleration signal is output from the signal correction unit 72 of the signal processing unit 61 to the waveform display unit 82, the waveform display unit 82 displays the pulsating volume signal and the pulsating velocity unit. The waveform of the signal or pulsation acceleration signal is displayed. As the waveform display 82, for example, a liquid crystal display, a CRT, a printer, or a pen recorder can be used.

  The sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above, and a spatial structure in which the cavity 23 is closed by bringing the opening portion 22 of the housing portion 21 into close contact with the sample 91. (Closed cavity) is formed. In this state, by supplying an external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31 toward the blood vessel 93 of the sample 91, the first sensor 41 of the sample information detection unit 11 receives the sample in the sample 91 affected by the external stimulus signal. In response to pressure information resulting from the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 existing in the vicinity of the attachment site of the information processing apparatus 1, the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the specimen 91 is detected. Further, in the signal processing unit 61, the external pressure signal is separated from the pulsating signal output detected by the first sensor 41, and at least the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, and the pulsating acceleration signal are derived from the pulsating signal output. One of these signals is taken out.

  A method for detecting a target by receiving pressure information resulting from a change in the target affected by an external stimulus signal supplied by an external stimulus source is called photoacoustic spectroscopy when a light source is used as the external stimulus source. Is the method. By analyzing the phase change between the input pulse from the external stimulus supply source and the detected thermal response waveform and the level difference of the thermal response waveform, the target can be analyzed.

<Sample>
The sample 91 to which the present sample information processing apparatus 1 is applied is not particularly limited as long as it can measure the pulsation of the blood vessel 93 in the sample 91, and can be used for a human or an animal other than a human. In order for the cavity 23 to form a closed cavity by causing the opening 22 of the housing portion 21 to face and closely contact the sample 91, the sample information processing apparatus 1 is preferably attached to the skin 92 of the sample 91.

  In the above configuration, the configuration in which the pressure information resulting from the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the specimen 91 is given, but the blood vessel 93 to be measured is not particularly limited as long as it can measure pulsation, It can be used to measure arterial blood vessels, venous blood vessels, or capillaries.

  As the wearing position of the sample information processing apparatus 1, in the case of a person, the forearm is preferable because it is easy to wear, easy to measure, and has arterial blood vessels near the body surface and can be measured with high sensitivity. . Alternatively, the fingertip is preferable in terms of ease of wearing, ease of measurement, and the ability to measure with high sensitivity because there are capillaries near the body surface. For animals other than human beings, the mounting location is preferably a site considering the ease of mounting and the ease of measurement.

  In the case of detecting a human pulsation signal using the sample information processing apparatus 1, examples of the blood vessel 93 to be measured include a radial artery or an ulnar artery present in the forearm.

<Aperture diameter>
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the signal strength when the pulsation signal of the capillary at the fingertip is measured while changing the diameter of the opening 22 in the housing 21.

  As is clear from FIG. 17, a signal can be measured when the aperture 22 has a diameter of 1 to 3 mm, but a sufficient gain is not obtained. It can be seen that the gain increases when the diameter of the opening 22 is 3 mm or more, and the pulsation signal can be measured with a high gain when the diameter of the opening 22 is 5 mm to 6 mm. This is thought to be due to the fact that when the aperture 22 is smaller than 2 mm, the area for capturing the signal from the blood vessel 93 is narrowed, so that the detected signal is weakened. .

  If the diameter of the opening 22 is too large (for example, the diameter is larger than 10 mm), when the sample information processing apparatus 1 is attached to the sample 91, the tissue (skin, hair, etc.) on the surface of the sample 91 rises and the cavity 23 rises. By entering, there is a possibility that the pressure information capturing part 42 is blocked by the tissue, or the tissue interferes with the sensor element 43. In addition, if the aperture 22 is too large, it is difficult for the cavity 23 to form a closed cavity when the sample information processing apparatus 1 is attached so as to be in close contact with the three-dimensional shape of the sample 91. There is a case. In addition, even when the sample information processing apparatus 1 is mounted on a portion where the area of the sample 91 is small, such as a human fingertip, it may be difficult to form the closed cavity of the cavity 23 when the sample information processing apparatus 1 is mounted. is there. In addition, when the height of the cavity 23 is constant, the volume of the cavity 23 increases as the diameter of the opening 22 of the cavity 23 increases. When the strength of the pulsation signal is constant, the volume of the cavity 23 is increased. Since the vibration caused by the pulsating signal of the blood vessel 93 is attenuated by increasing the value, the intensity of the signal detected by the first sensor 41 may be reduced. If the aperture 22 is too wide, the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 can be detected even when the sample information processing apparatus 1 does not exist directly above the blood vessel 93. May decrease.

  For this reason, the aperture 22 has a diameter of usually 3 mm or more, preferably 6 mm or more, and usually 10 mm or less, preferably 8 mm or less. When the lower limit of the diameter of the opening 22 is larger than the value in the above range, the detected pulsation signal becomes strong, and the opening 22 is brought into close contact with a position where vibration from the blood vessel 93 can be detected when the sample is attached to the specimen 91. It is preferable because it becomes easy. It is preferable that the upper limit of the diameter of the opening 22 is smaller than the above range because the influence of the specimen entering the opening 22 can be suppressed, the sensitivity can be maintained, and the directivity of the first sensor 41 can be provided.

  In addition, since the diameter of arterial blood vessels (radial artery and ulnar artery) at the wrist of a human adult is about 2 mm, when the opening 22 of the sample information processing apparatus 1 is attached to the wrist of a person, the artery From the viewpoint of detecting the pulsation signal from the blood vessel with high sensitivity by the first sensor 41, the diameter of the opening 22 is preferably not less than 2 times and not more than 4 to 5 times the diameter of the arterial blood vessel. When the lower limit of the diameter of the opening 22 is larger than the value in the above range, the detected pulsation signal becomes strong, and the opening 22 is brought into close contact with a position where vibration from the blood vessel 93 can be detected when attached to the specimen 91. This is preferable because it becomes easier. Since the upper limit of the diameter of the opening 22 is smaller than the value in the above range, the influence of the sample entering the opening 22 is suppressed, the sensitivity is not lowered due to the increase in the volume of the cavity 23, and the directivity of the first sensor 41 is increased. It is preferable because it can be provided.

  When the opening 22 of the sample information processing apparatus 1 is attached to a person's finger, the diameter of the blood vessel as in the case where the opening is applied to the wrist of the person in order to detect a pulsation signal of capillaries existing on the finger. However, from the viewpoint that the cavity 23 forms a closed cavity and detects the pulsation signal with high sensitivity, the aperture 22 has a diameter of at least half of the finger span and 4 of the finger span. The size is preferably 3 or less.

<Material for forming the closed cavity>
In this embodiment, the rubber O-ring 24 is used as one of the materials that the cavity 23 contributes to form the closed cavity. However, the cavity 23 is an object that can form the cavity 23 that traps the pulsating signal in the specimen 91. If it exists, even if it consists of a resin-made or metal-made raw material, it can be used. In order to form the closed cavity of the cavity 23, a material having high rigidity is desirable. However, in consideration of the characteristics (flexibility) of the skin of the human body, the affinity with the skin 92 made of rubber, silicon, etc. Is preferably used.

<First sensor>
The first sensor 41 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93, but the first sensor 41 is not limited to the pulsation of the blood vessel 93 and the external stimulation signal from the external stimulation supply source 31. A microphone that electrically detects air vibration (sound pressure information) generated by the vibration can be suitably used. Among the microphones, a condenser microphone is preferable from the viewpoint of directivity, S / N ratio, and sensitivity, and an ECM (electret condenser microphone; hereinafter, also simply referred to as “ECM”) can be suitably used. In addition, a MEMS type ECM (hereinafter also referred to as “MEMS-ECM”), which is an ECM manufactured using a MEMS (microelectromechanical system) technique, can be suitably used.

  Here, a configuration in which one first sensor 41 is provided in the specimen information detection unit 11 is described, but from the viewpoint of improving the strength of the detected pulsation signal and increasing the S / N ratio, It is preferable to provide two or more first sensors 41, and pulsation is obtained by adding the signals of the first sensors 41 by the signal adding unit 611 (see FIG. 37) provided in the specimen information detecting unit 11 or the signal processing unit 61. A signal output is preferred.

  When a plurality of first sensors 41 are provided in the specimen information detection unit 11, a plurality of the first sensors 41 are provided at a plurality of different parts in the housing unit 21 that can avoid the influence of the external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31. It is preferred that Thereby, it is possible to improve the strength of the detected pulsation signal and increase the S / N ratio while avoiding the influence of the external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31.

  In the case where a plurality of first sensors 41 are provided in the specimen information detection unit 11, the MEMS-ECM is preferable because it is easy to mount because the size is small, and the diameter of the opening 22 can be prevented from becoming too large. In addition, since the quality of the MEMS-ECM is stable, it is preferable because a stable signal can be obtained even when a large number of the sensors are connected in parallel and the signals of the first sensors 41 are added.

<Installation position of the first sensor>
A site where the influence of the external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31 that is the installation position of the first sensor 41 can be avoided will be described with reference to the drawings.

  It is preferable that the first sensor 41 is provided at a position shifted from the arrangement position of the external stimulus supply source 31 in the housing part 21. In other words, the first sensor 41 is preferably provided with an angle with respect to the direction in which the external stimulus signal is supplied from the external stimulus supply source 31, for example, in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the external stimulus signal is supplied (approximately 90). It is particularly preferable to provide the angle of the angle.

  For example, when the housing 25 of the housing portion 21 is in the shape of a cylinder or a right prism, and the external stimulus supply source 31 is provided on the bottom surface of the housing 25 of the housing portion 21, the first sensor 41 is provided on the side surface of the housing 25. It is preferred that

For example, when the external stimulus supply source 31 is a light source and the light beam 711 is used as the external stimulus signal, the optical axis indicating the supply direction of the light beam 711 emitted from the external stimulus supply source (light source) 31 as shown in FIG. When the maximum emission angle with respect to 712 is θ ₁ , the first sensor 41 is preferably arranged outside the range of 2θ ₁ with the optical axis as the center. In FIG. 35, the first sensor 41 is provided on the side wall portion of the casing portion 21 that is in a positional relationship parallel to the optical axis 712 of the external stimulus supply source 31 in the casing portion 21, so that the optical axis 712 is the center. are arranged outside the range of 2 [Theta] ₁ was.

  By providing the first sensor 41 outside the above range, a part where an external stimulus signal supplied from the external stimulus supply source 31 to the specimen 91 can enter the first sensor 41 in the process of reflection, diffraction, or dissipation. The first sensor 41 can be provided outside this range, and the first sensor 41 can be avoided from being affected by the external stimulus signal. As a result, the first sensor 41 can detect the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the sample 91 affected by the external stimulus signal without receiving the action of the external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31. In addition, since the first sensor 41 can avoid the action of the external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31, the accuracy of the external pressure signal separated from the pulsation signal can be increased, and the pulsation signal output The accuracy of the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, and the pulsating acceleration signal that are extracted can be increased.

  When the first sensor 41 is a MEMS-ECM, the external stimulus supply source 31 is a light source, and the light beam 711 is used as the external stimulus signal, the first sensor 41 is a light source of the housing unit 21 as described above. By being provided at a position deviated from the arrangement position, it is useful because a semiconductor such as a MEMS-ECM silicon diaphragm or a CMOS mounted inside can be prevented from reacting with light.

[1-2. Functional configuration of sample information processing apparatus]
<Functional configuration of sample information processing apparatus>
When the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is functionally represented, the sample information processing apparatus 1 includes a sample information detection unit 11 and a signal as shown in FIGS. The signal processing unit 61 includes a signal separation unit 71 and a signal correction unit 72. In the sample information processing apparatus 1, the pulsation signal output detected by the first sensor 41 of the sample information detection unit 11 is configured to be processed by the signal separation unit 71 and the signal correction unit 72.

  As described above, the specimen information detection unit 11 receives pressure information resulting from the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the specimen 91 from the first sensor 41, detects the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the specimen 91, and this pulsation property. A signal is output.

  As described above, the signal separation unit 71 separates the external pressure signal included in the pulsation signal by performing the external pressure signal separation process on the pulsation signal output detected by the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11. To do. The process of separating the external pressure signal by the signal separation unit 71 is also referred to as a separation process.

  As described above, the signal correction unit 72 performs frequency correction processing on the pulsation signal output from the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11 to thereby generate a pulsation volume signal, a pulsation velocity signal, and a pulsation acceleration signal. One of the signals is taken out. The process of extracting one of the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating speed signal, and the pulsating acceleration signal by the signal correction unit 72 is also referred to as a correction process.

  Further, the signal correction unit 72 performs at least one of an amplification operation, an integration operation, and a differentiation operation at a frequency of the pulsation signal, so that at least the pulsation volume signal, the pulsation velocity signal, and the pulsation property are obtained. It is preferable to extract one of the acceleration signals.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the separation of the external pressure signal in the sample information processing apparatus 1 is performed by directly separating the pulsation signal output from the first sensor 41 of the sample information detection unit 11 without using the signal correction unit 72. The unit 71 may perform external pressure signal separation processing.

  Alternatively, in the separation of the external pressure signal in the sample information processing apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 5, the pulsation signal output from the first sensor 41 of the sample information detection unit 11 is subjected to frequency correction processing in the signal correction unit 72. After that, the signal separation unit 71 may perform the separation process of the external pressure signal with respect to any one of the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, and the pulsating acceleration signal after the correction process. Good.

<External pressure signal separation processing>
When the functional configuration of the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is expressed in more detail, the sample information processing apparatus 1 can be expressed as shown in FIG. 37 as an example. The sample information processing apparatus 1 includes a sample information detection unit 11 and a signal processing unit 61.

The sample information detection unit 11 includes an external stimulus supply source 31 and a first sensor 41. The signal processing unit 61 includes a signal separation unit 71 and a signal correction unit 72.
The signal separation unit 71 includes a PLL (Phase-locked loop) 621, a timing generation unit 622, and a sample hold 623.

  Here, four ECMs (electret condenser microphones) are provided as the first sensors 41, and the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the specimen 91 affected by the external stimulus signal detected by each ECM is obtained as specimen information. What was added by the signal addition part 611 with which the detection unit 11 was equipped is comprised so that it may output to the signal processing part 61 as a pulsation signal.

  The pulsation signal output from the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11 is input to the signal processing unit 61, and the pulsation signal output is processed by the signal separation unit 71 and the signal correction unit 72 of the signal processing unit 61. Is done.

  The external stimulus supply source 31 of the sample information detection unit 11 supplies a pulsed external stimulus signal toward the sample 91, and the external stimulus supply source 31 is supplied from the timing generation unit 622 of the signal processing unit 61. Upon receiving the signal, the external stimulus signal is generated in a pulsed manner.

  The signal correction unit 72 performs frequency correction processing on the pulsating signal input from the signal processing unit 61 to extract at least one of the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, and the pulsating acceleration signal. . One of the extracted pulsating volume signal, pulsating velocity signal, and pulsating acceleration signal may be output to the outside as it is, or may be used for processing in the signal separation unit 71.

  The signal separation unit 71 includes a timing generation unit 622 and is configured such that an external stimulation signal is supplied in a pulse form from the external stimulation supply source 31 by a signal from the timing generation unit 622. For this reason, the external pressure signal included in the pulsation signal can be extracted in consideration of the timing at which the external stimulus signal is generated.

  The sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention detects the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the sample 91 affected by the external stimulus signal, and the signal separation unit 71 detects the external stimulus from the pulsation signal output. The external pressure signal generated according to the signal is separated. Here, in order to detect the sensitivity of the external pressure signal satisfactorily, in the pulsation waveform of the pulsation signal output, the pulsation at a position where the influence of the pulsation is small, that is, the position where the peak position of the pulsation is avoided Preferably, the external pressure signal is separated from the sex signal.

  Therefore, in the signal separation unit 71, the pulsation signal from the first sensor 41 is held in the sample hold 623, and the pulsation volume signal, the pulsation velocity signal, and the pulsation extracted by the signal correction unit 72 input to the PLL 621. Based on one of the acceleration signals, a signal is input at a position avoiding the peak of the pulse wave signal, and an external stimulus signal is generated from the external stimulus supply source 31 using the timing generator 622. A pulsation signal at the specified timing is obtained. Thereby, the external pressure signal generated according to the external stimulus signal can be separated from the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the specimen 91 affected by the external stimulus signal.

[1-3. Operation of specimen information processing apparatus]
The operation of the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
The operation of the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention having the functional configuration shown in FIG. 4 is represented as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a pulsation signal is detected by the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11 (step S11). Next, the signal separation unit 71 of the signal processing unit 61 performs an external pressure signal separation process on the pulsation signal output detected by the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11 (step S12), and the pulsation signal. Is separated (step S13).

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 11, a pulsation signal is detected by the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11 (step S21). Next, the signal correction unit 72 of the signal processing unit 61 performs frequency correction processing on the pulsation signal output detected by the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11 (step S22), and the pulsation volume signal, pulsation One of the sexual velocity signal and the pulsatile acceleration signal is extracted (step S23).

  The operation of the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention having the functional configuration shown in FIG. 5 is represented as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a pulsation signal is detected by the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11 (step S31). Next, the signal correction unit 72 of the signal processing unit 61 performs frequency correction processing on the pulsation signal output detected by the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11 (step S32), and the pulsation volume signal, pulsation One of the sexual velocity signal and the pulsatile acceleration signal is extracted (step S33). One of the pulsating volume signal, pulsating velocity signal, and pulsating acceleration signal is subjected to separation processing of the external pressure signal (step S34), and the external pressure signal included in the pulsating signal is separated (step S34). S35).

[1-4. Effects of the sample information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment]
According to the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the first sensor 41 is provided in a part where the influence of the external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31 in the housing unit 21 can be avoided. Therefore, it is possible to detect the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the sample 91 affected by the external stimulus signal while avoiding the influence of the external stimulus signal on the first sensor 41.

  Further, according to the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the opening 22 of the sample information processing apparatus 1 is mounted on the blood vessel 93 so that the pressure information of the first sensor 41 can be acquired. Even if the insertion portion 42 is not directly above the blood vessel 93, the pulsation signal of the blood vessel can be detected and the external pressure signal can be separated. That is, the sample information processing apparatus 1 having a mechanism that does not require the accuracy of the positional relationship between the first sensor 41 and the blood vessel 93 can be provided.

  Further, when detecting the pulsation signal, the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment makes the cavity 22 between the first sensor 41 and the skin 92 of the sample 91 by causing the opening 22 to face the sample 91. Form a closed cavity. Since the sample information processing apparatus 1 limits the diameter of the opening 22 to a predetermined size, the range of pressure information received by the opening 22 is limited, and sensing as a pressure sensor of the sample information processing apparatus 1 is performed. The range is narrow and limited. Thereby, it is possible to provide the sample information processing apparatus 1 having higher directivity (or spatial resolution) compared to the case where sensing is performed in an open system using another sensor such as a piezoelectric element or a microphone.

  Further, the S / N ratio and sensitivity of the pulsation signal are improved by detecting the pulsation signal at a position close to the blood vessel 93 using the directivity of the present sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. be able to.

  Furthermore, according to the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the signal separation unit 71 generates the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the sample 91 affected by the external stimulus signal according to the external stimulus signal. The external pressure signal can be separated, and at least one of the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, and the pulsating acceleration signal can be extracted by the signal correction unit 72.

  Usually, it is known that the magnitude of the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 is larger than that of the external pressure signal. If the pulsation signal detected by the first sensor 41 is used as it is, the external pressure signal is hidden in the pulsation signal. Therefore, it is difficult to perform analysis with sufficient accuracy. With this configuration, the apparatus separates the external pressure signal generated according to the external stimulus signal by the signal separation unit 71, so that even if the external pressure signal is from the weak blood vessel 93, It is possible to separate from the pulsating signal with high accuracy without being affected.

  Moreover, according to the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, by separating the external pressure signal and extracting at least one of the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, and the pulsating acceleration signal. The external pressure signal and the pulse waveform can be obtained simultaneously and simply, which can be used for diagnosis of the state of the specimen 91.

[2. About ECM and MEMS-ECM]
Regarding the sensor used for the first sensor 41 of the sample information processing apparatus 1, first, the relationship between the closed cavity of the microphone and the frequency response will be described, and then the ECM and the MEMS-ECM, and the pulsating signal using them. Detection, frequency characteristics, and frequency correction processing will be described.

[2-1. Closed cavity and frequency response]
The present sample information processing apparatus 1 does not measure the vibration of the pulsating signal of the blood vessel 93 in the open state (open system) by the first sensor 41, but in the relationship between the first sensor 41 and the vibration source. Measured in such a manner that the cavity 23 communicating with the air chamber 44 of the sensor 41 forms a closed space structure (closed cavity), that is, the first sensor 41 and the vibration source are closed. .
In order to explain this, the difference in frequency response between the open state and the closed state of the sensor (microphone) will be described.

In detecting the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the specimen 91, vibration originating from the movement of the heart can be captured from anywhere in the specimen 91. However, the amplitude of the movement is extremely small, and it is difficult to detect vibration originating from the movement of the heart even if a microphone or the like that can sense pressure is placed near the human body. In the case it was the sensor in an open state, once vibrations emitted into the space on the principle of sound radiation, as shown in FIG. 19, the response becomes a peak at the natural frequency f ₀ of the element, than the natural frequency f ₀ However, it is a constant output in the high frequency region, but follows a so-called -40 dB / dec curve toward the low frequency region, and shows a frequency response that is a very small signal at the fundamental frequency of the heart motion. is there. In a small acoustic device, the natural frequency is supposed to be several kHz, and in the vicinity of 1 Hz such as heart motion, the signal attenuates to −120 dB or less with respect to the amplitude with respect to the high frequency, and the response is low and the sensitivity is sufficient. It is difficult to measure with In FIG. 19, the number of traces is a so-called damping factor difference, and the position of f _{o on} the horizontal axis means the natural frequency.

On the other hand, by creating a closed space at the tip of the element (sensor) that senses this vibration and bringing it into a closed state, the frequency characteristics are completely changed as shown in FIG. The presence of a plurality of traces in FIG. 20 is a so-called damping factor difference as described above. From FIG. 20, it can be seen that the signal in the low frequency region can be measured with high sensitivity when the closed cavity is formed. This means that even the heart vibration near 1 Hz can be detected with the same amplitude and with the same amplitude as the vibration near the natural frequency f ₀ compared with the frequency response in the open state in FIG. This is considered to be because vibration is not emitted into the air as acoustic energy but is converted into a pressure change in a closed space.

  As described above, the frequency response in the low frequency region can be improved by measuring the sensor (ECM) in a closed state so as to form a closed cavity.

  That is, in this apparatus, pressure information resulting from the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the sample 91 near 1 Hz, which has been difficult to measure in the past, is received and the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the sample 91 is detected with high sensitivity. Furthermore, the respiratory signal of the specimen 91 can be extracted from the pulsation signal around 1 Hz.

[2-2. About ECM]
As a pressure change in a closed space (cavity) as described above, a microphone is the most familiar when detecting minute vibrations. Among them, ECM (electret condenser microphone) is particularly suitable for this application. ECM is increasingly applied to mobile phones and the like, not to mention miniaturization and stabilization, but is easy to obtain by mass production.
The ECM is a small microphone that realizes high sensitivity and low voltage drive by fusing an electret film to the diaphragm or fixed electrode of a condenser microphone.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the housing 208 of the ECM 201 has an air hole 202 that communicates with the outside and has a shape like a window, and the air chamber 205 that is an internal space inside the housing 208 includes A diaphragm 203 and a back plate 204 facing the air hole 202 are provided to face each other. Here, an electret film is used as the diaphragm 203. Electrodes 206 are attached to the diaphragm 203 and the back plate 204 as shown in the figure, and the back plate 204 serves as a fixed electrode, from which a signal can be detected as a change in voltage, and between the diaphragm 203 and the back plate 204. The capacitance (capacitance) can be measured. Further, in order to take out a signal with low impedance, a field effect transistor or a CMOS IC is used as the impedance conversion element. The diameter of the air hole 202 is used for adjusting the pneumatic frequency characteristics, but is generally about 1/3 of the diameter of the housing 208 on the side having the air hole. For example, in the case of a general ECM having a diameter of 6 mm, the diameter of the air hole is about 2 mm. In addition, this air hole is not a single hole, and those having a plurality of smaller air holes are also commercially available.

  When vibration is generated from the vibration source, the vibration of the air in the air chamber 205 transmitted through the air hole 202 acts as a force pushing the diaphragm 203, and the distance between the diaphragm 203 and the back plate 204 changes to change the capacitance (electrostatic capacity). (Capacity) changes.

The ECM 201 always operates by adding a constant charge (Q) between the diaphragm 203 and the back plate 204 during operation. Further, if the distance between the diaphragm 203 and the back plate 204 is (d), and these areas are the same (S), the capacitance (C) of the ECM 201 can be defined by the following equation (1).
C∝S / d (1)
(In the above equation (1), ∝ means proportionality.)

On the other hand, from electromagnetism, Q = C × V (2)
Since the relationship of the above equation (2) is established, the voltage (V) detected from the ECM 201 from these equations is represented by the following equation (3).
V ∝ Q x d / S (3)

  As is clear from the equation (3), since the charge (Q) and the area (S) are constants that do not change with air pressure, the voltage (V) is proportional to the distance (d) between the diaphragm 203 and the back plate 204. In other words, air vibrations entering from the air holes 202 in FIG. 21 can be detected in the form of voltage V.

  In this way, vibration can be measured by converting the capacitance change into voltage. The pressure information resulting from the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the sample 91 is also transmitted to the skin 92 of the sample 91, and the vibration of the skin 92 causes the air in the cavity 23 to vibrate. Can be detected as

  In FIG. 21, the configuration in which the diaphragm 203 is opposed to the air hole 202 is described. However, the diaphragm 203 and the back plate 204 may be provided in the opposite direction with respect to the air hole 202. That is, the back plate 204 facing the air hole 202 and the diaphragm 203 may be provided to face each other.

  Here, the configuration in which the electret film is used as the diaphragm has been described. However, an ECM in which a DC voltage is applied to the diaphragm from the outside can also be used in the present invention.

[2-3. About MEMS-ECM]
In recent years, ECM is increasingly using a silicon-based diaphragm produced by a semiconductor process as a diaphragm due to a demand for miniaturization. Such an ECM is referred to as a MEMS (microelectromechanical system) -ECM.

  The MEMS-ECM is an ultra-compact ECM that is three-dimensionally finely processed by sub-μm order processing / film formation technology by a semiconductor process, and is generally called a “silicon microphone”. MEMS-ECM is in principle the same as ECM, but is smaller than ECM and adjusts frequency characteristics using space, so the size of air holes (also called sound holes) is less than 1 mm in diameter. Is normal. It is known that MEMS-ECM is not inferior to ordinary ECM and has less variation in quality in terms of sensitivity, S / N, and frequency characteristics.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the MEMS-ECM 211 includes a MEMS chip 212 having a diaphragm and a back plate, and a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) chip 213 and is connected by wire bonding 214. It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the MEMS-ECM 211 is provided with a diaphragm 221 facing the air chamber 223 that is a space inside the MEMS-ECM and a back plate 222, and a capacitance between the diaphragm 221 and the back plate 222 ( (Capacitance) can be measured. Similar to ECM, when vibration is generated from a vibration source, vibration of air in the air chamber 223 transmitted through an air hole (sound hole) (not shown) communicating with the outside vibrates the diaphragm 221, and the diaphragm 221 and the back plate 222 A change in capacitance occurs due to a change in distance. By converting this capacitance change into a voltage, vibration can be measured. The diaphragm 221 and the back plate 222 may be provided so as to face each other with respect to the air hole (sound hole). That is, the back plate 222 may be provided to face the diaphragm 221 facing the air hole (sound hole), or the diaphragm 221 may be provided to face the back plate 222 facing the air hole (sound hole).

  As shown in FIG. 24, the MEMS-ECM includes a MEMS chip portion 231 and a CMOS chip portion 234. Since the CMOS structure amplifier is included for impedance conversion and amplification as shown in the equivalent circuit of FIG. 24, a change in voltage generated in the diaphragm 232 and the back plate 233 of the MEMS chip portion 231 is caused by the CMOS chip portion 234. The signal is further amplified by the amplifier 235 and output through the buffer 236.

[2-4. Closed cavity formation and pulsation signal detection]
When these ECMs or MEMS-ECMs (sometimes referred to as silicon microphones) are used to capture blood vessel vibrations (pulsation signals) caused by the heart, these microphones have frequency characteristics as shown in FIG. It is desirable to detect the pressure change in a closed space (closed cavity) formed by the cavity. For this purpose, for example, they may be pressed directly against the skin of the human body. In this case, since the space is closed between the air hole and the diaphragm, it is considered that the signal can be detected with the frequency characteristics as shown in FIG.

  However, actually, even if ECM or MEMS-ECM is directly pressed against the specimen 91, it is difficult to obtain a desired signal. The biggest cause seems to be that the diameter of the air hole is too small. For example, in an ECM with an air hole diameter of 2 mm, a signal could be detected only when the air hole came directly above the blood vessel. On the other hand, in MEMS-ECM, the signal could hardly be detected because the diameter of the air hole (sound hole) was smaller than the blood vessel. This is because when the sensor mounting portion having the opening 22 and the cavity 23 is not provided between the specimen 91 and the sensor, the pressure information capturing portion (air hole, sound hole) 42 of the ECM or MEMS-ECM is provided. It is considered that the characteristic of being able to detect the pulsation signal of the blood vessel immediately below is influential. Further, it is considered that the skin tissue or the like enters from the pressure information capturing unit 42 due to the softness of the skin tissue of the specimen 91 and the pressure information capturing unit 42 is blocked.

  Therefore, in the sample information processing apparatus 1, the casing portion 21 having the opening 22 and the cavity 23 is provided using the O-ring 24 to form a closed cavity, and the pressure information of the cavity 23 and the first sensor 41 is stored. By making the intake part 42 and the air chamber 44 communicate with each other, the pulsation signal of the low-frequency blood vessel 93 within the range of the opening part 22 can be detected.

[2-5. Frequency characteristics of ECM and MEMS-ECM]
A common characteristic of current ordinary ECM, MEMS-ECM, and the like is that measures against windbreaks are taken. Microphones such as mobile phones have small holes (several tens of μm) in the diaphragm so that they do not react to wind noise when the wind is strong or sudden pressure changes such as when the user coughs (blows). Is opened. As a result, attenuation in the low frequency is caused in terms of frequency characteristics. Slow air flow is easy to understand given that it passes through the hole in this small diaphragm.

  In addition, in MEMS-ECM in which diaphragm holes are formed by a semiconductor process, holes can be stably formed with the same quality, and the frequency response is more stable between individuals for each MEMS-ECM compared to ECM. It is known that

The sensitivity reduction in the low frequency region is effective in preventing wind noise and blowing in the normal use of the microphone for the audible sound region (20 Hz to). However, since the center frequency of the pulse wave to be detected in the present sample information processing apparatus 1 is about 1 Hz and the frequency of the respiratory signal also appears remarkably in the region of the order of several Hz, this sensitivity reduction in the low frequency region affects detection. It is possible.
Therefore, verification of frequency characteristics using MEMS-ECM will be described.

  As described above, in this sample information processing apparatus 1, it is necessary to verify frequency characteristics in a low frequency region including 1 Hz in order to detect a pulsation signal and extract a respiratory signal. The verification of the frequency characteristics was performed using an apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG.

  As the speaker 403, a dynamic speaker is used, the diaphragm is removed, the cone paper is removed while leaving the voice coil of the speaker in a moving state (also referred to as “Exciter”), and a rubber sheet is attached to that portion. An air chamber coupling 404 was formed on the rubber sheet of the speaker 403 by press-fitting the MEMS-ECM 405 whose frequency characteristics with an enlarged cavity diameter were inspected (to be tested) so as to face each other.

  In this state, an FFT analyzer 401 (CF-7200, Ono Sokki Co., Ltd.) is used as a low frequency signal generator to output signals of each frequency by sine wave sweep in the range of 0.125 to 100 Hz. The signal was input to the DC power amplifier 402 and amplified. This amplified signal is input to the FFT analyzer as input 1.

  Furthermore, by driving the voice coil of the speaker 403 with the low-frequency signal generated from the low-frequency signal generator 401, the signal from the speaker 403 moves up and down the rubber sheet according to the signal. A signal 407 (volume pulse wave signal, velocity pulse wave signal, acceleration pulse wave signal) obtained by correcting the frequency generated by the MEMS-ECM 405 in the frequency compensation circuit 406 as necessary is input to the FFT analyzer as input 2. . Note that the frequency compensation circuit 406 performs processing similar to frequency correction described later. That is, a signal obtained by integrating the signal generated by the test MEMS-ECM 405 is a volume pulse wave signal, a signal obtained by amplifying the signal generated by the test MEMS-ECM 405 is a velocity pulse wave signal, and a signal generated by the test MEMS-ECM 405 The differentiated one is obtained as an acceleration pulse wave signal.

Regarding the amplitude and phase characteristics of the signal (input 1) and the input 2 of the driving low frequency signal generator, the value of (input 2 / input 1) is obtained at each frequency swept in the range of 0.125 to 100 Hz. By adding 128 times and averaging this, the low frequency characteristics of the MEMS-ECM at each frequency were measured and verified.
By taking the frequency (Hz) on the horizontal axis and the amplitude (dB) on the vertical axis by the frequency characteristic measurement method described above, the verification result of the low frequency frequency characteristic is expressed as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 26, in the frequency characteristics of the MEMS-ECM used for verification, a sensitivity decrease of 20 dB / dec was recognized toward the low frequency. If it is related to the motion of the heart, the pulse is usually about 1 Hz (when the pulse is 60 per minute), so this can be said to indicate the differential characteristic of the signal to be detected originally. It can also be said to be equivalent to a differential circuit having one pole in the vicinity of 100 Hz.

At this time, assuming that a signal such as volume change is to be detected, when measuring a pulse wave with MEMS-ECM, in a target frequency band (approximately 0.5 to 10 Hz), The measured waveform shows a velocity component that is a differential of a normal pulse wave, and can be considered as a “velocity pulse wave”.
The acceleration pulse wave that is often used to determine the state of the blood vessel is a time derivative of this velocity pulse wave.

[2-6. About frequency correction processing]
<Frequency correction processing>
Next, frequency correction processing for pulsation signal output will be described.
The frequency correction process is a correction process for extracting at least one of a pulsating volume signal, a pulsating velocity signal, and a pulsating acceleration signal with respect to the pulsating signal output from the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detecting apparatus. Say.

Since the output (measurement data) of the MEMS-ECM showing the response as shown in FIG. 26 is obtained as a velocity pulse wave, the velocity pulse wave can be obtained when frequency correction is not performed.
In order to obtain a pulse wave and an acceleration pulse wave from the output of the MEMS-ECM, a frequency correction process for passing through an electric circuit having a frequency response as shown in FIG. 27 may be applied.

  In other words, if the MEMS-ECM output passes through a flat curve at -20 dB / dec from an extremely low frequency range to 100 Hz, a (volume) pulse wave can be obtained, and the MEMS-ECM output exceeds the output of the MEMS-ECM. If it rises at 20 dB / dec from low frequency to 100 Hz and then passes through a flat electric circuit, an acceleration pulse wave can be obtained. Further, when the correction process is not performed on the output of the MEMS-ECM, a velocity pulse wave is obtained. The total frequency characteristic after passing through such a circuit is as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 29, A shows the frequency characteristic of the velocity pulse wave, B shows the frequency characteristic of the volume pulse wave, and C shows the frequency characteristic of the acceleration pulse wave.
These acceleration pulse waves, velocity pulse waves, and volume pulse waves shown in FIG. 29 increase in gain at 40 dB / dec, 20 dB / dec, and 0 dB / dec as the frequency increases. In the vicinity of the frequency of the pulse wave, the acceleration pulse wave, the velocity pulse wave, and the frequency characteristics that generate the pulse wave are obtained.

  In this frequency correction process, an acceleration pulse wave can be obtained by compensating (differentiating) 100 Hz or less for the velocity pulse wave with a differentiation circuit, and 100 Hz or less for the velocity pulse wave is compensated for by an integration circuit ( The processing equivalent to the processing capable of obtaining the volume pulse wave by performing integration) is performed. In the frequency correction process, an amplification operation may be performed as necessary.

Further, the frequency correction processing is to obtain an acceleration pulse wave by performing a differentiation operation on a frequency of 1 Hz of a pulse wave, obtain a volume pulse wave by performing an integration operation, and perform an amplification operation to obtain a speed. It can also be said that it is a process for obtaining a pulse wave.
When a circuit for performing such frequency correction is represented by an analog circuit, it can be configured as shown in FIG.
In FIG. 28, the part indicated by reference sign A is an amplification operation circuit part, the part indicated by reference sign B is an integration operation circuit part, and the part indicated by reference sign C is a differential operation circuit part.

<Frequency correction processing and pulse waveform>
FIG. 30 shows the waveform of a pulse wave observed by applying MEMS-ECM to the wrist rib so that the diameter of the opening 22 is expanded and the cavity 23 forms a closed cavity. The waveform of the velocity pulse wave (measurement data) obtained by the measurement is represented as shown in FIG. The volume pulse wave obtained by compensating the velocity pulse wave by the integration circuit described above is expressed as shown in FIG. The acceleration pulse wave obtained by compensating the velocity pulse wave by the above-described differentiation circuit is represented as shown in FIG.

  The waveforms of volume pulse velocity, velocity pulse wave, and acceleration pulse wave are used for health care and diagnosis of diseases in various fields including Oriental medicine. As an example, the waveform of the volume pulse wave obtained by measuring the pulse wave of the carotid artery using a piezoelectric element is represented as shown in FIG. The velocity pulse wave is expressed as shown in FIG. The acceleration pulse wave is represented as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 30 (c) and 31 (c), the peaks of a to e (a wave to e wave) characterizing the acceleration pulse wave are obtained. Among these, the relative amplitudes of the b-wave and d-wave are used for estimation of the relationship with the cardiovascular disease, age and blood pressure, and the like, and are factors that are clinically important. This b-d wave is derived from the manner of synthesis of ejection waves from the heart (Percussion Wave, hereinafter also referred to as “PW”) and reflected waves from vascular barriers (Tidal Wave, hereinafter also referred to as “TW”). However, the volume pulse wave is greatly different depending on the shape of the constriction at the portion indicated by PW and TW in FIG.

  From the comparison of the waveforms of FIG. 30 and FIG. 31, the S / N ratio of the observed volume pulse wave (FIG. 30A) is improved by measuring the pulse wave using MEMS-ECM. It can be seen that the gap formed by PW and TW is emphasized, and that a significant peak is also formed in the acceleration pulse wave (FIG. 30C).

  According to the sample information processing apparatus 1 of the present invention, the cavity 23 forms a closed cavity and the first sensor 41 uses an ECM or a MEMS-ECM, thereby causing a pulsation signal in a lower frequency region than in the past. The S / N ratio is greatly improved, and a clearer pulse wave can be obtained.

[3. About detection and notification of blood vessel position]
<Detection of blood vessel position>
The specimen information detection unit 11 is installed to face the specimen 91, and the pulsation signal is detected on the surface of the skin 92 while changing the position of the specimen information processing apparatus 1 on the specimen 91. At this time, by confirming the waveform of the pulsating signal displayed by the waveform display 82, the output level from the first sensor 41 of the sample information detecting unit 11 accompanying the change in the position of the sample information detecting unit 11 is detected. be able to. Further, it repeats plotting the position where the heartbeat (pulsation signal) from the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11 is strongly detected (the position where the amplitude of the pulse wave waveform as the output level is detected largely). Thus, the position of the blood vessel 93 can be tracked. In FIG. 34, the specimen information detection unit 11 of the specimen information processing apparatus 1 is applied to the palm of the left hand to search for a position where the velocity component of the pulse wave can be detected even a little, and the specimen information detection unit 11 is shifted little by little in the vicinity. The plot shows the point where the amplitude of the velocity pulse wave (the output level of the pulsating signal) becomes the largest.

  It is known that an artery exists in the palm of the left hand, and knowledge about the distribution of the artery is obtained. Comparing the distribution of this artery with the distribution of the plot of FIG. 34, the plot of FIG. 34 matches the distribution of the artery, and it can be seen that the artery can be traced by the plot of FIG. In the plot shown in FIG. 34, although the plot is intermittently obtained and the artery is not completely traced, the present sample information processing apparatus 1 using the ECM as the first sensor 41 can be used for the blood vessel distribution. A two-dimensional map can be created.

  As the output level from the first sensor 41, the amplitude of the pulse wave waveform of the pulsation signal displayed by the waveform display unit 82 can be used as described above. As the pulsation signal, any of a volume pulse wave, a velocity pulse wave, or an acceleration pulse wave may be used. Alternatively, in the computer 81, the pulsation signal input from the signal processing unit 61 is processed, and the strength of the pulsation signal is digitized as a value over time associated with a change in the position of the sample information processing apparatus 1. You may make it compare as an output level of a pulsation signal.

<Notice of blood vessel position>
As described above, by using the sample information processing apparatus 1, the output level of the first sensor 41 that changes with the movement of the sample information detection unit 11 using the directivity of the sample information processing apparatus 1 is set. It is possible to detect and track the position of the arterial blood vessel on the surface of the skin 92 of the specimen 91 based on the change in the output level.

  Next, using this characteristic of the sample information processing apparatus 1, the blood vessel position is notified when the pulsation signal is detected by the sample information processing apparatus 1, and the apparatus is mounted and measured at an appropriate detection position. Describes a device that allows you to perform

The sample information processing apparatus 1 that notifies such a blood vessel position can be configured by including a level detection unit and a level display unit, and the level display unit is provided in the sample information detection unit 11.
The level detection unit detects an output level from the first sensor 41 that changes as the specimen information detection unit 11 moves.
The level display unit displays output level change information based on the detection result of the level detection unit. The level display unit is preferably provided at a location that is easily visible in the sample information processing apparatus 1, for example, at a site that is the upper surface of the device when the device is mounted on the sample 91.

  When functionally representing the sample information processing apparatus 1 (441) that notifies the blood vessel position, for example, it can be configured as shown in FIG. 33, and the level detection unit 442 includes a PLL (Phase-locked loop) 443, The timing generation unit 444 and the sample hold 445 and 446 are provided, and the level display unit 447 includes comparators 448 and 450 and LED (Light Emitting Diode) 449 and 451.

When the pulse information is measured by the sample information processing apparatus 1, the sample information detection unit 11 is opposed to the sample 91 to detect the pulsation signal while changing the position, thereby detecting the sample information as shown in FIG. Depending on the positional relationship between the unit 11 and the arterial blood vessel 93 of the sample 91, the output level (pulse wave intensity (amplitude)) from the first sensor 41 changes in order as peaks t _{1 to} t ₈ . Wherein at t ₁ ~t _4, the amplitude of the pulse wave increases as the sample processing apparatus 1 approaches the artery 93 of the specimen 91, represents a state in which a peak at t _4. In addition, from t _{5 to} t ₈ , the sample information processing apparatus 1 represents a state in which the amplitude decreases as the sample information processing apparatus 1 moves away from the arterial blood vessel 93 of the sample 91.

  For the pulse wave obtained by the measurement, first, the level detection unit 442 detects the output level from the first sensor 41 that changes as the specimen information detection unit moves. As an example, as shown in FIG. 33, a peak value output from the sample hold 445 and a delay corresponding to one peak position output from the sample hold 446 using the PLL 443, the timing generation unit 444, and the sample hold 445, 446 are used. The peak obtained is input to the comparators 448 and 450.

Next, as shown in FIG. 33, the level display unit displays the output level evaluation information in accordance with the output from the level detection unit 442. Here, the LEDs 449 and 451 are lit when the outputs of the comparators 448 and 450 are Low. Thus, comparator 450 receives the output from the sample hold 445 and sample and hold 446, (in the case of t ₁ ~t ₄ in FIG. 32) input from the sample hold 445 is higher than the input from the sample hold 446 The LED 451 is turned on. Comparator 448 receives the outputs from sample hold 445 and sample hold 446, and turns on LED 449 if the input from sample hold 445 is lower than the input from sample hold 446.

  Since the LEDs 449 and 451 are provided at locations that are easily visible in the present apparatus, it is possible to easily know that the present apparatus is mounted at a site corresponding to an appropriate detection position that is close to the position of the arterial blood vessel 93. .

Since the present sample information processing apparatus 1 is configured as described above, for example, when a pulsating signal is detected while moving a human wrist in one circumferential direction as the sample 91, the sample information processing apparatus 1 is separated from the arterial blood vessel 93. As the sample information processing apparatus 1 approaches the arterial blood vessel 93 from the t ₁ peak of FIG. 32, the peak increases as t ₂ to t _{3 in} FIG. 32, and reaches the maximum at t ₄ that is closest to the arterial blood vessel 93. . During this time, the level detection unit 442 detects the output level from the first sensor 41, and the level display unit 447 turns off the LED 449 and turns on the LED 451. Furthermore, when the detection of the pulsatile signal while moving the sample processing apparatus 1, the sample processing apparatus 1 is that away from the arterial vessel 93, the amplitude decreases at t ₅ ~t _8. During this time, the level display unit 447 turns on the LED 449 and turns off the LED 451.

  When detecting the pulsating signal while moving the sample information processing apparatus 1 by providing the LEDs 449 and 451 in the sample information detection unit and emitting the LED 449 in red and the LED 451 in blue, for example, an artery The positional relationship with the blood vessel 93 can be notified to the user by a change in the lighting state (lighting color) of the LED. As a result, the user can easily attach the apparatus to an appropriate position close to the arterial blood vessel 93 by operating the sample information processing apparatus 1 and checking the LED at hand on the sample information processing apparatus 1. Can be measured. In addition, measurement at a position close to the arterial blood vessel 93 is possible, and a strong pulsation signal can be detected.

  Of course, when the LED 449 is turned on, a display board showing the output level determination result (for example, a display board displayed as “after” by turning on the LED 449) is illuminated, and when the LED 451 is turned on, it is different from the display board illuminated by the LED 449. A display board (for example, a display board displayed as “front” when the LED 451 is turned on) may be illuminated. With this configuration, a person using this apparatus can easily confirm the position of the arterial blood vessel 93 by performing an operation according to the display on the display board, and confirm the proper mounting position of this apparatus. I can do it.

  As described above, the sample information processing apparatus 1 is provided with the level detection unit and the level display unit, and the level display unit is provided in the sample information detection unit 11 so that the position of the blood vessel 93 is easily detected. It becomes possible. Further, since the apparatus 1 can be mounted at an appropriate position close to the blood vessel 93 and measurement can be performed, a pulsation signal having a strong signal and a high S / N ratio can be detected. Further, the S / N ratio and sensitivity of the respiratory signal extracted from the pulsation signal by the frequency demodulator 73 described later can be improved. Furthermore, since the present apparatus can be mounted at an appropriate position close to the blood vessel 93, the external stimulation signal can be effectively supplied to the blood vessel 93 of the specimen 91 by the external stimulation supply source 31. The strength of the external pressure signal separated from the pulsation signal can be increased.

[A2. Second embodiment of the present invention]
[4-1. Configuration example of sample information processing apparatus according to second embodiment]
The sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG. 2 as an example.

  The sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment is configured in the same manner as the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above except for a part of the configuration, and is similar to the sample information processing apparatus 1 described above. Will be omitted and will be described using the same symbols.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a sample information detection unit 11 and a signal processing unit 61, and the signal processing unit 61 includes signal separation. Unit 71 and frequency demodulation unit 73.
Similar to the first embodiment, the first sensor 41 of the sample information detection unit 11 is provided at a part of the housing unit 21 where the influence of the external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31 can be avoided.

  The frequency demodulation unit 73 extracts a respiratory signal included in the pulsation signal output by performing frequency demodulation processing on the pulsation signal output detected by the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11.

  The computer 81 can analyze the blood component of the blood vessel 93 using the external pressure signal separated by the signal separation unit 71. The computer 81 can also use the respiratory signal extracted by the frequency demodulator 73 to examine the respiratory state of the sample 91 and determine the sleep or wakefulness state of the sample 91.

  When the external pressure signal is output from the signal separation unit 71 of the signal processing unit 61 to the waveform display unit 82, the waveform display unit 82 displays the waveform of the external pressure signal. When the respiratory signal is output from the frequency demodulation unit 73 of the signal processing unit 61 to the waveform display unit 82, the waveform display unit 82 displays the waveform of the respiratory signal.

  The sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention forms a spatial structure (closed cavity) in which the cavity 23 is closed by bringing the opening portion 22 of the housing 21 into close contact with the sample 91. In this state, by supplying an external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31 toward the blood vessel 93 of the sample 91, the first sensor 41 of the sample information detection unit 11 receives the sample in the sample 91 affected by the external stimulus signal. In response to pressure information resulting from the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 existing in the vicinity of the attachment site of the information processing apparatus 1, the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the specimen 91 is detected. Further, the signal processing unit 61 separates the external pressure signal from the pulsating signal output detected by the first sensor 41 and extracts a respiratory signal included in the pulsating signal output.

[4-2. Functional configuration of sample information processing apparatus according to second embodiment]
When the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 is functionally represented, the sample information processing apparatus 1 includes the sample information detection unit 11 and the signal processing unit 61 as shown in FIG. The signal processing unit 61 includes a signal separation unit 71 and a signal demodulation unit 73. In the sample information processing apparatus 1, the pulsation signal output from the first sensor 41 of the sample information detection unit 11 is processed by the signal separation unit 71 and the signal demodulation unit 73.

  The frequency demodulator 73 extracts a respiratory signal included as a modulation component in the pulsating signal by frequency demodulation using, for example, a phase-locked loop (hereinafter also referred to as “PLL”). The process of extracting the respiratory signal by the frequency demodulator 73 is also referred to as an extraction process.

[4-3. Operation of specimen information processing apparatus according to second embodiment]
The operation of the sample information processing apparatus 1 having the functional configuration according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 is represented as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.
The operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 is as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 13, a pulsation signal is detected by the first sensor of the specimen information detection unit 11 (step S41). Next, the signal separation unit 71 of the signal processing unit 61 performs frequency demodulation processing on the pulsation signal output detected by the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11 (step S42), and is included in the pulsation signal output. A respiration signal is extracted (step S43).

<External pressure signal separation processing>
When the functional configuration of the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is expressed in more detail, the sample information processing apparatus 1 can be expressed as shown in FIG. 38 as an example. The sample information processing apparatus 1 includes a sample information detection unit 11 and a signal processing unit 61, and the signal processing unit 61 includes a signal separation unit 71 and a frequency demodulation unit 73.

The pulsation signal output from the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11 is input to the signal processing unit 61, and the pulsation signal output is processed by the signal separation unit 71 and the frequency demodulation unit 73 of the signal processing unit 61. The
The frequency demodulator 73 performs a frequency demodulation process on the pulsating signal input from the specimen information detection unit 11 to extract a respiratory signal.

  In the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in the signal separation unit 71, the pulsation signal from the first sensor 41 is held in the sample hold 623, and the first sensor 41 input to the PLL 621 is received. Based on the pulsation signal, a signal is input at a position avoiding the peak of the pulse wave signal, and the timing generation unit 622 acquires a signal at a timing when the external stimulation signal is generated from the external stimulation supply source 31. Thereby, the external pressure signal generated according to the external stimulus signal can be separated from the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the specimen 91 affected by the external stimulus signal.

<Respiration signal extraction processing>
When the frequency demodulator 73 is functionally represented, the frequency demodulator 73 includes a phase comparator 151, a low-pass filter 152, a VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) 153, and a frequency divider 154 as shown in FIG. I have.

The frequency demodulation process is a process of extracting a respiratory signal included in the pulsation signal by comparing two signals whose phases are synchronized by a PLL. As an example, as shown in FIG. 18, in the frequency demodulator 73, the pulsation signal is input to the phase comparator 151, the output from the phase comparator 151 is input to the low-pass filter 152, and the output is the oscillation frequency of the VCO 153. Is divided by the frequency divider 154 and returned to the phase comparator 151 to synchronize these two signals, whereby the output waveform of the low-pass filter 152 can be obtained as a respiratory component.
That is, the respiratory component can be extracted from the pulsating signal by performing demodulation processing on the pulsating signal in which the respiratory component of the specimen is modulated.

  Here, as described above, the S / N of a pulsating signal in a lower frequency region than in the prior art is obtained by using the closed cavity formation of the present invention and the sample information processing apparatus 1 combining ECM or MEMS-ECM. The ratio is greatly improved. For this reason, it is possible to confirm the frequency modulation due to the respiration of the pulse wave, which was not seen with the conventional detection device.

  Further, unlike the detection by simply extracting the pulse wave demodulated by transmission distortion, which appears in the baseband by observation with a conventional detection device, with a low-pass filter of about 0.3 Hz or less, the closed cavity of the present invention is used. By using the sample information processing apparatus 1 that combines ECM and MEMS-ECM, the respiratory signal can be demodulated from the pulse wave waveform, and the manner in which the respiratory waveform changes according to the operating state of the sample 91 can be captured. it can.

[4-4. Effect of specimen information processing apparatus according to second embodiment]
According to the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to detect the pulsation signal while avoiding the influence of the external stimulus signal on the first sensor 41. . In addition, the sample information processing apparatus 1 having a mechanism that does not require the accuracy of the positional relationship between the first sensor 41 and the blood vessel 93 can be provided. In addition, the sample information processing apparatus 1 having high directivity (or spatial resolution) can be provided. Further, by detecting the pulsation signal at a position near the blood vessel 93 using directivity, the S / N ratio and sensitivity of the pulsation signal can be improved.

  Furthermore, according to the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the signal separation unit 71 responds to the external stimulus signal from the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the sample 91 affected by the external stimulus signal. Thus, the external pressure signal generated can be separated, and the respiratory signal can be extracted from the pulsation signal by the frequency demodulator 73. Thereby, even an external pressure signal from the blood vessel 93 having a weak intensity can be separated from the pulsation signal with high accuracy without being affected by the pulse wave.

  Moreover, according to the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, it is possible to obtain the external pressure signal and the respiratory signal simultaneously and simply by separating the external pressure signal and extracting the respiratory signal. This can be used for diagnosis of the state of the sample 91.

[4-5. Others]
In the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the housing unit 21, the external stimulus supply source 31, the first sensor 41, the signal separation unit 71, and the computer 81 are the sample according to the first embodiment described above. The information processing apparatus 1 can be configured similarly. Moreover, the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be applied to the sample 91 similar to that in the first embodiment described above. The diameter of the opening 22 of the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, the material forming the closed cavity, and the installation position of the first sensor 41 are the same as those of the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above. It can be configured similarly.

  In the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the ECM and MEMS-ECM used as the first sensor 41 are the ECM and MEMS- of the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above. It exhibits the same characteristics as the ECM, can perform frequency correction processing in the same manner as the ECM and MEMS-ECM according to the first embodiment, and can obtain a pulse wave waveform as in the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. .

  Further, in the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the blood vessel position can be detected in the same manner as the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, and the blood vessel position is notified. can do.

[A3. Description of Third Embodiment of the Present Invention]
[5-1. Configuration example of sample information processing apparatus according to third embodiment]
The sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG. 3 as an example.

  The sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment is configured in the same manner as the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment except for a part of the configuration. Description of the same as 1 is omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for explanation.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a sample information detection unit 11 and a signal processing unit 61, and the signal processing unit 61 includes signal separation. Unit 71, signal correction unit 72, and frequency demodulation unit 73.
Similar to the first embodiment, the first sensor 41 of the sample information detection unit 11 is provided at a part of the housing unit 21 where the influence of the external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31 can be avoided.

  The computer 81 can analyze the blood component of the blood vessel 93 using the external pressure signal separated by the signal separation unit 71. Further, the computer 81 can diagnose the health condition of the specimen 91 from the waveform of each signal using the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, or the pulsating acceleration signal extracted by the signal correction unit 72. . The computer 81 can also use the respiratory signal extracted by the frequency demodulator 73 to examine the respiratory state of the sample 91 and determine the sleep or wakefulness state of the sample 91.

  When the external pressure signal is output from the signal separation unit 71 of the signal processing unit 61 to the waveform display unit 82, the waveform display unit 82 displays the waveform of the external pressure signal. When the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, or the pulsating acceleration signal is output from the signal correction unit 72 of the signal processing unit 61 to the waveform display unit 82, the waveform display unit 82 displays the pulsating volume signal and the pulsating velocity unit. The waveform of the signal or pulsation acceleration signal is displayed. When the respiratory signal is output from the frequency demodulation unit 73 of the signal processing unit 61 to the waveform display unit 82, the waveform display unit 82 displays the waveform of the respiratory signal.

  The sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention forms a spatial structure (closed cavity) in which the cavity 23 is closed by bringing the opening portion 22 of the housing 21 into close contact with the sample 91. In this state, by supplying an external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31 toward the blood vessel 93 of the sample 91, the first sensor 41 of the sample information detection unit 11 receives the sample in the sample 91 affected by the external stimulus signal. In response to pressure information resulting from the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 existing in the vicinity of the attachment site of the information processing apparatus 1, the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the specimen 91 is detected. Further, in the signal processing unit 61, the external pressure signal is separated from the pulsating signal output detected by the first sensor 41, and at least the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, and the pulsating acceleration signal are derived from the pulsating signal output. One of the signals is taken out and a respiratory signal included in the pulsation signal output is extracted.

[5-2. Functional configuration of sample information processing apparatus according to third embodiment]
When the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 is functionally represented, the sample information processing apparatus 1 includes the sample information detection unit 11 and signal processing as shown in FIGS. The signal processing unit 61 includes a signal separation unit 71, a signal correction unit 72, and a frequency demodulation unit 73. In the sample information processing apparatus 1, the pulsation signal output from the first sensor 41 of the sample information detection unit 11 is processed by the signal separation unit 71, the signal correction unit 72, and the frequency demodulation unit 73.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the separation of the external pressure signal in the sample information processing apparatus 1 is performed by directly separating the pulsation signal output from the first sensor 41 of the sample information detection unit 11 without using the signal correction unit 72. The unit 71 may perform external pressure signal separation processing.

  Alternatively, in the separation of the external pressure signal in the sample information processing apparatus 1, the pulsation signal output from the first sensor 41 of the sample information detection unit 11 is subjected to frequency correction processing in the signal correction unit 72 as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the external pressure signal separation processing may be performed in the signal separation unit 71 for any one of the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, and the pulsating acceleration signal after the correction processing. .

  As shown in FIG. 7, the extraction of the respiratory signal in the sample information processing apparatus 1 is performed by directly using the pulsation signal output from the first sensor 41 of the sample information detection unit 11 without passing through the signal correction unit 72. In 73, frequency demodulation processing may be performed.

  Alternatively, in the extraction of the respiratory signal in the sample information processing apparatus 1, the pulsation signal output from the first sensor 41 of the sample information detection unit 11 is subjected to frequency correction processing in the signal correction unit 72 as shown in FIG. Later, the frequency demodulation unit 73 may perform frequency demodulation processing on any one of the pulsating volume signal, pulsating velocity signal, and pulsating acceleration signal after the correction processing.

  Of course, after the pulsation signal output from the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11 is subjected to frequency correction processing in the signal correction unit 72, the pulsation volume signal, pulsation velocity signal, and pulsation after the correction processing are performed. For any one of the acceleration signals, the signal separation unit 71 may perform external pressure signal separation processing, and the frequency demodulation unit 73 may perform frequency demodulation processing.

[5-3. Operation of specimen information processing apparatus according to third embodiment]
The operation of the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention having the functional configuration shown in FIG. 7 is represented as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.
The operations shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 10, 11 and 13 are as described above.

The operation of the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention having the functional configuration shown in FIG. 8 is represented as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.
The operations shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 12 and 13 are as described above.

The operation of the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention having the functional configuration shown in FIG. 9 is represented as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.
The operations shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 are as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 14, a pulsation signal is detected by the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11 (step S51). Next, the signal correction unit 72 of the signal processing unit 61 performs frequency correction processing on the pulsation signal output detected by the first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11 (step S52), and the pulsation volume signal, pulsation One of the sexual velocity signal and the pulsating acceleration signal is extracted (step S53). The frequency demodulation unit 73 of the signal processing unit 61 performs frequency demodulation processing on one of these pulsating volume signal, pulsating velocity signal, and pulsating acceleration signal (step S54), and is included in the pulsating signal. A respiration signal is extracted (step S55).

<External pressure signal separation processing>
When the functional configuration of the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is expressed in more detail, the sample information processing apparatus 1 can be expressed as shown in FIG. 39 as an example. The sample information processing apparatus 1 includes a sample information detection unit 11 and a signal processing unit 61, and the signal processing unit 61 includes a signal separation unit 71, a signal correction unit 72, and a frequency demodulation unit 73.

  A pulsation signal output from the first sensor 41 of the sample information detection unit 11 is input to the signal processing unit 61, and is pulsated by the signal separation unit 71, the signal correction unit 72, and the frequency demodulation unit 73 of the signal processing unit 61. The signal output is processed.

  In the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the pulsation signal from the first sensor 41 is held in the sample hold 623 in the signal separation unit 71 and taken out by the signal correction unit 72 input to the PLL 621. Based on one of the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, and the pulsating acceleration signal, a signal is input at a position avoiding the peak of the pulsating wave signal, and the timing generator 622 A signal at a timing when an external stimulus signal is issued from the external stimulus supply source 31 is acquired. Thereby, the external pressure signal generated according to the external stimulus signal can be separated from the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the specimen 91 affected by the external stimulus signal.

[5-4. Effects of the sample information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment]
According to the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the influence of the external stimulus signal on the first sensor 41 is avoided and the pulsation signal is generated. Can be detected. In addition, the sample information processing apparatus 1 having a mechanism that does not require the accuracy of the positional relationship between the first sensor 41 and the blood vessel 93 can be provided. In addition, the sample information processing apparatus 1 having high directivity (or spatial resolution) can be provided. Further, by detecting the pulsation signal at a position near the blood vessel 93 using directivity, the S / N ratio and sensitivity of the pulsation signal can be improved.

  Furthermore, according to the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the signal separation unit 71 responds to the external stimulus signal from the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the sample 91 affected by the external stimulus signal. The external pressure signal generated can be separated, and at least one of the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, and the pulsating acceleration signal can be extracted by the signal correction unit 72, and the frequency demodulation unit 73 By extracting a respiratory signal from a pulsation signal, even an external pressure signal from a weak blood vessel 93 can be separated from the pulsation signal with high accuracy without being affected by the pulse wave. It becomes possible.

  Moreover, according to the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment, the external pressure signal is separated, and at least one signal of the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, and the pulsating acceleration signal is extracted, and the respiratory signal is extracted. Thus, the external pressure signal, the pulse wave waveform, and the respiratory signal can be obtained simultaneously and simply, which can be used for diagnosis of the state of the specimen 91.

[5-5. Others]
In the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the housing unit 21, the external stimulus supply source 31, the first sensor 41, the signal separation unit 71, the signal correction unit 72, and the computer 81 are the first described above. The sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment can be configured in the same manner. In the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the frequency demodulation unit 73 can be configured in the same manner as the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment described above. In addition, the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention can be applied to the sample 91 similar to that in the first embodiment described above. The diameter of the opening 22 of the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, the material forming the closed cavity, and the installation position of the first sensor 41 are the same as those of the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above. It can be configured similarly.

  In the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the ECM and MEMS-ECM used as the first sensor 41 are the ECM and MEMS- of the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above. The same characteristics as the ECM are shown, the frequency correction processing is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment ECM and MEMS-ECM, and the pulse wave waveform can be obtained in the same manner as the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

  Further, in the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the blood vessel position can be detected in the same manner as the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, and the blood vessel position is notified. can do.

  Further, in the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the frequency demodulation processing is performed in the same manner as the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, and the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment is Similarly, a respiratory signal can be extracted.

[B1. Description of the first modification)
[6-1. Configuration example of sample information processing apparatus according to first modification of third embodiment]
The sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first modification of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG. 15 as an example. Here, an example in which the first modification is applied to the above-described third embodiment will be described.

  The sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first modification of the third embodiment is similar to the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment described above except for a part of the configuration. The same configuration as that of the above-described sample information processing apparatus 1 will not be described and will be described using the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 15, the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first modification of the third embodiment of the present invention includes a sample information detection unit 11 and a signal processing unit 61.
The sample information detection unit 11 includes a housing portion 21, an external stimulus supply source 31, and a first sensor 41, and further includes a second sensor 51 in the housing portion 21.
The signal processing unit 61 includes a signal separation unit 71, a signal correction unit 72, a frequency demodulation unit 73, and a signal conversion unit 631.
The 1st sensor 41 is provided in the part which can avoid the influence by the external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31 in the housing | casing part 21 similarly to 1st embodiment, 2nd embodiment, and 3rd embodiment. ing.

  The second sensor 51 is a sensor that detects a signal other than the pulsation signal detected by the first sensor 41 and outputs the signal to the signal processing unit 61.

  Examples of the information other than the pulsation signal include temperature information and humidity information, and the second sensor 51 detects a signal caused by information other than the pulsation signal. Information other than the pulsation signal detected by the second sensor 51 (hereinafter also referred to as “second sensor detection information”) can be obtained by performing conversion processing on the signal detected by the second sensor 51.

The signal detected by the second sensor 51 can be converted by the signal conversion unit 631 of the signal processing unit 61 to obtain second sensor detection information from the signal detected by the second sensor 51. In this modification, the signal processing unit 61 includes the signal conversion unit 631, but the signal processing unit 61 does not include the signal conversion unit 631 and is detected by the second sensor 51 in the computer 81. A conversion process for obtaining the second sensor detection information from the signal may be performed.
Examples of the second sensor 51 include a temperature sensor that detects temperature information in the casing 21 and a humidity sensor that detects humidity information in the casing 21.

  When the sample information processing apparatus 1 performs the separation process, the correction process, or the extraction process on the signal obtained from the first sensor 41 in the signal processing unit 61, the output from the second sensor 51 is processed. Can be used as correction information. For example, by detecting the temperature information signal or the humidity information signal with the second sensor 51, when the temperature or humidity of the cavity 23 inside the housing portion 21 changes, the signal processing unit 61 performs the first processing. When processing the pulsation signal detected by the sensor 41, the signal processing may be corrected in consideration of the fact that the propagation of pressure information generated from the specimen 91 changes according to temperature and humidity. As an output from the second sensor 51, a signal detected by the second sensor 51 may be used, or the second sensor detection information converted by the signal conversion unit 631 may be used.

  From the viewpoint of improving the strength of the detected signal and increasing the S / N ratio, an output signal from the second sensor 51 is obtained by adding two or more second sensors 51 and adding the signals of the respective sensors. It is preferable.

  The installation position of the second sensor 51 is not particularly limited. For example, when a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor is used as the second sensor 51 and a light signal is supplied as an external stimulus using a light source as the external stimulus supply source 31, the temperature sensor or the humidity sensor usually has a slight influence by the light signal. Therefore, it can be freely installed at any position where the inside of the housing portion 21 can be sensed. For example, as shown in FIG. 36, the second sensor 51 may be installed in the vicinity of the external stimulus supply source 31 in the housing portion 21, which is a part facing the sample 91.

  The sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first modification of the third embodiment of the present invention forms a space structure (closed cavity) in which the cavity 23 is closed by bringing the opening portion 22 of the housing 21 into close contact with the sample 91. . In this state, by supplying an external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31 toward the blood vessel 93 of the sample 91, the first sensor 41 of the sample information detection unit 11 receives the sample in the sample 91 affected by the external stimulus signal. In response to pressure information resulting from the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 existing in the vicinity of the attachment site of the information processing apparatus 1, the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the specimen 91 is detected. Further, in the signal processing unit 61, the external pressure signal is separated from the pulsating signal output detected by the first sensor 41, and at least the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, and the pulsating acceleration signal are derived from the pulsating signal output. One of the signals is taken out and a respiratory signal included in the pulsation signal output is extracted. Further, the second sensor 51 can detect a signal other than the pulsation signal in the housing portion 21.

[6-2. Functional configuration of the sample information processing apparatus according to the first modification of the third embodiment]
When the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first modified example of the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 15 is functionally represented, the sample information processing apparatus 1 is configured as shown in FIG. In the information processing apparatus 1, the sample information detection unit 11 is provided with a second sensor 51, and is configured to output a signal detected by the second sensor 51 via a signal conversion unit 631.

<Conversion processing of signal detected by second sensor>
A method for converting a signal other than the pulsating signal detected by the second sensor 51 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 41, the signal obtained by the second sensor 51 is converted by a signal conversion unit 631 including a sensor amplifier 811, a linear correction unit 812, and a voltage conversion unit 813, so that information other than the pulsating signal is obtained. (Second sensor detection information) can be obtained.

  First, signals other than the pulsating signal are detected as voltage signals by the second sensor 51. This voltage signal is amplified by a sensor amplifier 811. As the sensor amplifier, for example, a sensor amplifier having a Wheatstone bridge configuration can be used. Next, the linear correction unit 812 linearly corrects the amplified voltage signal according to the output characteristics of the second sensor 51. Further, the voltage conversion unit 813 compares the voltage signal after the linear correction with the data indicating the relationship between the voltage value measured in advance and information other than the pulsation signal, so that the signal other than the pulsation signal can be obtained. The signal is converted into information other than the pulsating signal.

[6-2. Effect of specimen information processing apparatus according to first modification of third embodiment]
According to the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first modification of the third embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment, the first sensor 41 based on an external stimulus signal. It is possible to detect a pulsation signal while avoiding the influence on the signal. In addition, the sample information processing apparatus 1 having a mechanism that does not require the accuracy of the positional relationship between the first sensor 41 and the blood vessel 93 can be provided. In addition, the sample information processing apparatus 1 having high directivity (or spatial resolution) can be provided. Further, by detecting the pulsation signal at a position near the blood vessel 93 using directivity, the S / N ratio and sensitivity of the pulsation signal can be improved.

  Furthermore, according to the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the first modification of the third embodiment of the present invention, the second sensor 51 generates a signal (second sensor detection information) other than the pulsation signal inside the housing part 21. Can be detected.

  The signal processing unit 61 separates the external pressure signal, extracts at least one of the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, and the pulsating acceleration signal, and extracts the respiration signal. By using a signal (second sensor detection information) other than the pulsation signal detected by 51 as correction information, an external device is used in accordance with the situation in the cavity 23 of the housing portion 21 that detects the specimen 91. The accuracy of obtaining the pressure signal, the pulse wave waveform, and the respiratory signal can be improved.

[B2. Description of second modification)
[7-1. Configuration example of sample information processing apparatus according to second modification of third embodiment]
The sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second modification of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG. 16 as an example. Here, what applied the 2nd modification to the above-mentioned 3rd embodiment is illustrated and demonstrated.

  The sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second modification of the third embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment sample information processing apparatus 1 except for some configurations. A description of the same components as those of the sample information processing apparatus 1 described above will be omitted, and will be described using the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second modification of the third embodiment of the present invention includes a sample information detection unit 11 and a signal processing unit 61, and performs signal processing. The unit 61 includes a signal separation unit 71, a signal correction unit 72, a frequency demodulation unit 73, and a signal analysis unit 74.

  The first sensor 41 of the specimen information detection unit 11 avoids the influence of the external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31 in the housing unit 21 as in the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment. It is provided in a possible part.

  The signal analysis unit 74 extracts the blood component of the blood vessel 93 from the pressure signal (external pressure signal) caused by the external signal generated in response to the external stimulus signal included in the pulsation signal separated by the signal separation unit 71. Analyzes and outputs the analysis results.

  For example, when an external stimulus supply source 31 that supplies an optical signal having a maximum in the absorption wavelength of a substance to be analyzed is used, an external pressure signal is analyzed using a photoacoustic method. The concentration of the substance to be analyzed in the blood vessel 93 can be measured. As an example, when a light source that supplies an optical signal having a maximum at the absorption wavelength of the C—H group or OH group of the glucose molecule is used, an external pressure signal when an optical signal having a maximum at the wavelength is supplied in advance. And the concentration of the substance to be analyzed are clarified, whereby the glucose concentration can be calculated from the separated external pressure signal.

  The sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second modification of the third embodiment of the present invention has a spatial structure (closed cavity) in which the cavity 23 is closed by bringing the opening 22 of the housing 21 into close contact with the sample 91. Form. In this state, by supplying an external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source 31 toward the blood vessel 93 of the sample 91, the first sensor 41 of the sample information detection unit 11 receives the sample in the sample 91 affected by the external stimulus signal. In response to pressure information resulting from the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 existing in the vicinity of the attachment site of the information processing apparatus 1, the pulsation signal of the blood vessel 93 in the specimen 91 is detected. Further, in the signal processing unit 61, an external pressure signal is output from the pulsating signal output detected by the first sensor 41, and at least of the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, and the pulsating acceleration signal from the pulsating signal output. One signal is taken out and a respiratory signal included in the pulsation signal output is extracted. Furthermore, the blood component of the blood vessel 93 can be analyzed by the signal analysis unit 74.

[7-2. Effect of specimen information processing apparatus according to second modification of third embodiment]
According to the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second modification of the third embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment, the first sensor 41 based on an external stimulus signal. It is possible to detect a pulsation signal while avoiding the influence on the signal. In addition, the sample information processing apparatus 1 having a mechanism that does not require the accuracy of the positional relationship between the first sensor 41 and the blood vessel 93 can be provided. In addition, the sample information processing apparatus 1 having high directivity (or spatial resolution) can be provided. Further, by detecting the pulsation signal at a position near the blood vessel 93 using directivity, the S / N ratio and sensitivity of the pulsation signal can be improved.

  Furthermore, according to the sample information processing apparatus 1 according to the second modification of the third embodiment of the present invention, the external pressure signal is separated, and at least of the pulsatile volume signal, the pulsatile velocity signal, and the pulsatile acceleration signal. This signal can be extracted to extract the respiratory signal, and the blood component of the blood vessel 93 can be obtained from the external pressure signal, which can be further used for diagnosis of the state of the specimen 91.

(Other)
In the above description of the first modification and the second modification, the modification of the third embodiment has been illustrated and described. However, the first modification or the second modification of the first embodiment or the second embodiment. An example may apply. It is also possible to combine both the first modification and the second modification.

  That is, the sample information processing apparatus 1 includes a sample information detection unit 11 and a signal processing unit 61. The sample information detection unit 11 includes a housing unit 21, an external stimulus supply source 31, and a first sensor. 41, and the signal processing unit 61 includes the signal separation unit 71 and the frequency demodulation unit 73, the specimen information detection unit 11 is configured to further include the second sensor 51. Alternatively, the signal processing unit 61 may further include a signal analysis unit 74.

  The sample information processing apparatus 1 includes a sample information detection unit 11 and a signal processing unit 61. The sample information detection unit 11 includes a housing unit 21, an external stimulus supply source 31, and a first sensor. 41, and the signal processing unit 61 includes the signal separation unit 71 and the frequency demodulation unit 73, the specimen information detection unit 11 is configured to further include the second sensor 51. Alternatively, the signal processing unit 61 may further include a signal analysis unit 74.

  In the above description, the processing by the analog circuit included in the sample information processing apparatus 1 is described for the processing of the pulsating signal. However, the sample information processing apparatus 1 is a digital circuit, for example, a digital signal processor (hereinafter also referred to as “DSP”). It is good also as a structure which digitally processes a signal by this digital circuit. Further, the pulsation signal detected by the specimen information detection unit may be output to the computer 81 via an A / D converter outside the specimen information processing apparatus 1, and the signal may be processed by the CPU.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Specimen information processing apparatus 11 Specimen information detection unit 21 Housing part 22 Opening part 23 Cavity
24 O-ring 25 Housing 31 Housing External Source 41 First Sensor 42 Pressure Information Capturing Unit 43 Sensor Element 44 Air Chamber 45 First Sensor Housing 51 Second Sensor 61 Signal Processing Unit 71 Signal Separation Unit 72 Signal Correction Unit 73 Frequency Demodulation Unit 74 Signal Analysis Unit 81 Computer 91 Specimen 92 Skin 93 Blood Vessel

Claims (15)

In addition to having a cavity inside and having an opening with a diameter of 3 mm to 10 mm at a portion facing the specimen, the cavity was closed in a state of being attached to the specimen with the opening facing the specimen A housing portion having a spatial structure, and an external stimulation signal is supplied to the blood vessel of the specimen through the opening of the housing portion through the cavity of the housing provided in the housing portion. A blood vessel pulsation signal in the sample affected by the external stimulation signal is applied to an external stimulation supply source and a part of the housing that can avoid the influence of the external stimulation signal from the external stimulation supply source. A specimen information detection unit having a first sensor that detects pressure information propagating in the cavity due to the pulsating signal;
A signal separation unit for separating an external pressure signal generated according to the external stimulus signal from a pulsation signal output detected by the first sensor of the specimen information detection unit, and a frequency correction process for the pulsation signal output And a signal processing unit having a signal correction unit for extracting at least one of a pulsating volume signal, a pulsating velocity signal, and a pulsating acceleration signal. apparatus. In addition to having a cavity inside and having an opening with a diameter of 3 mm to 10 mm at a portion facing the specimen, the cavity was closed in a state of being attached to the specimen with the opening facing the specimen A housing portion having a spatial structure, and an external stimulation signal is supplied to the blood vessel of the specimen through the opening of the housing portion through the cavity of the housing provided in the housing portion. A blood vessel pulsation signal in the sample affected by the external stimulation signal is applied to an external stimulation supply source and a part of the housing that can avoid the influence of the external stimulation signal from the external stimulation supply source. A specimen information detection unit having a first sensor that detects pressure information propagating in the cavity due to the pulsating signal;
A signal separation unit for separating an external pressure signal generated according to the external stimulus signal from a pulsation signal output detected by the first sensor of the specimen information detection unit, and a frequency demodulation process on the pulsation signal output Thus, a sample information processing apparatus comprising a signal processing unit having a frequency demodulation unit for extracting a respiratory signal included in the pulsation signal output. In addition to having a cavity inside and having an opening with a diameter of 3 mm to 10 mm at a portion facing the specimen, the cavity was closed in a state of being attached to the specimen with the opening facing the specimen A housing portion having a spatial structure, and an external stimulation signal is supplied to the blood vessel of the specimen through the opening of the housing portion through the cavity of the housing provided in the housing portion. A blood vessel pulsation signal in the sample affected by the external stimulation signal is applied to an external stimulation supply source and a part of the housing that can avoid the influence of the external stimulation signal from the external stimulation supply source. A specimen information detection unit having a first sensor that detects pressure information propagating in the cavity due to the pulsating signal;
A signal separation unit for separating an external pressure signal generated according to the external stimulus signal from a pulsation signal output detected by the first sensor of the specimen information detection unit, and a frequency correction process for the pulsation signal output A signal correction unit that extracts at least one of the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, and the pulsating acceleration signal, and the pulsating signal is subjected to frequency demodulation processing to be included in the pulsating signal output. A sample information processing apparatus comprising a signal processing unit having a frequency demodulation unit for extracting a respiratory signal to be extracted. The signal correction unit performs at least one of an amplification operation, an integration operation, and a differentiation operation at a frequency of the pulsating signal, so that at least the pulsating volume signal, the pulsating velocity signal, and the pulsating acceleration are obtained. 4. The sample information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sample information processing apparatus is configured to extract one of the signals.
  The signal separation unit separates the external pressure signal from a pulsation signal at a position avoiding a peak position of the pulse wave in the pulse wave waveform of the pulsation signal output. 5. The sample information processing apparatus according to any one of 4 above.   The plurality of first sensors are respectively provided at a plurality of different portions that can avoid the influence of the external stimulus signal from the external stimulus supply source in the casing. The sample information processing apparatus according to claim 5.   The signal processing unit performs the separation process, the correction process, and the extraction process based on a signal obtained by adding the pulsating signal outputs from the plurality of first sensors. 6. The sample information processing apparatus according to 6. The external stimulus supply source is provided to face the opening in the casing, and passes through the opening of the casing through the opening of the casing as the external stimulation signal. Configured as a light source that supplies intermittent optical signals
The first sensor is configured as a condenser microphone that detects sound pressure information caused by the pulsation signal at a portion shifted from the position of the light source in the casing. The sample information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   The sample information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the condenser microphone is configured by a MEMS ECM.   The sample information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a second sensor that detects a signal other than the pulsation signal is provided in the casing.   The sample information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second sensor is configured as a temperature sensor that detects temperature information in the casing.   The sample information processing apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the signal processing unit uses the output from the second sensor as correction information when processing.   The sample information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the diameter of the opening is not more than five times the diameter of the arterial blood vessel. A level detection unit for detecting an output level from the first sensor that changes as the specimen information detection unit moves.
A level display unit that displays output level change information based on the detection result of the level detection unit;
The sample information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the level display unit is provided in the sample information detection unit. 15. The sample information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a signal analysis unit that analyzes a blood component of the blood vessel from the external pressure signal.

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