JP2013508002A - Apparatus and method for measuring body part - Google Patents

Abstract

  An apparatus for measuring characteristics of a body part such as an infant's head includes a flexible substrate, a plurality of sensor elements provided along the substrate, and an electronic system. Each sensor element has (i) a component, and the electrical characteristics of the component change predictably in response to the component being bent, and (ii) indicate a current value of the electrical characteristic. Provide a signal. The electronic system receives the signal of each sensor element and determines an index of the degree of curvature of the sensor element based on the received signal. The electronic system is configured to determine an indication of the curvature of the segment, such as a loop, defined by the selected one or more sensor elements based on the indicator.

Description

  The present invention relates to the measurement of features associated with body parts, such as a human head (eg, an infant's head), and more particularly has electrical characteristics that change predictably when the sensor is bent. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for measuring characteristics such as a degree of curvature or a surface shape of a body part or a part of a body part using a plurality of sensors.

  Newborns are born with a relatively elastic skull structure. Also, the earlier the newborn is born, the more elastic the skull structure. When a newborn is placed in one position for a long time, the effect of gravity on the newborn's head is sufficient to cause a semi-permanent deformation in the skull structure. The fact that premature infants naturally do not move relatively, and the fact that many nursing practice practices prevent premature infants from moving further increases the incidence of head deformity, known as the oblique head among newborns. Make it high. Newborns born at term may experience head deformities for a long time as parents are advised to lay the newborn on their back, especially as a precaution against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

  One of the difficulties associated with oblique heads is that it is very difficult to detect until the damage is visually noticeable, at which point it becomes more difficult to reverse the damage. Clinicians currently use a tape measure to determine the newborn's head circumference. This is generally used as a growth rate. This measurement is often compared to other physiological measurements because of an indication of a condition that can cause an unbalanced size of the head relative to other parts of the body.

  The shape of the head, in particular the curvature of the head, can be monitored easily and accurately over a long period of time, such as using various products designed to return the newborn to a normal position or relieve shock or position the head, There are currently no devices available that allow nursing care adaptations to help reduce and / or remove the bevel before it is visually noticed and / or permanent. Current devices cannot measure the shape of the head without significant manipulation of the position of the head, which causes considerable stress on preterm infants.

  In one embodiment, an apparatus for measuring a characteristic of a body part is provided. The apparatus includes an elongated flexible non-expandable substrate, a plurality of sensor elements and an electronic system provided along the substrate, each sensor element being coupled to the electronic system. Each sensor element has (i) a component, and the electrical properties (eg, resistance, inductance or capacitance) of the component change predictably in response to the component being bent, (ii) A signal indicative of a current value of the electrical characteristic is provided. The electronic system receives a signal for each sensor element and determines an index (eg, radius of curvature) of the degree of curvature of the sensor element based on the received signal associated with the sensor element. The electronic system is configured to determine an indication of the curvature of a segment defined by the selected one or more sensor elements based on the indicator associated with each of the selected one or more sensor elements. It is desirable. The electronic system may be configured to determine a curved distance of the segment. In a preferred embodiment, the substrate, the sensor element and the electronic system are provided together in a portable device.

  The segment may be a closed loop and the electronic system may be configured to determine that the closed loop is formed and to perform a calibration adjustment for each of the second plurality of sensor elements. The segment may be other than a closed loop, for example a curved part of the device.

  In a particular embodiment, the device has a mechanism for determining that the closed loop is formed and identifying sensor elements contained within the closed loop. The mechanism may include a plurality of conductive pads provided along the substrate and a conductive element provided at a far end of the substrate. In another specific embodiment, the apparatus has a mechanism for identifying a sensor element of a segment having a plurality of conductive pads provided along the substrate and conductive elements slidable along the substrate. May be.

  The electronic system is configured to determine a curvature deformation index based on the index associated with each of a selected set of sensor elements, the curvature deformation index representing a minimum index of the index. Is determined by calculating the ratio to be compared with the largest index of.

  Also provided is a method for measuring a characteristic of a body part. The method includes providing a plurality of sensor elements, each of the sensor elements having (i) a component, the electrical properties of the component being predictable in response to the component being bent And (ii) providing a signal indicative of a current value of the electrical characteristic, wrapping the sensor element around at least a part of the body part, the sensor element being at least a part of the body part Receiving the signal of each of the sensor elements, and determining an indicator of the degree of curvature of each of the sensor elements based on the received signal. The method includes determining, based on each indicator, an indication of the curvature of a segment defined by the plurality of sensor elements when the sensor element is wound around the at least part of the body part. Also good.

  The foregoing and other objects, features and characteristics of the present invention, together with the method of operation, the function of the combination of structural elements and parts, the simplicity of manufacture, refer to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification. Will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and claims. Like reference symbols in the Figures indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. However, it should be clearly understood that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and explanation only and are not considered as a definition of the invention. As used in the specification and claims, the singular terms ("a", "an", and "the") include references to the plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a measuring device according to one particular embodiment of the invention. FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a measuring device according to one particular embodiment of the invention.

  For example, but not limited to the following words, the terms indicating the direction used in this specification, such as top, bottom, left, right, top, bottom, front, back and their derivatives are It does not limit the scope of the claims unless explicitly stated in the claims in relation to the orientation of the elements shown.

  As used herein, a statement that two or more parts or components are “coupled” together means that the parts are joined or operated together directly or through one or more intermediate parts or components. It means to do.

  As used herein, a statement that two or more parts or components “engage” each other means that the part exerts a force against the other, either directly or through one or more intermediate parts or components. Means that.

  As used herein, the term “number” means one or an integer greater than one (ie, a plurality).

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a measuring device 2 according to one particular embodiment of the invention. The measuring device 2 has a sensor piece 4 coupled to an electronic system 6. The sensor piece 4 desirably has an elongated substrate 8 made of a flexible, bent, non-resilient, non-expandable material, such as but not limited to a soft metal or plastic film. A plurality of sensor elements 10 are provided and arranged along the entire length of the sensor piece 4 from end to end (by a suitable attachment mechanism such as an adhesive). Desirably, the sensor piece 4 is similar to a tape measure whose shape, size and thickness are known.

  Each sensor element 10 has a component or part. Without limitation, the electrical characteristics of the component or part, such as resistance, inductance or capacitance, change predictably and consistently in response to the component or part and associated sensor element 10 being bent. . Thus, different values of a particular electrical characteristic resulting from the bending of the sensor element 10 can be measured, correlated and / or used to calculate a particular degree of deflection or curvature. it can. In other words, for each sensor element 10, the current value (eg, resistance, inductance or capacitance) of a particular electrical characteristic is the current amount of deflection or curvature of the sensor element 10 (eg, radius of curvature). Can be used to determine

  One suitable device used for each sensor element 10 is described in US Pat. No. 7,248,142, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In particular, this patent is a sensor device having a layer of variable resistance material, which layer has a finite reference electrical resistance value when the layer and the sensor device are flat (not bent). The electrical resistance value of a layer describes a device that changes predictably when the layer and sensor device are distorted or bent. In the particular embodiment described in this patent, the greater the amount of deviation, the greater the resistance of the layer of material. As a result, different resistance values resulting from the bending of the sensor device are measured and can be used to determine a particular degree of deflection or bending of the sensor device. The sensor device described in this patent is merely an example and not a limitation. It will be appreciated that other suitable sensor devices of different designs can also be used within the scope of the present invention.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the electronic system 6 is coupled to the sensor piece 4, in particular to each sensor element 10 of the sensor piece 4. The electronic system 6 includes a processor 12 such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or some other suitable custom control circuit (eg, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)). Memory 14 is coupled to processor 12. The memory 14 is stored in software for execution by the processor 12 and data for controlling the operation of the measuring device 2 as described herein, such as, but not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, etc. It can be any of various internal and / or external storage media that provide the media. Also, the processor 12 and memory 14 are shown as separate blocks in FIG. 1, but may be combined into a single component or device (ie, the memory 14 may be internal to the processor 12). The electronic system 6 further includes a user interface 16 coupled to the processor 12 for causing the electronic system 6 to input and / or output data and / or instructions. In one particular embodiment, the user interface 16 is a measurement made by the measurement device 2 as described herein, such as an LCD, such as a keyboard that inputs data and control instructions to the electronic system 6. A display for displaying information on

  The electronic system 6 also has an input source 18 that generates an electrical input signal 20 that is provided to each sensor element 10. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, each sensor element 10 is responsive to receiving an electrical input signal 20 to present a current value (eg, resistance value, inductance) of a particular changing electrical characteristic of the associated sensor element 10. It also generates a specific output signal 22 (denoted 22A-22F in FIG. 1) indicative of capacitance). The output signal 22 is provided to the processor 12 of the electronic system 6. According to one aspect of the invention, the processor 12 is programmed to determine an indication, such as a radius of curvature, of the degree of curvature of each sensor element 10 based on a particular received output signal 22 associated with the sensor element 10. Is done.

  In addition, the processor 12 displays an indication of the curvature of the segments defined by a particular selected number of sensor elements 10 based on the determined indicator of the degree of curvature associated with each sensor element 10 in the segment. Programmed to determine. This segment may include a specific selected number of sensor elements 10 formed in a closed loop, or a specific selected number of sensor elements 10 forming an arc. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, when the sensor strip 4 is formed in a closed loop, the processor 12 provides an indication of the curvature of the loop and / or the outer contour / shape of the particular sensor element 10 included in the loop. Based on each measurement of the degree of curvature, it is programmed to determine (see description of how a particular sensor element 10 of interest is identified below). Thus, in operation, the sensor strip 4 is completely covered or partially surrounded by the newborn's head, and based on the output signal 22 received from one suitable sensor element 10, the newborn's head (or part thereof). An indication of the curvature and / or the outer contour / shape is determined by the processor 12. The data may be stored in memory 14 and / or output to a clinician's computer system for later storage, analysis and / or use.

  Further, the processor 12 may be programmed to perform self-calibration when the sensor strip 4 is formed in a completely closed loop (eg, detected as described below). This is because the processor 12 expects in this state that the individual curvature indicators associated with each participating sensor element 10 together form a closed loop. However, depending on the accuracy of the sensor element 10, the calculated curve may not form a closed loop. The error of each sensor element 10 is basically multiplied by the number of elements between that sensor element 10 and the end of the loop. Since these errors are compounded, the combined margin of error of all sensor elements 10 can result in a calculated arc that does not form a closed loop. If the processor 12 detects that a closed loop has been formed during the measurement, either through built-in loop detection means or a user instruction, the processor 12 will perform real-time sensor calibration to close the calculated loop. Thus, uniform adjustment can be performed and the accuracy can be improved.

  In a preferred embodiment, the measuring device 2 is provided with a mechanism that determines which particular sensor element 10 should be used when determining the curvature representation of the segments of the sensor strip 4. In other words, which specific sensor elements 10 are included in the segment of interest, and only the curvature indication associated with those specific sensor elements 10 is a processor for determining the curvature representation of that segment. 12 is provided (a curvature index associated with other sensor elements 10 is ignored in this example). In one embodiment, this mechanism may include a plurality of conductive pads 24 provided along the length of the substrate 8 and a conductive element 26 provided at the far end of the substrate 8. In this configuration, the circuit is completed by bringing the conductive element 26 into contact with a particular pad 24. Such contact can be used as an indication that a closed loop has been formed. Further, the identification of the particular pad 24 in contact can be determined by identifying which sensor element 10 is of interest (ie, in a closed loop) and which sensor element 10 is not of interest (ie, outside a closed loop). Can be used to determine. Also, the curvilinear distance of the segment of interest to the nurse (eg, the circumference of the head) is the specific pad 24 in contact (based on the known pad spacing and / or the known length of the sensor element 10). Can be determined from the identification. In another embodiment, the mechanism includes a plurality of conductive pads 24 provided along the length of the substrate 8 and a slidable conductive element 28 that is movable along the length of the substrate 8. The circuit may be completed each time the slidable conductive element 28 contacts the pad 24. Based on the completed circuit, the processor 12 can determine which pad 24 is in contact and thus the length of the sensor piece 4 of interest (and thus the particular sensor element 10 of interest). The determined length is also used by the processor 12 to determine the curve distance of the segment of interest to the nurse as described above.

  In certain embodiments, each sensor element 10 is an element as disclosed in the '142 patent, and the electrical resistance of each sensor element 10 changes predictably when each sensor element 10 is bent. In this embodiment, the electric input signal 20 supplied to each sensor element 10 is an input voltage having a specific potential. Each sensor element 10 also includes or is coupled to a voltage divider circuit. The voltage divider circuit generates for each sensor element 10 an output signal 22 that is an output voltage having a level indicative of the current resistance value of the associated sensor element 10. When the processor 12 then receives each output voltage, it determines the current resistance value of the associated sensor element 10 and from that resistance value determines an index of the degree of curvature of the sensor element 10. As described elsewhere, each indicator of curvature determined in this way is then used to display the curvature and / or sensor piece, for example when the sensor piece 4 is looped around the head of the newborn. Used to determine the outer contour / shape of the loop formed by 4.

  The sensor strip 4 (including the associated circuitry) is, in certain embodiments, enclosed in a sheath, encased between laminated materials, or formed in a compliant structure for safety and environmental protection. May be.

  In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the measurement device 2 described herein is incorporated into an existing nurse's workflow and used to calculate, store and track infant head curvature over time. The nurse may be shown a tendency to enable early medical practice. In certain embodiments, the measuring device 2 may be used to periodically determine and store an indication of the infant's head curvature. These displays are then downloaded to a computer, such as a nurse's PC (by coupling the electronic system 6 to the computer through a suitable connection such as using a USB cable or docking station coupled to the computer). Can be stored, displayed and analyzed over time. For example, the measured curvature information may be displayed graphically or numerically. Alternatively, an overall index of curvature severity may be determined and displayed. The index will be a quick indication of how “true” the loop actually measured is. In a completely circular loop, all sensor elements 10 will measure exactly the same radius of curvature. In an elongated curved closed loop, some sensor elements 10 will exhibit a smaller radius of curvature than other sensor elements 10. The bending deformation index is calculated as a ratio (represented as a bending deformation index ratio) in which the minimum radius of curvature indicated by one or more sensor elements 10 is compared with the maximum radius of curvature indicated by one or more sensor elements 10. Determined by When a set of sensor elements 10 is considered, the curvature deformation index ratio can be set to a “lower” or “upper” threshold to determine whether the deformation is within the overall shape or simply a local anomaly. Further changes or weights are made based on the number of sensor elements 10 to be filled.

  In another particular embodiment, the display may be uploaded to a computer network, such as a hospital computer network, for storage and / or analysis, through the computer described above or directly from the measuring device 2. Alternatively, these displays may be manually accessed from the electronic system 6 (using the user interface 16) and recorded in the infant's chart for later analysis. The measuring device 2 can also collect and store displays for a plurality of infants and download and / or upload these displays as described above. For example, the nurse can use the measuring device 2 to collect data about a number of infants in the nursery and then download and / or upload the data for storage in association with each infant's medical record.

  In addition, the physician responsible for nursing the infant can use the measuring device 2 to monitor the progress of a specific treatment or procedure for the oblique head (such as a treatment or procedure using an orthodontic appliance) or routine outpatients. Early detection of potential oblique heads during treatment. Other areas where the measuring device 2 can be applied include reconstructive plastic surgery and similar applications where measuring body part curvature is important for providing adequate nursing care.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration based on what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, such details are merely for illustrative purposes, It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but rather that the invention encompasses modifications and equivalent arrangements that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment. .

Claims (29)

A device for measuring body part characteristics:
An elongated flexible non-expandable substrate;
A plurality of sensor elements provided along the substrate, each of the sensor elements having (i) a component, the electrical characteristics of the component being predicted in response to the component being bent (Ii) a plurality of sensor elements that change possible and provide a signal indicative of a current value of the electrical characteristic;
An electronic system, wherein each of the sensor elements is coupled to the electronic system, the electronic system receives a signal of each of the sensor elements and based on the received signal associated with the sensor element, the sensor An electronic system configured to determine an indication of the degree of curvature of the element;
Having a device.   The electronic system is configured to determine an indication of the curvature of a segment defined by the selected one or more sensor elements based on the indicator associated with each of the selected one or more sensor elements. The apparatus of claim 1.   The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the segment is a closed loop.   The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the electronic system is configured to determine that the closed loop is formed and to perform a calibration adjustment for each of the selected one or more of the sensor elements.   4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a mechanism for determining that the closed loop is formed and identifying the selected one or more of the sensor elements.   The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the mechanism includes a plurality of conductive pads provided along the substrate and a conductive element provided at a far end of the substrate.   The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a mechanism for identifying the sensor elements that constitute the selected one or more sensor elements.   The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the mechanism includes a plurality of conductive pads provided along the substrate and a conductive element slidable along the substrate.   The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the selected one or more sensor elements are less than all of the plurality of sensor elements.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator of the degree of curvature of the sensor element is a radius of curvature.   The electronic system is configured to determine a curvature deformation index based on the index associated with each of the selected set of sensor elements, the curvature deformation index being determined from the selected set of sensor elements. 6. Determined by calculating a ratio that compares the smallest of the indices associated with each with the largest of the indices associated with each of the selected set of sensor elements. The apparatus according to 1.   The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the curvature deformation index is weighted based on a number of sensor elements having the minimum index and a number of sensor elements having the maximum index.   The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the indication is a radius of curvature.   The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electronic system is configured to determine a curved distance of the segment.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical characteristic is one of a resistance value, an inductance, and a capacitance.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate, the sensor element, and the electronic system are provided together in a portable device. A method for measuring body part characteristics:
Providing a plurality of sensor elements, each sensor element having (i) a component, the electrical properties of the component changing predictably in response to the component being bent; (Ii) providing a signal indicative of a current value of the electrical characteristic;
Winding the sensor element around at least a portion of the body part;
Receiving the signal of each of the sensor elements when the sensor element is wound around at least a portion of the body part;
Determining an indication of the degree of curvature of each of the sensor elements based on the received signal;
Having a method.   18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: determining, based on each indicator, an indication of segment curvature defined by the plurality of sensor elements when the sensor element is wound around the at least part of the body part. the method of.   The method of claim 17, wherein the body part is a head.   The method of claim 18, wherein the segment is a closed loop.   21. The method of claim 20, further comprising determining that the closed loop is formed and performing a calibration adjustment for each of the plurality of sensor elements.   Determining a curvature index based on the index associated with each of the sensor elements, the curve deformation index comparing a minimum index of the indices with a maximum index of the indices. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of determining by calculating a ratio.   23. The method of claim 22, wherein the curvature deformation index is weighted based on the number of sensor elements having the minimum index and the number of sensor elements having the maximum index.   The method of claim 17, wherein the indicator of the degree of curvature of each of the sensor elements is a radius of curvature.   The method of claim 18, wherein the indication is a radius of curvature.   The method of claim 18, further comprising determining a curved distance of the segment.   The method of claim 17, wherein the electrical characteristic is one of resistance, inductance, and capacitance.   19. The method of claim 18, further comprising storing the display and then downloading the display to a computing device.   In order to generate a number of additional curvature displays, the winding, receiving and determining steps are performed a number of times, and the curvature display and the plurality of further curvature displays over time. The method of claim 18, further comprising storing and tracking.

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