JP2015192717A - Biological information acquisition unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a biological information acquisition unit provided with a biological sensor for making a biological specimen in an oral cavity other than salvia a detection object.SOLUTION: A biological information acquisition unit 1 and a terminal device 2 provided communicably constitute a biological state determination system 100 for determining a state of an organism. The biological state determination system 100 is a system for determining a state of an organism on the basis of biological information acquired by the biological information acquisition unit 1. The biological information acquisition unit 1 transmits detection information of a biological sensor 20 to the terminal device 2, and the terminal device 2 determines a state of the organism on the basis of the information received from the biological information acquisition unit 1.

Description

  The present invention relates to a biological information acquisition unit that is provided on an artificial tooth and acquires biological information.

  As such a biological information acquisition unit, one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-208766 (Patent Document 1) is known. Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which a sugar concentration measuring device for measuring a sugar concentration in saliva is embedded in an artificial tooth.

JP 2004-208766 A

  However, Patent Document 1 only describes that a sensor for detecting saliva in the oral cavity is provided on the artificial tooth, and extends the detection target of the sensor provided on the artificial tooth to something other than saliva. This was not assumed at all in Patent Document 1.

  Therefore, it is desired to realize a biological information acquisition unit including a biological sensor whose detection target is a biological sample in the oral cavity other than saliva.

  According to the present invention, the characteristic configuration of the biometric information acquisition unit that is provided on the artificial tooth and acquires biometric information includes a biosensor that detects breath in the oral cavity and communication that transmits the detection information of the biosensor to the outside. And a device.

  According to the above-described characteristic configuration, the biometric sensor provided in the biometric information acquisition unit is intended for detection of exhaled breath that contains various biological information and can be easily detected in the oral cavity. It can be grasped relatively easily based on the detection information of the biosensor. Furthermore, according to said characteristic structure, the communication apparatus which transmits the detection information of a biometric sensor outside is provided in a biometric information acquisition unit. For this reason, for example, management of detection information of the biological sensor can be performed by an external device that requires a relatively high processing capability and a relatively large amount of storage capacity. Miniaturization can be achieved.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the biological condition determination system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the artificial tooth which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which decomposes | disassembles and shows the artificial tooth which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning state in the oral cavity of the biosensor which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the mode of the vehicle interior which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  An embodiment of a biological information acquisition unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the biological information acquisition unit 1 determines the state of the biological body 3 (see FIG. 5) together with the terminal device 2 provided to be communicable with the biological information acquisition unit 1. A case where the system 100 is configured will be described as an example. The biological state determination system 100 is a system that determines the state of the biological body 3 based on the biological information acquired by the biological information acquisition unit 1. As described below, in the present embodiment, the biological information acquisition unit 1 transmits detection information of the biological sensor 20 to the terminal device 2, and the terminal device 2 is based on information received from the biological information acquisition unit 1. The state is determined. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the biological body 3 is a human body.

1. Configuration of Biometric Information Acquisition Unit The biometric information acquisition unit 1 is a unit that is provided on the artificial tooth 10 and acquires biometric information. The artificial tooth 10 is a tooth 4 at least a part of which is made of an artificial object, and is provided inside the oral cavity 80 (see FIG. 4) of the living body 3 and has a function of chewing food like a natural tooth. In the present embodiment, the artificial tooth 10 is provided at the position of the back tooth inside the oral cavity 80. The back teeth are teeth 4 on the back side (the pharynx side opposite to the mouth) from the front teeth. Here, incisors (incisors) and canines are front teeth, and molars are back teeth. In the present embodiment, the artificial tooth 10 is provided at the position of the lower jaw tooth 4.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the entire artificial tooth 10 (specifically, both the crown portion 10a and the root portion 10b) are made of an artificial object. That is, in this embodiment, the tooth root part 10b is comprised by the artificial tooth root (implant). The tooth root portion 10 b is a portion embedded in the jaw bone 81 (alveolar bone), and the crown portion 10 a is a portion protruding from the gingiva 82 covering the jaw bone 81. The crown portion 10a is connected to a root portion 10b fixed to the jawbone 81 by a connecting portion 10c (abutment). As a result, the crown portion 10a is fixed to the jawbone 81. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.2 and FIG.3, the connection part 10c is a member different from the tooth root part 10b, and the connection part 10c is fastened and fixed with respect to the tooth root part 10b by the fastening member 10d. And the crown part 10a is fixed with respect to the connection part 10c with a fastening member, an adhesive agent, etc. (not shown). It is also possible to use the artificial tooth 10 having a configuration in which the connecting portion 10c is formed integrally with the root portion 10b.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the biological information acquisition unit 1 includes a biological sensor 20 that detects biological information. The biosensor 20 uses the breath inside the oral cavity 80 as a detection target. In the present embodiment, the biosensor 20 detects saliva inside the oral cavity 80 in addition to exhalation inside the oral cavity 80. That is, the biometric information acquisition unit 1 includes an exhalation sensor 21 that detects the exhalation inside the oral cavity 80 as the biosensor 20. In the present embodiment, the biological information acquisition unit 1 further includes a saliva sensor 22 that detects saliva inside the oral cavity 80 as the biological sensor 20. The biological sensor 20 (in this embodiment, the breath sensor 21 and the saliva sensor 22) is connected to the control device 23 (described later) of the biological information acquisition unit 1 so that detection information can be transmitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the breath sensor 21 has a breath detection unit 21 a inside the oral cavity 80 on the surface of the artificial tooth 10. In the present embodiment, the detection part 21 a of the breath sensor 21 is arranged on the side part 14 of the artificial tooth 10. Here, the side surface portion 14 of the artificial tooth 10 is a portion excluding the meshing surface 16 on the outer surface of the crown portion 10a. That is, the side surface portion 14 of the artificial tooth 10 is a portion that does not have a function of chewing food on the outer surface of the crown portion 10a. More specifically, the side surface portion 14 of the artificial tooth 10 has a component in which the normal vector toward the outside on the outer surface of the crown portion 10 a is directed outward in the radial direction with respect to the tooth axis A of the artificial tooth 10. It is a part that has. And in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the detection part 21a of the breath sensor 21 is arrange | positioned at the side part 14 by the side of the tongue 83 of the artificial tooth 10. As shown in FIG. Here, the side surface portion 14 on the tongue 83 side is a portion of the side surface portion 14 of the artificial tooth 10 having a component in which a normal vector directed outwardly faces outward in the target radial direction. The target radial direction is the inner side of the oral cavity 80 (on the tongue 83 side, in other words, the cheek 84) along the direction orthogonal to the tooth arrangement direction B of the radial directions based on the tooth axis A of the artificial tooth 10. Or the direction toward the opposite side of the lips).

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the detection part 21 a of the breath sensor 21 is the side part 14 on the tongue 83 side of the artificial tooth 10 and is formed between other adjacent teeth 4. It is arrange | positioned at the recessed part 15 depressed on the cheek 84 side. Here, the concave portion 15 recessed toward the cheek 84 side refers to the side portion 14 of the artificial tooth 10 and other adjacent to the artificial tooth 10 when viewed along the tooth axis A of the artificial tooth 10 (FIG. 4). This is a space surrounded by the side surface portion 14 of the tooth 4 and a virtual straight line that contacts both of the two teeth 4 from the inside of the oral cavity 80. In FIG. 4, the imaginary straight line for the recess 15 in which the detection unit 21 a of the breath sensor 21 is disposed is denoted by “L1”, and the recess 15 in which the detection unit 22 a of the saliva sensor 22 to be described later is disposed. The virtual straight line is denoted by “L2”. In this example, the detection part 21a of the breath sensor 21 is disposed in a recess 15 formed between the other teeth 4 adjacent to the back side.

  The expiration sensor 21 is a sensor that uses a specific gas contained in expiration, such as carbon dioxide, acetone, alcohol (ethanol), or the like as a detection target gas. Various types of breath sensor 21 such as a semiconductor method using a change in electrical resistance caused by a detection target gas, a fuel cell method using an electrochemical reaction of the detection target gas, and an infrared absorption method using infrared absorption of the detection target gas A gas sensor of the type can be used. In the present embodiment, the detection unit 21a of the breath sensor 21 is provided with at least an introduction hole for introducing breath inside the oral cavity 80 into the sensor. The detection information of the exhalation sensor 21 may include not only exhalation but also inspiration information. For example, exhalation and inspiration are distinguished based on information such as oxygen concentration and nitrogen concentration included in the detection information. can do. In addition, in order to suppress the inhalation information from being included in the detection information of the exhalation sensor 21, the exhalation sensor 21 detects the exhalation in accordance with the expiration phase based on the respiratory cycle information of the living body 3. You can also.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the saliva sensor 22 has a saliva detector 22 a inside the oral cavity 80 on the surface of the artificial tooth 10. The detection unit 22 a of the saliva sensor 22 is arranged on the surface of the artificial tooth 10 at a position different from the detection unit 21 a of the breath sensor 21. Here, the different position means that the position is different in at least one of the axial direction along the tooth axis A and the circumferential direction with the tooth axis A as a reference. Specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the detection unit 22 a of the saliva sensor 22 is the side surface portion 14 on the tongue 83 side of the artificial tooth 10, and the other teeth 4 adjacent to the front side. Is disposed in the concave portion 15 that is formed on the cheek 84 side.

  The saliva sensor 22 is a sensor for detecting saliva components or properties such as acidity, salinity concentration, sugar concentration, and the like. As the saliva sensor 22, various types of biosensors such as a method using a current generated by a chemical reaction (for example, oxidation reaction, enzyme reaction, antigen-antibody reaction, etc.) of a specific substance in saliva can be used. In the present embodiment, the detection unit 22a of the saliva sensor 22 is provided with at least a working electrode for causing a chemical reaction to a specific substance in saliva.

  The biological information acquisition unit 1 includes a control device 23 that controls each part (each device) of the biological information acquisition unit 1. The control device 23 includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured with a logic circuit such as a microcomputer as a core member. Each function executed by the ECU of the control device 23 is realized by cooperation of hardware such as a microcomputer and software (program) stored in the storage device. The control device 23 controls the operation of the biosensor 20 so as to acquire detection information from the biosensor 20 at a predetermined timing (for example, at regular intervals).

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the biological information acquisition unit 1 includes a communication device 25 as a device controlled by the control device 23. The communication device 25 is a device that transmits detection information of the biosensor 20 to the outside (outside of the artificial tooth 10). In the present embodiment, the communication device 25 transmits detection information of the biosensor 20 to the terminal device 2 described later in detail. The control device 23 controls the communication device 25 to transmit the detection information of the biosensor 20 acquired from the biosensor 20 to the outside at a predetermined timing. This timing can be, for example, the time when the control device 23 acquires the detection information from the biological sensor 20, or can be a time after the time. In the latter case, the communication device 25 may be configured to collectively transmit a plurality of pieces of detection information to the outside. In addition, when the biometric information acquisition unit 1 can acquire information on the position or time of the living body 3 by an apparatus provided in the biometric information acquisition unit 1 or communication from the outside, the detection information of the biosensor 20 is It can also be set as the structure transmitted outside in the state linked | related with the information on the position or time of the biological body 3 at the time of detection by the biometric sensor 20. Further, only a part of the detection information selected from the plurality of detection information acquired from the biosensor 20 is transmitted to the outside, or statistical processing (for example, a plurality of detection information acquired from the biosensor 20 (for example, The detection information after the average value derivation process is performed may be transmitted to the outside.

  In the present embodiment, the communication device 25 transmits the detection information of the biosensor 20 to the outside (in this example, the terminal device 2) using biometric communication. The biometric communication is communication using the living body 3 as a communication medium. As the biometric communication, various types of biometric communication such as current biometric communication and electric field biometric communication can be employed. In current-type biometric communication, information is transmitted by modulating a weak current flowing through the living body 3. In electric field type biometric communication, information is transmitted by modulating the electric field generated on the surface of the living body 3. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the terminal device 2 that performs communication with the communication device 25 of the biological information acquisition unit 1 is provided in the vehicle 90. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a biocommunication electrode electrically connected to a communication device 35 (see FIG. 1) of the terminal device 2 to a steering device 91 (steering wheel in this example) for steering the vehicle 90. 92 is formed. Then, in a state where the hand of the living body 3 (driver) is in contact with the electrode 92 of the steering device 91, the biological information acquisition unit 1 (communication device 25) and the terminal device 2 (provided on the artificial tooth 10 of the living body 3). The biometric communication via the electrode 92 can be executed with the communication device 35).

  In the case of adopting electric field type biometric communication, the living body 3 and the electrode 92 do not need to be in direct contact with each other, and therefore, the electrode 92 can be built in the steering device 91. In addition, an operation part of the terminal device 2 that the living body 3 operates with a finger (for example, an input device (touch panel) of the display input device 36 described later), a pedal (for example, an accelerator pedal or a brake pedal) that the living body 3 operates with a foot, Or it can also be set as the structure by which the electrode 92 for biomedical communication is formed in the part (sheet | seat, sheet mat, etc.) which the other biological body 3 contacts.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the biological information acquisition unit 1 includes a vibration device 24 as a device controlled by the control device 23. The vibration device 24 is a device that vibrates the detection unit 21a so as to move saliva attached to the detection unit 21a of the biosensor 20 (specifically, the breath sensor 21). For example, the control device 23 is configured to activate the vibration device 24 at a predetermined timing (for example, at regular intervals), or it is detected that the detection unit 21a of the expiration sensor 21 cannot appropriately detect expiration. In such a case (for example, when the breath sensor 21 outputs a detection error), the control device 23 can be configured to operate the vibration device 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the vibration source 24 a of the vibration device 24 is arranged so that vibration can be transmitted to the detection unit 21 a of the breath sensor 21. The vibration source 24a is configured using, for example, a piezoelectric element that vibrates when supplied with electric power. By providing the vibration device 24, even in the oral cavity 80 where saliva is present, it is possible to suppress the detection of expiration in the detection unit 21 a of the expiration sensor 21 from being disturbed by the saliva.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the biological information acquisition unit 1 includes a supported portion 12 that is supported via an elastic member 13 with respect to the artificial tooth body 11 fixed to the living body 3. The elastic member 13 is formed using an elastic material (elastic body) such as rubber. The detection part 21 a of the breath sensor 21 and the vibration source 24 a of the vibration device 24 are fixed to the supported part 12. Therefore, a vibration transmission suppressing structure that suppresses transmission of vibration between the artificial tooth body 11 and the supported portion 12 is formed by the elastic member 13, and the vibration generated by the vibration source 24 a when the vibration device 24 is operated is the artificial tooth. Transmission to the main body 11 can be suppressed. As a result, vibration can be efficiently transmitted from the vibration source 24a to the detection unit 21a of the breath sensor 21 or the vibration can be increased, and vibration can be transmitted from the vibration source 24a to the jaw bone 81 to cause the living body 3 to feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable. Can be suppressed. In the present embodiment, the detection unit 22 a of the saliva sensor 22 is fixed to the artificial tooth body 11. Moreover, in this embodiment, the artificial tooth main body 11 is comprised by a part of dental crown part 10a, the root part 10b, and the connection part 10c, and the supported part 12 is comprised by the remaining part of the dental crown part 10a. .

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the biological information acquisition unit 1 includes a power generation device 26, and each part of the biological information acquisition unit 1 including the biological sensor 20 and the communication device 25 is generated by the power generation device 26. It is comprised so that it may operate | move. The biometric information acquisition unit 1 includes a power storage device 27 that stores the power generated by the power generation device 26. Then, after the electric power generated by the power generation device 26 is stored directly or in the power storage device 27, each part of the biological information acquisition unit 1 (in the example shown in FIG. 1, the breath sensor 21, saliva sensor 22, and control device 23). , Vibration device 24, and communication device 25). The power storage device 27 is configured by a capacitor, for example.

  In the present embodiment, the power generation device 26 is a power generation device using a piezoelectric element 26 a that operates by a force transmitted to the artificial tooth 10 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The piezoelectric element 26 a is configured to be able to generate electric power by pressure acting on the meshing surface 16 from the other teeth 4. That is, the piezoelectric element 26 a is provided in the artificial tooth 10 so as to be pressed by the pressure acting on the meshing surface 16 from the other teeth 4. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the piezoelectric element 26a is sandwiched from both sides in the direction along the tooth axis A by the connecting portion 10c and the root portion 10b at the joint portion between the connecting portion 10c and the root portion 10b. It is arranged so that. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the piezoelectric element 26a is fixed to the connecting portion 10c that can be easily replaced as compared with the tooth root portion 10b. Here, the configuration in which the power generation device 26 generates power by the pressure acting on the meshing surface 16 has been described as an example. However, the power generation device 26 is not limited to the time when the teeth 4 are meshed but during various movements of the living body 3. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which power is generated by the vibration of the gingiva or a configuration in which power is generated using the heat of the gums 82.

2. Configuration of Terminal Device The terminal device 2 is a device that determines the state of the living body 3 based on the detection information of the biological sensor 20 received from the biological information acquisition unit 1. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the terminal device 2 is a navigation device mounted on the vehicle 90, and navigation that provides guidance information regarding points and routes to passengers (particularly drivers) of the vehicle 90. It has a function. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the terminal device 2 includes a position detection device 31, an audio output device 33, a control device 34, a communication device 35, a display input device 36, and a storage device 37.

  The position detection device 31 is a device that detects information on the current position of the terminal device 2 (vehicle 90). For example, the position detection device 31 detects position information such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, a distance sensor, and a direction sensor. Equipped with various devices. The detection information of the position detection device 31 is output to the control device 34. The sound output device 33 is configured by a device for outputting sound, such as a speaker or an amplifier. The communication device 35 is a device that performs communication with the communication device 25 of the biological information acquisition unit 1 (in this embodiment, communication using biological communication). The display input device 36 is a device in which a display device and an input device are integrated. For example, the display input device 36 is a device in which a liquid crystal panel and a touch panel are integrated. The storage device 37 includes, as a hardware configuration, a storage medium that can store and rewrite information, such as a hard disk drive and a flash memory. The storage device 37 stores map information (road map data). The position detection device 31 or the storage device 37 may be provided outside the terminal device 2 so that information and signals are transmitted to and received from the terminal device 2 via a communication network such as the Internet. .

  The control device 34 is a device that controls each unit (each device) of the terminal device 2. The control device 34 includes an ECU configured with a logic circuit such as a microcomputer as a core member. Each function executed by the ECU of the control device 34 is realized by cooperation of hardware such as a microcomputer and software (program) stored in a storage device (for example, the storage device 37). The control device 34 stores the detection information of the biosensor 20 received from the biometric information acquisition unit 1 in the storage device 37. The control device 34 manages the detection information of the biosensor 20 stored in the storage device 37. For example, the control device 34 can manage the detection information of the biological sensor 20 in association with the position or time information of the living body 3 when the detection by the biological sensor 20 is performed.

  The control device 34 includes a biological state determination unit 38 that determines the state of the biological body 3. The biological state determination unit 38 refers to the detection information of the biological sensor 20 stored in the storage device 37 and determines the state of the living body 3. For example, the biological state determination unit 38 performs statistical processing (for example, average value derivation processing, maximum value derivation processing, minimum value derivation processing, etc.) on a plurality of pieces of detection information of the biological sensor 20 stored in the storage device 37. Go to determine the state of the living body 3. At this time, it is also possible to limit the detection information of the biological sensor 20 to be subjected to statistical processing based on the position or time of the living body 3 when the detection by the biological sensor 20 is performed. The restriction based on the position is, for example, a restriction based on the road type or the road shape (curved road or the like) obtained from the map information stored in the storage device 37. The biological state determination unit 38 determines the state of the biological body 3 by comparing the detection information (for example, the result of the statistical processing) detected by the biological sensor 20 with a predetermined determination criterion. In addition, it is good also as a structure by which at least one part function of the biological condition determination part 38 is performed by the biological information acquisition unit 1 side. In addition, a storage device corresponding to the storage device 37 may be provided in the biological information acquisition unit 1.

  For example, the control device 34 alerts the living body 3 based on the determination result by the living body state determination unit 38. This alerting is performed, for example, by one or both of outputting an alerting image by the display input device 36 and outputting an alerting sound by the audio output device 33. The content of the alert is different depending on the detection target by the biological sensor 20, but is, for example, the content that prompts the living body 3 to notice fatigue or drowsiness.

3. Other Embodiments Finally, other embodiments according to the present invention will be described. Note that the configurations disclosed in the following embodiments can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradiction arises.

(1) In the above embodiment, the biological information acquisition unit 1 includes the supported portion 12 supported via the elastic member 13 with respect to the artificial tooth body 11 fixed to the living body 3, and the breath sensor 21 The case where the detection unit 21a and the vibration source 24a of the vibration device 24 are fixed to the supported portion 12 has been described as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. Depending on the magnitude of vibration generated by the vibration source 24a, the biological information acquisition unit 1 does not include the supported portion 12, and the detection unit 21a of the breath sensor 21 and The vibration source 24a of the vibration device 24 may be fixed to the artificial tooth body 11.

(2) In the above embodiment, the case where the biological information acquisition unit 1 includes the power generation device 26 has been described as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and the biological information acquisition unit 1 may be configured not to include the power generation device 26. In this case, for example, it is preferable that the power source (power storage device 27) of the biological information acquisition unit 1 is configured to be able to supply power from the outside by electromagnetic induction using electromagnetic waves.

(3) In the above embodiment, the case where the communication device 25 transmits the detection information of the biosensor 20 to the outside using biometric communication has been described as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and the communication device 25 may be configured to transmit the detection information of the biosensor 20 to the outside using wireless communication.

(4) In the above embodiment, the case where the terminal device 2 is a navigation device mounted on the vehicle 90 has been described as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and the terminal device 2 may be a device carried by the living body 3 (a portable information terminal device, a multifunctional mobile phone, a wristwatch, glasses, etc.).

(5) In the above embodiment, each of the detection unit 21a of the breath sensor 21 and the detection unit 22a of the saliva sensor 22 is the side surface portion 14 of the artificial tooth 10 on the tongue 83 side, and the other adjacent teeth 4 The case where it arrange | positions in the recessed part 15 dented in the cheek 84 side formed in between was demonstrated as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which at least one of these two detection units is arranged in a portion (for example, the side surface portion 14 on the cheek 84 side) different from the concave portion 15 in the side surface portion 14 or the meshing surface 16 instead of the side surface portion 14. It is also possible to adopt a configuration arranged in the above.

(6) In the above embodiment, the biosensor 20 is configured to detect saliva inside the oral cavity 80 in addition to the exhalation inside the oral cavity 80, that is, the saliva sensor in addition to the exhalation sensor 21 as the biosensor 20. The configuration provided with 22 has been described as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a configuration in which the saliva sensor 22 is not provided, or a configuration in which the biosensor 20 also detects inhalation inside the oral cavity 80 (the inspiratory sensor is the biosensor 20). It is also possible to have a configuration provided.

(7) In the above embodiment, the case where the entire artificial tooth 10 is made of an artificial object has been described as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and the artificial tooth 10 provided with the biological information acquisition unit 1 may be an artificial tooth that is partly composed of an artificial object. As such artificial teeth, for example, artificial teeth in which only the crown part 10a is an artificial object (a tooth supporting a bridge, an indentation, etc.) or a floor denture having a floor part that is in contact with the mucous membrane in the oral cavity 80 (Partial dentures or total dentures).

(8) Regarding other configurations as well, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. In other words, configurations that are not described in the claims of the present application can be modified as appropriate without departing from the object of the present invention.

4). Outline of Embodiment of Present Invention The biological information acquisition unit (1) that is provided in the artificial tooth (10) and acquires biological information in the embodiment of the present invention described above includes at least the following configuration.

  That is, the biometric information acquisition unit (1) provided on the artificial tooth (10) to acquire biometric information includes a biosensor (20) for detecting expiration in the oral cavity (80) and the biosensor (20). And a communication device (25) for transmitting the detected information to the outside.

  According to this configuration, since the biometric sensor provided in the biometric information acquisition unit is intended for detection of exhaled breath that includes various types of biometric information and can be easily detected in the oral cavity, Can be grasped relatively easily based on the detected information. Furthermore, according to said structure, the communication apparatus which transmits the detection information of a biometric sensor outside is provided in a biometric information acquisition unit. For this reason, for example, management of detection information of the biological sensor can be performed by an external device that requires a relatively high processing capability and a relatively large amount of storage capacity. Miniaturization can be achieved.

  In the biological information acquisition unit (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention, the communication device (25) uses the biological communication using the biological body (3) as a communication medium, and detects the detection information of the biological sensor (20). It is preferable that the transmission is performed outside.

  According to this configuration, it is easy to limit the range in which the detection information of the biosensor is transmitted to a specific range, compared to the case where wireless communication is used. Therefore, the detection information of the biosensor can be used by an external device while suppressing leakage of the detection information of the biosensor. In addition, since the communication device that is the transmission source of the detection information of the biosensor is provided inside the living body (artificial tooth), the configuration for inputting the signal including the detection information of the biosensor to the living body is simplified. You can also.

  In the biological information acquisition unit (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention, the biological sensor (20) is configured to detect saliva in the oral cavity (80) in addition to exhalation in the oral cavity (80). Is preferred.

  According to this configuration, more biological information can be acquired than when the biological sensor does not detect saliva as a detection target, and the state of the biological body and changes thereof can be grasped from various viewpoints.

  Moreover, the biological information acquisition unit (1) in the embodiment of the present invention further includes a power generation device (26) using a piezoelectric element (26a) operated by a force transmitted to the artificial tooth (10), and the biological sensor ( 20) and the communication device (25) are preferably configured to operate with electric power generated by the power generation device (26).

  According to this structure, the electric power for operating a biosensor and a communication apparatus can be ensured by using effectively the pressure from the other tooth which acts on the artificial tooth when the teeth are engaged. Therefore, it is not necessary to supply power from the outside, or to remove the biological information acquisition unit from the artificial tooth for power supply replacement or charging, or the necessity thereof can be minimized, which is highly convenient. A biological information acquisition unit can be realized.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a biological information acquisition unit that is provided on an artificial tooth and acquires biological information.

1: biological information acquisition unit 3: biological body 10: artificial tooth 20: biological sensor 25: communication device 26: power generation device 26a: piezoelectric element 80: oral cavity

Claims (4)

A biological information acquisition unit provided on an artificial tooth for acquiring biological information,
A biosensor for detecting expiration in the oral cavity;
A communication device for transmitting detection information of the biosensor to the outside;
A biometric information acquisition unit.   The biometric information acquisition unit according to claim 1, wherein the communication device transmits detection information of the biometric sensor to the outside using biometric communication using a living body as a communication medium.   The biometric information acquisition unit according to claim 1, wherein the biometric sensor also detects saliva in the oral cavity in addition to exhalation in the oral cavity. Further comprising a power generation device using a piezoelectric element that operates by the force transmitted to the artificial tooth,
The biological information acquisition unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the biological sensor and the communication device are operated by electric power generated by the power generation device.

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