JP2017203745A - Probe and internal temperature measurement device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new technique for measuring the inner temperature of a measurement object.SOLUTION: A probe 20 includes: a sensor unit 22 mainly made of a heat transmissive material, the sensor unit having a sensor measuring the physical quantity of the heat of a measurement object; an ultrasonic transmission unit 28 around the sensor unit 22 for transmitting supersonic waves to the measurement object; and a thermal insulation unit 30 covering a side of the sensor unit 22 opposite to a measurement surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an internal temperature measuring device for measuring the internal temperature of a measurement object.

  From body temperature, which is basic vital information, biological information such as health status, basal metabolic status, and mental status can be obtained. In order to determine the health status, basal metabolic status, or mental status of a human or animal based on the body temperature of the human body or animal, information on the internal temperature (depth temperature) is used instead of the temperature of the surface layer of the human body or animal. is necessary. As a technique related to the measurement of the internal temperature, for example, Patent Document 1 that measures the internal temperature of a human body is known.

JP-A-55-29794

  The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a technique related to internal temperature measurement using a so-called heat flow compensation formula. In this technique, a heat flow compensation type probe is affixed to the body surface, and the internal temperature of the body to be measured is measured by apparently radiating heat from the body surface to zero. In this case, it is necessary to control the heater in order to bring the inside of the living body and the probe into a temperature equilibrium state. In the technique of Patent Document 1, since a heating element is used as a heater, the heat of the heating element propagates to a deep part in a portion where the subcutaneous tissue is thin, but the heat does not propagate to the deep part in a portion where the subcutaneous tissue is thick. is there. Even if heat does not propagate to the deep part, a temperature equilibrium state can be obtained, which may cause an error in measurement of the internal temperature.

  In order to solve this problem, a method of using a heating element that enlarges the heating element or generates a higher temperature can be considered, but there are various problems. For example, if a large heating element is used, the entire apparatus becomes large. Therefore, when a heat flow compensation type internal temperature measurement device is to be realized in the form of a small device such as a wearable device, the measurable part is limited. It will be. Further, the amount of heat generated by the heating element in contact with the skin is naturally limited due to safety problems.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, The place made into the objective is to implement | achieve the new method of measuring the internal temperature of a to-be-measured body.

  1st invention for solving the said subject is provided in the circumference | surroundings of the sensor part which makes the base material the heat-transfer material by which the sensor which measures the physical quantity which concerns on the heat | fever of a to-be-measured object is arrange | positioned, It is a probe provided with the ultrasonic transmission part which transmits an ultrasonic wave toward the said to-be-measured object, and the heat insulation part which covers the side surface on the opposite side to the measurement surface of the said sensor part.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, a probe capable of measuring a physical quantity related to the heat of a measurement object and transmitting ultrasonic waves toward the measurement object is realized. Then, by using this probe, the ultrasonic wave is transmitted toward the object to be measured, the temperature of the ultrasonic wave propagation range is increased, the object to be measured and the probe are in a temperature equilibrium state, and the object to be measured is It is possible to realize a new measurement technique such as measuring the internal temperature of the object to be measured based on a physical quantity related to heat.

  As a second invention, the probe according to the first invention may be configured such that the ultrasonic wave transmitting section is formed in an annular shape.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, since the ultrasonic transmission part formed in an annular shape is provided around the sensor part, it is relatively evenly distributed from the circumference of the sensor part toward the measurement object in contact with the measurement surface. Since ultrasonic waves can be transmitted, a temperature equilibrium state suitable for measurement by the sensor unit can be achieved.

As 3rd invention, it is a probe of 2nd invention, Comprising: The said heat insulation part is provided so that the side surface on the opposite side to the measurement surface of the said sensor part, and the outer peripheral surface of the said ultrasonic transmission part may be covered. The
A probe may be configured.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, since the heat flow from the measurement surface of the sensor unit to the external environment is blocked by the heat insulating unit, the temperature equilibrium state can be created relatively early and with high accuracy. The internal temperature can be measured.

  As a fourth invention, a probe according to any one of the first to third inventions, further comprising an acoustic lens provided on the measurement surface side of the ultrasonic transmission unit, may be configured. .

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to adjust the transmission direction of the ultrasonic wave and the focal length of the ultrasonic wave with respect to the measurement object by the acoustic lens provided on the measurement surface side of the ultrasonic wave transmission unit.

  As a fifth invention, the probe according to the fourth invention may be configured such that the acoustic lens is provided so as to cover the measurement surface side of the ultrasonic transmission unit and the sensor unit. .

  According to the fifth aspect, the acoustic lens is provided so as to cover the measurement surfaces of the ultrasonic transmission unit and the sensor unit, so that the measurement surfaces of the ultrasonic transmission unit and the sensor unit are in close contact with the measurement object. Can be made. As a result, for example, efficient transmission of ultrasonic waves can be realized, so that a temperature equilibrium state can be created relatively early and with high accuracy, and no gap is created between the sensor unit and the surface of the object to be measured. Thus, it becomes possible to measure the internal temperature with higher accuracy.

As 6th invention, it is the probe of 4th or 5th invention,
An acoustic matching layer is provided between the ultrasonic transmission unit and the acoustic lens.
A probe may be configured.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, by providing the acoustic matching layer, acoustic matching is achieved between the ultrasonic transmission unit and the measured object, and the acoustic energy from the ultrasonic transmission unit is efficiently propagated to the measurement target. can do.

  As a seventh invention, in the probe according to any one of the first to sixth inventions, the sensor unit includes a temperature sensor near the measurement surface and a temperature sensor near the side surface opposite to the measurement surface. A probe may be configured to include at least.

  According to the seventh invention, the sensor unit has at least a temperature sensor near the measurement surface and a temperature sensor near the side surface opposite to the measurement surface, and is a physical quantity related to the heat of the measured object. Based on a certain temperature, the internal temperature of the object to be measured can be measured.

  As an eighth invention, the probe of any one of the first to seventh inventions, the control of ultrasonic transmission by the ultrasonic transmitter, and the inside of the measured object based on the measured value of the sensor You may comprise the internal temperature measuring apparatus provided with the arithmetic processing part which measures temperature and performs.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, an internal temperature measuring device that exhibits the same effect as any one of the first to seventh aspects of the invention can be realized.

  According to a ninth aspect, in the internal temperature measuring device according to the eighth aspect, the arithmetic processing unit calculates a heat flux based on the measured value of the sensor, and the heat flux satisfies a predetermined equilibrium condition. You may comprise the internal temperature measuring apparatus which makes temperature based on the said measured value of a case into the said internal temperature.

  According to the ninth aspect, it is possible to measure the temperature when the heat flux calculated based on the measurement value of the temperature sensor satisfies the predetermined equilibrium state as the internal temperature.

  According to a tenth aspect of the invention, in the internal temperature measuring device according to the eighth or ninth aspect of the invention, the arithmetic processing unit is configured to measure from a measurement target portion of the measured object or a surface of the measured object of a predetermined heat source. An internal temperature measurement device that variably controls the frequency of the ultrasonic wave to be transmitted to the ultrasonic wave transmission unit according to the depth may be configured.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the frequency of the ultrasonic wave is variably controlled in accordance with the measurement target portion of the measured object or the depth of the predetermined heat source from the measured object surface, thereby measuring the measured object. And the probe can be in a temperature equilibrium state. Specifically, for example, the ultrasonic wave can be propagated to a deeper heat source by lowering the frequency of the ultrasonic wave as the depth of the heat source is deeper.

Application example of internal temperature measurement device. The external appearance perspective view of a probe. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of a probe. The cross-sectional view of a probe. The function block diagram of an internal temperature measuring device. The data structural example of a frequency setting table. The flowchart of an internal temperature measurement process. Experimental results of internal temperature measurement. Experimental results of internal temperature measurement using a conventional heat flow compensation probe.

[overall structure]
FIG. 1 shows an application example of the internal temperature measuring device 10 in the present embodiment. The internal temperature measuring device 10 is a device that measures the internal temperature (depth temperature) of the living body 1 such as a human body that is a measurement target. The probe 20 is affixed to the skin surface of the living body 1, and And the main body device 40 connected to each other. In the present embodiment, the internal temperature of the living body 1 is measured using a heat flow compensation equation, and in order to bring the probe 20 and the inside of the living body 1 into a temperature equilibrium state, ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the living body 1 and acoustics It is characterized in that the living body is heated by energy being absorbed and converted into heat.

  2 to 4 are schematic views for explaining the configuration of the probe 20. 2 is an external perspective view of the probe 20, FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view, and FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view. The probe 20 has a thin cylindrical shape with a short length in the height direction, and is attached so that the lower surface is in contact with the skin surface of the living body 1. The probe 20 includes a sensor unit 22 formed in a thin cylindrical shape in which the entire shape of the probe 20 is reduced, an ultrasonic transmission unit 28 formed in an annular shape so as to surround the sensor unit 22, and an outer edge standing upright. A heat insulating portion 30 configured to cover the upper surface of the sensor portion 22 and the outer peripheral surface of the ultrasonic transmission portion 28 with the opening of the lid-like body serving as the installation portion facing the lower surface side that is the measurement surface of the sensor portion 22; And the acoustic lens 32 provided so as to cover the lower surface side of the unit 22 and the ultrasonic transmission unit 28.

  The sensor unit 22 is formed using a heat transfer material having thermal conductivity as a base material, and the first temperature sensor 24 is provided near the lower surface (measurement surface), and the first temperature sensor 24 is disposed near the upper surface (side surface opposite to the measurement surface). A two temperature sensor 26 is provided. The heat transfer material serving as the base material of the sensor unit 22 is preferably a material having a thermal conductivity λ of λ = 5 [W / m · K] or less. The 1st temperature sensor 24 and the 2nd temperature sensor 26 are sensors which measure the temperature which is a physical quantity concerning the heat of living body 1 which is a measuring object, for example, a chip thermistor, a flexible printed thermistor pattern A known sensor using a substrate, a sensor using a platinum resistance thermometer, a thermocouple element, a PN junction element, a diode or the like can be used. The measurement values of the first temperature sensor 24 and the second temperature sensor 26 are output to the main body device 40 via the cable 50. 2 to 4, the illustration of the cable 50 is omitted.

  The ultrasonic transmission unit 28 includes a large number of ultrasonic transducers (ultrasonic elements) that transmit ultrasonic waves downward from the lower surface side of the probe 20 in an annular shape. 2 to 4, illustration of each ultrasonic transducer is omitted. The ultrasonic transducer is an ultrasonic transducer that converts an ultrasonic wave and an electric signal, and transmits an ultrasonic pulse signal of several MHz to several tens of MHz. Each ultrasonic element constituting the ultrasonic transmission unit 28 is individually driven and controlled by a control signal input from the main body device 40 via the cable 50, and transmits ultrasonic waves downward.

  The heat insulating unit 30 is formed of a heat insulating material having high heat insulating properties, and is configured to cover a side surface (upper surface) opposite to the measurement surface (lower surface) of the sensor unit 22. Thereby, the heat insulation part 30 interrupts | blocks the heat dissipation from the upper surface of the sensor part 22 which received heat from the biological body 1 which is a to-be-measured body. However, in the present embodiment, the heat insulating unit 30 is provided so as to cover the side surface opposite to the measurement surface of the sensor unit 22 and the outer peripheral surface of the ultrasonic transmission unit 28. Thereby, the heat insulation part 30 heat-shields the probe 20 from external environment except a contact surface with the biological body 1 which is a to-be-measured body. The heat insulating material constituting the heat insulating portion 30 is preferably a material having a thermal conductivity of 0.1 [W / m · K] or less. For example, foamed plastic can be used.

  The acoustic lens 32 is made of, for example, silicon rubber, and adjusts the transmission direction and focal length of ultrasonic waves transmitted by the ultrasonic transmission unit 28 and also plays a role of bringing the lower surface of the probe 20 into close contact with the living body.

[Function configuration]
FIG. 5 is a functional configuration diagram of the internal temperature measurement device 10. The internal temperature measuring device 10 includes a probe 20 and a main body device 40. The configuration of the probe 20 is as described above. The main device 40 is a small electronic device having a console unit 102, a display unit 104, a sound output unit 106, a communication unit 108, an arithmetic processing unit 200, and a storage unit 300, and is a computer device.

  The operation unit 102 is realized by an input device such as a button switch, a touch panel, or various sensors, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the performed operation to the arithmetic processing unit 200. The display unit 104 is realized by a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and performs various displays based on a display signal from the arithmetic processing unit 200. The sound output unit 106 is realized by a sound output device such as a speaker, and performs various sound outputs based on the sound signal from the arithmetic processing unit 200. The communication unit 108 is realized by a wireless communication device such as a wireless local area network (LAN) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), a wired communication device such as a modem, a wired communication cable jack or a control circuit, and the like. To communicate with external devices.

  The arithmetic processing unit 200 is an electronic component such as a microprocessor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or an IC (Integrated Circuit) memory. Based on the program and data stored in the storage unit 300, the operation signal from the operation unit 102, and the like, various arithmetic processes are executed to control the operation of the main device. The arithmetic processing unit 200 includes an ultrasonic transmission control unit 202 and an internal temperature measurement unit 204. The ultrasonic transmission control unit 202 and the internal temperature measurement unit 204 may be realized by separate arithmetic processing circuits, or may be realized by software by one arithmetic processing circuit executing a program. Also good.

  The ultrasonic transmission control unit 202 generates a pulse voltage instructing ultrasonic transmission timing and outputs the pulse voltage to the ultrasonic transmission unit 28, and individually drives each ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic transmission unit 28 to generate ultrasonic waves. To send. The ultrasonic transmission control by the ultrasonic transmission control unit 202 is executed according to a control signal from the internal temperature measurement unit 204.

  The internal temperature measurement unit 204 instructs and controls execution of ultrasonic transmission control by the ultrasonic transmission control unit 202, and based on the measured values θ1 and θ2 of the first temperature sensor 24 and the second temperature sensor 26, respectively. In addition, the internal temperature of the living body 1 as the measurement object is measured. Specifically, the ultrasonic wave to be transmitted to the ultrasonic wave transmission unit 28 according to the measurement part (measurement target part) of the living body 1 as the measurement object or the depth of the predetermined heat source from the measurement object surface. The internal temperature of the living body 1 is measured by variably controlling the frequency. The ultrasonic transmission frequency is determined according to the measurement site of the living body 1 where the probe 20 is installed with reference to the frequency setting table 304. The measurement site is determined according to a user instruction via the operation unit 102, for example.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the frequency setting table 304. The frequency setting table 304 stores an ultrasonic transmission frequency 304b in association with each measurement region 304a. In this embodiment, an artery is assumed as a heat source for the internal temperature. The depth of the artery from the skin surface of the living body 1 with which the probe 20 is in contact varies depending on the measurement site. For this reason, the part where the depth of the artery which is a heat source is deeper is made easier to penetrate to a deeper part by lowering the frequency of the ultrasonic wave. The measurement site may be a wrist or ankle with an artery under the skin, a rib, a thigh, a neck, a lower clavicle, an upper arm, or the like.

  Then, the internal temperature measurement unit 204 calculates the heat flux Φq based on the measured values θ1 and θ2 of the first temperature sensor 24 and the second temperature sensor 26, and the heat flux Φq is set to a predetermined equilibrium condition. Based on the measured values θ1 and θ2 when the above conditions are satisfied, the ultrasonic transmission control unit 202 controls the drive voltage V of each ultrasonic element to control the transmission of ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transmission unit 28.

Specifically, based on the measured values θ1 and θ2 of the first temperature sensor 24 and the second temperature sensor 26, the heat flux Φq is calculated by the following equation (1).
In Expression (1), “λ” is the thermal conductivity of the heat transfer material that is the base material of the sensor unit 22, and “d” is the thickness of the sensor unit 22.

  If the heat flux Φq is “0 (zero)” or less (Φq ≦ 0), the drive voltage V is set to “0” and the transmission of the ultrasonic wave is stopped. If the heat flux Φq is greater than “0” and less than the predetermined threshold Φq0 (0 <Φq <Φq0), the drive voltage V maintains the current value. If the heat flux Φq is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold Φq0 (Φq ≧ Φq0), the drive voltage V is increased by a predetermined increase amount ΔV. At this time, the drive voltage V is increased with a predetermined maximum value Vmax as an upper limit.

  And when predetermined | prescribed equilibrium state conditions are satisfy | filled, measured value (theta) 1 of the temperature sensor 24 is made into the internal temperature of the biological body 1. FIG. The equilibrium state condition is a condition that can be regarded as a temperature equilibrium state in which the heat flow is zero, and specifically, “the heat flux Φq is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold Φq0”. The threshold value Φq0 can be set according to the thermal conductivity λ and dimensions of the heat transfer material that is the base material of the sensor unit 22. This threshold value Φq0 is stored as heat flux threshold value data 306 in association with the type of material used as the base material of the sensor unit 22 and the dimensions of the sensor unit 22. Further, the internal temperature measured by the internal temperature measurement unit 204 is accumulated and stored as measurement data 308 in association with the measurement time, for example.

  The storage unit 300 is realized by a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a hard disk, and a system program, a program, and the like for the arithmetic processing unit 200 to control the main device 40 in an integrated manner. In addition to storing data and the like, it is used as a work area for the arithmetic processing unit 200, and temporarily stores operation results executed by the arithmetic processing unit 200, operation data from the operation unit 102, and the like. Further, the storage unit 300 stores an internal temperature measurement program 302, a frequency setting table 304, heat flux threshold data 306, and measurement data 308. The internal temperature measurement program 302 implements the functions of the ultrasonic transmission control unit 202 and the internal temperature measurement unit 204 when executed by the arithmetic processing unit 200.

[Process flow]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the internal temperature measurement process. This process is realized by the arithmetic processing unit 200 reading and executing the internal temperature measurement program 302.

  First, the internal temperature measurement unit 204 sets the frequency of the ultrasonic wave according to the positioning site (step S1), and starts transmission of the ultrasonic wave with the determined frequency from the ultrasonic wave transmission unit 28 (step S3). Next, the heat flux Φq is calculated based on the measured values θ1 and θ2 of the first temperature sensor 24 and the second temperature sensor 26 (step S5).

  If the calculated heat flux Φq is equal to or smaller than “0” (Φq ≦ 0) (step S7: NO), the drive voltage V of the ultrasonic transmission unit 28 is set to “0” and transmission of ultrasonic waves is stopped (step S9). ). In this case, since the equilibrium state condition is satisfied, a message indicating that the temperature is in a state of temperature equilibrium is displayed on the display unit 104 (step S15).

  If the heat flux Φq is greater than “0” and less than the predetermined threshold Φq0 (0 <Φq <Φq0) (step S11: NO), the drive voltage V of the ultrasonic transmission unit 28 maintains the current value ( Step S13). In this case, since the equilibrium state condition is satisfied, a message indicating that the temperature is in a state of temperature equilibrium is displayed on the display unit 104 (step S15).

  If the heat flux Φq is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold Φq0 (Φq ≧ Φq0) (step S11: YES), it is determined whether the current drive voltage V has reached a predetermined maximum value Vmax. If the drive voltage V has reached the maximum value Vmax (step S17: YES), the drive voltage V of the ultrasonic transmitter 28 is set to the maximum voltage Vmax (step S21). If the drive voltage V has not reached the maximum value (step S17: NO), the drive voltage V of the ultrasonic transmitter 28 is increased by a predetermined increase amount ΔV (step S19). Then, the measured value θ1 of the first temperature sensor 24 is accumulated and stored as the internal temperature, and is externally output by displaying it on the display unit 104 (step S23).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the measurement of the internal temperature is to be ended. If the measurement is not to be ended (step S25: NO), the process returns to step S5 and the same processing is repeated. If completed (step S25: YES), the internal temperature measurement process is terminated.

[Experimental result]
FIG. 8 shows the experimental results relating to the measurement of the internal temperature. In this experiment, a chloroprene rubber plate having a thickness of several millimeters simulating the skin layer of the living body 1 is placed on a constant temperature portion assumed to be the internal temperature, and a probe 20 is further installed on the upper surface to measure the internal temperature. Went. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis is the elapsed time from the start of ultrasonic transmission, the vertical axis is the temperature and heat flux Φq, and the true value of the internal temperature, the first temperature sensor 24, and the second temperature sensor 26. Is a graph showing the heat flux Φq calculated from the measured temperatures θ1 and θ2, and the measured internal temperature. Here, the “measured internal temperature” is the temperature θ1 measured by the first temperature sensor 24, and the temperature is also the “measured internal temperature” even when the temperature equilibrium condition is not satisfied. The heat flux Φq was positive in the direction from the inside of the living body (constant temperature part) to the external environment. Moreover, in order to see the followability of the measured internal temperature with respect to the true value of the internal temperature, the temperature of the constant temperature part (true value of the internal temperature) was changed.

  FIG. 9 shows experimental results for comparison. In this comparative experiment, in the configuration of the probe 20 of the present embodiment, a heat flow compensation probe using a heating element as a heater was used instead of the ultrasonic transmission unit 28. That is, a conventional heat flow compensation type probe was used. That is, a simulated body of the skin layer of the living body 1 was placed on a constant temperature portion assumed to be the internal temperature, and a heat flow compensation type probe was installed on the upper surface to measure the internal temperature. In addition, the temperature of the constant temperature part was changed in order to see the followability of the measured internal temperature with respect to the true value of the internal temperature. In FIG. 9, as in FIG. 8, the horizontal axis is the elapsed time from the start of heat generation of the heat generating element of the heat flow compensating probe, the vertical axis is the temperature and heat flux Φq, and the true value of the internal temperature and the heat flow It is the graph which showed bundle (PHI) q and the measured internal temperature.

  In both the experiment of this embodiment shown in FIG. 8 and the comparative experiment showing the experimental results in FIG. 9, the heat flux immediately after the start of measurement (immediately after the start of transmission of ultrasonic waves or immediately after the start of heat generation of the heating element) The state in which Φq is larger than the threshold Φq0, that is, the temperature equilibrium state is not established, and the measured internal temperature has a large difference from the true value of the internal temperature. Thereafter, as the time elapses, the heat flux Φq becomes equal to or less than the threshold value Φq0, that is, the temperature equilibrium state, and the measured internal temperature approaches the true value of the internal temperature. That is, it can be said that the probe 20 and the living body 1 can be brought into a temperature equilibrium state and the internal temperature of the living body 1 can be measured by transmitting ultrasonic waves to the living body that is the measurement object.

  Further, in both experiments, it is compared whether or not the measured internal temperature matches the true value of the internal temperature. When the true value of the internal temperature is in the range of 34 ° C. to 36 ° C., a comparative experiment (see FIG. 9). Then, while the temperature difference between the measured internal temperature and the true value of the internal temperature is large, in the experiment of the present embodiment (see FIG. 8), the temperature difference between the measured internal temperature and the true value of the internal temperature is small. . That is, the internal temperature can be measured more accurately by using the probe 20 of the present embodiment.

[Function and effect]
As described above, according to the internal temperature measuring apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the living body 1 that is a measurement object, and the temperatures θ1 and θ2 measured by the temperature sensors 24 and 26 of the sensor unit 22 are transmitted. Based on this, the internal temperature (depth temperature) of the living body 1 can be measured. Specifically, the temperature θ1 measured by the first temperature sensor 24 when the heat flow rate Φq calculated based on the temperatures θ1 and θ2 is equal to or less than a threshold value Φq0, which is an equilibrium state condition regarded as a temperature equilibrium state with zero heat flow. (Alternatively, the temperature θ2 measured by the first temperature sensor 26) is set as the internal temperature of the living body 1.

[Modification]
It should be noted that embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can of course be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

(A) Acoustic lens 32
The acoustic lens 32 in the above-described embodiment is provided so as to cover the lower surfaces of the sensor unit 22 and the ultrasonic transmission unit 28, but covers only the lower surface of the ultrasonic transmission unit 28 without covering the lower surface of the sensor unit 22. It is good also as providing.

(B) Acoustic matching layer An acoustic matching layer may be provided between the ultrasonic transmission unit 28 and the acoustic lens 32. The acoustic matching layer is formed of a resin material, and matches the acoustic impedance between each ultrasonic transducer included in the ultrasonic transmission unit 28 and the living body 1. By providing the acoustic matching layer in addition to the acoustic lens 32, the acoustic energy of the ultrasonic transducer can be efficiently propagated to the measurement target.

(C) Sensor unit 22
Of the two temperature sensors 24 and 26 of the sensor unit 22, the second temperature sensor 26 provided near the side surface opposite to the measurement surface of the sensor unit may be replaced with a heat flow sensor. In this case, it is not necessary to calculate the heat flux from the measured temperature, and the heat flux Φq measured by the heat flow sensor may be compared with the threshold Φq0.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Living body (to-be-measured object), 10 ... Internal temperature measuring device, 20 ... Probe, 22 ... Sensor part, 24 ... 1st temperature sensor, 26 ... 2nd temperature sensor, 28 ... Ultrasonic transmitter, 30 ... Thermal insulation part 32 ... acoustic lens, 40 ... main unit, 102 ... operation unit, 104 ... display unit, 106 ... sound output unit, 108 ... communication unit, 200 ... processing unit (arithmetic processing unit), 202 ... ultrasonic transmission control unit, 204 ... Internal temperature measurement unit, 300 ... Storage unit, 302 ... Internal temperature measurement program, 304 ... Frequency setting table, 306 ... Heat flux threshold data, 308 ... Measurement temperature data, 50 ... Cable

Claims (10)

A sensor unit based on a heat transfer material in which a sensor for measuring a physical quantity related to the heat of the measurement object is disposed;
An ultrasonic transmission unit that is provided around the sensor unit and transmits ultrasonic waves toward the object to be measured;
A heat insulating portion covering a side surface opposite to the measurement surface of the sensor portion;
Probe with. The ultrasonic transmission unit is formed in an annular shape,
The probe according to claim 1. The heat insulating part is provided so as to cover the side surface opposite to the measurement surface of the sensor unit and the outer peripheral surface of the ultrasonic transmission unit,
The probe according to claim 2. An acoustic lens provided on the measurement surface side of the ultrasonic transmission unit;
The probe according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: The acoustic lens is provided so as to cover the measurement surface side of the ultrasonic transmission unit and the sensor unit,
The probe according to claim 4. An acoustic matching layer is provided between the ultrasonic transmission unit and the acoustic lens.
The probe according to claim 4 or 5. The sensor unit includes at least a temperature sensor near the measurement surface and a temperature sensor near the side surface opposite to the measurement surface,
The probe as described in any one of Claims 1-6. The probe according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An arithmetic processing unit that controls transmission of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic transmission unit, and measures an internal temperature of the measurement object based on a measurement value of the sensor;
Internal temperature measuring device with The arithmetic processing unit calculates a heat flux based on the measurement value of the sensor, and sets the temperature based on the measurement value when the heat flux satisfies a predetermined equilibrium condition as the internal temperature.
The internal temperature measuring device according to claim 8. The arithmetic processing unit variably controls the frequency of the ultrasonic wave to be transmitted to the ultrasonic wave transmission unit according to the measurement target portion of the measurement object or the depth of the predetermined heat source from the measurement object surface. To
The internal temperature measuring device according to claim 8 or 9.