JP3365397B2 - Multi-channel optical measuring device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical measuring device, which measures the internal distribution of scattering absorption of an object using light,
A device for diagnosing normality and abnormality of tissues based on changes over time in the components of living organisms, applied to the medical field such as oxygen monitors for measuring changes in blood flow and changes in oxygen supply in various parts of the brain and circulatory system disorder diagnosis can do.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hemoglobin plays a role of transporting oxygen by binding to and separating from oxygen in blood. Since hemoglobin contained in blood increases / decreases according to the expansion / contraction of blood vessels, it is known to detect the expansion / contraction of blood vessels by measuring the amount of hemoglobin in this tissue. In addition, biometric measurement is known in which the concentration of hemoglobin corresponds to the oxygen metabolism function inside the living body, and the inside of the living body is simply and non-invasively measured using light. The concentration of hemoglobin is obtained from the absorption amount of light obtained by irradiating a living body with light having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared region and transmitting the light through the living body.

Further, in the brain, even if oxygen is used due to brain activity, it is usual that more than the necessary amount of oxygen is supplied to the site activated by the blood flow redistribution effect, resulting in activation. The site has an increased amount of oxyhemoglobin. Therefore, the measurement of the movement of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin can be applied to the observation of brain activity. Generally, the absorption spectrum of hemoglobin is
The shape differs depending on whether hemoglobin is bound to oxygen to become oxyhemoglobin or oxygen is released to become deoxyhemoglobin. A non-invasive quantitative measurement of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin has been developed using this difference in the shape of the spectrum.

As described above, the optical measuring device can measure changes in the blood volume of the brain and the activation state of oxygen metabolism, and can be applied to the measurement of brain functions such as movement, sensation, and thinking, and the measurement results can be obtained. By displaying as an image, it is possible to enhance the application effect in the medical field such as the brain function diagnosis of the living body and the circulatory system disorder diagnosis. The optical measurement device can measure at a plurality of points on the subject by using a configuration including a plurality of light-transmitting points that irradiate the subject with light and a plurality of light-receiving points that receive the light emitted from the subject. Further, by changing the position and combination of the light transmitting point and the light receiving point, it is possible to change the measurement point on the subject and change the depth direction of the obtained data.

In an optical measuring device having such a plurality of light-transmitting points and light-receiving points, as a configuration for changing the positions and / or combinations of the light-transmitting points and the light-receiving points, the following methods are conventionally known. ing. In one method, as shown in FIG. 9, one light source is provided for a plurality of light-sending points (light-sending points a to e), and light is emitted from one light-sending point to a subject during one measurement, There is a system in which signals at necessary light receiving points are sequentially recorded by sequentially switching the connection between the light source and the light transmitting point. According to this, since light is not simultaneously emitted from a plurality of light transmitting points, signals due to light (scattered / reflected light) emitted from other light transmitting points are not mixed, so that interference of measurement signals can be prevented. it can.

Another method is known in which a plurality of light sources having different lighting frequencies are provided for a plurality of light transmitters, and the same light transmitter irradiates a subject with light having different frequencies. In this configuration, the target signal component is separated by amplifying the received optical signals by the lock-in amplifiers that are respectively tuned to the frequencies of the light sources. As a configuration for performing the system using the lock-in amplifier, a configuration is known in which a narrow band tuning circuit that tunes and amplifies a signal at the same frequency as the light source frequency is combined with a synchronous rectification circuit that performs synchronous rectification. In any of the above methods, the measurement data obtained by the measuring unit for the set of the light transmitting point and the light receiving point is fixedly associated with each channel of the recording unit. In particular, in the selection method using the lock-in amplifier, it is necessary to connect the lock-in amplifier corresponding to the combination of the light-transmitting point and the light-receiving point to the detection section with hard wiring, so that The signal recording channel has to be fixed more and more.

[0007]

In each of the conventional methods as described above, the light source and the light transmitting / receiving point are fixed,
These settings and switches are not designed to be done by the operator. In addition, there is a problem that a large number of light sources and detectors are required in accordance with the increase in the number of measurement points, and it is impossible to expand the measurement location without increasing the number of light sources and detectors. Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems,
When measuring multiple parts of the subject, the positions and combinations of the light-transmitting points and / or light-receiving points that operate at the same time should be set according to the measurement purpose without switching the light source and light-receiving point settings or wiring connections. The first purpose is to allow the operator to freely set and select any combination, and the second purpose is to enable the number of measurement points on the subject to be increased without increasing the number of light sources or detectors.

[0008]

The present invention is directed to a first mode using a correspondence table system for associating a combination of a light-transmitting point and a light-receiving point and a recording channel with a correspondence table. There is a third aspect in which the second aspect, the combination of the light-transmitting point and the light-receiving point, the correspondence table system of the recording channel, and the branch light guide are combined. This allows operators to freely set the combination of light-transmitting points and light-receiving points that operate simultaneously, and to set light sources and light-receiving points and switch wiring connections when measuring multiple parts of the subject. In addition, by selecting the correspondence table to be used from the many correspondence tables set in advance, it becomes possible to set in a short time. Further, when the branched light guide is used, the number of measurement points on the subject can be increased without increasing the number of light sources and detectors.

The first aspect is characterized in that a correspondence table is prepared which associates a set of a light source and a detector or a set of a light transmitting point and a light receiving point with a separately prepared recording channel. This recording channel is a signal path for sending the measurement data to the display unit, and the measurement data obtained for each combination of the light source and the detector or each combination of the light-transmitting point and the light-receiving point is displayed on an image display or a graph provided in the subsequent stage. It acts as a relay for delivering to the display unit to display. The number of recording channels is
From number 1 to number N, the number necessary for imaging shall be prepared and set, but it is not necessary to match the number of combinations of light sources and detectors, and it is independent of each number of light sources and detectors. You can prepare and place it.

By using the relay function of the recording channel introduced here, a hardware configuration for determining how to process a signal obtained between the light source and the detector or between the light transmitting point and the light receiving point is unnecessary. . In the recording channel, the setting or switching of the combination of the light source and the detector or the light transmitting point and the light receiving point can be done by the correspondence table set in the software, so the settings and changes can be made simply by rewriting the software. It becomes possible and the degree of freedom of measurement can be easily increased. Furthermore, if the correspondence table is combined with a branched optical conductor such as a branched fiber, the number of measurement points on the subject can be easily increased.

According to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the subject is irradiated with light from a plurality of light transmitting points, and the light emitted to the outside after being transmitted and / or reflected in the subject is received at a plurality of light receiving points. In the optical measuring device to measure in, one or more light sources that send light to the light-sending point, one or more detectors that detect the light at the light-receiving point, and one light-sending point in the plurality of light-sending points. In order to transfer each measurement data obtained by one light receiving point among a plurality of light receiving points or a plurality of light receiving points, or a plurality of sets formed by one light source and one detector, to a subsequent processing unit that performs image processing etc. The configuration is such that a correspondence table corresponding to the recording channels to be relayed is provided. This correspondence table can be set by software, and a set selected from a set of one light transmitting point and one light receiving point or a set of one light source and one detector is assigned to each recording channel. This correspondence table can be set by the operator using the operation screen. Also,
By selecting one from a large number of correspondence tables set in advance and performing measurement, it becomes easy to perform optical measurement between various transmission / reception points.

In the second aspect, a branched light guide is used as a light guide for sending the light from the light source to the light transmitting point and a light guide for guiding the light received at the light receiving point to the detector. This branch light guide is
The end portion of one light guide is branched into a plurality to form a branch end,
The branch ends are provided at a plurality of light transmitting points or a plurality of light receiving points on the subject. With this configuration, it is possible to simultaneously transmit light to multiple points on the subject and receive light from multiple points on the subject at the same time, making it easy to increase the number of measurement points on the subject and measuring the sites on multiple points on the subject. Reduce the measurement time at. The configuration according to the second aspect of the present invention irradiates a subject with light from a plurality of light transmitting points, and measures light emitted to the outside after being transmitted and / or reflected in the subject at a plurality of light receiving points. In the optical measuring device, one or a plurality of light sources that send light to a light-sending point, one or a plurality of detectors that detect light at a light-receiving point, and one light source to a plurality of light-sending points on a subject. At least one of the light-transmitting branch light guides that branch and send light, or at least one of the light-receiving branch light guides that guide light from a plurality of light receiving points on the subject to one detector, It is configured to include either one.

In the above structure, the light obtained from the same branch light guide is separated and measured to measure the light between the light transmitting and receiving points corresponding to each channel. By branching the end of the light guide and using the branched ends as a plurality of light transmitting points or light receiving points, the number of light transmitting points or light receiving points can be increased with respect to the number of light guiding bodies. In addition, the measurement area of the subject is divided into division areas that do not interfere with each other's light,
Each branch light guide has at least one end portion branched from the same branch light guide in the divided region. An object such as a living body is a strong scatterer, and the distance from the light transmitting point is 10
At a distance of mm, the optical signal becomes about 1/10, 20 mm
With this characteristic, if multiple light-sending points are spaced apart from each other by a certain distance or more, light is sent at the same time. However, the degree of mutual interference is low.

In the measurement region of the subject, the region is divided so as not to be interfered with each other by light, and the region is divided, and a channel is formed by a light source and a detector or a light transmitting point and a light receiving point provided in the divided region. . And, the number of branch ends provided in the branched light guide is at most one in this divided area, and by not providing two or more ends branched from the same branched light guide in the same divided area, The light transmission to the subject and the light reception from the subject are performed separately.

A third mode is a combination of the first mode and the second mode described above, and is provided with a correspondence table system and a branching light guide in which a combination of a light source and a detector is associated with a recording channel. It is a composition. The configuration of the third aspect of the present invention irradiates a subject with light from a plurality of light transmitting points, and measures the light emitted to the outside after being transmitted and / or reflected in the subject at a plurality of light receiving points. In the optical measurement device, one or a plurality of light sources that send light to a light-sending point and one or a plurality of detectors that detect the light at the light-receiving point are provided. At least one of the light-transmitting branch light guides for branching and sending light to the light-transmitting point, or at least the light-receiving branch light guide for guiding light from a plurality of light-receiving points on the subject to one detector. One, at least one is provided.

At this time, there is a possibility that optical signals may be simultaneously transmitted and received on both sides of the branched ends of the branched light guide body. However, according to the above correspondence table, the measured data should be transmitted so as not to overlap each other. It is possible to set the combination of light reception in correspondence with the recording channel. In addition, a plurality of sets of correspondence tables are set in advance, one correspondence table is selected from the plurality of correspondence tables, and optical measurement is performed between the light transmitting / receiving points set in the selected correspondence table. The number of light transmitting or receiving points can be increased by the number.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. First, a first mode using a recording channel correspondence table will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire system of the present invention. In the illustrated example, the five light sources 2 a to e
And four detectors A to D, the measurement unit 8 obtains measurement data based on the detection signal of the detector 5, and the display unit displays predetermined measurement data from the measurement data through the recording channel. To display processing such as image display and graph display. At the light-sending point 3 and the light-receiving point 4 on the subject 10, light is sent from the light source 2 to the light-sending point 3, and the light scattered from the inside of the subject 10 and emitted from the light-receiving point 4 is detected by the detector 5 Detect with. Between the light source 2 and the light transmitting point 3, and between the light receiving point 4 and the detector 5.
A light guide body such as an optical fiber is arranged between and. In addition,
In FIG. 1, the light-sending point 3 is shown by hatching, and the light-receiving point 4 is shown in white.

The light source 2 may be configured to have a plurality of light emitting elements corresponding to each light transmitting point 3 or to switch light from one or a plurality of light emitting elements to each light transmitting point 3. it can. Further, the detector 5 can also be configured to include a plurality of detection elements corresponding to each light receiving point 4, or to switch one or more detection elements to each light receiving point 4. The control unit 7 controls the light emission operation of the light source 2, the detection operation of the detector 5, the measurement process of the measurement unit 8, the transfer of the measurement data by the recording channel, the display process of the display unit 10, and the like. The control unit 7 controls the light source, the detector, and the measurement circuit included in the measurement unit, and thereby the light source 2 (a to
e) or the light transmitting point 3 and 20 sets of all data by the combination of the detector 5 (A to D) or the light receiving point 4 are prepared in the measuring unit 8.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the measuring unit 8 is provided for the recording channel 9 (recording channels from channel 1 to channel 16 in the illustrated example) following the measuring unit 8.
All types of measurement data (20 types of measurement data in the illustrated example) obtained in (1) are made to correspond to each other, and a feature is that a correspondence table that defines this correspondence is provided. This correspondence table shows which measurement data of all kinds of measurement data (20 kinds of measurement data in the illustrated example) obtained by the combination of the light source 2 and the detector 5 is transferred to the next display unit 8 through the recording channel 9. Is a table showing the correspondence relationship that determines
The 20 types of measurement data are, as seen in aA, aB, bA, etc., a light source 2 and a detector 5 or a light transmitting point 3
And a light receiving point 4 are set, and correspond to the measurement site between the light transmitting point 3 and the light receiving point 4 on the subject 10.

In the example of FIG. 1, of the 20 sets of measurement data of the measuring section, 12 sets are associated with the recording channel 9, but the remaining 8 sets are not connected to the recording channel.
That is, eight pieces of data are created by the measuring unit 8 but are discarded without being actually used. Whether to actually use or discard the measurement data is selected by an operator in consideration of a combination of light transmitting points and light receiving points arranged on the subject. In the example of FIG. 1, aA, a
-B, b-A, etc., the measured data is recorded in the recording channel 9 when the light transmitting and receiving points are adjacent to each other.
, A-C, a-D, b-B, b-C,
Deselect combinations that are far apart. This is because the detected light is weak and the noise is expected to be large in the distant combination, and therefore it is decided to remove it from the beginning.

In this way, the light source
The method of using the correspondence table that associates the combination of detectors (or the combination of the light-transmitting point and the light-receiving point) with the recording channel 9 is such that the signal of which measurement site is used and the signal of which measurement part is not used at the operator's discretion. It is effective in that you can select This correspondence table is prepared on the operation screen so that the operator can set it. For example, in columns 1 to 16 of the light source / detector such as aA, aB, bA, etc. It is set by inputting pairs from the keyboard. That is, the arrow line connecting the measuring unit 8 and the recording channel 9 in FIG. 1 is drawn. Note that the total number of recording channels 16 in the figure is an example, and the number of recording channels defined in the correspondence table is not limited to 16 channels.

The correspondence table shown in FIG. 1 is an example shown based on the correspondence relationship between the light source 2 and the detector 5, but this can also be said to be the correspondence relationship between the light transmitting point 3 and the light receiving point 4.
It is also possible to prepare a large number of correspondence tables that define different correspondence relationships for each measurement purpose.If you have set up a large number of correspondence tables in this way, name each correspondence table and save it. You can select the required correspondence table simply by selecting. In FIG. 1, one of 16 recording channels
Although two recording channels are used and the remaining recording channels are unused, all recording channels can be used. Generally, the maximum number of pairs of measurement units (here 2
0) and the number of recording channels are not limited at all, and the number of both may be the same or one of them may be large.

The present invention uses a recording channel whose correspondence is defined in the correspondence table as a bridging function when transferring the measurement data obtained by the measurement unit to the display unit. By adopting a method of performing software instead of hardware, it is possible to freely correspond the relationship between the arrangement of light-transmitting points and light-receiving points, which is determined by the shape of the probe applied to the subject, and the hardware of the measurement unit, including the measurement unit and display unit. It is significant because it is characterized by doing so.

Next, the second mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, a to c are light sources, a1 to a3 are light transmitting points, A to C are detectors, and A1 to A.
3, B2 and B3 respectively indicate light receiving points. Also,
Regions 1 to 3 are divided and formed on the subject so that optical interference between the regions is negligible. Note that the area names are named for convenience of explanation, and when applied to the correspondence table of the first embodiment described above, the area names are not described in the correspondence table. FIG. 4 shows each of the divided areas 1 to 3.
In this configuration, the number of light sources and detectors provided for each is 3 and the required number of light sources and detectors is 3 each, which is the same as the number of divided regions, and a total of 6 are required. On the other hand, according to the second mode, the number of light sources and detectors can be reduced.

In the second embodiment, a branched light guide is used for sending light from a light source to a light sending point and sending light from a light receiving point to a detector. The branching light guide has a configuration in which one end of the light guide such as an optical fiber is branched into a plurality of parts, and by providing the branched end at a light-sending point or a light-receiving point, Simultaneous light transmission is performed, or simultaneous light reception is performed from a plurality of light receiving points. The branched light guide is not required to be physically branched, and for example, the light from two light receiving points is respectively transmitted to one common detector with one (two in this case) optical fibers each. In the case of guiding, the branch light guide body has the same function. Similarly, light from one light source may be transmitted to two locations in parallel by two fibers.

FIG. 2A shows an example in which a branch light guide is applied to light transmission, and shows a structure in which light from the light source a is simultaneously sent to the light sending points a1, b1, c1 by the branch light guide. ing.
The subject is divided into a plurality of areas 1, area 2, and area 3, and a light transmitting point a1 and a light receiving point A, a light transmitting point a2 and a light receiving point B are provided in each area.
2. Provide a light transmitting point a3 and a light receiving point C3. Light-sending point a1
A branched light guide is used for a3 to simultaneously transmit light from one light source a, and the detection light at each light receiving point A1, B2, C3 is detected by each detector A.
~ C to detect. Since the optical interference of the light transmitted to each area with respect to the other area can be ignored, each of the detectors A to C can be ignored.
Can detect only the light from the light transmitting points a1 to a3. With this configuration, the number of light sources can be reduced from three to one.

FIG. 2B shows an example in which the branched light guide is applied to the light reception, and shows a structure in which the detector A uses the branched light guide to receive light from the light receiving points A1, A2 and A3. A light-sending point a1, a light-receiving point A1, and a light-sending point b in each divided region of the subject.
2, a light receiving point A2, a light transmitting point c3, and a light receiving point A3. Light is transmitted from the light sources a, b, and c through the light guides to the light transmitting points a1, b2, and c3, and the detection light at each of the light receiving points A1 to A3 is detected by the detector A. Since the optical interference of the light transmitted to each region with respect to the other regions can be ignored, the detector A can distinguish the light transmission time by sequentially transmitting light from the light sources a, b, and c. The light corresponding to the light transmitting points a1, b2, c3 can be detected separately. With this configuration, the number of detectors can be reduced from three to one.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show an example in which the branch light guide is applied to light transmission and light reception. FIG. 3A shows a configuration in which the light from the light source a is simultaneously sent to the light sending points a1 and a2 by the branch light guide, and the light is received from the light receiving points B1 and B2 by the detector B. Further, in FIG. 3B, the light from the light source b is simultaneously sent to the light sending points b2 and b3 by the branch light guide,
The structure in which the detector A receives light from the light receiving points A1 and A2 is shown. In the configuration shown in FIG. 3A, the lights simultaneously transmitted from the light source a are detected at the light receiving point A1 and the light receiving point B2 and measured by the detector A and the detector B. Also, the light source b
The light transmitted from is detected at the light receiving point B3 and measured by the detector B. At this time, since the light interference of the light sent to each area with respect to other areas can be ignored, the light source a,
The detector A detects the light corresponding to the light-sending point a1 by distinguishing the time of light-sending, such as sequentially sending light from b.
The detector B can distinguish and detect the light corresponding to the light transmitting points a2 and b3. With this configuration, the number of light sources can be reduced from 3 to 2, and the number of detectors can be reduced from 3 to 2.

Further, in the configuration shown in FIG. 3B, the light source a
The light transmitted from is detected at the light receiving point A1 and measured by the detector A. In addition, the light transmitted from the light source b at the same time is
Light receiving point A2 and light receiving point B3 are detected and detector A and detector B
Measured at. Further, at this time, since the optical interference of the light sent to each area with respect to other areas can be ignored,
By distinguishing the time of light transmission by sequentially transmitting light from the light sources a and b, the detector A distinguishes and detects the light corresponding to the light transmitting points a1 and b2, and the detector B detects the light transmitting point b3. The light corresponding to can be detected. With this configuration, the number of light sources can be reduced from 3 to 2, and the number of detectors can be reduced from 3 to 2.

Next, application of the second mode to the first mode will be described. By applying the second mode to the first mode, it is possible to form a correspondence table in the case of using the branched light guide. Hereinafter, the recording channel correspondence table shown in Table 1 represents the correspondence relationship between the light sources and the detectors in the respective configurations of FIG. 2A described above, and the recording channel correspondence table shown in Table 2 is that of FIG. 2B. The correspondence between the light source and the detector in each configuration is shown. Similarly, the recording channel correspondence tables shown in Tables 3 and 4 show the correspondence relationships between the light sources and the detectors in the respective configurations of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0031]

[Table 1]

[0032]

[Table 2]

[0033]

[Table 3]

[0034]

[Table 4]

According to the above-described embodiment, the same correspondence table as the correspondence table described in the first embodiment can be used for the structure using the branch light guide, and in this example, three measurement parts are used. It can be identified and measured using two sets of light sources, detectors.

Next, another example of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5 and Table 3. FIG. 5 shows an arrangement relationship between a light source and a detector, a light transmitting point and a light receiving point by the multi-channel optical measuring device of the present invention. In the configuration example shown here,
Six light sources indicated by a to f and six detectors indicated by A to F are arranged. In addition, the shaded portion in FIG. 5 indicates the light transmitting point, and the white portion indicates the light receiving point. 6 light sources and 6
In general, a total of 36 combinations (6 × 6) can be measured from one detector. Although the number of recording channels is 36 in this example, the number of recording channels may be large or small. The surplus recording channels may be unused. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 1, the number of measurement data created by the measuring unit is 20,
In this example, there are 36 data. The number of channels can be set as needed from a plurality of prepared recording channels. From the set recording channels, necessary correspondence data is led to the recording channels by the correspondence table. Table 5 below is an example of the correspondence table.

[0037]

[Table 5]

In the correspondence table shown in Table 5, 32 channels are set out of 36 recording channels, and 4 channels are not set. That is, the four measurement data obtained by the measuring unit are set to be discarded as unused. Of the 32 recording channels that have been set, the enclosing portions of recording channels 1 to 16 are combinations in which the light-transmitting point and the light-receiving point are adjacent and the separation distance is the shortest.
The underlined portion is a combination in which the light-transmitting point and the light-receiving point have the next shortest separation distance. In addition, the recording channels 33 to 36, which are set to “No”, are a combination in which the distance between the light-transmitting point and the light-receiving point is the longest, and good S
The signal strength is not sufficient to obtain the / N ratio, and therefore it is not used for measurement. To reiterate, the above correspondence table shows that the operator has used the combination with the shortest separation distance, the combination with the next shortest separation distance, and the setting that makes the farthest combination unused.

The above-mentioned correspondence table is prepared in advance by the operator himself for each shape of the probe in which desired light-transmitting points / light-receiving points are arranged, and from among a large number of counter-tables when actually performing measurement. select. Depending on the arrangement intervals of the light-transmitting points and the light-receiving points arranged on the subject, not only the measurement method in which the light sources are turned on one by one in a time-sharing manner, but also a plurality of light sources can be turned on at the same time for measurement. In the case of a combination in which the light emitting point and the light receiving point are arranged at short intervals and mutual optical interference cannot be ignored, each light source is driven sequentially and measurement is performed in perfect time division.
For a combination in which the light-transmitting point and the light-receiving point are arranged so that mutual optical interference can be ignored, a plurality of light sources can be turned on at the same time for parallel measurement. Thus, even when a plurality of light sources are simultaneously turned on, the correspondence table can be dealt with by performing the work of inputting the combination of the light source and the detector to each recording channel as shown in Table 5.

Next, a third mode in which the first mode and the second mode are combined will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 and Table 6. FIG. 6 shows an arrangement relationship between a light source and a detector, a light transmitting point and a light receiving point by the multi-channel optical measuring device of the present invention. In the configuration example shown here, a case will be described in which four regions, that is, regions 1 to 4 of the subject, which are slightly apart from each other, are measured. These are suitable methods for measuring, for example, the left and right frontal lobes, the left and right parietal lobes, and the like, which are apart from each other so that light does not interfere with each other, using a probe using a rubber pad. Each of the pads for each area has three light-sending points a1, a2, ..., F1, f2 and a light-receiving point A.
1, A2, ..., F1, F2 are arranged, and light sources a, b,
The c, d, e, f and the detectors A, B, C, D, E, F are connected by a branched light guide. Here, the region in the subject is divided so that optical interference between the divided regions can be ignored. The shaded portions in the figure indicate the light transmitting points, and the white portions indicate the light receiving points.

FIG. 6 shows the connection relationship between the light source and the light transmitting point and the connection relationship between the detector and the light receiving point. Each area has a configuration in which three light transmitting points and three light receiving points are arranged. Therefore, in the structure in which the light source and the light receiving point are connected to the light source and the light receiving point, respectively, three are required respectively,
A total of 12 (3 × 4) light sources and detectors are required.
On the other hand, 2 points for each of the light-transmitting point and the light-receiving point
By using the branched light guides, each 6
The number of light sources and detectors can be reduced because the number of light sources and detectors can be reduced. When the branch light guides are used unconditionally, light may interfere with each other. However, it will be described below that the light can be arranged so as not to interfere with each other by devising the correspondence table described above.

Although the light source and the detector are arranged in the same region with a predetermined space therebetween, FIGS. 6A and 6B show the light source and the detector separately for convenience of explanation. FIG. 6A shows an example of the connection relationship between the light source and the light transmitting point. In the connection between the light source and the light-sending point, the light-sending points connected to the same light source are in different areas, so that one light source can send light to a plurality of areas of light-sending points. For example, the light source a
Is connected to the light-sending point a1 in the region 1 and the light-sending point a2 in the region 2 by a bifurcated branch light guide, and the light source d is connected to the light-sending point d3 in the region 3 and the light spot d in the region 4 by the bifurcated branch light guide. Transmitting point d
Connect to 4.

FIG. 6B shows an example of the connection relationship between the detector and the light receiving point. In the connection between the detector and the light receiving point, the light receiving points connected to the same detector should be in different areas,
Further, the combination of the light-transmitting points having the same light source and the combination of the light-receiving points having the same detector are different from each other so that they are not the same. Thereby, even when light is simultaneously sent from a plurality of light sending points, it is possible to distinguish and detect on the detector side. For example, the detector A is connected to the light receiving point A1 in the area 1 and the light receiving point A3 in the area 3 by the bifurcated branch light guide, and the detector D is sent in the area 2 by the bifurcated branch light guide. To the light-sending point D4 in the area 4. In the figure, a branched light guide having two branches is used, but a light guide having a large number of branches such as three branches and four branches can be used. In this case, the number of light sources and detectors should be further reduced. You can

Regarding the arrangement example of the light source and the detector, and the light transmitting point and the light receiving point shown in FIG. 6, the correspondence table can be realized as shown in Table 6 below.

[0045]

[Table 6]

When the light source / detector and the branch light guide are arranged as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) and the correspondence table is determined as shown in Table 6, how the measurement is performed is shown. Figure 7 shows
Is. FIG. 7 shows the case where the light source a is turned on and the measurement is performed by the detectors A, B, D and E.
It corresponds to 2, 3, 4. Note that FIG. 7 shows only the light source a and the branched light guides related to the detectors A, B, D, and E.

For example, channel 1 has a light source a and a detector A.
7 in this case, in this case, the measurement data of the measurement site between the light transmitting point a1 and the light receiving point A1 in the area 1 in FIG. 7 can be obtained. Table 6 here
In the correspondence table shown in, the recording channel 1 is assigned aA. Since a branched light guide is used,
Two light transmitters a1 and a2 are possible for -A. However, as can be seen from FIG. 7, when looking at the corresponding light receiving portion A, one light receiving portion A1 is on the side of the area 1 and the same light receiving portion A1
It corresponds to the light transmitting section a1 on the side, but the other light receiving section A
It can be seen that 3 does not correspond to the light transmitting section a2 on the region 3 side and is on the region 2 side and does not correspond, and no optical signal comes. Therefore, when a-A is assigned, only the combination of a1-A is valid.

Of the two combinations that can be used in any of the other sets, the light is assigned so that only one set actually reaches. Similarly, the recording channel 2 shows the combination of the light source a and the detector B, and the light transmission point a1 in the area 1 is shown.
And the measurement data of the measurement site between the light receiving point B1 and the light receiving point B1. Further, the recording channel 3 shows a combination of the light source a and the detector D, obtains the measurement data on the measurement site between the light transmitting point a2 and the light receiving point D2 in the area 2, and the recording channel 4 shows the light source a. And the detector E are shown, and the measurement data of the measurement site between the light transmitting point a2 and the light receiving point E2 in the area 2 is obtained. At this time, the detector A
Is connected to the light receiving point A3, the detector B is connected to the light receiving point B3, the detector D is connected to the light receiving point D4, and the detector E is connected to the light receiving point E4. Since the light source is not turned on, it does not add to the detection signal and can be detected separately.

Further, in FIG. 8, the light source b is turned on and the detector A,
Table 6 shows the case of measurement with B, C, D, E, and F.
It corresponds to the recording channels 5 to 10 inside. Note that FIG. 8 shows only the light guide b and the branched light guides related to the detectors A, B, C, D, E, and F. For example, the recording channel 5 shows a combination of the light source b and the detector A, and in this case, the measurement data on the measurement site between the light transmitting point b1 and the light receiving point A1 in the area 1 can be obtained. . Further, the recording channel 6 shows a combination of the light source b and the detector B, and in this case, the measurement data on the measurement site between the light transmitting point b1 and the light receiving point B1 in the area 1 can be obtained. . Similarly, recording channels 7, 8, 9, 1
Also for 0, depending on the combination of each light source and detector,
It is possible to obtain the measurement data of the measurement site shown by the pattern background in FIG.

At this time, the light receiving point A3 is connected to the detector A, the light receiving point B3 is connected to the detector B, the light receiving point C3 is connected to the detector C, and the light receiving point D4 is connected to the detector D. Connected,
The light receiving point E4 is connected to the detector E, and the light receiving point F3 is connected to the detector F, but since the corresponding light source is not turned on, it does not add to the detection signal and can be detected separately. it can. The measurement data of the corresponding measurement site can be similarly detected for other recording channels.

The recording channels described so far are
It has a relay function when passing the measurement data obtained by the measurement unit to the display unit in the subsequent stage in the combination of the light source and the detector, or the light-transmitting point and the light-receiving point. , The combination can be changed freely by setting the correspondence table. That is, the correspondence is set by software. Therefore, in the recording channel correspondence table, various measurement conditions such as the absorption correction coefficient, the arrangement of the light transmitting point and the light receiving point on the probe (sample pad) can be collectively set in addition to the recording channel.
In addition, the number of recording channels in the correspondence table is not limited and can be set arbitrarily. The number and arrangement of light sources, detectors, light-transmitting points, light-receiving points, etc. provided on the subject, branch light guides Only the required number of recording channels is used according to the number of branches, the arrangement state, and the combination of transmitting and receiving points suitable for measurement.
The remaining recording channels can be left unused.

The correspondence table is displayed on the screen so that the operator can operate it. Since the correspondence table can be set by software by operating the keyboard and mouse on the screen, the measurement site can be changed by the light source, the detector and the transmitter. It can be performed without changing the arrangement positions of the light spot, the light receiving point, the light guide, and the like. In addition, when the arrangement position of the light source, detector, light transmitting point, light receiving point, light guide, etc. is different, switching can be performed by setting the recording channel correspondence table corresponding to each arrangement position. It can be done easily.

[0053]

As described above, according to the multi-channel optical measuring device of the present invention, which is provided with the correspondence table for associating the combination of the light source (or the light transmitting point) and the detector (or the light receiving point) with the recording channel. If, for example,
Alternatively, it is possible to freely create and select a correspondence table of an appropriate combination of the positions and combinations of the light receiving points without changing the setting of the light source, the light transmitting and receiving points and the connection of wiring. In addition, the number of measurement points on the subject can be increased without increasing the number of light sources and detectors.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a first mode using a correspondence table of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example in which a branched light guide body is applied to one of light transmission and light reception in a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example in which the branched light guide body is applied to both light transmission and light reception in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of measuring each divided area with a light source and a detector in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of the first mode of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an arrangement relationship of a light source and a detector, a light transmitting point and a light receiving point by a multi-channel optical measuring device as a third mode of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a measurement state by a multi-channel optical measuring device as a third mode of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the measurement state by the multi-channel optical measurement device as the third mode of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a conventional optical measurement device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Multi-channel optical measuring device, 2, a, b, c,
d, e, f ... Light source, 3, a1, a2, b1, ... f
1, f2 ... Transmitting point, 4, A1, A2, B1, ... F
1, F2 ... Receiving point, 5, A, B, C, D, E, F ... Detector, 6 ... Correspondence table, 7 ... Control section, 8 ... Data storage section, 9 ...
Recording channel, 10 ... Subject.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-10-127612 (JP, A) Atsushi Maki, Non-invasive brain function measurement by optical topography, optics, Japan, Vol. 26, No. 9, p. 481-482 (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01N 21/00-21/61 JISST file (JOIS)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An optical measuring device for irradiating a subject with light from a plurality of light transmitting points, and measuring light emitted to the outside after being transmitted and / or reflected in the subject at a plurality of light receiving points. One or a plurality of light sources that send light to a light-sending point, and one or a plurality of detectors that detect the light of the light-receiving point are provided, and one light-sending point and a plurality of light-sending points among the plurality of light-sending points. Of the measurement data obtained by the measurement unit for one light-receiving point in the light-receiving points, or for a set of light-transmitting unit / light-receiving unit or a set of light source / detector formed by one light source and one detector A display unit is provided, which has a correspondence table in which the measurement data selected from one of the plurality of recording channels prepared independently from the above is provided, and the measurement data is displayed as an image and / or a graph through the recording channels. Multi-chan characterized by handing over to Le light measuring device. 2. An optical measuring device for irradiating a subject with light from a plurality of light transmitting points, and measuring light emitted to the outside after being transmitted and / or reflected in the subject at a plurality of light receiving points. One or a plurality of light sources that send light to a light-sending point, and one or a plurality of detectors that detect the light of the light-receiving point are provided, and one light-sending point and a plurality of light-sending points among the plurality of light-sending points. Of the measurement data obtained by the measurement unit for one light-receiving point in the light-receiving points, or for a set of light-transmitting unit / light-receiving unit or a set of light source / detector formed by one light source and one detector In addition to providing a correspondence table that maps the measurement data selected from one of the many recording channels prepared independently from this, one light source branches the light to multiple light-sending points and sends the light. At least one of the branched light guides for transmitting light, or a plurality of light receivers on the subject. At least one of the branch light guides for receiving light that guides the light from the light spot to one detector, and at least one of the branch light guides for light reception, and by the setting of the correspondence table, different measurement points while passing through the same branch light guide. A multi-channel optical measuring device, which has a function of separately acquiring light corresponding to, and delivers the measured data to a display unit for displaying an image and / or a graph via the recording channel. 3. A measurement region of a subject is divided into divided regions which do not interfere with each other, and each branch light guide has at least one end portion branched from the same branch light guide in the divided region. The multi-channel optical measuring device according to claim 2, further comprising: