JP3396672B2 - Body fat measurement device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a body fat measuring device for easily and highly accurately measuring subcutaneous fat existing in layers near the surface of the human body and visceral fat existing inside the human body. To do.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method for deriving the spatial distribution of a medium in a three-dimensional object by utilizing the difference in electrical impedance of the medium, a potential distribution induced on the surface of the object by applying a current to the object to be measured. An impedance CT method for imaging an impedance distribution inside an object is known. This technique is being applied to the measurement of the distribution of blood, lung, fat, etc. in the living body (Japan ME Society BME Vol, 8, No.8 (199
4) p.49). In addition to the impedance CT method, as a device for measuring subcutaneous fat amount and visceral fat amount by measuring electric impedance, a body fat measuring device (prior art 1) described in JP-A-11-113870 and JP-A-11-
There is a body fat meter (prior art 2) described in Japanese Patent No. 123182. The body fat measuring device according to the related art 1 mounts a plurality of electrodes on the body surface, measures the impedance between the electrodes, generates an impedance matrix of the electrode mounting site cross section, and the computing means uses the mounting site information from the input means. The body fat distribution of the target cross section is calculated by obtaining the product of the coefficient matrix corresponding to Further, the internal fat meter described in the prior art 2 is provided with electrode pairs each having a current path forming electrode and a measuring electrode at substantially equal intervals inside a winding band wrapped around the abdomen of a subject, and two selected pairs are provided. An alternating current is passed between the current path forming electrodes of the electrode pair to form a current path, and the measuring electrode measures the impedance in the formed current path. By appropriately selecting two electrode pairs, the subcutaneous fat at the measurement site is mainly measured between the adjacent electrode pairs, and the visceral fat at the measurement site is mainly measured between the opposing electrodes.

[0003]

In the device applying the impedance CT method to the measurement of body fat, the spatial resolution for estimating the fat distribution in the body is not sufficient, which makes it difficult to quantitatively calculate the amount of body fat, and the calculation thereof is also difficult. It required a large-scale numerical calculation.

The body fat measuring apparatus of the prior art 1 describes a concrete method of generating a coefficient matrix according to a wearing site and a concrete method of generating a body fat distribution image of a target cross section from a product of an impedance matrix and a coefficient matrix. There is no.

The internal fat meter of the prior art 2 can measure the subcutaneous fat amount at the measurement site. However, the measured amount includes the influence of the amount and distribution of other media existing inside the human body, and thus the accuracy is poor. Was enough. Further, even when trying to measure the visceral fat inside the human body, the effect of subcutaneous fat existing in layers near the surface of the human body is very large, and it is difficult to measure.

The present invention can easily and accurately determine the amount of subcutaneous fat such as the cross-sectional area of subcutaneous fat existing in layers near the surface of the human body and the amount of visceral fat such as the cross-sectional area of visceral fat existing inside the human body. An object of the present invention is to provide a body fat measuring device capable of measuring.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the body fat measuring device of the present invention has an object to be measured on the outer circumference of the object to be measured.
Two current electrodes placed almost opposite to each other with the measurement object in between.
And a current between the two current electrodes, the outer circumference of the DUT
Electric potential generated at a position approximately midway between the two current electrodes above
Measuring means for measuring the spatial change rate of
Of the characteristic quantity that reflects the size of the measured object in the rate of spatial change
Calculate the fat mass of the measured object based on the value multiplied by the power
And a body fat calculating means.

Further, the body fat measuring device is used for measuring the outer circumference of the body to be measured.
For two currents, which are placed on top of each other, facing each other with the object to be measured in between.
One near each of the electrodes and the two current electrodes
Current between the measuring electrodes and the two current electrodes.
Flow through the measuring electrode and measure the voltage generated between the measuring electrodes.
Step, and the voltage measured by the measuring means, the size of the DUT
Is measured using the value obtained by multiplying the power of the characteristic quantity that reflects
And a body fat calculating means for calculating the amount of fat in the body .

In the present invention, the amount of fat present inside the body to be measured is generically called the amount of visceral fat for convenience.
In addition to the original amount of visceral fat attached around the viscera, it refers to the amount of general fat such as hepatic fat that is present in the body.

A characteristic quantity that reflects the size of the object to be measured.
And reflects the size of the cross section of the object to be measured, for example, the human body.
It is the amount, and the total cross-sectional area S of the human body and the outer circumference of the human body cross-section.
Length U, width W1 and width W1 of the cross section of the human body as shown in FIG.
2, etc. Of characteristic quantities that reflect the size of the human body
The exponentiation is typically the square of the total cross-sectional area S, the vertical width and the horizontal width.
Width product W1 · W2 and perimeter U squared U^TwoAs an example
You can In practice, it is common to measure the total cross-sectional area S accurately.
W1, W2 and U, which are coarse and highly correlated with S^TwoTo use
Is more convenient. In addition to the above, W1, W2, U
Such as W1^Two, W2^Two, W1 ・ U, W2 ・ U
Which square, U^Three, The cube of W1, W2, U, etc., U^FourSuch
It is also possible to use an integer power such as the fourth power of. Or
U ^1.8And U^2.2Characteristic amount that reflects the size of
You can use non-integer powers of
It may be some weighted linear sum or difference. The size of the human body
In addition to the above length, the human body
Body weight or weight that indirectly reflects the size of the cross section of
You can also use the ratio of height and height.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (First Embodiment) The body fat measuring method and apparatus according to the first embodiment measures the amount of visceral fat such as the cross-sectional area of visceral fat existing inside the human body. .

The body fat measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes two current electrodes 2 and 3 arranged substantially opposite to each other on the outer periphery of the human body 1 with the human body 1 interposed therebetween, and a current source 4. , On the outer circumference of the human body 1 at a position approximately midway between the two current electrodes 2-3,
Two measuring electrodes 21 and 22 arranged at a distance sufficiently shorter than the outer peripheral length, a reference potential 17 for measuring the potentials of the measuring electrodes 21 and 22, a reference potential 17 and a measuring electrode 21. Alternatively, a changeover switch 1 for connecting to 22
6, a voltmeter 7 that measures the potentials of the two measurement electrodes 21, 22, and a voltage value measured by the voltmeter 7 and a power of a characteristic amount that reflects the size of the human body 1 separately measured. The body fat calculator 25 that calculates the amount of the visceral fat 10 existing inside the human body 1. Note that, as shown in FIG. 2, the measuring electrodes 21 'and 22' may be arranged at positions opposite to the left and right of the voltage measuring electrodes 21 and 22 shown in FIG. 1 to measure the voltage. The positions of the current electrodes 2 and 3 on the human body can be arranged, for example, around the back and around the abdomen, or on both sides of the abdomen, but from the viewpoint of the accuracy of measuring visceral fat mass, they are placed around the back and around the abdomen. Preferably. Further, if a current can be passed across the human body 1, the number of current electrodes arranged on the outer circumference of the human body 1 may be larger than '2' as shown in FIG.

Further, in the body fat measuring device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer peripheral length of the human body 1 and the electrodes 21 to 22 and / or 2 are used.
A configuration including the data input device 33 for inputting the data of the distance between 1 ′ and 22 ′ may be used. At this time, the body fat calculator 25 determines the voltage value measured by the voltmeter 7, the outer circumference of the human body 1 input from the data input device 33, and the electrodes 21-22.
And / or human body 1 of distance between 2 and 21'-22 '
The visceral fat amount is calculated based on the power of the characteristic amount reflecting the size of the visceral fat.

Next, a method for measuring body fat will be described. First,
The current source 4 causes a current to flow between the current electrodes 2-3 arranged substantially opposite to each other on the outer periphery of the human body 1 with the human body 1 interposed therebetween, and while the changeover switch 16 is switched, the voltmeter 7 displays the measurement electrode 2
1 and the reference potential 17, the voltage V1 and the measuring electrode 22
The voltage V2 between the reference potential 17 and the reference potential 17 is measured, and the body fat calculation unit 25 calculates the voltage values V1 and V2 measured by the voltmeter 7 and the power of the characteristic amount that reflects the size of the human body 1 measured separately. Based on this, the amount m of the visceral fat 10 is calculated.

1 to 3, the current source 4 may be either a DC power source or an AC power source. When the current source 4 is an AC power supply, the phase delay may be measured at the same time when the voltage value (amplitude or effective value of the voltage) is measured by the voltmeter 7. In that case, the measured phase delay is analyzed by data. Available for
In the measurement of the human body, alternating current is preferable from the viewpoint of ease of handling, and the frequency of alternating current is usually 10 kHz to 500.
kHz can be used, especially 50 kHz to 200 k
It is preferable to use Hz. Further, the current value at this time can usually be 0.3 mA to 3 mA.

Here, FIG. 4 schematically shows a potential distribution (instantaneous value) induced on the outer circumference of the human body 1 when a current is flowing from the electrode 2 to the electrode 3. Spatial change rate (slope) of potential near electrodes 21 and 22 or near electrodes 21 'and 22'
Although the absolute value of is small, the spatial change rate of the electric potential in the vicinity of the electrode is strongly correlated with the amount of visceral fat 10. That is, when the absolute value of the spatial change rate of the electric potential is large, the amount of visceral fat 10 is large, and when the absolute value of the spatial change rate of the electric potential is small, the amount of visceral fat 10 is small. Further, the spatial change rate is hardly affected by the distribution and amount of the subcutaneous fat 8 existing near the outer periphery of the human body 1. Therefore, the amount m of the visceral fat 10 can be calculated easily and highly accurately without being affected by the distribution and amount of the subcutaneous fat 8 existing near the outer periphery of the human body 1.

At this time, the amount m of the visceral fat 10 may be calculated using either the spatial change rate of the potential near the electrodes 21 and 22 or the spatial change rate of the potential near the electrodes 21 'and 22'. . Further, the average of the spatial change rates of the two potentials may be obtained, and the visceral fat mass m may be calculated from the average. In addition, there is a correlation that a person with a large amount of visceral fat generally has a large amount of total fat (sum of visceral fat and subcutaneous fat). Therefore, the spatial change rate of the above potential is used to approximate the total amount of fat in the human body. It can also be calculated.

The spatial change rate of the electric potential is as follows:
The difference | V1-V2 | between the voltage V1 between 1 and the reference potential 17 and the voltage V2 between the measuring electrode 22 and the reference potential 17 can be used. Or literally, | V1-V2 |
Divided by the distance L12 between the electrodes 21 and 22 | V1-
V2 | / L12 can be used. Alternatively, as the more general spatial change rate ζ of the potential, the outer peripheral length U of the human body 1
It is also possible to use a value ζ = | V1-V2 | · U / L12 obtained by dividing | V1-V2 | by the inter-electrode distance L12 / U standardized by. In order to quantitatively calculate the amount of visceral fat 10, the product of the spatial change rate of the electric potential and the power of the characteristic amount reflecting the size of the human body 1, for example, ζ × W1 × W2 or ζ × U ^2, and the visceral fat. A correlation equation relating the quantity m of 10 is created in advance. Specifically, a plurality of samples, which are composed of the same medium but have various amounts m, are prepared, and the values ζ × W1 × W2 or ζ × U ² measured by the above method are applied to them.
A correlation expression of the actual visceral fat mass m is created. Voltage value V1,
In the measurement of V2, all the samples are made to have the same current, or different currents are made to flow for each sample, and the obtained voltage value is converted into a voltage value generated when the same current amount is made to flow. For measuring the characteristic quantities W1, W2 and U reflecting the size, for example, a length measuring device such as a tape measure or a ruler can be used. As a method for measuring the visceral fat mass m, a method of obtaining a cross-sectional area or a volume from a tomographic image obtained by an X-ray CT method or an MRI method, or a method of mechanically cutting the sample directly when the sample is not a human body There are methods such as measuring the cross-sectional area and volume. A sample whose internal structure is known in advance may be used. When calculating the cross-sectional area from a tomographic image, taking into consideration the spread of the current, not only the cross-section but also a tomographic image in the vicinity of the cross-sectional image is taken, and the visceral fat is cut off from the average of the multiple tomographic images. The accuracy is improved by calculating the area. When the total fat mass (sum of visceral fat mass and subcutaneous fat mass) is calculated by the spatial change rate of the electric potential, the correlation equation may be created by the same method.

The correlation equation can be expressed by being approximated by a linear polynomial using a multivariate analysis method, and using regression coefficients a0 and a1, m =
a0 + a1 ・ ζ ・ W1 ・ W2 or m = a0 + a1 ・
ζ · U ² . Alternatively, using W1 · W2 and U ² as independent variables and using the regression coefficient a2, m = a0 + a1 ·
ζ ・ W1 ・ W2 + a2 ・ W1 ・ W2 or m = a0 + a1
· Or a ^{ζ · U 2 + a2 · U} 2, using another voltage V 'measured in another current path to the human body 1, m = a0 + a
1 ・ ζ ・ W1 ・ W2 + a2 ・ V '・ W1 ・ W2 or m =
The accuracy of the correlation equation can be improved by setting a0 + a1 · ζ · U ² + a2 · V ′ · U ² . As power characteristic amount reflecting the size of the human body 1, when you select the amount of non-W1 · W2 and U ² may be replaced with W1 · W2 and U ² in the above formula the amount. In the measurement in FIG. 1, when the distance L12 between the electrodes 21 and 22 is changed in proportion to the outer peripheral length U, the voltage value | V1-V2 | is used instead of the spatial change rate ζ of the potential. You can also The correlation equation at this time is m = a0 + a1. | V1-V2 | .W1.W2
Alternatively, m = a0 + a1 · | V1-V2 | · U ^{2 and the} like. As a method of changing the distance between the electrodes 21 to 22 in proportion to the outer peripheral length, the electrodes are fixed to a belt made of a stretchable material such as rubber, and the belt is wound around the outer circumference of the sample to be measured. There is a method of utilizing expansion and contraction of the sample, or a method of separately measuring the outer peripheral length of the sample to be measured and mechanically changing the distance between the electrodes based on the information. If the correlation equation is set, the correlation equation is calculated from the spatial change rate ζ or the voltage value | V1-V2 | of the potential measured with respect to the unknown visceral fat amount sample and the characteristic amount reflecting the size of the human body 1. The visceral fat amount m can be calculated according to

In FIG. 1 (or FIG. 2), it is preferable to set the distance between the measuring electrodes 21-22 (or 21'-22 ') to an optimum range. If the distance between the electrodes 21 and 22 is too small, a sufficient potential difference does not occur between the electrodes 21 and 22, which is not preferable in terms of measurement sensitivity. From this viewpoint, it is preferable that the distance between the electrodes 21 and 22 is usually 3 cm or more. On the other hand, if the distance between the electrode 21 and the electrode 22 is too large, the distribution and amount of the subcutaneous fat 8 will affect the measurement voltage, so the distance between the electrodes is preferably ⅙ or less of the outer peripheral length. The shape of the electrode used at this time may be, for example, a disk shape or a rectangular shape. Among these, as shown in FIG. 6, a rectangular electrode or a semicircular electrode in which the distance Ledge between the edges of the electrodes is kept constant along the edges is preferable. As for the size of the electrode, when the electrode is disc-shaped, for example, the diameter is 0.6 cm to 3.
5 cm electrodes can be used, especially 1.5 cm diameter
It is preferred to use ~ 2.5 cm electrodes. When the electrode shape is rectangular, for example, an electrode having a horizontal width of 0.6 to 3 cm and a vertical width of 1.5 to 7 cm can be used.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. The body fat measuring device according to the second embodiment shown in FIG.
Two current electrodes 2 and 3 which are arranged substantially opposite to each other with the electrode in between.
, The current source 4, and the two current electrodes 2 on the outer circumference of the human body 1.
Measurement electrodes 2 arranged at a position approximately in the middle between −3 and with the distance between adjacent electrodes being sufficiently shorter than the outer circumference length.
1 to 24, a reference potential 17 for measuring the potentials of the measurement electrodes 21 to 24, a reference potential 17 and the measurement electrodes 21 to 21.
A changeover switch 16 for connecting to 24, a voltmeter 7 for measuring the potentials of the four measuring electrodes 21 to 24, and a human body 1
Data input device 33 for inputting the data of the outer peripheral length U and the position of the measuring electrode, the voltage value measured by the voltmeter 7, the data of the outer peripheral length U and the electrode position input from the data input device 33, and the human body 1 And a body fat calculator 25 that calculates the amount of the visceral fat 10 existing inside the human body 1 based on the power of the characteristic amount that reflects the size of the body fat. Current electrodes 2, 3
The positions on the human body can be arranged, for example, around the back and the abdomen, or on both sides of the abdomen, but from the viewpoint of the accuracy of measuring the amount of visceral fat, it is preferable to arrange the positions around the back and the abdomen.

Next, a body fat measuring method will be described. First,
The current source 4 causes a current to flow between the current electrodes 2-3 arranged substantially opposite to each other on the outer periphery of the human body 1 with the human body 1 interposed therebetween, and while the changeover switch 16 is switched, the voltmeter 7 displays the measurement electrode 2
The voltage values V1 to V4 between 1 to 24 and the reference potential 17 are measured, and the body fat calculation unit 25 measures the voltage values V1 to V4 measured by the voltmeter 7 and the outer circumference input from the data input device 33. Based on the length U and the data of the electrode position, the spatial change rate ζ of the electric potential is obtained, and the spatial change rate ζ is multiplied by the power of the characteristic amount that reflects the size of the human body 1
The quantity m of 0 is calculated.

Spatial change rate ζ of potential from voltage values V1 to V4
For example, the following may be done. As shown in FIG. 8, the electrodes 21, 22, 23, 24 represented by the distance x from one point on the surface of the human body 1 to the center point of the measuring electrode.
The positions x1, x2, x3, x4 of the
Enter in. The body fat calculation unit 25 uses x1, x2, x3, x4 input from the data input device 33,
Distance L12 between electrodes 21-22 = x2-x1, electrode 22-
The distance L23 between 23 and L23 = x3-x2 and the distance L34 between electrodes 23-24 = x4-x3 are calculated, and from these, the local spatial change rate of the potential between the electrodes ζ12 = | V1-V2 | · U /
L12, ζ23 = | V2-V3 | · U / L23, ζ34
= | V3-V4 | .U / L34 is calculated. The spatial variation rate ζ of the electric potential is most simply the local spatial variation rate ζ 12,
It can be obtained from the arithmetic mean of ζ23 and ζ34. Alternatively, the minimum one of ζ12, ζ23, ζ34 may be ζ, or, as shown in FIG. 9, x / U =
Ζ12 for (x1 + x2) / 2U and x / U = (x2 + x
3) / 2U, ζ23, x / U = (x3 + x4) / 2U
It is also possible to plot ζ34 on the above and to use the minimum value ζmin of the quadratic function when these three points are fitted with the quadratic function as the spatial change rate ζ of the potential.

Spatial change rate ζ of the potential thus determined
Using, the visceral fat amount or total fat amount (sum of visceral fat amount and subcutaneous fat amount) can be calculated by the same method as in the first embodiment.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. The body fat measuring apparatus according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 10 has the reference potential 17 in the body fat measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 7 on the human body 1, particularly at the electrode 24. In FIG. 10, the changeover switch 1
6 performs switching for connecting the measurement reference electrode 24 and the measurement electrodes 21 to 23, and the voltmeter 7 indicates the measurement reference electrode 24.
And the voltage generated between the measurement electrodes 21 to 23 is measured.

The body fat measuring device shown in FIG. 10 measures the body fat amount by the following method. First, the current source 4 causes a current to flow between the current electrodes 2-3, and while the changeover switch 16 is being switched, the voltmeter 7 causes the voltages V1 to V1 between the measurement electrodes 21 to 23 and the measurement reference electrode 24. V3 is measured, and the body fat calculator 25 changes the potential spatially based on the voltage values V1 to V3 measured by the voltmeter 7 and the data of the outer peripheral length U and the electrode position input from the data input device 33. The ratio m of the visceral fat 10 is calculated from the value obtained by multiplying the spatial change ratio ζ by the power of the characteristic amount that reflects the size of the human body 1.
To calculate.

Spatial change rate ζ of potential from voltage values V1 to V3
The above can be obtained in the same manner as in the second embodiment by simply replacing the spatial change rate ζ34 in the second embodiment with ζ34 = V3 · U / L34. The visceral fat amount or total fat amount (sum of visceral fat amount and subcutaneous fat amount) can be calculated by the same method as in the first embodiment using the spatial change rate ζ of the potential thus determined. .

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The body fat measuring device according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 11 uses the reference potential 17 in the body fat measuring device shown in FIG. 1 on the human body 1, particularly on the electrode 22. The voltmeter 7 measures the voltage V generated between the measurement reference electrode 22 and the measurement electrode 21.

The body fat measuring device shown in FIG. 11 measures the body fat amount by the following method. First, the current source 4 sends a current between the current electrodes 2-3, and the voltmeter 7 measures the voltage V between the measurement electrode 21 and the measurement reference electrode 22,
The body fat calculation unit 25 calculates the amount m of the visceral fat 10 from the voltage value V measured by the voltmeter 7 and the power of the characteristic amount that reflects the size of the human body 1 measured separately. Specifically, by simply replacing the voltage value | V1-V2 | in the description of the first embodiment with the voltage value V, the visceral fat amount or total fat amount (visceral fat amount) can be obtained in the same manner as in the first embodiment. And the sum of subcutaneous fat amount) can be calculated.

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. The body fat measuring device according to the fifth embodiment has the body fat measuring device shown in FIG. 14 added to the body fat measuring device shown in FIG. The body fat measuring device shown in FIG. 14 includes two current electrodes 2 and 3 arranged substantially opposite to each other with the human body 1 interposed therebetween on the outer periphery of, for example, the abdomen of the human body 1 as a measured body, and a current source 4. A measuring electrode 42 arranged near the electrode 2, a measuring electrode 43 arranged near the electrode 3, a voltmeter 7 for measuring the voltage generated between the two measuring electrodes 42-43, and a voltage The body fat calculator 25 is provided for inputting the voltage value measured by the total 7. The positions of the current electrodes 2 and 3 on the human body can be arranged, for example, around the back and around the abdomen, or on both sides of the abdomen, but from the viewpoint of accuracy in measuring fat mass, they are arranged around the back and around the abdomen. Is preferred. Also, as shown in FIG.
The measuring electrode 43 ′ to be arranged in the vicinity of can be arranged at a position substantially symmetrical to the electrode 43 with the electrode 3 interposed therebetween.

A method for measuring body fat will be described. First, FIG.
In the measuring device shown in FIG.
A current is passed between the three electrodes, and the voltmeter 7 displays the measurement electrodes 21-22.
The first voltage V generated between them is measured. Next, in the measuring device shown in FIG. 14, the current source 4 supplies a current between the current electrodes 2-3, and the voltmeter 7 measures the second voltage V ′ generated between the measurement electrodes 42-43. Then, the body fat calculation unit 25
Based on the first voltage V and the second voltage V ′ measured by the voltmeter 7 and the exponentiation of the characteristic amount that reflects the size of the human body 1, the human body 1
The amount m of the visceral fat 10 of is calculated. The first voltage value V is set to the second
Since the correction is performed with the voltage V ′, the fat amount m can be calculated with higher accuracy.

A correlation equation for associating the first voltage V and the second voltage V'with the fat amount m is, for example, m = a0 + a1. (V
・ U / L12) ・ W1 ・ W2 + a2 ・ V'W1 ・ W2 or m = a0 + a1 ・ (V ・ U / L12) ・ U ² + a2
・ V '・ U ² etc. Alternatively, W1, W2 or U
² = independent variable m = a0 + a1. (V.U / L1
2) · W1 · W2 + a2 · V'W1 · W2 + a3 · W1
・ W2 or m = a0 + a1 ・ (V ・ U / L12) ・ U ²
The accuracy of the correlation equation can be improved by setting + a2 · V ′ · U ² + a3 · U ² . Where a0, a1, a
2, a3 are regression coefficients, and L12 is the distance between the electrodes 21-22.

Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. The body fat measuring device according to the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 12 automatically measures the amount of visceral fat in the human body 1 while sequentially applying a current in a plurality of directions. In FIG. 12, a plurality of electrodes 2 are provided on the outer circumference of the human body 1.
6a to 26h are arranged, and the plurality of electrodes 26a to 26h are connected to the current electrode selection switch 27 and the voltage electrode selection switch 28.

The electrode selection data input from the data input device 33 is transmitted to the current electrode selection switch 27 according to an instruction from the computer 35, and the current electrode selection switch 27 is transmitted.
According to the above, any two of the plurality of electrodes 26a to 26h are selected as the current electrodes. By converting the output of the AC oscillator 29 by the voltage / current converter 30 and applying it, a predetermined current can be passed between the current electrodes.

According to the instruction of the computer 35, the voltage value between the measurement electrodes selected from the remaining electrodes by the voltage electrode selection switch 28 is used as the differential amplifier 31 and the A / D converter 32.
Via the computer to the computer 35. The above process
According to the instruction of the computer 35, the current electrode and the measurement electrode are sequentially selected and repeated. The voltage data taken into the computer 35 is converted into a voltage value generated when a standard current is applied, and then the data is input in advance together with a characteristic amount that reflects the size of the human body 1 input to the computer 35 from the data input device 33. The visceral fat mass m is obtained by applying the correlation expression between the characteristic amount reflecting the voltage and the size of the human body 1 and the visceral fat amount m input from the input device 33. The visceral fat mass m is sent from the computer 35 to the data output device 34 and displayed.

Here, with respect to the plurality of electrodes 26a to 26h, the electrodes are sequentially selected so that, for example, the current electrodes and the measurement electrodes are arranged as shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b). Then, two voltages V1 ′ and V2 ′ are measured, and the regression coefficients a0, a1 and a2 are used together with the vertical width W1 and the horizontal width W2 or the outer peripheral length U of the human body 1 which are separately measured, as in the fourth embodiment. Correlation equation m = a0 + a1.zeta.W1.W2 +
a2 · ζ2 · W1 · W2 or m = a0 + a1 · ζ1 ·
The amount of the visceral fat 10 existing inside the human body 1 is measured with high accuracy by applying it to U ² + a2 · ζ2 · U ² . Here, ζ1 and ζ2 are the spatial change rates of the potential calculated from V1 ′ and V2 ′, and the distance L12 between the electrodes 21-22 is L12.
Using, for example, ζ1 = V1 ′ · U / L12, ζ2 =
It is expressed as V2 ′ · U / L12. It should be noted that in the very periphery of the spine, the surface of the body is uneven, and the electrode installed is likely to cause poor contact with the skin. Therefore, by arranging the electrode 3 in the vicinity of the abdomen of the abdomen and the electrode 2 in the left and right sides of the spine at substantially left-right symmetrical positions, accurate measurement can be performed.

In addition, in the first to sixth embodiments, the reliability of the measurement result is enhanced by measuring with currents of a plurality of frequencies and comparing the measurement results.

(Second Embodiment) A body fat measuring method and apparatus according to a second embodiment are used for measuring a subcutaneous fat amount such as a subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area of a human body and a visceral fat amount such as a visceral fat cross-sectional area. Measure the sum of and.

The body fat measuring apparatus according to the first example of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 14 is arranged so as to face the human body 1 which is the body to be measured, for example, on the outer circumference of the abdomen with the human body 1 interposed therebetween. Two current electrodes 2 and 3, which are arranged as a current source, a current source 4, a measurement electrode 42 arranged near the electrode 2, a measurement electrode 43 arranged near the electrode 3, and two measurement electrodes 42. Voltmeter 7 for measuring the voltage generated between −43, and body fat calculation for calculating the sum of the cross-sectional areas of subcutaneous fat 8 and visceral fat 10 of human body 1 based on the voltage measured by voltmeter 7. The unit 25 is provided. The positions of the current electrodes 2 and 3 on the human body can be arranged, for example, around the back and around the abdomen, or on both sides of the abdomen, but from the viewpoint of accuracy in measuring fat mass, they are arranged around the back and around the abdomen. Is preferred. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the measuring electrode 43 ′ to be arranged in the vicinity of the electrode 3.
Can also be arranged at a position substantially symmetrical to the electrode 43 with the electrode 3 interposed therebetween. Further, if a current can be passed across the human body 1, the number of current electrodes arranged on the outer circumference of the human body 1 may be larger than '2' as shown in FIG.

Next, a body fat measuring method will be described. First, in the measuring device shown in FIG. 14, the current source 4 causes a current to flow between the current electrodes 2-3, and the voltmeter 7 measures the voltage V generated between the measurement electrodes 42 and 43. From the voltage value V measured by the voltmeter 7, the body fat calculation unit 25
The sum m ′ of the cross-sectional area of the subcutaneous fat 8 and the cross-sectional area of the visceral fat 10 of the human body 1 is calculated. Further, there is a correlation that a person with a large total fat amount (the sum of the subcutaneous fat amount and the visceral fat amount) generally has a large visceral fat amount.
A cross-sectional area m of 0 can also be calculated.

Since the current source 4 has already been described in the first embodiment, its detailed description is omitted here.

As shown in FIG. 14, the voltage generated when a current is passed in a direction substantially transverse to the human body 1 is
It was easily predicted that there was some correlation with the amount of fat that occupies the major part of the electric resistance of
Is the subcutaneous fat 8 of the human body 1 with respect to the total cross-sectional area of the human body 1 in the cross section in which electrodes are arranged on the outer periphery or in the vicinity thereof.
It accurately reflected the ratio (relative value) of the sum of the cross-sectional area of and the cross-sectional area of visceral fat 10. Further, surprisingly, by multiplying the voltage value by the power of the characteristic amount that reflects the size of the human body 1, the value is the sum of the cross-sectional area of the subcutaneous fat 8 and the cross-sectional area of the visceral fat 10 on the cross section. It showed a very strong correlation with (absolute value).

In order to quantitatively calculate the sum m ′ of the amounts of subcutaneous fat 8 and visceral fat 10, a correlation equation relating the voltage V and the fat amount m ′ or a characteristic reflecting the voltage V and the size of the human body 1. Product of powers of quantity, eg V × W1 × W2 or V × U
^A correlation equation that relates ² to the fat amount m ′ is created in advance.

Specifically, a plurality of samples, which are composed of the same medium but have various amounts m ', are prepared, and the voltage value V or V × W measured by the above-mentioned method is applied to them.
A correlation formula between 1 × W2 or V × U ² and the actual fat amount m ′ is created. In the measurement of the voltage value V, the currents flowing in all the samples are made the same, or different currents are made to flow in each sample, and the obtained voltage values are converted into the voltage values generated when the same amount of current is made to flow. To do. For measuring the characteristic quantities W1, W2 and U reflecting the size, for example, a length measuring device such as a tape measure or a ruler can be used. As a method of measuring the cross-sectional area of subcutaneous fat and visceral fat, X-ray CT method or MRI
There is a method of obtaining from a tomographic image obtained by the method, or a method of mechanically cutting the sample and measuring the cross-sectional area directly from the cut surface when the sample is not a human body.
A sample whose internal structure is known in advance may be used.
When calculating the cross-sectional area from a tomographic image, taking into consideration the spread of the current, not only the cross-section but also a tomographic image in the vicinity of the cross-sectional image is taken, and the cross-sectional area of fat is calculated from the average of these tomographic images. The accuracy is improved by calculating

The correlation equation can be expressed by a linear polynomial approximation using a multivariate analysis method, and the amount m ′ is subcutaneous fat 8 and visceral fat 10
When expressing the ratio (relative value) of the sum of the cross-sectional areas of to the total cross-sectional area of the human body 1, using regression coefficients a0 and a1 · a2,
For example, m ′ = a0 + a1 · V + a2 · L / U.
Here, L is the distance between the electrodes 2-42 or the distance between the electrodes 3-43. Alternatively, when the amount m ′ represents the sum (absolute value) of the cross-sectional areas of the subcutaneous fat 8 and the visceral fat 10, the correlation equation is m ′ = a0 + a1 · V · W1 · W2 or m ′ = a0.
+ A1 · V · U ² . Alternatively, W1, W2 and U ²
Is used as an independent variable and the regression coefficient a3 is used, m '= a
0 + a1 ・ V ・ W1 ・ W2 + a2 ・ W1 ・ W2 + a3 ・
W1 · W2 · L / U or m ′ = a0 + a1 · V · U ² +
By setting a2 · U ² + a3 · U ² · L / U, etc., the accuracy of the correlation equation can be improved. Further, by using another voltage V ′ measured on another current path with respect to the human body 1, m ′ = a0 + a1 · V · W1 · W2 + a2 · V ′ ·
W1 · W2 or m ′ = a0 + a1 · V · U ² + a2 ·
By setting V ′ · U ² , the accuracy of the correlation equation can be improved. As power characteristic amount reflecting the size of the human body 1, when you select the amount of non-W1 · W2 and U ² may be replaced with W1 · W2 and U ² in the above formula the amount. If the correlation formula is set, the fat amount m ′ can be calculated according to the correlation formula from the voltage value V measured for the sample of unknown fat amount and the characteristic amount that reflects the size of the human body 1.

In FIG. 14, it is preferable that the distance between the current electrode 2 and the measurement electrode 42 is set in an optimum range. If the distance between the electrode 2 and the electrode 42 is too large, the ratio of the voltage drop in the subcutaneous fat 8 to the measurement voltage V decreases, and the measurement accuracy deteriorates. In addition, the measurement sensitivity becomes poor for a sample in which the subcutaneous fat 8 is thin. If the distance is too small, the measurement sensitivity becomes poor for a sample having a large thickness of subcutaneous fat 8, and the shape or size of the electrode or the contact state between the electrode and the human body 1 affects the measured voltage value V, which is preferable. Absent. The distance between the electrode 2 and the electrode 42 is generally
0.3 to 3 of the thickness of subcutaneous fat 8 in the sample to be measured
It is preferable to double. For example, when the electrodes are arranged around the torso of the human body for measurement, the distance between the electrodes 2-42 (distance between the centers of the electrodes) is preferably 0.6 cm to 12 cm, and preferably 1 cm to 6 cm. Is more preferable. At this time, the distance between the electrodes 2-42 can be changed in proportion to the outer peripheral length U of the human body. As a method of changing the distance between the electrodes in proportion to the outer circumference length, the electrodes are fixed to a belt made of a stretchable material such as rubber, and the expansion and contraction of the belt when the belt is wound around the outer circumference of the human body is used. There are ways. In addition, the current electrode 3 and the measurement electrode 4
The distance from 3 is also the same.

As the shape of the current electrode and the measurement electrode, for example, a disk shape or a rectangular shape can be used.
Of these, as shown in FIG. 6, the distance Led between the edges of the electrodes is
Rectangular or semi-circular electrodes are preferred, where ge is kept constant along the edges. The size of the electrode is, for example, a diameter of 0.6 cm to 3.5 cm when the electrode has a disk shape.
Can be used, and in particular, a diameter of 1.5 cm to 2.
It is preferable to use a 5 cm electrode. When the electrode shape is rectangular, for example, the horizontal width is 0.6 to 3 cm and the vertical width is 1.5.
An electrode of ~ 7 cm can be used.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. The body fat measuring device according to the second embodiment shown in FIG.
Of the abdomen, for example, two current electrodes 2 and 3 arranged substantially opposite to each other with the human body 1 interposed therebetween, a current source 4, a measurement electrode 44 arranged near the electrode 3, and the human body 1 On the outer periphery of the measurement electrode 45 arranged at a substantially intermediate position between the two current electrodes 2-3, a voltmeter 7 for measuring the voltage generated between the two measurement electrodes 44-45, and a voltmeter. A body fat calculator 25 is provided that calculates the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the subcutaneous fat 8 and the visceral fat 10 of the human body 1 based on the voltage value measured in 7. The positions of the current electrodes 2 and 3 on the human body can be arranged, for example, around the back and around the abdomen, or on both sides of the abdomen, but from the viewpoint of accuracy in measuring fat mass, they are arranged around the back and around the abdomen. Is preferred. The distance between the current electrode 3 and the measurement electrode 44 is the current electrode 2 in FIG.
It is preferable to set in the optimum range similar to the distance between the measuring electrode 42 and the measuring electrode 42.

Next, a method for measuring body fat will be described. First, in the measuring device shown in FIG. 17, the current source 4 causes a current to flow between the current electrodes 2-3, and the voltmeter 7 measures the voltage V generated between the measurement electrodes 44 and the measurement electrodes 45. Then, the body fat calculation unit 25 calculates from the voltage value V measured by the voltmeter 7 that
The sum m ′ of the cross-sectional area of the subcutaneous fat 8 and the cross-sectional area of the visceral fat 10 of the human body 1 is calculated. Further, there is a correlation that a person with a large total fat amount (the sum of the subcutaneous fat amount and the visceral fat amount) generally has a large visceral fat amount.
A cross-sectional area m of 0 can also be calculated.

In order to quantitatively calculate the sum m'of the amounts of subcutaneous fat 8 and visceral fat 10, a correlation equation relating the voltage V and the fat amount m'or a characteristic reflecting the voltage V and the size of the human body 1 Product of powers of quantity, eg V × W1 × W2 or V × U
^A correlation equation that relates ² to the fat amount m ′ is created in advance. The preparation can be performed by the same method as in the first embodiment, and the correlation equation is given by redefining L as the distance between the electrodes 3-44 in the correlation equation shown in the first embodiment. To be According to this correlation formula, the fat mass m ′ can be calculated from the voltage value V measured for the sample of unknown fat mass and the characteristic amount that reflects the size of the human body 1.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the body fat measuring device according to the third embodiment, the body fat measuring device shown in FIG. 18 is added to the body fat measuring device shown in FIG. The body fat measuring device shown in FIG. 18 includes two current electrodes 2 and 3 arranged on the outer circumference of, for example, the abdomen of the human body 1 as the body to be measured with a distance sufficiently shorter than the outer circumferential length of the human body 1. , A current source 4, a first measuring electrode 5 arranged in the vicinity of the electrode 2, a second measuring electrode 11 arranged substantially opposite to the current electrodes 2 and 3 with the human body 1 interposed therebetween, and A voltmeter 7 for measuring the voltage generated between the electrodes 5-11 for use and a body fat calculator 25 for inputting the voltage value measured by the voltmeter 7 are provided.

The body fat measuring method will be described. First, FIG.
In the measuring device shown in FIG.
A current is passed between the three electrodes, and the voltmeter 7 displays the measurement electrodes 42-43.
The first voltage V generated between them is measured. Next, in the measuring device shown in FIG. 18, the current source 4 supplies a current between the current electrodes 2-3, and the voltmeter 7 measures the second voltage V ′ generated between the measurement electrodes 5-11. Then, the body fat calculation unit 25 calculates the sum m ′ of the cross-sectional areas of the subcutaneous fat 8 and the visceral fat 10 of the human body 1 based on the first voltage V and the second voltage V ′ measured by the voltmeter 7. To calculate. The first voltage value V is changed to the second voltage V '
Since the correction is performed by, the fat amount m ′ can be calculated with higher accuracy.

In order to quantitatively calculate the sum m ′ of the cross-sectional areas of the subcutaneous fat 8 and the visceral fat 10, a correlation equation relating the first voltage V and the second voltage V ′ to the fat amount m ′ is prepared in advance. Keep it. The correlation expression can be expressed by approximation with a linear polynomial using a multivariate analysis method, and the amount m ′ represents the ratio (relative value) of the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the subcutaneous fat 8 and the visceral fat 10 to the total cross-sectional area of the human body 1. In this case, for example, m ′ = a0 + a1 · V + a2 · V ′ +
a3 ・ L1 / U + a4 ・ L2 / U + a5 ・ L2 '/ U +
the ^{a6 · L2 · L2 '/ U} 2. Where a0-a
6 is the number of regressions, and L1 is the electrode 2-4 in FIG.
2 or the distance between electrodes 3-43, L2 represents the distance between electrodes 2-3 in FIG. 18, and L2 ′ represents the distance between electrodes 2-5 in FIG. Or the amount m'is subcutaneous fat 8
When expressing the sum (absolute value) of the cross-sectional areas of and visceral fat 10, the correlation equation is m ′ = a0 + a1 · V · ε + a2 · V ′ · ε '
Or if the accuracy is increased, m '= a0 + a1.V.
ε + a2 ・ V '・ ε' + (a3 + a4 ・ L1 / U) ・ ε
+ (A5 + a6 ・ L2 / U + a7 ・ L2 '/ U + a8 ・
L2 · L2 ′ / U ² ) · ε ′ and so on. Where a0
˜a8 are regression coefficients, and ε and ε ′ are powers of characteristic quantities that reflect the size of the human body 1, for example, human body 1
Represents the product W1 · W2 of the vertical width W1 and the horizontal width W2 of the cross section, the square U ² of the outer peripheral length U, and the like. The exponent of the power at this time is not limited to '1' or '2', and it can be determined so that the correlation becomes the best. When the correlation equation is set, the fat amount m ′ can be calculated according to the correlation equation from the voltage values V and V ′ measured for the sample of unknown fat amount and the characteristic amount that reflects the size of the human body 1.

In the body fat measuring apparatus according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The current electrodes and the measurement electrodes in 8 are arranged at other positions on the outer circumference of the human body 1, another second voltage is measured in the same manner as the measuring method in FIG. 18, and a plurality of second voltage values thereof are measured. Is used to correct the first voltage value V, the measurement accuracy is further improved.

Further, the fat mass m ′ can be calculated in the same manner by using the body fat measuring device shown in FIG. 19 instead of the body fat measuring device shown in FIG. 18 in the present embodiment. The measuring device shown in FIG. 19 includes two current electrodes 2, which are arranged on the outer circumference of the human body 1 with a distance sufficiently shorter than the outer circumference of the human body 2.
3, a current source 4, measuring electrodes 5, 6 arranged in the vicinity of the electrodes 2, 3, a voltmeter 7 for measuring a second voltage generated between the measuring electrodes 5-6, and a measured voltage value. And a body fat calculation section 25 for inputting. By using the second voltage V ′ measured by the measuring apparatus of FIG. 19 instead of the second voltage V ′ measured by the measuring apparatus of FIG. 18, the fat mass m ′ can be calculated.

In the body fat measuring device shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the distance between the electrodes 2 and 3 is 1/6 of the outer circumference U.
It is preferably less than 1/8, more preferably 1/8 or less. In addition, the distance between the electrodes 2-5 and the electrode 3-
The distance between 6 is preferably about 0.5 to 3 times the average thickness of the subcutaneous fat 8 in the sample to be measured.
For example, when measuring the waist circumference of a human body having a subcutaneous fat with a thickness of 1 to 4 cm, the distance between the electrodes 2-3 (intermediate distance between the electrodes) is preferably 1 cm to 15 cm, and 2 cm to
More preferably, it is 10 cm. The distance between the electrodes 2-5 and the distance between the electrodes 3-6 (intermediate distance between the electrodes) are 0.6.
It is preferably from 10 to 10 cm, more preferably from 1 to 6 cm.

The body fat measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 17 may be used instead of the body fat measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 14 in the present embodiment to similarly calculate the fat mass m ′.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the body fat measuring device according to the fourth embodiment, the body fat measuring device shown in FIG. 11 is added to the body fat measuring device shown in FIG. The apparatus has already been described in the first example of the second embodiment and the fourth example of the first embodiment, and will not be described here.

The body fat measuring method will be described. First, FIG.
In the measuring device shown in FIG.
A current is passed between the three electrodes, and the voltmeter 7 displays the measurement electrodes 42-43.
The first voltage V generated between them is measured. Next, in the measuring device shown in FIG. 11, the current source 4 supplies a current between the current electrodes 2-3, and the voltmeter 7 measures the second voltage V ′ generated between the measurement electrodes 21-22. Then, the body fat calculation unit 25
Based on the first voltage V and the second voltage V ′ measured by the voltmeter 7, the sum m ′ of the cross-sectional areas of the subcutaneous fat 8 and the visceral fat 10 of the human body 1 is calculated. The first voltage value V is changed to the second voltage V '
Since the correction is performed by, the fat amount m ′ can be calculated with higher accuracy.

First voltage V and second voltage V'and fat amount m '
When the amount m ′ represents the ratio (relative value) of the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the subcutaneous fat 8 and the visceral fat 10 to the total cross-sectional area of the human body 1, for example, m ′ = a0 + a1 · V + a
It becomes 2 · V ′ · U / L12. Alternatively, when the amount m ′ represents the sum (absolute value) of the cross-sectional areas of the subcutaneous fat 8 and the visceral fat 10, the correlation equation is m ′ = a0 + a1 · V · W1 · W2 + a2.
* V '* W1 * W2 * U / L12 or m' = a0 +
and so on ^{a1 · V · U 2 + a2} · V '· U 3 / L12. Here, a0, a1, and a2 are regression coefficients, and L
12 represents the distance between the electrodes 21-22.

The fat mass m ′ can be calculated in the same manner by using the body fat measuring device shown in FIG. 17 instead of the body fat measuring device shown in FIG. 14 in the present embodiment.

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. The body fat measuring device according to the fifth embodiment has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 12, and automatically measures the sum of the subcutaneous fat amount and the visceral fat amount of the human body 1 while sequentially applying a current in a plurality of directions. Data input device 3 in advance
3 inputs a correlation equation of the sum m ′ of subcutaneous fat amount and visceral fat amount and voltage to the computer 35, the computer 35 obtains the amount m ′ using the correlation equation, and the obtained amount m ′ is calculated by the computer 35. The measurement is performed in the same manner as in the sixth example of the first embodiment except that the data is sent from the data output device 34 to the data output device 34 and displayed.

Here, with respect to the plurality of electrodes 26a to 26h, for example, the electrodes are sequentially selected so that the current electrodes and the measurement electrodes are arranged as shown in FIGS. 20 (a) and 20 (b). Using the regression coefficients a0, a1 and a2 together with the vertical width W1 and the horizontal width W2 or the outer peripheral length U of the human body 1 which are separately measured. m '= a0 + a1 ・ V1 ・ W1 ・ W2 + a
2 ・ V2 ・ W1 ・ W2 or m '= a0 + a1 ・ V1 ・
By applying it to U ² + a 2 · V ² · U ² , the sum of the amounts of subcutaneous fat 8 and visceral fat 10 of the human body 1 can be measured with high accuracy. It should be noted that in the very periphery of the spine, the surface of the body is uneven, and the electrode installed is likely to cause poor contact with the skin.
Therefore, by arranging the electrode 3 in the vicinity of the abdomen of the abdomen and the electrode 2 in the left and right sides of the spine at substantially symmetrical positions, accurate measurement can be performed.

Alternatively, a plurality of arrangements corresponding to the arrangement relationship shown in FIG. 17 may be selected as the current electrode and the measurement electrode, and the arrangement relationship shown in FIG. 11 or 18 or 19 may be selected. If the correction process based on the obtained voltage value is added to the processes in the plurality of directions, the sum m ′ of the cross-sectional area of the subcutaneous fat 8 and the cross-sectional area of the visceral fat 10 can be measured with higher accuracy.

In addition, in the first to fifth embodiments, the reliability of the measurement result is enhanced by measuring the currents at a plurality of frequencies and comparing the measurement results.

In the body fat measuring apparatus according to the first and second embodiments, in order to reduce the contact resistance between the electrode and the body to be measured such as a human body, the electrode and the body to be measured are reduced. A conductive gel can be applied between them, or a sheet-shaped conductive gel can be sandwiched. In addition, taking into consideration that the electrical impedance of the human body fluctuates during the day, the measurement voltage is corrected using the time when the body fat is measured, and the measurement error of the amount of body fat caused by the daily change in the electrical impedance is corrected. Good. Alternatively, taking into consideration that the condition of the abdomen changes before and after meals, the measurement voltage is corrected using the elapsed time from the meal to the measurement of body fat, and the measurement error of the body fat amount due to the meal is corrected. You can also

The present invention can also be realized as a device in which the body fat measuring device according to the first embodiment and the body fat measuring device according to the second embodiment are combined. In this case, the visceral fat amount measured by the body fat measuring device according to the first embodiment is calculated from the sum of the subcutaneous fat amount and the visceral fat amount measured by the body fat measuring device according to the second embodiment. By subtracting, the subcutaneous fat amount of the human body can be measured with high accuracy, and therefore the visceral fat amount / subcutaneous fat amount ratio (V / S ratio) can be calculated. In addition, from the medical point of view that visceral fat is a source of lifestyle-related diseases such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes and hypertension,
The health advice can be displayed on the data output device based on the visceral fat amount measured by the body fat measurement device according to the first embodiment. In addition, the value of the sum of the subcutaneous fat amount and the visceral fat amount measured by the body fat measuring device according to the second embodiment can be correlated with the body fat percentage used for the display of the conventional body fat meter. It is also possible to display the body fat percentage on the data output device.

Further, the present invention can be used as a visceral fat amount for estimating not only general visceral fat amount but also liver fat amount. Further, it can be applied not only to the abdomen of the human body as the object to be measured but also to the thigh, the upper arm, etc., and the subcutaneous fat amount and the like at those measurement sites can be measured. The body to be measured is not limited to the human body, and may be animals such as pigs and cows and fish such as tuna, and the subcutaneous fat amount and the fat amount existing therein can be measured.

[0069]

According to the present invention, the amount of subcutaneous fat such as the cross-sectional area of subcutaneous fat existing in layers near the surface of the object to be measured and the inside of the object to be measured are much simpler and more accurate than the impedance CT method. It is possible to measure the amount of visceral fat, such as the cross-sectional area of visceral fat present in.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first example of a body fat measurement device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the first example of the body fat measurement device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the first example of the body fat measurement device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a potential distribution around a human body when a current is applied between current electrodes.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a vertical width and a horizontal width of a human body as an example of a characteristic amount that reflects the size of the human body.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a distance between edges of electrodes.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a second example of the body fat measurement device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the position of each measurement electrode represented by the distance from one point on the surface of the human body to the center point of each measurement electrode.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a correlation between a normalized distance and a spatial potential change rate.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a third example of the body fat measurement device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a fourth example of the body fat measurement device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing a sixth example of the body fat measurement device according to the first embodiment.

13 is a configuration diagram showing an example in which a current electrode and a measurement electrode in the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 12 are sequentially selected.

FIG. 14 is a main configuration diagram showing a first example of the body fat measurement device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram showing another configuration example of the first example of the body fat measurement device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram showing another configuration example of the first example of the body fat measurement device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram showing a second example of the body fat measurement device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a main configuration diagram showing a third example of the body fat measurement device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram showing another configuration example of the third example of the body fat measurement device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram showing an example in which a current electrode and a measurement electrode are sequentially selected.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Human body, 2, 3 ... Electrodes for current, 4 ... Current source, 7 ... Voltmeter, 8 ... Subcutaneous fat, 9 ... Non-fat, 10 ... Visceral fat, 2
1, 22 ... Measuring electrodes, 25 ... Body fat calculating section, 26a-
26h ... a plurality of electrodes, 27 ... a switch for selecting a current electrode,
28 ... Switch for selecting voltage electrode, 29 ... AC oscillator, 3
0 ... Voltage / current converter, 31 ... Differential amplifier, 32 ... A /
D converter, 33 ... Data input device, 34 ... Data output device, 35 ... Computer.

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Kazuo Maki, 2606 Akabane, Kai-cho, Haga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture Kao Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor, Toru Yamaguchi 2606, Akabane, Kai-cho, Haga-gun, Tochigi Kao Corporation (56) Reference Documents JP-A-11-113870 (JP, A) JP-A-2000-175875 (JP, A) JP-A-11-123182 (JP, A) JP-A-2000-14655 (JP, A) JP-A-2002-85364 (JP , A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61B 5/05

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] 1. Two current electrodes arranged substantially opposite to each other on the outer circumference of the object to be measured with the object to be measured sandwiched therebetween, and a current is caused to flow between the two current electrodes to form an outer circumference of the object to be measured. In the measuring means for measuring the spatial change rate of the potential generated at a position approximately in the middle between the two current electrodes, and the spatial change rate measured by the measuring means reflects the size of the object to be measured. A body fat measuring device comprising: a body fat calculating means for calculating a fat amount of the body to be measured based on a value obtained by multiplying a power of a characteristic amount. 2. Two current electrodes arranged substantially opposite to each other on the outer circumference of the object to be measured with the object to be measured interposed therebetween, and one of the two current electrodes arranged near each of the electrodes for measurement. An electrode, a measuring means for flowing a current between two current electrodes and measuring a voltage generated between the measuring electrodes, and a cross section in which the electrode is arranged on the outer periphery based on the voltage measured by the measuring means. Alternatively, a body fat measuring device comprising: a body fat calculating unit that calculates a ratio of a cross-sectional area of the body fat of the measurement target and a cross-sectional area of the measurement target in a cross section in the vicinity thereof. 3. Two current electrodes arranged substantially opposite to each other on the outer circumference of the object to be measured with the object to be measured sandwiched therebetween, and a measuring electrode arranged near one of the two current electrodes. And a measurement electrode disposed on the outer periphery of the object to be measured at a position approximately midway between the two current electrodes, and a voltage is generated between the measurement electrodes by passing a current between the two current electrodes. Measuring means for measuring, based on the voltage measured by the measuring means, the cross-sectional area of the body fat of the measured object and the cross-section of the measured object in the cross-section where the electrode is arranged on the outer periphery or in the vicinity thereof. A body fat measuring device comprising: a body fat calculating means for calculating a ratio with an area. 4. Two current electrodes arranged substantially opposite to each other on the outer circumference of the object to be measured with the object to be measured interposed therebetween, and one measuring electrode arranged near each of the two current electrodes. An electrode and a measuring unit that applies a current between two current electrodes to measure the voltage generated between the measuring electrodes, and the voltage measured by the measuring unit reflects the size of the measured object. Using the value obtained by multiplying the power of the characteristic quantity
A body fat measuring device, comprising: a body fat calculating means for calculating the fat mass of the body to be measured. 5. Two current electrodes arranged substantially opposite to each other on the outer circumference of the object to be measured with the object to be measured interposed therebetween, and a measuring electrode arranged near any one of the two current electrodes. And a measurement electrode disposed on the outer periphery of the object to be measured at a position approximately midway between the two current electrodes, and a voltage is generated between the measurement electrodes by passing a current between the two current electrodes. Measuring means for measuring, the voltage measured by the measuring means, by using a value obtained by multiplying the exponentiation of the characteristic amount that reflects the size of the measured object,
A body fat measuring device, comprising: a body fat calculating means for calculating the fat mass of the body to be measured. 6. The body fat measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 having a conductive gel portions on the contact surface between the electrode and the object to be measured. 7. The measuring means is on the outer circumference of the object to be measured.
At a position approximately midway between the two current electrodes.
It was placed with a sufficiently short distance compared to the outer circumference of the body
Measuring the first voltage generated between two measuring electrodes
The spatial change rate of the electric potential is obtained by
Body fat measuring device. 8. The fat amount is visceral fat amount.
Alternatively, the body fat measuring device according to claim 7 . 9. The cross-sectional area of the body fat is subcutaneous fat and visceral fat.
The body fat according to claim 2 or 3, which is the sum of cross-sectional areas of fat.
Fat measuring device. 10. The amount of fat is subcutaneous fat amount and visceral fat amount
The body fat measurement device according to claim 4 or 5, which is the sum of
Place 11. A characteristic quantity reflecting the size is
The width or the outer peripheral length of the object to be measured.
4, claim 5, claim 7, claim 8, claim 10
The body fat measuring device according to item 1.