JP4317469B2 - Impedance measuring device and body composition measuring device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an impedance measuring device and a body composition measuring device that measure impedance by bringing an electrode into contact with the sole of a subject.

  A device for measuring body impedance as a device for measuring the body composition of a quadruped animal, and calculating data relating to the amount or rate of body fat, fat free, muscle, body water, bone, etc. as body composition data based on this Has been studied. Among them, the inventors of the present invention, as a device for measuring the body composition of a quadruped animal having a Ryukyu, so-called flesh ball on the sole, contact the impedance measuring electrodes on the four soles, respectively, An apparatus for obtaining body composition data by measuring the impedance of the trunk has been studied.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the impedance is measured between the left front and back soles by applying an impedance measurement current via the trunk and measuring the voltage between the right front and back soles. By considering the influence of the impedance of the limbs, the impedance of the trunk is measured. This uses a known four-electrode method in which impedance measurement electrodes are brought into contact with both palms and soles of a human and the impedance of the trunk is measured by regarding the extremities as contact resistance components.

  Based on the impedance of the trunk, the body composition data of the quadruped animal is obtained in the same manner as the calculation of the human body composition data. For example, in the calculation of body fat percentage in body composition data, regression obtained from the correlation between the body fat percentage of a quadruped animal obtained in advance by a known DXA method and the impedance, weight and body length of the trunk. The body fat percentage is calculated by using the formula.

Further, in the calculation of body composition data other than the body fat percentage, a regression equation for calculating each body composition data for a quadruped animal is obtained in the same manner as a known regression equation for calculating each body composition data of a person. It is possible to calculate each body composition data by obtaining. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-407030

  However, there has been no impedance measuring device that can be shared by humans and quadruped animals and that can automatically identify both. This is because the arrangement of impedance measurement electrodes is different between a human measurement device and an animal measurement device.

  That is, in the case of a human impedance measuring device, there are four electrodes each provided with a current applying electrode for applying a current to the toe side of both soles and a voltage measuring electrode for measuring a voltage on the heel side of both soles. It is a structure and arrangement | positioning of each electrode is distribute | arranged by the electrode area and the distance between electrodes of a grade suitable for the magnitude | size of a human foot.

  In the case of an impedance measuring device for animals, as described above, the device is composed of four electrodes in which a current applying electrode is provided on one of the left and right front and rear legs and a voltage measuring electrode is provided on the other. However, the placement of each electrode extends over the area in contact with the soles of the limbs. That is, in order to deal with a small animal to a large animal, at least each electrode area must be wide according to the distance between the front and rear legs and the distance between the left and right legs, which is larger than a human impedance measuring apparatus.

  In addition, if the four electrodes are arranged to be shared with humans and quadruped animals by simply changing the electrode area and the distance between the electrodes, it is determined whether the subject is a human or a quadruped animal. After all, the measurer must judge and manually switch between the impedance measurement mode for humans and the impedance measurement mode for animals using a switch or the like.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, automatically determines whether the subject is a human or an animal according to the contact state between the sole of the subject and the measurement electrode, measures the impedance according to each, and determines the impedance as the impedance. Provided are an impedance measurement device and a body composition measurement device for both humans and animals that calculate body composition data based on the data.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is an impedance measuring apparatus for measuring a bioimpedance by using a human and a quadruped animal having paws on the sole as a subject, and contacting an electrode with the sole of the subject. An electrode group consisting of a plurality of electrodes having different contact states depending on the subject, a detection means for detecting an electrode in contact with the sole of the subject among the plurality of electrodes, and the detected According to the contact state of the electrode, it has a discriminating means for automatically discriminating whether a subject is a human or a quadruped animal, and a switching means for switching to an impedance measurement mode suitable for the discriminated subject. An impedance measuring device is provided.

  Further, the electrode group is divided into a left foot side electrode group to be brought into contact with the subject's left foot and a right foot side electrode group to be brought into contact with the right foot.

  Further, the detection means is an energization detection means for detecting two electrodes energized through the body of the subject by applying a current between any two electrodes in the electrode group.

  In addition, the detection means is a detection sensor detection means for providing a contact detection sensor for detecting contact with each electrode, and detecting an electrode detected by the contact detection sensor.

  The discriminating means includes one electrode or a plurality of adjacent electrodes surrounded by electrodes that are not in contact with the subject's sole among the electrodes that are in contact with the subject's foot. As a contact group, a subject is discriminated by the number of the contact groups.

  Further, the switching means selects an electrode used for impedance measurement suitable for the determined subject among the electrodes in contact with the sole of the subject, and switches the current application electrode and the voltage measurement electrode. Switching means.

  The detection means further includes distance information acquisition means for acquiring distance information about the body obtained from the sole using an electrode in contact with the detected sole of the subject.

  The present invention also includes at least one of the impedance measuring devices, a body weight input unit for inputting body weight, a body information input unit for inputting body information other than the body weight, and body information other than the impedance, body weight, and body weight. And a body composition data calculating means for calculating body composition data based on the above.

  Furthermore, the body composition data is at least one of data relating to the amount or rate of body fat, lean body mass, body water, muscle or bone.

  The impedance measuring device of the present invention is a impedance measuring device for measuring a bioimpedance by using a quadruped animal having a human and a footpad as a subject and contacting an electrode with the sole of the subject, An electrode group composed of a plurality of electrodes having different contact states depending on the subject, detection means for detecting an electrode in contact with the sole of the subject among the plurality of electrodes, and contact of the detected electrodes Since it has a discriminating means for automatically discriminating whether a subject is a human or a quadruped animal according to the state and a switching means for switching to an impedance measurement mode suitable for the discriminated subject, a troublesome setting is required. In addition, it is possible to easily measure impedance between a human and a quadruped animal.

  In addition, since the electrode group is divided into a left foot side electrode group to be brought into contact with the subject's left foot and a right foot side electrode group to be brought into contact with the right foot, the electrode in contact with the sole of the subject is detected. In doing so, each electrode in contact with the vicinity of the toe and the vicinity of the heel can be easily detected.

  In addition, since the detection means is an energization detection means for detecting two electrodes energized through the body of the subject by applying a current between any two electrodes in the electrode group, the current flows. It is possible to easily determine contact or non-contact between the sole and the electrode simply by detecting whether or not there is.

  In addition, the detection means is a detection sensor detection means for detecting an electrode sensed by the contact sensing sensor by providing a contact sensing sensor for sensing contact with each electrode. Can be detected, and the contact state of the electrode can be determined with high accuracy.

  The discriminating means includes one electrode or a plurality of adjacent electrodes surrounded by electrodes that are not in contact with the subject's sole among the electrodes that are in contact with the subject's foot. As a contact group, the subject is identified by the number of the contact groups, so that the one contact group shows one sole of the subject, two in the case of a person and four in the case of a quadruped animal. Therefore, it is possible to make a simple and reliable determination.

  Further, the switching means selects an electrode used for impedance measurement suitable for the determined subject among the electrodes in contact with the sole of the subject, and switches the current application electrode and the voltage measurement electrode. Since it is a switching means, the restriction of the contact position between the electrode and the subject is reduced, and the subject does not need to align the sole of the foot with the electrode, and can be measured more easily.

  Further, the detection means further includes distance information acquisition means for acquiring distance information about the body obtained from the sole using the electrode in contact with the detected sole of the subject. In the case of a person, the height can be estimated from the distance from the toe to the heel, and in the case of a quadruped animal, the distance between the front and rear legs can be obtained as an alternative to the body length.

  Further, the body composition measuring apparatus of the present invention includes at least one of the impedance measuring apparatuses, a body weight input means for inputting body weight, a body information input means for inputting body information other than the body weight, and the impedance, body weight. And body composition data calculating means for calculating body composition data based on body information other than body weight, the body composition data being a quantity or rate of body fat, lean body fluid, body water, muscle or bone, etc. Therefore, detailed body composition data can be calculated for both humans and quadruped animals, and health management can be performed together with the quadruped animals.

  The impedance measuring device of the present invention is a impedance measuring device for measuring a bioimpedance by using a quadruped animal having a human and a footpad as a subject and contacting an electrode with the sole of the subject, An electrode group composed of a plurality of electrodes having different contact states depending on the subject, detection means for detecting an electrode in contact with the sole of the subject among the plurality of electrodes, and contact of the detected electrodes According to a state, it comprises a discrimination means for automatically discriminating whether a subject is a human or a quadruped animal, and a switching means for switching to an impedance measurement mode suitable for the discriminated subject.

  Further, the electrode group is divided into a left foot side electrode group to be brought into contact with the subject's left foot and a right foot side electrode group to be brought into contact with the right foot.

  Further, the detection means is an energization detection means for detecting two electrodes energized through the body of the subject by applying a current between any two electrodes in the electrode group.

  In addition, the detection means is a detection sensor detection means for providing a contact detection sensor for detecting contact with each electrode, and detecting an electrode detected by the contact detection sensor.

  The discriminating means includes one electrode or a plurality of adjacent electrodes surrounded by electrodes that are not in contact with the subject's sole among the electrodes that are in contact with the subject's foot. As a contact group, a subject is discriminated by the number of the contact groups.

  Further, the switching means selects an electrode used for impedance measurement suitable for the determined subject among the electrodes in contact with the sole of the subject, and switches the current application electrode and the voltage measurement electrode. Switching means.

  The detection means further includes distance information acquisition means for acquiring distance information about the body obtained from the sole using the electrode in contact with the detected sole of the subject.

  Further, the body composition measuring apparatus of the present invention includes at least one of the impedance measuring apparatuses, a body weight input means for inputting body weight, a body information input means for inputting body information other than the body weight, and the impedance, body weight. And body composition data calculating means for calculating body composition data based on body information other than body weight.

  Furthermore, the body composition data is at least one of data relating to the amount or rate of body fat, lean body mass, body water, muscle or bone.

  In Example 1 of the present invention, in each of the left foot side and right foot side electrode groups in which a plurality of strip-shaped electrodes are arranged in contact with the left foot side and right foot side sole of the subject, the electrodes that contact the foot soles are arranged. Detect and automatically identify whether the subject is a human or a quadruped animal according to the detected contact state of the electrode, measure impedance according to the subject, and set a regression equation preset for each subject. It is an example of a body composition measuring device that uses and calculates body fat percentage in body composition data.

  The configuration of the body composition measuring apparatus of Example 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a body composition measuring apparatus, and FIG. 2 is an electric block diagram.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, a body composition measuring apparatus 1 includes a known body weight measuring unit 2, a display unit 3 for displaying measurement guides and measurement results, an UP / DOWN key for inputting numerical values of physical information of a subject, and a determination key. And an assigned key group 6 assigned to each subject in order to call up physical information, measurement data, etc. of the subject. On the surface, an electrode group in which a plurality of strip-shaped electrodes are arranged is separately provided with an electrode group for contacting the left foot sole and an electrode group for contacting the right foot sole, and the left foot side electrode group 5a and the right foot side electrode group 5b, respectively. Arranged as. The left foot side electrode group is formed by arranging n electrodes side by side from 5a ₁ to 5a _n . Similarly, the right foot side electrode group is formed by arranging n electrodes from 5b ₁ to 5b _n .

  The configuration will be described with reference to the electric block diagram of FIG. Each of the n electrodes constituting the left foot side electrode group 5a and the right foot side electrode group 5b is independently connected to the control unit 12 via the switching unit 11 that switches electrode characteristics in impedance measurement or electrode detection described later. ing. The switching unit 11 is connected to a current applying unit 13 that applies a predetermined current to the electrode in impedance measurement or electrode detection, and a voltage measuring unit 14 that measures a voltage in impedance measurement, and the current applying unit 13 The voltage measuring unit 14 is connected to the control unit 12.

  In addition, the current application unit 13 detects an electrode in contact with the sole of the subject based on whether or not the electrode between the two electrodes of the electrodes 5a and 5b can be energized. It is connected to the control unit 12 via the unit 15. Further, based on the contact state of the electrode that has been detected to be energized, a determination unit 16 that automatically determines whether the subject on the placement surface is a human or an animal, stores data related to measurement, and stores and reads data A possible storage unit 17 and a calculation unit 18 for calculating measurement data are respectively connected to the control unit 12. Further, the control unit 12 includes a power source 19 that is connected to the weight measurement unit 2, the display unit 3, the operation unit 4, and the assigned key group 6 and supplies power to the body composition measurement device 1.

  Next, operation | movement of the body composition measuring apparatus 1 of Example 1 is demonstrated using FIG. 3 thru | or FIG. FIG. 3 is a main flowchart showing the main operation of the apparatus, FIG. 4 is a subroutine showing the operation at the time of detecting the electrode in contact with the sole of the subject, and FIG. 5 is the detected electrode. FIG. 6 is an example showing a contact state when the subject is a person, and FIG. 7 is a case where the subject is a quadruped animal. It is an example which shows a contact state.

  First, in the main flowchart of FIG. 3, when any one of the assigned key group 6 assigned to the subject is pressed to turn on the power of the body composition measuring apparatus 1, the body composition measuring apparatus 1 is turned on in step S1. Initial settings are made. In subsequent step S2, whether or not the subject's body information or past measurement data by the apparatus 1 is stored in the storage unit 17, that is, whether or not the subject has been registered in the assigned key that has been turned on, 17 data is read and judged.

  If the subject has already been registered to the assignment key, the process proceeds to YES, and in step S4, the physical information read from the storage unit 17 or past measurement data by the device 1 is displayed on the display unit 3. If the subject is not registered, the process proceeds to NO. In step S3, using the UP / DOWN key and the enter key of the operation unit 4, the physical information input instruction is displayed on the display unit 3, and the data is input. After that, the storage unit 17 stores the subject as an assignment to the assignment key and registers the subject. Here, it is assumed that the body information is a height (a body length in the case of a quadruped animal). After registration, the registered physical information is displayed on the display unit 3 in step S4 in the same manner as described above.

  In step S5, a physical information input confirmation message is displayed on the display unit 3 together with the physical information. If there is a change or correction in the content, the operation proceeds to NO by operating the UP / DOWN key provided in the operation unit 4, and the process returns to step S3 to re-enter the physical information. If there is no mistake in the physical information, the determination key provided on the operation unit 4 is pressed to proceed to YES, each setting is completed, and the process proceeds to the measurement stage.

  In step S6, weight measurement is performed. First, on the display unit 3, the left and right soles of the subject are brought into contact with the electrode groups 5 a and 5 b, respectively, and an instruction to get on the body composition measuring apparatus 1 is displayed. When the subject rides on the body composition measuring apparatus 1, a known body weight measurement is performed by the body weight measuring unit 2, and the body weight value is stored in the storage unit 17.

  When the weight value is stored, in step S7 and step S8, detection of an electrode in contact with the subject's sole, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, is performed.

  When the electrode is detected, in step S9, based on the contact state of the detected electrode, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 5, it is determined whether the subject is a person or an animal, and the determined test is performed. Depending on the body, the control unit 12 controls the switching unit 11 to switch the connection between the electrode in contact with the sole of the subject and the current application unit 13 and the voltage measurement unit 14. Select the appropriate impedance measurement mode.

  When the impedance measurement mode is selected by the electrode switching, in step S10, according to the impedance measurement mode, impedance measurement using the four-electrode method of either a human or a quadruped animal is performed and measured. The impedance is stored in the storage unit 17. Subsequently, in the calculation unit 18, the input physical information and the measured weight are loaded from the storage unit 17 together with the measured impedance. Further, a regression equation for calculating body fat percentage stored in the storage unit 17 in advance based on the determined subject is read from the storage unit 17. The body fat percentage is calculated by substituting the impedance, body information, and body weight into the regression equation.

  Here, when the subject is a human, the regression equation for calculating the body fat percentage includes body fat percentage data obtained by a DXA method for a person in advance, impedance measured by the four-electrode method, body information, and It is a well-known regression equation obtained from the correlation with body weight. Further, even when the subject is a quadruped animal, it is measured by the body fat percentage data obtained by the DXA method for the quadruped animal and the quadruped animal four-electrode method in the same manner as in the case of humans. The regression equation is obtained from the correlation with the impedance, physical information and body weight.

  In step S <b> 11, the calculated body fat percentage, body weight, or physical information is displayed on the display unit 3 and stored in the storage unit 17.

  After the display on the display unit 3, when any key of the assigned key group 6 is pressed or a predetermined time has elapsed after the result display, the power is turned off and the measurement is terminated.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 4, the operation at the time of detection of the electrode in contact with the sole in each of the left foot side and right foot side electrode groups 5a and 5b in step S7 and step S8 of FIG. 3 will be described. .

  First, in this electrode detection, in each of the left foot side and right foot side electrode groups 5a and 5b, two of the electrodes constituting the electrode group are selected, and a current is applied between the two electrodes to detect the possibility of energization. To do. That is, if energization is detected, it is indicated that the two electrodes are physically connected via the body of the subject, and it is detected that the two electrodes are in contact with the sole of the subject. The By sequentially changing the combination of the two electrodes, all electrodes in contact with the sole of the subject can be detected.

Here, any one electrode of the left foot side electrode group 5a is _represented as 5a _k (k is an integer represented in the range of 1 ≦ k ≦ n), and the two selected electrodes are represented by the electrode 5a. _i and 5a _j (i and j are integers shown in the range of 1 ≦ i <n and 1 <j ≦ n, respectively).

Similarly, any one electrode of the right foot side electrode group 5b is _represented as 5b _k (k is an integer represented in the range of 1 ≦ k ≦ n), and the two selected electrodes are represented by the electrode 5b. _i and 5b _j (i and j are integers shown in the range of 1 ≦ i <n and 1 <j ≦ n, respectively).

When the process proceeds to step S7 in FIG. 3, in step S21 in FIG. 4, the electrode counter provided in the control unit 12 sets the count of the electrodes 5a _i to i = 1, and selects the _first electrode 5a ₁ . The switching unit 11 controlled by the control unit 12 is connected to the current application unit 13. In step S22, in the same manner as described above, the further electrode counter provided in the control unit 12, a count of electrodes 5a _j selects the second electrode 5a _n as j = n, the current applying section 13 Connecting. In subsequent step S23, the between the two electrodes of the selected electrode 5a ₁ and 5a _n, applying a current which is set for the pre-electrodes detection.

In step S <b> 24, whether or not energization between the two electrodes is detected is determined by the energization detection unit 15 connected to the current application unit 13. That is, if a current is detected by the energization detection unit 15, the two electrodes are energized and both electrodes are considered to be in contact with the sole of the subject, and the process proceeds to YES. In step S25, 2 electrodes 5a ₁ and 5a _n are both stored in the storage unit 17. Thereafter, in step S26, in order to shift to detection of the next two electrodes, the count of the electrodes 5a _j is set to j = j−1, the next electrode 5a _n−1 is selected, and the switching unit controlled by the control unit 12 11 is connected to the current application unit 13.

Further, when it is determined that no current is detected in the energization detection unit 15 and the energization is not energized, the process proceeds to NO without storing the two electrodes in the storage unit 17, and in step S26, as described above, The electrodes 5a _n-1 are connected to the current application unit 13.

When the count of the electrode 5a _j is changed and the electrode 5a _n-1 is selected, in step S27, it is determined whether the count values of both the electrodes 5a _i and 5a _j are the same, that is, the selected first electrode 5a. _i, wherein with respect 5a ₁ is the energization detection between 2 electrodes when selecting the second electrodes 5a _j, whether all combinations of changes in the count j is performed is determined.

If not reached j = i, still determines that not performed all combinations, the process proceeds to step S23, in the same manner as described above, a current is applied between the selected second electrode 5a ₁ and 5a _n-1 The detection of energization between the two electrodes is repeated.

When j = i is reached, it is determined that energization detection has been performed in all combinations by changing the count j of the electrode 5a _j with respect to the electrode 5a ₁ , and the process proceeds to YES. In step S28, the storage unit 17 stores the electrode 5a _1. And at least one combination of 5a _j is determined. The electrode proceeds to NO if not stored, in step S29, changes the count of the first one of the electrodes 5a _i as i = i + 1. Here, the electrode 5 a ₂ is selected and connected to the current application unit 13 by the switching unit 11 controlled by the control unit 12. Thereafter, the process returns to the procedure shown in FIG. 4 (1), in step S22, by again performs energization detection between 2 electrodes with second electrodes 5a _n, as described above since, change the count j Perform all combinations.

  If the electrode is stored in the storage unit 17 in step S28, it is determined that the electrode in contact with the sole of the subject of the left foot side electrode group 5a has been detected, and the process proceeds to YES. Returning to the main flowchart of FIG.

  The above describes the operation of detecting the contact between the sole of the subject and the electrode in the left foot side electrode group 5a in step S7. However, in the right foot side electrode group 5b in step S8, the electrode detection is performed by the same operation. Therefore, the description is omitted.

  In addition, with reference to FIG. 5, the subject discrimination based on the detected electrode and the electrode switching operation to the measurement mode suitable for the subject in step S9 of FIG. 3 will be described.

In Figure 5 step S31, the read contacting the detected left side electrodes 5a _k and right-side electrode 5b _k from the storage unit 17, the state of contact between the sole of the electrode in a subsequent step S32 is determined. Here, the determination of the contact state is that there are two soles in the case of a human and four soles in the case of a quadruped animal. Therefore, in each of the left foot side electrode group 5a and the right foot side electrode group 5b, The number of contact groups is determined by taking one group in which adjacent electrodes are detected continuously as one contact group among the electrodes in which contact is detected. For example, in the left foot side electrode group 5a, when only three electrodes of electrodes 5a _k−1 , 5a _k and 5a _{k + 1} are detected, it is regarded as one contact group.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, when one contact group is detected on both the left and right sides, there are two contact groups in all the electrode groups, that is, two soles placed on the body fat measuring device 1. In step S33, it is determined that the subject is a person.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when two contact groups are detected on both the left and right sides, it is determined that there are four contact groups in all electrode groups, that is, four soles detected, as described above, In step S35, it is determined that the subject is a quadruped animal having a front leg and a rear leg on each of the left and right sides.

  If a contact group other than those described above is detected, an error is displayed on the display unit 3 as a detection failure in step S37, and the power is automatically turned off after a predetermined time and the process ends.

  When it is determined in step S33 that the subject is a person, in step S34, the vicinity of the toes of both feet is set as the current application electrode side, and the vicinity of the heel is set as the voltage measurement electrode side, thereby moving to a human impedance measurement mode by a known four-electrode method. The electrode is switched.

As shown in FIG. 6, first, in the left foot side electrode group 5a, among the electrodes detected as the one contact group, the electrodes 5ak _(min) and 5ak _(max) at both ends are connected to the toe side and the heel side. The control unit 12 controls the switching unit 11 to connect the electrode 5a _{k (min)} to the current application unit 13 and connect the electrode 5a _{k (max)} to the voltage. Connect to the measurement unit 14 to set the left foot side electrode.

In the right foot side electrode group 5b, 5b _{k (min)} is connected to the current application unit 13 as an electrode in contact with the toe side, and 5b _{k (max)} is contacted with the heel side in the same manner as described above. The electrode is connected to the voltage measuring unit 14 to set an impedance measuring electrode.

  If it is determined in step S35 that the subject is a quadruped animal, in step S36, based on the measurement principle described above with reference to FIG. 16, the impedance measurement mode for the quadruped animal using the four-electrode method is used. The electrode is switched to. That is, a current is applied between the left front and rear soles through the trunk of the animal with the left front and rear soles as the current application electrode side, and the voltage between the right front and rear soles with the opposite right front and rear soles as the voltage measurement electrodes. By measuring the trunk impedance of the subject without being affected by the resistance of the extremities.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, in the left foot side electrode group 5a, the electrodes 5a _{k (min)} and 5a _{k (max)} at both ends of the electrodes in which contact with the sole is detected are _replaced with the front legs and It reads from the storage unit 17 as an electrode that is in contact with the sole of the rear leg, controls the switching unit 11 by the control unit 12, and connects the electrodes 5 a _{k (min)} and 5 a _{k (max)} to the current application unit 13. Set the left foot electrode.

Also, in the right foot side electrode group 5b, in the same manner as described above, the detected electrodes 5bk _(min) and 5bk _(max) at both ends are connected to the voltage measuring unit 14 to set impedance measuring electrodes. To do.

  When the impedance measurement electrode is determined in steps S34 and S36, the process returns to the main flowchart of FIG.

In this embodiment, the impedance measuring electrode is an electrode 5ak _(min) indicating the end of each contact group in step S9 in FIG. 3, ie, in steps S34 and S36 of the subroutine shown in FIG. _{) And} 5a _{k (max)} and the electrodes 5b _{k (min)} and 5b _{k (max)} are set as impedance measurement electrodes. When the one contact group is composed of three or more electrodes, However, it is desirable to select the inner electrode that is in contact with the sole more reliably. For example, by selecting 5 a _{k (min) +1} and 5 a _{k (max) −1} and electrodes 5 b _{k (min) +1} and 5 b _{k (max) −1} , it is possible to select the inner electrodes by one electrode each. it can.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment, a plurality of electrodes are arranged in a matrix on the placement surface without dividing the electrodes arranged on the placement surface into the left foot side and right foot side electrode groups 5a and 5b. It is arranged in a shape. In the detection of the contact between the sole and the electrode, the contact and the contact are determined by turning on / off the contact switch provided on each electrode without detecting the energization between the two electrodes as in the first embodiment. is there. Further, in the first embodiment, the characteristics of the electrodes are switched at the time of impedance measurement and electrode detection. However, in the second embodiment, an integrated electrode in which the current application voltage and the voltage measurement electrode are integrally provided adjacent to each other in the same plane is provided. It is configured by using.

  First, the structure of Example 2 is shown using FIGS. FIG. 8 is an external front view of the body composition measuring device, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an electrode configuration, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a contact switch mechanism of an electrode portion, and FIG. 11 is an electric block of the body composition measuring device. FIG.

  Here, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same components as those in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the body composition measuring apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment includes the weight measuring unit 2, the display unit 3, the operation unit 4, and the assigned key group 6 as in the first embodiment. The mounting surface is covered with a cover portion 102, and the mounting surface of the cover portion 102 is further provided with an electrode group 105P in which a plurality of electrodes 105 are arranged in a matrix. Each electrode 105 includes a push switch 108 immediately below, and a contact switch mechanism that switches on when the electrode 105 is stepped on.

  Here, the electrode group 105P is made up of an array of X electrodes 105 in the left-right direction and Y electrodes 105 in the front-rear direction, and the coordinates are displayed as P (x, y). Is defined as P (1, 1), and the lower right electrode is defined as P (X, Y). Although not shown, the push switch 108 corresponding to the electrode 105 is represented as a push switch group 108P.

  The configuration of the electrode 105 will be described with reference to FIG. 9 which is an enlarged view of the portion A shown in FIG. The electrode 105 constituting the array of the electrode group 105P includes a current application electrode 105c and a voltage measurement electrode 105d that are integrally formed by being partitioned by an insulator 106 on the same plane.

  Further, the contact switch mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. 10 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B ′ shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the electrode 105 is not pressed. The electrode 105 is supported upward on the mounting surface by the spring 107 from the body weight measuring unit 2, and the portion formed on the circular collar on which the electrode of the insulating unit 106 is not disposed hits the cover unit 102 and stops. Thus, the current application electrode 105c and the voltage measurement electrode 105d are configured to be kept at a position higher than the mounting surface of the cover portion 102. Further, the push switch 108 is configured to be positioned directly below the electrode 105 with the spring 107 arranged around the periphery.

  Therefore, when the subject rides on the body composition measuring apparatus 101, when the electrode 105 is stepped on by the sole, the spring 107 is contracted, and the push switch 108 is pushed by the insulating portion 106 and switched on. The electrode 105 is detected when the sole of the subject is in contact. At this time, by the force of the spring 107, the electrodes 105c and 105d are pressed against the soles and can be surely brought into contact with each other. Further, since the push switch 108 is arranged corresponding to each electrode 105, it is possible to easily detect which electrode in the electrode array P (x, y) is in contact with the subject. is there.

  Next, the electrical block diagram of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9 by showing the difference from the electrical block diagram of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

First, in the first embodiment, and the right-side electrodes 5a and left side electrodes 5b are divided, each electrode 5a _k and 5b _k is, the switching unit 11 for switching the connection to the current applying section 13 and the voltage measuring unit 14 However, in the second embodiment, as described above, the current applying electrode 105c and the voltage measuring electrode 105d constituting each electrode 105 are connected to the switching unit 111, respectively.

  Here, the switching unit 111 switches the connection of the plurality of current application electrodes 105c to the current application unit 13 in the electrode group 105P, and similarly connects the plurality of voltage measurement electrodes 105d to the voltage measurement unit 14. It is to switch.

  In Example 1, in detecting contact between each electrode and the sole of the subject, each of the left and right foot-side electrodes 5a and 5b was determined by applying a current between the two electrodes and determining whether or not energization was possible. In the second embodiment, detection is performed by turning on / off the switch 108 provided in each electrode 105 as described above. Therefore, the switch group 108P is replaced with the switch detection unit 109 instead of the energization detection unit 15 illustrated in FIG. It is configured to be connected to the control unit 12 via.

  Other parts indicated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same configuration and operation as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the difference from the operation of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 is shown. FIG. 12 is a main flowchart of the second embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a subroutine showing subject determination and impedance measurement electrode switching performed in the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 12, when the power of the body composition measuring apparatus 101 is turned on by the personal identification key assigned in advance or newly registered in the personal identification key group 6 as in the first embodiment, the steps S101 to S106 are hereinafter performed. Up to this point, the operation is the same as in steps S1 to S6 of the main flowchart of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  When the body weight is measured in step S106 of FIG. 12, in the subsequent step S107, the switch detection unit 109 detects the on / off of all the switches 108 constituting the switch group 108P. Accordingly, it is determined that the electrode 105 corresponding to the detected switch 108 is in contact with the sole of the subject, and the array P (x, y) of the electrode 105 is stored in the storage unit 17.

  In step S108, the subject is determined based on the contact state between the subject and the electrode group 105P, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 11, and electrodes are switched for impedance measurement in accordance with the determined subject.

  Subsequent steps S109 and S110 operate in the same manner as steps S10 and S11 in FIG. 3, and at the end of measurement, as in the first embodiment, any one of the assigned key group 6 is pressed or displayed. After a predetermined time set in advance, the power is automatically turned off and the process ends.

  Here, the operation at the time of electrode switching for subject discrimination and impedance measurement in step S108 of FIG. 12 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S107 of FIG. 12, the corresponding electrode array P (x, y) is stored in the storage unit 17 with the detection of the switch 108 pressed by the subject's sole, and when the process proceeds to step S108, FIG. In step S131, an electrode group in which adjacent electrodes are continuously detected is detected from the distribution of the stored electrode array P (x, y). That is, electrodes that are continuous in the range of P (x ± 1, y ± 1) are detected as one contact group.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, when two contact groups are detected, it is determined that there are two soles placed on the body fat measurement device 101, and the subject is a human in step S133. Judge that there is.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, when four contact groups are detected, it is determined that there are four soles in the same manner as described above, and in step S135, the subject moves the front and rear legs to the left and right respectively. It is judged that it is a quadruped animal having.

  If a contact group other than those described above is detected, an error is displayed on the display unit 3 as a detection failure in step S137, and the power is automatically turned off after a predetermined time and the process ends.

  If it is determined in step S133 that the person is a person, in step S134, an electrode for human impedance measurement is automatically selected. That is, the current application electrode brought into contact with the toe side and the voltage measurement electrode brought into contact with the heel side are selected.

Therefore, in one of the detected two contact groups, first, an electrode having the minimum y value in the electrode array P (x, y) constituting the contact group is arranged in the array P (x, y _min ) is defined as an electrode in contact with the toe side. In the case where there are a plurality of x in the array P (x, y _min ), the median value of x is rounded off to the nearest integer to obtain an integer, and the electrode 105 represented by the electrode array P (x _med , y _min ) The current application electrode 105 c is connected to the current application unit 13 by the switching unit 111 controlled by the control unit 12.

Further, in the contact group, an electrode having a maximum y value is defined as an electrode that is in contact with the heel side as P (x, y _max ). Thereafter, the median value of x is obtained in the same manner as described above, and the voltage measurement electrode 105d of the electrode 105 represented by the electrode array P (x _med , y _max ) is connected to the voltage measurement unit 14.

  As a result, one contact group, that is, one leg of the impedance measuring electrode is selected. Also in the other contact group, after the current application electrode and the voltage measurement electrode are selected in the same manner as described above, the process returns to the main flowchart of FIG.

If it is determined in step S134 that the animal is a quadruped, an electrode for impedance measurement for the quadruped is automatically selected in step S136. That is, in each of the detected four contact groups, the median values of x and y of the electrode array P (x, y) of the electrodes 105 constituting the contact group are obtained, and for each of the detected four contact groups. The electrode 105 indicated by the array P (x _med , y _med ) is selected.

  Here, in the case of measuring the impedance of a quadruped, by applying a current between the left and right legs and measuring the voltage between the right and left legs based on the measurement principle shown in FIG. Since the impedance of the trunk can be measured without being affected by the resistance of the extremities, the impedance is similarly measured in the second embodiment.

In this case, in determining electrode connected to the current applying section 13 and the voltage measuring unit 14, the four arrays each contact group _{P (x med, y} med) the _{x med} four electrodes 105, represented by In comparison, the two electrodes with small values are considered to be electrodes by contacting the left and right legs, and the current application electrodes 105c of both electrodes 105 are connected to the current application unit 13 via the switching unit 111 by the control unit 12.

  Further, it is assumed that the remaining two electrodes are in contact with the right front and rear legs, and the voltage applying electrode 105d is connected to the voltage measuring unit 14 via the switching unit 111 by the control unit 12. In the same manner as described above, the process returns to the main flowchart of FIG.

  In the second embodiment, the push switch 108 is used as a detection sensor for detecting that the electrode 105 has been stepped on with the sole of the foot. However, any sensor that detects a variation amount when the electrode 105 is stepped on may be used. For example, a tactile sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, or the like may be used.

  In Example 1 and Example 2, height (or body length in the case of a quadruped animal) is input as physical information in step S3 in FIG. 3 and step S103 in FIG. By adding it as an input item, it is possible to subdivide the regression equation by age, gender, etc., and to obtain more reliable data.

Moreover, although the said body information was input manually, it is also possible to acquire the distance information regarding the body obtained from the sole by making the distance between each electrode known beforehand. For example, in Example 1, when the electrodes in contact with the sole of the subject are detected in Step S7 and Step S8 in FIG. 3, both end electrodes 5ak _(min) and 5ak _{(max )} used as impedance measurement electrodes are detected. ₎ , Or the interelectrode distance of electrodes 5b _{k (min)} and 5b _{k (max)} is a value indicating the size of the foot from the toe to the vicinity of the heel when the subject is a human, It is also possible to estimate the height from the size of the foot using a method and automatically input it as an alternative value for the height. In addition, when the subject is a quadruped animal, it indicates the length of the trunk, which is the distance between the impedance measurement electrodes, and by automatically inputting the distance between the electrodes as an alternative value of the body length, the height or the body length as body information It is also possible to provide a body fat measuring device that can measure the body fat percentage simply by getting on without putting any input after turning on the power.

  Also in the second embodiment, distance information can be acquired in the same manner as described above by obtaining the inter-electrode distance in the switch detection shown in step S107 of FIG.

  Furthermore, in Example 1 and Example 2, the body fat percentage was calculated as the body composition data, but body composition data other than the body fat percentage can be calculated in the same manner. When the subject is a person, a known regression equation for determining the rate or amount of fat removal, muscle, body water, bone, or the like is stored in the storage unit 17 in advance, in the same manner as when calculating the body fat percentage. The body composition data can be calculated by reading the regression equation from the storage unit 17 and using it in the calculation unit 18. Further, even when the subject is a quadruped animal, the body composition data can be calculated by storing the regression equation for calculating each body composition data in the storage unit 17 in the same manner as in the case of a human. . Here, the regression equation for obtaining each body composition data of the quadruped animal is obtained in the same manner as in the case of a human. That is, a regression equation can be obtained from the correlation between the body composition data obtained in advance by the DXA method and the measured impedance, body weight, and body information.

1 is an external perspective view of Example 1. FIG. 1 is an electrical block diagram of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a main flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment. 3 is a subroutine illustrating an electrode detection procedure according to the first embodiment. 3 is a subroutine showing a subject determination and electrode switching procedure of Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows a contact state with the electrode in case a test subject is a person. It is a figure which shows a contact state with the electrode in case a test subject is a quadruped animal. 3 is an external front view of Example 2. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing an electrode of Example 2. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the contact switch mechanism of an electrode. 6 is an electrical block diagram of Example 2. FIG. 10 is a main flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment. 3 is a subroutine showing a subject determination and electrode switching procedure of Example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows a contact state with the electrode in case a test subject is a person. It is a figure which shows a contact state with the electrode in case a test subject is a quadruped animal. It is a figure which shows the impedance measurement principle of the quadruped animal using the 4-electrode method.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Body fat measuring device 2 Body weight measurement part 3 Display part 4 Operation part 5a Left foot side electrode group 5b Right foot side electrode group 6 Assignment key 11 Switching part 12 Control part 13 Current application part 14 Voltage measurement part 15 Current supply detection part 16 Discrimination part 17 Storage unit 18 Calculation unit 19 Power source 101 Body composition measuring device 102 Cover unit 105 Electrode 105c Current application electrode 105d Voltage measurement electrode 105P Electrode group

Claims (9)

An impedance measuring device for measuring a bioimpedance by making a subject a quadruped animal having a meat ball on a sole and a foot, and bringing an electrode into contact with the sole of the subject,
An electrode group consisting of a plurality of electrodes having different contact states depending on the subject,
Detection means for detecting an electrode in contact with the sole of the subject among the plurality of electrodes,
A discriminating means for automatically discriminating whether the subject is a human or a quadruped animal according to the detected contact state of the electrode,
An impedance measuring apparatus comprising switching means for switching to an impedance measurement mode suitable for the determined subject.   2. The impedance measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrode group is divided into a left foot side electrode group to be brought into contact with the subject's left foot and a right foot side electrode group to be brought into contact with the right foot.   The detection means is an energization detection means for applying an electric current between any two electrodes in the electrode group and detecting two electrodes energized through the body of the subject. Impedance measuring device.   2. The impedance measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection means is a detection sensor detection means for detecting an electrode detected by the contact detection sensor by providing a contact detection sensor for detecting contact with each electrode.   The discrimination means includes one electrode or a plurality of adjacent electrodes surrounded by electrodes that are not in contact with the subject's sole among the electrodes that are in contact with the subject's sole. The impedance measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the subject is discriminated based on the number of the contact groups.   The switching means selects an electrode used for impedance measurement suitable for the determined subject among the electrodes in contact with the sole of the subject, and switches the current application electrode and the voltage measurement electrode. The impedance measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The detection means further includes distance information acquisition means for acquiring distance information about the body obtained from the sole using an electrode in contact with the detected sole of the subject. The impedance measuring apparatus according to 1.   At least one of the impedance measuring devices according to claim 1, weight input means for inputting weight, physical information input means for inputting physical information other than the weight, and other than impedance, weight and weight A body composition measuring device comprising body composition data calculating means for calculating body composition data based on body information.   9. The body composition measuring apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the body composition data is at least one of data relating to an amount or a rate such as body fat, lean body mass, muscle, body water or bone.

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