JP4423833B2

JP4423833B2 - Biological information measuring device

Info

Publication number: JP4423833B2
Application number: JP2001293824A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 弘次吉本; 雅篤井上; 和俊永井
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp; Matsushita Electric Works Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp; Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd
Priority date: 2001-09-26
Filing date: 2001-09-26
Publication date: 2010-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 2021-09-26
Also published as: JP2003093362A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は身体内部のインピーダンスに基づき生体に関する情報を算出する生体情報測定装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、この種の生体情報測定装置としては、例えば、特開２０００−３７３６３号公報に記載されているようなものがあった。図５は、前記公報に記載された従来の生体情報測定装置の外観を示すものである。
【０００３】
図５において、本体１の両手で把持できる略円筒形の把持部２に、巻きつけられた把持部電極３を有し、被測定者は両手で本体１の把持部２を把持し、決められた姿勢を取って測定すれば、本体１の把持部２に備えられた把持部電極３が手のひらに接触することによって両手間のインピーダンスを測定し、インピーダンスに基づいて計算により生体に関する情報を得ることができるようになっている。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、前記従来の構成では、把持部電極を把持部に巻きつける際に、曲げに対する弾性による復元力に対抗して巻きつける必要があり、大量生産における組立作業において、巻きつけるという作業は非常に煩わしく、時間がかかるものであった。また、把持部電極を固定あるいは保持するまでに放してしまうと復元力によって把持部から外れて、最初から組み立て直さなければならない、或いは、固定するまでの仮止めの作業、さらに仮止めの為の特別の構造的な工夫が必要であった。さらに、把持部電極を把持部に巻きつけたあと、ネジで固定しているが、ネジが緩むと把持部電極が復元力で把持部から外れる方向に広がり、把持部に沿わずに浮いてきて把持部電極の端部が被測定者に触れて不安全になるという課題を有していた。
【０００５】
本発明は、前記従来の課題を解決するもので、量産工程において短時間に安定して把持部に把持部電極を構成することを可能にし、かつ把持部電極が把持部に沿わずに浮いてきて把持部電極の端部が被測定者に触れて不安全になることがないようにすることを可能にした生体情報測定装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前記従来の課題を解決するために、本発明の生体情報測定装置は、被測定者に接触する少なくとも２つの電極と、電極間のインピーダンスを測定するインピーダンス測定手段と、被測定者の身体的特徴をあらわす被測定者情報を入力する入力手段と、インピーダンスと被測定者情報から被測定者の生体に関する情報を算出する情報処理手段を有した生体情報測定装置において、前記電極の少なくとも１つの電極は、被測定者が手で把持する略円筒形状の把持部に設けられた把持部電極であり、前記把持部電極は前記把持部の形状に勘合するように形成した導電体を把持部にはめ込む構成としたものである。
【０００７】
これによって、把持部電極を構成する導電体は把持部にはめ込むだけで把持部に保持され、別途保持しておく必要がなく、量産工程において短時間に安定して把持部に把持部電極を構成することができ、また、把持部電極を構成する導電体は把持部の形状に形成されているので把持部に沿っており、把持部から浮いてくることがないため、把持部電極の端部に被測定者が触れることがなく安全である。
【０００８】
【発明の実施の形態】
請求項１に記載の発明は被測定者に接触する少なくとも２つの電極と、電極間のインピーダンスを測定するインピーダンス測定手段と、被測定者の身体的特徴をあらわす被測定者情報を入力する入力手段と、インピーダンスと被測定者情報から被測定者の生体に関する情報を算出する情報処理手段を有した生体情報測定装置において、被測定者が手で把持する略円筒形状の把持部を備え、前記把持部は表面に円周に沿った凹所を有し、前記電極の少なくとも１つの電極は、前記把持部に設けられた把持部電極であり、前記把持部電極は前記把持部の凹所に勘合し把持部の表面と同一面か落ち込んで位置するように形成した導電板を前記凹所にはめ込む構成とすることにより、把持部電極は把持部にはめ込むだけで把持部に保持され、別途保持しておく必要がなく、量産工程において短時間に安定して把持部に把持部電極を構成することができ、また、把持部電極は把持部の形状に形成されているので把持部に沿っており、把持部から浮いてくることがないため、把持部電極の端部に被測定者が触れることがなく安全である。
【０００９】
請求項２に記載の発明は、特に請求項１に記載の把持部電極を、互いに電気的に接続され把持部の円周を覆う断面円弧形状をした複数の導電板と、複数の導電板の端部どうしを固定する固定手段とから構成されており、前記複数の導電板の少なくとも一方の端部どうしは、前記把持部の円周に有した凹部に嵌合する形状を有し、前記凹部に嵌合した端部どうしを固定する固定手段は、前記凹部と前記凹部に嵌合した端部を覆うと共に、前記凹部と端部を覆う表面を把持部電極の表面と同形状で手に沿う断面円弧形状としたので、把持部のほぼ全周を把持部電極で覆うことができると共に、固定手段により、複数の導電板の端部を重ね合わせて同時に固定することにより、個々に固定する場合と比べ固定手段の数を少なくする事ができ安価に構成できる上、固定手段部以外のほぼ全周を把持部電極で構成でき、把持部電極と手との接触面積を大きくすることができ、測定精度を向上させることができる。導電板の端部を外から触れないようにすることができるので安全であり、固定手段の表面を手に沿う形状で握りやすくすることができる。
【００１１】
請求項３に記載の発明は、特に請求項２に記載の固定手段を複数設け、少なくとも１つの固定手段は、複数の導電板を電気的に接続することを兼ね備えたことにより、固定手段の他に導電板どうしを電気的に接続する部材を必要とせず安価に構成することができる。
【００１２】
請求項４に記載の発明は、特に請求項２または３に記載の固定手段を複数設け、少なくとも１つの固定手段は、インピーダンス測定手段との電気的接続を兼ね備えたことにより、固定手段の他にインピーダンス測定手段との電気的接続に要する部材を必要とせず安価に構成することができる。
【００１３】
請求項５に記載の発明は、特に請求項２〜４のいずれか１項に記載の固定手段を複数設け、少なくとも１つの固定手段を、導電体で形成したことにより、固定手段の他に導電板どうしを電気的に接続する部材を必要とせず安価に構成することができる。
【００１４】
請求項６に記載の発明は、特に請求項２〜５のいずれか１項に記載の把持部の、円周に凹部を設け、複数の導電板の少なくとも一方の端部どうしは、前記凹部に嵌合する形状を有し、かつ前記凹部内で電気的に接合する固定手段を有し、前記凹部と前記導電板の端部と固定手段を含めて覆い隠し、かつ表面を手に沿う形状にしたカバーを有することにより、固定手段の他に導電板どうしを電気的に接続する部材を必要とせず安価に構成することができ、導電板の端部を外から触れないようにすることができるので安全であり、カバーの表面を手に沿う形状で握りやすくすることができる。
【００１６】
【実施例】
以下本発明の実施例について、図面を参照しながら説明する。
【００１７】
（実施例１）
図１は、本発明の実施例１における生体情報測定装置の外観図、図２は把持部の把持部電極がはめ込まれている部分の断面図、図３は測定時の説明図を示すものである。
【００１８】
図１において、４は人体載置部であり、装置本体外殻としており、本実施例ではＡＢＳ樹脂で構成され、ここに足部電極５が取り付けられている。人体載置部４には、被測定者情報を入力するための入力手段としてのキーボード６、報知手段として液晶表示器７が備えられている。人体載置部４と把持部２はリード線８を内在するケーブル９で接続されている。把持部２は略円筒形に形成され、本実施例ではＡＢＳ樹脂で構成され、把持部電極３は把持部２の略円筒形の軸方向に２箇所構成されている。
【００１９】
図２において、把持部電極３は把持部２の略円筒形の形状に沿って形成されている。把持部電極３は把持部２の一段落ちた部分にはめ込まれ、把持部電極の表面は把持部２表面と同一面か少し落ち込んで位置する。
【００２０】
図３において、測定時、被測定者３３は把持部２を握って人体載置部４の上に素足で乗る。このとき把持部電極３は被測定者３３の手のひらに、足部電極５は被測定者３３の足の裏に接触する。足部電極５ならびに把持部電極３はインピーダンス測定手段１７にリード線８を介して接続され、インピーダンス測定手段１７は４端子法により、足部電極５のつま先側の２つの電極と把持部電極２の一方の電極間に定電流を流し、足部電極５のかかと側の２つの電極と把持部電極２の他方の電極間で電圧を測定することによって、インピーダンスを測定できるよう構成されている。本実施例では、５０kHz、８００μＡの人体が感じることのない微弱な電流を使用している。測定したインピーダンスは情報処理手段としてのマイクロコンピュータ３４に入力される。マイクロコンピュータ３４には先に説明したキーボード６と液晶表示器７が接続されている。
【００２１】
次に動作、作用について説明する。
【００２２】
測定に先立ち、被測定者３３はキーボード６により、被測定者情報として身長、体重、性別を入力する。キーボード６はマイクロコンピュータ３４に接続されているので、マイクロコンピュータ３４はこれらの被測定者情報をあらかじめ入力される。次に、被測定者３３は図３に示すように、腕を水平にのばした状態で把持部２を握り、人体載置部４に乗る。このとき、把持部電極３は被測定者３３の手のひらに、足部電極５は被測定者３３の足の裏に接触する。把持部電極３及び足部電極５はインピーダンス測定手段１７にリード線８で接続されており、被測定者３３の手足間のインピーダンスを測定する。インピーダンス測定手段１７からのインピーダンスがマイクロコンピュータ３４に入力されると、マイクロコンピュータ３４はプログラムによりインピーダンスと被測定者情報から体脂肪率を計算し、結果を液晶表示器７に出力する。体脂肪率を求める式は各種のものが知られているが、本実施例では、体密度より求めるＢｒｏｚｅｃの式（Ｂｒｏｚｅｃらの報告書Ｊ．Ｂｒｏｚｅｃ、Ｆ．Ｇｒａｎｄｅ、Ｊ．Ｔ．ＡｎｄｅｒｓｏｎａｎｄＡ．Ｋｅｙ；”ＡｎＮＹＡｃａｄ．ｓｃｉ１１０（１９６３）１１３−４０）を用いている。、たとえば男性の場合、下記のとおりとなる。
【００２３】
体密度＝１．１５５４−０．０８４１×体重×インピーダンス／身長２
体脂肪率（％）＝（４．９５／体密度−４．５）×１００
なお、この式は男性の場合の式であるが、女性の場合も各部の係数を変えることにより適用できるので、被測定者情報に含まれる性別を元に式を切り換える。また、体脂肪率を求める式はこの他にも多くの式が報告されているが、インピーダンスから体脂肪率を求める式であれば、どのような式を用いても、本発明の趣旨を逸脱するものではない。
【００２４】
本実施例の生体情報測定装置においては、被測定者３３が乗る人体載置部４に設けられ、被測定者３３の足に接触する足部電極５と、被測定者３３が手で把持する把持部２に設けられ、被測定者３３の手に接触する把持部電極３と、電極間のインピーダンスを測定するインピーダンス測定手段１７と、被測定者３３の身体的特徴をあらわす被測定者３３情報を入力する入力手段としてのキーボード６と、インピーダンスと被測定者３３情報から被測定者３３の生体に関する情報を算出する情報処理手段としてのマイクロコンピュータ３４を有した生体情報測定装置において、把持部２は略円筒形状に形成してあり、把持部電極３は把持部２の形状に勘合するように加工した後、把持部電極３を把持部２にはめ込む構成とすることにより、把持部電極３は把持部２にはめ込むだけで把持部２に保持され、別途保持しておく必要がなく、量産工程において短時間に安定して把持部２に把持部電極３を構成することができる。
【００２５】
また、把持部電極３は把持部２の形状に形成されているので把持部２に沿っており、把持部２から浮いてくることがないため、把持部電極３の端部に被測定者３３が触れることがなく安全である。
【００２６】
なお、本実施例においては、インピーダンスより求めた体脂肪率をそのまま表示しているが、体脂肪率から求められる、体脂肪重量、徐脂肪重量、徐脂肪率等で表示を行ってもよい。また、入力手段としてキーボード６を用いているが、目的とする被測定者情報を入力できる方法であれば、たとえばアップダウンスイッチと入力スイッチの組み合わせやロータリーエンコーダー等を用いた回転式の入力手段等であってもかまわない。また、報知手段として液晶表示器７を用いているが、その他の報知手段、たとえば発光ダイオードを使用したものや、音声で報知するものもでもよい。また、定電流は人体に感じない範囲であれば、その周波数、電流の大小は任意に変えることができる。また、本実施例においては右手−両足間でインピーダンスを測定しているが生体情報を得られる測定位置であればどこでもかまわない。
【００２７】
（実施例２）
図４は、本発明の実施例２における把持部の把持部電極がはめ込まれている部分の断面図を示すものである。図４において、１箇所の把持部電極３は把持部２の略円筒形の円周を覆うように、２枚の導電板１０、１１で構成されている。把持部２には円周に断面略コの字状の凹部１２が設けてあり、２枚の導電板１０、１１の各々の一方の端部は凹部１２の側面と底面に勘合するように加工してある。ここで、２枚の導電板１０、１１を把持部２にはめ込むと、２枚の導電板１０、１１の端面は図に示すように凹部１２の底面で重なり合う。この２枚の導電板１０、１１の端面には各々孔１４、１５を設けてあり、固定手段としてのネジ１６が、この孔１４、１５を貫通して、凹部１２の底部に設けた孔１３にねじ込まれて導電板１０、１１が把持部２に固定されると同時に電気的に接続される。このネジ１６と導電板１０、１１の間にリード線８に付けためがね端子（図示せず）を介在させることにより、導電板１０、１１はリード線８を介してインピーダンス測定手段１７に電気的に接続される。１８は、凹部１２とネジ１６を覆うためのカバーであり、表面を把持部電極３の表面と同形状の断面略円弧とし、手に沿う形状にされている。
【００２８】
また、把持部２には円周の断面コの字状の凹部１２の反対側に断面Ｖ字状の凹部１９を設けている。凹部１９の２つの傾斜面に各々２つずつの孔２０、２１および孔２２、２３を設け、この凹部１９に勘合する２枚の導電板１０、１１の各々の端部は凹部１９の傾斜面に沿うように加工すると共に、把持部２に勘合した際に孔２０、２１、２２、２３の相対する位置に孔２４、２５及び孔２６、２７を設けてある。この部分の固定手段として、図４に示しているように導電板１０、１１の端部を凹部１９に押し当てる形状を有するジョイント２８を用いている。このジョイント２８の裏面には、導電板の孔２４、２５、２６、２７と凹部１９に設けた孔２０、２１、２２、２３をそれぞれ貫通し、固定するための爪２９、３０、３１、３２が設けてある。また、ジョイント２８の表面は把持部電極３の表面と同形状の断面略円弧とし、手に沿う形状にされている。
【００２９】
なお、もう１箇所の把持部電極３も上記と同様に構成されている。
【００３０】
以上、本実施例の生体情報測定装置においては、被測定者３３が乗る人体載置部４に設けられ、被測定者３３の足に接触する足部電極５と、被測定者３３が手で把持する把持部２に設けられ、被測定者３３の手に接触する把持部電極３と、電極間のインピーダンスを測定するインピーダンス測定手段１７と、被測定者３３の身体的特徴をあらわす被測定者３３情報を入力する入力手段としてのキーボード６と、インピーダンスと被測定者３３情報から被測定者３３の生体に関する情報を算出する情報処理手段としてのマイクロコンピュータ３４を有した生体情報測定装置において、把持部２は略円筒形に形成し、２箇所の把持部電極３は、把持部２の略円筒形の円周を覆うように、各々２枚の導電板１０、１１で構成され、電気的に接続されていることにより、２箇所の把持部電極３は各々２枚の導電板１０、１１を把持部２にはめ込むだけで把持部２に保持され、別途保持しておく必要がなく、量産工程において短時間に安定して把持部２に把持部電極３を構成することができ、また、把持部電極３は把持部２の形状に形成されているので把持部２に沿っており、把持部２から浮いてくることがないため、把持部電極３の端部に被測定者３３が触れることがなく安全であり、かつ、把持部２のほぼ全周を把持部電極３で覆うことができ、把持部電極３と手との接触面積を大きくすることができ、測定精度を向上させることができる。
【００３１】
また、２箇所の把持部電極３の各々２枚の導電板１０、１１の端部どうしを固定する固定手段としてのネジ１６あるいはジョイント２８を有することにより、固定手段の数を必要最小限とすることができ安価に構成できる上、固定手段部以外のほぼ全周を把持部電極３で構成でき、把持部電極３と手との接触面積を大きくすることができ、測定精度を向上させることができる。
【００３２】
また、一方の固定手段としてのネジ１６は、複数の導電板１０、１１を電気的に接続することを兼ね備えたことにより、固定手段の他に導電板１０、１１どうしを電気的に接続する部材を必要とせず安価に構成することができる。
【００３３】
また、一方の固定手段としてのネジ１６は、インピーダンス測定手段１７との電気的接続を兼ね備えたことにより、固定手段の他にインピーダンス測定手段１７との電気的接続に要する部材を必要とせず安価に構成することができる。
【００３４】
また、把持部２は、略円筒形の円周に断面略コの字状の凹部１２を有し、２箇所の把持部電極３の各々２枚の導電板１０、１１の一方の端部どうしは、前記凹部１２に嵌合する形状を有し、かつ前記凹部１２内で電気的に接合する固定手段としてのネジ１６を有し、前記凹部１２と前記導電板１０、１１の端部と固定手段を含めて覆い隠し、かつ表面を手に沿う形状にしたカバー１８を有することにより、固定手段の他に導電板１０、１１どうしを電気的に接続する部材を必要とせず安価に構成することができ、導電板１０、１１の端部を外から触れないようにすることができるので安全であり、カバー１８の表面を手に沿う形状で握りやすくすることができる。
【００３５】
また、把持部２の略円筒形の円周に断面Ｖ字状の凹部１９を有し、２箇所の把持部電極３の各々２枚の導電板１０、１１の他方の端部どうしは、前記凹部１９に嵌合する形状を有し、前記凹部１９と前記導電板１０、１１の端部を含めて覆い隠し、かつ表面を手に沿う形状にした固定手段としてのジョイント２８を有することにより、導電板１０、１１の端部を外から触れないようにすることができるので安全であり、固定手段の表面を手に沿う形状で握りやすくすることができる。
【００３６】
また、本実施例においては、一方の固定手段部を断面略コの字状の凹部１２に他方の固定手段部を断面Ｖ字状の凹部１９に形成しているが、両方を断面略コの字状の凹部１２に、あるいは両方の固定手段部を断面Ｖ字状の凹部１９に形成してもかまわない。この際、固定手段としてのネジ１６の代わりに少なくとも一方のカバー１８あるいはジョイント２８を導電体で形成することにより、カバー１８あるいはジョイント２８の他に導電板１０、１１どうしを電気的に接続する部材を必要とせず安価に構成することができる。
【００３７】
また、本実施例においては、インピーダンスより求めた体脂肪率をそのまま表示しているが、体脂肪率から求められる、体脂肪重量、徐脂肪重量、徐脂肪率等で表示を行ってもよい。また、入力手段としてキーボード６を用いているが、目的とする被測定者情報を入力できる方法であれば、たとえばアップダウンスイッチと入力スイッチの組み合わせやロータリーエンコーダー等を用いた回転式の入力手段等であってもかまわない。また、報知手段として液晶表示器７を用いているが、その他の報知手段、たとえば発光ダイオードを使用したものや、音声で報知するものもでもよい。また、定電流は人体に感じない範囲であれば、その周波数、電流の大小は任意に変えることができる。また、本実施例においては右手−両足間でインピーダンスを測定しているが生体情報を得られる測定位置であればどこでもかまわない。
【００３８】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、本発明によれば、把持部電極は把持部にはめ込むだけで把持部に保持され、別途保持しておく必要がなく、量産工程において短時間に安定して把持部に把持部電極を構成することができ、また、把持部電極は把持部の形状に形成されているので把持部に沿っており、把持部から浮いてくることがないため、把持部電極の端部に被測定者が触れることがなく安全である生体情報測定装置を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施例１における生体情報測定装置の外観図
【図２】同生体情報測定装置の把持部の把持部電極がはめ込まれている部分の構成図
【図３】同生体情報測定装置の測定時の説明図
【図４】本発明の実施例２における生体情報測定装置の把持部の把持部電極がはめ込まれている部分の構成図
【図５】従来の生体情報測定装置の外観図
【符号の説明】
２把持部
３把持部電極（電極）
５足部電極（電極）
６キーボード（入力手段）
１０、１１導電板
１２断面略コの字状の凹部（凹部）
１６ネジ（固定手段）
１７インピーダンス測定手段
１８カバー
１９断面Ｖ字状の凹部（凹部）
２８ジョイント（固定手段）
３３被測定者
３４マイクロコンピュータ（情報処理手段）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a biological information measuring apparatus that calculates information related to a living body based on the impedance inside the body.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as this type of biological information measuring apparatus, there has been one described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-37363. FIG. 5 shows the external appearance of the conventional biological information measuring apparatus described in the publication.
[0003]
In FIG. 5, a substantially cylindrical gripping part 2 that can be gripped with both hands of the main body 1 has a wound gripping part electrode 3, and the measured person grips the gripping part 2 of the main body 1 with both hands and is determined. If the measured position is taken, the gripping part electrode 3 provided on the gripping part 2 of the main body 1 comes into contact with the palm of the hand to measure the impedance between both hands, and information on the living body is obtained by calculation based on the impedance. Can be done.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional configuration, when the gripping part electrode is wound around the gripping part, it is necessary to wind against the restoring force due to elasticity against bending. It was bothersome and time consuming. Also, if the gripping part electrode is released before it is fixed or held, it will be detached from the gripping part by the restoring force and must be reassembled from the beginning, or it may be temporarily fixed until it is fixed, and further for temporary fixing Special structural ingenuity was necessary. In addition, after the gripping part electrode is wound around the gripping part, it is fixed with a screw. There has been a problem that the end of the gripping part electrode touches the person to be measured and becomes unsafe.
[0005]
The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, makes it possible to configure a gripping part electrode on a gripping part stably in a short time in a mass production process, and the gripping part electrode floats not along the gripping part. An object of the present invention is to provide a biological information measuring apparatus that can prevent an end of a gripping part electrode from touching a person to be measured and making it unsafe.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the biological information measuring apparatus of the present invention includes at least two electrodes that contact the subject, impedance measuring means that measures impedance between the electrodes, and physical characteristics of the subject. In the living body information measuring apparatus having an input means for inputting measured person information representing information and an information processing means for calculating information on the living body of the measured person from the impedance and the measured person information, at least one electrode of the electrodes is The gripping part electrode is provided in a substantially cylindrical gripping part gripped by the measurement subject by hand, and the gripping part electrode is configured to fit a conductor formed so as to fit the gripping part into the gripping part. It is what.
[0007]
As a result, the conductor constituting the gripping part electrode is held by the gripping part only by being fitted into the gripping part, and it is not necessary to hold it separately, so that the gripping part electrode can be stably formed in the gripping part in a mass production process. In addition, since the conductor constituting the gripping part electrode is formed in the shape of the gripping part, it is along the gripping part and does not float from the gripping part. It is safe without being touched by the subject.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the first aspect of the present invention, at least two electrodes in contact with the subject, impedance measuring means for measuring impedance between the electrodes, and input means for inputting subject information representing the physical characteristics of the subject. And a biological information measuring device having information processing means for calculating information related to the measurement subject's living body from the impedance and the measured subject information, comprising a substantially cylindrical gripping portion to be gripped by the measurement subject by hand, parts has a recess along the circumference on the surface, at least one of said electrodes is a gripper electrode provided on the grip portion, the grip portion electrode fitted into the recess of the grip part with the structure to fit the formed conductive plate so as to be positioned depressed or flush with the surface of the grip portion in the recess, the grip portion electrode is held to the grip portion just fit to the grip portion, separately held In the mass production process, the gripping part electrode can be configured stably in a short time, and the gripping part electrode is formed in the shape of the gripping part, so that it follows the gripping part. Since it does not float from the gripping part, the measurement subject does not touch the end of the gripping part electrode and is safe.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of conductive plates each having the cross-sectional arc shape that is electrically connected to each other and covers the circumference of the gripping portion, and the plurality of conductive plates. And fixing means for fixing the end portions, and at least one end portion of the plurality of conductive plates has a shape that fits into a recess provided on a circumference of the grip portion, and the recess The fixing means for fixing the end portions fitted to each other covers the concave portion and the end portion fitted to the concave portion, and the surface covering the concave portion and the end portion follows the hand in the same shape as the surface of the gripping portion electrode. since the cross-sectional circular arc shape, substantially the entire circumference can be covered by the grip portion electrode Rutotomoni of the gripping portion, by fixing means, by fixing simultaneously by overlapping ends of the plurality of conductive plates, fixed individually Compared to the case, the number of fixing means can be reduced and the structure can be reduced. Be on, the substantially entire circumference except the fixing means unit can be configured by the gripping portion electrode, the contact area of the gripping portion electrode and the hand can be increased, thereby improving the measurement accuracy. Since the end of the conductive plate can be prevented from being touched from the outside, it is safe, and the surface of the fixing means can be easily gripped in a shape along the hand.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in particular, a plurality of fixing means according to the second aspect are provided, and at least one fixing means has a function of electrically connecting a plurality of conductive plates. In addition, a member for electrically connecting the conductive plates to each other is not required and can be configured at low cost.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 4 is provided with a plurality of fixing means according to claim 2 or 3 in particular, and at least one fixing means has electrical connection with the impedance measuring means. A member required for electrical connection with the impedance measuring means is not required and can be configured at low cost.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 5 is provided with a plurality of fixing means according to any one of claims 2 to 4 , and at least one fixing means is formed of a conductor, so that it is electrically conductive in addition to the fixing means. A member for electrically connecting the plates to each other is not required and can be configured at low cost.
[0014]
In the invention described in claim 6 , a recess is provided in the circumference of the gripping part described in any one of claims 2 to 5 , and at least one end of a plurality of conductive plates is formed in the recess. It has a fitting means and has a fixing means to be electrically joined in the recess, covers and conceals the recess, the end of the conductive plate, and the fixing means, and has a shape along the hand. In addition to the fixing means, it is possible to configure the cover inexpensively without requiring a member for electrically connecting the conductive plates, and to prevent the end portions of the conductive plates from being touched from the outside. Therefore, it is safe and the surface of the cover can be easily grasped in a shape along the hand.
[0016]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
Example 1
1 is an external view of a biological information measuring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion where a gripping portion electrode of a gripping portion is fitted, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory view at the time of measurement. is there.
[0018]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 4 denotes a human body placing portion, which is an outer shell of the apparatus main body, which is made of ABS resin in this embodiment, and a foot electrode 5 is attached thereto. The human body placing unit 4 includes a keyboard 6 as input means for inputting measurement subject information and a liquid crystal display 7 as notification means. The human body placing portion 4 and the grip portion 2 are connected by a cable 9 having a lead wire 8 therein. The gripping part 2 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and in this embodiment is made of ABS resin, and the gripping part electrodes 3 are formed at two locations in the axial direction of the substantially cylindrical shape of the gripping part 2.
[0019]
In FIG. 2, the grip part electrode 3 is formed along the substantially cylindrical shape of the grip part 2. The gripping part electrode 3 is fitted into a part where the gripping part 2 is dropped, and the surface of the gripping part electrode is located on the same plane as the gripping part 2 surface or slightly depressed.
[0020]
In FIG. 3, at the time of measurement, the person 33 to be measured grips the grip portion 2 and gets on the human body placing portion 4 with bare feet. At this time, the gripping part electrode 3 contacts the palm of the person to be measured 33 and the foot part electrode 5 contacts the sole of the person to be measured 33. The foot electrode 5 and the gripping part electrode 3 are connected to the impedance measuring means 17 via the lead wire 8, and the impedance measuring means 17 is connected to the two electrodes on the toe side of the foot electrode 5 and the gripping part electrode 2 by the four-terminal method. The impedance is measured by passing a constant current between the two electrodes and measuring the voltage between the two electrodes on the heel side of the foot electrode 5 and the other electrode of the gripping part electrode 2. In this embodiment, a weak current that is not felt by a human body of 50 kHz and 800 μA is used. The measured impedance is input to the microcomputer 34 as information processing means. The keyboard 34 and the liquid crystal display 7 described above are connected to the microcomputer 34.
[0021]
Next, the operation and action will be described.
[0022]
Prior to the measurement, the person to be measured 33 inputs the height, weight, and sex as information on the person to be measured using the keyboard 6. Since the keyboard 6 is connected to the microcomputer 34, the microcomputer 34 is preliminarily inputted with the measurement subject information. Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the person 33 to be measured grips the grip portion 2 with the arm extended horizontally, and gets on the human body placement portion 4. At this time, the gripping part electrode 3 contacts the palm of the person to be measured 33, and the foot part electrode 5 contacts the sole of the person to be measured 33. The gripping part electrode 3 and the foot part electrode 5 are connected to the impedance measuring means 17 by a lead wire 8 to measure the impedance between the limbs of the measurement subject 33. When the impedance from the impedance measuring means 17 is input to the microcomputer 34, the microcomputer 34 calculates the body fat percentage from the impedance and the measured person information by a program and outputs the result to the liquid crystal display 7. Various formulas for obtaining the body fat percentage are known, but in this example, Brozec's formula obtained from body density (reports of Brozec et al., J. Brozec, F. Grande, J. Anderson and A Key: “An NY Acad. Sci 110 (1963) 113-40). For example, in the case of a male, it is as follows.
[0023]
Body density = 1.1554-0.0841 x body weight x impedance / height 2
Body fat percentage (%) = (4.95 / body density−4.5) × 100
Note that this equation is an equation for men, but it can also be applied to women by changing the coefficient of each part, so the equations are switched based on the gender included in the measured person information. In addition, many other formulas for calculating the body fat percentage have been reported, but any formula can be used as long as the formula is used for obtaining the body fat percentage from the impedance. Not what you want.
[0024]
In the biological information measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment, the foot electrode 5 that is provided on the human body placing portion 4 on which the person 33 to be measured rides and contacts the feet of the person 33 to be measured, and the person 33 to be measured grips by hand. A gripping part electrode 3 provided on the gripping part 2 and in contact with the hand of the person to be measured 33, an impedance measuring means 17 for measuring the impedance between the electrodes, and a person to be measured 33 information representing the physical characteristics of the person to be measured 33 In the biological information measuring apparatus having the keyboard 6 as an input means for inputting the information and the microcomputer 34 as an information processing means for calculating information related to the living body of the measured person 33 from the impedance and the measured person 33 information. Is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the gripping part electrode 3 is processed so as to fit into the shape of the gripping part 2, and then the gripping part electrode 3 is fitted into the gripping part 2. Electrode 3 is held in the grip portion 2 just fit into the grip portion 2, it is not necessary to separately hold, it is possible to configure the gripper electrode 3 short time stably to the grip portion 2 in a mass-production process.
[0025]
In addition, since the gripping part electrode 3 is formed in the shape of the gripping part 2, the gripping part electrode 3 extends along the gripping part 2 and does not float from the gripping part 2. Is safe without touching.
[0026]
In the present embodiment, the body fat percentage obtained from the impedance is displayed as it is, but the body fat weight, the slow fat weight, the slow fat percentage, etc. obtained from the body fat percentage may be displayed. In addition, although the keyboard 6 is used as the input means, any method capable of inputting target measurement subject information, for example, a combination of up / down switches and input switches, rotary input means using a rotary encoder, etc. It doesn't matter. Further, although the liquid crystal display 7 is used as the notification means, other notification means, for example, a device using a light-emitting diode or a device that notifies by voice may be used. Moreover, the frequency and the magnitude of the current can be arbitrarily changed as long as the constant current is in a range that is not felt by the human body. In this embodiment, the impedance is measured between the right hand and both feet, but it may be anywhere as long as the biological information can be obtained.
[0027]
(Example 2)
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion where the gripping portion electrode of the gripping portion according to the second embodiment of the present invention is fitted. In FIG. 4, one gripping part electrode 3 is composed of two conductive plates 10 and 11 so as to cover the substantially cylindrical circumference of the gripping part 2. The grip portion 2 is provided with a concave portion 12 having a substantially U-shaped cross section on the circumference, and one end portion of each of the two conductive plates 10 and 11 is processed so as to be fitted to the side surface and the bottom surface of the concave portion 12. It is. Here, when the two conductive plates 10 and 11 are fitted into the grip 2, the end surfaces of the two conductive plates 10 and 11 overlap with the bottom surface of the recess 12 as shown in the figure. Holes 14 and 15 are provided in the end surfaces of the two conductive plates 10 and 11, respectively, and a screw 16 as a fixing means passes through the holes 14 and 15 and is provided in the bottom portion of the recess 12. Then, the conductive plates 10 and 11 are fixed to the grip portion 2 and electrically connected at the same time. By attaching a glass terminal (not shown) to the lead wire 8 between the screw 16 and the conductive plates 10 and 11, the conductive plates 10 and 11 are electrically connected to the impedance measuring means 17 via the lead wire 8. Connected to. Reference numeral 18 denotes a cover for covering the concave portion 12 and the screw 16, and the surface has a cross-sectional substantially circular arc having the same shape as the surface of the gripping portion electrode 3, and has a shape along the hand.
[0028]
In addition, the grip portion 2 is provided with a concave portion 19 having a V-shaped cross section on the opposite side of the concave portion 12 having a U-shaped circumferential section. Two holes 20, 21 and holes 22, 23 are provided on the two inclined surfaces of the recess 19, and the end portions of the two conductive plates 10, 11 fitted into the recess 19 are inclined surfaces of the recess 19. And holes 24, 25 and holes 26, 27 are provided at positions opposite to the holes 20, 21, 22, 23 when fitted to the grip portion 2. As a fixing means for this portion, a joint 28 having a shape for pressing the end portions of the conductive plates 10 and 11 against the recess 19 as shown in FIG. 4 is used. Claws 29, 30, 31, 32 for passing through and fixing holes 24, 25, 26, 27 of the conductive plate and holes 20, 21, 22, 23 provided in the recess 19 are respectively formed on the back surface of the joint 28. Is provided. In addition, the surface of the joint 28 has a substantially circular arc in cross section having the same shape as the surface of the gripping part electrode 3 and is shaped to follow the hand.
[0029]
The other gripping part electrode 3 is configured in the same manner as described above.
[0030]
As described above, in the biological information measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment, the foot electrode 5 that is provided on the human body placing portion 4 on which the person 33 to be measured rides and contacts the feet of the person 33 to be measured, and the person 33 to be measured are hands. A gripping part electrode 3 provided on the gripping part 2 to be gripped and in contact with the hand of the person to be measured 33, an impedance measuring means 17 for measuring the impedance between the electrodes, and a person to be measured representing the physical characteristics of the person to be measured 33 33. A biological information measuring apparatus having a keyboard 6 as an input means for inputting 33 information and a microcomputer 34 as an information processing means for calculating information related to the living body of the measured person 33 from the impedance and the measured person 33 information. The part 2 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the two gripping part electrodes 3 are each composed of two conductive plates 10 and 11 so as to cover the substantially cylindrical circumference of the gripping part 2 and are electrically Connected As a result, the two gripping part electrodes 3 are held by the gripping part 2 simply by fitting the two conductive plates 10 and 11 into the gripping part 2, respectively, and do not need to be held separately. The gripping part electrode 3 can be formed on the gripping part 2 in a stable manner, and since the gripping part electrode 3 is formed in the shape of the gripping part 2, it is along the gripping part 2 and floats from the gripping part 2. Therefore, the measurement subject 33 does not touch the end of the gripping part electrode 3 and is safe, and the gripping part electrode 3 can cover almost the entire circumference of the gripping part 2. The contact area between the electrode 3 and the hand can be increased, and the measurement accuracy can be improved.
[0031]
In addition, the number of fixing means is minimized by having screws 16 or joints 28 as fixing means for fixing the ends of the two conductive plates 10 and 11 of the two gripping part electrodes 3 respectively. In addition to being able to be constructed at a low cost, the entire circumference other than the fixing means portion can be constituted by the gripping portion electrode 3, the contact area between the gripping portion electrode 3 and the hand can be increased, and the measurement accuracy can be improved. it can.
[0032]
In addition, the screw 16 as one fixing means has a function of electrically connecting the plurality of conductive plates 10 and 11, thereby electrically connecting the conductive plates 10 and 11 in addition to the fixing means. Therefore, it can be configured at low cost.
[0033]
Further, the screw 16 as one fixing means also has an electrical connection with the impedance measuring means 17, so that it does not require a member required for the electrical connection with the impedance measuring means 17 in addition to the fixing means, and is inexpensive. Can be configured.
[0034]
In addition, the grip portion 2 has a concave portion 12 having a substantially U-shaped cross section on a substantially cylindrical circumference, and one end portion of each of the two conductive plates 10 and 11 of the two grip portion electrodes 3. Has a shape that fits into the recess 12, and has a screw 16 as a fixing means that is electrically joined in the recess 12, and is fixed to the end of the recess 12 and the conductive plates 10, 11. By having the cover 18 covering and concealing including the means and having the shape along the surface of the hand, a member for electrically connecting the conductive plates 10 and 11 in addition to the fixing means is not required and can be configured at low cost. It is safe because the end portions of the conductive plates 10 and 11 can be prevented from being touched from the outside, and the surface of the cover 18 can be easily gripped in a shape along the hand.
[0035]
Further, a concave portion 19 having a V-shaped cross section is provided on the substantially cylindrical circumference of the grip portion 2, and the other ends of the two conductive plates 10 and 11 of the two grip portion electrodes 3 are respectively By having a shape that fits into the concave portion 19, covering and concealing the concave portion 19 and the end portions of the conductive plates 10 and 11, and having a joint 28 as a fixing means whose surface is shaped along the hand, Since the end portions of the conductive plates 10 and 11 can be prevented from being touched from the outside, it is safe, and the surface of the fixing means can be easily gripped in a shape along the hand.
[0036]
In this embodiment, one fixing means portion is formed in a concave portion 12 having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and the other fixing means portion is formed in a concave portion 19 having a V-shaped cross section. You may form the fixing means part in the character-shaped recessed part 12 or both in the recessed part 19 of a V-shaped cross section. At this time, at least one cover 18 or joint 28 is formed of a conductor instead of the screw 16 as the fixing means, so that the conductive plates 10 and 11 are electrically connected to each other in addition to the cover 18 or the joint 28. Therefore, it can be configured at low cost.
[0037]
In this embodiment, the body fat percentage obtained from the impedance is displayed as it is, but the body fat weight, the slow fat weight, the slow fat percentage, and the like obtained from the body fat percentage may be displayed. In addition, although the keyboard 6 is used as the input means, any method capable of inputting target measurement subject information, for example, a combination of up / down switches and input switches, rotary input means using a rotary encoder, etc. It doesn't matter. Further, although the liquid crystal display 7 is used as the notification means, other notification means, for example, a device using a light-emitting diode or a device that notifies by voice may be used. Moreover, the frequency and the magnitude of the current can be arbitrarily changed as long as the constant current is in a range that is not felt by the human body. In this embodiment, the impedance is measured between the right hand and both feet, but it may be anywhere as long as the biological information can be obtained.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the gripping part electrode is held in the gripping part only by being fitted into the gripping part, and does not need to be held separately. In addition, since the gripping part electrode is formed in the shape of the gripping part, it is along the gripping part and does not float from the gripping part. A biological information measuring device that is safe without being touched by a measurer can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a biological information measuring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a portion where a gripping part electrode of a gripping part of the biological information measuring apparatus is fitted. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the part of the living body information measuring apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention in which the gripping part electrode is fitted. FIG. 5 is a diagram of the conventional living body information measuring apparatus. External view [Explanation of symbols]
2 Gripping part 3 Gripping part electrode (electrode)
5 Foot electrode (electrode)
6 Keyboard (input means)
10, 11 Conductive plate 12 Recessed portion (concave portion) having a substantially U-shaped cross section
16 Screw (fixing means)
17 Impedance measuring means 18 Cover 19 Recessed portion with V-shaped cross section (recessed portion)
28 Joint (fixing means)
33 Measured person 34 Microcomputer (information processing means)

Claims

At least two electrodes in contact with the measurement subject; impedance measurement means for measuring impedance between the electrodes; input means for inputting measurement subject information representing the physical characteristics of the measurement subject; impedance and measurement subject A biological information measuring apparatus having information processing means for calculating information related to a living body of a measured person from information, comprising a substantially cylindrical gripping part that the measured person grips with a hand, and the gripping section extends along a circumference has a single-stage depressed recess from the surface, at least one of said electrodes is a gripper electrode provided on the grip portion, the grip portion electrode of the grip portion is fitted into the recess of the grip part A biological information measuring device characterized in that a conductive plate formed so as to be located on the same plane as the surface is fitted into the recess .

At least two electrodes in contact with the measurement subject; impedance measurement means for measuring impedance between the electrodes; input means for inputting measurement subject information representing the physical characteristics of the measurement subject; impedance and measurement subject In a biological information measuring apparatus having an information processing means for calculating information related to the living body of the subject from the information, the biological information measuring device includes a substantially cylindrical gripping portion to be gripped by the hand of the subject , and at least one of the electrodes is A gripping part electrode provided in a substantially cylindrical gripping part gripped by a person to be measured, wherein the gripping part electrode is electrically connected to each other and has a plurality of circular arc shapes covering the circumference of the gripping part concave portions and conductive plates, which is composed of a fixing means for fixing a plurality of conductive plates end with each other, and at least one end portion to each other of said plurality of conductive plates, having a circumference of the grip portion The fixing means having a fitting shape and fixing the end portions fitted in the concave portion covers the concave portion and the end portion fitted in the concave portion, and grips the surface covering the concave portion and the end portion. A biological information measuring device having the same shape as the surface of the electrode and a circular arc shape along the hand .

The biological information measuring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the fixing means simultaneously fixes and electrically connects a plurality of conductive plates .

The biological information measuring apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein at least one of the fixing means simultaneously fixes the plurality of conductive plates and electrically connects the impedance measuring means .

5. The biological information measuring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the fixing means is formed of a conductor .

It has a fixing means for electrically joining a plurality of conductive plates in the concave portion, and has a cover that covers the concave portion, the end portion of the conductive plate, and the fixing means and has a surface that follows the hand. The biological information measuring device according to any one of claims 2 to 5 .