JP5171447B2 - Biometric probe holding device and biometric device using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a biometric probe holding apparatus that holds an irradiation probe and a detection probe used for optical measurement of a substance in a living body, and a biometric apparatus using the same.

Conventionally, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-11528, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-11528, inspection light emitted from an irradiation optical fiber inserted into one ear hole is applied to the other ear hole. There is known an apparatus for measuring a biological material in the brain by detecting through an inserted optical fiber for detection. According to this apparatus, since the biological substance in the brain can be measured at a position relatively close to the brain, the accuracy of the diagnosis result is improved.
JP-A 64-11528

  However, the above-described in-vivo substance measuring device simply inserts the irradiation optical fiber and the detection optical fiber into the ear hole, and performs the measurement without adjusting the position of the irradiation optical fiber and the irradiation target. Therefore, the inspection light irradiated from the irradiation optical fiber is scattered and absorbed by the living tissue in the inner periphery of the ear hole, and a sufficient amount of inspection light does not reach the detection side. For this reason, there was a problem that the measurement of the substance in the living body could not be performed reliably. In order to obtain a sufficient amount of inspection light for measurement on the detection side, there is a method of increasing the irradiation power of the inspection light. However, if the irradiation power is increased, there is a risk of damaging the living tissue.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a biological measurement probe holding device and a biological measurement device that can reliably measure a substance in a living body with light having irradiation power that is safe for living tissue. The purpose is to do.

A biometric probe holding device according to the present invention is a biometric probe holding device for holding a probe used for biometric measurement, and is movable to a first main body portion attached to one ear and the first main body portion. A first tubular member that is inserted into the ear hole and into which an irradiation probe that irradiates light to the eardrum of one ear is inserted, and a second main body portion that is attached to the other ear, A second tubular member that is movably attached to the second body portion and is inserted into the ear hole and into which a detection probe for detecting light emitted from the eardrum of the other ear is inserted . The first tubular member and the second tubular member are movably attached to the first main body portion and the second main body portion via a ball joint . Alternatively, the biological measurement probe holding device is a biological measurement probe holding device for holding a probe used for biological measurement, and is movably attached to a first main body portion attached to one ear and the first main body portion. A first tubular member that is inserted into the ear hole and into which an irradiation probe for irradiating light to the eardrum of one ear is inserted, a second main body portion attached to the other ear, and a second A second tubular member, which is movably attached to the main body portion, inserted into the ear hole, and into which a detection probe for detecting light emitted from the eardrum of the other ear is inserted, and a first main body portion A long connecting member that is attached to the head and connects the second main body portion, and the first main body portion and the second main body portion are configured so that the longitudinal direction of the connecting member is an axis. Freely rotatable and longitudinally Characterized in that the direction orthogonal coupled to rotatably coupling member to the shaft.

  According to this invention, since the first tubular member and the second tubular member are movably attached to the first main body portion and the second main body portion, the first tubular member is inserted into one ear hole. Then, after inserting the second tubular member into the other ear hole, by adjusting the direction and angle of these tubular members, the first tubular member and the second tubular member can be reliably directed to the eardrum. it can. For this reason, it becomes possible to optimize the relative positional relationship between the probe for irradiation inserted into the first tubular member and the eardrum, and the relative positional relationship between the probe for detection inserted into the second tubular member and the eardrum. . Therefore, it is possible to reliably irradiate the eardrum directly with the inspection light emitted from the irradiation probe, and it is possible to reliably detect the light emitted from the eardrum through the detection probe. As a result, the substance in the living body can be reliably measured with light having irradiation power that is safe for the living tissue.

  In the biometric probe holding device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first main body portion and the second main body portion are connected to each other, and a long connecting member attached to the head is provided.

  In this case, since the first main body portion and the second main body portion are supported by the connecting member, it is possible to prevent the main body portions from falling down from the ears when being attached to the ears. Stable measurement can be performed.

  In the biometric probe holding device according to the present invention, the first main body and the second main body are connected to be rotatable about the longitudinal direction of the connecting member as an axis and to be rotatable about the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction as an axis. It is preferable that it is connected to the member.

  In this case, the first main body and the second main body are connected to the connecting member so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal direction of the connecting member and rotatable about the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. These body portions can be adjusted in direction and angle with respect to the connecting member. Therefore, the direction and angle of the first tubular member attached to the first main body part and the second tubular member attached to the second main body part can be freely adjusted. As a result, the relative positional relationship between the irradiation probe inserted into the first tubular member and the eardrum and the relative positional relationship between the detection probe inserted into the second tubular member and the eardrum can be easily optimized. .

  In the biological measurement probe holding device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first tubular member and the second tubular member are movably attached to the first main body portion and the second main body portion via a ball joint. It is.

  In this case, since the first tubular member and the second tubular member are movably attached to the first main body portion and the second main body portion via the ball joint, the first and second main body portions are provided. In contrast, the first and second tubular members can be rotated or rotated. Therefore, the relative positions of these tubular members and the eardrum can be easily adjusted.

  In the biometric probe holding device according to the present invention, the first locking member for locking the movement of the first tubular member relative to the first main body portion and the movement of the second tubular member relative to the second main body portion. It is preferable to include a second locking member for locking.

  In this case, after adjusting the relative positions of the first and second tubular members and the eardrum, the movements of the first and second tubular members are locked, and the relative positions of these tubular members and the eardrum are fixed. By doing so, the adjusted relative positions of the two can be maintained. For this reason, for example, when the irradiation probe is inserted into the first tubular member, it is possible to reliably prevent the positional deviation between the first tubular member and the eardrum due to the insertion of the probe.

  In the biological measurement probe holding device according to the present invention, a first holder that holds the first tubular member and is movable along the insertion direction of the first tubular member into the ear hole, and the first holder are attached. The first spring member that presses the first tubular member in the direction of insertion into the ear canal and the second tubular member are held and movable along the insertion direction of the second tubular member into the ear canal It is preferable to further include a second holder and a second spring member that biases the second holder and presses the second tubular member in the insertion direction into the ear hole.

  In this case, the first and second tubular members held by the first and second holders approach the ear hole by the biasing force of the spring member, or the biasing force of the spring member receives the pressing force from the ear. Can be separated from the ear canal. For this reason, it becomes possible to adjust the position of the irradiation probe or the detection probe inserted into the first and second tubular members in the insertion direction of these tubular members into the ear hole, and to perform more stable measurement. Can do.

  In the biometric probe holding device according to the present invention, the first main body portion and the second main body portion are each formed of a light shielding material and each have a light shielding portion that forms an ear housing portion that houses an ear. Is preferred.

  In this case, it is possible to prevent the external light from entering the ear hole, to suppress the influence of the external light on the measurement result, and to improve the measurement accuracy.

The biometric apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described biometric probe holding apparatus, an irradiation probe that irradiates light to the eardrum of one ear, and a detection probe that detects light emitted from the eardrum of the other ear And a bio-optical property measuring device connected to the irradiation probe and the detection probe. Alternatively, the biometric device is a biometric probe holding device for holding a probe used for biometric measurement, and is movably attached to the first main body portion attached to one ear and the first main body portion. A first tubular member which is inserted into the ear hole and into which an irradiation probe for irradiating light to the eardrum of one ear is inserted, a second main body portion mounted on the other ear, and a second main body A biometric probe holding device comprising: a second tubular member that is movably attached to the portion and is inserted into the ear hole and into which a detection probe for detecting light emitted from the eardrum of the other ear is inserted. , An irradiation probe for irradiating light to the eardrum of one ear, a detection probe for detecting light emitted from the eardrum of the other ear, and bio-optical characteristics connected to the irradiation probe and the detection probe Characterized in that it comprises a measuring device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to optimize the relative positional relationship between the irradiation probe and the eardrum held by the biometric probe holding device, and the relative positional relationship between the detection probe and the eardrum. The test light emitted from the probe can be reliably irradiated directly onto the eardrum, and the light emitted from the eardrum can be reliably detected via the detection probe. As a result, the substance in the living body can be reliably measured with light having irradiation power that is safe for the living tissue.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the biological measurement probe holding | maintenance apparatus and biological measurement apparatus which can measure the amount of biological material reliably with the light of safe irradiation power to a biological tissue can be provided.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a biometric probe holding device and a biometric device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a biometric apparatus using a biometric probe holder according to an embodiment of the present invention. The living body measuring apparatus 1 is a non-invasive measurement of a substance in a living body using near infrared spectroscopy, and examines the eardrum EL of one ear of a subject toward the deep brain (for example, the brain stem). By irradiating light and detecting light emitted from the eardrum ER of the other ear, the optical characteristics (for example, light absorption characteristics) of the deep brain are measured.

  The biometric apparatus 1 includes an irradiation optical fiber probe 2 that irradiates one eardrum EL with inspection light, a detection optical fiber probe 3 that detects light emitted from the other eardrum ER, and an irradiation optical fiber probe. 2 and a biological measurement probe holder (biological measurement probe holding device) 4 for holding the detection optical fiber probe 3, and a biological optical characteristic measurement device connected to the irradiation optical fiber probe 2 and the detection optical fiber probe 3. 5 mainly.

  FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which the biometric probe holder is attached to the subject, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which the biometric probe holder is attached to the subject, and FIG. It is a side view which shows the state which mounted | wore the holder. The biometric probe holder 4 connects the first main body portion 10L and the second main body portion 10R, and the first main body portion 10L and the second main body portion 10R, which are attached to the left and right ears, and the head of the subject. A long headband (connecting member) 11 to be attached to the head and a forehead contact portion 12 for contacting the subject's forehead are provided.

  The first main body portion 10 </ b> L is formed in an elliptical shape having a long axis in the vertical direction so as to fit the ear, and is connected to the headband 11 via the frame body 13. The first main body 10 </ b> L is installed so as to be rotatable about a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the headband 11. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the first main body portion 10L is pivotally supported by the horizontal frames 13a and 13b of the frame body 13 and is formed so as to rotate along the arrow F1 direction.

  The frame 13 is connected to the headband 11 via the connecting portion 28, and is formed so as to rotate about the longitudinal direction of the headband 11 (see arrow F2 shown in FIG. 5). For this reason, the first main body portion 10L is also rotatable about the longitudinal direction of the headband 11 as an axis. Moreover, the connection part 28 is attached to the headband 11 so that it can expand-contract vertically (refer arrow F3).

  The forehead abutting portion 12 holds the first main body portion 10L and the second main body portion 10R together with the headband 11. The forehead abutting portion 12 can prevent the biometric probe holder 4 from slipping in the direction of the back of the subject by abutting the subject's forehead, particularly when the subject is measuring in the supine state. The forehead contact portion 12 is preferably formed from silicone rubber or polyvinyl chloride that is harmless even when it comes into contact with the living body.

  The first main body portion 10L includes a base portion 14 having a through hole 14a formed at the center, and a light shielding portion 15 provided inside the base portion 14 (that is, near the ear). The light shielding part 15 is formed in an annular shape from a light shielding material. And the space enclosed by the light-shielding part 15 forms the ear accommodating part 16 which accommodates a test subject's ear. By providing the light shielding portion 15 in this way, it is possible to prevent the external light from entering the ear hole, to suppress the influence of the external light on the measurement result, and to improve the measurement accuracy. As the light shielding material, for example, a material that is black and does not transmit light and is elastic so as to fit the head of the subject is desirable.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the through-hole 14a of the base part 14 and the ear | edge accommodation part 16 are connected, and the otoscope (1st tubular member) 17L is arrange | positioned in the inside. The otoscope 17L is formed in a substantially trumpet shape, extends in the depth direction of the through hole 14a, and is attached to the base portion 14 via an otoscope holder (first holder) 18L.

  The otoscope holder 18L is fixed to the first main body 10L with screws (not shown). The otoscope 17L includes a hollow small-diameter portion 19 inserted into the ear hole, a hollow large-diameter portion 20 formed in a divergent shape toward the outside, and a spherical movable portion provided between the small-diameter portion 19 and the large-diameter portion 20. The unit 21 is configured. The inside of the movable part 21 is penetrated so as to communicate the hollow space of the small diameter part 19 and the hollow space of the enlarged diameter part 20. Further, at the end (rear end) of the enlarged diameter portion 20 of the otoscope 17L, a flange portion 26 that is integrated with the enlarged diameter portion 20 and protrudes from the outer periphery of the enlarged diameter portion 20 is provided.

  FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the positional relationship between the otoscope and the otoscope holder. As shown in FIG. 7, the otoscope holder 18 </ b> L includes a flat plate-like first support member 22 and second support member 23 having groove portions 22 a and 23 a. The wall surfaces of the grooves 22a and 23a are each formed in a concave spherical shape. The first support member 22 and the second support member 23 are connected to each other by bolts 29 and 30 such that end surfaces where the groove portions 22a and 23a are formed face each other. In the otoscope holder 18L thus connected, a through hole 18a is formed at the center by the grooves 22a, 23a.

  The spherical movable portion 21 of the otoscope 17L is fitted in the through hole 18a so as to be slidable with the peripheral wall surface of the through hole 18a. That is, the movable part 21 and the through hole 18a have a ball joint structure. By using such a ball joint structure, the otoscope 17L is rotatably held by the otoscope holder 18L.

  The first main body 10L is provided with a bolt (first lock member) 24L for locking the movement of the otoscope 17L with respect to the first main body 10L. The bolt 24L is inserted into the through hole 25 extending in the width direction of the first support member 22, and abuts against the movable portion 21 of the otoscope 17L, thereby fixing the movement of the otoscope 17L.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the irradiation optical fiber probe 2 is inserted into the otoscope 17L. And the internal diameter of the front-end | tip of the small diameter part 19 is formed smaller than the outer diameter of the optical fiber probe 2 for irradiation inserted. In this way, it is possible to reliably prevent the irradiation optical fiber probe 2 from protruding from the tip of the otoscope 17L and damaging the ear canal and eardrum of the subject.

  At the rear end of the otoscope 17L, a fiber attachment 27 is provided for attaching the irradiation optical fiber probe 2 to be inserted into the otoscope 17L to the otoscope 17L. The fiber attachment 27 is formed in a disc shape, and is closely attached to the collar portion 26 so as to cover the opening at the rear end of the otoscope 17L. Since the fiber attachment 27 is attached to the otoscope 17L to close the opening of the otoscope 17L, it has a role of blocking extraneous light. For this reason, it is desirable that the fiber attachment 27 is formed of a black material that does not transmit light.

  FIG. 9 is a plan view and a side view showing the fiber mounting tool. As shown in FIG. 9, a through hole 27 a through which the irradiation optical fiber probe 2 is inserted is provided at the center of the fiber attachment 27. Locking claws 27b and 27c for locking to the flange portion 26 of the otoscope 17L are provided at both ends of the fiber attachment 27 in the diameter direction. The locking claws 27b and 27c are arranged symmetrically with respect to the through hole 27a and protrude in the same direction. The fiber attachment 27 is fixed to the otoscope 17L by the locking claws 27b and 27c.

  Inside the fiber attachment 27, a screw hole 27d penetrating the fiber attachment 27 along the diameter direction is provided. The irradiating optical fiber probe 2 inserted into the through hole 27a is fixed to the fiber attachment 27 with a screw for inserting the screw hole 27d.

  Since the second main body 10R has the same structure as the first main body 10L, a duplicate description is omitted. The otoscope (second tubular member) 17R, bolt (second lock member) 24R, and otoscope holder (second holder) 18R have the same structure as the otoscope 17L, bolt 24L, and otoscope holder 18L, respectively. These descriptions are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the input end of the irradiation optical fiber probe 2 is connected to the light source unit 31 of the biological optical property measuring device 5, and the output end is inserted into one otoscope 17 </ b> L of the biological measurement probe holder 4. It is. The output end of the irradiating optical fiber probe 2 is arranged up to the vicinity of the ear drum EL by inserting the otoscope 17L into the ear hole. As a result, the inspection light supplied from the bio-optical property measuring device 5 is irradiated onto the eardrum EL of the subject via the irradiation optical fiber probe 2.

  On the other hand, the input end of the detection optical fiber probe 3 is inserted into the other otoscope 17 </ b> R of the biological measurement probe holder 4, and the output end is connected to the light detection unit 32 of the biological optical characteristic measurement device 5. The input end of the detection optical fiber probe 3 is arranged up to the vicinity of the ear tympanic membrane ER by inserting the otoscope 17R into the ear hole. The detection optical fiber probe 3 detects the light emitted from the eardrum ER and outputs the detected light to the light detection unit 32. Here, the light emitted from the eardrum ER includes not only diffused light that has passed through the deep brain due to the irradiation of the inspection light, but also fluorescence generated from within the brain.

  The output portion having the output end of the irradiation optical fiber probe 2 and the input portion having the input end of the detection optical fiber probe 3 are each bent into an L shape. In this way, the influence of deflection due to the weight of the irradiation optical fiber probe 2 or the detection optical fiber probe 3 can be reduced, and the measurement accuracy can be improved. In this case, a straight type may be used instead of the L-shaped type.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the bio-optical property measuring apparatus. This biological optical characteristic measuring device 5 measures the optical characteristics of a living body, that is, the light absorption characteristics of living tissue based on, for example, a time-resolved measuring method, a phase difference measuring method, or a CW method. The biological optical characteristic measurement device 5 includes a light source unit 31, a light detection unit 32, a biological optical characteristic measurement unit 33, an arithmetic processing unit 34, and a control unit 35.

  The light source unit 31 generates different light depending on the measurement method. For example, in the case of the time-resolved measurement method, the light source unit 31 generates pulsed light. In the case of the phase difference measurement method, the light source unit 31 generates light modulated into a sine wave. In some cases, continuous light is generated and performed at a plurality of wavelengths. As the light source part 31, various things, such as a light emitting diode, a laser diode, and various pulse diodes, are mentioned. And the light output from the light source part 31 is input into the optical fiber probe 2 for irradiation connected to the light source part 31, and is irradiated to a test subject.

  The light detection unit 32 is connected to the detection optical fiber probe 3 and detects light output from the detection optical fiber probe 3. The light detection unit 32 is connected to the biological optical characteristic measurement unit 33 and outputs a light detection signal indicating the light intensity of the detected light to the biological optical characteristic measurement unit 33. As the light detection unit 32, various devices such as a photomultiplier tube (PMT), a photodiode, an avalanche photodiode, a PIN photodiode, and an MPPC (Multi-Pixel Photon Counter) can be used.

  Further, it is desirable that the light detection unit 32 has a spectral sensitivity characteristic that can sufficiently detect the wavelength of light emitted from the light source unit 31. In particular, when the scattered light transmitted through the deep part of the subject's brain or the fluorescence emitted from within the brain is weak, it is desirable to use a light detection unit with high sensitivity or high gain.

In the biological optical characteristic measuring unit 33, the light absorption characteristic of the biological tissue is determined from the change in the intensity of the probe light in the subject or the change in the waveform. The determined light absorption characteristic data is transmitted to the arithmetic processing unit 34. The arithmetic processing unit 34 determines the oxyhemoglobin concentration C _Hb and the deoxyhemoglobin concentration C _{HbO 2} in the subject brain by solving the simultaneous equations of the formula (1) established for each wavelength of the light source unit 31. In Equation (1), μ _a is an absorption coefficient, ε is an absorption coefficient, and C is a concentration.

  Further, the arithmetic processing unit 34 derives the tissue oxygen saturation SO2 from the determined hemoglobin concentration. On the other hand, the control unit 35 controls the light source unit 31, the light detection unit 32, the biological optical characteristic measurement unit 33, and the arithmetic processing unit 34.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flowchart of brainstem measurement using the biometric apparatus 1. Hereinafter, the brainstem measurement process will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in the process of S10, the warm-up operation of the bio-optical property measuring apparatus 5 is performed. Thereby, the function of each component of the bio-optical property measuring apparatus 5 can be ensured. After completion of the warm-up operation, the size of the otoscopes 17L and 17R suitable for the ear hole of the subject is selected (S11), and the selected otoscopes 17L and 17R are attached to the biometric probe holder 4 (S12).

  In the process of S13 following S12, the biometric probe holder 4 is mounted. Specifically, the biometric probe holder 4 is attached to the head of the subject, and the otoscopes 17L and 17R attached to the biometric probe holder 4 are inserted into the ear hole of the subject.

  In the process of S14 following S13, the eardrum is confirmed from the otoscopes 17L and 17R inserted into the ear hole of the subject A, and the otoscope 17L is utilized using a ball joint so that the tips of the otoscopes 17L and 17R face the eardrum. , Adjust the direction and angle of 17R. When the adjustment of the direction and angle of the otoscopes 17L and 17R is completed, the movements of the otoscopes 17L and 17R are locked by tightening the bolts 24L and 24R.

  In the process of S15 following S14, the irradiation optical fiber probe 2 and the detection optical fiber probe 3 are mounted on the biometric probe holder 4, respectively. Specifically, the irradiation optical fiber probe 2 and the detection optical fiber probe 3 are respectively inserted into the through holes 29a of the fiber attachment 29, fixed with screws, and then the irradiation light fixed to the fiber attachment 29 The fiber probe 2 and the detection optical fiber probe 3 are attached to the biological measurement probe holder 4.

  In the process of S16 subsequent to S15, the light amount of the measurement data is checked using the biological optical characteristic measurement device 5. Specifically, the light amount is confirmed by monitoring the actual brainstem measurement data using the light source unit 31 and the light detection unit 32 of the bio-optical characteristic measurement device 5. At this time, it is determined whether or not an appropriate amount of light is secured (S17). And when it determines with the light quantity detected by the photon detection part 32 being insufficient, readjustment of direction and angle of the biometric probe holder 4 is implemented. For example, the direction and angle of the otoscopes 17L and 17R are finely adjusted so that the amount of light detected by the detection optical fiber probe 3 is maximized (S18). In this case, the process returns to S16, and the biological optical characteristic measurement device 5 performs the light amount confirmation of the measurement data again.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the light amount appropriate for the measurement has been secured, the main measurement is started and data acquisition is performed (S19). In the process of S20 following S19, the light absorption characteristic for each wavelength is determined from the acquired data (S20). Further, oxyhemoglobin concentration C _Hb , deoxyhemoglobin concentration C _{HbO 2} , and tissue oxygen saturation SO 2 are derived from the light absorption characteristic data (S 21), and these data are stored (S 22). As a result, a series of processing ends.

  In the biometric probe holder 4 configured in this way, the otoscopes 17L and 17R are attached to the first and second main body portions 10L and 10R via the ball joints, so the first and second The otoscopes 17L and 17R can be rotated or rotated with respect to the main body portions 10L and 10R. Then, after inserting the otoscopes 17L and 17R into the ear holes, the otoscopes 17L and 17R can be reliably directed to the eardrum by adjusting the direction and angle of the otoscopes 17L and 17R.

  For this reason, it is possible to optimize the relative positional relationship between the irradiation optical fiber probe 2 inserted into the otoscope 17L and the eardrum and the relative positional relationship between the detection optical fiber probe 3 inserted into the otoscope 17R and the eardrum. It becomes. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably irradiate the eardrum directly with the inspection light emitted from the irradiation optical fiber probe 2, and to reliably detect the light emitted from the eardrum via the detection optical fiber probe 3. As a result, the substance in the living body can be reliably measured with light having irradiation power that is safe for the living tissue.

  Further, since bolts 24L and 24R for locking the movement of the otoscopes 17L and 17R are provided, the movement of the otoscopes 17L and 17R is adjusted after adjusting the relative positions of the otoscopes 17L and 17R and the eardrum. By fixing the relative positions of the otoscopes 17L and 17R and the eardrum by locking, the adjusted relative positions of both can be maintained. For this reason, for example, when inserting the irradiation optical fiber probe 2 into the otoscope 17L, the insertion of the irradiation optical fiber probe 2 can reliably prevent the positional deviation between the otoscope 17L and the eardrum.

  Further, since the first main body 10L and the second main body 10R are connected by the headband 11, the first and second main bodies 10L and 10R are supported by the headband 11. For this reason, when it mounts | wears with an ear | edge, it can prevent that these main-body parts 10L and 10R slip down from an ear | edge, and can perform the stable measurement.

  Furthermore, the first and second main body portions 10L and 10R are connected to the headband 11 so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal direction of the headband 11 and rotatable about the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The first and second main body portions 10L and 10R can be adjusted in orientation and angle with respect to the headband 11. Therefore, the direction and angle of the otoscope 17L attached to the first main body 10L and the otoscope 17R attached to the second main body 10R can be freely adjusted. As a result, the relative positional relationship between the irradiation optical fiber probe 2 inserted into the otoscope 17L and the eardrum and the relative positional relationship between the detection optical fiber probe 3 inserted into the otoscope 17R and the eardrum are easily optimized. Can do.

(Example)
EXAMPLES The present invention will be described below based on examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

  In this embodiment, pulsed light is used for the light source unit 31 and the analysis calculation is performed based on the time-resolved measurement method using the time-resolved waveform of the detection light. For the purpose of increasing the amount of light, pulsed light having a half width (FWHM) of several ns was used. Also, to analyze the light absorption characteristics. Measurement was performed using three wavelengths within a range of 700 nm to 900 nm with little absorption in the deep brain.

  12A is a diagram showing a measurement result at a wavelength of 760 nm, FIG. 12B is a diagram showing a measurement result at a wavelength of 800 nm, and FIG. 12C shows a measurement result at a wavelength of 830 nm. In FIG. 12, what is represented by a black circle is device function data that does not irradiate the subject and depends only on the system, such as the light source unit 31 and the light detection unit 32, and is represented by a white circle. What is measured data of diffused light that has passed through the subject's deep brain (brain stem). In FIG. 12, the horizontal axis indicates Channel, the vertical axis indicates Count, and 1 Channel is approximately 10 ps.

Thus, by removing the influence of the device function data from the measurement data for a specific wavelength, the light absorption characteristic for the specific wavelength can be determined. Also, by using multiple wavelengths, it becomes possible to derive the hemoglobin concentration (oxyhemoglobin concentration C _Hb , deoxyhemoglobin concentration C _HbO2 ) and tissue oxygen saturation SO 2 in the deep brain.

  Thus, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when measuring optical characteristics (absorption characteristics) of the deep part of the living body such as the brainstem, the relative relationship between the eardrum part of the living body and the position of the optical fiber probe for irradiation / detection is optimized. Can be done easily. As a result, it is possible to detect transmitted diffused light by inserting the irradiation optical fiber probe 2 into one ear hole and the detection optical fiber probe 3 into the other ear hole, and adjusting and holding the angle and orientation. Was confirmed. Furthermore, by applying to multiple wavelengths, it was possible to derive the hemoglobin concentration and tissue oxygen saturation from the results of the obtained light absorption characteristics. Moreover, stable measurement could be performed on 9 out of 10 subjects using the biometric probe holder 4.

(Modification)
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modification of the biometric probe holder. As shown in FIG. 13, the difference between the biometric probe holder 36 according to this modification and the above-described biometric probe holder 4 is that the otoscope holder 18L is biased in the insertion direction of the otoscope 17L into the ear hole. A spring (first spring member) 37L is provided. The spring 37L extends along the insertion direction of the otoscope 17L into the ear hole, and is disposed between the wall surface of the base portion 14 and the otoscope holder 18L. The spring 37L presses the otoscope 17L in the insertion direction into the ear hole via the otoscope holder 18L.

  Bolts 38 are inserted into the spring 37L. The bolt 38 is inserted through a through hole provided in the width direction of the otoscope holder 18 </ b> L, and the tip of the shaft portion is screwed into the base portion 14. The otoscope holder 18L is guided by the bolt 38 and can be moved back and forth along the insertion direction of the otoscope 17L into the ear hole.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, when no external force is received, the otoscope holder 18L is pressed to the head of the bolt 38 by the urging force of the spring 37L. Accordingly, the otoscope 17L held by the otoscope holder 18L approaches the ear hole. When the biometric probe holder 4 is mounted on the head, the otoscope holder 18L receives a pressing force from the ear and resists the biasing force of the spring 37L along the longitudinal direction of the bolt 38. Slide to. Accordingly, the otoscope 17L held by the otoscope holder 18L is separated from the ear hole (see FIG. 13B).

  The biometric probe holder 36 configured as described above can obtain the same effect as the above-described biometric probe holder 4 and also urges the otoscope holder 18L in the insertion direction of the otoscope 17L into the ear hole. Since the spring 37L to be pressed is provided, the otoscope 17L held by the otoscope holder 18L approaches the ear hole by the urging force of the spring 37L or receives the pressing force from the ear to resist the urging force of the spring 37L. And away from the ear canal. Therefore, in the insertion direction of the otoscope 17L into the ear hole, the position of the irradiation optical fiber probe 2 inserted into the otoscope 17L can be adjusted, and more stable measurement can be performed. Since the attachment of the spring (second spring member) 37R and the like is the same as that of the spring 37L, duplicate description is omitted.

It is a schematic block diagram of the biometric apparatus using the biometric probe holder which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the state which mounted | wore the test subject with the biometric probe holder. It is a top view which shows the state which mounted | wore the test subject with the biometric probe holder. It is a side view which shows the state which mounted | wore the test subject with the biometric probe holder. It is the front view and side view which show a biometric probe holder. It is the front view and sectional drawing which show a main-body part. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the positional relationship of an otoscope and an otoscope holder. (A) is the schematic which shows the state before attaching a fiber attachment tool to an otoscope, (b) is the schematic diagram which shows the state after attaching a fiber attachment tool to an otoscope. It is the top view and side view which show a fiber attachment tool. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a bio-optical characteristic measuring apparatus. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of a brainstem part measurement using a biometric apparatus. (A) is a figure which shows the measurement result in wavelength 760nm, (b) is a figure which shows the measurement result in wavelength 800nm, (c) is a figure which shows the measurement result in wavelength 830nm. It is the schematic which shows the modification of a biometric probe holder.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Biological measuring device, 2 ... Optical fiber probe for irradiation, 3 ... Optical fiber probe for detection, 4,36 ... Biometric probe holder (biological measuring probe holding device), 5 ... Biooptical property measuring device, 10L ... DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 main-body part, 10R ... 2nd main-body part, 11 ... Headband (connection member), 15 ... Light-shielding part, 16 ... Ear accommodation part, 17L ... Otoscope (1st tubular member), 17R ... Otoscope ( Second tubular member), 18L ... Otoscope holder (first holder), 18R ... Otoscope holder (second holder), 24L ... Bolt (first lock member), 24R ... Bolt (second lock) Member), 37L ... spring (first spring member), 37R ... spring (second spring member).

Claims (9)

In a biological measurement probe holding device for holding a probe used for biological measurement,
A first main body mounted on one ear;
A first tubular member that is movably attached to the first main body and is inserted into an ear hole and into which an irradiation probe for irradiating light to the eardrum of one ear is inserted;
A second body part to be worn on the other ear;
A second tubular member that is movably attached to the second main body, inserted into the ear hole, and into which a detection probe for detecting light emitted from the eardrum of the other ear is inserted;
Provided with a,
The biometric probe holding device, wherein the first tubular member and the second tubular member are movably attached to the first main body and the second main body via a ball joint. .   The biometric probe holding device according to claim 1, further comprising an elongated connecting member that connects the first main body and the second main body and is attached to the head.   The first main body and the second main body are connected to the connecting member so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal direction of the connecting member and rotatable about the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The biometric probe holding device according to claim 2. In a biological measurement probe holding device for holding a probe used for biological measurement,
A first main body mounted on one ear;
A first tubular member that is movably attached to the first main body and is inserted into an ear hole and into which an irradiation probe for irradiating light to the eardrum of one ear is inserted;
A second body part to be worn on the other ear;
A second tubular member that is movably attached to the second main body, inserted into the ear hole, and into which a detection probe for detecting light emitted from the eardrum of the other ear is inserted;
While connecting the first body part and the second body part, a long connecting member to be mounted on the head,
Provided with a,
The first main body and the second main body are connected to the connecting member so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal direction of the connecting member and rotatable about the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. A biometric probe holding device. A first locking member for locking movement of the first tubular member relative to the first body portion;
The biometric probe holding device according to claim 1, further comprising a second lock member for locking movement of the second tubular member with respect to the second main body portion. apparatus. A first holder that holds the first tubular member and is movable along an insertion direction of the first tubular member into an ear hole;
A first spring member that urges the first holder to press the first tubular member in the insertion direction into the ear hole;
A second holder that holds the second tubular member and is movable along the insertion direction of the second tubular member into the ear hole;
A second spring member that urges the second holder to press the second tubular member in a direction of insertion into the ear hole, further comprising: The biological measurement probe holding device according to 1.   The said 1st main-body part and the said 2nd main-body part have a light-shielding part which forms the ear | edge accommodating part which accommodates an ear | edge, respectively while being formed from a light-shielding material. The biological measurement probe holding device according to any one of the above. The biometric probe holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A probe for irradiating light to the eardrum of one ear,
A detection probe for detecting light emitted from the eardrum of the other ear;
A bio-optical property measuring device connected to the irradiation probe and the detection probe;
A biometric apparatus comprising: In a biological measurement probe holding device for holding a probe used for biological measurement,
A first main body mounted on one ear;
A first tubular member that is movably attached to the first main body and is inserted into an ear hole and into which an irradiation probe for irradiating light to the eardrum of one ear is inserted;
A second body part to be worn on the other ear;
A second tubular member that is movably attached to the second main body, inserted into the ear hole, and into which a detection probe for detecting light emitted from the eardrum of the other ear is inserted;
A biometric probe holding device comprising:
A probe for irradiating light to the eardrum of one ear,
A detection probe for detecting light emitted from the eardrum of the other ear;
A bio-optical property measuring device connected to the irradiation probe and the detection probe;
A biometric apparatus comprising:

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