JP5626049B2 - Bioimpedance measurement device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a bioimpedance measuring apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for measuring the impedance of a living body by a four-terminal method.

  As a general bioimpedance measuring device of this type, as shown in FIG. 17, the first electrode 1 to be in contact with the toe side 901 of the left foot and the toe side 902 of the right foot are to be contacted on the mounting plate 10. There is one provided with the second electrode 2, the third electrode 3 to be in contact with the left foot heel 903, and the fourth electrode 4 to be in contact with the right foot heel 904. With the left and right soles of the living body 900 placed on the mounting plate 10, a predetermined energization is applied to the living body 900 by the constant current source 20 via the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2 as shown in FIG. Current (alternating current) I is passed. Then, the voltage drop V generated by the flowing of the energizing current I through the living body 900 is measured by the voltmeter 21 via the third electrode 3 and the fourth electrode 4 (four-terminal method). The body composition value calculated based on the impedance obtained by converting this drop voltage V into a numerical value (dividing by the energizing current I) is displayed on the display unit 22 shown in FIG.

  Here, how to put the foot on the electrode, that is, the change in the position where the foot is placed, the floating state of the foot, and the like cause factors in impedance measurement. For example, as shown in FIG. 18A, when the center C of the flanges 903 and 904 is placed on the electrodes 3 and 4, and as shown in FIG. , 904 is out of the center C, the measurement result includes an error (in FIG. 18 and FIGS. 19 and 20 described later, only the right foot side is shown for simplicity).

  Therefore, conventionally, a convex portion 991 is provided on the electrodes 3 and 4 as shown in FIG. 19A, or a concave portion 992 is provided on the electrodes 3 and 4 as shown in FIG. A method for guiding the heel to the convex portion 991 and the concave portion 992 has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-315915) and Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-245724)). Note that FIGS. 19B and 20B show the convex portions 991 and the concave portions 992 of FIGS. 19A and 20A as viewed from above the mounting plate 10, respectively.

JP 2007-315915 A JP 2005-245724 A

  However, as an actual problem, it is difficult to expect an unspecified number of subjects to consciously align the ridges 903 and 904 with the convex portions 991 and the concave portions 992. In addition, the methods of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 cannot detect the floating state of the foot. For this reason, there is a problem that an error occurs in the impedance measurement result.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a bioimpedance measuring apparatus capable of correctly obtaining the impedance of a living body by a four-terminal method.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the first aspect, the bioimpedance measuring apparatus of the present invention is:
A mounting plate on which the left and right soles of the living body should be placed;
On the mounting plate, the first electrode provided in the first region corresponding to the toe side of the left foot, the second electrode provided in the second region corresponding to the toe side of the right foot, and corresponding to the heel side of the left foot A third electrode provided in the third region, and a fourth electrode provided in the fourth region corresponding to the heel side of the right foot,
A current-carrying part that sends a predetermined current to the living body via the first electrode and the second electrode;
A voltage measuring unit that measures a voltage drop caused by the flow of the energizing current through the living body via the third electrode and the fourth electrode;
The third electrode and the fourth electrode are each divided into a plurality of partial electrodes in the third region and the fourth region,
A heel position detection unit that detects a port position on which the left foot heel is placed in the third region and a starboard position on which the right foot heel is placed in the fourth region;
Of the plurality of partial electrodes forming the third electrode and the plurality of partial electrodes forming the fourth electrode, the partial electrodes respectively corresponding to the port position and the starboard position detected by the hook position detection unit and a partial electrode selector for selecting a pair of,
The heel position detector
Between the plurality of partial electrodes forming the third electrode and the plurality of partial electrodes forming the fourth electrode, the individual partial electrodes are combined with each other, and the voltage is applied to each pair of the combined partial electrodes. The voltage drop is measured by the measurement unit,
The position of the pair of partial electrodes that gives the lowest voltage drop among the measured voltage drop is detected as the port position and the starboard position .

In the bioimpedance measuring apparatus according to the first aspect , when the left and right soles of the living body are placed on the placement board, the first area on the placement board has the toe side of the left foot and the second area has the toe of the right foot The left foot heel is placed on the side, the third region, and the right foot heel is placed on the fourth region. Then, the heel position detection unit detects a port position where the left foot heel is placed in the third area and a starboard position where the right foot heel is placed in the fourth area. Here, the third electrode and the fourth electrode are divided into a plurality of partial electrodes in the third region and the fourth region, respectively. Subsequently, the partial electrode selection unit includes the port position detected by the heel position detection unit among the plurality of partial electrodes forming the third electrode and the plurality of partial electrodes forming the fourth electrode, A partial electrode pair corresponding to the starboard position is selected. In order to perform the measurement by the four-terminal method, the energization unit causes a predetermined energization current to flow through the living body via the first electrode and the second electrode. The voltage measurement unit is configured to reduce a voltage drop caused by the flowing of the energization current to the living body via the third electrode and the fourth electrode, particularly via the partial electrode pair selected by the partial electrode selection unit. To measure. The impedance of the living body is obtained by converting the voltage drop measured by the voltage measuring unit into a numerical value (dividing by the energizing current). Thereby, the impedance of the living body can be obtained correctly.

In the bioimpedance measurement apparatus according to the first aspect , the heel position detection unit firstly places the plurality of partial electrodes forming the third electrode and the plurality of partial electrodes forming the fourth electrode. The individual partial electrodes are combined with each other, and the voltage drop is measured by the voltage measuring unit for each pair of the combined partial electrodes. Thus, for example, if the number of the plurality of partial electrodes forming the third electrode is M and the number of the plurality of partial electrodes forming the fourth electrode is N, (M × N) drop voltages are obtained. Obtained as measurement data. The lowest voltage drop among these (M × N) voltage drops is considered appropriate. Therefore, the saddle position detection unit determines the position of the pair of partial electrodes that gives the lowest voltage drop among the measured voltage drops (in the above example, (M × N) voltage drops) the port position. The starboard position is detected. Accordingly, the port position and the starboard position can be detected with high accuracy. This leads to the partial electrode selection unit accurately selecting a pair of partial electrodes that gives the lowest voltage drop, and the lowest voltage drop is obtained as a measurement result of the voltage measurement unit. The impedance of the living body is obtained by converting the voltage drop measured by the voltage measuring unit into a numerical value. Thereby, the impedance of the living body can be obtained more correctly.

In a second aspect, the bioimpedance measuring apparatus of the present invention is:
A mounting plate on which the left and right soles of the living body should be placed;
On the mounting plate, the first electrode provided in the first region corresponding to the toe side of the left foot, the second electrode provided in the second region corresponding to the toe side of the right foot, and corresponding to the heel side of the left foot A third electrode provided in the third region, and a fourth electrode provided in the fourth region corresponding to the heel side of the right foot,
A current-carrying part that sends a predetermined current to the living body via the first electrode and the second electrode;
A voltage measuring unit that measures a voltage drop caused by the flow of the energizing current through the living body via the third electrode and the fourth electrode;
The third electrode and the fourth electrode are each divided into a plurality of partial electrodes in the third region and the fourth region,
A heel position detection unit that detects a port position on which the left foot heel is placed in the third region and a starboard position on which the right foot heel is placed in the fourth region;
Of the plurality of partial electrodes forming the third electrode and the plurality of partial electrodes forming the fourth electrode, the partial electrodes respectively corresponding to the port position and the starboard position detected by the hook position detection unit A partial electrode selector that selects a pair of
A pressure sensor for detecting a load distribution in the third region and the fourth region is provided below the third electrode and the fourth electrode on the mounting plate.
The said saddle position detection part detects the said starboard position and the said starboard position, respectively, based on the load distribution in the said 3rd area | region and 4th area | region which the said pressure sensor detected.

In the bioimpedance measurement apparatus according to the second aspect, like the bioimpedance measurement apparatus according to the first aspect, the heel position detection unit detects the port position and the starboard position, and the partial electrode selection unit detects the port position. The pair of partial electrodes corresponding to the starboard position is selected. Therefore, the impedance of the living body can be accurately obtained by the four-terminal method using the energization unit and the voltage measurement unit. In the bioimpedance measurement apparatus according to the second aspect , the heel position detection unit is configured to perform the port position and the right side based on load distributions in the third area and the fourth area detected by the pressure sensor, respectively. Detect the heel position. Accordingly, the port position and the starboard position can be detected with high accuracy. As described above, the partial electrode selection unit is configured to detect the left of the plurality of partial electrodes forming the third electrode and the plurality of partial electrodes forming the fourth electrode detected by the heel position detection unit. A pair of partial electrodes corresponding to the heel position and the starboard position is selected. Therefore, the partial electrode selector can select an appropriate partial electrode pair. As a result, the impedance of the living body can be obtained more correctly by the measurement by the four-terminal method.

In a third aspect, the bioimpedance measuring apparatus of the present invention is:
A mounting plate on which the left and right soles of the living body should be placed;
On the mounting plate, the first electrode provided in the first region corresponding to the toe side of the left foot, the second electrode provided in the second region corresponding to the toe side of the right foot, and corresponding to the heel side of the left foot A third electrode provided in the third region, and a fourth electrode provided in the fourth region corresponding to the heel side of the right foot,
A current-carrying part that sends a predetermined current to the living body via the first electrode and the second electrode;
A voltage measuring unit that measures a voltage drop caused by the flow of the energizing current through the living body via the third electrode and the fourth electrode;
The third electrode and the fourth electrode are each divided into a plurality of partial electrodes in the third region and the fourth region,
A heel position detection unit that detects a port position on which the left foot heel is placed in the third region and a starboard position on which the right foot heel is placed in the fourth region;
Of the plurality of partial electrodes forming the third electrode and the plurality of partial electrodes forming the fourth electrode, the partial electrodes respectively corresponding to the port position and the starboard position detected by the hook position detection unit A partial electrode selector that selects a pair of
Arranged in a portion other than the region occupied by the plurality of partial electrodes forming the third electrode in the third region and in a portion other than the region occupied by the plurality of partial electrodes forming the fourth electrode in the fourth region, A capacitance sensor that detects a capacitance distribution with respect to the sole in the third region and the fourth region;
The said saddle position detection part detects the said starboard position and the said starboard position based on the electrostatic capacitance distribution in the said 3rd area | region and 4th area | region which the said capacitance sensor detected, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. .

In the bioimpedance measurement device according to the third aspect, like the bioimpedance measurement devices according to the first and second aspects, the heel position detection unit detects the port position and the starboard position, and the partial electrode selection unit performs the above operation. A pair of partial electrodes corresponding to the port position and the starboard position is selected. Therefore, the impedance of the living body can be accurately obtained by the four-terminal method using the energization unit and the voltage measurement unit. In the bioimpedance measurement apparatus according to the third aspect , the heel position detection unit is configured to perform the port side on the basis of the capacitance distribution in the third region and the fourth region detected by the capacitance sensor. The position and the starboard position are detected. Accordingly, the port position and the starboard position can be detected with high accuracy. As described above, the partial electrode selection unit is configured to detect the left of the plurality of partial electrodes forming the third electrode and the plurality of partial electrodes forming the fourth electrode detected by the heel position detection unit. A pair of partial electrodes corresponding to the heel position and the starboard position is selected. Therefore, the partial electrode selector can select an appropriate partial electrode pair. As a result, the impedance of the living body can be obtained more correctly by the measurement by the four-terminal method.

In a fourth aspect, the bioimpedance measuring device of the present invention is:
A mounting plate on which the left and right soles of the living body should be placed;
On the mounting plate, the first electrode provided in the first region corresponding to the toe side of the left foot, the second electrode provided in the second region corresponding to the toe side of the right foot, and corresponding to the heel side of the left foot A third electrode provided in the third region, and a fourth electrode provided in the fourth region corresponding to the heel side of the right foot,
A current-carrying part that sends a predetermined current to the living body via the first electrode and the second electrode;
A voltage measuring unit that measures a voltage drop caused by the flow of the energization current through the living body via the third electrode and the fourth electrode;
On the mounting plate, the wall surface to rise from the rear end of the third region and the fourth region, the rear surface of the left foot heel, the rear surface of the right foot heel,
A toe position detector for detecting a left toe position where the left foot toe is placed in the first area and a right toe position where the right foot toe is placed in the second area;
Based on the left toe position detected by the toe position detecting unit, the distance between the right toe position and the wall surface, the sizes of the left foot and the right foot are calculated, and the third electrode of the left foot heel is calculated. A contact part calculation unit that calculates a contact part that is in contact with the fourth electrode among the contact part that is in contact with the right foot and the right foot, and
Based on the contact part of the left foot heel with respect to the third electrode and the contact part of the right foot heel with respect to the fourth electrode calculated by the contact part calculation unit, the contact part of the left foot heel with respect to the third electrode is calculated. And a measurement result correction unit that corrects the measurement result of the voltage measurement unit so as to eliminate the error due to the shift and the error due to the shift of the contact portion of the right foot heel with respect to the fourth electrode.

In the bioimpedance measuring apparatus according to the fourth aspect , when the left and right soles of the living body are placed on the placement board, the first area on the placement board has the toe side of the left foot and the second area has the toe of the right foot The left foot heel is placed on the side, the third region, and the right foot heel is placed on the fourth region. At this time, the rear surface of the heel of the left foot and the rear surface of the heel of the right foot are brought into contact with the wall surface rising from the rear ends of the third region and the fourth region. In this state, in order to perform the measurement by the four-terminal method, the energization unit applies a predetermined energization current to the living body via the first electrode and the second electrode. The voltage measuring unit measures a voltage drop caused by the current flowing through the living body via the third electrode and the fourth electrode. The impedance of the living body is obtained by converting the voltage drop measured by the voltage measuring unit into a numerical value (dividing by the energizing current). On the other hand, for example, in parallel with the measurement by the four-terminal method, the toe position detection unit places the left toe position where the left foot toe is placed in the first region and the right foot toe within the second region. The detected right toe position is detected. The contact part calculation unit calculates the size of the left foot and the right foot based on the left toe position detected by the toe position detection unit and the distance between the right toe position and the wall surface, and Among the contact parts that are in contact with the third electrode and the contact parts that are in contact with the fourth electrode among the heels of the right foot. Then, the measurement result correcting unit is configured to perform the measurement on the third electrode based on the contact region of the left foot heel with respect to the third electrode calculated by the contact region calculation unit and the contact region of the right foot heel with respect to the fourth electrode. The measurement result of the voltage measurement unit (obtained by the drop voltage or the above-mentioned numerical conversion) so as to eliminate the error due to the deviation of the contact part of the left foot heel and the error of the contact part of the right foot heel with respect to the fourth electrode Corrected impedance). As a result, the impedance of the living body can be obtained correctly.

In the bioimpedance measurement device of one embodiment,
A pressure sensor for detecting a load distribution in the first region and the second region is provided below the first electrode and the second electrode on the mounting plate.
The toe position detecting unit obtains the left toe position and the right toe position based on load distributions in the first area and the second area detected by the pressure sensor, respectively.

  In the bioimpedance measurement apparatus according to the embodiment, the toe position detection unit determines the left toe position and the right toe position based on the load distribution in the first area and the second area detected by the pressure sensor, respectively. Ask. Thereby, the left toe position and the right toe position can be detected with high accuracy. As a result, the impedance of the living body can be obtained more correctly by the measurement by the four-terminal method.

In the bioimpedance measurement device of one embodiment,
The first region is disposed in a portion other than the region occupied by the first electrode and the second region is disposed in a portion other than the region occupied by the second electrode. It has a capacitance sensor that detects the capacitance distribution,
The toe position detecting unit obtains the left toe position and the right toe position, respectively, based on capacitance distribution in the third area and the fourth area detected by the capacitance sensor.

  In the bioimpedance measurement apparatus according to the embodiment, the toe position detection unit is configured to detect the left toe position and the position based on the capacitance distribution in the third area and the fourth area detected by the capacitance sensor, respectively. Find the right toe position. Thereby, the left toe position and the right toe position can be detected with high accuracy. As a result, the impedance of the living body can be obtained more correctly by the measurement by the four-terminal method.

In the bioimpedance measurement device of one embodiment,
A sensor for detecting that the rear surface of the left foot heel and the rear surface of the right foot heel are in contact with the wall surface;
When the sensor outputs a signal indicating that the rear surface of the left foot heel and the rear surface of the right foot heel are in contact with the wall surface, the voltage measuring unit starts measuring the drop voltage, and the toe The position detector starts detecting the left toe position and the right toe position.

  In the bioimpedance measurement apparatus according to the embodiment, when the sensor outputs a signal indicating that the rear surface of the left foot heel and the rear surface of the right foot heel are in contact with the wall surface, the voltage measurement unit While the measurement of the drop voltage is started, the toe position detector starts detecting the left toe position and the right toe position. Therefore, the measurement is started in a state where the rear surface of the left heel and the rear surface of the right heel are in contact with the wall surface rising from the rear ends of the third region and the fourth region. . Thereby, the left toe position and the right toe position can be detected with high accuracy. As a result, the impedance of the living body can be obtained more correctly by the measurement by the four-terminal method.

  In one embodiment of the bioimpedance measurement apparatus, the sensor is a pressure switch.

  In the bioimpedance measuring apparatus according to this embodiment, since the sensor is a pressure switch, the sensor is simply configured. As a result, the measurement start timing of the voltage drop can be obtained with a simple configuration.

  In one embodiment of the bioimpedance measurement apparatus, the sensor is a capacitance sensor.

  In the bioimpedance measuring apparatus according to this embodiment, since the sensor is a capacitance sensor, the sensor is configured to be thin and the appearance is improved.

  In the bioimpedance measurement apparatus of one embodiment, the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode are transparent electrodes.

  In the bioimpedance measuring apparatus according to this embodiment, since the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode are transparent electrodes, compared with the case of being a metal electrode, The appearance of the layout can be improved. In particular, when the transparent electrode and the capacitance sensor are arranged in combination on the above-mentioned mounting plate, the appearance of the layout on the above-mentioned mounting plate can be improved.

  As is clear from the above, according to the bioimpedance measuring apparatus of the present invention, the impedance of the living body can be correctly obtained by the four-terminal method.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the principal part of the bioimpedance measuring apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the data table produced by the control part of the said bioimpedance measurement apparatus. FIG. 3A is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the main part of the bioimpedance measuring apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a modification of the bioimpedance measuring apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the plane layout on the mounting board of the bioimpedance measuring apparatus of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the principal part of the bioimpedance measuring apparatus of 4th Embodiment of this invention. 6 (A) and 6 (B) are diagrams schematically showing an aspect in which the bioimpedance measuring apparatus of FIG. 5 is used. It is a figure explaining the contact part of the collar with respect to an electrode. It is a figure explaining the method of correct | amending a measurement result based on the relationship between the contact part of the heel with respect to an electrode, and an impedance. It is a figure which shows the planar layout on the mounting board of the bioimpedance measuring apparatus of 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the principal part of the bioimpedance measuring apparatus of the reference example used as the foundation of this invention. It is a figure which shows the general | schematic operation | movement flow of the bioimpedance measuring apparatus from 1st Embodiment to 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating an operation flow of heel position detection in the bioimpedance measurement apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating an operation flow of heel position detection in the bioimpedance measurement apparatus of the second embodiment. FIG. 12C is a diagram illustrating an operation flow for detecting the eyelid position in the bioimpedance measurement apparatus according to the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the general | schematic operation | movement flow of the bioimpedance measuring apparatus of 4th Embodiment and 5th Embodiment. FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating an operation flow of toe position detection in the bioimpedance measurement apparatus of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating an operation flow of toe position detection in the bioimpedance measurement apparatus of the fifth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow of the bioimpedance measuring apparatus of the reference example shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the general impedance measurement circuit by a four terminal method. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of a general bioimpedance measuring apparatus. FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B are diagrams schematically showing an aspect in which the general bioimpedance measuring device is used. FIG. 19A is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a conventional bioimpedance measuring apparatus. FIG. 19B is a diagram showing a planar layout on the mounting plate in the bioimpedance measurement apparatus of FIG. FIG. 20A is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of another conventional bioimpedance measurement apparatus. FIG. 20B is a diagram showing a planar layout on the mounting plate in the bioimpedance measurement apparatus of FIG.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a main part of a bioimpedance measuring apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The schematic appearance of this bioimpedance measuring apparatus 200 is the same as that in the general bioimpedance measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 17, and the same components as in FIG. 17 are used for easy understanding. Shall use the same symbol (the same shall apply hereinafter).

  This bioimpedance measuring apparatus 200 includes the mounting plate 10 on which the left and right soles of the living body 900 are to be placed, as in the general bioimpedance measuring apparatus shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, the mounting plate 10 has a substantially rectangular outer shape with rounded corners at four corners. The mounting plate 10 is equally divided into four regions 11, 12, 13, and 14 by a center line C1 extending in the left-right direction (Y direction) and a center line C2 extending in the front-rear direction (X direction). Note that the two center lines C1 and C2 are virtual and are not drawn on the actual placement plate 10.

  On the mounting plate 10, the first electrode 1 is provided in the first region 11 corresponding to the toe side 901 of the left foot. The second electrode 2 is provided in the second region 12 corresponding to the toe side 902 of the right foot. The third electrode 3 is provided in the third region 13 corresponding to the heel 903 side of the left foot. The fourth electrode 4 is provided in the fourth region 14 corresponding to the right foot heel 904 side.

  In FIG. 1, for ease of understanding, apart from the actual planar layout, the first electrode 1 and the third electrode 3 corresponding to the left foot side are drawn downward, and the second electrode 2 and the second electrode corresponding to the right foot side are drawn downward. Four electrodes 4 are drawn upward. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the third electrode 3 is equally divided into a plurality (five in this example) of substantially partial electrodes L1, L2,. (It is not divided in the horizontal direction.) Similarly, the fourth electrode 4 is equally divided into a plurality (five in this example) of substantially rectangular partial electrodes R1, R2,..., R5 within the fourth region 14 (divided in the horizontal direction). It has not been.). In addition, the 1st electrode 1 and the 2nd electrode 2 are not divided | segmented into the front-back direction or the left-right direction, and are each comprised integrally.

  The bioimpedance measurement device 200 includes a constant current circuit 31 as an energization unit, a voltage measurement circuit 32 as a voltage measurement unit, and a control unit 30 that controls the operation of the entire measurement device.

  The constant current circuit 31 is configured to pass a predetermined energization current (AC constant current) I through the living body 900 via the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2.

  The voltage measurement circuit 32 measures the voltage drop V generated by the energization current I flowing through the living body 900 via the third electrode 3 and the fourth electrode 4.

  A changeover switch 33L for selecting one of the partial electrodes L1, L2,..., L5 constituting the third electrode 3 is interposed between the voltage measurement circuit 32 and the third electrode 3. Similarly, a changeover switch 33R for selecting one of the partial electrodes R1, R2,..., R5 forming the fourth electrode 4 is interposed between the voltage measurement circuit 32 and the fourth electrode 4. Switching of the selector switches 33L and 33R is controlled by the control unit 30.

  FIG. 11 shows a schematic operation flow of the bioimpedance measuring apparatus 200.

  In this bioimpedance measurement apparatus 200, when the left and right soles of the living body 900 are placed on the placement board 10, the toe side 901 of the left foot on the first area 11 on the placement board 10 and the right foot on the second area 12. The left foot heel 903 is placed on the toe side 902 and the third region 13, and the right foot heel 904 is placed on the fourth region 14. Then, in step S1 in FIG. 11, the control unit 30 works as a heel position detection unit, and a left heel position where the left heel 903 is placed in the third region 13 and a right heel 904 in the fourth region 14. Is detected (a specific method of detecting the position of the eyelid will be described in detail later). Here, as described above, the third electrode 4 and the fourth electrode 4 are formed in the third region 13 and the fourth region 14, respectively, by a plurality of partial electrodes L1, L2,..., L5; It is divided into Next, in step S2 in FIG. 11, the control unit 30 operates as a partial electrode selection unit to control the changeover switches 33L and 33R. Of the plurality of partial electrodes L1, L2,..., L5 forming the third electrode 3 and the plurality of partial electrodes R1, R2,..., R5 forming the fourth electrode 4, the port position detected in step S1, A pair of partial electrodes (Li, Rj) corresponding to the starboard position is selected (in this example, i and j are natural numbers from 1 to 5). In order to perform the measurement by the four-terminal method, the constant current circuit 31 supplies a predetermined energization current I to the living body 900 via the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2 in step S3 in accordance with control by the control unit 30. Shed. The voltage measurement circuit 32 uses the third electrode 3 and the fourth electrode 4 to generate a drop voltage V generated by the energization current I flowing through the living body 900, in particular, the pair of partial electrodes (Li, Rj). In step S4, the control unit 30 obtains the impedance Z of the living body 900 by converting the voltage drop V measured by the voltage measurement circuit 32 into a numerical value (dividing by the energizing current I). Thereby, the impedance Z of the living body 900 can be obtained correctly.

  Specifically, the eyelid position detection in step S1 in FIG. 11 is performed, for example, according to the operation flow shown in FIG.

  First, the control unit 30 controls the changeover switches 33L and 33R, and in step S11 in FIG. 12A, the plurality of partial electrodes L1, L2,..., L5 and the fourth electrode 4 forming the third electrode 3 are connected. Individual partial electrodes are combined with each other among the plurality of partial electrodes R1, R2,..., R5. In step S12, the voltage measurement circuit 32 measures a drop voltage (hereinafter referred to as “Vij”) for each pair of partial electrodes (Li, Rj) combined. In this example, 5 × 5 = 25 drop voltages Vij are obtained as measurement data. Of these 25 drop voltages Vij, the lowest drop voltage Vij is considered appropriate. If the number of the plurality of partial electrodes constituting the third electrode 3 is M and the number of the plurality of partial electrodes constituting the fourth electrode 4 is N, (M × N) number of drop voltages Vij are measured data. can get.

  Next, in step S13 in FIG. 12A, the control unit 30 sets the position of the partial electrode pair (Li, Rj) that gives the lowest drop voltage Vij among the measured drop voltages Vij to the port position. Detect as starboard position. For example, the data table 34 of FIG. 2 shows data of 25 impedances (hereinafter referred to as “Zij”) obtained by converting each of the 25 drop voltages Vij into numerical values (dividing by the energization current I). ing. In this example, the position of the pair of partial electrodes (L1, R1) showing the lowest drop voltage (that is, impedance Z11 = 422.5Ω) is detected as a port position and a starboard position. Thereby, the port position and starboard position can be detected with high accuracy.

  This leads to the accurate selection of the pair of partial electrodes (Li, Rj) that gives the lowest drop voltage Vij in step S2 in FIG. 11, and the measurement result of the voltage measurement circuit 32 in step S3 in FIG. As a result, the lowest drop voltage Vij is obtained. In step S4 in FIG. 11, the impedance Zij of the living body 900 is obtained according to the voltage drop Vij measured by the voltage measurement circuit 32. Thereby, the impedance Z of the living body 900 can be obtained more correctly.

  In the above example, the third electrode 3 and the fourth electrode 4 are divided into a plurality of partial electrodes L1, L2, ..., L5; R1, R2, ..., R5 only in the front-rear direction (X direction). It is not limited to. The third electrode 4 and the fourth electrode 4 are each divided into a plurality of partial electrodes in the left-right direction (Y direction), and the port position and starboard position are detected two-dimensionally in the XY plane. good. Thereby, the detection accuracy can be increased.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3A schematically shows the configuration of the main part of the bioimpedance measuring apparatus 201 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3A, illustration of the components on the left foot side is omitted for the sake of simplicity. In practice, the left foot component is exactly the same as the right foot component.

  This bioimpedance measuring device 201 is located below the third electrode 3 and the fourth electrode 4 on the mounting plate 10 in the third region 13 and the fourth region 14 with respect to the bioimpedance measuring device 200 of FIG. The difference is that a pressure sensor 40 for detecting the load distribution is provided.

  The pressure sensor 40 includes substantially rectangular first metal layers 41, 42,..., 45 disposed below the plurality of partial electrodes R 1, R 2,. , 42,..., 45 below the second metal layers 46, 47,..., 51 arranged alternately with respect to the first metal layers 41, 42,. And resistors r1, r2,..., R5 arranged between pairs of the second metal layers 46, 47,. The rear end (−X side end) 46a of the second metal layer 46 is grounded, and the front end (+ X side end) 51b of the second metal layer 51 is connected to a power source (not shown) via a pull-up resistor r6. . The potentials of the second metal layers 46, 47,..., 51 are input to the control unit 30 as output signals of the pressure sensor 40, respectively. When the foot is not placed on the fourth region 14, the potentials of the second metal layers 46, 47,... 51 increase stepwise from low to high in this order.

  The first metal layers 41, 42,..., 45 have the same outer shape as the corresponding partial electrodes R1, R2,..., R5, and are bonded to the partial electrodes R1, R2,. ing. The first metal layers 41, 42,..., 45 are supported in such a manner that they are spaced apart from the second metal layers 46, 47,.

  The first metal layer 41 covers the resistor r1, and both ends of the first metal layer 41 in the X direction overlap the second metal layers 46 and 47, respectively. The first metal layer 42 covers the resistor r2, and both ends of the first metal layer 42 in the X direction overlap the second metal layers 47 and 48, respectively. The first metal layer 43 covers the resistor r3, and both ends of the first metal layer 43 in the X direction overlap the second metal layers 48 and 49, respectively. The first metal layer 44 covers the resistor r4, and both ends of the first metal layer 44 in the X direction overlap the second metal layers 49 and 50, respectively. The first metal layer 45 covers the resistor r5, and both ends of the first metal layer 45 in the X direction overlap the second metal layers 50 and 51, respectively.

  The bioimpedance measurement apparatus 201 includes a constant current circuit 31, a voltage measurement circuit 32, and changeover switches 33L and 33R, similarly to the bioimpedance measurement apparatus 200 of FIG.

  The general operation flow of this bioimpedance measuring apparatus 201 is the same as that shown in FIG. In this bioimpedance measuring apparatus 201, the heel position detection in step S1 in FIG. 11 is performed in step S21 in FIG.

  In this bioimpedance measurement apparatus 201, in step S21 in FIG. 12B, the control unit 30 works as a heel position detection unit, and the load distribution in the third region 13 and the fourth region 14 detected by the pressure sensor 40 is detected. Based on this, the port position and starboard position are detected, respectively.

  Specifically, when the right foot heel 904 is placed on the fourth region 14 in FIG. 3A, a load distribution is generated in the fourth region 14. The first metal layer 41, 42,..., 45 corresponding to the plurality of partial electrodes R 1, R 2,. The metal layer is pushed down, and the second metal layers overlapping with the first metal layer are short-circuited via the first metal layer. For example, in the example of FIG. 3A, the first metal layers 43, 44, 45 located immediately below the right foot heel 904 are pushed down, and between the second metal layers 48, 49, the second metal layers 49, 50. Meanwhile, the second metal layers 50 and 51 are short-circuited via the first metal layers 43, 44 and 45. As a result, the potentials of the second metal layers 48, 49, 50, 51 are at the same level. Based on the potential distribution representing the load distribution, the control unit 30 detects that the starboard position is the position of the partial electrode R3. In this way, the port position and starboard position can be detected based on the load distribution in the third region 13 and the fourth region 14.

  Subsequently, as already described in step S2 in FIG. 11, the control unit 30 operates as a partial electrode selection unit to control the changeover switches 33L and 33R. Of the plurality of partial electrodes L1, L2,..., L5 forming the third electrode 3 and the plurality of partial electrodes R1, R2,..., R5 forming the fourth electrode 4, the control unit 30 functions as a heel position detection unit. A pair of partial electrodes (Li, Rj) corresponding to the port position and starboard position detected in this manner is selected. Therefore, the control part 30 can work as a partial electrode selection part, and can select an appropriate pair of partial electrodes (Li, Rj). As a result, the impedance Z of the living body 900 can be obtained more correctly by the measurement by the four-terminal method described in steps S3 and S4 in FIG.

  FIG. 3B shows a modified example (indicated by reference numeral 202) of the bioimpedance measuring apparatus 201 of FIG.

  This bioimpedance measuring apparatus 202 differs only in that another pressure sensor 60 is provided instead of the pressure sensor 40 in FIG.

  The pressure sensor 60 includes pressure switches 61, 62,..., 65 arranged corresponding to the lower portions of the plurality of partial electrodes R1, R2,. , 65 and resistors r11, r12,..., R15 connected in parallel. Among the pressure switches 61, 62,..., 65, adjacent pairs in the front-rear direction are short-circuited by wirings 66, 67, 68, 69. The rear end side (−X side) terminal 61a of the pressure switch 61 is grounded, and the front end side (+ X side) terminal 65b of the pressure switch 65 is connected to a power source (not shown) via a pull-up resistor r16. The potentials of the wirings 66, 67, 68, 69 between adjacent pairs of the pressure switches 61, 62, ..., 65 and the potential of the front end side terminal 65b of the pressure switch 65 are respectively output as control signals from the pressure sensor 60. 30 is input. The pressure switches 61, 62,..., 65 are normally off, and in the state where no foot is placed on the fourth region 14, the potentials of the wirings 66, 67, 68, 69 and the potential of the front end side terminal 65b of the pressure switch 65 are as follows. In this order, it is gradually increased from low to high.

  Insulating layers 52 are bonded to the lower surfaces of the partial electrodes R1, R2,..., R5 in the same manner as in FIG.

  The general operation flow of this bioimpedance measuring apparatus 202 is the same as that shown in FIG. In this bioimpedance measuring apparatus 202, the heel position detection in step S1 in FIG. 11 is performed in step S21 in FIG. 12B, as in FIG.

  In this bioimpedance measuring apparatus 202, when a right foot heel 904 is placed on the fourth region 14, a load distribution is generated in the fourth region 14. Due to this load distribution, among the plurality of partial electrodes R1, R2,..., R5 forming the fourth electrode 4, the partial electrode (and the corresponding insulating layer 52) positioned immediately below the right foot heel 904 is pushed down, The pressure switch corresponding to the partial electrode is turned on (conductive). For example, if the position of the right foot heel 904 is the same as that in FIG. 3A, the pressure switches 63, 64, 65 located immediately below the right foot heel 904 are pushed down, and the pressure switches 63, 64, 65 Turns on and conducts. As a result, the potentials of the wirings 67, 68, and 69 and the potential of the front end side terminal 65b of the pressure switch 65 become the same level. Based on the potential distribution representing the load distribution, the control unit 30 detects that the starboard position is the position of the partial electrode R3. In this way, the port position and starboard position can be detected based on the load distribution on the third electrode 4 and the fourth electrode 4.

  In other respects, the bioimpedance measuring apparatus 202 operates in the same manner as the bioimpedance measuring apparatus 201 in FIG.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 4 shows a planar layout on the mounting plate 10 of the bioimpedance measurement apparatus 203 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, illustration of components on the right foot side is omitted for simplicity. Actually, the left foot side component exists symmetrically with the right foot side component with respect to the center line C2 (see FIG. 17).

  This bioimpedance measuring device 203 is a capacitance that detects a capacitance distribution with respect to the sole instead of the pressure sensors 40 and 60 in the bioimpedance measuring devices 201 and 202 of FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B). The only difference is that the sensor 80 is provided.

  A plurality (six in this example) of partial electrodes L1, L2,..., L6 forming the third electrode 3 in the third region 13 are arranged in this order in the front-rear direction. The odd-numbered partial electrodes L1, L3, and L5 are arranged in a line on the left side, and the even-numbered partial electrodes L2, L4, and L6 are arranged in a line on the right side. As a whole, the partial electrodes L1, L2,..., L6 are arranged in a staggered manner.

  In this example, the partial electrodes L1, L2,..., L6 forming the first electrode 1, the second electrode 2, the third electrode 3 and the R1, R2,. It has become.

  The electrostatic capacity sensor 80 is disposed in a portion other than the region occupied by the plurality of partial electrodes L1, L2,..., L6 forming the third electrode 3 in the third region 13. Specifically, the capacitance sensor 80 includes a plurality (six in this example) of partial sensors 81, 82,. The odd-numbered partial sensors 81, 83, 85 are arranged in a line on the right side, and the even-numbered partial sensors 82, 84, 86 are arranged in a line on the left side. As a whole, the partial sensors 81, 82,..., 86 are alternately arranged with the partial electrodes L1, L2,. The capacitances (representing capacitance distribution) detected by the partial sensors 81, 82,..., 86 are input to the control unit 30 as output signals of the capacitance sensor 80.

  The bioimpedance measurement device 203 includes a constant current circuit 31, a voltage measurement circuit 32, and changeover switches 33L and 33R, as in the bioimpedance measurement device 200 of FIG. The changeover switch 33L selects one of the partial electrodes L1, L2,..., L6, and the changeover switch 33R selects one of the partial electrodes R1, R2,.

  The general operation flow of this bioimpedance measuring apparatus 203 is the same as that shown in FIG. In this bioimpedance measuring apparatus 203, the eyelid position detection in step S1 in FIG. 11 is performed in step S31 in FIG.

  In this bioimpedance measurement apparatus 203, the control unit 30 operates as a heel position detection unit in step S31 in FIG. 12C, and the static in the third region 13 and the fourth region 14 detected by the capacitance sensor 80 is detected. Based on the capacitance distribution, the port position and starboard position are detected, respectively. Thereby, the port position and starboard position can be detected with high accuracy.

  Subsequently, as already described in step S2 in FIG. 11, the control unit 30 operates as a partial electrode selection unit to control the changeover switches 33L and 33R. Of the plurality of partial electrodes L1, L2,..., L6 forming the third electrode 3 and the plurality of partial electrodes R1, R2,..., R6 forming the fourth electrode 4, the control unit 30 functions as a heel position detection unit. A pair of partial electrodes (Li, Rj) corresponding to the port position and starboard position detected in this manner is selected. Therefore, the control part 30 can work as a partial electrode selection part, and can select an appropriate pair of partial electrodes (Li, Rj). As a result, the impedance Z of the living body 900 can be obtained more correctly by the measurement by the four-terminal method described in steps S3 and S4 in FIG.

  Moreover, in this bioimpedance measuring apparatus 203, since the 1st electrode 1, the 2nd electrode 2, the 3rd electrode 3, and the 4th electrode 4 are transparent electrodes, compared with the case where it is a metal electrode, the mounting board 10 is used. The appearance of the above layout can be improved. In particular, in this example, since the transparent electrodes 3 and 4 and the electrostatic capacity sensor 80 are arranged in combination on the mounting plate 10, the appearance of the layout on the mounting plate 10 can be improved.

  In the first to third embodiments, the number of partial electrodes M and N is not limited to the exemplified number, and can be arbitrarily set.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 5 schematically shows the configuration of the main part of the bioimpedance measurement apparatus 204 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The general appearance of this bioimpedance measuring apparatus 204 is the same as that in the general bioimpedance measuring apparatus shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, for the sake of simplicity, illustration of components on the left foot side is omitted. In practice, the left foot component is exactly the same as the right foot component.

  In this bioimpedance measuring apparatus 204, the second electrode 2 and the fourth electrode 4 (and the first electrode 1 and the third electrode 3) are not divided in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and are each substantially rectangular in shape. It is configured.

  The mounting plate 10 has a wall surface 15 that rises from the rear ends of the third region 13 and the fourth region 14 and to which the rear surface of the left foot heel 903 and the rear surface of the right foot heel 904 are to come into contact. In this example, a pressure switch 89 as a sensor is provided on the wall surface 15. The pressure switch 89 is turned on (conductive) when the rear surface of the left foot heel 903 and the rear surface of the right foot heel 904 are brought into contact with each other. The output of the pressure switch 89 is input to the control unit 30.

  A plurality of (four in this example) resin layers 102, 103,..., 105 having the same shape as the second electrode 2 are arranged in the second region 12 on the mounting plate 10 along with the second electrode 2. Yes. A pressure sensor 90 for detecting a load distribution in the second region 12 is provided below the second electrode 2 and the plurality of resin layers 102, 103,.

  The pressure sensor 90 includes substantially rectangular first metal layers 91, 92,..., 95 disposed under the second electrode 2 and the plurality of resin layers 102, 103,. Second metal layers 96, 97,..., 101 arranged alternately with respect to the first metal layers 91, 92,... 95 in the front-rear direction (X direction) below 92,. .., 101 include resistors r21, r22,..., R25 arranged between pairs adjacent in the front-rear direction of the second metal layers 96, 97,. The rear end (−X side end) 96a of the second metal layer 96 is grounded, and the front end (+ X side end) 101b of the second metal layer 101 is connected to a power source (not shown) via a pull-up resistor r26. . The potentials of the second metal layers 96, 97,..., 101 are input to the control unit 30 as output signals of the pressure sensor 90, respectively. When the foot is not placed on the fourth region 14, the potentials of the second metal layers 96, 97,..., 101 increase stepwise from low to high in this order.

  The first metal layers 91, 92,..., 95 have the same outer shape as the corresponding second electrode 2 and the plurality of resin layers 102, 103,. A plurality of resin layers 102, 103,. The first metal layers 91, 92,..., 95 are supported in such a manner that they are spaced apart from the second metal layers 96, 97,.

  The first metal layer 91 covers the resistor r21, and both ends of the first metal layer 91 in the X direction overlap the second metal layers 96 and 97, respectively. The first metal layer 92 covers the resistor r22, and both ends of the first metal layer 92 in the X direction overlap the second metal layers 97 and 98, respectively. The first metal layer 93 covers the resistor r23, and both ends of the first metal layer 93 in the X direction overlap the second metal layers 98 and 99, respectively. The first metal layer 94 covers the resistor r24, and both ends of the first metal layer 94 in the X direction overlap the second metal layers 99 and 100, respectively. The first metal layer 95 covers the resistor r25, and both ends of the first metal layer 95 in the X direction overlap the second metal layers 100 and 101, respectively.

  Further, the bioimpedance measuring device 204 includes a constant current circuit 31 and a voltage measuring circuit 32 as in the bioimpedance measuring device 200 of FIG.

  FIG. 13 shows a schematic operation flow of the bioimpedance measurement apparatus 204.

  In this bioimpedance measurement apparatus 200, when the left and right soles of the living body 900 are placed on the placement board 10, the toe side 901 of the left foot on the first area 11 on the placement board 10 and the right foot on the second area 12. The left foot heel 903 is placed on the toe side 902 and the third region 13, and the right foot heel 904 is placed on the fourth region 14. Here, the control unit 30 monitors the output of the pressure switch 89 in step S101 in FIG. 13, and when the pressure switch 89 is turned on, the rear surface of the left foot heel 903 and the rear surface of the right foot heel 904 are the wall surface 15. It is detected that the contact has been made. Then, the control unit 30 starts a control operation as described below.

  That is, in order to perform the measurement by the four-terminal method, the constant current circuit 31 causes the living body 900 to pass through the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2 in accordance with the control by the control unit 30 in step S102. The voltage measurement circuit 32 measures the voltage drop V generated when the energization current I flows through the living body 900 via the third electrode 3 and the fourth electrode 4. In step S103, the control unit 30 obtains the impedance Z of the living body 900 by numerically converting the voltage drop V measured by the voltage measurement circuit 32 (dividing by the energization current I).

  In parallel with the measurement by the four-terminal method, in step S104, the control unit 30 operates as a toe position detection unit, and the left toe position where the toe of the left foot is placed in the first region 11 and the second region 12 The right toe position where the right foot toe is placed is detected. Here, the “toe” refers to a tip portion of the back surface of the toe that substantially contacts the mounting plate 10 as indicated by reference numeral 902a in FIG.

  Specifically, the toe position detection in step S104 in FIG. 13 is performed according to the operation flow shown in FIG. 14A in this example. That is, when the right toe side 902 is placed on the second region 12 in FIG. 5, a load distribution is generated in the second region 12. The first metal layer 91, 92,..., 95 corresponding to the second electrode 2 and the plurality of resin layers 102, 103,. The metal layer is pushed down, and the second metal layers overlapping with the first metal layer are short-circuited via the first metal layer. For example, in the example of FIG. 5, the first metal layers 91, 92,..., 94 located immediately below the toe side 902 of the right foot are pushed down, and between the second metal layers 96, 97, the second metal layers 97, 98. The second metal layers 98, 99 and the second metal layers 99, 100 are short-circuited via the first metal layers 91, 92,. As a result, the potentials of the second metal layers 97, 98,. Based on the potential distribution representing this load distribution, the control unit 30 detects that the right toe position is, for example, the position of the resin layer 104. In this manner, the left toe position and the right toe position can be detected based on the load distribution in the first area 11 and the second area 12. Thereby, the left toe position and the right toe position can be detected with high accuracy.

  Next, in step S105, the control unit 30 functions as a contact part calculation unit, and based on the distance between the left toe position, the right toe position and the wall surface 15 detected in step S104, the size of the left foot and the right foot is determined. calculate. Then, by the proportional conversion with respect to the size of the left foot and the right foot, the contact portion in contact with the third electrode 3 in the left foot heel 903 and the contact in contact with the fourth electrode 4 in the right foot heel 904 Calculate the site.

  Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the center C of the right foot heel 904 is shifted in the forward direction (+ X direction) or the backward direction (−X direction) with reference to the fourth electrode 4. It is defined in numerical form according to “deviation amount”. As shown in FIG. 6A, since the size of the right foot is large, the center C of the right foot heel 904 is shifted forward by, for example, 2 cm from the fourth electrode 4, and the right foot heel is shifted from the fourth electrode 4. If the rear part of 904 is placed, the contact site is represented as -2 cm. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, since the size of the right foot is small, the center C of the right foot heel 904 is shifted backward by, for example, 1 cm with respect to the fourth electrode 4, and the right foot with respect to the fourth electrode 4. If the front part of the heel 904 is placed, the contact portion is represented as +1 cm. As shown in FIG. 7, when the center C of the right foot 904 is placed on the fourth electrode 4, the contact site is represented as 0 (zero).

  Thereafter, in step S106 in FIG. 13, the control unit 30 functions as a measurement result correction unit, and the calculated contact part of the left foot heel 903 with respect to the calculated third electrode 3 and the contact part of the right foot heel 904 with respect to the fourth electrode 4 are calculated. The measurement result of the voltage measurement circuit 32 so as to eliminate the error due to the displacement of the contact portion of the left foot heel 903 with respect to the third electrode 3 and the error due to the displacement of the contact portion of the right foot heel 904 with respect to the fourth electrode 4 (In this example, the impedance obtained in step S103) is corrected.

  Specifically, the correction of the measurement result is performed using a conversion graph as shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the solid line D <b> 1 indicates measured impedance data for each contact portion of the heel with respect to the electrode (♦ marks represent individual measured data). The actually measured impedance data is approximately linearly represented by a broken line D2. A solid line D3 represents the impedance level at the broken line D2 when the contact portion of the heel is zero. The correction of the measurement result is performed so that the raw measurement result becomes the level of the solid line D3 according to the contact part (shift amount) of the heel. For example, if the contact site is −2 cm, the raw measurement result is increased as indicated by the arrow A1. If the contact site is +1 cm, the raw measurement result is decreased as shown by arrow A2. Thereby, the impedance Z of the living body 900 can be obtained correctly.

  In this bioimpedance measuring apparatus 204, the sensor provided on the wall surface 15 is the pressure switch 89, so that the sensor is simply configured. As a result, the measurement start timing of the drop voltage V can be obtained with a simple configuration. In addition, since the measurement is started in a state where the rear surface of the left foot heel 903 and the rear surface of the right foot heel 904 are securely in contact with the wall surface 15, the left toe position and the right toe position can be accurately detected. As a result, the impedance Z of the living body 900 can be obtained more correctly by measurement using the four-terminal method.

  Instead of the pressure sensor 90, the pressure sensor 60 shown in FIG. 3B can be used.

  Further, a capacitance sensor may be used instead of the pressure switch 89 as a sensor provided on the wall surface 15. When a capacitance sensor is used as this sensor, the sensor is configured to be thin and the appearance is improved.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 9 shows a planar layout on the mounting plate 10 of the bioimpedance measuring apparatus 205 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, for the sake of simplicity, illustration of the components on the right foot side is omitted as in FIG. 4. Actually, the left foot side component exists symmetrically with the right foot side component with respect to the center line C2 (see FIG. 17).

  This bioimpedance measuring apparatus 205 is different from the bioimpedance measuring apparatus 204 shown in FIG. 5 only in that it includes a capacitance sensor 110 that detects a capacitance distribution with respect to the sole of the foot, instead of the pressure sensor 90.

  The capacitance sensor 110 is disposed in a portion of the first region 1 other than the region occupied by the first electrode 1. Specifically, the capacitance sensor 110 includes a plurality of (in this example, five) partial sensors 111, 112,..., 115 arranged in the first region 11 in the front-rear direction. The first electrode 1 and the partial sensor 111 are arranged side by side on the rear end side (−X side) of the first region 11. The remaining partial sensors 112,..., 115 are arranged along the center of the first region 11 in the left-right direction. The capacitances (representing capacitance distribution) detected by the partial sensors 111, 112,..., 115 are input to the control unit 30 as output signals of the capacitance sensor 110, respectively.

  In this example, each of the first electrode 1 and the third electrode 3 (and the second electrode 2 and the fourth electrode 4) is a transparent electrode, and has substantially the same rectangular shape as the partial sensors 111, 112,. It has a shape.

  Further, the bioimpedance measuring device 205 includes a constant current circuit 31 and a voltage measuring circuit 32 as in the bioimpedance measuring device 204 of FIG.

  The general operation flow of this bioimpedance measuring apparatus 205 is the same as that shown in FIG. In this bioimpedance measuring apparatus 203, the toe position detection in step S101 in FIG. 13 is performed in step S121 in FIG. 14B.

  In this bioimpedance measuring apparatus 205, in step S121 in FIG. 14B, the control unit 30 works as a toe position detection unit, and the static in the first region 11 and the second region 12 detected by the capacitance sensor 110 is detected. Based on the capacitance distribution, the left toe position and the right toe position are detected. Thereby, the left toe position and the right toe position can be detected with high accuracy. Other than that, it operates similarly to the bioimpedance measuring apparatus 204 of FIG. As a result, the raw measurement result by the four-terminal method can be appropriately corrected, and the impedance Z of the living body 900 can be obtained more correctly.

  Moreover, in this bioimpedance measuring apparatus 205, since the 1st electrode 1, the 2nd electrode 2, the 3rd electrode 3, and the 4th electrode 4 are transparent electrodes, compared with the case where it is a metal electrode, the mounting board 10 is. The appearance of the above layout can be improved. In particular, in this example, since the shape of the transparent electrodes 1, 2,... 4 and the shape of the partial sensors 111, 112,. The appearance of the layout on the mounting plate 10 can be improved.

  Further, a capacitance sensor may be used instead of the pressure switch 89 as a sensor provided on the wall surface 15. In this case, the appearance of the capacitance sensor can be further improved by aligning it with the shape of the partial sensor forming the capacitance sensor 110.

( Reference example )
FIG. 10 schematically shows a configuration of a main part of a bioimpedance measuring apparatus 206 of a reference example that is the basis of the present invention. The general appearance of this bioimpedance measuring apparatus 206 is the same as that in the general bioimpedance measuring apparatus shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, illustration of the components on the left foot side is omitted for the sake of simplicity. In practice, the left foot component is exactly the same as the right foot component.

  In this bioimpedance measuring apparatus 206, the second electrode 2 and the fourth electrode 4 (and the first electrode 1 and the third electrode 3) are not divided in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and are each substantially rectangular as a unit. It is configured.

  In this example, a pressure switch 120 as a sensor for detecting that a foot is placed on the fourth region 14 is provided below the fourth electrode 4. The pressure switch 120 is normally off, and is turned on (conductive) when the right foot heel 904 is placed on the fourth electrode 4. Although not shown, a pressure switch 120 serving as a sensor for detecting that a foot is placed on the fourth region 13 is also provided below the third electrode 3 in the same manner.

  The rear end side (−X side) terminal 121 a of the pressure switch 120 is grounded, and the front end side (+ X side) terminal 121 b of the pressure switch 120 is connected to a power source (not shown) via a pull-up resistor 122. The output of the pressure switch 120 is input to the control unit 30.

  Further, the bioimpedance measuring device 206 includes a constant current circuit 31 and a voltage measuring circuit 32 as in the bioimpedance measuring device 200 of FIG.

FIG. 15 shows an operation flow of the bioimpedance measuring apparatus 204 of this reference example .

  In this bioimpedance measurement apparatus 200, when the left and right soles of the living body 900 are placed on the placement board 10, the toe side 901 of the left foot on the first area 11 on the placement board 10 and the right foot on the second area 12. The left foot heel 903 is placed on the toe side 902 and the third region 13, and the right foot heel 904 is placed on the fourth region 14. Here, the control unit 30 monitors the output of the pressure switch 120 in step S201 in FIG. 15, and when the pressure switch 120 is turned on, the left foot heel 903 and the right foot heel 904 are placed on the mounting plate 10. Detects that it has been placed. Then, the control unit 30 starts a control operation as described below.

  That is, in order to perform the measurement by the four-terminal method, the constant current circuit 31 causes the living body 900 to pass through the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2 in step S202 in accordance with the control by the control unit 30. The voltage measurement circuit 32 measures the voltage drop V generated when the energization current I flows through the living body 900 via the third electrode 3 and the fourth electrode 4. In step S203, the control unit 30 obtains the impedance Z of the living body 900 by numerically converting the voltage drop V measured by the voltage measurement circuit 32 (dividing by the energization current I).

  In this way, the measurement is started in a state where the left foot heel 903 and the right foot heel 904 are securely placed on the placing plate 10. As a result, the impedance Z of the living body 900 can be obtained correctly by measurement using the four-terminal method.

  Moreover, since the pressure switch 120 is used as the sensor, the sensor is simply configured. As a result, the measurement start timing of the drop voltage V can be obtained with a simple configuration.

  A capacitance sensor may be used instead of the pressure switch 120 as a sensor. When a capacitance sensor is used as this sensor, the sensor is configured to be thin and the appearance is improved.

  In any embodiment, the first electrode 1, the second electrode 2, the third electrode 3, and the fourth electrode 4 may be transparent electrodes. In such a case, it is possible to improve the appearance of the layout on the mounting plate 10 as compared with the case of being a metal electrode.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st electrode 2 2nd electrode 3 3rd electrode 4 4th electrode 10 Mounting plate 11 1st area | region 12 2nd area | region 13 3rd area | region 14 4th area | region 30 Control part 31 Constant current circuit 32 Voltage measurement circuit 201,202 , ..., 206 Bioimpedance measuring device

Claims (10)

A mounting plate on which the left and right soles of the living body should be placed;
On the mounting plate, the first electrode provided in the first region corresponding to the toe side of the left foot, the second electrode provided in the second region corresponding to the toe side of the right foot, and corresponding to the heel side of the left foot A third electrode provided in the third region, and a fourth electrode provided in the fourth region corresponding to the heel side of the right foot,
A current-carrying part that sends a predetermined current to the living body via the first electrode and the second electrode;
A voltage measuring unit that measures a voltage drop caused by the flow of the energizing current through the living body via the third electrode and the fourth electrode;
The third electrode and the fourth electrode are each divided into a plurality of partial electrodes in the third region and the fourth region,
A heel position detection unit that detects a port position on which the left foot heel is placed in the third region and a starboard position on which the right foot heel is placed in the fourth region;
Of the plurality of partial electrodes forming the third electrode and the plurality of partial electrodes forming the fourth electrode, the partial electrodes respectively corresponding to the port position and the starboard position detected by the hook position detection unit A partial electrode selector that selects a pair of
The heel position detector
Between the plurality of partial electrodes forming the third electrode and the plurality of partial electrodes forming the fourth electrode, the individual partial electrodes are combined with each other, and the voltage is applied to each pair of the combined partial electrodes. The voltage drop is measured by the measurement unit,
A bioimpedance measuring apparatus for detecting a position of a pair of partial electrodes that gives the lowest voltage drop among the measured voltage drops as the port position and the starboard position. A mounting plate on which the left and right soles of the living body should be placed;
On the mounting plate, the first electrode provided in the first region corresponding to the toe side of the left foot, the second electrode provided in the second region corresponding to the toe side of the right foot, and corresponding to the heel side of the left foot A third electrode provided in the third region, and a fourth electrode provided in the fourth region corresponding to the heel side of the right foot,
A current-carrying part that sends a predetermined current to the living body via the first electrode and the second electrode;
A voltage measuring unit that measures a voltage drop caused by the flow of the energizing current through the living body via the third electrode and the fourth electrode;
The third electrode and the fourth electrode are each divided into a plurality of partial electrodes in the third region and the fourth region,
A heel position detection unit that detects a port position on which the left foot heel is placed in the third region and a starboard position on which the right foot heel is placed in the fourth region;
Of the plurality of partial electrodes forming the third electrode and the plurality of partial electrodes forming the fourth electrode, the partial electrodes respectively corresponding to the port position and the starboard position detected by the hook position detection unit A partial electrode selector that selects a pair of
A pressure sensor for detecting a load distribution in the third region and the fourth region is provided below the third electrode and the fourth electrode on the mounting plate.
The bioelectrical impedance measuring device, wherein the heel position detecting unit detects the port position and the starboard position based on load distributions in the third area and the fourth area detected by the pressure sensor, respectively. . A mounting plate on which the left and right soles of the living body should be placed;
On the mounting plate, the first electrode provided in the first region corresponding to the toe side of the left foot, the second electrode provided in the second region corresponding to the toe side of the right foot, and corresponding to the heel side of the left foot A third electrode provided in the third region, and a fourth electrode provided in the fourth region corresponding to the heel side of the right foot,
A current-carrying part that sends a predetermined current to the living body via the first electrode and the second electrode;
A voltage measuring unit that measures a voltage drop caused by the flow of the energizing current through the living body via the third electrode and the fourth electrode;
The third electrode and the fourth electrode are each divided into a plurality of partial electrodes in the third region and the fourth region,
A heel position detection unit that detects a port position on which the left foot heel is placed in the third region and a starboard position on which the right foot heel is placed in the fourth region;
Of the plurality of partial electrodes forming the third electrode and the plurality of partial electrodes forming the fourth electrode, the partial electrodes respectively corresponding to the port position and the starboard position detected by the hook position detection unit A partial electrode selector that selects a pair of
Arranged in a portion other than the region occupied by the plurality of partial electrodes forming the third electrode in the third region and in a portion other than the region occupied by the plurality of partial electrodes forming the fourth electrode in the fourth region, A capacitance sensor that detects a capacitance distribution with respect to the sole in the third region and the fourth region;
The said saddle position detection part detects the said starboard position and the said starboard position based on the electrostatic capacitance distribution in the said 3rd area | region and 4th area | region which the said capacitance sensor detected, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. Bioimpedance measurement device. A mounting plate on which the left and right soles of the living body should be placed;
On the mounting plate, the first electrode provided in the first region corresponding to the toe side of the left foot, the second electrode provided in the second region corresponding to the toe side of the right foot, and corresponding to the heel side of the left foot A third electrode provided in the third region, and a fourth electrode provided in the fourth region corresponding to the heel side of the right foot,
A current-carrying part that sends a predetermined current to the living body via the first electrode and the second electrode;
A voltage measuring unit that measures a voltage drop caused by the flow of the energization current through the living body via the third electrode and the fourth electrode;
On the mounting plate, the wall surface to rise from the rear end of the third region and the fourth region, the rear surface of the left foot heel, the rear surface of the right foot heel,
A toe position detector for detecting a left toe position where the left foot toe is placed in the first area and a right toe position where the right foot toe is placed in the second area;
Based on the left toe position detected by the toe position detecting unit, the distance between the right toe position and the wall surface, the sizes of the left foot and the right foot are calculated, and the third electrode of the left foot heel is calculated. A contact part calculation unit that calculates a contact part that is in contact with the fourth electrode among the contact part that is in contact with the right foot and the right foot, and
Based on the contact part of the left foot heel with respect to the third electrode and the contact part of the right foot heel with respect to the fourth electrode calculated by the contact part calculation unit, the contact part of the left foot heel with respect to the third electrode is calculated. A living body comprising a measurement result correcting unit for correcting a measurement result of the voltage measuring unit so as to eliminate an error due to a shift and an error due to a shift of a contact portion of the right foot heel with respect to the fourth electrode; Impedance measuring device. The bioimpedance measurement apparatus according to claim 4 ,
A pressure sensor for detecting a load distribution in the first region and the second region is provided below the first electrode and the second electrode on the mounting plate.
The bio-impedance measuring apparatus, wherein the toe position detecting unit obtains the left toe position and the right toe position based on load distributions in the first area and the second area detected by the pressure sensor, respectively. The bioimpedance measurement apparatus according to claim 4 ,
The first region is disposed in a portion other than the region occupied by the first electrode and the second region is disposed in a portion other than the region occupied by the second electrode. It has a capacitance sensor that detects the capacitance distribution,
The toe position detection unit obtains the left toe position and the right toe position, respectively, based on the capacitance distribution in the third area and the fourth area detected by the capacitance sensor. Impedance measuring device. The bioimpedance measurement apparatus according to claim 4, 5 or 6 ,
A sensor for detecting that the rear surface of the left foot heel and the rear surface of the right foot heel are in contact with the wall surface;
When the sensor outputs a signal indicating that the rear surface of the left foot heel and the rear surface of the right foot heel are in contact with the wall surface, the voltage measuring unit starts measuring the drop voltage, and the toe A bioimpedance measuring apparatus, wherein a position detector starts detecting the left toe position and the right toe position. The bioimpedance measurement apparatus according to claim 7 ,
The bioimpedance measuring apparatus, wherein the sensor is a pressure switch. The bioimpedance measurement apparatus according to claim 7 ,
The bioimpedance measurement apparatus, wherein the sensor is a capacitance sensor. The bioimpedance measurement apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
The bioimpedance measuring apparatus, wherein the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode are transparent electrodes.

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