JP6781319B2 - Information acquisition device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the technical field of an information acquisition device that detects various information about a living body by irradiating the living body with light, for example.

As a device of this type, for example, a device that irradiates a living body with light and detects light reflected or transmitted by the living body to acquire information about the living body such as blood flow and pulse wave is known. .. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an optical sensor having a reusable component.

Special Table 2009-517192

However, in a reusable sensor as described in Patent Document 1, the surfaces of the light emitting element and the light receiving element may be contaminated by repeated use, and the detection sensitivity may decrease. Further, since the light emitting element and the light receiving element are connected by an elastic body, there is a technical problem that the mounting work is complicated.

Examples of the problems to be solved by the present invention include the above. An object of the present invention is to provide an information acquisition device capable of suppressing a decrease in sensitivity even when used repeatedly.

The information acquisition device for solving the above-mentioned problems includes a sensor unit for acquiring information, an attachment unit for mounting the sensor unit for acquiring the information, and a temporary sensor unit when the sensor unit is mounted. A contact portion that does not come into contact with the sensor portion is provided after the sensor portion is attached.

It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the biological sensor which concerns on 1st Example. It is a side view which shows the engaging method of the biological sensor which concerns on 1st Example. It is a top view which shows the state at the time of cleaning of the biological sensor which concerns on 1st Example. It is a front view which shows the state at the time of cleaning of the biological sensor which concerns on 1st Example. It is a top view which shows the structure after the engagement of the biological sensor which concerns on 1st Example. It is a side view (the 1) which shows the wearing example of the biological sensor which concerns on 1st Example. It is a side view (the 2) which shows the wearing example of the biological sensor which concerns on 1st Example. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the biological sensor which concerns on 2nd Example. It is an exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the mounting part of the biological sensor which concerns on 2nd Example. It is a side sectional view which shows the engaging method of the biological sensor which concerns on 2nd Example. It is a side sectional view which shows the state at the time of cleaning of the biological sensor which concerns on 2nd Example. It is a side sectional view which shows the structure after inserting the sensor part of the biological sensor which concerns on 2nd Example. It is a side sectional view which shows the structure after crimping of the biological sensor which concerns on 2nd Example.

<1>
The biological sensor according to the present embodiment is the living body of the sensor unit by engaging with a sensor unit that acquires information on the living body by using light, a holding unit that holds the sensor unit, and the holding unit. A fixing portion for fixing the position with respect to the sensor portion and a cleaning portion for cleaning the sensor portion when the holding portion and the fixing portion engage with each other are provided.

According to the biological sensor of the present embodiment, at the time of its operation, the sensor unit acquires the information of the biological body using light. Specifically, for example, the measurement target is irradiated with light from the irradiation means configured as a light emitting diode, and the return light from the living body is received by the light receiving means configured as, for example, a photodiode. Then, the return light received by the light receiving means is converted into a signal indicating information about the living body, and for example, the blood flow velocity and the pulse wave of the living body are detected.

The sensor unit described above is held by the holding unit. On the other hand, a fixing portion exists as a member that can be engaged with the holding portion, and by engaging the holding portion and the fixing portion, the position of the sensor portion with respect to the living body is fixed. That is, by engaging the holding portion and the fixing portion, a state in which measurement using light from the sensor portion can be performed is realized. The engaging structure between the holding portion and the fixing portion is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the device can be easily attached and detached.

The optical sensor according to the present embodiment further includes a cleaning unit that cleans the sensor unit when the holding unit and the fixing unit engage with each other. The cleaning unit is made of, for example, a non-woven fabric impregnated with alcohol, and removes dirt and the like adhering to the sensor unit by engaging the holding unit and the fixing unit.

Here, in particular, the sensor unit that acquires the information of the living body may be contaminated by repeated use, for example, and the detection sensitivity may be lowered. However, in the present embodiment, when the holding portion and the fixing portion are engaged (in other words, when the device is attached / detached), the sensor portion is cleaned by the cleaning portion. Therefore, even when the sensor unit is used in a situation where it can be contaminated, cleaning is performed each time it is attached or detached, and a decrease in sensitivity can be effectively suppressed. In addition, since cleaning is automatically performed by the attachment / detachment operation, it is possible to suppress a decrease in sensitivity extremely easily as compared with the case where cleaning work is performed separately.

As described above, according to the biosensor according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suitably suppress a decrease in sensitivity of the sensor unit.

<2>
In one aspect of the biosensor according to the present embodiment, the cleaning portion cleans the sensor portion by utilizing the sliding when the holding portion and the fixing portion are engaged with each other.

According to this aspect, it is possible to more easily and surely clean the sensor portion by utilizing the sliding when the holding portion and the fixing portion are engaged with each other.

<3>
In another aspect of the biosensor according to the present embodiment, the cleaning portion is provided on the fixing portion.

According to this aspect, when the holding portion and the fixing portion are engaged, the sensor portion held by the holding portion can be reliably cleaned by the cleaning portion provided on the fixing portion. The cleaning portions may be provided at a plurality of locations of the fixed portions.

<4>
In another aspect of the biosensor according to this embodiment, the fixation is a disposable (ie, disposable member).

According to this aspect, since the fixed portion is disposable, for example, the fixed portion used in contact with a living body can be kept clean. Further, when the cleaning portion is provided on the fixed portion, the cleaning portion is also disposable like the fixed portion, so that it is possible to prevent a decrease in cleaning ability.

<5>
In another aspect of the biosensor according to the present embodiment, the fixing portion has an opening for arranging the sensor portion so as to face the living body after engagement with the holding portion.

According to this aspect, since the fixing portion is provided with the opening, the sensor portion is arranged so as to face the living body from the opening after the holding portion and the fixing portion are engaged with each other. Therefore, the acquisition of biological information using light by the sensor unit can be suitably performed through the opening of the fixed portion.

<6>
In another aspect of the biological sensor according to the present embodiment, the sensor unit has a light emitting unit that irradiates the living body with the light and a light receiving unit that receives the light scattered by the living body.

According to this aspect, the sensor unit irradiates the living body with light from the light emitting unit and receives the light scattered by the living body at the light receiving unit. According to such a sensor unit, various information about the living body can be acquired by utilizing the scattering of light in the living body. In addition, a plurality of light emitting parts and light receiving parts may be provided.

<7>
In the embodiment having the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion described above, the holding portion has the sensor portion so that the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are arranged so as to face each other with the living body in between when the holding portion is engaged with the fixed portion. You may hold it.

In this case, the light emitted from the light emitting unit passes through the living body and is received by the light receiving unit arranged on the side opposite to the light emitting unit when viewed from the living body. As described above, in this aspect, a so-called transmissive ray sensor can be realized.

<8>
Alternatively, in the embodiment having the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion, the holding portion is arranged so that the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are arranged side by side when viewed from the living body when engaged with the fixed portion. The sensor unit may be held.

In this case, the light emitted from the light emitting unit is reflected by the living body and is received by the light receiving unit arranged on the same side as the light emitting unit when viewed from the living body. As described above, in this aspect, a so-called reflective ray sensor can be realized.

<9>
Alternatively, in the embodiment having the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion, the cleaning portion may be provided at a position where the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion come into contact with each other when the holding portion and the fixing portion are engaged with each other. ..

With this configuration, when the holding portion and the fixing portion are engaged, each of the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion and the cleaning portion come into contact with each other. Therefore, it is possible to reliably clean both the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion.

The operation and other gains of the biosensor according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail in the following examples.

Hereinafter, examples of the biosensor will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First Example>
The biosensor according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

<Overall configuration>
First, the overall configuration of the biosensor according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the biosensor according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, the biosensor according to the first embodiment includes a reusable sensor holding unit 100 and a disposable contact fixing unit 200.

The sensor holding unit 100 is a specific example of the “holding unit” and includes an electronic circuit board 110, a light emitting unit 120, and a light receiving unit 130.

The electronic circuit board 110 is configured to include, for example, an electronic circuit such as an amplifier, and is connected to an external device (for example, a device that processes a detection result by a biosensor) via a wiring 115 connected to a connector. Has been done. Further, the electronic circuit board 110 is also connected to each of the light emitting unit 120 and the light receiving unit 130.

The light emitting unit 120 includes, for example, a light emitting diode, and is configured to be able to irradiate the living body to be measured with the irradiation light.

The light receiving unit 130 includes, for example, a photodiode, and is configured to receive light scattered by the living body to be measured and output a signal corresponding to the received light.

The contact fixing portion 200 is a specific example of the “fixing portion”, and includes a first opening 210 and a second opening 220, and a first cleaning portion 230 and a second cleaning portion 240.

The first opening 210 and the second opening 220 are openings that penetrate the outside and the inside of the contact fixing portion 200, and as will be described later, after engaging with the sensor holding portion 100, the light emitting portion 120 and the light receiving portion 120 are received. The unit 130 is provided so as to face the living body.

The first cleaning unit 230 and the second cleaning unit 240 are located on the sides of the first opening 210 and the second opening 220 as members for cleaning the light emitting unit 120 and the light receiving unit 130 when engaged with the sensor holding unit 100. Each is provided. The first cleaning unit 230 and the second cleaning unit 240 are configured as, for example, a non-woven fabric impregnated with alcohol.

<How to wear>
Next, a method of mounting the biosensor according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. Here, FIG. 2 is a side view showing a method of engaging the biosensor according to the first embodiment. Further, FIG. 3 is a top view showing a state of cleaning the biosensor according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state of cleaning the biosensor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a top view showing the configuration of the biosensor according to the first embodiment after engagement.

In FIG. 2, the biosensor according to the first embodiment is attached to, for example, a finger of a living body to be measured by engaging the sensor holding portion 100 and the contact fixing portion 200. When engaging the sensor holding portion 100 and the contact fixing portion 200, for example, the sensor holding portion 100 is slid with respect to the contact fixing portion 200 into which the finger of the living body is inserted in the direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing. Just do it.

A plurality of fixing claws 151, 152, and 153 are provided on the sensor holding portion 100, and engagement is realized by engaging these fixing claws 151, 152, and 153 with the contact fixing portion 200. The fixing claws 152 are separately arranged so as not to come into contact with the first cleaning portion 230 of the contact fixing portion 200. Further, although not shown in FIG. 2, the fixing claws on the light receiving portion 130 side are also arranged separately so as not to come into contact with the second cleaning portion 240 (see FIG. 1 and the like).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the sensor holding portion 100 and the contact fixing portion 200 are engaged with each other, the light emitting portion 120 and the first cleaning portion 230 come into contact with each other. Therefore, the light emitting unit 120 is cleaned by the first cleaning unit 230 (for example, sebum and the like adhering to the surface are removed) by utilizing the sliding during engagement. Similarly, when the sensor holding portion 100 and the contact fixing portion 200 are engaged with each other, the light receiving portion 130 and the second cleaning portion 240 come into contact with each other. Therefore, the light receiving unit 130 is cleaned by the second cleaning unit 240 by utilizing the sliding during engagement.

The first cleaning unit 230 and the second cleaning unit 240 are provided not only on the left side in FIG. 3 but also on the right side when viewed from the first opening 210 and the second opening 220. Therefore, even when the sensor holding portion 100 is engaged with the contact fixing portion 200 from the side opposite to the example shown in the figure (for example, from the right side in FIG. 3), the light emitting portion 120 and the light receiving portion 130 Can be cleaned.

As described above, in the biosensor according to the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 120 and the light receiving unit 130 are automatically cleaned at the time of engagement (that is, when attached), so that the light emitting unit 120 and the light receiving unit 130 are contaminated. It is possible to preferably suppress a decrease in detection sensitivity due to the fact that the detection sensitivity has been increased. Such an effect is remarkably exhibited when the sensor holding unit 100 is reused.

In FIG. 5, when the sensor holding portion 100 and the contact fixing portion 200 are engaged, the light emitting portion 120 and the light receiving portion 130 are connected to the contact fixing portion 200 via the first opening 210 and the second opening 220, respectively. It is arranged to face the inside of (that is, the object to be measured). As a result, the light emitting unit 120 can appropriately irradiate the object to be measured with light, and the light receiving unit 130 can receive the light transmitted through the object to be measured.

<Installation example>
Next, a specific mounting example of the biosensor according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. 6 and 7 are side views showing an example of wearing the biosensor according to the first embodiment, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the biosensor according to this embodiment can be attached to a finger or the like of a living body. Here, in particular, as can be seen from the figure, the engagement direction of the sensor holding portion 100 with respect to the contact fixing portion 200 is not limited to one direction. That is, the sensor holding portion 100 can be engaged with the contact fixing portion 200 into which the finger is inserted from the base side of the finger or from the fingertip side. Therefore, for example, the extending direction of the wiring 115 can be appropriately changed according to the usage situation, which is very advantageous in practice.

As described above, according to the biosensor according to the first embodiment, the decrease in detection sensitivity can be suitably suppressed by cleaning at the time of wearing. In addition, it can be attached to a living body by an extremely simple method.

<Second Example>
Next, the biosensor according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 13. It should be noted that the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above only in a part of the configuration, and many other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following, the parts different from those of the first embodiment will be described in detail, and the overlapping parts will be omitted as appropriate.

<Overall configuration>
First, the overall configuration of the biosensor according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the biosensor according to the second embodiment.

In FIG. 8, the biosensor according to the second embodiment includes a reusable sensor unit 400 and a disposable mounting unit 500.

The sensor unit 400 is a specific example of the “holding unit” and has a light emitting unit 410 and a light receiving unit 420 (see FIGS. 10 to 13). Further, the sensor unit 400 is connected to an external device via the wiring 405.

The mounting portion 500 is a specific example of the “fixed portion”, and is configured so that the sensor portion 400 can be inserted (engaged) inside the mounting portion 500.

<Structure of mounting part>
Hereinafter, the specific configuration of the mounting portion 500 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the mounting portion of the biosensor according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, the mounting portion 500 is composed of a cover member 510, a holding member 520, and a mounting member 530.

The cover member 510 is configured as, for example, a curved metal part, and has a metal dome 610 used for crimping, which will be described later. The cover member 510 may be covered with a material such as cloth.

The holding member 520 is a member arranged on the lower side of the cover member 510 and has a function of holding the sensor unit 400 inserted inside the mounting unit 500. The holding member 520 includes a third opening 620, a fourth opening 630, and a cleaning portion 650.

The mount member 530 is a frame-shaped member arranged under the holding member 520. An adhesive is applied to the lower surface of the mount member 530, for example, so that the mount member 530 can be attached to the skin of a living body to be measured.

<How to wear>
Next, a method of mounting the biosensor according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13. Here, FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing an engaging method of the biosensor according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing a state at the time of cleaning the biosensor according to the second embodiment. Is. Further, FIG. 12 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the biosensor according to the second embodiment after the sensor portion is inserted, and FIG. 13 is a side view showing the configuration of the biosensor according to the second embodiment after crimping. It is a sectional view.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the biosensor according to the second embodiment is attached, the attachment portion 500 is first attached to the living body 700, and then the sensor portion 400 is inserted into the attachment portion 500. As shown by the arrows in the drawing, the sensor unit 400 is inserted between the cover member 510 and the holding member 520 of the mounting unit 500.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the sensor unit 400 is inserted into the mounting unit 500, the light emitting unit 410 and the light receiving unit 420 come into contact with the cleaning unit 650. Therefore, the light emitting unit 410 and the light receiving unit 420 are cleaned by the cleaning unit 650 by utilizing the sliding at the time of insertion. That is, in the biosensor according to the second embodiment, the light emitting unit 410 and the light receiving unit 420 are cleaned by the operation at the time of mounting, as in the first embodiment described above.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the sensor unit 400 is further inserted into the mounting unit 500, the light emitting unit 410 and the light receiving unit 420 face the living body 700 via the third opening 620 and the fourth opening 630. Arranged like this. As a result, the light emitting unit 410 can appropriately irradiate the object to be measured with light, and the light receiving unit 420 can receive the light reflected by the object to be measured.

As shown in FIG. 13, after the sensor unit 400 is inserted into the mounting unit 500 to an appropriate position, the sensor unit 400 is crimped to the living body 700 side by pressing the metal dome 610. As a result, the sensor unit 400 and the mounting unit 500 are fixed. Further, the light emitting unit 410 and the light receiving unit 420 are arranged at positions closer to the living body 700. When removing the sensor unit 400 from the mounting unit 500, the metal dome 610 may be pushed back from the lower surface side of the mount member 530.

As described above, according to the biosensor according to the second embodiment, the decrease in the detection sensitivity can be suitably suppressed by cleaning at the time of wearing, as in the first embodiment described above.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of claims and within a range not contrary to the gist or idea of the invention that can be read from the entire specification, and an information acquisition device accompanied by such a modification. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

100 Sensor holding part 110 Electronic circuit board 115 Wiring 120 Light emitting part 130 Light receiving part 151-155 Fixed claw 200 Contact fixing part 210 1st opening 220 2nd opening 230 1st cleaning part 240 2nd cleaning part 300 Finger 400 Sensor part 405 Wiring 410 Light emitting part 420 Light receiving part 500 Mounting part 510 Cover member 520 Holding member 530 Mounting member 610 Metal dome 620 3rd opening 630 4th opening 650 Cleaning part 700 Living body

Claims (1)

The sensor unit that acquires information and
A mounting part for mounting the sensor part and a mounting part for acquiring the information.
An information acquisition device comprising a contact portion that temporarily contacts the sensor unit when the sensor unit is attached and does not contact the sensor unit after the sensor unit is attached.

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