JP6823826B2 - Biometric device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a biological measuring device worn on the neck to measure the state of a living body.

As a biometric device of this type, for example, in Patent Document 1, swallowing is performed by a coil for generating a magnetic field (a coil for transmitting) and a coil for receiving an induced electromotive force (a coil for receiving) which are attached to the neck and are in contact with the neck. A device for inspecting faults is described. Specifically, it is provided with a flexible holder whose end is opened and attached and held around the neck, and a sensor holding portion is fixed to each of the opened ends. A transmitting coil is provided on one side of the sensor holding portion, and a receiving coil is provided on the other side of the sensor holding portion. As a result, the coil of each sensor holding portion comes into contact with the neck by attaching the flexible holder around the neck.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-213592

However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1 as described above, the sensor holding portion on which the coil is arranged is fixed to the end portion of the flexible holder. Therefore, when the flexible holder is attached around the neck, the sensor holding portion does not move with respect to the flexible holder, so that the angle at which the coil contacts the neck cannot be changed. Therefore, depending on the outer shape of the neck, the coil may not be sufficiently in close contact with the neck, and dysphagia may not be measured accurately. Further, in the case of a device in which an electrode for measuring the state of a living body is brought into contact with the neck instead of a coil as in Patent Document 1, the adhesion between the electrode and the neck has a large influence on the measurement result. ..

In view of the above circumstances, one of the objects of the present invention is to solve the problem of improving the adhesion between the electrode and the neck.

One aspect of the biometric device according to the present invention is a flexible support portion in which an end portion is opened to surround the neck, and one end portion and the other end portion of the flexible support portion are rotated. It comprises an electrode holding portion that is possibly supported, and a first electrode and a second electrode that are included in each of the electrode holding portions and are arranged apart from each other, and each of the electrode holding portions is a flexible supporting portion. The supported position is within the range from the arrangement position of the first electrode to the arrangement position of the second electrode. According to this aspect, since the ends of the flexible support portions are open, the flexible support portions can be easily attached around the neck by widening these ends, and each electrode holding portion can be attached. The first electrode and the second electrode can be brought into contact with the neck. Moreover, since each electrode holding portion rotates with respect to the flexible support portion, when the biometric device is attached to the neck, each electrode holding portion rotates according to the outer shape of the neck, and the first electrode and the second electrode The angle of contact with the neck changes to fit the surface of the neck. As a result, the adhesion between each electrode and the neck can be improved as compared with the case where each electrode holding portion is fixed to the flexible support portion and the angle of contact with the neck cannot be changed. Further, since the position where each of the electrode holding portions is supported by the flexible supporting portion is within the range from the arrangement position of the first electrode to the arrangement position of the second electrode, each first electrode of the electrode holding portion. And the second electrode can be easily brought into close contact with the neck, and the close contact between the first electrode, the second electrode and the neck can be improved.

In one aspect of the invention described above, the flexible support is connected to a first support that contacts the posterior portion around the neck and one end and the other end of the first support. The first support portion is curved with a curvature smaller than the curvature of the posterior portion of the neck and extends in the lateral width direction of the neck, and each of the second support portions is the first. The curvature of the curved portion includes a curved portion that curves from the end of the support portion toward the anterior portion around the neck and an extending portion that is connected to the curved portion and extends to the front portion of the neck. Is greater than the curvature of the first support. According to this aspect, the biometric device is supported by the back and front parts of the neck by the flexible support and each electrode of each electrode holding part, and the second support of the flexible support is provided. A gap is likely to occur between the part and the neck. Therefore, it becomes easier for the user to recognize the part where each electrode contacts the neck, and each electrode is evenly and well-balanced with respect to the left and right of the front part of the neck, thereby improving the adhesion between each electrode and the neck. be able to.

In one aspect of the invention described above, each of the second supports has a length adjusting mechanism for adjusting the length surrounding the neck. According to this aspect, the length surrounding the circumference of the neck can be adjusted according to the outer shape of the neck, whereby the electrodes are arranged in a well-balanced manner, so that the adhesion between each electrode and the neck can be improved.

In one aspect of the invention described above, in each of the electrode holding portions, the first electrode and the second electrode are separately urged to the neck side by the electrode urging member. According to this aspect, when each of the first electrode and the second electrode comes into contact with the surface of the neck, the first electrode and the second electrode move according to the outer shape of the neck, and the urging force of the electrode urging member causes the neck to move. Be pressed. Therefore, the adhesion between each electrode and the neck can be improved as compared with the case where the first electrode and the second electrode do not move.

In one aspect of the invention described above, the microphone is provided on the neck side, and the microphone is urged on the neck side by an electrode urging member or on the neck side by a microphone urging member different from the electrode urging member. Be urged. According to this aspect, since the microphone is provided on the neck side, the state of the living body can be measured by using the sound signal acquired from the microphone. Moreover, since the microphone is urged to the neck side by the electrode urging member or urged to the neck side by a microphone urging member different from the electrode urging member, the adhesion between the microphone and the neck is improved. Can be done.

In one aspect of the invention described above, each of the electrode holding portions is rotatably supported by the flexible supporting portion by a support shaft, and in each of the electrode holding portions, the first electrode is a plurality of first individual electrodes. Are arranged along the axial direction of the support shaft, and the second electrode is formed by arranging the same number of second individual electrodes as the first individual electrode along the axial direction of the support shaft. According to this aspect, by arranging a plurality of first individual electrodes and the same number of second individual electrodes along the axial direction of the support shaft, it is possible to easily fit the outer shape of the neck. The adhesion between the electrode and the neck can be improved.

In one aspect of the invention described above, each of the electrode holding portions comprises a plurality of individual electrode holding portions arranged along the axial direction of the support shaft, and each of the plurality of individual electrode holding portions includes the first individual electrode and the first individual electrode holding portion. It includes a second individual electrode and is separately rotatably supported by a flexible support by a support shaft. According to this aspect, since the plurality of individual electrode holding portions can be rotated separately by the support shaft, the fit to the outer shape of the neck can be improved, and the adhesion between each electrode and the neck is further improved. be able to.

It is a figure which shows the appearance when the biological measuring apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention is attached to a neck. It is an external perspective view of a biometric measuring apparatus. It is a top view when the biometric device is attached to the neck. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control device of a biometric device. It is an external perspective view of the electrode holding part. It is an exploded perspective view of the electrode holding part. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of the electrode holding portion shown in FIG. It is external perspective view of the electrode holding part in 2nd Embodiment. It is external perspective view of the electrode holding part in the modification of 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view of the biological measuring apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a top view of the biometric measuring apparatus in the modification of 3rd Embodiment. It is a top view of the biological measuring apparatus in another modification of 3rd Embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the biometric device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance when the biometric device 10 according to the present embodiment is attached to the neck 2 of a person 1. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the biological measurement device 10. FIG. 3 is a plan view when the biological measurement device 10 is worn around the neck. In FIG. 3, the outer shape of the cross section of the neck 2 is shown by a thick solid line (the same applies to FIGS. 10 and 11 shown below).

The biological measuring device 10 of the present embodiment is a swallowing measuring device, which is a kind of this, and is attached to the neck 2 to measure the swallowing motion. In recent years, it is said that sarcopenia, which causes a decrease in muscle mass and muscle strength with aging, causes a decrease in motor function related to oral cavity and swallowing. In particular, the ability to organize, send, and swallow bolus is greatly affected by the functional deterioration of the hyoid muscle group. Therefore, the swallowing motion can be measured by measuring the state of the muscles involved in swallowing.

Since the expansion and contraction of the muscle of the neck 2 can be detected as a change in impedance, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the first electrodes 32A and 32B for current supply and the second electrodes 34A and 34B for voltage measurement are predetermined for the neck 2. By contacting the position and detecting the change in impedance, the state of the muscle involved in swallowing can be measured. The first electrodes 32A and 32B and the second electrodes 34A and 34B come into contact with a predetermined position of the neck 2 and function as electrodes for measuring the state of the muscle. By the way, if the adhesion between the electrode and the neck is poor, the measurement accuracy may deteriorate. Here, as in the example shown in FIG. 1, the predetermined position is preferably the position of the anterior side portion 3 around the neck 2 near the bottom of the thyroid cartilage 5 before swallowing, and the thyroid cartilage 5 fists up. It is possible to accurately detect the expansion and contraction of the muscles as a change in impedance. It should be noted that the predetermined position can be performed as long as it is a certain position (a position characterized by extension / contraction by swallowing motion) that can mean the structure of the muscle, and is not limited to this part.

Therefore, in the case where the biometric device 10 of the present embodiment is attached to the neck 2 and the first electrodes 32A and 32B and the second electrodes 34A and 34B are brought into contact with a predetermined position of the neck 2 to measure the swallowing motion. In addition, the adhesion between the electrodes 32A, 32B, 34A, 34B and the predetermined position of the neck 2 is improved so that the measurement can be performed easily and accurately.

Hereinafter, a specific configuration example of the biometric device 10 of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the biometric measuring device 10 includes a mounting unit 20 and a control device 40. The control device 40 controls each part of the electrical system of the biological measurement device 10. The mounting portion 20 is a measuring device main body to be mounted on the neck 2, and includes a flexible support portion 22, an electrode holding portion 30A, and an electrode holding portion 30B. The flexible support portion 22 is a band-shaped flexible member that surrounds the neck 2, and the ends 21A and 21B are open. Here, a case where the flexible support portion 22 has a ring shape (a portion having a different curvature may be provided) is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other shapes may be used. For example, the flexible support portion 22 may have a substantially quadrangular shape or a substantially triangular shape.

The electrode holding portion 30A is rotatably supported by one end 21A of the flexible support portion 22, and the electrode holding portion 30B is rotatably supported by the other end 21B. The electrode holding portion 30A and the electrode holding portion 30B are rotatable within an angular range regulated by the flexible support portion 22.

The electrode holding portion 30A includes a first electrode 32A for current supply and a second electrode 34A for voltage measurement. The first electrode 32A for current supply and the second electrode 34A for voltage measurement are separated from each other and held by the electrode holding portion 30A. The electrode holding portion 30A is rotatably supported by the support shaft 26A about the shaft at the end portion 21A of the flexible support portion 22. The position where the electrode holding portion 30A is supported by the flexible support portion 22 is within the range from the placement position of the first electrode 32A to the placement position of the second electrode 34A. According to this, both the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A are in close contact with the neck 2 as compared with the case where the electrode holding portion 30A is supported by the flexible support portion 22 at a position outside the above range. This facilitates the process and enhances the adhesion between the first electrode 32A, the second electrode 34A, and the neck 2. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the electrode holding portion 30A is viewed from a direction (direction in contact with the neck 2) perpendicular to the arrangement direction (circumferential direction of the neck 2) of the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A. It is supported by the flexible support portion 22 at a position between the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A in a plan view.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the surface opposite to the surface on which the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A are arranged is rotatably connected to the end portion 21A of the flexible support portion 22. The connection portion 27A is arranged. A shaft hole 272 into which the support shaft 26A is inserted is formed in the connecting portion 27A and the end portion 21A. The support shaft 26A is composed of, for example, a shaft portion and a head portion provided at one end of the shaft portion. The shaft portion of the support shaft 26A is inserted into the shaft hole 272, and the other end of the shaft portion is stopped by the retaining ring 26a. The support shaft 26A is attached to the head portion on one end side and the retaining ring 26a on the other end side of the shaft portion so as not to come out of the shaft hole 272. The support shaft 26A is not limited to the above-described configuration.

In the present embodiment, the case where the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A are supported at the center position is illustrated, but the case is supported between the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A at a position other than the center position. You may do so. The distance between the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A is preferably about 10 to 40 mm.

The electrode holding portion 30B includes a first electrode 32B for current supply and a second electrode 34B for voltage measurement. The first electrode 32B for current supply and the second electrode 34B for voltage measurement are separated from each other and held by the electrode holding portion 30B. The electrode holding portion 30B is rotatably supported by the support shaft 26B about the shaft at the end portion 21B of the flexible support portion 22. The position where the electrode holding portion 30B is supported by the flexible support portion 22 is within a range from the arrangement position of the first electrode 32B to the arrangement position of the second electrode 34B. According to this, both the first electrode 32B and the second electrode 34B are in close contact with the neck 2 as compared with the case where the electrode holding portion 30B is supported by the flexible support portion 22 at a position outside the above range. This facilitates the process and enhances the adhesion between the first electrode 32B, the second electrode 34B, and the neck 2. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the electrode holding portion 30B is viewed from a direction (direction in contact with the neck 2) perpendicular to the arrangement direction (circumferential direction of the neck 2) of the first electrode 32B and the second electrode 34B. It is supported by the flexible support portion 22 at a position between the first electrode 32B and the second electrode 34B in a plan view.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the surface opposite to the surface on which the first electrode 32B and the second electrode 34B are arranged is rotatably connected to the end portion 21B of the flexible support portion 22. The connection portion 27B is arranged. A shaft hole 272 into which the support shaft 26B is inserted is formed in the connecting portion 27B and the end portion 21B. The support shaft 26B is composed of, for example, a shaft portion and a head portion provided at one end of the shaft portion. The shaft portion of the support shaft 26B is inserted into the shaft hole 272, and the other end of the shaft portion is stopped by the retaining ring 26b. The support shaft 26B is attached to the head portion on one end side and the retaining ring 26b on the other end side of the shaft portion so as not to come out of the shaft hole 272. The support shaft 26B is not limited to the above-described configuration.

In the present embodiment, the case where the first electrode 32B and the second electrode 34B are supported at the center position is illustrated, but the case is supported between the first electrode 32B and the second electrode 34B at a position other than the center position. You may do so. The distance between the first electrode 32B and the second electrode 34B is preferably about 10 to 40 mm.

As shown in FIG. 3, the flexible support portion 22 is a first support portion 23 that contacts the rear side portion 4 around the neck 2, and one end portion and the other end portion of the first support portion 23. It includes the second support portions 24A and 24B which are connected to each of them. A control device 40 is attached to the outside of the first support portion 23. According to this, since the control device 40 is arranged at the rear portion 4 of the neck 2, the weight balance is good and the flexible support portion 22 can be easily attached.

The first support portion 23 is curved with a curvature smaller than the curvature of the rear portion 4 of the neck 2 and extends in the lateral width direction of the neck 2. Each of the second support portions 24A and 24B has a curved portion 242 that curves from the end of the first support portion 23 toward the front side portion 3 around the neck 2, and the neck 2 that is connected to the curved portion 242. The curvature of the curved portion 242 is larger than the curvature of the first support portion 23, including the extending portion 244 extending to the front portion 3 of the above.

According to this configuration, the mounting portion 20 is necked by the first support portion 23 of the flexible support portion 22, the electrodes 32A and 34A of the electrode holding portion 30A, and the electrodes 32B and 34B of the electrode holding portion 30B. Since it is supported by the rear side portion 4 and the front side portion 3 of 2, a gap P is likely to be formed between the second support portions 24A and 24B of the flexible support portion 22 and the neck 2. This makes it easier for the user to recognize where the electrodes 32A, 34A, 32B, and 34B come into contact with the neck 2, and the electrodes 32A, 34A, 32B, and 34B are equal to the left and right of the front portion 3 of the neck 2. Since the electrodes are arranged in a well-balanced manner, the adhesion between the electrodes 32A, 34A, 32B, 34B and the neck 2 can be improved.

Each of the second support portions 24A and 24B has a length adjusting mechanism for adjusting the length surrounding the neck 2. In each of the second support portions 24A and 24B, the extension portion 244 functions as a length adjusting mechanism. The extending portion 244 includes a hollow tubular portion 244a that is connected to the curved portion 242 and a tip portion 244b that is retractably attached to the tubular portion 244a. The tip portion 244b has an arm-shaped slider 244c extending from the tubular portion 244a side, and the slider 244c is slidably inserted into the tubular portion 244a. According to such a configuration, the length of the extending portion 244 can be adjusted by pulling out the tip portion 244b with respect to the tubular portion 244a. As a result, the length surrounding the neck 2 can be adjusted according to the outer shape of the neck 2. For example, even a user with a thick neck 2 can adjust the length of the extension portion 244 so that the electrodes 32A, 32B, 34A, and 34B come into contact with a predetermined position of the front portion 3 of the neck 2, thereby each electrode 32A. , 32B, 34A, 34B are arranged in a well-balanced manner, so that the adhesion between the electrodes 32A, 32B, 34A, 34B and the neck 2 can be improved.

The mounting portion 20 includes a microphone M arranged on the neck 2 side. As shown in FIG. 1, the microphone M of the present embodiment is arranged on the neck 2 side by being incorporated in the second electrode 34A of the electrode holding portion 30A, and indirectly contacts the surface of the neck 2. Specifically, the microphone M is arranged on the back surface of the electrode plate 36 opposite to the front surface in contact with the neck 2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, when the electrode plate 36 of the second electrode 34A comes into contact with the neck 2, the microphone M indirectly contacts the neck 2 via the electrode plate 36. A specific configuration example of such an electrode holding portion 30A will be described later.

When the microphone M of the present embodiment acquires a sound accompanying swallowing, it converts it into an electric signal and outputs it as a microphone signal. The microphone M is not limited to the case where the microphone M is built in the second electrode 34A of the electrode holding portion 30A, and may be built in the first electrode 32A of the electrode holding portion 30A. Further, the microphone M may be built in either the first electrode 32B or the second electrode 34B of the electrode holding portion 30B. Further, the microphone M may be attached to any portion as long as the sound accompanying swallowing can be collected.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device 40 in the biological measurement device 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 40 is connected to the first electrodes 32A and 32B, the second electrodes 34A and 34B, and the microphone M by the wirings 32L, 34L, and ML routed in the mounting portion 20, respectively. .. Specifically, the control device 40 is connected to the first electrodes 32A and 32B by the wiring 32L, connected to the second electrodes 34A and 34B by the wiring 34L, respectively, and connected to the microphone M by the wiring ML.

The control device 40 includes a control unit 41. The control unit 41 is composed of an information processing device such as a microprocessor, for example, and is a means for executing various control processes. Further, the control device 40 includes a measurement unit 42, an input unit 43 for inputting an instruction from the user, a display unit 44 for displaying information to the user, and a storage unit for storing data such as a control program and correction. It includes 45 and a power supply unit 46 that supplies electric power to each part of the electrical system of the biometric device 10. The control unit 41 is connected to the measurement unit 42, the input unit 43, the display unit 44, the storage unit 45, and the power supply unit 46.

The measuring unit 42 includes a current supply unit 422 in which the first electrodes 32A and 32B are connected via wiring 32L, a voltage measuring unit 424 in which the second electrodes 34A and 34B are connected via wiring 34L, and a microphone. The M includes a sound detection unit 426 connected via the wiring ML. The current supply unit 422 supplies a current between the first electrode 32A and the first electrode 32B. The voltage measuring unit 424 measures the voltage between the second electrode 34A and the second electrode 34B. The sound detection unit 426 amplifies the microphone signal output from the microphone M.

The current supply unit 422 supplies an alternating current between the first electrode 32A and the first electrode 32B, and causes the alternating current to flow to the muscle of the neck 2 related to swallowing. The frequency of the alternating current supplied from the current supply unit 422 is set to, for example, 50 kHz. The frequency of the alternating current may be any frequency as long as the alternating current can be passed through the muscles of the neck related to swallowing, and for example, a frequency of 5 kHz to 500 kHz is preferable.

The control unit 41 executes a predetermined control program, for example, based on the alternating current supplied from the current supply unit 422 and the voltage measured by the voltage measurement unit 424, and the neck muscle (for example, the sublingual muscle). The impedance of the group, etc.) is calculated, and based on the impedance, the expansion and contraction of the muscle when the thyroid cartilage 5 rises is measured. The storage unit 45 functions as a work area of the control unit 41, and stores various arithmetic expressions for measurement, a history of measurement results, and the like. The measurement result is displayed on the display unit 44.

Further, the control unit 41 uses the impedance based on the measurement results of the first electrodes 32A and 32B and the second electrodes 34A and 34B described above and the sound signal of the sound associated with swallowing collected by the microphone M to allow the presence or absence of swallowing. Can be judged with high accuracy. Specifically, based on the microphone signal from the microphone M, the absolute value of the difference between the average value of the microphone signal and the instantaneous value of the microphone signal is acquired as a sound signal corresponding to the sound accompanying swallowing. For example, when a change in which the sound signal exceeds a predetermined level and a change in which the impedance increases from the steady state occur within a predetermined time, it can be determined that swallowing is present. According to this, it is possible to reduce the erroneous determination as compared with the case where the presence or absence of swallowing is determined only by the sound information from the microphone M.

In addition, when it is determined that swallowing has occurred, it is possible to determine whether the swallowing is normal or abnormal based on at least one of the impedance and the sound signal. Specifically, when it is determined that there is swallowing, if the ability of the infrahyoid muscle group calculated as described above exceeds the threshold value, it is determined that swallowing is normal, and the threshold value must be exceeded. If swallowing is abnormal, it can be determined.

In the configuration of the control device 40 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the functions of the input unit 43, the display unit 44, and the storage unit 45 may be substituted by application software of an information communication terminal such as a personal computer or a smartphone. Often, it may be configured in both the control device 40 and the information communication terminal. In this case, the control device 40 is provided with an interface so that it can be connected to the information communication terminal by wire or wirelessly.

According to the biometric device 10 having such a configuration, since the ends 21A and 21B of the flexible support portion 22 are open, the flexible support can be easily supported by expanding these ends 21A and 21B. The portion 22 can be attached around the neck 2, and the electrodes 32A and 34A of the electrode holding portion 30A and the electrodes 32B and 34B of the electrode holding portion 30A can be brought into contact with a predetermined position of the neck 2.

Moreover, as shown by the dotted arrow in FIG. 3, the electrode holding portions 30A and 30B rotate with respect to the flexible support portion 22, so that when the mounting portion 20 is mounted on the neck 2, it conforms to the outer shape of the neck 2. The electrode holding portions 30A and 30B rotate, and the angles at which the electrodes 32A, 34A, 32B and 34B come into contact with the neck 2 change to fit the surface of the neck 2. As a result, the adhesion between the electrodes 32A, 34A, 32B, 34B and the neck 2 can be improved as compared with the case where the electrode holding portions 30A and 30B are fixed to the flexible support portion 22 and the angle cannot be changed. Can be improved.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the adhesion between the electrodes 32A, 34A, 32B, 34B and the neck 2 can be improved, so that the measurement accuracy can be improved. As a result, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining whether or not swallowing is present and whether swallowing is normal or abnormal.

Further, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, a gap P is likely to be formed between the second support portions 24A and 24B of the flexible support portion 22 and the neck 2. As a result, the electrodes 32A, 34A, 32B, and 34B come into contact with the neck 2 as compared with the case where the gap P does not occur between the second support portions 24A, 24B of the flexible support portion 22 and the neck 2. It becomes easier for the user to recognize the location. Therefore, for example, the user can adjust the position where the mounting portion 20 is mounted while checking the positions where the electrodes 32A, 34A, 32B, and 34B come into contact with the neck 2. Further, since the first support portion 23 and the second support portions 24A and 24B are flexible, the curvatures of the first support portion 23 and the second support portions 24A and 24B change according to the outer shape of the neck 2. According to this, even if the outer shape of the neck 2 is different, a gap P is likely to occur between the second support portions 24A and 24B and the neck 2. This makes it easier for the user to recognize where the electrodes 32A, 34A, 32B, and 34B come into contact with the neck 2, and the electrodes 32A, 34A, 32B, and 34B are equal to the left and right of the front portion 3 of the neck 2. Since the electrodes are arranged in a well-balanced manner, the adhesion between the electrodes 32A, 34A, 32B, 34B and the neck 2 can be improved.

Next, a specific configuration example of the electrode holding portion 30A and the electrode holding portion 30B will be described. The electrode holding portion 30A and the electrode holding portion 30B are arranged symmetrically as shown in FIG. 3, but since the configurations are the same, the configuration of the electrode holding portion 30A will be described as a representative. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the electrode holding portion 30A, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the electrode holding portion 30A. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of the electrode holding portion shown in FIG. In FIGS. 5 and 7, the direction in which the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A are arranged apart from each other is defined as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X direction is defined as the Y direction. The Z direction is the direction perpendicular to the XY plane. The X, Y, and Z directions are indicated by arrows, and the direction of the arrow is the positive side and the opposite side is the negative side (the same applies to FIGS. 6 and 7 shown below).

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the electrode holding portion 30A has a structure in which the negative side and the positive side in the X direction are substantially symmetrical with respect to the YY plane including the center line OO along the Y direction. .. The electrode holding portion 30A includes a substantially box-shaped case 37 that is long in the X direction, and the case 37 joins the first case member 38 on the negative side in the Y direction and the second case member 39 on the positive side in the Y direction. It is composed. The outer shape of the case 37 is curved so as to be recessed on the negative side in the Y direction so as to fit the outer shape of the neck 2. In the electrode holding portion 30A, the first electrode 32A is arranged on the negative side in the X direction from the center line OO, and the second electrode 34A is arranged on the positive side in the X direction from the center line OO. ..

Each of the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A is urged from the surface on the positive side in the Y direction of the electrode holding portion 30A to the neck 2 side by a stretchable electrode urging member S such as a coil spring. 1 Provided on the case member 38. The first electrode 32A protrudes from the hole portion 392 formed in the second case member 39, and the second electrode 34A protrudes from the hole portion 394 formed in the second case member 39. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, a first projection 382 on which one end of the electrode urging member S of the first electrode 32A is mounted is provided in the first case member 38, and the second electrode 34A is provided. A second protrusion 384 on which one end of the electrode urging member S is mounted is provided. The other end of the electrode urging member S of the first electrode 32A is attached to the electrode plate support 35 of the first electrode 32A, and the other end of the electrode urging member S of the second electrode 34A is the electrode of the second electrode 34A. It is attached to the plate support 35.

As a result, each of the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A protrudes from the holes 392 and 394 of the second case member 39 so as to be able to advance and retreat. Therefore, each of the electrode plates 36 of the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A comes into contact with the surface of the neck 2, advances and retreats according to the outer shape of the neck 2, and is brought to the surface of the neck 2 by the urging force of the electrode urging member S. By being pressed, the adhesion between the electrode plate 36 and the neck 2 can be improved. Further, since the microphone M is built in the second electrode 34A, the microphone M is also urged toward the neck 2 side together with the first electrode 32A by the electrode urging member S that urges the second electrode 34A. As a result, the adhesion between the microphone M and the neck 2 can be improved.

The first protrusion 382 and the second protrusion 384 may be provided with a switch member for starting the measurement. In this case, for example, the switch member is pressed against the electrode plate support 35 so that the switch is turned on when the first protrusion 382 and the second protrusion 384 move by a predetermined position. The control unit 41 monitors the switch member, and when the switch is turned on, the current supply unit 422 starts supplying current, and the voltage measuring unit 424 measures the voltage to start measuring the state of muscles involved in swallowing. To do.

The surface opposite to the surface on which the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A are arranged, that is, the surface on the negative side in the Y direction of the electrode holding portion 30A, is connected to the end portion 21A of the flexible support portion 22. The connection portion 27A is arranged. A shaft hole 272 into which the support shaft 26A is inserted is formed in the connecting portion 27A.

As shown in FIG. 7, the electrode holding portion 30A has the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A in a plan view when the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A are viewed from a direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the arrangement direction (X direction). The support shaft 26A is arranged at the center position of the two electrodes 34A. That is, in the arrangement direction (X direction) of the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A, the distance from the center line OO to the first electrode 32A and the distance from the center line OO to the second electrode 34A are Equally, the support shaft 26A is located at the center line OO.

As described above, the electrode holding portion 30A is rotatably supported by the flexible support portion 22 by the support shaft 26A at the central position of the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A in a plan view from the Y direction. The adhesion between the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A can be improved with respect to the neck 2, and the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A can be brought into contact with the neck 2 with substantially equal pressing force. .. Further, the electrode urging member S can urge the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A so as to come into contact with the surface of the neck 2 substantially perpendicularly.

The position where each of the electrode holding portions 30A and 30B is supported by the flexible support portion 22 is from the Y direction as long as it is within the range from the arrangement position of the first electrode 32A to the arrangement position of the second electrode 34A. In the plan view of, it may be a position other than the central position between the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A, or it may be a position overlapping with either the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A. .. Even in this way, the angle at which the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A come into contact with the neck 2 can be changed according to the outer shape of the neck 2. As a result, the adhesion between the first electrode 32A, the second electrode 34A, and the neck 2 can be improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, each of the electrode holding portions 30A and 30B is supported by the flexible support portion 22 on the surface opposite to the surface on which the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A are arranged. Although illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this, and if it is within the range from the arrangement position of the first electrode 32A to the arrangement position of the second electrode 34A, the surface is the same as the surface on which the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A are arranged. It may be supported. Further, as long as it is within the range from the arrangement position of the first electrode 32A to the arrangement position of the second electrode 34A, it may be supported by the upper and lower side surfaces of the electrode holding portions 30A and 30B. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where each of the electrode holding portions 30A and 30B is rotatably supported by the support shaft is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and each of the electrode holding portions 30A and 30B is supported by a spherical body. It may be rotatably supported.

As shown in FIG. 6, the electrode plate support 35 of the second electrode 34A is formed with a hole H into which the microphone M is inserted. By inserting the microphone M into the hole H and bringing it into contact with the surface of the electrode plate 36 opposite to the surface in contact with the neck 2, when the electrode plate 36 comes into contact with the neck 2, the microphone M comes into contact with the electrode plate. Indirect contact with neck 2 via 36. By incorporating the microphone M in the electrode plate support 35 in this way, the number of members in contact with the neck 2 is reduced as compared with the case where the microphone M is brought into contact with a portion of the neck 2 other than the electrode plate 36. Therefore, the wearing feeling of the mounting portion 20 can be improved. As shown in FIG. 6, a hole H may be formed in the electrode plate support 35 of the first electrode 32A, and the microphone M may be inserted into the hole H of the first electrode 32A.

<Second Embodiment>
The biometric device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. For the elements whose actions and functions are the same as those of the first embodiment in each of the embodiments exemplified below, the reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment will be diverted and detailed description of each will be omitted as appropriate. The biometric device of the second embodiment is obtained by changing the configurations of the electrode holding portion 30A and the electrode holding portion 30B of the biometric measuring device 10 of the first embodiment. In the biological measurement device 10 of the second embodiment, since the configurations of the electrode holding portion 30A and the electrode holding portion 30B are the same, the electrode holding portion 30A will be described as a representative. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the electrode holding portion 30A according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG.

The first electrode 32A of FIG. 8 is formed by arranging the first individual electrodes 32a and 32b along the axial direction of the support shaft 26A, and the second electrode 34A has the second individual electrodes 34a and 34b as axes of the support shaft 26A. It is arranged along the direction. Each of the first individual electrodes 32a and 32b and the second individual electrodes 34a and 34b includes the electrode plate support 35 and the electrode plate 36, and is urged by the electrode urging member S to the electrode holding portion 30A and can move forward and backward. It is provided in. Note that FIG. 8 shows a state before the mounting portion 20 is mounted on the neck 2, and each of the first individual electrodes 32a and 32b and the second individual electrodes 34a and 34b is maximally movable (protruding). Is).

The case where the electrode plate support 35 in FIG. 8 is tubular or rod-shaped and the electrode plate 36 is spherical is illustrated, but the shapes of the electrode plate support 35 and the electrode plate 36 are not limited to this. The number of the second individual electrode and the number of the first individual electrode are the same, but the number is not limited to two and may be three or more. By arranging the plurality of first individual electrodes and the same number of second individual electrodes along the axial direction of the support shaft in this way, it is possible to easily fit the outer shape of the neck 2, so that the electrode plate 36 It is possible to improve the adhesion between the body and the neck 2, and it becomes easier to follow the movement of muscles during swallowing.

In the configuration of FIG. 8, the electrode holding portion 30A may be divided into a plurality of parts so as to be rotatable separately with respect to the support shaft 26A. For example, the electrode holding portion 30A may be configured as in the modified example of the second embodiment shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, the electrode holding portion 30A will be described as a representative. Although the electrode holding portion 30B is not shown, it has the same configuration as the electrode holding portion 30A.

As shown in FIG. 9, the electrode holding portion 30A is composed of a plurality of individual electrode holding portions 30a and 30b arranged along the axial direction of the support shaft 26A, and is separately attached to the flexible support portion 22 by the support shaft 26A. It is rotatably supported. The individual electrode holding portion 30a holds the first individual electrode 32a and the second individual electrode 34a, and the individual electrode holding portion 30b holds the first individual electrode 32b and the second individual electrode 34b. According to this, since the plurality of individual electrode holding portions 30a and 30b can be rotated separately by the support shaft 26A, the case where the electrode holding portions 30A are not divided into the individual electrode holding portions as shown in FIG. 8 is compared. Therefore, the fit to the outer shape of the neck 2 can be improved, the adhesion between the electrode plate 36 and the neck 2 can be further improved, and the effect of facilitating the movement of muscles during swallowing becomes remarkable. ..

In the electrode holding portion 30A of the second embodiment, the microphone M is built in the electrode in either the first electrode 32A or the second electrode 34A as in the first embodiment. Specifically, in the configuration of FIG. 8 or 9, the microphone M is built in any one of the first individual electrodes 32a and 32b and the second individual electrodes 34a and 34b.

<Third Embodiment>
The biometric device according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the case where the microphone M is built in the electrode is illustrated, but in the third embodiment, the case where the microphone M is not built in the electrode is illustrated. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the biometric device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 illustrates a case where the microphone M is provided on the flexible support portion 22.

The microphone M shown in FIG. 10 is arranged on the neck 2 side of the second support portion 24B of the flexible support portion 22. The microphone M is provided on the second support portion 24B so as to be urged toward the neck 2 side by a telescopic microphone urging member S'such as a coil spring. The microphone M is provided at the tip of the microphone urging member S'and projects from the inner surface (neck 2 side) of the second support portion 24B toward the side in contact with the neck 2. According to this, the microphone M can be brought into direct contact with the neck 2 by attaching the flexible support portion 22 to the neck 2. Further, since the microphone M is pressed against the neck 2 by the urging force of the microphone urging member S', the adhesion between the microphone M and the neck 2 can be improved.

In addition, in FIG. 10, the case where the microphone M is arranged on the neck 2 side of the second support portion 24B of the flexible support portion 22 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the case is not limited to this. A microphone M may be arranged. Further, the microphone M may be arranged on the neck 2 side of the electrode holding portion 30A or the electrode holding portion 30B. For example, in the modified example of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 11, a case where the microphone M is arranged on the neck 2 side of the electrode holding portion 30A is illustrated.

In the configuration of FIG. 11, the microphone M is arranged between the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A of the electrode holding portion 30A. The microphone M is provided on the electrode holding portion 30A so as to be urged toward the neck 2 side by a telescopic microphone urging member S'such as a coil spring. The microphone M is provided at the tip of the microphone urging member S'and projects from the surface of the electrode holding portion 30A where the electrodes 32A and 34A are arranged toward the side in contact with the neck 2. According to this, the microphone M can be brought into direct contact with the neck 2 by bringing the first electrode 32A and the second electrode 34A into contact with the neck 2. Further, since the microphone M is pressed against the neck 2 by the urging force of the microphone urging member S', the adhesion between the microphone M and the neck 2 can be improved.

Further, for example, as shown in another modification of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the microphone M may be arranged between the electrode holding portion 30A and the electrode holding portion 30B. Even if the microphone M is arranged at such a position, the microphone M can be brought into direct contact with the neck 2, and the sound accompanying swallowing can be collected by the microphone M. The microphone M in FIG. 12 may be supported by any part of the mounting portion 20, for example, the electrode holding portion 30A or the electrode holding portion 30B, and the microphone mounting portion may be provided separately from the mounting portion 20 to provide a neck. It may be attached to 2.

In the above embodiment, the case where the biological measurement device 10 according to the present invention is applied to the swallowing measurement device is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, it can be applied to a body composition measurement device. When configured as a body composition measuring device, the body composition index (body fat percentage of neck 2, muscle mass of neck 2, etc.) is obtained as the state of the living body from the impedance measured by each electrode 32A, 34A, 32B, 34B. be able to. Further, the microphone M does not necessarily have to be provided. Further, although the case where the biological measurement device 10 is attached to the human neck 2 has been illustrated, it is not limited to humans and can be attached to the neck of an animal.

1 ... person, 2 ... neck, 3 ... anterior part, 4 ... posterior part, 5 ... thyroid, 10 ... biometric measuring device, 20 ... mounting part, 21A, 21B ... end part, 22 ... flexible support part, 23 ... 1st support, 24A, 24B ... 2nd support, 242 ... Curved, 244 ... Extension, 244a ... Cylindrical, 244b ... Tip, 244c ... Slider, 26A, 26B ... Support shaft, 26a , 26b ... Stop ring, 27A, 27B ... Connection part, 272 ... Shaft hole, 30A, 30B ... Electrode holding part, 30a, 30b ... Individual electrode holding part, 32A, 32B ... First electrode, 32a, 32b ... First individual Electrodes, 32L, 34L, ML ... Wiring, 34A, 34B ... Second electrode, 34a, 34b ... Second individual electrode, 35 ... Electrode plate support, 36 ... Electrode plate, 37 ... Case, 38 ... First case member, 382 ... 1st protrusion, 384 ... 2nd protrusion, 39 ... 2nd case member, 392, 394 ... Hole, 40 ... Control device, 41 ... Control unit, 42 ... Measurement unit, 422 ... Current supply unit, 424 ... Voltage measuring unit, 426 ... Sound detection unit, 43 ... Input unit, 44 ... Display unit, 45 ... Storage unit, 46 ... Power supply unit, H ... Hole, M ... Microphone, P ... Gap, S ... Electrode urging member , S'... Mike urging member.

Claims (9)

A flexible support with an open end that surrounds the neck,
An electrode holding portion rotatably supported on each of one end and the other end of the flexible support,
A first electrode and a second electrode, which are held by each of the electrode holding portions and are arranged apart from each other, are provided.
A biometric device in which each of the electrode holding portions is supported by the flexible support portion within a range from the arrangement position of the first electrode to the arrangement position of the second electrode. The flexible support portion
In contact with the posterior site around the neck
A first support that curves with a curvature smaller than the curvature of the posterior part of the neck
Biometric apparatus according to claim 1 having a. A second support portion connected to each of one end portion and the other end portion of the first support portion is provided.
Each of the second support portions extends from the end portion of the first support portion to the curved portion curved toward the front side portion around the neck and the curved portion connected to the curved portion to the front side portion of the neck. The curvature of the curved portion is larger than the curvature of the first support portion, including the extending portion.
The biometric device according to claim 2. Each of the second support portions has a length adjusting mechanism for adjusting the length surrounding the neck.
The biometric device according to claim 2 or 3 . The biometric device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in each of the electrode holding portions, the first electrode and the second electrode are separately urged to the neck side by an electrode urging member. .. Equipped with a microphone placed on the neck side
The biometric device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the microphone is urged to the neck side by a microphone urging member. Equipped with a microphone placed on the neck side
The microphone, Ru is urged to the neck side by the electrode biasing member
The biometric device according to claim 5 . Each of the electrode holding portions is rotatably supported by the flexible supporting portion by a support shaft.
In each of the electrode holding portions, the first electrode is formed by arranging a plurality of first individual electrodes along the axial direction of the support shaft, and the second electrode has the same number of second electrodes as the first individual electrode. 2 Individual electrodes are arranged along the axial direction of the support shaft.
The biometric device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . Each of the electrode holding portions is composed of a plurality of individual electrode holding portions arranged along the axial direction of the support shaft.
Each of the plurality of individual electrode holding portions includes the first individual electrode and the second individual electrode, and is separately rotatably supported by the flexible support portion by the support shaft.
The biometric device according to claim 8 .

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