JPH04126505U - Sensor-integrated optical stimulator - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] The purpose is to provide a small-sized orbicularis oculi reflex measuring device that can measure the orbicularis oculi reflex under stable measurement conditions without being influenced by the external environment. [Configuration] A light stimulation part that induces a blink response in the subject,
It is equipped with a sensor section that detects orbicularis oculi muscle vibrations caused in the subject by this optical stimulation, and a sensor position adjustment section that brings the sensor section into contact with the subject's eyelids and adjusts the contact state. The structure is such that it is incorporated into an eye mask that covers the entire body.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

[Industrial application field]

This device stimulates the orbicularis oculi reflex using a light source and measures the orbicularis oculi reflex. This invention relates to an orbicularis oculi reflex measuring device.

0002

[Conventional technology]

If you want to stimulate the orbicularis oculi reflex and measure the orbicularis oculi reflex, use There are light, sound, electricity, tap stimulation, etc., but among these, optical stimulation has a comparatively noxious element. It is often used because it has few targets. By the way, optical stimulation is used for the orbicularis oculi reflex. Conventionally, a stroboscope was placed at a certain distance in front of the eyes, and the stroboscope was The subject's orbicularis oculi muscle responds to light stimulation from It was measured by an acceleration sensor attached to the body.

0003 FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an orbicularis oculi muscle reflex measuring device using the above-described conventional method. figure The orbicularis oculi muscle reflex measurement device No. 6 irradiates light at regular intervals to provide optical stimulation to the subject. stroboscope 21, and when the subject has a blink response (orbicularis oculi reflex). , an acceleration sensor 22 that converts this minute vibration of the eyelids into an electrical signal that is an orbicularis oculi reflex signal. Then, input the signal from the acceleration sensor 22 and analyze, for example, the degree of fatigue of the subject. and an orbicularis oculi reflex signal processing section 23.

0004 The procedure for testing a subject's fatigue level using the orbicularis oculi reflex measuring device configured as described above is explained below. This will be explained next. When testing a subject, first, a camera is placed at a predetermined distance from the subject's eyes. The stroboscope 21 is fixed in position. Then, an acceleration sensor 22 is placed on the subject's eyelid. Attach it with, for example, double-sided tape. After such preparation, from the stroboscope 21 Light is irradiated onto the subject at regular intervals (for example, once every 10 seconds), and the subject is asked to blink. make you feel This blinking is converted into an orbicularis oculi reflex signal by the acceleration sensor 22. The orbicularis oculi reflex signal is input to the orbicularis oculi reflex signal processing section 23. and, This orbicularis oculi reflex signal processing unit 23 analyzes the orbicularis oculi reflex signal of the subject. Therefore, the fatigue level of the subject is tested.

[0005]

[Problem that the idea aims to solve]

Measure the subject's blink response (orbicularis oculi reflex) using the conventional device described above. In this case, there were the following problems. In other words, with conventional equipment, it is necessary to fix the stroboscope each time a measurement is taken. Therefore, the distance and direction between the light source and the eye may be slightly different, and therefore the measurement conditions The situation was not stable. The response of the orbicularis oculi muscle reflex also changes depending on the intensity of the stimulating light. However, in the conventional method described above, external Differences in the brightness of the environment will affect the measurement results. Also, every time you take a measurement, There is also the problem that the sensor must be attached to the subject's eyelid using double-sided tape, etc. there were. Furthermore, since the light source and sensor sections are each separate, the entire measurement system There was also the problem of increasing body size.

[0006] This invention was created in consideration of the above points, and is not subject to the influence of the external environment. The orbicularis oculi reflex can be measured under stable measurement conditions without any scratches, and it is also compact. The purpose is to provide equipment.

[0007]

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve the above problems, the sensor-integrated photostimulation device according to the present invention The photostimulation area that induces the subject's orbicularis oculi reflex and the orbicularis oculi that occurs in the subject due to this photostimulation. Adjust the sensor unit that detects muscle reflexes and the state in which this sensor unit is attached to the subject's eyelid. and a sensor position adjustment section, all of which can be integrated into an eye mask that covers the subject's face. I configured it to incorporate it.

[0008]

[Effect]

The sensor-integrated photostimulation device according to the present invention includes a photostimulation section that induces orbicularis oculi reflex; Since the sensor part that detects the orbicularis oculi muscle reflex is integrated with the eye mask, this Once the IMASK is attached to the subject, the light source and sensor units are set up. It takes After preparation, lightly touch the sensor part to the subject's upper eyelid using the sensor position adjustment part. Adjust so that Then, when the sensor-integrated photostimulation device is operated, the photostimulation section is activated. , irradiate the subject's eyes with light. Then, the subject responds by blinking, but the subject Since the sensor unit is in contact with the upper eyelid, the sensor detects minute vibrations of the eyelid. It converts the orbicularis muscle reflex signal into an electrical signal and outputs it.

[0009]

【Example】

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an eye mask 1 as a whole, and this eye mask 1 includes a light stimulation part and a light source 2, a light stimulation control unit 3 that controls lighting timing of the light source 2, etc. An acceleration sensor 4 that outputs an orbicularis oculi muscle reflex signal caused by the blinking of the subject's eyes; a sensor position adjustment knob 5 for bringing the sensor 4 into contact with a suitable position on the subject's eyelid; The eye mask 1 is comprised of a mounting belt 6 for mounting the eye mask 1 on a subject.

0010 Figure 2 shows the acceleration sensor 4 and the sensor position in the sensor-integrated photostimulation device shown in Figure 1. 5 is a drawing showing the adjustment knob 5 in more detail. Figure 2 shows the same parts as Figure 1. are given the same number. In other words, 1 is the eye mask, 2 is the light source, and 4 is the acceleration sensor. Each figure is viewed from the side of the subject. Sensor position adjustment knob The hole 5 is provided on the upper surface of the eye mask, passing through the eye mask. The position adjustment knob 5 is composed of a longitudinal position adjustment knob 7 and a vertical position adjustment knob 8. It is made up of. The longitudinal position adjustment knob 7 is combined with a spring 9. The spring 9 is connected to the acceleration sensor 4 via the acceleration sensor holder 10. It matches.

[0011] Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams of the sensor-integrated photostimulation device shown in Figure 1 actually attached to a subject. It is. In these figures, the same parts as in Figure 1 are given the same numbers. 3 is a front view of the sensor-integrated photostimulation device, and FIG. 4 is a side view of the sensor-integrated photostimulation device. It shows a top view. In addition, in FIG. 3, the light source 2 is shown to clearly show the position of the sensor section 4. It is omitted.

0012 The following describes the procedure for using a sensor-integrated photostimulation device with this configuration. . First, using the wearing belt 6, attach this sensor-integrated photostimulation device to the subject's head. Fix and attach. Then, use the vertical position adjustment knob 8 to adjust the position of the acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor 4 held by the holder 10 is adjusted to the position of the subject's upper eyelid. Arrange. Next, turn the longitudinal position adjustment knob 7 to move the spring 9 in the longitudinal direction. Adjust the acceleration sensor 4 so that it lightly contacts the subject's upper eyelid.

[0013] The preparations are completed with the above adjustments, and then the operation of the device is started. sand That is, the light source 2 illuminates the subject with light at regular intervals according to the operation of the optical stimulation control unit 3. shoot Then, this light stimulation reaches the brainstem from the subject's eyeball through the optic nerve, The brainstem causes the orbicularis oculi muscle to trigger a blink response via the facial nerve (see Figure 5). Toko This orbicularis oculi muscle is a defensive muscle that protects the eyeball from external stimuli, and its reaction ( The orbicularis oculi reflex) is known to be influenced by the activity state at the brainstem level. Therefore, the orbicularis oculi reflex occurs to reflect the mental tension of the subject. The acceleration sensor 4 is in contact with the upper eyelid of the examiner. Therefore, this acceleration sensor 4 converts minute vibrations caused by orbicularis oculi muscle reflexes into electrical signals and outputs them. Furthermore, this The electrical signal is applied to the orbicularis oculi reflex signal processing section, so analysis of the orbicularis oculi reflex signal is possible. For example, the health condition of the subject can be examined.

[0014]

[Effect of the idea]

As explained above, in the sensor-integrated photostimulation device according to the present invention, the light source is Since it is attached to the front of the screen, the distance between the light source and the eye is always constant. Also, Sen The sensor is equipped with an adjustment mechanism to ensure proper contact between the sensor and the subject's eyelids. The contact state is always constant. In addition, this device is integrated as an eye mask, and , which covers the entire front part of the subject's eyes, so it is affected by the brightness of the external environment. You can measure without any trouble. In other words, this device can always perform measurements under stable measurement conditions. The measurement results do not vary depending on the measurement conditions. Furthermore, the sensor section and optical stimulation section are integrated, making the measurement system more compact. It also has the effect of

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a part of FIG. 1 in detail.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the sensor-integrated photostimulation device shown in FIG. 1 worn on a subject.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the sensor-integrated photostimulation device shown in FIG. 1 worn on a subject.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the process from when light stimulation is applied to the subject's eyeball until the subject's orbicularis oculi muscle vibrates.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a conventional orbicularis oculi reflex measuring device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Eye mask 2 Light source 3 Light stimulation control section 4 Acceleration sensor 5 Sensor position adjustment section 6 Attachment belt

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] [Claim 1] A light stimulation section that induces orbicularis oculi reflex in a subject, a sensor section that detects orbicularis oculi reflex produced in the subject by this light stimulation, and adjustment of the mounting state of this sensor section on the subject's eyelid. What is claimed is: 1. A sensor-integrated photostimulation device, comprising: a sensor position adjustment section for adjusting the position of the sensor;