JPH1176172A - Skin color measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a skin color measuring device with which the color of organic skin can be measured without requiring skill, with the skin color measuring device pressed against the skin at appropriate pressure. SOLUTION: When a first spring 106 has come to a preset compressed position with a housing 90 held in contact with the skin of a patient, i.e., when the pressure of a skin color measuring device 84 applied to the skin of the patient attains a level (optimum pressure) at which no external light is mixed and ischemia does not occur at the pressed part of the skin of the patient, a first pressure detecting switch 114 operates, producing an optimum pressure signal, with an actuation control means starting the measurement of the color of the skin in response to the optimum pressure signal, Therefore, the color of the skin can be measured at the optimum pressure while requiring no skill at all.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a skin color measuring device for detecting the skin color of a living body from the epidermis of the living body in order to determine the peripheral circulation state of the living body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is known that the skin color of a living body such as the color of the face, limbs, and epidermis of the body reflects the physical condition of the living body, particularly the state of peripheral circulation. For this reason, the skin color of a living body is also important biological information for a medical worker, and is often referred to when diagnosing a living body. In particular, when home care is performed for a patient at a remote location, the patient's skin color is quantitatively determined in order to determine the skin color of the patient from the color image transmitted from the patient side device to the medical worker side device via the telephone line. There is a demand for an apparatus for measuring the skin color of a person.

[0003] On the other hand, a housing which is brought into contact with a predetermined portion of an epidermis of a living body to shield the portion from light, a light source device for irradiating a portion of the epidermis of the living body which is shaded by the housing, And a light-receiving device for receiving light reflected from a portion of the epidermis irradiated by the light source device, and a flesh color measuring device for measuring the flesh color of the epidermis of the living body has been proposed. According to this, since the skin color is obtained as an objective value, the skin color of the living body can be easily determined without skill.

[0004]

By the way, in the above-mentioned skin color measuring apparatus, it is necessary for the measurer to press the housing against the skin of the living body to such an extent that extraneous light is not mixed and the pressed part of the living body is not ischemic. is there. However, there is a problem in that the pressing requires a skill to measure the degree of force applied by the measurer, and the pressing force varies, so that the skin color cannot always be measured with sufficient accuracy.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a skin color measuring device that is pressed against the skin of a living body with an appropriate pressing force without skill. An object of the present invention is to provide a skin color measuring device capable of measuring a skin color.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the gist of the present invention is to provide a housing which is brought into contact with a predetermined part of the epidermis of a living body to shield the part from light,
A light source device that irradiates a portion of the epidermis of the living body that is shaded by the housing; and a light receiving device that receives reflected light from a portion of the epidermis of the living body that is irradiated by the light source device, A skin color measurement device for measuring the skin color of the epidermis, (a) directly or indirectly fitted so as to be movable in one direction within a predetermined range with respect to the housing, by a measurer A holding member to be held, (b) a spring for urging the housing and the holding member in a direction separating from each other, and (c) the holding member in a state where the housing is in contact with the skin of the living body. An optimal pressing force detection switch that generates an optimal pressing force signal by being actuated in association with the spring being within a preset compression range when approached to the living body skin side, d) a start control means for starting the measurement of the skin color generation of optimum pressing force signal from the optimum pressing force detection switch as a condition is to include.

[0007]

According to this configuration, when the holding member is moved closer to the skin of the living body in a state where the housing is in contact with the skin of the living body, the spring is moved within a predetermined compression range. The optimal pressing force signal is generated from the optimal pressing force detection switch
Since the measurement of the flesh color is activated by the activation control means on condition that the optimal pressing force signal is generated, the flesh color measurement is started in a state where no extraneous light is mixed and the pressed part of the living body is not ischemic, and Without the need for skill,
The skin color can be measured in an appropriate pressed state.

[0008]

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the skin color measuring device preferably includes an ischemia device for pressing an area of the skin of the living body irradiated by the light source device to cause ischemia; Calculating a first colorimetric value in a state where the part irradiated by the light source device is not ischemic, and calculating a second colorimetric value in a state where the part is ischemic by the ischemic device;
Means for calculating a colorimetric value difference by subtracting the second colorimetric value from the first colorimetric value, wherein the part pressed by the skin color measuring device is in an ischemic state. An ischemia pressing force detection switch that generates an ischemia pressing force signal by being operated in association with, and the skin color measurement is started on condition that the ischemic pressing force signal is generated from the ischemic pressing force detection switch. And an activation control unit for causing the activation control unit to perform the activation.

With this configuration, when the pressing force of the part of the living body epidermis pressed by the skin color measuring device is the optimum pressing force, the optimum pressing force signal output from the optimum pressing force detection switch is used. In addition to the measurement of the skin color (first colorimetric value) of the skin of the living body, the pressing force is further increased, and when the pressed part is ischemic, the ischemic state is related to the ischemic state. An ischemia pressing force signal is generated from the pressing force detection switch, and the activation control unit starts the measurement of the skin color on condition that the ischemic pressing force signal is generated, so that the pressed portion of the living body is ischemic. In this state, the skin color (second colorimetric value) is measured, and the colorimetric value difference is calculated by subtracting the second colorimetric value from the first colorimetric value. Since this colorimetric value difference is a value obtained by subtracting the second colorimetric value measured in the ischemic state from the first colorimetric value measured in the state where the pressing force is the optimum pressing force, the change in skin color The skin color in which blood closely related to the skin is removed, that is, the skin color in which the influence of the color inherent to the living body related to the amount of melanin is removed. Therefore, it is possible to measure an objective flesh color without the influence of the inherent color of the living body without skill.

[0010] Preferably, the ischemia device transmits a relatively flat pressing wall provided on a portion of the housing which is brought into contact with the epidermis of the living body, and transmits light emitted from the light source device. And a light transmitting wall provided on at least a part of the pressing wall. According to this configuration, since at least a part of the pressing wall that is brought into contact with the epidermis of the living body is configured by the light transmitting wall, when only the living skin around the irradiation site is pressed by the pressing wall, In comparison, since the pressed portion is pressed uniformly and the ischemic operation is sufficiently performed, there is an advantage that the skin color can be measured more accurately.

[0011]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view showing an interactive home medical care apparatus 14 provided with a skin color measuring apparatus 84 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
0 and a medical worker side device 12 arranged in a medical institution such as a hospital or a clinic. The patient device 10 and the medical worker device 12 are connected to a communication line 16 such as a telephone line.
Connected to each other.

The patient device 10 is connected to the communication line 16.
A control device 20 connected to the microphone 22, a microphone 22 functioning as a voice input device for inputting a voice of the patient 18,
A speaker 24 functioning as an audio output device for outputting audio to the patient 18, a color image display device 26 including a color CRT or a color liquid crystal plate for outputting an image to the patient 18, an image of the patient 18, Patient 1
8, an imaging device 28 with a skin color measuring device for measuring skin color, that is, skin color, and biological information measurement for measuring biological information such as blood pressure value, pulse rate, body temperature, blood oxygen saturation, and electrocardiographic waveform of the patient 18. An operation provided with operation buttons for performing operations such as turning on the power of the device 32, the patient-side device 10, switching of the telephone 34, start of skin color measurement by the skin color measurement device 84, or start of biological information measurement by the biological information measurement device 32. The box 36 includes a storage device 38 for storing information obtained from the patient 18 such as the chromaticity value of the skin of the living body or the biological information. An imaging device with a skin color measuring device 28 includes a color imaging device 80 for imaging the patient 18 and a patient 18.
A skin color measuring device 84 capable of quantitatively measuring the skin color of the subject and a pointer device 82 for indicating a part where the skin color is measured by the skin color measuring device 84 are provided.

An image signal comprising a lightness signal (Y signal) and chromaticity signals (I, Q signals) to represent a color image picked up by the image pickup device 28 with the skin color measuring device is described later. A color adjustment circuit 40 for adjusting based on the color adjustment signal transmitted from the transmission image color adjustment device 60, and a reference color signal output circuit (not shown) for outputting a reference color signal for displaying the reference color sample image 70 Is provided. The control device 20 includes, for example, a microcomputer and a transmission / reception device. The control device 20 demodulates a signal transmitted from the medical worker side device 12 and converts an image captured by the medical worker side color imaging device 52. The sound input to the microphone 44 on the medical staff side is displayed on the color image display device 26 and the sound is input to the speaker 2.
4, and supplies the color adjustment signal input and transmitted from the transmission image color adjustment device 60 on the medical staff side to the color adjustment circuit 40. The control device 2
0 is the voice of the patient 18 input to the microphone 22, the image captured by the imaging device 28 with the skin color measuring device, the chromaticity value of the skin of the patient 18, and the biological information measured by the biological information measuring device 32. Is modulated and transmitted to the medical worker side device 12.

Here, the chromaticity quantitatively defines the type of light color excluding lightness. In the present embodiment, when a line connecting cyan blue and reddish orange on the chromaticity diagram, that is, the I axis and a line orthogonal to the I axis in a white portion, that is, the Q axis, are set as coordinate axes,
The component value and the Q component value are used.

The medical worker side device 12 includes a control device 42 connected to the communication line 16 and a medical worker 5
Microphone 44 functioning as a voice input device for inputting voice 0, a speaker 46 functioning as a voice output device for outputting voice to a medical worker 50, and a color cathode ray tube for outputting an image to the medical worker 50. Alternatively, a color image display device 48 composed of a color liquid crystal plate or the like, a color imaging device 52 for imaging the medical worker 50, and an operation body 54 manually operated to adjust the display color on the color image display device 48 _Y , 54 _Q , 5
It includes a 4 _I, the operating body 54 _Y, 54 _Q, 54 brightness according to the operation of _I (Y signal) adjustment value, the chromaticity (Q signal) adjustment value and chromaticity (I signal) display image outputs an adjustment value A color adjusting device 56, an operation body 58 _Y , 5 that is manually operated to adjust a display color on the color image display device 48;
8 _Q, 58 includes a _I, lightness in accordance with the operation of the operation member 58 _Y, 58 _Q, 58 _I in order to adjust the color signals constituting the image captured at the skin color measuring device with an imaging device 28 of the patient ( A transmission image color adjustment device 60 that outputs a Y signal) adjustment value, a chromaticity (Q signal) adjustment value, and a chromaticity (I signal) adjustment value, power-on of the control device 42, switching of a telephone 62, measurement of biological information An operation box 64 provided with operation buttons for performing operations such as start, and a storage device 66 for storing information and the like transmitted from the control device 20 on the patient side are provided. The reference color sample is located at the lower right position of the front case of the color image display device 48 so as to be in the vicinity of the reference color sample image 70 displayed at a predetermined fixed position on the display screen. A member 72 is provided.

The medical worker 50 operates the operating members 54 _Y , 54 _Q , 54 _I of the display image color adjusting device 56 or the transmission image so that the color of the reference color sample image 70 matches the color of the reference color sample member 72. The operation bodies 58 _Y , 58 _Q , of the color adjustment device 60,
Operate 58 _I manually. Thus, the color of the skin of the patient 18 is accurately reproduced on the color image display device 48 on the medical staff side.

The control unit 42 also includes a microcomputer and a transmission / reception device. The control unit 42 demodulates a signal transmitted from the patient-side device 10 and converts an image picked up by the patient-side image pickup device 28 with a skin color measuring device. The image is displayed on the color image display device 48 and the sound input to the microphone 22 on the patient side is output from the speaker 46. In addition, the control device 42 controls the microphone 4
4, modulates the voice of the medical worker 50, the image captured by the color imaging device 52, and the color adjustment signal input from the transmission image color adjustment device 60, and transmits the modulated signal to the patient-side device 10.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the imaging device 28 with the flesh color measuring device provided with the flesh color measuring device 84 according to one embodiment of the present invention and operated by a patient-side worker, and FIG. 3 is a front view. . The above-mentioned imaging device with skin color measuring device 28 outputs a color imaging device 80 for imaging the patient 18, and a relatively thin light beam into the imaging range of the color imaging device 80.
A pointer device 82 provided with a light source for indicating a portion of the skin of the patient 18 to be measured by the skin color measuring device 84 by the light beam and the skin color of the living body are measured by contacting the skin of the patient 18. A skin color measuring device 84 is integrally provided. For this reason, the patient-side worker sets the skin color measuring device 8
4 can be indicated by the light beam output from the pointer device 82, and the medical staff can accurately determine the colorimetric site based on the transmitted image captured by the color imaging device 80. You can know. Therefore, it is possible to accurately position the colorimetric site by the skin color measuring device 84 to the site specified by the medical staff.

FIG. 4 is an end view of a section taken along line AA of FIG. The housing 90 has a cylindrical shape, and is detachably attached to a side (tip portion) of the housing 18 that comes into contact with the skin of the patient 18 by screwing an abutting member 91 thereon. Contact member 9
A disc-shaped light-transmitting member 97 made of a relatively hard colorless and transparent acrylic resin or glass is fitted in the central portion of 1, and the contact member 91 on the side pressed against the skin of the living body is fitted. The surface is made of a soft material such as rubber,
A pressing wall having a relatively flat surface pressed against the skin, that is, a pressing member 92 is attached with an adhesive or the like. The contact member 91 to which the pressing member 92 is attached can be replaced every measurement or every patient 18 to prevent infection or the like. The pressing member 92 is provided with the skin color measuring device 8.
4 is brought into close contact with the skin of the patient 18 when it comes into contact with the skin of the patient 18 to further prevent the mixing of extraneous light.

At the center of the pressing member 92, a light transmitting wall 98 made of a colorless and transparent material having the same center as that of the light transmitting member 97 and having substantially the same diameter has a surface pressed against the skin. The pressing member 92 is fitted so as to form the same surface as the surface pressed against the skin. In addition, the irradiation conditions on the skin of the living body and the reflection conditions of the reflected light are determined by
The light source device 10 is provided at an end (base end) of the housing 90 opposite to the pressing surface so as to be constant regardless of the position of the light source device 10.
2 and the light receiving device 104 are fixed.

The light source device 102 irradiates the skin of the patient 18 whose surroundings are shielded by the housing with a constant amount of white light.
To receive the reflected light from the part irradiated by the. The body temperature sensor 100 has a relatively thin rod shape, and a direction from the distal end portion to the proximal end portion of the housing 90 such that the distal end surface is substantially the same as the surface of the pressing member 92 pressed against the skin of the patient 18. Is inserted through. This body temperature sensor 10
0 indicates that the skin color measurement device 84 is pressed against the skin of the patient 18 at the same time that the skin color is measured and the skin color is measured,
The body temperature of the pressed part is measured.

The housing 90 is fitted with a cylindrical intermediate member 88 so as to be slidable in a linear direction within a predetermined range. The housing 90 and the intermediate member 88 are mutually connected by a first spring 106. It is urged in the direction to separate. Further, the intermediate member 8 fitted to the housing 90
8 is fitted in a cylindrical holding member 86 so as to be slidable in a linear direction within a predetermined range, and the intermediate member 88 and the holding member 86 are separated from each other by a second spring 108 in a direction separated from each other. Being energized.

The first spring 106 is pressed by the pressing member 92 by a predetermined amount of contraction, and
8 is set to a relatively low spring constant that does not allow external light to leak into the pressed portion of the skin and does not change the skin color of the skin at the pressed portion, that is, a pressing force (optimal pressing force) that does not cause ischemia. The spring constant of the spring 108 is sufficiently larger than the spring constant of the first spring 106, and when the skin color measuring device 84 is pressed against the skin of the patient 18, the second spring 108 is caused by the contraction force of the first spring 106. It is set so that contraction does not start until the pressing reaches the optimum pressing force. Here, the ischemia is a state in which blood is removed from a part of the skin of the living body by pressing a part of the skin of the living body.

The first pressing force detecting device 94 is connected to the housing 9.
0, a guide hole 112 provided on the intermediate member 88 for guiding the guide protrusion 110 in the moving direction of the housing 90, and a first pressing force detection switch 114. The first pressing force detection switch 114 is a so-called micro switch or limit switch that detects mechanical displacement by opening and closing a contact. The first pressing force detection switch 114 is an outer peripheral surface of the intermediate member 88, and the skin color measuring device 84 presses the skin of the patient 18. In a state where the guide protrusion 110 is not in contact with the guide hole 112, the guide protrusion 110 is fixed to an end of the guide hole 112 on the side not in contact with the guide protrusion 110 and functions as an optimum pressing force detection switch. The first pressing force detection switch 114 allows the contraction of the first spring 106 while the skin color measuring device 84 is in contact with the skin of the patient 18 to cause the patient 18 to contract.
When the pressing force of the pressing member 92 pressing the skin is at a predetermined compression position at which the pressing force becomes the optimum pressing force, the guide protrusion 112 is set to operate the first pressing force detection switch 114. I have.

When the first pressing force detection switch 114 is operated, an optimum pressing force signal SS is generated, and the skin color measurement at the optimum pressing force is started based on the optimum pressing force signal SS. That is, a certain amount of white light is emitted from the light source device 102 and the living body 18 is emitted by the light receiving device 104.
A light receiving light reflected from the skin, the first colorimetric value (skin color value) on the basis of the spectrum of the received light C ₁ is calculated.
Since the skin color measurement is started by the optimum pressing force signal SS output from the first pressing force detection switch 114, the first pressing force detection switch 114 also functions as a starting switch for starting the skin color measurement. Further, the first pressing force detecting device 94 also has a function of preventing the housing 90 from falling off from the intermediate member 88.

The second pressing force detecting device 96 includes an intermediate member 88.
, A guide hole 118 provided on the holding member 86 for guiding the guide protrusion 116 in the moving direction of the intermediate member 88, and a second pressing force detection switch 11.
Consists of nine. The second pressing force detection switch 119 is a so-called micro switch or limit switch that detects mechanical displacement by opening and closing a contact. The second pressing force detection switch 119 is an outer peripheral surface of the holding member 86, and the skin color measuring device 84 presses the skin of the patient 18. It is fixed so as to be in contact with the guide projection 116 when not in the state. The second spring 108 is provided for the pressing member 9.
The spring constant is set to a relatively high value so that contraction starts when the pressed portion of the skin of the patient 18 pressed by the second 2 enters an ischemic state. When the pressed part of the skin of the patient 18 is in an ischemic state and the contraction of the second spring 108 is started, the second pressing force detection switch 11 is pressed in a state where the skin color measuring device 84 is not pressing the skin of the patient 18.
When the guide projection 116 that presses 9 is separated from the second pressing force detection switch 119, the second pressing force detection switch 119 is operated.

When the second pressing force detection switch 119 is operated, an ischemic pressing force signal SK is generated, and based on the ischemic pressing force signal SK, skin color measurement at the ischemic pressing force is started. That is, a certain amount of white light is emitted from the light source device 102 and the living body 18 is emitted by the light receiving device 104.
A light receiving light reflected from the skin, the second colorimetric value (skin color value) on the basis of the spectrum of the received light C ₂ is calculated.
Since the skin color measurement is started by the optimal pressing force signal SK output from the second pressing force detection switch 119, the second pressing force detection switch 119 also functions as a starting switch for starting the skin color measurement.

Here, a pressing member 92 having a light transmitting wall 98 for pressing the skin of the patient 18, a contact member 91 to which the pressing member 92 is adhered, a housing 90 to which the contact member 91 is screwed, The second spring 108, the holding member 86 held by the patient-side worker, and the second pressing force detection device 96 also function as an ischemia device. That is, the skin color measuring device 84 also has a function as an ischemia device by a part of its constituent members. According to this ischemia device, in order to obtain the ischemic state of the skin of the living body, the second pressing force detection device 9 is required.
The guide protrusion 116 pressing the second pressing force detection switch 119 moves away from the second pressing force detection switch 119 in a state where the sixth protrusion 116 is not pressing the skin of the patient 18 by the skin color measuring device 84. Since the skin color measurement device 84 may be pressed against the skin of the patient 18 with such a pressing force,
Insufficiency of ischemia due to insufficient pressing, and imposition of an unnecessary load on the patient 18 due to too strong pressing force are eliminated. Further, the second pressing force detection device 96 also has a function of preventing the intermediate member 88 from falling off the holding member 86.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the position at which the skin color of the patient 18 is to be measured by the pointer device 28. The skin color measuring device 84 shown in FIG.
And the second pressing force detecting device 96 is omitted.
The patient-side worker lifts the imaging device 28 with the flesh color measuring device in his hand, and irradiates the light beam output from the pointer device 82 to the skin of the patient 18, thereby obtaining the flesh color measuring device 84.
Can be used to indicate a colorimetric scheduled part. Since the pointer device 82 is integrally formed with the imaging device 28 with a flesh color measuring device so that the optical axis is parallel to the color imaging device 80, the part to be measured by the pointer device 82 is a part of the medical worker side. It is clearly indicated at substantially the center of the color image display device 48, and the medical worker 50 can know the colorimetric scheduled portion accurately. For this reason, the patient-side worker can accurately position the skin color measuring device 84 at a site specified by the medical worker 50.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the skin color measuring device 84 is pressed against the skin of the patient 18 and the skin color is measured after the colorimetric scheduled portion is accurately positioned according to the instruction of the medical worker 50. The flesh color measuring device 84 does not show the first pressing force detecting device 94 and the second pressing force detecting device 96. The patient-side operator operating the imaging device 28 with the skin color measuring device measures the skin color of the skin in the non-ischemic state and the ischemic state by the method described later, and at the same time, the body temperature sensor 100 Measure body temperature.

FIG. 7 shows the skin color in a non-ischemic state measured by the skin color measuring device 84 and the intrinsic color of the living body related to the amount of melanin closely related to the change in skin color from skin color in the ischemic state. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram for explaining a main part of a control function of a control device 20 when calculating a skin color value from which the influence of is removed.

The skin color measuring device 84 is operated by the patient side operator.
When the skin 18 of the patient 18 is pressed and the pressing force of the skin color measuring device 84 becomes the optimum pressing force and the first spring 106 reaches the preset compression position, the first pressing force detecting device 94 causes the guide protrusion 112 to be pushed. The first pressing force detection switch 114 operates. When the first pressing force detection switch 114 is operated, the first pressing force detection switch 114 generates an optimum pressing force signal SS.

In the activation control means 120, the optimum pressing force
Condition of generation of signal SS or ischemia pressure signal SK described later
Activate the skin color measurement as. Thereby, the light source device
A constant light is emitted from 102,
The light receiving device 104 receives the reflected light. Colorimetric value calculation means 1
Reference numeral 21 denotes the patient 1 based on the light received by the light receiving device 104.
Then, the chromaticity value of the skin No. 8, that is, the colorimetric value is calculated. Optimal pressing
Skin color measurement by activation control means 120 based on force signal SS
Is activated, the calculated colorimetric value is the first colorimetric value.
The first colorimetric value C₁ As storage device
38 and is controlled based on the ischemia pressure signal SK.
When the skin color measurement by the means 120 is activated, the calculation is performed.
The measured colorimetric values are stored in the second colorimetric value
Colorimetric value C _TwoIs stored in the storage device 38.

When the pressing force of the skin color measuring device 84 on the patient 18 is increased and the pressed portion of the skin of the patient 18 becomes ischemic and the contraction of the second spring 108 is started, the second pressing force detecting device 96 , Skin color measuring device 8
The guide projection 116 that presses the second pressing force detection switch 119 in a state where 4 does not press the skin of the patient 18,
By moving away from the second pressing force detection switch 119, the second pressing force detection switch 119 is operated. When the second pressing force detection switch 119 is operated, an ischemic pressing force signal SK is generated, and a colorimetric value is calculated by activating skin color measurement based on the ischemic pressing force signal SK,
It is stored as the second colorimetric values C _2.

The colorimetric value difference calculating means 126 is provided in the storage device 38.
By the first colorimetric values C _1, which is stored by subtracting the second colorimetric values C _2, namely, to calculate a colorimetric value difference DC by Equation 1.

[0037]

## EQU1 ## DC = C ₁ -C ₂

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the main part of the control operation of the control device 20 when calculating the colorimetric value difference DC.
It is. In the figure, in step (hereinafter, step is omitted) S1, the skin color measuring device 84 is pressed against the skin of the patient 18 and the pressing force becomes the optimum pressing force. Protrusion 110
Is activated based on the optimal pressing force signal SS output from the first pressing force detection switch 114. If the determination at S1 is negative, the determination at S1 is repeatedly executed.

However, if the determination in S1 is affirmative, the pressing force of the skin color measuring device 84 against the skin of the patient 18 is the optimum pressing force. In order to measure the skin color at the pressure, the skin color measurement is started based on the optimum pressing force signal SS, and the light source device 102 emits a constant light. Subsequently, in S3 corresponding to the colorimetric value calculation means 121, the colorimetric value of the skin of the patient 18 is calculated based on the reflected light from the skin of the patient 18 received by the light receiving device 104. In S4 corresponding to the first colorimetric value storage unit 122 that follows, colorimetric values calculated in S3 is stored in the storage device 38 as the first colorimetric values C _1.

At S5, the patient 1 of the skin color measuring device 84
8, the pressing force against the skin is further increased, and in the second pressing force detecting device 96, the guide protrusion 116 is separated from the second pressing force detecting switch 119, so that the second pressing force detecting switch 119 is operated. Is the ischemic pressure signal S output from the second pressure detection switch 119.
It is determined based on K. When the determination at S5 is negative, the determination at S5 is repeatedly performed.

However, if the determination in S5 is affirmative, the patient 18 being pressed by the skin color measuring device 84
Since the skin of the subject is in an ischemic state, the subsequent activation control means 120
In step S6, the skin color measurement is started based on the ischemia pressure signal SK in order to measure the skin color in the ischemic state, and the light source device 102 emits a constant amount of white light. S7 corresponding to the colorimetric value calculation unit 121
In, the colorimetric value of the skin of the patient 18 is calculated based on the reflected light from the skin of the patient 18 received by the light receiving device 104. In S8 corresponding to the second colorimetric value storage unit 124 for subsequent, colorimetric value calculated in step S7 is stored in the storage device 38 as the second colorimetric values C _2. Step S9 corresponds to the subsequent colorimetric value difference calculating section 126, second colorimetric values C stored in the first colorimetric values C ₁ from S8 stored in S4
By subtracting ₂ , that is, the colorimetric value difference DC is calculated by Expression 1.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the first spring 106 is at the preset compression position while the housing 90 is in contact with the skin of the patient 18, the skin color measuring device 84 That is, when the pressing force of the skin color measuring device 84 against the skin of the patient 18 reaches the optimum pressing force, the first pressing force detection switch 114 is operated to generate the optimum pressing force signal SS, and the activation control means 1
At 20, the skin color measurement is started by the optimum pressing force signal SS. Therefore, without any skill required,
The skin color can be measured with an appropriate pressing force that does not cause extraneous light to mix and that the pressing part of the skin of the patient 18 ischemia.

According to the present embodiment, the skin color measuring device 8
4 also functions as an ischemic device that presses a predetermined part of the skin of the patient 18 to cause ischemia by a part of the constituent members,
In the state the pressing force is optimum pressing force of skin color measuring device 84 which presses the skin of the patient 18, the skin color of the patient 18 is measured as a first colorimetric values C _1, further pressing force is strengthened, skin color When the pressed part is ischemic due to the function of the measuring device 84 as an ischemic device, the ischemic pressing force signal SK is generated from the second pressing force detection switch, and the skin color measurement is started, and the skin color in the ischemic condition is activated. There is measured as the second colorimetric values C _2. Then, the colorimetric value difference DC is calculated by subtracting the _second colorimetric value C2 from the _first colorimetric value C1. The colorimetric value difference DC, since a value skin minus the second colorimetric values C ₂ of ischemic states from the first colorimetric values C ₁ of a state of not being ischemia patient 18, the skin color This represents a skin color in a state in which blood closely related to the change is removed, that is, a skin color in which the influence of a color inherent to the living body related to the amount of melanin has been removed. Therefore, it is possible to measure an objective flesh color without the influence of the inherent color of the living body without skill.

According to the present embodiment, the skin color measuring device 8
The pressing member 92 adhered to the distal end of the fourth member 4 has a relatively flat surface pressed against the skin, and the center portion is constituted by the light transmitting wall 98. As compared with the case where only the pressing member 92 is pressed, the pressed portion is pressed evenly and the ischemic operation is sufficiently performed, so that the skin color is measured more accurately.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the body temperature sensor 100 is provided so that the housing 90 is inserted so that the tip of the housing 90 is located at a position substantially equal to the surface of the pressing member 92 pressed against the skin. Therefore, when the pressing member 92 is pressed against the skin of the patient 18, the body temperature sensor 100 is also pressed against the epidermis, so that the colorimetric value of the skin of the patient 18 is measured and at the same time, the body temperature of the pressed portion of the skin of the patient 18 is also measured. Measurements can be made at the same time, and the relationship between skin color and body temperature at the colorimetric site can be known.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings, the present invention can be applied to other embodiments.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the imaging device 28 with the skin color measuring device is operated by the patient side operator, but may be directly operated by the patient himself.

In the above-described embodiment, the first pressing force detection switch 114 and the second pressing force detection switch 119 detect a mechanical displacement. However, a proximity switch or the like for detecting a change in an electrical constant. Or a pressure sensor that detects a change in pressure. Alternatively, the distance to the guide protrusions 110 and 116 is measured by using an ultrasonic sensor or an optical sensor, and based on the fact that the distance has become a predetermined value, the optimum pressing force signal SS or the ischemia pressing force signal is measured. It may output SK. In short, when the compression position of the first spring 106 or the second spring 108 falls within a predetermined range, the optimal pressing force signal SS or the ischemic pressing force signal SK.
It just needs to output something.

In the above-described embodiment, the activation control means 1
Reference numeral 20 indicates that the skin color measurement was started by inputting the optimum pressing force signal SS or the ischemic pressing force signal SK. May be set so that the skin color measurement is activated by pressing an activation button (not shown). In short, the skin color measurement only needs to be activated on condition that the optimal pressing force signal SS or the ischemia pressing force signal SK is generated.

In the above-described embodiment, the first pressing force detecting device 94 includes the guide hole 112, the guide projection 110, and the first
Although it is configured by the pressing force detection switch 114, a guide groove is provided instead of the guide hole 112, and the guide protrusion 110 is provided.
May be slidably fitted in the guide groove. Further, the second pressing force detecting device 96 may be provided with a guide groove instead of the guide hole 118.

The first pressing force detection switch 114 is
It may be fixed to the end of the guide hole 112 on the opposite side to the above-described embodiment. In this case, by adjusting the spring constant of the first spring 106, the first pressing force detection switch 1 can be controlled in a state where the skin color measuring device 84 is not pressing the skin of the patient 18.
When the guide contact 14 comes into contact with the guide protrusion 110 and reaches the optimum pressing force, the guide protrusion 110 separates from the first pressing force detection switch 114, so that the first pressing force detection switch 114 is operated. Also, the second pressing force detection switch 119
May be fixedly provided at the end of the guide hole 118 on the opposite side of the above-described embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the pressing member 92 is attached to the surface of the contact member 91 which is pressed against the skin of the patient 18, but the housing 90 may be directly pressed. Absent.

In the above-described embodiment, the contact member 91 to which the pressing member 92 is attached is detachably attached by being screwed into the housing 86.
By contacting the contact member 91 and the pressing member 92 with a flat fastener or the like, only the pressing member 92 may be replaceable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an interactive home medical care support apparatus including an imaging apparatus with a skin color measurement apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the imaging device with a skin color measuring device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the imaging device with a skin color measurement device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end view of a cross section taken along line AA of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a part to be measured by the skin color measuring device by a pointer device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the skin color of the patient is being measured by the skin color measuring device.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main part of a control function of a patient-side control device when calculating a skin color in which an influence of a color unique to a living body is removed.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a main part of a control function of a patient-side control device when calculating a skin color in which an influence inherent to a living body is removed.

[Explanation of symbols]

84: skin color measuring device 86: holding member 90: housing 94: first pressing force detecting device 96: second pressing force detecting device 100: body temperature sensor 102: light source device 104: light receiving device 106: first spring, 108: second Spring 114: first pressing force detection switch (optimal pressing force detection switch) 119: second pressing force detection switch (ischemic pressing force detection switch) 120: activation control means 121: colorimetric value calculating means 126: colorimetric value difference Arithmetic means

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A housing which is brought into contact with a predetermined portion of an epidermis of a living body to shield the portion from light, a light source device for irradiating a portion of the epidermis of the living body which is shielded by the housing, and a skin of the living body A light receiving device for receiving reflected light from a portion irradiated by the light source device, wherein the skin color measuring device measures the skin color of the epidermis of the living body. A holding member that is directly or indirectly fitted so as to be movable in a direction and held by a measurer, a spring that biases the housing and the holding member in a direction away from each other, When the holding member is moved closer to the living body skin while the housing is in contact with the living body skin, the spring is actuated in association with the spring being within a preset compression range. An optimum pressing force detection switch that generates an optimum pressing force signal by being pressed, and a start control unit that starts the measurement of the skin color on condition that the optimum pressing force signal is generated from the optimum pressing force detection switch. A skin color measuring device characterized by the above-mentioned.