KR20090012888A - Apparatus and method for accurately measuring body compositon and subractance fat by using reference reflector - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for measuring body fat and subcutaneous fat using reference reflector, and a method thereof are provided to reduce measurement error due to structural factor and outer environmental factor by setting initial detecting light amount as reference light amount. An optical processing part(20) includes a receiving part(24). An optical property testing part(30) tests property of a light radiated from the optical processing part. A microprocessor(40) sets a reference value about detected light amount based on data received from the optical processing part and predetermined data table, and calculates thickness of subcutaneous fat based on the reference light amount. The optical property testing part includes a reference reflector(31), an optical absorbent(32), and a protective cap(33). The reference reflector facilitates diffusing reflection of an outputted light source and a reflected light source. The optical absorbent is attached in a bottom of the reference reflector. The protective cap protects the reference reflector and the optical absorbent.

Description

Accurate measuring device for body fat and subcutaneous fat using reference reflector and method thereof {Apparatus and method for accurately measuring body compositon and subractance fat by using reference reflector}

The present invention relates to a device for measuring the thickness of body fat and subcutaneous fat using visible light and near infrared light (Vis-NIR), and by detecting the initial amount of emitted light using a reference reflector and setting it as a reference light amount, The present invention relates to a subcutaneous fat measuring apparatus and method using a reference reflector capable of reducing inaccuracies in measured values caused by factors or mechanical factors of a light emitting device or a photodetecting device and obtaining a highly accurate measured value.

In general, the properties of the skin's light is that when light is irradiated to the skin, some of it is reflected and others penetrate into the skin and subcutaneous fat. The epidermis is very thin compared to the subcutaneous fat and muscle and has almost no optical properties contributing to the measurement results, but scattering is the largest and dermis scattering and absorption.

Absorption in skin tissue is due to three basic components: water, protein and fat. As a main component, water has a near infrared absorption of more than 1100 nm and is confirmed through a remarkable absorption band. Various forms of protein, and in particular collagen, are strong light absorbers of light that irradiate the dermis. In addition, near-infrared light of a specific wavelength penetrating into the subcutaneous tissue is mainly absorbed by fat, and the muscle under the subcutaneous fat absorbs almost all wavelengths of light.

1 is a subcutaneous fat measuring apparatus according to the prior art, which includes at least two light emitting units 11, at least one light receiving unit 12 for sensing light reflected from a measurement object, and an optical filter capable of passing only near-infrared light ( It is configured to include a sensor head portion 14 including a 13).

The light used in the prior art has been known in many ways to measure the composition of the target material, in particular the component of the human body using a visible light and near infrared ray (Visible Ray and Near Inferad Ray) measuring method.

Each unique molecule has its own frequency, and when irradiated with light of the same frequency (light of a specific wavelength), the target molecule absorbs only light of this specific wavelength. For this reason, it is possible to analyze qualitatively and quantitatively using optical properties of the measurement target material.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the measuring device according to the prior art as described above, the light emitting sensor or the light receiving sensor is sensitive to the external environment (temperature and humidity) as well as manufacturing errors can exhibit the same response characteristics to light. There is no problem that the sensitivity of the light increases in proportion to the temperature as the outside temperature increases.

In addition, calibration for the same response characteristics cannot be limited to only one component of the light source or the light sensor. There is a difference between the inherent characteristics of the light source and the light sensor and the inherent characteristics of the entire system, and these differences can be said to cause errors in the system.

When the measuring device according to the prior art measures the amount of a specific component of the measurement object by emitting only light of a specific wavelength, even if the light source of the same specification has different characteristics under the same conditions, the amount of reference light every time There was a problem that an error occurs in the measured amount is different.

In addition, expensive optical equipment conventionally used has a built-in reference reflector or is separated separately, which is inconvenient in the process of measuring a target material after measuring the reference reflector.

The measuring apparatus according to the present invention was devised to solve the above problems, and by setting the initial detected light amount as the reference light amount using a reference reflector, the error between the display light amount and the actual emitted light amount due to mechanical factors or external environmental factors. The purpose is to minimize the measurement error of the measurement object by.

In addition, the present invention performs a function of detecting the initial light amount by using a reference reflector to determine whether there is a structural defect of the measuring device according to the detected initial light amount, and to diagnose the device by itself before the actual measurement, there is no structural coupling The purpose is to prevent.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to protect the light processing unit from external impact and contamination by integrating the reference reflector and the light absorber in a protective cap for protecting the main body of the visible and near infrared (Vis-NIR) measuring device and the light processing unit of the main body. .

 In addition, the measuring device according to the present invention is to reduce the measurement error, to ensure the reproducibility and accuracy through the implementation of the close detection unit based on the constant pressure generated by the thickness measurement device of the portable subcutaneous fat using light in contact with the measurement object There is that purpose.

In order to achieve the object as described above, the precise body fat and subcutaneous fat measuring apparatus using the reference reflector according to the present invention is a device for measuring the thickness of body fat and subcutaneous fat non-invasive using light, infiltrate into the measurement object A light processing unit including a light emitting unit for emitting light having a possible wavelength and a light receiving unit for detecting the light reflected in the object, and in combination with the light processing unit, to test the characteristics of the emitted and detected light of the light processing unit An optical characteristic test unit, and a microprocessor for setting the reference value for the detected amount of light and the thickness of the subcutaneous fat on the basis of the data transmitted from the light processing unit and a pre-stored data table.

The optical characteristic test unit includes a reference reflector for facilitating diffuse reflection of the output light source and the reflected light source, and a light attached to a lower end of the reference reflector and absorbing the emitted light reaching the interface with the reference reflector. And a protective cap that protects and supports the absorber, the reference reflector and the light absorbing portion, and facilitates detachment and detachment of the measuring device.

The reference reflector is made of a material whose reflectance is relatively higher than the material to be measured, and is made of an ABS resin material that can facilitate the diffuse reflection of the emitted light source, and the diffuse reflectivity changes according to the thickness change.

The light processor may be disposed in a circle between the light emitter and the light receiver to prevent light emitted from the light emitter from directly entering the light receiver, and may move up and down according to a predetermined pressure generated by contact with the measurement object. The contact unit may further include an adhesion sensor installed at a lower end of the contact unit to detect whether the light processor is in close contact with the measurement object.

In order to achieve the above object, the precise subcutaneous fat measurement method using the reference reflector according to the present invention, in the method of measuring the thickness of the subcutaneous fat non-invasively using light, the light emitting device emits light Detecting the amount of light reflected by the optical characteristic test unit for testing the characteristic of the emitted light, comparing the detected amount of light with previously stored data, and setting the detected amount of light as a reference value or performing re-measurement. The step of setting the reference light amount, and detecting the light reflected after entering the measurement object, and measuring the body fat and subcutaneous fat based on the set reference value and the previously stored data.

The setting of the reference light amount may include setting the detected light amount as a reference value if the detected light amount is within an allowable error range of previously stored data, and re-measurement if the detected light amount is outside an allowable error range of previously stored data. And performing the re-measurement step more than a reference number of times, displaying an error of the light processor.

The subcutaneous fat measuring step may include detecting an amount of light incident and reflected by the measurement object, calculating an absorbance of the detected amount of light, comparing the stored data with previously stored data, and calculating a thickness of the subcutaneous fat according to the comparison result. And displaying the calculated thickness of body fat and subcutaneous fat.

As described above, the apparatus for measuring body fat and subcutaneous fat according to the present invention and a method thereof set an initial detection light amount to a reference light amount using a reference reflector, and detect a structural defect, thereby measuring the object by structural factors or external environmental factors. This has the effect of reducing the measurement error for.

In addition, by using a protective cap covering the reference reflector (Reference Reflector) to protect the light processing unit from the external impact, there is an effect to prevent contamination by foreign substances such as dust.

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method for measuring thickness of a portable subcutaneous fat using light capable of accurately measuring a specific component of a measurement object using a reference reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

4 to 7, a measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 4 and 5 are a state diagram in which the reference reflector and the light processor of the subcutaneous fat measuring apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention are separated and combined, respectively. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a measuring device in a state in which a reference reflector is separated from a thickness measuring device of a subcutaneous fat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention emits light to the measurement object, and to set the reference light amount to the light processor 20 for detecting the reflected light, and the initial amount of light emitted from the light processor, An optical characteristic test unit 30 for testing the characteristics of the initial emission light, and a microprocessor 40 for setting a reference light amount based on the light detected by the light processing unit 20 and calculating a thickness of subcutaneous fat. It is configured by.

The light processor 20 includes a light emitter 23 that emits light that can penetrate into the measurement object, and a light receiver 24 that detects light that is reflected after being emitted. The microprocessor 40 includes a data table for converting the amount of light detected by the light processor into the thickness of subcutaneous fat.

The optical characteristic test unit 30 includes a reference reflector 31, a light absorber 32 in contact with one surface of the reference reflector, and a protective cap 33 supporting the reference reflector and the light absorber. .

The reference reflector 31 facilitates the diffuse reflection of the light source emitted from the light emitting portion and the light source reflected in the reference reflector. The reference reflector is made of a material having a relatively higher reflectance (%) than the measurement object in order to facilitate such diffuse reflection. As the reference reflector, an ABS resin may be used, and the diffuse reflectance, which is an optical property, changes according to the thickness.

The light absorber 32 is coupled to an opposite side of the reference reflector 31 in contact with the light processor 20, is emitted from the light processor, and enters the reference reflector four, and thus the interface between the reference reflector and the light absorber. Absorb all the light that reaches it. That is, the light absorber serves to prevent the light from being reflected at the interface with the reference reflector, thereby helping the light processor to detect only the light reflected inside the reference reflector. Such an optical structure is for the measurement device to measure purely diffuse reflection.

The microprocessor 40 may adjust the sensitivity of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit to compare the amount of light detected by the light receiving unit 24 with a previously stored data table so that the error is minimized when an error occurs. In addition, the microprocessor 40 compares the emitted light amount of the light emitting part displayed at the time of manufacture with the actually detected light amount, and sets the detected light amount as a reference light amount of the light emitting part if the detected light amount is within a preset reference range. If it is outside the reference range, the light processing unit is displayed as having a structural defect.

The light processor 20 may further include a contact unit 21 disposed between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, and a close detection unit 22 provided at a lower end of the contact unit.

The contact part 21 is disposed in a circular shape between the light emitting part and the light receiving part to prevent the light emitted from the light emitting part from directly entering the light receiving part, and up and down according to a predetermined pressure generated by contact with the measurement object. It is mobile.

That is, the contact part 21 is configured to detect only light that enters and exits inside the measurement object purely by preventing surface reflection of light.

The light emitting unit 23 is composed of a plurality of light emitting devices having a predetermined distance at a predetermined distance around the light receiving unit 24, and emits visible light having a wavelength of 400nm to 750nm or infrared rays having a wavelength of 750nm to 2500nm.

The optical processor includes a PCB 25 installed at a lower end of the optical devices 23 and 24 and the contact sensor 22 as a signal and power supply passage, and a support for supporting the optical device, the contact part, and the contact sensor. It further comprises 26.

Referring to FIG. 7, the close detection unit 22 detects whether the measuring device is in close contact with a measurement object, a plurality of contact switches 27 connected in series, and one side of the plurality of contact switches. Connected to the last switch, the other side consists of a resistor 28 connected in series with the microprocessor. Therefore, the close detection unit 22 induces that the measuring device is in close contact with the measurement object such that the amount of light emitted and detected by the light processing unit is not lost to the outside.

8 is a sensitivity according to the external environment change (temperature change) of the measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, unlike the prior art of FIG. 3, as shown in the figure, the sensitivity of the amount of light according to the temperature change is almost Shows constant That is, it can be seen that the measuring device according to the present invention can measure more precisely than the prior art.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a measuring body equipped with a protective cap and a light processing unit in which a reference reflector is mounted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a flow chart of thickness measurement of subcutaneous fat using a reference reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings will be described in detail with respect to the thickness measurement method of subcutaneous fat according to the present invention.

In a measuring method according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the method of measuring the thickness of subcutaneous fat by non-invasive use of light, the light emitting device emits light and an optical property test for testing the characteristics of the emitted light. Detecting the amount of light reflected from the negative (S51), comparing the detected amount of light with previously stored data, setting the detected amount of light as a reference value or performing a re-measurement (S52), and a measurement object And detecting subcutaneous fat based on the set reference value and pre-stored data by detecting light reflected by the incident light (S53 to S57).

The reference light amount setting step (S52) may include setting the detected light amount as a reference value if the detected light amount is within an allowable error range of previously stored data, and resetting if the detected light amount is outside an allowable error range of previously stored data. And performing a measurement, and displaying an error of the light processor if the re-measurement step is equal to or greater than a reference number of times.

The body fat and subcutaneous fat measurement step (S53) may include detecting the amount of light incident and reflected by the measurement object, calculating absorbance of the detected amount of light, and comparing it with previously stored data. Computing the thickness of the subcutaneous fat (S54 ~ S56), and the step of displaying the calculated thickness of the subcutaneous fat (S57). The body fat is expressed in% and the thickness of the subcutaneous fat is expressed in mm.

The absorbance calculation formula applied to the reference reflector 31 is as follows.

Abs. = log (S / R) ------------------------------------------- -----(One)

Where S is a measurement for the measurement subject and R is a reference reflector intrinsic value.

In the measuring apparatus and measuring method according to an embodiment of the present invention described above, a function selection for measuring body fat percentage (%) or subcutaneous fat thickness (mm) is possible according to a user's clothes. Means for selecting a function may be implemented by a button, a voice sensor, a contact sensor.

As described above, although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the spirit and scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the above embodiments, but the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible within the scope. In addition, the inventors claim that all combinations of the inventions described in the claims and the detailed description of the invention are possible and claim the protection of the inventions described in the claims.

1 is a plan view of a subcutaneous fat measuring apparatus according to the prior art.

Figure 2 is an output diagram of each light source when the power supply of 2.5V, 60mA under the same conditions for the near-infrared LED of the measuring device according to the prior art.

3 is a sensitivity according to the external environment change (temperature change) of the measuring apparatus according to the prior art.

4 is a state diagram in which a reference reflector and a measuring device are separated in a thickness measuring apparatus of a subcutaneous fat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a state diagram in which a reference reflector and a measuring device are combined in a thickness measuring apparatus of subcutaneous fat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a measuring device in a state in which a reference reflector is separated from a thickness measuring device of a subcutaneous fat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a circuit diagram illustrating a close detection unit of a touch compensation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a sensitivity according to the external environment change (temperature change) of the measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a flowchart of thickness measurement of subcutaneous fat using a reference reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a perspective view of a measuring body main body equipped with a protective cap and a light processing unit in which a reference reflector is mounted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

 Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

21: contact portion 22: close detection portion 23: light emitting portion

24: light receiver 25: PCB 26: support

27: contact switch 28: resistance

31: reference reflector 32: light absorber 33: protective cap

40: microprocessor

Claims (10)

In the device for measuring the thickness of body fat and subcutaneous fat non-invasively using light, A light processing unit including a light emitting unit emitting light having a wavelength that can penetrate into the measurement object, and a light receiving unit detecting light reflected from the object; An optical characteristic test unit for testing the characteristics of the emitted and detected light of the light processing unit in a state combined with the light processing unit; And a microprocessor configured to calculate a reference value for the detected amount of light and a thickness of subcutaneous fat based on data received from the light processor and a pre-stored data table. The method of claim 1, The optical characteristic test unit, A reference reflector to facilitate diffuse reflection of the output light source and the reflected light source, A light absorber attached to a lower end of the reference reflector to absorb the emitted light reaching the interface with the reference reflector; And a protective cap that protects and supports the reference reflector and the light absorbing portion, and facilitates detachment and detachment of the measuring device. The method of claim 2, The reference reflector is a thickness measuring apparatus for body fat and subcutaneous fat, characterized in that the reflectivity is made of a material relatively higher than the material to be measured. The method of claim 2, The reference reflector is made of an ABS resin material that can facilitate the diffuse reflection of the emitted light, the thickness reflectance apparatus of the body fat and subcutaneous fat, characterized in that the diffuse reflectivity is changed according to the thickness change. The method of claim 1, And the microprocessor compares the detected amount of light with the data table and adjusts the sensitivity of the light emitting part and the light receiving part so that the error is minimized when an error occurs. The method of claim 1, The light processing unit, A contact portion disposed in a circular shape between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion to prevent the light emitted from the light emitting portion from directly entering the light receiving portion, and being movable up and down according to a predetermined pressure generated by contact with the measurement object; The contact correction device of the body fat and subcutaneous fat measuring device is installed on the lower end of the contact portion, further comprising a close detection unit for detecting whether the light processing unit is in close contact with the measurement object. The method of claim 6, The light emitting unit is composed of a plurality of light emitting devices having a predetermined distance at a constant distance around the light receiving unit, emits visible light of 400nm to 750nm wavelength or infrared rays of 750nm to 2500nm wavelength, The close detection unit is a plurality of switches and resistors are all connected in series, the resistance is body thickness and subcutaneous fat thickness measuring apparatus, characterized in that connected to the microprocessor. In the method of measuring the thickness of subcutaneous fat non-invasively using light, The light emitting device emits light; Detecting an amount of light reflected by an optical property test unit for testing a property of the emitted light; A reference light amount setting step of comparing the detected light amount with previously stored data and setting the detected light amount as a reference value or performing re-measurement; And detecting body light and subcutaneous fat based on the set reference value and pre-stored data by detecting light reflected after entering the measurement object. The method of claim 8, The reference light amount setting step, Setting the detected light amount as a reference value if the detected light amount is within an allowable error range of previously stored data; Performing re-measurement if the detected amount of light is outside the tolerance range of the previously stored data; and If the re-measurement step is more than the reference number of times, the thickness of the body fat and subcutaneous fat, comprising the step of displaying the error of the light processing unit. The method of claim 8, The subcutaneous fat measurement step, Detecting an amount of light incident and reflected on the measurement object; Calculating absorbance of the detected amount of light and comparing it with previously stored data, and calculating thickness of body fat and subcutaneous fat according to the comparison result; and Method for measuring the thickness of the body fat and subcutaneous fat comprising the step of displaying the calculated thickness of body fat and subcutaneous fat.

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