WO2001047412A1

WO2001047412A1 - Device for acquiring information from living body

Info

Publication number: WO2001047412A1
Application number: PCT/JP2000/009077
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shinji Uchida
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 1999-12-24
Filing date: 2000-12-21
Publication date: 2001-07-05

Abstract

According to the conventional device for acquiring information from a living body, an external force applied to parts other than an optical sensor including a light source and a photodetector disturbs accurate observation of information on a living body. A device comprises an optical sensor (1) including a light source (2) and a photodetector (3) for detecting the quantity of light from the light source (2) passing through a finger, a holder (5), and elastic connector means (4) for connecting the optical sensor (1) to the holder (5).

Description

Description Biological information measuring device Technical field

The present invention relates to a measuring device for measuring biological information such as pulse, blood pressure, blood sugar level, subcutaneous fat thickness, and body fat percentage of a human or other living body. Background art

Conventional apparatuses for measuring biological information are disclosed in, for example, USP 5,086,229.

This biological information measuring device is a device that non-invasively measures glucose concentration in blood. When a measuring device having a light source and a photodetector pinches a fingertip, the light detector emits light from the light source. It detects light that has passed through the fingertip and reached the light detector, and measures biological information such as blood sugar fit and pulse.

Further, as another conventional biological information measuring device, there is provided an optical sensor unit having a light source and a photodetector as described above, and when the optical sensor unit comes into contact with, for example, a finger of a subject, the photodetector Some devices detect light emitted from a light source and passed through the inside of a finger or the like, and measure biological information such as a blood glucose level or a pulse.

However, the conventional biological information measuring device has the following problems.

As described above, the amount of light emitted from the light source and transmitted through the fingertip to reach the photodetector greatly changes depending on the amount of blood existing in the light passage. When the fingertip moves, a large force from the biological information measuring device acts on the fingertip, and as a result, the blood volume in the finger changes.

Therefore, at the time of measurement, there was a problem that accurate biological information could not be measured without resting without swinging the fingertip.

Also, when the conventional biological information measuring device attached or touched to the fingertip is pressed against a certain object, there is a problem that the amount of detected light greatly changes as described above.

This means that it is difficult to continuously measure the blood sugar level, pulse, etc. of a healthy person who exercises or performs manual work every day.

So far, the case of detecting the light passing through the inside of the finger has been described. However, a biological information measuring device that measures the impedance of the living body from the current flowing inside the living body and measures the subcutaneous fat thickness, the body fat percentage, and the like. As with the biological information measuring device using light, a biological information measuring device that measures subcutaneous fat thickness, body fat percentage, and the like from a microphone mouth wave or an ultrasonic wave that has passed through the inside of a living body is conventionally used. When measuring information, there is a problem that it is necessary to rest without moving the living body, and a problem that the measured values change greatly even when the biological information measuring device is pressed down by some object. Atsuta. Disclosure of the invention

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and even when an external force is applied to a portion other than a sensor unit for measuring biological information, the biological information of a living body to be measured is correctly measured without being affected by the external force. The purpose of the present invention is to provide Things.

According to a first aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 1), a sensor unit for measuring predetermined biological information, a holding table, and an elastic body connecting means for connecting the sensor unit and the holding table are provided. This is a biological information measuring device characterized by the following.

A second invention (corresponding to claim 2) is characterized in that the sensor unit has at least a light source and a photodetector that detects light emitted from the light source and passing through the living body. 1 is a biological information measuring device according to a first aspect of the present invention. According to a third aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 3), the sensor unit includes two electrodes, a voltage application unit that applies a predetermined voltage to the two electrodes, and measures the impedance of the living body. The biological information measuring device according to the first aspect of the present invention, characterized in that the biological information measuring device has at least an impedance measuring unit that performs the measurement.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 4), the sensor unit includes: a microwave generator; and a microphone mouth wave detector for detecting a microwave emitted from the microwave generator and passing through the living body. The biological information measuring device according to the first aspect of the present invention, characterized by having at least:

A fifth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 5) is that the sensor unit comprises: an ultrasonic generator; and an ultrasonic detector that detects ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic generator and passing through the living body. The biological information measuring device according to the first aspect of the present invention, which has at least:

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 6), the holding table has a first surface capable of contacting the living body, and the sensor part has a second surface capable of contacting the living body. The biological information measuring apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, wherein the biological information measuring apparatus is characterized in that: A seventh aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 7) is that the first surface surrounds the second surface in a predetermined direction, and between the first surface and the second surface in the direction. Is a biological information measuring device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, characterized by having a gap.

An eighth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 8) is the first force, wherein the elastic body coupling means is a spring, a plate panel, a rubber-like elastic body, or an air damper using air. The biological information measuring device according to any one of the seventh to seventh aspects of the present invention.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 9), the elastic body coupling means is an elastic body using a solid material, a liquid material, or a gaseous material. A biological information measuring device according to the present invention.

A tenth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 10) is that the elastic body coupling means is an elastic body formed of metal, plastic, or a natural material. Any of the biological information measuring devices according to the present invention.

The eleventh invention (corresponding to claim 11) is characterized in that the elastic body coupling means is a coil-shaped, plate-shaped, linear, mesh-shaped or lattice-shaped elastic body. A biological information measuring apparatus according to any one of the seventh to seventh aspects of the present invention.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 12) is a state estimation unit that estimates a state related to the living body based on biological information measured by the sensor unit, and a state estimated by the state estimation unit. A display section for displaying

A power supply unit that supplies power to the sensor unit, the state estimation unit, and the display unit.

The biological information measurement according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects of the present invention, It is a fixed device.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 13) is characterized in that all or a part of the state estimating unit, the display unit, and the power supply unit are held by the holding table. 12 is a biological information measuring device according to the present invention.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 14), any one of the first to thirteenth features is provided with an annular elastic belt to which the holding table is attached. It is a biological information measuring device according to the invention.

A fifteenth invention (corresponding to claim 15) is characterized in that all or a part of the state estimation unit, the display unit, and the power supply unit are built in the elastic belt. A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is a biological information measuring apparatus according to the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a biological information measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a case where the biological information measuring device of FIG. 1 is worn on a finger. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a biological information measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention in which a plate panel is used as an elastic body coupling unit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram when an air damper is used as the elastic body coupling means of the biological information measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a case where a rubber-like elastic resin is used as the elastic body coupling means of the biological information measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram when the biological information measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention is viewed from the first surface 9 side.

FIG. 7 shows the biological information measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention viewed from the first surface 9 side. FIG.

(Explanation of code)

1 Optical sensor

2 Light source

3 Photodetector

4 Elastic body coupling means

5 Holder

6 Signal processing section

7 Power supply

8 Display

21 Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of the biological information measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a biological information measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a part of an optical sensor, which comprises a light source 2 and a photodetector 3. As the light source 2, for example, an LED having a wavelength of 94 Onm is used. As the photodetector 3, for example, a silicon photodiode is used.

The optical sensor unit 1 is connected to a holding table 5 via an elastic body coupling means 4. As the elastic body coupling means 4, for example, a spring is used.

The optical sensor unit 1 and the holder 5 are electrically connected, and the light source 2 The power supply of the detector 3 and the signal transmission are performed. The lighter the light sensor unit 1, the better.

A signal processing unit 6 is installed on the holding table 5, and the signal processing unit 6 processes a detection signal from the optical detector 3, and detects a living body such as a blood glucose level, a pulse, a subcutaneous fat thickness, and a body fat percentage. It works to calculate information.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a power supply unit, and the power supply unit 7 has a function of supplying power to the light source 2 and the photodetector 3.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a display unit, and the display unit 8 displays biological information calculated by the signal processing unit 6, such as a blood sugar level and a pulse.

The power supply unit 7 supplies power to the light source 2 and the photodetector 3, and also supplies power to the signal processing unit 6 and the display unit 8.

Next, the operation of the biological information measuring device according to the present embodiment will be described, taking as an example a case where the biological information measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention is placed on the surface of a finger. As shown in FIG. 1, the first surface 9 of the holder 5 and the second surface 10 of the optical sensor unit 1 are in contact with the finger, and the first surface 9 is the second surface in the axial direction of the finger. Surrounding the surface 10, there is a gap between the first surface 9 and the second surface 10. Here, FIG. 6 shows a situation when the biological information measuring device of the present embodiment is viewed from the first surface 9 side. From FIG. 6, it can be seen that the first surface 9 surrounds the second surface 10, in other words, the holding table 5 surrounds the optical sensor unit 1.

Light emitted from the light source 2 propagates through the finger. Most of the propagated light is scattered, but part of the light reaches the photodetector 3. The amount of light reaching the photodetector 3 changes due to, for example, a change in the flow rate of blood flowing in the finger, a change in the component, and the like. These changes are calculated by the signal processing unit 6, and include, for example, blood glucose, pulse, and subcutaneous fat thickness. The body fat percentage is calculated. The obtained biological information such as blood sugar level, pulse, subcutaneous fat thickness, and body fat percentage is displayed on the display unit 8.

By the way, the elastic body coupling means 4 functions to reduce the force of the optical sensor unit 1 pressed against the finger when a large force is applied to the holding table 5, for example.

For example, when the elastic body coupling means 4 does not exist, the force applied to the holder 5 is transmitted to the optical sensor unit 1 as it is, and the photodetector 3 is pressed against the finger with a large force.

This means that the flow of blood flowing near the photodetector 3 is greatly changed, or the thickness of fat is greatly changed, so that accurate measurement cannot be performed. By using the elastic coupling means 4, the pressing force is remarkably reduced, and a change in blood flow and a change in fat thickness can be suppressed, so that accurate measurement becomes possible.

The biological information measuring device shown in FIG. 1 can be attached to a finger by an annular extensible belt 21 as shown in FIG. 2, for example.

At this time, the optical sensor unit 1 having the light source 2 and the photodetector 3 is brought into close contact with the finger by the elastic body coupling means 4. Here, when a spring is used as the elastic body coupling means 4, the smaller the panel constant of the spring panel is, the better the optical sensor unit 1 can be brought into close contact with the living body.

The holder 5 is attached to the finger by the elastic belt 21, but the tightening force of the elastic belt 21 is mainly applied to the holder 5.

The elastic body coupling means 4 provided between the holding base 5 and the optical sensor unit 1 can suppress external force from being directly applied to the optical sensor unit 1. It is very favorable. Further, the result of the measurement by the optical sensor unit 1 can be easily seen on the display unit 8 by the holes provided in the elastic belt 21. The display unit 8 may be provided on the extensible belt 21.

Although FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the biological information measuring device of the present embodiment is attached to a finger using the elastic belt 21, the present invention is not limited to this. It doesn't matter if you attach it to In short, the biological information measuring device of the present invention is only required to be used for measuring biological information of a living body, not limited to a finger, an arm or an abdomen.

In the above, an example in which a spring is used as the elastic body coupling means 4 in the biological information measuring device according to the present embodiment has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is more preferable to use a panel panel. Figure 3 shows the outline. Reference numeral 31 denotes a plate panel, which is installed on the holding base 5, and the optical sensor unit 1 is attached to the center thereof. The leaf spring 31 allows the optical sensor unit 1 to be more mechanically stably pressed against the surface of the living body.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, an air damper means 41 in which air is filled in resin is used as the elastic body connecting means, and the air damper means 41 is provided between the optical sensor unit 1 and the holding table 5. It may be arranged.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a rubber-like elastic resin 51 may be used as the elastic body coupling means, and the rubber-like elastic resin 51 may be filled between the optical sensor unit 1 and the holding table 5. Examples of the rubber-like elastic resin 51 include styrene butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, nitrinole rubber, chloroprene rubber, butynole rubber, atarinole rubber, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, and the like. Used. The present invention does not particularly limit the materials.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in the biological information measuring device of the present embodiment, the case where the power supply unit 7, the signal processing unit 6, and the display unit 8 are installed on the holding table 5 has been described. It is not limited. For example, all or a part of the power supply unit, the signal processing unit, and the display unit may be provided inside the annular elastic belt 21 separately from the holder 5.

With such a configuration, the mass of the holding table 5 can be reduced, and as a result, the force applied to the finger when the finger is moved is reduced, so that a change in blood flow of blood flowing through the finger can be suppressed. Occurs.

Therefore, by providing all or a part of the power supply unit, the signal processing unit, and the display unit separately from the holding table 5 and providing them inside the annular elastic belt 21, more stable measurement can be realized. Useful.

As described above, the external force generated when the finger is moved greatly or when performing manual work mainly acts on the holding table 5, so even if a large force is applied to the holding table 5, the optical sensor unit Since it is connected to the optical sensor unit 1 by a relatively weak elastic connecting means, the force transmitted to the optical sensor unit 1 is suppressed, and the optical sensor unit 1 is less likely to be affected by an external force. As a result, accurate measurement of biological information becomes possible.

In addition, the use of a plate panel or a rubber-like elastic body as the elastic body coupling means of the biological information measuring device of the present invention can be said to be very preferable because of its mechanical stability.

In the above-described embodiment, the signal processing unit 6 is used as an example of the state estimating unit of the biological information measuring device of the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment, the elastic body coupling of the biological information measuring device of the present invention is performed. As the means, a spring panel, a plate panel 31, an air damper 41 filled with air in a resin, or a rubbery elastic resin 51 is used, but an elastic body connecting means of the biological information measuring apparatus of the present invention is used. Is not limited to the above. The elastic body coupling means may be an elastic body using a solid material, a liquid material, or a gas material, or may be an elastic body using a metal, a plastic, or a natural material. Further, the shape of the elastic body coupling means may be a coil shape, a plate shape, a linear shape, a mesh shape, or a lattice shape.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the optical sensor unit 1 and the holder 5 are displayed as having a rectangular shape, but the optical sensor unit 1 and the holder 5 are limited to have a rectangular shape. Instead, as shown in FIG. 7, the optical sensor unit 1 and the holder 5 may be circular. In short, the shapes of the optical sensor unit 1 and the holder 5 are not limited.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where biological information is measured using light has been described. However, the biological information measuring device of the present invention is applicable to an apparatus that measures biological information using light as described above. It is not limited. For example, instead of the optical sensor part 1 composed of the light source 2 and the photodetector 3 in the above-described embodiment, the biological information measuring device has two electrodes and predetermined electrodes attached to the two electrodes. A sensor unit comprising voltage applying means for applying a voltage and impedance measuring means for measuring the impedance of a living body from a current flowing in the living body by applying the voltage is provided, and the body fat thickness is determined from the measured impedance. Or a body fat percentage may be estimated. It takes advantage of the fact that fat is hard to conduct electricity.

Or, for example, the biological information measuring device Instead of the sensor part 1, a sensor unit consisting of a microwave generator and a microphone mouth wave detector that detects the microphone mouth wave emitted from the microwave generator and passed through the living body is provided. Alternatively, the subcutaneous fat thickness and the body fat percentage may be estimated from the detected microwave. This takes advantage of the fact that the propagation characteristics of microphone mouth waves change depending on the amount of water. Note that ultrasonic waves may be used instead of microwaves. In that case, the microwave generator will be replaced by an ultrasonic generator, and the microphone mouth wave detector will be replaced by an ultrasonic detector. In the case of ultrasonic waves, the generator and the detector may be realized by the same element.

In short, the biological information measuring device of the present invention only needs to include a sensor unit for measuring biological information, a holder, and an elastic body connecting means such as a panel connecting the center and the holder. . Industrial applicability

As is clear from the above description, the present invention is not affected by external force even when an external force is applied to a part other than the sensor unit for measuring biological information, and the biological information of the biological body to be measured is not affected. It is possible to provide a biological information measuring device for correctly measuring the biological information.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A biological information measuring device, comprising: a sensor unit for measuring predetermined biological information; a holder; and an elastic body coupling unit for connecting the sensor unit and the holder.

2. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit includes at least a light source and a photodetector that detects light emitted from the light source and passing through the living body.

3. The sensor unit has at least two electrodes, voltage applying means for applying a predetermined voltage to the two electrodes, and impedance measuring means for measuring the impedance of the living body. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1, wherein

4. The sensor unit has at least a microwave generator and a microphone mouth wave detector that detects a microwave emitted from the microwave generator and passed through the living body. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1.

5. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit includes at least an ultrasonic generator and an ultrasonic detector that detects ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic generator and passing through the living body. Biological information measuring device.

6. The holding table has a first surface that can contact the living body, and the sensor part has a second surface that can contact the living body. 6. The biological information measuring device according to any one of 5.

7. The first surface surrounds the second surface in a predetermined direction, and a gap exists between the first surface and the second surface in the direction. 7. The biological information measuring device according to claim 6, wherein

8. The biological information measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the elastic body coupling means is a spring panel, a plate panel, a rubber-like elastic body, or an air damper using air. .

9. The biological information measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the elastic body coupling means is an elastic body using a solid material, a liquid material, or a gas material.

10. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body coupling means is an elastic body formed of metal, plastic, or a natural material.

11. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body coupling means is an elastic body having a coil shape, a plate shape, a linear shape, a mesh shape, or a lattice shape.

12. A state estimating unit that estimates a state related to the living body based on the biological information measured by the sensor unit;

A display unit that displays the state estimated by the state estimation unit;

The biological information measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that:

13. The biological information measurement device according to claim 12, wherein all or a part of the state estimation unit, the display unit, and the power supply unit are held by the holding table.

1 4. An annular elastic belt to which the holder is attached is provided. The biological information measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that:

15. The biological information measuring device according to claim 14, wherein all or a part of the state estimation unit, the display unit, and the power supply unit are built in the elastic belt. .