WO2004006764A1 - Bioelectric impedance measurement unit - Google Patents

Bioelectric impedance measurement unit Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004006764A1
WO2004006764A1 PCT/KR2003/001363 KR0301363W WO2004006764A1 WO 2004006764 A1 WO2004006764 A1 WO 2004006764A1 KR 0301363 W KR0301363 W KR 0301363W WO 2004006764 A1 WO2004006764 A1 WO 2004006764A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bioelectric impedance
external apparatus
housing
measurement unit
bioelectric
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2003/001363
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Kyung-Hee Lee
Original Assignee
Biospace Co., Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Biospace Co., Ltd filed Critical Biospace Co., Ltd
Priority to JP2004521255A priority Critical patent/JP2005532862A/en
Priority to AU2003252419A priority patent/AU2003252419A1/en
Publication of WO2004006764A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004006764A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/05—Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves 
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
    • A61B5/6887—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/05—Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves 
    • A61B5/053—Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
    • A61B5/0537—Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/48—Other medical applications
    • A61B5/4869—Determining body composition
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/48—Other medical applications
    • A61B5/4869—Determining body composition
    • A61B5/4872—Body fat
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/0002—Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an conveniently portable apparatus for measuring Bioelectric Impedance Analysis(BIA), more particularly, an apparatus for measuring bioelectric impedance by connecting an external apparatus including a display, an input part and a controller.
  • BIOA Bioelectric Impedance Analysis
  • Fig. 1 shows a block diagram for the portable bioelectric impedance measurement apparatus.
  • the apparatus comprises 4 terminals(A, B, C, D), a display(7), a controlled 10), an input part including a keyboard(ll), a constant current generator(12), a voltmeter(13), a memory(14), and a power(16).
  • the memory(14) comprises a program for analyzing body fat
  • the controller(l ⁇ ) calculates bioelectric impedance and analyzes body fat by executing the program placed within the memory(14) based on a voltage measured by the voltmeter, and displays the results on the display(7).
  • Another conventional embodiment of portable body fat measurement apparatus places a particular circuit for measuring bioelectric current within a cellular phone or PDA, and adds a body fat measurement function to a cellular phone or PDA by using a display, a input part, a controller, and a memory, etc.
  • the technology where the title of the invention is 'portable cellular phone measurable body fat', h as b een applied a s Korean p atent application N o. 2000-0028081 o n M ay 24 2000. It discloses the technology that adds a body fat measurement function to a cellular phone, measures an amount of body fat, and transmits a measured body fat information to a server of base station using a transmitter of a cellular phone.
  • Fig.2 shows a block diagram for the portable cellular phone measurable body fat.
  • the embodiment discloses a conventional cellular phone, adding an impedance measurement unit(20) and a mode selection switch(30) for measuring body fat, and having a particular program for measuring and calculating an impedance operatable in a controller of a cellular phone.
  • the portable bioelectric impedance measurement apparatus is lack of a function for communicating with an external apparatus.
  • a body fat measurement apparatus as a minimum element, and measure body fat by using a common element of various external apparatus, including a memory and a display, etc. It is impossible to make a cheaper body fat measurement apparatus, and reduce production cost, weight, and size.
  • the portable cellular phone measurable body fat introduces the method reducing production cost of body fat measurement apparatus by placing a minimum unit for measuring bioelectric current within a cellular phone.
  • it is not available in other kinds of a cellular phone or other kinds of an apparatus. It induces the rise of production cost. It is impossible to divide only the body fat measurement apparatus from a cellular phone and reuse it. Thus the apparatus has disadvantages in a waste of resources.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a bioelectric impedance measurement unit, connected to an external apparatus including a controller, a display and an input part, and using them.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a very compatible bioelectric impedance measurement unit, connected to an external apparatus including a controller, a display and an input part, regardless of a kind and measurable an impedance.
  • a still another object of the present invention is to provide a bioelectric impedance measurement unit, downloading a various program for measuring body composition based on bioelectric impedance from an external apparatus, and measuring bioelectric impedance.
  • a bioelectric impedance measurement unit comprises: a housing made of insulating material, two pairs of electrodes ananged on the front and rear sides of the housing respectively, a connector connected to the housing for data communication with an external apparatus comprising a display, an input part, and a controller, a memory placed within the housing, and a controller placed within the housing, wherein the controller receiving commands inputted on the input part of the external apparatus through the connector, calculating bioelectric impedance of a body based on values measured by the electrodes, and transmitting the bioelectric impedance to the external apparatus.
  • the controller receives commands and physical informations of the body including height, weight, sex, and age through the connector from the external apparatus inputted on the input part, calculates bioelectric impedance of the body based on the values measured by the electrodes, analyzes body composition based on the bioelectric impedance, and transmits an analyzed result to the external apparatus.
  • the controller stores programs for analyzing amounts of compositions of the body transmitted from the external apparatus through the connector, receives commands and physical informations of the body from the external apparatus inputted on the input part, calculates bioelectric impedance based on the values measured by the electrodes, analyzing body composition based on the bioelectric impedance, and transmits an analyzed result to the external apparatus.
  • the result is selected from a group consisting of an amount of body fat, a percent body fat, an amount of body water, an amount of body protein, an amount of body inorganic matter, a percent abdomen fat, an amount of internal organs fat, a point of body development, a fatness(%), a nutrition condition, a muscle type, an amount of somatic cell(kg), a body mass index(kg/m 3 ), a body surface area(m 3 ), an amount of basal metabolism(kcal), and a body density(kg/m 3 ).
  • the connector comprises a terminal for providing electrical power from the external apparatus.
  • the bioelectric impedance measurement unit further comprises an operating switch for starting bioelectric impedance measurement placed on any side of the housing.
  • the housing has a through hole formed on any side thereof, for hanging the housing with a string.
  • the connector is joined to any side of the housing integrally.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conventional embodiment.
  • Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing another conventional embodiment.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 5 is a schematic view of using bioelectric measurement unit , according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 6a is a flow chart for the measurement of body composition, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 6b is a flow chart for the measurement of body composition, according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the present invention.
  • bioelectric impedance measurement unit The preferred embodiment of bioelectric impedance measurement unit according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic view of bioelectric impedance measurement unit according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 4 is a block diagram of bioelectric impedance measurement apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the bioelectric impedance measurement unit according to the embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, comprises a housing(ll ⁇ ), a connector(120) connected to one side of the housing(ll ⁇ ), and two paris of conducting electrodes(130, 131, 132, 133) arranged on the front and rear sides of the housing respectively.
  • the housing is made of insulating material.
  • an internal circuit(200) composed of parts for body fat measurement, including a controller(210) and a memory(250), is placed within the housing.
  • a shape of the housing is normally a rectangular. However, it is not limited to only this shape and anything that would have a proper space for placing a internal circuit(200) within the housing will be available.
  • the connector(120) is connected to one side of the housing(ll ⁇ ) by a cable(121).
  • the cable(120) is connected to the internal circuit (200) through the housing(ll ⁇ ).
  • the connector(120) can be placed in one side of the housing(ll ⁇ ) integrally, for directly connecting the measurement unit(lOO) with the external apparatus, as another embodiment shown in Fig. 7.
  • the internal circuit(200) placed within a housing(ll ⁇ ) comprising a controller(210) and a memory(250).
  • the controller(210) receives a command inputted on a keyboard of a external apparatus(W) through a connector(120), and calculates a bioelectric impedance based on values measured by the electrodes(130, 131, 132, 133), and transmits the calculated results the external a pparatus(W).
  • the controller(210) comprises the microprocessor(240) for carrying out a operation and a control, and a measurement part(220) for measuring a voltage between electrodes according to a control command of the microprocessor(240), and a A/D converter(230) for converting a measured analog signal into a digital signal.
  • the measurement part(220) comprises a circuit for measuring voltage by supplying current in a plural of electrodes(130, 131, 132, 133), and details of the measurement will be omitted, publically well known by an ordinary skilled person in the art.
  • the memory(250) stores a program for measuring bioelectric cunent by a measurement part(220), and a program for calculating bioelectric impedance based on a measured signal. Additionally, the memory(250) stores physical information of the body transmitted from an external apparatus(W), that is, a age, sex, hight, weight, blood type, girth, blood pressure, taste, average exercise time, etc. The memory(250) can also store a program for calculating body composition based on bioelectric impedance values. The program for calculating body composition can be placed in the memory(250), and selectively downloaded from the external apparatus(W). However, the latter is more desirable.
  • the external apparatus(W) is connected to an internet through a wire or a wireless, and the selected program for calculating body composition is downloaded from a sever connected to the internet, and the program is transmitted to bioelectric measurement unit.
  • calculation programs for analyzing body composition based on bioelectric impedance which are programs for calculating an amount of body fat, a percent body fat, an amount of body water, an amount of body protein, an amount of body inorganic matter, a percent abdomen fat, an amount of internal organs fat, a point of body development, a fatness(%), a nutrition condition, a muscle type, an amount of somatic cell(kg), a body mass index(kg/m 3 ), a body surface area(m 3 ), an amount of basal metabolism(kcal), a body density(kg/m 3 ), etc.
  • the program for calculating a nutrition condition is to analysis an excess or lack of protein, fat, inorgan, and the program for calculating muscle type is to determine the ratio of muscle to weight.
  • muscle type There are several kinds of muscle type, which are low muscle type, normal type and muscle type, etc.
  • Fig. 5 is a schematic view of using bioelectric measurement unit , according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a flow chart describing a operation sequence of bioelectric measurement unit , according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • bioelectric measurement unit in order to use bioelectric measurement unit according to the present invention, first of all, one should connect a connector(120) with an input/output socket of an external apparatus(W).
  • the cellular phone can be taken as the external apparatus(W), not limited. Any kinds of the external apparatus adequate for operating a program is available.
  • PDA and computer comprising a keyboard and a controller.
  • a measuring person contacts a thumb and a index on a pair of electrodes, thereby the bioelectric impedance will be measured.
  • the bioelectric impedance may automatically be measured with the passage of a definite time after connecting the connector. And also the measurement may be launched if a person push an operating switch(140), after a completion of measurement preparation.
  • Fig. 6a represents a flow chart for the measurement of body composition, according to one embodiment.
  • the measurement for bioelectric current and the calculation for an impedance will be done in the measurement part, and the calculated impedance value will be transmitted to the external apparatus(W), and the external apparatus(W) will analyze the selected body composition.
  • a program for measuring bioelectric cunent and c alculating bioelectric impedance is stored in the memory, and a personal character and a program for analyzing body composition is stored in a memory of an external apparatus.
  • the external apparatus transmits the input completion signal to the measurement unit.
  • the inputted information is stored in a memory of an external apparatus, which will be used to analyze body composition after receiving impedance values from the measurement unit .
  • the measurement unit receives the input completion signal(S120), and checks whether a finger is appropriately contacted with the electrodes to measure bioelectric cunent(S130) or not. If the contact condition is conect, the controller measures bioelectric cunent(S150). If the contact condition is not conect, the controller transmits a message for remeasuring.
  • the bioelectric cunent may automatically be measured with the passage of a definite time after checking. And also it may be measured if a person push an operating switch(140).
  • the measured bioelectric values will be stored in a memory(S160), and bioelectric impedance will be calculated based on the stored values.(S170)
  • the calculated impedance value will be transmitted to an external apparatus(S180).
  • the external apparatus executes the program for analyzing the selected body composition after receiving the impedance value, and transmits a command for remeasuring or not, to the measurement unit .
  • the measurement unit checks whether bioelectric cunent is remeasured or not. In a case of remeasurement, it will be feedbacked to a step for checking the electrode contact condition. Otherwise, the measurement unit transmits a message for disconnecting the connector.
  • Fig. 6b represents the flow chart for the measurement of body composition, according to another embodiment.
  • the measurement for the bioelectric cunent and the calculation for an impedance and analyzing body composition will be done in the measurement unit.
  • a personal character information will be inputted and the calculated results will be printed in the external apparatus(W).
  • a program for measuring bioelectric impedance and analyzing body composition is stored in the memory.
  • the program for calculating the body composition is not determined, and an additional program for calculation may be transmitted from an external apparatus, which is stored in the memory.
  • the stored program will be used for a measurement of a selected body composition before a program for an additional calculation is transmitted.
  • the external apparatus displays a selectable program for analyzing body composition on a display, and transmits the selected program to an analyzing unit, according to a selection command on an input part.
  • the analyzing unit stores the selected program in the memory.
  • a personal character information inputted on an external apparatus is transmitted, and stored in the memory, which differentiates from Fig. 6a.
  • the apparatus analyzes a body composition and transmits the analyzed result to an external apparatus.
  • the external apparatus only displays the body composition value transmitted, without another analysis.
  • the external apparatus is used only to input and display the personal character information, which minimizes the use of an external apparatus. It is possible to minimize the influence on a function of an external apparatus.
  • Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing another embodiment according to the present invention.
  • the connector(120) is connected to any side of a housing(ll ⁇ ) integrally, which differentiates from Fig. 3.
  • a through hole in one side of a housing(ll ⁇ ), which is used to hanging the housing with a string.
  • the through hole is used to suspend a cloth, a part of a human body or an external apparatus as shown in Fig. 7 with a string, which makes to be convenient for carrying.
  • a bioelectric measurement unit is connected to an external apparatus including a controller, a display and an input part. By using them, one can measure bioelectric impedance, which provides an inexpensive apparatus for measuring body composition.
  • the bioelectric measurement unit can be connected to an external apparatus having a c ontroller, a d isplay a nd a n i nput p art, r egardless o f a k ind.
  • t he p resent invention is also to provide a very compatible bioelectric measurement unit.
  • the bioelectric measurement unit downloads a various program from an external apparatus, w hich c an m easure b ody composition b ased o n b ioelectric i mpedance.
  • the bioelectric measurement unit can analyze a various kind of body composition even with a minimum memory.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to an conveniently portable apparatus for measuring Bioelectric Impedance Analysis (BIA), more particularly, an unit for measuring bioelectric impedance by connecting an external apparatus including a display, an input part and a controller. The bioelectric impedance measurement unit comprises: a housing made of insulating material; two pairs of electrodes arranged on the front and rear sides of the housing respectively; a connector connected to the housing for data communication with an external apparatus comprising a display, an input part, and a controller; a memory placed within the housing; and a controller placed within the housing; wherein the controller receiving commands inputted on the input part of the external apparatus through the connector, calculating bioelectric impedance of a body based on values measured by the electrodes, and transmitting the bioelectric impedance to the external apparatus. According to the present invention, the bioelectric impedance measurement unit is connected to an external apparatus including a controller, a display and input part. By using them, one can measure bioelectric impedance, which provides an excellent apparatus for measuring body composition.

Description

BIOELECTRIC IMPEDANCE MEASUREMENT UNIT
Technical field
The present invention relates to an conveniently portable apparatus for measuring Bioelectric Impedance Analysis(BIA), more particularly, an apparatus for measuring bioelectric impedance by connecting an external apparatus including a display, an input part and a controller.
Background Art The technology, where the title of the invention is 'portable bioelectric impedance measurement apparatus', has been applied as Korean patent application No. 2000- 0008100. It discloses a conventional embodiment of bioelectric impedance measurement apparatus, particularly, a portable apparatus for analyzing body fat of a patient, by measuring bioelectric impedance. Fig. 1 shows a block diagram for the portable bioelectric impedance measurement apparatus. As shown in Fig. 1, the apparatus comprises 4 terminals(A, B, C, D), a display(7), a controlled 10), an input part including a keyboard(ll), a constant current generator(12), a voltmeter(13), a memory(14), and a power(16). In the portable body fat measurement apparatus, the memory(14) comprises a program for analyzing body fat, and the controller(lθ) calculates bioelectric impedance and analyzes body fat by executing the program placed within the memory(14) based on a voltage measured by the voltmeter, and displays the results on the display(7).
Another conventional embodiment of portable body fat measurement apparatus is also disclosed. This embodiment places a particular circuit for measuring bioelectric current within a cellular phone or PDA, and adds a body fat measurement function to a cellular phone or PDA by using a display, a input part, a controller, and a memory, etc. The technology, where the title of the invention is 'portable cellular phone measurable body fat', h as b een applied a s Korean p atent application N o. 2000-0028081 o n M ay 24 2000. It discloses the technology that adds a body fat measurement function to a cellular phone, measures an amount of body fat, and transmits a measured body fat information to a server of base station using a transmitter of a cellular phone. Fig.2 shows a block diagram for the portable cellular phone measurable body fat. The embodiment discloses a conventional cellular phone, adding an impedance measurement unit(20) and a mode selection switch(30) for measuring body fat, and having a particular program for measuring and calculating an impedance operatable in a controller of a cellular phone.
Disclosure of Invention
However, the portable bioelectric impedance measurement apparatus is lack of a function for communicating with an external apparatus. Thus it cannot integrate a body fat measurement apparatus as a minimum element, and measure body fat by using a common element of various external apparatus, including a memory and a display, etc. It is impossible to make a cheaper body fat measurement apparatus, and reduce production cost, weight, and size.
Also, the portable cellular phone measurable body fat introduces the method reducing production cost of body fat measurement apparatus by placing a minimum unit for measuring bioelectric current within a cellular phone. However, it is not available in other kinds of a cellular phone or other kinds of an apparatus. It induces the rise of production cost. It is impossible to divide only the body fat measurement apparatus from a cellular phone and reuse it. Thus the apparatus has disadvantages in a waste of resources.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a bioelectric impedance measurement unit, connected to an external apparatus including a controller, a display and an input part, and using them.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a very compatible bioelectric impedance measurement unit, connected to an external apparatus including a controller, a display and an input part, regardless of a kind and measurable an impedance. A still another object of the present invention is to provide a bioelectric impedance measurement unit, downloading a various program for measuring body composition based on bioelectric impedance from an external apparatus, and measuring bioelectric impedance.
A bioelectric impedance measurement unit according to the present invention comprises: a housing made of insulating material, two pairs of electrodes ananged on the front and rear sides of the housing respectively, a connector connected to the housing for data communication with an external apparatus comprising a display, an input part, and a controller, a memory placed within the housing, and a controller placed within the housing, wherein the controller receiving commands inputted on the input part of the external apparatus through the connector, calculating bioelectric impedance of a body based on values measured by the electrodes, and transmitting the bioelectric impedance to the external apparatus.
Preferably the controller receives commands and physical informations of the body including height, weight, sex, and age through the connector from the external apparatus inputted on the input part, calculates bioelectric impedance of the body based on the values measured by the electrodes, analyzes body composition based on the bioelectric impedance, and transmits an analyzed result to the external apparatus.
Preferably the controller stores programs for analyzing amounts of compositions of the body transmitted from the external apparatus through the connector, receives commands and physical informations of the body from the external apparatus inputted on the input part, calculates bioelectric impedance based on the values measured by the electrodes, analyzing body composition based on the bioelectric impedance, and transmits an analyzed result to the external apparatus.
Preferably the result is selected from a group consisting of an amount of body fat, a percent body fat, an amount of body water, an amount of body protein, an amount of body inorganic matter, a percent abdomen fat, an amount of internal organs fat, a point of body development, a fatness(%), a nutrition condition, a muscle type, an amount of somatic cell(kg), a body mass index(kg/m3), a body surface area(m3), an amount of basal metabolism(kcal), and a body density(kg/m3). Preferably the connector comprises a terminal for providing electrical power from the external apparatus.
Preferably the bioelectric impedance measurement unit further comprises an operating switch for starting bioelectric impedance measurement placed on any side of the housing. Preferably the housing has a through hole formed on any side thereof, for hanging the housing with a string.
Preferably the connector is joined to any side of the housing integrally.
Brief Description of Drawings Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a conventional embodiment.
Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing another conventional embodiment. Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a schematic view of using bioelectric measurement unit , according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 6a is a flow chart for the measurement of body composition, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 6b is a flow chart for the measurement of body composition, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the present invention.
Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention
The preferred embodiment of bioelectric impedance measurement unit according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 3 is a schematic view of bioelectric impedance measurement unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is a block diagram of bioelectric impedance measurement apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The bioelectric impedance measurement unit according to the embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, comprises a housing(llθ), a connector(120) connected to one side of the housing(llθ), and two paris of conducting electrodes(130, 131, 132, 133) arranged on the front and rear sides of the housing respectively.
The housing is made of insulating material. As shown in Fig. 4, an internal circuit(200) composed of parts for body fat measurement, including a controller(210) and a memory(250), is placed within the housing. According to the embodiment, a shape of the housing is normally a rectangular. However, it is not limited to only this shape and anything that would have a proper space for placing a internal circuit(200) within the housing will be available.
As shown in Fig. 3, the connector(120) is connected to one side of the housing(llθ) by a cable(121). The cable(120) is connected to the internal circuit (200) through the housing(llθ). However, the connector(120) can be placed in one side of the housing(llθ) integrally, for directly connecting the measurement unit(lOO) with the external apparatus, as another embodiment shown in Fig. 7.
As shown Fig. 4, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the internal circuit(200) placed within a housing(llθ) comprising a controller(210) and a memory(250).
The controller(210) receives a command inputted on a keyboard of a external apparatus(W) through a connector(120), and calculates a bioelectric impedance based on values measured by the electrodes(130, 131, 132, 133), and transmits the calculated results the external a pparatus(W). In order to p erform the above function, the controller(210) comprises the microprocessor(240) for carrying out a operation and a control, and a measurement part(220) for measuring a voltage between electrodes according to a control command of the microprocessor(240), and a A/D converter(230) for converting a measured analog signal into a digital signal. The measurement part(220) comprises a circuit for measuring voltage by supplying current in a plural of electrodes(130, 131, 132, 133), and details of the measurement will be omitted, publically well known by an ordinary skilled person in the art.
The memory(250) stores a program for measuring bioelectric cunent by a measurement part(220), and a program for calculating bioelectric impedance based on a measured signal. Additionally, the memory(250) stores physical information of the body transmitted from an external apparatus(W), that is, a age, sex, hight, weight, blood type, girth, blood pressure, taste, average exercise time, etc. The memory(250) can also store a program for calculating body composition based on bioelectric impedance values. The program for calculating body composition can be placed in the memory(250), and selectively downloaded from the external apparatus(W). However, the latter is more desirable. It is desirable that the external apparatus(W) is connected to an internet through a wire or a wireless, and the selected program for calculating body composition is downloaded from a sever connected to the internet, and the program is transmitted to bioelectric measurement unit. There are several kinds of calculation programs for analyzing body composition based on bioelectric impedance, which are programs for calculating an amount of body fat, a percent body fat, an amount of body water, an amount of body protein, an amount of body inorganic matter, a percent abdomen fat, an amount of internal organs fat, a point of body development, a fatness(%), a nutrition condition, a muscle type, an amount of somatic cell(kg), a body mass index(kg/m3), a body surface area(m3), an amount of basal metabolism(kcal), a body density(kg/m3), etc. The program for calculating a nutrition condition is to analysis an excess or lack of protein, fat, inorgan, and the program for calculating muscle type is to determine the ratio of muscle to weight. There are several kinds of muscle type, which are low muscle type, normal type and muscle type, etc. Fig. 5 is a schematic view of using bioelectric measurement unit , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a flow chart describing a operation sequence of bioelectric measurement unit , according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in Fig. 5, in order to use bioelectric measurement unit according to the present invention, first of all, one should connect a connector(120) with an input/output socket of an external apparatus(W). The cellular phone can be taken as the external apparatus(W), not limited. Any kinds of the external apparatus adequate for operating a program is available. There are PDA and computer, comprising a keyboard and a controller. Next, as shown in Fig. 5, a measuring person contacts a thumb and a index on a pair of electrodes, thereby the bioelectric impedance will be measured. The bioelectric impedance may automatically be measured with the passage of a definite time after connecting the connector. And also the measurement may be launched if a person push an operating switch(140), after a completion of measurement preparation.
An operation of bioelectric measurement unit will be described with reference to a flow chart of Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b. Fig. 6a represents a flow chart for the measurement of body composition, according to one embodiment. The measurement for bioelectric current and the calculation for an impedance will be done in the measurement part, and the calculated impedance value will be transmitted to the external apparatus(W), and the external apparatus(W) will analyze the selected body composition. A program for measuring bioelectric cunent and c alculating bioelectric impedance is stored in the memory, and a personal character and a program for analyzing body composition is stored in a memory of an external apparatus.
First of all, if one connects a connector with the input/output socket of the external apparatus(W), a program will automatically recognize the external apparatus, which is stored in the memory of the measurment unit and external apparatus(W), and operate to check the connection(SHO).
If the connection between the external apparatus and measurement unit is checked, the message to input a information of a personal character of a measured person will be displayed. If the information is conect, the external apparatus transmits the input completion signal to the measurement unit.
The inputted information is stored in a memory of an external apparatus, which will be used to analyze body composition after receiving impedance values from the measurement unit . The measurement unit receives the input completion signal(S120), and checks whether a finger is appropriately contacted with the electrodes to measure bioelectric cunent(S130) or not. If the contact condition is conect, the controller measures bioelectric cunent(S150). If the contact condition is not conect, the controller transmits a message for remeasuring. The bioelectric cunent may automatically be measured with the passage of a definite time after checking. And also it may be measured if a person push an operating switch(140).
Next, the measured bioelectric values will be stored in a memory(S160), and bioelectric impedance will be calculated based on the stored values.(S170)
The calculated impedance value will be transmitted to an external apparatus(S180). The external apparatus executes the program for analyzing the selected body composition after receiving the impedance value, and transmits a command for remeasuring or not, to the measurement unit . The measurement unit checks whether bioelectric cunent is remeasured or not. In a case of remeasurement, it will be feedbacked to a step for checking the electrode contact condition. Otherwise, the measurement unit transmits a message for disconnecting the connector.
Finally, the disconnection of a connector will be checked(S200), and the measurement will be over in the case of disconnection. (S220)
Fig. 6b represents the flow chart for the measurement of body composition, according to another embodiment. The measurement for the bioelectric cunent and the calculation for an impedance and analyzing body composition will be done in the measurement unit. A personal character information will be inputted and the calculated results will be printed in the external apparatus(W). A program for measuring bioelectric impedance and analyzing body composition is stored in the memory. However, the program for calculating the body composition is not determined, and an additional program for calculation may be transmitted from an external apparatus, which is stored in the memory. The stored program will be used for a measurement of a selected body composition before a program for an additional calculation is transmitted. In order to receive the program for an additional analysis, the external apparatus displays a selectable program for analyzing body composition on a display, and transmits the selected program to an analyzing unit, according to a selection command on an input part. The analyzing unit stores the selected program in the memory. These procedure may selectively be added to a flow chart shown in Fig. 6b.
In the flow chart of Fig. 6b, a personal character information inputted on an external apparatus is transmitted, and stored in the memory, which differentiates from Fig. 6a.
Additionally, in the flow chart of Fig. 6b, the apparatus analyzes a body composition and transmits the analyzed result to an external apparatus. The external apparatus only displays the body composition value transmitted, without another analysis. Thus the external apparatus is used only to input and display the personal character information, which minimizes the use of an external apparatus. It is possible to minimize the influence on a function of an external apparatus.
Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing another embodiment according to the present invention. In Fig. 7, the connector(120) is connected to any side of a housing(llθ) integrally, which differentiates from Fig. 3. Thus it is possible to make the apparatus in a smaller size and reduce an enor in a transmission. And also, there is a through hole in one side of a housing(llθ), which is used to hanging the housing with a string. The through hole is used to suspend a cloth, a part of a human body or an external apparatus as shown in Fig. 7 with a string, which makes to be convenient for carrying.
Industrial Applicability
According to the present invention, a bioelectric measurement unit is connected to an external apparatus including a controller, a display and an input part. By using them, one can measure bioelectric impedance, which provides an inexpensive apparatus for measuring body composition. The bioelectric measurement unit can be connected to an external apparatus having a c ontroller, a d isplay a nd a n i nput p art, r egardless o f a k ind. Thus t he p resent invention is also to provide a very compatible bioelectric measurement unit.
The bioelectric measurement unit downloads a various program from an external apparatus, w hich c an m easure b ody composition b ased o n b ioelectric i mpedance. Thus the bioelectric measurement unit can analyze a various kind of body composition even with a minimum memory.
It is intended that this description should not be construed in a limiting sense. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the example embodiment of the present invention without departing from its true spirit. The scope of this invention should be limited only by the language of the following claims.

Claims

1. A bioelectric impedance measurement unit, which comprises: a housing made of insulating material, two pairs of electrodes ananged on the front and rear sides of the housing respectively, a connector connected to the housing for data communication with an external apparatus comprising a display, an input part, and a controller, a memory placed within the housing, and a controller placed within the housing, wherein the controller receiving commands inputted on the input part of the external apparatus through the connector, calculating bioelectric impedance of a body based on values measured by the electrodes, and transmitting the bioelectric impedance to the external apparatus.
2. The bioelectric impedance measurement unit according to claim 1, wherein the controller receiving commands and physical informations of the body including height, weight, sex, and age through the connector from the external apparatus inputted on the input part, calculating bioelectric impedance of the body based on the values measured by the electrodes, analyzing body composition based on the bioelectric impedance, and transmitting an analyzed result to the external apparatus.
3. The bioelectric impedance measurement unit according to Claim 1, wherein the controller storing program for analyzing amounts of compositions of the body transmitted from the external apparatus through the connector, receiving commands and physical informations of the body from the external apparatus inputted on the input part, calculating bioelectric impedance based on the values measured by the electrodes, analyzing body composition based on the bioelectric impedance, and transmitting an analyzed result to the external apparatus.
4. The bioelectric impedance measurement unit according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the result is selected from a group consisting of an amount of body fat, a percent body fat, an amount of body water, an amount of body protein, an amount of body inorganic matter, a percent abdomen fat, an amount of internal organs fat, a point of body development, a fatness(%), a nutrition condition, a muscle type, an amount of somatic cell(kg), a body mass index(kg/m3), a body surface area(m3), an amount of basal metabolism(kcal), and a body density(kg/m3).
5. The bioelectric impedance measurement unit according to any one of Claim 1 - 3, wherein the connector comprising a terminal for providing electrical power from the external apparatus.
6. The bioelectric impedance measurement unit according to any one of Claim 1 - 3, further comprising: an operating switch for starting bioelectric impedance measurement placed on any side of the housing.
7. The bioelectric impedance measurement unit according to any one of Claim 1 - 3, wherein the housing has a through hole formed on any side thereof, for hanging the housing with a string.
8. The bioelectric impedance measurement unit according to any one of Claim 1 - 3, wherein the connector is joined to any side of the housing integrally.
PCT/KR2003/001363 2002-07-12 2003-07-10 Bioelectric impedance measurement unit WO2004006764A1 (en)

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AU2003252419A1 (en) 2004-02-02

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