U.S. patent application number 12/620007 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-11 for optical biological information measuring apparatus, optical biological information measuring method, biological information decision apparatus, program and recording medium.
This patent application is currently assigned to Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Kazuya Kondoh, Shinji Uchida.
Application Number | 20100063369 12/620007 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34317252 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100063369 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kondoh; Kazuya ; et
al. |
March 11, 2010 |
OPTICAL BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION MEASURING APPARATUS, OPTICAL
BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION MEASURING METHOD, BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION
DECISION APPARATUS, PROGRAM AND RECORDING MEDIUM
Abstract
An optical biological information measuring apparatus includes a
measuring surface to be placed on the surface of a living body, a
mark display section which displays a mark at a region to be
measured on the surface of the living body, a light-emitting
section which irradiates the living body with light of a
predetermined wavelength and a light-receiving section which
receives light irradiated onto the living body and returned from
the living body, and measures information on the living body based
on the received light. The optical biological information measuring
apparatus is capable of measuring biological information with
improved alignment accuracy.
Inventors: |
Kondoh; Kazuya; (Osaka,
JP) ; Uchida; Shinji; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RATNERPRESTIA
P.O. BOX 980
VALLEY FORGE
PA
19482
US
|
Assignee: |
Panasonic Electric Works Co.,
Ltd.
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
34317252 |
Appl. No.: |
12/620007 |
Filed: |
November 17, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10955862 |
Sep 30, 2004 |
|
|
|
12620007 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/310 ;
600/473; 600/476 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/444 20130101;
A61B 5/4872 20130101; A61B 5/0059 20130101; A61B 5/1455 20130101;
A61B 5/6844 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/310 ;
600/476; 600/473 |
International
Class: |
A61B 6/00 20060101
A61B006/00; A61B 5/107 20060101 A61B005/107 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 2, 2003 |
JP |
JP 2003-344851 |
Oct 2, 2003 |
JP |
JP 2003-344856 |
Mar 12, 2004 |
JP |
JP 2004-071482 |
Claims
1. The optical biological information measuring apparatus according
to claim 8, further comprising a driving mechanism which can move
the position of said alignment section to the position of the mark
which said mark creation section created on said surface of the
living body.
2. The optical biological information measuring apparatus according
to claim 8, wherein at least two of said alignment sections and
said mark creation sections are formed on said measuring surface,
respectively.
3. The optical biological information measuring apparatus according
to claim 8, further comprising a calculation section which decides
an alignment status based on the light-receiving intensity at said
alignment light-receiving section, wherein said alignment light
source is placed in a center of said alignment section, said
alignment light-receiving section comprises a plurality of
light-receiving bodies arranged at uniform intervals around said
alignment light source; and said calculation section decides an
alignment status when intensities of light received by said
respective light-receiving bodies are substantially equal and
decides a non-alignment status when intensities of light received
by said respective light-receiving bodies are substantially
different from one another.
4. The optical biological information measuring apparatus according
to claim 3, further comprising a display section which displays
said alignment status or said non-alignment status, wherein said
calculation section causes said display section to display the
direction in which the alignment status should be set when said
calculation section decides the non-alignment status.
5. A program for causing a computer to function as a calculation
section which decides an alignment status of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to claim 3 based on
light-receiving intensity at said alignment light-receiving
section.
6. A computer-processable recording medium which stores the program
according to claim 5.
7. A biological information decision apparatus comprising: the
optical biological information measuring apparatus according to
claim 8; an input section which inputs information on the living
body; a calculation section which performs calculations based on
information input from said input section and information output
from said optical biological information measuring apparatus; a
storage section which prestores biological information
corresponding to the information input to said input section; and a
comparison section which compares biological information prestored
in said storage section and the result of the calculation performed
by said calculation section, wherein said biological information
decision apparatus decides the information measured by said
biological information measuring apparatus.
8. An optical biological information measuring apparatus
comprising: a measuring surface to be placed on a surface of a
living body; a mark creation section which forms a mark at a
position to be measured on the surface of the living body; a
light-emitting section which irradiates the surface of the living
body with light of a predetermined wavelength; a light-receiving
section which receives the light irradiated onto the surface of the
living body and returned from the living body; and an alignment
section which aligns said measuring surface with the position to be
measured of said surface of the living body at which the mark is
formed; said alignment section comprises an alignment light source
which irradiates light onto the surface of the living body on which
the mark is formed and at least one alignment light-receiving
section which receives light irradiated from said alignment light
source onto the surface of the living body and receives light
reflected from the surface of the living body; wherein the
absorption factor or reflection factor of the light of the mark is
different from the absorption factor or reflection factor of the
light in the area of the surface of the living body in which the
mark is decided based on light-receiving intensity at said
alignment light-receiving section.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/955,862, filed Sep. 30, 2004, the entire disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an optical biological
information measuring apparatus which measures biological
information using light, optical biological information measuring
method, biological information decision method, program thereof and
recording medium. The invention relates to, for example, an optical
fat thickness measuring apparatus which measures a thickness of
local panniculus and a tissue oxygen concentration measuring
apparatus which measures tissue oxygen concentration of muscle.
[0004] 2. Related Art of the Invention
[0005] As a conventional optical biological information measuring
apparatus which measures biological information such as a thickness
of local fat, there has been one that has a light-emitting section
and a light-receiving section arranged on the surface of a living
body and measures the thickness of fat from diffused/reflected
light (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-239573
(e.g., FIG. 6)).
[0006] FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a conventional panniculus
thickness measuring apparatus (e.g., see Japanese Patent Laid-Open
No. 11-239573 (e.g., FIG. 6)). A light-emitting element 3 is driven
by a driving circuit 2 through a command from a CPU 1 to emit
near-infrared light. This near-infrared light passes through
panniculus 4, is diffused/absorbed, and the reflected light thereof
is received by light-receiving elements 5, 6, 7. The CPU 1 decides
which output of the light-receiving elements 5, 6, 7 should be
applied according to a measuring region selected by a button at a
measuring region selection input section 10 and operates an analog
switch 8. Then, one light-receiving input is selected by the analog
switch 8 and captured by the CPU 1 through an AMP 9. Then, the CPU
1 performs calculations based on the light-receiving input and
displays the measuring result on a measured value display section
50.
[0007] Furthermore, in another conventional technique, a
light-emitting section and a light-receiving section have been
arranged so as to obtain a plurality of different optical path
lengths and variations have been corrected in skin color, etc.,
from a plurality of amounts of light received corresponding to the
different optical path lengths obtained by the light-receiving
elements (e.g., see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-155091
(e.g., FIG. 4)).
[0008] Furthermore, there has been a further conventional technique
that measures a force with which a measuring probe is pushed
against a living body, adopts a protruding shape for the measuring
probe to thereby correct variations in the fat thickness, stabilize
the fat thickness and improve measuring repeatability (e.g., see
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-310575).
[0009] However, because the measuring surface which contacts a
living body is flat in the panniculus thickness measuring apparatus
having a conventional structure, it is not easy for the user to
find out where a measuring region to be measured should be
contacted with in the measuring surface. Furthermore, since light
emitted from the light-emitting element is infrared which is
invisible to human eyes, it has been impossible for the user to
know whether the region to be measured has been actually measured
or not. Furthermore, since it is difficult to align the measuring
region, measuring positions differ from one measurement to another,
thus degrading measuring repeatability. Furthermore, since the
thickness of panniculus of a living body is not uniform, simple
displacement in every measurement would result in a large measuring
error. When measuring the effects of exercise or esthetic
treatment, a large measuring error caused by displacement would
result in a serious problem in checking the effects, and so it has
been always necessary to measure the effects at the same
position.
[0010] Furthermore, when a user of a panniculus thickness measuring
apparatus having a conventional structure measures regions such as
the upper arm, back of the thigh or back whose panniculus is a
matter of concern, measuring regions are not easily visible to the
measurer, and for this reason the measuring repeatability
deteriorates due to displacement in every measurement, thus making
self-measurement impossible. Since the thickness of panniculus of
the back of the upper arm is not uniform, if the measuring position
changes in every measurement, simple displacement would amount to a
large measuring error.
[0011] The present invention has been implemented in view of the
above described conventional problems and it is an object of the
present invention to provide an optical biological information
measuring apparatus, optical biological information measuring
method, program thereof, recording medium and biological
information decision apparatus using them capable of measuring
biological information with high alignment accuracy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The 1.sup.st aspect of the present invention is an optical
biological information measuring apparatus comprising:
[0013] a measuring surface to be placed on a surface of a living
body;
[0014] a mark display section which displays a mark in a region to
be measured on the surface of the living body;
[0015] a light-emitting section which irradiates said surface of
the living body with light of a predetermined wavelength; and
[0016] a light-receiving section which receives the light
irradiated onto said surface of the living body and returned from
said living body.
[0017] The 2nd aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
1.sup.st aspect of the present invention, wherein said mark display
section comprises a visible light source which irradiates visible
light for illuminating said region to be measured.
[0018] The 3.sup.rd aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
2.sup.nd aspect of the present invention, wherein said visible
light source is placed at an end of said measuring surface.
[0019] The 4.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
2.sup.nd aspect of the present invention, further comprising a
contact detection section which detects that said measuring surface
has contacted the surface of said living body, wherein after said
contact detection section detects that said measuring surface has
contacted the surface of said living body, irradiation of visible
light from said visible light source is stopped.
[0020] The 5.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
4.sup.th aspect of the present invention, wherein said contact
detection section decides that said measuring surface has contacted
the surface of said living body based on a variation in an amount
of light received by said light-receiving section and/or by
detecting attachment between said measuring surface and said living
body.
[0021] The 6.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
2.sup.nd aspect of the present invention, wherein the color of said
visible light irradiated by said visible light source is red.
[0022] The 7.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
1.sup.st aspect of the present invention, wherein part of the
surface of said measuring surface reflects part or the whole of the
visible light.
[0023] The 8.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
7.sup.th aspect of the present invention, wherein said measuring
surface provides a mirrored surface.
[0024] The 9.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
1.sup.st aspect of the present invention, further comprising a
calculation section which calculates the thickness of local fat
based on an amount of said light which has propagated through said
living body received by said light-receiving section.
[0025] The 10.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
9.sup.th aspect of the present invention, wherein said
light-receiving section comprises two light-receiving elements
arranged at different distances from said light-emitting section
for receiving said light, and
[0026] said calculation section calculates said thickness of local
fat from the ratio of two amounts of light received by said two
light-receiving elements based on the following expression:
T=AX1/X2+B
[0027] (A, B denote coefficients, X1, X2 denote amounts of light
received by first and second light-receiving elements)
[0028] The 11.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
1.sup.st aspect of the present invention, wherein said
light-emitting section can emit light of two types of
wavelength,
[0029] said light-receiving section can receive said light of two
types of wavelength, and
[0030] said optical biological information measuring apparatus
further comprises a calculation section which calculates local
tissue oxygen concentration from the ratio of the respective
amounts of light having said two types of wavelengths received by
said light-receiving section.
[0031] The 12.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
11.sup.th aspect of the present invention, wherein said light of
two types of wavelength is light having a wavelength including
substantially 650 nm and light having a wavelength including
substantially 850 nm.
[0032] The 13.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
2.sup.nd aspect of the present invention, wherein said
light-receiving section can receive visible light output from said
visible light source and light having said predetermined
wavelength, and
[0033] said biological information measuring apparatus further
comprises a calculation section which calculates local tissue
oxygen concentration from the ratio of amounts of said visible
light received by said light-receiving section and light having
said predetermined wavelength.
[0034] The 14.sup.th aspect of the present invention is a program
for causing a computer to function as a calculation section which
calculates said thickness of local fat based on an amount of light
received by said light-receiving section of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to the 10.sup.th aspect
of the present invention.
[0035] The 15.sup.th aspect of the present invention is a
computer-processable recording medium which stores the program
according to the 14.sup.th aspect of the present invention.
[0036] The 16.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
1.sup.st aspect of the present invention, wherein said mark display
section is a mark creation section which forms a mark at a
predetermined position on said surface of the living body, and
[0037] said mark creation section comprises one or more through
holes formed on said measuring surface.
[0038] The 17.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
16.sup.th aspect of the present invention, wherein said through
hole is placed at a position at which said light-receiving section
receives no influence from outside light through said through
hole.
[0039] The 18.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
1.sup.st aspect of the present invention, wherein said mark display
section is a mark creation section which forms a mark at the
position to be measured on said surface of the living body,
[0040] an alignment section which aligns said measuring surface
with the position to be measured of said surface of the living body
is formed on said measuring surface,
[0041] said alignment section comprises an alignment light source
which irradiates light onto the surface of the living body on which
said mark is formed and at least one alignment light-receiving
section which receives light irradiated from said alignment light
source onto said surface of the living body and receives light
reflected from said surface of the living body,
[0042] the absorption factor or reflection factor of the light of
said mark is different from the absorption factor or reflection
factor of the light in the area of said surface of the living body
in which said mark is not formed, and
[0043] the state of alignment of said measuring surface with said
mark is decided based on light-receiving intensity at said
alignment light-receiving section.
[0044] The 19.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
18.sup.th aspect of the present invention, further comprising a
driving mechanism which can move the position of said alignment
section to the position of the mark which said mark creation
section created on said surface of the living body.
[0045] The 20.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
18.sup.th aspect of the present invention, wherein at least two of
said alignment sections and said mark creation sections are formed
on said measuring surface, respectively.
[0046] The 21.sup.st aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
18.sup.th aspect of the present invention, further comprising a
calculation section which decides an alignment status based on the
light-receiving intensity at said alignment light-receiving
section,
[0047] wherein said alignment light source is placed in the center
of said alignment section,
[0048] said alignment light-receiving section comprises a plurality
of light-receiving bodies arranged at uniform intervals around said
alignment light source, and
[0049] said calculation section decides an alignment status when
intensities of light received by said respective light-receiving
bodies are substantially equal and decides a non-alignment status
when intensities of light received by said respective
light-receiving bodies are substantially different from one
another.
[0050] The 22.sup.nd aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
21.sup.st aspect of the present invention, further comprising a
display section which displays said alignment status or said
non-alignment status,
[0051] wherein said calculation section causes said display section
to display the direction in which said alignment status should be
set when said calculation section decides said non-alignment
status.
[0052] The 23.sup.rd aspect of the present invention is an optical
biological information measuring method of measuring information on
a living body based on received light, comprising:
[0053] a step of displaying a mark at a predetermined position on a
surface of the living body;
[0054] a step of aligning a measuring surface with the mark
displayed on said surface of the living body;
[0055] a step of irradiating said surface of the living body with
light having a predetermined wavelength; and
[0056] a step of receiving light irradiated onto said surface of
the living body and returned from the living body.
[0057] The 24.sup.th aspect of the present invention is a program
for causing a computer to function as a calculation section which
decides an alignment status of the optical biological information
measuring apparatus according to the 21.sup.st aspect of the
present invention based on light-receiving intensity at said
alignment light-receiving section.
[0058] The 25.sup.th aspect of the present invention is a
computer-processable recording medium which stores the program
according to the 24.sup.th aspect of the present invention.
[0059] The 26.sup.th aspect of the present invention is a
biological information decision apparatus comprising:
[0060] the optical biological information measuring apparatus
according to the 1.sup.st aspect of the present invention;
[0061] an input section which inputs information on said living
body;
[0062] a calculation section which performs calculations based on
information input from said input section and information output
from said optical biological information measuring apparatus;
[0063] a storage section which prestores biological information
corresponding to the information input to said input section;
and
[0064] a comparison section which compares biological information
prestored in said storage section and the result of the calculation
performed by said calculation section,
[0065] wherein said biological information decision apparatus
decides the information measured by said biological information
measuring apparatus.
[0066] The 27.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
1.sup.st aspect of the present invention, wherein said light
irradiated from said light-emitting section is near-infrared
light.
[0067] The 28.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
27.sup.th aspect of the present invention, wherein at least part of
said measuring surface absorbs near-infrared light irradiated from
said light-emitting section.
[0068] The 29.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring apparatus according to the
7.sup.th aspect of the present invention, wherein said measuring
surface is convex-shaped.
[0069] The 30.sup.th aspect of the present invention is the optical
biological information measuring method according to the 23.sup.rd
aspect of the present invention, wherein the step of aligning the
measuring surface with the mark displayed on said surface of the
living body comprises a step of aligning the measuring surface
which reflects part or the whole of visible light while watching
said surface of the living body reflected on said measuring
surface.
[0070] The present invention can provide an optical biological
information measuring apparatus, optical biological information
measuring method, program thereof, recording medium and biological
information decision apparatus using them capable of measuring
biological information with high alignment accuracy.
[0071] In the present invention, the light-emitting section
irradiates infrared light. Here, the light irradiated by the
light-emitting section is preferably near-infrared light. In the
present specification, the infrared light refers to light having a
wavelength of 700 nm or more and the near-infrared light refers to
light having a wavelength ranging from 700 nm to 2000 nm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0072] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the
present invention.
[0073] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an alignment method of the
optical biological information measuring apparatus according to
Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0074] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an alignment method of the
optical biological information measuring apparatus according to
Embodiments 1 and 5 of the present invention.
[0075] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the
present invention.
[0076] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the
present invention.
[0077] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the
present invention.
[0078] FIG. 7(a) is an overall view of an optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the
present invention.
[0079] FIG. 7(b) is a plan view of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the
present invention.
[0080] FIG. 7(c) is a side view of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the
present invention.
[0081] FIG. 7(d) is a rear view of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the
present invention.
[0082] FIG. 8(a) is a perspective view of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the
present invention.
[0083] FIG. 8(b) is a perspective view of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the
present invention.
[0084] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the
present invention.
[0085] FIG. 10(a) is an overall view of an optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0086] FIG. 10(b) is a plan view of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0087] FIG. 10(c) is a side view of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0088] FIG. 10(d) is a rear view of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0089] FIG. 10(e) is a rear view of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0090] FIG. 11(a) is a perspective view of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0091] FIG. 11(b) is a perspective view of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0092] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0093] FIG. 13(a) is a schematic diagram illustrating alignment
using the optical biological information measuring apparatus
according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
[0094] FIG. 13(b) is a schematic diagram illustrating alignment
using the optical biological information measuring apparatus
according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
[0095] FIG. 13(c) is a schematic diagram illustrating alignment
using the optical biological information measuring apparatus
according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
[0096] FIG. 13(d) is a schematic diagram illustrating alignment
using the optical biological information measuring apparatus
according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
[0097] FIG. 14(a) is an indicator chart indicating an alignment
status or non-alignment status using the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0098] FIG. 14(b) is an indicator chart indicating an alignment
status or non-alignment status using the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0099] FIG. 14(c) is an indicator chart indicating an alignment
status or non-alignment status using the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0100] FIG. 14(d) is an indicator chart indicating an alignment
status or non-alignment status using the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0101] FIG. 14(e) is an indicator chart indicating an alignment
status or non-alignment status using the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0102] FIG. 14(f) is an indicator chart indicating an alignment
status or non-alignment status using the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0103] FIG. 14(g) is an indicator chart indicating an alignment
status or non-alignment status using the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0104] FIG. 14(h) is an indicator chart indicating an alignment
status or non-alignment status using the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0105] FIG. 14(i) is an indicator chart indicating an alignment
status or non-alignment status using the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0106] FIG. 14(j) is an indicator chart indicating an alignment
status or non-alignment status using the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0107] FIG. 14(k) is an indicator chart indicating an alignment
status or non-alignment status using the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0108] FIG. 14(I) is an indicator chart indicating an alignment
status or non-alignment status using the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0109] FIG. 15(a) is a diagram illustrating a status of use of the
optical biological information measuring apparatus according to
Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
[0110] FIG. 15(b) is a diagram illustrating a status of use of the
optical biological information measuring apparatus according to
Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
[0111] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 1 related
to the present invention.
[0112] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an alignment method of an
optical biological information measuring apparatus according to
Embodiment 2 related to the present invention.
[0113] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 1 related
to the present invention.
[0114] FIG. 19 is a block diagram of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 2 related
to the present invention.
[0115] FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a conventional optical
biological information measuring apparatus.
[0116] FIG. 21 is a block diagram of an optical biological
information measuring apparatus of the present invention.
[0117] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus of the present invention.
[0118] FIG. 23 is a rear view of the optical biological information
measuring apparatus of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS
[0119] 1 CPU [0120] 2 Driving circuit [0121] 3 Light-emitting
element [0122] 4 Panniculus [0123] 5, 6, 7 Light-receiving element
[0124] 8 Analog switch [0125] 9 AMP [0126] 10 Measuring region
selective input section [0127] 11, 31, 35, 41 Optical fat thickness
gauge [0128] 12 Living body [0129] 13, 33 Measuring surface [0130]
14 Light-receiving section [0131] 15 Light-emitting section [0132]
16, 36 Visible light source [0133] 17 Attachment detection section
[0134] 18 Calculation section [0135] 19 Display section [0136] 20
Communication section [0137] 21 Input section [0138] 22 Sound
generation section [0139] 23 Vibration generation section [0140] 24
First light-receiving element [0141] 25 Second light-receiving
element
Preferred Embodiments of the Invention
[0142] With reference now to the attached drawings, embodiments of
the present invention will be explained below.
Embodiment 1
[0143] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an optical fat thickness gauge
11 which is an optical biological information measuring apparatus
according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0144] A measuring surface 13 contacting a living body 12 is a
disk-shaped flat surface having a diameter of approximately 100 mm
and provides a mirrored surface. A light-receiving section 14
having a photodiode which is an optical sensor is disposed near the
center. A light-emitting section 15 having an LED which emits
near-infrared light including a wavelength of substantially 850 nm
is disposed at a distance of approximately 45 mm from the
light-receiving section 14. A preferable distance between the
light-emitting section 15 and light-receiving section 14 is
approximately 35 to 50 mm for measurement of the thickness of
panniculus.
[0145] Here, using light having a central wavelength close to 800
to 900 nm for the light-emitting section 15 is preferable because
the light-emitting section 15 is less affected by fluctuations of
an absorption factor due to variations in oxidized/reduced
hemoglobin and oxidized/reduced myoglobin, and measuring
repeatability improves.
[0146] A visible light source 16 which is an example of the visible
light source of the present invention and has a red LED is disposed
almost in the center between the light-emitting section 15 and
light-receiving section 14. The visible light source 16 emitting
red light is preferable because the skin color does not look
unhealthy.
[0147] Furthermore, an attachment detection section 17 which
detects whether the measuring surface 13 is appressed to the living
body or not is also disposed on the measuring surface 13. Methods
of detecting attachment at the attachment detection section 17
include a method of measuring impedance of the living body 12 using
electrodes, a method of detecting a pressure according to
attachment and a method of measuring reflected light of the living
body using a light-emitting element and light-receiving element
arranged close to each other, etc. Attachment can also be detected
when the amount of light received by the light-receiving section 14
falls below a specified value. In this case, the number of parts
can be reduced compared to other methods. Furthermore, attachment
can also be detected both by the attachment detection section 17
detecting attachment and by the light-receiving section 14
detecting a variation in the amount of light received.
[0148] These attachment detection section 17 and light-receiving
section 14 constitute a contact detection section of the present
invention as an example.
[0149] The calculation section 18 calculates local biological
information such as a thickness of panniculus from a signal
obtained from the light-receiving section 14. The calculation
section 18 displays the local biological information obtained on a
display section 19 or sends the signal to an external device
through a communication section 20.
[0150] An input section 21 can input information on the sex, age
and measuring region. The calculation section 18 can also calculate
information on the health condition such as an obesity index of the
living body from the information input and local biological
information and display the information on the display section 19.
Furthermore, the calculation section 18 can also send information
on the sex, age and measuring region and information on the health
condition to an external device through the communication section
20. Or adversely, it is also possible to acquire information on the
sex, age and measuring region from the external device through the
communication section 20.
[0151] Next, the operation of measuring the thickness of local fat
using the optical biological information measuring apparatus of
this Embodiment 1 will be explained.
[0152] The user performs alignment while observing the position of
the measuring region of the living body 12 illuminated with visible
light emitted from the visible light source 16.
[0153] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate a method of aligning the
optical fat thickness gauge 11 of this Embodiment 1 with the back
of the upper arm.
[0154] As shown in FIG. 2, when measuring the back of the upper arm
or the back, the user can align the gauge with a measuring region
which cannot be observed directly while watching an image reflected
on the measuring surface 13 which corresponds to the measuring
region illuminated with visible light emitted from the visible
light source 16. In this way, this embodiment allows the user to
perform alignment in the measuring region which the user
himself/herself cannot directly observe and enables measurements
with high measuring repeatability. Here, marking the measuring
region on the surface of the living body 12 using a method which
does not affect the measurement of the thickness of local fat and
aligning visible light emitted from the visible light source 16
with the marked position allows repeated and accurate alignment and
allows measurements with higher repeatability.
[0155] When the measuring surface 13 of the optical fat thickness
gauge 11 is appressed to the living body 12, the attachment is
detected by the attachment detection section 17 or the attachment
is detected through a variation in an amount of light received by
the light-receiving section 14. When the attachment to the living
body 12 is detected, the visible light source 16 turns off the
light and the LED of the light-emitting section 15 turns on the
light. Then, the calculation section 18 calculates the thickness of
panniculus which is local biological information based on the
amount of near-infrared light emitted from the light-emitting
section 15, passed through the living body and received by the
light-receiving section 14.
[0156] Furthermore, a sound generation section 22 guides the start
of measurement, measurement in progress and end of measurement by
means of speech, which allows the user to check the progress of
measurement without seeing the apparatus. After measurement is
completed, the user detaches the optical fat thickness gauge 11
from the measuring region and checks the display section 19, and
can thereby perform smooth self-measurement.
[0157] Here, if a vibration generation section 23 is provided
instead of the sound generation section 22, it is possible to
express the progress of measurement by means of vibration and
allows quiet measurement. In this case, even hearing-impaired users
can use this gauge.
[0158] Here, the measuring surface 13 is assumed to be made of a
substance which reflects visible light, but it is also possible to
make some parts of the measuring surface 13 and optical fat
thickness gauge 11 transparent so that the part of the surface of
the living body 12 irradiated with light from the visible light
source 16 is seen through the body of the optical fat thickness
gauge 11.
[0159] This allows the user to check the position of the living
body 12 irradiated with light from the visible light source 16 up
to a place immediately before the optical fat thickness gauge 11 is
appressed to the surface of the living body 12, and thereby allows
the user to align the measuring surface 13 with the region to be
measured more accurately.
[0160] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an optical fat thickness
gauge 35, the position of the visible light source of which is
different from that of the optical fat thickness gauge 11 shown in
FIG. 1. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are assigned the
same reference numerals.
[0161] In the optical fat thickness gauge 11 shown in FIG. 1, the
visible light source 16 is disposed within the measuring surface 13
between the light-emitting section 15 and light-receiving section
14, but in the optical fat thickness gauge 35 in FIG. 4, a visible
light source 36 is disposed at an end of the optical fat thickness
gauge 35.
[0162] When the optical fat thickness gauge 35 is aligned with a
region to be measured of the living body 12, the optical fat
thickness gauge 35 is disposed so that the visible light source 36
is oriented in a direction in which the visible light source 36 is
visible to the user. This allows the user to check the position of
the living body 12 irradiated with light from the visible light
source 36 up to a place immediately before the optical fat
thickness gauge 35 is appressed to the surface of the living body
12, thus allowing more accurate alignment with the measuring
region.
[0163] In FIG. 4, the visible light source 36 is disposed outside
the measuring surface 13, but the visible light source 36 can also
be disposed at an end within the measuring surface 13. Similar
effects can be expected in such a case, too.
[0164] There may also be a plurality of visible light sources 36
and more accurate alignment of the measuring surface 13 with the
measuring region is possible in such a case.
[0165] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of an optical fat thickness
gauge 31, the shape of the measuring surface of which is different
from that of the optical fat thickness gauge 11 shown in FIG. 1.
The same components as those in FIG. 1 are assigned the same
reference numerals.
[0166] Forming a measuring surface 33 having a convex mirrored
surface as shown in FIG. 5 makes it possible to reflect a measuring
region on the measuring surface 33 in a wide range and makes
alignment further easier than in the case of the optical fat
thickness gauge 11 shown in FIG. 1.
[0167] The optical fat thickness gauge 11 in Embodiment 1 assumes
that the wavelength of near-infrared light emitted from the
light-emitting section 15 is close to 850 nm, but causing the
light-emitting section 15 to emit near-infrared light of two types
of wavelength close to 750 nm and 850 nm makes it possible to
measure local oxygen concentration as well.
[0168] That is, the light-emitting section 15 may be constructed of
a first light-emitting body having a peak wavelength close to 750
nm and a second light-emitting body having a peak wavelength close
to 850 nm arranged adjoining each other so that light is emitted
from these light-emitting bodies continuously or alternately
intermittently. The light-receiving section 14 can receive two
different amounts of light, a first amount of light when light is
emitted from the first light-emitting body and a second amount of
light when light is emitted from the second light-emitting body.
The absorption ratios of oxidized hemoglobin, reduced hemoglobin,
oxidized myoglobin and reduced myoglobin differ drastically between
these two wavelengths, and therefore it is possible to measure
local oxygen concentration from these two amounts of light
received. By aligning the position of the measuring region
illuminated with visible light emitted from the visible light
source 16 of the present invention while watching the image
reflected on the measuring surface 13, it is possible to improve
the alignment accuracy at a region that cannot be directly visually
observed during self-measurement and measure local oxygen
concentration through self-measurement in this case, too.
[0169] Moreover, it is also possible to adopt a structure that the
light-emitting section 15 is provided with only the second
light-emitting body having a peak close to 850 nm and the visible
light source 16 is used in place of the first light-emitting body
1. In this case, the wavelength of light emitted by the visible
light source 16 is close to 650 nm, and the calculation section 18
can also calculate local oxygen concentration from amounts of light
received of these light rays of two wavelengths. In this case, it
would be all right if the light-receiving section 14 can receive
the light rays of these two wavelengths by causing the visible
light source 16 and the second light-emitting body to emit light
alternately after alignment by the visible light source 16 is
completed. Such a structure can omit the first light-emitting body
and thereby measure local oxygen concentration with a simpler
structure.
Embodiment 2
[0170] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an optical fat thickness gauge
41 of an optical biological information measuring apparatus
according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The same
components as those in FIG. 1 are assigned the same reference
numerals.
[0171] While the light-receiving section 14 is disposed at only one
position in the optical fat thickness gauge 11 in Embodiment 1, a
plurality of light-receiving sections are disposed at different
distances from the light-emitting section 15 in the optical fat
thickness gauge 41 of this Embodiment 2. Differences from
Embodiment 1 will be explained using FIG. 6.
[0172] In the optical fat thickness gauge 41 according to this
Embodiment 2, a first light-receiving element 24 and a second
light-receiving element 25 are disposed within the measuring
surface 13 at distances of 15 to 25 mm and 35 to 50 mm from the
light-emitting section 15, respectively.
[0173] The first light-receiving element 24 and second
light-receiving element 25 receive near-infrared light which has
been emitted from the light-emitting section 15 and has propagated
through the living body. The calculation section 18 calculates the
thickness of panniculus from the ratio of two amounts of light
received by the first light-receiving element 24 and second
light-receiving element 25. In this way, it is possible to measure
the thickness of panniculus with variations in the skin color and
thickness among individuals corrected.
[0174] In this way, the thickness of panniculus (T) can be
calculated from the amounts of light received by the two
light-receiving elements using the following expression:
T=AX1/X2+B (Expression 1)
[0175] (A, B denote coefficients, X1, X2 denote amounts of light
received by first and second light-receiving elements) Details are
described in International Patent Application PCT/JP03/00586 by the
applicant, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
[0176] In this case, the distance from the light-emitting section
15 to the first light-receiving element 24 is preferably
substantially equal to the distance from the first light-receiving
element 24 to the second light-receiving element 25. FIG. 21 shows
an arrangement of the respective elements in such a case. In the
optical fat thickness gauge 41 shown in FIG. 21, the visible light
source 16 and first light-receiving element 24 are housed in a same
housing 42 and this housing 42 is disposed at a substantially
midpoint between the light-emitting section 15 and second
light-receiving element 25.
[0177] When the measuring surface 13 is aligned with the region to
be measured of the living body 12, the visible light source 16
turns on the light and when the alignment is completed and
measurement is started, the visible light source 16 turns off the
light, and therefore even if the visible light source 16 and the
first light-receiving element 24 are housed in the same housing 42,
no interference occurs between the two.
[0178] As described above, the optical biological information
measuring apparatus of the present invention has a visible light
source which illuminates the measuring region with visible light,
and can thereby align the position of the measuring region
illuminated with visible light with a mark, thus allowing the user
to easily perform alignment with the region of interest.
[0179] In Embodiments 1, 2, the measuring surface 13 or 33 is
assumed to have a mirrored surface, but the measuring surface 13 or
33 may have a structure reflecting part of visible light. If only
the light spot irradiated from the visible light source 16 onto the
living body 12 can be checked on the measuring surface 18 or 33,
similar effects to those described above can be achieved in that
case, too.
[0180] Furthermore, the measuring surface 13 or measuring surface
33 may also have the nature of absorbing near-infrared light. In
this case, the component of the near-infrared light emitted from
the light-emitting section 15 which propagates through an area at a
small distance from the surface of the living body 12 is reduced
and the accuracy of measuring the thickness of panniculus improves.
An example of such a structure of the measuring surface 13 is a
structure with a near-infrared cut filter such as UCF-02
manufactured by Kureha Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., superimposed on
the mirrored surface.
[0181] Furthermore, in Embodiments 1, 2, the visible light source
16 may directly irradiate light onto the living body 12 or may also
irradiate light onto the living body 12 through a slit in a ring
shape or other appropriate shape. If light is irradiated onto the
living body 12 through such a slit, it is possible to identify the
position to be measured on the living body 12 more accurately.
[0182] Furthermore, the visible light source 16 may be adjusted to
be parallel light or may be diffused light. In that case, the light
spot becomes smaller as the measuring surface 13 approaches the
living body 12, and therefore it is possible to dispose the
measuring surface 13 at the position to be measured more
accurately.
[0183] Furthermore, the measuring surface 13 may also be
constructed so as not to reflect light at all. In this case, it is
not possible to perform alignment while checking the light spot
reflected on the measuring surface 13 irradiated from the visible
light source 16 onto the surface of the living body and, but it is
possible to achieve effects similar to those described above in the
sense that it is possible to perform alignment more accurately than
the conventional case by causing the measuring surface 13 to
contact the living body 12 while checking the position of the light
spot on the living body 12.
[0184] In Embodiments 1, 2, the mark in the present invention
refers to a light spot irradiated by the visible light sources 16,
36 onto the surface of the living body 12.
Embodiment 3
[0185] FIG. 7(a) is an overall view of an optical fat thickness
gauge 111 which is a biological information measuring apparatus
according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, FIG. 7(b) is a
top view thereof, FIG. 7(c) is a side view thereof, and FIG. 7(d)
is a rear view thereof. Furthermore, FIGS. 8(a), (b) are
perspective views of the optical fat thickness gauge 111 seen from
below and above, respectively and FIG. 9 is a block diagram
thereof. A light-receiving section 14 provided with a photodiode is
disposed in substantially the center of a measuring surface 13
which contacts a living body 12 and a light-emitting section 15
provided with an LED for irradiating near-infrared light is
disposed at a predetermined distance from the light-receiving
section 14. Furthermore, through holes 115 are formed at ends of
the measuring surface 13 as two alignment sections. The side of the
through holes 115 opposite to the side that contacts the living
body 12 is tapered in a bowl shape. In this embodiment, the through
holes 115 also correspond to an example of the mark creation
section of the present invention. A calculation section 116
controls the light-emitting section 15, calculates local biological
information such as a thickness of panniculus from a signal
obtained from the light-receiving section 14, displays the local
biological information obtained on a display section 19 or
transmits the local biological information to an external device
through a communication section 20. Furthermore, an input section
21 can input information on the sex, age and measuring region, and
the calculation section 116 calculates health condition information
such as obesity of the living body from the information and local
biological information obtained through measurements, displays the
information on a display section 19 or transmits the information
together with the information on the sex, age and measuring region
to the external device through the communication section 20.
Adversely, it is also possible to receive information on the sex,
age and measuring region from the external device through the
communication section 20. Here, using a communication system such
as IrDA, USB, and RS-232C for the communication section 20 can
improve compatibility with other devices.
[0186] Next, an alignment method using the optical fat thickness
gauge 111 having the above described structure will be explained.
At the time of a first measurement, the optical fat thickness gauge
111 is attached to the surface of the living body 12, two marks are
put on the surface of the living body 12 using a pen or seal
through the two through holes 115. From a second measurement on, it
is possible to perform measurement with high repeatability of
alignment by matching the through holes 115 with the marks and
visually checking them. Performing alignment at two locations on
the surface of the living body 12 makes it possible to ascertain
the measuring locations very accurately. Furthermore, using a
simple structure such as the through holes 115 reduces the cost.
Furthermore, disposing the through holes 115 at ends of the
measuring surface 13 reduces the possibility of disturbance light
entering the living body 12 through the through holes 115 and being
received by the light-receiving section 14. Since the through holes
115 are hole-shaped, unlike a shape with an end of the measuring
surface 13 notched, marks never exceed the holes in size while
marking, thus allowing accurate alignment.
[0187] As an example of preferable dimensions of the optical fat
thickness gauge 111 according to this Embodiment 3, the measuring
surface 13 is about 100 mm long, the distance between the
light-receiving section 14 and light-emitting section 15 is about
45 mm and the diameter of the through hole 115 is about 5 mm.
[0188] The through holes 115 are disposed at the ends of the
measuring surface 13 according to the above explanation, but any
positions may be acceptable unless disturbance light passing
through the through holes 115 affects the light-receiving section
14.
[0189] However, even if the through holes 115 are at positions at
which the light-receiving section 14 is affected by the disturbance
light, the above described effects of the present invention remain
unchanged in performing alignment.
[0190] The number of the through holes 115 may be three or more, or
adversely the number of the through holes 115 may be one. In this
case, compared to the case with two or more through holes 115,
measuring repeatability may decrease but measuring repeatability is
still improved when compared to a conventional case where there is
no through hole 115.
[0191] This embodiment so far has described the case where the
through holes 115 constitute the alignment section of the present
invention (mark formation section of the present invention), but
the alignment section may also have other forms like a notch. In
this case, it is inferior to the through holes 115 in terms of the
precise alignment described above, but measuring repeatability is
improved compared to the conventional structure which is unable to
form any marks.
Embodiment 4
[0192] FIG. 10(a) is an overall view of an optical fat thickness
gauge 1111 which is a biological information measuring apparatus
according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, FIG. 10(b) is a
top view thereof, FIG. 10(c) is a side view thereof, and FIG.
10(d), FIG. 10(e) are rear views thereof. Furthermore, FIGS. 11(a),
(b) are perspective views seen from below and FIG. 12 is a block
diagram thereof. In FIG. 10(a) to (e), FIGS. 11(a), (b), FIG. 12,
the same components as those in FIG. 7(a) to (d), FIGS. 8(a), (b),
FIG. 9 are assigned the same reference numerals and explanations
thereof will be omitted.
[0193] An alignment section 120 and a position change mechanism
section 122 having a mark creation section 121 are placed at the
outer edge of a measuring surface 13. The alignment section 120
includes a light source 123 which emits light having a
predetermined wavelength as shown in FIG. 13(a) and which is an
example of the alignment light source according to the present
invention and three optical sensors 124 arranged at equiangular
intervals therearound which are sensitive to predetermined
wavelengths and which are examples of the light-receiving section
of the present invention. The position change mechanism section 122
rotates by, for example, a predetermined angle to switch between
the positions of the alignment section 120 and mark creation
section 121. The mark creation section 121 marks the surface of the
living body 12 using a seal or paint made of a material with a
higher absorption factor or reflection factor at a predetermined
wavelength compared to the skin of the living body 12. The
alignment section 120 decides whether there is a mark 125 right
below the alignment section 120 or not.
[0194] Next, an alignment method using the optical fat thickness
gauge 1111 according to this embodiment will be explained. First,
at the time of a first measurement, as shown in FIG. 10(d) and FIG.
11(a), measurement is performed by rotating the position change
mechanism section 122 so that the mark creation section 121 comes
to a predetermined position. Simultaneously with this measurement,
the mark creation section 121 puts the mark 125 on the surface of
the living body 12. From a second measurement on, as shown in FIG.
10(e) and FIG. 11(b), the position change mechanism section 122 is
rotated so that the alignment section 120 comes to a predetermined
position (position of the mark creation section when the mark
creation section 121 puts the mark 125) and the measuring surface
13 is aligned with the mark 125 put on the surface of the living
body. Here, rotating the position change mechanism section 122
causes the mark creation section 121 to be set to an OFF position
so as to perform operation which does not put any unnecessary marks
on the surface of the living body 12. Such an operation can be
realized through the structure shown in FIGS. 15(a), (b), for
example. FIGS. 15(a), (b) are schematic diagrams of a cross section
of the optical fat thickness gauge 1111 in the states shown in
FIGS. 11(a), (b). That is, when the mark 125 is formed as shown in
FIG. 11(a), FIG. 15(a), a paint supply section 211 matches the mark
creation section 121 and a paint is supplied to the mark creation
section 121. On the other hand, at the time of alignment as shown
in FIG. 11(b), FIG. 15(b), the paint supply section 211 does not
match the mark creation section 121 and the paint is not supplied
to the mark creation section 121.
[0195] Here, when the mark 125 is right below the alignment section
120 as shown in FIG. 13(b), the outputs of the three optical
sensors 124 differ from the output at the part of the surface of
the living body 12 where the mark 125 is not formed and the output
values of these three optical sensors 124 are equal. However, when
the position of the alignment section 120 is shifted as shown in
FIG. 13(c) and FIG. 13(d), the output values of these three optical
sensors 124 differ from one another. The amounts of change of the
output values vary from one sensor to another according to the
direction of the displacement. Therefore, the direction of
correcting the displacement is determined from the output values of
the respective optical sensors 124. By displaying the direction on
the display section 19 as shown in FIGS. 14(a), (b), (c), (d), (e),
(f), (g), (h), (i), (j) and (k), it is possible to prompt the user
to perform alignment. Furthermore, when the correcting direction
differs between the two alignment sections 120, the display section
19 shows a sign so that the measuring surface 13 is corrected in
the rotational direction. Furthermore, when alignment is achieved,
the display on the display section 19 is as shown in FIG. 14(1) or
the user is notified by means of sound by a sound generation
section 126 or by means of vibration by a vibration generation
section 127. In this way, even when it is difficult to see the
display section 19, the user can be notified that alignment is
achieved by means of speech or vibration. In this way, high
accuracy alignment becomes possible at the first measurement and
from the second measurement on.
[0196] In this way, the optical fat thickness gauge of this
embodiment can always perform measurement at the same position, and
can thereby measure variations in the thickness of local fat
without errors.
[0197] In FIGS. 14(a) to (l), only the direction in which the
position of the optical fat thickness gauge 1111 should be moved
has been shown, but it is also possible to show the direction in
which the position of the optical fat thickness gauge 1111 should
be moved and the magnitude of the movement in that direction. For
example, if the output vectors of the amounts of light of the
respective optical sensors 124 are synthesized in proportion to the
amounts of light at the respective optical sensors 124, the amount
of movement is determined in vector form and it is possible to
determine the direction and magnitude of the movement.
[0198] Furthermore, alignment may also be decided only through a
visual display on the display section 19 or alignment may be
decided only by means of speech or alignment may also be decided
only by means of vibration. Furthermore, alignment may also be
decided by a combination of any of visual display, display with
speech and display with vibration. Moreover, alignment may also be
decided with displays other than visual, audial displays or
vibration. In that case, effects similar to those described above
can also be obtained.
[0199] This embodiment has described the case where the alignment
light-receiving section of the present invention is provided with
three optical sensors 124 arranged at uniform intervals around the
light source 123, but the number of the optical sensors 124 is not
limited to three. Any number of optical sensors 124 can also
achieve effects similar to those described above if they are at
least arranged at uniform intervals around the light source
123.
[0200] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the present invention,
even if the optical sensors 124 are not arranged at uniform
intervals around the light source 123, the optical sensors 124 can
be arranged in any other forms if at least the direction in which
the optical fat thickness gauge 1111 should be moved or the
direction and magnitude of the movement are determined.
[0201] Furthermore, there may be also a case with only one optical
sensor 124. In that case, the accuracy is degraded compared to the
case with three optical sensors 124, but this embodiment can be
considered to achieve effects similar to those described above in
the sense that it can perform more accurate alignment than the
conventional case.
[0202] This embodiment has described the case with two alignment
sections 120, but there may be three or more alignment sections
120. Adversely, there can be only one alignment section 120. For
example, if only the arrangement direction for the measurement
target of the optical fat thickness gauge 1111 is kept track of, it
is possible to perform alignment accurately to a certain degree
even if there is only one alignment section 120.
[0203] Furthermore, similar effects can be achieved by adopting a
structure with a mark 125 made of a magnetic substance and the
alignment section 120 consisting of three or more magnetic heads as
sensors. In this case, the light source 123 of the alignment
section 120 becomes unnecessary.
Relevant Embodiment 1 of the Present Invention
[0204] The following embodiments relate to inventions related the
present invention invented by the present inventor.
[0205] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an optical fat thickness gauge
311 which is an optical biological information measuring apparatus
according to Embodiment 1 related to the present invention. The
structure of the optical biological information measuring apparatus
in this embodiment together with the operation thereof will be
explained using FIG. 16.
[0206] In the optical fat thickness gauge 311, a disk-shaped
measuring surface 13 having a diameter of approximately 100 mm
which contacts a living body 12 is made of a substance which
reflects part or the whole of visible light. For example, the
measuring surface 13 provides a mirrored surface.
[0207] The measuring surface 13 is provided with a light-emitting
section 15 including an LED which emits near-infrared light having
a wavelength close to 850 nm and a light-receiving section 14
including a photodiode which is an optical sensor which receives
light propagating through the living body and reappearing on the
surface of the living body 12. Here, the use of light whose central
wavelength exists near a wavelength of 800 to 900 nm for the
light-emitting section 15 is preferable because the light-emitting
section 15 is less affected by fluctuations of the absorption
factor due to variations in oxidized/reduced hemoglobin or
oxidized/reduced myoglobin and measuring repeatability is
improved.
[0208] Furthermore, the light-receiving section 14 is disposed
almost in the center of the measuring surface 13 and the distance
from the light-emitting section 15 is approximately 45 mm. This
distance between the light-emitting section 15 and light-receiving
section 14 is preferably approximately 35 to 50 mm for measurement
of the thickness of panniculus.
[0209] A calculation section 316 calculates local biological
information such as a thickness of panniculus from a signal
obtained from the light-receiving section 14. The calculation
section 316 displays the local biological information obtained on a
display section 19 or sends the signal to an external device
through a communication section 20.
[0210] Other components similar to those shown in FIG. 1 are
assigned the same reference numerals and explanations thereof will
be omitted.
[0211] Next, a method of alignment of the optical biological
information measuring apparatus according to this embodiment with
the measuring region will be explained. FIG. 17 and FIG. 3 show the
method of aligning the optical fat thickness gauge 311 of this
embodiment with the back of the upper arm.
[0212] As shown in FIG. 17, when measuring the back of the upper
arm or the back, after aligning the gauge with a measuring region
which cannot be observed directly while watching an image reflected
on the measuring surface 13, the user brings the optical fat
thickness gauge 311 closer to the measuring region, causes the
gauge to contact the measuring region and performs measurement as
shown in FIG. 3. In this way, this embodiment allows the user to
perform alignment of the measuring region which the user
himself/herself cannot directly observe, and thereby enables
measurements with high measuring repeatability. In the alignment
shown in FIG. 17, alignment with the region to be measured becomes
easier by observing the image reflected on the measuring surface 13
relative to the position of the light-emitting section 15 or
light-receiving section 14. At this time, the region to be measured
preferably contacts a midpoint between the light-emitting section
15 and light-receiving section 14. Therefore, a reference for
alignment may be provided at a midpoint between the light-emitting
section 15 and light-receiving section 14.
[0213] Next, an optical biological information measuring apparatus
according to this embodiment having a structure different from that
shown in FIG. 16 will be explained.
[0214] FIG. 18 shows a block diagram of an optical fat thickness
gauge 331 having a measuring surface shape different from that of
the optical fat thickness gauge 311 shown in FIG. 16. The same
components as those in FIG. 16 are assigned the same reference
numerals.
[0215] Unlike the measuring surface 13 of the optical fat thickness
gauge 311 having a flat shape, the measuring surface 33 of the
optical fat thickness gauge 331 has a convex-shaped mirrored
surface, can reflect a wide range of the measuring region on the
measuring surface 33 and further facilitates alignment compared to
the case with the optical fat thickness gauge 311 shown in FIG.
16.
[0216] The optical fat thickness gauge 311 according to this
embodiment assumes that the wavelength of near-infrared light
emitted from the light-emitting section 15 is a wavelength close to
850 nm, but as explained in Embodiment 1, it is also possible to
cause the light-emitting section 15 to emit near-infrared light of
two types of wavelength; wavelength close to 750 nm and wavelength
close to 850 nm to thereby measure local oxygen concentration as
well.
Relevant Embodiment 2 of the Present Invention
[0217] FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an optical fat thickness gauge
341 which is an optical biological information measuring apparatus
according to Embodiment 2 related to the present invention. The
same components as those in FIG. 16 are assigned the same reference
numerals.
[0218] While only one light-receiving section 14 is disposed in the
optical fat thickness gauge 311 according to Relevant Embodiment 1
of the present invention, the optical fat thickness gauge 341
according to this Embodiment 2 has a plurality of light-receiving
sections at different distances from the light-emitting section 15.
Differences from Embodiment 1 related to the present invention will
be explained using FIG. 19.
[0219] In the optical fat thickness gauge 341 according to this
embodiment, a first light-receiving element 322 and a second
light-receiving element 323 are disposed within the measuring
surface 13 as the light-receiving sections at distances of
approximately 15 to 25 mm and approximately 35 to 50 mm from the
light-emitting section 15, respectively.
[0220] The first light-receiving element 322 and second
light-receiving element 323 each receive near-infrared light which
has been emitted from the light-emitting section 15 and has
propagated through the living body. The calculation section 316
calculates the thickness of panniculus from the ratio of two
amounts of light received by the first light-receiving element 322
and second light-receiving element 323. In this way, it is possible
to measure the thickness of panniculus with variations in the skin
color and thickness among individuals corrected.
[0221] In Relevant Embodiments 1, 2 of the present invention, the
entire surface of the measuring surface 13 of the optical
biological information measuring apparatus reflects visible light,
but the embodiments may also be constructed so that only part of
the measuring surface 13 which is visible to the user can reflect
visible light.
[0222] Furthermore, if the measuring surface 13 also has the nature
of absorbing near-infrared light, the component of the
near-infrared light which propagates through an area at a small
distance from the surface of the living body 12 is reduced and the
accuracy of measuring the thickness of panniculus improves. An
example of such a structure of the measuring surface 13 is a
structure with a near-infrared cut filter such as UCF-02
manufactured by Kureha Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., superimposed on
the mirrored surface.
[0223] As described above, using the optical biological information
measuring apparatus of this embodiment prevents displacement in
every measurement even if the measuring region cannot be directly
visually checked and improves measuring repeatability.
[0224] Relevant Embodiments 1, 2 of the present invention relate to
an optical biological information measuring apparatus comprising a
measuring surface to be contacted to the living body, at least part
of which reflects part or the whole of visible light, a
light-emitting section disposed on the measuring surface, which
irradiates light of a predetermined wavelength and a
light-receiving section disposed on the measuring surface, which
receives light irradiated onto the surface of the living body and
propagated through the living body. Such an optical biological
information measuring apparatus allows the user to measure local
biological information which cannot be easily measured by the user
himself/herself.
[0225] In the optical biological information measuring apparatus
according to the foregoing embodiments, each calculation section
calculates local biological information based on the amount of
light received by the light-receiving section, but the apparatus
can also be adapted so that only information on the amount of light
received by the light-receiving section is sent and the optical
biological information measuring apparatus does not calculate local
biological information. In this case, the information on the amount
of light received to be transmitted from the communication section
20 is received by an external device such as a personal computer
and the external device calculates and displays the local
biological information.
[0226] Furthermore, it is also possible adapt the embodiment so
that the local biological information calculated by the external
device is sent to the optical biological information measuring
apparatus of the present invention and the local biological
information received by the communication section 20 is displayed
on the display section 19. In this way, causing the external device
to calculate local biological information makes it possible to
easily change the calculation method or change data necessary for
calculation.
[0227] In the above described explanations, each light-emitting
section outputs near-infrared light or visible light, but the
light-emitting section may also output light of other wavelengths
to measure biological information.
[0228] In the explanations so far, each optical fat thickness gauge
may also include a mark 51 indicating the direction of placement on
the living body 12 and a recess 52 formed so as to fit into the
shape of a finger to determine the direction of holding the gauge
as shown in FIG. 22, for example. Such a structure allows the
measuring surface 13 to contact the region to be measured of the
living body 12 more accurately. For example, if the mark 51 is
predetermined as in the longitudinal direction of the body, it is
possible to reduce variations in measurement due to the direction
of placement of the measuring surface 13 on the living body 12.
[0229] To further reduce variations in measurement due to the
direction of placement of the measuring surface 13 on the living
body 12, it is also possible to place a plurality of light-emitting
sections 15 and light-receiving sections 14 on the measuring
surface 13 as shown in FIG. 23 and calculate the thickness of fat
from an average of amounts of light received by the respective
light-receiving sections 14.
[0230] Furthermore, the biological information measuring apparatus
of the present invention explained so far is not limited to the fat
thickness measuring apparatus or local tissue oxygen concentration
measuring apparatus, but may also be applicable to an apparatus of
measuring other biological information.
[0231] The description of dimensions explained so far is merely an
example and of course, other dimensions may also be used.
[0232] The program of the present invention is a program for
causing a computer to execute the function of part or the whole of
means (or apparatus) of the above described biological information
measuring apparatus of the present invention and a program which
operates in cooperation with the computer.
[0233] Furthermore, the recording medium of the present invention
is a recording medium which stores a program for causing a computer
to execute the function of part or the whole of means (or
apparatus) of the above described biological information measuring
apparatus of the present invention and a computer-readable
recording medium whereby the read program executes the function in
cooperation with the computer.
[0234] The term "part or the whole of means (or apparatus)" of the
present invention means one or some means of the plurality of
means.
[0235] The term "function of means (or apparatus)" of the present
invention means the function of the whole or part of the means.
[0236] Furthermore, one mode of usage of the program of the present
invention may be a mode in which the program is recorded in a
computer-readable recording medium to operate in cooperation with
the computer.
[0237] Furthermore, one mode of usage of the program of the present
invention may be a mode in which the program is transmitted in a
transmission medium, read by a computer and operates in cooperation
with the computer.
[0238] Furthermore, the recording medium may include ROM, etc., and
the transmission medium may include a transmission medium such as
the Internet, light, radio wave and sound wave, etc.
[0239] Furthermore, the above described computer is not limited to
pure hardware such as a CPU, but may also include firmware, OS or
one that includes peripheral devices.
[0240] As described above, the structure of the present invention
may be implemented by software or hardware.
[0241] The optical biological information measuring apparatus
according to the present invention can measure biological
information with high alignment accuracy and is useful as a fat
thickness measuring apparatus, etc.
* * * * *