JP2001070264A - Pulse wave sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ring-shaped pulse wave sensor to be used by closely attaching the detecting part to a finger without regard to the size of the finger and capable of preventing the detecting part from slipping. SOLUTION: A pulse wave sensor 1 is shaped in a ring and consists of a sensor main body 3 with a built-in circuit part 2, a detecting part 4 for detecting pulse wave data of a subject, a belt 5 for fixing the sensor main body 3 to a finger, etc. The sensor main body 3 and the detecting part 4 are flexibly connected to each other with a flexible printed circuit board 8. Therefore, since movement of the sensor main body 3 is hardly transmitted to the detecting part 4 and slipping of the detecting part 4 corresponding to movement of the body of the subject can be controlled, the movement-resisting pulse wave sensor 1 can be achieved. In addition, the sensor main body 3 can be fixed to a finger with the detecting part 4 pressed on the surface of the finger by adjusting the length of the belt 5, the pulse wave sensor 1 can be used with the detecting part 4 always closely attached to the finger without regard to the size of the finger.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ring-type pulse wave sensor for measuring a pulse wave by wearing it on a finger of a human body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a prior art, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
There is a wristwatch type pulse wave measuring device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6493. This pulse wave measuring device includes a detecting unit attached to a finger of a human body and a device main body mounted on an arm of a human body, and the detecting unit and the device main unit are connected by a lead wire. The detection unit is a reflection type optical sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and outputs a change in the amount of received light as a pulse wave signal (for example, voltage) to the apparatus main body. The apparatus main body can perform data processing on the pulse wave signal sent from the detection unit to calculate a pulse rate, and output the calculation result to a display device.

However, in the above configuration, since the data processing circuit is built in the main body of the apparatus, it is difficult to reduce the size of the main body of the apparatus to such a degree that the main body of the apparatus is integrated with the detecting section and can be worn on a finger. Therefore, since it is necessary to connect the detection unit and the apparatus main body with a lead wire, there is a problem that handling of the lead wire is complicated and movement of the body is restricted by the lead wire. On the other hand, a pulse wave sensor in which a detection unit and a circuit unit are integrated and attached to a finger of a human body is known (IEICE Technical Report TECHNICAL REPORT / 1995-06
). This pulse wave sensor is a system that wirelessly transmits the detection result of the detection unit from the circuit unit to an external receiver.Since the circuit unit can be downsized relative to the device main body, the detection unit and the circuit unit are integrated. Ring type.

[0004]

However, in the conventional ring-type pulse wave sensor, the portion fitted to the finger is formed of a ring-shaped metal member, so that the pulse wave sensor matches the size (thickness) of the finger. A sensor had to be used. In other words,
If the ring part of the pulse wave sensor does not fit the size (thickness) of the finger at all, it is difficult to use the detection part in close contact with the surface of the finger. Light etc.)
The normal pulse wave cannot be measured due to the influence of. Also,
Since the detection unit and the circuit unit are provided integrally, there has been a problem that the detection unit is likely to shift with the movement of the body and the like, and the detection accuracy is reduced. The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and its purpose is to be able to use the detection unit in close contact with the finger regardless of the size of the finger, and to prevent the detection unit from shifting, An object of the present invention is to provide a ring-type pulse wave sensor with high detection accuracy.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a detecting unit for detecting pulse wave information of a human body, and a sensor main body including a circuit unit connected to the detecting unit via a signal line. A ring-type pulse wave sensor that measures a pulse wave by applying the detection unit to a finger of a human body, and has a fixing member for fixing the sensor body to the finger while the detection unit is pressed against the finger, In addition, the sensor body and the detection unit are flexibly connected by a flexible connecting member.

According to this configuration, the sensor main body can be fixed to the finger while the detection unit is pressed against the surface of the finger. Therefore, regardless of the size of the finger, the detection unit can be always used in a state in which the detection unit is in close contact with the finger, so that the influence of disturbance light can be reduced and a pulse wave with high accuracy can be detected. In addition, since the sensor body and the detection unit are flexibly connected by the connection member, the movement of the sensor body is hardly transmitted to the detection unit. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the detection unit due to the movement of the body, and it is possible to provide a pulse wave sensor that is strong in movement.

(Means of Claim 2) The connecting member according to claim 1 is constituted by a printed board on which signal lines are formed as a wiring pattern, and a detecting section is mounted on an end of the printed board. In this case, since it is not necessary to use a lead wire as a signal line, the lead wire does not disturb the finger when it is attached to the finger, and the mounting property is good.

[0008] (3) The printed circuit board according to (2) is provided in a shield structure for preventing noise from being mixed into signal lines. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent noise from entering the circuit portion from the signal line, so that a highly accurate pulse wave can be measured.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the printed circuit board according to the second and third aspects is arranged along the inner surface of the fixing member, and the detecting unit mounted on the end of the printed circuit board is located on the belly side of the finger. Be placed. In this configuration, since the detection unit can be used by pressing it against the belly of the finger, the detection unit is unlikely to shift, and the detection accuracy can be improved.

[0010] (Means of Claim 5) The detecting portion described in Claims 2 to 4 is provided so as to protrude from the surface of the printed circuit board corresponding to the pad of a finger. In this configuration, the detection unit can be used in a state where the detection unit is pressed into the belly of the finger, so that the detection unit is hardly affected by disturbance light or the like, and the detection accuracy can be improved.

(Means of Claim 6) The fixing member according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 is constituted by a belt used by being wound around a finger. In this case, by adjusting the tightening force of the belt according to the thickness of the finger, the detection unit can be stably used in a state in which the detection unit is in close contact with the finger.

(Means of Claim 7) The belt described in Claim 6 is movably attached to the sensor main body. In this case, even if the sensor body is shifted with respect to the belt,
Since the movement of the sensor body is not transmitted to the detection unit via the belt, it is possible to prevent the detection unit from shifting.

(Means of Claim 8) The fixing member according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 is provided in the form of a clip having elasticity, and is used by sandwiching a finger. With this configuration, it is easier to attach the pulse wave sensor to the finger as compared with the case where the fixing member is provided by a belt or the like.

(Claim 9) The circuit section according to claims 1 to 8 has a transmission circuit for transmitting the pulse wave information sent from the detection section to an external receiver via an antenna, wherein the antenna comprises: It is inserted inside the fixing member. In this configuration, the antenna is not hindered when worn on the finger, and the wearability is good.

[0015]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a pulse wave sensor 1. The pulse wave sensor 1 of the present embodiment measures a pulse wave of a human body and is used for medical diagnosis, health diagnosis, and the like. As shown in FIG. And a detecting unit 4 for detecting pulse wave information of a human body
And a belt 5 for fixing the sensor body 3 to the finger.

The sensor body 3 includes a circuit section 2 and a battery 6 and is housed inside a housing 7. The circuit unit 2 includes a transmission circuit that transmits pulse wave information (for example, a voltage signal) sent from the detection unit 4 through a signal line to an external receiver via an antenna (not shown). A signal line connecting the circuit unit 2 and the detection unit 4 is connected to a printed circuit board 8.
(See FIG. 3) is printed and formed as a wiring pattern. One end of the printed circuit board 8 is connected to the circuit section 2 inside the housing 7, and is taken out of the housing 7 through a hole 7 a formed in the housing 7 to pass the belt 5.

The detecting section 4 includes a light emitting element 4a and a light receiving element 4b.
Are mounted on the end of the printed circuit board 8 taken out of the housing 7, and as shown in FIG. 3, several mm from the surface of the printed circuit board 8 (for example, 2 to 2 mm). 5mm) Projecting. As shown in FIG. 2, the detection unit 4 detects the light 9 from the light emitting element 4a.
When light is irradiated toward the capillary 9, a part of the light strikes a capillary artery 9a passing through the inside of the finger 9, is absorbed by hemoglobin in blood flowing through the capillary artery 9a, and the remaining light is absorbed by the capillary artery 9a.
The light is reflected and scattered, and a part of the light is incident on the light receiving element 4b. At this time, the amount of hemoglobin in the capillary arteries 9a changes in a wave-like manner due to the pulsation of blood, so that the light absorbed by the hemoglobin also changes in a wave-like manner. As a result, the capillary artery 9a
Since the amount of light reflected by the light receiving element 4b changes, the change in the amount of received light is detected as pulse wave information.

The printed circuit board 8 is made of, for example, a flexible polyimide-based thermoplastic resin as a substrate material. The printed circuit board 8 flexibly connects the sensor main body 3 and the detecting section 4 to each other in advance around a finger. It is provided in a curved shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the printed circuit board 8 is entirely covered with a conductor such as a copper foil 10 and electrically connected to the ground of the circuit section 2, and the surface of the copper foil 10 is insulated with an insulating tape 11 or the like. The shield structure has been treated. The detection unit 4
Needless to say, the detection surface is exposed.

The belt 5 is attached to the housing 7 of the sensor main body 3 so as to cover the outside of the printed circuit board 8, and is detachably fastened with a Velcro (registered trademark) or the like so that the length of the belt 5 can be adjusted with respect to the sensor main body 3. be able to. As a material of the belt 5, a material that is familiar to the fingers, such as an elastic material such as cloth, leather, and knit, a rubber, a soft resin (for example, urethane, an elastomer, or a polyester elastomer) is preferable. In the case where cloth, leather, knit, or the like is used as the material of the belt 5, water repellency may be applied to prevent water absorption of the belt 5 during hand washing or water work.

When the pulse wave sensor 1 is used, the sensor main body 3 is arranged on the back side of the finger so that the detection unit 4 is in contact with the ventral side of the finger, and the sensor main body 3 is fixed by the belt 5. At this time, the length of the belt 5 is adjusted to such an extent that the detection unit 4 can be in close contact with the belly of the finger (in a state where the detection unit 4 is pressed against the belly of the finger).

(Effect of the First Embodiment) In the pulse wave sensor 1 of the present embodiment, the sensor main body 3 and the detection section 4 are flexibly connected by the flexible printed circuit board 8, so that the sensor main body 3 Becomes difficult to be transmitted to the detection unit 4,
Since the displacement of the detection unit 4 due to the movement of the body can be suppressed, the pulse wave sensor 1 that is strong in movement can be realized. Further, since the sensor body 3 is configured to be fixed to the finger by the belt 5, the length of the belt 5 is adjusted so that the detection unit 4
The sensor main body 3 can be fixed to the finger in a state where is pressed against the surface of the finger. Therefore, regardless of the size of the finger, the detection unit 4 can always be used in a state in which the detection unit 4 is in close contact with the finger, so that the influence of disturbance light can be reduced and a pulse wave with high accuracy can be detected.

Further, although the sensor body 3 and the detecting section 4 are connected by a printed board 8, the printed board 8 has a shield structure so that noise (for example, commercial power) is transmitted from the signal line to the circuit section 2. Since mixing can be prevented, a highly accurate pulse wave can be measured. In the above embodiment, an antenna is provided for transmitting pulse wave information from the circuit unit 2 to an external receiver. However, this antenna may be inserted inside the belt 5. Further, the method of stopping the belt 5 is not limited to the magic tape, and various types of fasteners may be used.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a side view of the pulse wave sensor 1. FIG. The pulse wave sensor 1 according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the structure for attaching the belt 5 to the sensor main body 3. As shown in FIG. 4, a magic tape is provided above the sensor main body 3 (upper side in FIG. 4). It can be detachably stopped by such as. The belt 5 has a portion 5a corresponding to the abdomen of the finger.
May be made of a material that fits into the finger, and a material having elasticity may be used for the portion 5b to be attached to the sensor body 3.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 5A shows a pulse wave sensor 1.
(B) is a view from A in (a), and (c) is a view from B in (a). In the pulse wave sensor 1 of the present embodiment, both sides 5c of the belt 5 fixed to the sensor main body 3 are made thicker or harder. In this case, since the holding force on the finger can be improved, the pulse wave sensor 1 that is strong against the movement of the body can be realized. Further, on the upper surface of the sensor body 3, as shown in FIG. 5A, a display unit 3a capable of displaying pulse wave information may be provided.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a side view of the pulse wave sensor 1. The pulse wave sensor 1 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the belt 5 is passed through a hole provided in the housing 7 of the sensor main body 3, the belt 5 is formed in a ring shape, and the belt 5 can freely move with respect to the housing 7. In this case, since the movement of the housing 7 is hardly transmitted to the detection unit 4 via the belt 5, the pulse wave sensor 1 that is strong in movement can be realized.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a side view of the pulse wave sensor 1. FIG. In the pulse wave sensor 1 of the present embodiment, a portion for fixing the sensor main body 3 to a finger is provided in a clip shape, and the finger can be sandwiched between the clip-shaped fixing portions 12 for use. In this case, by providing the clip-shaped fixing portion 12 with elasticity, the sensor main body 3 can be stably fixed to the finger regardless of the size (thickness) of the finger.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a pulse wave sensor (first embodiment).

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a detection unit and a finger.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a printed circuit board.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a pulse wave sensor (second embodiment).

FIG. 5 is a three-view drawing of a pulse wave sensor (third embodiment).

FIG. 6 is a side view of a pulse wave sensor (fourth embodiment).

FIG. 7 is a side view of a pulse wave sensor (fifth embodiment).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pulse wave sensor 2 Circuit part 3 Sensor main body 4 Detecting part 5 Belt (fixing member) 8 Printed circuit board (connecting member) 12 Clip-shaped fixing part (fixing member)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shinji Namba 1-1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Prefecture Inside Denso Corporation (72) Inventor Satoshi Takeuchi 1-1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Prefecture Denso Corporation F-term (reference) 4C017 AA09 AB03 AC26

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A detection unit for detecting pulse wave information of a human body, and a sensor body including a circuit unit connected to the detection unit via a signal line, wherein the detection unit is applied to a finger of a human body. A ring-type pulse wave sensor for measuring a pulse wave, comprising: a fixing member for fixing the sensor main body to a finger in a state where the detection unit is pressed against the finger; and the sensor main body and the detection unit Are connected flexibly by a flexible connecting member. 2. The connection member according to claim 1, wherein the connection member is formed of a printed circuit board on which the signal lines are formed as a wiring pattern, and the detecting section is mounted on an end of the printed circuit board. The pulse wave sensor described. 3. The pulse wave sensor according to claim 2, wherein the printed circuit board is provided in a shield structure for preventing noise from being mixed into the signal line. 4. The printed circuit board according to claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board is arranged along an inner side surface of the fixing member, and the detection unit mounted on an end of the printed circuit board is arranged on a ventral side of a finger. Item 4. A pulse wave sensor according to items 2 and 3. 5. The pulse wave sensor according to claim 2, wherein the detection section is provided so as to protrude from a surface of the printed circuit board corresponding to a finger pad. 6. The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member comprises a belt used by being wound around a finger.
Pulse wave sensor described in 1. 7. The pulse wave sensor according to claim 6, wherein the belt is movably attached to the sensor main body. 8. The pulse wave sensor according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member is provided in a shape of a clip having elasticity, and is used by sandwiching a finger. 9. The circuit section has a transmitting circuit for transmitting pulse wave information sent from the detecting section to an external receiver via an antenna, wherein the antenna is inserted inside the fixed member. The pulse wave sensor according to claim 1, wherein: