JP2006081893A - Optical member for measuring living body information, living body information calculating apparatus, living body information calculating method, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem of an prior art optical measuring instrument for measuring a specific component in a living body or a solution in which an adverse effect on a living body information measurement by disturbance light may arise. <P>SOLUTION: The subject optical member for the living body information measurement has a prism 100, which has a light incident surface 11 being injected with an emitted light, a living body tissue measuring section 13 with which a living body tissue comes into contact, and a light emitting surface 12 which emits the light reflected by the living body tissue measuring section 13 with which the living body tissue comes into contact, or the light which has passed the living body tissue through the living body tissue measuring section 13 with which the living body tissue has come into contact, a prism cover 14 which is provided so as to expose the living body tissue measuring section and to surround all or a part of outer peripheral portion of the prism 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention provides an optical member for measuring biological information, a biological information calculation device, for noninvasively calculating glucose, cholesterol, urea, triglyceride, protein, and the like in a body fluid by optically measuring biological tissue. The present invention relates to a biological information calculation method, a program, and a recording medium.

  A conventional optical measurement apparatus for measuring a specific component in a living body or a solution will be described.

There is an optical measurement device for measuring blood glucose level by bringing the upper and lower lips into close contact with a transparent attenuated total reflection element (hereinafter referred to as an ATR prism) having a pair of reflecting surfaces facing in parallel (for example, Patent Documents). 1). This conventional optical measuring apparatus is referred to as a first prior art.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, which is a bird's-eye view of a conventional optical member for measuring biological information, an ATR prism 1201 made of zinc selenide, silicon, germanium, or the like is added to the mouth, and a lip 1203 is provided. The light is incident on the ATR prism 1201 from the optical fiber 1202 while the ATR prism 1201 is pressed.

  Then, it repeatedly repeats total reflection (that is, attenuated total reflection) while slightly entering the lip 1203 at the boundary between the reflection surface of the ATR prism 1201 and the lip 1203, and the light emitted to the outside of the ATR prism 1201 is converted into light. The fiber 1204 is taken out and analyzed. In other words, by analyzing the light spectrum of the emitted light and calculating the amount of light with a wavelength that is easily absorbed by the specific component being measured, it is possible to know how much light of that wavelength was absorbed by the specific component. it can. Thus, a specific component in the living body can be quantitatively measured.

  In addition, an ATR prism made of ZnSe crystal or the like is brought into close contact with the mucous membrane of the lip, and then a laser beam having a wavelength of 9 to 11 μm is incident on the ATR prism to cause multiple reflection inside the ATR prism, and the attenuated total reflection light and scattering. There is an optical measurement device for measuring a blood glucose level and a blood ethanol concentration by analyzing reflected light or the like (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). This conventional optical measuring device is referred to as a second prior art.

  The light traveling through the ATR prism reflects slightly after entering the lips.

  The reflected light is affected by each component in the body fluid present in the lips, and is attenuated more than before entering the lips.

  Therefore, by measuring the amount of reflected light, information on each component in the body fluid can be obtained.

  The first and second conventional techniques apply evanescent waves (so-called oozing light) to quantitative analysis.

  In addition, a contact means having a recess that comes into contact with the living tissue, a detection light emitting means for emitting detection light from a part of the recess, and another part of the recess, the detection light is incident. And the contact means is made of a material having a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the biological tissue, and the detection light fits in the recess when the contact means and the biological tissue are in contact with each other. There is a contact for detecting living body information that enters a detection light incident means after passing through a living body tissue (see, for example, Patent Document 2). This conventional contact for detecting biological information is referred to as a third prior art.

Biological information can be easily and accurately measured with little damage to the living tissue.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-113439 International Publication No. 01/058355 Pamphlet Hideo Fukushima and five others, “Non-invasive measurement of blood glucose level: development of optical glucose sensor”, BME, Japan Society for MUME, 1991, Vol. 8, No. 8, p. 16-21

  However, in any of the first to third conventional techniques, light from other than the measurement light source, such as sunlight and light from illumination, often becomes disturbance light.

  For this reason, the above-described conventional technique has a problem that adverse effects on measurement of biological information due to ambient light may occur.

  In the first and second prior arts, the penetration depth d that penetrates the living body of the evanescent wave is approximately

Is required.

When a ZnSe crystal (n ₁ = 2.0) is used as an ATR prism and λ ₀ = 10 microns and θ ₁ = 45 ° is calculated, the refractive index of the living body is about 1.3 to 1.5. From this, it can be seen that when n ₂ = 1.41, d = 29 microns, and information on the surface of about several tens of microns and the state in the vicinity thereof can be obtained.

  Here, the electric field of the evanescent wave attenuates exponentially according to the depth.

  Therefore, it is very important that the living tissue is brought into close contact with the living tissue measurement unit of the ATR prism.

  However, in both the first and second prior arts, the ATR prism is only added or pressed to the lips.

  For this reason, it is difficult to bring the lips into close contact with the ATR prism.

  For this reason, in the first and second prior arts, accurate measurement of biological information may be difficult.

  Further, in the third prior art, it is possible to raise the living tissue in the formed concave portion and selectively measure the raised portion, which is also the same as the first and second conventional techniques described above. In addition, the close contact between the living tissue and the living tissue measurement unit is very important.

  However, since the close contact between the living tissue and the living tissue measuring unit is difficult, the optical path length changes when the close contact between the living tissue and the living tissue measuring unit is insufficient, and accurate biological information measurement is possible. It could be difficult.

  In view of the above-described conventional problems, the present invention is capable of suppressing adverse effects on biological information measurement due to disturbance light, a biological information measuring optical member, a biological information calculating device, a biological information calculating method, a program, And a recording medium.

The first aspect of the present invention is
The incident surface on which the emitted light is incident, the contact surface in contact with the living tissue, and the light reflected by the contact surface in contact with the living tissue, or the living tissue through the contact surface in contact with the living tissue An optical element having an exit surface that emits light that has passed through
An optical member for measuring biological information, comprising: an optical element cover that exposes the contact surface and surrounds all or part of the outer peripheral portion of the optical element.

The second aspect of the present invention
In the optical member for measuring biological information according to the first aspect of the present invention, a space in which a part of the biological tissue can enter is formed between the optical element and the optical element cover.

The third aspect of the present invention provides
The contact surface is a biological information measuring optical member according to the second aspect of the present invention, which protrudes outside the space.

The fourth invention relates to
A movable space cover provided to cover the space;
The space cover is a biological information measuring optical member according to a second aspect of the present invention, which sinks into the space when pressed by the living tissue in contact with the contact surface.

The fifth aspect of the present invention relates to
The space cover is a biological information measuring optical member according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, which is held by an elastic body.

The sixth invention relates to
The biological information measuring optical member according to the second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a decompression means for decompressing the space when the biological tissue is in contact with the contact surface.

The seventh invention relates to
A movable space cover having a window provided to cover the space;
When the space cover is pressed by the living tissue in contact with the contact surface, the space cover sinks into the space,
The decompression means is the optical member for measuring biological information according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, wherein the space is decompressed by exhausting air through the window.

The eighth invention relates to
The biological information measuring optical member according to the first aspect of the present invention, further comprising dimming means provided on all or part of the outer surface of the optical element cover.

The ninth invention relates to
The biological information measuring optical according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, wherein the dimming means is at least one of a light reflector that reflects light, a light absorber that absorbs light, and a light scatterer that scatters light. It is a member.

The tenth aspect of the present invention is
The contact surface is a biological information measuring optical member according to the first aspect of the present invention having a groove.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention is
The optical element is a biological information measuring optical member according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, which has a refractive index of 1.55 or more.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention is
The contact surface is the biological information measuring optical member of the first aspect of the present invention having a curved surface.

The thirteenth aspect of the present invention is
The portion of the end face of the optical element cover that contacts the living tissue is the optical member for measuring biological information according to the first aspect of the present invention having a curved surface.

The fourteenth aspect of the present invention is
A biological information measuring optical member of the first invention;
A light source that emits the light;
A photodetector for detecting the light emitted from the emission surface;
It is a biological information calculation apparatus provided with the calculating part which calculates the biological information regarding the biological body which has the said biological tissue based on the result of the said detection.

The fifteenth aspect of the present invention is
The biological information to be calculated is the biological information calculation apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, which is information relating to the concentration of a substance contained in the biological tissue.

The sixteenth aspect of the present invention
The incident surface on which the emitted light is incident, the contact surface in contact with the living tissue, and the light reflected by the contact surface in contact with the living tissue, or the living tissue through the contact surface in contact with the living tissue A living body having an optical element having an emission surface that emits light that has passed through the optical element, and an optical element cover that exposes the contact surface and surrounds all or part of the outer peripheral portion of the optical element A biological information calculation method using an optical member for information measurement,
A light emitting step for emitting the light;
A light detection step of detecting the light emitted from the emission surface;
A biological information calculation method comprising: a calculation step of calculating biological information related to a living body having the living tissue based on the detection result.

The seventeenth aspect of the present invention provides
It is a program for making a computer perform the calculation step which calculates the biological information regarding the biological body which has the said biological tissue based on the result of the detection of the biological information calculation method of 16th this invention.

The eighteenth aspect of the present invention is
A recording medium carrying the program of the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, which can be processed by a computer.

  The present invention has an advantage that adverse effects on biological information measurement due to ambient light can be suppressed.

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

(Embodiment 1)
First, the configuration of the optical member for measuring biological information according to the present embodiment will be described with reference mainly to FIGS.

  1A is a top view of the optical member for measuring biological information according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is an optical for measuring biological information according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a side view of a member, and FIG.1 (c) is a bird's-eye view of the optical member for biological information measurement of Embodiment 1 of this invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the biological information measuring optical member of the present embodiment includes a light incident surface 11, a light emitting surface 12, a biological tissue measuring unit 13, a prism cover 14, and a biological tissue storage unit 15. Has been.

  That is, the optical member for measuring biological information according to the present embodiment includes a light incident surface 11 on which emitted light is incident, a biological tissue measurement unit 13 that is in contact with a biological tissue (not shown) such as the lips, and The prism 100 having the light emitting surface 12 that emits the light reflected by the biological tissue measurement unit 13 in contact with the biological tissue, and the biological tissue measurement unit 13 are exposed so as to surround the outer periphery of the prism 100. And a prism cover 14.

  As the material of the prism 100, a material corresponding to the wavelength of light used for measurement can be used.

  Specific examples of the material of the prism 100 include silicon, germanium, SiC, diamond, ZnSe, ZnS, fused quartz, calcium fluoride, plastic, and KrS.

Here, as glucose, in the case wavenumber ^1033cm -1, a material such as an absorption peak in the near infrared region in the infrared region and the wavelength 1 to 2.5 micrometers among such 1080 cm ^-1 to measurement, medium In the infrared region, a material having a high transmittance in a wave number region of about 1000 to 1100 cm ⁻¹ is preferable.

  From such a viewpoint, it is preferable that the material of the prism 100 is silicon or germanium in which the content of impurities such as boron and phosphorus that cause the above-described decrease in transmittance is small. Note that the resistivity of silicon and germanium increases as the content of impurities such as boron and phosphorus decreases. For this reason, the resistivity is preferably 100 Ωcm or more, and more preferably 1500 Ωcm or more.

  In the near-infrared region, the material of the prism 100 is silicon or high refractive index plastic. In the case of silicon, for the same reason, it is preferable that the resistivity is 100 Ωcm or more, and the resistivity is 1500 Ωcm. The above is more preferable. The material of the prism 100 may be calcium fluoride, fused quartz, or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the biological tissue measurement unit 13 protrudes outside the biological tissue storage unit 15 from the end face of the prism cover 14 on the side where a part of the biological tissue enters.

  In this method, the living tissue to be measured is brought into contact with the living tissue measuring unit 13 at the time of measurement, and the contact pressure between the living tissue and the living tissue measuring unit 13 is improved by projecting the living tissue measuring unit 13 from the prism cover 14. This is to improve the adhesion.

  As shown in FIG. 1C, a prism cover 14 is provided on the outer periphery of the biological tissue measurement unit 13 so as to surround the biological tissue measurement unit 13.

  The prism cover 14 is provided with a light reducing means 16.

  The light reduction means 16 may be any means for reducing the probability of light entering the photodetector, and may be composed of a light absorber, light scatterer, or light reflector.

  Specific examples of the light absorber include an optical thin film that absorbs light of various wavelengths considered as disturbance light.

  More specifically, it is preferable that such an optical thin film is formed of a single layer film or a multilayer film having an appropriate thickness so that multiple interference of light within the film and efficient absorption of unnecessary light can be achieved.

Specific examples of such an optical thin film material include Cu, Cr, Mo, Fe, Ni, amorphous Si, SiC, Ge, WSi ₂ , Ti, TiN, Ta, TiW, Co, SiGe, TiSi ₂ , _{CrSi 2, MoSi 2, FeSi 2} , NiSi 2, CrN, MoN 2, SiO 2, Al 2 O 3 and TiO ₂ and the like.

  Specific examples of the method for forming such an optical thin film include chemical vapor deposition, plasma vapor deposition, photo CVD, vacuum deposition, liquid phase epitaxy, sol-gel, anodic oxidation. , Oxidation-reduction method, laser ablation method and the like.

  As a specific example of the light scatterer, a material obtained by roughening the surface of the prism cover 14 by blasting or the like so as to scatter light may be used.

  Specific examples of the light reflector include an optical thin film formed of aluminum or the like.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the living tissue storage unit 15 is provided between the living tissue contact unit 13 and the prism cover 14 and is a recess.

  The prism 100 corresponds to the optical element of the present invention, the prism cover 14 corresponds to the optical element cover of the present invention, and the light reducing means 16 corresponds to the light reducing means of the present invention.

  Next, the operation of the optical member for measuring biological information according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, the living tissue is brought into contact with the living tissue measuring unit 13.

  Thereafter, when the pressure is further pressed, the living tissue enters the concave portion of the living tissue storage unit 15.

  In this way, the living tissue is allowed to enter the living tissue storage unit 15, thereby improving the adhesion between the living tissue and the living tissue measurement unit 13.

  The prism cover 14 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the biological tissue measurement unit 13 to form a biological tissue storage unit 15, and ambient light, sunlight, radiation from the human body, and other disturbing light that adversely affects measurement are applied to the living body. It prevents incident on the tissue measurement unit 13.

  In addition, although the example at the time of integrally forming the optical member for biological information measurement was shown, the biological tissue measurement unit 213 and the prism cover 214 in the embodiment of the present invention are separated. As shown in FIG. 2 which is a bird's-eye view of the optical member, a portion where the light attenuating means 216 is provided on the prism cover 214 may be separately created, and then a portion having the light incident surface 211, the biological tissue measurement unit 213, and the like may be incorporated. . Of the outer surface of the portion having the light incident surface 211, the biological tissue measurement unit 213, etc., the portion exposed to the outside after being incorporated (excluding the light incident surface 211 and the light emitting surface, FIG. Are shaded), a dimming means for preventing ambient light from entering the biological tissue measurement unit 213 may be provided.

(Embodiment 2)
First, the configuration of the optical member for measuring biological information according to the present embodiment will be described with reference mainly to FIGS.

  Here, FIG. 3A is a bird's-eye view of the biological information measuring optical member before the operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is an operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3C is a bird's-eye view of the optical member for biological information measurement later, that is, in a state where the biological tissue is brought into contact with the biological tissue measurement unit 313, and FIG. 3C is the biological information before operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing in the AA 'line of the optical member for a measurement.

  The configuration of the optical member for measuring biological information according to the present embodiment is similar to the configuration of the optical member for measuring biological information according to Embodiment 1 described above, but a biological tissue storage unit cover 331 is provided. The biological tissue storage unit cover 331 is provided with a notch 334 having substantially the same size and shape as the biological tissue measurement unit 313 and a direction parallel to the line AA ′ from the four corners of the notch 334. A cut 332 (shown by a dotted line in FIG. 3A) is provided.

  Since the notch 334 and the notch 332 are provided, the living tissue storage unit cover 331 can sink while contacting the prism 300 as shown in FIG.

  From such a viewpoint, it is preferable that the material of the biological tissue storage unit cover 331 is a rubber having appropriate elasticity such as silicon rubber and natural rubber.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, since the spring 333 is provided, the living tissue storage unit cover 331 sinks when the living tissue is pressed against the living tissue measurement unit 313, and the living tissue is When removed from the biological tissue measurement unit 313, the original state is restored.

  Further, by providing the spring 333, it is possible to design the force necessary for sinking the living tissue storage cover 331 by appropriately selecting the spring constant of the spring 333. Can design.

  The living tissue storage unit cover 331 corresponds to the space cover of the present invention.

  Next, the operation of the optical member for measuring biological information according to the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the biological tissue storage unit 315 is closed by the biological tissue storage unit cover 331 before the biological tissue is brought into contact with the biological tissue measurement unit 313.

  For this reason, even when the optical member for measuring biological information is stored, dust such as dust and dust does not easily enter the biological tissue storage unit 315.

  When the biological tissue is pressed by the biological tissue measurement unit 313, the biological tissue storage unit cover 331 sinks as shown in FIG. 3B due to the pressure pressing the biological tissue against the biological tissue measurement unit 313. Include.

  Since the biological tissue storage unit cover 331 is provided with a notch 334 and a cut 332 as shown in FIG. 3A, the biological tissue storage unit 331 as shown in FIG. 3B. The cover 331 can sink.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, since the spring 333 is provided, the living tissue storage unit cover 331 sinks when the living tissue is pressed against the living tissue measurement unit 313, and the living tissue is turned into the living tissue. When removed from the measurement unit 313, the original state is restored.

  Instead of the spring 333, an elastic body such as rubber may be used.

  Further, the biological tissue storage unit cover 331 is not necessarily provided with a light reducing means such as the light reducing means 316 provided in the prism cover 314. However, in order to prevent radiation from the biological tissue, such light attenuation is performed. Means may be provided.

(Embodiment 3)
First, the configuration of the optical member for measuring biological information according to the present embodiment will be described with reference mainly to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a bird's eye view of the biological information measuring optical member according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  The configuration of the biological information measuring optical member of the present embodiment is similar to the configuration of the biological information measuring optical member of the second embodiment described above, but suction that penetrates the bottom surface of the prism 400 and the prism cover 414. A hole 441 is provided.

  Of course, the biological tissue storage unit cover 431 is also provided with a round window at a position overlapping the suction hole 441.

  Therefore, when the biological tissue storage unit cover 431 is pressed by the biological tissue in contact with the prism 400 and sinks into the biological tissue storage unit 415, the pump 499 exhausts through such a window, The inside of the living tissue storage unit 415 can be decompressed.

  The pump 499 corresponds to the decompression unit of the present invention.

  Next, the operation of the optical member for measuring biological information according to the present embodiment will be described.

  After the living tissue is brought into contact with the living tissue measuring unit 413, the pump 499 is used to suck and exhaust the air through the suction hole 441.

  And the adhesiveness is improved by making the inside of the biological tissue storage part 415 into a negative pressure.

  Note that the hole for performing suction may be provided so as to penetrate the side surface of the prism cover 414. Of course, in such a case, the living tissue storage unit cover 431 may not be provided with a window depending on the position of the hole for performing suction.

  Moreover, although the example using the pump 499 was shown, as shown in FIG. 9 which is a bird's-eye view of the optical member for biological information measurement in which the one-way valve 911 is provided in the suction hole 441 according to the embodiment of the present invention, A one-way valve 911 having a backflow prevention valve may be provided in the hole 441. More specifically, when the living tissue fills the living tissue storage unit 415 when the living tissue is pressed by the living tissue measurement unit 413, the air in the living tissue storage unit 415 flows from the suction hole 441 to the one-way valve 911. The structure of the suction cup may be used so that the living tissue comes into close contact with the living tissue measurement unit 413.

  In the above, Embodiment 1-3 was demonstrated in detail.

  (A) In addition, although the case where the biological tissue measurement unit has a substantially planar shape has been described, the biological tissue measurement unit 513 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a bird's eye view of the optical member for biological information measurement having the groove 551. 5 (a), and FIG. 5 (b) is a schematic diagram when the living tissue 599 is in close contact with the groove 551 and the light 552 is transmitted through the intimate living tissue 599 in the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the biological tissue measurement unit 513 may use a prism 500 having a groove 551.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the living tissue 599 is brought into close contact with the plurality of grooves 551 provided in the living tissue measuring unit 513, and the measurement is performed by transmitting the light 552 to the living tissue 599 which is brought into close contact.

  In this way, the optical path length of the light 552 that has passed through the living tissue 599 via the living tissue measurement unit 513 with which the living tissue 599 has come into contact is determined by the size of one of the plurality of grooves 551. For this reason,

As can be seen from the Lambert-Beer law, the optical path length is mechanically determined by the dimensions of the groove 551, and measurement can be performed with high accuracy. The light 552 emitted from one surface forming one groove among the plurality of grooves 551 is refracted at the interface between the one surface and the living tissue 599, and the other surface forming the groove and the living tissue 599. The refractive index of the prism 500 is such that the refractive index of the living body 599 moves straight through the living tissue 599 to the interface, and refracts again at the interface and returns to the other surface (see FIG. 5B). It is preferable that it is 1.55 or higher which is higher than .5.

  Of course, the case where the plurality of grooves 551 are provided has been described, but FIG. 10A is a bird's-eye view of the optical member for measuring biological information in which the biological tissue measurement unit 1013 has the grooves 1051 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 10B, which is a schematic diagram when the living tissue 1099 is in close contact with the groove 1051 and light 1052 is transmitted through the intimate living tissue 1099. The biological tissue measurement unit 1013 may use the prism 1000 having one groove 1051.

  (B) Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6 which is a bird's-eye view of the optical member for biological information measurement provided with the biological tissue measurement part 613 in which the part which contacts a biological tissue was round of embodiment of this invention, The outer periphery of the measurement unit 613 may be a curved surface.

  By doing so, pain can be reduced when the biological tissue is pressed against the biological tissue measuring unit 613 of the prism 600.

  In addition, the curved surface of the outer peripheral part of the biological tissue measuring unit 613 is rounded in any direction, and pain can be surely reduced.

  In addition, the living tissue is easily introduced by the living tissue storage unit 615, and the deformation of the living tissue becomes more gradual than in the case where the outer peripheral portion of the living tissue measurement unit 613 is not a curved surface. The adhesion of 613 can be improved.

  Of course, the outer peripheral portion of the biological tissue measurement unit 613 may be a curved surface, and the biological tissue measurement unit 613 may be provided with a groove such as the groove 551.

  (C) Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7 which is a bird's-eye view of the optical member for biological information measurement provided with the prism cover 714 having a rounded portion in contact with the living tissue according to the embodiment of the present invention, A portion of the end surface that contacts the living tissue may be a curved surface.

  This is preferable because pain can be reduced when the living tissue is pressed against the living tissue measuring unit 713 and the living tissue can be easily introduced by the living tissue storage unit 715.

  (D) Moreover, although the case where a prism was utilized was demonstrated, the optical member for biological information measurement which has the optical fiber bundles 1100 and 1101 which have the biological tissue measurement part 1113 as an edge part of an optical fiber of embodiment of this invention FIG. 11A is a bird's eye view of FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B is a schematic view when the living tissue 1199 is in close contact with the gap 1151 and the light 1152 is transmitted through the closely contacting living tissue 1199 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11B, optical fiber bundles 1100 and 1101 may be used.

  The light 1152 enters the optical fiber bundle 1100 from the light incident surface 1111, passes through the optical fiber bundle 1100, and enters the living tissue 1199 from the end of the optical fiber on the gap 1151 side. Then, the light 1152 exits the living tissue 1199, enters the optical fiber bundle 1101 from the end of the optical fiber on the gap 1151 side of the optical fiber bundle 1101, passes through the optical fiber bundle 1101, and passes through the optical fiber bundle 1101. Exits from.

  This is preferable because the biological information measuring optical member can be reduced in weight.

(Embodiment 4)
First, the configuration of the biological information calculation apparatus of the present embodiment will be described with reference mainly to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the biological information calculation apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The biological information calculation apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a light source 881 that emits light, the optical member 1 for measuring biological information described in the first embodiment, and light detection that detects light emitted from the prism 100. And a calculation unit 883 that calculates biological information related to a living body having a living tissue based on the detection result.

  Of course, a spectroscope (not shown) such as a spectroscopic device using a grating or a Fourier transform spectroscopic device may be provided between the light source 881 and the optical member 1 for measuring biological information.

The light source 881 is a means for emitting light having an absorption wavelength of a measurement component to be measured, such as an LD, an LED, a halogen light source, a semiconductor laser, a global light source obtained by sintering SiC in a rod shape, a CO ₂ laser, a tungsten lamp, or the like. is there. The case where the light source 881 is an LD is illustrated.

Light source 881, as glucose, wavenumber ^1033cm -1, when measuring a substance such as an absorption peak in the near infrared region in the infrared region and 1-2.5 micron in such 1080 cm ^-1, mid-infrared When measuring with light, a global light source is preferable from the viewpoint of covering a relatively wide wavelength range and emitting light well in a long wavelength region of about 10 micrometers. The light source 881 is preferably a halogen light source when measuring near infrared light of 1000 nm to 2500 nm.

  Thus, it is desirable that the emitted light includes light having a wavelength between 1000 nm and 10000 nm.

  In the case of the mid-infrared region, the photodetector 882 is an MCT detector using a mixed crystal of mercury, tellurium, cadmium, pyroelectric sensor, DTGS detector, thermistor, thermopile, go-ray cell, etc. Means such as PbS detector, InSb detector, PbSe detector, InGaAs detector, Si detector.

  The calculation unit 883 is a computer.

  Specific examples of the biological information to be calculated include information related to concentrations of glucose, triglyceride, urea, cholesterol (total cholesterol), and proteins.

  Note that the light source 881 corresponds to the light source of the present invention, the photodetector 882 corresponds to the photodetector of the present invention, and the calculation unit 883 corresponds to the calculation unit of the present invention.

  Next, the operation of the biological information calculation apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

  While describing the operation of the biological information calculation apparatus of the present embodiment, an embodiment of the biological information calculation method of the present invention will also be described.

  The light 852 emitted from the light source 881 enters the biological information measuring optical member 1.

  The light 852 incident on the biological information measuring optical member 1 is transmitted / scattered / absorbed by the biological tissue in contact with the biological tissue measuring unit 13 and is emitted from the light emitting surface 12 of the biological information measuring optical member 1. The

  Light 852 emitted from the biological information measuring optical member 1 is detected by a photodetector 882.

  The calculation unit 883 calculates biological information using the result of detection by the photodetector 882.

  According to the present embodiment, since the biological information measuring optical member 1 described in the first embodiment is used, the influence of stray light incident from a surface other than the biological tissue measurement unit is reduced, and the biological tissue The concentration of the target component in the test sample can be calculated stably and easily, and is useful, for example, for measuring body fluid components in medical applications.

  The program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the operation of all or part of the above-described biological information calculation method of the present invention, and is a program that operates in cooperation with the computer.

  The recording medium of the present invention is a recording medium carrying a program for causing a computer to execute all or part of the operations of all or part of the above-described biological information calculation method of the present invention. The recording medium is readable and the read program executes the operation in cooperation with the computer.

  The “partial steps” of the present invention means one or several steps out of the plurality of steps.

  The “step operation” of the present invention means the operation of all or part of the step.

  Further, one usage form of the program of the present invention may be an aspect in which the program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and operates in cooperation with the computer.

  Further, one usage form of the program of the present invention may be an aspect in which the program is transmitted through a transmission medium, read by a computer, and operated in cooperation with the computer.

  The recording medium includes a ROM and the like, and the transmission medium includes a transmission medium such as the Internet, light, radio waves, sound waves, and the like.

  The computer of the present invention described above is not limited to pure hardware such as a CPU, and may include firmware, an OS, and peripheral devices.

  As described above, the configuration of the present invention may be realized by software or hardware.

  The optical member for measuring biological information, the biological information calculating device, the biological information calculating method, the program, and the recording medium according to the present invention are useful because they can suppress adverse effects on the biological information measurement due to ambient light.

(A) Top view of the optical member for measuring biological information according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention (b) Side view of the optical member for measuring biological information according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention (c) Embodiment 1 of the present invention Bird's-eye view of optical member for measuring biological information The bird's-eye view of the optical member for biological information measurement in which the biological tissue measurement unit 213 and the prism cover 214 are separated in the embodiment of the present invention. (A) Bird's-eye view of the optical member for measuring biological information before operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention (b) Contacting the biological tissue measuring unit 313 after the operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention, that is, the living tissue (C) Cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of the biological member for measuring biological information before operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Bird's-eye view of the biological member for measuring biological information according to the third embodiment of the present invention (A) A bird's-eye view of an optical member for biological information measurement in which the biological tissue measurement unit 513 of the embodiment of the present invention has a groove 551. (b) The biological tissue 599 is in close contact with the groove 551 of the embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram when the light 552 is transmitted through the closely contacted living tissue 599 The bird's-eye view of the optical member for biological information measurement provided with the biological tissue measurement part 613 where the part which contacts biological tissue became round of embodiment of this invention The bird's-eye view of the optical member for biological information measurement provided with the prism cover 714 in which the part in contact with the biological tissue is round according to the embodiment of the present invention Schematic of the biological information calculation apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention The bird's-eye view of the optical member for biological information measurement in which the one-way valve 911 is provided in the suction hole 441 according to the embodiment of the present invention (A) A bird's-eye view of an optical member for biological information measurement in which the biological tissue measurement unit 1013 of the embodiment of the present invention has the groove 1051 (b) The biological tissue 1099 is in close contact with the groove 1051 of the embodiment of the present invention, Schematic diagram when the light 1052 is transmitted through the living body tissue 1099 in close contact (A) Bird's-eye view of an optical member for measuring biological information having optical fiber bundles 1100 and 1101 having a biological tissue measuring unit 1113 as an end of an optical fiber according to an embodiment of the present invention. (B) An embodiment of the present invention The schematic view when the living tissue 1199 is closely attached to the gap 1151 and the light 1152 is transmitted through the closely attached living tissue 1199. Bird's-eye view of conventional optical member for measuring biological information

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Light incident surface 12 Light output surface 13 Biological tissue measurement part 14 Prism cover 15 Biological tissue storage part 16 Dimming means 100 Prism 331 Biological tissue storage part cover 332 Notch 333 Spring 334 Notch part 441 Suction hole 499 Pump 551 Groove 552 Light 881 Light source 882 Photodetector 883 Calculation unit

Claims (18)

The incident surface on which the emitted light is incident, the contact surface in contact with the living tissue, and the light reflected by the contact surface in contact with the living tissue, or the living tissue through the contact surface in contact with the living tissue An optical element having an exit surface that emits light that has passed through
An optical member for measuring biological information, comprising: an optical element cover that exposes the contact surface and surrounds all or a part of an outer peripheral portion of the optical element.   The optical member for measuring biological information according to claim 1, wherein a space in which a part of the biological tissue can enter is formed between the optical element and the optical element cover.   The optical member for measuring biological information according to claim 2, wherein the contact surface protrudes outside the space. A movable space cover provided to cover the space;
The optical member for biological information measurement according to claim 2, wherein the space cover sinks into the space when pressed by the biological tissue that is in contact with the contact surface.   The biological member for measuring biological information according to claim 4, wherein the space cover is held by an elastic body.   The optical member for measuring biological information according to claim 2, further comprising a decompression unit that decompresses the space when the biological tissue is in contact with the contact surface. A movable space cover having a window provided to cover the space;
When the space cover is pressed by the living tissue in contact with the contact surface, the space cover sinks into the space,
The biological information measuring optical member according to claim 6, wherein the decompression unit decompresses the space by exhausting air through the window.   The biological member for measuring biological information according to claim 1, further comprising a dimming unit provided on all or part of the outer surface of the optical element cover.   9. The optical member for measuring biological information according to claim 8, wherein the dimming means is at least one of a light reflector that reflects light, a light absorber that absorbs light, and a light scatterer that scatters light. .   The biological member for measuring biological information according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface has a groove.   The optical member for measuring biological information according to claim 10, wherein the optical element has a refractive index of 1.55 or more.   The biological member for measuring biological information according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface has a curved surface.   The optical member for measuring biological information according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the end face of the optical element cover that contacts the living tissue has a curved surface. An optical member for measuring biological information according to claim 1,
A light source that emits the light;
A photodetector for detecting the light emitted from the emission surface;
A biological information calculation apparatus comprising: a calculation unit that calculates biological information related to a living body having the living tissue based on the detection result.   The biological information calculation apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the calculated biological information is information related to a concentration of a substance contained in the biological tissue. The incident surface on which the emitted light is incident, the contact surface in contact with the living tissue, and the light reflected by the contact surface in contact with the living tissue, or the living tissue through the contact surface in contact with the living tissue A living body having an optical element having an emission surface that emits light that has passed through the optical element, and an optical element cover that exposes the contact surface and surrounds all or part of the outer peripheral portion of the optical element A biological information calculation method using an optical member for information measurement,
A light emitting step for emitting the light;
A light detection step of detecting the light emitted from the emission surface;
A biological information calculation method comprising: a calculation step of calculating biological information related to a living body having the living tissue based on the detection result.   The program for making a computer perform the calculating step which calculates the biological information regarding the biological body which has the said biological tissue based on the result of the detection of the biological information calculation method of Claim 16. A recording medium carrying the program according to claim 17, which can be processed by a computer.

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