Blood substance concentration measurement device, blood substance concentration measurement method, and program

Abstract

This blood substance concentration measurement device comprises: a measurement means 2, 3, 83, 84 that measures information related to a target site of a subject; a light irradiation unit 2 that irradiates a specific region in a subject part Mp0 at the target site with laser light; a photodetector 3 that receives signal light reflected from the subject and detects the intensity of the signal light; an optical member 4 that focuses laser light on the specific region in the subject part Mp0 at the target site, and forms an image of the signal light emitted from the region where the laser light is focused on the photodetector 3; an optical member movable means 5 that changes the state of the optical member 4; and a control unit 9 that obtains the concentration of a blood substance in the region where the laser light is focused on the basis of the intensity of the signal light. The measurement means 2, 3 measures information related to the target site, and the optical member movable means 5 changes the state of the optical member 4 on the basis of the information related to the target site.

Description

Blood substance concentration measuring device, blood substance concentration measuring method, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for measuring the concentration of a substance contained in blood flowing through a blood vessel of a living body using a non-invasive measurement method.

[0002] In the prevention and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases, it is important to routinely monitor blood glucose levels, blood lipid levels, etc. In particular, patients with diabetes, one of the lifestyle-related diseases, are required to measure the glucose concentration in their blood and manage their blood glucose levels on a daily basis to prevent complications. This has traditionally been achieved by invasive methods, in which blood samples are taken from patients and chemical analysis is performed.

[0003] In response to this, simple non-invasive methods have been proposed in recent years for optically analyzing the state of blood in the body without blood sampling (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0004] International Publication No. 2016 / 117520 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-168670

[0005] However, the conventional non-invasive blood substance concentration measuring devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 use the finger as the measurement site, and perform measurement with the palm of the finger in contact with a light irradiation window provided on the outer surface of the measuring device. Therefore, the subject is required to be in contact with part of the measuring device, which makes it difficult to measure the blood substance concentration of the subject in various situations in daily life or during activities.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a blood substance concentration measuring device, a blood substance concentration measuring method, and a program that can more easily and stably measure the blood substance concentration not only on fingers but also on other exposed parts of the subject's body as measurement target areas.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a blood substance concentration measuring device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a blood substance concentration measuring device that measures the concentration of a blood substance contained in the blood of a test part in a target region of a test subject, and is equipped with a measuring means that measures information related to the target region of the test subject, a light irradiating unit that irradiates laser light toward a specific region in the test part in the target region, a photodetector that receives signal light reflected from the test subject based on the laser light and detects the intensity of the signal light, an optical element that focuses the laser light on the specific region in the test part in the target region and forms an image of the signal light emitted from the region in the test part where the laser light is focused on the photodetector, an optical element moving means that changes the state of the optical element, and a control unit that determines the concentration of the blood substance in the region where the laser light is focused based on the intensity of the signal light, wherein the measuring means measures the information related to the target region, and the optical element moving means changes the state of the optical element based on the information related to the target region.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a blood substance concentration measuring device, a blood substance concentration measuring method, and a program can be provided that can more easily and stably measure blood substance concentrations on not only fingers but also other exposed parts of the subject's body as measurement target areas.

[0009] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state during measurement of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the blood substance concentration measuring device 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the blood substance measurement operation by the blood substance concentration measuring device 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1A according to a modified example in which the light irradiating unit 2 is modified to a different form. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1B according to a modified example in which the light irradiating unit 2 is modified to a different form. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1C according to a modified example in which the light irradiating unit 2 is modified to a different form. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another state of the configuration between the optical member 4 and the target site Ob in the blood substance concentration measuring devices 1 to 1C. FIG. 8(a) is a schematic diagram showing a state during measurement of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1D according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 8(b) is a perspective view of the blood substance concentration measuring device 1D. FIG. 9 is a plan cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the blood substance concentration measuring device 1D according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the blood substance measurement operation by the blood substance concentration measuring device 1D. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the adjustment operation of the blood substance concentration measuring device 1D. 1A is a plan cross-sectional view for explaining the adjustment operation of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1D. FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1E according to a third embodiment. FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram showing another aspect of the configuration of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1F according to a modified example. FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1G according to a modified example. (a) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an example of the blood substance concentration measuring device 1G, (b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the position of a target site Ob of a subject measured using the example of the blood substance concentration measuring device 1G and the intensity of detected signal light, and (c) is a diagram showing the change in the blood glucose level of the subject over time. FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1H according to a modified example. (a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the operation of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1H according to a modified example. (a) and (b) are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of a light irradiator 2G and a photodetector 3G in a blood substance concentration measuring device 1H according to a modified example. FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1I according to a modified example. 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of a light irradiator 2I and a photodetector 3I in a blood substance concentration measuring device 1I according to a modified example, and are diagrams for explaining the operation of the blood substance concentration measuring device 1I according to the modified example.1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the operation of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1I according to a modified example. A schematic diagram showing the configuration of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1J according to a modified example. A flowchart showing the blood substance measurement operation by blood substance concentration measuring devices 1E, 1F, and 1J. A flowchart showing the blood substance measurement operation by blood substance concentration measuring devices 1G and 1H. A flowchart showing the blood substance measurement operation by blood substance concentration measuring device 1I. (a) to (c) are diagrams showing the combined conditions of the incident angle of laser light L1 with respect to the skin surface of target site Ob and the exit angle (installation angle) of photodetector 3 with respect to the skin surface of target site Ob in an evaluation test. (b) are diagrams showing the results of a blood substance concentration measurement test under conditions 1 and 2 using an example of the blood substance concentration measuring device 1 and a comparative example using a flash glucose monitor (FGM). (c) are diagrams showing the results of a blood substance concentration measurement test under conditions 3 and 4 using an example of the blood substance concentration measuring device 1 and a comparative example using FGM. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the results of a blood substance concentration measurement test using an embodiment of the blood substance concentration measurement device 1 and a comparative example using FGM under conditions 5 and 6.

[0010] Overview of a form for carrying out the present invention A blood substance concentration measuring device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a blood substance concentration measuring device that measures the concentration of a blood substance contained in the blood of a test portion in a target region of a test subject, and is characterized by comprising: a measuring means that measures information related to the target region of the test subject; a light irradiating unit that irradiates laser light toward a specific region in the test portion in the target region; a photodetector that receives signal light reflected from the test subject based on the laser light and detects the intensity of the signal light; an optical member that focuses the laser light on the specific region in the test portion in the target region and forms an image of the signal light emitted from the region in the test portion where the laser light is focused on the photodetector; optical member moving means that changes the state of the optical member; and a control unit that determines the concentration of the blood substance in the region where the laser light is focused based on the intensity of the signal light.

[0011] In another aspect, in any of the above aspects, the optical member moving means may be configured to change the state of the optical member based on information related to the target site.

[0012] In another aspect, in any of the above aspects, the measuring means may include a distance-related information measuring means that measures, as information related to the target site, information that changes based on the distance from a specific position on the optical path of the laser light and the signal light to the target site, the optical element being on a common optical path of the laser light and the signal light, and the optical element moving means, based on the information measured by the distance-related information measuring means, moving the optical element along the common optical path to a position where an area where the laser light is focused can coincide with a specific area in the test part in the target site and where an image of the signal light emitted from the area where the laser light is focused can be formed on a photodetector, thereafter the light irradiating unit irradiates laser light, the photodetector receives signal light based on the laser light and detects the intensity of the signal light, and the control unit may measure the concentration of the blood substance based on the intensity of the signal light.

[0013] With this configuration, the operator can measure the concentration of a substance in the blood by pointing the tip of the blood substance concentration measuring device toward the target area of ​​the subject and irradiating the target area with laser light. Therefore, by taking advantage of the characteristics of optical measurement, it is possible to more easily and stably measure the concentration of a substance in the blood not only on the fingers but also on exposed areas of the subject's body, such as the forehead, as the measurement target area.

[0014] In another aspect, in any of the above aspects, the measuring means includes distance measuring means for measuring a distance from a specific position on the optical path of the laser light and the signal light to the target site as information related to the target site, the optical member includes a first optical member for focusing the laser light on a specific region in the test part at the target site, and a second optical member for forming an image of the signal light emitted from the region in the test part where the laser light is focused on a photodetector, and the optical member moving means includes first position changing means for controlling the position of the first optical member on the optical path of the laser light, and second position changing means for controlling the position of the second optical member on the optical path of the signal light. and a position change means, wherein the first position change means, based on the distance measured by the distance measurement means, moves the position of the first optical element to a position where the area where the laser light is focused can coincide with a specific area in the subject part at the target site, and the second position change means, based on the distance measured by the distance measurement means, moves the second optical element to a position where an image of the signal light emitted from the area where the laser light is focused can be formed on a photodetector, thereafter the light irradiating unit irradiates laser light, the photodetector receives signal light based on the laser light and detects the intensity of the signal light, and the control unit measures the concentration of the substance in the blood based on the intensity of the signal light.

[0015] In another aspect, in any of the above aspects, the measuring means includes a position measuring means for measuring, as information related to the target site, the position of the target site relative to a specific position on the optical paths of the laser light and the signal light, and the optical members include a first optical member located on the optical path of the laser light and focusing the laser light on a specific region in the test part at the target site, and a second optical member located on the optical path of the signal light and forming an image of the signal light emitted from the region in the test part at the target site where the laser light is focused on a photodetector, and the optical member moving means includes a first angle changing means for changing the emission angle of the first optical member and a second angle changing means for changing the entrance angle of the second optical member. and a second angle changing means, wherein the first angle changing means changes the emission angle of the first optical element based on the position measured by the position measuring means to a direction in which the area where the laser light is focused can coincide with a specific area in the subject part at the target site, and the second angle changing means changes the light entrance angle of the second optical element based on the position measured by the position measuring means to a direction in which an image of the signal light emitted from the area where the laser light is focused can be formed on a photodetector, thereafter the light irradiating unit irradiates laser light, the photodetector receives signal light based on the laser light and detects the intensity of the signal light, and the control unit measures the concentration of the substance in the blood based on the intensity of the signal light.

[0016] With this configuration, the subject faces the front of the blood substance concentration measuring device, and the blood substance concentration can be measured while an image of the target area of ​​the subject taken by the camera is displayed on the display unit of the main body.This makes it possible to take advantage of the characteristics of optical measurement and more easily and stably measure the blood substance concentration by using not only the fingers but also the subject's face, etc. as the measurement target area.

[0017] In another aspect, in any of the above aspects, the measuring means includes a detection means that detects the extent of the target area of ​​the subject in space as information related to the target area, and the optical element moving means is configured to be able to change the position and angle of the optical element at a plurality of positions in space so that the area where the laser light is focused can coincide with a specific area in the subject area and so that an image of the signal light emitted from the area where the laser light is focused can be formed on a photodetector, and the optical element moving means may be configured to select a measurement position from the plurality of positions based on the extent of the target area detected by the detection means and change the position and angle of the optical element to suit the measurement position, thereafter the light irradiating unit irradiates laser light, the photodetector receives signal light based on the laser light and detects the intensity of the signal light, and the control unit measures the concentration of the blood substance based on the intensity of the signal light.

[0018] With this configuration, when a subject passes through a specified route, such as a corridor within a building or an athletics track, or when the subject passes through a specified area, such as the entrance to a building, the target area of ​​the subject can be identified more accurately, and the concentration of a substance in the blood can be measured.

[0019] In another aspect, in any of the above aspects, the measuring means includes a detection means that detects the extent of the target site of the subject in space as information related to the target site, and the optical member moving means is configured to change the position and angle of the optical member at a plurality of positions in space so that the area where the laser light is focused can coincide with a specific area in the test part at the target site and so that an image of the signal light emitted from the area where the laser light is focused can be formed on a photodetector, the detection means detects the extent of the target site of the subject, the optical member moving means changes the position and angle of the optical member to suit each of the plurality of positions, the light irradiating unit irradiates laser light to each of the plurality of positions, the photodetector receives signal light obtained based on the laser light and detects the intensity of each of the signal light, the control unit measures the concentration of the substance in the blood based on the intensity of the obtained signal light, and further selects a measurement target position from the plurality of positions based on the extent of the target site, and selects the concentration of the substance in the blood corresponding to the measurement target position.

[0020] According to this configuration, the distribution of blood concentrations of substances can be measured with the entire body of the subject as the target region Ob.

[0021] In another aspect, in any of the above aspects, there is provided a blood substance concentration measuring device for measuring the concentration of a blood substance contained in the blood of a subject in a target region of a subject, the blood substance concentration measuring device including: a detection means for detecting whether the target region of the subject is present within a specific range in space; a light irradiating unit for irradiating a laser beam toward a specific region in the subject region in the target region; a photodetector for receiving signal light from the subject based on the laser beam and detecting the intensity of the signal light; and a light condensing unit for condensing the laser beam onto the specific region in the subject region in the target region located within the specific range. The device may also include an optical element that forms an image of the signal light emitted from a region in the subject area where the laser light is focused on a photodetector, and a control unit that determines the concentration of the blood substance in the region where the laser light is focused based on the intensity of the signal light, wherein when the detection means detects that the target area is present in a specific range in space, the light irradiating unit irradiates laser light, the photodetector receives signal light based on the laser light and detects the intensity of the signal light, and the control unit measures the concentration of the blood substance based on the intensity of the signal light.

[0022] With this configuration, the angle adjustment function can be eliminated from the light irradiation unit and the photodetector, simplifying the device, and in cases where it is certain that the target area of ​​the subject will pass through a predetermined target range, the concentration of a substance in the blood can be measured using a cheaper device.

[0023] In another aspect, in any of the above aspects, the positions of the light irradiation unit and the optical member relative to the subject part may be defined so that a blood vessel region located inward from the epidermis in the subject part overlaps with a region where the laser light is focused by the optical member, and the positions of the photodetector and the optical member relative to the subject part may be defined so that an image of the signal light emitted from the blood vessel region that overlaps with the region where the laser light is focused is transferred by the optical member and formed on the light receiving surface of the photodetector.

[0024] In another aspect, in any of the above aspects, in a section of the optical path from the light irradiation unit to the subject part from the light irradiation unit to the surface of the subject part, the laser light may propagate through space except for a section passing through the optical member, and in a section of the optical path from the subject part to the photodetector from the surface of the subject part to the light receiving surface of the photodetector, the signal light may propagate through space except for a section passing through the optical member.

[0025] In another aspect, a blood substance concentration measurement method according to the embodiment is a blood substance concentration measurement method for measuring the concentration of a blood substance contained in the blood of a test part in a target region of a test subject, and may be configured to measure information related to the target region of the test subject using a measurement means, change the state of an optical element based on the information related to the target region using an optical element moving means, irradiate laser light toward a specific region in the test part in the target region using a light irradiation unit, focus the laser light on the specific region in the test part in the target region using an optical element, form an image of the signal light emitted from the region in the test part where the laser light is focused on a photodetector, receive signal light from the test subject based on the laser light using the photodetector and detect the intensity of the signal light, and determine the concentration of the blood substance in the region where the laser light is focused based on the intensity of the signal light.

[0026] This configuration makes it possible to realize a method for measuring the concentration of a substance in blood that can more easily and stably measure the concentration of a substance in blood by using not only fingers but also exposed parts of the subject's body as measurement target areas.

[0027] In another aspect, a program for blood substance concentration measurement processing according to an embodiment is a program that causes a computer to perform blood substance concentration measurement processing for measuring the concentration of a blood substance contained in the blood of a subject part in a target region of a subject, and the blood substance concentration measurement processing may be configured to measure information related to the target region of the subject using a measurement means, change the state of an optical element based on the information related to the target region using an optical element moving means, irradiate laser light toward a specific region in the subject part in the target region using a light irradiation unit, focus the laser light on the specific region in the subject part in the target region using an optical element, form an image of the signal light emitted from the region in the subject part where the laser light is focused on a photodetector, receive signal light from the subject based on the laser light using the photodetector, detect the intensity of the signal light, and determine the concentration of the blood substance in the region where the laser light is focused based on the intensity of the signal light.

[0028] With this configuration, a program can be realized that can measure blood substance concentrations more easily and stably, using not only fingers but also exposed areas of the subject's body as measurement target areas.

[0029] Embodiment 1 A blood substance concentration measuring device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the positive height direction may be referred to as the "up" direction, and the negative height direction may be referred to as the "down" direction. The surface facing the positive height direction may be referred to as the "front" surface, and the surface facing the negative height direction may be referred to as the "back" surface. The scales of the components in the drawings are not necessarily the same as those of the actual components. Furthermore, "perpendicular" and "parallel" may have an angle difference from 90° or 0°, respectively, as long as the functionality is not substantially impaired. Furthermore, in this specification, the symbol "to" used to indicate a numerical range includes both the values ​​at both ends. Furthermore, the materials, values, etc. described in this embodiment are merely preferred examples and are not limited thereto.

[0030] <Overall Configuration> A blood substance concentration measuring device 1 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "device 1") according to embodiment 1 is an instrument that non-invasively measures the blood substance concentration of a living organism in a vascular region by irradiating a vascular region of the living organism with laser light of a specific wavelength from a light source and detecting the intensity of signal light emitted from the vascular region. The laser light used is light of a specific wavelength that can be absorbed by the substance to be measured. When the blood substance concentration is high, absorption by the substance causes the vascular region to emit signal light in which the intensity of light of some wavelengths is weakened compared to the irradiated laser light; therefore, device 1 measures the blood substance concentration by measuring the intensity of the signal light with a photodetector.

[0031] Conventional blood substance concentration measuring devices are configured to measure the surface of a living finger as the test part, with the palm surface of the finger being in contact with a measurement base. In contrast, the device 1 according to the first embodiment is characterized in that it is configured to measure the blood substance concentration more easily by using another part of the subject's body as the measurement target part instead of the finger.

[0032] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the state of measurement by the device 1. In the blood substance concentration measuring device 1, when a target site Ob on the skin of a subject, for example, the forehead, is set as the target site, Ob, the operator performs measurement by pointing the tip portion 1a of the device 1 toward the subject's forehead and irradiating the surface of the subject's forehead with laser light L1. At this time, the operator of the device 1 performs measurement by pointing the tip portion 1a of the device 1 toward the subject's forehead and holding the main body portion 1b of the device 1 so that the angle between the emission direction of the laser light L1 and the surface of the subject's forehead falls within a predetermined range θc.

[0033] As a result, in the device 1, laser light L1 is irradiated from an internal light source onto the subject part Mp0 located in the skin of the target part Ob, and signal light L2 reflected from the subject part Mp0 is received by an internal photodetector, thereby measuring the concentration of a substance in the blood. This configuration makes it possible to more easily measure the concentration of a substance in the subject's blood. Note that the device 1 can also perform measurements on exposed parts of the subject's body other than the forehead as the target part Ob.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the device 1 includes a light irradiation unit 2, a photodetector 3, an optical element 4, an optical element moving means 5, and a control unit 9, with each element being housed within the main body 1b of the device 1. Specifically, the light irradiation unit 2 is disposed at a position where it can emit laser light L1 from the tip 1a of the device 1, the optical element 4 is disposed on the optical path of the laser light L1, the photodetector 3 is disposed on the optical path of the signal light L2 that has passed through the optical element 4, and the optical element moving means 5 is mechanically connected to the optical element 4. The control unit 9 is also electrically connected to the light irradiation unit 2, the photodetector 3, and the optical element moving means 5. The configuration of each element of the device 1 will be described below.

[0035] <Configuration of Each Part> (Light Irradiation Unit 2) The light irradiation unit 2 is a light source that irradiates a living body with laser light L1 of a specific wavelength toward a subject portion Mp0 of a target portion Ob of the subject. The light irradiation unit 2 includes a laser light source 21 configured to be able to irradiate a target measurement laser light (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "target measurement laser light") that oscillates at a wavelength that is absorbed by a blood substance that is a measurement target substance (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "target blood substance").

[0036] Furthermore, in the device 1, the light irradiating unit 2 is configured to modulate the wavelength of the laser light so that it can selectively irradiate the measurement laser light, which oscillates to a wavelength that is absorbed by a different blood substance, with the target measurement laser light, thereby adopting an aspect in which the types of detectable blood substances are differentiated.

[0037] The laser light source 21 includes a light-emitting element that emits pump light having a wavelength shorter than the pulsed mid-infrared light, and an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) that converts the pump light to a longer wavelength, amplifies the light, and emits it as laser light. The light-emitting element may be, for example, a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (oscillation wavelength: 1.064 μm) or a Q-switched Yb:YAG laser (oscillation wavelength: 1.030 μm). The optical parametric oscillator may have a configuration described in a known document, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-281891. This allows for the generation of laser light L1 with a higher intensity than conventional light sources.

[0038] For example, glucose can be used as a blood substance to be measured. In this case, the irradiated laser light is mid-infrared light, for example, light having a wavelength selected from the range of 2.5 μm to 12 μm, and the wavelength oscillated by optical parametric oscillation may be a predetermined wavelength selected from mid-infrared light.

[0039] This allows the glucose concentration in the subject's blood to be measured as a blood glucose level. In this case, it is necessary to measure the glucose concentration in the blood vessels inside the skin, and mid-infrared light, which does not easily penetrate deep into the body, is directly irradiated onto the blood vessels (capillaries) inside the skin. By identifying the location of the blood vessels inside the skin and irradiating them with mid-infrared light, it becomes possible to observe only the blood vessels, which has the effect of being less affected by other biological components present deep inside.

[0040] On the other hand, a different blood substance is measured for adjustment before measuring the target blood substance, and a blood substance is selected that has a higher laser light absorption rate than the measurement target substance, and therefore has high measurement sensitivity, high blood concentration stability, and small measurement result variability. By performing an adjustment measurement of a blood substance with this configuration before performing a target measurement, the measurement accuracy of the measurement target can be improved. As an example, hemoglobin can be selected as the blood substance.

[0041] By detecting hemoglobin in blood vessels, the position of capillaries in a living body can be detected, and the optimal position of the measurement target portion Mp in the test portion Mp0 of the test subject's target site Ob can be identified when measuring a measurement target substance. In this case, the laser light to be irradiated for hemoglobin measurement is light of a wavelength selected from mid-infrared light, and has a predetermined wavelength selected from the range of 5.0 μm to 12 μm. To change the wavelength of the light emitted by the light irradiator 2, the oscillation wavelength of the optical parametric oscillator of the light irradiator 2 is changed to a different mode.

[0042] The light irradiation unit 2 may include a diaphragm 22 in the optical path of the laser light L1. The diaphragm 22 is made of a plate-like member having light-blocking properties, and has an opening (aperture) at the center. The center of the opening coincides with the optical axis of the laser light L1. The aperture may be configured to narrow the beam diameter of the laser light L1 to, for example, about 1 / 3.

[0043] By providing the light irradiation unit 2 with the diaphragm 22, it is possible to reduce variation in the irradiation position of the laser light L1 irradiated onto the target area Ob of the subject. Furthermore, by using the diaphragm 22 in the optical path of the laser light L1 to serve as the image source, it is possible to use the laser light L1 for object measurement as guide light used in the adjustment process. By using light with the same wavelength as the laser light for object measurement as guide light in the adjustment process, it is not necessary to correct minute alignment errors that occur due to differences in wavelength from the laser light for object measurement.

[0044] The light irradiating unit 2 is electrically connected to a control unit 9 (described later) and outputs a laser beam L1 based on a control signal from the control unit 9 .

[0045] (Photodetector 3) The photodetector 3 is a light-receiving unit that receives signal light L2 emitted from a laser light focusing region of the target site Ob of the subject based on the irradiated laser light L1 and detects the intensity of the signal light L2. The photodetector 3 is disposed on the optical path of the signal light L2 that has passed through the optical member 4, and is composed of an infrared sensor 31 and a beam splitter 32.

[0046] The beam splitter 32 is a non-polarized or polarized beam splitter (branching optical element) that is arranged in the optical paths of the laser light L1 and the signal light L2, transmits the laser light L1 irradiated from the light irradiation unit 2 and guides it to the subject part Mp0 of the target site Ob, and reflects the signal light L2 reflected from the subject part Mp0 and guides it to the infrared sensor 31, splitting the light at a certain intensity ratio.

[0047] The infrared sensor 31 is a near-infrared or mid-infrared sensor. The wavelength range of sensitivity of the near-infrared sensor used in the infrared sensor 31 may be, for example, 0.78 μm to 2.5 μm, and the wavelength range of sensitivity of the mid-infrared sensor may be, for example, 2.5 μm to 20 μm. The photodetector 3 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the received signal light L2. The photodetector 3 may be, for example, an infrared sensor consisting of a single element, or a two-dimensional infrared sensor in which multiple elements are arranged in a matrix, which outputs the intensity of the signal light L2 as a one-dimensional voltage value. The photodetector 3 may be a simple uncooled type, an electronically cooled type, or the like.

[0048] In the device 1, the light irradiation unit 2 increases the intensity of the irradiated laser light L1, and the optical member 4 described later forms an image of the signal light L2 emitted from the laser light focusing region on the light receiving surface 31a of the photodetector 3, thereby enabling the photodetector 3 to receive signal light of a sufficiently high intensity relative to background light, achieving a high S / N ratio and enabling highly accurate measurements. The photodetector 3 is electrically connected to a control unit 9 described later, and outputs the intensity of the signal light received by the element to the control unit 9 as a one-dimensional voltage value based on a control signal from the control unit 9.

[0049] (Optical member 4) The optical member 4 is arranged on the optical path of the laser light L1 and the signal light L2 and is held by an optical member holder 51. The optical member 4 is composed of a condenser lens 41, and has the function of condensing the irradiated light onto a specific region in the subject part Mp0 on the optical path of the laser light L1 from the light irradiating unit 2 to the target part Ob of the subject, as shown in Fig. 2 .

[0050] The laser light L1 that has passed through the optical member 4 is incident on the target site Ob of the subject, passes through the epithelial stromal tissue of the living body, is scattered or diffusely reflected, and is emitted toward the photodetector 3 as signal light L2.

[0051] At the same time, the optical element 4 has the function of forming an image of the signal light L2 emitted by diffuse reflection on the photodetector 3 in the optical path of the signal light L2 from the subject portion Mp0 of the target portion Ob of the subject to the photodetector 3.

[0052] In this example, in the section on the outward optical path from the light irradiation unit 2 to the surface of the target site Ob of the subject, the laser light L1 is configured to propagate through space, such as gas, except for the section passing through the optical member 4. Similarly, in the section on the return optical path from the surface of the target site Ob of the subject to the light-receiving surface 31 a of the photodetector 3, the signal light L2 is configured to propagate through space, except for the section passing through the optical member 4.

[0053] The optical member 4 defines the distance between the object part Mp0 of the target part Ob and the diaphragm 22 of the light irradiation part 2 as f ＩＮ , 1 / f ＩＮ = 1 / a ＩＮ +1 / b ＩＮ When ＩＮ :b ＩＮ Alternatively, the electrodes may be arranged at a position that divides the electrodes into two.

[0054] The optical design of the device 1 is such that the specific region where the laser light L1 is focused is set to a depth corresponding to a blood vessel region located inward from the epidermis in the subject portion Mp0, for example, a biological portion located inward from the epidermis, such as the dermis. In this specification, the region in the subject portion Mp0 where the laser light L1 is focused may be referred to as the laser light focusing region. The blood vessel region is located, for example, in a biological portion located inward from the epidermis, such as the dermis (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "biological portion"). The depth corresponding to the blood vessel region may be, for example, 0.5 mm or more and 3.5 mm or less, for example, 1.5 mm.

[0055] The angle of incidence of the laser light L1 on the subject part Mp0 is determined by the angle of the optical path of the laser light L1 from the light irradiation unit 2 to the laser light condensation, with reference to a normal to a portion where the laser light L1 is incident on the skin surface of the target part Ob of the subject placed on the main surface 10a of the base 10. In this embodiment, the angle of incidence may be, for example, not less than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, more preferably not less than 0 degrees and not more than 80 degrees, and even more preferably not less than 0 degrees and not more than 65 degrees.

[0056] The angle of incidence of the signal light L2 on the optical member 4 is determined by the angle of the optical axis of the signal light L2, which passes through the center of the optical member 4, relative to a normal to the portion of the skin surface of the subject portion Mp0 from which the signal light L2 is emitted. The angle of the optical axis passing through the center of the optical member 4 is equal to the installation angle of the photodetector 3 with respect to the skin surface of the target portion Ob of the subject described above, and in this embodiment, may be, for example, greater than −90 degrees and less than 90 degrees, more preferably, greater than or equal to −80 degrees and less than or equal to 80 degrees, and even more preferably, greater than or equal to −10 degrees and less than or equal to 25 degrees.

[0057] (Optical Element Movable Means 5) The optical element movable means 5 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "movable means 5") includes an optical element holder 51 that holds the optical element 4, and a position changer 52 that is connected to the optical element holder 51 and includes a linear transport mechanism that can reversibly move the optical element 4 along the optical path from the beam splitter 32 to the subject portion Mp0, i.e., along the common optical path of the laser light L1 and the signal light L2. That is, the position changer 52 has the function of simultaneously changing the distance of the optical element 4 from the image origin (aperture 22) of the light irradiation unit 2 and the subject portion Mp0, and the optical distances of the optical element 4 from the light irradiation unit 2 and the photodetector 3, by moving the optical element 4 along the common optical path of the laser light L1 and the signal light L2 from the subject portion Mp0 to the beam splitter 32.

[0058] As a result, by moving the optical element 4 along the common optical path using the position changing means 52 while irradiating the laser light L1 from the light irradiation unit 2, the position of the optical element 4 can be adjusted in a direction parallel to the common optical path of the laser light L1 and the signal light L2 so that an image of a depth corresponding to the vascular region in the subject part Mp0 is transferred to the light receiving surface 31a of the photodetector 3 as an image of equivalent size.

[0059] The position changing means 52 may be configured to reversibly move the infrared sensor 31 together with the optical member 4 along the optical path of the signal light L2.

[0060] A general-purpose linear transport mechanism such as a linear motor or a lead screw can be used as the position changing means 52. Alternatively, the laser optical path may be changed by inserting a reflecting mechanism (mirror) equipped with a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) actuator using a piezoelectric element into the laser optical path.

[0061] The movable means 5 is electrically connected to the control unit 9 described later, and is driven by a control signal issued from the control unit 9 to move the optical element 4 to a predetermined position along the common optical path, and output position information in that direction to the control unit 9.

[0062] (Controller 9) The controller 9 is a circuit electrically connected to the light irradiator 2, the photodetector 3, and the movable means 5, and drives the laser light source 21 of the light irradiator 2 to oscillate pulsed pump light, detects the light intensity of the signal light L2 based on the output signal from the photodetector 3, and calculates the blood substance concentration in the vascular region of the subject Mp0. At this time, the controller 9 may input the output of the monitor photodetector and normalize the output of the photodetector 3 using the output of the monitor photodetector.

[0063] The control unit 9 is also electrically connected to the movable means 5 and functions as a control circuit that drives the position changing means 52 of the movable means 5, and as described above, adjusts the position of the optical element 4 by outputting a control signal to the movable means 5 to transport the optical element 4. Specifically, the control unit 9 is configured to input the received light intensity of the signal light L2 from the photodetector 3 while the laser light L1 is being irradiated from the light irradiation unit 2, and to drive the position changing means 52 to move the optical element 4, for example, reversibly, along the common optical path of the laser light L1 and the signal light L2, thereby searching for a position of the optical element 4 where the absolute value of the intensity of the signal light L2 or its distribution on the light receiving surface takes a predetermined form, and to transport the optical element 4 to that position.

[0064] The control unit 9 may be configured to include, for example, a control unit (not shown) incorporating a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a data storage unit (not shown).

[0065] The data storage unit includes a volatile memory such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk. The output signal acquired by the photodetector 3 is transmitted to and stored in the data storage unit. Position information of the optical element 4 in a direction parallel to the optical path output from the movable means 5 is also transmitted to and stored in the data storage unit. The blood substance concentration calculated by the control unit may also be stored in the data storage unit. The data storage unit stores programs and the like necessary to execute the functions of the device 1, and also functions as a temporary storage area for temporarily storing the calculation results of the control unit.

[0066] The CPU reads out and executes a program from the data storage unit, thereby realizing the functions of the device 1. As a result, the control unit 9 performs the blood substance concentration measurement process (described later) based on a predetermined program, which includes the above-mentioned operations of transporting the photodetector 3, irradiating the laser light L1 from the light irradiating unit 2, and calculating the blood substance concentration based on a signal from the photodetector 3.

[0067] <Operation of Blood Substance Concentration Measuring Device 1> Next, an overview of the operation of the device 1 will be described. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the blood substance concentration measuring operation by the blood substance concentration measuring device 1. In Fig. 3, steps S1 to S6 are adjustment steps for adjusting the position of the optical member 4 in a direction parallel to the common optical path of the laser light L1 and the signal light L2 by moving the optical member 4 along the common optical path with the position changing means 52 while the laser light L1 is being irradiated from the light irradiating unit 2, so that an image of a depth corresponding to a blood vessel region in the subject portion Mp0 is transferred to the light receiving surface 31a of the photodetector 3 as an image of equivalent size.

[0068] Steps S7 and S8 are steps of measuring the concentration of the measurement target substance in a state where the focused laser light is included in the blood vessel region in the subject part Mp0.

[0069] First, the control unit 9 drives the position changing means 52 of the movable means 5 based on a control signal to move the optical member 4 to the starting position (step S1), then the light irradiating unit 2 irradiates laser light for the adjustment process (step S2), and the photodetector 3 measures the light intensity and / or light intensity distribution of the signal light L2 (step S3). In this case, the light irradiating unit 2 and the photodetector 3 constitute a distance-related information measuring means that measures information that changes based on the distance from a specific position on the optical path of the laser light L1 and the signal light L2 to the target site Ob. In this case, the laser light for the adjustment process irradiated from the light irradiating unit 2 may be light of the same wavelength as the laser light for target measurement, or light of a different wavelength, as long as it can be detected by the photodetector 3.

[0070] The control unit 9 calculates and stores the absolute value of the light intensity of the signal light L2 and / or the light intensity distribution of the signal light L2 on the light-receiving surface 31a based on the output signal from the photodetector 3. At the same time, it stores the position information of the optical member 4 involved in the measurement.

[0071] Next, it is determined whether the optical member 4 is at the end position (step S4), and if it is not at the end position (step S4: No), the position of the optical member 4 is gradually moved (step S5) and the process returns to step S2, whereas if it is at the end position (step S4: Yes), the process proceeds to step S6, assuming that measurements have been completed at all positions of the optical member 4 in the adjustment process. In this state, the control unit 9 stores position information of the optical member 4 at all positions of the optical member 4, and measurement data of the light intensity and / or the light intensity distribution of the signal light L2.

[0072] In step S6, the control unit 9 selects as the optimum position the position of the optical member 4 where the light intensity of the signal light L2 is greatest and / or where the light intensity distribution of the signal light L2 is focused into the smallest area, based on the measurement data at all positions of the optical member 4. Then, it issues a control signal to the moving unit 5 to drive the position changing unit 52 and move the optical member 4 to the optimum position. At the optimum position, it is estimated that the laser light focusing region is included in the blood vessel region in the subject part Mp0.

[0073] Next, in steps S7 and S8, the concentration of the measurement target substance is measured. Specifically, the light irradiation unit 2 irradiates a specific region in the test portion Mp0 with focused laser light for measuring the target (step S7), the photodetector 3 measures the concentration of the measurement target with the focused laser light, and the result is output (step S8), completing the process.

[0074] <Summary> As explained above, the blood substance concentration measuring device 1 according to the first embodiment is a blood substance concentration measuring device 1 that measures the concentration of a blood substance contained in the blood of a test portion Mp0 in a target portion Ob of a test subject, and includes a measuring means (2, 3) that measures information related to the target portion Ob of the test subject, a light irradiating unit 2 that irradiates a laser light L1 toward a specific region in the test portion in the target portion Ob, and a photodetector that receives signal light L2 reflected from the test subject based on the laser light L1 and detects the intensity of the signal light L2. 3, an optical element 4 that focuses laser light L1 on a specific region in the test part Mp0 in the target part Ob and forms an image of signal light L2 emitted from the region in the test part Mp0 where the laser light L1 is focused on the photodetector 3, movable means 5 that changes the state of the optical element 4, and a control unit 9 that determines the concentration of a substance in the blood in the region where the laser light L1 is focused based on the intensity of the signal light L2, and the movable means 5 changes the state of the optical element 4 based on information related to the target part Ob.

[0075] The measuring means may also include distance-related information measuring means 2 and 3 that measure, as information related to the target site Ob, information that changes based on the distance from a specific position on the optical path of the laser light L1 and the signal light L2 to the target site Ob; the optical element 4 is located on a common optical path of the laser light L1 and the signal light L2; the movable means 5, based on the information measured by the distance-related information measuring means 2 and 3, moves the optical element 4 along the common optical path to a position where the area where the laser light L1 is focused can coincide with a specific area in the test part Mp0 in the target site Ob and where an image of the signal light L2 emitted from the area where the laser light L1 is focused can be formed on the photodetector 3; thereafter, the light irradiating unit 2 irradiates the laser light L1; the photodetector 3 receives the signal light L2 based on the laser light L1 and detects the intensity of the signal light L2; and the control unit 9 measures the concentration of a substance in the blood based on the intensity of the signal light L2.

[0076] According to this configuration, the device 1D has a function for adjusting the focus of the light irradiation unit and photodetector inside the device to the target area Ob of the subject, so that the operator can measure the concentration of a substance in the blood by pointing the tip portion 1a of the device 1 in the direction of the target area Ob of the subject and irradiating the laser light L1 onto the target area Ob of the subject.

[0077] As a result, device 1 makes use of the characteristics of optical measurement to more easily and stably measure blood substance concentrations not only on fingers but also on exposed areas of the subject's body, such as the subject's forehead, as measurement target areas.

[0078] It should be noted that the device 1 can also perform measurements on exposed parts of the subject's body other than the forehead as the target area Ob.

[0079] <Modifications> The specific configuration of the device 1 has been described above using the first embodiment as an example, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment except for its essential characteristic components.

[0080] Modified examples of the device 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 4 to 7. (1) Figure 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1A (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "device 1A") in which the light irradiating unit 2 in the device 1 is modified to a different form. As shown in Figure 4, in the device 1A, the light irradiating unit 2A is configured to include a condenser lens 23, which is disposed between a laser light source 21 and an aperture 22 and focuses light at the opening of the aperture 22.

[0081] According to the device 1A, the laser light L1 emitted from the laser light source 21 is first focused on the opening of the diaphragm 22, thereby creating a small original image with little wasted light, and this image can be transferred to a specific region within the subject Mp0 where the laser light L1 is focused by the optical member 4. Therefore, according to the device 1A, it is possible to reduce the amount of wasted light (light energy) compared to the device 1.

[0082] (2) Figure 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1B (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "device 1B") in which the light irradiating unit 2 in device 1 has been modified to a different form. As shown in Figure 5, in device 1B, the light irradiating unit 2B does not use an aperture 22, but instead uses the light emitting point of the laser light source 21 as an original image and transfers this image to a laser light focusing region within the subject portion Mp0 where the laser light L1 is focused by the optical member 4. According to device 1B, by replacing the image origin by the aperture 22 with the light emitting point of the laser light source 21 of the same size, it is possible to transfer the image to a specific region within the subject portion Mp0, while eliminating the aperture 22 compared to device 1 and simplifying the device configuration.

[0083] (3) Figure 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1C (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "device 1C") in which the light irradiating unit 2 and the photodetector 3 in the device 1 are modified to different forms. As shown in Figure 6, in the device 1C, the light irradiating unit 2C is configured to be able to selectively emit a laser light L1 for measuring the object and a visible laser light LG used as guide light for the adjustment process.

[0084] In the device 1C, the photodetector 3C is configured to include a dichroic mirror 33 made of, for example, a germanium plate, on the optical path from the beam splitter 32 to the infrared sensor 31. Furthermore, downstream of the dichroic mirror 33, a visible light camera 34 is provided, the distance on the optical path from the optical member 4 to the light receiving surface 34a (geometric distance) of which is set to be equivalent to the distance from the optical member 4 to the light receiving surface 31a of the infrared sensor 31.

[0085] As a result, reflected light from the target site Ob based on the visible light laser LG can be received by the visible light camera 34. According to the device 1C, by selectively emitting the laser light L1 and the guide light from the visible light laser LG in the target measurement and adjustment steps, the light intensity of the reflected light from the target site Ob based on the guide light from the visible light laser LG and / or the light intensity distribution of the signal light L2 can be measured by the visible light camera 34 in the adjustment step.

[0086] As a result, in the adjustment process, the position of the optical member 4 where the light intensity is greatest and / or the light intensity distribution is focused into the narrowest area based on visible light, which has higher visibility, can be selected as the optimal position. In this case, when setting the position of the optical member 4 in object measurement, it is also possible to correct for minute positioning errors that occur due to differences in wavelength from the laser light used for object measurement, with respect to the optimal position selected in the adjustment process.

[0087] (4) Figure 7 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the configuration between the optical member 4 and the target site Ob in the devices 1 to 1C. In this embodiment, an optical fiber 42 and a condenser lens 43 are provided at the tip of the device, i.e., in the optical path between the optical member 4 and the target site Ob. In this configuration, light condensed by the optical member 4 is guided by the optical fiber 42 and is again condensed by the condenser lens 43 onto a specific region within the subject site Mp0.

[0088] According to the above aspects of the devices 1 to 1C, the concentration of a substance in the blood can be measured during surgery by inserting the tip of the device into a body cavity via a laparoscope, endoscope, etc. Furthermore, a portable and simple device can be realized.

[0089] (5) In the adjustment process of the device 1, information relating to the target site that changes based on the distance from a specific position on the optical path of the laser light and the signal light to the target site is measured. That is, in the device 1, while the laser light L1 is irradiated from the light irradiating unit 2, the received light intensity of the signal light L2 is input from the photodetector 3, the position changing means 52 is driven to move the optical member 4 along the optical path, and the position of the optical member 4 where the absolute value of the intensity of the signal light L2 or the distribution on the light receiving surface is in a predetermined mode is searched for, and the optical member 4 is transported to that position.

[0090] However, the measuring means may measure the distance from a specific position on the optical path of the laser light L1 and the signal light L2 to the target site Ob as information related to the target site, and the movable means 5 may be configured to move the optical element 4 along the common optical path based on the distance measured by the measuring means to a position where the area where the laser light L1 is focused can coincide with a specific area in the test part Mp0 in the target site Ob, and where an image of the signal light L2 emitted from the area where the laser light is focused can be formed on the photodetector 3.

[0091] In this case, the distance to the target location Ob may be measured by measuring the time from when the light irradiation unit 2 emits laser light L1 or visible light laser until the photodetector 3 or visible light camera 34 receives signal light L2 based on the emitted light, or alternatively, the distance to the target location Ob may be measured using a laser distance measurement means (distance measurement device) separate from these elements.

[0092] In addition, the optical element 4 may be moved to an optimal position identified based on distance data acquired in advance and stored in the control unit 9, and the optical element 4 may be moved to the optimal position based on the output of the distance measurement means.

[0093] <Embodiment 2> <Overall Configuration> In the device 1 according to the above-described embodiment 1, the operator points the tip portion 1a of the device 1 in the direction of the target site Ob of the subject, and in that state, irradiates the surface of the subject's forehead with laser light L1 to perform measurement. In contrast, a blood substance concentration measuring device 1D according to embodiment 2 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "device 1D") differs from device 1 in that it has a function for pointing a light irradiating unit and a photodetector inside the device in the direction of the target site Ob of the subject.

[0094] 8A is a schematic diagram showing the state of measurement by the device 1D. In the device 1D, the subject faces the front of the device 1D, and the concentration of a substance in the blood is measured in a state in which an image Obi of a target region Ob of the subject captured by a camera 82 is displayed on the display unit 81 of the central main body unit 8.

[0095] The configuration of device 1D will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 8(b) is a perspective view of device 1D. Fig. 9 is a plan cross-sectional view showing the configuration of device 1D. Device 1D is configured to include a main body 8, a light irradiation unit 2D and a photodetector 3D connected to the side of main body 8 via angle change means 53, and a control unit 9. The configuration of each part of device 1D will be described below. Of these, components that are the same as those in device 1 are assigned the same numbers, and descriptions of their individual configurations and functions will be omitted.

[0096] <Configuration of Each Part> The main body 8 constitutes the main body unit of the device 1D, and is provided with a display 81, a camera 82, and an optical distance measuring means 83 having a light emitting unit 83I and a light receiving unit 83R on the front side. The camera 82 is activated based on detection by the distance measuring means 83, and an image captured by the camera 82 is displayed on the display 81 in real time.

[0097] The light irradiation unit 2D is supported rotatably around an axis 53o on the right side surface of the main body 8 by an angle changing means 53 that constitutes the movable means 5. Furthermore, the angle changing means 53 may be a two-axis angle changing means that can also rotate around an axis that is perpendicular to the optical path of the laser light L1 in a horizontal plane.

[0098] The light irradiation unit 2D is configured to include a laser light source 21 in a housing 20. The housing 20 of the light irradiation unit 2D contains the laser light source 21, a condenser lens 41 that constitutes the optical member 4, and a position changing means 52 that constitutes the movable means 5, and is configured to be able to condense and irradiate the object measurement laser light L1 onto the target site Ob of the subject located at a predetermined distance away. The light irradiation unit 2D has a visible light laser light source 6 that can emit visible light laser light LG, which is used as guide light in the angle adjustment step, in the same direction as the object measurement laser light L1.

[0099] Similarly, the photodetector 3D is supported on the left side surface of the main body 8 so as to be rotatable about an axis 53o by an angle changing means 53 constituting the movable means 5. Furthermore, the angle changing means 53 may be a two-axis angle changing means that is rotatable within a horizontal plane and also about an axis perpendicular to the optical path of the signal light L2.

[0100] The photodetector 3D is configured with an infrared sensor 31 housed in a housing 30. The housing 30 of the photodetector 3D houses the infrared sensor 31, a condenser lens 41 that constitutes the optical member 4 and functions as an imaging lens, and a position change unit 52 that constitutes the movable unit 5. The infrared sensor 31 receives signal light L2 that is emitted from a laser light condensing region of the target site Ob of the subject based on the irradiated laser light L1, and detects the intensity of the signal light L2. The photodetector 3D also has a visible light laser light source 6 that can emit visible light laser light LG, which is used as guide light in the angle adjustment step, in the same direction as the target measurement laser light L1.

[0101] The control unit 9 is electrically connected to the light irradiation unit 2, the photodetector 3, and the moving means 5 (the position changing means 52 and the angle changing means 53), and controls them by issuing control signals.

[0102] <Operation of Device 1D> Next, an overview of the operation of device 1D will be described. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of measuring blood substances using device 1D. Figs. 11(a) to 11(c) and 12 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the adjustment operation in device 1D.

[0103] In steps S1D ​​to S4D, the position of the subject and the angles and focuses of the light irradiation unit 2D and the photodetector 3D are adjusted. First, when the subject faces the front of the device 1D, the camera 82 is activated based on detection by the distance measurement means 83, and an image Obi of the target area Ob of the subject captured by the camera 82 is displayed on the display unit 81 of the main body 8 (step S1D).

[0104] In this state, the subject adjusts the position of his / her own target part Ob relative to the device 1D so that the image Obi fits within a predetermined area 81a in the display unit 81, as shown in FIG. 11(a) (step S2D).

[0105] Next, an angle adjustment step for the light irradiator 2D and the photodetector 3D is performed (step S3D). In the angle adjustment step, first, the visible light laser light source 6 mounted on the light irradiator 2D and the photodetector 3D irradiates the visible light laser light LG as guide light, and the camera 82 captures images 6s1 and 6s2 of the visible light laser light LG irradiated onto the target site Ob, and outputs the images to the control unit 9 (or may be displayed on the display unit 81).

[0106] As shown in Figure 11 (b), based on the image, the control unit 9 calculates the optimal angles for each of the light irradiation unit 2D and the photodetector 3D so that the two images 6s1, 6s2 based on the visible light laser light source 6 emitted from the light irradiation unit 2D and the photodetector 3D, respectively, coincide with the target position CL in the left-right direction or in the up-down and left-right directions, and outputs the results to the angle changing means 53.

[0107] 12, the angle change means 53 supporting the light emitting unit 2D changes the angle of the light emitting unit 2D (arrow R53 in FIG. 12) to an optimum angle based on the control signal, and the angle change means 53 supporting the photodetector 3D changes the angle of the photodetector 3D (arrow R53 in FIG. 12) to an optimum angle based on the control signal. Here, the angle change may be an angle change around one axis in the vertical direction, or an angle change around two axes in the vertical direction and in a direction perpendicular to the optical path in the horizontal plane.

[0108] Next, a focus adjustment step of the light irradiator 2D and the photodetector 3D is performed (step S4D). In the focus adjustment step, the distance measurement means 83 irradiates the target location Ob with the distance measurement laser light LM to measure the distance thereto, and based on the distance from the device 1D to the target location Ob, the movable means 5 (position change means 52) of the light irradiator 2D moves the optical member 4 to a position where the region where the laser light L1 is focused can coincide with a specific region in the test portion Mp0 of the target location Ob, based on the distance measured by the measurement means, and the movable means 5 (position change means 52) of the photodetector 3D moves the optical member 4 to a position where the image of the signal light L2 emitted from the region where the laser light L1 is focused can be formed on the photodetector 3.

[0109] Alternatively, the focus adjustment process may use another adjustment method shown in Fig. 11(c). That is, images 6s1 and 6s2 of visible laser light LG irradiated onto the target site Ob from the visible laser light source 6 mounted on the light irradiator 2D and the photodetector 3D are captured by the camera 82, and it is determined from the captured images whether the contours of the respective images 6s1 and 6s2 are clear. Then, while gradually moving the optical member 4 in the optical path direction using the movable means 5 (position changing means 52), positions (focus positions) of the optical member 4 where the contours of the left and right images 6s1 and 6s2 become clear are searched for, and the optical members 4 of the light irradiator 2D and the photodetector 3D are moved to those positions.

[0110] Next, in steps S5D to S6D, the concentration of the measurement target substance is measured. Specifically, the light irradiation unit 2 irradiates a specific region of the test portion Mp0 with a focused laser beam for measuring the target substance (step S5D), the photodetector 3 measures the concentration of the measurement target substance in the focused laser beam region, and the result is output (step S6D), thereby ending the process.

[0111] <Summary> As explained above, the blood substance concentration measuring device 1D according to the second embodiment is a blood substance concentration measuring device 1 that measures the concentration of a blood substance contained in the blood of a test portion Mp0 in a target portion Ob of a test subject, and includes a measuring means (83, 6, 82) that measures information related to the target portion Ob of the test subject, a light irradiating unit 2 that irradiates a laser light L1 toward a specific region in the test portion in the target portion Ob, and a photodetector that receives signal light L2 reflected from the test subject based on the laser light L1 and detects the intensity of the signal light L2. 3, an optical element 4 that focuses laser light L1 on a specific region in a test part Mp0 in the target part Ob and forms an image of signal light L2 emitted from the region in the test part Mp0 where the laser light L1 is focused on the photodetector 3, movable means 5 that changes the state of the optical element 4, and a control unit 9 that determines the concentration of a substance in the blood in the region where the laser light L1 is focused based on the intensity of the signal light L2, and the movable means 5 takes the following form in its configuration for changing the state of the optical element 4 based on information related to the target part Ob.

[0112] That is, the measuring means includes a distance measuring means 83 that measures the distance from a specific position on the optical paths of the laser light L1 and the signal light L2 to the target site Ob as information related to the target site Ob, the optical member 4 includes a first optical member 4 that focuses the laser light L1 on a specific region in the test part Mp0 in the target site Ob, and a second optical member 4 that forms an image of the signal light L2 emitted from the region in the test part Mp0 where the laser light L1 is focused on the photodetector 3, and the movable means 5 includes a first position changing means 52 that controls the position of the first optical member 4 on the optical path of the laser light L1 and a second position changing means 52 that controls the position of the second optical member 4 on the optical path of the signal light L2, which are arranged in the housings 20 and 30, respectively. The first position changing means 52 arranged in the housing 20 moves the position of the first optical member 4 to a position where the area where the laser light L1 is focused can coincide with a specific area in the subject part Mp0 in the target site Ob, based on the distance measured by the distance measuring means 83, and the second position changing means 52 arranged in the housing 30 moves the second optical member 4 to a position where an image of the signal light L2 emitted from the area where the laser light L1 is focused can be formed on the photodetector 3, based on the distance measured by the distance measuring means 83, after which the light irradiating unit 2 irradiates the laser light L1, the photodetector 3 receives the signal light L2 based on the laser light L1 and detects the intensity of the signal light L2, and the control unit 9 measures the concentration of a substance in the blood based on the intensity of the signal light L2.

[0113] Furthermore, in the device 1D, the measuring means includes a position measuring means (visible light laser light source 6, camera 82) that measures the position of the target location Ob relative to a specific position on the optical paths of the laser light L1 and the signal light L2 as information related to the target location Ob, the optical members 4 include a first optical member 4 that is located on the optical path of the laser light L1 and that focuses the laser light L1 on a specific region in the test portion Mp0 in the target location Ob, and a second optical member 4 that is located on the optical path of the signal light L2 and that forms an image of the signal light L2 emitted from the region in the test portion Mp0 in the target location Ob where the laser light L1 is focused on the photodetector 3, and the movable means 5 includes a first angle changing means 53 that changes the emission angle of the first optical member 4 and a second angle changing means 54 that changes the incident angle of the second optical member 4, which are arranged in the housings 20 and 30, respectively. The first angle changing means 53 arranged in the housing 20 changes the emission angle of the first optical member 4 based on the position measured by the position measuring means 6, 82, 9 to a direction in which the area where the laser light L1 is focused can coincide with a specific area in the test part Mp0 in the target site Ob, and the second angle changing means 53 arranged in the housing 30 changes the entrance angle of the second optical member 4 based on the position measured by the position measuring means 6, 82, 9 to a direction in which an image of the signal light L2 emitted from the area where the laser light L1 is focused can be formed on the photodetector 3, after which the light irradiating unit 2 irradiates the laser light L1, the photodetector 3 receives the signal light L2 based on the laser light L1 and detects the intensity of the signal light L2, and the control unit 9 measures the concentration of a substance in the blood based on the intensity of the signal light L2.

[0114] According to this configuration, the device 1D has, inside the device, a function for adjusting the focus of the light irradiator 2D and the photodetector 3D on the target site Ob of the subject, and a function for directing the light irradiator 2D and the photodetector 3D toward the target site Ob of the subject, so that the subject faces the front of the device 1D, and the blood substance concentration is measured with an image Obi of the target site Ob of the subject captured by the camera 82 displayed on the display unit 81 of the main body 8. This makes it possible to take advantage of the characteristics of optical measurement and more easily and stably measure the blood substance concentration not only on fingers but also on the subject's face and other areas as the measurement target site.

[0115] In the device 1D according to the second embodiment, the angle changing means 53 is exemplified as changing the angles of the light irradiator 2D and the photodetector 3D, but the "angle changing means" may be configured to change the emission angle of the light irradiator 2D and the light receiving angle of the photodetector 3D by changing the laser light path by inserting a reflection mechanism (mirror) equipped with a MEMS actuator using a piezoelectric element into the laser light path.

[0116] In this case, instead of moving the entire unit of the light irradiator 2D or the photodetector 3D, the "angle changing means" may be configured to change the emission angle of the light irradiator 2D or the light receiving angle of the photodetector 3D by driving the optical member 4 using a reflecting mechanism (mirror) equipped with a MEMS actuator using a motor or a piezoelectric element to change the laser light path. Here, driving the optical member 4 may be configured to rotate it in a horizontal plane and / or a vertical plane around an axis perpendicular to the light path, or to translate it in a direction perpendicular to the light path in a horizontal plane and / or a vertical plane.

[0117] In addition, the device 1D may be configured such that the light irradiation unit 2D, the photodetector 3D, the movable means 5 (position change means 52 and angle change means 53), the main body 8, and the control unit 9 are housed within a single housing.

[0118] <<Embodiment 3>> In the device 1 according to the above-mentioned embodiment 1, an example of a configuration has been shown in which an operator points the tip portion 1a of the device 1 in the direction of a target site Ob of a subject, and in that state, irradiates the surface of the subject's forehead with laser light L1 to perform measurement. Also, in the device 1D according to embodiment 2, an example of a configuration has been shown in which the subject faces the front of the device 1D, and with an image Obi of the target site Ob displayed on the display unit 81, the subject himself / herself adjusts the position of the target site Ob relative to the device 1D, thereby performing focus adjustment and angle adjustment operations of the light irradiator 2D and the photodetector 3D, thereby measuring the concentration of a substance in the blood.

[0119] In contrast, the blood substance concentration measuring devices 1E to 1I according to the third embodiment differ from the devices according to the first and second embodiments in that they have the function of measuring the blood substance concentration by irradiating a subject moving within a predetermined space with laser light L1 from a light irradiating unit and receiving signal light L2 reflected from the target area Ob with a photodetector.

[0120] (1) Measurement of a Moving Subject The configuration of the device 1E according to embodiment 3 will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the device 1E according to embodiment 3 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "device 1E"). As shown in FIG. 13, the device 1E is configured to include a light irradiation unit 2E, a photodetector 3E, an optical member 4, a position changing means 52, an angle changing means 53, a detection means 84, and a control unit 9 that controls these elements. The same components as those in the device 1 are assigned the same numbers, and descriptions of their individual configurations and functions will be omitted.

[0121] The configurations of the light irradiator 2E and the photodetector 3E are the same as those of the light irradiator 2D and the photodetector 3D according to embodiment 2. That is, the light irradiator 2E includes a housing 20 and a laser light source 21. The photodetector 3E includes a housing 30 and an infrared sensor 31.

[0122] Furthermore, in the device 1E, for example, an optical member 4, a laser light source 21, and a position changing means 52 are arranged inside the housing 20, similar to the light irradiator 2D according to embodiment 2. Furthermore, for example, an optical member 4, an infrared sensor 31, and a position changing means 52 are arranged inside the housing 30, similar to the light detector 3D according to embodiment 2. Furthermore, in the device 1E, an angle changing means 53 similar to that in embodiment 2 is arranged inside the housings 20 and 30.

[0123] The detection means 84 is a detection means that detects whether or not a target part of the subject is present within a specific range in space. The detection means 84 is composed of detection means 841 to 843, and detects whether or not the target part Ob of the subject is present within a specific range in space through which the target part Ob of the subject passes when the subject passes through a predetermined route, i.e., within target ranges TR1 to TR3, and outputs the result to the control unit 9.

[0124] The light irradiator 2E and the photodetector 3E operate the movable means 5 (position change means 52 and angle change means 53) based on a control signal from the control unit 9 to change the angle and focus of the light irradiator 2E and the photodetector 3E. The angle and focus are changed by storing the optimum angle and position of the optical member corresponding to the target ranges TR1 to TR3 identified in advance in the control unit 9, and when a detection signal for any of the target ranges TR1 to TR3 is obtained from the detection means 841 to 843, changing the angle of the light irradiator 2E and the photodetector 3E to the angle corresponding to that target range TR and moving the optical member to the optimum position corresponding to that position.

[0125] Then, laser light L1 is irradiated from the light irradiation unit 2E onto the subject portion Mp0 of the target portion Ob of the subject present in a specific target range TR in space, and the signal light L2 reflected from the subject portion Mp0 of the target portion Ob is received by the photodetector 3E, thereby measuring the concentration of a substance in the blood.

[0126] With the device 1E having such a configuration, when a subject passes through a predetermined route, such as a corridor within a building or an athletics track, laser light L1 can be irradiated from the light irradiating unit 2E to the subject portion Mp0 of the subject's target portion Ob, which is located within a specific target range TR1 to TR3 within the space through which the subject's target portion Ob passes, and the signal light L2 reflected from the subject portion Mp0 of the target portion Ob can be received by the photodetector 3E, thereby measuring the concentration of a substance in the blood.

[0127] Thus, by using the device 1E to irradiate the laser light L1 onto the subject's exposed parts, such as the head, limbs, arms, shoulders, abdomen, back, or legs, the device 1E can measure the blood concentration of substances such as glucose or cholesterol for registered customers at the entrance or corridor of a restaurant or cafeteria, and present recommended menus tailored to the customer based on the results. Alternatively, by measuring the blood concentration of substances such as glucose or lactic acid for athletes in long-distance running or other athletics events, marathons, swimming races, and the like, the device can be used to provide support such as pace control and drink provision adapted to the athletes' level of fatigue and physical condition.

[0128] (2) Aspect in which a visible light camera is used as the detection means In another aspect of the device 1E, a visible light camera may be used as the detection means, and an image of the subject may be captured and analyzed to identify the target range TR within the space through which the target portion Ob of the subject passes.

[0129] 14 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1F (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "device 1F") according to a modified example. As shown in FIG. 14, device 1F is configured to include a gate 10F through which a subject passes, a light irradiator 2F and a photodetector 3F arranged at gate 10F, an optical member 4, a position changing means 52, an angle changing means 53, a distance measuring means 83, a detecting means 84F consisting of a visible light camera, and a control unit 9 that controls these elements. The detecting means 84F may be configured to include multiple visible light cameras provided at positions that allow images of the subject from different angles.

[0130] The light irradiator 2F and the photodetector 3F are configured so that they can be disposed at any position on the gate 10F. The components of the light irradiator 2F and the photodetector 3F are the same as the components of the light irradiator 2D and the photodetector 3D according to the second embodiment. That is, the light irradiator 2F includes a housing 20 and a laser light source 21. The photodetector 3F includes a housing 30 and an infrared sensor 31.

[0131] Furthermore, in the device 1F, for example, an optical member 4, a laser light source 21, and a position changing means 52 are arranged inside the housing 20, similar to the light irradiating unit 2D according to embodiment 2. Furthermore, for example, an optical member 4, an infrared sensor 31, and a position changing means 52 are arranged inside the housing 30, similar to the light detector 3D according to embodiment 2. Furthermore, in the device 1F, for example, an angle changing means 53 and a distance measuring means 83 similar to those in embodiment 2 are arranged inside the housings 20 and 30.

[0132] The detection means 84F is made up of a visible light camera, captures an image of the subject passing through the gate 10F, and outputs the image to the control unit 9. The control unit 9 uses image analysis to identify a target range TR within the space through which the target part Ob of the subject passes, and outputs a control signal for changing the angles of the light irradiation unit 2E and the photodetector 3E to angles corresponding to the target range TR.

[0133] Based on a control signal from the control unit 9, the light irradiation unit 2F and the photodetector 3F operate the movable means 5 (position change means 52 and angle change means 53) to change the angle and focus of the light irradiation unit 2F and the photodetector 3F.

[0134] At this time, the detection means 84F captures moving images of the subject, and identifies positional fluctuations of the target range TR by detecting the target range TR in each of the multiple images through image analysis in the control unit 9, and when the target range TR is at a predetermined position, the light irradiator 2F and the photodetector 3F may operate the movable means 5 to change the angle and focus of the light irradiator 2F and the photodetector 3F. With this configuration, the angle and focus of the light irradiator 2F and the photodetector 3F can be accurately adjusted to the position of the target range TR.

[0135] Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which positional fluctuations of the target range TR identified from multiple images through image analysis are identified, the time when the target range TR will reach a predetermined position is estimated, and the angle and focus of the light irradiator 2F and the photodetector 3F are changed by operating the movable means 5 in accordance with the estimated time. With such a configuration, the influence of a time lag due to the operation time of the movable means 5 is suppressed, and the angle and focus of the light irradiator 2F and the photodetector 3F can be adapted to the estimated position of the target range TR with greater accuracy.

[0136] Alternatively, instead of operating the movable means 5 to change the angles of the light irradiator 2F and the photodetector 3F and then changing the focus of the light irradiator 2F and the photodetector 3F, a configuration may be adopted in which, during measurement, the light irradiator 2F emits laser light L1 and the photodetector 3F receives signal light L2 continuously for a predetermined period of time, thereby recording time-series measurement data, and measurement data corresponding to a specific time may be selected from the recorded time-series data. Here, the specific time may be the time at which the target range TR is within a predetermined positional range based on image analysis of a moving image captured by the detection means 84F.

[0137] Alternatively, in focus adjustment, a distance measuring means 83 built into the light irradiator 2E and the photodetector 3E may be used to directly measure the distance to the target area Ob by irradiating the target range TR with a distance measurement laser light LM, and based on the measured distance, a movable means 5 (position changing means 52) built into the light irradiator 2F and the photodetector 3F may be operated to change the position of the optical member 4. This allows for more accurate focus adjustment.

[0138] Then, laser light L1 is irradiated from the light irradiation unit 2F onto the subject portion Mp0 of the target portion Ob of the subject present in a specific target range TR in space, and the signal light L2 reflected from the subject portion Mp0 of the target portion Ob is received by the photodetector 3F, thereby measuring the concentration of a substance in the blood.

[0139] With the device 1F having such a configuration, it is possible to more accurately identify the target area Ob of a subject passing through any area within a specified range, such as the entrance to a building, and measure the concentration of a substance in the blood.

[0140] (3) Measurement of a subject passing through a limited target range As another aspect of the device 1E, the target range TR in the space through which the target part Ob of the subject passes may be limited to a specific range, and measurement may be performed only when the target part Ob of the subject passes through the determined target range TR.

[0141] 15 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1G (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "device 1G") according to a modified example. As shown in FIG. 15, device 1G is configured to include a light irradiating unit 2G, a photodetector 3G, an optical member 4, a position changing means 52, a distance measuring means 83, a detecting means 84, and a control unit 9 that controls these elements.

[0142] The configurations of the light irradiator 2G and the photodetector 3G are the same as those of the light irradiator 2D and the photodetector 3D according to embodiment 2. That is, the light irradiator 2G includes a housing 20 and a laser light source 21. The photodetector 3F includes a housing 30 and an infrared sensor 31.

[0143] Furthermore, in the device 1G, for example, an optical member 4, a laser light source 21, and a position changing means 52 are arranged inside the housing 20, similar to the light irradiator 2D according to embodiment 2. Furthermore, for example, an optical member 4, an infrared sensor 31, and a position changing means 52 are arranged inside the housing 30, similar to the light detector 3D according to embodiment 2. Furthermore, in the device 1G, a distance measuring means 83 similar to that in embodiment 2 is arranged inside the housings 20 and 30.

[0144] The detection means 84 is a detection means for detecting whether or not the target part of the subject is present in a specific target range TR limited in space. When the detection means 84 detects the subject within the target range TR, it outputs the result to the control unit 9.

[0145] The angles of the light irradiator 2G and the photodetector 3G are fixed to an angle corresponding to a predetermined target range TR. Furthermore, the light irradiator 2G and the photodetector 3G irradiate distance-measuring laser light LM toward the target range TR using an internal distance measurement means 83 to directly measure the distance to the target location Ob, and operate the movable means 5 (position changing means 52) of the light irradiator 2G and the photodetector 3G based on the measured distance to change the position of the optical member 4. That is, when information indicating the distance to the target location Ob output from the distance measurement means 83 is within a predetermined range, the control unit 9 operates the movable means 5 (position changing means 52) to instantaneously change the position of the optical member 4.

[0146] Then, laser light L1 is irradiated from the light irradiation unit 2G onto the subject portion Mp0 of the target portion Ob of the subject, which is present in a limited specific target range TR within space, and the signal light L2 reflected from the subject portion Mp0 of the target portion Ob is received by the photodetector 3G, thereby measuring the concentration of a substance in the blood.

[0147] Alternatively, the position of the optical member 4 may be set in advance by operating the movable means 5 (position changing means 52) while the angles of the light irradiator 2G and the photodetector 3G are fixed to an angle corresponding to the predetermined target range TR. In the device 1G, the position of the optical member 4 is set at a position where the light irradiator 2E irradiates the laser light L1 onto the subject portion Mp0 of the target portion Ob present in the predetermined target range TR, and the photodetector 3E can receive the signal light L2 reflected from the subject portion Mp0 of the target portion Ob present in the predetermined target range TR.

[0148] During measurement, the distance to the target location Ob is measured using a distance measuring means 83 built into the photodetector 3G, and when the output distance information to the target location Ob is within a predetermined range, laser light L1 is irradiated from the light irradiation unit 2G onto the subject portion Mp0 of the target location Ob of the subject, and signal light L2 reflected from the subject portion Mp0 of the target location Ob is received by the photodetector 3G to measure the concentration of a substance in the blood.

[0149] Alternatively, during measurement, in parallel with the operation of measuring the distance to the target location Ob using the distance measuring means 83 built into the photodetector 3G, time-series measurement data may be recorded by continuously irradiating laser light L1 from the light irradiation unit 2E and receiving signal light L2 by the photodetector 3G for a predetermined period of time, and then, from the recorded time-series data of the signal light L2, measurement data of the signal light L2 corresponding to the time at which the distance information to the subject part Mp0 of the target location Ob output from the distance measuring means 83 is within a predetermined range may be selected to measure the concentration of a substance in the blood.

[0150] With the device 1G having such a configuration, the angle adjustment function of the light irradiator 2G and the photodetector 3G can be eliminated, simplifying the device. Therefore, for example, in cases where the device 1G is embedded in the wall of a narrow passage and a subject passes through, it is certain that the target site Ob of the subject will pass through a predetermined target range TR, it is possible to measure the concentration of a substance in the blood using a less expensive device.

[0151] Next, using the example of the device 1G, the position of the target site Ob of the subject relative to the photodetector 3G was varied, and the intensity of the signal light detected by the photodetector 3G was measured. Fig. 16(a) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the example of the device 1G used in the measurement.

[0152] The measurements were performed using the following procedure: (1) The focus position was measured using a mid-infrared camera equivalent to the photodetector 3G. (2) The photodetector 3G was installed at the same position as the detection surface of the mid-infrared camera. (3) The distance from the photodetector 3G to the focus position was measured using the distance measurement means 83. (4) The subject's target area Ob (finger) was gradually moved closer from a position farther from the focus position, and a mid-infrared laser was irradiated from the light irradiator 2G, and the light intensity of the signal light was measured. The distance from the target area Ob to the photodetector 3G during measurement was also measured using a rangefinder. (5) The relationship between the distance between the target area Ob and the photodetector 3G and the light intensity was determined. The maximum light intensity was converted to a glucose concentration based on a previously determined formula. Note that, in the above, the angle of incidence of the laser light with respect to the skin surface of the subject's target area Ob was set to 0 degrees, and the angle of the optical axis passing through the center of the optical member 4 and the installation angle of the photodetector 3G with respect to the skin surface of the subject's target area Ob were also set to 0 degrees.

[0153] 16(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the position of the subject's target site Ob and the intensity of the detected signal light measured using an embodiment of the device 1G, and FIG. 16(c) is a diagram showing the time change in the subject's blood glucose level. As shown in FIG. 16(b), it was confirmed that the intensity of the signal light was maximized when the subject's target site Ob was at the focus position, and that an appropriate glucose concentration could be calculated from the maximum light intensity. Furthermore, when the time change in the subject's blood glucose level was measured with the subject's target site Ob at the focus position, the results shown in FIG. 16(c) were obtained.

[0154] (4) Measuring the Distribution of Concentrations of Substances in the Blood of a Subject Another aspect of the device 1E may be configured to be capable of measuring the distribution of concentrations of substances in the blood of a subject.

[0155] Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a modified blood substance concentration measuring device 1H (hereinafter may be referred to as "device 1H"), Figs. 18(a) and (b) are schematic diagrams showing the configurations of a light irradiator 2G and a photodetector 3G in device 1H, and Figs. 19(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the operation of modified blood substance concentration measuring device 1H. As shown in Fig. 17, device 1H is configured to include a gate 10F through which a subject passes, a light irradiator 2H and a photodetector 3H, a detection means 84, and a control unit 9 that controls these elements.

[0156] 18(a), the light irradiation unit 2H includes a laser light source 21, a diffusing lens 44, and a mirror 45. The beam diameter of the laser light L1 emitted from the laser light source 21 is expanded by the diffusing lens 44, and the laser light image L1s is configured to cover the entire target site Ob, which corresponds to the entire body area of ​​the subject.

[0157] 18(b), the photodetector 3H includes an infrared sensor 31H and a mirror 45. The infrared sensor 31H is configured, for example, as a two-dimensional infrared sensor with a plurality of elements arranged in a matrix. The infrared sensor 31H has a light-receiving surface 31aH corresponding to the size of an image L2s of the signal light L2 reflected from a laser light irradiation area that covers the entire target area Ob, which corresponds to the entire body of the subject, and is configured to be able to measure the intensity distribution of the signal light L2 reflected from the target area Ob, which corresponds to the entire body of the subject.

[0158] The detection means 84 is a detection means for detecting a subject passing through the gate 10F. It detects whether or not the target part of the subject is present in a specific target range TR within the gate 10F in space. When the subject is detected within the target range TR, the result is output to the control unit 9.

[0159] In the measurement, as shown in FIG. 19( a), the light irradiator 2H and the photodetector 3H may transmit and receive signals for a predetermined time, and focus adjustment may be performed by acquiring three-dimensional signal light L2 intensity data for the predetermined time. That is, the light irradiator 2H emits laser light L1 for a predetermined time, and the infrared sensor 31H acquires three-dimensional signal light L2 intensity data for the predetermined time using a matrix of multiple elements. Then, from the acquired three-dimensional signal light L2 intensity data for the predetermined time, intensity data indicating the maximum signal intensity in the time-direction signal sequence corresponding to each element may be selected, and the time (distance) at which the maximum intensity was obtained for each element may be extracted and used as the focused distance (acquired data). In this case, the light irradiator 2H and the photodetector 3H constitute a detection means for detecting the spatial extent of the target region Ob of the subject.

[0160] Alternatively, as an optional element, three-dimensional video data of the subject is created using a plurality of visible light cameras that capture images of the subject passing through the gate 10F and output the images to the control unit 9, and the distance from the light irradiation unit 2H and the photodetector 3H to the target site Ob is calculated. Then, from the three-dimensional intensity data of the signal light L2, intensity data corresponding to the above-mentioned distance in the signal sequence of each element may be selected.

[0161] 19(b), a distance measuring means (not shown) may be used that sweeps the body surface of the subject passing through gate 10F to measure the distance to each part of the body surface. In this case, the distance measuring means measures distance data to each elemental part obtained by breaking down the body surface of the subject into a matrix and outputs the data to control unit 9. Based on the obtained distance data, control unit 9 calculates a matrix of distance data from photodetector 3H to each elemental part of the body surface. Then, based on the matrix of distance data, control unit 9 may select intensity data corresponding to the distance to each elemental part of the body surface from the intensity data of three-dimensional signal light L2 received by each element of photodetector 3H in response to the emission of laser light L1 from light irradiator 2H for a predetermined period of time.

[0162] With the device 1H having such a configuration, the distribution of blood substance concentrations can be measured by using the target area Ob, which is the part of the subject's entire body exposed from the subject's clothing as the subject part Mp0, as the subject part as the gate 10F.

[0163] (5) Other Aspects of Measuring the Distribution of Concentrations of a Substance in the Subject's Blood Another aspect of the present invention may be used to measure the distribution of concentrations of a substance in the subject's blood. Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1I (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "device 1I") according to a modified example. Figs. 21(a) and 21(b) are schematic diagrams showing the configurations of a light irradiator 2G and a photodetector 3G in the device 1I, respectively. Figs. 22(a) and 22(b) and 23(a) and 23(b) are diagrams for explaining the operation of the blood substance concentration measuring device 1I according to the modified example. As shown in Fig. 20, the device 1I is configured to include a gate 10F through which the subject passes, a light irradiator 2I and a photodetector 3I, an optical member 4, a position changing means 52, an angle changing means 53, a distance measuring means 83, and a control unit 9 that controls these elements.

[0164] As shown in FIG. 20( a), the light irradiator 2I includes a housing 20 and a laser light source 21. Furthermore, in the device 1I, the configuration of the light irradiator 2D according to embodiment 2, such as the optical member 4, the laser light source 21, the position changer 52, and the distance measurement unit 83, are disposed within the housing 20. The device 1I also includes an angle changer 53 similar to that of embodiment 2 within the housing 20. Furthermore, in the device 1I, a galvanometer scanner 46 is disposed within the housing 20. As shown in FIG. 21( a), in the device 1I, the direction of emission of the laser light L1 emitted from the portion corresponding to the light irradiator 2I is changed by the galvanometer scanner 46, and the scan range L1s of the laser light L1 is configured to sweep the entire target site Ob, which corresponds to the entire body of the subject.

[0165] As shown in FIG. 20( b), the photodetector 3I includes a housing 30 and an infrared sensor 31. Furthermore, the device 1I includes the same components as the photodetector 3D according to the second embodiment, such as the optical member 4, the infrared sensor 31, the position changer 52, and the distance measurement unit 83, within the housing 30. The device 1I also includes an angle changer 53 similar to that of the second embodiment within the housing 30. Furthermore, the device 1I includes a galvanometer scanner 46 within the housing 30. As shown in FIG. 21( b), the photodetector 3I is configured to change the incident direction of the laser light L1 by the galvanometer scanner 46 and receive the signal light L2 reflected from a scanning range L1s of the laser light L1, which covers the entire target region Ob corresponding to the entire body of the subject, in a time series manner, thereby measuring the intensity distribution of the signal light L2 reflected from the target region Ob corresponding to the entire body of the subject.

[0166] In the operation of the light irradiation unit 2I and photodetector 3I having such a configuration, the movable means 5 (position change means 52 and angle change means 53) is operated based on a control signal from the control unit 9 to change the angle and focus of the light irradiation unit 2I and photodetector 3I, as shown in Fig. 22(a) . The angle and focus are changed by holding in the control unit 9 the optimal angle and position of the optical member corresponding to the scanning position of the laser light L1 identified in advance, changing the angle of the light irradiation unit 2I and photodetector 3I to the angle corresponding to the scanning position of the laser light L1, and moving the optical member to the corresponding optimal position.

[0167] 22(b), the distance measuring means 83 sweeps the entire body of the subject who is stationary within the gate 10F, and sequentially measures the distance to each elemental portion obtained by breaking down the body surface into a matrix, and outputs the distance to the control unit 9. Based on the obtained distance data, the control unit 9 calculates a matrix of distance data from the photodetector 3I to each elemental portion on the body surface. Then, based on the distance data from the photodetector 3I to each elemental portion of the subject, the control unit 9 may identify in advance the optimal angle and position of the optical member corresponding to the scanning position of the laser light L1, and store the identified angle and position in the control unit 9.

[0168] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 23( a), the light irradiator 2I and the photodetector 3I may be configured to directly measure the distance to the target location Ob of the subject passing through the gate 10F using a distance measurement device 83 built into each of them. For example, the distance measurement device 83 may be configured to irradiate the target location Ob of the subject passing through the gate 10F, and then operate the movable device 5 (position change device 52) of the light irradiator 2I and the photodetector 3I to change the position of the optical element 4 based on the measured distance. This allows for more accurate focus adjustment. Furthermore, this measurement method is more effective for focus adjustment when the subject is moving, such as passing through the gate 10F. In this case, the distance measurement device 83 constitutes a detection device that detects the spatial extent of the target location Ob of the subject.

[0169] Then, laser light L1 is irradiated from the light irradiation unit 2I onto the subject portion Mp0 of the subject's target portion Ob present in the target range TR in space, and the signal light L2 reflected from the subject portion Mp0 of the target portion Ob is received by the photodetector 3I, thereby measuring the concentration of a substance in the blood.

[0170] 23(b), the device 1I may be configured to measure the distance to the target location Ob for each elemental portion obtained by breaking down the subject's body surface into a matrix using a distance measuring means 83 built into the photodetector 3I, and in parallel with this operation, irradiate laser light L1 from the light irradiator 2I and receive signal light L2 by the photodetector 3I continuously for a predetermined time (t1 to tn) to record time-series measurement data, and select measurement data of the signal light L2 corresponding to information on the distance to the target location Ob from the obtained time-series data of the signal light L2 to measure the concentration of a substance in the blood. By performing such an operation for each elemental portion on the subject's body surface, the distribution of the concentration of a substance in the blood on the subject's body surface can be measured.

[0171] Alternatively, as with device 1H, as an optional element, an image of the subject may be captured using a visible light camera that creates three-dimensional video data of the subject passing through gate 10F, and the distance from light irradiation unit 2I and photodetector 3I to target area Ob may be calculated based on the three-dimensional data of the subject, and intensity data corresponding to the above distance in the signal sequence of each element may be selected from the time-series intensity data of signal light L2 corresponding to scan range L1.

[0172] With the device 1I having such a configuration, it is possible to measure the blood concentration distribution of a subject passing through gate 10F, using as target site Ob the portion of the entire body of the subject that is exposed from the subject's clothing. Furthermore, with device 1I, the laser light L1 is diffused less than with device 1H, so that a measurement device can be configured using a low-output laser light source, making it possible to measure the blood concentration distribution more inexpensively.

[0173] Note that the distance to each elemental part on the body surface of the subject passing through gate 10F may be measured by using a visible light camera to capture moving images of the subject passing through gate 10F, and then calculating the distance by detecting the position of each elemental part in each of the multiple images obtained by decomposing the subject's body surface into a matrix using image analysis in control unit 9. A single visible light camera may be used to capture the moving images, or multiple visible light cameras may be used that are positioned so that the subject can be imaged from different angles.

[0174] Alternatively, to measure the distance to each element part on the body surface of the subject passing through the gate 10F, an ultrasonic distance meter may be used instead of the distance measuring means 83 shown in FIG. 22(b).

[0175] (6) Measurement of a limited target range whose position varies depending on the subject. As another aspect of the device 1E, the forehead of the subject may be set as the target area Ob, and the device may be configured as a goggle-type device worn on the face of the subject to perform the measurement.

[0176] 24(a) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a blood substance concentration measuring device 1J (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "device 1J") according to a modified example, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing the state during measurement in device 1I. As shown in FIG. 24(a), device 1J is configured to include goggles 10J, a light emitting unit 2J and a photodetector 3J, an optical member 4, a position changing means 52, an angle changing means 53, a distance measuring means 83, and a control unit (not shown) that controls these elements.

[0177] The configurations of the light irradiator 2J and the photodetector 3J are the same as those of the light irradiator 2D and the photodetector 3D according to embodiment 2. That is, the light irradiator 2J includes a housing 20 and a laser light source 21. The photodetector 3J includes a housing 30 and an infrared sensor 31.

[0178] Furthermore, in the device 1E, for example, an optical member 4, a laser light source 21, and a position changing means 52 are arranged in the housing 20, similar to the light irradiator 2D according to embodiment 2. Furthermore, for example, an optical member 4, an infrared sensor 31, a position changing means 52, and an angle changing means 53 are arranged in the housing 30, similar to the light detector 3D according to embodiment 2.

[0179] The angle of the light irradiator 2J is fixed to an angle corresponding to a predetermined target range TR. That is, the angle of the light irradiator 2J is set in advance so that, when the subject wears the edge of the opening 10aJ of the goggles 10J on the forehead for measurement, the direction of the laser light L1 emitted from the light irradiator 2J is directed toward the forehead, which is the target region Ob of the subject, as shown in FIG.

[0180] When the subject wears the goggles 10J on the forehead, the distance measurement means 83 irradiates the forehead, which is the target region Ob, with distance measurement laser light LM to measure the distance to the forehead, which is the target region Ob, and outputs the result to the control unit, which corrects the target range TR based on the measured distance. In this case, the distance measurement means 83 constitutes detection means that detects the range in space (target range TR) of the target region Ob of the subject.

[0181] Based on the target range TR corrected based on the measured distance, the light irradiation unit 2J operates the movable means 5 (position changing means 52) of the light irradiation unit 2J to change the position of the optical element 4 and align the focus with the target range TR.

[0182] On the other hand, the photodetector 3J operates the movable means 5 (position changing means 52 and angle changing means 53) of the photodetector 3J based on the target range TR corrected on the basis of the measured distance to change the position of the optical member 4 and the angle of the photodetector 3J to align the position of the optical member 4 and the angle of the photodetector 3J with the target range TR. As a result, the light irradiation unit 2J and the photodetector 3J are set to a state in which the area where the laser light L1 is focused can coincide with a specific area in the subject part Mp0 in the forehead part, which is the target site Ob, and an image of the signal light L2 emitted from the area where the laser light is focused can be formed on the photodetector 3J.

[0183] Then, laser light L1 is irradiated from the light irradiating unit 2J onto the forehead, which is the target site Ob of the subject, and signal light L2 reflected from the target site Ob is received by the photodetector 3J, thereby measuring the concentration of a substance in the blood.

[0184] With the device 1J having such a configuration, the distribution of blood substance concentrations can be measured easily and with high accuracy for the target area Ob, the position of which varies individually for each subject, simply by the subject wearing the goggles 10J on their forehead.

[0185] <Summary> (1) As explained above, the blood substance concentration measuring device 1E, 1F, 1J according to the third embodiment is a blood substance concentration measuring device 1 that measures the concentration of a blood substance contained in the blood of a subject portion Mp0 in a target portion Ob of a subject, and includes a measuring means (83, 84) that measures information related to the target portion Ob of the subject, a light irradiating unit 2 (2E, 2F, 2J) that irradiates a laser light L1 toward a specific region in the subject portion in the target portion Ob, and a photodetector 3 (3E, 3F, 3J) that receives signal light L2 reflected from the subject based on the laser light L1 and detects the intensity of the signal light L2. and a control unit 9 that determines the concentration of a substance in the blood in the area where the laser light L1 is focused based on the intensity of the signal light L2, and the movable means 5 (52, 53) changes the state of the optical member 4 based on information related to the target site Ob, and the movable means 5 (52, 53) changes the state of the optical member 4 based on information related to the target site Ob, and the movable means 5 (52, 53) takes the following form.

[0186] That is, the measurement means includes detection means 83, 84 that detect the range of existence of the target part Ob of the subject in space (target range TR) as information related to the target part Ob, and the movable means (52, 53) is configured to be able to change the position and angle of the optical member 4 at a plurality of positions in space so that the area where the laser light L1 is focused can coincide with a specific area in the subject part Mp0 and so that an image of the signal light L2 emitted from the area where the laser light L1 is focused can be formed on the photodetector 3, and the movable means (52, 53) selects a measurement target position from the plurality of positions based on the range of existence of the target part Ob (target range TR) detected by the detection means 83, 84, and changes the position and angle of the optical member 4 to suit the measurement target position, thereafter the light irradiation unit 2 irradiates the laser light L1, the photodetector 3 receives the signal light L2 based on the laser light L1 and detects the intensity of the signal light L2, and the control unit 9 measures the concentration of a substance in the blood based on the intensity of the signal light L2.

[0187] In the devices 1E, 1F, and 1J having the above configuration, the control unit 9 performs the following process to measure the concentration of a substance in blood contained in the blood of the test portion Mp0 in the target site Ob of the subject. Figure 25 is a flowchart showing the blood substance measurement operation by the devices 1E, 1F, and 1J.

[0188] First, as shown in FIG. 25, the measuring means (2, 3) consisting of the detecting means (83, 84) detects the range of existence (target range TR) of the target part Ob of the subject in space as information related to the target part Ob of the subject (step S1E).

[0189] Next, the optical member moving means (52, 53), which is the moving means 5, changes the state of the optical member 4 based on the information indicating the range of the target portion Ob (step S2E). Specifically, the optical member moving means 52 changes the position of the optical member 4 so that the area where the laser light L1 is focused can coincide with a specific area in the test portion Mp0 and so that an image of the signal light L2 emitted from the area where the laser light L1 is focused can be formed on the photodetector 3. Furthermore, the optical member moving means 53 selects a measurement target position from multiple positions based on the range of the target portion Ob (target range TR) detected by the detection means (83, 84), and changes the angle of the optical member 4 to suit the measurement target position.

[0190] Next, the light irradiating units 2E, 2F, and 2J irradiate a specific region of the test part Mp0 in the target portion Ob with laser light L1 (step S3E), and the photodetectors 3E, 3F, and 3J receive signal light from the test part Mp0 based on the laser light L1 and detect the intensity of the signal light L2 (step S4E). At this time, the optical member 4 focuses the laser light L1 on the specific region of the test part Mp0 in the target portion Ob, and an image of the signal light L2 emitted from the region in the test part Mp0 where the laser light L1 is focused is formed on the photodetector.

[0191] Next, the concentration of the substance in the blood in the area where the laser light L1 is focused is determined based on the intensity of the signal light L2 (step S5E), and the process ends.

[0192] With devices 1E and 1F having such a configuration, when a subject passes through a predetermined route, such as a hallway in a building or an athletics track, or when the subject passes through a predetermined area, such as a building entrance, it is possible to more accurately identify the target site Ob of the subject and measure the concentration of a substance in the blood. This makes it possible to widely use the devices in various aspects of human life, such as support and services related to medical care, health, food and drink, sports, education, entertainment, etc.

[0193] Furthermore, with the device 1J, the subject can easily and highly accurately measure the concentration of a substance in the blood simply by wearing the goggles 10J on the forehead.

[0194] (2) The blood substance concentration measuring devices 1G and 1H according to the third embodiment include a detection unit 84 that detects whether or not the target part Ob of the subject is present in a specific range (target range TR) in space, a light irradiating unit 2 (2G, 2H) that irradiates a laser beam L1 toward a specific region in the test part Mp0 in the target part Ob, a photodetector 3 (3G, 3H) that receives signal light L2 from the subject based on the laser beam L1 and detects the intensity of the signal light L2, and a photodetector 3 (3G, 3H) that focuses the laser beam L1 on a specific region in the test part Mp0 in the target part Ob located in the specific range and detects the intensity of the laser beam L1 in the test part Mp0. and a control unit 9 that determines the concentration of a substance in the blood in the area where the laser light L1 is focused based on the intensity of the signal light L2, and when the detection means 84 detects that the target site Ob is present in a specific range in space (target range TR), the light irradiating unit 2 (2G, 2H) irradiates the laser light L1, the photodetector 3 (3G, 3H) receives the signal light L2 based on the laser light L1 and detects the intensity of the signal light L2, and the control unit 9 measures the concentration of the substance in the blood based on the intensity of the signal light L2.

[0195] In the devices 1G and 1H having the above configuration, the control unit 9 performs the following process to measure the concentration of a substance in blood contained in the blood of the test portion Mp0 in the target site Ob of the subject. Figure 26 is a flowchart showing the blood substance measurement operation by the devices 1G and 1H.

[0196] First, as shown in FIG. 26, the detection means 84 detects whether or not the target part Ob of the subject is present in a specific range (target range TR) in space as information related to the target part Ob of the subject (step S1G).

[0197] Next, the light irradiation unit 2G irradiates laser light L1 toward a specific region in the subject portion Mp0 in the target portion Ob of the subject, which is located within a limited specific target range TR in space (step S3G), and the photodetector 3G receives signal light from the subject based on the laser light L1 and detects the intensity of the signal light L2 (step S4G).

[0198] At this time, the angles of the light irradiator 2G and the photodetector 3G are set in a fixed state to an angle corresponding to the predetermined target range TR. The position of the optical member 4 is set to a position where the laser light L1 can be irradiated onto the target portion Ob present in the target range TR and the reflected signal light L2 can be received.

[0199] Furthermore, the distance to the target location Ob may be measured by a distance measuring means (not shown), and when the output distance information to the target location Ob is within a predetermined range, the laser light L1 may be irradiated from the light irradiating unit 2G onto the target location Ob of the subject. Alternatively, time-series measurement data may be recorded by continuously irradiating the laser light L1 and receiving the signal light L2 for a predetermined period of time, and measurement data of the signal light L2 corresponding to a time when the distance information to the target location Ob output from the distance measuring means 83 is within a predetermined range may be selected from the time-series data.

[0200] This allows the optical element 4 to focus the laser light L1 on a specific area in the subject part Mp0 in the target area Ob, and an image of the signal light L2 emitted from the area in the subject part Mp0 where the laser light L1 is focused can be formed on the photodetector.

[0201] Alternatively, in steps S3G and S4G, the light irradiation unit 2H emits a laser light image L1s whose beam diameter is expanded by a diffusion lens 44 so that the image L1s covers the entire target area Ob, which corresponds to the entire body of the subject, and the intensity distribution of the signal light L2 reflected from the target area Ob, which corresponds to the entire body of the subject, is measured by a two-dimensional infrared sensor (photodetector 3H) having a light-receiving surface 31aH corresponding to the size of the image L2s of the signal light L2 reflected from the laser light irradiation area, which corresponds to the entire body of the subject.

[0202] Next, the concentration of the substance in the blood in the area where the laser light L1 is focused is determined based on the intensity of the signal light L2 (step S5G), and the process ends.

[0203] This configuration eliminates the need for angle adjustment in the light irradiator 2G and the photodetector 3G, simplifying the device. Therefore, when it is certain that the target area Ob of the subject passes through a predetermined target range TR, the blood substance concentration can be measured using a less expensive device.

[0204] Furthermore, by using a diffusion lens 44 and a two-dimensional infrared sensor in the light irradiation unit 2G and the photodetector 3G, respectively, it is possible to measure the blood substance concentration distribution by setting the part of the subject's body exposed from the subject's clothing as the target area Ob over the entire body of the subject passing through gate 10F.

[0205] (3) The blood substance concentration measuring device 1I according to the third embodiment includes, as a measuring means for measuring information related to the target part Ob of the subject, a distance measuring means 83 for detecting the range of existence of the target part Ob of the subject in space as information related to the target part Ob, and the movable means 5 (52, 53) is configured to be able to change the position and angle of the optical member 4 at a plurality of positions in space so that the area where the laser light L1 is focused can coincide with a specific area in the subject part Mp0 in the target part Ob and so that an image of the signal light L2 emitted from the area where the laser light L1 is focused can be formed on the photodetector 3 (3I). The detection means 83 detects the range of the target site Ob of the subject, the movable means 5 (52, 53) changes the position and angle of the optical member 4 to suit each of the multiple positions, the light irradiating unit 2 (2I) irradiates the multiple positions with laser light L1, the photodetector 3 receives signal light L2 obtained based on the laser light L1 and detects the intensity of each signal light L2, the control unit 9 measures the concentration of a substance in the blood based on the intensity of the obtained signal light L2, and further selects a measurement target position from the multiple positions based on the range of the target site Ob, and selects the concentration of the substance in the blood corresponding to the measurement target position.

[0206] In the device 1I having the above configuration, the control unit 9 performs the following process to measure the concentration of a substance in blood contained in the blood of the test portion Mp0 in the target site Ob of the subject. Fig. 27 is a flowchart showing the blood substance measurement operation by the device 1I.

[0207] 27, as information related to the target location Ob of the subject, a measuring means consisting of a distance measuring means 83 measures the distance to the target location Ob (step S1I). That is, in the device 1I, the distance measuring means 83 measures the distance to the target location Ob, thereby detecting the spatial extent of the target location Ob of the subject. Specifically, the distance measuring means 83 sweeps the entire body of the subject who is stationary within the gate 10F, and sequentially measures the distance to each elemental portion obtained by breaking down the body surface into a matrix.

[0208] Next, the optical member moving means 52, 53, which are the moving means 5, change the state of the optical member 4 based on information related to the target location Ob (step S2I). Specifically, the optical member moving means 53 changes the angle of the optical member 4 to match the measurement target position of the distance measurement means 83. Furthermore, the optical member moving means 52 changes the position of the optical member 4 at multiple positions in space based on the distance to the target location Ob detected by the distance measurement means 83 so that the area where the laser light L1 is focused can coincide with a specific area in the test part Mp0 and so that an image of the signal light L2 emitted from the area where the laser light L1 is focused can be formed on the photodetector 3.

[0209] Next, the light irradiation unit 2I irradiates laser light L1 toward a specific area in the subject part Mp0 in the target part Ob, which corresponds to the entire body of the subject (step S3I), and the photodetector 3I receives signal light L2 from the target part Ob, which corresponds to the entire body of the subject, based on the laser light L1, and detects the intensity of the signal light L2 (step S4I).

[0210] Specifically, in the device 1I, the emission direction of the laser light L1 emitted from the light irradiator 2I is sequentially changed by the galvanometer scanner 46, and the laser light L1 is irradiated so that the scan range L1s of the laser light L1 sweeps the entire target site Ob, which corresponds to the entire body of the subject. Furthermore, the signal light L2 reflected from the scan range L1s of the laser light L1, which covers the entire target site Ob, which corresponds to the entire body of the subject, is received in time series by the photodetector 3I with its incident direction changed by the galvanometer scanner 46, and the intensity distribution of the signal light L2 reflected from the target site Ob, which corresponds to the entire body of the subject, is measured.

[0211] At this time, the optical element 4 focuses the laser light L1 on a specific area in the subject part Mp0 in the target area Ob, and an image of the signal light L2 emitted from the area in the subject part Mp0 where the laser light L1 is focused is formed on the photodetector.

[0212] Next, the concentration of the substance in the blood in the area where the laser light L1 is focused is determined based on the intensity of the signal light L2 (step S5I), and the process ends.

[0213] With the device 1I having such a configuration, the distribution of concentrations of substances in the blood can be measured for the target area Ob, which is the part of the entire body of the subject passing through the gate 10F that is exposed from the subject's clothing.

[0214] <Evaluation Test> Performance evaluation was carried out by an evaluation test using an example and a comparative example of the device 1. The results are described below.

[0215] (Example) A usable prototype was created and evaluated as an example of the device 1. In the example of the device 1, a laser light source with a wavelength selected from the range of 2.5 μm to 12 μm was used as the laser light source 21 of the light irradiation unit 2. A near-infrared and mid-infrared sensor was used as the photodetector 3.

[0216] 28(a) to (c) are diagrams showing combinations of the incident angle of the laser light L1 with respect to the skin surface of the target site Ob and the exit angle (installation angle) of the photodetector 3 with respect to the skin surface of the target site Ob in the evaluation test. As shown in Figures 28(a) to (c), the combinations of the incident angle and exit angle (installation angle) were as follows: (Condition 1) incident angle 65 degrees, exit angle 5 degrees; (Condition 2) incident angle 45 degrees, exit angle 25 degrees; (Condition 3) incident angle 65 degrees, exit angle -10 degrees; (Condition 4) incident angle 30 degrees, exit angle 25 degrees; (Condition 5) incident angle 0 degrees, exit angle 25 degrees; and (Condition 6) incident angle 25 degrees, exit angle 0 degree.

[0217] The focusing lens 41 of the optical member 4 had an f=25 mm and was installed at a position approximately 50 mm from the laser light focusing area of ​​the subject part Mp0 and the light receiving surface 31a of the photodetector 3, with the photodetector 3 being installed at an image transfer (focus) position of the laser light focusing area. Here, the focus depth of the detector was selected from the range of 0.5 mm to 3.5 mm inside the skin of the living body Ob, and was set to 1.5 mm in this example.

[0218] Comparative Example As a comparative example, the results of measuring the glucose concentration by a flash glucose monitor (FGM) using a commercially available glucose measuring device were used.

[0219] (Test Method) Using the dorsal surface of the index finger of an adult male subject as the test object, radioactivity concentration was measured at approximately regular intervals using the example using the device 1 and the comparative example using FGM. In the measurement using the device 1, the living body Ob was placed on the main surface of the base and measurements were taken simultaneously for the example and the comparative example.

[0220] (Test Results) Figures 29, 30, and 31 show the results of blood substance concentration measurement tests using the example of device 1 and the comparative example using FGM under conditions 1 and 2, conditions 3 and 4, and conditions 5 and 6, respectively. As shown in Figures 29, 30, and 31, for all combinations of incident angle and exit angle under conditions 1 through 6, the measured values ​​of the example were within ±5% of the measured values ​​of the comparative example at the same time, indicating good agreement with the comparative example, a commercially available product that represents current standards. This confirms that device 1 can stably perform highly accurate measurements regardless of the combination of incident angle and exit angle within the range of incident angle 0 to 65 degrees and exit angle -10 to 25 degrees. However, the angle ranges are not limited to these ranges, and may be selected from the range of incident angle 0 to 80 degrees and exit angle -80 to 80 degrees.

[0221] Summary: Conventional non-invasive blood substance concentration measuring devices use the fingers as the measurement site, and the measurement is performed with the palm of the finger in contact with a light irradiation window on the outer surface of the measuring device. Therefore, even though the measurement is optical, the subject is required to be in contact with part of the measuring device, which makes it difficult to measure blood substance concentrations from subjects in various situations and during activities in daily life.

[0222] In contrast, according to the blood substance concentration measuring device, blood substance concentration measuring method, and program of one embodiment of the present disclosure, the above-mentioned configuration makes use of the characteristics of optical measurement, and enables highly accurate measurements to be performed more easily and stably on not only the fingers but also other parts of the subject's body where the skin is exposed, as measurement target areas.

[0223] This will enable blood substance concentration measurement using laser light to be widely used in various aspects of human life, such as support and services related to medicine, health, food and drink, sports, education, entertainment, etc., and will enable the realization of a blood substance concentration measurement device, blood substance concentration measurement method, and program that will contribute to improving quality of life.

[0224] Although the specific configuration of the present disclosure has been described above using the embodiments as examples, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments except for its essential characteristic components. For example, the present disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the embodiments and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present invention.

[0225] (1) In the above embodiment, glucose is used as an example of a measurement target substance to be detected by the blood substance concentration measuring device. However, the blood components that can be detected by the blood substance concentration measuring device according to the present disclosure are not limited to those described above. By varying the wavelength of the laser light L1 emitted by the light irradiator 2 depending on the type of blood component, the device can be widely used for detecting other detection targets.

[0226] (2) In the above embodiment, the blood substance concentration measuring device is exemplified by an optical system including an optical member 4 having a condenser lens 41 functioning as an imaging lens between the subject portion Mp0 and the photodetector 3. However, the blood substance concentration measuring device according to the present disclosure may be configured to image the signal light L2 reflected from the vascular region of the target portion Ob of the subject on the photodetector 3, and the light-receiving optical system may be modified as appropriate to another aspect. For example, a configuration using multiple lenses or a configuration in which a mirror is disposed midway along the optical path may be used.

[0227] (3) The order in which steps are performed in the embodiments is merely an example for specifically explaining the present invention, and other orders may be used. Furthermore, some of the steps may be performed simultaneously (in parallel) with other steps. Furthermore, at least some of the functions of each embodiment and its modified examples may be combined.

[0228] <<Supplementary Information>> The above-described embodiments each illustrate a preferred specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step order shown in the embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the embodiments, those not recited in the independent claims that represent the highest concept of the present invention are described as optional components that constitute more preferred embodiments.

[0229] The order in which the above methods are performed is merely an example for specifically explaining the present invention, and other orders may be used. Also, some of the above methods may be performed simultaneously (in parallel) with other methods.

[0230] In order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the scale of the components in the drawings of the above embodiments may differ from the actual scale. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the description of the above embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0231] Furthermore, all the numbers used above are merely examples for the purpose of specifically explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the numbers used as examples.

[0232] The blood substance concentration measuring device, blood substance concentration measuring method, and program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can be used as medical equipment for routinely measuring blood substance conditions such as blood glucose levels and blood lipid levels in the prevention and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases. Furthermore, the present disclosure can be widely used in service applications related to support for food and drink, health care, sports, and security checks for alcohol and drug use.

[0233] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, Blood substance concentration measuring device 10F Gate 10J Goggles 2 Light irradiating unit 21 Laser light source 22 Aperture 23 Condenser lens 3 Photodetector 31 Infrared sensor 32 Beam splitter 33 Dichroic mirror 34 Visible light camera 4 Optical member 41 Condenser lens 42 Optical fiber 43 Condenser lens 44 Diffuser lens 45 Mirror 46 Galvano scanner 5 Optical member moving means 51 Optical member holder 52 Position changing means (linear conveying mechanism) 53 Angle changing means 6 Visible light laser light source (position measuring means) 8 Main body 81 Display unit 82 Camera (position measuring means) 83 Distance measuring means (distance measuring device) 9 Control unit

Claims

1. A blood substance concentration measuring device for measuring the concentration of a blood substance contained in the blood of a test part in a target region of a subject, comprising: a measuring means for measuring information related to the target region of the subject; a light irradiating unit for irradiating laser light towards a specific region in the test part in the target region; a photodetector for receiving signal light reflected from the subject based on the laser light and detecting the intensity of the signal light; an optical member for focusing the laser light on the specific region in the test part in the target region and forming an image of the signal light emitted from the region in the test part where the laser light is focused on the photodetector; an optical member moving means for changing the state of the optical member; and a control unit for determining the concentration of the blood substance in the region where the laser light is focused based on the intensity of the signal light.

2. The blood substance concentration measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the optical member moving means changes the state of the optical member based on information related to the target site.

3. The blood substance concentration measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the measuring means includes a distance-related information measuring means for measuring information related to the target site that changes based on the distance from a specific position on the optical path of the laser light and the signal light to the target site, the optical member is on a common optical path of the laser light and the signal light, the optical member moving means, based on the information measured by the distance-related information measuring means, moves the optical member along the common optical path to a position where an area where the laser light is focused can coincide with a specific area in the test part in the target site and where an image of the signal light emitted from the area where the laser light is focused can be formed on a photodetector, thereafter the light irradiating unit irradiates laser light, the photodetector receives signal light based on the laser light and detects the intensity of the signal light, and the control unit measures the concentration of the blood substance based on the intensity of the signal light.

4. The measuring means includes a distance measuring means for measuring the distance from a specific position on the optical path of the laser light and the signal light to the target site as information related to the target site, the optical member includes a first optical member for focusing the laser light on a specific region in the test part at the target site, and a second optical member for forming an image of the signal light emitted from the region in the test part where the laser light is focused on an optical detector, the optical member moving means includes a first position changing means for controlling the position of the first optical member on the optical path of the laser light, and a second position changing means for controlling the position of the second optical member on the optical path of the signal light, and the first position changing means moves the position of the first optical member to a position where the region where the laser light is focused can coincide with the specific region in the test part at the target site based on the distance measured by the distance measuring means, 3. The blood substance concentration measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the second position changing means moves the second optical member to a position where an image of the signal light emitted from the area where the laser light is focused can be formed on a photodetector based on the distance measured by the distance measuring means, the light irradiating unit then irradiates laser light, the photodetector receives signal light based on the laser light and detects the intensity of the signal light, and the control unit measures the concentration of the blood substance based on the intensity of the signal light.

5. The measuring means includes a position measuring means for measuring the position of the target site relative to a specific position on the optical paths of the laser light and the signal light as information related to the target site, the optical members include a first optical member located on the optical path of the laser light and focusing the laser light on a specific region in the test part at the target site, and a second optical member located on the optical path of the signal light and forming an image of the signal light emitted from the region in the test part at the target site where the laser light is focused on a photodetector, the optical member moving means includes a first angle changing means for changing the emission angle of the first optical member, and a second angle changing means for changing the light entrance angle of the second optical member, and the first angle changing means changes the emission angle of the first optical member based on the position measured by the position measuring means to a direction in which the region where the laser light is focused can coincide with the specific region in the test part at the target site, 3. The blood substance concentration measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the second angle changing means changes the light entrance angle of the second optical member to a direction in which an image of the signal light emitted from the area where the laser light is focused can be formed on a photodetector based on the position measured by the position measuring means, the light irradiating unit then irradiates laser light, the photodetector receives signal light based on the laser light and detects an intensity of the signal light, and the control unit measures the concentration of the blood substance based on the intensity of the signal light.

6. The blood substance concentration measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the measuring means includes a detection means for detecting the extent of the target part of the subject in space as information related to the target part, the optical member moving means is configured to be able to change the position and angle of the optical member at a plurality of positions in space so that the area where the laser light is focused can coincide with a specific area in the subject part and so that an image of the signal light emitted from the area where the laser light is focused can be formed on a photodetector, the optical member moving means selects a measurement target position from the plurality of positions based on the extent of the target part detected by the detection means and changes the position and angle of the optical member to suit the measurement target position, thereafter the light irradiating unit irradiates laser light, the photodetector receives signal light based on the laser light and detects the intensity of the signal light, and the control unit measures the concentration of the blood substance based on the intensity of the signal light.

7. The blood substance concentration measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring means includes a detection means for detecting the extent of the target site of the subject in space as information related to the target site, and the optical member moving means is configured to be able to change the position and angle of the optical member at a plurality of positions in space so that the area where the laser light is focused can coincide with a specific area in the subject part in the target site and an image of the signal light emitted from the area where the laser light is focused can be formed on a photodetector, the detection means detects the extent of the target site of the subject, the optical member moving means changes the position and angle of the optical member to suit each of the plurality of positions, the light irradiation unit irradiates laser light to each of the plurality of positions, the photodetector receives signal light obtained based on the laser light and detects the intensity of each of the signal lights, and the control unit measures the concentration of the substance in the blood based on the intensity of the obtained signal light, and further selects a measurement target position from the plurality of positions based on the extent of the target site, and selects the concentration of the substance in the blood corresponding to the measurement target position.

8. A blood substance concentration measuring device for measuring the concentration of a blood substance contained in the blood of a subject at a target site of a subject, comprising: a detection means for detecting whether the target site of the subject is present within a specific range in space; a light irradiating section for irradiating a laser light toward a specific region in the subject at the target site; a photodetector for receiving signal light from the subject based on the laser light and detecting the intensity of the signal light; an optical member for focusing the laser light on a specific region in the subject at the target site located within the specific range and forming an image of the signal light emitted from the region in the subject where the laser light is focused on the photodetector; and a control section for determining the concentration of the blood substance in the region where the laser light is focused based on the intensity of the signal light, wherein when the detection means detects that the target site is present within the specific range in space, the light irradiating section irradiates laser light, the photodetector receives signal light based on the laser light and detects the intensity of the signal light, and the control section measures the concentration of the blood substance based on the intensity of the signal light. Blood substance concentration measuring device.

9. A blood substance concentration measuring device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the positions of the light irradiation unit and the optical member relative to the subject part are defined so that a blood vessel region located inward from the epidermis in the subject part overlaps with a region where the laser light is focused by the optical member, and the positions of the photodetector and the optical member relative to the subject part are defined so that an image of the signal light emitted from the blood vessel region overlapping with the region where the laser light is focused is transferred by the optical member and formed on the light receiving surface of the photodetector.

10. A blood substance concentration measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein in a section of the optical path from the light irradiation unit to the subject unit to the surface of the subject unit, the laser light propagates in space except for the section passing through the optical member, and in a section of the optical path from the subject unit to the photodetector from the surface of the subject unit to the light receiving surface of the photodetector, the signal light propagates in space except for the section passing through the optical member.

11. A method for measuring the concentration of a blood substance contained in the blood of a test part in a target region of a test subject, comprising the steps of: measuring information related to the target region of the test subject with a measuring means; changing the state of an optical member based on the information related to the target region with an optical member moving means; irradiating laser light toward a specific region in the test part in the target region with a light irradiation unit; focusing the laser light on the specific region in the test part in the target region with an optical member, and forming an image of the signal light emitted from the region in the test part where the laser light is focused on a photodetector; receiving signal light from the test subject based on the laser light with the photodetector and detecting the intensity of the signal light; and determining the concentration of the blood substance in the region where the laser light is focused based on the intensity of the signal light.

12. A program causing a computer to perform blood substance concentration measurement processing for measuring the concentration of a blood substance contained in the blood of a test part in a target region of a test subject, said blood substance concentration measurement processing comprising the steps of: measuring information related to the target region of the test subject using a measuring means; changing the state of an optical member based on the information related to the target region using an optical member moving means; irradiating laser light toward a specific region in the test part in the target region using a light irradiation unit; focusing the laser light on the specific region in the test part in the target region using an optical member, forming an image of the signal light emitted from the region in the test part where the laser light is focused on a photodetector; receiving signal light from the test subject based on the laser light using the photodetector and detecting the intensity of the signal light; and determining the concentration of the blood substance in the region where the laser light is focused based on the intensity of the signal light.

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