Probe unit

Abstract

Provided is a probe unit used for measuring hemoglobin dynamics inside a subject. The probe unit is provided with: a holder having flexibility and having a shape curved such that one end and the other end face each other; a first probe attached to the one end of the holder, the first probe having a first surface on which a first incidence / emission unit for performing incidence / emission of light on the subject is exposed, and on which a light-blocking member is detachably attached so as to surround the first incidence / emission unit; and a second probe attached to the other end of the holder, the second probe having a second surface on which a second incidence / emission unit for performing incidence / emission of light on the subject is exposed, and on which a light-blocking member is detachably attached so as to surround the second incidence / emission unit.

Description

Probe Unit

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a probe unit.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a probe unit including: a flexible holder; a first probe attached to the holder and having a first surface on which a first light emitting portion for irradiating light toward a subject is exposed; a second probe attached to the holder opposite the first probe and having a second surface on which a first light incident portion for detecting light propagated inside the subject is exposed; a first light-shielding member having light-shielding properties and including an elastic material and attached to the first surface so as to surround an emission axis of the first light emitting portion; and a second light-shielding member having light-shielding properties and including an elastic material and attached to the second surface so as to surround an incidence axis of the first light incident portion.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-185243

[0004] In the above-described probe unit, the first and second light-shielding members are interposed between the subject and the first and second probes, respectively, and function as buffer members. Therefore, the first and second light-shielding members are members that come into contact with the subject, and are expected to be replaced frequently. Therefore, there is a demand in the above-described technical field for facilitating replacement of the light-shielding members.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a probe unit that allows for easy replacement of a light-shielding member.

[0006] The probe unit according to the present disclosure is [1] "a probe unit used to measure hemoglobin dynamics inside a subject, comprising: a flexible holder having a curved shape with one end facing the other end; a first probe attached to the one end of the holder, which exposes a first incident / exit section for emitting and receiving light to and from the subject, and which has a first surface to which a light-shielding member is detachably attached so as to surround the first incident / exit section; and a second probe attached to the other end of the holder, which exposes a second incident / exit section for emitting and receiving light to and from the subject. and a second probe having a second surface to which a light-shielding member is detachably attached so as to surround the second input / output portion, wherein the first probe is attached to the one end so as to be rotatable about a first axis along the opposing direction between the one end and the other end and a second axis intersecting the first axis, and so as to be attitude-changeable so that the first surface is along the opposing direction, and the second probe is attached to the other end so as to be rotatable about the first axis and the second axis, and so as to be attitude-changeable so that the second surface is along the opposing direction.

[0007] This probe unit has a first probe and a second probe attached to opposing ends of a holder. A light incident / exit portion is exposed on a first surface of the first probe and a second surface of the second probe, respectively. The first probe and the second probe are rotatable about a first axis along the opposing direction between the one end and the other end of the holder and a second axis intersecting the first axis. This allows the first probe and the second probe to be rotated appropriately to match the shape of the test site of the subject, for example, by emitting light toward the subject from the incident / exit portion on the first surface of the first probe and receiving light that has propagated inside the subject at the incident / exit portion on the second surface of the second probe, thereby enabling the hemoglobin conductor of the subject to be suitably measured. In particular, in this probe unit, light-shielding members are detachably attached to the first and second surfaces on which the incident and exit portions are exposed, and the position of each of the first and second probes can be changed so that the first and second surfaces are aligned in opposing directions. Therefore, by changing the position of the first and second probes so that the first surface of the first probe and the second surface of the second probe face outside the region between one end and the other end of the holder, the light-shielding members can be easily attached and detached. Therefore, with this probe unit, the light-shielding members can be easily replaced.

[0008] The probe unit according to the present disclosure may be [2] "the probe unit described in the above [1], comprising: a first attachment portion for attaching the first probe to the one end; and a second attachment portion for attaching the second probe to the other end, wherein the first attachment portion has a first shank portion inserted into the one end along the first axis, a first ball portion provided at a tip of the first shank portion, and a first ball support portion provided on the first probe and into which the first ball portion is fitted to support the first ball portion rotatably about the first axis and the second axis; and the second attachment portion has a second shank portion inserted into the other end along the first axis, a second ball portion provided at a tip of the second shank portion, and a second ball support portion provided on the second probe and into which the second ball portion is fitted to support the second ball portion rotatably about the first axis and the second axis." In this case, the first probe and the second probe can be made rotatable around the first axis and the second axis with a simple configuration.

[0009] The probe unit according to the present disclosure may be [3] "the probe unit according to the above [2], wherein the first ball support portion is formed with a first groove portion into which the first shaft portion enters when tilted, and the second ball support portion is formed with a second groove portion into which the second shaft portion enters when tilted." In this case, with a simple configuration, it is possible to change the posture of the first probe and the second probe so that the first surface of the first probe and the second surface of the second probe face outside the region between one end and the other end of the holder.

[0010] The probe unit according to the present disclosure may be [4] "the probe unit of [2] or [3] above, wherein the first attachment portion includes a first cap that is fitted over a base end of the first shank protruding from the one end opposite the first ball portion when the first shank is inserted into the one end, and the second attachment portion includes a second cap that is fitted over a base end of the second shank protruding from the other end opposite the second ball portion when the second shank is inserted into the other end, and the first cap and the second cap have spherical outer surfaces." In this case, the caps (first cap and second cap) with spherical outer surfaces are fitted over the ends of the first and second shanks protruding from the holder, thereby preventing the first and second shanks from coming off the holder and reducing the effect of the subject contacting the ends.

[0011] The probe unit according to the present disclosure may be [5] "the probe unit according to any one of the above [1] to [4], wherein the holder is configured by detachably stacking a plurality of flexible plate members, so that the restoring force when the distance between the one end and the other end is changed can be adjusted according to the number of the plate members." In this case, the restoring force can be adjusted with a simple configuration.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a probe unit that allows the light-shielding member to be easily replaced.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a biometric measurement device according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the probe unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an enlarged view of a portion of the probe unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a portion of the probe unit shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the opposing direction. FIG. 4(a) shows a view from one side in the opposing direction, and FIG. 4(b) shows a view from the other side in the opposing direction. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cross section of the probe unit shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5(a) is a cross section taken along line Va-Va in FIG. 4(a), and FIG. 5(b) is a cross section taken along line Vb-Vb in FIG. 4(b). FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the appearance of the first probe shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 5(a). FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of a portion of the first probe shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another state of the probe unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the probe unit according to this embodiment is attached to a subject. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a probe unit according to a modified example is attached to a subject.

[0014] An embodiment of the probe unit will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, identical or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a biomeasurement device according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the biomeasurement device 100 includes a bio-optical property measuring device 1 and a probe unit 4. The biomeasurement device 100 non-invasively measures substances in a living body using near-infrared spectroscopy. With the probe unit 4 attached to a subject H, the probe unit 4 irradiates light toward a measurement site (e.g., a deep brain region) of the subject H, and the probe unit 4 detects light emitted from the subject H, thereby allowing the bio-optical property measuring device 1 to obtain measurement results of the optical properties (e.g., absorption characteristics) of the measurement site of the subject H.

[0016] As an example, the biometric device 100 is a device for measuring the blood flow of a subject H, and irradiates the subject H with test light of two or more wavelengths in the near-infrared range (for example, wavelengths of 700 nm to 1200 nm), which has high biological permeability, and detects the light that has passed through the subject H, thereby measuring the hemoglobin dynamics (for example, oxygenated hemoglobin, deoxygenated hemoglobin, and tissue oxygen saturation) in the subject H from the amount of attenuation and temporal diffusion of the light. The subject H may be any living organism, and as an example, may be a human child (premature baby).

[0017] The bio-optical property measuring device 1 measures the optical properties of a living body, i.e., the light absorption properties of living tissue, based on, for example, the time-resolved measurement method, the phase difference measurement method, or the CW method. This bio-optical property measuring device 1 includes a light source unit C1, a light detection unit C2, a bio-optical property measuring unit C3, a calculation processing unit C4, and a control unit C5.

[0018] The light source C1 generates different light depending on the measurement method. For example, it generates pulsed light in the case of time-resolved measurement, light modulated into a sine wave in the case of phase difference measurement, and continuous light in the case of CW measurement, and may also perform measurement at multiple wavelengths. The light source C1 may be various types such as a light-emitting diode, a laser diode, and various pulse diodes. The light output from the light source C1 is irradiated onto the subject H via an optical fiber 2 connected to the light source C1 and held in the probe unit 4.

[0019] The light detection unit C2 is connected to the optical fiber 3 held in the probe unit 4 and detects light output from the optical fiber 3. This light detection unit C2 is connected to the bio-optical property measurement unit C3 and outputs a light detection signal indicating the light intensity of the detected light to the bio-optical property measurement unit C3. The light detection unit C2 can be various devices such as a photomultiplier tube (PMT), a photodiode, an avalanche photodiode, a PIN photodiode, or a multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC).

[0020] Furthermore, the light detection unit C2 can have spectral sensitivity characteristics that can adequately detect the wavelength of light irradiated from the light source unit C1. In particular, when the scattered light that has passed through the deep part of the brain of the subject or the fluorescence emitted from within the brain is weak, a high-sensitivity or high-gain light detection unit can be used.

[0021] The bio-optical property measurement unit C3 determines the light absorption property of biological tissue from changes in the intensity or waveform of the probe light in the subject. The determined light absorption property data is transmitted to the calculation processing unit C4. The calculation processing unit C4 calculates the oxygenated hemoglobin concentration C in the brain of the subject by solving the simultaneous equations of the following formula (1) established for each wavelength of the light source unit C1. Ｈｂ and deoxyhemoglobin concentration C ＨｂＯ２ In the following formula (1), μ ａ is the absorption coefficient, ε is the extinction coefficient, and C is the concentration. ａ，λ = ε Ｈｂ０２ , λ C Ｈｂо２ +ε Ｈｂ，λ C Ｈｂ …(1)

[0022] Furthermore, the arithmetic processing unit C4 calculates tissue oxygen saturation SO from the determined oxygenated hemoglobin concentration and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration. ２ On the other hand, the control unit C5 controls the light source unit C1, the light detection unit C2, the bio-optical property measurement unit C3, and the calculation processing unit C4.

[0023] In premature infants, intracranial hemorrhage is an important issue in acute management. In premature infants, bleeding occurs mostly from the upper subgerminal layer, which is surrounded by immature tissue. Premature infants have immature cerebral vascular autoregulation, and blood pressure fluctuations affect cerebral blood perfusion, making them prone to intraventricular hemorrhage. Therefore, when intraventricular hemorrhage occurs, hemoglobin dynamics also change, making it possible to frequently measure the hemoglobin dynamics of subject H using a biometric device. This makes it possible to easily attach and detach the probe unit.

[0024] On the other hand, the skin of a premature infant is functionally and structurally immature, with only two to three layers formed at gestational ages less than 30 weeks and no skin at gestational ages less than 24 weeks. Furthermore, in managing a premature infant, it is necessary to minimize the time the probe unit is in contact with the subject H in order to minimize fluctuations in respiratory and circulatory dynamics. In other words, the burden on the subject H caused by attaching the probe unit to the subject H can be reduced. Next, each part of the probe unit 4 will be described in detail.

[0025] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the probe unit shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the probe unit shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the probe unit 4 includes a holder 5, a first probe 6, a second probe 7, a first light-shielding member (light-shielding member) 8, and a second light-shielding member (light-shielding member) 9. The holder 5 is flexible and has a U-shaped curve such that one end 5e and the other end 5f face each other. Here, the direction in which the one end 5e and the other end 5f face each other is referred to as the facing direction D. The holder 5 is made of a resin material (elastic material) such as polyethylene (PE).

[0026] The first probe 6 is attached to one end 5e of the holder 5. The second probe 7 is attached to the other end 5f of the holder 5. Therefore, the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 face each other along the facing direction D. The first light-shielding member 8 is detachably attached to the surface of the first probe 6 facing the second probe 7 (a first surface 61s described below). The second light-shielding member 9 is detachably attached to the surface of the second probe 7 facing the first probe 6 (a second surface 71s described below). Because the first light-shielding member 8 and the second light-shielding member 9 are detachable in this way, the first light-shielding member 8 and the second light-shielding member 9 can be made disposable.

[0027] When the probe unit 4 is attached to the subject H, the holder 5 is elastically deformed to increase the distance between the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 in the opposing direction D, and the probe unit 4 is positioned so that the measurement site of the subject H is sandwiched between the first probe 6 and the second probe 7. In this state, by releasing the elastic deformation of the holder 5, the restoring force of the holder 5 narrows the distance between the first probe 6 and the second probe 7, and the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 come into contact with the measurement site of the subject H via the first light-shielding member 8 and the second light-shielding member 9. In this way, the probe unit 4 is attached to the subject H.

[0028] The holder 5 is configured to have an adjustable restoring force. That is, the holder 5 is configured by detachably stacking multiple (here, two) flexible plate members 51 and 52. The plate members 51 and 52 are fixed to each other in a stacked state by fastening members 53, such as bolts and nuts. Therefore, the holder 5 is configured so that the restoring force when the distance between one end 5e and the other end 5f is changed can be adjusted according to the number of stacked plate members. Protective members, such as shrink tubing, can be attached to the one end 5e and the other end 5f of the holder 5. In this case, even if the holder 5 is made of resin, chemical cracks due to stress or chemical reactions can be suppressed. Furthermore, covering the entire holder 5 with a protective member allows for fine adjustment of the restoring force. Furthermore, covering the entire holder 5 with a protective member can form unevenness on the surface (e.g., the inner surface) of the holder 5, thereby providing a non-slip effect.

[0029] Fig. 4 is a view of a portion of the probe unit shown in Fig. 2 as viewed from the opposing direction. Fig. 4(a) shows a view from one side in the opposing direction, and Fig. 4(b) shows a view from the other side in the opposing direction. Fig. 5 is a view showing a cross section of the probe unit shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 5(a) is a cross section taken along line Va-Va in Fig. 4(a), and Fig. 5(b) is a cross section taken along line Vb-Vb in Fig. 4(b). Fig. 6 is a view showing the appearance of the first probe shown in Figs. 4(a) and 5(a).

[0030] 2 to 6 , the first probe 6 includes a first portion 61 and a second portion 62. The first portion 61 is formed in a disk shape. The first portion 61 includes a first surface 61s. The second portion 62 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and protrudes from the surface of the first portion 61 opposite the first surface 61s. The first probe 6 is formed with a recess 63 that has an opening in the first surface 61s and extends from the first portion 61 to the second portion 62. The first probe 6 also has a through-hole 64 that opens on a side surface of the first probe 6 that intersects with the first surface 61s and is connected to the recess 63.

[0031] An optical member 81 (e.g., a prism) that transmits measurement light irradiated onto the subject H is fitted in the recess 63. An end face 81a of the optical member 81 is disposed on the same plane as the first surface 61s. An optical fiber 2 is inserted through the through-hole 64. The end face of the optical fiber 2 abuts against a side surface 81c of the optical member 81, and the optical fiber 2 and the optical member 81 are held in an optically coupled state by the first probe 6. As a result, the measurement light output from the light source unit C1 is guided by the optical fiber 2 and emitted from the end face 81a of the optical member 81. In this way, in the first probe 6, the end face 81a is exposed to the first surface 61s as an emission portion (first incident / emission portion) for emitting light to the subject H.

[0032] A first light-shielding member 8 is attached to the first surface 61s so as to surround the end surface 81a (first incident / exit portion) when viewed from a direction intersecting the first surface 61s (opposing direction D). The first light-shielding member 8 is a buffer member interposed between the subject H and the first probe 6 when the probe unit 4 is attached to the subject H. The first light-shielding member 8 is detachably attached to the first surface 61s with an adhesive member such as double-sided tape. The first light-shielding member 8 is formed in an annular shape (i.e., an annular shape here) that follows the outer shape (circular here) of the first surface 61s. Examples of materials for the first light-shielding member 8 include natural rubber (NR), chloroprene rubber (CR), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), nitrile rubber (NBR), silicone rubber (Si), and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), and the first light-shielding member 8 may be formed into a sponge-like shape using such materials.

[0033] The second probe 7 is configured similarly to the first probe 6. That is, the second probe 7 includes a first portion 71 and a second portion 72. The first portion 71 is formed in a disk shape. The first portion 71 includes a second surface 71s. The second portion 72 is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped and protrudes from the surface of the first portion 71 opposite the second surface 71s. The second probe 7 is formed with a recess 73 that has an opening in the second surface 71s and extends from the first portion 71 to the second portion 72. Furthermore, the second probe 7 is formed with a through-hole 74 that opens on a side surface of the second probe 7 that intersects with the second surface 71s and is connected to the recess 73.

[0034] An optical member 91 (e.g., a prism) that transmits detection light from the subject H is fitted in the recess 73. An end face 91a of the optical member 91 is disposed flush with the second surface 71s. An optical fiber 3 is inserted through the through-hole 74. The end face of the optical fiber 3 abuts against a side face 91c of the optical member 91, and the optical fiber 3 and the optical member 91 are held by the second probe 7 in an optically coupled state. As a result, light from the subject H enters the optical member 91 through the end face 91a and is guided to the light detection unit C2 by the optical fiber 3. Thus, in the second probe 7, the end face 91a is exposed to the second surface 71s as an incident portion (second incident / exit portion) for emitting light from the subject H.

[0035] In the present embodiment, an example is given in which the end face 81 a of the optical member 81 provided on the first probe 6 is a light emission portion and the end face 91 a of the optical member 91 provided on the second probe 7 is a light incidence portion, but the relationship between the light incidence and emission may be reversed. That is, the end face 81 a of the optical member 81 may function as a light incidence portion and the end face 91 a of the optical member 91 may function as a light emission portion. In other words, it is sufficient that each of the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 is provided with a light incidence and emission portion for the subject H.

[0036] A second light-shielding member 9 is attached to the second surface 71s so as to surround the end surface 91a (second incident / exit portion) when viewed from a direction intersecting the second surface 71s (opposing direction D). The second light-shielding member 9 is a buffer member interposed between the subject H and the second probe 7 when the probe unit 4 is attached to the subject H. The second light-shielding member 9 is detachably attached to the second surface 71s with an adhesive member such as double-sided tape. The second light-shielding member 9 is formed in an annular shape (i.e., an annular shape here) that follows the outer shape (circular here) of the second surface 71s. In this embodiment, the first light-shielding member 8 and the second light-shielding member 9 are the same member, including their materials.

[0037] Here, the probe unit 4 includes a first attachment portion 65 for attaching the first probe 6 to one end 5e of the holder 5, and a second attachment portion 75 for attaching the second probe 7 to the other end 5f of the holder 5. The first probe 6 is attached to the one end 5e by the first attachment portion 65 so as to be rotatable about a first axis A1 along the facing direction D and a second axis A2 intersecting the first axis A1, and so as to be attitude-changeable so that the first surface 61s is along the facing direction D. Furthermore, the second probe 7 is attached to the other end 5f by the second attachment portion 75 so as to be rotatable about the first axis A1 and the second axis A2, and so as to be attitude-changeable so that the second surface 71s is along the facing direction D. Next, these attachment structures will be described.

[0038] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the first probe shown in FIG. 5 . In FIG. 7A , the first portion 61 is omitted. As shown in FIGS. 3 , 5 , and 7 , the first mounting portion 65 is configured as a ball joint. More specifically, the first mounting portion 65 includes a first shaft portion 66, a first ball portion 67, a first ball support portion 68, and a first cap 69. The first shaft portion 66 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is inserted into one end 5 e of the holder 5 along the first axis A1. The first ball portion 67 is formed in a spherical shape and is provided at the tip of the first shaft portion 66. The first ball support portion 68 protrudes from a surface of the second portion 62 of the first probe 6 opposite the first portion 61. The first ball support portion 68 is formed integrally with the second portion 62.

[0039] The first ball support portion 68 has a spherical recess formed therein that is complementary to the first ball portion 67. The first ball support portion 68 supports the first ball portion 67 rotatably about the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 by fitting the first ball portion 67 into the recess. As a result, the first probe 6 is rotatable about the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 by allowing the first ball portion 67 to rotate within the recess of the first ball support portion 68. When the first shaft portion 66 is inserted into the one end 5 e of the holder 5, the first cap 69 is placed over the base end of the first shaft portion 66 that protrudes from the one end 5 e on the side opposite to the first ball portion 67, and prevents the first shaft portion 66 from coming off the one end 5 e. The first cap 69 has a spherical outer surface (is formed spherically).

[0040] A pair of first grooves 68a are formed in the first ball support portion 68. The first grooves 68a are formed by cutting out a portion of a wall that defines the recess of the first ball support portion 68 so as to open at the tip of the wall. The pair of first grooves 68a are formed in positions facing each other. By forming such first grooves 68a in the first ball support portion 68, it is possible for the first shaft portion 66 to tilt so as to enter the first grooves 68a.

[0041] As a result, by rotating the first probe 6 so that the depth direction of the first groove 68a is along the facing direction D and tilting the first shaft 66 so that it enters the first groove 68a, the posture of the first probe 6 can be changed so that the first surface 61s is along the facing direction D, as shown in Fig. 8. That is, the posture of the first probe 6 can be changed so that the first surface 61s faces outward from the region R between the one end 5e and the other end 5f of the holder 5. This makes it possible to attach and detach the first light-shielding member 8 to and from the first surface 61s in a state in which the first surface 61s faces outward from the region R, thereby facilitating access to the first surface 61s.

[0042] The second mounting portion 75 has the same configuration as the first mounting portion 65. That is, the second mounting portion 75 is configured as a ball joint. More specifically, the second mounting portion 75 includes a second shaft portion 76, a second ball portion 77, a second ball support portion 78, and a second cap 79. The second shaft portion 76 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is inserted into the other end 5f of the holder 5 along the first axis A1. The second ball portion 77 is formed in a spherical shape and is provided at the tip of the second shaft portion 76. The second ball support portion 78 protrudes from the surface of the second portion 72 of the second probe 7 opposite to the first portion 71. The second ball support portion 78 is formed integrally with the second portion 72.

[0043] The second ball support portion 78 has a spherical recess formed therein that is complementary to the second ball portion 77. The second ball support portion 78 supports the second ball portion 77 rotatably about the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 by fitting the second ball portion 77 into the recess. As a result, the second probe 7 is rotatable about the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 by allowing the second ball portion 77 to rotate within the recess of the second ball support portion 78. The second cap 79 covers the base end of the second shaft portion 76 that protrudes from the other end 5f on the side opposite to the second ball portion 77 when the second shaft portion 76 is inserted into the other end 5f of the holder 5, and prevents the second shaft portion 76 from coming off the other end 5f. The second cap 79 has a spherical outer surface (is formed spherically).

[0044] A pair of second grooves (not shown) are formed in the second ball support portion 78. The second grooves are formed by cutting out a portion of a wall portion that defines the recess of the second ball support portion 78 so as to open at the tip of the wall portion. The pair of second grooves are formed in positions facing each other. By forming such second grooves in the second ball support portion 78, it becomes possible for the second shaft portion 76 to tilt so as to enter the second grooves.

[0045] As a result, by rotating the second probe 7 so that the depth direction of the second groove is along the facing direction D and tilting the second shaft 76 so that it enters the second groove, the posture of the second probe 7 can be changed so that the second surface 71s is along the facing direction D. That is, the posture of the second probe 7 can be changed so that the second surface 71s faces outward from the region R between the one end 5e and the other end 5f of the holder 5. This makes it possible to attach and detach the second light-shielding member 9 to and from the second surface 71s in a state in which the second surface 71s faces outward from the region R, thereby facilitating access to the second surface 71s.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3 , in the first mounting portion 65, the amount of protrusion of the first shaft portion 66 from the holder 5 toward the first ball support portion 68 can be adjusted by interposing any number of spacers W, such as washers, between the first cap 69 and the holder 5. The amount of protrusion of the first shaft portion 66 determines the degree of freedom of rotation of the first probe 6 about the first axis A1. That is, by reducing the number of spacers W and increasing the amount of protrusion of the first shaft portion 66, the first probe 6 is less likely to interfere with the holder 5, improving the degree of freedom of rotation of the first probe 6 about the first axis A1. On the other hand, by increasing the number of spacers W and decreasing the amount of protrusion of the first shaft portion 66, the first probe 6 is more likely to interfere with the holder 5, reducing the degree of freedom of rotation of the first probe 6 about the first axis A1. The same applies to the second mounting portion 75.

[0047] Next, a description will be given of a biometric measurement method using the biometric measurement device 100 configured as described above. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the probe unit according to this embodiment is attached to a subject.

[0048] 9 , in this method, first, the probe unit 4 is attached to the measurement site (here, the head) of the subject H. As an example, the probe unit 4 is attached so that the end surface 81 a of the optical member 81, which is the light emitting portion, and the end surface 91 a of the optical member 91, which is the light incident portion, are located on the left and right temples of the subject H. At this time, the holder 5 is elastically deformed to increase the distance between the first probe 6 and the second probe 7, and the subject H is positioned between the first probe 6 and the second probe 7. In this state, the elastic deformation of the holder 5 is released to decrease the distance between the first probe 6 and the second probe 7. In this way, the probe unit 4 is attached to the subject H by utilizing the elastic force of the holder 5.

[0049] A first light-shielding member 8 is attached to the first surface 61s of the first probe 6, and a second light-shielding member 9 is attached to the second surface 71s of the second probe 7. Therefore, when the probe unit 4 is attached to the subject H, at least the first light-shielding member 8 and the second light-shielding member 9 come into contact with the subject H.

[0050] That is, a first light-shielding member 8 is interposed between the first probe 6 and the subject H, and a second light-shielding member 9 is interposed between the second probe 7 and the subject H. Here, on the first probe 6 side, the first light-shielding member 8 is in contact with the surface Hs of the subject H, and the first surface 61s and end surface 81a of the first probe 6 are spaced apart from the surface Hs of the subject H. On the second probe 7 side, the second light-shielding member 9 is in contact with the surface Hs of the subject H, and the second surface 71s and end surface 91a of the second probe 7 are spaced apart from the surface Hs of the subject H.

[0051] As described above, here, the probe unit 4 is in contact with the subject H only at the first light-shielding member 8 and the second light-shielding member 9. Such a contact state can be controlled, for example, by adjusting the thickness of the first light-shielding member 8 and the second light-shielding member 9. That is, by making the thicknesses of the first light-shielding member 8 and the second light-shielding member 9 relatively thick, only the first light-shielding member 8 and the second light-shielding member 9 can be brought into contact with the subject H, whereas by making the thicknesses of the first light-shielding member 8 and the second light-shielding member 9 relatively thin, the end surface 81 a and the end surface 91 a can be brought into contact with the subject H in addition to the first light-shielding member 8 and the second light-shielding member 9.

[0052] In addition, when the probe unit 4 is attached to the subject H, in order to appropriately set the force with which the probe unit 4 clamps the subject H, the number of plate members that make up the holder 5 of the probe unit 4 can be adjusted, and the restoring force of the holder 5 can be adjusted.

[0053] In the probe unit 4, by realizing the above-described contact state, a light-shielded space S shielded from extraneous light is formed between the first probe 6 and the subject H by the first probe 6, the first light-shielding member 8, and the subject H. Similarly, a light-shielded space S shielded from extraneous light is formed between the second probe 7 and the subject H by the second probe 7, the second light-shielding member 9, and the subject H. As described above, the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 are rotatable with respect to the holder 5. Therefore, when the probe unit 4 is attached to the subject H, the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 rotate, and the postures of the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 are adjusted to match the shape (shape of the head) of the subject H.

[0054] Next, with the probe unit 4 attached to the subject H as described above, light L is provided from the light source unit C1 to the optical fiber 2 under the control of the control unit C5 of the bio-optical characteristic measuring device 1. This light L is emitted from the end surface 81a of the optical member 81 of the first probe 6 and is irradiated toward the subject H. Here, the biomeasurement device 100 performs a time-resolved measurement method to measure the hemoglobin dynamics of the subject H. Therefore, here, a plurality of (e.g., three) pulsed lights of light L having different wavelengths are sequentially irradiated. The wavelengths of the light L are, for example, 760 nm, 800 nm, and 830 nm.

[0055] The light L propagated inside the subject H is incident on the end surface 91 a of the optical member 91 of the second probe 7 and output to the light detection unit C2 of the bio-optical property measurement device 1 via the optical fiber 3. Thereafter, based on the detection results (such as the attenuation and temporal diffusion of the light L), the bio-optical property measurement unit C3 and the arithmetic processing unit C4 of the bio-optical property measurement device 1 derive the oxygenated hemoglobin, deoxygenated hemoglobin, tissue oxygen saturation, and the like within the skull of the subject H. As described above, in this embodiment, the biomeasurement device 100 performs so-called transmission measurement. In this transmission measurement, light propagated deep inside the subject H is detected, and therefore the dynamics of hemoglobin deep inside the subject H can be measured.

[0056] As described above, in the probe unit 4 according to this embodiment, the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 are attached to the opposing ends 5 e and 5 f of the holder 5. Light incident and exit portions (end faces 81 a and 91 a of the optical member 81 and 91 s) are exposed on the first surface 61 s of the first probe 6 and the second surface 71 s of the second probe 7, respectively. The first probe 6 and the second probe 7 are rotatable about a first axis A1 along the opposing direction D between the one end 5 e and the other end 5 f of the holder 5, and a second axis A2 intersecting the first axis A1.

[0057] This allows the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 to be rotated appropriately to match the shape of the test area of ​​the subject H, and light is emitted toward the subject H from the input / output portion on the first surface 61s of the first probe 6, and light that has propagated inside the subject H is received at the input / output portion on the second surface of the second probe 7, thereby making it possible to suitably measure the hemoglobin conductor of the subject H.

[0058] In particular, in the probe unit 4 according to this embodiment, light-shielding members (first light-shielding member 8 and second light-shielding member 9) are detachably attached to the first surface 61s and the second surface 71s, respectively, on which the incident and exit portions are exposed. Furthermore, the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 are each capable of changing their posture so that the first surface 61s and the second surface 71s are aligned along the opposing direction D. Therefore, by changing the posture of the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 so that the first surface 61s of the first probe 6 and the second surface 71s of the second probe 7 face outside the region R between the one end 5e and the other end 5f of the holder 5, the light-shielding members can be easily attached and detached. Therefore, according to the probe unit 4 according to this embodiment, the light-shielding members can be easily replaced. Furthermore, because the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 are rotatable and their postures can be changed, it is also possible to ensure that cords such as the optical fibers 2 and 3 extending from the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 extend in a direction that does not interfere with the subject H during measurement.

[0059] The probe unit 4 according to this embodiment also includes a first attachment portion 65 for attaching the first probe 6 to one end 5 e of the holder 5, and a second attachment portion 75 for attaching the second probe 7 to the other end 5 f of the holder 5. The first attachment portion 65 includes a first shaft portion 66 inserted into the one end 5 e along the first axis A1, a first ball portion 67 provided at the tip of the first shaft portion 66, and a first ball support portion 68 provided on the first probe 6 and fitted with the first ball portion 67 to support the first ball portion 67 rotatably about the first axis A1 and the second axis A2. The second mounting portion 75 also has a second shaft portion 76 inserted into the other end 5 f along the first axis A1, a second ball portion 77 provided at the tip of the second shaft portion 76, and a second ball support portion 78 provided on the second probe 7 and fitted with the second ball portion 77 to support the second ball portion 77 rotatably about the first axis A1 and the second axis A2. This makes it possible to make the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 rotatable about the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 with a simple configuration.

[0060] Furthermore, in the probe unit 4 according to this embodiment, the first ball support portion 68 is formed with a first groove portion 68a into which the first shaft portion 66 enters when tilted. Furthermore, the second ball support portion 78 is formed with a second groove portion into which the second shaft portion 76 enters when tilted. Therefore, with a simple configuration, it is possible to change the posture of the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 so that the first surface 61s of the first probe 6 and the second surface 71s of the second probe 7 face outside the region R between one end 5e and the other end 5f of the holder 5.

[0061] In the probe unit 4 according to this embodiment, the first mounting portion 65 includes a first cap 69 that is fitted over a base end of the first shaft portion 66 protruding from the one end 5 e on the side opposite the first ball portion 67 when the first shaft portion 66 is inserted through the one end 5 e, and prevents the first shaft portion 66 from coming off the one end 5 e. The second mounting portion 75 includes a second cap 79 that is fitted over a base end of the second shaft portion 76 protruding from the other end 5 f on the side opposite the second ball portion 77 when the second shaft portion 76 is inserted through the other end 5 f, and prevents the second shaft portion 76 from coming off the other end 5 f. The first cap 69 and the second cap 79 have spherical outer surfaces. In this way, the ends of the first shaft portion 66 and the second shaft portion 76 protruding from the holder 5 are covered with caps (first cap 69 and second cap 79) having spherical outer surfaces, which prevents the first shaft portion 66 and the second shaft portion 76 from coming off the holder 5 and reduces the impact of the subject H coming into contact with these ends.

[0062] In the probe unit according to the present disclosure, the holder 5 is configured by detachably stacking a plurality of flexible plate members 51, 52, so that the restoring force when the distance between one end 5e and the other end 5f is changed can be adjusted according to the number of plate members 51, 52. This makes it possible to adjust the restoring force with a simple configuration.

[0063] The above embodiment has described one aspect of the probe unit according to the present disclosure. Therefore, the probe unit according to the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified as desired.

[0064] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a probe unit according to a modified example is attached to a subject. As shown in Fig. 10, a probe unit 4A according to the modified example differs from the probe unit 4 according to the above embodiment in that the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 each include a pair of incident and emitting units for incident and emitting light to and from the subject H, but is the same in other respects.

[0065] More specifically, end faces 81 a of a pair of optical members 81 are exposed on the first surface 61 s of the first probe 6, one of the pair of end faces 81 a is an emission portion that emits light to the subject H, and the other of the pair of end faces 81 b is an incidence portion that receives light from the subject H. Furthermore, end faces 91 a of a pair of optical members 91 are exposed on the second surface 71 s of the second probe 7, one of the pair of end faces 91 a is an emission portion that emits light to the subject H, and the other of the pair of end faces 91 b is an incidence portion that receives light from the subject H.

[0066] As the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 each have a pair of incident and output portions in this manner, the first light-shielding member 8 and the second light-shielding member 9 further have portions that partition the space between the pair of incident and output portions. That is, the first light-shielding member 8 is provided on the first surface 61s so as to collectively surround one end face 81a which is the output portion and the other end face 81a which is the input portion when viewed from a direction intersecting the first surface 61s, and the second light-shielding member 9 is provided on the second surface 71s so as to collectively surround one end face 91a which is the output portion and the other end face 91a which is the input portion when viewed from a direction intersecting the second surface 71s.

[0067] The first light-shielding member 8 includes a partition portion 8p interposed between a pair of end faces 81a when viewed from a direction intersecting the first surface 61s, and the second light-shielding member 9 includes a partition portion 9p interposed between a pair of end faces 91a when viewed from a direction intersecting the second surface 71s. The partition portion 8p is provided across the inner circumferential surface of the annular portion of the first light-shielding member 8 so as to pass between the pair of end faces 81a. The partition portion 9p is provided across the inner circumferential surface of the annular portion of the second light-shielding member 9 so as to pass between the pair of end faces 91a.

[0068] As a result, when the probe unit 4A is attached to the subject H, light-shielded spaces S1 and S2 that are independent of each other and partitioned by the partition section 8p or the partition section 9p are formed around each of the pair of end faces 81a and each of the pair of end faces 91a.

[0069] Next, a biometric measurement method using the biometric device 100 including the probe unit 4A according to the modified example configured as described above will be described. In this method, first, the probe unit 4A is attached to the subject H. The attachment method is the same as that of the probe unit 4 according to the embodiment.

[0070] Next, with the probe unit 4A attached to the subject H, under the control of the control unit C5 of the bio-optical characteristic measuring device 1, light L1 is provided from the light source unit C1 to the optical fiber 2 held in the first probe 6, and light L2 is provided from the light source unit C1 to the optical fiber 3 of the second probe 7. This light L1 is emitted from an end surface 81a of one optical member 81 of the first probe 6 and irradiated toward the subject H. Here, the biomeasurement device 100 performs a time-resolved measurement method to measure the hemoglobin dynamics of the subject H. Therefore, here, multiple (e.g., three) pulsed lights of light L1 having different wavelengths are sequentially irradiated. The wavelengths of the light L1 are, for example, 760 nm, 800 nm, and 830 nm.

[0071] Similarly, light L2 is emitted from an end surface 91a of one optical member 91 of the second probe 7 and irradiated toward the subject H. In this case, a plurality of pulsed light beams L2 (the same number as the light beams L1, e.g., three) having different wavelengths are sequentially irradiated. The wavelengths of the light beams L2 are, for example, the same as those of the light beams L1, e.g., 760 nm, 800 nm, and 830 nm. The irradiation of the light beams L1 and L2 is performed with a time lag between them.

[0072] Then, the light L1 propagated inside the subject H is incident on the end face 91a of the other optical member 91 of the second probe 7 and output to the photodetector C2 of the bio-optical property measuring device 1 via the optical fiber 3. Meanwhile, the light L2 propagated inside the subject H is incident on the end face 81a of the other optical member 81 of the first probe 6 and output to the photodetector C2 via the optical fiber 2. Thereafter, based on the detection results (attenuation and temporal diffusion of the lights L1 and L2, etc.), the oxygenated hemoglobin, deoxygenated hemoglobin, tissue oxygen saturation, etc. within the skull of the subject H are derived by the bio-optical property measuring unit C3 and the arithmetic processing unit C4 of the bio-optical property measuring device 1. In this way, first, two-channel transmission measurement is performed.

[0073] In the probe unit 4A, the positions of the end faces 81 a, 91 a of the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 can be set so that the two straight lines, namely, the straight line connecting the end face 81 a, which is the emission portion of the first probe 6, and the end face 91 a, which is the incidence portion of the second probe 7, and the straight line connecting the end face 81 a, which is the incidence portion of the first probe 6, and the end face 91 a, which is the emission portion of the second probe 7, do not intersect with each other (for example, so that they are parallel) (first arrangement, see (a) of Figure 10).

[0074] Alternatively, in the probe unit 4A, the positions of the end faces 81 a, 91 a of the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 may be set so that the two straight lines intersect with each other (second arrangement, see FIG. 10B). When the first arrangement is adopted, hemoglobin dynamics can be measured over a wider range inside the subject H. When the second arrangement is adopted, hemoglobin dynamics can be measured over a more localized range inside the subject H.

[0075] Next, reflection measurement is performed in the biomeasurement device 100. That is, under the control of the control unit C5 of the bio-optical characteristic measuring device 1, light L1 is provided from the light source unit C1 to the optical fiber 2 held in the first probe 6, and light L2 is provided from the light source unit C1 to the optical fiber 3 held in the second probe 7. This light L1 is emitted from an end surface 81 a of one optical member 81 of the first probe 6 and is irradiated toward the subject H. Similarly, light L2 is emitted from an end surface 91 a of one optical member 91 of the second probe 7 and is irradiated toward the subject H.

[0076] Light L1 propagated through the subject H is incident on an end surface 81a of the other optical member 81 of the first probe 6 and is output to the photodetector C2 of the bio-optical property measuring device 1 via the optical fiber 2. Light L2 propagated through the subject H is incident on an end surface 91a of the other optical member 91 of the second probe 7 and is output to the photodetector C2 via the optical fiber 3. Thereafter, based on the detection results (attenuation and temporal diffusion of light L1 and L2, etc.), oxygenated hemoglobin, deoxygenated hemoglobin, tissue oxygen saturation, etc. within the skull of the subject H are derived by the bio-optical property measuring unit C3 and the arithmetic processing unit C4 of the bio-optical property measuring device 1. In this way, two-channel reflection measurement is performed here.

[0077] In this reflection-type measurement, light that has propagated through a shallow portion of the subject H is detected, and therefore it is possible to measure the dynamics of hemoglobin in the shallow portion of the subject H. Therefore, by considering (excluding) the detection results obtained by the reflection-type measurement from the detection results obtained by the transmission-type measurement, it is possible to more accurately measure the dynamics of hemoglobin in the deep portion of the subject H.

[0078] As described above, the probe unit 4A according to the modified example can achieve the same effects as those of the above embodiment. Furthermore, in the probe unit 4A according to the modified example, the first surface 61s of the first probe 6 further exposes the end surface 81a, which is an incident portion for detecting light that has propagated inside the subject H, and the second surface 71s of the second probe 7 further exposes the end surface 91a, which is an output portion for irradiating light toward the subject H. Therefore, the probe unit 4A enables two-channel measurement using the first probe 6 and the second probe 7.

[0079] Furthermore, in the probe unit 4A, the first light-shielding member 8 includes a partition 8p interposed between the pair of end faces 81a, and the second light-shielding member 9 includes a partition 9p interposed between the pair of end faces 91a. This makes it possible to prevent light emitted from one end face 81a from being reflected by the surface Hs of the subject H and directly incident on the other end face 81a. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent light emitted from one end face 91a from being reflected by the surface Hs of the subject H and directly incident on the other end face 91a. This prevents light that is not the target of detection from being incident.

[0080] In the probe units 4 and 4A, the configuration that enables the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 to change their positions so that the first surface 61s and the second surface 71s are aligned with the opposing direction D is not limited to the first groove 68a and the second groove provided in the first ball support portion 68 and the second ball support portion 78. For example, one end 5e and the other end 5f of the holder 5 may be rotatable around an axis along the extension direction of the holder 5, thereby enabling the first probe 6 and the second probe 7 to change their positions so that the first surface 61s and the second surface 71s are aligned with the opposing direction D. In addition, the probe units 4 and 4A can be modified in any way, for example, by increasing the number of first grooves 68a of the first ball support portion 68 and the number of second grooves of the second ball support portion 78 to four (a structure having grooves in four directions).

[0081] 4, 4A...probe unit, 5...holder, 5e...one end, 5f...other end, 6...first probe, 7...second probe, 8...first light-shielding member (light-shielding member), 9...second light-shielding member (light-shielding member), 51, 52...plate member, 61s...first surface, 65...first mounting portion, 66...first shaft portion, 67...first ball portion, 68...first ball support portion, 68a...first groove portion, 69...first cap, 71s...second surface, 75...second mounting portion, 76...second shaft portion, 77...second ball portion, 78...second ball support portion, 79...second cap, D...opposing direction.

Claims

1. A probe unit used for measuring hemoglobin dynamics inside a subject, comprising: a flexible holder having a curved shape with one end facing the other end; a first probe attached to the one end of the holder, exposing a first incident / output section for making light incident and output to the subject, and having a first surface to which a light-shielding member is detachably attached so as to surround the first incident / output section; and a second probe attached to the other end of the holder, exposing a second incident / output section for making light incident and output to the subject, and having a second surface to which a light-shielding member is detachably attached so as to surround the second incident / output section, wherein the first probe is attached to the one end so as to be rotatable about a first axis along the opposing direction between the one end and the other end and a second axis intersecting the first axis, and so as to be attitude-changeable so that the first surface is along the opposing direction, the second probe is attached to the other end so as to be rotatable about the first axis and the second axis and so as to be attitude-changeable so that the second surface is along the opposing direction.

2. A probe unit as described in claim 1, comprising: a first attachment portion for attaching the first probe to the one end; and a second attachment portion for attaching the second probe to the other end, wherein the first attachment portion has: a first shank portion inserted into the one end so as to align with the first axis; a first ball portion provided at the tip of the first shank portion; and a first ball support portion provided on the first probe and into which the first ball portion is fitted to support the first ball portion rotatably about the first axis and the second axis, and the second attachment portion has: a second shank portion inserted into the other end so as to align with the first axis; a second ball portion provided at the tip of the second shank portion; and a second ball support portion provided on the second probe and into which the second ball portion is fitted to support the second ball portion rotatably about the first axis and the second axis.

3. A probe unit as described in claim 2, wherein the first ball support portion is formed with a first groove portion into which the first shaft portion enters when tilted, and the second ball support portion is formed with a second groove portion into which the second shaft portion enters when tilted.

4. A probe unit as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the first attachment portion is fitted over a base end of the first shank that protrudes from the one end opposite the first ball portion when the first shank is inserted into the one end, and includes a first cap to prevent the first shank from coming off the one end; the second attachment portion is fitted over a base end of the second shank that protrudes from the other end opposite the second ball portion when the second shank is inserted into the other end, and includes a second cap to prevent the second shank from coming off the other end; and the first cap and the second cap have spherical outer surfaces.

5. A probe unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the holder is configured by stacking a plurality of flexible plate members in a detachable manner, so that the restoring force when the distance between the one end and the other end is changed can be adjusted according to the number of plate members.

Images